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Dear Lily
Dear Lily,
It’s me, Joy, your much wiser and (very slightly) older sister. I thought I’d start a new tradition of letter writing – now that we’re long distance.
On the plane over here, I began to cry in seat 21C. I think the magnitude of it finally hit me, after everything that happened…
I haven’t even unpacked yet – the only thing I’ve taken out of my suitcase is Harville, your beloved childhood teddy. Sorry for stealing him, but I need him more than you do. Every time I look at that little brown bear I think about our childhood. Remember that dance we made up to Annie’s ‘It’s a Hard Knock Life’? (Remember the broom choreography?)
I’m also sorry for abandoning you – I’ve always been your agony aunt, and a buffer in your infamous shouting matches with Mum. But I had to leave, Lily, I had to.
Anyway, I’m here now. I’m here to start over, and to face up to the past. I want to learn to laugh again, and to find someone to love who will maybe even love me back. You always told me I was just getting by, not actually living, so I’m finally doing it. Wish me luck, little sister.
Love,
Joy x
A beautiful book-club read for anyone who has ever hit rock bottom, longed for a fresh start, or needed to heal a broken, aching heart.
It’s me, Joy, your much wiser and (very slightly) older sister. I thought I’d start a new tradition of letter writing – now that we’re long distance.
On the plane over here, I began to cry in seat 21C. I think the magnitude of it finally hit me, after everything that happened…
I haven’t even unpacked yet – the only thing I’ve taken out of my suitcase is Harville, your beloved childhood teddy. Sorry for stealing him, but I need him more than you do. Every time I look at that little brown bear I think about our childhood. Remember that dance we made up to Annie’s ‘It’s a Hard Knock Life’? (Remember the broom choreography?)
I’m also sorry for abandoning you – I’ve always been your agony aunt, and a buffer in your infamous shouting matches with Mum. But I had to leave, Lily, I had to.
Anyway, I’m here now. I’m here to start over, and to face up to the past. I want to learn to laugh again, and to find someone to love who will maybe even love me back. You always told me I was just getting by, not actually living, so I’m finally doing it. Wish me luck, little sister.
Love,
Joy x
A beautiful book-club read for anyone who has ever hit rock bottom, longed for a fresh start, or needed to heal a broken, aching heart.
276 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 20, 2019
536 people are currently reading
750 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 160 reviews
July 8, 2022
What is it about writing that allows people to truly bare their soul. To speak from the heart. To be so intimate and bare. This thought really struck me while reading this gem of a book.
Joy moves to Denmark to “escape” from her life in London. Through a series of letters to her sister Lily, we found out why.
”P.S. Great, we’re back to another whiny, tear-stained, million-paged letter – you’re welcome. P.P.S. And the weather here is worse than London. It’s colder, wetter, greyer…”
There is so much humour throughout this book. So many comedic “ah ha” cringe worthy, awkward life moments we all have. Loved! Then the story took a more serious turn. Uh-oh… But it made me love it even more. And don’t get me started on the ending! Lump-in-your- throat but utterly beautiful.
I was so surprised to find that this was written by a bloke (sorry to all the men out there!). I bought this book on a whim & read it without any prior knowledge of the writer. Drew Davies speaks so seamlessly with Joy’s voice that I’d wrongly assumed that a woman had written it. Kudos to you Drew!
You’ll laugh, you’ll cry and you’ll be cheering Joy on. Another book which should come with a tissue warning 💖
Joy moves to Denmark to “escape” from her life in London. Through a series of letters to her sister Lily, we found out why.
”P.S. Great, we’re back to another whiny, tear-stained, million-paged letter – you’re welcome. P.P.S. And the weather here is worse than London. It’s colder, wetter, greyer…”
There is so much humour throughout this book. So many comedic “ah ha” cringe worthy, awkward life moments we all have. Loved! Then the story took a more serious turn. Uh-oh… But it made me love it even more. And don’t get me started on the ending! Lump-in-your- throat but utterly beautiful.
I was so surprised to find that this was written by a bloke (sorry to all the men out there!). I bought this book on a whim & read it without any prior knowledge of the writer. Drew Davies speaks so seamlessly with Joy’s voice that I’d wrongly assumed that a woman had written it. Kudos to you Drew!
You’ll laugh, you’ll cry and you’ll be cheering Joy on. Another book which should come with a tissue warning 💖
May 17, 2019
Dear Lily is an absolute delight to read! I picked it up expecting a funny rom com type of book but it has so much more depth. This book took me through such a wide array of emotions- I was laughing one minute and practically crying the next.
Joy decides to suddenly up and move to Denmark from London. In her mid 30's she is leaving behind her family and her long time boyfriend. We gradually learn more and more of Joy's life through the letters she writes to her sister Lily. . In fact Joy is so darned candid that it leaves little to the imagination. She is obviously very comfortable sharing her every thought with her little sister. Really she does tell her every single thing that pops into her head, no filter here!
When Joy arrives in Denmark she is the definition of the hot mess express! This girl is on a self destructive path to nowhere. As the story progresses we get to watch her grow, mature and flourish in her environment. I felt the whole time that her sister Lily may be a bit judgemental of her behavior, as I gathered that she is the more reserved and responsible of the two sisters. Although this is told through Joy's point of view so we are unsure how reliable of a narrator she may be.
As I got to know Joy and her witty personality I felt myself become completely absorbed and invested into her character. I turned into her biggest cheerleader, I wanted Joy to succeed and find happiness. Is it in the cards for Joy?
I was so excited to get a chance to be on this Books on Tour for this lovely book. A roller coaster ride of emotions and very surprising twist left me loving Lily and Joy. Entertaining, fun and able to make you shed a few tears, you need to get your hands on this fab book!
Joy decides to suddenly up and move to Denmark from London. In her mid 30's she is leaving behind her family and her long time boyfriend. We gradually learn more and more of Joy's life through the letters she writes to her sister Lily. . In fact Joy is so darned candid that it leaves little to the imagination. She is obviously very comfortable sharing her every thought with her little sister. Really she does tell her every single thing that pops into her head, no filter here!
When Joy arrives in Denmark she is the definition of the hot mess express! This girl is on a self destructive path to nowhere. As the story progresses we get to watch her grow, mature and flourish in her environment. I felt the whole time that her sister Lily may be a bit judgemental of her behavior, as I gathered that she is the more reserved and responsible of the two sisters. Although this is told through Joy's point of view so we are unsure how reliable of a narrator she may be.
