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The Single Dad's Handbook
Welcome to The Single Dad’s Handbook, your comprehensive guide to life without me when I pop my clogs!
‘I laughed, I cried, and I swooned a bit too (both over Evan and the beautiful Edinburgh setting). Gorgeous.’ Lia Louis
It’s been two years since cancer stole Evan Harper’s wife, Claire, from their lives. Although Evan’s doing everything he can to be Super Dad for his five year old, Violet, he can’t seem to get anything right. So he turns to the one person who gives the best advice – Claire herself.
Before she died she wrote him a book of letters to see him through the ups and downs of raising their daughter and her words soon help him see that there is life after loss – and maybe even a second shot at love – when you find the courage to start living again…
It’s time to start living again, Evan. Your new forever starts right here. Love always, Claire
An emotional, uplifting story of life, loss and love perfect for fans of Cecelia Ahern and S.D. Robertson.
‘I laughed, I cried, and I swooned a bit too (both over Evan and the beautiful Edinburgh setting). Gorgeous.’ Lia Louis
It’s been two years since cancer stole Evan Harper’s wife, Claire, from their lives. Although Evan’s doing everything he can to be Super Dad for his five year old, Violet, he can’t seem to get anything right. So he turns to the one person who gives the best advice – Claire herself.
Before she died she wrote him a book of letters to see him through the ups and downs of raising their daughter and her words soon help him see that there is life after loss – and maybe even a second shot at love – when you find the courage to start living again…
It’s time to start living again, Evan. Your new forever starts right here. Love always, Claire
An emotional, uplifting story of life, loss and love perfect for fans of Cecelia Ahern and S.D. Robertson.
295 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 2, 2021
53 people are currently reading
222 people want to read
About the author
Lynsey James
7 books66 followersLynsey James was born in Fife in 1991 and has been telling people how to spell her name ever since. She's an incurable bookworm who loves nothing more than getting lost in a good story with memorable characters. She started writing when she was really young and credits her lovely Grandad- and possibly a bump on the head from a Mr Frosty machine- with her love of telling stories. She used to write her own episodes of Friends and act them out in front of her family (in fact she's sure she put Ross and Rachel together first!)
A careers adviser at school once told Lynsey writing wasn’t a “good option” and for a few years, she believed her. She tried a little bit of everything, including make-up artistry, teaching and doing admin for a chocolate fountain company. The free chocolate was brilliant. When Lynsey left my job a couple of years ago, she started writing full-time while she looked for another one. As soon as she started working on her story, Lynsey fell in love and decided to finally pursue her dream. She haven’t looked back since.
When Lynsey's not writing, eating cake or drinking tea, she's daydreaming about the day Dylan O’Brien FINALLY realises they're meant to be together. It’ll happen one day…
A careers adviser at school once told Lynsey writing wasn’t a “good option” and for a few years, she believed her. She tried a little bit of everything, including make-up artistry, teaching and doing admin for a chocolate fountain company. The free chocolate was brilliant. When Lynsey left my job a couple of years ago, she started writing full-time while she looked for another one. As soon as she started working on her story, Lynsey fell in love and decided to finally pursue her dream. She haven’t looked back since.
When Lynsey's not writing, eating cake or drinking tea, she's daydreaming about the day Dylan O’Brien FINALLY realises they're meant to be together. It’ll happen one day…
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 97 reviews
March 30, 2021
I struggled with this book quite a lot. It was so sad at times, the letters written by a dying wife to her husband was quite hard to read. Other times this book made me laugh but it made me hunk of all the millions of dad’s struggling on their own with a young child/children after their partners have died. I think it mostly to do with the times we are living in at the moment even though there are lights at the end of a very long dark tunnel. Maybe if I’d read this book in happier times I’d have enjoyed it more it would still be difficult tho. My thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for giving me the opportunity to read this book in return for an honest review.
February 15, 2021
The Single Dad’s Handbook is the seventh novel by Scottish author, Lynsey James. Two years after cancer took the life of his wife, Claire, Evan Harper is being told by family and friends that it’s time to re-enter life: if not for himself, then at least for his five-year-old daughter, Violet. His business partner tells him: “What would Claire want your life to look like right now, mate? You know it wouldn’t be this.”
Evan has been so mired in grief that his performance at work, leading ghost tours of Edinburgh, has suffered to the extent that their business and reputation is deteriorating; his avoidance of social interaction has his friends concerned; and he feels he has lost the connection with his daughter. And at this point, the last thing he needs is to deal with the return of Hannah, the best friend who abandoned him when he needed her most, to travel the world.
On her first day of school, he is finally moved to open the book of letters with its shiny purple cover, the book that Claire left for him: The Single Dad’s Handbook. “Claire’s written a letter for every scenario she would miss. She’s covered everything from puberty and dating advice to Violet’s wedding and beyond. I have to resist the urge to read all of them in one sitting.”
“This book is not a cure -all (if only it were!). It won’t magically drag you through grief and drop you on the other side. It won’t cook dinners or look after Violet or arrange my funeral. It’ll just be there, giving you a gentle nudge in the right direction until things feel a bit less shit. I’d like to think of it as a map of your new life, the one that doesn’t include me. Maybe you’d like to write to me too? When things get a bit too much, you can just scribble a note to me in a notebook. It’ll be like I’m not really gone and you never know, it might help you work some things out. Your choice, but I think it’s a good idea. It’s time to start living again, Evan.”
As he battles through a return to “normal” life, work, trying to be a Super Dad, perhaps dating again, Evan consults the wise words Claire has left him. Of the myriad of topics she covered, some of which Claire had hoped Evan would never need to consult, he finds himself grateful for her advice in letters headed: “My Funeral (oops, too late!), First Day of School, When You Feel Like the Worst Dad Ever, When Violet Asks About Me, When You’re Out of Your Comfort Zone, When it’s Time for an Adventure, Trying New Things Together, Bullying, When You’re Afraid to be Happy, First Date and Things I Want You to Know.
