What a delightful breath of fresh air. I love Eudora! I work with the elderly and I see my residents in Eudora and it just gives me such delight to see how much life she has left! Bless Rose for showing her this.

Such a powerful story - one we should all read.

This is an audio book review for Eudora Honeysett  Is Quite Well Thank You written by Annie Lyons. 
Eudora is 85 and she has had a  enough of her life. She is very practical about this and is set on taking a trip to Switzerland to end things her own way. 
That is until a new neighbour arrives in the form of ten year old Rosie whose, wiser than her years and fun outlook on life,  is thrust on Eudora   
At first grumpy Eudora doesn’t want to bother with this small  but ‘full of  beans ‘ person, but Rose wins her over as she encourages Eudora to start living life again! 
What an audio book! The narrator - Nicolette McKenzie  breathes life into this book with the most marvellous voice!  She was the perfect choice for this audiobook  without doubt. 
This is a special book but not in a sad way. It is joyous, uplifting and quite funny in places despite touching on topics such as death. In essence this is a book about life and living and how friendships can appear in all kinds of guises. This is a book that will stay in your heart forever - long after the last word is finished.

I listened to this beautiful audiobook on the journey to visit my mum over the Christmas holidays, This year she couldn’t come to stay with my family so instead I travelled to her to stay a few days before lockdown began again and I related with so much of Eudora’s story. 

Growing old and facing death is without a doubt one of the most difficult stages of life, but this book not only explores it fantastically but also reflects on the power of friendship, family and enjoying every minute of life. 

Eudora Honeysett is eighty five years old and is feeling the effects of her age. She decides to take matters into her own hands and books into a clinic in Switzerland to end her life.

What she doesn’t plan for is the arrival of ten year old Rose who moves next door with her family. Rose introduces Eudora to adventures and feelings of love and friendship which Eudora had long buried in the past. This allows Eudora to resolve past experiences and wonder if life is indeed worth living. 

The fierce independence of Eudoras generation is beautifully explored. We all need to remember that her generation have lived fascinating lives and have many things they can still contribute to our fast paced modern world. 

The narrater of this audiobook was first class. I was transported into the story and found it pulling at my heartstrings and pondering on many parts of the storyline. I loved Eudora, Rose and Stanley such beautiful well written characters. I highly recommend this story to anyone who loves character driven stories. Grab a box of tissues and enjoy this beautiful gentle read. 

Thank you to netgalley and the publishers for my chance to listen to this audiobook

Eudora feels prepared for death, in her own terms of course. Rather than being a female Scrooge, she is a kind soul from the start although wrapped in no-nonsense stoic manners. We can see glimpses of her world in two story lines: her present as an 85-year-old and by various events in her past that are revealed gradually. And currently, Eudora is getting some new neighbours with 10-year-old Rose among them - without friends and in a new place. While Eudora ponders about mortality and dignity, a very practical matter to her, Rose and her new friends are busy with life and Eudora is pulled into it unwittingly.

Despite the main topic of death, it was a humorous read, sometimes a dry black version of humour but funny nevertheless. Rose was empathic and caring beyond her years. Her sincere curiosity (also about dying) and genuine contentment with her octogenarian friends made some witty and absurd dialogues. Sometimes she seemed like goodness personified, in great contrast to Eudora’s sister who resembled an evil character from a fairy tale. Anyhow, I enjoyed it probably even more as an audiobook, thanks to a talented narrator who managed to voice both proper Eudora and spirited Rose.

* I voluntarily reviewed this audiobook via NetGalley and I thank HarperCollins Audio UK for the opportunity

Loved the book so much I wanted the audiobook as well - It is such a lovely story, heartbreaking at times. I loved the characters, the way they interact. It is a story that has made me rethink life and love and it will stay with me for a very long time!

The narrator fit the main character perfectly, so added to the tale.
The story itself is a little bit clichéd and cheesy, but lovely, warm and moving at the same time. Eudora, an 85 year old spinster,  is looking into assisted suicide. However, whilst awaiting a decision from doctors in Switzerland, she meets the new girl next door. Rosie is a strangely old-fashioned child who forces herself into Eudora’s life, much to her initial annoyance. Rosie and her family change Eudora, giving her another chance at life. Eudora hasn’t had it easy and her sad story unfolds as she slowly heals. Nice book for this rainy winter.