As I got to know Joy and her witty personality I felt myself become completely absorbed and invested into her character. I turned into her biggest cheerleader, I wanted Joy to succeed and find happiness. Is it in the cards for Joy?
I was so excited to get a chance to be on this Books on Tour for this lovely book. A roller coaster ride of emotions and very surprising twist left me loving Lily and Joy. Entertaining, fun and able to make you shed a few tears, you need to get your hands on this fab book!
July 16, 2019
I received a free e-copy of Dear Lily by Drew Davies from NetGalley for my honest review.
This is a beautiful and sweet book that is told through composed letters. The letters are written between two sisters, Joy & Lily. We learn all about their struggles, family and life. A beautiful, enjoyable, funny yet emotional read. You will laugh and you will cry but what a wonderful read.
This is a beautiful and sweet book that is told through composed letters. The letters are written between two sisters, Joy & Lily. We learn all about their struggles, family and life. A beautiful, enjoyable, funny yet emotional read. You will laugh and you will cry but what a wonderful read.
May 14, 2019
Every once in awhile I stumble across a book that is like a breathe of fresh air, and that was the case with this gem. It was beautifully unique and extremely touching and way more emotional that I was expecting, I just adored it!
The entire story is told via letters from Joy to her sister Lily and I really enjoyed the intimacy this structure provided. At the start Joy leaves her whole life back in England to take a new job in Denmark, it’s clear she’s looking for a fresh start after some big changes in her life and you slowly find out what she’s been through throughout the book. I connected to Joy immediately, she was raw and vulnerable in her letters to Lily but she was also incredibly funny and I got a real Bridget Jones vibe from some of her humor.
This really had it all, it was funny and charming, warm and wise and also heartbreaking at times. Joy was quirky and relatable and you can’t help but want the best for her, I was cheering her on the whole way. Totally recommend this one as a mostly feel good novel, it is sad at times but it’s ultimately uplifting and sweet.
Dear Lily in three words: Warm, Delightful and Touching.
The entire story is told via letters from Joy to her sister Lily and I really enjoyed the intimacy this structure provided. At the start Joy leaves her whole life back in England to take a new job in Denmark, it’s clear she’s looking for a fresh start after some big changes in her life and you slowly find out what she’s been through throughout the book. I connected to Joy immediately, she was raw and vulnerable in her letters to Lily but she was also incredibly funny and I got a real Bridget Jones vibe from some of her humor.
This really had it all, it was funny and charming, warm and wise and also heartbreaking at times. Joy was quirky and relatable and you can’t help but want the best for her, I was cheering her on the whole way. Totally recommend this one as a mostly feel good novel, it is sad at times but it’s ultimately uplifting and sweet.
Dear Lily in three words: Warm, Delightful and Touching.
May 17, 2019
Oh what a touching story. The way it begins is that Joy is writing to her younger sister Lily. The book consists of thirty-three letters from Joy to Lily. As each letter is composed, Joy relates her life's experiences to Lily.
Joy has left her home in the UK and has moved to Denmark to take on a new job. She has completely uprooted her life, and in so doing, hopes to find happiness again and might even see if she can find a someone to share her life with.
As we read the letters, it is sad to see some of the experiences that Joy has lived through. It is also sad because she misses Lily, and her mother, so very much. But, Joy needed this break. She needed this change. Will she find something different in her life? Will she find the way to heal her broken heart?
I loved this story so very much. As each chapter was an individual letter, it was very engaging, often quite sad, albeit some humorous moments that struck a fine balance, and eventually became quite inspiring. I rooted for Joy the entire way through. There were times when her thoughts and decisions were a bit daunting. This was especially the case when she traveled back to the UK and felt there was something she needed to share with her mother. I was so moved by that entire exchange.
Drew Davies delivered a wonderful book to his readers. I love this style of book and cannot remember reading anything written in this format. I look forward to reading much more by this talented author.
Many thanks to #booksontour, Bookouture and to NetGalley for this ARC to exchange for my honest opinion.
Joy has left her home in the UK and has moved to Denmark to take on a new job. She has completely uprooted her life, and in so doing, hopes to find happiness again and might even see if she can find a someone to share her life with.
As we read the letters, it is sad to see some of the experiences that Joy has lived through. It is also sad because she misses Lily, and her mother, so very much. But, Joy needed this break. She needed this change. Will she find something different in her life? Will she find the way to heal her broken heart?
I loved this story so very much. As each chapter was an individual letter, it was very engaging, often quite sad, albeit some humorous moments that struck a fine balance, and eventually became quite inspiring. I rooted for Joy the entire way through. There were times when her thoughts and decisions were a bit daunting. This was especially the case when she traveled back to the UK and felt there was something she needed to share with her mother. I was so moved by that entire exchange.
Drew Davies delivered a wonderful book to his readers. I love this style of book and cannot remember reading anything written in this format. I look forward to reading much more by this talented author.
Many thanks to #booksontour, Bookouture and to NetGalley for this ARC to exchange for my honest opinion.
June 2, 2019
Writing letters allows you to be frank, to be honest, to be as raw as you feel you need to be. Joy takes advantage of the faceless mode of communication as she writes to her sister Lily, telling her all about her life after a big move to a foreign country to escape the trials and the hardships of her London life.
We follow Joy through a series of honest and incredibly candid letters to Lily (sometimes a bit too much information - I know I wouldn't share some of these things with my sister, even in a letter!) as she tells her and us about her adventures in Denmark and we become more aware of why she felt the need to escape her life.
I picked this book because it had a cover of a typical chick lit - I didn't even notice it was written by a man (kudos to Drew Davies, who really gets into the mindset of a woman incredibly well, I wouldn't have guessed it was written by a man if I'm honest. Not because I don't think men can write, but I know I would probably struggle to write in first person as a male character... it can't be easy and he did it really well) and I was expecting something lighthearted and easy to read, a comedy, if you will. Instead I found myself reading an emotional roller-coaster of a book which sucked me in from early on, with a witty and endearing main character who I was desperately hoping would end up with a happy ending by the end of the book, or sooner!
