I Wanted To Tell You

by Anna Mansell

‘Sometimes I think that if I’d found a way to talk, we’d be together now…’

When Helen finds a bundle of unsent love letters, tied with a red ribbon, and signed only ‘the love you wished I could be’, she wonders who they could belong to.

The same day, however, her husband Alex announces he’s leaving. She’d believed their love would last a lifetime, but now he’s gone and she hadn’t even realised there was anything wrong.

Desperate to understand, Helen doesn’t know where to look for answers. But the letters keep drawing her back. As she reads the words of loneliness, loss and regret, something in them helps her start to make sense of it all… Even as she realises someone has been keeping heart-breaking secrets.

But who do the letters belong to? Can the sender ever be reunited with the one they love, or is it too late? And when Helen finds out the truth about Alex, can she find it in her heart to forgive him, or will he never be the love she wished he could be?

An emotional, unmissable read, exploring the devastation of loss, the power of love to heal, and the truths that bind us all together. Perfect for fans of Jojo Moyes, Diane Chamberlain and Daniela Sacerdoti.

Genres: Romance, Audiobook, Womens Fiction

334 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 26, 2018

About the author

Anna had a brush with 'fame' as a magician’s assistant back in 1977. She later decided that being sawn in half by her father, at barely 6 months old, was too submissive a role, vowing to channel the trauma in to something much more pro-actively creative. Having failed at acting, singing and professional murder mystery parties (she was ALWAYs the one to die!), she fell to something much more solitary: writing. How To Mend a Broken Heart was her first novel and her life was not on the line in order to write it, or The Lost Wife. Anna lives on a dairy farm in Cornwall with her two children, her husband, and her ex-racing greyhound, Olive Dog.

Reviews

[Philomena Callan Cheekypee · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’ve not read anything by this author before but that’ll certainly change as this was a fabulous read.

Helen is a bus driver, married to Alex with a son, Tom. She’s happily married until Alex changes everything by moving out. When Helen finds some unaddressed letters on the bus she decides to read them. Reading the letters changes her views on a lot of things.

I loved the secondary characters in the story. It adds so much to the storyline.

I absolutely love these characters. Well done to the author on portraying such well written relatable characters. If your looking for a well written beautiful read then I highly recommend this story.
I’m so looking forward to reading more from this author in the future.

[Els · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have never read a book by the author before, but after seeing what it was about, I simply had to and I can assure you I was thrilled.

The prologue already has you wanting more and little by little the story develops and my pile of soggy tissues increased.

The story is about love, but sometimes loving someone is not enough. It’s about stepping in and trying to fix everything, but sometimes it’s not the right solution. It’s about needing space and craving attention at the same time , but getting it does not make everything right. It’s about making difficult decisions and doing what is best, but best for whom?

Sometimes taking a step back it the first step forward …

Even if you have found the love of your life, your bed of roses might contain some thorny ones.

A beautiful touching story that pulled my heartstrings to the limit in every possible direction.

Thank you, Anna Mansell, Bookouture and Netgalley.

https://bforbookreview.wordpress.com

[Renita D'Silva · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this author and trust her. She's one of those authors whom I will read no matter what they write for she knows how to spin a story and she can transform even the most ordinary, mundane things into intriguing stories that I feel I am experiencing for the first time, seeing with new eyes. She weaves magic through her words and with this book, she has taken that to a whole new level. This author is exceptional, going from strength to strength with each book and this book, wow! It is an absolute masterpiece. I experienced so many emotions while reading this book. I felt for all the characters. I lived every word. I came away shaken. This is a story that will stay with me. A book that is so much more than a story. It is an experience. Please read it and tell your friends. Very highly recommended to everyone.

[Sheila · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've not been quite so moved in a long time. It's a heart rendering novel in places. The Geoff and Connie scenario stung me forcibly with a vivid, alarming portrait of dementia and the unconditional love of a carer needed to cope with it. The characters are well fleshed out. Helen was an admirable resilient character determined to make the best of things. I wasn't too impressed by James. He made too many mistakes which he could have sorted out better than he did. It's a food-for-thought kind of book that keeps forcing you to review your judgements and opinions. There are a lot of modern issues involved. Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture.

