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Looking Glass Friends
CAN OUR SOULS FALL IN LOVE...BEFORE OUR BODIES MEET?
Ellie and Neil fell in love over email, discussing Ayn Rand’s novel, Atlas Shrugged. Neither remembered the other’s face clearly. Both were married already. And she had a five-year-old son. But in the span of a few letters each discovered his soul's mirror image. So how could they live apart?
Woven with poetry and philosophy this is a story about the nature of love, its enchantment or curse, and the heartbreaking question: Can a mother secure her child’s happiness by sacrificing hers?
Ellie and Neil fell in love over email, discussing Ayn Rand’s novel, Atlas Shrugged. Neither remembered the other’s face clearly. Both were married already. And she had a five-year-old son. But in the span of a few letters each discovered his soul's mirror image. So how could they live apart?
Woven with poetry and philosophy this is a story about the nature of love, its enchantment or curse, and the heartbreaking question: Can a mother secure her child’s happiness by sacrificing hers?
- GenresRomance
302 pages, Paperback
Published December 5, 2016
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375 people want to read
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CAN OUR SOULS FALL IN LOVE...BEFORE OUR BODIES MEET?
Ellie and Neil fell in love over email, discussing Ayn Rand’s novel, Atlas Shrugged. Neither remembered the other’s face clearly. Both were married already. And she had a five-year-old son. But in the span of a few letters each discovered his soul's mirror image. So how could they live apart?
Woven with poetry and philosophy this is a story about the nature of love, its enchantment or curse, and the heartbreaking question: Can a mother secure her child’s happiness by sacrificing hers?
CAN OUR SOULS FALL IN LOVE...BEFORE OUR BODIES MEET?
Ellie and Neil fell in love over email, discussing Ayn Rand’s novel, Atlas Shrugged. Neither remembered the other’s face clearly. Both were married already. And she had a five-year-old son. But in the span of a few letters each discovered his soul's mirror image. So how could they live apart?
Woven with poetry and philosophy this is a story about the nature of love, its enchantment or curse, and the heartbreaking question: Can a mother secure her child’s happiness by sacrificing hers?
August 16, 2018
Looking Glass Friends: A Novel Inspired by Real Love Letters by E.L. Neve is much more than just a novel. It’s a dreamy weave of romance, poetry and philosophy, all at once.
It’s 1997. It is the era of missives, emails and printed books, where mobile phones are still a thing for rich people.
Neil is married to Fay but unhappy with his life choices to the point of considering suicide. Ellie is married to Jake, mother to a five year old and lives the high life.
On a day like any other, Ellie walks into the local bakery to buy cream puffs for her son. On a day like any other, Neil decides that the client on the other side of the counter is worth giving up the secret stash of cream puffs he had set aside for himself. As a way to say thank you, Ellie gifts the kind baker with a copy of her favorite book, “Atlas Shrugged”.
The rest of the review can be found on OBC: https://forums.onlinebookclub.org/vie...
It’s 1997. It is the era of missives, emails and printed books, where mobile phones are still a thing for rich people.
Neil is married to Fay but unhappy with his life choices to the point of considering suicide. Ellie is married to Jake, mother to a five year old and lives the high life.
On a day like any other, Ellie walks into the local bakery to buy cream puffs for her son. On a day like any other, Neil decides that the client on the other side of the counter is worth giving up the secret stash of cream puffs he had set aside for himself. As a way to say thank you, Ellie gifts the kind baker with a copy of her favorite book, “Atlas Shrugged”.
The rest of the review can be found on OBC: https://forums.onlinebookclub.org/vie...
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February 23, 2019Fantastic book
I knew I had to read this when the characters bonded over Atlas Shrugged. One of my favorites, too!
Ellie and Neil meet briefly at a coffee shop. Ellie decides to share one of her favorite books with him, Atlas Shrugged, and they begin emailing and talking on the phone regularly to discuss books, life, etc. There is a nice balance of story vs. letters in the text.
The author does a phenomenal job picking quotes and poem lines to use throughout the book to illustrate the characters' frames of mind.
I have done the long distance relationship/friends thing and spent many hours online and on the phone, both with friends and my husband. I've met people before whose minds I knew well but who physically I was still nervous and awkward around. This book nails those feelings precisely.
This is a great book with fantastic character development. Kudos to the author!
I knew I had to read this when the characters bonded over Atlas Shrugged. One of my favorites, too!
Ellie and Neil meet briefly at a coffee shop. Ellie decides to share one of her favorite books with him, Atlas Shrugged, and they begin emailing and talking on the phone regularly to discuss books, life, etc. There is a nice balance of story vs. letters in the text.
The author does a phenomenal job picking quotes and poem lines to use throughout the book to illustrate the characters' frames of mind.
I have done the long distance relationship/friends thing and spent many hours online and on the phone, both with friends and my husband. I've met people before whose minds I knew well but who physically I was still nervous and awkward around. This book nails those feelings precisely.
This is a great book with fantastic character development. Kudos to the author!
March 19, 2018
Audio Book Review. Listening to Looking Glass Friends by E.L. Neve was a dreamy experience. The narration, performed by the author was delightful; her voice is ethereal and makes the reader feel transported into the romance and escape of main character Faye’s newly found relationship. The voicing of characters doesn’t dramatically change from character to character, though as the story progresses, listeners may notice some subtle changes: Jake gets smarmier, Johnny sounds young. Annabella, one of my favorite characters, is the exception and has a definitive southern accent that is well-done.
“She had known that she was glazing a lie with a tint of half-truth.”
It is interesting that readers can hear/see what each of characters Neil and Ellie are thinking on opposite sides of the computer while they are emailing each other. (Yes, emailing! Not texting, not IMing, not SnapChatting. It is 1997, folks, and I love it there.) Listening to the story had me remembering when I met my husband, and the excitement of seeing an email from him in my inbox, the constant thinking and re-thinking of our last exchanges, and how I printed the emails so I could re-visit them without using the dial-up modem. (Ha! I am old!) Ellie speaks of the “soul-lifting emails” from another person who was so much like her. I could relate. Perhaps it is also my own experience of a different time, in my life before I met my husband, that makes me struggle a little. Even though I was pulling for Neil and Ellie, to me, their emotional involvement counts as infidelity because each is giving something to the other that isn’t being given to their respective spouses. It is complicated, and they each feel pangs of guilt and know they are wrong, but they convince themselves that keeping their relationship to email is okay; one even says, “Their effect on each other's spirit was too great to allow their bodies to meet.” They know they are playing with fire – which makes it all the more delicious.
“The winds of change were steering the heavy branch.”
Author E.L. Neve’s writing is philosophical, lovely, and descriptive and perfectly sets the moods – at times melancholy and other times joyful. Her characters are complex and fleshed-out so that readers get a sense of knowing them. As I said earlier, my favorite character was the colorful character of Annabella, who is someone I think I would seek out on a regular basis. I must share a few of her fabulous sayings:
… as confused as a fart in a fan factory
… cold enough to freeze the balls off a pool table
... It sticks in my throat like a hair in a biscuit.
