What do you think?
Rate this book
The Beautiful Little Things
Torn apart by grief, can two sisters rediscover joy in the memory of their mother’s love?
Romy Moore has always cherished the warm embrace of her family home in the foothills of the Dublin Mountains—a welcome escape from life on the lower rungs of the London career ladder. It is her mother Cathy’s encouragement that has kept Romy chasing her dreams, so when she loses her, Romy feels more adrift than ever.
Ambitious and unflappable Joanna has always been the sister with her act together, but the birth of her twin daughters and the loss of her mother changes everything. Torn between giving her children the same start in life that she had and missing her high-powered tech career in Silicon Valley, she can’t help wondering: was she right to swap ambition for family?
As the first reunion looms, Romy notices that the home that once rang with laughter now feels empty, her father a passing shadow and her brother brooding and silent. But when she discovers their mother has left behind some important words of wisdom as a helping hand for them to carry on without her, a glimmer of hope sparks to life. Can Cathy’s loving reminder of beautiful little family memories guide her children through the festive season—and on into a future without her?
Romy Moore has always cherished the warm embrace of her family home in the foothills of the Dublin Mountains—a welcome escape from life on the lower rungs of the London career ladder. It is her mother Cathy’s encouragement that has kept Romy chasing her dreams, so when she loses her, Romy feels more adrift than ever.
Ambitious and unflappable Joanna has always been the sister with her act together, but the birth of her twin daughters and the loss of her mother changes everything. Torn between giving her children the same start in life that she had and missing her high-powered tech career in Silicon Valley, she can’t help wondering: was she right to swap ambition for family?
As the first reunion looms, Romy notices that the home that once rang with laughter now feels empty, her father a passing shadow and her brother brooding and silent. But when she discovers their mother has left behind some important words of wisdom as a helping hand for them to carry on without her, a glimmer of hope sparks to life. Can Cathy’s loving reminder of beautiful little family memories guide her children through the festive season—and on into a future without her?
331 pages, Paperback
First published September 21, 2021
1760 people are currently reading
4066 people want to read
About the author
Melissa Hill
133 books1,283 followersMelissa Hill is a USA Today bestselling author living in Ireland’s beautiful County Wicklow. Her page-turning contemporary novels of family, friendship and romance are published worldwide and have been translated into twenty-six languages.
A Hollywood adaptation of her international bestseller Something from Tiffany's, by Reese Witherspoon's production company Hello Sunshine and Amazon Studios, was released worldwide in Dec 2022.
Other novels including A Gift to Remember and The Charm Bracelet have been adapted for screen by Hallmark Channel USA, with multiple other titles currently also in development for film and TV.
For more info, visit her website at www.melissahill.info
Facebook: facebook.com/melissahillbooks
Instagram: @melissahillbooks
Melissa also co-writes forensic thrillers with her husband under the pseudonym Casey Hill. http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/...
A Hollywood adaptation of her international bestseller Something from Tiffany's, by Reese Witherspoon's production company Hello Sunshine and Amazon Studios, was released worldwide in Dec 2022.
Other novels including A Gift to Remember and The Charm Bracelet have been adapted for screen by Hallmark Channel USA, with multiple other titles currently also in development for film and TV.
For more info, visit her website at www.melissahill.info
Facebook: facebook.com/melissahillbooks
Instagram: @melissahillbooks
Melissa also co-writes forensic thrillers with her husband under the pseudonym Casey Hill. http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/...
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 183 reviews
December 27, 2022
This one felt very much like a Christmas story to me, as the bulk of the book takes place over three Christmases – the current Christmas, one a year prior, and then one a year. So, it would be a good one to read over the holidays – just make sure you bring your tissues as it’s a tear-jerker by the end! But, rest assured, it does have a happy ending!
Sweet, likable Romy is a people pleaser, her sister Joanna is a go-getter, and their brother Mark is a bit of a rabble rouser. But they all love to come home for a real Irish Christmas, and their mom always makes it extra special. Yet, when their mother passes away a few months after their last holiday together, it tears the family apart.
Told in two different voices – that of Romy and that of Joanna – it does get a bit confusing from time to time as it takes a minute to figure out who is “talking”. Yet, the characters have good backstory, believable personalities, and the conflicts and troubles each go through feel very authentic.
This is one that would be great for book clubs, and perhaps very meaningful (albeit sad) for anyone who has lost someone close. An uplifting story about The Beautiful Little Things that make life worth living.
A big thank you to Melissa Hill, Amazon Publishing UK, and NetGalley for providing an Advance Reader Copy in exchange for this review.
If you’re looking for a copy of The Beautiful Little Things, please consider buying from www.bookshop.org – the online bookstore that gives 75% of the book’s profits back to independent bookstores. Find it at https://bookshop.org/lists/best-ficti....
#TheBeautifulLittleThings
#MelissaHill
#AmazonPublishingUK
#NetGalley
#BookShop
#GeneralFictionAdult
#WomensFiction
#BookClubs
#Christmas
#Irish
Sweet, likable Romy is a people pleaser, her sister Joanna is a go-getter, and their brother Mark is a bit of a rabble rouser. But they all love to come home for a real Irish Christmas, and their mom always makes it extra special. Yet, when their mother passes away a few months after their last holiday together, it tears the family apart.