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have read, reviewed and loved Anna’s previous books and I couldn’t wait to get hold of her next book. Well the wait is over as ‘I Wanted To Tell You’ was released on 28th November 2018. I couldn’t wait to start reading as I just knew that I would love this book too. I was not to be disappointed. I absolutely loved reading ‘I Wanted To Tell You’ but more about that in a bit.
I have to say that I loved the varied range of characters that appear in this book. First off we have Helen, who is a very compassionate and caring lady, who doesn’t hesitate to help those she considers to be in need of help. She helps a homeless chap called James and she also helps a chap called Geoff, who is caring for his wife as she suffers with a progressive illness. At the same time I couldn’t help but want to jump into the pages of the book just to give Helen a huge hug and to reassure her that things would turn out ok. She seems to care that much about others that she forgets that her own welfare is important too. Geoff is a proud man from an era when wedding vows meant something and he takes the ‘sickness and in health bit’ very seriously. Geoff does what he can and he doesn’t want to admit that he is struggling but he is adamant that he does not want his wife to go into a nursing home or care facility. James is also kind and compassionate but he is also keeping a secret. So three compassionate, kind and caring people, who find each other and support each other.
Oh my goodness me, I needed several tissues whilst reading this book because I felt myself well up on more than one occasion. This book is beautifully and sensitively written and deals with some pretty tough subjects. The author’s writing style is such that you can’t fail to be drawn into the story and you are drawn to the different characters. I genuinely cared about this characters and I had to keep reading to see how things turned out for them. The characters were so well described that I began to feel that I really did know them and I considered them to be friends. Before you know what is happening you are hooked on the book and you simply cannot put the book down. The book is so well written that you don’t realise just how long you have been reading and you don’t realise just how quickly you are getting through the book. That’s what happened to me anyway. The first time I checked to see how much I had read, I was stunned to find that I had cleared 40%. Reading this book really did make me feel as though I had been through the emotional wringer somewhat.
In short I really did enjoy reading ‘I Wanted To Tell You’ even if it did make me want to cry a few times. Anna has another bestseller on her hands. I can’t wait to read what comes next. The score on the Ginger Book Geek board is a very well deserved 4* out of 5*.

[Sally Coles · Rating 5 out of 5]

Helen is a bus driver who thinks she is happily married to Alex and so is devastated when he walks out saying that he needs space. She has very caring nature however and still feels the need to look after a couple of her regular passengers. James the homeless man and Geoff the elderly man looking after his ill wife. Then she finds a bundle of love letters on the bus and can't resist reading them.... but who do they belong to?

A lovely story with great characters and very emotional storyline, one that stays with you after you have finished reading it

[Trish Hills · Rating 5 out of 5]

Anna Mansell is a rare find. Her books are always super emotional and incredibly relatable. Her characters come to life and spring off the page to engage you from the first page and feel like people you really know. That's a gift!

I Wanted To Tell You is breathtakingly beautiful. The premise is intriguing and fascinating and the letters brought a whole other dimension to the story. It's such a unique way of having a story unfold and I read this in 2 sittings. Bravo, Anna!

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

A beautiful story about love and loss. While at times heartbreaking, I know it was due to the strong emotional connection I felt with the characters, and that was a good thing. I felt so many things while reading this: frustration, anger, empathy, confusion, compassion, understanding.

I randomly selected this book off the shelf, knowing nothing about it or the author. What a pleasant surprise it turned out to be. Did have to spend a bit of time googling British slang, but worth it!

[Meggy Chocolate'n'Waffles · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you ever so much to the fab Kim for inviting me to be part of this tour and for providing me a copy of the novel in exchange for an honest review.

Have you ever looked at someone and thought ‘There are so many things I wish I could tell you, but I can’t / don’t know how’? It happened to me. Sometimes the words escape us, sometimes the person is already too far. Perhaps the time is wrong. The weather is shitty. Or we are simply blinded by our vision of what we have and don’t remember the essence of love.

