What do you think?
Rate this book
Note to Self
From the author of We Just Clicked and The Man I Didn’t Marry comes a brand-new romantic and moving love story daring to find a second chance in life and love.
It’s never too late to follow your heart.
One summer’s day seventeen years ago Edie and Joel meet.
Their connection is instant and a friendship is born, although Edie can’t help but wish for more. But just as she builds up the courage to lay her heart on the line, one night changes everything…
Edie’s moved on from the heartbreak of years ago. So the last thing she expects to receive on her thirty-fifth birthday is an email… from her eighteen-year-old self. As more emails arrive, she starts to remember what – or rather who – she left behind.
Following her own advice, Edie heads back to the place where it all began, and finds her path unexpectedly crossing with Joel’s once more. Could this finally be their chance at love? Or are some things better left in the past?
It’s never too late to follow your heart.
One summer’s day seventeen years ago Edie and Joel meet.
Their connection is instant and a friendship is born, although Edie can’t help but wish for more. But just as she builds up the courage to lay her heart on the line, one night changes everything…
Edie’s moved on from the heartbreak of years ago. So the last thing she expects to receive on her thirty-fifth birthday is an email… from her eighteen-year-old self. As more emails arrive, she starts to remember what – or rather who – she left behind.
Following her own advice, Edie heads back to the place where it all began, and finds her path unexpectedly crossing with Joel’s once more. Could this finally be their chance at love? Or are some things better left in the past?
384 pages, Paperback
Published May 30, 2023
58 people are currently reading
803 people want to read
About the author
Anna Bell
49 books455 followersAnna is represented by the Marsh Agency and published by Quercus. 'Don't Tell the Groom' is released in paperback 5th December 2013.
Anna also writes new adult fiction under the pen name Annabel Scott.
Anna also writes new adult fiction under the pen name Annabel Scott.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 112 reviews
May 30, 2022
The concept of this book was really brilliant, I'd love to receive emails from my younger self that would help me navigate my current life and relationships better. Definitely give this one a read!
July 27, 2022
Finished - review coming soon. Lovely read, a proper tear-jerker!
August 29, 2022
Note to Self was really sweet, fun and romantic read. It’s Edie’s 35th birthday and she’s feeling anxious. Edie receives her first email from her past self that Edie wrote when she was 18th which also include a note to self to future Edie.
This book was a little slow at the beginning but the pace did pick up around after 30% of the book. I enjoyed reading the rest. I loved the concept of this book where Edie receives emails from her past self. It’s unique.
Edie is such a lovely character. She has everything. However, she always put others first before herself. To me that’s her only flaw. When she receives emails from her past self, she starts to think hard about her life now. Her life now is not the life her past self wanted to be. Would she change her life or is it too late?
I really enjoyed following Edie’s journey in rediscover herself. There’s a lot of funny moments but there’s also some serious topic for example dealing with grief and alcoholism.
Thank you Times Reads for sending me a copy of Note to Self in exchange for an honest review.
This book was a little slow at the beginning but the pace did pick up around after 30% of the book. I enjoyed reading the rest. I loved the concept of this book where Edie receives emails from her past self. It’s unique.
Edie is such a lovely character. She has everything. However, she always put others first before herself. To me that’s her only flaw. When she receives emails from her past self, she starts to think hard about her life now. Her life now is not the life her past self wanted to be. Would she change her life or is it too late?
I really enjoyed following Edie’s journey in rediscover herself. There’s a lot of funny moments but there’s also some serious topic for example dealing with grief and alcoholism.
Thank you Times Reads for sending me a copy of Note to Self in exchange for an honest review.
June 23, 2022
Edie thought her life was pretty perfect, thirty-five years old, CEO of her family's business, good flat, nice car, great boyfriend. Then a time-drop email from her eighteen-year old self reminds her of the summer she spent working at a local summer camp, the summer before her mother died and everything changed.
The emails from her younger self remind Edie of that summer, her friendships with Sophie, Geoffrey and Joel, her dreams and plans. The emails also serve to show Edie that she is stuck in a rut, her default response is always 'no' and she allowed her grief over her mother to cut herself off from friends. Can reconnecting with her younger self help Edie to live a bit more?
After meeting up virtually on LinkedIn, Sophie and Edie meet up and soon the old gang is back together, but Edie can't forgive Joel for the way he shunned her, or the events which are inextricably linked with her mother's death. But as the group reminisce Edie finds herself rediscovering the feelings she had for Joel. Is it too late to change your life at thirty-five?
I liked this, it was sweet, funny and felt authentic. I don't know if you can send emails to yourself at some future date, but if you can I think it would be cool to read something from your younger self and remember the hopes and dreams you had.
I received a free copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in return for an honest review.
Bumped for release.
The emails from her younger self remind Edie of that summer, her friendships with Sophie, Geoffrey and Joel, her dreams and plans. The emails also serve to show Edie that she is stuck in a rut, her default response is always 'no' and she allowed her grief over her mother to cut herself off from friends. Can reconnecting with her younger self help Edie to live a bit more?
After meeting up virtually on LinkedIn, Sophie and Edie meet up and soon the old gang is back together, but Edie can't forgive Joel for the way he shunned her, or the events which are inextricably linked with her mother's death. But as the group reminisce Edie finds herself rediscovering the feelings she had for Joel. Is it too late to change your life at thirty-five?
I liked this, it was sweet, funny and felt authentic. I don't know if you can send emails to yourself at some future date, but if you can I think it would be cool to read something from your younger self and remember the hopes and dreams you had.
I received a free copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in return for an honest review.
Bumped for release.
