Firstly thank you to Harper Collins for the review copy of this title and for the opportunity to feature on the blog tour today! This is the third piece of work from Debbie that I've read and I can safely say that it is up to the usual standard - if not slightly over taking that high par!

The story is all about two sisters Poppy and Rose. The pair are estranged and in her death, their mother hopes that they will be able to overcome their differences and reunite. The story starts off with Andrea explaining what the A-Z of Everything is and the rest of the story unfolds from there. Without giving too much away, something has happened to cause this gigantic rift between the sisters. It's a rift that has affected them much more than either possibly dares to let on and it's not only affected them emotionally it's affected their lives, their mother and in Rose's case her son. The passing of their mother is only the beginning in the reunion of Poppy and Rose.

Poppy is a super organised marketing guru with a life in the city, chasing younger men and living life to the full. On the outside anyway. On the inside she's as empty as her coffee tin. Rose, on the other hand, has filled her life with her son and while the family she has forged for herself is somewhat different than she planned, and while her career aspirations have dwindled, she at least has the pretense of a fulfilled life. What neither sister recognises, or will willingly admit to themselves at least, is the gaping hole their rift has left in their life.

The A-Z of Everything is basically an adventure that Andrea has left for both sisters in an attempt to reunite them, to have them forgive each other and to forge a path for the future where they're both in each other's lives. The story starts out as sad, as you would expect from the storyline itself, however it takes you on an emotional journey of discovery, reflection and forgiveness

I think, as always with Debbie's novels, there are many depths to this novel. Depending on your own state of mind you will take away something different from it. I was on an emotional rollercoaster from start to finish and I'd reckon you will definitely need tissues however at times you will definitely be laughing.

While the story is largely focused on the relationship between Poppy and Rose there are some glimpses of romance in there too. If you enjoy Carmel Harrington & Paige Toon you will enjoy Debbie's novels.

Thank you to Netgalley, Harpercollins UK and the author Debbie for allowing me to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

Such a good book! There’s nothing like reading about a dysfunctional family to put your own in perspective!
The main storyline through this book is heart-warming and leads to some quite deep questions. If I died tomorrow would everyone I treasure close to me know exactly how I feel about them, have I told all of ‘my’ stories that I would like to be remembered by, is there anything left unsaid?

I lost my dad recently and I would give anything to have one more story, one more conversation or one tiny snippet of him but to have little messages and tokens of love from him after he passed… what a beautiful gift!

It has the author’s usual humour too which adds a nice little balance to some of the quite sad parts of the story.

I love Debbie Johnson and this is another great book!

A fantastic book which is not like Debbie's usual books but it works. It follows sisters Rose and Poppy who are grieving for their mother but she has left them a series of letters to bring them back together again after a fall out.
I could really relate to this story because I have had a fall out with my sister, so I was hoping to find a solution in this book.

A stunning heart-warming emotional rollercoaster of a read. Grief is handled in a very sensitive way with believable characters and engaging sub plots to make this a fantastic page turner. 5/5!

This is the most wonderful book. So emotional and affirming. As many of you know, I am a great fan of Rowan Coleman, and Debbie has similarly dug deep into the psyches of her characters, particularly Rose and Poppy, to bring us a glorious book about families and forgiveness.
The letters/videos/tapes from Andrea are so powerful, I cried buckets. Actually I cried buckets all the way through - but they were good tears. Tissues are definitely needed for this one!
I've always enjoyed Debbie's books, but this one is on a whole new level. It must have been torture to write and I'm definitely giving her a standing ovation!
I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This was one of those wonderful reads where you find yourself devouring it in a short space of time.
Moving, funny and heartwarming. A real joy to read.

Absolutely moving but uplifting. I even shed a tear can you believe it?? Not because is it sad or drama mode, not at all. Is simply i remember my sister and mother that live in another country far away and i miss them.

An absolutely must read to think about our mothers and our daughters and how sometime a little love and a little “lower your barrier of mistrust” can be such a simple step to be happy.

