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Dear Lizzie
Two sisters. Twelve letters. One year that changes everything.
Lizzie and Bea Harris were always very close. They were sisters and nothing could tear them apart. Until Bea dies at the age of thirty-five, leaving her sister twelve letters and a mission that will change Lizzie’s life forever.
Alone for the first time Lizzie is left trying to pull together the pieces of a life she has for so long ignored. With Bea’s list of last requests, Lizzie has a chance to finally find a place for herself in the world - out from under the shadow of her sister.
Lizzie and Bea Harris were always very close. They were sisters and nothing could tear them apart. Until Bea dies at the age of thirty-five, leaving her sister twelve letters and a mission that will change Lizzie’s life forever.
Alone for the first time Lizzie is left trying to pull together the pieces of a life she has for so long ignored. With Bea’s list of last requests, Lizzie has a chance to finally find a place for herself in the world - out from under the shadow of her sister.
364 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 3, 2014
141 people are currently reading
767 people want to read
About the author
Annie Lyons
14 books840 followersDear Reader,
thank you for dropping by to visit my Goodreads page. I am the author of seven novels and one novella. My first book, Not Quite Perfect was a Kindle number one bestseller and my novel featuring octogenarian, Eudora Honeysett was a USA Today bestseller as well as being nominated for the RNA Contemporary Novel Award. My latest book, The Air Raid Book Club is my first historical fiction novel. It tells the story of recently-widowed bookseller, Gertie Bingham and fifteen-year-old Hedy Fischer, who are thrown together by the events of the Second World War and who form a book club to support their community through these dark times. This book is particularly special to me as I’ve spent my life around books, from trips to the library with my mum as a child to my early career as a bookseller on Charing Cross Road and then over ten years in publishing and now as a writer and creative writing teacher. If I’m not writing or reading books, I like nothing more than to lose myself for an hour (or two if I can manage it) in a library or bookshop. I love the quiet calm and the smell of books, old and new. My favourite writers are Anne Tyler, Ruth Hogan, David Nicholls, Rachel Joyce, William Boyd, Katherine Heiny and Maggie O’Farrell but I love anything which makes me laugh and cry. I try to reflect this in my own writing and for me, it begins with the characters. I work to get to know them as well as my own friends and family as I write and allow them to lead the story. My aim is to write stories which are uplifting and ultimately hopeful as these are the books I love to read. My stories feature families, friendship, grief, love, happiness, singing, loss, betrayal, forgiveness, death, hope, books, joy and plenty more besides, and they invariably include a beloved family pet! My favourite thing about being an author is when readers contact me to let me know that a book has touched them, made them laugh or just served as a companion for a while. I recently received a card all the way from New York from eighty-four-year-old Rita in praise of the story of eighty-four-year-old Eudora and that was my week made. If you would like to get in touch, you can also find me on social media (links below) where I mainly talk about books, writing, my garden and my black Labrador, Nelson.
Happy reading!
Annie x
Instagram: @annielyonsauthor
Twitter: @1AnnieLyons
Facebook: www.facebook.com/annielyonswriter
Website: www.annielyons.com
thank you for dropping by to visit my Goodreads page. I am the author of seven novels and one novella. My first book, Not Quite Perfect was a Kindle number one bestseller and my novel featuring octogenarian, Eudora Honeysett was a USA Today bestseller as well as being nominated for the RNA Contemporary Novel Award. My latest book, The Air Raid Book Club is my first historical fiction novel. It tells the story of recently-widowed bookseller, Gertie Bingham and fifteen-year-old Hedy Fischer, who are thrown together by the events of the Second World War and who form a book club to support their community through these dark times. This book is particularly special to me as I’ve spent my life around books, from trips to the library with my mum as a child to my early career as a bookseller on Charing Cross Road and then over ten years in publishing and now as a writer and creative writing teacher. If I’m not writing or reading books, I like nothing more than to lose myself for an hour (or two if I can manage it) in a library or bookshop. I love the quiet calm and the smell of books, old and new. My favourite writers are Anne Tyler, Ruth Hogan, David Nicholls, Rachel Joyce, William Boyd, Katherine Heiny and Maggie O’Farrell but I love anything which makes me laugh and cry. I try to reflect this in my own writing and for me, it begins with the characters. I work to get to know them as well as my own friends and family as I write and allow them to lead the story. My aim is to write stories which are uplifting and ultimately hopeful as these are the books I love to read. My stories feature families, friendship, grief, love, happiness, singing, loss, betrayal, forgiveness, death, hope, books, joy and plenty more besides, and they invariably include a beloved family pet! My favourite thing about being an author is when readers contact me to let me know that a book has touched them, made them laugh or just served as a companion for a while. I recently received a card all the way from New York from eighty-four-year-old Rita in praise of the story of eighty-four-year-old Eudora and that was my week made. If you would like to get in touch, you can also find me on social media (links below) where I mainly talk about books, writing, my garden and my black Labrador, Nelson.