This is a sweet and thoughtful tale, fairly predictable, but with some lovely moments and a good dose of humour.
This unbiased review is from an uncorrected proof copy provided by NetGalley and Harper Collins UK One More Page.
Evan has been so mired in grief that his performance at work, leading ghost tours of Edinburgh, has suffered to the extent that their business and reputation is deteriorating; his avoidance of social interaction has his friends concerned; and he feels he has lost the connection with his daughter. And at this point, the last thing he needs is to deal with the return of Hannah, the best friend who abandoned him when he needed her most, to travel the world.
On her first day of school, he is finally moved to open the book of letters with its shiny purple cover, the book that Claire left for him: The Single Dad’s Handbook. “Claire’s written a letter for every scenario she would miss. She’s covered everything from puberty and dating advice to Violet’s wedding and beyond. I have to resist the urge to read all of them in one sitting.”
“This book is not a cure -all (if only it were!). It won’t magically drag you through grief and drop you on the other side. It won’t cook dinners or look after Violet or arrange my funeral. It’ll just be there, giving you a gentle nudge in the right direction until things feel a bit less shit. I’d like to think of it as a map of your new life, the one that doesn’t include me. Maybe you’d like to write to me too? When things get a bit too much, you can just scribble a note to me in a notebook. It’ll be like I’m not really gone and you never know, it might help you work some things out. Your choice, but I think it’s a good idea. It’s time to start living again, Evan.”
As he battles through a return to “normal” life, work, trying to be a Super Dad, perhaps dating again, Evan consults the wise words Claire has left him. Of the myriad of topics she covered, some of which Claire had hoped Evan would never need to consult, he finds himself grateful for her advice in letters headed: “My Funeral (oops, too late!), First Day of School, When You Feel Like the Worst Dad Ever, When Violet Asks About Me, When You’re Out of Your Comfort Zone, When it’s Time for an Adventure, Trying New Things Together, Bullying, When You’re Afraid to be Happy, First Date and Things I Want You to Know.
This is a sweet and thoughtful tale, fairly predictable, but with some lovely moments and a good dose of humour.
This unbiased review is from an uncorrected proof copy provided by NetGalley and Harper Collins UK One More Page.
November 25, 2020
The Single dad’s Handbook by Lynsey James is a beautiful written, very emotional story between Evan Harper and his daughter Violet and the grief they still share from the loss of Claire, Violet’s mother. It has been two years since her death from Cancer.
It’s Violet first day at school and Evan is rushing Violet to get ready but she comes out with Claire’s red high heel shoes that Evan still cannot part with. She wants to go to school with them, but Evan says no. With the shoes Evan discovers a notebook full of post it notes and letters from Claire that she has written to help him get on with not only his life back on track but also Violet’s. He first finds it hard to cope on his own until old best friend Hannah arrives back from her travels. He is angry at first, as she left him after Claire died. He needed a friend, but she wasn’t there. But soon the friendship they have resurfaces.
Wow I loved every minute of this book about new beginnings after the loss of someone you love. There are laugh out loud moments and parts that make you cry and uplifting ones. This had a great storyline and love the characters especially Violet and the letters pulled at my heartstrings. I am not going to lie I did have a few tears in my eye after reading some of Claire’s letters. A big fat 5 stars from me.
It’s Violet first day at school and Evan is rushing Violet to get ready but she comes out with Claire’s red high heel shoes that Evan still cannot part with. She wants to go to school with them, but Evan says no. With the shoes Evan discovers a notebook full of post it notes and letters from Claire that she has written to help him get on with not only his life back on track but also Violet’s. He first finds it hard to cope on his own until old best friend Hannah arrives back from her travels. He is angry at first, as she left him after Claire died. He needed a friend, but she wasn’t there. But soon the friendship they have resurfaces.
Wow I loved every minute of this book about new beginnings after the loss of someone you love. There are laugh out loud moments and parts that make you cry and uplifting ones. This had a great storyline and love the characters especially Violet and the letters pulled at my heartstrings. I am not going to lie I did have a few tears in my eye after reading some of Claire’s letters. A big fat 5 stars from me.
August 11, 2021
"𝘐𝘵’𝘴 𝘵𝘪𝘮𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘳𝘵 𝘭𝘪𝘷𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘢𝘨𝘢𝘪𝘯, 𝘌𝘷𝘢𝘯. 𝘠𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘯𝘦𝘸 𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘳𝘵𝘴 𝘳𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵 𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦. 𝘓𝘰𝘷𝘦 𝘢𝘭𝘸𝘢𝘺𝘴, 𝘊𝘭𝘢𝘪𝘳𝘦."
I absolutely adored this book! Within its pages is the most beautiful story written with real compassion, about a Dad trying to do the very best for his young daughter despite the suffocating grief he feels after the loss of his wife, who's letters help her family not only move on but to thrive.
As to be expected it's a heartbreakingly emotional read, that tugs at the heartstrings (particularly Claire's letters!) but despite this there is plenty of uplifting moments and I was surprised to find myself laughing out out loud at times! Lynsey James has done such a great job at engaging her readers.
The characters are so well developed, that I found myself becoming quite attached to both Evan and Violet who's hurt was deeply apparent - watching them heal and develop was both heartwarming and rewarding!
Heartfelt and tender, it's a gorgeously gratifying read. I'd love to see it made into a film! If you enjoyed P.S I Love You make this your next read - I love, love, loved it!
👨👧💌
I absolutely adored this book! Within its pages is the most beautiful story written with real compassion, about a Dad trying to do the very best for his young daughter despite the suffocating grief he feels after the loss of his wife, who's letters help her family not only move on but to thrive.
As to be expected it's a heartbreakingly emotional read, that tugs at the heartstrings (particularly Claire's letters!) but despite this there is plenty of uplifting moments and I was surprised to find myself laughing out out loud at times! Lynsey James has done such a great job at engaging her readers.
