Mildly Forgetful, Madly in Love
About
One missing woman, two hopeful hearts, and a trail of sticky notes no one can decipher.
When seventy-five-year-old retired botany professor Betty Wilding vanishes—again—her family assumes she’s wandered into another greenhouse or accidentally joined a silent retreat. But Betty isn’t lost. She’s chasing down a long-lost love, a decades-old betrayal, and the truth behind the letters that never reached her.
Meanwhile, Daniel Wren, gentle hardware-store philosopher and wearer of tweed in inappropriate seasons, is trying to find Betty, armed with nothing but old memories, unsent letters, and a romantic’s refusal to give up—even when everyone else thinks it’s too late.
But nothing is simple in the small town of Willowend, especially with:
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One fiercely loyal sister with a planner and a temper, -
A meddling society woman with suspiciously fresh lipstick and a plan of her own, -
And a pair of middle-aged kids who may just be falling in love while tracking down their runaway parents.
Mildly Forgetful, Madly in Love is a charming, heartfelt romantic dramedy for fans of The 100-Year-Old Man Who Climbed Out the Window and The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society. It’s about second chances, the beautiful mess of memory, and what happens when love refuses to be forgotten—even if you sometimes forget where you put your keys.
If you like your love stories witty, wistful, and just a little wild, this is the one to add to your cart right now.
Because love might grow old—but it never grows up.
Praise for this book
"Mildly Forgetful, Madly in Love" is an utterly charming, heartwarming triumph that masterfully blends gentle humor with profound tenderness, following seventy-five-year-old Betty’s determined quest for a lost love and the endearingly tweed-clad Daniel’s unwavering pursuit of her, proving that adventure and romance aren't confined to youth. With its quirky ensemble cast in the vividly drawn town of Willowend, a trail of delightfully cryptic sticky notes, and a poignant exploration of memory, betrayal, and second chances spanning decades, this witty and wistful romantic dramedy delivers laugh-out-loud moments alongside deeply moving insights, reminding us that while keys might get misplaced, true love is simply unforgettable—a perfect read for anyone who believes love might grow old, but it emphatically refuses to grow up.
I grabbed this on a whim because the title made me laugh, and wow, what a gem! I'm a sucker for unconventional love stories, but this one really surprised me with how much heart it has.
Betty is my new favorite literary character - a 75-year-old botany professor chasing down old love while her family thinks she's just wandering around greenhouses again? Brilliant. And Daniel with his inappropriate tweed had me grinning from page one. The author nails that sweet spot between funny and touching without ever getting sappy.
What really got me was how the kids' storyline weaved in with their parents' romance. Usually dual timelines feel forced, but this felt so natural. The small town dynamics were spot-on too - I swear I know that meddling society woman in real life.
Fair warning: I ugly-cried at least twice, but in the best way. This book reminded me why I love reading in the first place. Perfect for anyone who thinks romance novels are just for twenty-somethings.
Already recommended it to my book club!
This book is an absolute delight! Mildly Forgetful, Madly in Love is full of charm, laugh-out-loud moments, and a beautifully imperfect love story that feels both real and refreshing.
Being a little older myself, I got a real kick out of this story. The forgetfulness, the awkward moments, the big heart behind it all—I could totally relate.
Beatrix Quinn has a gift for blending humor and heart in just the right doses. If you love a quirky rom-com with lovable characters and a feel-good vibe, you’ll adore this one.