Never Too Late To Change 1. Never Too Late

Imagine you’re old, poor and lonely and living in a cold, damp cottage in England. Then you’ll have the main character, Eric, and the setting of this story. Perhaps the only thing Eric has in common with usual main characters in GA stories is being gay and deeply closeted but opening the door. 
The person Eric opens the door to, is Andy, a young charity volunteer. At first they don’t get along at all, but with nudging from Adam, his clever boyfriend, Andy manages to salvage the initial disaster and gradually win the trust of Eric. He discovers how to help the taciturn, proud oldster who gradually opens up to potential friendships and a glimpse into the unobtainable world of gay romance and relationships.
Northie once again has managed to capture my heart with something real; with characters who make mistakes, but strive to improve; with gentle but piercing observations on how society ignores the needs of the poor, the old, and the lonely. Most of all, how the kindness of a few people, who reach out to Eric during the story, makes all the difference in the world to him.

This review is a shorter version of the blog review found here.

I really liked this story.

Unfortunately I see all too much of myself in Eric. While not quite as mature, I'm getting up there in years, and tend to be a loner for the most part. This pandemic year certainly has not assisted. Reading this makes me want to get myself out there a bit more once things are less restrictive. 

Now on to read part 2

A heartwarming story. Elderly people are often lonely. There must be many older folk like Eric, counting their pennies and working out if they can afford to put the heating on for a few hours. I enjoyed the development of the story and the way that each little step brings Eric further out of the shell into which he'd withdrawn and shows Andy that there is so much in his own life he's taken for granted.

When one lives in abject poverty, has denied himself what most would consider "normal" - like heat in cold weather, nutritious meals, and even friendships, one might come to believe that they are not worthy of such "normalities".  Eric seems to accept his station in life, even to the point of seeming to reject help when offered because his pride is seemingly attacked.  Andy, a charity volunteer, also learns how to communicate effectively, albeit occasionally misspeaking without malice, and develops a wonderful relationship which greatly benefits Eric's life.  Eric is finally able to admit to himself that he is gay and has been closeted all his life.  This is not a romantic story; rather, it is a true journey that shows one is never too old to learn peace in one's life.  This is a superb read!

This was a very "feel-good" story with truly believable characters.  It goes to show what can happen when we, as human beings, reach out to help our fellow man!!  It was refreshing for me to read "Never Too Late To Change"! 

One of the things that I really enjoy about the weekly look back in the blogs is finding mentions of stories that perhaps you did not find the first time around.

This is one such story.  The characters and writing were truly first rate.  And the story is a more common one than many realize but told with humor and compassion.  

Highly recommend this story, and I hope others like me find it and give it a chance.  

A small cast, a simple story of friendship, light on melodrama. 

Beautifully drawn characters placed into a variety of situations. A story steeped in reality, the struggle of a retired man with limited financial means and no support systems in place to make life easier or more bearable. Enter his life a young gay man, self-assured, happily coupled and determined to do right by the older man, thinking he knows what is best for him. What unfolds is a thing of great beauty, a real intergenerational friendship between two very unlikely friends.

More lovely a story you will be hard to find, beautifully drawn characters that make you feel pleased to know and brings joy of each small advance made. Simply gorgeous,  you would have to be very hard hearted not to be moved.