Last year, I read my first Anna Mansell novel and I was so moved by it, changed by it, that when I saw the cover and the synopsis for I Wanted To Tell You, I grabbed my chance and picked the book. It felt as if the pages, still unopened, were already whispering to me. As if the novel was waiting for me.

Now I may sound maudlin (don’t worry, I’m sounding maudlin, the book isn’t!!!) and if it is not your first visit on Chocolate’n’Waffles, you might be surprised. Even I am surprised! Still, I can’t deny that I was different when I closed the book.

For me, one of the biggest issues of our time is that we don’t take time. We don’t see what is just here, because there are bills to pay, work to do, kids to take care of, books to read, bath times and friends. We say ‘I love you’ and we mean it. However, saying it is often not enough.

Time stopped when I began reading I Wanted To Tell You. There was just me and those characters. Lives I was intruding to better understand mine.

I Wanted To Tell You has three different voices. Helen is a bus driver. Kind, married, lovely, caring. I have lots of good things to say about her and she is my second favourite character.

Geoff won my heart. He is an old gentleman with a big but scarred heart, who has loved his family more than anything, and who fights to save a love he thinks he can’t live without.

In between are scattered love letters. Insightful, wise and painfully beautiful love letters. I remember wishing I had someone to write some for me. To put words on feelings that are unique but universal. This is what Anna Mansell reminded me. Love, in its different coats, is the most common feeling. It doesn’t mean it isn’t one of the strongest and amazing parts of our lives. It simply is at the heart of everyone’s existence, no matter if we want it or not! I really sound like a romantic, now, don’t I? Next, I’ll be reading Christmas novels!!!!

Or not. Because the reason why those human, authentic life stories move me in such a powerful way lies with the person who writes them. Anna Mansell has a magical wand, a realistic and heartbreaking style, like a water coming from the purest fountain. She expresses what I am too shy to do myself. She allows me to be the woman who hopes.

Helen tries to save her marriage. Geoff tries to save his and his wife’s lives. The letters save everyone.

You know the ‘happily ever after’ we are fed as kids? I never believed it. Life doesn’t stop sending you hell after your wedding day. Often, it’s just the beginning! So when Helen’s seemingly happy life explodes when her husband decides to leave, she has no clue what to do. Chapter after chapter, helped by those anonymous letters, she discovers a new way of looking at things. Are we aware of how we live, how we see things? When your partner hits a rough patch, what are you supposed to do? All those questions leave us hanging, helpless. I felt Helen’s confusion in my bones. Would I have done better? Could I be a good wife? What on earth does it even mean to be a good wife? You can’t lose who you are for a relationship. But you can’t eat away the space either. Gosh I’m glad I’m single!

I take this back. I’m not unhappy, but this novel showed me the most amazing love story I have read. Geoff and Connie, who grew old together until this nastiness that is dementia claimed his wife. Can you abandon the person you love? The one you promised to cherish? What becomes of your life when the woman who gives it sense doesn’t recognise you? I cried my heart out and used all the tissues in the house. My heart ached so much I doubled the sugar dose in my tea. With sensitivity, with subtlety, and most of all, with love, the author takes Geoff’s hand and leads him to the other side. What does it mean? Read the book to find out for yourself. All I can say is that the toughest hearts won’t resist.

What about poor Helen? You know I love blaming the husband. Yet, this time, I didn’t. Miracles happen. While the novel focused on Helen, each character is flesh and bones, blood and sweat, and you can’t help but explore all sides of what happens. I Wanted To Tell You isn’t about who is right and who is wrong. It is about the power of love, loss, and the strength it takes to stand up, or to give up.

There is a special place in my heart for everyone in this novel. Anna Mansell made my bladder burst with comfort tea, she made me smile and cry, sometimes at the same time. She tugged at my heartstrings.

