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You And Me, Always
On the morning of Lily's twenty-fifth birthday, it's time to open the very last letter written to her by her beloved mother, who died when she was eight.
Learning more about the first and only real love of her mum's life is a revelation. On the same day, Lily also meets Eddie Tessler, a man fleeing fame who just might have the ability to change her world in unimaginable ways. But her childhood friend Dan has his own reasons for not wanting Lily to get too carried away by Eddie's attentions.
Before long, secrets begin to emerge and Lily's friends and family become involved. In the beautiful Cotswold village of Stanton Langley, nothing will ever be the same again...
358 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2001
857 people are currently reading
5279 people want to read
About the author
Jill Mansell
85 books4,869 followersJill Mansell lives with her partner and children in Bristol, and writes full time. Actually that’s not true; she watches TV, eats fruit gums, admires the rugby players training in the sports field behind her house, and spends hours on the internet marvelling at how many other writers have blogs. Only when she’s completely run out of displacement activities does she write.
Jill Mansell's books have sold over ten million copies and her titles include: Making your Mind up, Fast Friends, Good at Games, Sheer Mischief and Solo, among many others.
Jill Mansell's books have sold over ten million copies and her titles include: Making your Mind up, Fast Friends, Good at Games, Sheer Mischief and Solo, among many others.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 739 reviews
January 28, 2016
5 - "Boyfriends come and go, but friends are forever." Stars!
Another absolutely outstanding read from Jill Mansell. I think the one thing that always encourages me to read a book by this author is that no matter how things turn out for the characters, I am always left with a smile on my face by the end of the book.
You And Me, Always features a diverse and colorful cast of characters, mainly living in and around Stanton Langley, a small village in the English countryside. You are given an insight into their day to day lives and a little look into a few of their pasts to give you the basis as to how their previous experiences have shaped them.
Funny how fate worked, sometimes.
I suppose you could say the book is mainly based around Lily, and the letter she receives on her 25th Birthday. The contents enclosed, start a chain of events that in a sense cause a ’ripple effect’ having far reaching consequences on her friends and acquaintances as the book progresses.
• Patsy; and her desperation to find a man and start a family.
• Dan; the ladies’ man, and the case of unrequited love he has been nursing for years.
• Coral; still grieving for the unexpected loss of her husband, but looking to start living again.
These are just the tip of the iceberg character wise, but I love the way that every character Jill introduces has a big impact in the overall progression of the book as the story progresses. As you would expect with such a plethora of characters a lot happens, most of which I don’t really want to talk about, to avoid giving away spoilers.
"I didn’t plan for it to happen quite like this, but I’m saying it now…
I’d still love you.
I just would.
Because… I already do."
You And Me Always reminded me of a Richard Curtis film, and if you are a fan of those then I think you will absolutely adore this book.
ARC generously provided via Netgalley, and it was my pleasure to provide the above honest review.
Another absolutely outstanding read from Jill Mansell. I think the one thing that always encourages me to read a book by this author is that no matter how things turn out for the characters, I am always left with a smile on my face by the end of the book.
You And Me, Always features a diverse and colorful cast of characters, mainly living in and around Stanton Langley, a small village in the English countryside. You are given an insight into their day to day lives and a little look into a few of their pasts to give you the basis as to how their previous experiences have shaped them.
Funny how fate worked, sometimes.
I suppose you could say the book is mainly based around Lily, and the letter she receives on her 25th Birthday. The contents enclosed, start a chain of events that in a sense cause a ’ripple effect’ having far reaching consequences on her friends and acquaintances as the book progresses.
• Patsy; and her desperation to find a man and start a family.
• Dan; the ladies’ man, and the case of unrequited love he has been nursing for years.
• Coral; still grieving for the unexpected loss of her husband, but looking to start living again.
These are just the tip of the iceberg character wise, but I love the way that every character Jill introduces has a big impact in the overall progression of the book as the story progresses. As you would expect with such a plethora of characters a lot happens, most of which I don’t really want to talk about, to avoid giving away spoilers.
"I didn’t plan for it to happen quite like this, but I’m saying it now…
I’d still love you.
I just would.
Because… I already do."
You And Me Always reminded me of a Richard Curtis film, and if you are a fan of those then I think you will absolutely adore this book.
ARC generously provided via Netgalley, and it was my pleasure to provide the above honest review.
November 26, 2016
I found this book entertaining and an easy read. You And Me, Always involves several characters which keeps the story multi-layered yet unified. This is the perfect book if you're looking for an easy, enjoyable read. 3.75 stars rounding up to 4.
November 9, 2016
Did you ever watch the movie Win a Date with Tad Hamilton? This movie will cure a bad mood like nobody's business and it happens to be my priority chick-flick when I'm home sick. You And Me, Always reminded me of that movie so much. Of course, there are huge differences in the details and themes but it's basically about an A-list movie star whose presence in a small town shakes things up, specifically with one ordinary girl and her friends. The author Jill Mansell incorporates several additional plot lines in this book that weighed it down and created more length than necessary in my opinion, but overall, I enjoyed You And Me, Always and would recommend it to fans of the chick-lit genre.
My favorite quote:
"There were so many what-ifs; life was like a ball of string with three hundred ends."
P.S. Remember to keep this movie in mind the next time you're having a bad day!
My favorite quote:
"There were so many what-ifs; life was like a ball of string with three hundred ends."
P.S. Remember to keep this movie in mind the next time you're having a bad day!
August 2, 2016
Sweet and lovely - but not too sweet, nor too lovely. Just the perfect level of loveliness to make this a great read, without being overly dramatic or cheesy.
The two storylines converge in a very interesting way, and while the plot is slightly predictable, the journey is so good.
Likable characters and funny dialogue make for a great, light and happy beach read. My first Jill Mansell book, but I will undoubtedly be back for more.
Thank you Netgalley, Sourcebooks and Jill Mansell for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
The two storylines converge in a very interesting way, and while the plot is slightly predictable, the journey is so good.
Likable characters and funny dialogue make for a great, light and happy beach read. My first Jill Mansell book, but I will undoubtedly be back for more.
Thank you Netgalley, Sourcebooks and Jill Mansell for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
August 6, 2018
This one just felt a bit off to me. Probably because I realized going in after being introduced to everyone, I knew who was going to pair off together. So I felt annoyed waiting through the whole book for the characters to figure it out themselves. It didn't help though that we get a random wrench thrown in this one (a character who makes a terrible mistake that impacts another) that didn't seem atypical for this character at all. The book was too fast in wrapping things up I thought.
"You and Me, Always" deals with characters living and visiting Stanton Langley. Lily has been raised by a friend of her mother's Coral and her husband since her mother died when she was 8. Lily's two best friends, Patsy and Dan (brother and sister) have all known each other since they were babies. When Lily receives the last letter from her mother on her 25th birthday, it seems to be the kick she needed to get in contact with a man that her mother tells her was the love of her life (Declan). Lily also meets movie star Eddie (hiding out in Stanton Langley) and wonders if this is the man to get her over her decades long crush of Dan.
Usually I think Mansell can juggle multiple characters well, but not in this one. I think it's because the stories were sometimes opposed to each other and it felt like we should just be reading stand-alones. We have Coral dealing with being a widow and starting to have feelings for Declan. I found it interesting, but it didn't gel well when we would bounce back to Lily and Patsy. The three women are not really in the same age group so it didn't feel right they were on top of each other so much and didn't seem to have other friends besides each other.
Patsy's marriage and bad dating woes were pretty hilarious, but I think Mansell jumped at her getting a HEA and didn't put in enough work for us to be rooting for her or her love interest.
I didn't really care about Lily and Eddie, they never did work for me.
The writing was typical Mansell, the flow could have been improved though.
The setting of this village felt even tinier than I can imagine. Usually Mansell can have me imagine a place and I feel there, this just felt blah to me.
"You and Me, Always" deals with characters living and visiting Stanton Langley. Lily has been raised by a friend of her mother's Coral and her husband since her mother died when she was 8. Lily's two best friends, Patsy and Dan (brother and sister) have all known each other since they were babies. When Lily receives the last letter from her mother on her 25th birthday, it seems to be the kick she needed to get in contact with a man that her mother tells her was the love of her life (Declan). Lily also meets movie star Eddie (hiding out in Stanton Langley) and wonders if this is the man to get her over her decades long crush of Dan.
Usually I think Mansell can juggle multiple characters well, but not in this one. I think it's because the stories were sometimes opposed to each other and it felt like we should just be reading stand-alones. We have Coral dealing with being a widow and starting to have feelings for Declan. I found it interesting, but it didn't gel well when we would bounce back to Lily and Patsy. The three women are not really in the same age group so it didn't feel right they were on top of each other so much and didn't seem to have other friends besides each other.
Patsy's marriage and bad dating woes were pretty hilarious, but I think Mansell jumped at her getting a HEA and didn't put in enough work for us to be rooting for her or her love interest.
I didn't really care about Lily and Eddie, they never did work for me.
The writing was typical Mansell, the flow could have been improved though.
The setting of this village felt even tinier than I can imagine. Usually Mansell can have me imagine a place and I feel there, this just felt blah to me.
February 23, 2016
Originally posted on Beauty, Books and Babble.
After losing her mum at the age of eight, Lily has always looked forward to her birthdays. Each and every year, a new letter from her late mother is waiting for her. On her twenty-fifth birthday, however, Lily receives her very last one, and it's the one that changes everything.
Reading the letter, Lily learns all about the only real love of her mum's life, and she is determined to find out more. On the very same day, Lily meets Eddie Tessler, a man hiding from fame who could totally spin Lily's life around. But when old time friend, Dan, has his own reasons for wanting the relationship to fail, and secrets start to emerge, the lives of Lily and the friends and family surrounding her will never be the same again...
" 'If they hadn't done that, everything would have been different,' Lily marvelled. There were so many what-ifs; life was like a ball of string with three hundred ends."
Book lovers around the world are going to gasp in horror as I admit this: I've never read a Jill Mansell book before this one. Argh. I know. Slap my wrist. But don't worry; her wonderful writing style and perfectly flowing words have definitely added Jill Mansell to my go-to authors list... I have plenty of catching up to do!
You and Me, Always* takes place in the idyllic village of Stanton Langley in the Cotswolds, and Jill Mansell has done a fabulous job of creating a charming setting with an endearing community. I could have happily jumped into the book to stroll past the scenery, spend time at Star Inn, and become one of the locals.
At the start of the book, we are immediately thrown into laughs as we first meet the characters and come across Mr Turquoise-Lycra-Leggings, and then we move on to the tender moment of Lily opening and reading the letter from her mum. Before the story even truly begins, we get an insight into the characters lives, and I found myself liking each and every one of them.
" 'I didn't plan for it to happen quite like this, but I'm saying it now... I'd still love you. I just would. Because... I already do.' "
The diverse and vibrant characters throughout You and Me, Always* are all incredibly well developed and realistic, and my heart truly warmed to them all, from the village ladies' man Dan, to lonely and grieving Coral, who is determined to start living again. Every time we met someone new in this wonderful tale of loss, love and friendship, they left footprints on both the story and on me as we realise just how their past experiences in life have shaped them.
Although primarily a story focussed on Lily finding her way in life, we as readers get to witness so many other dynamics and relationships. Observing the world through different eyes and minds throughout the book, we begin to see the paths of each heart-warming character intertwine time and time again until their relationships and feelings emanate from the pages and into our hearts. Although I predicted some of the relationships that were yet to form, I enjoyed watching them unfold page by page nonetheless, and I became sincerely invested in everybody's outcome.
Filled with laughter and tears, friendship and love, You and Me, Always* is an uplifting tale filled with soul stirring characters that is perfect for travelling the countryside, all whilst sat on your sofa.
January 10, 2016
This is a box of chocolates on the sofa read – one that you can just curl up with and shut the outside world out. On Lily’s 25th birthday she opens an extra special letter from her mother. Before her mother Jo died she wrote letters to Lily, one to be opened every year on her birthday and this is the last one. The contents of this letter are going to bring change not only to Lily’s life but also ultimately to her friends Patsy and Coral who have supported her over the years since Jo died.
It is a wonderful feel good story, set in a chocolate box village in the Cotswolds. The characters are beautifully written – they feel very real and are just fun to read about. Lily is a heroine who has immediate attraction and you just cannot help liking her and Patsy and Coral are women whose stories may well strike a chord with a lot of readers.
It is funny and moving at the same time with oodles of romance and also glamour. There are times when you feel as if you are reading a sequel, as each character does have quite a lot of history. I don’t know if that is the case or not but if it is, then it doesn’t make any difference to this read, because you do find out what you need to know anyway.
A thoroughly good read. Many thanks to the publishers via Netgalley for the review copy.
It is a wonderful feel good story, set in a chocolate box village in the Cotswolds. The characters are beautifully written – they feel very real and are just fun to read about. Lily is a heroine who has immediate attraction and you just cannot help liking her and Patsy and Coral are women whose stories may well strike a chord with a lot of readers.
It is funny and moving at the same time with oodles of romance and also glamour. There are times when you feel as if you are reading a sequel, as each character does have quite a lot of history. I don’t know if that is the case or not but if it is, then it doesn’t make any difference to this read, because you do find out what you need to know anyway.
A thoroughly good read. Many thanks to the publishers via Netgalley for the review copy.
March 24, 2016
Reading the book blurb, I expected this to be fun, engaging read. Plus I am a sucker for best friends-turned-romance chick lit. It gives you enough feels, keeps you engaged and entertained enough. That’s what I expected. Sadly this one didn’t meet the criteria.
Narrative
It’s a third person narrative. I started the book and it seemed harmless enough. But... the plot was such a mixture, like a badly made salad, if you will. I wanted to enjoy it, but I really couldn’t.
The story and plot
Oh boy how I despised the story was turning out to be. I was so mislead about the whole damn blurb! It suggested two long-life friends turning into more, the movie star as the third wheel and Lily’s backstory right? You are so wrong! As you can already see it’s too much of a plot for one book. But hey there’s more. The story includes 10 other point of views, yay!! * If looks could kill, my e-reader would be on fire*. You know when you decide to go for a movie with your close friends, and annoyingly there are some new faces tagging along with you. This book felt like that!
Here’s the thing, the many characters in a novel is not a problem. It’s their off-point story telling like this that kills a decent idea. What the author has done is squeeze at least three more love stories into the novel. So the leads as per the blurb just end up being a joke. They are in the background.
Plus the big “conflict” that every romance novel has? It’s hardly convincing, it is as an afterthought and gets resolved in three pages. The author can surely write well, but in this one read like she didn’t bother.
Pace
Pace is okay, was engaging. I kept reading on in hopes to find a meaty interaction between the main leads. Sadly that didn’t happen. How do you like book that is an engaging read but with terrible plot? I feel tricked!
The characters
The main leads are immature. The appeal of quirky characters finding the “one” is appealing but this novel made a caricature of that.
I didn’t like any of them. In fact most of the characters seemed similar; they were just an extension of the other characters. Plus with multiple characters and their point of view, you didn’t even get to know them really well.
So okay maybe their mannerisms are similar, happens. The physicality too? All the females look the same in the novel, as per description. Same goes for the guys. So many characters and all same.
Last Thoughts
There were some funny moments but they weren’t enough to float my boat. I regret reading this. It wasn’t horrible writing, in fact it was good in certain parts. However, the book really was a hodgepodge , a terrific mess. So many plots and unnecessary side stories. The only reason I completed is coz I hate leaving a book unfinished.
The thing is I was expecting a keep-your-brains-aside but fun to read experience and this didn’t even match that. If you like the best friend-romance thing, you’d be better off reading Just One of the Guys .
#bookreviews #novels #romance
Narrative
It’s a third person narrative. I started the book and it seemed harmless enough. But... the plot was such a mixture, like a badly made salad, if you will. I wanted to enjoy it, but I really couldn’t.
The story and plot
Oh boy how I despised the story was turning out to be. I was so mislead about the whole damn blurb! It suggested two long-life friends turning into more, the movie star as the third wheel and Lily’s backstory right? You are so wrong! As you can already see it’s too much of a plot for one book. But hey there’s more. The story includes 10 other point of views, yay!! * If looks could kill, my e-reader would be on fire*. You know when you decide to go for a movie with your close friends, and annoyingly there are some new faces tagging along with you. This book felt like that!
Here’s the thing, the many characters in a novel is not a problem. It’s their off-point story telling like this that kills a decent idea. What the author has done is squeeze at least three more love stories into the novel. So the leads as per the blurb just end up being a joke. They are in the background.
Plus the big “conflict” that every romance novel has? It’s hardly convincing, it is as an afterthought and gets resolved in three pages. The author can surely write well, but in this one read like she didn’t bother.
Pace
Pace is okay, was engaging. I kept reading on in hopes to find a meaty interaction between the main leads. Sadly that didn’t happen. How do you like book that is an engaging read but with terrible plot? I feel tricked!
The characters
The main leads are immature. The appeal of quirky characters finding the “one” is appealing but this novel made a caricature of that.
I didn’t like any of them. In fact most of the characters seemed similar; they were just an extension of the other characters. Plus with multiple characters and their point of view, you didn’t even get to know them really well.
So okay maybe their mannerisms are similar, happens. The physicality too? All the females look the same in the novel, as per description. Same goes for the guys. So many characters and all same.
Last Thoughts
There were some funny moments but they weren’t enough to float my boat. I regret reading this. It wasn’t horrible writing, in fact it was good in certain parts. However, the book really was a hodgepodge , a terrific mess. So many plots and unnecessary side stories. The only reason I completed is coz I hate leaving a book unfinished.
The thing is I was expecting a keep-your-brains-aside but fun to read experience and this didn’t even match that. If you like the best friend-romance thing, you’d be better off reading Just One of the Guys .
#bookreviews #novels #romance
January 25, 2016
This was a dream of a read. I love Jill Mansell's books and this one more than lived up to my expectations.
Lily was left some letters to open on her birthday- up until she was 25. She lost her mum as a child and her mum left a present and messages to open to remain a part of her life. In the last letter she revealed the name of her first love and she's desperate to find him to hear more about her mum.
Every character was so well drawn that you feel you have just moved into a new neighbourhood- but amongst old friends. With a mix of ages and different relationships there is something for everyone.
Add in the world of A list celebrities and you have a real mix of the Cornish village life and the glitz of red carpet events.
I want to hear more about all the characters- I was so sad to leave them!
With many thanks to Net Galley and the publisher for the chance to read this wonderful book.
Lily was left some letters to open on her birthday- up until she was 25. She lost her mum as a child and her mum left a present and messages to open to remain a part of her life. In the last letter she revealed the name of her first love and she's desperate to find him to hear more about her mum.
Every character was so well drawn that you feel you have just moved into a new neighbourhood- but amongst old friends. With a mix of ages and different relationships there is something for everyone.
Add in the world of A list celebrities and you have a real mix of the Cornish village life and the glitz of red carpet events.
I want to hear more about all the characters- I was so sad to leave them!
With many thanks to Net Galley and the publisher for the chance to read this wonderful book.
June 11, 2016
This is a super fun read. There are great characters, delectable plot twists, romance, good guys, and a villain. I loved the witty banter between childhood friends Lily and Dan and between Dan and his older sister, Patsy. Really, the interactions between all the friends was great.
Though Lily’s mother died when Lily was young, before her death, she wrote letters to Lily for each year of her birthday up until her 25th birthday. When Lily opens that letter, she learns about her mother’s one true love (not Lily’s biological father, who wanted nothing to do with her). Looking up her mom’s old flame, Lily gets to learn more about her mom. Along the way, as Patsy goes on one horrible date after another, Dan keeps dating the wrong women and breaking up with them, Lily gets to fall for a movie star, who feels the same way about her.
A fun, fast novel.
I received a copy of You and Me, Always through NetGalley for an honest review.
Though Lily’s mother died when Lily was young, before her death, she wrote letters to Lily for each year of her birthday up until her 25th birthday. When Lily opens that letter, she learns about her mother’s one true love (not Lily’s biological father, who wanted nothing to do with her). Looking up her mom’s old flame, Lily gets to learn more about her mom. Along the way, as Patsy goes on one horrible date after another, Dan keeps dating the wrong women and breaking up with them, Lily gets to fall for a movie star, who feels the same way about her.
A fun, fast novel.
I received a copy of You and Me, Always through NetGalley for an honest review.
February 9, 2022
Sejak baca Three Amazing Things about You jadi penasaran sama buku Jill Mansell lain. Ceritanya "sederhana". Tipe-tipe slice of life. Cerita tentang orang biasa, kehidupan biasa. Saya pribadi lebih suka Three Amazing Things sih, walaupun ini sama heartwarmingnya. Mungkin karena Three Amazing Things lebih dramatis kali ya (ternyata anaknya drama queen).
Tapi You and Me juga bagus bangeett. Masih sama-sama cerita dengan banyak tokoh utama, dengan cerita masing-masing. Tapi problemnya lebih kompleks, lebih saling berhubungan satu sama lain, dan penyelesainnya ga dibuat-buat. Semua tokohnya juga lovable. Sukaa!!
Tapi You and Me juga bagus bangeett. Masih sama-sama cerita dengan banyak tokoh utama, dengan cerita masing-masing. Tapi problemnya lebih kompleks, lebih saling berhubungan satu sama lain, dan penyelesainnya ga dibuat-buat. Semua tokohnya juga lovable. Sukaa!!
December 1, 2016
Sweet and funny romance. Girl meets rock star and lives the fairy tale for awhile then decides on the the guy who has been her best friend.
June 29, 2017
Cute and breezy. Main character had a bit of a Mary Sue thing going on. I liked the supporting characters quite a bit.
Listened to this on audio and the audiobook narrator was reading so fast I actually had to slow it down to .75 speed to really get the benefit of the audio story.
Listened to this on audio and the audiobook narrator was reading so fast I actually had to slow it down to .75 speed to really get the benefit of the audio story.
February 5, 2019
Godīgi sakot, es Džilu Manselu sajaucu ar Džodiju Pikultu - lai gan nav ļoti līdzīgi vārdi, anotācija, kurā minētas mirušās mātes vēstules izsauca tādas asociācijas un "Nosargāt māsu", "Deviņpadsmit minūtes" un "Dzīve kā pasakā" bija emocionāli smagi vieglie romāni, anotācija lika domāt, ka arī šis būs tāds. Bet izrādījās, ka tā vēstule ir tik ļoti nobīdīta malā, un šī ir drīzāk pat humorīga lubene. Savā žanrā tīri laba, bet es gaidīju ko citu... Un divi dažā vecuma pāri, kuri abi ir neprātīgi viens otrā samīlējušies, bet slēpj, jo domā, ka otrs nav ir par daudz. Toties vismaz trešās dāmas mīlestības meklējumi ar neveiksmīgo internet randiņu virkni bija forši lasāmi.
May 24, 2020
Het was al weer 3 jaar geleden dat ik voor het laatst een boek van Jill heb opgepakt. En eigenlijk is dat wel zonde, want ik ontdekte weer wat voor leuke boeken Jill schrijft. Het duurde wel even voor het verhaal een punt bereikte waar ik graag door wilde blijven lezen, maar het was wel een leuk verhaal. Sommige dingen waren voorspelbaar, andere weer totaal niet. Ook het einde was niet geheel voorspelbaar voor mij en vond ik een mooi slot geven aan het verhaal. Hopelijk laat ik er niet weer zo'n tijd overheen gaan voor dat ik de volgende Jill weer oppak. Zij was 1 van de eerste schrijfster waar ik mee kennismaakte waardoor ik lezen echt leuk ben gaan vinden, en dat lukt haar nog steeds.
January 26, 2016
Received my copy of this book today 13/01/16.
I won this book in a Goodreads giveaway in early November 2015, but have not received it at today's date 05/01/16. Disappointed.
I won this book in a Goodreads giveaway in early November 2015, but have not received it at today's date 05/01/16. Disappointed.
February 1, 2016
I have always loved books and reading, but it is essentially thanks to few authors, such as Marian Keyes, Jane Costello and Jill Mansell, that my love to women's literature exploded so much and blossomed through the years. I am proud to say that I have read all of Jill's books, I have all of them on my bookshelf, and not one of them had disappointed me - when picking Ms Mansell's book I know that I am for a treat and for a few hours of utter delight. And it was the same with "You and Me, Always". And let's be honest - there is no January without new Jill Mansell's release for me anymore.
The author effortlessly throws her readers to the heart of the story, deep into the characters' lives - I have truly had a feeling I know them for ever! I felt on the right place in their company, and I laughed and cried with them all together. Jill Mansell, as always, describes the characters so well that we really understand each of them - their motives and their reactions. There are truly so many characters in this novel but I didn't have a problem to know who is who and how they are connected. I loved how their stories linked together, how they were connected with each other and how effortlessly they were intertwined and how perfectly the story flows, in just the right pace.
Our main character, Lily, is twenty - five years old and each year she gets a letter from her mum for her birthday - mum that has sadly already passed away. I loved this idea, I simply loved it, it was so touching and so thoughtful. A pity that we could read only one of the letters but well, a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush... In the last letter Lily's mum is talking about her first love ever, and this piqued Lily's interest... She doesn't know it yet, but it is going to change her life - and not only hers, but also the lives of her friends Patsy and Coral.
As usual in Jill Mansell's books, also in "You and Me, Always" there is great bunch of incredibly warm and colourful characters, that more than often put themselves into some awkward situations, that more than often made me smile/snort with laughter, such as Patsy's dating disasters for example. Lily is the main one. I loved her from the very beginning, really. I was thinking, well, after her mum's death she could grow up wallowing in grief, full of anger and bad feelings but on the contrary, thanks to the help of Coral and Patsy, she became a wonderful, lovely, funny young woman.
Patsy was a source of many funny situations, what with her online dating and the guys she went on dates with. But her story was also a very touching one, as we soon realise what her biggest dream is and that it's more and more difficult for it to become true - will she get her happy end? I really liked her storyline and I kept my fingers crossed for her so much, and she was such a brilliant support to Lily.
