A heartwarming, uplifting, and entertaining novel that made me smile and root for the nuns. The author delivers a cast of lovely characters, a well plotted story that kept me hooked. Highly recommended. Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine

This is a wonderful story about three nuns, all that remain of the once busy order of the Sisters of Saint Philomena. Their convent is crumbling, they have no money and no idea what the future holds for them but they have a great faith in God. There is a wonderful cast of characters introduced into the story of the sisters all of whom have their lives enriched by the faith and prayers of the nuns. Their conversations with God are charming and touching, he's such a part of their lives that they scold him and entreat him in equal measure and the ensuing small miracles are just as momentous as the big miracle the nuns are visiting Italy to investigate. I loved the book, it's a fabulous depiction of people's lives, their struggles, their loneliness, their individual longings. Never cloying or overly sentimental but truly heartwarming and highly recommended.

Sisters Margaret, Bridget and Cecilia from the order of the Sisters of Saint Philomena might have to leave their friends and neighbours in the parish community of Fairbridge, a fictional English town. Sister Bridget, now seventy, went to cookery college thanks to Sister Frances's support, recognition of potential and persuasion, so she bakes cakes for the church funds but it's not enough for the cash-strapped order and the convent. Fifty-eight-year-old Mother Superior, Sister Margaret is still grieving the loss of her close friend, Sister Helen. Sister Cecilia, 90, has high hopes for a lottery win which happens to the tune of £20,000, bringing with it new opportunities for the sisters at home and abroad. A delightful story with some beautifully drawn relationships and interesting revelations. Charming, amusing, with a soupçon of scandal and very worthwhile. I received a complimentary copy of this novel at my request from Random House UK, Vintage, via NetGalley and this review is my own unbiased opinion.

What a terrifically enjoyable read! St. Philomena’s used to be a thriving convent at the heart of the community, but now their numbers are dwindling. With only three nuns left, the house is too big for their and in need of dire repair and Sister Margaret, thrown into the deep end as the newly appointed Sister Superior is faced with the stark choice of having to sell up and find another order to take them in. Sister Bridget is their cook, also attending to the culinary needs of the parish priest, and is happiest in the kitchen. Sister Cecilia is elderly and focused entirely on her research while putting her faith on a lottery win to get them out of trouble. So what happens when their numbers come up? What a truly wonderful read! Every so often, along comes a novel I find myself unable to tear myself away from; eager to finish the story but never wanting it to end. The characters are beautifully crafted, the story is so delightful; this is a lovely, gentle tale with a sprinkling of humour and a very satisfying ending. I lost myself in this one, and it’s not a novel I will easily forget. Highly recommended, and one I’m so happy to give all five shining stars!

I rarely write book reviews but I felt compelled to encourage readers to try this wonderful story. I hardly ever get a chance to read having such a busy working/family life, so was determined to read as many books during the summer holiday as I could. Luckily, this one was top of my pile! What a moving book. I had a little happy weep many times and feel like I know and love all of the well-developed characters. I can’t wait to read Sweet Mercies!! I’m just so disappointed that I didn’t have the second book with me on holiday. I’m desperate to get home and buy it!! I’ve also heard that there is hope of a third one - so happy!!