I Wanted To Tell You is a love song for everyone who needs a real hard look at what we look for and isn’t afraid of tearing up the dressing to see what’s underneath. Each word speaks as much to your soul as it does your heart. This novel is life in a bottle. Intoxicatingly good, perfectly addictive, amazingly spot-on. A raw jewel! An emotional ode to life.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a fabulous novel!!! I have read and enjoyed Anna Mansell before, but oh my goodness, A Letter for My Love just tugged at my heartstrings! This novel is about a woman named Helen who is a bus driver, married to her husband Alex, and they have a late-teen/young adult son, Tom. Since losing his job, Alex has withdrawn from Helen more and more, eventually resulting in his leaving. Meanwhile, Helen has found a notebook on the bus full of love letters to an unnamed person and signed, "from the love you wished I could be," a younger man is expressing his affections towards her, and her elderly neighbor Geoff is dealing with his wife's worsening Alzheimer's. 

This was such a beautiful novel that I'm not sure where to begin. Helen is a fantastic character, pushing forty years old, driving extra shifts as a bus driver, and her husband Alex is sitting in his recliner constantly messing around with his phone. Much of the novel focuses on the decline of their relationship as Alex communicates less and less, eventually leading to his leaving her. Helen struggles, of course, torn between the shock of him leaving, how to fix things, and then finally, the realization that things had reached the point that time apart was probably a good idea. Through the mysterious love letters that she finds on the bus, she starts to see different perspectives of her and Alex's situation and wonders what, if anything, she could have done differently. Thrown into the already emotional and chaotic time in her life is the younger man, Martin, who serves as a symbol of possibility and what else could there be out there, while also reminding Helen of her love and desire to be with Alex.

Geoff is in his nineties and is dealing with his wife Connie's failing health, as well as, battling with social services, caretakers, and his daughter about putting Connie into a facility full-time. There are a lot of inner thoughts and flashbacks with Geoff reflecting on his and Connie's marriage, their love for one another, and how her love for him was the foundation of the life he had led. Geoff's portions of this novel are absolutely heart-wrenching and Kleenex is required several times.

James is a sweet, but mysterious soul that Helen allows to ride the bus for free to stay out of the cold. In the second half of the novel, James starts opening up to Helen more, encouraging her to do the same, leading to several revelations about James and the life he has led. This underdog of the novel ends up being not only an inspiration but a huge catalyst of acceptance and then change for Helen.

Anna Mansell's imagery, dialogue, and emotion in this novel is outstanding. A Letter for My Love is happy, funny, sad, regretful, and hopeful all wrapped up into one incredible package. I think that the most important theme in the novel is that, to a great extent, we can't hold ourselves responsible for the happiness of others. As spouses, family, or friends, we can do our bests to love and support those that are important to us, but ultimately, we can only claim responsibility for ourselves. Although we are stubborn, we can't fix everyone and every situation, but we can treasure each day, make sure the important people in our lives know that we love them, and just hope for the best!

Bravo the incredibly talented and honest Anna Mansell for this beautiful novel that is and will remain fresh in my mind and heart for quite some time.

*Thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for providing this ARC in exchange for my honest review!

