Such a sweet story! I was so happy to be given the chance to read this by NetGalley. This review was not required to do so, but I loved these characters. Elsie and Billy feel real to me and I could not put down the book! I loved how their relationship wasn't perfect and hit many snags in the road. I highly recommend if you like a good, inspirational read.

This is the second book by this author that I have been lucky enough to have the opportunity to review. Once again I was absolutely blown away by the touching, beautifully written storyline. Brimming with current day issues and packed full of characters who leap from the pages and touch your heart. Such an easy, feel good read.

Thank you to Bookouture and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This was a lovely story about the unlikely friendship between a prickly old woman and a confused 10-year old, told in alternating chapters in their two POVs. Both characters were well-drawn, and both POVs are believably written. There are of course events in both of their lives that have wounded them, and together they find healing/resolution.

A lovely story.
Elise, who lives on her own, who does chores to set times and even watches TV to a set time, ticks them off on her chalkboard when they’re done.
She’s asked to watch Billy who moved in next door with his mother, who has to work at the local restaurant on different shifts.
Billy doesn’t like Elisa, finds her odd, and when he digs up a tin(helping Elisa in the garden) Elisa finds herself shouting at him and Billy goes home. His moms not happy and doesn’t send him again.
From here starts Billy’s attempt to find out what the items in the tin mean and the map, he wants to go to all those places.
Billy too is finding it difficult at school.
Secrets are kept by Elisa and Billy/Billy’s mom. Loved the storyline and the issue of bullying that’s covered in this book.

Children often don't like to spend time with older people who don't really have experience with the young ones. They think those adults are odd and are stuck in some strange routines.

The older people on the other hand find the youngsters too irresponsible, too wild and fear for their lovely possessions they cherish because they often hold sweet memories.

Once they start to spend more time together and get to know each other though, they learn to adapt. It's not as easy as one-two-three and there certainly are discussions, but when the friendship blooms, they can be overcome.

This is a beautiful book about friendship and love between two very different people. They learn to trust each other and confide in each other. You have to let go of the past in order to have a bright future, but first you have to get rid of those skeletons in your closet. 

Those are not the only emotions the author puts the spotlight on. She throws a lot more into the mix and ends up with a very touching story. 4 stars.

Thank you, Ruby Hummingbird and Bookouture

When I began this no so I thought it would be boring, wooden and blah. I was so wrong. The relationships and characters evolve and made me care about their situations. Several things go on here that come to a satisfying end. The scene in the boat in the river😆
Thank you netgalley and the publisher for this arc

I absolutely adored this book. The characters were so real that it sucked you in and made you feel a part of the story. You didn't want it to end!

A sweet story about two unlikely friends and the importance of the family we choose. Elsie and Billy are relatable characters who forge a unique bond while struggling with personal issues that they can't talk about. Together, they are able to find ways to begin to heal. A great read.

A lovely read that pulls at the heart strings. A couple of good characters in Elsie and Billy. One to recommend.

Thanks to NetGalley and the author for the opportunity to read this book..

Firstly I would like to thank the author, the publisher and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read an ARC of this book. Having read the author's previous book I was thrilled to be given the chance to read this one, although it is very different from the previous one but still beautifully written with great characters and story line.
I have already recommended it to friends.

This is a very warm-hearted read about two very different lost and lonely people. Elsie is an old lady who lives a very small life, her sheltered upbringing and the close losses she experienced left her wary of letting people in close so she limits her social interactions as much as she humanly can and she lives each day by strict routine. Billy is a confused ten year old whose life was suddenly uprooted when his mum moved him away from his London home and dad to a quiet village where he knows no one, his mum has taken the first job she can but struggling for childcare she relies on the taciturn Elsie for help. Both the main characters tell their stories so well and I felt for them both, when you come to understand the life Elsie has lead you can’t help but empathise. Although she seems quite miserable at first her interactions with Billy do show a chink of what lies beneath and I love how she blossoms through the story.