I highly recommend this book where we get an intimate insight into a woman in her mid thirties who has taken a huge leap into the unknown and is writing to her sister about her life an experiences. it is basically a love letter from one sister to another, and I loved it. I was rooting for Joy from the beginning and I'm very glad I requested this copy.
I received an ARC from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions in this review are my own.
We follow Joy through a series of honest and incredibly candid letters to Lily (sometimes a bit too much information - I know I wouldn't share some of these things with my sister, even in a letter!) as she tells her and us about her adventures in Denmark and we become more aware of why she felt the need to escape her life.
I picked this book because it had a cover of a typical chick lit - I didn't even notice it was written by a man (kudos to Drew Davies, who really gets into the mindset of a woman incredibly well, I wouldn't have guessed it was written by a man if I'm honest. Not because I don't think men can write, but I know I would probably struggle to write in first person as a male character... it can't be easy and he did it really well) and I was expecting something lighthearted and easy to read, a comedy, if you will. Instead I found myself reading an emotional roller-coaster of a book which sucked me in from early on, with a witty and endearing main character who I was desperately hoping would end up with a happy ending by the end of the book, or sooner!
I highly recommend this book where we get an intimate insight into a woman in her mid thirties who has taken a huge leap into the unknown and is writing to her sister about her life an experiences. it is basically a love letter from one sister to another, and I loved it. I was rooting for Joy from the beginning and I'm very glad I requested this copy.
I received an ARC from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions in this review are my own.
April 30, 2020
3.5 rounded up. Epistolary novels can be hard to pull off, but this one does a pretty nice job of character development through a series of approximately 30 very long letters. It's heartbreaking at times, but mostly entertaining. It felt remarkably similar to Elinor Oliphant is Completely Fine. Enough so that I wouldn't recommend reading the two books back-to-back.
February 20, 2022
Another delightful book by Drew Davies. I loved the character telling the story through her letters and experiencing all the emotions with her. With or without you is next on my list.
April 25, 2019
This story was quaint and charming and heartfelt and insightful. It is as if Drew Davies dug around in my brain and put all my own craziness and neuroses and flaws to paper (and probably everyone else's too). This story is told through letters written from Joy to her sister Lily after Joy picks up and moves to Denmark after some mysterious event, and to get away from the grips of her somewhat judgmental, but loving, mother. You get the sense that something just doesn't quite add up, and eventually you can probably figure it out before it is revealed. Men should not be able to write women as well as Drew Davies does. Joy's thoughts and actions are so very funny, yet hit so close to home, at least for me. I think Joy and I were twins in another life...although she may be the more together one!! I really enjoyed this read. It was simple, yet deep, and a true and honest look at a life that a lot of us live.
May 22, 2019
I loved this book. There was something about Joy. She poured her heart out to Lily, the good and the bad stuff. Her letters were sad, funny, heartwarming- pretty much every emotion. I laughed and cried. I felt like I really got to know Joy and her whole family. I didn't mind that the story was told through letters. I wasn't too shocked when the truth about Lily was finally revealed. I sort of figured that part out but I'm still a little confused how. It was sort of explained at one point but I wanted to know the exact reason. Loved all the the minor characters. Especially Minnie!!! No one can resist a cat!!! When Jakob revealed why he was in therapy, I about died. I was on the same lines as Joy, thinking he was a stalker, arsonist, gambler, killer...something really horrible. I would have never guessed the reason, but it made me laugh.
Definitely recommend the book. It was beautifully written and you get to read all about Denmark. I look forward to reading more books by the author.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Bookouture through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Definitely recommend the book. It was beautifully written and you get to read all about Denmark. I look forward to reading more books by the author.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Bookouture through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
November 3, 2019
Dear Lily, No, that's way too formal and composed.
Help! Lily!
Better, but doesn't quite communicate the profoundness (profundity? profundification?) of this mess I'm in.
When I finally get my stuff together and plan a trip to Copenhagen, this is the book I will bring with me to read on the bus, airport and on the flight! Touching, witty and very emotional, it’s a perfect book to space out, lose yourself in someone else’s life, and enjoy the hustle and bustle of traveling.
Set in Copenhagen, Denmark, «Dear Lily» is a collection of letters from Joy to her younger sister Lily, where she recollects her experiences of moving to a different country, getting a new job, finding friends and dealing with mundane struggles of everyday life.
Joy has plunged into an adventure by accepting a job offer in the medical research office in Copenhagen, Denmark. She is moving away from her hometown and her comfort zone. She leaves her family, her boyfriend, and her sister behind.
For anyone who’s experienced the dive into another culture, Joy’s struggles will sound very familiar - the fear to go outside and not being understood, the loneliness, the need to adapt and the desire to be accepted. At the beginning of the book, I had that feeling that Joy was running from something, maybe from her own emotions, and the only way to escape was to build herself a brand new life.
Witty and sarcastic, Joy’s letters to her little sister Lily were a pleasure to read, but you could also tell that her attempts to make jokes, to seem light and uplifting came as a protective mechanism to not have to face the hardships of life with a dead-serious face.
As much as I enjoyed Joy as the main protagonist and as much as I loved the writing style, the story itself felt a little bit too much. And I can’t put my finger exactly on what bugged me, but the number of things that kept happening made me feel overwhelmed. The constant drama, self-deprecation, and attempts of a better lifestyle… If it was too much for me as I was just reading ABOUT it, I can’t imagine how Joy managed to juggle it all!
August 9, 2019
This book is one of the best book I ever read, hands down! I wasn't expecting that, especially as I struggled a little bit for the first 20 percent of the book. But then it became so so so so good! I love the way It is written, through letter. I also liked the fact that it was taking place in Copenhagen in Denmark! So nice! I loved the way we see the main character changing throughout the year she lives in Denmark. And I loved the end. It's very emotional book, very emotional, so beautiful! I really recommend it to you! it's so beautiful! 5 stars out of 5, and if I could I would give even more to this wonderful book!
May 2, 2019
What I loved most about this book is how different it is to all the other books out there. I loved how the dialogue was written in the form of letters to Lily. I felt a connection to Joy with her family life. Joy goes to live a new life in Denmark and tries to explain her new world, her actions and what has happened and is happening to Joy in her new life. It is full of secrets, family connections, friendship, love, feelings, finding one self and growing as a person. A fabulous, quirky read by a very talented author.