Happy reading!
Annie x
Instagram: @annielyonsauthor
Twitter: @1AnnieLyons
Facebook: www.facebook.com/annielyonswriter
Website: www.annielyons.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 60 reviews
August 25, 2014
I loved this book. If you enjoyed PS I Love You by Cecelia Ahern you should enjoy this. Lizzie' s sister has died and left her 12 letters - the journey to happiness. The on/off potential romance between Lizzie and grumpy café owner Ben was fantastic. Everyone has their secrets and the bitch from hell ex-wife only put you more firmly in Ben's corner. Alex, the blast from the past, who was tangled up in Lizzie's life in so many ways seemed to good to be true, but could he make Lizzie happy? She was happiest with him after her sister's death than she had been her whole life. Her estrangement from her family and her re-entry into their lives was pivotal to the whole story and I liked the way that each family member was introduced and how Lizzie had to go through an 'encounter' with each of them. The vulnerability of both Joe and Sam was endearing and touching. If you like books which explore family dynamics as well as relationships between the opposite sexes, you will like this.
I also liked Mrs Nussbaum, the German lady who kept peppering her dialogue with German. Lizzie didn't think she had any friends, but Mrs N passed from acquaintance to friend relatively quickly after Lizzie decided to tell her a bit more about her life.
The startling discovery towards the very end of the book was a shock, but there were subtle plot hints along the way. The extent of Lizzie's sister's duplicity really was scandalous. This is the first book I have read by this author, but it won't be the last. I actually had tears in my eyes towards the very end.
I also liked Mrs Nussbaum, the German lady who kept peppering her dialogue with German. Lizzie didn't think she had any friends, but Mrs N passed from acquaintance to friend relatively quickly after Lizzie decided to tell her a bit more about her life.
The startling discovery towards the very end of the book was a shock, but there were subtle plot hints along the way. The extent of Lizzie's sister's duplicity really was scandalous. This is the first book I have read by this author, but it won't be the last. I actually had tears in my eyes towards the very end.
April 24, 2015
Let me say, I am not much into Chic lit, choc lit, that sort of thing and I wondered why I clicked this book to request to read and honestly review.
I know what it was ! It was the cover.......and......
when I read the blurb.
This book opens with a funeral. A very unusual scene I thought at first at the beginning of the book, but I soon got to understand why.
This is another tear jerker I have read in a matter of days, I have red rimmed eyes!
Lizzie, we travel through her days, her months and the choices she makes, the good ones, the wrong ones the darn right NO NO DON'T DO THAT...ones.
Its sad, its happy its fulfilling.
I liked this more than I thought I would do.
My thanks go to the author of course and to Carina UK for allowing the pleasure of reading this wonderful story via Net Galley
December 13, 2020
Ce roman a déjà été publié sous le titre Ma vie commence demain / Dear Lizzie en VO. C'est en lisant les premières pages que j'ai rapidement eu la certitude de déjà-lu. En vérifiant l'édition, oui c'est écrit en tout petit. Nulle précision quant au changement de titre, bien évidemment.
Après la mort de sa sœur, Lizzie reçoit une pile de douze lettres qu'elle doit ouvrir mois après mois. Cette idée de Bea est censée booster notre héroïne qui est malheureuse comme les pierres. Fâchée avec sa mère, elle vit toute seule dans un petit appartement au-dessus de la librairie où elle travaille. Cette thérapie aura ainsi du bon car Lizzie va se libérer de ses fantômes et s'épanouir en douceur. Par contre, elle va également perdre certaines illusions. Mon cœur lui aussi s'est brisé en chemin. Mais l'essentiel dans cette lecture reste le message positif et bienveillant qui s'en dégage !
Gros cœur sur cette rencontre bouleversante. 💗
Heureusement j'avais aimé ce roman donc ça ne me dérange pas d'avoir un double exemplaire. Cependant la pratique n'est pas correcte car trop floue !
Après la mort de sa sœur, Lizzie reçoit une pile de douze lettres qu'elle doit ouvrir mois après mois. Cette idée de Bea est censée booster notre héroïne qui est malheureuse comme les pierres. Fâchée avec sa mère, elle vit toute seule dans un petit appartement au-dessus de la librairie où elle travaille. Cette thérapie aura ainsi du bon car Lizzie va se libérer de ses fantômes et s'épanouir en douceur. Par contre, elle va également perdre certaines illusions. Mon cœur lui aussi s'est brisé en chemin. Mais l'essentiel dans cette lecture reste le message positif et bienveillant qui s'en dégage !