Told in two different voices – that of Romy and that of Joanna – it does get a bit confusing from time to time as it takes a minute to figure out who is “talking”. Yet, the characters have good backstory, believable personalities, and the conflicts and troubles each go through feel very authentic.
This is one that would be great for book clubs, and perhaps very meaningful (albeit sad) for anyone who has lost someone close. An uplifting story about The Beautiful Little Things that make life worth living.
A big thank you to Melissa Hill, Amazon Publishing UK, and NetGalley for providing an Advance Reader Copy in exchange for this review.
If you’re looking for a copy of The Beautiful Little Things, please consider buying from www.bookshop.org – the online bookstore that gives 75% of the book’s profits back to independent bookstores. Find it at https://bookshop.org/lists/best-ficti....
#TheBeautifulLittleThings
#MelissaHill
#AmazonPublishingUK
#NetGalley
#BookShop
#GeneralFictionAdult
#WomensFiction
#BookClubs
#Christmas
#Irish
October 10, 2021
This could have been a very sad book to read, however it didn’t read like that. It felt emotional, life affirming and a celebration of the ups and downs of family life.
It follows the 3 grown up children of a gorgeous lady who is diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. And how the family coped with losing the pivotal member of their family. But not in a sad way, it vibes with messy, vivid, fun family moments. Which balances out the sad times perfectly.
I really enjoyed it.
It follows the 3 grown up children of a gorgeous lady who is diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. And how the family coped with losing the pivotal member of their family. But not in a sad way, it vibes with messy, vivid, fun family moments. Which balances out the sad times perfectly.
I really enjoyed it.
September 16, 2021
This is a beautifully written, emotional story about dealing with grief and the importance of family.
The Moore siblings Joanna,Romy and Matt have always been close knit especially at Christmas time when they all come together with their own families to their parents' house which is a haven with their mother, Cathy, making everything extra special.
When they lose Cathy suddenly to an illness, the family literally falls apart, unable to reach out to each other. Joanna struggles with her grief and her feeling of inadequacy about not being the perfect mother she wants to be. Romy and Matt each have their own struggles which keep them all aloof until Christmas comes around and they reluctantly gather at the house to honour Cathy.
Finding a list of little traditions written down by Cathy that she believed would get them through this difficult time without her, they try to recapture the spirit of togetherness and family that has always been their comfort.
Anyone who has lost a parent will relate to this story especially because it really poignantly expresses the shock, anger, sense of loss and hopelessness that follow. It also equally beautifully shows how to move forward while keeping the memories always close.
An emotional read that's really well written.
The Moore siblings Joanna,Romy and Matt have always been close knit especially at Christmas time when they all come together with their own families to their parents' house which is a haven with their mother, Cathy, making everything extra special.
When they lose Cathy suddenly to an illness, the family literally falls apart, unable to reach out to each other. Joanna struggles with her grief and her feeling of inadequacy about not being the perfect mother she wants to be. Romy and Matt each have their own struggles which keep them all aloof until Christmas comes around and they reluctantly gather at the house to honour Cathy.
Finding a list of little traditions written down by Cathy that she believed would get them through this difficult time without her, they try to recapture the spirit of togetherness and family that has always been their comfort.
Anyone who has lost a parent will relate to this story especially because it really poignantly expresses the shock, anger, sense of loss and hopelessness that follow. It also equally beautifully shows how to move forward while keeping the memories always close.
An emotional read that's really well written.
July 17, 2022
Story about family and family relationships and a mother who keeps them together...
October 19, 2021
Another book I listened too. Another interesting story. Death can change the structure of the family. Uplifting twists
July 30, 2022
I have enjoyed other stories by Melissa Hill for they are often about contemporary families, friendships and romances. In The Beautiful Little Things, we get to see a family and how they deal with the loss of their mother who has been the real glue and fixer of things. Christmases are at the heart of this novel-- a time when they all come together from various parts of the world. It is also a time when they get to air their grievances but also share memories of their special mother and realise what is important and what is not.
A nice touch that makes the telling a little sweeter, is the inclusion of their mother's letters-- a special gift that continues to guide them from the great beyond. These were a delight to read as we get to know Cathy on a deeper level and who she was. It really kept this woman's presence on the pages, once she had passed.
It is a story about the love and wars in relationships. The misunderstandings and rivalry between siblings and how each must 'find themselves' and keep going once their mother is gone. Ultimately it is about how they heal and come together, stronger than ever. Under the nostalgic touch of the festive season, too.
A lovely story that will bring tears to your eyes and joy, eventually, to your heart. I certainly recommend it. 5 Stars
A nice touch that makes the telling a little sweeter, is the inclusion of their mother's letters-- a special gift that continues to guide them from the great beyond. These were a delight to read as we get to know Cathy on a deeper level and who she was. It really kept this woman's presence on the pages, once she had passed.
It is a story about the love and wars in relationships. The misunderstandings and rivalry between siblings and how each must 'find themselves' and keep going once their mother is gone. Ultimately it is about how they heal and come together, stronger than ever. Under the nostalgic touch of the festive season, too.
