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.

I adored this book.
Eudora Honeysett is a lady set in her ways and reminded me of a female version of Ove (a man called Ove) when Rose and her family move in next door to Eudora.
Eudora has made the decision to travel to Sweden for her dignified end of life, as she is in discussions with the clinic about this she also ‘lives her life’ a little bit more.
Eudora, Rose and Stanley friendship develops as the story goes on and you wonder if Eudora will change her mind.
I also liked the way that at the end of each chapter it would go back to Eudoras early life, explaining about her mum, her dad and sister, how Eudora came to be by herself.
A truly wonderful story.

Wow! I’ve really struggles to bring myself to write this review for several reasons; my review will not do it justice in any way, and I have no idea where to begin.

Once in a while, a book comes along that knock me off my feet. It has the ability to both break my heart and repair it again, to make me fall in love with the characters and to spend weeks not being able to move on. This is one of those books and I urge you to read it. I flitted between the audio and digital version of this novel and can highly recommend either.

Eudora is done! She’s 85 and she’s had enough. A feisty lady, Eudora becomes set on the idea of ending her life her own way and with dignity. The date is in the calendar, there’s nobody to tell and she’s all set to go. But then new neighbours move in and Eudora becomes unwillingly caught up in the lives of others. But is it enough?

It took me a few chapters to get used to the narration. The present is told in the present tense and the past in the past which I often a little different than my usual genres however I soon became used to it and the more I read, the more natural it became. Told from a third person perspective but focussed on Eudora, the story has two timelines. We see the present world through Eudora’s eyes and also relive the past from her childhood into her older age.

Annie Lyons cleverly presents a character who is not completely likable and has an air of aloofness about her in the beginning. Eudora presents as a difficult old lady and the reader isn’t instantly drawn to her. Slowly revealing her past timeline in small pieces takes the reader on a journey of discovery and it becomes clear why Eudora is the way she is in later life. From these glimpses into her past, it wasn’t long before I began to develop empathy and more understanding around her. She is one of the most well developed characters I have ever had the pleasure of reading about.

One of the main themes of the novel is relationships and their impact on others. It would have been easy for Eudora to have found a romantic interest for a happy ending however I don’t feel that would have done this story justice. Lyons builds a world of differing relationships around Eudora and these are all thought provoking and moving in their own ways. Rose just brings abundant youthfulness, wise thoughts and a relentless drive to make a connection with Eudora whilst Stan offers friendship and understanding but also really needs a friend too.

Annie Lyons tackles death with sensitivity but honesty throughout this novel and it’s refreshing. It should and needs to be talked about and I love the idea that’s introduced by the doula – a good death.

Finally, I couldn’t finish the review without mentioning the narration. The vocal performance was perfectly matched to Eudora’s prim and proper manners but also reflected rose’s exuberance beautifully too. A range of accents, tones and timbre of voice added depth to the characters and made the audio a dream to listen to.

This is a devastating, heart-warming beautiful novel of friendship and enjoying life to it’s full, no matter how old you are. I’m so grateful that I got to read it.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy of the audiobook to listen to and review.

I didn't want to cry when I read this, but alas, I did. It is such a heartwarming story of Eudora at the end of her life. It is a story of family, friends, and love. Through flashbacks we learn about Eudora's family and how she became the woman she is in present time. It is a really really great story and Rose is just a firecracker of a character. The narrator on this audiobook was brilliant as well!

Well by now everyone should know how much I love a story with an older character in and even more so when it has a multigenerational friendship as well and this story for me was just perfect.
Eurdora is lonely, she no longer wants to live, she has reached the ripe old age of 85 and has had enough. Told in alternating chapters between past and present we learn about her past as well as see how she interacts with the world around her.
I watched an interview with the author who said she had read 'With The End In Mind' by Dr Kathryn Mannix and you can tell from the sensitive way she tackles a subject such as death and assisted end of life.
This was a wonderful read interspersed with enough humour from Eudoras interactions with Rose and Stanley that is makes for a joyful read despite the darker subject.
Highly recommend this one folks.

Eudora is an 85 year old lady who is suffering the common aliments of old age and has decided she has had enough and wants to leave this world on her terms then the ever inquisitive Rose moves in next door and Eudora's life begins to change. Flicking between the present day situations Rose gets her involved in and insights into her past really help understand Eudora's character and why she behaved in certain ways.