Gros cœur sur cette rencontre bouleversante. 💗
Faire des promesses du vivant de la personne que vous aimiez le plus au monde, c'était un jeu d'enfant. Mais lorsque cette personne n'était plus là pour vous guider, c'était une autre histoire. Lizzie se connaissait : elle ne craignait pas de s'effondrer en sanglots hystériques. Mais elle était saisie par le caractère totalement irréel que revêtait cette scène : être assise dans une église et contempler le cercueil de sa sœur. Elle se sentait spectatrice de la situation, presque protégée de la réalité. Elle n'avait pas sa place ici, parmi tous ces gens. Elle se contentait d'assister à la scène depuis une position de retrait, incapable de relier la sœur qu'elle avait connue au corps contenu dans ce cercueil. Elle se sentait engourdie, comme momentanément anesthésiée contre la douleur du deuil. Le chagrin était toujours là, mais profondément enfoui en elle.
Heureusement j'avais aimé ce roman donc ça ne me dérange pas d'avoir un double exemplaire. Cependant la pratique n'est pas correcte car trop floue !
May 11, 2020
Au commencement de ma lecture, il y a d'abord eu le choc...
« Faire des promesses du vivant de la personne que vous aimiez le plus au monde, c'était un jeu d'enfant. Mais lorsque cette personne n'était plus là pour vous guider, c'était une autre histoire. Lizzie se connaissait : elle ne craignait pas de s'effondrer en sanglots hystériques. Mais elle était saisie par le caractère totalement irréel que revêtait cette scène : être assise dans une église et contempler le cercueil de sa sœur. Elle se sentait spectatrice de la situation, presque protégée de la réalité. Elle n'avait pas sa place ici, parmi tous ces gens. Elle se contentait d'assister à la scène depuis une position de retrait, incapable de relier la sœur qu'elle avait connue au corps contenu dans ce cercueil. Elle se sentait engourdie, comme momentanément anesthésiée contre la douleur du deuil. Le chagrin était toujours là, mais profondément enfoui en elle. »
Une histoire écrite pour moi ? Ou qui y ressemble.
Ce roman m'a surtout fait valser entre fiction et réalité avec des séquences parfois douloureuses (car elles ravivaient des plaies mal cicatrisées) donc j'ai souvent été obligée de reposer le livre pour souffler et changer d'air.
Après la mort de sa sœur, Lizzie reçoit une pile de douze lettres qu'elle doit ouvrir mois après mois. Cette idée de Bea est censée booster notre héroïne qui est malheureuse comme les pierres, plus seule que jamais, fâchée avec sa mère et isolée dans un petit appartement au-dessus de la librairie où elle travaille. Cette thérapie aura ainsi du bon car Lizzie va se libérer de ses fantômes et s'épanouir en douceur. Par contre, elle va également perdre certaines illusions. Et mon cœur de se briser en chemin... ouhlala. Mais l'essentiel dans cette lecture reste le message positif et bienveillant qui s'en dégage ! Gros cœur sur cette rencontre bouleversante. 💗
« Faire des promesses du vivant de la personne que vous aimiez le plus au monde, c'était un jeu d'enfant. Mais lorsque cette personne n'était plus là pour vous guider, c'était une autre histoire. Lizzie se connaissait : elle ne craignait pas de s'effondrer en sanglots hystériques. Mais elle était saisie par le caractère totalement irréel que revêtait cette scène : être assise dans une église et contempler le cercueil de sa sœur. Elle se sentait spectatrice de la situation, presque protégée de la réalité. Elle n'avait pas sa place ici, parmi tous ces gens. Elle se contentait d'assister à la scène depuis une position de retrait, incapable de relier la sœur qu'elle avait connue au corps contenu dans ce cercueil. Elle se sentait engourdie, comme momentanément anesthésiée contre la douleur du deuil. Le chagrin était toujours là, mais profondément enfoui en elle. »
Une histoire écrite pour moi ? Ou qui y ressemble.
Ce roman m'a surtout fait valser entre fiction et réalité avec des séquences parfois douloureuses (car elles ravivaient des plaies mal cicatrisées) donc j'ai souvent été obligée de reposer le livre pour souffler et changer d'air.