May 19, 2019
Dear Lily is a heart-warming read that will have you both laughing and crying!
Joy feels like she’s lost her way, she’s in her mid-30’s and split up with her long-term boyfriend – Joy is feeling the judgement of her age versus no husband/children. As a result, Joy makes a slightly impulsive decision to accept a transfer of role offered to her in Denmark much to the dismay of her parents and ex boyfriend.
Initially, Joy is extremely nervous about her move to Denmark and falls apart when she gets there – her fresh start doesn’t seem all it cracked up to be with some really tough times to begin with (the reality check of thinking the grass is greener the other side!) but Joy does start to get into her stride with a new country, language and colleagues.
Dear Lily is told entirely by Joy through letters to her sister Lily. To begin with, I did struggle with the concept of letters throughout but once I got used to it, I found that this a wonderful way to convey Joy, warts and all – we get to really see inside of Joy and go through all the emotions with her.
Joy seems highly emotional and this comes through in bucket loads – it’s clear from the start that Joy is extremely close to Lily because she reaches out in times of need, lays out all her emotions and is extremely honest in her narrative which makes for both hilarious and difficult reading! From the outset it’s clear that something big happened to initiate this gut reaction to move to Copenhagen but the reader doesn’t know what.
Joy is a wonderful unreliable narrator because we are only ever hearing one side of the various story lines and also, it’s not clear whether these are all the letters she writes or we are only getting snippets of the correspondence.
Drew Davies conveys Joy, her personality and her experiences beautifully through the entirety of this book – the reader literally goes on this journey with her. To the extent that sometimes you feel as though you have found these letters and shouldn’t actually be reading them as they are so raw and emotionally charged. There are a number of supporting characters that come through via Joy’s experiences who make for some funny stories.
I really enjoyed getting to know Joy through her letters!
Joy feels like she’s lost her way, she’s in her mid-30’s and split up with her long-term boyfriend – Joy is feeling the judgement of her age versus no husband/children. As a result, Joy makes a slightly impulsive decision to accept a transfer of role offered to her in Denmark much to the dismay of her parents and ex boyfriend.
Initially, Joy is extremely nervous about her move to Denmark and falls apart when she gets there – her fresh start doesn’t seem all it cracked up to be with some really tough times to begin with (the reality check of thinking the grass is greener the other side!) but Joy does start to get into her stride with a new country, language and colleagues.
Dear Lily is told entirely by Joy through letters to her sister Lily. To begin with, I did struggle with the concept of letters throughout but once I got used to it, I found that this a wonderful way to convey Joy, warts and all – we get to really see inside of Joy and go through all the emotions with her.
Joy seems highly emotional and this comes through in bucket loads – it’s clear from the start that Joy is extremely close to Lily because she reaches out in times of need, lays out all her emotions and is extremely honest in her narrative which makes for both hilarious and difficult reading! From the outset it’s clear that something big happened to initiate this gut reaction to move to Copenhagen but the reader doesn’t know what.
Joy is a wonderful unreliable narrator because we are only ever hearing one side of the various story lines and also, it’s not clear whether these are all the letters she writes or we are only getting snippets of the correspondence.
Drew Davies conveys Joy, her personality and her experiences beautifully through the entirety of this book – the reader literally goes on this journey with her. To the extent that sometimes you feel as though you have found these letters and shouldn’t actually be reading them as they are so raw and emotionally charged. There are a number of supporting characters that come through via Joy’s experiences who make for some funny stories.
I really enjoyed getting to know Joy through her letters!
May 10, 2019
"Sometimes, when you don't know if you're making the right choices, even embracing a bad one makes you feel powerful."
I'm a sucker for epistolary novels. This book consists only of letters from Joy to her sister Lily, telling her about all the quirks and events happening in her life, and new start in Denmark after transferring for a job from England. Going into this story, I didn't know it was about Copenhagen and funny enough, it even includes a Jakob. I've read Probably the Best Kiss in the World before and I didn't get the hygge-feeling nor did I enjoy what they've done to the Jakob character, and even though the Danes are not the focus of this book, the way Davies incorporated the characteristics of Denmark was absolutely charming.
Joy is an absolute hilarious and engaging narrator, trying to strut through life, getting rid of bad habits and coming to terms with the past and herself, while healing and forgiving and finding peace and happiness. The supporting cast was such a delight and so well developed. Her awkward encounters are relatable and often made me laugh out loud. A lot of witty lines which sometimes felt over the top and melodramatic, but they way Joy matures and grows as a person with every letter is lovely to watch.
This book actually reminds me of So Happy It Hurts but Joy was a much more likable protagonist. It's an easy read, flows nicely and has a genuine and uplifting character, letting the reader in on her ups and downs of life, while being humorous and fun to follow along.
*I received an advance digital copy of this book from Bookouture via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I'm a sucker for epistolary novels. This book consists only of letters from Joy to her sister Lily, telling her about all the quirks and events happening in her life, and new start in Denmark after transferring for a job from England. Going into this story, I didn't know it was about Copenhagen and funny enough, it even includes a Jakob. I've read Probably the Best Kiss in the World before and I didn't get the hygge-feeling nor did I enjoy what they've done to the Jakob character, and even though the Danes are not the focus of this book, the way Davies incorporated the characteristics of Denmark was absolutely charming.
Joy is an absolute hilarious and engaging narrator, trying to strut through life, getting rid of bad habits and coming to terms with the past and herself, while healing and forgiving and finding peace and happiness. The supporting cast was such a delight and so well developed. Her awkward encounters are relatable and often made me laugh out loud. A lot of witty lines which sometimes felt over the top and melodramatic, but they way Joy matures and grows as a person with every letter is lovely to watch.
This book actually reminds me of So Happy It Hurts but Joy was a much more likable protagonist. It's an easy read, flows nicely and has a genuine and uplifting character, letting the reader in on her ups and downs of life, while being humorous and fun to follow along.
*I received an advance digital copy of this book from Bookouture via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
May 8, 2019
This entire book is the stream of consciousness letters from Joy to her sister Lilly. She only writes when she is high on emotions and that comes out clearly in the pages. I am not sure if everyone has a friend who goes on tangents like Joy does, but I do, quite a few of them in fact. They honed my tangential conversation skills in the four years of living in a girls hostel at college. This means that the ambience of the book will seep into this review and I am not (actively)trying to mimic the storyline.