The characters are so well developed, that I found myself becoming quite attached to both Evan and Violet who's hurt was deeply apparent - watching them heal and develop was both heartwarming and rewarding!
Heartfelt and tender, it's a gorgeously gratifying read. I'd love to see it made into a film! If you enjoyed P.S I Love You make this your next read - I love, love, loved it!
👨👧💌
September 19, 2020
A well told story telling the story of Evan. His wife, the mother of his daughter died of cancer 2 years before and although he is trying to hold things togeher, it hasn't been easy. His wife, Claire, wrote a series of letters before she died and Evan refers to these .
This book is full of emotions, grief, obviously given the storyline, but there are also funny moments, frustrating times and as a reader you also experience what Evan is going through, He has a good network of people to care for him and his daughter. I liked that this book felt so truthful , that in this situation you do not always get everything right and you regress and progress whilst grieving. Little things can set you off (loved the episode with the red high heels!) .
Thank you to Net galley for a great read in exchange for an honest review .
This book is full of emotions, grief, obviously given the storyline, but there are also funny moments, frustrating times and as a reader you also experience what Evan is going through, He has a good network of people to care for him and his daughter. I liked that this book felt so truthful , that in this situation you do not always get everything right and you regress and progress whilst grieving. Little things can set you off (loved the episode with the red high heels!) .
Thank you to Net galley for a great read in exchange for an honest review .
June 20, 2022
I enjoyed the story but I can not express enough how much I hated the letter aspect.
December 12, 2023
Close to a 4*
Super easy read with an endearing story line.
A range of letters from his late wife on how to navigate being a single dad to their little princess.
Super easy read with an endearing story line.
A range of letters from his late wife on how to navigate being a single dad to their little princess.
January 2, 2021
I enjoyed this quiet, and compassionate story, filled with bits of humor. The humor may surprise you as the book focuses on the death of a young and vibrant wife and mother from cancer. Claire leaves behind her grieving husband, Evan, and young daughter, Violet- and something else. Before she dies, she writes a handbook for her husband to guide him and her daughter through life without her.
Evan is a sweet guy, and he loved his wife and adores his child, Violet. But, after two years without Claire, he’s still lost and bereft. Can the handbook help him get back on track or will he continue to feel lost and lonely?
The book is pleasant and well-written and showcases Edinburgh, the setting of this book, in a lively and fascinating way. The book gives us a good view of Evan’s struggles to keep life going for him and five-year-old Violet. His attempts to date and his encounters with the “yummy mummies” at Violet’s school are entertaining. I am sure many readers were touched and moved by Evan’s story. I found Evan to be kind of wimpy and helpless. (I mean, “Mr. Mom” is almost 40 years old- guys know how to cook now!)
From the adorable cover to the sincere and well-written story, this is a book that will appeal to and enchant many readers. Thanks to NetGalley and HarperCollinsUK, One More Chapter for an advance digital review copy. This is my honest review.
Evan is a sweet guy, and he loved his wife and adores his child, Violet. But, after two years without Claire, he’s still lost and bereft. Can the handbook help him get back on track or will he continue to feel lost and lonely?
The book is pleasant and well-written and showcases Edinburgh, the setting of this book, in a lively and fascinating way. The book gives us a good view of Evan’s struggles to keep life going for him and five-year-old Violet. His attempts to date and his encounters with the “yummy mummies” at Violet’s school are entertaining. I am sure many readers were touched and moved by Evan’s story. I found Evan to be kind of wimpy and helpless. (I mean, “Mr. Mom” is almost 40 years old- guys know how to cook now!)
From the adorable cover to the sincere and well-written story, this is a book that will appeal to and enchant many readers. Thanks to NetGalley and HarperCollinsUK, One More Chapter for an advance digital review copy. This is my honest review.
October 19, 2020
Before Claire passed away, she wrote her husband a book of letters to help him raise their young daughter and help him move on with this life. A heartbreaking story and reading the letters from Claire to Evan had me in pieces. That said, while it was about love and loss it was also uplifting in parts and very much about hope and finding your way through loss. Another enjoyable one.
December 27, 2020
Well I was on the verge of tears at the start, and at the end, and a few times in between, for Lynsey James really does know how to pack an emotional punch.
The letters Claire has left to her husband Evan, on how to move on after her death, and how to be the best dad he can be to Violet are perfectly written. They hit just the right tone, and I suspect if you are more sentimental than me, then you will need tissues handy as you read some of them.
But in between it's also heart warming, and well brilliant. There are moments of levity, seeing Evan attempting to navigate the world of tinder and the dates he goes on are light relief, even if he couldn't see something I suspected rather early on.
And Violet, you can't help but feel for her, we meet her properly on the first time on her first day of school, and its heart-breaking that she's having to navigate this milestone without her mummy. Evan is trying is hardest but 2 years on is clearly still grieving and barely coping as it is.
Thankfully whether he wants it or not, Evan has a fabulous support network with his various friends, and family, They are all in their own ways trying to help him, whether he is ready to move on or not.
I knew nothing about this book as I started reading and I really feel that is the best way to approach it, to get the full impact. I literally couldn't put this down and devoured it very quickly. I was completely absorbed the the story, and its reminded me how great an author Lynsey James is. I just hope we don't have to wait another 3 years for her next book!
Thank you to One More Chapter and Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.
April 2, 2021
Three and a half stars.
Evan Harper's wife Claire died of cancer two years ago. Since then he's been trying to run his business (escorting haunted tours of Edinburgh) and look after his five year old daughter Violet. Except he's not doing well, in fact he's on the brink of breakdown, but all his friends and family seem to want him to do is move on and start dating again.
Violet's first day at school does not go well and in desperation Evan unearths the handwritten book of letters that Claire prepared in advance of her death. Carefully annotated with post-it notes to cover eventualities such as Violet's first day at school, right through to puberty and moving on, the letters are in turns touching and funny.
