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Good Grief
PERFECT FOR FANS OF 'ELEANOR OLIPHANT IS COMPLETELY FINE' BY GAIL HONEYMAN AND 'THE MAN I THINK I KNOW' BY MIKE GAYLE
Two strangers. Two deaths. One unlikely friendship that will change everything.
Holly Moon has it all. The perfect husband, the dream media career, then at age twenty-six her husband dies and just like that her world comes crashing down around her.
Black cab driver, Phil Turner, is sixty when his wife dies of cancer. They've been married for forty years. He doesn't know any different.
When Holly and Phil meet at Good Grief support group, they strike up an unlikely friendship. Two strangers with nothing in common except they don't know how to move on. Perhaps together and with the aid of their 'definitely-not-a-bucket-list' they'll find a way. But it's not as easy as just ticking things off a list and soon their happiness and lives hinge on one thing...each other.
Set in London, Good Grief is a love letter to the healing power of friendship and learning that even in the depths of grief the most magical things can happen.
Two strangers. Two deaths. One unlikely friendship that will change everything.
Holly Moon has it all. The perfect husband, the dream media career, then at age twenty-six her husband dies and just like that her world comes crashing down around her.
Black cab driver, Phil Turner, is sixty when his wife dies of cancer. They've been married for forty years. He doesn't know any different.
When Holly and Phil meet at Good Grief support group, they strike up an unlikely friendship. Two strangers with nothing in common except they don't know how to move on. Perhaps together and with the aid of their 'definitely-not-a-bucket-list' they'll find a way. But it's not as easy as just ticking things off a list and soon their happiness and lives hinge on one thing...each other.
Set in London, Good Grief is a love letter to the healing power of friendship and learning that even in the depths of grief the most magical things can happen.
306 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 11, 2019
55 people are currently reading
32 people want to read
About the author
Jon Rance
26 books94 followersJon Rance is the author of seven novels: the Kindle top ten bestseller, This Thirtysomething Life, Happy Endings (both published by Hodder and Stoughton), This Family Life, Sunday Dinners, Dan And Nat Got Married, About Us, and The Summer Holidays Survival Guide. He's also the author of the Christmas novella, A Notting Hill Christmas.
Jon studied English Literature at Middlesex University, London, before going travelling and meeting his American wife in Australia. Jon loves comedy (especially sitcoms), the films of Richard Curtis, travelling and tea. He just turned forty, which is a terrifying time, so his books might get a bit edgier and possibly angrier as a result.
Jon writes dramatic, romantic, comedy fiction similar to the work of Mike Gayle, Matt Dunn, Nick Spalding and David Nicholls.
You can email him at: jonrance@yahoo.com
Please visit his website: www.jonrance.co.uk
Follow him on Twitter: @JRance75
Jon studied English Literature at Middlesex University, London, before going travelling and meeting his American wife in Australia. Jon loves comedy (especially sitcoms), the films of Richard Curtis, travelling and tea. He just turned forty, which is a terrifying time, so his books might get a bit edgier and possibly angrier as a result.
Jon writes dramatic, romantic, comedy fiction similar to the work of Mike Gayle, Matt Dunn, Nick Spalding and David Nicholls.
You can email him at: jonrance@yahoo.com
Please visit his website: www.jonrance.co.uk
Follow him on Twitter: @JRance75
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
July 16, 2019
Uplifting tale of two people looking for a future
1 year after the death of his wife, Phil (aged 60) feels alone and lost. Holly (aged 26) is just about managing to keep a brave face on after the sudden death of her husband, also a year before. This is the wonderful story of how they meet, and help each other. A story of friendship, life as it really is, and how very different people can help one another.
I was completely involved in Holly and Phil’s stories, told in alternating chapters. The characters are so real, that I just had to keep reading to see how things were getting on in their lives. I smiled, cried and laughed with them, and put aside chores to keep reading! Overall this is a book of hope, of overcoming the impossible and finding a future in life after bereavement – but most of all it’s the most wonderful story of two people.
This book should have had a 5* rating from me, but due to the number of minor editing errors, I have given it 4*s. However it speaks volumes about the book that, given the editing errors, not only did I finish the book, but I loved every moment of it!
1 year after the death of his wife, Phil (aged 60) feels alone and lost. Holly (aged 26) is just about managing to keep a brave face on after the sudden death of her husband, also a year before. This is the wonderful story of how they meet, and help each other. A story of friendship, life as it really is, and how very different people can help one another.
I was completely involved in Holly and Phil’s stories, told in alternating chapters. The characters are so real, that I just had to keep reading to see how things were getting on in their lives. I smiled, cried and laughed with them, and put aside chores to keep reading! Overall this is a book of hope, of overcoming the impossible and finding a future in life after bereavement – but most of all it’s the most wonderful story of two people.
This book should have had a 5* rating from me, but due to the number of minor editing errors, I have given it 4*s. However it speaks volumes about the book that, given the editing errors, not only did I finish the book, but I loved every moment of it!
