A review by travelsalongmybookshelf
Geraldine Verne's Red Suitcase by Jane Riley

4.0

Geraldine Verne’s Red Suitcase- Jane Riley

When Jack Verne died, his wife Geraldine wanted to keep him close by so they could still be a team. Not like a photo tucked in a purse but the whole of him in an urn. She decides to use one of their red suitcases so wherever she goes, Jack can go too.
But Geri hasn’t left the house for 3 months, she is shrinking within herself and fading from living a life.
Then she has an accident and has to accept help from her friends and worse still meals on wheels has been organised and she doesn’t want it. Told to stop wallowing and sinking into self pity she grudgingly accepts. And so things begin to change for her.

I did feel quite sad reading about Geri at the start, a very genuine portrait of grief and loneliness and it struck a chord with me due to a recent bereavement. All the things that you remember about a person that pop into your head, especially after a 50 year marriage which Geri has had. She is frozen, fearful, and isolated and needs help and it’s a little bit heartbreaking.
Then she meets Lottie who brings the meals and a real friendship slowly begins to develop, they help each other and slowly Geri begins to enjoy life again.

This book will pull at your heart strings, I defy you not to love Geri, Lottie and Len. I felt quite a connection to the characters.
Geri really reminded me of my Granny who lived life to the full in her widowhood, had gumption and did some amazing things This is heartwarming, gently funny and quirky and simply just a lovely read.
It’s given me a few ideas for when my time comes that’s for sure!

✩✩✩✩

[AD-PR PRODUCT]

Thanks to Jane Riley, Fmcm Associates ,Rhiannon Morris and Lake Union Publishing for my copy of this book.