BLOG TOUR - Dear Lily

Today is the day for my Blog Tour for Dear Lily by Drew Davies.

DESCRIPTION:

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.

BUY LINKS:

AMZ: https://geni.us/B07NVP88GDSocial
Kobo: https://tinyurl.com/y53hgnva
iBookstore: https://tinyurl.com/y38edxmd
Googleplay: https://tinyurl.com/yxoovlen

MY THOUGHTS:

Title:   Dear Lily

Author:  Drew Davies

Genre:   Literary Fiction; Women's Fiction

Publisher:   Bookouture

Format:  Kindle ARC
No. of Pages:  292

Date of Publication:  May 17, 2019

My Rating:  5 Stars

Oh what a touching story. The way it begins is that Joy is writing to her younger sister Lily. The book consists of thirty-three letters from Joy to Lily. As each letter is composed, Joy relates her life's experiences to Lily.

Joy has left her home in the UK and has moved to Denmark to take on a new job. She has completely uprooted her life, and in so doing, hopes to find happiness again and might even see if she can find a someone to share her life with.

As we read the letters, it is sad to see some of the experiences that Joy has lived through. It is also sad because she misses Lily, and her mother, so very much. But, Joy needed this break. She needed this change. Will she find something different in her life? Will she find the way to heal her broken heart?

I loved this story so very much. As each chapter was an individual letter, it was very engaging, often quite sad, albeit some humorous moments that struck a fine balance, and eventually became quite inspiring. I rooted for Joy the entire way through. There were times when her thoughts and decisions were a bit daunting. This was especially the case when she traveled back to the UK and felt there was something she needed to share with her mother. I was so moved by that entire exchange.

Drew Davies delivered a wonderful book to his readers. I love this style of book and cannot remember reading anything written in this format. I look forward to reading much more by this talented author.

Many thanks to #booksontour, Bookouture and to NetGalley for this ARC to exchange for my honest opinion.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

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