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Happy Hour cover art

Happy Hour

By: Jacquie Byron
Narrated by: Nell Campbell
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Publisher's Summary

Growing older doesn’t necessarily mean growing wiser.

Gin in one hand, paintbrush in the other, Franny Calderwood has turned her back on the world, or at least the world she used to love. Having lost her husband, Frank, in tragic circumstances three years earlier, 65-year-old Franny copes the only way she knows how: by removing herself completely from the life she had before. Franny lives a life of decadent seclusion, with only her two dogs, Whisky and Soda, a stuffed cat, cocktails and the memory of Frank for company. Then the Salernos move in next door. The troubled but charming trio - beleaguered mother Sallyanne, angry teenager Dee and eccentric eight-year-old Josh - cannot help but pull Franny into the drama of their lives. But despite her fixation with independence, Franny’s wisecracks and culinary experiments hide considerable trauma and pain, and when her eccentric behaviour has life-threatening consequences, she faces a reckoning of sorts. Yes, Frank is dead, but did the woman he loved have to perish with him?

A story about one woman, two dogs, and the family next door, Happy Hour is a hilarious and uplifting insight into grief, loss, true love and friendship.

©2021 Jacqui Byron (P)2021 W F Howes

Critic Reviews

"A hilarious and poignant reminder that grief is a journey that should NEVER be travelled alone." (Mary Moody)

"A timely and poignant story about the importance of loving and, ultimately, of living." (Noni Hazlehurst)

"I found myself barracking for Franny all the way." (Susan Duncan)

What listeners say about Happy Hour

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  • Overall
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    4 out of 5 stars

Life can be messy

“Happy hour” understands that we don’t all handle life changes to a plan and it is Ok to work your way forward step by step but remember there are people who love you.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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amazing

I can't remember when I last enjoyed a story so much. I laughed and cried

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Loved it!

A lovely relatable Australian story. I giggled at Franny’s dry humour all the way through. I’m sad I finished it so soon!

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Unexpected delight!

Filled with laugh out loud moments, this story was a treat to listen to.
Great characters, narration, and light storyline.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Entertaining, moving

Real life lessons when we experience lifes out of know where challenges. Told with humour wit and wisdom. Thanks

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Happy hour

Interesting story and a light hearted story with some interesting details. Some laughs along the way

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Negotiating life with a twist of lemon

A cast of lives spanning across different decades and all dealing with their own demons. They cross paths, bounce off each other,love, laugh, lean and learn finding a way through with humour, confusion and anger. Life. I loved Nell Campbell’s narration. A goodie with dry old girl as the central character… Fannie, as dry as Gin.

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Life with fragility and humour

Completely uplifting and warming to the soul. Laughed and cried and did not want it to end. Loved it! ❤️

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  • Overall
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I enjoyed the read

This is an easy story to listen to - a comment about life and one woman's.experience as she works through challenges that life has thrown at her.
The characters are relatable and demonstrate how important friendships are even though at times, they can be difficult.

Sometimes I laughed and sometimes shed a tear.
I'm glad I read it.

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A pleasant surprise

Amongst reading many fantasy series’ I want something a bit lighter to break it up and got this purely because it was on sale. I was so surprised to find that I loved it! It was the perfect mix of heartwarming, funny and also a bit sad. Highly recommend!

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In the spirit of reconciliation, Audible acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.