Woman Last Seen in Her Thirties: A Novel

As a woman in her fifties, I totally identified with this character. Hopefully, my life won’t be shook up in the same way Maggie’s was, but life is full of little earthquakes, it’s all in how we deal with them. And I hope that I’m as brave as Maggie when—and if--my earth is shook.

Not only is Maggie a character worth rooting for, she had a great supporting cast. Who wouldn’t want a fairy godmother like Jean? I loved the relationship Maggie had with her kids and her mother-in-law, Rose. And then there was Charlie…

Great writing, great story, great escape. This was my first Camille Pagan book but it definitely won’t be my last.

I received an advance review copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

Camille Pagan has written another winner! I loved this book as much as Forever Is The Worst Long Time and Life and Other Near-Death Experiences!
Meet Maggie Halfmoon Harris, a 53-year old woman who has been just been told by her husband of almost 28 years that he is having an affair and no longer loves her. Follow Maggie as she learns to live by herself and love herself after having focused all her time, energy and love for her husband and two children.
This is a heartfelt story of finding love, losing love, new beginnings and learning to follow your heart.
I read an advanced copy of this book; all opinions are my own.

I have heard of Camille Pagan and her other novels, but though they sound interesting to me, I have not had the opportunity to read any of them until this one. What an introduction to a talented writer! The story was realistic and the characters and situations were believable. I really have no complaints other than I stayed up far too late reading this simply because I didn't want to leave without knowing what was happening on the next page, and the next, and the next. Well-written, well-paced, overall an entirely enjoyable read.

Many thanks to the publisher for the opportunity to read an advance copy of this book.

4/10
Five stars? Make it ten! TWENTY!
I’m obviously a big fan of Camille Pagán and she’s done it again with Woman Last Seen in her Thirties.
“....how could I possibly face the world alone if no one could see me?” Almost 30-years of marriage and he just quit. Two grown children and a decade until retirement and he just walked out. That’s what Adam did. Maggie has a laundry list of things she’d worry about more than twice; her husband leaving her was never on that list. Especially for a thirty year old named Jillian -never! Until she learns that what she was told was not necessarily fact. What could be worse?

A wonderful emotional read.When Maggie's husband of thirty years suddenly asks for a divorce her life is set into turmoil.There are moments in this book that every woman will be able to relate to especially women in their forties and older.I cheered Maggie on as she struggled to survive in this strange world as a divorcee.A story with moments that are surprising.Highly recommend,

This is a book that will resonate with many women. As soon as I started reading it, I knew-you will see a part of yourself in Maggie. No matter your age. Having what is possibly a 3rd quarter life crisis, her husband up and leaves her, shattering everything she thought happy and stable. So after the required and expected wallowing, she Eat Pray Loves it for a hot minute and decides then and there, it is finally time for some self care. Woman Last Seen in Her Thirties is fiction yes, but I guarantee women will be reading their own story. Pagán nails it once again.

Camille Pagan’s latest, Woman Last Seen in Her Thirties, a book that is at turns honest, hilarious, and full of heart. In Maggie Halfmoon, Pagan has created a nuanced and relatable character whose life is unexpectedly turned upside down when her husband suddenly leaves her after thirty-plus years of marriage. Pagan’s writing is sharp and quick-witted, both laugh-out-loud funny and deeply caring toward her characters. Maggie’s response to being discarded like a used dinner napkin is both believable and brave. As she navigates finding herself anew, the reader is drawn into Maggie’s story, her marriage, and the subtle choices that have led her to where she is today. Particularly relatable to anyone who has been married for more than two minutes, Pagan’s latest is uplifting, full of hope, and bright with the possibility of a new tomorrow.

This is a beautiful story of family, love, and heartbreak. Maggie is 53 years old and married with 2 children. She thinks her life is perfect. Out of the blue her husband asks for a divorce as he has been having an affair. Maggie's whole life is destroyed! She realizes she has lost herself always caring for her husband and children and needs to find herself again. I loved Maggie. She is such a strong woman and I found myself cheering for her as she found herself and her strength again. I received an advance reader copy of this book and all opinions are my own.