Après la mort de sa sœur, Lizzie reçoit une pile de douze lettres qu'elle doit ouvrir mois après mois. Cette idée de Bea est censée booster notre héroïne qui est malheureuse comme les pierres, plus seule que jamais, fâchée avec sa mère et isolée dans un petit appartement au-dessus de la librairie où elle travaille. Cette thérapie aura ainsi du bon car Lizzie va se libérer de ses fantômes et s'épanouir en douceur. Par contre, elle va également perdre certaines illusions. Et mon cœur de se briser en chemin... ouhlala. Mais l'essentiel dans cette lecture reste le message positif et bienveillant qui s'en dégage ! Gros cœur sur cette rencontre bouleversante. 💗
December 6, 2022
Un roman de Noël qui ne passe pas du tout à Noël (sauf un chapitre)... C'était bien mais sans plus !
March 10, 2023
Opening scene is a funeral of one of the sisters. So clever to grab readers with this. There are 12 letters for the surviving sister. Each one reveals a task to accomplish. As the surviving sister reads each letter, her life begins to unravel in a good way. Very easy to read. Emotional and heartwarming. I was not expecting this to be as good as it was. I love the way this author writes. The prose flows and I could not put it down. I needed to know what was behind each letter. Every character offers something the reader will be interested in. I just loved this one!!
August 21, 2016
Subjuguée par la couverture très fraîche et par le résumé, j'ai eu envie de découvrir ce roman. Ma vie commence demain est une histoire qui m'a prise aux tripes, elle parle de thèmes de la vie tellement importants et difficiles qu'il est impossible de rester insensible. La perte d'un être cher est une chose très douloureuse, mais il faut que la vie continue sans cette personne, savoir se reconstruire, et c'est tout cela qui est abordé ici, la vie après...
Lizzie va perdre la personne la plus importante à ses yeux pour elle, sa sœur. Elle était plus que cela, une amie, une confidente, quelqu'un à qui elle pouvait tout confier. Le jour de son enterrement est dur à vivre pour elle, surtout qu'elle doit également faire face à des personnes qu'elle n'avait pas vues depuis longtemps, sa mère notamment, et ainsi se confronter à son passé ! Sa sœur, Bea, va lui faire une sorte de leg. Elle lui a écrit douze lettres, elle devra en lire une par mois et réaliser ce qu'elle lui aura demandé dans celle-ci..
Un énorme défi pour Lizzie !! elle va devoir reprendre contact avec des personnes qu'elle ne voulait plus voir, apprendre à connaître son neveu Sam, le fils de Bea. À travers ces lettres, Bea aide Lizzie à se prendre en main et à reconstruire sa vie. Lizzie, elle, est contente de garder ce lien à travers la mort avec sa sœur, fait face à ses vieux démons, à un passé qu'elle veut oublier. Elle va devoir pardonner, s'expliquer, apprendre à aimer. Ces courriers vont chambouler sa vie !! Ils vont aussi être porteurs de lourds secrets dévoilés !
Ce roman se lit tout seul. Outre le style très fluide et léger de l'auteur, il est très bien construit. On attend impatiemment la lecture de la lettre suivante et comment Lizzie va arriver à accepter et faire ce que sa sœur lui demande. Plusieurs thèmes sont abordés ici, nous les vivons tous personnellement dans notre vie, et cela rend cette histoire vraiment très touchante et émouvante. En quelque sorte, les douze lettres regroupent une vie de n'importe qui, avec son lot de trahisons, de secrets, d'amour maternelle, filiale, amour tout court ! On ne s'ennuie pas une seconde, tellement on est dans l'histoire avec Lizzie que l'on voit se transformer petit à petit, que l'on soutient, que l'on plaint. Je ne m'attendais pas à certaines révélations, tellement prise dans le roman, je ne les ai pas vues arriver !
Un roman touchant, très beau sur la vie, la mort, l'amour inter-générationnelle, l'amitié. C'est une très belle découverte, une histoire qui fera partie de celle que l'on n'oublie pas ! Elle marque et touche en plein cœur !
Lizzie va perdre la personne la plus importante à ses yeux pour elle, sa sœur. Elle était plus que cela, une amie, une confidente, quelqu'un à qui elle pouvait tout confier. Le jour de son enterrement est dur à vivre pour elle, surtout qu'elle doit également faire face à des personnes qu'elle n'avait pas vues depuis longtemps, sa mère notamment, et ainsi se confronter à son passé ! Sa sœur, Bea, va lui faire une sorte de leg. Elle lui a écrit douze lettres, elle devra en lire une par mois et réaliser ce qu'elle lui aura demandé dans celle-ci..