A lovely story that will bring tears to your eyes and joy, eventually, to your heart. I certainly recommend it. 5 Stars
October 1, 2022
Decent writing. I thought I'd enjoy this more, given the setting, but it was a bit heavy. Every character was dealing with hard things and there was no true break when the sun shone through and I could have a good laugh for a reprieve.
The MC was very obsessed with how she came across and wasn't very likeable, even after her supposed transformation, and everyone in the family group was trying to stop being miserable throughout the book. Granted, the book opened with a dying and then buried mom.
I skipped through all the mom's journal entries because they didn't really move the story forward and felt like filler. Everyone was suddenly a better person in a 12-month timeframe. Cute little twist at the end. Just overall, too much for me. Deep thinkers who love all the details of what goes through someone's mind might enjoy it though.
The MC was very obsessed with how she came across and wasn't very likeable, even after her supposed transformation, and everyone in the family group was trying to stop being miserable throughout the book. Granted, the book opened with a dying and then buried mom.
I skipped through all the mom's journal entries because they didn't really move the story forward and felt like filler. Everyone was suddenly a better person in a 12-month timeframe. Cute little twist at the end. Just overall, too much for me. Deep thinkers who love all the details of what goes through someone's mind might enjoy it though.
December 30, 2021
Very emotional!
March 31, 2024
I loved this book so much. It left me gutted at times but there were so many bittersweet parts that had me crying and smiling all at the same time.
November 14, 2021
A sweet, emotional read let down by heavy exposition. It's a strong enough story without the exposition.
June 22, 2022
Homage to family
For anyone who has lost their mother or for those who don’t recognize the importance of family - messy as it may be - a lovely tribute
For anyone who has lost their mother or for those who don’t recognize the importance of family - messy as it may be - a lovely tribute
October 16, 2022
Learning to live life and going forward after losing a loved one .
April 3, 2024
DNF honestly the most boring book ever. I read the first 100 pages and couldn’t bring myself to continue.
January 10, 2022
Engaging story of a family struggling to cope with the death of their mom. Their journey is rough and they learn the value of leaning on each other through their grief.
March 10, 2024
The Beautiful Little Things
To me the book showed how important family is and we should never forget our love ones who passed away
To me the book showed how important family is and we should never forget our love ones who passed away
July 19, 2024
I really liked this, sweet story. While this isn't a Christmas story per se, so much of it happens around Christmas, that if I'd known, I might have saved it more for a holiday read. Oh well, Christmas in July!
In KindleUnlimited with text and audio, I went primarily with the audio. A single narrator, which was just a tad confusing as we basically had three POVs, but nothing was really pointed out, there weren't headers to indicate the POV, and while the narrator attempted to change up the voice (would three different narrators have helped to distinguish better?) basically you had to use the tense to determine ...
POV 1 - Mum, written journal/letter style (2nd person). In italics in print.
POV 2 - Joanna ... these portions were 1st person, past tense
POV 3 - Romy ... these portions were 3rd person, past tense
... then there's dad, brother Matt, Joanna's Hubs Nate and their twins Suzy and Katie. Some other side characters too. Per the blurb, and pretty early in the book, it's revealed that the mother is sick. This is the story of how the family deals (and it's not well for a time).
I notice words/phrases ... this had the "let out the breath she didn't know she was holding" and "all intents and purposes" (I've had a real run of that in recent reads). Purloined, preternatural, route (pronounced "root") were noted. ProFanity (x10). Some smirking.
Beyond the main storyline (death of a parent, struggling relationships) ... Joanna, overwhelmed with the twins at the supermarket brings up an interesting topic for discussion. As an observer ... do you offer to help (in this case, I think the Joanna character would have been grateful, but in real life, I fear a "do you think I don't know how to handle my own kids?" retort or something), do you give the sympathetic glance. do you make the snarky comment. Does seeing this POV change your perspective next time you see a parent struggling with a child?
Got a little frustrated with some of the storyline - the miscommunications (we/the reader only had part of the story on several of them, so at least for most we were in the same spot as the characters ... it's worse when we/the reader DOES know both sides, super frustrating, at least for me!) Some things always seem to set up to mislead the reader (what did Matt do? Is Nate having an affair? Is Romy's boyfriend a good guy or bad guy?)
These stories ... they always get to me, probably not in the way that they do to pretty much everyone else when it comes to the "dealing with the death of a parent" thing. My own or me. the parent with my kids. I'm not sure if I'm just in a fog, or distanced myself, or what. Hubs used to joke about a certain birthday (which he happily passed and is still going strong) that his father and his father's father didn't make. I had my own "countdown" date, a checklist of things that I needed to done, and now done, I've had a good life and while not actively seeking an end, I'm okay with whenever. I haven't read the book Eighty and Out yet, but along those lines. I don't want to grow old, I fear facing all the declining health and financial issues and being more trouble then I'm worth. Things started to go downhill at 50. Got all the kids grown up, graduated, onto their own lives... how much would they be affected, really? I'm still on good terms with my folks, but I don't see them or chat that often (bad bad daughter). Just lots of rambling thoughts that don't necessarily leave me in a great head space.
My thoughts upon finishing are positive ... I'm just not sure how much I'll remember or even if I'll remember I read this (the cover/title isn't particularly memorable).