Joy has moved to Copenhagen on a sudden impulse. She volunteered for the role of her company in the city and took the jump without too much forethought. The first few weeks are excruciating to watch unfold since she is miserable and it is hard to see how each day turns out only a little better than the last. As she settles in this new place (I understand the feelings of an expat), she grows. Each epiphany brings her closer to normalcy or what passes for it in our world. I liked all of the supporting cast, even before Joy gets used to them and/or sees their true colours. Although I guessed a few events that occurred in the story, before they were even remotely hinted at, it did not lessen the impact of the tale. I snorted with laughter at points, smiled ruefully at others and shed a tear or two. I highly recommend this as a rainy day read.
I received an ARC thanks to NetGalley and the publishers but the review is completely based on my own reading experience.
Joy has moved to Copenhagen on a sudden impulse. She volunteered for the role of her company in the city and took the jump without too much forethought. The first few weeks are excruciating to watch unfold since she is miserable and it is hard to see how each day turns out only a little better than the last. As she settles in this new place (I understand the feelings of an expat), she grows. Each epiphany brings her closer to normalcy or what passes for it in our world. I liked all of the supporting cast, even before Joy gets used to them and/or sees their true colours. Although I guessed a few events that occurred in the story, before they were even remotely hinted at, it did not lessen the impact of the tale. I snorted with laughter at points, smiled ruefully at others and shed a tear or two. I highly recommend this as a rainy day read.
I received an ARC thanks to NetGalley and the publishers but the review is completely based on my own reading experience.
April 30, 2019
This is the story of Joy who requests a job transfer from her London office to the Copenhagen office. Her life at the moment seems to be a bit of a mess. She’s drinking too much and binge eating. And at the end of a relationship with her long standing boyfriend. When Joy is in Copenhagen we hear about her new life and struggles through her letters to her younger sister, Lily. I found this a charming, heartwarming story and really quite funny at times (I’m not a laugh out loud sort of person). I loved following her on her quest to finding love and happiness and re-building relationships, and making new friends in Denmark. All in all I found this a delightful story that packed an emotional wallop.
Thanks to NetGalley for this arc in exchange for an honest review
Thanks to NetGalley for this arc in exchange for an honest review
May 10, 2019
This is an emotionally brutal novel wrapped in a charming package, quite in the tradition of Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine. It’s about new beginnings and the reality of it not being as happy as it seems to be. It still involves a lot of painful adjustments and mistakes.
The main character Joy, is ironically not very joyful. It can be difficult to read in her voice sometimes because she is clearly a person in pain. It is rewarding to see her journey from this seemingly obnoxious and damaged person to someone who is finally enjoying life, and living it to the fullest.
I loved reading about Denmark—the places, the culture and its people are all so fascinating. I recommend this novel to anyone who loves the epistolary format, and is looking for a novel about dealing with grief and loss. Big thanks to NetGalley and the publisher Bookouture for providing a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
The main character Joy, is ironically not very joyful. It can be difficult to read in her voice sometimes because she is clearly a person in pain. It is rewarding to see her journey from this seemingly obnoxious and damaged person to someone who is finally enjoying life, and living it to the fullest.
I loved reading about Denmark—the places, the culture and its people are all so fascinating. I recommend this novel to anyone who loves the epistolary format, and is looking for a novel about dealing with grief and loss. Big thanks to NetGalley and the publisher Bookouture for providing a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
July 11, 2019
This was an amazing, unique book. Instead of chapters, this book is divided into "letters". I won't spoil anything about this book, other than to point out that there is a twist which I predicted from the very first "letter". During that first "letter" I was skeptical about this book, unsure if I would enjoy it. But STICK WITH IT. This book will take you on emotional highs and lows. There were parts where I couldn't stop laughing, and other parts that had me welling up with tears (No YOU'RE CRYING!)
Highly Highly Highly recommend this one.
Highly Highly Highly recommend this one.
June 22, 2019
4.5 but rounding to 5 stars. I love when I find an ARC on NetGalley that I know nothing about with an author I have never heard of but the synopsis just sounds perfect. Sometimes it works out for me and sometimes it doesn't and I am happy to say that, this time, it worked out wonderfully.
Epistolary novels can be difficult to write in a way that's successful as the pacing has to be perfect and you have to create entire scenes with very little dialogue. Dear Lily was one of the best examples of a well done epistolary novel that i have found. Not only does the story carry the reader along effortlessly, but the letters are just so funny sometimes! They allow Joy's personality to shine through while emitting her emotions. I loved that they actually showed the crossouts of certain words and that some of the letters were simply just drafts for her to pore through her thoughts.
When heartfelt, heavy moments occur, they are understated yet carry a certain weight to them when you relate them to all the letters that came before. The "twist" isn't really any surprise, as it can be divulged just from the description of the book but everything leading up to it was realistic, entertaining, and painted a picture of a woman trying to come to grips with everything that has happened in her life and where it has led her.
I really enjoyed this one and read it straight through in just 3 hours. Every character was well developed and overall, it was just a really fulfilling read.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for this ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.
Epistolary novels can be difficult to write in a way that's successful as the pacing has to be perfect and you have to create entire scenes with very little dialogue. Dear Lily was one of the best examples of a well done epistolary novel that i have found. Not only does the story carry the reader along effortlessly, but the letters are just so funny sometimes! They allow Joy's personality to shine through while emitting her emotions. I loved that they actually showed the crossouts of certain words and that some of the letters were simply just drafts for her to pore through her thoughts.
When heartfelt, heavy moments occur, they are understated yet carry a certain weight to them when you relate them to all the letters that came before. The "twist" isn't really any surprise, as it can be divulged just from the description of the book but everything leading up to it was realistic, entertaining, and painted a picture of a woman trying to come to grips with everything that has happened in her life and where it has led her.
I really enjoyed this one and read it straight through in just 3 hours. Every character was well developed and overall, it was just a really fulfilling read.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for this ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.
May 9, 2019
Is it possible for a book written entirely in letters to sustain my interest?
If you’d have asked me before I started Dear Lily, I would have said ‘no’. In fact, if you’d asked me about 10% of the way through Drew Davies’ second book, I would have still said ‘no’ but something happened as I carried on reading - I forgot how it was written and became captivated by the story.