Then Evan's best friend Hannah returns to Scotland after travelling the world since shortly after Claire's death, she too encourages him to move on and to create a Tinder account, which creates some of the most humorous parts of the book.
Like other reviews I have read, I felt that Claire's letters were touching (very much in the style of P.S. I Love You although she appeared to be obnoxiously knowledgeable and serene, how would she know exactly what to do on Violet's first day when this was their only child? However, I found the attitude of Evan's friends and family to be a bit odd. If someone is drowning in sorrow then what is needed is support and friendship, not forcing them onto blind dates FFS.
Also, although there were lots of laugh-out-loud moments, overall I would classify this as a sad book, it's mainly about how Evan isn't coping and how dreadful he feels with only a little glimpse of hope right near the end. I was expecting the book to be more focused on the moving on part. Finally, I'm a snob, I just can't wrap my head around the idea of the male lead telling ghost stories for a living.
I received a free copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in return for an honest review.
Evan Harper's wife Claire died of cancer two years ago. Since then he's been trying to run his business (escorting haunted tours of Edinburgh) and look after his five year old daughter Violet. Except he's not doing well, in fact he's on the brink of breakdown, but all his friends and family seem to want him to do is move on and start dating again.
Violet's first day at school does not go well and in desperation Evan unearths the handwritten book of letters that Claire prepared in advance of her death. Carefully annotated with post-it notes to cover eventualities such as Violet's first day at school, right through to puberty and moving on, the letters are in turns touching and funny.
Then Evan's best friend Hannah returns to Scotland after travelling the world since shortly after Claire's death, she too encourages him to move on and to create a Tinder account, which creates some of the most humorous parts of the book.
Like other reviews I have read, I felt that Claire's letters were touching (very much in the style of P.S. I Love You although she appeared to be obnoxiously knowledgeable and serene, how would she know exactly what to do on Violet's first day when this was their only child? However, I found the attitude of Evan's friends and family to be a bit odd. If someone is drowning in sorrow then what is needed is support and friendship, not forcing them onto blind dates FFS.
Also, although there were lots of laugh-out-loud moments, overall I would classify this as a sad book, it's mainly about how Evan isn't coping and how dreadful he feels with only a little glimpse of hope right near the end. I was expecting the book to be more focused on the moving on part. Finally, I'm a snob, I just can't wrap my head around the idea of the male lead telling ghost stories for a living.
I received a free copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in return for an honest review.
November 10, 2020
How lucky was I to receive an advanced copy of this delightful new novel by Lynsey James? The Single Dad’s Handbook was such a sweet story following recently widowed father Evan and his adorable daughter Violet. Evan is still grieving the death of his wife, Claire, and learns to navigate his sorrow, Violet’s first days of school and the world of dating through letters left for him from Claire. Evan is such a sweetheart and I instantly fell for him myself. This book is witty, hilarious, endearing and so heartwarming. You cannot help but to laugh as Evan begins to date! Evan’s mom and life long friend Hannah, also play captivating roles in this novel and the characters create a world that readers instantly are involved in. The Single Dad’s Handbook is a realistic portrayal of a man whose world is shattered, but I loved watching him rebuild his heart and find joy in the ordinary and extraordinary. You won’t regret picking this novel up!
A sincere thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
A sincere thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
April 1, 2021
****I received an ARC from Net Galley in exchange for my honest review
Even though it has been two years since Evan Harper lost his wife Claire to cancer, he still feels adrift. Their five-year-old daughter Violet is starting school and he is completely unprepared for all that entails. It seems like no matter what he does, he can't do anything right anymore. So he finally gathers the courage to seek the answers from the one who would know how to handle everything perfectly - Claire. Before she died, she wrote a series of letters for him to open when he came to some of the very roadbloacks (and milestones) he was facing. Using those to guide him, Evan is able to become the dad Violet needs and finally move on with his life.
This was really good. It made me laugh and cry, but mostly laugh.....poor Evan, and Violet was such a pistol. It is worth reading for the tinder dates alone....some of those made me laugh until I cried. This is a great book that I think pretty much anyone who enjoys fiction would enjoy.
Even though it has been two years since Evan Harper lost his wife Claire to cancer, he still feels adrift. Their five-year-old daughter Violet is starting school and he is completely unprepared for all that entails. It seems like no matter what he does, he can't do anything right anymore. So he finally gathers the courage to seek the answers from the one who would know how to handle everything perfectly - Claire. Before she died, she wrote a series of letters for him to open when he came to some of the very roadbloacks (and milestones) he was facing. Using those to guide him, Evan is able to become the dad Violet needs and finally move on with his life.
This was really good. It made me laugh and cry, but mostly laugh.....poor Evan, and Violet was such a pistol. It is worth reading for the tinder dates alone....some of those made me laugh until I cried. This is a great book that I think pretty much anyone who enjoys fiction would enjoy.
April 10, 2021
'A handbook is a book of instruction or guidance'
This was a beautifully written, hard hitting, emotional roller coaster ride of a book. Laugh out loud funny in places & had you reaching for the tissues in others. I loved Evan's character & this book made my heart bleed for all those men out there who are actually going through this. Covering love, loss & grief alongside the struggles as a widower trying to do the best for his young daughter. The ending was a little predictable, but overall this was a great story & I'm looking forward to reading more of this authors works.
'Welcome to The Single Dad’s Handbook, your comprehensive guide to life without me when I pop my clogs!'
Two long years have passed since Even lost his wife Claire to cancer, he's trying his utmost to do everything for their five year old daughter Violet, but needs a little push in the right direction. So he turns to the book of letters his late wife left, full of tips & advice on how to raise Violet.
Many thanks to Netgalley for my ARC in return for my honest review.