June 27, 2022
Note to self book review
I felt like this novel is full of life lessons. As you get older, even so little as a year you do tend to reflect on your behaviour, actions and so forth and question some decisions.
Edie finds herself in her thirties with an on-paper “successful life”. One day, she receives an email from the 18 year old version of herself.
Imagine having that actually happen to you, it really is like a movie and to reflect upon every stage of a great summer you had right before things took a difficult turn. How would it make you feel? Especially in this day and age where we went through a few years of the most toughness in terms of mainly everyone’s mental health at hand. We tend to reflect on the past and on great memories or sad memories of people that are no longer alive and so forth. But to constantly replay those moments means you will never be happy. So instead you focus on how your life came to be as it is today and what it can become.
One quote I really enjoyed: “Looking back on the past and what might have been will only ever lead to heartbreak”
Even though this is a fictional book, the main character in a way is questioning her life and philosophy very lightly which I did really like in this novel.
“You shouldn’t talk yourself out of doing something just because it seems scary”
It was interesting to go on this journey and life lesson with Edie although it did reach a point where I am taking forever to finish a novel so if the details where a bit less it would have been an ultimate favourite as it was written in a way where I really enjoyed the life lessons she learned from young-adult version her.
Thanks to the publishers for sending me this in exchange for my honest review.
————-
Blog:
https://clife.blog/2022/06/27/book-re...
I felt like this novel is full of life lessons. As you get older, even so little as a year you do tend to reflect on your behaviour, actions and so forth and question some decisions.
Edie finds herself in her thirties with an on-paper “successful life”. One day, she receives an email from the 18 year old version of herself.
Imagine having that actually happen to you, it really is like a movie and to reflect upon every stage of a great summer you had right before things took a difficult turn. How would it make you feel? Especially in this day and age where we went through a few years of the most toughness in terms of mainly everyone’s mental health at hand. We tend to reflect on the past and on great memories or sad memories of people that are no longer alive and so forth. But to constantly replay those moments means you will never be happy. So instead you focus on how your life came to be as it is today and what it can become.
One quote I really enjoyed: “Looking back on the past and what might have been will only ever lead to heartbreak”
Even though this is a fictional book, the main character in a way is questioning her life and philosophy very lightly which I did really like in this novel.
“You shouldn’t talk yourself out of doing something just because it seems scary”
It was interesting to go on this journey and life lesson with Edie although it did reach a point where I am taking forever to finish a novel so if the details where a bit less it would have been an ultimate favourite as it was written in a way where I really enjoyed the life lessons she learned from young-adult version her.
Thanks to the publishers for sending me this in exchange for my honest review.
————-
Blog:
https://clife.blog/2022/06/27/book-re...
August 4, 2022
3.5*
TW: cheating, grief, alcohol abuse/ addiction
TW: cheating, grief, alcohol abuse/ addiction
April 16, 2022
Another really fabulous concept from Anna Bell that has had me smiling and really happily reading.
I loved the idea that you could send yourself emails quite far into the future, and that they would give you goals to achieve in them, sort of like a bucket list but from yourself. These emails that Edie sent to herself 17 years ago, start arriving quite suddenly and catapult her back to what was the best but worst summer of her life.
From them she starts to reconnect with the friends she has that summer, as well as is challenging herself to be more open to opportunities generally. So we see her taking on a reading with children volunteer scheme and also becoming put of the Impenserators which are moments that are very amusing!
These emails are a catalyst for so much change for the positive in Edie's life, and I relished seeing it. I also thoroughly enjoyed the chapters written in the past, from Edie's life 17 years previous, and seeing her as a teen working in a summer camp for the summer. So much of which I could relate to and although we know early on how that summer ends, the lead up to exactly what may have led to the event was well worth discovering.
I loved seeing Edie change and her confidence grow as the book progresses.
It's a really enjoyable story that I romped through, thoroughly enjoying my time spent between the pages.
Thank you to HQ and Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.
I loved the idea that you could send yourself emails quite far into the future, and that they would give you goals to achieve in them, sort of like a bucket list but from yourself. These emails that Edie sent to herself 17 years ago, start arriving quite suddenly and catapult her back to what was the best but worst summer of her life.
From them she starts to reconnect with the friends she has that summer, as well as is challenging herself to be more open to opportunities generally. So we see her taking on a reading with children volunteer scheme and also becoming put of the Impenserators which are moments that are very amusing!
These emails are a catalyst for so much change for the positive in Edie's life, and I relished seeing it. I also thoroughly enjoyed the chapters written in the past, from Edie's life 17 years previous, and seeing her as a teen working in a summer camp for the summer. So much of which I could relate to and although we know early on how that summer ends, the lead up to exactly what may have led to the event was well worth discovering.
I loved seeing Edie change and her confidence grow as the book progresses.
It's a really enjoyable story that I romped through, thoroughly enjoying my time spent between the pages.
Thank you to HQ and Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.
November 21, 2023
A Very High 3 Stars!
Honestly I actually really enjoyed this one, I think I'm just slightly picky with what I want in my romance/chick lit books.
I loved the going backwards and forwards in time seeing Edie and Joel come together and the found friendships from the past come back to light. I think there's some really great themes with how people deal with grief from losing a parent, Alcohol Abuse and the support that can come from that. Edie really began to find herself again when the notes came and it's something I both liked and didn't like. I don't know how to explain, because I feel like your 18 year old self and you're 35 year old self tend to be very different people and it's just growing up? HOWEVER from the letters there were 100% things where she was like wow I want to be more like that person with certain things where it was more of the element side if that makes any sense.
I do think that her dad being an alcoholic and then also her friend just felt a bit repetitive and I don't know if it was necessarily needed.