[Mandie · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book opens with a letter written by an anonymous person and signed off “From The love you wished I could be”. You don’t know who this person is or even if they are male or female but it does set the tone of the book.
Helen’s husband is out of work and from her perspective doesn’t seem to be doing much about it. She has taken on extra shifts in order to make sure bills are paid, yet she seems to have more time for two of her regular passengers on her bus than she does for her own husband. When he ups and leaves without telling her where he has gone or how long he will be away she is understandably angry but she does not try to see why he might have done this. She has got so used to coping and trying to find a solution to problems that somehow along the way she has managed to just take over everything even though you can see that she doesn’t always feel like the strong one. After finding the book with the letters on her bus although she knows she should hand it in she can’t help but read them as she sees parallels between what the mysterious person had been going through and her own life.
Geoff is struggling to hold things together as his wife slowly loses her battle with dementia. As the women he loves dearly and credit with making him who he is slips away before his eyes he fights everyone at every turn who is trying to help him. He is determined he is going to look after her in their own home no matter what. He feels guilty when she goes in a home for a few days and it just makes him even more determined that he is not going to desert his wife just when she needs him most. I think his part of the story got to me the most as I can’t imagine how heart breaking it must be to watch someone slip away from you in so many ways yet still be there in the occasional moment of clarity. It must be a real battle between what is in the best interests of that person against what you feel you should be able to do.
James has been homeless for some time and Helen lets him ride on her bus for free so that he can at least be warm for some of the day. He appreciates her kindness and they have a kind of friendship that they both draw on throughout the book. In fact it turns out that James helps Helen far more than she first realises.
This book will certainly take you through a whole host of emotions, and I was quite surprised how it made me feel at times. It tackles subjects that are quite often glossed over in real life not just in books as even today they are not really talked about. I loved the letters that are inserted throughout the book and I found myself wondering who had written them. They showed a real struggle with things they had been dealing with and were clearly written as a way to make sense of things they had been going through. There was also the clear bond between three people who on the surface had little in common but despite this found strength from each other at different times in their lives. This is the first book I have read by Anna Mansell, but if this is what I have been missing out on then I am sure it won’t be my last.

[Stacy Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

I hope you have your tissues to hand when you dive into this beautifully heartbreaking story because believe me you are going to need them. It has been a while since a book has physically taken my breath away with such heartfelt emotion. I was drawn into the plot at the first word and didn't come up for air until the concluding pages and what a journey it was indeed. The writing is open and honest and emanates a sense of loss that can be overwhelming at times but I felt that every word was heightened with a love and emotion that radiated off the pages. I loved the mysterious letters that laced a journey throughout the book like an unfinished story haunting the pages and adding that element of wonder as to who the sender and recipient could be and creating additional layers throughout the book.


The characters were created with care and precision and I loved each and every one of them. Now, where do I start when describing Geoff and Connie? I don't want to go into to much detail as I don't want to give away any hints or spoilers but I will say that they're childhood sweethearts with a lifetime full of joy and love that has been left delicate and fragile over time with life's cruel twists of fate. What comes across in their relationship is a love to strive for, it's not perfect but it's true, honest and emotional. Geoff's fierce protection for Connie is both beautiful and heartbreaking at the same time and I hung onto his every thought of love for her. I've never shed so many tears over characters as much as I did for Geoff and Connie. Helen's story faces several trials and tribulations and provides many moments of comic relief. But there's also heartfelt emotion to be found in her journey throughout the book. She is an instantly likeable character with a personality that shines brightly and I found myself rooting for her every step of the way hoping for that happy ever after. But I must say that a true highlight of the book came in the form of James who added an additional depth of truth and emotion to the storyline that was both surprising and heartwarming. 


I loved everything that this book stands for and I can't praise it highly enough. The level of love and emotion that this book gives out is on another level and truly special. I urge each and every one of you to grab your nearest copy and start reading and please whatever you do, do not forget your tissues. 

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved the book!! It was beautifully written and dealt with love and loss. I'm pretty sure I shed a few tears, especially when reading about Geoff and Connie. I felt bad for Helen and Geoff because each one watched their loved ones disappear, in different ways and had no way to stop it. I loved Helen. I could see how much she loved Alex and wanted to help him any way she could. The problem was Alex didn't want her help and never talked to his wife about what was wrong or what he needed. I never warmed up to Alex. I know he was dealing with his own issues, I still didn't like him. When Helen was in the accident he never even asked if she was alright. How can he get mad with her for going to lunch with someone else when Alex show up an hour late? He neglected to tell her where he was for a week or never answered her calls or texts. At least Helen had her friends. They were always there for her and hilarious. I loved Zoe's attempt at throwing a birthday party for her godson. James was also a big help to Helen and was there to just listen. I loved how Geoff wanted to be there for his wife.