Un énorme défi pour Lizzie !! elle va devoir reprendre contact avec des personnes qu'elle ne voulait plus voir, apprendre à connaître son neveu Sam, le fils de Bea. À travers ces lettres, Bea aide Lizzie à se prendre en main et à reconstruire sa vie. Lizzie, elle, est contente de garder ce lien à travers la mort avec sa sœur, fait face à ses vieux démons, à un passé qu'elle veut oublier. Elle va devoir pardonner, s'expliquer, apprendre à aimer. Ces courriers vont chambouler sa vie !! Ils vont aussi être porteurs de lourds secrets dévoilés !
Ce roman se lit tout seul. Outre le style très fluide et léger de l'auteur, il est très bien construit. On attend impatiemment la lecture de la lettre suivante et comment Lizzie va arriver à accepter et faire ce que sa sœur lui demande. Plusieurs thèmes sont abordés ici, nous les vivons tous personnellement dans notre vie, et cela rend cette histoire vraiment très touchante et émouvante. En quelque sorte, les douze lettres regroupent une vie de n'importe qui, avec son lot de trahisons, de secrets, d'amour maternelle, filiale, amour tout court ! On ne s'ennuie pas une seconde, tellement on est dans l'histoire avec Lizzie que l'on voit se transformer petit à petit, que l'on soutient, que l'on plaint. Je ne m'attendais pas à certaines révélations, tellement prise dans le roman, je ne les ai pas vues arriver !
Un roman touchant, très beau sur la vie, la mort, l'amour inter-générationnelle, l'amitié. C'est une très belle découverte, une histoire qui fera partie de celle que l'on n'oublie pas ! Elle marque et touche en plein cœur !
August 1, 2014
What a beautiful tale of love this book is. From the very start to the very end you are captivated and cannot get enough of darling Lizzie and her recently deceased sisters Bea's letters. The concept of the letters was brilliant and worked perfectly alongside a heart and family so consumed with grief. I found it all to be utterly devastating and needing to remind myself that it was fiction. The plot is so unbelievably deep and at times overwhelming. It throws unexpected bombshells at you at the most random times and has you hoping with all your heart for a positive way out for Lizzie.
The characters are all perfectly balanced to bring good and bad with them. Lizzie was the most loveliest part of the book for me. Her story was heartbreaking, but it was so good to see her blossom and fight out of her shell. I adored Sammy, he was a typical boisterous ten year old who craved fun, happiness and to be loved. It was heartbreaking seeing him so lost after the death of his mother. Lizzie's boss and landlady, Mrs Nussbaum is a crank. She's a wise old bird with plenty of love for Lizzie and she made me giggle with her mix of English/German Dialogue.
Annie Lyons has proven to be a skilled and extremely talented writer with this book, it truly is something special. She hits on so many emotions all at once that you honestly don't know if you are coming or going.
I recommend this book to any reader of any age of any gender. You will all find something in this read to connect with. Whether it be love, grief or healing.
It is truly a wonderful read.
The characters are all perfectly balanced to bring good and bad with them. Lizzie was the most loveliest part of the book for me. Her story was heartbreaking, but it was so good to see her blossom and fight out of her shell. I adored Sammy, he was a typical boisterous ten year old who craved fun, happiness and to be loved. It was heartbreaking seeing him so lost after the death of his mother. Lizzie's boss and landlady, Mrs Nussbaum is a crank. She's a wise old bird with plenty of love for Lizzie and she made me giggle with her mix of English/German Dialogue.
Annie Lyons has proven to be a skilled and extremely talented writer with this book, it truly is something special. She hits on so many emotions all at once that you honestly don't know if you are coming or going.
I recommend this book to any reader of any age of any gender. You will all find something in this read to connect with. Whether it be love, grief or healing.
It is truly a wonderful read.
August 18, 2014
This book opens as Lizzie is attending the funeral of her older sister (and only sibling), Bea. Bea has died at the age of 35 from cancer, and while Lizzie and Bea were very close, Lizzie has not been back at the family home for 15 years after falling out with their mother. As Lizzie prepares to leave and go back to her job at a Bookstore, she is accosted by her nephew, Sam, who wants her to come back to the house. Lizzie agrees, and is given a package by Bea's husband Joe. Bea has left Lizzie 12 letters, one to be opened each month in the year following her death. Bea was determined to make Lizzie find happiness in many different ways through her letter, and as Lizzie gets through them, she begins to enjoy the little quests and gradually enjoy life again. But things don't always work out as we expect - Lizzie has a lot of past ghosts to face, and soon begins to realise that maybe Bea wasn't always 100% honest with her...
I bought this on amazon after being intrigued by the premise of messages from a sibling from beyond the grave. I know we have "PS. I Love You", but I was really interested to see how the idea would work with sisters instead of lovers.
