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Life: A Love Story
A warm, intimate novel that reminds us of the richness that can be found all throughout our lives—by the New York Times bestselling author of The Story of Arthur Truluv and Open House
As ninety-two-year-old Florence "Flo" Greene nears the end of her life, she writes a letter to Ruthie, the woman who grew up next door to her, describing the items Flo is leaving Ruthie in her will. But as it goes on, telling surprising stories about those “little” things Flo will leave behind (What could possibly be the worth of a rubber band kept in a matchbox tied up in red ribbon?), an unforgettable portrait of the life she has lived emerges.
The letter starts off as an autobiography in things, but it turns out to do much more than ultimately, it will transform Flo and those around her. In the time she has left, Flo decides to take herself up on tiny dares. She encourages Ruthie to reconsider her impending divorce by sharing a startling, long-buried secret about her own perfect-seeming marriage. Flo has never had a pedicure before now, and as long as she's going to a beauty parlor, she arranges to have a blue streak put in her hair, too. And as these adventures lead her to make new friends, Flo helps them, too, find the fulfillment that living a full life has led her to understand.
Full of Elizabeth Berg's characteristic mix of warmth, humor, and poignancy, A Love Story is a reminder that whatever your circumstances, as long as you're alive, you can keep on investing in life. The joy will inevitably follow.
As ninety-two-year-old Florence "Flo" Greene nears the end of her life, she writes a letter to Ruthie, the woman who grew up next door to her, describing the items Flo is leaving Ruthie in her will. But as it goes on, telling surprising stories about those “little” things Flo will leave behind (What could possibly be the worth of a rubber band kept in a matchbox tied up in red ribbon?), an unforgettable portrait of the life she has lived emerges.
The letter starts off as an autobiography in things, but it turns out to do much more than ultimately, it will transform Flo and those around her. In the time she has left, Flo decides to take herself up on tiny dares. She encourages Ruthie to reconsider her impending divorce by sharing a startling, long-buried secret about her own perfect-seeming marriage. Flo has never had a pedicure before now, and as long as she's going to a beauty parlor, she arranges to have a blue streak put in her hair, too. And as these adventures lead her to make new friends, Flo helps them, too, find the fulfillment that living a full life has led her to understand.
Full of Elizabeth Berg's characteristic mix of warmth, humor, and poignancy, A Love Story is a reminder that whatever your circumstances, as long as you're alive, you can keep on investing in life. The joy will inevitably follow.
191 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 17, 2026
About the author
Elizabeth Berg
73 books5,207 followersElizabeth Berg is an American novelist.
She was born in Saint Paul, Minnesota, and lived in Boston prior to her residence in Chicago. She studied English and Humanities at the University of Minnesota, but later ended up with a nursing degree. Her writing career started when she won an essay contest in Parents magazine. Since her debut novel in 1993, her novels have sold in large numbers and have received several awards and nominations, although some critics have tagged them as sentimental. She won the New England Book Awards in 1997.
The novels Durable Goods, Joy School, and True to Form form a trilogy about the 12-year-old Katie Nash, in part based on the author's own experience as a daughter in a military family. Her essay "The Pretend Knitter" appears in the anthology Knitting Yarns: Writers on Knitting, published by W. W. Norton & Company in November 2013.
She was born in Saint Paul, Minnesota, and lived in Boston prior to her residence in Chicago. She studied English and Humanities at the University of Minnesota, but later ended up with a nursing degree. Her writing career started when she won an essay contest in Parents magazine. Since her debut novel in 1993, her novels have sold in large numbers and have received several awards and nominations, although some critics have tagged them as sentimental. She won the New England Book Awards in 1997.
The novels Durable Goods, Joy School, and True to Form form a trilogy about the 12-year-old Katie Nash, in part based on the author's own experience as a daughter in a military family. Her essay "The Pretend Knitter" appears in the anthology Knitting Yarns: Writers on Knitting, published by W. W. Norton & Company in November 2013.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 802 reviews
March 20, 2026
Flo is a sassy, spunky, 92 year old woman nearing the end of her life.
She begins to write a letter to an “old”young friend whom she will be leaving her home to and all its precious mementos. She writes of the significance of some of them and how and what they meant to her.
This was a feel good read of friendships and relationships and their imperfections. It’s about recognizing the good and the ugly in each other and the acceptance and forgiveness that comes when loving someone.
A little short but a poignant one.
4⭐️
She begins to write a letter to an “old”young friend whom she will be leaving her home to and all its precious mementos. She writes of the significance of some of them and how and what they meant to her.
This was a feel good read of friendships and relationships and their imperfections. It’s about recognizing the good and the ugly in each other and the acceptance and forgiveness that comes when loving someone.
A little short but a poignant one.
4⭐️
April 5, 2026
“Any good poem is asking you simply to slow down.” – Dorianne Laux
This book did exactly that—it asked me to slow down. And, so I did.
As I sat with the words of 93-year-old Flo, written to her once-younger friend and former neighbor Ruthie, I couldn’t help but reflect on the title of this book. Isn’t living a life truly a love story in itself?
It all comes down to how we choose to see the world—and whether we allow ourselves to fully be present in it.
