The must-read book of 2019! Equal parts heartwarming and heartbreaking, fans of Jojo Moyes, Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine and One Day in December will love this special novel by Drew Davies.
Dear Lily,
It’s me, Joy, your much wiser and (very slightly) older sister. I thought I’d start a new tradition of letter writing – now that we’re long distance.
On the plane over here, I began to cry in seat 21C. I think the magnitude of it finally hit me, after everything that happened…
I haven’t even unpacked yet – the only thing I’ve taken out of my suitcase is Harville, your beloved childhood teddy. Sorry for stealing him, but I need him more than you do. Every time I look at that little brown bear I think about our childhood. Remember that dance we made up to Annie’s ‘It’s a Hard Knock Life’? (Remember the broom choreography?)
I’m also sorry for abandoning you – I’ve always been your agony aunt, and a buffer in your infamous shouting matches with Mum. But I had to leave, Lily, I had to.
Anyway, I’m here now. I’m here to start over, and to face up to the past. I want to learn to laugh again, and to find someone to love who will maybe even love me back. You always told me I was just getting by, not actually living, so I’m finally doing it. Wish me luck, little sister.
Love,
Joy x
A beautiful book-club read for anyone who has ever hit rock bottom, longed for a fresh start, or needed to heal a broken, aching heart.
Dear Lily,
It’s me, Joy, your much wiser and (very slightly) older sister. I thought I’d start a new tradition of letter writing – now that we’re long distance.
On the plane over here, I began to cry in seat 21C. I think the magnitude of it finally hit me, after everything that happened…
I haven’t even unpacked yet – the only thing I’ve taken out of my suitcase is Harville, your beloved childhood teddy. Sorry for stealing him, but I need him more than you do. Every time I look at that little brown bear I think about our childhood. Remember that dance we made up to Annie’s ‘It’s a Hard Knock Life’? (Remember the broom choreography?)
I’m also sorry for abandoning you – I’ve always been your agony aunt, and a buffer in your infamous shouting matches with Mum. But I had to leave, Lily, I had to.
Anyway, I’m here now. I’m here to start over, and to face up to the past. I want to learn to laugh again, and to find someone to love who will maybe even love me back. You always told me I was just getting by, not actually living, so I’m finally doing it. Wish me luck, little sister.
Love,
Joy x
A beautiful book-club read for anyone who has ever hit rock bottom, longed for a fresh start, or needed to heal a broken, aching heart.
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My Thoughts
Dear Lily is an absolute delight to read! I picked it up expecting a funny rom com type of book but it has so much more depth. This book took me through such a wide array of emotions- I was laughing one minute and practically crying the next.
Joy decides to suddenly up and move to Denmark from London. In her mid 30's she is leaving behind her family and her long time boyfriend. We gradually learn more and more of Joy's life through the letters she writes to her sister Lily. . In fact Joy is so darned candid that it leaves little to the imagination. She is obviously very comfortable sharing her every thought with her little sister. Really she does tell her every single thing that pops into her head, no filter here!
When Joy arrives in Denmark she is the definition of the hot mess express! This girl is on a self destructive path to nowhere. As the story progresses we get to watch her grow, mature and flourish in her environment. I felt the whole time that her sister Lily may be a bit judgemental of her behavior, as I gathered that she is the more reserved and responsible of the two sisters. Although this is told through Joy's point of view so we are unsure how reliable of a narrator she may be.
As I got to know Joy and her witty personality I felt myself become completely absorbed and invested into her character. I turned into her biggest cheerleader, I wanted Joy to succeed and find happiness. Is it in the cards for Joy?
I was so excited to get a chance to be on this Books on Tour for this lovely book. A roller coaster ride of emotions and very surprising twist left me loving Lily and Joy. Entertaining, fun and able to make you shed a few tears, you need to get your hands on this fab book!
Thank you so much to Bookouture, Drew Davies, Kim and Noelle for having me along on this Books on Tour!!
Drew Davies was born in London and grew up in New Zealand.
He attended the Unitec School of Performing Arts in Auckland and won a Playmarket New Zealand Young Playwright of the Year award in 2000. After a brief stint on a kiwi soap, he has worked in Search for the past 15 years.
Drew's other claim to fame is that Stephen Fry once called him droll. Either that, or he got his name wrong. He now lives in Wanstead, London.
Twitter: @drew_davies
Instagram: @drewdavieswriter
Website: www.drewdavies.co.uk
He attended the Unitec School of Performing Arts in Auckland and won a Playmarket New Zealand Young Playwright of the Year award in 2000. After a brief stint on a kiwi soap, he has worked in Search for the past 15 years.
Drew's other claim to fame is that Stephen Fry once called him droll. Either that, or he got his name wrong. He now lives in Wanstead, London.
Twitter: @drew_davies
Instagram: @drewdavieswriter
Website: www.drewdavies.co.uk
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