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A Reason to Grieve
You should cry at a funeral, right?When Tom Lewis and Emma Cairnes meet dry eyes across the room, they realize they share the same awkward problem.Neither has cried in years. It should be a match made in heaven except, you know, all those pesky secrets from their past keep getting in the way.But when their support system contains a feisty seventy-nine-year-old with a blue rinse, and an unusual Elvis impersonator, overcoming their fears is challenging. With walls this high between them, it’s going to take a lot more than attitude and gold sunglasses to break them down.It’s going to take a good, hard, ugly cry and a sledgehammer.Or, perhaps, losing the love of their life.That might make them cry.
221 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 18, 2016
2 people are currently reading
23 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
April 18, 2017
Fate and a funeral brings them together. Tom and Emma have disturbed pasts, although they both keep it well hidden. They struggle along in a clumsy relationship. It takes another funeral, this time of someone they actually know, to begin to heal their wounds and to seal their fates.
This book is a light and easy read. I would have liked to have gotten to know Doris better. Perhaps another book.
I read this book after coming off of several deep, complicated reads. So, I would recommend this to anyone wanting a light-hearted romance.
This book is a light and easy read. I would have liked to have gotten to know Doris better. Perhaps another book.
I read this book after coming off of several deep, complicated reads. So, I would recommend this to anyone wanting a light-hearted romance.
January 29, 2020
When I started this book I immediately thought of fight club. Except key difference, all the characters are likable. That’s what draws you in to this story. You immediately care about them and want to know what dark past has caused their respective pains. Such an enjoyable read!
January 27, 2020
A lovely read by Mick Williams that is full of funny and touching moments. A sweet romantic comedy, it’s not overly soppy or gushing but is really sentimental in some parts.
Emma and Tom are our main characters who meet each other in quite the unique situation. With an instant connection it’s nice to see their relationship develop but also the relationships they have with their friends. Cue a lot of banter, jokes and moments of unfiltered truth.
My favourite character is Doris. Like a Mum to the salon girls, what she imparts through hilarious stories is priceless. I wish I could pull off blue hair like her!
Emma and Tom’s relationship doesn’t always run smoothly – they have to work through their own insecurities, the ghosts from their past that they’ve held onto for too long. It did make for some fairly emotional moments and I’m sure most readers will connect to them in some way.
Very well written and nicely paced I think this is a funny read that will entertain.
Emma and Tom are our main characters who meet each other in quite the unique situation. With an instant connection it’s nice to see their relationship develop but also the relationships they have with their friends. Cue a lot of banter, jokes and moments of unfiltered truth.
My favourite character is Doris. Like a Mum to the salon girls, what she imparts through hilarious stories is priceless. I wish I could pull off blue hair like her!
Emma and Tom’s relationship doesn’t always run smoothly – they have to work through their own insecurities, the ghosts from their past that they’ve held onto for too long. It did make for some fairly emotional moments and I’m sure most readers will connect to them in some way.
Very well written and nicely paced I think this is a funny read that will entertain.
August 15, 2019
A Reason to Grieve is a romantic comedy, and not at all soppy.
Tom and Emma meet at a funeral, there was a spark and they got chatting.
Emma’s colleagues and best friends at the hairdressing salon were very real and I felt like I was there joining in with them. One of their clients, Doris, had been diagnosed with a terminal illness. Doris was my favourite character, so full of life with hilarious stories. Also very blunt….and with blue hair. She was like the salon mother, and all the girls loved her. Doris knew her time remaining on this earth was getting shorter and wanted a goodbye party before her demise.
The girls enlisted the guys help to organise the party and they all pulled together. An Elvis tribute was very funny!
I liked Tom’s group of friends and their banter was very real, with some emotional subjects.
It wasn’t plain sailing with Tom and Emma. They both had complex backgrounds and struggled to show their emotions, and quite rightly too when you find out why.
I did feel the emotions though.
It’s both sad and happy with a great ending.
I first came across Mick Williams at a blogger/author meet up in Stoke-on-Trent. We got on really well and I bought ‘A Guy Walks into a Bar’, which was great action book, a bit James Bond to be honest and I loved it.
