The Life Rules of Hilda Pride by Claudia Carroll

 

I loved this book. It reminded me a bit of ‘Eudora Honeysett is quite well thank you’ and  ‘A man called Ove’. It was so much fun. You start off finding Hilda, or should I say Miss Pride, just annoying, but she soon grows on you. I haven’t read any of Claudia Carroll’s books before, but I will be looking out for more.

Miss Pride is an old‑school secondary teacher in Scotland who doesn’t take any nonsense — from pupils or staff. When she goes a bit too far telling off a student, she finds herself suspended, and the thought of sitting alone in her flat drives her mad. So when a woman turns up to tell her she’s inherited a manor house in Ireland, it feels like exactly the fresh start she needs. She arrives with all her usual curmudgeonly ways, but soon realises she can’t restore the house alone — and that letting people in brings rewards she never expected.

I really enjoyed this story. Miss Pride might come across as sharp and stubborn, but watching her settle into Ireland, take on the manor house and slowly let people in was such a joy. It was funny, heart‑warming and full of lovely moments.

 

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/8485197051