So, yes, with great writing, a wonderful cast and a catchy tale, which is funny and heartbreaking and all the things in between, it is possible to write an engaging book entirely in letters.
Joy is a character who gets better the more you get to know her – and, as it’s written as a sort of stream of consciousness, you get to know her well.
She looks like she has it together – moving to a new country for a promotion - but she’s like a duck on water, gliding along on the surface but furiously paddling underneath to keep going. And sometimes she sinks.
She has a great supporting cast around her who help to move the story along and I really enjoyed learning more about Denmark.
Without giving anything away, I found myself getting more and more intrigued by Joy's little sister, Lily, and was thrown off course a couple of times but that's all I'll say about that.
In summary, this book turned out to be a nice surprise, it has a slow start but I couldn’t put it down by the end.
Well done to Drew for taking a risk, it paid off.
Thank you to Bookouture (via NetGalley) for the ARC in return for an honest review.
If you’d have asked me before I started Dear Lily, I would have said ‘no’. In fact, if you’d asked me about 10% of the way through Drew Davies’ second book, I would have still said ‘no’ but something happened as I carried on reading - I forgot how it was written and became captivated by the story.
So, yes, with great writing, a wonderful cast and a catchy tale, which is funny and heartbreaking and all the things in between, it is possible to write an engaging book entirely in letters.
Joy is a character who gets better the more you get to know her – and, as it’s written as a sort of stream of consciousness, you get to know her well.
She looks like she has it together – moving to a new country for a promotion - but she’s like a duck on water, gliding along on the surface but furiously paddling underneath to keep going. And sometimes she sinks.
She has a great supporting cast around her who help to move the story along and I really enjoyed learning more about Denmark.
Without giving anything away, I found myself getting more and more intrigued by Joy's little sister, Lily, and was thrown off course a couple of times but that's all I'll say about that.
In summary, this book turned out to be a nice surprise, it has a slow start but I couldn’t put it down by the end.
Well done to Drew for taking a risk, it paid off.
Thank you to Bookouture (via NetGalley) for the ARC in return for an honest review.
May 19, 2019
This is the second book I have read by this author. I really enjoyed the first book, The Shape of Us and was really looking forward to this one. The whole story is told in the format of letters from two sisters Joy and Lily. Joy has moved away from home for a new start and writes to her younger sister, Lily. They are obviously very close and the content of the letters covers everything from really personal topics such as love and health right through to work and, of course, the reason why Joy moved away from home. Reading a book completely formed of letters is an unusual format and one that does take a bit of getting used to! Once I had though, the book flowed really well and the author manages to get right inside the head (and heart!) of a woman so perfectly!
The characters are very likeable, and I imagine that many readers could relate to their stories, particularly Joy’s. I was curious as to why Joy had left home, but this is all revealed throughout the course of the letter as the book moves forward. The writing is very witty and emotional all in one go! I admire any author who can have me wiping away tears of sadness one moment and tears of laughter the next!
Completely unlike the chick-lit story that I was expecting, this turned out to be a heartwarming and affectionate story of the relationship between the two sisters. It was funny and loving, with a little twist towards the end, which for me made the whole story understandable and endearing! Really enjoyable and would definitely recommend!
The characters are very likeable, and I imagine that many readers could relate to their stories, particularly Joy’s. I was curious as to why Joy had left home, but this is all revealed throughout the course of the letter as the book moves forward. The writing is very witty and emotional all in one go! I admire any author who can have me wiping away tears of sadness one moment and tears of laughter the next!
Completely unlike the chick-lit story that I was expecting, this turned out to be a heartwarming and affectionate story of the relationship between the two sisters. It was funny and loving, with a little twist towards the end, which for me made the whole story understandable and endearing! Really enjoyable and would definitely recommend!
June 21, 2019
This was such a cute, endearing, heartwarming, hilarious, tear-jerker of a book. I found myself crying and then suddenly laughing out loud at the same time. If you are a fan of Eleanor Oliphant or cute little rom-coms, this book is for you.
Joy is a bit of a mess. Her life in London is falling apart and she is looking for a change of scenery. She transfers to Denmark for her job where she knows nothing about the culture, language, people, etc. Just as she did in London, she finds herself struggling with getting her life in order and copes by doing excessive amounts of smoking, drinking, and binge eating. By writing letters to her sister, Lily, she slowly climbs her way out of the abyss finding love, friendship, and a new life filled with hope and happiness.
This was such a cute little book. I fell in love with Joy. She was hysterical and unbelievably relatable. I connected with her hilarious and awkward encounters with the opposite sex and her new roommate. I enjoyed watching her grow and mature as she became more independent. This book was so funny and romantic, but at the same time, extremely emotional. Her letters to Lily broke my heart and then turned around and put it back together again. If you're looking for a quick, sweet, summer read, this will not disappoint.
Thank you Netgalley and Bookouture for sending me a copy of this book.
Joy is a bit of a mess. Her life in London is falling apart and she is looking for a change of scenery. She transfers to Denmark for her job where she knows nothing about the culture, language, people, etc. Just as she did in London, she finds herself struggling with getting her life in order and copes by doing excessive amounts of smoking, drinking, and binge eating. By writing letters to her sister, Lily, she slowly climbs her way out of the abyss finding love, friendship, and a new life filled with hope and happiness.
This was such a cute little book. I fell in love with Joy. She was hysterical and unbelievably relatable. I connected with her hilarious and awkward encounters with the opposite sex and her new roommate. I enjoyed watching her grow and mature as she became more independent. This book was so funny and romantic, but at the same time, extremely emotional. Her letters to Lily broke my heart and then turned around and put it back together again. If you're looking for a quick, sweet, summer read, this will not disappoint.
Thank you Netgalley and Bookouture for sending me a copy of this book.
April 9, 2019
Dear Lily by Drew Davies is a charming read that will warm your heart and then turn around and break it. Laugh out loud funny and heartachingly sad, this is one that will play on all of your emotions.
Joy is a single woman from England who accepts a job in Copenhagen in the hope of making a fresh start. We learn of Joy's experiences in Denmark through a series of letters addressed to her sister, Lily. As Joy negotiates her new life, her letters to Lily provide an honest and hilarious account in a way that brings to mind the style in which Bridget Jones confides to her diary. The novel relies exclusively on the use of letters, and I found this to be a most effective format as it is accessible and intimately engages the reader.
