Suddenly Single at Sixty by Jo Peck

 

Thank you Jo Peck and Net Galley for my ARC of this book, to be published on 30 April.

Jo Peck, at the age of sixty, was completely blindsided by her husband’s announcement that he was seeing someone else and wanted to end their marriage. As this wonderfully frank and free-flowing memoir progressed, however, I couldn’t help but think he had done her an enormous favour. I’ve seen a few friends over the years tied to men who establish the ground rules for a relationship by making sure their ‘moods’ set the tone of each day; that their default setting in response to all suggestions is ‘no’, and who have made gaslighting into an art. It is obvious from Jo’s writing that her friends could see him much more clearly than she did. That she wasn’t broken by him and is able to focus on memories of their good times bears witness to her resilience and strength of character.

Jo had a highly successful career in advertising with her business partner, Eliza, and she had several good friends. She also has a wonderful, self-deprecating sense of humour and, reading between the lines, it is obvious that she is very attractive. Outside of her marriage she was confident and appealing in her relationships with others.

Jo’s honest remembrances of her attempts at online dating are often funny and sometimes heart-wrenching. She is searingly honest and self-aware and at her raunchiest she could almost rival Erica Jong, although not really, but when you get to her massage sessions you will see what I mean: Jo is not afraid to reveal some of her most intimate  secrets.

This memoir is intelligent and funny and a celebration of optimism and hope. Jo at sixty was knocked down by a nasty blow, but she picked herself up, dusted herself off and started all over again. And how! If I had a seal of approval I would stamp it on this book.

Published by Text Publishing