In KindleUnlimited with text and audio, I went primarily with the audio. A single narrator, which was just a tad confusing as we basically had three POVs, but nothing was really pointed out, there weren't headers to indicate the POV, and while the narrator attempted to change up the voice (would three different narrators have helped to distinguish better?) basically you had to use the tense to determine ...
POV 1 - Mum, written journal/letter style (2nd person). In italics in print.
POV 2 - Joanna ... these portions were 1st person, past tense
POV 3 - Romy ... these portions were 3rd person, past tense
... then there's dad, brother Matt, Joanna's Hubs Nate and their twins Suzy and Katie. Some other side characters too. Per the blurb, and pretty early in the book, it's revealed that the mother is sick. This is the story of how the family deals (and it's not well for a time).
I notice words/phrases ... this had the "let out the breath she didn't know she was holding" and "all intents and purposes" (I've had a real run of that in recent reads). Purloined, preternatural, route (pronounced "root") were noted. ProFanity (x10). Some smirking.
Beyond the main storyline (death of a parent, struggling relationships) ... Joanna, overwhelmed with the twins at the supermarket brings up an interesting topic for discussion. As an observer ... do you offer to help (in this case, I think the Joanna character would have been grateful, but in real life, I fear a "do you think I don't know how to handle my own kids?" retort or something), do you give the sympathetic glance. do you make the snarky comment. Does seeing this POV change your perspective next time you see a parent struggling with a child?
Got a little frustrated with some of the storyline - the miscommunications (we/the reader only had part of the story on several of them, so at least for most we were in the same spot as the characters ... it's worse when we/the reader DOES know both sides, super frustrating, at least for me!) Some things always seem to set up to mislead the reader (what did Matt do? Is Nate having an affair? Is Romy's boyfriend a good guy or bad guy?)
These stories ... they always get to me, probably not in the way that they do to pretty much everyone else when it comes to the "dealing with the death of a parent" thing. My own or me. the parent with my kids. I'm not sure if I'm just in a fog, or distanced myself, or what. Hubs used to joke about a certain birthday (which he happily passed and is still going strong) that his father and his father's father didn't make. I had my own "countdown" date, a checklist of things that I needed to done, and now done, I've had a good life and while not actively seeking an end, I'm okay with whenever. I haven't read the book Eighty and Out yet, but along those lines. I don't want to grow old, I fear facing all the declining health and financial issues and being more trouble then I'm worth. Things started to go downhill at 50. Got all the kids grown up, graduated, onto their own lives... how much would they be affected, really? I'm still on good terms with my folks, but I don't see them or chat that often (bad bad daughter). Just lots of rambling thoughts that don't necessarily leave me in a great head space.
My thoughts upon finishing are positive ... I'm just not sure how much I'll remember or even if I'll remember I read this (the cover/title isn't particularly memorable).
August 29, 2021
The Moore family is celebrating a happier Christmas..one where Mum Moore has always given her three adult children want to go home for the holidays. From festive preperations ,baked pastries, sausage rolls, black puddings, and Christmas Eve filled their house with the neighbors .
Matt,Joanna,and Matt have no idea this may be their's mother's last Christmas,and bring home their own personal issues where Mum notices.
Her spirit is kept alive through her journals for the following holiday.
Romy, the single daughter makes sure their mother's instructions for a festive Christmas again, are kept the same traditions,food and decors included.
Joanna, a mother of girl twins has her life too busy to had gone home after last years holiday. She senses she is needed to return home once again for this year's Christmas.
Her brother Matt has now been living with their father Bill. In her entrance back to her childhood home,she finds the two men gloom and no holiday spirit started in the house.
This is a story of love, strength and finding hope and family connections without their mother's prescense.
Mum gives them all a push through a journal she has left behind, all the instructions and her thoughts alive and well, for each of them.
Each adult has their own hidden secrets they soon reveal to one another. I enjoyed reading their pain in their life, and love for each other,even if it didnt seem they could pick up the peices.
Melissa Hill gave this story a beautiful touch to let readers accept what we get in life for a mere moment because the detailed stressed out moments dont mean much,except the Beautiful Little Things.
I highly recommend this ARC given to me from NetGalley & AMazon Publishing UK.This opinion of my feedback is solely my own.
Matt,Joanna,and Matt have no idea this may be their's mother's last Christmas,and bring home their own personal issues where Mum notices.
Her spirit is kept alive through her journals for the following holiday.
Romy, the single daughter makes sure their mother's instructions for a festive Christmas again, are kept the same traditions,food and decors included.
Joanna, a mother of girl twins has her life too busy to had gone home after last years holiday. She senses she is needed to return home once again for this year's Christmas.
Her brother Matt has now been living with their father Bill. In her entrance back to her childhood home,she finds the two men gloom and no holiday spirit started in the house.
This is a story of love, strength and finding hope and family connections without their mother's prescense.
Mum gives them all a push through a journal she has left behind, all the instructions and her thoughts alive and well, for each of them.
Each adult has their own hidden secrets they soon reveal to one another. I enjoyed reading their pain in their life, and love for each other,even if it didnt seem they could pick up the peices.
Melissa Hill gave this story a beautiful touch to let readers accept what we get in life for a mere moment because the detailed stressed out moments dont mean much,except the Beautiful Little Things.