Even in the midst of challenges, complicated relationships, and the health scares that force us to pay attention, there is still a way to remain present—loving what is right in front of us, beside us, surrounding us. Flo embodies this. Facing death from illness – not age, she is insightful, wise, gentle, and unwavering, never retreating into fear or self-pity. There is something profoundly moving in that choice.
The supporting cast adds depth, especially Teresa McNair—a neighbor who becomes a friend, and is a *death doula by profession. Knowing her work gives weight to her presence, but what lingers is their friendship – and the heart she displays. As someone navigating cancer challenges, I found myself holding onto her words to Flo:
“Close your eyes and think hard that you want your body to heal. Take it seriously.”
And I did. I closed my eyes. I imagined healing. In those quiet moments, it felt as though Teresa’s hands were in mine. A sense of calm settled in, even as tears came—a peaceful letting go.
This book felt personal in ways I didn’t expect.
This is not a story to rush read. I found myself pausing often, sometimes after a single page, to sit with a line that felt too meaningful to pass by too quickly.
Flo knows she is dying, and we know it too. Yet what she offers is not an ending, but a careful gathering of a life—shared through memories, her things, reflections, and small hints of mystery that deepen our connection to her. We begin to wonder not just about who she was, but what she wants us to carry forward.
This is truly a lovely Love story. Certainly not a typical one. And definitely not the rom-com type. It meanders, and we are willing to follow, because there is something to learn in its pace—something to admire, something to hold onto in the quiet simplicity of the things we keep and the memories attached to them.
By the final pages, I wasn’t grieving Flo as much as I was honoring her life.
We know she will die—but we also understand how deeply she lived. And truly, what greater gift can a character give?
Thank you, Elizabeth Berg, for a story that doesn’t just ask us to read—but to feel, to reflect, and to be present in our own lives.
*death doula – a non-medical professional who provides holistic physical, emotional and spiritual support to individuals and their families throughout the dying process. They offer guidance on care planning, comfort measures, and legacy work, helping families navigate the dying process with dignity, often complementing hospice care.
This book did exactly that—it asked me to slow down. And, so I did.
As I sat with the words of 93-year-old Flo, written to her once-younger friend and former neighbor Ruthie, I couldn’t help but reflect on the title of this book. Isn’t living a life truly a love story in itself?
It all comes down to how we choose to see the world—and whether we allow ourselves to fully be present in it.
Even in the midst of challenges, complicated relationships, and the health scares that force us to pay attention, there is still a way to remain present—loving what is right in front of us, beside us, surrounding us. Flo embodies this. Facing death from illness – not age, she is insightful, wise, gentle, and unwavering, never retreating into fear or self-pity. There is something profoundly moving in that choice.
The supporting cast adds depth, especially Teresa McNair—a neighbor who becomes a friend, and is a *death doula by profession. Knowing her work gives weight to her presence, but what lingers is their friendship – and the heart she displays. As someone navigating cancer challenges, I found myself holding onto her words to Flo:
“Close your eyes and think hard that you want your body to heal. Take it seriously.”
And I did. I closed my eyes. I imagined healing. In those quiet moments, it felt as though Teresa’s hands were in mine. A sense of calm settled in, even as tears came—a peaceful letting go.
This book felt personal in ways I didn’t expect.
This is not a story to rush read. I found myself pausing often, sometimes after a single page, to sit with a line that felt too meaningful to pass by too quickly.
Flo knows she is dying, and we know it too. Yet what she offers is not an ending, but a careful gathering of a life—shared through memories, her things, reflections, and small hints of mystery that deepen our connection to her. We begin to wonder not just about who she was, but what she wants us to carry forward.
This is truly a lovely Love story. Certainly not a typical one. And definitely not the rom-com type. It meanders, and we are willing to follow, because there is something to learn in its pace—something to admire, something to hold onto in the quiet simplicity of the things we keep and the memories attached to them.
By the final pages, I wasn’t grieving Flo as much as I was honoring her life.
We know she will die—but we also understand how deeply she lived. And truly, what greater gift can a character give?
Thank you, Elizabeth Berg, for a story that doesn’t just ask us to read—but to feel, to reflect, and to be present in our own lives.
*death doula – a non-medical professional who provides holistic physical, emotional and spiritual support to individuals and their families throughout the dying process. They offer guidance on care planning, comfort measures, and legacy work, helping families navigate the dying process with dignity, often complementing hospice care.
November 19, 2025
This is the kind of sweet and uplifting story that I need once in a while after reading a tough one . 92 year old Flo has passed away . She’s written a letter to her former younger neighbor Ruthie she befriended from the time Ruthie was a little girl. It’s a long letter and as Flo has so much to tell her, she writes it piecemeal . In between the writing sessions, we get to meet Flo in her last days.
Flo tells Ruthie that she has left her the house and all its contents. She explains the meaning of some of the things in the house that we’re important to her - set of salt and pepper shakers, a picture of her in a red coat, a single rubber band and so many more things. Mostly, though Flo wants to tell Ruthie one big important thing that will help her with a problem she has. In doing so, she imparts a lifetime of wisdom about marriage, about patience, about forgiveness, about love.
