This is a good story about friendship and new starts. The characters are so sweet. The story is told via a dual timeline. There are secrets that unravel. This talks about love in all its many forms.

Very good book by the author of Saving Missy.
Will recommend to others.
Thanks for the chance to read & review it.

I really enjoyed this read it was charming and uplifting and I loved the characters. I couldn't stop think about the characters whenever I out the book down. I loved it

In a bygone era, Delphine Jones harbored grand aspirations. Brilliant, captivating, and driven, she aimed for education, global exploration, and leaving her imprint. However, her path veered off course... Now, a struggling single mother, Delphine scrapes by, serving coffee, scavenging for coins, and yearning for security for her daughter Em. Yet, despite her efforts, change remains elusive.

But one thing persists: hope.

Amid a fleeting respite from her grind, Delphine's outlook broadens, rekindling her sense of identity and potential. As her world expands, new prospects emerge—adventures, chances for love—if she can untangle herself from the past.

This book is a slice of reality, populated with characters and scenarios that mirror society. The author adeptly crafts a narrative of personal growth, discovery, and facing societal challenges. The writing is vivid and succinct, animating both the setting and characters. Natural, authentic dialogue and balanced pacing maintain reader engagement, weaving tension and release.

In essence, this is a tale of hope and transformation set against the backdrop of everyday life. The characters' journeys mirror themes of self-discovery and resilience.

This is a first for me by the author and one I enjoyed and I would read more of their work. The book cover is eye-catching and appealing and would spark my interest if in a bookshop. Thank you very much to the author, publisher and Netgalley for this ARC.

I was a huge huge fan of Saving Missy so was really looking forward to reading Em and Me.

Whilst it didn't hit me as emotionally hard as Saving Missy this is still a very beautifully written story of personal growth and becoming better at being a human. Em is an amazing character as are the back drop of characters littered throughout the book. Beth Morrey is one of the best authors I've read who does this. Not one character feels like an extra and you end the book knowing all of them well. I loved the mention of Missy at the end too so thank you for that Beth.

I look forward to reading the next book!

Uplifting story from the author of “saving Missy”. The lost opportunities of young mum Delphine redeemed by speaking French with Letty and making music with Dylan

Em & Me is the second novel by best-selling British author, Beth Morrey. It is nothing like Delphine Jones had envisaged when she was a stellar student at Brownswood Academy: living in her father’s basement flat, working for an awful boss in a low-paying, dead-end job, raising her pre-teen daughter as a single mother, sharing a tiny damp bedroom and bed. A better life for her and Emily looks a long way off.

Delphine dearly loves her daughter and her father, but so much is missing from her life: the music and French language she shared with her late mother; the love of language nurtured during childhood by her still-grieving father, much withdrawn from life since his wife’s death, and the chance of a career centred on literature. And a man? Well, she doesn’t have time for that!

And then an incident with a spiteful rival sees her losing her job: could things get any worse?

Life, though, and her sometimes-devious daughter, have other plans. They conspire to drop opportunities into her lap. Delphine is hesitant at first, but with encouragement and support from newcomers in her life, Delphine convinces herself to grab them with both hands.

It’s not without hiccups but, over a period of months, Delphine finds a job she enjoys, with caring employers, a chance to reconnect with her mother’s native language, the prospect of singing in a band, and possibility of completing the education she abandoned when she decided to keep her baby. And a man, but she still doesn’t have time for that… does she?

As Delphine approaches each new chance at her dreams, her thoughts are also plunged deep into her past, gradually revealing to the reader just how her life changed from her happy and loving childhood to the dissatisfying fog she inhabits at twenty-eight. And as she emerges, so, eventually, does another significant person in her life.

This is a story that abounds with literary references, so those well-read or at least familiar with classics will find their enjoyment much enhanced. Morrey fills her novel with characters that capture the heart and stir up the emotions. She saddles them with realistic problems and challenges that will have the reader cheering them on to a satisfactory resolution. A story that demonstrates the vital importance, in a young person’s life, of a good teacher, Beth Morrey’s second novel is inspirational and uplifting.
This unbiased review is from an uncorrected proof copy provided by Better Reading Preview and Harper Collins UK

I loved Saving Missy so was excited to read this one. And what a joy it was - Morrey’s ability to create characters you can’t help falling in love with, and whose journey in life you feel fully invested in is remarkable. She writes books that are gentle but touching, and ultimately utterly heartwarming

A story about love, loss and never giving up on life, we meet Delphine who was a teenage mother, and is now dealing with life not only as a single parent to Em but as carer to her father, who has never got over the loss of his wife. Em is a bright child, and Delphine is enormously proud of her, but it also causes her to reflect on her own past, and the fact that her own promising future changed dramatically when she got pregnant. But with the support of those around her, Delphine begins to look beyond the confines of her own life and realise that it is never too late to seize opportunities.

What Morrey does exceptionally well is create a diverse and loveable cast of characters, and the relationship dynamics, be it the touching relationship between Delphine and Em, or those in her wider family and friendship group, feel very real. I loved being on Delphine’s journey and found myself rooting for her - and it is a reminder to us all to never give up on your dreams.

I loved Saving Missy and was excited to read this.