Jill Mansell can create not only the loveliest, most realistic female characters but she is also a champion of writing the male ones. In this book we have Dan, Declan and Eddie, but firstly let's stop and admire Dan for a while. The ultimate chick - lit hero. A pilot. Dan is incredibly handsome and he realises it, and yes, he uses it, but he's neither bumptious nor does he treats women in an awful way. OH NO. Full of warmth and with a great sense of humour, just my kind of hero, mmmm. And - you may not believe it but he is unhappily in love with a girl that doesn't know it. For years!
Sure, these three are only the tip of an iceberg, but believe me, all the other characters have their own cosy place in this story and the book wouldn't be the same without them. They are so beautifully rounded and so well drawn and they welcome you to their world, and a lot happens to them all. A lot, and you have a feeling you know them for years.
Keeping in mind the title of the book, and also the fact that the letters Lily was getting from her mum were stressed as a very significant things to the story, I had a feeling that the novel is about everything but Lily and her mum. I'm not sure why but I was convinced that it's going to be a story about these two women and I had a feeling that it strays away from it. Instead, there is a lot of things going on in this book, and truly, there is not a single flat moment there, especially as all the characters want to tell their own stories as well, and in the end I found myself enjoying the book, even though it took a little different angle to what I was expecting.
The setting of the story is also so beautiful - a small village in the English countryside, Stanton Langley, and the author brilliantly captured atmosphere of the place and its residents, and I really didn't have a problem to feel a part of their world. The falling - for - Hollywood - star subplot reminds me so much of Karen Swan's last novel, "Christmas at Primrose Hill", but as I loved this book, I also totally enjoyed it in Ms Mansell's novel. Well, I think all of the girls dream of meeting a big star one day, and even better when the star falls for them, no? It was a great part in the story and I absolutely adored Lily and the way she was around Eddie - not star - struck, oh no, she was sharp - tongued and cynical and a real tough cookie for Eddie.
Jill's books are always like a comforting blanket, like a glass of latte with the most exquisite chocolate - to devour. "You and Me, Always" is such a feel - good story, with brilliantly written characters, lovely plot, some twists and turns, and what is so great in this story is that Jill doesn't add any unnecessary drama to the plot, she keeps it down to earth and yet makes it colourful, fantastic read. It was an easy, light read with a touch of sadness and nostalgia to it and I enjoyed it immensely. "You and Me, Always" was a lovely book. It was bitter - sweet, with the right doses of fun and sadness, and it is only Jill Mansell who can take a great bunch of people and give them their own lives and personalities, create wonderful and unique stories for them and make the reader feel a part of the characters' lives. This story has it all in fact. Characters, setting, twists and turns and some lovely romances, so very tastefully intertwined into the plot. It is an adorable book about unconditional friendship and love, with a beautiful ending, with everything perfectly wrapped up. I can be sure that when I have a worse day, when I'm feeling law, Jill Mansell's book is going to get me out of this slump - her stories make me believe in happy - ever - after.
Copy provided by the publisher in exchange for a review.
February 24, 2016
4.5 stars. You and Me, Always by Jill Mansell is only the second novel I have read by her. I know for sure it won't be my last. How does she do it, make you chuckle out loud one moment and swallow with emotion the next. I don't know, but she has talent and does!
Do you ever come out of the movie theatre, a little teary eyed but satisfied that you've seen a good movie and sort of blink at the daylight. That's how I was as I finally put down this book after finishing it. What a delightfully quaint village and quirky characters who fill this book. A place where people unabashedly listen in to others conversations and even occasionally offer their opinions.
So who are these characters who just slip into your heart? Well obviously there is Lily - a down to earth, honest, charming and hard working woman. She lost her mother at eight and has been brought up by Coral and Nick, good friends of her mother. She is the the centre and all the others circle around her.
Patsy, ten years older and earlier on Lily's babysitter. Now they are good friends. Patsy has not been lucky in love and seems to have an ongoing situation of hapless meetings with potential internet dates. Then Tom, her brother. All time - long time friend of Lily. In the early times he showed his liking for her by teasing, as boys do. But guess what there are deeper feelings there.
But wait, arriving on the scene is Eddie, a movie star who just happens to get caught up with Lily in a surprising meeting. He is rather nice and well... Lily and he might just turn into an item.
In the last letter to Lily her mother gives her a gift that was given to her by a man she loved but lost. This leads Lily into searching him out, and then that leads Declan to becoming involved in her life and the village. Then surprise, surprise - the father Lily has never known arrives on the scene. And the plot thickens!
Characters you will fall in love with, a village you'll want to visit, definitely an entertaining and heartwarming read.
Do you ever come out of the movie theatre, a little teary eyed but satisfied that you've seen a good movie and sort of blink at the daylight. That's how I was as I finally put down this book after finishing it. What a delightfully quaint village and quirky characters who fill this book. A place where people unabashedly listen in to others conversations and even occasionally offer their opinions.
So who are these characters who just slip into your heart? Well obviously there is Lily - a down to earth, honest, charming and hard working woman. She lost her mother at eight and has been brought up by Coral and Nick, good friends of her mother. She is the the centre and all the others circle around her.
Patsy, ten years older and earlier on Lily's babysitter. Now they are good friends. Patsy has not been lucky in love and seems to have an ongoing situation of hapless meetings with potential internet dates. Then Tom, her brother. All time - long time friend of Lily. In the early times he showed his liking for her by teasing, as boys do. But guess what there are deeper feelings there.
But wait, arriving on the scene is Eddie, a movie star who just happens to get caught up with Lily in a surprising meeting. He is rather nice and well... Lily and he might just turn into an item.
In the last letter to Lily her mother gives her a gift that was given to her by a man she loved but lost. This leads Lily into searching him out, and then that leads Declan to becoming involved in her life and the village. Then surprise, surprise - the father Lily has never known arrives on the scene. And the plot thickens!
Characters you will fall in love with, a village you'll want to visit, definitely an entertaining and heartwarming read.
November 27, 2016
Om eerlijk te zijn, vind ik dit tot nu toe het minste boek dat ik van Jill heb gelezen. Het had zeker weer de sterke punten zoals we van Jill gewend zijn, maar het verhaal vond ik niet echt uitdagend, een beetje standaard. Een volledige recensie volgt binnenkort op www.thebookdiaries.nl
November 24, 2020
Estava tão ansiosa por ler este livro; os livros de Jill Mansell são, usualmente, um conforto, mas este foi uma desilusão. Ainda no mês passado li um livro maravilhoso desta autora, daí que custe mais esta desilusão.
Já é habitual que os livros desta autora tenham 3 protagonistas, 3 casais e o mesmo acontece neste livro, mas 2 dos romances seguiram o mesmo rumo que também de um romance de há mais de 25 anos atrás, com a mãe de Lily. Assim foram 3 romances repetitivos (o 4º romance, o melhor, foi curto, tão curto).