EXCERPT: When Eudora Honeysett hears the flip-clunk of her letterbox on this particular Thursday morning, her heart skips before she pulls it back down to earth like a rapidly descending hot air balloon. It will be junk mail as usual. Unsolicited junk. As she struggles to a standing position, retrieves her stick and anchors herself to gravity, Eudora marvels, not for the first time, at humanity's ability to fill the world with unwanted junk. The oceans are stuffed with plastic, the landfills with broken three-year-old fridges, and her doormat with an endless littering of pizza leaflets, advertisements for retirement homes, and flyers from individuals offering to re-pave a driveway she doesn't have. Occasionally, she casts a critical eye over the expensively produced retirement home brochures filled with photographs of smiling elderly couples toasting their successful move to the old person's equivalent of a Premier Inn. Eudora can't imagine anything worse. She was born in this house, and intends to die in this house, hopefully sooner rather than later.

ABOUT 'EUDORA HONEYSETT IS QUITE WELL, THANK YOU': Eudora Honeysett is done – with all of it. Having seen first-hand what a prolonged illness can create, the eighty-five-year-old has no intention of leaving things to chance. With one call to a clinic in Switzerland she takes her life into her own hands.

But then ten-year-old Rose arrives in a riot of colour on her doorstep. Now, as precocious Rose takes Eudora on adventures she’d never imagined she reflects on the trying times of her past and soon finds herself wondering – is she ready for death when she’s only just experienced what it’s like to truly live?

MY THOUGHTS: Initially I didn't particularly like Eudora Honeysett. We've all known an elderly woman like her, self-contained, forever correcting grammar and pronunciation, and complaining about everything. She doesn't join in with anything, doesn't associate with anyone. Her routine is rigid. She is lonely, but would never admit it. But as her life story was revealed, I began to understand her. By the end of the audiobook, I admired her.

This is the story of an elderly woman facing death, on her terms. This is not a depressing story. It is a story of hope. It is confirmation that it is never too late to start living, or to make friends.

It would have been easy to over-sentimentalise this tale, but Annie Lyons has adroitly avoided this trap. Instead it is poignant and touching, honest and realistic.

The character of Rose, the child next door, who inveigles herself into Eudora's life, is a breath of fresh air. Rose is full of life, of joy de vivre. She is a force to be reckoned with, impossible to resist. She is a child who prefers the company of adults after being bullied at school. Her family adopts Eudora, and Rose and Stan, the man who rescues Eudora after a fall, slowly broaden Eudora's horizons.

We all think about death and, naturally at her age, so does Eudora. Annie Lyons uses Eudora's story to introduce us to the concept of the death doula, and the option of the arranged death. There is a lot of information contained in this story, unbiased and unemotionally presented.

Narrator Nicolette McKenzie does a wonderful job of the many different voices and I will be watching for her name on other recordings.

⭐⭐⭐⭐.3

#EudoraHoneysettisQuiteWellThankYou #NetGalley

THE AUTHOR: After a career in bookselling and publishing, Annie Lyons published five books including the best-selling, Not Quite Perfect. When not working on her novels, she teaches creative writing. She lives in south-east London with her husband and two children.

DISCLOSURE: Thank you to Harper Collins Audio UK, One More Chapter via Netgalley for providing an audio ARC of Eudora Honeysett is Quite Well, Thank You, written by Annie Lyons and narrated by Nicolette McKenzie. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.

For an explanation of my rating system please refer to my Goodreads.com profile page or the about page on sandysbookaday.wordpress.com

This review and others are also published on Twitter, Amazon, Instagram and my webpage

Eudora Honeysett is a character who is like a cross between Eleanor Oliphant and a Man Called Ove. You just KNOW exactly what's going to happen to this curmudgeonly old lady who wants to quietly go away to Switzerland and end her life. But knowing where it's going doesn't make the journey any less of a joy.

I don't have kids and I know that if my husband goes before me, I could end up like Eudora. Maybe without the cold-water swimming and probably with more cats. She is an absolute delight.

The audiobook is beautifully narrated and the voice artist has a great range of voices and accents to deliver the characters. Her Eudora voice has more than a touch of Ann Widdicombe stridency but it's not irritating, at least not to me.

This is a book about friendship and the power of good company. Eudora's relationships with young sartorially-challenged Rose and Stanley the dog-walker are pure delight. Even her discussions with the staff of the Swiss clinic are life-affirming. I can find nothing not to like about this delightful audiobook. I also strongly recommend it in this format as I think I might have found the paper- or e-book a bit irritating at times but the audio didn't bother me in the slightest.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for this lovely experience.

One of my favourite books of 2020! A book full of life lessons that will make you realise how important is to fill your life with people and experiences that make you feel  joy and to put your personal happiness above your sense of duty.
Nicolette McKenzie's narration really elevated the story and brought all the characters to life. This is one of the books that will stay with me forever.

Eudora Honeysett is Quite Well, Thank You by Annie Lyons is a cute story about friendship.

Eudora is done with everything at eighty five so decides she is ready to die. She contacts a clinic in Switzerland for assisted suicide. Then, she makes an unusual friend. Rose is ten years old, full of life and shows Eudora how exciting life can be. Eudora now has to decide if she is actually ready to die.

Eudora Honeysett is Quite Well, Thank You is an enjoyable and comforting novel. Eudora’s life has been difficult and lonely. The story switches between present day and the past with Eudora’s family. The past ranges from childhood to young adult. Eudora’s family treated her bad. Her sister betrayed her. I felt bd for Eudora reading about her past especially as she was living a lonely life. Rose livened up Eudora’s life. Rose is so full of life and an entertaining character. Rose isn’t afraid to do what she wants. I liked how a young child was inspiring to an old woman. This book was very enjoyable and I recommend it to anyone that likes novels about friendship and struggling characters.

I listened to the audiobook narrated by Nicolette McKenzie and enjoyed her narration.

Thank you One More Chapter, Harper Collins Audio UK and NetGalley for Eudora Honeysett is Quite Well, Thank You.

Eudora Honeysett is an 85 year old woman who has never married. She has lost everyone in her life, parents and her sister and keeps to herself. She has no friends except for Montgomery, a cat that is more a pain than a pet or companion. She just wants to be left alone. When she stumbles upon a pamphlet about a clinic is Switzerland where you can end your life on your own terms, she decides that is what she wants to do. Enter the new neighbours. Maggie and Rob are expecting a second child, a sister to ten year old Rose. Rose wants to meet her new neighbour, and explodes into Eudora's life bringing with her colour, music, laughter and love. Along with Rose, she becomes friends with Stanley, a man who lives down the street. She sees him walking his dog on a regular basis, but it is a fall and Rose that brings the three of them together.

I loved the multigenerational friendship of Rose, Stanley and Eudora. Stanley is dealing with grief after the loss of his wife, Eudora is sad and tired of the world, and Rose has been bullied at school in her previous neighbourhood. These three friends support one another and help each other to heal and grow. We learn about Eudora's life and what brought her to the way she is through flashbacks. My heart broke for her as this story unfolds, but you need to read this for yourself to learn about Eudora's story. I absolutely loved Eudora. She was a curmudgeon when we first meet her, but as she opens to others, we see her dry wit and caring nature. Rose is priceless. She is uninhibited and loves life. She tells everyone that Eudora and Stanley are her BFFs and she truly means it. Each of these characters learns something about themselves from one another and Eudora shares her wisdom with others along the way. This is a story that deals with grief and death. It is written with compassion and care. All I will say is that this book had me in tears a few times, but in giggles at others. If you love stories with mature characters, stories with intergenerational characters and uplifting and compassionate stories then you need to pick this one up. It is one I definitely recommend. I listened to the audiobook narrated by Nicolette McKenzie. This was the first book I listened to that was voiced by this talented narrator. She gave the various characters their own voice and used expression, inflection and intonation to bring this story to life. Another narrator that I will be adding to my list of those I will watch for

Oh what a beautiful, beautiful story this is! 

This book reminds me of A Man Called Ove, and I loved this one just as much as I did Ove. Eudora is such a down to earth, matter of fact character that I just couldn’t help loving her, and little Rose is just a breath of fresh air and such a beautiful character that I just wanted to pick her up and cuddle her. 

The story has a dual time line which works brilliantly as it gives an insight into Eudora’s earlier life and explains why she’s like she is. It’s such a warming story focusing on friendship and how it can draw you out of the loneliest of times when you least expect it. So beautifully written and so heart warming that I could have listened to Eudora’s story for so much longer. 

I would definitely recommend this wonderful book.

A delightful, heart warming read! Eudora Honeysett has not had the easiest past, is old and is ready to die. She wants to be in control of her own death so investigates a trip to Switzerland, meanwhile a vibrant new family move next doors and Rose, their eight year old daughter, is set to change life for Eudora. 
 I loved this, it’s a proper comfort read perfect for the winter months. There are plenty of funny moments, a few tear jerkers and a well thought through backstory.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for sending me an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

An enjoyable curmudgeon to companion trope in which 85 year old Eudora Honeysett evolves from planning her death and escape from the world 'filled with junk' to celebrating and valuing the people in her life. Planning your death may seem a heavy-handed subject for a novel, however, Lyons has a light touch and builds a sweet story around three unlikely friends and their growing bond. She alternates between present day and flashbacks from Eudora's life to show how she sacrificed for family and friends and felt like she came up short again and again. It's easy to see how Eudora could feel betrayal, guilt, loneliness, and loss from her earlier adversity. However, it's heartwarming to observe how human connection and community can send a positive impact like a pebble thrown into a pond. Thanks to #NetGalley and #HarperCollins for a preview copy.

So many of the reviews that I saw for this novel were quite praiseworthy so I looked to it with very high hopes and expectations. It did not disappoint. This is a novel that engages the reader through its characters and its story lines. I think that readers who enjoyed novels like The Little Paris Bookshop or The Lido will want to read this one…as will many others.

Miss Honeysett is a prim woman who is 85 years old. She believes that the time has come to take control of the end of her life. This leads her to contact a Dignitas like clinic and submit an application. Will her request be granted? Will Eudora want it to be?

Readers learn that Eudora faced a number of tragedies and disappointments over the course of her her life. Most chapters in the novel include a flashback to a key moment for Eudora. No spoilers so I do not want to write more.

In the present, Eudora meets the irrepressible Rose. The two have a relationship that evolves over the course of the book as Rose awaits becoming a big sister.

Another important character is Stanley. His friendship with Eudora and Rose is impacted by some memory issues. What will happen to each of them?

At times acerbic, at times touching this is a novel that I most definitely recommend. The audio version is well done and the narrator reads with a clear, easy to follow style.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this title. All opinions are my own.

I read the ebook and audiobook of this and they were both great! The narrator did a great job at voicing the characters and making them feel unique to each other and true to the book. It was an enjoyable read.

I finished about a minute ago and know this thought provoking book will stick with me. It covers the important topic of death, talking about it, preparing for the inevitable and living a good life while you can. It’s a difficult subject matter that was handled beautifully and wasn’t a struggle to read. 

Eudora is 85 and wants to die with dignity and on her own terms, so she’s in contact with a Swiss facility to get everything in place for her death. 
Throughout the book we get flashbacks through Eudora’s life to help us understand her more. 

Along comes Rose. A young girl full of life, with no filter or concerns about saying or asking the wrong things. She moves next door to Eudora and will be Eudora’s friend whether Eudora wants to or not!

This dynamic duo becomes a trio when you add Stanley into the mix. A lonely widower with two dogs (Chas and Dave! Haha) and a kind heart. 

This was a beautifully wholesome, lovely book that also made me shed a few tears. I’ll definitely check out the other books by this author. 

I received a copy of the audiobook via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. These opinions are my own. No need to talk this book up!

Eudora Honeysett is Quite Well, Thank You completely captured my heart!

Annie Lyons did a wonderful job of delivering a heartwarming, moving and uplifting story, despite exploring themes of ageing and death. Eudora Honeysett was such a captivating main character. I loved getting to know her as Lyons interwove snippets of Eudora's past with the present as a touching & sweet friendship developed between Eudora and the charismatic Rose.

I savoured this audiobook over several days, the narrator did an excellent job of bringing this story to life and at the end I just wanted to give Eudora Honeysett a big hug!

Huge thanks @onemorechapterhc for providing this audiobook for review

This is one of the first ever audiobooks that I have listened to. 

Whilst the books was great, I struggled a bit to listen to it, but that’s because I’m a visual person and prefer to look at the words, rather than just listen to them. 

That being said, I really loved how the character developed throughout the story. 

I’m looking forward to going back and reading the story: I’m sure that I’ll take more in this way.

Thanks to NetGalley for letting me have the opportunity to listen to this audiobook.

Uplifting and good fun.
I really enjoyed this, a serious subject but covered in a lighthearted way. In many ways it reminded me of A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman, as the main character has decided that she's done with her life and wants to travel to Switzerland to finish it.