Ultimately, this novel is about the love of family, and negotiating your own way in the world following some of life's toughest blows. Will joy, in the end, be rediscovered in the life of our aptly named heroine? Recommended.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for ths ARC.
Joy is a single woman from England who accepts a job in Copenhagen in the hope of making a fresh start. We learn of Joy's experiences in Denmark through a series of letters addressed to her sister, Lily. As Joy negotiates her new life, her letters to Lily provide an honest and hilarious account in a way that brings to mind the style in which Bridget Jones confides to her diary. The novel relies exclusively on the use of letters, and I found this to be a most effective format as it is accessible and intimately engages the reader.
Ultimately, this novel is about the love of family, and negotiating your own way in the world following some of life's toughest blows. Will joy, in the end, be rediscovered in the life of our aptly named heroine? Recommended.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for ths ARC.
April 27, 2019
Joy is an ironically named character who, going against her usual nature, has uprooted from London to live & work in Copenhagen. She recounts the transition in a series of letters to her sister Lily.
The blurb of this really drew me in however I must confess I approached this book with a certain preconception and I’m not sure if that affected my perspective when reading it or to put it another way I’m not sure if the author considered what the readers perspective would be. Apologies if that’s confusing but I’m trying to avoid spoilers just in case. As I first mentioned Joy is a contradiction and as such I didn’t wholly like her however her letters were a great insight into her ups, downs and general emotions and updates on her life with flashes of humour thrown in. The tone of the book alters as Joy gradually adapts to her new life but will she finally get to live up to her name?
The blurb of this really drew me in however I must confess I approached this book with a certain preconception and I’m not sure if that affected my perspective when reading it or to put it another way I’m not sure if the author considered what the readers perspective would be. Apologies if that’s confusing but I’m trying to avoid spoilers just in case. As I first mentioned Joy is a contradiction and as such I didn’t wholly like her however her letters were a great insight into her ups, downs and general emotions and updates on her life with flashes of humour thrown in. The tone of the book alters as Joy gradually adapts to her new life but will she finally get to live up to her name?
August 30, 2019
This book has it all! The style is kind of unique, one that I have dipped into before and enjoyed. The voice of the main character reminded me a little of Eleanor Oliphant (which I loved!) And I was rooting for her from the beginning. It was heart warming, heart breaking, uplifting, upsetting! Just wow! How an author can put you through those range of emotions in such a short space, and using familiar and easy language is quite a talent! I didn't want it to end - but I liked the way he wrapped everything up. I will definitely be adding more Drew Davies books to my TBR!
dnf
May 13, 2019This book was not for me. The book is told through letters from Joy to her sister Lily. Joy has just left her life in England to move to Denmark and try something different.
I think whether you love or hate this book will really come down to how you connect to Joy’s voice. I’ve seen many great reviews but I just couldn’t get into it.
Thank you very much to Netgalley and Bookouture for the advance reading copy in exchange for my honest review.
I think whether you love or hate this book will really come down to how you connect to Joy’s voice. I’ve seen many great reviews but I just couldn’t get into it.
Thank you very much to Netgalley and Bookouture for the advance reading copy in exchange for my honest review.
May 21, 2019
Joy is desperate for a new start in life, now in her mid 30’s, she’s found her desire for the on-and-off relationship with her boyfriend has waned, her anxiety and depression are increasing and her habits (including food, drink and cigarettes) are damaging her life and, most probably, her career. Requesting a transfer to the Copenhagen office, Joy is hoping to make a fresh start and redefine her life for her: despite just how scary that prospect is. So we begin the story as Joy is overthinking, obsessing and detailing every minute detail of her life in letters to her younger sister, Lily. Perhaps she’s ultimately hoping to pass on knowledge and experience, or maybe this is just a form of therapy in her stream of consciousness details, but as we read of moments of big and little changes, find Joy’s struggles feel familiar (if not always as extreme), and want to see her find her way and a new outlook in the world.
Starting out, Joy is stubbornly clinging to all of her bad habits: perhaps great changes are beyond her grasp, or, as we soon see, the comfort in the familiar when everything else isn’t is how she holds onto her version of herself – the one who arrived in Copenhagen without ties, friends or even more than a wish for new. And, it does quickly become apparent that Joy is often her own worst enemy – overthinking her missteps, unable to just go with the flow and allow herself to not think of new situations through the lenses of her old life. But, she is very aware of what she wants to change, and slowly but surely she starts to find her ‘joy’ (pardon the pun) in small changes and new people who are becoming true friends. Improvement and comfort levels are slow to come, but Joy’s hopefulness from the first page to the last, as well as her realistic view of what she needs to change for her health, and just how surprising those small changes seem to effect the rest of her life are little miracles that she is finally able to celebrate. Perhaps the most notable element of the story is the solid voice and presence of Joy, as well as her desperation and need to ‘help” Lily through her experiences.
Written by Drew Davies, I’ll admit that I was curious to see just how well he could transform his perspective to a woman’s, and whether or not it would feel ‘forced’ or ‘false’. I didn’t have to worry: Joy is real. Flaws and all, worries that niggle and others that scream as you are making changes in the world, be you male or female. And perhaps that is the real surprise to me in this: perspectives and how the world is seen are, with a few small anatomical differences, usually human in derivation, and with Joy being a living, breathing person who could be reading her letters out loud, the story was engaging and clever, with plenty of laughs, heart and hope to go around.
I received an eArc copy of the title from the publisher via NetGalley for purpose of honest review. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own responsibility.
Review first appeared at I am, Indeed
Starting out, Joy is stubbornly clinging to all of her bad habits: perhaps great changes are beyond her grasp, or, as we soon see, the comfort in the familiar when everything else isn’t is how she holds onto her version of herself – the one who arrived in Copenhagen without ties, friends or even more than a wish for new. And, it does quickly become apparent that Joy is often her own worst enemy – overthinking her missteps, unable to just go with the flow and allow herself to not think of new situations through the lenses of her old life. But, she is very aware of what she wants to change, and slowly but surely she starts to find her ‘joy’ (pardon the pun) in small changes and new people who are becoming true friends. Improvement and comfort levels are slow to come, but Joy’s hopefulness from the first page to the last, as well as her realistic view of what she needs to change for her health, and just how surprising those small changes seem to effect the rest of her life are little miracles that she is finally able to celebrate. Perhaps the most notable element of the story is the solid voice and presence of Joy, as well as her desperation and need to ‘help” Lily through her experiences.