Nem as cenas divertidas nem as mais emocionantes foram suficientes para dar aqui uma nota positiva :(
Já é habitual que os livros desta autora tenham 3 protagonistas, 3 casais e o mesmo acontece neste livro, mas 2 dos romances seguiram o mesmo rumo que também de um romance de há mais de 25 anos atrás, com a mãe de Lily. Assim foram 3 romances repetitivos (o 4º romance, o melhor, foi curto, tão curto).
Nem as cenas divertidas nem as mais emocionantes foram suficientes para dar aqui uma nota positiva :(
February 12, 2025
Sejak ibunya meninggal karena kanker bertahun-tahun lalu, Lily Harper dibesarkan oleh sahabat ibunya, Coral dan Nick. Lily juga menjadi kesayangan warga Staanton Langley, serta punya sahabat yang super ganteng namanya Dan Rafferty (yang diem-diem Lily nih suka sama dia). Masalah muncul ketika datang Eddie Tesler, seorang aktor terkenal yang terlibat skandal dan "sembunyi" di Stanton Langley. Dari situ, satu per satu masalah terkuak. Mulai dari cinta sejati ibunya, bapaknya Lily yang berengsek, rahasia besar sahabatnya, dan lain-lain. Hidup Lily jadi kayak roller coaster.
Menurutku, cerita ini lebih cocok jadi serial, ketimbang buku. Karena kalau dipikir-pikir konfliknya flat, dan "semua orang diceritain". Yes, jadi buku ini nggak cuma cerita soal Lily, tapi juga soal Coral, Patsy, Declan, Sean & Wll, Dan, pokoknya hampir semua orang di sekitar Lily diceritain. Juga penggambaran scene-scenenya terasa seperti gambar bergerak daripada novel. Banyak obrolan panjang lebar dan receh (yang nggak tahu kenapa aku simak-simak aja hahahaha)
Dan oh, aku kagum dengan cara penulis menggambarkan karakter tokoh yang menyebalkan, yaitu bapaknya Lily dan teman-teman kencan buta Patsy. Kok bisa ada orang seannoying itu 🤣
Buku ini 500+ halaman, Guys. Jadi, siap-siap saja. Kalau kalian penggemar trope friendzone dan friend to lover ini bakalan cocok.
Menurutku, cerita ini lebih cocok jadi serial, ketimbang buku. Karena kalau dipikir-pikir konfliknya flat, dan "semua orang diceritain". Yes, jadi buku ini nggak cuma cerita soal Lily, tapi juga soal Coral, Patsy, Declan, Sean & Wll, Dan, pokoknya hampir semua orang di sekitar Lily diceritain. Juga penggambaran scene-scenenya terasa seperti gambar bergerak daripada novel. Banyak obrolan panjang lebar dan receh (yang nggak tahu kenapa aku simak-simak aja hahahaha)
Dan oh, aku kagum dengan cara penulis menggambarkan karakter tokoh yang menyebalkan, yaitu bapaknya Lily dan teman-teman kencan buta Patsy. Kok bisa ada orang seannoying itu 🤣
Buku ini 500+ halaman, Guys. Jadi, siap-siap saja. Kalau kalian penggemar trope friendzone dan friend to lover ini bakalan cocok.
March 14, 2021
Lily Harper membuka surat dari ibunya, yang meninggal saat Lily berusia 8 tahun dan Lily menghubungi cinta pertama ibunya itu. Stanton Langley, desa ini makin marak saat Lily bertemu dengan Eddie Tessler, aktor terkenal yang secara ajaib jadi sangat dekat dengannya. Tapi ada Dan, adik Patsy, yg diam-diam mencintai Lily sejak remaja. Lalu tiba-tiba datanglah ayah kandung Lily yg Pansos demi uang. Patsy sendiri sedang mencari jodoh di usianya ke-35 utk menemukan calon ayah jabang bayinya. Dan semuanya ada terkait dgn masa lalu ibu Lily tsb.
Walaupun kesannya agak rumit di awal-awal saking banyak tokoh-tokohnya, ternyata semuanya bisa dibereskan di akhir cerita. Sayangnya gak ada tekad dan usaha lebih dari tokoh-tokoh tsb dlm memperjuangkan cinta kecuali kalau sudah jodoh takkan lari kemana. Saya tadinya mengharapkan tokoh Dan yg agak lucu bisa membuat "gebrakan" tapi ternyata gitu-gitu aja upayanya.
Patsy juga lebih spt beruntung menemukan jodoh yg tepat di akhir cerita. Semua tokoh mendapat porsi HEA, jadi saya gak merasa ada istimewa juga sih pd novel ini. Lumayan ajalah.
Walaupun kesannya agak rumit di awal-awal saking banyak tokoh-tokohnya, ternyata semuanya bisa dibereskan di akhir cerita. Sayangnya gak ada tekad dan usaha lebih dari tokoh-tokoh tsb dlm memperjuangkan cinta kecuali kalau sudah jodoh takkan lari kemana. Saya tadinya mengharapkan tokoh Dan yg agak lucu bisa membuat "gebrakan" tapi ternyata gitu-gitu aja upayanya.
Patsy juga lebih spt beruntung menemukan jodoh yg tepat di akhir cerita. Semua tokoh mendapat porsi HEA, jadi saya gak merasa ada istimewa juga sih pd novel ini. Lumayan ajalah.
March 5, 2016
Originally reviewed on Becca's Books.
It's no secret that I'm a bit of a (okay, a major) fan girl for Jill Mansell. I've been reading Jill's books since my teens and have fallen in love with her style, stories and characters incredibly hard over the years. That love is still going strong now, and I am always anticipating her next release because I love how I feel when reading a Jill Mansell novel. Happy, hopeful and like I'm taking a leisurely stroll through the novel alongside her characters, it's a feeling I will never, ever tire of.
When the cover and blurb of You and Me, Always was revealed on social media, I was instantly drawn to the title. It's beautiful and moving, and once I'd read the blurb, I couldn't wait to get to the story within. Set within the gorgeous Cotswold Village, Stanton Langley, I had a feeling that I'd sink into this story in the same way I'd sink back into a hot bubble bath. Comforting and inviting, and entirely satisfying. I know, I know, how on earth did I get all that just from reading the blurb? Well, that's Jill Mansell, ladies and gentlemen.