It’s good to be reminded when life is tough, as it is at times for all of us, that the ordinary every day things and events in our lives , our memories of them are meaningful . From Flo’s letter, we also learn how much she and Ruthie enriched each others lives. That too, is a beautiful thing to remind ourselves of when life is tough. It did that for me. I think some people could find that’s there’s not enough action or excitement for them, but it’s short and suited me just fine right now. If you enjoyed Berg’s Arthur Truluv novels , this one’s for you .
I received a copy of this from Random House through NetGalley.
Flo tells Ruthie that she has left her the house and all its contents. She explains the meaning of some of the things in the house that we’re important to her - set of salt and pepper shakers, a picture of her in a red coat, a single rubber band and so many more things. Mostly, though Flo wants to tell Ruthie one big important thing that will help her with a problem she has. In doing so, she imparts a lifetime of wisdom about marriage, about patience, about forgiveness, about love.
It’s good to be reminded when life is tough, as it is at times for all of us, that the ordinary every day things and events in our lives , our memories of them are meaningful . From Flo’s letter, we also learn how much she and Ruthie enriched each others lives. That too, is a beautiful thing to remind ourselves of when life is tough. It did that for me. I think some people could find that’s there’s not enough action or excitement for them, but it’s short and suited me just fine right now. If you enjoyed Berg’s Arthur Truluv novels , this one’s for you .
I received a copy of this from Random House through NetGalley.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
⭐️ 5 ⭐️ Part of life is learning how perfectly imperfect it can be.
This book is told through a recollection of memories via letters while we follow Flo Greens ordinary life as she nears the end of her life. While on the surface it may seem like it's nothing special, I found this book to be full of life lessons and shared wisdom. It shares the values of a well-lived life with its readers and reminds us that it's never too late to keep on living. Sometimes the smallest and most ordinary things in life can carry the greatest meaning.
Flo, our 92 year old with terminal cancer, begins to recount precious moments of her life through letters to Ruthie, a young (now) woman who grew up next door. Never blessed with children of her own, Flo views Ruthie as a surrogate daughter and appears to have a very tender and loving relationship with her. Through her letters, she begins cataloging the little things she will leave behind. But those "little things" are special parts of Flo's life that carry so much meaning. They show us deeply moving parts of her childhood, her marriage, her relationship with the neighbors. They are essentially parts of her life experiences and are quite precious and show how small things in life can make a huge difference. It's always the quiet reminders that carry so much meaning and have a lasting effect.
This book is perfect for anyone who loves a character driven story. It's quite short and not meant to have a plot, so it never drags. It's tender, full of warmth and even some humor. It's like a friend, in some ways, that you didn't know you had.
Thank you to NetGalley, Random House Publisher and the author, Elizabeth Berg for sending me this eARC!
Publication date: March 17, 2026
This book is told through a recollection of memories via letters while we follow Flo Greens ordinary life as she nears the end of her life. While on the surface it may seem like it's nothing special, I found this book to be full of life lessons and shared wisdom. It shares the values of a well-lived life with its readers and reminds us that it's never too late to keep on living. Sometimes the smallest and most ordinary things in life can carry the greatest meaning.
Flo, our 92 year old with terminal cancer, begins to recount precious moments of her life through letters to Ruthie, a young (now) woman who grew up next door. Never blessed with children of her own, Flo views Ruthie as a surrogate daughter and appears to have a very tender and loving relationship with her. Through her letters, she begins cataloging the little things she will leave behind. But those "little things" are special parts of Flo's life that carry so much meaning. They show us deeply moving parts of her childhood, her marriage, her relationship with the neighbors. They are essentially parts of her life experiences and are quite precious and show how small things in life can make a huge difference. It's always the quiet reminders that carry so much meaning and have a lasting effect.
This book is perfect for anyone who loves a character driven story. It's quite short and not meant to have a plot, so it never drags. It's tender, full of warmth and even some humor. It's like a friend, in some ways, that you didn't know you had.
Thank you to NetGalley, Random House Publisher and the author, Elizabeth Berg for sending me this eARC!
Publication date: March 17, 2026
April 5, 2026
What a wonderful little book!! This is my first read by Elizabeth Berg, but it certainly will not be my last. I really enjoyed this author’s writing, and I loved our main character of Florence (Flo).
In this story, Florence finds out that she only has a month to six weeks left to live. Flo then starts to get her affairs in order. Part of getting her affairs in order, she begins to write a very long letter to her old neighbor, Ruth. Ruth was a young neighbor girl who would often visit Flo and her husband, Terrence. Because Flo and Terrence never had any children, Ruth became “the daughter they never had”. Flo loved Ruth dearly, and in her dying days, she wanted to tell her one of her biggest secrets- only in the hopes that it would help Ruth and her marriage.
In writing the letter to Ruth (Ruthie), Flo talks about life in general, especially the little everyday things that we take for granted. She talks about the things she’s collected over the years, and how much meaning they have to her- and she hopes that Ruth or someone else will feel the same as she does for the items. We get meaningful explanations about mascara, dishes, cloth napkins, candles, syrup and honey bottles. And the clothespins… I never thought I would cry over someone talking about clothespins, but here I am! 😭
Florence also makes a new friend (well actually a couple), towards the ending of her life, and that new friend is Teresa. Flo helps Teresa build up her confidence so that she can be happy one day too.