I wasn't disappointed - Dear Lizzie is a great read and would be perfect for holidays. I loved Annie Lyons' writing style, and will be ordering the book that was previewed at the end of this one. This could have been a really dull predictable story but it wasn't. I really enjoyed this, it was the perfect lazy Sunday read.
I bought this on amazon after being intrigued by the premise of messages from a sibling from beyond the grave. I know we have "PS. I Love You", but I was really interested to see how the idea would work with sisters instead of lovers.
I wasn't disappointed - Dear Lizzie is a great read and would be perfect for holidays. I loved Annie Lyons' writing style, and will be ordering the book that was previewed at the end of this one. This could have been a really dull predictable story but it wasn't. I really enjoyed this, it was the perfect lazy Sunday read.
November 7, 2014
Dear Lizzie is a heartfelt story of two sisters, and their relationship, written via letters from the deceased sister before she passed. The beginning is so touching that my eyes welled with tears reading Bea's first letter. The author pulls at your heart strings and allows you to see these two sisters in an amazing and truthful and complicated life. The first few chapters are awesome, then the book slows down and fails to pull you in so you want to read more. The ending chapters are wonderful and I felt I was really getting back into the book.
On the downside - I figured out the ending in Chapter 2.
Chapter 3 - Lizzie has a remarkable personality change after reading Bea's first letter. It was a little hard to swallow when you saw how she had struggled so poorly in the first 2 chapters.
Simply written. Very guessable with Lizzie meeting and finding a new girlfriend.
In the middle of the book I found it very hard to pick up my Kindle and keep reading. The story lulled quite a bit.
I wanted to give Dear Lizzie's a 4, but felt a definite lull in the middle of the book, the sudden changes in Lizzie, and an air of predictability throughout most of the story.
It's a good book, and worth reading, but I could only give it a 3 star rating due to the reasons I listed.
On the downside - I figured out the ending in Chapter 2.
Chapter 3 - Lizzie has a remarkable personality change after reading Bea's first letter. It was a little hard to swallow when you saw how she had struggled so poorly in the first 2 chapters.
Simply written. Very guessable with Lizzie meeting and finding a new girlfriend.
In the middle of the book I found it very hard to pick up my Kindle and keep reading. The story lulled quite a bit.
I wanted to give Dear Lizzie's a 4, but felt a definite lull in the middle of the book, the sudden changes in Lizzie, and an air of predictability throughout most of the story.
It's a good book, and worth reading, but I could only give it a 3 star rating due to the reasons I listed.
July 15, 2014
Another wonderful book by the clever Ms Lyons. This was quite different from Not Quite Perfect, more serious and heartfelt but really showed how versatile this author is. You start off believing one thing and by the end everything has been turned on its head.
I wasn't too sure about Lizzie at first and I felt a bit impatient with her but by the middle of the book I was completely won over and loved her new found freedom. The letters from her sister were completely believable and the way she addresses Lizzie made their relationship utterly believable. The twist in the book is really clever and, despite priding myself on being able to spot a storyline early on, I didn't really see this one coming until it was upon me. This again shows the skill of this author. The characters were all well drawn and I finished the last half of the book in pretty much a day as I couldn't put it down. It's perfect holiday reading and a bit of me wishes I'd kept it for going on holiday but another bit of me it so pleased to have read it that I'm just going to look forward to the next offering from the pen of Annie Lyons.
I wasn't too sure about Lizzie at first and I felt a bit impatient with her but by the middle of the book I was completely won over and loved her new found freedom. The letters from her sister were completely believable and the way she addresses Lizzie made their relationship utterly believable. The twist in the book is really clever and, despite priding myself on being able to spot a storyline early on, I didn't really see this one coming until it was upon me. This again shows the skill of this author. The characters were all well drawn and I finished the last half of the book in pretty much a day as I couldn't put it down. It's perfect holiday reading and a bit of me wishes I'd kept it for going on holiday but another bit of me it so pleased to have read it that I'm just going to look forward to the next offering from the pen of Annie Lyons.
December 31, 2015
This story very much reminded me of PS I Love You, a book/film, which is one of my all time favourites.
However any fear of this story being too familiar or similar was very quickly forgotten. The author takes her characters, and the reader, on a journey which you will find hard to forgot once you complete it.
The journey we go on with Lizzie is one of sadness, happiness, discovery and more than a few wrong turns. But they say that you have to go through the worst of things to find the best, and that certainly is the case in this story.
The interaction between Lizzie and her brother in law and nephew are lovely scenes to read, albeit a bit strained at times. The discoveries Lizzie makes not only about them but also herself are extremely well written.
I loved the twist at the end, but if I'm honest I know in myself how I wanted the book to end, and the author did not disappoint.