𝗜 𝗴𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗯𝗼𝗼𝗸 𝗮 5 ⭐ 𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴
This was a beautifully written, hard hitting, emotional roller coaster ride of a book. Laugh out loud funny in places & had you reaching for the tissues in others. I loved Evan's character & this book made my heart bleed for all those men out there who are actually going through this. Covering love, loss & grief alongside the struggles as a widower trying to do the best for his young daughter. The ending was a little predictable, but overall this was a great story & I'm looking forward to reading more of this authors works.
'Welcome to The Single Dad’s Handbook, your comprehensive guide to life without me when I pop my clogs!'
Two long years have passed since Even lost his wife Claire to cancer, he's trying his utmost to do everything for their five year old daughter Violet, but needs a little push in the right direction. So he turns to the book of letters his late wife left, full of tips & advice on how to raise Violet.
Many thanks to Netgalley for my ARC in return for my honest review.
𝗜 𝗴𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗯𝗼𝗼𝗸 𝗮 5 ⭐ 𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 15, 2021
I struggled a bit with this book because I was expecting a lighthearted single dad romcom, and that’s not what I got. It’s a pretty weighty book, and while I enjoyed it, I didn’t love it.
The letters that Claire left behind for Evan to read in raising their daughter Violet alone after her death made me equally sad and happy. I kept imagining myself in that position, so it was thought-provoking for me in that way. The letters are very bittersweet. But they really are a great tool in this book for displaying how Evan is trying to move forward after his wife’s death.
This was a wonderful story about navigating the unimaginable, daddies and little girls, finding love again after loss... and even finding yourself again when you are the one left behind. It was just missing that *punch* for me that makes a good book great.
I received an advanced copy via NetGalley and voluntarily left a review.
The letters that Claire left behind for Evan to read in raising their daughter Violet alone after her death made me equally sad and happy. I kept imagining myself in that position, so it was thought-provoking for me in that way. The letters are very bittersweet. But they really are a great tool in this book for displaying how Evan is trying to move forward after his wife’s death.
This was a wonderful story about navigating the unimaginable, daddies and little girls, finding love again after loss... and even finding yourself again when you are the one left behind. It was just missing that *punch* for me that makes a good book great.
I received an advanced copy via NetGalley and voluntarily left a review.
February 17, 2021
Evan Harper lost his wife, leaving him a widower and a single father.
He's wallowing in grief, still, two years on, with a little girl about to start school, and his. family and friends wanting him to take the next steps to move on.
Before she passed away, Claire carefully collated a notebook, filled with letters for her husband and daughter to read, at key moments in their lives.
This set of letters ends up being the catalyst for change, in Evan's life, and he finds himself beginning to embrace life, and a few people, too...
A cute story, an easy read, Very similar to a lovely book I read a couple of years ago, about a husband who passes on and leaves a notebook for how to fall in love again, for his wife.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Harper Collines, One More Chapter for an ARC. in exchange for an honest review.
He's wallowing in grief, still, two years on, with a little girl about to start school, and his. family and friends wanting him to take the next steps to move on.
Before she passed away, Claire carefully collated a notebook, filled with letters for her husband and daughter to read, at key moments in their lives.
This set of letters ends up being the catalyst for change, in Evan's life, and he finds himself beginning to embrace life, and a few people, too...
A cute story, an easy read, Very similar to a lovely book I read a couple of years ago, about a husband who passes on and leaves a notebook for how to fall in love again, for his wife.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Harper Collines, One More Chapter for an ARC. in exchange for an honest review.
November 13, 2020
It has been two years since Evan’s wife, Claire, died after contracting cancer and Evan is trying to bring up their young daughter while struggling with his grief. On the first day of school for Violet, Evan comes across a book that Claire wrote, full of important letters and tips for her family that she had written for every occasion upon her death.
A beautiful book about starting over, without forgetting the love you had. This reminded me very much of P.S I Love You, so if you liked that book you will love this one!
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
A beautiful book about starting over, without forgetting the love you had. This reminded me very much of P.S I Love You, so if you liked that book you will love this one!
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
February 21, 2021
Single dad Evan is still struggling raising his daughter as a single parent after his wife Claire dies of cancer. Still in a funk and making mistakes regarding his daughter and job, Evan turns to the book of letters his late wife wrote from him to get through the hard times following her death.
A heartbreaking story of loss and coming to turns with grief. My only issue with this book was it just fell flat for me. I didn’t really connect with any of the characters. While it wasn’t for me I do think some will absolutely love this one.
Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for this ARC.
A heartbreaking story of loss and coming to turns with grief. My only issue with this book was it just fell flat for me. I didn’t really connect with any of the characters. While it wasn’t for me I do think some will absolutely love this one.
Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for this ARC.
April 4, 2021
Thanks to netgalley for the chance to read this book.
Evan’s wife Claire died from cancer 2 years ago and he still can’t come to terms with it and get on with his life as he has to look after their five year old daughter Violet. He can’t seem to do anything right and struggles to be the super dad he thinks he should be. When he finds a book of letters that Claire wrote before she died he starts to read them and finally the fog starts to clear and he makes headway in dealing with his grief. Whilst doing this he realises he is actually falling in love with his best friend Hannah but does she feel the same.
A book full of love, grief, friendships and relationships. Made me cry in some parts.
Evan’s wife Claire died from cancer 2 years ago and he still can’t come to terms with it and get on with his life as he has to look after their five year old daughter Violet. He can’t seem to do anything right and struggles to be the super dad he thinks he should be. When he finds a book of letters that Claire wrote before she died he starts to read them and finally the fog starts to clear and he makes headway in dealing with his grief. Whilst doing this he realises he is actually falling in love with his best friend Hannah but does she feel the same.
A book full of love, grief, friendships and relationships. Made me cry in some parts.
March 23, 2021
It's been two years since Evan lost his wife, Claire. Still wallowing in grief and needing help, Evan reads the letters that Claire left behind to help him with situations that will inevitably arise. Although this book is about grief, it is more heart warming than heart wrenching.