Thoroughly recommended by me.
https://steflozbookblog.wordpress.com...
Tom and Emma meet at a funeral, there was a spark and they got chatting.
Emma’s colleagues and best friends at the hairdressing salon were very real and I felt like I was there joining in with them. One of their clients, Doris, had been diagnosed with a terminal illness. Doris was my favourite character, so full of life with hilarious stories. Also very blunt….and with blue hair. She was like the salon mother, and all the girls loved her. Doris knew her time remaining on this earth was getting shorter and wanted a goodbye party before her demise.
The girls enlisted the guys help to organise the party and they all pulled together. An Elvis tribute was very funny!
I liked Tom’s group of friends and their banter was very real, with some emotional subjects.
It wasn’t plain sailing with Tom and Emma. They both had complex backgrounds and struggled to show their emotions, and quite rightly too when you find out why.
I did feel the emotions though.
It’s both sad and happy with a great ending.
I first came across Mick Williams at a blogger/author meet up in Stoke-on-Trent. We got on really well and I bought ‘A Guy Walks into a Bar’, which was great action book, a bit James Bond to be honest and I loved it.
Thoroughly recommended by me.
https://steflozbookblog.wordpress.com...
February 1, 2020
A Reason to Grieve by Mick Williams is a creative new spin on the classic formula for a romantic comedy. The story begins with the hero and heroine meeting at a memorial service for a person who is about to be cremated. Both characters have been deeply wounded in the past. In order to find solace for their grief, they make a habit of attending funerals in order to find comfort among other people who are mourning.
When they meet a memorial service that goes terribly wrong, they discover that they have an inexplicable magnetic pull toward one another. The book is full of quirky friends and fun banter as the two characters slowly explore their feelings for one another. Will they be able to create a future together, or are the hurts of the past too deep to bury?
I really enjoy romantic comedies, so this book was a bit of a guilty pleasure for me. Although the story touches on some very serious issues of loss and bereavement, it is a warm and fuzzy romcom that doesn't take itself too seriously. Certain shenanigans that happen are down right farcical and would never happen in real life, but overall it's a quick and entertaining read perfect for fans of chick lit and romantic comedy.
I am also doing the Pop Sugar 2020 Reading Challenge, and this book satisfies the category, "book with a pink cover."
Note: Thank you to Rachel from Rachel's Random Resources for a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
When they meet a memorial service that goes terribly wrong, they discover that they have an inexplicable magnetic pull toward one another. The book is full of quirky friends and fun banter as the two characters slowly explore their feelings for one another. Will they be able to create a future together, or are the hurts of the past too deep to bury?
I really enjoy romantic comedies, so this book was a bit of a guilty pleasure for me. Although the story touches on some very serious issues of loss and bereavement, it is a warm and fuzzy romcom that doesn't take itself too seriously. Certain shenanigans that happen are down right farcical and would never happen in real life, but overall it's a quick and entertaining read perfect for fans of chick lit and romantic comedy.
I am also doing the Pop Sugar 2020 Reading Challenge, and this book satisfies the category, "book with a pink cover."
Note: Thank you to Rachel from Rachel's Random Resources for a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
January 29, 2020
Originally reviewed for Chick Lit Central (www.chicklitcentral.com)
It’s not every day that the primary characters in a novel meet up by way of a funeral-a funeral for someone that neither of them know. Yet that’s how Tom and Emma find one another, an unconventional romance that added buoyancy to what could have been dark, a great balancing act that made for an interesting and unique experience.
Tom and Emma are emotionally stunted, but not by choice. The grief experienced in life has contributed to their lack of emotion, contributing to a few comical moments where they place themselves in situations in order to ultimately feel something. I was right there with them, leaning in, wondering if I’d get to witness a release. Having similar personalities seems to be what has initially attracted the two to one another, yet the road is rough when neither one wants to give, or show themselves for who they really are. A matter of protection.