I highly recommend this ARC given to me from NetGalley & AMazon Publishing UK.This opinion of my feedback is solely my own.
April 5, 2023
The Beautiful Little Things by Melissa Hill is a story of sisters, torn by grief, finding a way to rediscover joy. The family home in the foothills of the Dublin Mountains has always a welcome escape. Romy Moore cherishes the warm embrace her family gives as she starts her career at the bottom of the London publishing ladder. Her mother, Cathy, has always been her biggest supporter as she chased her dreams. When her mother dies after a sudden illness, Romy feels adrift. Joanna has always been ambitious, coolheaded with her act together. But after the birth of her twin daughters and the death of her mother, she finds herself questioning what she wants anymore. When Romy discovers her mother’s journals, she realizes that her mother left behind precious words of wisdom to spark life back into the family and face a future without her.
The Beautiful Little Things is a story of grief and finding a way to move forward. The synopsis spoke to me as a moving story and I was eager to read it. Unfortunately, the story dragged on. It switched first person narrators between Romy and Joanna with very little indication of the switch. It was confusing and often headache inducing. Other than stating Dublin Mountains, which I had to google where they are located, there was no indication where this story took place in Ireland. A story of grief can happen anywhere; however, this story didn’t feel like Ireland. Overall, the story fell flat for me and it wasn’t the story I thought it was going to be. I was bored half the time. The parts I did enjoy were the mother’s journal entries. However, if you are intrigued by the story, I recommend checking out The Beautiful Little Things.
The Beautiful Little Things is available in paperback, eBook, and audiobook
The Beautiful Little Things is a story of grief and finding a way to move forward. The synopsis spoke to me as a moving story and I was eager to read it. Unfortunately, the story dragged on. It switched first person narrators between Romy and Joanna with very little indication of the switch. It was confusing and often headache inducing. Other than stating Dublin Mountains, which I had to google where they are located, there was no indication where this story took place in Ireland. A story of grief can happen anywhere; however, this story didn’t feel like Ireland. Overall, the story fell flat for me and it wasn’t the story I thought it was going to be. I was bored half the time. The parts I did enjoy were the mother’s journal entries. However, if you are intrigued by the story, I recommend checking out The Beautiful Little Things.
The Beautiful Little Things is available in paperback, eBook, and audiobook
April 22, 2023
This is one of the most heartwarming books I have read, and I wish I had read this book during Christmas.
This story is life-affirming and emotional... it shows us how to embrace the ups and downs in life.
The story begins during the Christmas holidays when the Moore siblings Joanna, Romy, and Matt visit their parents for the season celebrations. A close-knit family get-together is all that they wished to have till the personal tension of each sibling surfaced and led to an unpleasant situation between them.
Their mother, Cathy, has always been the one who showed them the way ahead. This time, she had something to share with her children, but she couldn't think of doing that knowing what was happening in her children's life.
Cathy was diagnosed with cancer and didn't have much time left with her family. Soon after the festive season, she had to tell the three grown-up children the news. The family was left devastated after her death and didn't know if the festive season would ever be the same again.
Christmas was around the corner, and somehow the siblings had come home to meet their father for Christmas; with the new unpleasant memories of last year's Christmas and their mother's recent death, it was difficult for the siblings to pull themselves together and sort their differences.
It would have been a disastrous Christmas for the family if they had not found out what Cathy had left behind for them. What did Cathy leave behind?
An emotional roller-coaster ride so close to reality makes this book a fantastic festive season read.
I highly recommend reading this book if you enjoy reading family drama.
This story is life-affirming and emotional... it shows us how to embrace the ups and downs in life.
The story begins during the Christmas holidays when the Moore siblings Joanna, Romy, and Matt visit their parents for the season celebrations. A close-knit family get-together is all that they wished to have till the personal tension of each sibling surfaced and led to an unpleasant situation between them.
Their mother, Cathy, has always been the one who showed them the way ahead. This time, she had something to share with her children, but she couldn't think of doing that knowing what was happening in her children's life.
Cathy was diagnosed with cancer and didn't have much time left with her family. Soon after the festive season, she had to tell the three grown-up children the news. The family was left devastated after her death and didn't know if the festive season would ever be the same again.
Christmas was around the corner, and somehow the siblings had come home to meet their father for Christmas; with the new unpleasant memories of last year's Christmas and their mother's recent death, it was difficult for the siblings to pull themselves together and sort their differences.
It would have been a disastrous Christmas for the family if they had not found out what Cathy had left behind for them. What did Cathy leave behind?
An emotional roller-coaster ride so close to reality makes this book a fantastic festive season read.
I highly recommend reading this book if you enjoy reading family drama.
August 18, 2021
The Beautiful Little Things by Melissa Hill
A hearbreaking story of bereavement . It is from the perspective of three siblings , who are each dealing with the terminal illness, and then death of their mother.
The story mainly covers two Christmases , the first one of the illness , and the second showing how they are bearing up ( or not ) for the first Christmas without her.
This is a completely believable insight into how families cope with the loss of the matriarch and much loved family member.
Moving , poignant , at times amusing . A great read .