This book tackles some serious issues such as loneliness, grief and friendship, in the most unlikely of places. The dynamic between the elderly woman and the young girl was a pleasure to read, it made me laugh, cry and have hope for the future.

The audio was excellent and really helped add to Eudora's sense of dignity and properness.

Fans of a man called Ove will definitely enjoy this one!

Thank you to One More Chapter for my copy and spot on the fantastic readalong of this one, I will definitely be recommending it to friends.

Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins Audio UK for the complimentary audiobook in exchange for my honest review.

Eudora Honeysett is Quite Well, Thank You by Annie Lyons is both a delight and yet heart wrenching read. The book tells the story Eudora Honeysett, an eighty-five year old woman who is tired and has decided she wants to set her own terms for her death. Along this journey she discovers her new neighbor, ten year old Rose, and they strike up an unusual friendship.

The story takes place along two timelines, the current timeline, and a secondary timeline presented in flashbacks to Eudora's life. As you travel the timelines it is this interesting back and forth between amusement and joy to a somewhat sad and depressing secondary timeline.

I loved the multigenerational aspect of this story. It is heartwarming to watch the Rose and Eudora form such a strong bond in such a short period of time. Rose really is an absolute delight.

I highly recommend this story to people who love character driven stories. Fans of Me Before You might enjoy this one. It really is a beautiful story but a box of Kleenex are highly recommended. If you are a reader who like a faster pace or a very plot heavy story, this probably would not be the book for you.

Narration: I listened to the audiobook and think the narrator did an excellent job. She manages to capture the emotion of both Eudora and Rose perfectly, as well as a lot of other secondary characters.

⁣At eighty-five years old, Eudora is aware she is nearing the time where she will need assistance in her old age. Rather than settle for this, she sets in motion planning for her own death. She contacts a clinic in Switzerland to assist her and is awaiting their feedback on whether they will accept her. In the meantime, Eudora is introduced to her newest neighbour, ten year old Rose. With her innocence and need for company, Rose begins calling on Eudora often and the pair strike up a unique friendship. Stanley, a recently widowed neighbour joins in on their adventures and soon Eudora finds herself actually enjoying what life has to offer. But then the call comes from Switzerland telling Eudora it's time....⁣
⁣
This book was delightful to listen to! I loved the dual timelines and how the author managed to weave snippets of Eudora's past into the present story. A heartwarming and easy to read book, I highly recommend this one!⁣

Great book, fun to listen to. I loved how my feelings for Eudora changed as the book went on further into the story. Love seeing that you can learn and grow into your 80’s. Maybe a little too long, but good none the less

The Brilliant Life of Eudora Honeysett (US)
Eudora Honeysett is Quite Well, Thank You (UK)
By: Annie Lyons

This is one of my best reads this year and will rank as one of my top three books of 2020.

Eudora Honeysett is 85 years old and is so done with the world - the noise, anger, disrespect from others she has found herself having lived a full life and want to exit the world with dignity having no family or friends left. She will not pass away as her own mother did, with multiple hospital visits being poked and prodded only to die alone and miserable. Eudora wants to take control of her own death and exactly when she decides it to happen and has set up with a clinic in Switzerland.

While she is waiting for her affairs to be put in order, a family moves in next door and she meets an incredible ten year old Rose Trewidney, and an unlikely friendship blossomed - and with that, Eudora is opened up to meeting people in her neighborhood including a recently widowed gentleman named Stanley, and having trips to the mall, afternoon teas, shopping sprees and birthday parties.

What I loved about this is the way we learn about Eurdora's life through flashbacks in each chapter as we glean into what shaped her, her relationship with her family and friends, her love life and the many happy moments along with disappointments and hardships she has lived through.

This was such a tender and heartwarming story I enjoyed for the detailed character development, the brilliant writing, and the beautiful message of the story about life and friends as chosen families.

AUDIO REVIEW:

I listened to the audiobook edition of this book which was narrated by Nicolette McKenzie who gave a wonderful performance. She captured each of the characters uniquely and distinctly - I was surprised how wonderfully she captured the age, gender and personalties of the characters very well. I highly recommend listening to the audiobook version of this book which enhanced an already wonderful story.