A story of loss, grief, family, friends, adventures and just maybe second chances.
Thanks to net galley and One More Chapter for the arc.
A story of loss, grief, family, friends, adventures and just maybe second chances.
Thanks to net galley and One More Chapter for the arc.
January 26, 2021
This was a really cute story!
Even on the brink of death, Evan’s wife was thinking of him and their young daughter, Violet. She knew life as a single father would be no easy task, especially while mourning her death, so Claire took it upon herself to write him a handbook to help guide him through the good days and the bad. I love how even though she often discussed serious subjects, she still kept things light-hearted and incorporated a bit of humor into the “handbook”. It was clear through her words just how much Claire and Evan loved each other, and that love carried over even after she passed.
And Violet was a delightful addition to this book! Both she and Evan were struggling without Claire, but with the help of his best friend, co-worker, mother, and Claire, he was able to repair their fragile relationship and be the super dad he strived to be.
Definitely recommending this one!
*I received an ARC of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.*
Even on the brink of death, Evan’s wife was thinking of him and their young daughter, Violet. She knew life as a single father would be no easy task, especially while mourning her death, so Claire took it upon herself to write him a handbook to help guide him through the good days and the bad. I love how even though she often discussed serious subjects, she still kept things light-hearted and incorporated a bit of humor into the “handbook”. It was clear through her words just how much Claire and Evan loved each other, and that love carried over even after she passed.
And Violet was a delightful addition to this book! Both she and Evan were struggling without Claire, but with the help of his best friend, co-worker, mother, and Claire, he was able to repair their fragile relationship and be the super dad he strived to be.
Definitely recommending this one!
*I received an ARC of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.*
August 19, 2024
Did not enjoy this as much as I thought I would.
The letters pulled at the heart strings in a big way but the storyline outside of that detracted from it too much - a bit frivolous and predictable for the emotionality of the concepts of the memory book/letters.
The letters pulled at the heart strings in a big way but the storyline outside of that detracted from it too much - a bit frivolous and predictable for the emotionality of the concepts of the memory book/letters.
March 16, 2021
The Single Dad's Handbook by Lynsey James is a lovely story that is an amusing and bittersweet journey through grief. Evan Harper lost his wife Claire to cancer at a tragically young age. Now, he must raise their daughter Violet while figuring out how to be himself again after losing someone who was his everything.
I enjoyed how this story tempered the sad with amusing situations that I could relate to as a parent. When he took his daughter to the emergency room, frantic because she is in so much pain, the embarrassing diagnosis is one that I have been through with my own daughter, and let me tell you, it made me laugh out loud to see even a fictional parent go through that. The crazy things parents go through. A handbook is the perfect gift his wife could have left him as all parents feel they need the same thing even when both spouses are alive and well.
I enjoyed the bittersweet letters Claire wrote. Her character shines through so clearly in the way she writes them. I imagine Evan had no problem hearing her voice as he read them and what a comfort that must have been. Grief is complicated. There is no way around that fact. Though Evan's character is not developed as well as I may have liked – the way he handled his grief is. The grief process is developed in a sublime, accessible, and intricate manner that made it easy for me to believe and feel so much compassion for this single dad. He is up. He is down. He feels like the clouds are parting. He feels like the world is crumbling down around his shoulders. Can anything explain grief better than that?
I do not think so.
The only thing that is a hiccup in my reading experience is family and friends' reactions at various points in the story. I can understand their concern, but it had been two years since Claire passed. To see them force Evan into decisions he disagreed with after all this time had passed is perplexing to me. I could see these situations happening in the weeks and months after she died but not two years later. I felt like I must be missing some crucial pieces to the story.
Suppose you want to read a story that will have you laughing, crying, and feeling like there is always a light at the end of the tunnel, no matter how dark things have become. In that case, this story is the perfect one for you.
I enjoyed how this story tempered the sad with amusing situations that I could relate to as a parent. When he took his daughter to the emergency room, frantic because she is in so much pain, the embarrassing diagnosis is one that I have been through with my own daughter, and let me tell you, it made me laugh out loud to see even a fictional parent go through that. The crazy things parents go through. A handbook is the perfect gift his wife could have left him as all parents feel they need the same thing even when both spouses are alive and well.
I enjoyed the bittersweet letters Claire wrote. Her character shines through so clearly in the way she writes them. I imagine Evan had no problem hearing her voice as he read them and what a comfort that must have been. Grief is complicated. There is no way around that fact. Though Evan's character is not developed as well as I may have liked – the way he handled his grief is. The grief process is developed in a sublime, accessible, and intricate manner that made it easy for me to believe and feel so much compassion for this single dad. He is up. He is down. He feels like the clouds are parting. He feels like the world is crumbling down around his shoulders. Can anything explain grief better than that?
I do not think so.
The only thing that is a hiccup in my reading experience is family and friends' reactions at various points in the story. I can understand their concern, but it had been two years since Claire passed. To see them force Evan into decisions he disagreed with after all this time had passed is perplexing to me. I could see these situations happening in the weeks and months after she died but not two years later. I felt like I must be missing some crucial pieces to the story.
Suppose you want to read a story that will have you laughing, crying, and feeling like there is always a light at the end of the tunnel, no matter how dark things have become. In that case, this story is the perfect one for you.
March 28, 2021
Sadly, this book was not for me.
Having myself been raised by a single father, I had high hopes that it would be a story I could relate to, but on the contrary, I couldn’t buy into either the narrative or the characters.
The premise is lovely and offers lots of scope for a story with depth and emotion. But, to me at least, it didn’t feel real. Already, in the first chapter, it lost my credibility, when five year-old Violet on her first day at school claims to miss and want her mummy, Considering that Violet was barely three when Claire died — and daddy Evan hasn’t spoken about his wife in the two years since — this notion is so far fetched as to be plain nonsense.
