The Single Dad's Handbook by Lynsey James is a lovely story that is an amusing and bittersweet journey through grief. Evan Harper lost his wife Claire to cancer at a tragically young age. Now, he must raise their daughter Violet while figuring out how to be himself again after losing someone who was his everything.

I enjoyed how this story tempered the sad with amusing situations that I could relate to as a parent. When he took his daughter to the emergency room, frantic because she is in so much pain, the embarrassing diagnosis is one that I have been through with my own daughter, and let me tell you, it made me laugh out loud to see even a fictional parent go through that. The crazy things parents go through. A handbook is the perfect gift his wife could have left him as all parents feel they need the same thing even when both spouses are alive and well.

I enjoyed the bittersweet letters Claire wrote. Her character shines through so clearly in the way she writes them. I imagine Evan had no problem hearing her voice as he read them and what a comfort that must have been. Grief is complicated. There is no way around that fact. Though Evan's character is not developed as well as I may have liked – the way he handled his grief is. The grief process is developed in a sublime, accessible, and intricate manner that made it easy for me to believe and feel so much compassion for this single dad. He is up. He is down. He feels like the clouds are parting. He feels like the world is crumbling down around his shoulders. Can anything explain grief better than that?
I do not think so.

The only thing that is a hiccup in my reading experience is family and friends' reactions at various points in the story. I can understand their concern, but it had been two years since Claire passed. To see them force Evan into decisions he disagreed with after all this time had passed is perplexing to me. I could see these situations happening in the weeks and months after she died but not two years later. I felt like I must be missing some crucial pieces to the story.

Suppose you want to read a story that will have you laughing, crying, and feeling like there is always a light at the end of the tunnel, no matter how dark things have become. In that case, this story is the perfect one for you.

From the prologue I was hooked in to find out how Evan handles mourning for his wife Claire while raising their daughter Violet.
I thought that the way the author wrote about grief was spot on, life keeps moving even if you don't want it to and the good days can be as hard as the bad.

Evan and Violets bonding made my heart happy even when it was messy, space and astronauts all the way!

However I will say that I wasn't really a fan of Evan and Hannah who is his long time friend turned romantic interest. The connection wasn't quite there for me, maybe a few flashbacks of their time together growing up would have helped me some sort of link between them.

Overall I enjoyed the story and the writing had me reading on past bedtime.

I received a free copy of this book via netgalley and am voluntarily leaving a review.

Define sweet easy read and this would be a great image! I couldn't put this one down and it was just lovely. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher!

Down to earth read, heart warming and such a sweet story.

Thank you NetGalley for my complimentary copy in return for my honest review.

What an amazing read. I was expecting this to be totally heart wrenching, considering the theme of the book, but I was honestly surprised. It was more heart warming than wrenching. I found it to be a very real and honest account. Life after such a huge loss as Evan had is not all sunshine and roses, but a hard dark place that takes all your strength just to trudge through, and this is depicted brilliantly. The highs and the lows, the survivors guilt and massive chore of trying to live and love and provide for his daughter.

I found Claire’s letters beautiful and moving, her strength shines through as does her absolute heartbreak at the knowledge that she will never get to see her child grow up and won’t get her forever with Evan. Even in death, she is supporting Evan and Violet and helps them move on.

It was an easy read and it flowed beautifully, bringing a lump to my throat more than once.

Rating: 4/5

I LOVED this title. I was raised by a single dad and the book was wonderful, and an extremely refreshing take on single parenthood and the grief that follows the loss of a parent.

Longer review to come.

Evan is still wallowing in mourning for his wife Claire. He has a daunted Violet who needs him, but he can't seem to get it together. He discovers Claire left him letters to help him cope. It's a sweet, sad story of a young father who needs to pull it together. I liked the angle taken by the author. I was also was waiting for him to realize he had love right under his nose. I love his job of giving haunted walking tours. The ending fell a little flat. I thought it could have used a bit more oomph.

Single dad Evan is still struggling raising his daughter as a single parent after his wife Claire dies of cancer. Still in a funk and making mistakes regarding his daughter and job, Evan turns to the book of letters his late wife wrote from him to get through the hard times following her death.

A heartbreaking story of loss and coming to turns with grief. My only issue with this book was it just fell flat for me. I didn’t really connect with any of the characters. While it wasn’t for me I do think some will absolutely love this one.

Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for this ARC.