While I did find this book both emotional and uplifting at the same time, there was something bothering me at the end about Ruth that will not allow me to make this a five star read. I guess I expected (or even hoped) for something different from her. With that being said, I still highly recommend reading this book!
“Everybody’s beautiful when they’re young, even if they don’t know it. And isn’t it funny, it seems to Flo, that mostly they don’t know it. Mostly they complain about their faults that no one else even sees.”
In this story, Florence finds out that she only has a month to six weeks left to live. Flo then starts to get her affairs in order. Part of getting her affairs in order, she begins to write a very long letter to her old neighbor, Ruth. Ruth was a young neighbor girl who would often visit Flo and her husband, Terrence. Because Flo and Terrence never had any children, Ruth became “the daughter they never had”. Flo loved Ruth dearly, and in her dying days, she wanted to tell her one of her biggest secrets- only in the hopes that it would help Ruth and her marriage.
In writing the letter to Ruth (Ruthie), Flo talks about life in general, especially the little everyday things that we take for granted. She talks about the things she’s collected over the years, and how much meaning they have to her- and she hopes that Ruth or someone else will feel the same as she does for the items. We get meaningful explanations about mascara, dishes, cloth napkins, candles, syrup and honey bottles. And the clothespins… I never thought I would cry over someone talking about clothespins, but here I am! 😭
Florence also makes a new friend (well actually a couple), towards the ending of her life, and that new friend is Teresa. Flo helps Teresa build up her confidence so that she can be happy one day too.
While I did find this book both emotional and uplifting at the same time, there was something bothering me at the end about Ruth that will not allow me to make this a five star read. I guess I expected (or even hoped) for something different from her. With that being said, I still highly recommend reading this book!
“Everybody’s beautiful when they’re young, even if they don’t know it. And isn’t it funny, it seems to Flo, that mostly they don’t know it. Mostly they complain about their faults that no one else even sees.”
February 13, 2026
Flo is 92 yrs old and dying of cancer…
has been given only a short time to live.
This story follows Flo as she writes to her dear Ruthie, her neighbor for many years who was like a daughter to her.
She is letting Ruthie know that she is leaving her house and all it’s contents to Ruthie and tells her the story behind many belongings, the memories those items brought her and also shares a secret of the past with her, and much of her life with her husband.
Much of the story is in letter form to Ruthie, but Flo also continues to live each day spending time cultivating a new relationship with a younger female neighbor or two, and she is a lovely and engaging character who has led a simple life and still enjoys the simple joys of life.
This is a very sweet story.
Thank you to NetGalley and Random House for the gifted ARC in exchange for my honest review!
has been given only a short time to live.
This story follows Flo as she writes to her dear Ruthie, her neighbor for many years who was like a daughter to her.
She is letting Ruthie know that she is leaving her house and all it’s contents to Ruthie and tells her the story behind many belongings, the memories those items brought her and also shares a secret of the past with her, and much of her life with her husband.
Much of the story is in letter form to Ruthie, but Flo also continues to live each day spending time cultivating a new relationship with a younger female neighbor or two, and she is a lovely and engaging character who has led a simple life and still enjoys the simple joys of life.
This is a very sweet story.
Thank you to NetGalley and Random House for the gifted ARC in exchange for my honest review!
November 29, 2025
Reading another Elizabeth Berg book is like drinking a hot chocolate. It makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside, and I cannot resist. A comp copy from the publisher and NetGalley, this one comes out in the Spring of 2026. A fitting cover and story for springtime.
Main character Flo knows she's dying so sets out to write a very long letter to the young woman to whom she will leave her house and treasured belongings. As she writes that letter we learn about Flo, her marriage, her upstanding character, her friends, and struggles. There isn't a lot of action or drama, so may not be for everyone. But it follows the pattern of Berg's latest books, concerning aging with grace or dying with dignity.
Main character Flo knows she's dying so sets out to write a very long letter to the young woman to whom she will leave her house and treasured belongings. As she writes that letter we learn about Flo, her marriage, her upstanding character, her friends, and struggles. There isn't a lot of action or drama, so may not be for everyone. But it follows the pattern of Berg's latest books, concerning aging with grace or dying with dignity.
April 21, 2026
firstly, thank you to the publisher for an arc!
i think there is a specific niche genre in which the main character of a story is an older person at the end of their life, sharing their life with a person from a younger generation, maybe a child or grandchild or beloved friend or neighbor. but i noticed a lot of those books are old men (a man called ove//theo of golden), and not many feature older women at the end of their lives reminiscing on all of the beautifully wonderful and painful things they experienced.
well, make some room ove and theo because flo brings such a breath of fresh air to that beloved genre with her partially autobiography and epistolary story as she recounts items she is bequeathing to her beloved once neighbor ruthie.
flo’s life was beautiful, but not perfect, and she was also not perfect. i will not spoil the twists for others, but flo’s actions in the face of disappointment and pain from others emphasizes how short life is, and the importance of pulling yourself up by the boot straps and continuing to live life to the fullest.
i also love that the author was the narrator for the audiobook! i think she did a fantastic job, and it was such a special touch to have her narrate flo’s life.