A poignant, heartwarming, life affirming and well written story that made me smile and moved me to tears.
Eudora and Rose are two great characters, I loved their friendship and I love them.
It's a story that can make you smile but will also make you think as it deals with issues like getting old, the right to decide of our life.
It's sad at times but also full of tender moments full of love and friendship.
The voice of the narrator made me feel what Eudora is feeling and it helped me to discover further layers of this book.
I loved it and it's strongly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.

I thoroughly enjoyed listening to this as an audio book and thought the narrator, Nicolette McKenzie, had Rose's character off to a tee.
Eudora has been let down a lot in her life, and has reached the conclusion that she has no reason to continue living. She contacts an assisted dying clinic in Switzerland to begin the process.
Things begin to change when Eudora's new neighbours arrive. They moved up from Cornwall and Rose, who is ten years old, becomes very fond of Eudora. Her unexciting life begins to change. Will she re-evaluate her decision to go to Switzerland?
A delightful story which considers many important issues including death, old age, friendship, and kindness. All of these are dealt with in a cleverly entertaining and thought provoking way.
Thank you to Annie Lyons, Net Galley and One more chapter for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Eudora Honeysett Is Quite Well Thank You Annie Lyons
I didn't want to finish this book, because I didn't want it to end. I loved every minute of it.
I am finding I love books with older characters, and Eudora Honeysett was just perfect. I loved the storyline, even though it was about the character ending her life in a Swiss clinic. I found myself will the doctors to approve her request, and hoping at the same time her request would be denied.
Oh how I loved Rose too, the little pocket rocket of fun and energy.
The friendship between these two characters was just beautiful.
My own grandmother, and my eldest daughter are similar ages to the characters, so i pictured them as i read this book, and perhaps that added to the humour.
I found myself constantly smiling reading this book, yet suddenly had tears pricking my eyes due to the sensitive nature of this story.
When I got to 30 minutes left, I stopped reading, just needing to savour every moment, and afraid my heart would explode with emotion.
I will remember Eudora and Rose for a long long time.
I alternated between reading and listening to this book, and loved the narrator so much. She brought this story to life.
Easy 5 stars from me

EudoraHoneysettisQuiteWellThankYou

#NetGalley

Well this book was one of firsts; two to be precise!

I tried listening to an audio book for the first time.
I nearly gave up on the book after the first chapter.
Whilst the audio book first has nothing to do with the quality of the book, I do feel compelled to comment on the experience. In truth, I like to have something playing on my iPad while I prepare dinner of an evening.to VE brutally honest, amidst these COVID times, I seem to have run out of box sets that I want to watch. So, when I was given rather opportunity by #NetGalley to review the audio version of a novel, I jumped at the chance. My verdict? Whist I still love to hold something in my hand and read the written word, the audio book met my needs, it was in fact a far better experience whilst peeling vegetables, than trying to concentrate on a box set. The second first (that really doesn’t sound quite right) was that I nearly stopped listening to the book after the first chapter. This was due to no fault on the part of the author, but more owing to the fact that my short taster led me to think that the story was going to upset me. However, I really do hate silent meal preparation, and so I heaved up my Big Girl Pants and carried on with the novel, over a period of nights.

The Characters

Eudora: My initial opinion, as was (I suspect) the author’s attention, was that Eudora was a miserable old lady. However, the more I listened, it became apparent that this behaviour was almost a cover; as the story developed, and we learned more of Eudora’s past, it seemed to me that she softened and became infinitely more likeable. Her plan, revealed in the Introductory part of the book quite frankly left me devastated and wanting to stop, as I couldn’t contemplate where this story was going.

Rose: The complete antithesis to Eudora. She breezed into the story like an early summer’s day, with her warmth and charming personality shining through.

Stanley: I can only describe him as a ‘dear old boy’.

This is a story about being lonely and getting old. A story about the innocence of youth and the interaction between young and old. This is a story with real life undertones, that make you think. Should I talk to my elderly neighbour? Invite him or her in for a cup of tea.

Most of all, this is a story about family – not necessarily the family you have been born into or have married into.

Overall a really great, if not emotional read, for readers of all ages, from young adult.