I think seeing her pressure herself to support her dad and sacrificing herself with her job and what she wants to do really shows you what Edies character is like and she was definitely a character you just wanted to have every happiness.
The unravelling of everything was a moment and I think I actually said OOOOOP out loud and the mistakes from all sides.
Overall an enjoyable read and one I would definitely recommend to others. I think that there are lots of elements in this that I enjoyed and I liked that the communication for the majority of it was really well done. The one lack of communication is from Teenage years so IMO it makes sense!
Honestly I actually really enjoyed this one, I think I'm just slightly picky with what I want in my romance/chick lit books.
I loved the going backwards and forwards in time seeing Edie and Joel come together and the found friendships from the past come back to light. I think there's some really great themes with how people deal with grief from losing a parent, Alcohol Abuse and the support that can come from that. Edie really began to find herself again when the notes came and it's something I both liked and didn't like. I don't know how to explain, because I feel like your 18 year old self and you're 35 year old self tend to be very different people and it's just growing up? HOWEVER from the letters there were 100% things where she was like wow I want to be more like that person with certain things where it was more of the element side if that makes any sense.
I do think that her dad being an alcoholic and then also her friend just felt a bit repetitive and I don't know if it was necessarily needed.
I think seeing her pressure herself to support her dad and sacrificing herself with her job and what she wants to do really shows you what Edies character is like and she was definitely a character you just wanted to have every happiness.
The unravelling of everything was a moment and I think I actually said OOOOOP out loud and the mistakes from all sides.
Overall an enjoyable read and one I would definitely recommend to others. I think that there are lots of elements in this that I enjoyed and I liked that the communication for the majority of it was really well done. The one lack of communication is from Teenage years so IMO it makes sense!
July 24, 2023
3.5! Light and refreshing
July 9, 2022
So lucky to have been gifted this copy by HQ Stories💕
I absolutely LOVE Anna Bell and everything that she writes so I could not wait to get my hands on her latest book! I knew I’d love it and it definitely did not disappoint!
I loved Edie and I loved seeing the notes from her past self. The summer that she had aged 18 definitely sounds like an amazing one and reading the extracts from the past made me feel so summery! I loved that the notes inspired Edie to make some big changes in her life and to ultimately find her own happiness. She had clearly spent a long time putting other people’s happiness before her own, and it was definitely time for her to do something for herself and to make sure that she was truly happy. I love the idea of sending your future self notes…I am definitely going to look into this and see if there actually is a website that does this as I think it would be so cool!
I really liked Joel. Him and Edie had so much unfinished business, and it was a shame that their short time together when they were younger was left on such bad terms all because of a misunderstanding! To think that they potentially wasted 17 years of happiness together as well! I just was rooting for them to be together the whole time (sorry Miles and Verity!) because they were definitely supposed to be together!
This book tackled grief in such a beautiful way, and I loved how Lola was intertwined into the story, as this really highlighted how well the topic of grief was explored. The memory jar scene made my heart explode. An uplifting, heartwarming story that I would recommend to everybody!
I absolutely LOVE Anna Bell and everything that she writes so I could not wait to get my hands on her latest book! I knew I’d love it and it definitely did not disappoint!
I loved Edie and I loved seeing the notes from her past self. The summer that she had aged 18 definitely sounds like an amazing one and reading the extracts from the past made me feel so summery! I loved that the notes inspired Edie to make some big changes in her life and to ultimately find her own happiness. She had clearly spent a long time putting other people’s happiness before her own, and it was definitely time for her to do something for herself and to make sure that she was truly happy. I love the idea of sending your future self notes…I am definitely going to look into this and see if there actually is a website that does this as I think it would be so cool!
I really liked Joel. Him and Edie had so much unfinished business, and it was a shame that their short time together when they were younger was left on such bad terms all because of a misunderstanding! To think that they potentially wasted 17 years of happiness together as well! I just was rooting for them to be together the whole time (sorry Miles and Verity!) because they were definitely supposed to be together!
This book tackled grief in such a beautiful way, and I loved how Lola was intertwined into the story, as this really highlighted how well the topic of grief was explored. The memory jar scene made my heart explode. An uplifting, heartwarming story that I would recommend to everybody!
June 17, 2024
I have seen this book literally nowhere and downloaded it on audio on a whim, basically because it looked light, frothy, and a perfect summertime listen to help pass away these hot summertime walks. And it was everything I needed it to be and more!
On her 35th birthday, Edie receives the very last gift she expects... a letter from her 17 year old self. She quickly remembers that one pivotal summer that changed the future trajectory of her young adult life, she worked at a summer resort, fell in love for the first time, made lifelong friends, but also experienced heartache and tragedy, but also during that summer she logged several letters into an online database that would later email those letters to her in 17 years time. In these letters, Edie encounters a young, unencumbered, lighter and more optimistic version of herself. Someone that is brave and witty and a dreamer. And there are little challenges at the end of each letter, and so, taking her own advice, Edie sets out to complete those challenges and it opens up a whole new future for her and helps her reconnect with herself and rediscover a different purpose.
Now, this is not great literature, but it was super enjoyable contemporary fiction about love and loss and friendship and how sometimes your own purpose can get lost when you are too busy trying to please others. It featured a stellar cast of characters who support and love Edie, a realistic view of family dynamics, and also had a sweet romance then and now. Loved the flashbacks and felt they were well timed and the audio narration was very good.
Actual rating, 3.75, but rounding up for overall enjoyment!