Annabella provides some much-needed perspectives to our main character and some equally much-needed comic relief when the story feels heavy and hopeless.
I still would like to re-visit this story in print so that I can better absorb and ponder the bigger questions it poses about the very essence of love and happiness and the costs of finding and keeping it.
I highly recommend the audio book, which clocks-in at just under six hours (and for once, I listened at regular speed). Thank you to the author for providing me a free download in exchange for my honest opinion – the only kind I give. This full review on Hall Ways Blog https://kristinehallways.blogspot.com...
“She had known that she was glazing a lie with a tint of half-truth.”
It is interesting that readers can hear/see what each of characters Neil and Ellie are thinking on opposite sides of the computer while they are emailing each other. (Yes, emailing! Not texting, not IMing, not SnapChatting. It is 1997, folks, and I love it there.) Listening to the story had me remembering when I met my husband, and the excitement of seeing an email from him in my inbox, the constant thinking and re-thinking of our last exchanges, and how I printed the emails so I could re-visit them without using the dial-up modem. (Ha! I am old!) Ellie speaks of the “soul-lifting emails” from another person who was so much like her. I could relate. Perhaps it is also my own experience of a different time, in my life before I met my husband, that makes me struggle a little. Even though I was pulling for Neil and Ellie, to me, their emotional involvement counts as infidelity because each is giving something to the other that isn’t being given to their respective spouses. It is complicated, and they each feel pangs of guilt and know they are wrong, but they convince themselves that keeping their relationship to email is okay; one even says, “Their effect on each other's spirit was too great to allow their bodies to meet.” They know they are playing with fire – which makes it all the more delicious.
“The winds of change were steering the heavy branch.”
Author E.L. Neve’s writing is philosophical, lovely, and descriptive and perfectly sets the moods – at times melancholy and other times joyful. Her characters are complex and fleshed-out so that readers get a sense of knowing them. As I said earlier, my favorite character was the colorful character of Annabella, who is someone I think I would seek out on a regular basis. I must share a few of her fabulous sayings:
… as confused as a fart in a fan factory
… cold enough to freeze the balls off a pool table
... It sticks in my throat like a hair in a biscuit.
Annabella provides some much-needed perspectives to our main character and some equally much-needed comic relief when the story feels heavy and hopeless.
I still would like to re-visit this story in print so that I can better absorb and ponder the bigger questions it poses about the very essence of love and happiness and the costs of finding and keeping it.
I highly recommend the audio book, which clocks-in at just under six hours (and for once, I listened at regular speed). Thank you to the author for providing me a free download in exchange for my honest opinion – the only kind I give. This full review on Hall Ways Blog https://kristinehallways.blogspot.com...
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December 29, 2019Looking Glass Friends by E.L. Neve follows the story of a man and a woman who married the wrong people. Neil feels stuck; he’s in a loveless marriage and is on the verge of ending his life when he is saved by a new pen pal, Ellie. Ellie finds herself in an equally loveless and unfulfilling marriage. Through their email correspondences, both Neil and Ellie find solace in each other’s intellect and wit, and soon find themselves falling in love.
There is a lot to like about this novel. For one, Neve knows how to construct a beautiful sentence. The novel is full of imagery, beautiful metaphors and figurative language. I often found myself marveling at how poetic it seemed. Her writing gives the book a dreamy feel, as if what you’re reading isn’t quite real, isn’t quite tangible. Instead, it’s floating among the clouds, which is exactly as it should be, for both Neil and Ellie are the kind of people who would live among the clouds.
That being said, the writing style is a double-edged sword. When it came to Neil and Ellie’s perspectives, it made perfect sense to keep the flowery, poetic style, but I was a bit confused as to why that style remained when the reader was given the point of view of Jake or Fay (Ellie and Neil’s respective spouses). Neither of those characters lent themselves to an imaginative or dreamy mindset and yet the writing didn’t change. I think this book would have been even more powerful if there was a clear cut style to each narrator.
Also, in terms of narrator, it was sometimes difficult to pin point which POV I was reading from. The book starts off as a third-person limited narration style, but then there were a few instances when the book suddenly became third-person omniscient. Why was I reading about Neil’s feelings in Ellie’s chapter? I’m not sure if this was simply a mistake or if the author wasn’t aware which narration style they wanted to go with.
There were a few grammatical errors, but nothing outstanding or jarring. For the most part, I noticed the author didn’t know when the place a period inside or outside of a parenthesis. For example, at 24% in the Kindle edition, we have this line: “(and would fire her, eventually, when the novelty wore off.)” This is written in the middle of a sentence so the period should actually come after the parenthesis. The only time a period goes inside the parenthesis is when the entire sentence is in it as well. There were also a few times the author forgot a comma or used a comma incorrectly inside of a parenthesis. Once again, these mistakes were very minor and if it weren’t for the fact that I’m an English teacher, I may not have even clocked them. None of them were dramatic enough to pull me out of the reading experience.
I believe it’s important to note for anyone interested in reading this novel that there are a few mentions of sex as well as a sex and almost-rape scene. I did not find any of it to be vulgar and it did not make me want to stop reading. There is nothing that is particularly explicit, but if you’re looking for a perfectly clean romance, this may not be for you. However, I would personally classify this as relatively clean.
I believe that hopeless romantics, people who love flowery and poetic writing and those who love literature – there were many references to great works of literature, particularly novels by Ayn Rand – will greatly enjoy reading this. However, those who have had marriages fall apart due to infidelity or who are greatly uncomfortable with the aspect of cheating, even emotional cheating, may want to steer clear.
There is a lot to like about this novel. For one, Neve knows how to construct a beautiful sentence. The novel is full of imagery, beautiful metaphors and figurative language. I often found myself marveling at how poetic it seemed. Her writing gives the book a dreamy feel, as if what you’re reading isn’t quite real, isn’t quite tangible. Instead, it’s floating among the clouds, which is exactly as it should be, for both Neil and Ellie are the kind of people who would live among the clouds.
That being said, the writing style is a double-edged sword. When it came to Neil and Ellie’s perspectives, it made perfect sense to keep the flowery, poetic style, but I was a bit confused as to why that style remained when the reader was given the point of view of Jake or Fay (Ellie and Neil’s respective spouses). Neither of those characters lent themselves to an imaginative or dreamy mindset and yet the writing didn’t change. I think this book would have been even more powerful if there was a clear cut style to each narrator.
Also, in terms of narrator, it was sometimes difficult to pin point which POV I was reading from. The book starts off as a third-person limited narration style, but then there were a few instances when the book suddenly became third-person omniscient. Why was I reading about Neil’s feelings in Ellie’s chapter? I’m not sure if this was simply a mistake or if the author wasn’t aware which narration style they wanted to go with.
There were a few grammatical errors, but nothing outstanding or jarring. For the most part, I noticed the author didn’t know when the place a period inside or outside of a parenthesis. For example, at 24% in the Kindle edition, we have this line: “(and would fire her, eventually, when the novelty wore off.)” This is written in the middle of a sentence so the period should actually come after the parenthesis. The only time a period goes inside the parenthesis is when the entire sentence is in it as well. There were also a few times the author forgot a comma or used a comma incorrectly inside of a parenthesis. Once again, these mistakes were very minor and if it weren’t for the fact that I’m an English teacher, I may not have even clocked them. None of them were dramatic enough to pull me out of the reading experience.