——
oh jeez, i can tell already this book will leave me in tears🥲...but that's my favorite kind of book because they always stick with me a tad longer🙂↕️🩵
i think there is a specific niche genre in which the main character of a story is an older person at the end of their life, sharing their life with a person from a younger generation, maybe a child or grandchild or beloved friend or neighbor. but i noticed a lot of those books are old men (a man called ove//theo of golden), and not many feature older women at the end of their lives reminiscing on all of the beautifully wonderful and painful things they experienced.
well, make some room ove and theo because flo brings such a breath of fresh air to that beloved genre with her partially autobiography and epistolary story as she recounts items she is bequeathing to her beloved once neighbor ruthie.
flo’s life was beautiful, but not perfect, and she was also not perfect. i will not spoil the twists for others, but flo’s actions in the face of disappointment and pain from others emphasizes how short life is, and the importance of pulling yourself up by the boot straps and continuing to live life to the fullest.
i also love that the author was the narrator for the audiobook! i think she did a fantastic job, and it was such a special touch to have her narrate flo’s life.
——
oh jeez, i can tell already this book will leave me in tears🥲...but that's my favorite kind of book because they always stick with me a tad longer🙂↕️🩵
November 26, 2025
I received a free copy of, Life: A Love Story, by Elizabeth Berg, from the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Florence Flo Greene is getting up there in years. She had a good life. Fell in love, had great friends and neighbor's This was a nice read.
April 1, 2026
Gentle and contemplative and tender. What a sweet gem of a book. I just adore Elizabeth Berg.
December 29, 2025
Life: A Love Story
By Elizabeth Berg
A TOUCHING AND SENTIMENTAL STORY OF A LIFE WELL LIVED
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
SUMMARY
Flo Greene, who is 94, can’t see very well or walk very far. As she nears the end of her life, she wants to set her affairs in order. She is leaving her house and her life story for Ruthie, a former neighbor and surrogate daughter. She is writing Ruthie a letter about all of her beloved possessions and the meanings behind them. In these final days, Flo also explores some new adventures and meets some new neighbors. Flo encourages her new friend Teresa to open her heart to romance and dating websites, and even urges Ruthie to try again with her husband by revealing a secret about her own marriage. In her final weeks, Flo’s words of wisdom leave a lasting impression on those who knew her.
REVIEW
LIFE: A LOVE STORY is a sweet, sentimental exploration of Flo’s life. Author Elizabeth Berg’s writing weaves the endearing vignettes of Flo’s lessons learned over her lifetime into a beautiful tapestry of a life. I loved reading about Flo’s positive attitude and the possessions that held special meaning to her… sometimes a rubber band is not simply a rubber band, and a toothpick holder is not just a toothpick holder. The letter to Ruthie, which explains Flo’s sentiments, is the perfect mechanism for telling this spellbinding story.
One of my favorite vignettes Flo tells is a conversation she had with Champ, a neighbor's white elderly dog, as they sat together on the front porch, rocking and watching the squirrels go by. Read it, love it!
Thank you to Netgalley for an advance copy of this touching book. All opinions expressed here are my own.
Publisher Random House
Published March 17, 2026
Review www.bluestockingreviews.com
By Elizabeth Berg
A TOUCHING AND SENTIMENTAL STORY OF A LIFE WELL LIVED
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
SUMMARY
Flo Greene, who is 94, can’t see very well or walk very far. As she nears the end of her life, she wants to set her affairs in order. She is leaving her house and her life story for Ruthie, a former neighbor and surrogate daughter. She is writing Ruthie a letter about all of her beloved possessions and the meanings behind them. In these final days, Flo also explores some new adventures and meets some new neighbors. Flo encourages her new friend Teresa to open her heart to romance and dating websites, and even urges Ruthie to try again with her husband by revealing a secret about her own marriage. In her final weeks, Flo’s words of wisdom leave a lasting impression on those who knew her.
REVIEW
LIFE: A LOVE STORY is a sweet, sentimental exploration of Flo’s life. Author Elizabeth Berg’s writing weaves the endearing vignettes of Flo’s lessons learned over her lifetime into a beautiful tapestry of a life. I loved reading about Flo’s positive attitude and the possessions that held special meaning to her… sometimes a rubber band is not simply a rubber band, and a toothpick holder is not just a toothpick holder. The letter to Ruthie, which explains Flo’s sentiments, is the perfect mechanism for telling this spellbinding story.
One of my favorite vignettes Flo tells is a conversation she had with Champ, a neighbor's white elderly dog, as they sat together on the front porch, rocking and watching the squirrels go by. Read it, love it!
Thank you to Netgalley for an advance copy of this touching book. All opinions expressed here are my own.
Publisher Random House
Published March 17, 2026
Review www.bluestockingreviews.com
March 23, 2026
I haven’t read a book by Elizabeth Berg in many years, since 2017 and that book was “The Story of Arthur Truluv” which I loved. This book is another fabulous book I also enjoyed. The main character is Flo and at 92 years old, she is near the end of her life and she writes a letter to her neighbor. It makes me think of what will happen to my things once I pass one day? Will the kids want it? Time will tell, right? :) Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this advance copy. Out in publication now.
October 26, 2025
Classic Elizabeth Berg. An elderly widow without family prepares for death by writing a letter, with revelations small and large, to a younger woman who had once been like a daughter to her.