A brilliantly written story from an author I will definitely be following in the future.
However any fear of this story being too familiar or similar was very quickly forgotten. The author takes her characters, and the reader, on a journey which you will find hard to forgot once you complete it.
The journey we go on with Lizzie is one of sadness, happiness, discovery and more than a few wrong turns. But they say that you have to go through the worst of things to find the best, and that certainly is the case in this story.
The interaction between Lizzie and her brother in law and nephew are lovely scenes to read, albeit a bit strained at times. The discoveries Lizzie makes not only about them but also herself are extremely well written.
I loved the twist at the end, but if I'm honest I know in myself how I wanted the book to end, and the author did not disappoint.
A brilliantly written story from an author I will definitely be following in the future.
August 5, 2014
Annie Lyons has a way of creating a story that is poignant and heart-warming. Her writing style is so fluid, you hardly notice the pages turning. I was instantly immersed in her beautifully written story.
Dear Lizzie is about two sisters: Lizzie and Bea. Bea has already passed but her legacy is 12 letters she left to Lizzie. Each letter is a challenge – and Lizzie grows to become a remarkable woman, with Bea’s help. Dear Lizzie is a wonderful book that will make you well up with tears one moment and laugh the next. Annie Lyons goes from strength to strength as she continues writing her novels. She is an author to watch out for, each one is just as wonderful as the last
Dear Lizzie is about two sisters: Lizzie and Bea. Bea has already passed but her legacy is 12 letters she left to Lizzie. Each letter is a challenge – and Lizzie grows to become a remarkable woman, with Bea’s help. Dear Lizzie is a wonderful book that will make you well up with tears one moment and laugh the next. Annie Lyons goes from strength to strength as she continues writing her novels. She is an author to watch out for, each one is just as wonderful as the last
September 3, 2014
My book of the year so far. A wonderful story of love, family, betrayal and forgiveness. Of course it has to have sad to end happy but it's so perfectly written you just laugh and cry with Lizzy as each month she reads the letters from her sister.
Bea wants Lizzy to live a happy life and has a wish in each of the notes that she hopes Lizzy will fill. Some easy, some very difficult. Wonderful characters to love and watch grow. Read this one.
Bea wants Lizzy to live a happy life and has a wish in each of the notes that she hopes Lizzy will fill. Some easy, some very difficult. Wonderful characters to love and watch grow. Read this one.
February 1, 2015
I liked this much more than "PS I love you". In my opinion this book had much more to say. The loss of her sister, reading a letter each month, getting back with her mother and finding herself and much more confidence. Was sad, lovely, adorable. Thumbs up.
August 27, 2014
What a fabulous book, rich with emotions and definately one to have tissues on standby for!
It makes you appreciate everything that you have and gives you hope for what you could have!
It makes you appreciate everything that you have and gives you hope for what you could have!
September 16, 2014
A beautiful well written story that pulls at the heart strings. Loved it.
March 29, 2015
Really really enjoyed this, I loved the letters and the ending too
April 4, 2015
Wow! What a tear-jerker but very touching and often humorous. I recently lost someone I loved and her description of grief were spot-on. Full review to follow.
April 27, 2015
a very enjoyable read.Great characters with whom you could identify with.......Loved the storyline with all the letters......ticked every box for me and I recommend it x
April 25, 2018
Lizzie and Bea Harris were always very close. They were sisters and nothing could tear them apart. Until Bea dies, leaving her sister twelve letters, one for every month.
Alone for the first time Lizzie is left trying to pull together the pieces of a life she has for so long ignored and find a place for herself…out from under the shadow of her sister.
But the letters are revealing a sister Lizzie isn’t sure she recognises, and she’s beginning to wonder if she ever really knew Bea? As Lizzie delves deeper into her sister’s life she begins to uncover secrets that could tear her and her family apart.
Perfect for fans of Sue Fortin, Tracy Buchanan and Cecilia Ahern.
Alone for the first time Lizzie is left trying to pull together the pieces of a life she has for so long ignored and find a place for herself…out from under the shadow of her sister.
But the letters are revealing a sister Lizzie isn’t sure she recognises, and she’s beginning to wonder if she ever really knew Bea? As Lizzie delves deeper into her sister’s life she begins to uncover secrets that could tear her and her family apart.
Perfect for fans of Sue Fortin, Tracy Buchanan and Cecilia Ahern.
December 12, 2022
𝑈𝑛 𝑎𝑛, 𝐷𝑜𝑢𝑧𝑒 𝑙𝑒𝑡𝑡𝑟𝑒𝑠
𝑈𝑛𝑒 𝑣𝑖𝑒 𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑖è𝑟𝑒 𝑏𝑜𝑢𝑙𝑒𝑣𝑒𝑟𝑠é𝑒.
❄️ Un nouvel espoir pour Noël, de #annielyons et publié chez #editionsharlequin
➡️ En général je lis très peu de livres noëlique : je trouve cela trop parfait et cela ne reflète pas forcément la réalité. Le titre est en rapport avec la saison, mais pas l'histoire elle-même 🤣. En tout cas cela m'a mis dans l'ambiance, pour attaquer mon challenge et c'est le plus important 🙂
3 étoiles ⭐ : Ma lecture a été ponctuée par des bas et des hauts. Malgré tout j'ai apprécié suivre les aventures de Lizzie à travers les lettres de sœur, qui vont lui permettre ou non de trouver le chemin du bonheur
𝑈𝑛𝑒 𝑣𝑖𝑒 𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑖è𝑟𝑒 𝑏𝑜𝑢𝑙𝑒𝑣𝑒𝑟𝑠é𝑒.
❄️ Un nouvel espoir pour Noël, de #annielyons et publié chez #editionsharlequin
➡️ En général je lis très peu de livres noëlique : je trouve cela trop parfait et cela ne reflète pas forcément la réalité. Le titre est en rapport avec la saison, mais pas l'histoire elle-même 🤣. En tout cas cela m'a mis dans l'ambiance, pour attaquer mon challenge et c'est le plus important 🙂
3 étoiles ⭐ : Ma lecture a été ponctuée par des bas et des hauts. Malgré tout j'ai apprécié suivre les aventures de Lizzie à travers les lettres de sœur, qui vont lui permettre ou non de trouver le chemin du bonheur
August 5, 2021
4.5 stars rounded up to 5. This book was originally published as "Dear Lizzie"
Themes: Family secrets, grappling with grief, the journey of forgiveness, finding yourself (or realizing who you really are), friendship, and romance.
The perfect mix of sentimental and lightheartedness. While Lizzie is the main character, the book does a great job of showing how different characters deal with grief in their own ways and on their own timelines.
Themes: Family secrets, grappling with grief, the journey of forgiveness, finding yourself (or realizing who you really are), friendship, and romance.
The perfect mix of sentimental and lightheartedness. While Lizzie is the main character, the book does a great job of showing how different characters deal with grief in their own ways and on their own timelines.
December 18, 2023
Un vrai petit bonbon ce roman.
J'ai adoré et j'ai vraiment eu dû mal à le lâcher. C'est un roman qui fait du bien. Il redonne de l'espoir, du positif sur l'avenir et nous fait comprendre que le temps passe trop vite et qu'il faut profiter à fond de ses proches.
Bref, je le conseille vivement.
Merci Annie Lyons. C'était la première fois que je lisais un de vos romans et ça ne sera pas le dernier ! ☺️
J'ai adoré et j'ai vraiment eu dû mal à le lâcher. C'est un roman qui fait du bien. Il redonne de l'espoir, du positif sur l'avenir et nous fait comprendre que le temps passe trop vite et qu'il faut profiter à fond de ses proches.
Bref, je le conseille vivement.
Merci Annie Lyons. C'était la première fois que je lisais un de vos romans et ça ne sera pas le dernier ! ☺️
July 14, 2017
A little predictable but I didn't care. It was also sad and a little happy at times. I identified with the main character. I read this book on a long flight from Philadelphia to Phoenix on a Friday during which I have evidence to believe that the guy I'm dating is going to tell me he doesn't want to date me anymore. The sad parts hit me a little harder than they might otherwise.
July 27, 2018
Well that was a very interesting story. I felt so bad for Lizzie. The secret her sister kept was really something big. You should be able to trust your sister above all else. I am glad she ended up having a relationship with her nephew. A very heart wrenching story. Enjoyed it very much. I loved the whole letter reading part. I looked forward to each letter.
July 3, 2017
Bon premier roman, sans plus. Me rappelle un peu le premier de Cecelia Ahern sur le même thème, cette fois ci c'était le mari, qui décède et laisse 12 lettres à sa femme pour lui redonner goût à la vie.
February 12, 2019
Heartwarming and heartbreaking
This is a touching story about a woman who is working her way through the death of her sister by completing her she's final wishes.
This is a touching story about a woman who is working her way through the death of her sister by completing her she's final wishes.
March 3, 2020
I liked the fact that the letters left for Lizzie, the youngest sister, helped her in her grief and life. However, the secrets that came forth rocked her world. Good story.
August 5, 2021
4.5 stars rounded up to 5. I read this under the re-published title of "Secrets Between Sisters"
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