On her 35th birthday, Edie receives the very last gift she expects... a letter from her 17 year old self. She quickly remembers that one pivotal summer that changed the future trajectory of her young adult life, she worked at a summer resort, fell in love for the first time, made lifelong friends, but also experienced heartache and tragedy, but also during that summer she logged several letters into an online database that would later email those letters to her in 17 years time. In these letters, Edie encounters a young, unencumbered, lighter and more optimistic version of herself. Someone that is brave and witty and a dreamer. And there are little challenges at the end of each letter, and so, taking her own advice, Edie sets out to complete those challenges and it opens up a whole new future for her and helps her reconnect with herself and rediscover a different purpose.
Now, this is not great literature, but it was super enjoyable contemporary fiction about love and loss and friendship and how sometimes your own purpose can get lost when you are too busy trying to please others. It featured a stellar cast of characters who support and love Edie, a realistic view of family dynamics, and also had a sweet romance then and now. Loved the flashbacks and felt they were well timed and the audio narration was very good.
Actual rating, 3.75, but rounding up for overall enjoyment!
June 22, 2022
I absolutely LOVED this book for SO many reasons. I fully connected with this story on a personal level. It was a lovely uplifting/heartwarming read, with laughter and some sadness.
Characters throughout that will steal your heart, wonderful personalities. Edie was such an incredible woman and so many times I just wanted to give her a hug. Being in the same situation as Edie, losing my mum too, at the young age of 9, when Edie talked about her mum and the accident, I wanted to tell her it will be okay and just hug her. I adored the scenes with Edie and Lola. With Lola going through the same thing, Edie wanted to support her. The memory jar idea had me sobbing.
I thought the idea was incredible, with the emails to her future self and how it tied in. Going back in time was a great, giving the reader an insight to Edie as her younger self and all about Joel. It explained so much and although very early on I could see how the book would end, it didn’t ruin it for me, it was just so beautiful to read.
This is my first book by Anna Bell. I didn’t want this story to end, I was gutted when I finished the final chapter. It’s such an incredibly moving read, I fell in love with the characters. It touches perfectly on grief and how it affects people differently.
Characters throughout that will steal your heart, wonderful personalities. Edie was such an incredible woman and so many times I just wanted to give her a hug. Being in the same situation as Edie, losing my mum too, at the young age of 9, when Edie talked about her mum and the accident, I wanted to tell her it will be okay and just hug her. I adored the scenes with Edie and Lola. With Lola going through the same thing, Edie wanted to support her. The memory jar idea had me sobbing.
I thought the idea was incredible, with the emails to her future self and how it tied in. Going back in time was a great, giving the reader an insight to Edie as her younger self and all about Joel. It explained so much and although very early on I could see how the book would end, it didn’t ruin it for me, it was just so beautiful to read.
This is my first book by Anna Bell. I didn’t want this story to end, I was gutted when I finished the final chapter. It’s such an incredibly moving read, I fell in love with the characters. It touches perfectly on grief and how it affects people differently.
February 26, 2022
Edie hasn't had the easiest of journeys and seventeen years ago her whole world was forever changed. It didn't help that her friend and crush, Joel, broke her heart just when she built up the courage to tell him how she felt. She used to be brave, spontaneous and full of life, but one event changed it all... She then became cautious, a creature of habit and stayed within her bubble.
Fast-forward to the present and on Edie's 35 birthday, she receives an email from her 18 year old self who is telling her future self of her adventures and dreams. It wakes Edie up from her slumber, she starts to remember who she was and who she wants to be. She remembers the girl she left behind and the people with it... Edie starts to step outside of her comfort zone and starts to live again, she starts by heading back to where it all began that fateful summer. Her path crosses with some old friends, including Joel. Will she learn where her heart truly is...
Note to Self is an emotional and powerful read, I loved every second of the book and lost count of the amount of times that I cried. The memory jar scene was just wow and my heart broke, I was in floods of tears. It is such a beautiful book and touches so perfectly on how grief is continuous.
Edie was a fantastic main character and she had a heart of gold, she was a strong and sassy character who really stepped up when her world fell apart. I loved how she challenged herself when she received each of the email letters. I adored her friendship with Sophie and the pair were quite comical together.
Joel was an interesting character, I loved seeing the past and present Joel as it explained so much. Edie, Sophie, Joel and Douglas made quite a team back in the day, and I liked seeing the friendship group coming back together.
Note to Self was a fantastic book and my new favourite that Anna Bell has written, I was so sad when I got to the last chapter and I didn't want the story to end. It was beautifully written, I fell in love with the story and characters.
Thank you NetGalley for a copy in exchange for a review.
Fast-forward to the present and on Edie's 35 birthday, she receives an email from her 18 year old self who is telling her future self of her adventures and dreams. It wakes Edie up from her slumber, she starts to remember who she was and who she wants to be. She remembers the girl she left behind and the people with it... Edie starts to step outside of her comfort zone and starts to live again, she starts by heading back to where it all began that fateful summer. Her path crosses with some old friends, including Joel. Will she learn where her heart truly is...
Note to Self is an emotional and powerful read, I loved every second of the book and lost count of the amount of times that I cried. The memory jar scene was just wow and my heart broke, I was in floods of tears. It is such a beautiful book and touches so perfectly on how grief is continuous.
Edie was a fantastic main character and she had a heart of gold, she was a strong and sassy character who really stepped up when her world fell apart. I loved how she challenged herself when she received each of the email letters. I adored her friendship with Sophie and the pair were quite comical together.
Joel was an interesting character, I loved seeing the past and present Joel as it explained so much. Edie, Sophie, Joel and Douglas made quite a team back in the day, and I liked seeing the friendship group coming back together.
Note to Self was a fantastic book and my new favourite that Anna Bell has written, I was so sad when I got to the last chapter and I didn't want the story to end. It was beautifully written, I fell in love with the story and characters.