Written by Drew Davies, I’ll admit that I was curious to see just how well he could transform his perspective to a woman’s, and whether or not it would feel ‘forced’ or ‘false’. I didn’t have to worry: Joy is real. Flaws and all, worries that niggle and others that scream as you are making changes in the world, be you male or female. And perhaps that is the real surprise to me in this: perspectives and how the world is seen are, with a few small anatomical differences, usually human in derivation, and with Joy being a living, breathing person who could be reading her letters out loud, the story was engaging and clever, with plenty of laughs, heart and hope to go around.
I received an eArc copy of the title from the publisher via NetGalley for purpose of honest review. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own responsibility.
Review first appeared at I am, Indeed
September 26, 2019
My full review available on Facing the Story
Sometimes authors manage to perfectly capture in words and feelings what the average adult goes through and Drew Davies certainly managed to do this with ease in Dear Lily. This book made me laugh, reminisce and wonder and that is exactly what I was hoping for when I decided to read it.
Dear Lily is told through a series of letters and this format cultivated an even stronger connection between Joy and Lily. Each chapter represents a letter that Joy writes to her sister Lily soon after her decision to move to Denmark. Not only were the letters insightful and wonderful but also allowed for discussion of some difficult topics that people usually don't like to bring up face to face. It is somehow so much easier to do so in writing and this manifested itself as the chapters and letters evolved and the conversations become deeper as it Joy opened up to Lily and shared everything on her mind.
The characters are incredibly witty and genuine. Several times throughout the book I felt like I either was Joy or I could be a very good friend of hers as her struggles of living life in a foreign country started to develop one after another, very similar to my experience living abroad. So many of the cultural differences such as difficulties to make friends and attempts to understand her colleagues at work were sincere and extremely well incorporated. As each new letter was introduced I felt an even stronger connection with Joy and a willingness to keep reading and find out the original reason she decided to write these letters to her sister.
Unfortunately, I had a feeling very early on into the book about what really happened to Lily and I was right. This didn't interfere with my experience while reading this book however I didn't feel enlightened once details on Lily were revealed towards the end. If I have to be picky this would be my only concern with this book as all other factors worked wonderfully together to create a truly captivating read. The writing is excellent and the story is heartfelt and beautifully told. I would recommend this book to anyone looking to connect with the narrator and to those readers who thrive on passing through a range of emotions during their reading experience.
Sometimes authors manage to perfectly capture in words and feelings what the average adult goes through and Drew Davies certainly managed to do this with ease in Dear Lily. This book made me laugh, reminisce and wonder and that is exactly what I was hoping for when I decided to read it.
Dear Lily is told through a series of letters and this format cultivated an even stronger connection between Joy and Lily. Each chapter represents a letter that Joy writes to her sister Lily soon after her decision to move to Denmark. Not only were the letters insightful and wonderful but also allowed for discussion of some difficult topics that people usually don't like to bring up face to face. It is somehow so much easier to do so in writing and this manifested itself as the chapters and letters evolved and the conversations become deeper as it Joy opened up to Lily and shared everything on her mind.
The characters are incredibly witty and genuine. Several times throughout the book I felt like I either was Joy or I could be a very good friend of hers as her struggles of living life in a foreign country started to develop one after another, very similar to my experience living abroad. So many of the cultural differences such as difficulties to make friends and attempts to understand her colleagues at work were sincere and extremely well incorporated. As each new letter was introduced I felt an even stronger connection with Joy and a willingness to keep reading and find out the original reason she decided to write these letters to her sister.
Unfortunately, I had a feeling very early on into the book about what really happened to Lily and I was right. This didn't interfere with my experience while reading this book however I didn't feel enlightened once details on Lily were revealed towards the end. If I have to be picky this would be my only concern with this book as all other factors worked wonderfully together to create a truly captivating read. The writing is excellent and the story is heartfelt and beautifully told. I would recommend this book to anyone looking to connect with the narrator and to those readers who thrive on passing through a range of emotions during their reading experience.
June 4, 2019
Dear Lily: An absolutely charming, emotional novel about learning to love and taking chances by [Davies, Drew]I received this book from NetGalley and the publisher for the purpose of honest review. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own responsibility.
Joy, in her mid 30s is looking for a new life. She is tired of her boyfriend, her anxiety and depression, many of the things that used to comfort her (cigarettes, food and drink) and she is greatly tired of her job. She has asked to go to the Copenhagen office. As is her nature, Joy is overthinking each step of her life and she is sharing these details in letters to her sister, Lily. Through these letters the reader comes to care for Joy and the changes she is facing.
At first, she does not want to quit her bad habits thinking these changes are to difficult especially when everything else is changing. I found this book so funny as I followed Joy's changes. Joy was very well-written and the author was able to give her a voice and presence.
I do not usually enjoy books about women that are written by a man, but in this case, Drew Davies' writing was smooth and he created a character that feels real an I didn't feel the usually feeling of disappointment when the male perspective is very different from what I think it should be.
Be prepared to be engaged and to laugh when beginning this book
Joy, in her mid 30s is looking for a new life. She is tired of her boyfriend, her anxiety and depression, many of the things that used to comfort her (cigarettes, food and drink) and she is greatly tired of her job. She has asked to go to the Copenhagen office. As is her nature, Joy is overthinking each step of her life and she is sharing these details in letters to her sister, Lily. Through these letters the reader comes to care for Joy and the changes she is facing.
At first, she does not want to quit her bad habits thinking these changes are to difficult especially when everything else is changing. I found this book so funny as I followed Joy's changes. Joy was very well-written and the author was able to give her a voice and presence.
I do not usually enjoy books about women that are written by a man, but in this case, Drew Davies' writing was smooth and he created a character that feels real an I didn't feel the usually feeling of disappointment when the male perspective is very different from what I think it should be.
Be prepared to be engaged and to laugh when beginning this book
Displaying 1 - 30 of 160 reviews