I believe it’s important to note for anyone interested in reading this novel that there are a few mentions of sex as well as a sex and almost-rape scene. I did not find any of it to be vulgar and it did not make me want to stop reading. There is nothing that is particularly explicit, but if you’re looking for a perfectly clean romance, this may not be for you. However, I would personally classify this as relatively clean.
I believe that hopeless romantics, people who love flowery and poetic writing and those who love literature – there were many references to great works of literature, particularly novels by Ayn Rand – will greatly enjoy reading this. However, those who have had marriages fall apart due to infidelity or who are greatly uncomfortable with the aspect of cheating, even emotional cheating, may want to steer clear.
July 17, 2022
Looking Glass Friends by E.L. Neve is a slow burning romance between a married man named Neil and a married woman named Ellie, who meet at a bakery and bond over a book. From there, they continue to write to one another over email, eventually turning into calls. Not only do we get their side of the story, we get to see how their relationship is affecting their spouses. Ellie lives with her husband Jake and son Johnny. Neil lives with his wife Fay. Both of these relationships are dying off, causing the love between Ellie and Neil to grow more and more throughout the novel.
This book is different from the romances I read and at first, I wasn't sure how I was going to like it. I ended up loving this novel. Reading this book, I can see the romance between Neil and Ellie grow from strangers, to friends, to a love interest. I also enjoyed to see how Jake and Fay react to Neil and Ellie talking to one another in the first place. The characters didn't have complicated personalities, they were very much their own person and it felt as if I grew up in the same neighborhood as them and know all the drama between these couples. The narrator is reliable. Not once was I confused about the events happening.
The romance does take time between Ellie and Neil, so there are times when the book can feel a bit slow. The story doesn't stay on Ellie and Neil the whole time. It does drift off to them and their spouses. The story shows how Ellie feels about her marriage and how her husband treats her and her relationship with her son. Then the story will glide to Neil and Fay. How their home life is and where their marriage is going as well. This novel shows both sides to a home life, not just the two main love interest. It was interesting to read between the marriages, but I would have liked more of Ellie and Neil together.
I did rate Looking Glass Friends by E.L. Neve 4 out of 5 stars. There could have been a little bit more romance between Ellie and Neil. I was wishing for the private moments between them and was hoping that maybe they would have some sneaking off. It doesn't happen. It may happen once and that is almost toward the end, but it's nothing exciting. I loved their romance story already, but I longed for that excitement knowing they could be caught anytime.
Looking Glass Friends by E.L. Neve is a perfect novel for adults who love a romance relationship that you can see from start to finish. There are a few parts of the book that become intimate, but it does not go into detail. The intimacy is very limited wording. There is also no profanity throughout this entire book, so this would be a perfect novel for a person who doesn't enjoy reading profanity or provocative books.
This book is different from the romances I read and at first, I wasn't sure how I was going to like it. I ended up loving this novel. Reading this book, I can see the romance between Neil and Ellie grow from strangers, to friends, to a love interest. I also enjoyed to see how Jake and Fay react to Neil and Ellie talking to one another in the first place. The characters didn't have complicated personalities, they were very much their own person and it felt as if I grew up in the same neighborhood as them and know all the drama between these couples. The narrator is reliable. Not once was I confused about the events happening.
The romance does take time between Ellie and Neil, so there are times when the book can feel a bit slow. The story doesn't stay on Ellie and Neil the whole time. It does drift off to them and their spouses. The story shows how Ellie feels about her marriage and how her husband treats her and her relationship with her son. Then the story will glide to Neil and Fay. How their home life is and where their marriage is going as well. This novel shows both sides to a home life, not just the two main love interest. It was interesting to read between the marriages, but I would have liked more of Ellie and Neil together.
I did rate Looking Glass Friends by E.L. Neve 4 out of 5 stars. There could have been a little bit more romance between Ellie and Neil. I was wishing for the private moments between them and was hoping that maybe they would have some sneaking off. It doesn't happen. It may happen once and that is almost toward the end, but it's nothing exciting. I loved their romance story already, but I longed for that excitement knowing they could be caught anytime.
Looking Glass Friends by E.L. Neve is a perfect novel for adults who love a romance relationship that you can see from start to finish. There are a few parts of the book that become intimate, but it does not go into detail. The intimacy is very limited wording. There is also no profanity throughout this entire book, so this would be a perfect novel for a person who doesn't enjoy reading profanity or provocative books.
May 30, 2017
Ellie is married to Jake. Neil is married to Fay. Ellie has a five year old son. Without any previous interaction beyond passing, Neil helps Ellie out with baked goods. Ellie buys Neil a copy of "Atlas Shrugged" as a way to say thank you. A seemingly innocent interaction between two friendly adults at a bakery. After Neil reads and is moved by "Atlas Shrugged" he feels compelled to write a thank you letter to Ellie. A chain of emails follows between the two strangers and they soon begin to fall in love through the correspondence, unbeknownst to their formerly mentioned spouses and child. Both Neil and Ellie realize they've crossed a line and what they are doing is morally wrong, but with their happiness at risk and a life they never realized they could have now within grasp, there is more at risk than just their marriages. Will they sacrifice those around them for a chance at true happiness?
Author E.L. Neve does a wonderful job creating a compelling romance novel that will leave the reader conflicted and enthralled. On the outset I did not particularly care for the characters because the interaction and where it was leading seemed obvious. I didn't feel they were unknowingly going down this path. Somewhere along the line, the writing won me over and I began to sympathize with all four main characters. Neil and Ellie because they truly believe they've found that one thing missing in their life. Jake and Fay, their spouses, because they can see the changes in Neil and Ellie, but are unknowing of the cause. This tension and guilt drives the story along with ease, keeping the pace with their beating hearts. I loved this turmoil and conflict as it clinched a gut feeling for me that most romance novels are unable to find.
The author's character development was realistic and considerate. I enjoyed the poetic interaction between Neil and Ellie and became enamored with their relationship and where it was going to lead. Subtle conflicts that developed between Neil and Fay as well as Ellie and Jake compounded this unease. In a good way. My only concern was Ellie's child. I felt this was an avenue that the author could have explored more. The writing was comfortable. It allowed me to get involved with the story and the characters without it holding me back. Many indie books have great stories but poor executions. This was not one of those novels thankfully.
I can't wait to read more from this author. I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Recommended for lovers of romance.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest and unbiased review
Author E.L. Neve does a wonderful job creating a compelling romance novel that will leave the reader conflicted and enthralled. On the outset I did not particularly care for the characters because the interaction and where it was leading seemed obvious. I didn't feel they were unknowingly going down this path. Somewhere along the line, the writing won me over and I began to sympathize with all four main characters. Neil and Ellie because they truly believe they've found that one thing missing in their life. Jake and Fay, their spouses, because they can see the changes in Neil and Ellie, but are unknowing of the cause. This tension and guilt drives the story along with ease, keeping the pace with their beating hearts. I loved this turmoil and conflict as it clinched a gut feeling for me that most romance novels are unable to find.