The romance spreads slowly over the pages, and I liked that gradual progression. It only added to the honesty of who Tom and Emma are separately, and together. There is no rush, and it was timed wonderfully with the rest of the action occurring around them, and there is a lot. But there is more of that balance, so it never feels heavy or one-sided. It flowed well.
The foundation for A Reason to Grieve are the friendships both Tom and Emma share, adding a nice multi-dimensional layer to their story. An anchor that prevents them from floating away, particularly with all the deep-seeded issues they both face. It’s in the exchanges with their friends and the way they reach out to others that really helps the reader see what kind of characters they are, even when they try to hide it. A Reason to Grieve is a definite five-star read!
It’s not every day that the primary characters in a novel meet up by way of a funeral-a funeral for someone that neither of them know. Yet that’s how Tom and Emma find one another, an unconventional romance that added buoyancy to what could have been dark, a great balancing act that made for an interesting and unique experience.
Tom and Emma are emotionally stunted, but not by choice. The grief experienced in life has contributed to their lack of emotion, contributing to a few comical moments where they place themselves in situations in order to ultimately feel something. I was right there with them, leaning in, wondering if I’d get to witness a release. Having similar personalities seems to be what has initially attracted the two to one another, yet the road is rough when neither one wants to give, or show themselves for who they really are. A matter of protection.
The romance spreads slowly over the pages, and I liked that gradual progression. It only added to the honesty of who Tom and Emma are separately, and together. There is no rush, and it was timed wonderfully with the rest of the action occurring around them, and there is a lot. But there is more of that balance, so it never feels heavy or one-sided. It flowed well.
The foundation for A Reason to Grieve are the friendships both Tom and Emma share, adding a nice multi-dimensional layer to their story. An anchor that prevents them from floating away, particularly with all the deep-seeded issues they both face. It’s in the exchanges with their friends and the way they reach out to others that really helps the reader see what kind of characters they are, even when they try to hide it. A Reason to Grieve is a definite five-star read!
December 16, 2022
A Reason to Grieve, #1 - Anything this author writes is interesting whether a romance or a thriller. While there was a bit of vulgar language, only for emphasis, not regular vocabulary, there isn't a thing wrong with this well written, entertaining story.
Many good and some lovely characters were easy to like, and with realistic dialog to keep the reader's attention. There is a variety of emotions, tragic events and good things that weave an interesting, intriguing tapestry that wraps the reader into a story hard to put down. Sadly, other than one more story, I won't have anything more to read by Mr. W. until he releases his next book. 5*
A Reason to Breathe, #2 - Absolutely love this two book set; A Reason to Grieve is the first book. Full of humor and life, and some wackiness, this entertaining, interesting story had me laughing through most of the story; there were a few rough spots. The lovely Doris shows up a few times here and there, not a ghost. Henry plays a prominent role coached by Doris before she passed. The gang shows their love and support for everyone. A feel good set full of the important things in life. 5*
Many good and some lovely characters were easy to like, and with realistic dialog to keep the reader's attention. There is a variety of emotions, tragic events and good things that weave an interesting, intriguing tapestry that wraps the reader into a story hard to put down. Sadly, other than one more story, I won't have anything more to read by Mr. W. until he releases his next book. 5*
A Reason to Breathe, #2 - Absolutely love this two book set; A Reason to Grieve is the first book. Full of humor and life, and some wackiness, this entertaining, interesting story had me laughing through most of the story; there were a few rough spots. The lovely Doris shows up a few times here and there, not a ghost. Henry plays a prominent role coached by Doris before she passed. The gang shows their love and support for everyone. A feel good set full of the important things in life. 5*
January 29, 2020
If I had only read the first few pages of this book, there's no way I would have finished it. It starts off fairly dark and humourless but becomes a romance, which is equally humorous and touching.
Emma and Tom have a very strange connection. They see each other attending funerals of people they don't know to try and feel emotion from the people grieving. When the wrong person is cremated the pair escape quickly together and develop an instant connection. They have a very odd and somewhat clumsy relationship because neither over them are without personal barriers from their life experiences.
