The Last List of Mabel Beaumont is a bittersweet tale of found family, life after loss, and taking chances. Laura Pearson tells the story of Mabel, a widower, who is on a voyage to finish her husband's last to-do list. Along the way, Mabel finds a new set of friends, rekindles lost love, and learns to love the life she is living. The book made me shed a tear or two, it was a quick and easy read. ( )

Mabel Beaumont is an elderly woman of 86 years. Her husband, Arthur, passes away shortly after the story begins. Arthur has always made lists, and she soon finds a list that includes " Find D.". Initially she is not sure who " D" is, but later determines that it is an old, close friend of her and her husbands, named Dot. So, she begins a to seek out Dot, who she has not seen since before her marriage and is uncertain if Dot is still alive. This is a very touching and moving story , as Mabel grieves the loss of her husband, and reflects back the good and bad of her marriage, and their childlessness. Soon, several young people enter into her formerly closed life. Julie, a carer that her husband had arranged for in the event of his death, Erin, a teen aged girl who is a clerk at her local grocery store, as well as a neighbour with a young baby, who offers to walk Mabel's dog, Olly. Patricia is friend of Julie's, and soon becomes a friend of Mabel's as well. Each of these women are struggling with their own problems, and Mabel is happy to try and help each one.

A story of many complex relationships, friendship,grief , hope, and love.

A quote from page 22 by Mabel . " I didn't love him , at first, but I grew to . Not passionate love, not the kind of passionate love people talk about dying for, more a love built brick by brick. A love made of appreciation, and shared grief, and kindness. He was good man. Such a good man."

Highly recommended. ( )

My kind of book, old women, secrets, romance, and death. ( )

Sometimes a book just immediately appeals. The title and premise of The Last List of Mabel Beaumont were right up my street, and now I've read it I can say that the story is too. This is a brilliant and beautiful book in every way. Not only was it all I hoped for but it exceeded all those hopes.

A big part of what makes this my kind of read is that it's about an ordinary and long life, and about what happens when Mabel has to step out of her comfort zone. Married for 62 years to Arthur, when he dies she has so many thoughts and feelings. She's lost and lonely without him and yet the marriage wasn't always one where they were completely in step with each other. Arthur left a list and it says 'Find D'. This must surely mean that Mabel must find Dot, her former best friend who she hasn't set eyes on for six decades.

What comes next is the most perfectly executed story about marriage, companionship, friendship and love. Mabel makes new friends of all age groups and although an unlikely group they make, the wisdom and experience of each is of so much benefit to the others. With their help, Mabel sets out to try and find out what happened to Dot and in turn begins to heal from her loss.

I thought Laura Pearson's writing was perfection. She nailed all the minutiae of life and made it interesting. The story tugs on the heartstrings and yet it's so uplifting and joyful in so many ways and I loved that she managed to surprise me with some unexpected developments in the plot.

This is a book that has so much detail I want to talk about that I could go on and on for ages (I will spare you that!) but sometimes a book comes along that just entirely envelops me, which has a bit of everything I love, characters that I care about, and a story that I become totally immersed in and which makes me laugh and cry. The Last List of Mabel Beaumont is that book. It's a complete and utter triumph. ( )

Mabel and Arthur have been together for many decades, then one day it all goes away. Mabel finds a list that begins her on a journey of adventures, long lost secrets, new friendships, lost loves, and the bliss of finding people to walk beside you on your journey. Patty, Erin, Julie and Kristie could not be more different from Mabel, yet they all come together to lift one another, support each other’s choices, and if necessary, search for and find what we may have lost due to circumstances. This is a beautiful story about five women ‘s life lessons, and friendships with one another that allow for doors of opportunity to open back up.
Mabel finally has the chance to release a secret she kept for six decades with this group of eclectic woman spanning from teenagers to octogenarians. You will laugh, cry, cheer, and shake your head at all that the pages reveal. It all started with a list and ended with long lost love. ( )