Thank you NetGalley for a copy in exchange for a review.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 10, 2023
It took 17 yrs for both to say how they felt about each other. 17yrs! Come on!! Couldn't even see any real obstacle to their belated declaration of love, just self imposed blockades which didn't make any sense at all. ok writer but ridiculous premise
May 3, 2025
The beauty in reading a book written through a first person POV is you unconsciously measure how much of the character is you. And in this book, I felt like a true Edie…
In how I did write to myself through FutureMe which was actually the reason why I picked this book from the library.
In how much afraid I am of trying out new things, making up excuses and just settling for what’s practical or comfortable. But it gives me a sense of pride to know that at this stage in my life while I am reading this book, I could finally say that I also did it. Changed the course of my life. Did something that really scared me. Still is until now. And Im not saying it’s all rainbows and butterflies since I did it. It’s still somehow the old me but with new experiences.
What I love about the book is its pace. How the author chose to iron out the conflicts in the plot without the need to hurt so many people. You would not hate any of the characters. Not even Miles nor Verity.
I just wish I read of what Soph would have felt not knowing about Edie and Joel.
Partly, I think they could have both been more open to reaching out to each other all those years, especially Joel to Edie. With how he knew what happened to Edie’s mother, if he truly loved her, he could have been there for her. He never apologised for that.
But overall, it’s the kind of book that you couldn’t really put down once you start reading it. It’s only now that I read a romcom again after all those months of being busy about my own life transition. Happy to have this book for company in this new place and ‘new life’.
🏝️🏕️✍️📧
In how I did write to myself through FutureMe which was actually the reason why I picked this book from the library.
In how much afraid I am of trying out new things, making up excuses and just settling for what’s practical or comfortable. But it gives me a sense of pride to know that at this stage in my life while I am reading this book, I could finally say that I also did it. Changed the course of my life. Did something that really scared me. Still is until now. And Im not saying it’s all rainbows and butterflies since I did it. It’s still somehow the old me but with new experiences.
What I love about the book is its pace. How the author chose to iron out the conflicts in the plot without the need to hurt so many people. You would not hate any of the characters. Not even Miles nor Verity.
I just wish I read of what Soph would have felt not knowing about Edie and Joel.
Partly, I think they could have both been more open to reaching out to each other all those years, especially Joel to Edie. With how he knew what happened to Edie’s mother, if he truly loved her, he could have been there for her. He never apologised for that.
But overall, it’s the kind of book that you couldn’t really put down once you start reading it. It’s only now that I read a romcom again after all those months of being busy about my own life transition. Happy to have this book for company in this new place and ‘new life’.
🏝️🏕️✍️📧
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 9, 2022
Note To Self by Anna Bell is the most charming contemporary novel that will swell your heart and make you smile.
The premise is a wonderful idea – a thirty five year old character receives emails from her seventeen year old self. They are encouraging her to grab life and step out of her comfort zone. “Real living happens when you step outside it [your comfort zone] Remember, your comfort zone does not have a brick wall built around it.”
Too often in life we settle. Routine takes over and we lose sight of who we really are. Life is for living. If we are not careful, it will pass us by and we will be left with regrets. The novel shows what can happen when we decide to live and to have fun.
It is also a study in guilt and grief. The past cannot be altered. Guilt will always weigh us down. Grief threatens to drown a character. It never goes away. We just have to learn to live with it. I loved the idea of a memory jar.
We are never too old to have a fresh start and to start living our dreams.
All the characters are warm and welcoming, absolutely delightful and easy to visualize. They are a group of friends who always have each other’s back no matter how many years have passed or the distance involved. They support each other through life’s ups and downs.
I always love Anna Bell’s books. They warm my heart. Note To Self was positively charming and I am sorry it is ended.
I received a free copy from Harper Collins. A favourable review was not required. All opinions are my own.
The premise is a wonderful idea – a thirty five year old character receives emails from her seventeen year old self. They are encouraging her to grab life and step out of her comfort zone. “Real living happens when you step outside it [your comfort zone] Remember, your comfort zone does not have a brick wall built around it.”
Too often in life we settle. Routine takes over and we lose sight of who we really are. Life is for living. If we are not careful, it will pass us by and we will be left with regrets. The novel shows what can happen when we decide to live and to have fun.
It is also a study in guilt and grief. The past cannot be altered. Guilt will always weigh us down. Grief threatens to drown a character. It never goes away. We just have to learn to live with it. I loved the idea of a memory jar.
We are never too old to have a fresh start and to start living our dreams.
All the characters are warm and welcoming, absolutely delightful and easy to visualize. They are a group of friends who always have each other’s back no matter how many years have passed or the distance involved. They support each other through life’s ups and downs.
I always love Anna Bell’s books. They warm my heart. Note To Self was positively charming and I am sorry it is ended.
I received a free copy from Harper Collins. A favourable review was not required. All opinions are my own.
June 27, 2022
Where do I start…. ‘Note to self’ is possibly my fave Anna Bell book so far (I’m a big fan of Anna’s books). I couldn’t stop listening to this one as was desperate to hear how Edie’s journey ended. The characters in this book were all likeable but due to Edie’s relatability I really bought into her story and wanted a happy ending for her and Joel. The book took me through every emotion Edie had felt over the years and I must say as well as being entertaining was quite thought provoking too. I loved the idea of sending notes to your future self and also thought the idea of a virtual memory jar for new mothers was fab.
I would’ve highly recommend a read at this one - was only sorry I didn’t have it in time for my hols as it would have been a great companion on my lounger whiling away a few hours on the beach.