It definitely didn’t disappoint and I really enjoyed it. I loved the characters, the humour and the relationships!

I thoroughly recommend it!

This is a nicely written book that I started off quite enjoying. As an avid reader, I really loved all of the literary references. About a third of the way through, I lost interest.
There are just too many stereotypes for me - noble single mother who happens to be super intelligent, mad old ladies who are rich and eccentric English teachers. All of whom started to grate by the middle of the novel.
It is perhaps a book more suited to a young reader.

I loved this book and it's even one I have recommended to my daughter who is a similar age to Em. A thoroughly enjoyable read which I just didn't want to put down, I read the first 100 pages in one sitting. A definite recommendation from me.

Aahh I loved this! Em & Me (me, being Delphine) is just a gorgeous book. It's a tale of hope and personal growth. Delphine is so likeable and you can really feel her how much she struggle but adores Em and wants nothing but the best for her.

Definitely a character driven book, the characters all develop beautifully and I really enjoyed it

This book was so beautiful I read it in one sitting. The relationships between the main character and those around her were fascinating and so well written. It was lovely to see their relationships evolve as Delphine gained confidence throughout the story and was finally able to begin to build the life she needed and wanted. It was a lovely change for the book to be centred around a love story between a mother and daughter and friendship rather than finding her one true love. I will definitely read other books from this author as a result.

This is the first novel I've read by Beth Morrey and I found it to be an engaging and joyful read full of interesting characters and with a feelgood plot. Single mother Delphine lives with her widowed father and her 11 year old daughter Em. Since the death of her mother and her pregnancy at the age of 17 Delphine's life has been on hold. Working at a cafe to make ends meet she abandoned her academic dreams and is focused on caring for Em and her father. A new job, blossoming friendships and new hobbies open up Delphine's world and give her the confidence to begin to realise her dreams. This was a lovely read, I really rooted for Delphine and loved the cast of characters including Roz, the teacher who inspires Delphine and Letty the older woman who helps Delphine reconnect with her roots. Beth Morrey shows real love for her characters and writes with ease and empathy. Recommended and I can't wait to read the author's next novel.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this digital ARC.

Em and Me by Beth Morrey was one of my most anticipated books of 2022 and, I have to say, I absolutely LOVED everything about it.

This book is a total joy from start to finish. It put such a huge smile on my face! From all the fantastic characters and their uplifting personal journeys to the little touches of humour, the music and the wonderful warmth in the writing, I loved every second.

Delphine’s life has not been easy and she’s stuck in a rut that she’s not at all happy with. But we see how she takes control of her own destiny by pushing herself out of her comfort zone, with several strong nudges from her gorgeous, brilliant and precocious 11 year old daughter, Em.

There’s so much love and friendship in here shining from each and every character. I think Letty, the outrageous octogenarian that Delphine agrees to practise French conversation with, was my favourite of Delphine’s new friends but actually I loved them all.

I read that the Bookseller predicted that “Joy” would be a huge theme in next year’s fiction books and, if they’re anything like this one, I am totally here for it – have all the stars!

With thanks to Harper Collins for gifting me a digital copy to review.

An enjoyable story with lovely characters. The mother/daughter relationship was well written and very poignant but I also really enjoyed the relationship between Em and her father which had real depth

This book was not my usual genre. But I did enjoy reading it. I did prefer the authors first book. But this one is also highly recommended.
There was a lot going on in the book and sometimes I had to flick back and remind myself.
However, the book was very well written and tugged at my heartstrings In places
I loved the friendship between the women
This is recommended and I will look out for more by the same author

Loveable characters and a really captivating storyline, both in the past and present perspectives. So many different topics were covered within, ranging from the highest celebratory highs, to the lowest rock bottom lows. All were written so beautifully that it truly felt like I was truly with Fifi on her journey. I would have loved an epilogue to find out a bit more about everyone's futures, but I'd definitely still recommend this book to others.

#AdPrProduct #BookReview ✨ ⠀⠀
Em & Me by Beth Morrey 📖⠀⠀
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🌟 Big-hearted, hopeful & uplifting! This novel & these characters have stolen a big piece of my heart ❤️⠀
🌟The growth Delphine goes through is inspiring, Em is a loveable booksmart meddler, Roz is the teacher every pupil deserves & Letty is nothing short of absolutely fabulous.⠀
🌟Brimming with book references that won't fail to put a grin on your face or in my case a fair few oops I haven't read that yets 😂⠀
🌟Its heavier topics are dealt with the up most sensitivity & respect they deserve.⠀
🌟I loved Saving Missy so was dubious whether this novel would meet my lofty expectations but I needed have worried it met & in many ways surpassed my expectations. ⠀
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I wouldn't hesitate in recommending this gem 💎! ⠀
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Disclaimer: A huge thanks to Harper Collins & NetGalley for sending me this title for an honest & unbiased review.

Thank you to the publisher, netgalley and the author for allowing me to read this eARC, I feel so blessed to be able to have critical conversations about great books and recommend books to my book club.

This is a work of art, I loved the details that were so realistic between the mother and the daughter, I felt like I was inside the novel and it was so compelling. I have never read from this author before but I fell in love with her writing style so I will be reading more in the future.