The protagonist Flo is very likable. Some of her story seems a bit too good to be true, but you want her to have new friends suddenly at 92 and to have had the (almost) perfect marriage she describes.
Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for my honest review.
3.5 stars
The protagonist Flo is very likable. Some of her story seems a bit too good to be true, but you want her to have new friends suddenly at 92 and to have had the (almost) perfect marriage she describes.
Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for my honest review.
3.5 stars
January 31, 2026
I loved the quiet wisdom of this story and Flos insight on life.
Flo is 92 and knows she will die within the next two months. She starts writing a long letter to Ruthie, a young woman who grew up next door to Flo.
Flo is planning to leave her house and just about everything else to Ruthie. Her letter starts at describing some of the things in the house but turns into a beautiful reflection of Flo’s life.
Elizabeth Berg once again brings us a gorgeous story about the really valuable things of a lifetime. I loved it.
Thanks Edelweiss and Random House.
Flo is 92 and knows she will die within the next two months. She starts writing a long letter to Ruthie, a young woman who grew up next door to Flo.
Flo is planning to leave her house and just about everything else to Ruthie. Her letter starts at describing some of the things in the house but turns into a beautiful reflection of Flo’s life.
Elizabeth Berg once again brings us a gorgeous story about the really valuable things of a lifetime. I loved it.
Thanks Edelweiss and Random House.
April 21, 2026
Life: A Love Story by Elizabeth Berg was a tender and sweet coming to terms with the end of one’s own life journey. Florence or Flo, as she liked to be called, was near the end of her life. She had recently been diagnosed with a terminal illness and had accepted that she didn’t have long to live. After all, Flo was ninety-two years old and had lived a very rewarding and fulfilling life. Before her time was up, though, Flo was determined to write a letter to Ruthie, the little girl who became like the daughter that Flo never had. The letter that Flo wrote to Ruthie shared stories from the past and present, information about things that were important to Flo and advice for Ruthie, now a married woman and mother herself. The friendships Flo made in the last months of her life were touching and meant so much to her. I laughed at some of the stories Flo recalled and shed tears as well. As I read Life: A Love Story by Elizabeth Berg, I thought how I would have loved to have gotten a letter similar to the one Flo wrote to Ruthie from my own mom before she died. It was amazing that Flo had the gift of time to accomplish this feat and the inspiration to write it. I really enjoyed reading Life: A Love Story by Elizabeth Berg and highly recommend it.
Thank you to Random House through NetGalley for allowing me to read Life: A Love Story by Elizabeth Berg in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Thank you to Random House through NetGalley for allowing me to read Life: A Love Story by Elizabeth Berg in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
April 24, 2026
Elizabeth Berg is familiar and comfortable, making this an easy weeknight read. And I like Flo, the 92-year-old protagonist facing the end of her life through a long letter to a woman who was like a daughter and a late-in-life friendship with a lonely woman from her neighborhood. It’s all very sweet and well done.
The truth is that this novel, while lovely, suffers in comparison to The Correspondent. They’re not the same, but they’re too similar for me not to compare them. I also wanted more drama or conflict - just something to rub against Flo’s goodness.
Good, not great.
The truth is that this novel, while lovely, suffers in comparison to The Correspondent. They’re not the same, but they’re too similar for me not to compare them. I also wanted more drama or conflict - just something to rub against Flo’s goodness.
Good, not great.
October 31, 2025
I have loved the author's books forever and her newest is poignant and beautifully written. Highly recommended!
April 3, 2026
92-Year-old Flo is facing the end of her life. As she prepares to leave her home to her friend Ruthie, she writes a long letter to her explaining the stories behind the objects filled with meaning throughout her house, things she’s kept that Ruthie might appreciate. Along the way, Flo looks back on her marriage, hoping to help Ruthie through her uncertainties. It is a short story that maps out Flo's life, showing how her lifetime was built on both the joyful and the difficult times.
Ruthie does keep some of the items that belonged to Flo, one of them being a small box wrapped in red ribbon that has an elastic band inside. The only thing left at Flo’s house was a footprint.
A lot of things I once owned and treasured were thrown away one day by the very person who gave most of them to me. I will never get over it. This book reminded me of that feeling.
Ruthie does keep some of the items that belonged to Flo, one of them being a small box wrapped in red ribbon that has an elastic band inside. The only thing left at Flo’s house was a footprint.
A lot of things I once owned and treasured were thrown away one day by the very person who gave most of them to me. I will never get over it. This book reminded me of that feeling.
March 13, 2026
Life: A Love Story is the story of Flo Greene, a 92 years old woman preparing for her imminent death. In fact, she has just recently learned of her illness and now is planning some practical steps, such as leaving her home to Ruthie, the younger woman who used to be the little girl next door. The overall story of Life: A Love Story is made up of Flo’s lengthy letter to Ruthie, who seems to have been almost like a daughter to her, alternating with Flo’s activities over the final weeks of her life. The letter provides a picture of her long marriage to Terrence who died some years before and who she misses constantly.