This story revolves around a widower with a young daughter whose wife leaves behind a journal of letters before she passes from cancer. Set in Edinburgh, the majority of the book takes place two years following her death. Claire’s letters help guide Evan through depression, parenting crises, job issues and ultimately moving forward toward a new life and love.

I had high hopes for this book, but unfortunately to be honest I found the letters to be the best part of the book. They’re wise, humorous and poignant and represented the most “real” and heartfelt part of the story, while the rest seemed superficial and filled with trite moments. I really did not connect with any of the characters and at times did not even like some of them very much. While the writing itself is fine, the story left me underwhelmed.

Thanks to #NetGalley and #HarperCollinsUK #OneMoreChapter for providing me the early ARC. The opinions are strictly my own.

The Single Dad's Handbook is a cute little quick read about a dad navigating life with a young daughter when he least expects it. He finds himself single and unprepared for single fatherhood through no fault of his own and struggles with his own emotions as well as those of his child. Fortunately, he has a guide that has an answer for most issues he encounters. Typically, I'd define is as a chick-lit item of fiction likely to appeal to people wanting a little escape with something that isn't too taxing.

The language employed is simple enough to read at pace and makes a perfect holiday read. It is also very tame; no swear words or episodes of a sexual nature. The plot is rather simple and somewhat predictable so there are no overthinking or complicated scenarios to figure out. This makes it an ideal text for teens and older.

I give this book an overall rating of 3/5 stars. It was an average book, with an average plot, a huge amount of predictability but still provided a good bit of entertainment for a few hours.

A must read book for everyone. Beautifully written, a sweet heart warming tale of love, life & loss. Made me think that maybe all of us should write letters to our partner to have if we pass away before them.

Evan Harper lost his wife, leaving him a widower and a single father.
He's wallowing in grief, still, two years on, with a little girl about to start school, and his. family and friends wanting him to take the next steps to move on.
Before she passed away, Claire carefully collated a notebook, filled with letters for her husband and daughter to read, at key moments in their lives.
This set of letters ends up being the catalyst for change, in Evan's life, and he finds himself beginning to embrace life, and a few people, too...
A cute story, an easy read, Very similar to a lovely book I read a couple of years ago, about a husband who passes on and leaves a notebook for how to fall in love again, for his wife.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Harper Collines, One More Chapter for an ARC. in exchange for an honest review.

What a great book, takes you through many emotions. Laughter, tears, hope etc.. sometimes we can’t see what’s in front of us. Would definitely recommend

The Single Dad’s Handbook by Lynsey James was the perfect balance of touching, heart wrenching, humorous, and satisfying. The hero, Evan, is trying to do everything to be the perfect single dad after he loses his wife, Claire, tragically to cancer. Evan has his own grief to work through but he has a secret weapon in the book created by his wife before her death, This purple book is a lovely collection of letters that address Claire’s advice on circumstances she knew Evan would face without her,

Evan has an outstanding support system composed of his best friend, Hannah, married couple friends, Lorna and Dave, and his faithful mother. Evan needs Claire’s coaxing letters to forgive himself and her encouragement to create a beautiful life for him and Violet, his five year old daughter. It is far from a sure thing, and you worry the grief will be all consuming as Evan seems unable to move on. But, what ensues is the perfect blend of dramatic interest, family hijinks, and humorous escapades with online dating. The gyrations between Evan and Hannah will have you rooting that they can find their own happily ever after, but it is far from a sure thing.

Lynsey James was a new author to me, but she did not disappoint; she engaged me fully from page one and tugged at my heartstrings! I was provided a free advance reader copy from Harper Collins UK, One More Chapter in exchange for my honest review on Net Galley. The opinions shared in this review are my own.

The Single Dad’s Handbook is the seventh novel by Scottish author, Lynsey James. Two years after cancer took the life of his wife, Claire, Evan Harper is being told by family and friends that it’s time to re-enter life: if not for himself, then at least for his five-year-old daughter, Violet. His business partner tells him: “What would Claire want your life to look like right now, mate? You know it wouldn’t be this.”

Evan has been so mired in grief that his performance at work, leading ghost tours of Edinburgh, has suffered to the extent that their business and reputation is deteriorating; his avoidance of social interaction has his friends concerned; and he feels he has lost the connection with his daughter. And at this point, the last thing he needs is to deal with the return of Hannah, the best friend who abandoned him when he needed her most, to travel the world.