Thanks to NetGalley, Harper Collins UK Audio and the Author for an advance copy of this audio book.
I would’ve highly recommend a read at this one - was only sorry I didn’t have it in time for my hols as it would have been a great companion on my lounger whiling away a few hours on the beach.
Thanks to NetGalley, Harper Collins UK Audio and the Author for an advance copy of this audio book.
May 10, 2022
2/5
This one just didn't work for me. I have to be honest, I ended up skim reading it after I'd reached about 1/3 of the way through. I just did not care about Edie as a main character and the writing style wasn't to my personal tastes!
TWs: alcohol consumption, alcohol addiction, cheating, death of mother (before book), car accident, hospitalisation, heart attack
Tropes/themes/rep: emails from past self, found family, friendships, friends to lovers
This one just didn't work for me. I have to be honest, I ended up skim reading it after I'd reached about 1/3 of the way through. I just did not care about Edie as a main character and the writing style wasn't to my personal tastes!
TWs: alcohol consumption, alcohol addiction, cheating, death of mother (before book), car accident, hospitalisation, heart attack
Tropes/themes/rep: emails from past self, found family, friendships, friends to lovers
July 11, 2022
Narrator Eilidh Beaton 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Eilidh did a great job with the characters in this book.
Story 3 ⭐⭐⭐
This was a sweet story and the emails were a fun and original idea.
Eilidh did a great job with the characters in this book.
Story 3 ⭐⭐⭐
This was a sweet story and the emails were a fun and original idea.
December 10, 2022
This book was as good as I expected it to be! Usually, in books, people hate each other for a good (or bad) reason and then they randomly forget about it. The whole miscommunication thing in this book is way better. Also, the flashbacks, the letters mixed with the real time story keep you hooked! Enough details were given to keep you interested, whilst also leaving enough questions unanswered to be needing answers. I did predict the ending whilst I had about 70 pages left, but that is already better than most books. Really enjoyed it!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 31, 2025
I loved this book, as always I love how Anna writes as it doesn’t feel so much like a full on romance story. After reading this it made me think about my own life and I love books that do that. 5/5
July 5, 2022
I REALLY liked the concept of sending yourself emails to be delivered on a particular date in the future - so much so that I actually Googled whether this is possible: And it really is a thing if you didn't know! You can also email family after death - I may even try it myself (although hopefully I'm not gonna die any time soon!). I am beyond excited about this new discovery!
Apart from this 'new-to-me' concept, I did enjoy reading the book - although the miscommunication romance trope is so VERY frustrating to read. Worse is that the miscommunication begins in the past timeline, but also carries on in the current timeline - these Characters just can't get communication right at all! Rather than mentioning their issue, they pull assumptions out of nowhere, when the whole thing really could’ve been solved with a single conversation! I much prefer romances with meet-cutes and witty banter for sure.
Many thanks to NetGallery and HarperCollins UK Audio for allowing me to get a copy of the book.
Apart from this 'new-to-me' concept, I did enjoy reading the book - although the miscommunication romance trope is so VERY frustrating to read. Worse is that the miscommunication begins in the past timeline, but also carries on in the current timeline - these Characters just can't get communication right at all! Rather than mentioning their issue, they pull assumptions out of nowhere, when the whole thing really could’ve been solved with a single conversation! I much prefer romances with meet-cutes and witty banter for sure.
Many thanks to NetGallery and HarperCollins UK Audio for allowing me to get a copy of the book.
August 8, 2022
Romance isn’t my cup of tea so this review may or may not be relevant to you.
I received this as an audiobook and was ok listening to it. However, I found it flat, in parts cheesy and a bit boring. The plot is very common and predictable. Every romance cliché is included in this book.
I couldn’t vibe with the main character and I couldn’t understand why she was doing things that way.
I did like the idea receiving an email from a younger self and I would have liked the MC doing more with the realisation of what she was meant to be in life.
This might sound a bit off putting but I had good time listening to it so if you’re fan of romance, I would recommend to give it a go.
I received this as an audiobook and was ok listening to it. However, I found it flat, in parts cheesy and a bit boring. The plot is very common and predictable. Every romance cliché is included in this book.
I couldn’t vibe with the main character and I couldn’t understand why she was doing things that way.
I did like the idea receiving an email from a younger self and I would have liked the MC doing more with the realisation of what she was meant to be in life.
This might sound a bit off putting but I had good time listening to it so if you’re fan of romance, I would recommend to give it a go.
June 30, 2022
The concept and storyline of this book was good but I could not stand the dialogue and characters portrayals. Dialogue was boring in every characters sounded similar. People don’t talk like that and people have different personalities banter was slow and not very witty. My writing is horrible but I expected author with a story to do better. Also a 35 year old being uncomfortable around a teenage boyfriend that many years later seemed childish.
September 18, 2022
A lot of miscommunication, but also a lot of heart. Three stars.
June 26, 2022
When we meet Edie it’s her 35th birthday and she’s feeling anxious. It’s on her birthday that she receives an e-mail from her past self that Edie wrote on her 18th birthday to her future self while she was working at Heartlands Holiday Park. This isn’t the first e-mail from past Edie to future Edie which also include a small note to self. It’s the start of the e-mails that prompts Edie to look up Sophie who also worked at the holiday park and it’s through meeting up with Sophie that she happens to bump into Joel. Joel wasn’t just a work colleague from the holiday park. They were friends but Edie liked Joel as more than a friend. The pair shared a near kiss but then Joel started to act strangely, which was quickly followed by the death of Edie’s mother and she never spoke to Joel again. But now Joel is back in her life and as the e-mails continue to arrive will Edie reassess her life and now that Joel is back on the scene is there another chance for them or are some things best left in the past.