The author's character development was realistic and considerate. I enjoyed the poetic interaction between Neil and Ellie and became enamored with their relationship and where it was going to lead. Subtle conflicts that developed between Neil and Fay as well as Ellie and Jake compounded this unease. In a good way. My only concern was Ellie's child. I felt this was an avenue that the author could have explored more. The writing was comfortable. It allowed me to get involved with the story and the characters without it holding me back. Many indie books have great stories but poor executions. This was not one of those novels thankfully.
I can't wait to read more from this author. I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Recommended for lovers of romance.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest and unbiased review
May 22, 2020
“The man lying on the bed did not care that his room had grown dark. In the dying sunset the gun in his hand became a logical conclusion to his thoughts, an inevitable means to his bitter end. He had sworn an oath to himself two years ago, and the words walked with him like a second shadow ever since: ‘I swear not to draw out my life. When disgust and boredom are all that’s left, I’ll end this.’”
Thus begins the story of an atypical romance with twists that will surprise readers. The year was 1997, and there is Neil, holding a gun ready to end this life. Until he remembers her face, but who is she? She was Ellie, a customer that would come to Neil’s bakery every morning to buy her son some cream puffs. Thinking of her face, Neil reconsiders and puts the gun away.
ELLIE & NEIL FELL IN LOVE over email, discussing the novel, Atlas Shrugged. Neither remembered the other’s face clearly. Both were married already, and she had a five-year-old son, but in the span of a few letters each discovered his soul's mirror-image. So how could they live apart?
Looking Glass Friends: A Novel Inspired by Real Love Letters is intense and the kind of work that will awaken powerful emotions in readers. As one reads on, the need to find out what happens at the end becomes very strong. Will the married woman leave her husband and five-year-old child for a stranger who makes her feel awesome? E.L. Neve will toy with your emotions until the last page of this brilliant novel.
This is a great book with fantastic character development. I was deeply engrossed and involved into getting to the next chapter and seeing what would be the outcome of this love story. Kudos to the author because Neil and Ellie’s love story was written with soul and emotion. This book is full of a romance that you want to succeed. Seeing how two people were meant to be but stuck in situations that didn’t allow them was very sad indeed. I couldn’t put the book down. It was absolutely beautifully written by E.L Neve!
While Neil is happy because of his e-mails with Ellie, his wife Fay is conflicted; although she is happy that he is slowly coming back to life, she knows that it is not her doing, but another woman’s. This sense of inner conflict repeats itself in other characters in the novel, as they must decide whether the chances they take are worth the risks they pose. The author wrote an incredible story that tugged at your heartstrings.
One of the other things that I loved about this book was that it reinforced a relationship, and the bond that you create with your partner should make you strive to be better, to never cease learning, and above all, to grow old together.
Thus begins the story of an atypical romance with twists that will surprise readers. The year was 1997, and there is Neil, holding a gun ready to end this life. Until he remembers her face, but who is she? She was Ellie, a customer that would come to Neil’s bakery every morning to buy her son some cream puffs. Thinking of her face, Neil reconsiders and puts the gun away.
ELLIE & NEIL FELL IN LOVE over email, discussing the novel, Atlas Shrugged. Neither remembered the other’s face clearly. Both were married already, and she had a five-year-old son, but in the span of a few letters each discovered his soul's mirror-image. So how could they live apart?
Looking Glass Friends: A Novel Inspired by Real Love Letters is intense and the kind of work that will awaken powerful emotions in readers. As one reads on, the need to find out what happens at the end becomes very strong. Will the married woman leave her husband and five-year-old child for a stranger who makes her feel awesome? E.L. Neve will toy with your emotions until the last page of this brilliant novel.
This is a great book with fantastic character development. I was deeply engrossed and involved into getting to the next chapter and seeing what would be the outcome of this love story. Kudos to the author because Neil and Ellie’s love story was written with soul and emotion. This book is full of a romance that you want to succeed. Seeing how two people were meant to be but stuck in situations that didn’t allow them was very sad indeed. I couldn’t put the book down. It was absolutely beautifully written by E.L Neve!
While Neil is happy because of his e-mails with Ellie, his wife Fay is conflicted; although she is happy that he is slowly coming back to life, she knows that it is not her doing, but another woman’s. This sense of inner conflict repeats itself in other characters in the novel, as they must decide whether the chances they take are worth the risks they pose. The author wrote an incredible story that tugged at your heartstrings.
One of the other things that I loved about this book was that it reinforced a relationship, and the bond that you create with your partner should make you strive to be better, to never cease learning, and above all, to grow old together.
May 26, 2017
"Looking Glass Friends: A Novel Inspired by Real Love Letters" by E.L. Neve is a wonderful exploration of budding romance in a world dictated by social media and long distance relationships. The story follows Ellie, a married mother of a five year old son, as she navigates the thin line between her vows and her happiness. One day, while visiting the bakery she frequents, Ellie gives Neil a copy of "Atlas Shrugged" by Ayn Rand as a way of saying thank you. The book profoundly affects Neil so he writes a thank you note to Ellie on a piece of yellow paper. This exchange via correspondence grows into something more profound and soon both find themselves falling in love with the soul behind the words. Without prior interaction, Neil and Ellie use this chain of communication to create a soulmate that fills the voids left in their marriages. Will Neil and Ellie allow this romance to destroy their marriages and otherwise damage the loved ones around them?
Author E.L. Neve is able to weave an intriguing tale of romance through poetry, love letters and distance while forcing the reader to reevaluate their values and morals. While never intending to find the love she has, by giving a book to a stranger, Ellie has lit the fire on an exciting journey that puts everything she holds dear at risk. Likewise, Neil, while continuing to fall deeper into the relationship, puts his wife Fay in a state of unrest. Today, more and more people are finding friends and deeper relationships through the world of blogging and social media. These long distance friendships can quickly escalate to more. That correlation to this story is why "Looking Glass Friends" affected me so much. It forces the reader to examine what constitutes happiness. Did Ellie and Neil fall in love through email because they truly found their soulmate or because they projected what they felt their own relationship was missing on this stranger writing them letters? That turmoil added to the tension, only making me love this book even more.
"Looking Glass Friends: A Novel Inspired by Real Love Letters" by E.L. Neve is a beautifully written love story that ventures outside the norm for the genre. If you've found yourself falling for someone across the world of the internet, this book will move you. If you love romance, don't miss this book. Highly recoommended.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Author E.L. Neve is able to weave an intriguing tale of romance through poetry, love letters and distance while forcing the reader to reevaluate their values and morals. While never intending to find the love she has, by giving a book to a stranger, Ellie has lit the fire on an exciting journey that puts everything she holds dear at risk. Likewise, Neil, while continuing to fall deeper into the relationship, puts his wife Fay in a state of unrest. Today, more and more people are finding friends and deeper relationships through the world of blogging and social media. These long distance friendships can quickly escalate to more. That correlation to this story is why "Looking Glass Friends" affected me so much. It forces the reader to examine what constitutes happiness. Did Ellie and Neil fall in love through email because they truly found their soulmate or because they projected what they felt their own relationship was missing on this stranger writing them letters? That turmoil added to the tension, only making me love this book even more.