"Woman was Last Seen in her Thirties" is the story of Maggie, 53, who believes she is fortunate to have a good marriage and well-adjusted children. But as you might guess, Maggie’s husband walks out on her and this novel focuses on the aftermath. I read a lot of novels of this genre, and this is not the typical “woman scorned, seeking revenge” story. Nor does this tale follow the clichéd “Eat, Pray, Love” path. Maggie’s story is unique and believable with plenty of laugh out loud moments.
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I always love Camille Pagán's writing, and this book was no exception. I am certainly looking forward to her next novel. I'd like to thank NetGalley for providing me an advanced copy.

I really enjoyed the characters in this book. Maggie is full of self doubt and fears, but as the story progresses she learns who she is and what her place is in her new world. During her journey, she makes quirky new friends and has many new experiences. While the story is one I’ve read a few times before, the characters make this one worth the read.

In Woman Last Seen in Her Thirties, Maggie Half-Moon is introduced at the precipice of disaster right as she is blindsided by devastation news, her husband wants out of their marriage immediately. Though in disbelief, she is admittedly lost to herself if not him and seemingly invisible to those around her after years of happily putting others first.  As she stumbles and grasps for the remnants of her life; one might cringe in embarrassment for her or want to hug her, at least that was how I vacillated initially. However, as I traveled along on journeys into her heart and across the earth I was able to see a better, stronger version of her slowly but surely emerge from her struggles as she tackles life’s hurdles in a manner completely believable if not relatable. A personal favorite is Maggie’s expedition to Rome which is simply enchanting. It’s like vicariously joining in on culinary and architectural experiences and tours chock full of details that foodies and travel junkies will love (as I did) for their accuracy, richness and authenticity. That said, it is the whole of the story that results in a soulful and inspirational page turner rife with convincing plot twists and sprinkled with nuggets of non-cloying wisdom dropped at the right time and place. Ultimately this novel is built a on solid but unexpected plot and accompanied by a cast of charming (and detestable) characters, told with Pagans' ability to poignantly convey the abundant range of human emotion and a real sense of place. It is a novel which will likely stick with the reader for the long run in the very best way possible.

I received an advanced review copy from NetGalley. I love this author and I love this book. It's a strong story with a character you will root for. I was a little iffy on the ending but that's just my opinion. Perfect book to curl up with on a lazy Sunday afternoon. Happy reading! #WomanLastSeenInHerThirties #NetGalley

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book in one day. It's a great book for boomers and widows, married, divorced, and separated women can relate to it. Will Maggie choose her former husband of thirty years, who divorced her, and later became a totally different man, who values and loves her and wants to be the best husband for her. Or will Maggie choose Charlie, her new love interest? You decide if she made the right choice. What would you do? This is a fantastic book for book clubs! Mrs. Herbie

** spoiler alert ** This book is very relatable for any woman who has gone through a divorce and hasn’t quite been able to let go.

At first, I had a hard time reading this because my personality isn’t one to sit and wallow. Maggie has this image in her head of her marriage working out, and has completely convinced herself that her husband will realize what a mistake he’s made and come back to her. I get it—no one wants to think that someone doesn’t want them. BUT!!! I hate that she wasted all that time thinking about him.

From about chapter 8 on, I absolutely loved this and rooted for Maggie’s transformation into a confident, divorcee.

I received an Advanced Review Copy of this book. All thoughts are my own.

At first the humorous comments was a distraction for me, but then I was caught up in this great story. Maggie's life changes and the decisions she had to make kept me reading late into the night. The characters were well developed and not paper thin cut outs. Well written and I recommend for those wanting to read about a mature lead character figuring out out what's next.

Woman Last Seen In Her Thirties by Camille Pagan is a refreshing take on a woman unexpectedly abandoned by her husband at mid-life. This is a very witty story that is often downright hilarious and yet also quite poignant at times. I recommend it to fans of women's fiction, especially those who have tired of formulaic abandonment tales. It is a quick, uplifting read.

Camille Pagán WOWS us again with another brilliant novel! Woman Last Seen In Her Thirties is an empowering read for women everywhere! Camille made the main character from bits and pieces of all of us! Trust me when I tell you that you will feel as though you made a new best friend after reading this!

Maggie had her world turned upside down by lies and betrayal. At first it knocked her down with depression and drinking. I love this story of finding strength and growing into a beautiful strong person who looks forward to the future. This story is well written and so captivating! Highly recommend!

This was a surprisingly beautiful story about life changes and how we chose to start again. Loved the process of learning to let go and taking time to learn who we really are before embracing a new journey. This book will stay with you..