Helen is going through a rough patch with her husband Alex. He's been out of work for awhile and eventually he decides to leave. Helen still loves her husband and doesn't know how to get him back. Helen finds a bunch of unaddressed letters on the bus and decides to read them. The letters help her get some perspective on her relationship with Alex. Ninety year old, Geoff is still loves his wife Connie after seventy plus years and wants to continue taking care of her. The problem is Connie suffers from advanced Alzheimer's. She no longer remembers her friends or daughter and at times even Geoff. Geoff is having a hard time letting Connie go to care facility because he wants to do everything without the help of others.

Definitely recommend the book. I loved everything about it- the story, characters and writing style. Look forward to reading more books by the author. I loved the cover of the book.

Thanks to NetGalley, Bookouture and the author, Anna Mansell, for a free electronic ARC of this novel.

[Debi Stout · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had never heard of author, Anna Mansell, but after I read the synopsis and seeing what I Wanted To Tell You was about, I knew simply had to read it.

Helen is a soft-hearted and kind bus driver who lets homeless man named James ride on her bus for free. She also drops an elderly man named Geoff off at his door. Helen even checks on Geoff if he isn't waiting for the bus on the days he usually rides the bus. Helen is happily married to Alex, who she believes is her soul mate and that they were meant to be together. Alex is out of work and falls into a depression.  He leaves home telling Helen he needs "space".

When Helen finds some unaddressed letters on the bus she decides to read them. She cannot help herself, and finds herself reading them whenever she has a minute to spare. Helen finds the letters comforting, and they provide her with confidence and seem to exactly fit her current situation.  Although Helen feels a bit guilty keeping the letters, she can't bear the thought of parting with the letters. She continues to wonder who wrote them.

I Wanted To Tell You is a great read full of empathy and love. It kept me plugged in and kept me reading because I was enthralled with the main characters and their different problems that caused them to believe they were in such impossible situations. The author's writing compelled me to care about the outcome of the characters' problems of mental health, lack of confidence, marital problems, and more.

I received a complimentary digital copy of this book from Bookouture through NetGalley in exchange for my review.  I would like to thank Bookouture for allowing me the opportunity to participate, read and review this book. My views are my own and are in no way influenced by anyone else!

[Faouzia · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 rounded to 5 stars

This was a beautifully written story. It was very emotional and I was surprised at how much I loved it.
Helen thought she had a rather successful marriage until her husband of almost two decades walks away without explanations.
Geoff had a wonderful marriage to the woman he loved most for some seventy years. This relationship was however challenged by unexpected illness.
A mysterious notebooks with many love letters depicting a doomed love story always signed as “from the love you wished I could be” fell into the hands of Helen becoming a sort of a guide in the difficult time.
The lives of three different couples intertwined in a beautifully way.

At the beginning I thought I knew where the story of Helen was going and I felt rather disappointed by that feeling of predictability but I was totally mistaken and I loved how that story touched the almost forbidden topic of depression and its repercussions on people. I didn’t always like Helen as a character but I felt for her most of the time.
The story of Geoff and Connie was a whole different thing. It was just amazing and it was the one that brought tears to my eyes.
The letters were a captivating touch, they gave a feeling of mystery to the book. And I tried to see who wrote them, was it a woman to the love of her life or was it the other way around and it was that mystery that kept me reading when the story stalled a bit around the middle.
Overall this was an amazing story, I enjoyed reading it and I definitely recommend it.

Thank you NetGalley, the publisher and author for this free copy in exchange of an honest review.

[Tammy · Rating 3 out of 5]

"I Wanted to Tell You" contains two protagonists, Helen an approaching middle-aged woman who drives a bus and is married to an unemployed, but distant husband, and Geoff, a ninety-plus-year-old World War II veteran who is the caretaker of his ailing wife who is slowly forgetting who he is. When you read this book, you will feel various emotions: frustration, happiness, anger, revengeful, sympathetic and of course, sadness. Mansell takes you on a journey of emotions, self-discovery, marital issues and provides insight into mental illness and what the support system of someone suffering from mental illness may endure. With a surprising twist on who the writer is of the heart-bearing notebook, Helen discovers on her bus one day that ends up being a guiding light throughout her turmoils.