You and Me, Always begins in the most tender of ways. Lily, now twenty-five, opens the very last letter written by her late mother. Now, I don't know about you but when it comes to letters, especially if the writer is now longer around, my heart breaks over and over again. Handwritten letters, in such a technology-driven age, are something to be cherished, and Lily does exactly that. But the most recent and last letter reveals something to Lily about her mother and her first true love, which sets the wheel in motion in Lily's beautiful mind. Alongside this stunning thread of self-discovery and her mother's past, Jill also introduces readers to the character of Eddie Tessler, who's escaping the spotlight in his fame-flooded life, Dan, Lily's flirtatious long-time friend, and a couple more characters who truly bring this story to life. In true Jill Mansell style, at one point or another, these characters' lives entwine, and I couldn't wait to see when it would happen and what the consequences would be.
Each of Jill's characters within You and Me, Always were brilliantly developed, Lily being a particular favourite of mine, not only because she was the heroine but because she was so incredibly lovely. I warmed to her right from the beginning of this book and truly hoped that nothing but good would come her way. She was so positive, even her dialogue made me smile. Despite losing her mother, she was still a strong lover of life and I thoroughly enjoyed spending time with her and following her story. Dan, too, was another favourite of mine, and later on into the novel when his deeper layers were revealed to me, I think I may have swooned just a little bit. At first, he seems like your typical lad's lad, but there is so much more to his character, it just took some time for it to simmer to the surface. In fact, I loved watching each of Jill's characters becoming more prominent as the novel progressed and by the end of it, I felt as though they were firm friends of mine.
The plot itself was wonderfully uplifting and heart-warming. Different tales from the different characters weaved in and out and I couldn't get enough. I particularly enjoyed Lily's story as she set out on a journey to discover the man who had been her mother's first love. I adored the cosy, charming setting of Stanton Langley, and I wanted to step inside and take a stroll down the street myself. I was completely invested in the characters and couldn't wait to see where they'd end up when the novel came to its end. It was exciting and oh-so-satisfying, and it has only left me feeling the same way I do whenever I finish a book by this author. Desperate for more!
Becca's Books is awarding You and Me, Always by Jill Mansell with five stars! The setting, the plot, the fantastic characters. I really can't think of a single bad thing to say about this one, except perhaps that it didn't last forever and ever, which I would have been more than happy with.
It's no secret that I'm a bit of a (okay, a major) fan girl for Jill Mansell. I've been reading Jill's books since my teens and have fallen in love with her style, stories and characters incredibly hard over the years. That love is still going strong now, and I am always anticipating her next release because I love how I feel when reading a Jill Mansell novel. Happy, hopeful and like I'm taking a leisurely stroll through the novel alongside her characters, it's a feeling I will never, ever tire of.
When the cover and blurb of You and Me, Always was revealed on social media, I was instantly drawn to the title. It's beautiful and moving, and once I'd read the blurb, I couldn't wait to get to the story within. Set within the gorgeous Cotswold Village, Stanton Langley, I had a feeling that I'd sink into this story in the same way I'd sink back into a hot bubble bath. Comforting and inviting, and entirely satisfying. I know, I know, how on earth did I get all that just from reading the blurb? Well, that's Jill Mansell, ladies and gentlemen.
You and Me, Always begins in the most tender of ways. Lily, now twenty-five, opens the very last letter written by her late mother. Now, I don't know about you but when it comes to letters, especially if the writer is now longer around, my heart breaks over and over again. Handwritten letters, in such a technology-driven age, are something to be cherished, and Lily does exactly that. But the most recent and last letter reveals something to Lily about her mother and her first true love, which sets the wheel in motion in Lily's beautiful mind. Alongside this stunning thread of self-discovery and her mother's past, Jill also introduces readers to the character of Eddie Tessler, who's escaping the spotlight in his fame-flooded life, Dan, Lily's flirtatious long-time friend, and a couple more characters who truly bring this story to life. In true Jill Mansell style, at one point or another, these characters' lives entwine, and I couldn't wait to see when it would happen and what the consequences would be.
Each of Jill's characters within You and Me, Always were brilliantly developed, Lily being a particular favourite of mine, not only because she was the heroine but because she was so incredibly lovely. I warmed to her right from the beginning of this book and truly hoped that nothing but good would come her way. She was so positive, even her dialogue made me smile. Despite losing her mother, she was still a strong lover of life and I thoroughly enjoyed spending time with her and following her story. Dan, too, was another favourite of mine, and later on into the novel when his deeper layers were revealed to me, I think I may have swooned just a little bit. At first, he seems like your typical lad's lad, but there is so much more to his character, it just took some time for it to simmer to the surface. In fact, I loved watching each of Jill's characters becoming more prominent as the novel progressed and by the end of it, I felt as though they were firm friends of mine.
The plot itself was wonderfully uplifting and heart-warming. Different tales from the different characters weaved in and out and I couldn't get enough. I particularly enjoyed Lily's story as she set out on a journey to discover the man who had been her mother's first love. I adored the cosy, charming setting of Stanton Langley, and I wanted to step inside and take a stroll down the street myself. I was completely invested in the characters and couldn't wait to see where they'd end up when the novel came to its end. It was exciting and oh-so-satisfying, and it has only left me feeling the same way I do whenever I finish a book by this author. Desperate for more!
Becca's Books is awarding You and Me, Always by Jill Mansell with five stars! The setting, the plot, the fantastic characters. I really can't think of a single bad thing to say about this one, except perhaps that it didn't last forever and ever, which I would have been more than happy with.
March 30, 2016
Jill Mansell has always been a 'go to' author who I know won't disappoint and this, her 27th novel, was another very enjoyable read. I started smiling within the first couple of pages and didn't stop until the end.
This latest story is set in the Cotswolds, in the idyllic sounding village of Stanton Langley - a village where everybody knows each other's business! Lily's mother died when Lily was a young child, she was brought up by her mother's best friend Coral and her late husband Nick and is the darling of the village, with everybody looking out for her. In the 17 years since her death, Lily has had a letter from her mother on her birthday but this year, Lily's 25th birthday, is the last ever letter. In it she names someone who was her first real love and in a quest to find out more about her mother, Lily feels a compulsion to trace him.
There is large cast of characters, but they have their distinct personalities. There is Lily, obviously, who is a sweetheart with her helpful and sunny disposition, I don't think she had a bad bone in her body. Another older friend Patsy, provided numerous snorts of laughter with her internet dates, one being with 'Tandem' Derek at the very beginning of the story! She certainly has her share of bad luck in the love stakes. Patsy is in her mid-30s and lives with her younger brother Dan, a pilot. Dan has a rather stereotypical lad about town role but his heart is in the right place. He and Lily have been friends since childhood and have a playful, flirty friendship. Then there is Eddie. I won't say any more about him for fear of spoiling the story. Coral, her mother's best friend, was another wonderful character and provided some suitably comic moments - I'm thinking of the scene in the supermarket with the pile cream!