"Looking Glass Friends: A Novel Inspired by Real Love Letters" by E.L. Neve is a beautifully written love story that ventures outside the norm for the genre. If you've found yourself falling for someone across the world of the internet, this book will move you. If you love romance, don't miss this book. Highly recoommended.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
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January 22, 2025Looking Glass Friends by E.L. Neve is a poetic romance novel set in the 90s. It navigates the relationship between two pen pals who uncover and discuss their innermost thoughts, dreams, and desires through a series of letters, emails, and eventually phone calls. What begins as an innocent friendship with the exchange of philosophical knowledge, slowly evolves into something deeper, pushing their boundaries and questioning lives they thought they knew and were content to live.
Neil and Ellie abre both married, they are both in unhappy marriages. Ellie has no idea her husband is sleeping around with multiple women. Neil’s wife is a decent wife but Neil is so unhappy with his life he is ready to commit suicide in his room one night. * this is not a spoiler it is on page 1*
Neil works at a bakery where Ellie is a regular at, when one day they are all out of Ellie’s regular order, Neil gives up the goodies he had set aside for his wife. Ellie is so grateful for his generosity, she leaves him a gift which is the start of Neil’s new perspective in life and they become pen pals.
The characters are both flawed and relatable making the story line feel more realistic. Their character development throughout the story feels unforced and unfolds effortlessly. Neve does a great job of creating dialogue that feels natural in the letters and emails and also in the face-to-face interactions and phone calls. The connection that develops between the main characters is tender, heart-wrenching, and even thought provoking from the very beginning of the novel.
Although the story focuses more on emotional connection than physical connection, there is some sexual content in Looking Glass Friends. The sexual content described is more mild than it is explicit and it is used as a part of character growth and connection development.
This novel will make you question how such beautiful friendships can also feel so hurtful and wrong to those we love and is the world really just black and white after all?
Neil and Ellie abre both married, they are both in unhappy marriages. Ellie has no idea her husband is sleeping around with multiple women. Neil’s wife is a decent wife but Neil is so unhappy with his life he is ready to commit suicide in his room one night. * this is not a spoiler it is on page 1*
Neil works at a bakery where Ellie is a regular at, when one day they are all out of Ellie’s regular order, Neil gives up the goodies he had set aside for his wife. Ellie is so grateful for his generosity, she leaves him a gift which is the start of Neil’s new perspective in life and they become pen pals.
The characters are both flawed and relatable making the story line feel more realistic. Their character development throughout the story feels unforced and unfolds effortlessly. Neve does a great job of creating dialogue that feels natural in the letters and emails and also in the face-to-face interactions and phone calls. The connection that develops between the main characters is tender, heart-wrenching, and even thought provoking from the very beginning of the novel.
Although the story focuses more on emotional connection than physical connection, there is some sexual content in Looking Glass Friends. The sexual content described is more mild than it is explicit and it is used as a part of character growth and connection development.
This novel will make you question how such beautiful friendships can also feel so hurtful and wrong to those we love and is the world really just black and white after all?
September 24, 2024
There are many things I would like to mention about this book, and I enjoyed it more than I thought I would. The book is categorized as romance, and there are many moments where readers can form a real-life connection with the characters. The situation that both protagonists are placed in is often part of a reality people don’t want to face. For example, being in a long-term relationship but realizing you don’t have the right bond with the person.
There are many obstacles in life that bring you to that specific moment where you have to choose between your own happiness or the happiness of those around you. The character development is very well done, but there is only a slight mention of the characters' pasts. I believe there should’ve been a little more detail on how they ended up in the situation they were in. One example could be when they stopped feeling happy and whether it was related to their current relationship.
Throughout the book, there are some interactions between the characters that were uncomfortable for me to read. It’s not that they were inappropriate, but the way the dialogue was written made it feel awkward.
Other than that, I loved how Ellie was portrayed in the book and how her character developed. She was such a strong female lead with great qualities. Unlike other books, she was an independent woman who often sought happiness for both herself and her son. Though many female characters are written to be selfless, Ellie knew her value as a person, and that’s something I loved.
As I mentioned before, there are mental struggles highlighted by the author, which made the situations feel realistic and more aligned with the reality of life itself. The story stripped away the rosy idea of perfect relationships and created real, relatable characters. I truly enjoyed this book.
There are many obstacles in life that bring you to that specific moment where you have to choose between your own happiness or the happiness of those around you. The character development is very well done, but there is only a slight mention of the characters' pasts. I believe there should’ve been a little more detail on how they ended up in the situation they were in. One example could be when they stopped feeling happy and whether it was related to their current relationship.
Throughout the book, there are some interactions between the characters that were uncomfortable for me to read. It’s not that they were inappropriate, but the way the dialogue was written made it feel awkward.
Other than that, I loved how Ellie was portrayed in the book and how her character developed. She was such a strong female lead with great qualities. Unlike other books, she was an independent woman who often sought happiness for both herself and her son. Though many female characters are written to be selfless, Ellie knew her value as a person, and that’s something I loved.
As I mentioned before, there are mental struggles highlighted by the author, which made the situations feel realistic and more aligned with the reality of life itself. The story stripped away the rosy idea of perfect relationships and created real, relatable characters. I truly enjoyed this book.
May 26, 2017
LOOKING GLASS FRIENDS: A NOVEL INSPIRED BY REAL LOVE LETTERS by E.L. Neve is a fresh take on the romance novel. I enjoyed the author's ability to put me in the middle of the turmoil created by two characters conflicting with the realization that they are unhappy with their marriage and may have found the love they were searching for in a stranger. I did have a hard time relating to the characters themselves. I did not sympathize with their plight. I instead felt sorry for their spouses and Ellie's innocent child. This did not detract from the story in any way. I assume some readers will fall in love with Ellie and Neil while others will side with their vows and committments, which really adds to the appeal of the book. I was team Fay and Jake. As I began the book, I was unable to understand which direction the author was intending to take her characters. Was she sympathizing with Ellie and would this be about her pursuit of happiness or was she hoping to explore the theme of finding what you need in those around you, already in your heart? I was pleasantly surprised with how the book resolved this conflict and felt it was the most compelling part of the read. Although I did not readily relate to the main characters and their plight, I did find myself drawn in to the story and unable to put it down. The characters are complex while the story is light, incorporating poetry and prose to fuel the flames of Ellie and Neil's budding relationship. I was impressed with the author's take on the modern romance novel. Definitely a fresh take on it. Well written and developed. If you like lighthearted romance novels with tension and conflicted characters, you'll enjoy Looking Glass Friends.
August 9, 2022
This review is of the Audible book version of Looking Glass Friends by E.L. Neve, a slow-burning romance between two married people, Neil and Ellie. Who bond over a book when they meet at a bakery. They have an online relationship by writing to each other through emails. Eventually, the relationship moves on to talking on the telephone. The book is multi-dimensional, and we get the growing relationship between Neil and Ellie but also see the effect of their relationship on their families. Ellie has a husband called Jake and a son, Johnny, and Neil has a wife, Fay. Both marriages have relationship problems that leave an emptiness in Ellie and Neil's lives, allowing their love for each other to grow and blossom.