Overall, I enjoyed reading this story because of the depth of description about each character the author went into. However, I found that at times, it was hard to pick up again because I was frustrated with Helen's lack of assertiveness and Geoff's stubbornness. But maybe that is exactly what it was intended to do because people in real life don't always do what you want them to do or when you want them to do it? After completing the book, I did walk away with several memorable life lesson quotes. One of my favourites was:

"What gift is hindsight? It comes too late to be of service. It comes with insight that offers us little for the past and a bitter taste for a future we're too late to influence. And yet, there it is, the obvious staring us down."

[Sharon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Helen is a local bus driver. One day she finds a bundle of unsent love letters which have been left on her bus. The same day, her husband Alex tells her he is leaving. Helen has no idea why or what went wrong, but in trying to work out what is going on in her heart and head, she turns to the bundle of letters and finds that there is something in them that is helps her to begin to make sense of everything.

I have read the previous book by this author and found it to be highly emotional and heart-warming. This one is just the same! The blurb gives you the impression that the story is going to tug at your heart-strings, but it doesn’t tell you by how much! Helen is such a beautiful character, you can’t help but feel empathy for her and for her situation. The other characters in the book all fit so well with the story line. You can relate to them all and I found I gave these characters equal empathy that I gave Helen.

I loved reading this book, and I know it sounds strange that I can love a book that is so full of sadness, but it was so beautifully written that there was no other way of putting it. The book had me hooked from the very first page and I can only compare it emotionally to being on a rollercoaster with so many lows and highs of emotions and feelings. It took me through so many different emotions, and whilst it was full of the sadder things in life –mental health problems, marriage problems and loss – it was also full of love,friendship and belonging.

A moving, heart-warming and beautiful read. Without any hesitation I would definitely recommend this book.

[Macy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first time I've read anything by this author. It most certainly will not be the last. This is an incredible book. I defy anyone to read it and now feel something. Love, old and new, developing and waning, loss both emotional and physical, changes good and bad, acceptance, honesty, denial, self reflection, complacency, acceptance and so much more. Helen, a local and clearly cherished bus driver knows everyone on her route is at the very core of the story. She and her husband, who at one time truly and deeply loved each other have lost each other day by day, bit by bit without even noticing. Helen finds a little bundle of beautifully written letters signed by “the love you wished I could be” on her bus that are woven throughout the story. These letters are written from such a wonderful place of love, loss and wanting to do and be better. Along the bus route we meet a group of wonderfully interesting, real, kind and good people and get little peaks into their lives. How they lean on each other, teach each other and learn to move forward is magnificent. If we all took the time to get to know each other imagine the good that we could experience, even if just for a moment. Geoff may be my favorite person in this book. Everyone should know the kind of love he shared with his beloved wife. I recommend a box of tissues when handy when reading this incredible love story.

[BrummieGirl · Rating 5 out of 5]

From the off we are plunged into Helen’s story and I felt for her - big time! Without warning, her safe little world turns upside down. Forty something with a grown up son, works as a bus driver - all seemingly average. But there was nothing average about this novel. It was so beautifully written and with the letters entwined throughout, it tugged at my heartstrings, making this book quite the emotional rollercoaster.

Alongside Helen’s story, there are chapters told from Geoff’s point of view. Geoff is at another stage in his life as he cares for his much loved wife who has Alzheimer’s Disease. I can only say, heartbreaking.

I grew to love these characters and I found myself thinking about them long after I’d set the book down. I felt the characters could have been my friends or neighbours. There is such an authenticity about Anna’s writing, I felt I knew them. I also loved Helen’s friendship group. Everyone needs a group of friends like this.

All in all, a brilliant read. Definitely have some tissues at hand as the words in this book may cause a few tears. Extremely moving, well written and the characters are memorable. One to read, that’s for sure! I’ll miss George and Helen.