This book is a big step away from Debbie Johnson's previous rom - coms. Already her "Comfort Food Cafe" series was a little different, more serious in tone but "The A - Z of Everything" is a totally different level. I admit, it took me some time to get used to the new Debbie Johnson, as I totally love her specific sense of dry humour and I missed it a little lately, but you know what, this book, it is just magnificent, and the way the author writes about feelings and emotions is just beautifully gorgeous. I freely admit, it was hard for me to get into this story as I was all the time looking for a situation that'll made me laugh out loud and I felt confused why they're not coming but guys, honestly, my initial disappointment was very quickly replaced with the feeling of feeling my heart in my throat and having problems with swallowing. Sure, this trademark Debbie Johnson's humour is still shining through the words and situations, and it is written in this typical author's way, but this book is different. Period. And as much as I felt head over heals with Debbie's "The Birthday That Changed Everything", this book follows it closely.

The story is following Rose (Rosehip) and Poppy (Popcorn - brilliant nicknames, don't you think?) and at the beginning, though I am really not sure why, I had great difficulties to say which one is Rose and which one is Poppy, each time I turned the page to a new chapter and there was the name of one of the sisters I needed to consider long if this is the younger or the older one. Really don't know why. But only at the beginning. So we know that they were inseparable as children but then something very unthinkable happened and they haven't seen or talked to each other for years. Heck, Poppy has never seen her nephew Joe and he's already 16 years old! It takes some time for the "unthinkable" to be explained and while my imagination run wild, I haven't come up with this possibility. So yes, estranged siblings - that is, till their mother's friend Lewis let them know that Andrea is dead and that there is a little list of things they should do together - because Andrea's greatest wish was to see her daughters re - united.

The two sisters couldn't be more different, and while one of them focused on binge and comfort eating, the other one focused on her career and staying fit. When one of them felt like a doormat, didn't have any confidence, was overweight and knew it and hated it but did nothing to change it, the second one was full of confidence, was a business - woman, had a great job and state - of - the - art apartment. They were full of flaws but guys - how much I loved them! From the very beginning. Yes, I wanted to shake them more than often, to bang their heads together but I so well could understand them, why they behaved this way, what has driven them to be like that - and it doesn't happen often that I can get the characters SO WELL.

You know, this book brought out all kind of emotions out of me. I felt furious with the sisters for being so stubborn, I felt sorry for Joe for missing so much of his Aunt, I felt like crying when reading about Lewis' missing Andrea so much, I felt proud of Andrea being so strong and brave. I could understand Andrea and her wish for her daughters not seeing her so ill and so weak, wanting them to remember her living and breathing and not thinking about her through the prism of seeing her on her deathbed. This story had me laughing and crying, feeling desperate and full of hope. It was so uplifting to see the two sisters finding each other and themselves afresh and heart - breaking to see how much it have cost them.

I loved to read about the tasks! Each of the letters was brilliant and believe me, guys, they were not like A is for apple or W is for watching films. They were thoroughly thought - over, they were complex and they had one thing in common - to bring the girls together. Some of the tasks were incredibly hard for Poppy and Rose, some of them were incredibly hilarious, but the most important thing was, I think, that they worked together on them - sometimes sober, more then often after a glass or two of wine, but together, slowly opening, reminiscing on their past and always having their mum in their memories.

A story that really makes you think twice. It will teach you not to take things for granted and to appreciate the smallest things in your life. And not only things, but people as well, because they won't be in your life for ever. Novel about coming out of your comfort zones, about forgiveness. The author has done the impossible here, namely she has written a book that is so incredibly emotional on the sad side but at the same time so very uplifting, and I loved this perfect mix. Debbie Johnson can so brilliantly capture all the rawness of emotions, the broken hearts without judging the characters, and I loved this fact - it let me be angry with Rose and Poppy myself. This is really Debbie Johnson at her best, guys. "The A - Z of Everything" is a MUST read this spring and I will be recommending it to all of my friends, and I can start right now, so really, whatever you do, make sure you have this book on pre - order - it's not a read to be missed and that is for sure going to stay with you for longer. It's poignant, it's full of sympathy, compassion and understanding and I can't stop admiring the fact how much the author has managed to get into the characters' heads and tell their stories in such a lovely way. Highly, highly recommended!

