What a story! I felt all the emotions in this novel: heartbreak and happiness all at the same time. I’m not going to lie, I shed many a tear and I’m certain this tale will stay with me. Amelia Henley certainly knows how to write the last line of a chapter…

This book is sad but full of promise too. What it’s like to loose someone but make their legacy live on after they have gone.

This is Amelia Henley’s second book and after really enjoying her first one I was a bit apprehensive that this would live up to expectation.
I’m really pleased to say it did!
I loved reading about Libby and Jack and about all their hopes and dreams.
My favourite character was Sid, although all the characters were very well written.
The story has a few twists and turns all the way through and I loved reading the thoughtful passages contemplating life, family and futures - very philosophical which made me stop and think.
Although this book is an emotional rollercoaster throughout, it is a really good read with some heartwarming funny parts to wipe away your tears and keep you turning the pages. I rated this 5 stars and would highly recommend it for those who enjoy an emotionally charged book.

The Art of Loving You is a love story in a complex, devastating situation, written beautifully and well observed.
The Art of Loving You starts with a pretty gripping beginning, during the prologue. Jack and Libby have a lovely life together and have a nice relationship with 80 year old Sid, who is in a carehome and is in contact with them by having Face to Face Time on the computer and he's ready and willing to help them out in many ways. It's all a very sweet, tender friendship that Libby and Jack have with Sid. Life was great and then there's a horrific incident that happens to Jack. It is so sudden that you can't help but wonder what happens next. You really feel for Libby, her pain and feel her time moving so slowly, this isn't to say the book moves slowly, it does not. The pacing is spot on.

The Art of Loving You shows the turning upside down of life in a way that unfortunately may well resonate with some readers and other readers should pay attention to because what occurs, covers a serious subject.
So many emotions that come through this book that is written so beautifully, with intent and purpose.

The Art of Loving You is a love story, but not, as you can tell, a straightforward one. It has complexities within this relationship. Each one presents itself with such deep emotions, even to the point of playing the "What If game". 

This is sad and heartwrenching and so well observed, but it also turns corners that brings a light and beauty to the situation of life, love, death. It's such an absorbing book that will take readers through the whole gambit of emotions and leave you perhaps thinking "phew" and leaves a rather sombre, but satisfied feeling of it being a great book, but then, when you land on the very last page, it also leaves you wanting to give everyone a huge hug.

Wow what a stunningly beautiful story, heart wrenching but heartwarming at the same time, sad but happy, beautifully written, I’ve learnt some life lessons in here! Because life is cruel and we won’t ever understand why, it’s unfair but you have to look at its beauty too, lots to be thankful for, this story of Libby and jack melted my heart and broke it but then fixed it back together again! Amazing author Amelia Henley! I picked this up at just the right time for me, to open my eyes! Because life is not always beer and skittles ❤️one day memories are all you have left, make sure there good ones! To new beginnings, friendship and love ❤️ thank you to @netgalley for letting me read this wonderful arc out now
⭐️publication date 22nd of July 2021 definitely 5 stars from me although I’d give it many more

Content warnings: grief, death, knife crime, mental health, tumour.

"Life ain't all beer and skittles is it?" is a mantra that is repeated countless times throughout this book and I feel like it's now going to be my new favourite saying.

This is an emotional story about hope, dreams, love and loss and how just one individual experiences such an array of feelings and emotions because of it. The characters were well formed, especially Libby and Sid (who is now in my top 10 favourite fictional characters of all time). Amelia has such a way with words that allow you to not just set a picture in your mind, but feel the emotions of the characters as though you're going through the experiences with them.

There is not much else to say without giving snippets of the story away, and I feel as though due to the nature of this read you need to experience every twist and turn as you read it. I urge anyone who likes a heartbreakingly beautiful book to pick this up (please be mindful of the content warnings first) x

Thank you so much to HQ and Amelia Henley for a proof copy of this book in exchange for an honest review! This book is out in paperback and Kindle now

Quote from the book: "There’s an art to loving you Libby, and I think I’m really good at it".

The Art of Loving You - Amelia Henley

This book broke me! It got to me so bad, honestly I sobbed my little heart out. I fell in love with the two main characters (Libby and Jack) straight away, there were so many devastating moments during this book that just kept me willing for a happy ending. Amelia Henley really knows how to take the reader on a journey, and she finally put my heart back together at the end (however I was still sobbing). Even though it is an emotional ride, I think that it should definitely be taken as the overall feeling of love just radiates. I cannot recommend this book enough, I think that we could all do with being just "a little bit more Jack"!

This is a great book which, although felt a little slow in parts, held my attention until I turned the last page. It is essentially a story of love in all its forms whether that be the love of a partner, family member, friend or someone who happens to cross your path. It is a story of hope and life after the loss of someone close whatever age they are.