And it was all downhill from there.
Claire’s letters to Evan were sweet but conveniently drafted to fit an improbable narrative. In fact, the whole plot was hollow and trite, and I ended up skim reading to get to the end, which was exactly as I expected.
I have no doubt that this will find its market, but it wasn’t for me.
Having myself been raised by a single father, I had high hopes that it would be a story I could relate to, but on the contrary, I couldn’t buy into either the narrative or the characters.
The premise is lovely and offers lots of scope for a story with depth and emotion. But, to me at least, it didn’t feel real. Already, in the first chapter, it lost my credibility, when five year-old Violet on her first day at school claims to miss and want her mummy, Considering that Violet was barely three when Claire died — and daddy Evan hasn’t spoken about his wife in the two years since — this notion is so far fetched as to be plain nonsense.
And it was all downhill from there.
Claire’s letters to Evan were sweet but conveniently drafted to fit an improbable narrative. In fact, the whole plot was hollow and trite, and I ended up skim reading to get to the end, which was exactly as I expected.
I have no doubt that this will find its market, but it wasn’t for me.
April 23, 2021
A perfectly lovely easy read about love loss and moving on ❤️
October 30, 2020
Single Dads Handbook by Lyndsey James a five-star read that will make you laugh, it will make you cry, but most of all it will make your heart grow. This is a touching and emotional read, but its also shows grief in a very real manner, it doesn’t shy away like some do when dealing with grief, its almost another character it’s so well done, all of the stages are shown and shown in a way that is real, not like a tick list but actual anger, denial, and loss to name a few. What I loved most was that we were seeing a dad’s view that added something extra as a dad dealing with a daughter is always mystifying, mums just seem to know but most dads wouldn’t know the difference between hairstyles and things little girls adore, that brought something special to the story for me a freshness that made this a compelling and real story.
April 2, 2021
This book made me laugh and cry and I adored it!
Evan has lost his wife Claire to cancer two years ago. Lost in his grief he has lost his passion for his job, ghost tours around Edinburgh, and the bond he had with his daughter Violet but he’s trying to get his life back on an even keel. He turns to a collection of letters that Claire wrote for every occasion that he would encounter in his, and Violet’s life, without her to help him navigate through his grief.
It’s reminiscent of PS. I love you, so if you liked that you will love this.
Evan’s character is lovely and you really empathise with him, he has a good bunch of friends that are likeable and relatable.
Thank you to Netgalley and Harper Collins for the ARC
Evan has lost his wife Claire to cancer two years ago. Lost in his grief he has lost his passion for his job, ghost tours around Edinburgh, and the bond he had with his daughter Violet but he’s trying to get his life back on an even keel. He turns to a collection of letters that Claire wrote for every occasion that he would encounter in his, and Violet’s life, without her to help him navigate through his grief.
It’s reminiscent of PS. I love you, so if you liked that you will love this.
Evan’s character is lovely and you really empathise with him, he has a good bunch of friends that are likeable and relatable.
Thank you to Netgalley and Harper Collins for the ARC
March 20, 2021
Nice, sweet, charming and a few tears.
Evan Harper's wife died of cancer two years ago, and now he has to come to terms with life without her and raising their daughter. Claire left Evan a "handbook" notes and letters to guide him through.
I expected this to be a very tough and emotional read, yes there were really emotional points and I read these through tears. Real life experiences made it more tough to read.
But, I guessed what the outcome would be early on and this kind of took the "enjoyment" away. I'm an impatient reader and if I've guessed something, I want to know there and then if I'm right 🙈
I would have liked more letters and notes from Claire in the story, I found them a great touch.
A good book, beautifully told. Just me being to impatient. However it did touch my heart
Evan Harper's wife died of cancer two years ago, and now he has to come to terms with life without her and raising their daughter. Claire left Evan a "handbook" notes and letters to guide him through.
I expected this to be a very tough and emotional read, yes there were really emotional points and I read these through tears. Real life experiences made it more tough to read.
But, I guessed what the outcome would be early on and this kind of took the "enjoyment" away. I'm an impatient reader and if I've guessed something, I want to know there and then if I'm right 🙈
I would have liked more letters and notes from Claire in the story, I found them a great touch.
A good book, beautifully told. Just me being to impatient. However it did touch my heart
January 7, 2021
Let me just put my tissues away! Ahem.
Now, where do I begin? The Single Dad's Handbook is (bloody) amazing. You follow Evan as he weaves around the challenges of being a single parent, after the death of his wife, Claire.
You'd usually expect lots of sadness and grief (and yes there is some) but it's a realistic and humble story of Evan trying to live a normal-ish life. He remembers the good times and memories, whilst dealing with the down days.
Now, where do I begin? The Single Dad's Handbook is (bloody) amazing. You follow Evan as he weaves around the challenges of being a single parent, after the death of his wife, Claire.
You'd usually expect lots of sadness and grief (and yes there is some) but it's a realistic and humble story of Evan trying to live a normal-ish life. He remembers the good times and memories, whilst dealing with the down days.
March 27, 2021
Meet Evan Harper, single dad to five year old space loving Violet, a man still reeling from the death of his beloved wife Claire two years ago. Cancer stole her from both of them but life must carry on for this ghost tour company owner however difficult that may prove to be. The Single Dad’s Handbook is one distraught and grief stricken man’s journey through losing the love of his life to embracing a second chance at happiness and maybe even love. It’s a touching tale about letting go, cherishing old memories, making new ones and embarking on exciting adventures. Because life is for living and Evan owes it to Violet (and his deceased wife) to be the best dad he can possibly be.
