The Blue Hour

Shortlisted for the Holyer An Gof awards 2022, semi-finalist in the Book Blogger Novel of the Year Awards 2022

The Blue Hour two love affairs and two summers, 75 years apart

the literary equivalent of a strong gin and tonic on a warm summer's evening: refreshing, invigorating and inspiringa stunningly good debut. Beautifully written, this honest, emotional and moving novel had me hooked from the opening pages. I could not stop reading until I had finished, and when I had finished, I missed the characters. - Novelist Louise Douglas

Damaged by a toxic relationship, Ava Westmorland flees the ruins of her life in London for a carer's job in a Cornish village. She hopes a combination of countryside and coast will heal her shattered heart. But she has yet to face tyrannical Tilly Barwise; the 89-year-old she will be looking after. Sharp, cantankerous and with an acid tongue, Tilly is the polar opposite of a sweet old lady. She has lived a thrillingly full life of romance and intrigue and is determined shy Ava will follow in her doddering footsteps.

Through Tilly's outrageous antics and bittersweet reminiscences, she shows Ava what it is to embrace life. As the pair form an unlikely bond, Tilly reveals the details of a wartime love affair with an American that ended in tragedy but not quite in the way Tilly always believed.

M J Greenwood has drawn a rich, funny, and poignant portrait of two women reluctantly bound by circumstance amid a landscape that retains a unique beauty, even in the midst of unwelcome change.

Goodreads Reviews

Funny, poignant and endlessly charming, this delightful debut novel brings us an irascible character in Tilly, romance, a national diet based on rationing and the idea that no matter how old you are the fading hues of twilight days can still burn shockingly bright. Beautifully written, with an especially touching end, this is a book I can highly recommend.

This such a lovely story. I loved the way the two timelines were blended together by way of letters and diary entries as well as narrative. There are some fantastic characters, especially Tilly. She is such a card - she has a brilliant and naughty sense of humour. It's beautifully written with some fabulous descriptions of Cornwall. I could almost imagine I was there.

A wonderful, heartwarming read with a moving ending which is sure to bring a tear to your eye.

WOW what a brilliant book which had me totally engrossed from the beginning. I loved the characters and especially Tilly and Ava and will miss reading about them. Melanie has a great way of engaging you into the story that enables you to visualise the characters and setting. It is a story that will stay with me for a very long time and I can't wait for Melanie's next book.

What a wonderful book! I started reading this thinking I really do not like Tilly but by the end I loved her. The story is written in two time lines, Tilly's story during world war 2 and Tilly's story now when she is nearing her 90th birthday. This book brings a smile to your face and a tear to your eye. I loved the ending. I now have just under 30 years to practice being a Tilly and if my kids annoy me then I think I will take several leaves from her book. I will be recommending this book to friends and family, starting with my daughter!

Heartwarming story that was brilliant to read. Wonderful well thought out ending.

The characters really latch onto your heartstrings and there are plenty of laughs and tears as we share their highs and lows, loves and losses. I absolutely loved this story and felt bereft as I finished reading. I feel like I was immersed in the Cornish community with new friends. It takes great skill to develop characters and plot so realistically.

Dettagli