The factual parts about a certain medical condition are very accurate and that is refreshing (this will become apparent through the story).

Definitely an emotional rollercoaster.

Jack & Libby were deeply in love and excited to start their journey together in their new home until life took a totally different direction that just breaks your heart. Libby is totally lost in her grief and desperately trying to keep her head above water whilst making some big decisions that affect not only her future but those of others as well. The emotions are raw and reflective with lots of single events keep taking place which are threading a whole other story together that grows in the background as you continue to read. Sid was introduced early on and I loved the little touches that he bought to the story through his memories of Norma, he was such a key character that you will instantly love and wish he was your grandparent.

This story is brimming with love and highlights how everyone deals with their loss differently, a frank reflection on the depths of grief for a group of individuals whose grief starts to unite them and helps them find a new way forward with new goals and a shared purpose.

A great author and what a fantastic read this is, a beautifully written tear jerker of a story I just loved Libby, Jack and of course Sid. The storyline flows so well and I just kept wanting to read more about them, everything about this was so well described.

I can thoroughly recommend this book, you will not be disappointed.

Thank you to Netgalley and HQ Publishers for allowing me to read this brilliant book.

I really enjoyed this book - a heartbreaking but ultimately heart warming story which I will be recommending.

Libby and Jack have their new life together all planned out thanks to the generosity of Sid - a new home and an art centre. However this all changes with Jack’s sudden death and Libby has to find a way to live her life and be ‘more Jack’. With the help of family and friends she finds a way to live again. As Sid says life is not all ‘beer and skittles’.

I did find the hints of what was to come at the end of chapters a tad frustrating at times but from about halfway I became embroiled in the story and no longer noticed.

The Art of Loving You is a beautifully written tear-jerker that pulls at the heartstrings. I loved the story, the characters and it made me cry both happy and sad tears. It is the second book by Amelia Henley, aka psychological thriller writer Louise Jensen. I have read both Amelia Henley books and loved them both. This author excels at both genres she writes and I look forward to reading more books in the future.

Thank you to NetGalley and HQ for my ARC.

“The art of loving you” is hands down one of the most heartbreaking books I've ever read.
I didn't just shed a tear. I didn't cry a river. I cried an ocean and that was one big ugly cry.
Guess what? I loved it.

Have you ever had your life plans shattered by an unexpected event?
The story of Libby and Jack shows us that “life is not all beer and skittles” (and that's my personal favourite catchphrase from the book! I've never heard that before but I'll surely start using it!).

Where do I start?
I loved how authentic the characters were. My pet peeve is bland and unrelatable characters.
I fell in love with all of them but Jack has a special place in my heart. I don't know about the “outside” but he was such a beautiful person on the inside.
Imagine how good the world would be if we all tried to be more Jack.

Just as the title suggests, this is an artfully written story (does this word even exist or I just made it up?) about the power of love and friendship. “The art of loving you” proves that when we are surrounded by loving people, we can move the mountains.

Also, the strong female characters are one of my favourite things ever. While Libby was incredibly brave, you can't forget about Alice, who was always there for her sister, despite her worries.

I hope I convinced you to read it. If not, read my review again.

Have a great day!

@hqstories Thank you for choosing me to be a part of the “The art of loving you” blog tour. It was a great pleasure!

Wow what a story! My emotions are all over the place and at times I had tears rolling down my cheeks without realising I was crying. Such a beautiful but heartbreaking stories of love and loss. I don't think anyone would read this without falling in love with Sid he was just the most endearing character. I'm already recommending to family and friends. Truly beautiful

This is a very emotional book! Just when I thought the devastating event had happened something else happens and we are thrown another curve-ball!

Yet, amongst the sadness there are beautiful rays of sunshine too, like Sid the full -of-life 80 year old man who is like a grandfather figure to Libby. When she feels she should be there for him and yet he’s the one helping her, he tells her life isn’t always ‘beer and skittles’ and that families are there for the happy times, and the hard times. I loved his character and the way he slotted into her family; his bond with Libby, her mother and her sister. He was such a joy to read about and he lived life to the full, even when he moved into the care home which allowed Jack and Libby to buy his house; and to start on their own project.

Jack and Libby are the couple you dream of, the perfect romantics with their whole life full of dream’s ahead of them. I enjoyed reading of the moments they shared together and of their love for one another. But, it’s not all happy reading, at times it is very sad too and you can’t help but, get swept along in the emotions felt in the book.

I love what Jack and Libby want to achieve and the way they recognise the good in people who need to be given a boost in life. The characters are not all rosy and nice and I enjoyed that there are some more challenging behaviours and incidents too!

This will take you through a whole range of emotions, have some tissues at the ready!

Wow! This was one hell of an emotional rollercoaster (in the best possible way). At times it reminded me a lot of Hayley Doyle's Love, Almost. At others, a certain series of Grey's Anatomy (If you know it, you'll know). Yet, somehow it didn't feel like a carbon copy of either.

Libby has the world at her feet. She's just moved into a huge house with her devoted boyfriend, Jack. He adores her. They seemingly have their entire lives before them. Then tragedy strikes. What follows is a deeply moving, often amusing, and ultimately uplifting story of a mismatched group of people who find their way out of loneliness, grief, and guilt. Though I liked Libby, for me the real MVP of The Art of Loving You is Sid. This octogenarian always had the wisest words, often beautiful, sometimes silly, but always exactly what was needed. I could quote pages and pages of this book, but my favourites:

'It’s impossible to predict when people will leave our life, enter our life. All we can do is make the most of the here and now. The people we have.'

'Life ain’t all beer and skittles is it?’

‘because this, life, it’s a work in progress, not a race and Jack knew that. He was always making plans, moving forward. He’d want you to do the same. A square at a time.’

I will definitely be seeking out more of Amelia Henley's work.

*Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to leave an honest review*

Also reviewed on Amazon UK, but awaiting moderation.

Simultaneously joyful and heartbreaking, this story conveys hope and dreams alongside loss, betrayal, grief and doubt.

‘Life ain’t all beer and skittles’ is a mantra repeated throughout the story and it is fitting for real life and definitely apt for this story. It seems like every time something positive happens, 2 negative things happen to knock Libby down. Her strength of character is admirable as she keeps picking herself up after having a few wobbles and moving on, accomplishing tasks ‘square by square’.

I liked the characters in the book, and how they are portrayed and their individuality is woven into the thread of the story.

An enjoyable but emotional read!

Thanks to #NetGalley for an advanced copy of #TheArtOfLovingYou releases 22 July 2021

Life ain't all beer and skittles

Just wow. I was at a loss for words after finishing. This was just incredible. The prologue caught my attention and I had to keep turning the pages to find out what had happened. An emotional, unforgettable and uplifting story. It broke my heart and put me back together again.

Sid is my favourite character, "Life ain't all beer and skittles" is now my new favourite saying. Everyone needs a Sid in their life. Always so positive.This story is so life affirming. It takes you on an emotional rollercoaster and you just want "to be more Jack". I just felt so connected to all the characters.

A love story of love, hopes and dreams. So thought provoking. This will stay with me for a long time.

I had to go and buy my own copy. Thank you to Netgalley and HQ
for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

All these places had their moments
With lovers and friends, I can still recall
Some are dead and some are living
In my life, I’ve loved them all

[In My Life – The Beatles]

I sit listening to Libby and Jack’s song as I write this review and can so clearly see it accompanying a montage of their life together on the screen in my mind’s eye. It’s truly a fitting choice for the emotions evoked by this fabulous second contemporary romance novel by Amelia Henley.

Charming. Devastating. The Art of Loving You invoked chills on more than one occasion as it wove a spell on me and captured my heart. Whilst there is much sorrow encapsulated in the story (have a ready supply of tissues to hand), it was accompanied by so many brighter moments of hope. Witnessing the havoc wreaked upon Libby and Jack’s lives after a simple sliding doors moment is truly heart breaking, it’s impossible not to be invested in willing the shattered pieces to find their way back together. I loved that each character really was integral to the story, something to love present in (almost) all. Ultimately what I loved the most were the cross generational connections forged, from ageing Sid to teenage Liam, which were so joyful to witness, ensuring that despite the undulating experiences of its characters, this novel leaves the reader with a feeling of safety and warmth.

An easy five stars from me and a heartfelt thank you to Amelia Henley and HQ Stories for allowing me to be one of the first to read this charming novel.

This is the first book I’ve read by Amelia Henley aka Louise Jensen, and I now know that I must read more. This is a book I didn’t want to put down, as Amelia took me on a rollercoaster ride of emotions with the characters in the book. The quality of her storytelling is exceptional and this book is now in my top 10 reads of 2021.

At the start of the story, Jack and Libby are moving into their new home, bought from an elderly friend, Sid, with plans to help young people thrive and avoid falling into a life of dead end jobs and petty crime by running courses and offering a safe space.

However four events in a short space of time conspire to change their plans. I can’t say any more about what happens without spoiling the story but I do recommend that you have a box of tissues handy throughout the book.

This is a book full of love stories, in the past and the present, full of creativity and dreams. new beginnings and farewells. In a time of anxiety and angry voices, I recommend curling up with this book, to remember why acts of kindness and helping others is such an important thing to do. And to remember that Sid says “life ain’t all beer and skittles but that everything will be okay”.