November 16, 2022
Books on death and grief are always hard to read, but I think that Jon Rance wrote about it very well.
I personally preferred Phil’s character to Holly’s. I think there’s something about Phil that does remind me a lot of my dad and so I just connected with him more.
I really enjoyed that you were able to have both characters portray their stories separately but had the beautiful blend of them together.
The fact that Jon gave us a snippet of Rob also helped answer those unknown questions and wrapped the entire story with a pretty, and both heartwarming and heartbreaking, little bow.
I personally preferred Phil’s character to Holly’s. I think there’s something about Phil that does remind me a lot of my dad and so I just connected with him more.
I really enjoyed that you were able to have both characters portray their stories separately but had the beautiful blend of them together.
The fact that Jon gave us a snippet of Rob also helped answer those unknown questions and wrapped the entire story with a pretty, and both heartwarming and heartbreaking, little bow.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 15, 2019
Absolute treasure
I read a lot 20 books so far this year ....
This is definitely in the top 5
A story of the people that have been left behind after the death of there wife / husband .
Stacey & Phil wouldn’t normally be friends I guess grief brings out a great bond .
Character so sincere and believable you can hear Phil’s accent ! I
Please read this book it’s amazing poignant sad sweet - Jon Rance you clever sausage
I read a lot 20 books so far this year ....
This is definitely in the top 5
A story of the people that have been left behind after the death of there wife / husband .
Stacey & Phil wouldn’t normally be friends I guess grief brings out a great bond .
Character so sincere and believable you can hear Phil’s accent ! I
Please read this book it’s amazing poignant sad sweet - Jon Rance you clever sausage
October 14, 2021
fantastic
I absolutely loved this book. But be warned, I cried 6 times during the last few chapters. I’m a 50 year old man goddamnit and this book just got me. But please don’t let that put you off, the story is fantastic, it takes you on an emotional rollercoaster of happy, sad and reflective. If you’re a wuss like me have a box of tissues ready.
I absolutely loved this book. But be warned, I cried 6 times during the last few chapters. I’m a 50 year old man goddamnit and this book just got me. But please don’t let that put you off, the story is fantastic, it takes you on an emotional rollercoaster of happy, sad and reflective. If you’re a wuss like me have a box of tissues ready.
June 19, 2019
Such a sad yet sweet and uplifting story! Full of love and hope. Jon Rance is an amazing storyteller and his style gets better and better with every book he has out. Definitely one of my favourite reads this year and throughly recommended.
September 20, 2021
Heart warming
This book had me invested from page one . I feel like I've been on the journey with them and at the same time it's given me some perspective into my own grief journey
This book had me invested from page one . I feel like I've been on the journey with them and at the same time it's given me some perspective into my own grief journey
January 16, 2022
This was a wonderful book, I loved how well handled the characters and their stories, their grief was handled. Very poignant, sensitive and emotional, without being morbid. Another fantastic book by Jon Rance.
February 15, 2022
A lovely little story of how different people cope with grief and sometimes a friendly stranger can help so much.
Losing a loved one very recently brought back all the feelings in this book.
Loved the way it was wrapped up at the end but also wish Holly had known what happened on the way to the airport. I think it would've given her some more closure and also bring her and Phil closer still.
Losing a loved one very recently brought back all the feelings in this book.
Loved the way it was wrapped up at the end but also wish Holly had known what happened on the way to the airport. I think it would've given her some more closure and also bring her and Phil closer still.
February 11, 2025
beautiful, sad, heartwarming book
This book resonated with my own grief so much. I loved every minute of this book and genuinely could read it again. Beautifully and sensitively written.
This book resonated with my own grief so much. I loved every minute of this book and genuinely could read it again. Beautifully and sensitively written.
July 23, 2020
Heartwarming tale of people from different worlds coming together to get through the unthinkable.
December 9, 2020
Loved it...
May 1, 2022
Incredible! What a wonderful book, thank you John Rance 🙏🏿
July 21, 2023
Wonderful but sad story of two people who have both lost there loved ones .dealing with there deaths and coming to terms with there individual loses. And about trying to move on.
June 11, 2019
Following a friendship formed at a grief councelling session, the story focuses on the relationship between 26 year-old, Holly and a 60 year-old, Phil. The story takes us on a heartfelt rollercoaster of emotions in this brilliant book.
The relationship between Phil and Holly was so believable and heartfelt as they try and help each other move forward in their lives, and it's a credit to the author for doing this in such a believable way and without being too 'shmaltzy.' (is that even a word?) If you've read anything else by Jon Rance, Mike Gayle, or want to try something new, then this is the perfect Summer read.
- Danny
The relationship between Phil and Holly was so believable and heartfelt as they try and help each other move forward in their lives, and it's a credit to the author for doing this in such a believable way and without being too 'shmaltzy.' (is that even a word?) If you've read anything else by Jon Rance, Mike Gayle, or want to try something new, then this is the perfect Summer read.
- Danny
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews