This was a really cute story!

Even on the brink of death, Evan’s wife was thinking of him and their young daughter, Violet. She knew life as a single father would be no easy task, especially while mourning her death, so Claire took it upon herself to write him a handbook to help guide him through the good days and the bad. I love how even though she often discussed serious subjects, she still kept things light-hearted and incorporated a bit of humor into the “handbook”. It was clear through her words just how much Claire and Evan loved each other, and that love carried over even after she passed.

And Violet was a delightful addition to this book! Both she and Evan were struggling without Claire, but with the help of his best friend, co-worker, mother, and Claire, he was able to repair their fragile relationship and be the super dad he strived to be.

Definitely recommending this one!

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3779283686

Thank you NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Let's start with the cover. It's simple and colorful.

This was my first book by this author, so I wasn't too sure of what to expect from them.
I was pleasantly surprised, honestly.
MY HEART, seriously. There were so many emotional, tender moments in this book.
I'd be lying if I didn't have tears in my eyes at times.


I'll definitely be looking out for other work by this author.

A cute yet poignant read. The letters from Claire are interspersed at just the right times in her family's life, and bring a sense of clarity as far as hope to cope and how to go on without her. I love seeing the characters grow as the book progressed.

Such a cute, heart-warming story. Evan is a widow and stumbling through life, still unsure on how to move forward, even though it’s been 2 years. His little girl Violet misses her mom but is also affected by Evan’s depression. Kind of predictable but a joy to read nonetheless.

An emotional read, beautifully written, that had me in tears. Read in one sitting.

Thank you to NetGalley and to the publisher for allowing me to read this in exchange for an honest review.

I cried. A lot. Yeah, thanks for that Ms James. This was one of the saddest books I've ever read - but it was also incredibly uplifting. I think I related to every character on an emotional level, and felt their grief and pain.

Yet despite the sorrow, there is so much hope and love running through this story.

When you read it, don't forget the tissues - you'll need them!

I enjoyed this quiet, and compassionate story, filled with bits of humour. The humour may surprise you as the book focuses on the death of a young and vibrant wife and mother from cancer. Claire leaves behind her grieving husband, Evan, and young daughter, Violet- and something else. Before she dies, she writes a handbook for her husband to guide him and her daughter through life without her.

Evan Harper lost his wife to cancer and two years later he finds he still hasn’t worked through his grief. His wife left him The Single Dad’s Handbook - a collection of letters to guide his life without her as he parents their five year old.

The premise of this book is so sweet but it ultimately fell a bit flat for me. The first 60% or so feels rote - every chapter following a similar pattern that it got boring and predictable. The last third had more heart and depth to the characters, but not enough to redeem this one for me.

Thanks to Harper Collins UK, One More Chapter and NetGalley for the early copy in exchange for an honest review.

This book is just perfect. It manages to be both emotional and sad, but also uplifting, and handles the subject so sensitively, but with just the right touch of humour.

Evan is a really likeable character, and he’s a great dad, but he’s struggling with his grief and with fatherhood. It takes a while before he’s able to turn to Claire’s advice in the book, but when he does it becomes part of the journey that he needs to go through to begin to move on a little.

Even though Claire is gone, she lives on as a character through her words, and we can really see what a caring and perceptive person she was, and how much they loved each other.

I also loved the setting. I love Edinburgh, and I loved that Evan’s job was as a tour guide.

This book will bring you both tears and laughter, and will have you go through so many emotions. But ultimately, it will leave you with a smile on your face, and a warm feeling in your heart. It’s hard to put down, and I really was engrossed in it.

This book is to be published in April, and it’s available to pre-order now. I think this is going to be one of many people’s favourite books of 2021. It’s certainly one of mine so far.

I enjoyed this quiet, and compassionate story, filled with bits of humor. The humor may surprise you as the book focuses on the death of a young and vibrant wife and mother from cancer. Claire leaves behind her grieving husband, Evan, and young daughter, Violet- and something else. Before she dies, she writes a handbook for her husband to guide him and her daughter through life without her.

Evan is a sweet guy, and he loved his wife and adores his child, Violet. But, after two years without Claire, he’s still lost and bereft. Can the handbook help him get back on track or will he continue to feel lost and lonely?

The book is pleasant and well-written and showcases Edinburgh, the setting of this book, in a lively and fascinating way. The book gives us a good view of Evan’s struggles to keep life going for him and five-year-old Violet. His attempts to date and his encounters with the “yummy mummies” at Violet’s school are entertaining. I am sure many readers were touched and moved by Evan’s story. I found Evan to be kind of wimpy and helpless. (I mean, “Mr. Mom” is almost 40 years old- guys know how to cook now!)

From the adorable cover to the sincere and well-written story, this is a book that will appeal to and enchant many readers. Thanks to NetGalley and HarperCollinsUK, One More Chapter for an advance digital review copy. This is my honest review.

This was a very emotional book for me. I related to these characters on a personal level and have similar circumstances. I cried and I chuckled through this book. It was very well written and the plot was so good.
Many thanks to One More Chapter and to NetGalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

An easy read that touched on life as a single Dad for James who loses his wife to cancer. He has to learn to be a single Dad to five year old Violet whilst dealing with his grief.
A simple story that injects humour into a sad situation as he adapts to his new life which includes Tinder, first day at school, a kitten and an interfering but well meaning mum.

What a lovely, endearing read. This story has echoes of Cecilia Ahern and Amanda Prowse for tugging at the heart strings, alongside sprinklings of Nick Spalding style humour to lighten it up. A beautiful story that warms the heart.

Well I was on the verge of tears at the start, and at the end, and a few times in between, for Lynsey James really does know how to pack an emotional punch.

The letters Claire has left to her husband Evan, on how to move on after her death, and how to be the best dad he can be to Violet are perfectly written. They hit just the right tone, and I suspect if you are more sentimental than me, then you will need tissues handy as you read some of them.

But in between it's also heart warming, and well brilliant. There are moments of levity, seeing Evan attempting to navigate the world of tinder and the dates he goes on are light relief, even if he couldn't see something I suspected rather early on.

And Violet, you can't help but feel for her, we meet her properly on the first time on her first day of school, and its heart-breaking that she's having to navigate this milestone without her mummy. Evan is trying is hardest but 2 years on is clearly still grieving and barely coping as it is.

Thankfully whether he wants it or not, Evan has a fabulous support network with his various friends, and family, They are all in their own ways trying to help him, whether he is ready to move on or not.

I knew nothing about this book as I started reading and I really feel that is the best way to approach it, to get the full impact. I literally couldn't put this down and devoured it very quickly. I was completely absorbed the the story, and its reminded me how great an author Lynsey James is. I just hope we don't have to wait another 3 years for her next book!

Thank you to One More Chapter and Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.

A lovely read Evan has lost his wife Claire to cancer, he is trying to deal with his loss while looking after Violet their daughter. Claire has left a series of letters to help him through his grief and give advice on looking after Violet....
At times an emotional read but also dotted with humour....Online dating, and some unfortunate events and Hannah ( best friend) make for a good read..and Evans realisation that you can find love where you least expect to make this a very heartwarming story. Would highly recommend.

This is a well written book about Evan whose wife died only 2 years ago it hasnt been easy since Claire died of cancer but she did leave a series of notes and letters for Evan to help guide him in raising his daughter and trying to move on with his life.

I got p.s. i love you vibes from this so it was earily similar to me.

This was very sweet and emotional. I loved it! It had strong Cecilia Ahern vibes which I am a big fan of. It was an emotional, beautiful story

Thanks to Harper for my ARC copy. What a wonderfully written story of grief and the next steps for the ones left behind. I read this book in 4hrs,
Wondefullylikeable characters, fabulous idea of understanding who the family were and how they had changed.
Emotional and telling in places for me great research done that picked up the mental effect grief can have and the impact across the entire family. The shielding protection fear of the unknown. Great read and will definately recommend.

Widowed dad trying to cope with daughter and work. Struggling to cope after the death of his wife Evan reads the handbook of letters for times when he is struggling.
Claire wisdom and guidance help and hinder the grieving process.
Follow Evan on his journey through work, home, parenthood and friendships to dating, smile and cry but most of all enjoy

This story was sweet and heartfelt. I liked Evan and how the story unfolds with the letters his wife Claire wrote for him. He is struggling to return to 'normal' two years following the death of his wife. His well meaning friends and family encourage him to date again, and the stories of his dates are humorous. Overall, I didn't feel invested in the love interest that emerges, but I was definitely pulled in by his love for his daughter. While I enjoyed this book, it fell a little flat for me in the 'happy ending.'