By far my favourite character in the book is 79 year old Doris. She loves having her hair done by the girls in the salon and they've seemingly adopted her as their Mum. Doris has some fantastic anecdotes and stunning blue hair. She definitely made me laugh out loud at times!
Overall it's a well written book that evolves into a light-hearted romance and a reminder that we should make the most of every moment life gives us.
Emma and Tom have a very strange connection. They see each other attending funerals of people they don't know to try and feel emotion from the people grieving. When the wrong person is cremated the pair escape quickly together and develop an instant connection. They have a very odd and somewhat clumsy relationship because neither over them are without personal barriers from their life experiences.
By far my favourite character in the book is 79 year old Doris. She loves having her hair done by the girls in the salon and they've seemingly adopted her as their Mum. Doris has some fantastic anecdotes and stunning blue hair. She definitely made me laugh out loud at times!
Overall it's a well written book that evolves into a light-hearted romance and a reminder that we should make the most of every moment life gives us.
January 29, 2020
Starting off strangely remorseful and desperate, this romantic comedy turns into a "thinker."
We get to know the main characters bit by bit, with curiosity and humor to keep the flow rolling forward. Tom and Emma each have their own reasons for attending funerals, and not to remember or celebrate the life of the deceased.
Each of them also has a pair of close friends who they spend time with regularly, with whom they don't share their closest secrets. When Tom and Emma meet, at a funeral, do they recognize a kindred spirit?
Their first date is when they begin to plan a funeral for Doris, a client at Emma's hair salon. Not exactly a typical first date. Will it evolve into a relationship or cause more heartache for each of them? In the end, will it give each a reason to grieve?
We get to know the main characters bit by bit, with curiosity and humor to keep the flow rolling forward. Tom and Emma each have their own reasons for attending funerals, and not to remember or celebrate the life of the deceased.
Each of them also has a pair of close friends who they spend time with regularly, with whom they don't share their closest secrets. When Tom and Emma meet, at a funeral, do they recognize a kindred spirit?
Their first date is when they begin to plan a funeral for Doris, a client at Emma's hair salon. Not exactly a typical first date. Will it evolve into a relationship or cause more heartache for each of them? In the end, will it give each a reason to grieve?
January 31, 2020
This isn't your typical Rom-Com and i found it to be quite refreshing. I have never read a book in this genre written by a male before but I have to say he nailed it. The characters are very well written, the plot is very intriguing and the way in which the male characters feelings and emotions were explored were excellent. I really enjoyed reading from his point of view. The author has really captured the rawness of grief and the struggles to bring those emotions to the surface when they have long been buried. It is quite a dark rom-com but there are plenty of highs and lows and quirkiness. A story full of friendship, love, dark humour and optimism.
February 22, 2017
This is funny. First and foremost. I found the humour in it funny as all get out. With the jabs between drinking buddies, to the little snips between our two lead characters and everyone in between. The author is British by birth and has injected a few terms here and there that will feel out of place, no matter, it flows and works. The side tale of a nice old lady works to provide a focal point for our cast and gives them tasks to work on. This has some romance going on, and like any good one there's a bit'o'skin on skin action. It works, and it does not detract. All in all, great story, would read again A+++ . .
May 8, 2023
Excellent feel good book that’s got it all. The characters are heart warming and true to life.
January 7, 2025
Easy to read and smooth paced book! Love the main characters, specially Tom. The supporting characters are who we all want as friends. Highly recommend!
February 4, 2020
When Bitterness meets Happiness…
Tom and Emma are both struggling with their emotions. They are unable to grieve for a loss they had in the past. The only way they can cope, is attending funerals of totally strangers. At one of those funerals, they meet and feel an instant click.
A friendship is created with feelings ready for more. But are Tom and Emma emotionally ready to take this leap of faith while their hearts are scattered? In first instance, I found it a bit of a morbid story… I didn’t understand the need of both characters for attending funerals of total strangers. But slowly, as we get to know Tom and Emma better, the necessity they feel for going to funerals is clear.