I would not usually listen to romances, but the way the characters interact is very different from books I have read. I found the way the book is written challenging to get into to begin with, but I ended up loving this audible book. There is plodding progress where Ellie and Neil grow from being strangers, then friends to falling in love. At the same time, I liked how I could see this effect on their failing relationships with Fay and Jake. All the characters in this book have lovely, uncomplicated personalities. Although this was a love story, I liked that it did not revolve totally around Ellie and Neil. Their families were equally important. This novel gives all sides of every relationship in the story and builds an excellent picture for the listener. I felt I experienced all of the characters' emotions even when I disagreed with what they were doing.
The build-up to the romance between Neil and Ellie is a slow burn, and I did find myself wishing the relationship would progress more quickly as there are times when the book can feel very slow. The story explains how Jake treats Ellie and how she feels about her marriage, her husband, and her relationship with her son. It equally told me about Fay and Neil's home life, and I could see how their marriage was going and where it was failing. I liked how the narrator, B. J. Harrison, read the book. His voice was very listenable.
I rate Looking Glass Friends by E.L. Neve 4 out of 5 stars. It is a compelling story, and I enjoyed listening to it. I marked it down because of the areas where the story plods.
I recommend Looking Glass Friends to adults who enjoy romantic books, especially ones which build up slowly.
I'd like to thank onlinebookclub.org who gave me a free audible copy in exchange for a review.
I would not usually listen to romances, but the way the characters interact is very different from books I have read. I found the way the book is written challenging to get into to begin with, but I ended up loving this audible book. There is plodding progress where Ellie and Neil grow from being strangers, then friends to falling in love. At the same time, I liked how I could see this effect on their failing relationships with Fay and Jake. All the characters in this book have lovely, uncomplicated personalities. Although this was a love story, I liked that it did not revolve totally around Ellie and Neil. Their families were equally important. This novel gives all sides of every relationship in the story and builds an excellent picture for the listener. I felt I experienced all of the characters' emotions even when I disagreed with what they were doing.
The build-up to the romance between Neil and Ellie is a slow burn, and I did find myself wishing the relationship would progress more quickly as there are times when the book can feel very slow. The story explains how Jake treats Ellie and how she feels about her marriage, her husband, and her relationship with her son. It equally told me about Fay and Neil's home life, and I could see how their marriage was going and where it was failing. I liked how the narrator, B. J. Harrison, read the book. His voice was very listenable.
I rate Looking Glass Friends by E.L. Neve 4 out of 5 stars. It is a compelling story, and I enjoyed listening to it. I marked it down because of the areas where the story plods.
I recommend Looking Glass Friends to adults who enjoy romantic books, especially ones which build up slowly.
I'd like to thank onlinebookclub.org who gave me a free audible copy in exchange for a review.
August 9, 2019
What if you find yourself married to the wrong person
The author of the story portrays two people who are both married but both have discovered they're unhappy with their life and their choice of companion. Neither is looking to leave their spouse in the beginning. It starts with a philosophical book that begins starts conversations between the two of them about life and how to find ways to live more happily. In time they become almost addicted to the exchange of theory between them. Neither of their spouses are thrilled with the relationship developing between them but they aren't very happy with their lives either. Inevitably, both marriages end in uncontested divorce. The soul mates join together and their ex-spouses also find love elsewhere. All marriages have problems. If you find yourself in an unhappy situation, is it better to try to make things work together or throw it away and start again? Which ever you choose, both you and your partner need to work to the chosen end together.
The author of the story portrays two people who are both married but both have discovered they're unhappy with their life and their choice of companion. Neither is looking to leave their spouse in the beginning. It starts with a philosophical book that begins starts conversations between the two of them about life and how to find ways to live more happily. In time they become almost addicted to the exchange of theory between them. Neither of their spouses are thrilled with the relationship developing between them but they aren't very happy with their lives either. Inevitably, both marriages end in uncontested divorce. The soul mates join together and their ex-spouses also find love elsewhere. All marriages have problems. If you find yourself in an unhappy situation, is it better to try to make things work together or throw it away and start again? Which ever you choose, both you and your partner need to work to the chosen end together.
September 19, 2023
The most amazingly descriptive book I’ve EVER read!
E.L. Neve is an author who is one to be honored! The way she writes this story has you intertwined with the emotions of her characters. The idea of a love like this is so powerful that it’s going to make my single life even more single as I would absolutely die to find a live with this depth, this passion. Throughout the entire book she has made the reader present, used descriptions so vivid it touches the reader’s own emotions and makes the reader feel like they can really find a love so deep, so intense so passionate! I love how the end of the story was something that she developed in her readers, a wanting for what she gave us at the end. This book is one I will come back and read again, one that will remind me that this kind of love, even though written only in a book is a love affair that is one that will absolutely never leave the soul!! Well done!
E.L. Neve is an author who is one to be honored! The way she writes this story has you intertwined with the emotions of her characters. The idea of a love like this is so powerful that it’s going to make my single life even more single as I would absolutely die to find a live with this depth, this passion. Throughout the entire book she has made the reader present, used descriptions so vivid it touches the reader’s own emotions and makes the reader feel like they can really find a love so deep, so intense so passionate! I love how the end of the story was something that she developed in her readers, a wanting for what she gave us at the end. This book is one I will come back and read again, one that will remind me that this kind of love, even though written only in a book is a love affair that is one that will absolutely never leave the soul!! Well done!
July 14, 2021
Very good read
It took me a bit to get into this story. It’s written differently than most romances that I read. But, once I got into a rhythm I was intrigued. It’s a great story of not just a growing relationship with a partner but a relationship with one’s self. Learning to love and value yourself in a relationship where we are thought we should be selfless to the point of our own detriment. Ellie is a strong character though it takes time to see her true resilience. Neil is what we all hope our partners to be. Encouraging, engaging, challenging. And the all too familiar sentiment of wrong timing bring this love story full circle. It’s definitely worth reading.
It took me a bit to get into this story. It’s written differently than most romances that I read. But, once I got into a rhythm I was intrigued. It’s a great story of not just a growing relationship with a partner but a relationship with one’s self. Learning to love and value yourself in a relationship where we are thought we should be selfless to the point of our own detriment. Ellie is a strong character though it takes time to see her true resilience. Neil is what we all hope our partners to be. Encouraging, engaging, challenging. And the all too familiar sentiment of wrong timing bring this love story full circle. It’s definitely worth reading.
April 14, 2019
Two Souls found their mirror reflection
This was a great love story. Yet somewhat better sweet for each of the characters in their own light. As two strangers find happiness when they begin writing to each other what will it cost them and the other lives of which each of them are currently commited o.
This was a great love story. Yet somewhat better sweet for each of the characters in their own light. As two strangers find happiness when they begin writing to each other what will it cost them and the other lives of which each of them are currently commited o.