Eudora Honeysett is 85 years old and has had more than enough of this life. A chance meeting at a hospital appointment sets her on the course of voluntary euthanasia and the prospect excites her as much as anything else that is currently going on in her life. She feels strongly that her end should be on her own terms and not in an old people's home, full of indignities and life prolonging treatments. Then new neighbours move in, a young couple with a vivacious daughter, Rose, who immediately decides that Eudora is her new best friend. Along with Rose and a fellow pensioner, Stanley, who helps Eudora when she falls, Eudora starts to experience life in a whole new way. So will she still go ahead with her plans?

There were some lovely characters here, especially Rose with her wacky sense of fashion. After a run of domestic noir books, with unreliable characters and nasty men, this was a breath of fresh air. I'm not often amused by books but this did make me smile several times and the narration by Nicolette McKenzie was the perfect finishing touch.

Amazing, beautiful and heartfealt, Eudora Honeysett is Quite Well Thank You is a book I heard about quite by chance because the publisher emailed me some while ago about a readalong event they were doing this week. 

I naturally accepted and waited with baited breath until the readalong was here, or tried to, to start the eARC. I must admit that I failed in my attemopt to wait and devoured the first few chapters before the readalong because I was so desperate to start the book. 

Eudora Honeysett is an 85 year old from London who is, well, fed up with life. Not depressed, she will assure anyone who enquires. She does not have friends or family nearby. She thinks the best thing she can do is take a trip to Switzerland where she will finally be free. 

I have to say, I felt like asking Eudora, are you really sure? I was concerned about her from the outset and wanted to have a good chat with her. I didn't need to, because Rose rang on her doorbell. 

Oh, Rose, what a sweet, sweet girl! Just 10 years old, she is anything but shy. Curious, she wants to know what's troubling Eudora and how she can help. Reluctant at first, Eudora lets her in, literally. We, and Eudora, are in for a thrill ride with Rose. Lover of purple, glitter unicorns and gold, she is forward-thinking, unafraid, colourful and caring and there's a role reversal as she takes Eudora under her wing. 

Eudora is not the only one in need of help. Stanley is a lonely polite elderly man who Rose wants to help too. And when she introduces them they form an inspiring group.

Rose's parents Rob and Maggie adore their daughter and are glad to meet Eudora and with time they welcome her into their home. Rose is a great lover of fun times and balances out Eudora's cautioness until she, Eudora and Stanley have fun at the fair (literally) and Stanley and Eudora have time together. 

There's more surprises in store for Rose (unicorns and all!) and along the way there are happy, sad and desperate times. 

Eudora Honeysett is Quite Well Thank You made me smile, laugh cry and go on a journey I will never forget. You MUST read this! It's a gem of a book which challenges what we think of the elderly, young people, adults death and life. It will have you wanting to squeeze every drop out of every minute you spend witnessing the life of Eudora, Rose Stanley and all the characters. 

I was sad when it ended but I also felt warm and fuzzy inside at having found a new favourite novel and author. Annie Lyons does an amazing job of representing life from all angles and I think many people will identify with this book. 


Eudora Honeysett is Quite Well Thank You is a celebration of love and life in all its purest forms. 

My hope is that it will make those who sometimes think negatively banish their bad thoughts and that it will help positive people to celebrate life even more. 

If ever there was a poignant novel for a pandemic, Eudora Honeysett is Quite Well Thank You is it. It is an uplifting breath of fresh air and utter magic. 

For those who have recently lost a loved one like I have, the book will help you grieve. It will lift you up and make you celebrate all your loved one was. For anyone who has parents, grandparents, daughters and sons it will drive home the importance of family, whether you have different views to those close to you or not. It challenges our notions of death and dying and turn them round. 

In short, Eudora Honeysett is Quite Well Thank You is one of the best feelgood books of the year and it is daring in that taboo topics become normal again. 

Author Annie Lyons writes in such a way that you identify with the characters' lives, struggles hopes and dreams and it lets you dream with them. 

I am so glad I came across this novel because it was a wild ride and I really enjoyed the readalong. 

Huge thanks to Annie Lyons, One More Chapter Harper Collins and United Books for my eARC in exchange for an honest and voluntary review. The book sparkles just as much as Rose's glitter-encrusted Memory Box. 

Speaking of memories, the novel has left me with some very sweet ones and will do for years to come. I cannot recommend this book enough, I would give it more than 5 stars because it is iconic.

I loved the ebook version of Eudora Honeysett is Quite Well Thank You, and the audiobook brings the characters to life even more. It was wonderful to be back with Eudora and friends. 

I would highly recommend this and the ebook. 

Thanks to Annie Lyons and publisher for both versions of this book in exchange for my honest and voluntary review. 5 stars for both.