I am a great fan of Debbie Johnson's delightful and hilarious romantic comedies. However, this story is something very different from her. I started the book with an open mind as to the subject matter, but ended up gripped by a tale which had me crying and laughing in equal measures. It is an incredibly powerful and moving story, skilfully written.



There are only really five main characters in the book. Actress Andrea Barnard knows she has little time left on this earth and enlists long time friend and lawyer Lewis to help her in a scheme to bring together her daughters, Poppy and Rose, who have been estranged for most of their adult life. Her plan involves the creation of a list - The A to Z of Everything - of messages and tasks that she hopes will help them deal with their grief and, in doing so, find a way to forgive each other for what has happened in the past. Rose's son, Joe, who was very fond of his grandmother, joins them in their journey.



Although I was doubtful as to whether I would enjoy this book, I found it both uplifting and heartwarming. Andrea's love for her daughters and anguish at their long separation is evident on every page. Even though it sounds a very sombre subject, and, indeed, I would be amazed if anyone could read the book without dissolving into tears at some point, there is also a great deal of humour within. Some of the tasks Andrea sets for her girls are hilarious. I would recommend this novel to anyone, whether established fans of Debbie Johnson or new to her work.

What a cracker of a book! Absolutely loved it! Will post a review on amazon on publication day.

Rose and Poppy, two sisters, get a call telling them their mum Andrea has died. The girls haven’t spoken for years and Andrea has left them several tasks she would like them to complete.

Andrea has left the a list of things to do starting with the letter A, some of the things are simple like drinking champagne or watching a film, with some being a lot harder particularly with regard to finding out who their father is and why he has never been in their lives.

The story is told by Rose, Poppy and in the letters that Andrea left the girls, showing us the reason for the girls estrangement. The tasks help them move on from the problems of the past and look at how their lives have been without each other, it also makes them reassess their lives at the present time and the things they want to do differently.

Although this is a sad story, it was nice the way that their mum could still influence them and help them find each other again. A beautiful story which was hard to read at times but so worth it.

Thank you to net gallery and Debbie Johnston for the opportunity to read this brilliant book. The book centres around Andrea who has only a few weeks to live and whose greatest desire is to see her two daughters Rose and Poppy reunited after years apart.. The bonds between mothers and daughters are beautifully explored in this book and I could personally relate with Andreas desire to see her daughters reunite and be there for each other after her death, This book was very thought provoking and explored a lot of issues associated with grief and losing someone who you love very much. It made me think of the importance of forgiveness and to appreciate every day and opportunity. I would recommend this book,and found myself thinking of Andrea Rose and Poppy as friends I was rooting for , A must read to make you appreciate every minute you have,

This book is very different from Debbie Johnsons other novels, much more emotional and less light hearted. However do not let this put you off reading it as it is a beautiful heartwarming story. The two main characters Poppy and Rose are very relatable and you find yourself drawn in as they are trying to cope with the death of their mother and rebuilding their relationship.

Well the minute this book started I felt myself welling up. The prologue starts with Andrea explaining that she only has a few weeks to live and how she plans on bringing her daughters Poppy and Rose who don't talk to each other any more, back together again. Makes you stop and think and appreciate every day because you never know what's around the next corner.​

Andrea decides that even though she's not there any more she's going to get her girls back together again and sets them a series of tasks that she hopes they'll complete. She sets all the plans up with her very good friend Lewis, who is also her solicitor, and Rose & Poppy very reluctantly agree to carrying out their Mother's last wishes.

The story skips back and forth between when the girls were younger and the present day and the reason they haven't spoken in years is slowly revealed.

Some of the tasks are bigger than others, but they are all designed to bring the girls back together again and let go of the hurt from the past. Very clever idea, and eventually after lots of emotion, they manage to move past their issues and move forward, sorting out how they feel about their current lives in the process too. They both seem to have gone to extremes in their unhappiness over the years, Rose was a comfort/binge eater and had really piled on the pounds and let herself go, whereas Poppy had gone in the other direction and was far too skinny through non-eating, exercising and job stress.

Very emotional story, my eyes were leaking quite a lot throughout the whole book(!) - but ultimately very uplifting too. I think the main message is make sure you appreciate everyone you love because they won't be there forever, be kind and let hurt feelings go, life's too short. Lovely book.