The Silver-Haired Sisterhood

By Judy Leigh

As you can tell from the title, this novel is about a group of women in their seventies and eighties. Each has a “story” that is a little different from the others, but they are understanding and supportive of each other. The oldest, Rose, is an excellent pianist. She performs in a drag club in Paris. Tess, one of the main characters is newly divorced from a lowlife philanderer and is faced with needing to find a new home. Pam is comfortable with her life as a single, doting on her dog Elvis. Four years prior, the ladies who call themselves the Hens, had accompanied Jen to Paris before her wedding which she ultimately cancelled. When Della’s husband passes away leaving her in the throes of grief as they had a longtime loving marriage, she decides to temporarily get away from the memories in her home and accompany Tess on a trip to Scotland.

The bed and breakfast the pair sign up for on the Internet is in a state of disrepair and the owner is not ready for them as he is going through his own divorce. The plot proceeds from the ruins of Roddy’s ancestral home, his failed marriage, and an evil wife and her boyfriend. The Silver-Haired Sisterhood is full of interesting characters living on the island of Skye. There are poignant moments and humorous times that make the book stand out as a fun, memorable read.

I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Rating: 4/5

Category: Fiction, Women’s Fiction, Romance

Notes: This novel develops some relationships from friendships into romance. A few of these pairings are not acceptable in more traditional circles, but the physical aspects are implied and always “closed door.” 

Publication:  December 3, 2024—Boldwood Books

Memorable Lines:

“And she’d miss a bad cold more than she’d miss living with Alan.”

Two figures were running towards them over croft land; they were handsome, rugged young men jogging in woollen hats, layers of clothes, tracksuits, padded jackets. As they passed, Tess noticed their icy breath and their determined expressions. She called out, “You can stop running after your dreams—we’re right here,” and burst out laughing.  One of the men muttered something: “Right y’are, darlin.’ ” 

She had no romantic feelings for him—she knew that now. It had simply been the need to reach out to another person, to feel wanted. But that wasn’t enough for Tess. She realised that she needed to be one half of a magnet, equally tugged and tugging.