Maggie is every woman who has been through life changing events after their children are gone and their relationship evolves to a new reality. We don't know what we should do, but we know we have choices, some we had never before considered.

I love Camille Pagan books! I got hooked on “Life and Other Near Death Experiences,” so when I got the chance to get an ARC of this book I jumped at it! (Thank you, publisher & net galley!).
I was not disappointed! I loved this book and will continue to read Camille’s books for as long as she writes for us!

I received a digital ARC from NetGalley. I connected with both Maggie and Adam from the beginning of this novel, even though I am younger than both characters. I understood what they were going through and wanted to see them get the happiness they deserved. I loved the ending!

I absolutely adored Maggie and following her journey from the time her husband unexpectedly left her to the point where she found herself was touching. The story drew me in and I could not put it down.

I wondered which choices the narrator would make. This is a well-known story of a woman facing the breakup of her marriage and coming out stronger. Her angst and disappointment are real, and the choices she makes to rebuild her life are authentic.

I absolutely loved this story of Maggie, on her journey to find out who she is at 53. Her husband, Adam, told her he was leaving her after 23 years of marriage. In a tailspin, Maggie faces this first with weakness, building to strength as she experiences being alone after marriage and two grown kids. Pagan is a great storyteller, and I found it hard to put down the book. Highly recommend.

Camille Pagán WOWS us again with another brilliant novel! Woman Last Seen In Her Thirties is an empowering read for women everywhere! Camille made the main character from bits and pieces of all of us! Trust me when I tell you that you will feel as though you made a new best friend after reading this!

Maggie had her world turned upside down by lies and betrayal. At first it knocked her down with depression and drinking. I love this story of finding strength and growing into a beautiful strong person who looks forward to the future. This story is well written and so captivating! Highly recommend!

This was a surprisingly beautiful story about life changes and how we chose to start again. Loved the process of learning to let go and taking time to learn who we really are before embracing a new journey. This book will stay with you..

Maggie is every woman who has been through life changing events after their children are gone and their relationship evolves to a new reality. We don't know what we should do, but we know we have choices, some we had never before considered.

I love Camille Pagan books! I got hooked on “Life and Other Near Death Experiences,” so when I got the chance to get an ARC of this book I jumped at it! (Thank you, publisher & net galley!).
I was not disappointed! I loved this book and will continue to read Camille’s books for as long as she writes for us!

I received a digital ARC from NetGalley. I connected with both Maggie and Adam from the beginning of this novel, even though I am younger than both characters. I understood what they were going through and wanted to see them get the happiness they deserved. I loved the ending!

I absolutely adored Maggie and following her journey from the time her husband unexpectedly left her to the point where she found herself was touching. The story drew me in and I could not put it down.

I wondered which choices the narrator would make. This is a well-known story of a woman facing the breakup of her marriage and coming out stronger. Her angst and disappointment are real, and the choices she makes to rebuild her life are authentic.

I absolutely loved this story of Maggie, on her journey to find out who she is at 53. Her husband, Adam, told her he was leaving her after 23 years of marriage. In a tailspin, Maggie faces this first with weakness, building to strength as she experiences being alone after marriage and two grown kids. Pagan is a great storyteller, and I found it hard to put down the book. Highly recommend.

In Woman Last Seen in Her Thirties, Maggie is completely shocked when her husband of many years leaves her for another woman. She feels like she’s lost track of who she is, so she embarks on a journey of self-discovery, starting with a trip to Italy. Maggie and Adam had been planning to take an anniversary trip, and it’s mostly paid for, so she goes anyway. New relationships and a change of scenery, twice, seem to help her find herself again.

I really enjoyed this novel. I’ve been there with feeling like I’ve lost myself, when I was a new mother. I was cheering for Maggie all the way through this book. I love to see a woman stand on her own after a relationship crumbles.

Some elements of this story were a little far-fetched, but the characters, major and minor, were well developed. The plot was a bit slower than I usually like, but I found myself engrossed in this story.

Blog: Opinionated Book Lover

I loved this coming of middle age book. It talked about the issues we face as we become "women of a certain age" - what if the values we've been living by aren't actually ours but what was important to our parents, and what if our ideal life is actually a rut and not as comfortable in practice as it seems in our minds.

Even though I had just finished reading a book similar to this, and liked it immensely as well, this book caused me to evaluate my own life. It makes me a bit uncomfortable, feels real, and gives me a “back porch iced tea” good long talk from your own mother.