Tom seems to have it all, but he didn’t manage to grieve over the loss he faced when he was a child. Thanks to his friends, and also the need he feels himself, he takes baby steps to overcome his grieve. And when he meets Emma, for him it’s clear he has to learn to get out of his shell. during the whole story, it’s clear what an amazing friend he is. In time of need, no matter what the cause is, he does whatever he can to help.
Emma is grieving for a whole other reason, but her pain is immense anyway. Working in a hair salon with friends, she has a share of clientele that are more than just clients. And when one of her dearest clients has bad news, she wants to do everything she can to cheer Doris up. She also shows what an amazing friend she is. And somehow she is even more introvert than Tom. But for those that are in her circle, she would move mountains!
This story was an unexpected surprise for me. I didn’t doubt that I would like it, but I loved it more than expected! The premises sounded a bit weird, so I didn’t know how the story and the characters would evolve. So I had a little fear that it would be a story too confusing, making no actual sense. But I liked every bit of it!
Tom and Emma are everyday people, they can be your friends, members of your family etc. It’s no so hard to relate to them, understand their feelings and fears. And when the past is uncovered, their feelings make even more sense than before!
And for your share of laughter, be sure to count on Doris!!!
Tom and Emma are both struggling with their emotions. They are unable to grieve for a loss they had in the past. The only way they can cope, is attending funerals of totally strangers. At one of those funerals, they meet and feel an instant click.
A friendship is created with feelings ready for more. But are Tom and Emma emotionally ready to take this leap of faith while their hearts are scattered? In first instance, I found it a bit of a morbid story… I didn’t understand the need of both characters for attending funerals of total strangers. But slowly, as we get to know Tom and Emma better, the necessity they feel for going to funerals is clear.
Tom seems to have it all, but he didn’t manage to grieve over the loss he faced when he was a child. Thanks to his friends, and also the need he feels himself, he takes baby steps to overcome his grieve. And when he meets Emma, for him it’s clear he has to learn to get out of his shell. during the whole story, it’s clear what an amazing friend he is. In time of need, no matter what the cause is, he does whatever he can to help.
Emma is grieving for a whole other reason, but her pain is immense anyway. Working in a hair salon with friends, she has a share of clientele that are more than just clients. And when one of her dearest clients has bad news, she wants to do everything she can to cheer Doris up. She also shows what an amazing friend she is. And somehow she is even more introvert than Tom. But for those that are in her circle, she would move mountains!
This story was an unexpected surprise for me. I didn’t doubt that I would like it, but I loved it more than expected! The premises sounded a bit weird, so I didn’t know how the story and the characters would evolve. So I had a little fear that it would be a story too confusing, making no actual sense. But I liked every bit of it!
Tom and Emma are everyday people, they can be your friends, members of your family etc. It’s no so hard to relate to them, understand their feelings and fears. And when the past is uncovered, their feelings make even more sense than before!
And for your share of laughter, be sure to count on Doris!!!
September 9, 2016
Debut author Mick Williams has done a fine job in this romantic comedy about two people who meet under odd and funny circumstances. Tom and Emma both have pent up emotions due to things that happened in their pasts, and both of them (separately) have been trying to release their grief by going to the funerals of strangers. This may seem pretty morbid, but the opening chapters are quite the opposite, with several laugh out loud moments when perfectly good funerals go hilariously wrong. Of course, Tom and Emma end up at the same funeral and are instantly attracted to one another.
Throughout the remainder of the book, both are cautiously stepping into the waters of dating, but both are so gun shy, they're terrified of something going wrong. The supporting cast of friends and coworkers offers them advice along the way. The author did a great job of fleshing out these characters, giving them their own side plots that carried on through the book. Not only do we follow Tom & Emma's conflict, but we see how they intervene to help their friends in their own emotional battles. From time to time, those side conflicts became really serious and sad, but there were enough chuckle-worthy moments in the midst to break the tension a bit. My favorite supporting character was an older lady named Doris - she carried the story along with her wise words and cantankerous personality.
On a critical note, the pacing in the middle dragged a bit. There were also a few typos and formatting issues in the Kindle version that could be easily fixed, but nothing that severely threw me off the story. For a debut novel, it wasn't bad at all.
