Genre: Romance
Length: 352 pages
Audiobook Length: 9 hours and 30 minutes
First Published: 2022
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Rachael’s Review
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Atria Books through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Two and a half years after her husband’s death, Natalie Fincher feels like everyone is just expecting her to move on by now. Yet, Natalie isn’t sure she even wants to be who she used to be. When someone starts leaving her sheet music of her husband’s favorite songs, Natalie unexpectedly finds herself enjoying life and opening up to new possibilities.
After loving her debut (Dear Emmie Blue) and being disappointed by her sophomore novel (Eight Perfect Hours), Lia Louis finds her stride again with a sweet love story with nuanced characters. Louis handles Natalie’s widowhood with care, showing the complicated process of grief and giving her a gradual path toward a second love that starts with friendship. Although this feel-good romance has no steam, the characters are very British, so there is lots of swearing in their casual banter, which I don’t mind but some readers might not enjoy.
Publisher’s Description
Sparkly and charming Natalie Fincher has it all—a handsome new husband, a fixer-upper cottage of her dreams, and the opportunity to tour with the musical she’s spent years writing. But when her husband suddenly dies, all her hopes and dreams instantly disappear.
Two and a half years later, Natalie is still lost. She works, sleeps (well, as much as the sexually frustrated village foxes will allow), and sees friends just often enough to allay their worries, but her life is empty. And she can only bring herself to play music at a London train station’s public piano where she can be anonymous. She’s lost motivation, faith in love, in happiness…in everything.
But when someone begins to mysteriously leave the sheet music for her husband’s favorite songs at the station’s piano, Natalie begins to feel a sense of hope and excitement for the first time. As she investigates just who could be doing this, Natalie finds herself on an unexpected journey toward newfound love for herself, for life, and maybe, for a special someone.
About Lia Louis
Lia Louis is the author whose works include Somewhere Close to Happy, Eight Perfect Hours, The Key to My Heart, and Dear Emmie Blue. She currently lives in the United Kingdom.