On her first day of school, he is finally moved to open the book of letters with its shiny purple cover, the book that Claire left for him: The Single Dad’s Handbook. “Claire’s written a letter for every scenario she would miss. She’s covered everything from puberty and dating advice to Violet’s wedding and beyond. I have to resist the urge to read all of them in one sitting.”

“This book is not a cure -all (if only it were!). It won’t magically drag you through grief and drop you on the other side. It won’t cook dinners or look after Violet or arrange my funeral. It’ll just be there, giving you a gentle nudge in the right direction until things feel a bit less shit. I’d like to think of it as a map of your new life, the one that doesn’t include me. Maybe you’d like to write to me too? When things get a bit too much, you can just scribble a note to me in a notebook. It’ll be like I’m not really gone and you never know, it might help you work some things out. Your choice, but I think it’s a good idea. It’s time to start living again, Evan.”

As he battles through a return to “normal” life, work, trying to be a Super Dad, perhaps dating again, Evan consults the wise words Claire has left him. Of the myriad of topics she covered, some of which Claire had hoped Evan would never need to consult, he finds himself grateful for her advice in letters headed: “My Funeral (oops, too late!), First Day of School, When You Feel Like the Worst Dad Ever, When Violet Asks About Me, When You’re Out of Your Comfort Zone, When it’s Time for an Adventure, Trying New Things Together, Bullying, When You’re Afraid to be Happy, First Date and Things I Want You to Know.

This is a sweet and thoughtful tale, fairly predictable, but with some lovely moments and a good dose of humour.
This unbiased review is from an uncorrected proof copy provided by NetGalley and Harper Collins UK One More Page.

Evan Harper lives with his five year old daughter Violet in Edinburgh. Claire used to live there too, until cancer stole her away from her husband and only child two years earlier. When she knew she wasn't going to get better Claire began a book of letters for Evan, The Single Dad's Handbook to help when things get tough.

Things have been tough, every day since Claire left them, but finally Evan feels strong enough to read her words. He has no idea if they will do what his wife wanted but he knows there is nothing else left to try. Evan owes it to Claire and Violet to do his best to step out of the shadows and begin to live again, if only he can get past the guilt.

This book is just what you would expect, poignant, sad, and uplifting but it is also so much more. There is a humour here that even in the darkest or scariest moments for Evan is both unexpected and funny. Without spoilers Sally was a definite surprise and a great moment.

Evan and Violet are written with compassion and the friends and family around them help and hinder with the best of intentions. The human ability to not see what is right in front of you is a talent Evan has by the bucket load and there were times when I wanted to shake him! His circle of friends did it for me however, and there were no unrealistic storylines within his journey.

This is my first book by this author but I enjoyed it very much and will read more. She has a gentle writing style which fitted the topic perfectly and gave her characters personalities which ranged from endearing to annoying but there was never a feeling they didn't all fit together as a group. The letters themselves were also beautifully written and showed the myriad emotions anyone in Claire's position must experience daily.

I was able to read an advanced copy of this book thanks to NetGalley and the publishers but the opinions expressed are my own. This is a gentle look at how to restart a life and is highly recommended.

I received a copy of the book from Netgalley to review. Thank you for the opportunity.
A. Sweet and heartwarming tale, perfect for a cozy night in.
A good read.

Following his wife, Claire's death, Evan is left as a single dad to Violet. Before her death, Claire wrote letters covering every problem she thought would arise. He is finding life very difficult 2 years on, will the return of his best friend, Hannah, help him cope ,or just complicate matters? Set in the beautiful city of Edinburgh, a heart rending tale which is hard to put down.

This was a very lovely book to read, the book is full of love, struggle, loss, laughter and character development. It’s an emotional story between Evan Harper and his daughter Violet and the grief they still share from losing Claire, Violets mother. It’s been two years since she passed away from cancer. After two years of her passing away you can still see the effects of the grief when it’s Violets first day of school and Evan is really struggling to stay strong when really all he wants to do is hide in a dark room and cry. Evan is also worried that he’s failing at being a good father and that’s obviously hard to deal with and sad, as he is trying his best. What I liked about this book was that it was from the father POV which normally is the mother’s so for me it was quite refreshing read for me to see how a father would cope without his wife and coping with fatherhood alone with a very young daughter.

Thank you netgalley for an early copy of this! How sweet was this story?! I was invested from the first chapter, it didn’t disappoint! I laughed & cried too. Definitely recommend this one!