Evan’s quest to become Super Dad is an uphill battle that he doesn’t believe he’s winning. Set in the beautiful Scottish city of Edinburgh (automatic point to author for location!) this saccharine laced novel begins with Violet’s first day at primary school. At such an important milestone in his daughter’s life Evan is missing Claire more than ever so the book of letters she left behind, aptly named the Single Dad’s Handbook is perhaps going to come in very handy. Reading like a personal parenting manual, Claire, during her darkest days has thoughtfully considered every obstacle that her husband may encounter, from down days, to dating again, to making special unforgettable memories with Violet, writing a letter specific to these occasions. Her heartfelt and sometimes heart rending letters, combining her own opinions and instructions as to how to become Super Dad whilst also giving him permission to move on from their life together are full of wise words, practical advice, motivation and a touch of gallows humour. Naturally they are sentimental, imbued with Claire’s spirit, giving the reader a glimpse of the woman she once was, reminding us of the cruel nature of life. Robbed of a future together the question is whether Evan can absorb everything his wife has to pass on, put it into practice and allow himself to finally lay her ghost to rest.
This is a storyline that holds no surprises. You know from the first few pages the direction the author will lead you in and who out of the slim cast of characters will play a pivotal role in forcing Evan out of his self imposed exile. Everyone from Hannah, Evan’s best friend, James, his business partner, friends Dave and Lorna and finally his mother endeavour to bring him out of the doldrums and back into the land of the living. All of them are concerned that Evan is resigned to keeping at least one foot in the past, constantly urging him to pull himself together for the sake of Violet, encouraging him even to rejoin the dating game. Apart from one, these individuals are mere background characters, only superficially developed so that I felt they were quite bland and beige. That’s true too of Evan who takes one step forward and two steps back in his struggle to overcome his grief and I found him quite a frustrating character. Thank heavens for little Violet whose cuteness and desire to become an astanut (astronaut) brings some much needed colour to this narrative which for me verges on mawkish and not terribly funny. I found Evan’s dating escapades mildly amusing but on the whole the writing is formulaic, an unoriginal variation on the theme of loss, grief and second chances. If I’m being brutally honest, the storyline suffers from repetitiveness and is entirely predictable, although I hasten to add predictability isn’t necessarily a bad thing. Personally I expect more from the characterisation to offset the fact you can easily second guess the outcome but that is sadly lacking here. I wasn’t as moved by Evan and Violet’s predicament as I’d anticipated to be, imagining at least a few tear jerking scenes and far more humour than the author actually delivers. The glorious location, which conjures up fond memories of my own in part makes amends for a storyline that doesn’t quite hit the mark.
To conclude, whilst this is an easy to read, sweet, if slightly too sentimental for my liking novel, there’s nothing in these pages to set it apart from other fiction embracing similar themes. Although it is hopeful and uplifting for the characters concerned it failed to push the right buttons for me. I wasn’t wrapped up in the emotional bear hug I was expecting and that is why I’ve decided on an average rating of three stars. My thanks as always to the publisher and Netgalley for giving me the opportunity to read in exchange for an honest review.
Evan’s quest to become Super Dad is an uphill battle that he doesn’t believe he’s winning. Set in the beautiful Scottish city of Edinburgh (automatic point to author for location!) this saccharine laced novel begins with Violet’s first day at primary school. At such an important milestone in his daughter’s life Evan is missing Claire more than ever so the book of letters she left behind, aptly named the Single Dad’s Handbook is perhaps going to come in very handy. Reading like a personal parenting manual, Claire, during her darkest days has thoughtfully considered every obstacle that her husband may encounter, from down days, to dating again, to making special unforgettable memories with Violet, writing a letter specific to these occasions. Her heartfelt and sometimes heart rending letters, combining her own opinions and instructions as to how to become Super Dad whilst also giving him permission to move on from their life together are full of wise words, practical advice, motivation and a touch of gallows humour. Naturally they are sentimental, imbued with Claire’s spirit, giving the reader a glimpse of the woman she once was, reminding us of the cruel nature of life. Robbed of a future together the question is whether Evan can absorb everything his wife has to pass on, put it into practice and allow himself to finally lay her ghost to rest.
This is a storyline that holds no surprises. You know from the first few pages the direction the author will lead you in and who out of the slim cast of characters will play a pivotal role in forcing Evan out of his self imposed exile. Everyone from Hannah, Evan’s best friend, James, his business partner, friends Dave and Lorna and finally his mother endeavour to bring him out of the doldrums and back into the land of the living. All of them are concerned that Evan is resigned to keeping at least one foot in the past, constantly urging him to pull himself together for the sake of Violet, encouraging him even to rejoin the dating game. Apart from one, these individuals are mere background characters, only superficially developed so that I felt they were quite bland and beige. That’s true too of Evan who takes one step forward and two steps back in his struggle to overcome his grief and I found him quite a frustrating character. Thank heavens for little Violet whose cuteness and desire to become an astanut (astronaut) brings some much needed colour to this narrative which for me verges on mawkish and not terribly funny. I found Evan’s dating escapades mildly amusing but on the whole the writing is formulaic, an unoriginal variation on the theme of loss, grief and second chances. If I’m being brutally honest, the storyline suffers from repetitiveness and is entirely predictable, although I hasten to add predictability isn’t necessarily a bad thing. Personally I expect more from the characterisation to offset the fact you can easily second guess the outcome but that is sadly lacking here. I wasn’t as moved by Evan and Violet’s predicament as I’d anticipated to be, imagining at least a few tear jerking scenes and far more humour than the author actually delivers. The glorious location, which conjures up fond memories of my own in part makes amends for a storyline that doesn’t quite hit the mark.
To conclude, whilst this is an easy to read, sweet, if slightly too sentimental for my liking novel, there’s nothing in these pages to set it apart from other fiction embracing similar themes. Although it is hopeful and uplifting for the characters concerned it failed to push the right buttons for me. I wasn’t wrapped up in the emotional bear hug I was expecting and that is why I’ve decided on an average rating of three stars. My thanks as always to the publisher and Netgalley for giving me the opportunity to read in exchange for an honest review.
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