As with many of Jill's characters, these are people that you take to your heart and would like to have as friends. Their loyalty to each other is one of the outstanding features however despite providing for many comic moments, these characters also have their heartaches and unhappiness and for me, there was a good balance of light and shade. You and Me, Always isn't a light and fluffy vacuous read but includes believable characters, none of whom have perfect lives. Not everyone in the story is perfect. There are one or two that I took an instant dislike to and wished bad things for!
Everyone has their secrets and during the course of the story, certain things are disclosed which some people would rather have stayed hidden and which risk ruining friendships.
This was a lovely, warm and humourous read and nothing less than I expected from one of my favourite authors. If you have never read a book by Jill Mansell before then I would definitely recommend any of her books, but in particular her latest reads. There are only so many variations of a storyline in this genre but what particularly impresses me is her ability to keep coming up with new situations and keeping things fresh. I'm sure this book will delight her existing fans and hopefully bring her some new ones.
My thanks to the publisher, Headline, for the paperback copy to review.
This latest story is set in the Cotswolds, in the idyllic sounding village of Stanton Langley - a village where everybody knows each other's business! Lily's mother died when Lily was a young child, she was brought up by her mother's best friend Coral and her late husband Nick and is the darling of the village, with everybody looking out for her. In the 17 years since her death, Lily has had a letter from her mother on her birthday but this year, Lily's 25th birthday, is the last ever letter. In it she names someone who was her first real love and in a quest to find out more about her mother, Lily feels a compulsion to trace him.
There is large cast of characters, but they have their distinct personalities. There is Lily, obviously, who is a sweetheart with her helpful and sunny disposition, I don't think she had a bad bone in her body. Another older friend Patsy, provided numerous snorts of laughter with her internet dates, one being with 'Tandem' Derek at the very beginning of the story! She certainly has her share of bad luck in the love stakes. Patsy is in her mid-30s and lives with her younger brother Dan, a pilot. Dan has a rather stereotypical lad about town role but his heart is in the right place. He and Lily have been friends since childhood and have a playful, flirty friendship. Then there is Eddie. I won't say any more about him for fear of spoiling the story. Coral, her mother's best friend, was another wonderful character and provided some suitably comic moments - I'm thinking of the scene in the supermarket with the pile cream!
As with many of Jill's characters, these are people that you take to your heart and would like to have as friends. Their loyalty to each other is one of the outstanding features however despite providing for many comic moments, these characters also have their heartaches and unhappiness and for me, there was a good balance of light and shade. You and Me, Always isn't a light and fluffy vacuous read but includes believable characters, none of whom have perfect lives. Not everyone in the story is perfect. There are one or two that I took an instant dislike to and wished bad things for!
Everyone has their secrets and during the course of the story, certain things are disclosed which some people would rather have stayed hidden and which risk ruining friendships.
This was a lovely, warm and humourous read and nothing less than I expected from one of my favourite authors. If you have never read a book by Jill Mansell before then I would definitely recommend any of her books, but in particular her latest reads. There are only so many variations of a storyline in this genre but what particularly impresses me is her ability to keep coming up with new situations and keeping things fresh. I'm sure this book will delight her existing fans and hopefully bring her some new ones.
My thanks to the publisher, Headline, for the paperback copy to review.
February 23, 2016
You and Me, Always is Jill Mansell at her very best, she's an author who is confident in how she writes and knows exactly what her fans want. She stays true to what she knows best, and this story is everything that I expected, and all that I wanted.
The female characters take the lead in this story. Strong, yet vulnerable, funny and loyal, here are a bunch of women who you'd really want to have on side, in any argument. Although Lily is the main character, and this is her story; Patsy is my favourite. I just loved her, a little bit older with a heart that has been battered about and torn up a bit, but who, deep down just wants to love and be loved. She's the village hairdresser, and everyone in Stanton Langley knows her story; they know about the husband who left her, they know about his new relationship, and unfortunately most of them know everything about the online dating disasters that seem to be happening more regularly.
Patsy, along with Lily and Coral form the backbone of You and Me, Always. Yes, there are plenty of male characters, and some are fabulous, and some are not so wonderful, but not one of them is a patch on these three women.
It's not all fun and games and laughter and jollity though. Jill Mansell has created an intriguing back story for her characters, with Lily's dead mother at the centre. When Lily reads the last birthday letter left by her Mum, on the morning of her twenty-fifth birthday she feels deep sadness, but the words that she reads also spark a determination to find out more about her Mum's early life. Whilst Lily is wondering about her family history, Patsy is sheltering someone from unwanted attention.
Worlds collide, and people who would normally never meet become mixed up together. Old well-kept secrets are revealed and there are tears and laughter all around.
A fabulous story, extremely well-written by an author who continues to create the most wonderful characters. Long-term fans will be delighted, and new readers will be hooked.
http://randomthingsthroughmyletterbox...
April 11, 2017
Further proof that English chick lit > American chick lit. Super frothy but does not assume its readers are dumb. Good dialogue and cute little village as the setting. Just what I was in the mood for. 😊
January 16, 2019
2.5 stars since 2 seems too harsh. I’ve always liked Jill Mansell but, unfortunately, I found this book a little boring. The characters were fun and the setting great but I found myself skim reading a lot of it with no ill effects.
July 25, 2016
ik vond het een heel leuk boek en zo leuk dat alles op zijn plaats valt
October 1, 2016
*3.5 stars*
May 20, 2020
Beautiful, emotional and heart warming story that almost deserved five stars!
The plot was kind of simple and predictable but it was at the same time so romantic and intense. The characters were nice and likeable, but of course my favourites were Lily and Dan. I was really cheering for them, from the beginning. Their long friendship grew into beautiful and strong love, and I was always weak for that kind of love stories. Sometimes the most beautiful love stories are born from friendship... I can definitely identify so maybe that's why it will always be my weakness.
I was very impatient while reading, for things to sort out. It was a long way, but finally everything turned out exactly the way it should've. All that happy couples really made my day.
I'm still excited after the reading and it really made me happy. The book is definitely something I would recommend to anyone. It's not some deep and profound story, but it is very light and enjoyable.
The plot was kind of simple and predictable but it was at the same time so romantic and intense. The characters were nice and likeable, but of course my favourites were Lily and Dan. I was really cheering for them, from the beginning. Their long friendship grew into beautiful and strong love, and I was always weak for that kind of love stories. Sometimes the most beautiful love stories are born from friendship... I can definitely identify so maybe that's why it will always be my weakness.
I was very impatient while reading, for things to sort out. It was a long way, but finally everything turned out exactly the way it should've. All that happy couples really made my day.
I'm still excited after the reading and it really made me happy. The book is definitely something I would recommend to anyone. It's not some deep and profound story, but it is very light and enjoyable.
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