January 6, 2020
Loved this beautiful story of two people who meet by chance, a book and letter later, they form a bond over letters, emails and phone calls, much to the chagrin of their spouse, but when your soul meets its match, what are you to do? This story explores that question is this raw ,honest love story .
October 15, 2019
One of the best I've read in a while
Thanks to this book, I've started reading other books which were recommended in the Looking Glass Friends, also I've added the TV series which was also recommended by the author.
Thanks to this book, I've started reading other books which were recommended in the Looking Glass Friends, also I've added the TV series which was also recommended by the author.
November 9, 2019
An amazing love of the soul
This book is full of a romance that you want to succeed. Seeing how two people were meant to be but stuck in situations that didn’t allow them this right. I couldn’t put the book down. It was absolutely beautifully written.
This book is full of a romance that you want to succeed. Seeing how two people were meant to be but stuck in situations that didn’t allow them this right. I couldn’t put the book down. It was absolutely beautifully written.
December 23, 2023
Neil and Ellie both are in a loveless marriage, drawn together by a novel that brings about a beautiful fantasy, their spouses are aware of one another Great book for Romance readers the ending I expect a little more
Ellie,Neil will make you forget they belong to some one else.
Ellie,Neil will make you forget they belong to some one else.
February 26, 2024
I couldn’t look past the cheating scandal between Neil and his wife’s best friend. He didn’t deserve his wife, Fay or Ellie. Without the scandal the story would have been beautiful. The writing was beautifully done. I just could not enjoy the love story due to Neil being a jerk.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 14, 2023
Heavenly love
I like romance and reading about it. This is a very good love story because it's not about sex but two peoples emotional love for each other.
I like romance and reading about it. This is a very good love story because it's not about sex but two peoples emotional love for each other.
December 21, 2023
Neil gave me the ick every time he spoke. This book was dull and pretentious.
January 5, 2017
Reviewed By Arya Fomonyuy for Readers’ Favorite
5 Star, 12/14/2016
Looking Glass Friends: A Novel Inspired by Real Love Letters by E.L. Neve is a compelling romance, a brilliant, gripping story featuring a man and a woman who discover an alluring attraction to each other by exchanging emails. Ellie and Neil are both married. Not having known each other before, they start an email conversation around a book and, not long after, they begin to feel drawn to each other. They have never felt this way before. Can they take the risk of throwing away the lives they have painstakingly created for the freedom of an uncertain love? There is a lot at stake in this book and a lot for readers to enjoy.
E.L. Neve’s writing is thoughtful and evocative, a style that will appeal to many readers, especially those who love poetry and reflective thinking. The plot is well-paced and the author creates a lot of suspense that arouses interest in the reader. I enjoyed the fact that the characters are well-sculpted; both are already married and the fact that they would have to leave their families or risk the lives of their families for the powerful stirrings of their hearts helps in intensifying the conflict.
The reader feels the emotional and psychological tension that builds up through each page. The setting is also fascinating and I enjoyed the fact that the author used letters in his style to build plot and characterization. Looking Glass Friends: A Novel Inspired by Real Love Letters is a novel that captures the reality that many people experience in a compelling manner — getting hooked on virtual space. The question is: What does it feel like to meet the person who’s been hidden behind the keyboard? An entertaining and richly construed story.
_________
Reviewed By Melissa Tanaka for Readers’ Favorite
5 stars, 12/21/2016
Looking Glass Friends by E.L. Neve is a novel inspired by real life love letters. The story revolves around two unlikely friends and the love story that unravels between them. Neil is a man troubled by depression and guilt, who toys with the idea of suicide and has seemingly withdrawn from his wife and the world around him. In contrast, Ellie is a highly intelligent young woman who loves Ayn Rand novels. The two cross paths at the bakery where he works and she visits weekly, and Ellie buys him a copy of Rand’s Atlas Shrugged as a form of thanks after he sells her the cream puffs he had set aside to take home. Like so many books do, the novel changes Neil’s life and he reaches out to Ellie via a letter scrawled on yellow notebook paper. They find kindred spirits in one another; despite both of them being married each finds they no longer connect with their spouse, and Ellie and Neil grow close over the course of their correspondence.
With rich language and vivid description, fans of romance should look no further than Looking Glass Friends to quench their thirst for passion and matters of the heart. One of the things that I loved about this book was it reinforced that a relationship and the bond that you create with your partner should make you strive to be better, to never cease learning, and above all, to grow together. In addition, Neve forces readers to confront uncomfortable truths in regards to the consequences of their correspondence, a realistic touch that grounds readers whilst they fall for the love story of Ellie and Neil. For instance, while Neil is happy because of his e-mails with Ellie, his wife Fay is conflicted; although she is happy that he is slowly coming back to life, she knows that it is not her doing, but another woman’s. This sense of inner conflict repeats itself in other characters in the novel, as they must decide whether or not the chances they take are worth the risks they pose. The author wrote an incredible story that tugged at the heartstrings without making it seem outlandish or over dramatic.
5 Star, 12/14/2016
Looking Glass Friends: A Novel Inspired by Real Love Letters by E.L. Neve is a compelling romance, a brilliant, gripping story featuring a man and a woman who discover an alluring attraction to each other by exchanging emails. Ellie and Neil are both married. Not having known each other before, they start an email conversation around a book and, not long after, they begin to feel drawn to each other. They have never felt this way before. Can they take the risk of throwing away the lives they have painstakingly created for the freedom of an uncertain love? There is a lot at stake in this book and a lot for readers to enjoy.
E.L. Neve’s writing is thoughtful and evocative, a style that will appeal to many readers, especially those who love poetry and reflective thinking. The plot is well-paced and the author creates a lot of suspense that arouses interest in the reader. I enjoyed the fact that the characters are well-sculpted; both are already married and the fact that they would have to leave their families or risk the lives of their families for the powerful stirrings of their hearts helps in intensifying the conflict.
The reader feels the emotional and psychological tension that builds up through each page. The setting is also fascinating and I enjoyed the fact that the author used letters in his style to build plot and characterization. Looking Glass Friends: A Novel Inspired by Real Love Letters is a novel that captures the reality that many people experience in a compelling manner — getting hooked on virtual space. The question is: What does it feel like to meet the person who’s been hidden behind the keyboard? An entertaining and richly construed story.
_________
Reviewed By Melissa Tanaka for Readers’ Favorite
5 stars, 12/21/2016
Looking Glass Friends by E.L. Neve is a novel inspired by real life love letters. The story revolves around two unlikely friends and the love story that unravels between them. Neil is a man troubled by depression and guilt, who toys with the idea of suicide and has seemingly withdrawn from his wife and the world around him. In contrast, Ellie is a highly intelligent young woman who loves Ayn Rand novels. The two cross paths at the bakery where he works and she visits weekly, and Ellie buys him a copy of Rand’s Atlas Shrugged as a form of thanks after he sells her the cream puffs he had set aside to take home. Like so many books do, the novel changes Neil’s life and he reaches out to Ellie via a letter scrawled on yellow notebook paper. They find kindred spirits in one another; despite both of them being married each finds they no longer connect with their spouse, and Ellie and Neil grow close over the course of their correspondence.