This was a really sweet, romantic and fun read. It was a little slow to begin with but then the pace of the book did pick up. I loved the concept of this book i.e. e-mails from the past to the future. Edie was such a lovely character to meet. However, her biggest flaw is putting others before herself. She never pursued her career aspirations because once her mother died she joined the family business and single-handedly look after it as her father was struggling to cope. Edie now finds herself in a relationship which has become quite stale but it is comfortable for her and what she knows. That is until Joel re-enters her life and she starts to think about what she truly wants. The biggest life changing impact for Edie and the catalyst for her making some well needed changes are the e-mails from young Edie. Young Edie’s e-mails are truly a blast from the past and her younger self is optimistic about the future and where she will be. Today’s Edie takes on the courage of her younger self and pushes herself out of her comfort zone making decisions she wouldn’t ordinarily make and having those tough conversations. It’s through young Edie that older Edie puts herself first for the first time in years.
Joel, what can I say about Joel other than he is a complete dream boat. The first meeting between Joel and Edie was certainly unforgettable when a young Edie finds a naked Joel in her bed at the holiday camp. The friendship between Edie and Joel was just perfect. They could talk to each other about anything, spend time with each other and it is clear that they were best friends but there was definitely that more than friends speak between them. But then Joel started to act strangely. It’s only as the story progresses that we realise why Joel was acting the way he did but also why another event bought their friendship to an end. As for that ending it truly melted by heart and it was the perfect ending for Edie. One of my favourite scenes including watching the sunrise on the beach.
If you like second chance romances and are a big romantic like me this is a must read.
This was a really sweet, romantic and fun read. It was a little slow to begin with but then the pace of the book did pick up. I loved the concept of this book i.e. e-mails from the past to the future. Edie was such a lovely character to meet. However, her biggest flaw is putting others before herself. She never pursued her career aspirations because once her mother died she joined the family business and single-handedly look after it as her father was struggling to cope. Edie now finds herself in a relationship which has become quite stale but it is comfortable for her and what she knows. That is until Joel re-enters her life and she starts to think about what she truly wants. The biggest life changing impact for Edie and the catalyst for her making some well needed changes are the e-mails from young Edie. Young Edie’s e-mails are truly a blast from the past and her younger self is optimistic about the future and where she will be. Today’s Edie takes on the courage of her younger self and pushes herself out of her comfort zone making decisions she wouldn’t ordinarily make and having those tough conversations. It’s through young Edie that older Edie puts herself first for the first time in years.
Joel, what can I say about Joel other than he is a complete dream boat. The first meeting between Joel and Edie was certainly unforgettable when a young Edie finds a naked Joel in her bed at the holiday camp. The friendship between Edie and Joel was just perfect. They could talk to each other about anything, spend time with each other and it is clear that they were best friends but there was definitely that more than friends speak between them. But then Joel started to act strangely. It’s only as the story progresses that we realise why Joel was acting the way he did but also why another event bought their friendship to an end. As for that ending it truly melted by heart and it was the perfect ending for Edie. One of my favourite scenes including watching the sunrise on the beach.
If you like second chance romances and are a big romantic like me this is a must read.
June 11, 2022
Edie isn't exactly where she wanted to be, but life is good enough. She's the co-director of her successful family business, owners her own home and has a boyfriend who's sweet and not too pushy about making plans for the future.
But then on her 35th birthday, she gets an email. Not the usual birthday-10%-off-cake email, but one from her 18 year old self that she'd completely forgotten she'd sent during the summer of her life. Her past self had such hope for the future, hopes of comfort and confidence and clarity - and also love.
Maybe with her teenage boyfriend, Scott, but then there was Joel - the one that was never quite was but left a question mark hanging ever since. So she takes her own advice - and goes back through the years looking for any happiness she might have left behind and reconnecting with old friends. Is this her chance at rediscovering herself? Or is the past better forgotten?
After Anna Bell decided to break my heart with The Man I Didn't Marry, I had high hopes going into this and I was not left disappointed. An absolutely refreshing and delightful summer read, full of relatable wit and humour and that sparkling feel-good charm.
As Edie reconnects with old friends, with past versions of herself, we're prompted to wonder if we'd really want to go back to the times we remember fondly or if the past should stay in the past. The story flows so easily, relationships falling back into rhythms, time and distance falling away with the pages. Full of deep nostalgia, Bells writing transports us to vivid summers and cool summer nights with ease.
This story reaches into the heart of loss and longing, and anyone who feels like they're not a main character in their own story - and shines light on the dark, heart-breaking parts of life in a sensitive, hopeful way that left me laughing through more than a few tears.
But then on her 35th birthday, she gets an email. Not the usual birthday-10%-off-cake email, but one from her 18 year old self that she'd completely forgotten she'd sent during the summer of her life. Her past self had such hope for the future, hopes of comfort and confidence and clarity - and also love.
Maybe with her teenage boyfriend, Scott, but then there was Joel - the one that was never quite was but left a question mark hanging ever since. So she takes her own advice - and goes back through the years looking for any happiness she might have left behind and reconnecting with old friends. Is this her chance at rediscovering herself? Or is the past better forgotten?
After Anna Bell decided to break my heart with The Man I Didn't Marry, I had high hopes going into this and I was not left disappointed. An absolutely refreshing and delightful summer read, full of relatable wit and humour and that sparkling feel-good charm.
As Edie reconnects with old friends, with past versions of herself, we're prompted to wonder if we'd really want to go back to the times we remember fondly or if the past should stay in the past. The story flows so easily, relationships falling back into rhythms, time and distance falling away with the pages. Full of deep nostalgia, Bells writing transports us to vivid summers and cool summer nights with ease.
This story reaches into the heart of loss and longing, and anyone who feels like they're not a main character in their own story - and shines light on the dark, heart-breaking parts of life in a sensitive, hopeful way that left me laughing through more than a few tears.
June 25, 2022
My goodness, I absolutely loved this book!!
This is the first I have read by Anna Bell (I think I have been living under a rock until now) I was completely hooked, I loved every moment of this heart-warming and utterly charming book which is all about second chances.
I loved the concept of this, it’s completely unique, sending yourself emails years into the future, emails that will make you look at yourself and encourage you to take a step out of your comfort zone, take a chance make a change.
That is exactly what happens with Edie, one day out of the blue a message pops up in her emails from herself seventeen years previous, and then another comes and another. Each message that arrives brings more memories, wonderful memories and also memories she would rather forget. emotions come bubbling to the surface as she is transported back to the best and the worst year of her life, the year when her life changed.
Even though the emails bring back some difficult and heart-breaking memories, memories of losing loved ones and the grief which comes with it, they also make her realise that all these years later she has found herself well and truly stuck in a rut. Maybe this is the time to do something about it?
So with that in mind, she meets up with her the close-knit group of friends from when she was eighteen, but this will bring all sorts of emotional anguish out of the closet.
This book is so heart-warming, it’s absolutely charming and feel-good. It’s warm and relatable, sweet and full of hope for the possibility of happiness. I thoroughly enjoyed watching Edie change from a woman who is set in her ways to one who is willing to open her heart, grow in confidence and forgive.
This is thoroughly enjoyable, It’s light and cheerful with lots of emotion, I flew through the pages and was saddened when it finished.
A definite must-read for summer!
This is the first I have read by Anna Bell (I think I have been living under a rock until now) I was completely hooked, I loved every moment of this heart-warming and utterly charming book which is all about second chances.
I loved the concept of this, it’s completely unique, sending yourself emails years into the future, emails that will make you look at yourself and encourage you to take a step out of your comfort zone, take a chance make a change.
That is exactly what happens with Edie, one day out of the blue a message pops up in her emails from herself seventeen years previous, and then another comes and another. Each message that arrives brings more memories, wonderful memories and also memories she would rather forget. emotions come bubbling to the surface as she is transported back to the best and the worst year of her life, the year when her life changed.
Even though the emails bring back some difficult and heart-breaking memories, memories of losing loved ones and the grief which comes with it, they also make her realise that all these years later she has found herself well and truly stuck in a rut. Maybe this is the time to do something about it?
So with that in mind, she meets up with her the close-knit group of friends from when she was eighteen, but this will bring all sorts of emotional anguish out of the closet.
This book is so heart-warming, it’s absolutely charming and feel-good. It’s warm and relatable, sweet and full of hope for the possibility of happiness. I thoroughly enjoyed watching Edie change from a woman who is set in her ways to one who is willing to open her heart, grow in confidence and forgive.
This is thoroughly enjoyable, It’s light and cheerful with lots of emotion, I flew through the pages and was saddened when it finished.
A definite must-read for summer!
June 21, 2022
Oh how I love good Anna Bell book, such a big fan and could not wait to read this novel. The blurb reads
"It’s never too late to follow your heart.
One summer’s day seventeen years ago Edie and Joel meet.
Their connection is instant and a friendship is born, although Edie can’t help but wish for more. But just as she builds up the courage to lay her heart on the line, one night changes everything…
Edie’s moved on from the heartbreak of years ago. So the last thing she expects to receive on her thirty-fifth birthday is an email… from her eighteen-year-old self. As more emails arrive, she starts to remember what – or rather who – she left behind.
Following her own advice, Edie heads back to the place where it all began, and finds her path unexpectedly crossing with Joel’s once more. Could this finally be their chance at love? Or are some things better left in the past?"
I seriously love Edie and Joel, such good well-rounded characters.
Edie appears to kind of have it all, great job and flat and then one day some emails come through that she sent to herself from 17 years ago. Edie starts to really have a think about her life and where she is now at the age of 35, she questions everything and everyone that she once new many years ago. Tinged with sadness but not too much, lots of laughter and does kind of make the reader think about their past self.
This is a great beach read, with fabulous characters that I dived straight into and kept me reading into the early hours.
Thanks to Anna Bell, NetGalley and the publishers for allowing me a copy of this novel in exchange for my honest review.
"It’s never too late to follow your heart.
One summer’s day seventeen years ago Edie and Joel meet.
Their connection is instant and a friendship is born, although Edie can’t help but wish for more. But just as she builds up the courage to lay her heart on the line, one night changes everything…
Edie’s moved on from the heartbreak of years ago. So the last thing she expects to receive on her thirty-fifth birthday is an email… from her eighteen-year-old self. As more emails arrive, she starts to remember what – or rather who – she left behind.
Following her own advice, Edie heads back to the place where it all began, and finds her path unexpectedly crossing with Joel’s once more. Could this finally be their chance at love? Or are some things better left in the past?"
I seriously love Edie and Joel, such good well-rounded characters.
Edie appears to kind of have it all, great job and flat and then one day some emails come through that she sent to herself from 17 years ago. Edie starts to really have a think about her life and where she is now at the age of 35, she questions everything and everyone that she once new many years ago. Tinged with sadness but not too much, lots of laughter and does kind of make the reader think about their past self.
This is a great beach read, with fabulous characters that I dived straight into and kept me reading into the early hours.
Thanks to Anna Bell, NetGalley and the publishers for allowing me a copy of this novel in exchange for my honest review.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 112 reviews