This is a very heartfelt seasonal read about three adult siblings who have each reached a turning point in their lives and then have to deal with the devastation of their mums terminal illness and death. Told over two Christmases, the first of which they spent oblivious to their mums illness, this really shows what makes a family but also how vulnerable things can become. The different relationships in here and the impact of grief are so well written but this is by no means a negative read, it’s well observed and poignant but also uplifting.
Was this review helpful?
Debbie M, Reviewer
I love Melissa Hill and was really excited to receive this copy thank you. It follows a family through the year following a bereavement and how they deal with themselves and each other. It was very moving, tearful and happy all at the same time. A little confusing at times as to whose story was being told but it didnt spoil the book for me, loved it
Was this review helpful?
A hearbreaking story of bereavement . It is from the perspective of three siblings , who are each dealing with the terminal illness, and then death of their mother.
The story mainly covers two Christmases , the first one of the illness , and the second showing how they are bearing up ( or not ) for the first Christmas without her.
This is a completely believable insight into how families cope with the loss of the matriarch and much loved family member.
Moving , poignant , at times amusing . A great read .
This is a very heartfelt seasonal read about three adult siblings who have each reached a turning point in their lives and then have to deal with the devastation of their mums terminal illness and death. Told over two Christmases, the first of which they spent oblivious to their mums illness, this really shows what makes a family but also how vulnerable things can become. The different relationships in here and the impact of grief are so well written but this is by no means a negative read, it’s well observed and poignant but also uplifting.
Was this review helpful?
Debbie M, Reviewer
I love Melissa Hill and was really excited to receive this copy thank you. It follows a family through the year following a bereavement and how they deal with themselves and each other. It was very moving, tearful and happy all at the same time. A little confusing at times as to whose story was being told but it didnt spoil the book for me, loved it
Was this review helpful?
September 16, 2021
As soon as I saw the author was Melissa Hill I was desperate to read this novel and was delighted to get it as an ARC. Thank you NetGalley.
I have enjoyed every one of her books and this one did not disappoint. In this troubled world Melissa Hill is a ray of sunshine and I always feel better when I read her books. Not that this one is all sunshine and light. There are some dark moments as the story deals with bereavement and the affect this must have on the most loving of families. Unfortunately the Moores, whilst loving, are also disparate and their mother is the glue that holds them together. Will they ever get that closeness back after her death? The story follows each of them. Romy the youngest and seemingly most insecure, Matt the fun loving son and Jo, the corporate genius and mother of very young twins. In the year following their mother’s death they each have to deal with turmoil in their personal lives and how do they handle this without their mother’s good advice and guidance? Hill’s genius is the description of her characters, even the babies. They are none of them perfect but they each have a core of goodness. You live with them through the ups and downs and sooo want a happy ending. I did not want to finish this book. I wanted to keep reading as I was so involved in the characters I was living their life with them.
I have enjoyed every one of her books and this one did not disappoint. In this troubled world Melissa Hill is a ray of sunshine and I always feel better when I read her books. Not that this one is all sunshine and light. There are some dark moments as the story deals with bereavement and the affect this must have on the most loving of families. Unfortunately the Moores, whilst loving, are also disparate and their mother is the glue that holds them together. Will they ever get that closeness back after her death? The story follows each of them. Romy the youngest and seemingly most insecure, Matt the fun loving son and Jo, the corporate genius and mother of very young twins. In the year following their mother’s death they each have to deal with turmoil in their personal lives and how do they handle this without their mother’s good advice and guidance? Hill’s genius is the description of her characters, even the babies. They are none of them perfect but they each have a core of goodness. You live with them through the ups and downs and sooo want a happy ending. I did not want to finish this book. I wanted to keep reading as I was so involved in the characters I was living their life with them.
August 28, 2023
A well written family drama
This book isn't really my cup of tea. However, I have to acknowledge it is well written, the characters are well drawn and the individual stories are interwoven very skilfully. I may be inclined to think it all a bit fanciful but I guess families like this do exist. Mine certainly isn't like it!
A family torn apart by a tragedy, everyone trying to come to terms with it while working through their own personal life challenges. I guess this is realistic. Maybe Irish families are better at expressing their emotions and resolving conflict.
The dialogue between the characters keeps the book moving. The role of the mother speaking from her diary is interesting. Joanna, the eldest is given her own voice but the rest tell their story through a narrator..It works.
In fact the story only really covers a short time frame and is mostly acted out in the family home. It would make a good play..perfect in fact. Intense, focussed on the here and now. The main plot being the family unraveling, then gradually finding their own purpose and rebuilding, it is centred around the characters and their emotions, rather than specific events. Although there are back stories so it is not all the outpouring of grief and disappointment.
If this is your cup of tea you will enjoy it.
This book isn't really my cup of tea. However, I have to acknowledge it is well written, the characters are well drawn and the individual stories are interwoven very skilfully. I may be inclined to think it all a bit fanciful but I guess families like this do exist. Mine certainly isn't like it!
A family torn apart by a tragedy, everyone trying to come to terms with it while working through their own personal life challenges. I guess this is realistic. Maybe Irish families are better at expressing their emotions and resolving conflict.
The dialogue between the characters keeps the book moving. The role of the mother speaking from her diary is interesting. Joanna, the eldest is given her own voice but the rest tell their story through a narrator..It works.