Due to some language and sexual content (non-graphic), I'd recommend this to YA readers and beyond. If you enjoy romantic comedy, grab your own copy and give it a try!
Throughout the remainder of the book, both are cautiously stepping into the waters of dating, but both are so gun shy, they're terrified of something going wrong. The supporting cast of friends and coworkers offers them advice along the way. The author did a great job of fleshing out these characters, giving them their own side plots that carried on through the book. Not only do we follow Tom & Emma's conflict, but we see how they intervene to help their friends in their own emotional battles. From time to time, those side conflicts became really serious and sad, but there were enough chuckle-worthy moments in the midst to break the tension a bit. My favorite supporting character was an older lady named Doris - she carried the story along with her wise words and cantankerous personality.
On a critical note, the pacing in the middle dragged a bit. There were also a few typos and formatting issues in the Kindle version that could be easily fixed, but nothing that severely threw me off the story. For a debut novel, it wasn't bad at all.
Due to some language and sexual content (non-graphic), I'd recommend this to YA readers and beyond. If you enjoy romantic comedy, grab your own copy and give it a try!
December 14, 2018
A Reason To Grieve has been a thoroughly enjoyable read. It is the first book I've read by Mick Williams, but I will be adding his other books to my list.
We meet Emma and Tom as they meet each other in somewhat unusual circumstances, but it is obvious there is an instant spark between them. However, what should be the start of a beautiful romance is far from straight forward as they both have their own issues and personal barriers. I have to say that I didn't really warm to Emma, but I loved her friendship group as a whole. I thought Tom was totally adorable and I really wanted to shake some sense into Emma at times. I found her character to be quite frustrating for the most part, although I did empathise with the betrayal she had suffered. I loved her Dad though and really felt for him. He had also been betrayed, but makes much more sense of the world and of how short life can be (even if he doesn't always take his own advice!).
Tom and his friends are a good bunch. I found their banter highly amusing at times. All very different character's, but all very likeable.
Doris is just the most beautiful character. I can't imagine anyone not loving her! She actually made me laugh out loud on several occasions and her story brought a tear to my eye. Bless her and her blue rinse ;-)
This book has it's fair share of sadness and heart-break, but overall it's an uplifting love story and a lesson to us all about making the most of life and those we share it with.
Many thanks to Mick Williams for my lovely signed paperback copy.
https://chataboutbooks.wordpress.com/...
We meet Emma and Tom as they meet each other in somewhat unusual circumstances, but it is obvious there is an instant spark between them. However, what should be the start of a beautiful romance is far from straight forward as they both have their own issues and personal barriers. I have to say that I didn't really warm to Emma, but I loved her friendship group as a whole. I thought Tom was totally adorable and I really wanted to shake some sense into Emma at times. I found her character to be quite frustrating for the most part, although I did empathise with the betrayal she had suffered. I loved her Dad though and really felt for him. He had also been betrayed, but makes much more sense of the world and of how short life can be (even if he doesn't always take his own advice!).
Tom and his friends are a good bunch. I found their banter highly amusing at times. All very different character's, but all very likeable.
Doris is just the most beautiful character. I can't imagine anyone not loving her! She actually made me laugh out loud on several occasions and her story brought a tear to my eye. Bless her and her blue rinse ;-)
This book has it's fair share of sadness and heart-break, but overall it's an uplifting love story and a lesson to us all about making the most of life and those we share it with.
Many thanks to Mick Williams for my lovely signed paperback copy.
https://chataboutbooks.wordpress.com/...
April 9, 2020
Thanks to the author,publisher and Rachel from Rachel's random resources for this book in return for my own honest review.
Fate and funeral bring Tom and Emma together, they both have a disturbed past although they keep them well hidden, they continue to stumble along in their relationship, it takes another funeral, that of a friend to help heal their wounds.
I found this book easy to read and really enjoyable although I would have liked to know more about Dorris.
This story is not overly soppy but it is sentimental in some parts.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews