Publication Date: 17th May 2019 by Bookouture
Pages: 281
Target Audience: Adults
Genre: Contemporary
Format: ARC via Netgalley
Links: Goodreads, Amazon
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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
Review
We follow Joy, who in the middle of a mid-30's life crisis has decided to upend her life and move to Denmark and is chronicling her journey through letters to her younger sister. I love books written in different ways and so the fact that this book is written entirely in letters get's a big thumbs up from me.
Drew Davies does a tremendous job with this book. I was worried due to the epistolary style of the book, especially as they were one sided letters, that we wouldn't be able to get the full depth of the character and I wouldn't feel any connection to her journey. Boy, was I wrong. I loved the character of Joy, she was funny and relatable and flawed. She makes so many mistakes, smokes too many cigarettes and is pretty judgy at times but that's what makes her a great well rounded character. I already have two sisters but I'd love to add Joy to the craziness that is my family to keep me laughing and join me on spontaneously booked trips. I have a feeling she's be a great travelling companion and there wouldn't be a dull moment on a holiday with her.
It's a sweet, summery book that'll be perfect for readers looking for something a little lighter. The writing style is humorous and there are so many relatable moments, the funny and the more serious. The book also handles grief very well, it's portrayed realistically and depicts a modern day look at the bond between sisters and family.
I now have another country to add to my travel bucket list. I loved that this book was set in Denmark as I enjoy reading about places i've never visited before, it helps to fill a desperate urge to go off travelling that I can't fulfill due to being a broke student. The city was written with such vibrance and Davies makes it sound like such a friendly, upbeat place to live. Be right back, just moving to Denmark.
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I did have one problem with this book though. It kept being reiterated that Joy hadn't read Harry Potter (or seen the films!) and had no intention of doing so. How could she have not read Harry Potter?? I felt personally offended every time it got brought up.
Rating: 4/5 stars.
Read if you like: foreign settings, books about sisters, journeys of self discovery.
* I received an ARC copy via Netgalley in return for my honest opinion.
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