With rich language and vivid description, fans of romance should look no further than Looking Glass Friends to quench their thirst for passion and matters of the heart. One of the things that I loved about this book was it reinforced that a relationship and the bond that you create with your partner should make you strive to be better, to never cease learning, and above all, to grow together. In addition, Neve forces readers to confront uncomfortable truths in regards to the consequences of their correspondence, a realistic touch that grounds readers whilst they fall for the love story of Ellie and Neil. For instance, while Neil is happy because of his e-mails with Ellie, his wife Fay is conflicted; although she is happy that he is slowly coming back to life, she knows that it is not her doing, but another woman’s. This sense of inner conflict repeats itself in other characters in the novel, as they must decide whether or not the chances they take are worth the risks they pose. The author wrote an incredible story that tugged at the heartstrings without making it seem outlandish or over dramatic.
July 21, 2021
Decent story
While I did like the story it wasn't a page turner for me. I had to put it times and come back to it. Glad I finished it as it was worth a read
While I did like the story it wasn't a page turner for me. I had to put it times and come back to it. Glad I finished it as it was worth a read
January 25, 2023
Check out my review here:
https://forums.onlinebookclub.org/vie...
https://forums.onlinebookclub.org/vie...
December 27, 2016
A unique and refreshing love story is chronicled in Looking Glass Friends: A Novel Inspired by Real Love Letters by E.L. Neve. The relationship that grows between Neil and Ellie begins with her gift to him of a book, Atlas Shrugged. Neil worked in the local bakery that Ellie frequented, and she felt compelled to share this work with him. This book literally changed Neil’s life in many ways. Through email communications, they discovered a connection not felt in each of their marriages.
Reviewed by Deborah Lloyd for Readers' Favorite
The deep level of sharing and understanding between them did not exist elsewhere in their lives. Ellie is devoted to her little five-year-old son and thinks it would be devastating to disrupt his life. Whether this soulmate relationship survives at all, or if it will culminate in a permanent relationship, is the main theme of the story.
E.L. Neve has written a compelling story in Looking Glass Friends. The focus is on the meeting of minds, rather than a physical sexual relationship – and that is truly refreshing in today’s romantic genre of books. The quality of the author’s writing is superb and thought-provoking. The development of the four main characters – Neil and Ellie, and their spouses Jake and Fay – is certainly intriguing. Likewise, the concepts of what qualities a meaningful love relationship should entail is interesting to mull over while reading this novel. This is a novel to be cherished and considered, not read through quickly - a true gem in the contemporary world of love stories.
Reviewed by Deborah Lloyd for Readers' Favorite
The deep level of sharing and understanding between them did not exist elsewhere in their lives. Ellie is devoted to her little five-year-old son and thinks it would be devastating to disrupt his life. Whether this soulmate relationship survives at all, or if it will culminate in a permanent relationship, is the main theme of the story.
E.L. Neve has written a compelling story in Looking Glass Friends. The focus is on the meeting of minds, rather than a physical sexual relationship – and that is truly refreshing in today’s romantic genre of books. The quality of the author’s writing is superb and thought-provoking. The development of the four main characters – Neil and Ellie, and their spouses Jake and Fay – is certainly intriguing. Likewise, the concepts of what qualities a meaningful love relationship should entail is interesting to mull over while reading this novel. This is a novel to be cherished and considered, not read through quickly - a true gem in the contemporary world of love stories.
December 4, 2023
Looking Glass Friends by E.L. Neve is a story that explores what it means to love from the soul. Our protagonists, Ellie and Neil, are two adults struggling to navigate the current paths their lives are on. During the day, Neil is working to provide for his wife, but at night, and during his alone time, he is suffering and contemplating his death. Ellie, on the other hand, has had an awakening through literature via the discovery of Ayn Rand. Her previously happy life becomes monotonous as Ellie realizes she is missing something. She is missing a companion and fulfillment. The two find each other and a friendship emerges that fills their voids with stories, poetry, and thoughtful conversations about philosophy. As they become closer, both Ellie and Neil are forced to take notice, and a looming decision must be made. I would easily rate this story a 5 out of 5 stars.
This story is very well written. There are no errors in the text that would have the reader distracted or trying to figure out what the author meant. The pacing is arranged to entice the reader and pull them further into the story as the characters grow and develop more depth. It was impossible to put this book down once I began reading, and that is always exciting to experience. The characters are also easy to connect with and have responses to as you move through the text. I found myself speaking aloud at different intervals as strong emotions overtook me at pivotal parts of the book.
A reader will be hard-pressed to find something negative with Looking Glass Friends. The only thing I would have liked to see here would be a trigger warning for a specific scene. Without the trigger warning, it can be a bit jarring as the reader approaches the event.
I gave Looking Glass Friends a 5 out of 5 stars because the story was well-written, well-paced, enticing, and gives an honest look at love and marriage. We get a full view of two individuals who are not living the lives they truly want with spouses they do not want. We also encounter their spouses who witness their unhappiness or surrender to their current circumstances. While the focus of the book is Ellie and Neil, Jake and Fay do make appearances that allow us to see into their inner mind and hearts. With this, we get a full picture of how small decisions and everyday choices shape the lives of everyone involved. Readers will pick up this story and immediately be drawn in at chapter one, and it will remain so until the end of the epilogue.
This book is fitting for anyone seeking romance, self-discovery, and stories about unhappy or blooming relationships. There are many themes discussed that fit all these categories. The book has sexual content, but it is not explicit or crude. There is however some strong language sprinkled throughout. I would not necessarily recommend this for young adults, as sexual content and strong language can be an issue for parents.
This story is very well written. There are no errors in the text that would have the reader distracted or trying to figure out what the author meant. The pacing is arranged to entice the reader and pull them further into the story as the characters grow and develop more depth. It was impossible to put this book down once I began reading, and that is always exciting to experience. The characters are also easy to connect with and have responses to as you move through the text. I found myself speaking aloud at different intervals as strong emotions overtook me at pivotal parts of the book.
A reader will be hard-pressed to find something negative with Looking Glass Friends. The only thing I would have liked to see here would be a trigger warning for a specific scene. Without the trigger warning, it can be a bit jarring as the reader approaches the event.
I gave Looking Glass Friends a 5 out of 5 stars because the story was well-written, well-paced, enticing, and gives an honest look at love and marriage. We get a full view of two individuals who are not living the lives they truly want with spouses they do not want. We also encounter their spouses who witness their unhappiness or surrender to their current circumstances. While the focus of the book is Ellie and Neil, Jake and Fay do make appearances that allow us to see into their inner mind and hearts. With this, we get a full picture of how small decisions and everyday choices shape the lives of everyone involved. Readers will pick up this story and immediately be drawn in at chapter one, and it will remain so until the end of the epilogue.
This book is fitting for anyone seeking romance, self-discovery, and stories about unhappy or blooming relationships. There are many themes discussed that fit all these categories. The book has sexual content, but it is not explicit or crude. There is however some strong language sprinkled throughout. I would not necessarily recommend this for young adults, as sexual content and strong language can be an issue for parents.
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