In fact the story only really covers a short time frame and is mostly acted out in the family home. It would make a good play..perfect in fact. Intense, focussed on the here and now. The main plot being the family unraveling, then gradually finding their own purpose and rebuilding, it is centred around the characters and their emotions, rather than specific events. Although there are back stories so it is not all the outpouring of grief and disappointment.
If this is your cup of tea you will enjoy it.
October 29, 2023
This was an okay book. It had a good premise - a family torn apart by the death of its matriarch - but a lot of flaws.
I liked the idea of a novel about a tight family of five with two girls and boy who lose their mother. All the kids are in their thirties. One girl has two babies, one is in a great relationship with a lovely girl and the last daughter is floundering, determined to make her way in the universe by herself.
Just after Christmas, mom announces she is dying of pancreatic cancer. When she loses the battle four months later, everyone turns on everyone else and everything falls apart, relationships sour, jobs are lost.
Then the following Christmas comes and, in predictable fashion, all is well again thanks to mom.
Flaws? The story is told from three perspectives. The mother speak through her diary. The other narratives are from the two daughters, Joanna and Romy. The brother, whose story is important, does not get to be narrator. I find that a failing.
The characters are also fairly one dimensional. The perfect, controlling sister who turns very angry when she learns she is not perfect. The immature son who screws up his relationship to avoid showing he is vulnerable. The youngest sister who believes she is a pudgy failure who lets a man run roughshod all over her.
Yeah. Predicable.
But still a good, one I will have forgotten by tomorrow.
I liked the idea of a novel about a tight family of five with two girls and boy who lose their mother. All the kids are in their thirties. One girl has two babies, one is in a great relationship with a lovely girl and the last daughter is floundering, determined to make her way in the universe by herself.
Just after Christmas, mom announces she is dying of pancreatic cancer. When she loses the battle four months later, everyone turns on everyone else and everything falls apart, relationships sour, jobs are lost.
Then the following Christmas comes and, in predictable fashion, all is well again thanks to mom.
Flaws? The story is told from three perspectives. The mother speak through her diary. The other narratives are from the two daughters, Joanna and Romy. The brother, whose story is important, does not get to be narrator. I find that a failing.
The characters are also fairly one dimensional. The perfect, controlling sister who turns very angry when she learns she is not perfect. The immature son who screws up his relationship to avoid showing he is vulnerable. The youngest sister who believes she is a pudgy failure who lets a man run roughshod all over her.
Yeah. Predicable.
But still a good, one I will have forgotten by tomorrow.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Read
February 10, 2024KU
Os irmãos Joanna, Romy e Matt sempre foram muito unidos, especialmente na época do Natal, quando todos se reúnem na casa dos pais. Quando eles perdem a mãe repentinamente devido a uma doença, a família se desintegra, incapaz de se comunicar. Joanna luta contra a dor e o sentimento de inadequação por não ser a mãe perfeita que deseja ser e todos esperarem que ela volte ao trabalho, quando ela só quer ficar com as filhas. Romy, com um boy lixo que a desrespeita e sonha em correr uma maratona para provar que é capaz de coisas incríveis, e Matt, está com o pai por estar tendo problemas no trabalho, se sente inadequado lá. Fora o pai deles que está sofrendo pela ausência da esposa, sem ânimo. O Natal chega e eles relutantemente se reúnem para homenagear a mãe. Romy garante que as instruções da mãe para um Natal festivo sejam mantidas: tradições, comida e decoração. Ela encontra um diário da mãe com pensamentos de acalanto para eles, mostrando as falhas de cada um e suas potencialidades, o amor dela por eles. Essas partes do diário eram lindas, muito comovente. No fim, Joanna consegue um equilíbrio entre casamento, maternidade e carreira, Matt recebe o apoio da família, Romy termina com o boy e o livro encerra com sua largada na maratona e todos torcendo por ela. Gostei !
Os irmãos Joanna, Romy e Matt sempre foram muito unidos, especialmente na época do Natal, quando todos se reúnem na casa dos pais. Quando eles perdem a mãe repentinamente devido a uma doença, a família se desintegra, incapaz de se comunicar. Joanna luta contra a dor e o sentimento de inadequação por não ser a mãe perfeita que deseja ser e todos esperarem que ela volte ao trabalho, quando ela só quer ficar com as filhas. Romy, com um boy lixo que a desrespeita e sonha em correr uma maratona para provar que é capaz de coisas incríveis, e Matt, está com o pai por estar tendo problemas no trabalho, se sente inadequado lá. Fora o pai deles que está sofrendo pela ausência da esposa, sem ânimo. O Natal chega e eles relutantemente se reúnem para homenagear a mãe. Romy garante que as instruções da mãe para um Natal festivo sejam mantidas: tradições, comida e decoração. Ela encontra um diário da mãe com pensamentos de acalanto para eles, mostrando as falhas de cada um e suas potencialidades, o amor dela por eles. Essas partes do diário eram lindas, muito comovente. No fim, Joanna consegue um equilíbrio entre casamento, maternidade e carreira, Matt recebe o apoio da família, Romy termina com o boy e o livro encerra com sua largada na maratona e todos torcendo por ela. Gostei !