This novel met me at a perfect time when I have been jousting with a book of stories involving relationships where no one actually ever says what they feel to the ones they care about. Here there is love, honesty, attempts to be truthful and honest and act with love. There is acknowledgment of weakness but also of people’s better selves. There is a sentimental tone but there are also some acerbic moments. I liked Flo and enjoyed reading about her life. I also enjoyed meeting some of her friends and musing upon what meaningful things are lingering in my closets and drawers waiting for another generation to enjoy. Flo made this an enjoyable experience through her obvious love of life. Thank you to Elizabeth Berg for this reading experience.
Thank you to Random House and NetGalley for an advanced copy of this book.
This novel met me at a perfect time when I have been jousting with a book of stories involving relationships where no one actually ever says what they feel to the ones they care about. Here there is love, honesty, attempts to be truthful and honest and act with love. There is acknowledgment of weakness but also of people’s better selves. There is a sentimental tone but there are also some acerbic moments. I liked Flo and enjoyed reading about her life. I also enjoyed meeting some of her friends and musing upon what meaningful things are lingering in my closets and drawers waiting for another generation to enjoy. Flo made this an enjoyable experience through her obvious love of life. Thank you to Elizabeth Berg for this reading experience.
Thank you to Random House and NetGalley for an advanced copy of this book.
April 12, 2026
This is a gentle exhortation to pay attention to those around us and hold daily moments lightly with both hands.choose joy.choose forgiveness. live!
March 30, 2026
Loved this sweetly sad (?) story of Flo Greene- her reminiscences and her present life come together so beautifully. She is a wise and dear 92 year old woman- a character who is giving me pause to consider my own remaining years. I definitely will revisit this short book.
April 6, 2026
Life: A Love Story by Elizabeth Berg is a deeply moving work of literary fiction that follows the life of its unforgettable main character, Flo, through the many joys and hardships that shape her journey. What begins as a somewhat quiet and gradual opening soon develops into a powerful and emotionally resonant story.
As Flo’s life unfolds, the novel explores love, loss, resilience, and the complicated realities of growing older. Berg’s writing brings a remarkable sense of intimacy to the narrative, allowing readers to feel closely connected to Flo’s experiences and emotional world. While the story begins at a slower pace, it steadily draws the reader in until the character’s life becomes fully absorbing.
Several moments in the novel are particularly emotional, highlighting Berg’s skill at capturing the vulnerability and strength that define the human experience. Her prose is thoughtful and compassionate, giving the story a reflective depth that makes the journey feel authentic and deeply affecting.
Overall, Life: A Love Story is a beautifully written and emotionally rich novel. It is a powerful piece of literary fiction that lingers with the reader and serves as a wonderful introduction to Elizabeth Berg’s work—one that certainly inspires exploring more of her books.
Thanks to Netgalley and Random House for this ARC this is my honest review .
April 10, 2026
5🌟 From the very start, this book took up residence in my soul. Every other page or so I was stopping to ponder life. Our main character, 92 year old Flo, has so very much wisdom to impart. She will make you think about things and feel things you aren’t expecting. You’ll tear up over the most ordinary thing because she celebrates it and makes it special. The author reads the audio and it’s just so touching. I have a feeling she recorded it herself because she wanted it just so… and it is. A quiet, beautiful book that I needed in my life. I will not soon forget it.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This was an incredibly sweet and moving novel. It is very short and I read it in a couple of hours. It is basically one long letter from Flo to her former neighbor Ruthie.
In the story Flo shares stories from her life as well as lots of advice that revolves around love. Flo is in her 90s and has seen a lot over the years. She had a long marriage to Terrance which was not always easy. She was never able to have kids but Flo never lost her love of life. Her advice in the book was very heartfelt and I think anyone would love hearing it. I felt like this book enriched my life. I also had an older neighbor growing up who I used to visit and hear stories from. This novel just really resonated with me and I think it is a book everyone should read.
Thank you to Random House and NetGalley for this ARC.
In the story Flo shares stories from her life as well as lots of advice that revolves around love. Flo is in her 90s and has seen a lot over the years. She had a long marriage to Terrance which was not always easy. She was never able to have kids but Flo never lost her love of life. Her advice in the book was very heartfelt and I think anyone would love hearing it. I felt like this book enriched my life. I also had an older neighbor growing up who I used to visit and hear stories from. This novel just really resonated with me and I think it is a book everyone should read.
Thank you to Random House and NetGalley for this ARC.
April 1, 2026
3.5 stars
If you've read and enjoyed any Elizabeth Berg novels, you’ll recognize and appreciate the vibe here. Flo Greene is 92 years old and has just received a terminal diagnosis, and the end is coming—soon. She’s widowed and still lives in her own house, but she’s not alone. She has many friends and just keeps making new ones. This diagnosis doesn’t scare her—much—she’s had a good, long life and she’s ready to go, but first, she wants to write a (very) long letter to the woman she watched grow up and has always considered the child she never had, explaining many events of her life and very happy marriage. The letter delves into the past, and it alternates with the present, in which Flo not only tries a few new things and makes new friends but introduces her new people to each other and has the satisfaction of seeing them warm to each other. A touch too shallow and saccharine for my cynical old self, but rounded up to four stars for how hard it tries.
If you've read and enjoyed any Elizabeth Berg novels, you’ll recognize and appreciate the vibe here. Flo Greene is 92 years old and has just received a terminal diagnosis, and the end is coming—soon. She’s widowed and still lives in her own house, but she’s not alone. She has many friends and just keeps making new ones. This diagnosis doesn’t scare her—much—she’s had a good, long life and she’s ready to go, but first, she wants to write a (very) long letter to the woman she watched grow up and has always considered the child she never had, explaining many events of her life and very happy marriage. The letter delves into the past, and it alternates with the present, in which Flo not only tries a few new things and makes new friends but introduces her new people to each other and has the satisfaction of seeing them warm to each other. A touch too shallow and saccharine for my cynical old self, but rounded up to four stars for how hard it tries.
April 22, 2026
An unexpectedly beautiful book. A must read!!!
March 20, 2026
I love reading books about aging and reflection but this book was not for me. I’ve enjoyed books like the Correspondent and Theo of Golden. This was not that.
Marketed as a woman sending a letter reflecting on her life it read like a sermon at times to be kind, forgive without consequence, and be demure.
There was a part of the book that gave me a real ick and I almost DNFed.
Marketed as a woman sending a letter reflecting on her life it read like a sermon at times to be kind, forgive without consequence, and be demure.
There was a part of the book that gave me a real ick and I almost DNFed.
October 19, 2025
2.5
Life: A Love Story by Elizabeth Berg is a story about Flo, a nonagenarian who has been given only a short time left to live. She is putting her affairs in order and writing a letter to Ruthie, a woman who lived next door to her when she was a child and was a surrogate daughter to Flo. Her letter is sort of a meaning of life letter, letting Ruthie know lessons she has learned through her life and the importance of marriage. Flo also befriends a neighbor Teresa, who is a death doula. Teresa has all but given up on love and Flo aims to change her mind on that.
This was a very sweet and simple story about Flo. However, I felt like it missed several opportunities at evoking more reactions from the audience than it did. I expected Teresa’s occupation to become more significant in Flo’s personal story, but it never did. There was only one poignant story from her work about a young boy, but I expected to get some of that with her interactions with Flo as well. I also think we needed to know Ruthie on a more personal level as well. She was obviously extremely important to Flo, but we never hear much about her story. And even after Flo dies, her part still seems very detached and unemotional from what I expected to be a very meaningful relationship.
Towards the end of the book, we learn about an event in Flo’s marriage that could have led to a very different present. Even this event was handled in such a simple matter in the storytelling that it left me wanting more drama.
When I started this book, I was expecting something similar to The Collected Regrets of Clover, with a death doula character, but this was very different in every way (main character focus, emotional depth). While this was a quick and easy read, I’m not sure I will take much from it. Thanks to Net Galley and Random House for my ARC.
Life: A Love Story by Elizabeth Berg is a story about Flo, a nonagenarian who has been given only a short time left to live. She is putting her affairs in order and writing a letter to Ruthie, a woman who lived next door to her when she was a child and was a surrogate daughter to Flo. Her letter is sort of a meaning of life letter, letting Ruthie know lessons she has learned through her life and the importance of marriage. Flo also befriends a neighbor Teresa, who is a death doula. Teresa has all but given up on love and Flo aims to change her mind on that.
This was a very sweet and simple story about Flo. However, I felt like it missed several opportunities at evoking more reactions from the audience than it did. I expected Teresa’s occupation to become more significant in Flo’s personal story, but it never did. There was only one poignant story from her work about a young boy, but I expected to get some of that with her interactions with Flo as well. I also think we needed to know Ruthie on a more personal level as well. She was obviously extremely important to Flo, but we never hear much about her story. And even after Flo dies, her part still seems very detached and unemotional from what I expected to be a very meaningful relationship.
Towards the end of the book, we learn about an event in Flo’s marriage that could have led to a very different present. Even this event was handled in such a simple matter in the storytelling that it left me wanting more drama.
When I started this book, I was expecting something similar to The Collected Regrets of Clover, with a death doula character, but this was very different in every way (main character focus, emotional depth). While this was a quick and easy read, I’m not sure I will take much from it. Thanks to Net Galley and Random House for my ARC.
October 18, 2025
This was such a beautiful book. Flo was an unforgettable character and I enjoyed reading about her reflections on significant moments and events from her life. The way little items represent the memories was magical and the letter she writes about it all was an interesting way to read about it all, rather than just writing it into the plot like normal. This book got me reflecting on my own life and my future. This is an easy read that will tug at your heart. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
April 16, 2026
If you loved the novel The Correspondent, then you'll also love this new novel by Elizabeth Berg - it shares some similar themes and it is also written partially as an epistolary novel. I am a bit partial to Elizabeth Berg - I pretty much love everything she writes - but this is truly one of my favorite novels I've read so far this year. The narrator is 92 year old Flo, who is just a lovely woman who has been diagnosed with a terminal illness but she is still so positive and passionate about enjoying life, making new connections, and reflecting upon the life she has led. This novel really, really is a love story to life itself - how the good and the bad, the easy and the difficult, shape us and make us who we are. And it's about the importance of love, friendship, partnership and caring for others. This novel points out that the beauty in life is most often found if we take the time to savor the ordinary gifts that are all around us every single day. This is a read that will stick with you and make you think about looking at all parts of life with gratitude and joy. I'm curious to know if Netflix or Amazon or some other production company has purchased the rights to this novel - if so, it could be a lovely film!
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