[Pat Simpson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was a change of reading for me, but one which I thoroughly enjoyed. This is a story of love, friendship, mental health issues, marriage problems and many more. Helen and Alex are having marriage problems as Alex has fallen into deep depression and has moved out. The second love story features an elderly couple, Geoff and Connie. They are also having as Connie has developed dementia and Geoff, who is in his 90s, is struggling to look after her. Helen, who is a bus driver, finds a journal that contains anonymous love letters which seem to mirror her current situation and wonders who has written them. I thought I has guessed who it was but I was totally wrong.
This book is an enthralling read, fabulous characters with different problems and anxieties and a must read for anyone who enjoys a good love story. Thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book.

[Rach · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book goes over two main stories, two couples who are experiencing challenges. One couple is fairly young (in their late 30s) and the other is an older couple. Helen is a bus driver whose husband seem to be stuck in a rut. He lost his job and is having a hard time being proactive, Helen is trying to help the best way she can which isn’t always helpful. Goeff is in his 80s and caring for his wife with Alzheimer’s and having a difficult time with the fact that he is too old to do this on his own. Both couple are going through some really hard times but are learning with time to let go. The relationships in this book are difficult and filled with heartbreaking moments. I loved this book because it wasn’t just another fairytale but a truthful story of love with all the heartaches and messiness it entails.

[Claire · Rating 5 out of 5]

I Wanted to Tell You by Anna Mansell is a beautiful story of love, loss, friendship and forgiveness. When Helen finds a bundle of indent love letters she wonders who they could be from and to. The same day her husband announces he’s leaving and she’s devastated and desperate to understand what happened. The letters keep drawing her back and she wonders and she hopes they will help her find answers.

This book is well written with some gorgeous characters and I can highly recommend it. Thank you to NetGalley, Bookouture and the author for the chance to review.

[Smitha · Rating 4 out of 5]

When Hannah finds a bundle of love letters signed, ‘the love you wished I could be’, to say she is intrigued and confused would be an understatement..

Her own life is in a bit of a chaos with her husband Alex announcing that he needs some time away from her, Hannah starts reading the letters only to find herself introspecting.

A beautiful book, with such real, believable characters. I loved what the author did here. I'm definitely going to be on the lookout for the next book by Anna Mansell.

Thank you Netgalley and the publishers for the review copy of this book.

[Lisa Camara · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this book at lot. It was well-written and emotional. This novel follows the life of two couples at different stages in life. It is more than just a story- it is also almost a guide for life and love. This was a different kind of book for me. I was just expecting a light-hearted romance but I got so much more from this novel. I enjoyed it thoroughly.

4.5 stars.

I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Steph Lawrence · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve loved Anna Mansell’s previous books, but this is a cut above.
So beautifully written and some serious topics tackled perfectly by the author.
I feel it was a perfect time for me to read it. It shouted out to me as I turned the pages, enveloping me in the story, which at times seemed like it was talking about me or people I know.
I was so sad to finish it, but so happy too.

[Gea · Rating 4 out of 5]

The sub-title says it all...."An emotional and heartbreaking story about love and loss". How do we live without the love we once had, when death or depression, or other storms of life take their toll? A series of letters take us on an emotional journey to the realization that it is never too late to be the love someone wished we could be.

[Renee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some stories are undeniably entertaining because they’re so removed from reality that the escape they provide is similar to the rush of planning your next vacation. In this tale there’s no escape from the rough spots in life, but there is a complete immersion in the most rejuvenating energy source available to us human types, true love.

[Deanna Walker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanks to Netgalley for the advanced copy...

Wow!! That was some powerful letters from James, so glad that the letters will help Helen what's it be like in love and life?
Amazing and beautifully written!!

Definitely will read more books by this author...

[Jennifer Marks · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant characters. I knew everyone of them.

Vividly saw all the characters. Cried for them. Felt their dilemmas. The girlfriends were great. Each one realistic. Loved the book. It didn't gloss over the very real life issues .

[Rachel Bonner · Rating 4 out of 5]

Definitely worth reading. I got a little annoyed with the behavoiur of some of the side characters but Geoff and Connie and James were all beautifully written. Their stories added so much to the main story about Helen and her husband.