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 2, 2024
The Beautiful Little Things by Melissa Hill pulled me in gently but firmly. The characters felt almost too real at every turn. The breakdowns in communications and the assumptions made about each other and situations felt all too familiar. I cheered them on, shook my head at bad decisions, and urged them to just talk to each other. Hill creates the kind of family drama and tension that often accompanies big changes in life with a nuance that felt voyeuristic at times. The Beautiful Little Things tells the story of a family navigating love, relationships, disappointment, guilt, and most of all, grief. As the family tries to navigate through unspoken resentments and unfair assumptions about one another, they are also navigating grief over their beloved matriarch and their perceptions of her perfection leading them to lash out and create havoc for all even while using her last journal as a guide to find their way back to each other. The Beautiful Little Things is all about navigating the little things in life to embrace the larger things in life when opportunity arises while also letting go of expectations of both one's self and others.
November 13, 2022
The Beautiful Little Things is a lovely story of family, love, loss and forgiveness. Three siblings who have grown apart after the death of their beloved mother must find their way back together or be lost forever.
The author has created a heartfelt and beautiful story of what can happen when family members forget that love is the most important part of their lives and that family is at the center of it all.
Romy, Joanna and Matt, siblings, who are lost and lonely after their mother dies must find a way to go on and continue the traditions that their loving mother started. Can they help their father also who is grieving and has stopped living since his wife lost her life to cancer? Each sibling has his/her own demons to conquer before they can begin again and find the love they once shared.
A memorable and unforgettable story that will touch your heart and bring tears to your eyes. I highly recommend!
The author has created a heartfelt and beautiful story of what can happen when family members forget that love is the most important part of their lives and that family is at the center of it all.
Romy, Joanna and Matt, siblings, who are lost and lonely after their mother dies must find a way to go on and continue the traditions that their loving mother started. Can they help their father also who is grieving and has stopped living since his wife lost her life to cancer? Each sibling has his/her own demons to conquer before they can begin again and find the love they once shared.
A memorable and unforgettable story that will touch your heart and bring tears to your eyes. I highly recommend!
October 2, 2021
First, get out the tissues, this is an emotional one. Excellent characterizations; they really come alive.
I like the literary device of the mix of Journal & flash back, with the poignancy of knowing at least part of the outcome, till we reach 'real-time'. It gives your brain an occupation to start imagining how everyone will react & where it will go. A little slow starting, due to the depressing nature, but once I got well into it, I had trouble staying away. I just had to keep going back, to see how this family would (if they could) bounce back from this mess.
What a truly engrossing journey, with characters that feel truly real, and relationships that resonate. I just wept, and blubbered, but it was ultimately worth it to take this journey; cathartic.
I like the literary device of the mix of Journal & flash back, with the poignancy of knowing at least part of the outcome, till we reach 'real-time'. It gives your brain an occupation to start imagining how everyone will react & where it will go. A little slow starting, due to the depressing nature, but once I got well into it, I had trouble staying away. I just had to keep going back, to see how this family would (if they could) bounce back from this mess.
What a truly engrossing journey, with characters that feel truly real, and relationships that resonate. I just wept, and blubbered, but it was ultimately worth it to take this journey; cathartic.
September 1, 2021
Thank you so much for this ARC!
I have been a fan of Melissa Hill for such a long time. She is such a beautiful storyteller and her books always explore serious topics in a way that is enjoyable to read. After each of her books, whether it took place along the hills of Ireland or the coast of Italy, I always felt like I had a learned a lesson - on love, life, friendship and in this case family.
The Beautiful Little Things tells the story of a family grieving after the loss of their matriarch. Each family member is facing their own personal issues but come together for the first Christmas after their mom's passing to honor her traditions and to build their family back together.
I have been a fan of Melissa Hill for such a long time. She is such a beautiful storyteller and her books always explore serious topics in a way that is enjoyable to read. After each of her books, whether it took place along the hills of Ireland or the coast of Italy, I always felt like I had a learned a lesson - on love, life, friendship and in this case family.
The Beautiful Little Things tells the story of a family grieving after the loss of their matriarch. Each family member is facing their own personal issues but come together for the first Christmas after their mom's passing to honor her traditions and to build their family back together.
February 6, 2022
Well this is completely gorgeous! A beautifully crafted story about life, families, how one person can hold a family together, and when they die how everything can fall apart, until someone or several people realise what's happening. There are so many life-affirming messages in this book, I almost ran out of highlighters! Sibling dynamics permeate the core of this story, so real and so raw as adult children struggle to deal with the loss of their mother. Cathy's diary words are so poignant, practical, pragmatic and yet so full of love for her children. This book took me by surprise, a lovely emotional, enrapturing surprise. I didn't want it to end.
June 29, 2022
3.5⭐️ This was a heartfelt story that focuses on a family after the loss of their mother, and their attempt to spend the Christmas season together with all of its festivities, just as their mother would have wanted. With some words of wisdom left behind in their mother’s journal, the family uses her words to guide them and bring healing to their family.
This was an emotional story, I felt the heaviness that this situation would bring especially during the holidays. I appreciated their mother’s wisdom through her journal and it was sweet (although predictable) how everything came together at the end.
This was an emotional story, I felt the heaviness that this situation would bring especially during the holidays. I appreciated their mother’s wisdom through her journal and it was sweet (although predictable) how everything came together at the end.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 183 reviews