Surprisingly, Arthur has prepared for his passing by hiring someone to come in to their home for two hours each day. This carer is named Julie, and despite Mabel’s initial misgivings, Julie becomes a true friend, helper, and confidant. Through Julie, and her own newfound courage, Mabel meets other friends. A teenager who works at the local market. A seventy year old dance instructor, and a young mother with a tiny daughter. Suddenly Mabel doesn’t feel so alone and she is experiencing camaraderie for the first time in decades. She has a new lease on life at the tender age of eighty-six. Her new friends set about to help Mabel find her old friend Dot. Mabel and Arthur Beaumont live in a small Surrey town and have been married for sixty-two years. They are the best of friends. When she wakes one morning to find Arthur has passed away in the night, she feels adrift. They never had children and now she is completely alone… When Arthur was alive he structured their days around lists he would make. Mabel finds his last, unfinished list which says only “Find D”. Her mind immediately goes to Dot, her best friend, whom she hasn’t seen since before her marriage to Arthur. Did he want her to find Dot again? A completely heartbreaking, beautiful, uplifting story, guaranteed to make you smile but also make you cry. Perfect for fans of My Name is Ove, Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine, and The Keeper of Stories.Readers are absolutely loving The Last List of Mabel Beaumont: What a fool I was to even worry, because not only did I genuinely LOVE this book, it was one of my favourite, five star reads of July. I honestly cannot recommend this beautiful story enough to you all - I read it in a single afternoon because I was so utterly besotted with Mabel and her friends 🥹

Mabel Beaumont's husband Arthur loved lists. He'd leave them for her everywhere. 'Remember: eggs, butter, sugar'. 'I love you: today, tomorrow, always'. It isn’t possible, to erase the lives we’ve lived. We only have today, and whatever future we’re granted.” The best book I’ve read in ages. The Last List of Mabel Beaumont is so beautifully written. I thought I knew where the story was heading and I was wrong, and I love it for that. It’s heart-warming without being twee, feel-good without being unrealistic. If I could give 6 stars, I would. I am normally quite a slow reader, but devoured this one in less than 24 hours and now want to get my hands on this author’s other books!A fabulous cast of characters all rally round Mabel as she starts a quest. After finding a list made by her late husband, Mabel starts a search for Dot, her best friend. Supported by her new group of friends, we see how their lives become intertwined, as much as they are helping Mabel, caring for her and allowing her to do more; they have also become projects that she feels she wants to help out.

This beautifully written story of friendship, love, loss and second chances captured my heart. I adored Mabel and her unlikely gang of colourful characters… Leaves you feeling warm, hopeful, and satisfied.’ Lisa Timoney I’ve been inundated with books in the uplit genre but this is by far the best I’ve read… moving, life-affirming and utterly wonderful.’ Matt Cain

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I liked the eclectic mix of characters. Other than Mabel there is Erin who works part-time at the local supermarket saving to go to university; Julie, a care worker whom Arthur had organised to look out and 'do' for Mabel before his death; Patty, a dance instructor; and Kirsty, a young mum estranged from her family. All have problems in their lives and Mabel blithely interferes without thought of the consequences. The last list he left had one item on it, Find D. Mabel thinks he must have meant her old friend Dot. Although she hasn’t seen Dot for over 60 years, they were completely inseparable for many years. Dot left without so much as a goodbye and it’s bothered Mabel ever since that day. THE AUTHOR: Laura Pearson has an MA in Creative Writing from the University of Chichester. She lives in Leicestershire with her husband and their two children. But then Mabel finds that Arthur left her one, unfinished list: “Find D”. It’s cryptic, to say the least, and Mabel’s really not in any frame of mind for game-playing. But once she’s taken some time to think about it and to realize that her life didn’t stop when Arthur’s did, she gives the ‘list’ some thought. Could Arthur possibly have known he was dying? And did he mean that she should go and find her long-lost best friend Dot? She hasn’t seen her since she suddenly disappeared just before Mabel and Arthur got married. It’s been a very long time!

Thank you NetGalley and Boldwood Books granting me access to this book in exchange for an honest review. Well, I finished this in the same 24 hours as I started it. Oh... what a beautiful story... Poignant and inspiring!' Jennie Godfrey, author I absolutely loved this book... I adore an older protagonist... who is feisty and not afraid to speak her mind. The story is like a warm hug - but it had spark and wit and humour too. I loved it, and was bereft when I finished it (far too) late last night!... Gorgeous!' Clare Swatman, authorEmma @damppebbles is honoring #bookbloggers with her annual #R3COMM3ND3D2023 – and today is myday! November 18, 2023 Since writing The Secret Life of Albert Entwisle, I've been inundated with books in the uplit genre but this is by far the best I've read... It's moving, life-affirming and utterly wonderful.' Matt Cain, author

But now Arthur is gone. He died: softly, gently, not making a fuss. But he's still left her a list. This one has just one item on it though: 'Find D'. year old Arthur and 86 year old Mabel have been married for 62 years. Though Arthur is more outgoing, more excited by new possibilities and Mabel is the introvert, not interested in new experiences, they can take the small silences that older marriages are comfortable enough to endure. It seems impossible. She doesn't even know if Dot's still alive. Also, every person Mabel talks to seems to need help first, with missing husbands, daughters, parents. Mabel finds her list is just getting longer, and she's still no closer to finding Dot. Something interesting that I found when comparing this to similar real-life situations where one partner passes away after being in a long-term relationship, is that the remaining partner will often embark on a fulfilling, active life that’s sometimes quite different from the one they shared with the loved one that they lost. Mabel begins reaching out to others, opening up her formerly closed off life. Mabel learns to explore new things, something she refused to do for much of her marriage. She also realizes that she isolated herself, and she begins the process of reaching out and making friends. The women she brings into her life range greatly in ages and experiences, and all have their own troubles. All the women, including Mabel, gain tremendously from their new relationships with each other.This is a melancholy tale about living the life that was expected of you, instead of the one you want, but it’s also about the ways in which the saying “When One Door Closes, Another Door Opens” is absolutely true. This book is an absolute gift! I loved it. It was so not what I was expecting. I enjoyed the way that the author introduced her various diverse themes into the story, and I particularly liked the way that Mabel literally seems to come to life more and more as she understands that she still has a life to live.