Two women who are alike only in having a sudden change in their lives meet while wondering what to do about an apparently distressed dog on a tied up narrowboat. When the owner returns they become acquainted and are asked to take the boat for needed repairs while the owner has medical tests and possible surgery. Doing so gives them an opportunity to reflect on their futures. Descriptions of the narrowboat community, both those who live on the boats and those who rent them for holidays.

Original title in Britain was "Narrowboat Summer" but because most North Americans wouldn't know what a narrowboat is, it was renamed for release in America. But this Canadian has a husband who is addicted to YouTube videos and watched the adventures of narrowboats on the canals of England for close to a year. It was, in fact, the connection to Narrowboats that drew me to the book.

Unfortunately, the fact that this vessel was a narrowboat played a very small part in the book. The rest was women finding that they are stronger than they thought, with a neat tied-up-in-a-bow ending. Not my thing. If it's yours, there are far worse places to read about it than on a pleasure craft on an English canal. ( )

Eve Warburton and Sally Allsop didn’t usually walk on the towpath, but today was different. Strangers to one another, soon to pass as they walked in opposite directions. However, they couldn’t help but talk to one another, questioning ear-splitting noise from a narrowboat they were about to pass as it was parked on the side of the canal. After the noise, sitting together and discussing their actions of spontaneity, the boat owner returns. Eve and Sally learn her name is Anastasia, and the name of the noise now missing is Noah. Waiting for Noah, Anatasia, Eve, and Sally have tea together on “Number One.” Tea and conversation. A conversation that leads to Anatasia’s proposal. A proposal that changes all their lives. Easy.

Browsing on my Kindle, I was drawn to pause to enjoy the beautiful watercolor of the designed book cover that welcomed thoughts of summer on a narrowboat. As I wondered what the story might be, I added the title to my tbr list without reading the description. I later realized that I had read the author’s debut novel, “Meet Me at the Museum,” and I was even more excited to read the book. I loved this story, too, for entirely different reasons.

As the 3 women embark on the following weeks of their lives, the reader discovers more about their past life experiences and relationships simultaneous to moving forward. It is a story of friendship but so much more. It brings to life the questions women ask themselves instigated by a life-threatening diagnosis, or the loss of a job, or the boredom of routine as the remains of an empty nest might not be enough. It is the strength and courage to embrace change. It is trusting another to speak freely, to listen and reply unfiltered, even if the conversation sometimes ends abruptly.

With atmospheric writing, the reader is showered with the intricacies of living on a narrowboat, from the work of traversing the canal locks of England to experiences along the way from the beauty of nature to meeting other boat owners to shopping in small towns for groceries, or for the change of eating a meal at a pub.

A well-written story, beautifully simple, and beautifully complex. I didn’t want the journey to end. I hope my review entices you to step onto Anatasia’s narrowboat.

Discussion Questions are available at the end of the novel. ( )

3.5***

Original (UK) title: Three Women and a Boat

Eve has recently been let go from her high-powered job and is struggling with what to do next. Sally has decided that her marriage isn’t working for her, and she wants to leave it … at least for a while. The two happen to be walking on the same towpath when they meet Anastasia, the elderly owner of The Number One, and the rather anxious dog, Noah, who lives aboard the narrowboat with her. Serendipity? Chance? Fate?

This was a charming coming-of-middle-age book. As Eve and Sally help out Anastasia by taking the boat through a series of canals and locks to dry dock for servicing, they get know one another and, more importantly, themselves. They meet the many other people who live on the canals, most of whom know Anastasia, virtually all of whom are willing to lend a hand when needed.

I’m not sure this would be the life for me, but I sure enjoyed spending some time with them, and imaging myself lulled to sleep by the gentle rocking of waves, or feeling the sun on my skin as we gently moved through the canals. ( )

Serendipity spells adventure on British canal.