Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for my copy of this earc!

I adored this book from the minute I started it! I’ve read it in 2 sittings and wow, it didn’t half pull on my heart strings. I loved every second of this book. Joe, Tilly, Alfie are all characters I’ll remember for a long time.

I’m in awe at how this book flowed. It felt comforting because I knew where it was going I just didn’t know how we would get there! Everything about it was 5 stars. An impeccable read that I think everyone needs to pick up

This Book Made Me Think of You by Libby Page is a beautifully heartfelt story about grief, healing, and rediscovering love. Tilly’s journey through the books Joe left for her was touching and inspiring, and I loved how each story opened new paths for her life. Moving, warm, and full of hope, this was a wonderful read. I truly enjoyed it and give it five stars.

This is not a unique book in that I have read similar books about loss and gifts from beyond the grave. However, Page writes about real, beautiful people whom it was easy to form a connection to. Tilly and Joe's story is gorgeous and so touching. I adored getting to know them and those around them.
I also loved Alfie, what a lovely man he is and again, he has a wonderful story. There are some lovely lessons to take from this book about love, grief, friendship and forgiveness. I adored this charming read from Page.
Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin for an advance copy.

“The right book in the hands of the right person, at exactly the right moment can change their life forever”. Well, a novel that opens with a line like that is going to be a corker for bibliophiles.

Tilly (Matilda) has grown up surrounded by books, her family is based in Hay on Wye and she now works for Splash Books as an editor. Some time ago, whilst whiling away a rainy day in Foyles in London, she happened upon Joe. All the stars aligned, they were the happiest couple, they married and then their future together was shattered. Joe fell sick and died.

Now it seems that before he died and, although not himself a bibliophile, he chose a book for each month over one year for her to receive from her local bookshop “Book Lane” in Regent’s Park Road, North London. She would receive these after his death. Alfie, the owner, has the project covered. It is designed as a legacy to remind her of Joe once he had passed away. At first she is shocked, but then once she has had time to ponder, she is very much taken with his thoughtful plan.

His first choice is a children’s book (one might be able to guess, given her name) which is designed to get her out of her reading slump after his death. He anticipated that she would struggle to engage with literature after his passing. He then chooses a popular book set in Minnesota (can you guess the title?) and has bought her tickets for a very different destination, so she can spend time with her travel-writer sister.

As Tilly moves on to each new book, each chapter is prefaced with a list of books, chosen with a theme in mind. Within the text there is mention of further books that have proved popular over the last couple of years. And thus it is a real literary journey in more ways than one.

Their love of books draws Tilly and Alfie (whose look is “owns a fossil collection” vibe) closer together. Alfie is very much a man after our own, TripFiction heart: for a trip to Italy, he suggests titles like A Room With a View by E M Forster, Under The Tuscan Sun by Frances Mayes, Diary of a Tuscan Bookshop by Alba Donati, Elena Pala (Translator), and Still Life by Sarah Winman…

Several years ago the author read Captain Corelli’s Mandolin and states: “ the setting left a lasting impression on me.. Even when the intricacies of the story faded from my memory, the sense of place remained…”. “I went in search of the locations from the stories I had read..” So there you have it, an acknowledgement of the wonders of literary travel!

THIS BOOK MADE ME THINK OF YOU – LIBBY PAGE*****
This must be one of the easiest recommendations this year. Brilliantly written, great characters, warm-hearted story.
The premise: Matilda (Tilly) Nightingale, who works in London as a book editor, recently lost her husband to cancer. While she’s in the dentist, Alfie, the manager of a local book shop calls to say he has a book waiting for her to collect. Ordered by her husband, Joe. Which is impossible. Except it isn’t.
American husband Joe conspired with Alfie to order not just one book before he died, but twelve, one for each month of the year, each on a different theme. This is a totally charming tale for anyone who loves books and bookshops. He sends her on a tour from bookshop to bookshop, all round Europe, all of which are real bookshops. Their love comes alive through the letters he has slotted inside each book each month, as does – you’ve guessed it – her love for Alfie, the local book shop owner.
It's also filled with great characters: the people who work in the bookshop, her friends in publishing, Joe’s parents who she visits in America.
Enough said. Read it.

A sensitive book about loss, grief and finding one’s often new identity as you navigate through them. The likeable characters are gently depicted and support the story by carefully showing what people really need at the most vulnerable point in their lives. A sad topic but a totally uplifting treatment of it.

This was such a beautiful read and it not only dies it highlight the joys of reading and the impacts books can have on you but it celebrates so many types of love - lost love, love of work, love for friends, love for family and of course a love of books. This has two wonderful main characters in widow Tilly and book shop owner Alfie who get to know more about each other month by month when Tilly collects her gift of a year of books which was arranged by her late husband before his death. There is so much genuine warmth and heart in this as the books help Tilly process her loss and start moving on and the many different books each offer something to the story. I thoroughly enjoyed this heartwarming character read and I think it’s Libby Page’s best yet.

This book had me hooked from the very first page. It’s a sad yet uplifting story of Tilly, who struggles after losing her beloved husband Joe. One day she receives a call from a local bookstore saying they have 12 books waiting for her-one for each month - handpicked by Joe before he passed.

As Tilly navigates her grief, these books guide her toward healing, offering her 12 new opportunities and chances to move forward.

What I loved most were the details: Tilly’s trip to Paris and her magical visit to Shakespeare & Company, which instantly transported me back to when I wandered through this enchanted bookish haven myself. The sweet nods to Gilmore Girls made my heart happy, too.

I also adored how Libby Page includes book recommendations at the end of each chapter, encouraging readers to discover even more stories. Truly, this is the most bookish book I’ve ever read!

💌 Thank you NetGalley for this ARC.
📚 Release date: 29th January 2026

⭐ 5 stars from me!

I finished my previous book -the wonderful “The Dead Romantics”- at 9pm on a Friday night thinking I had enough time to “read a few chapters” of this advanced copy I received before I went off to bed. Big mistake. I definitely do not like reading overly sad books and this book explores themes of dealing with grief in its various stages. In the spirit of total honesty, knowing what the book was about I would never have purchased this on my own. Spoiler alert- this book was one of the saddest, yet incredibly moving and then ultimately hopeful books I can remember reading in recent years. There is absolutely nothing cliche about this and the writing is beautiful, raw and real. Yes, for someone who is not a fan of crying into my pillow every other chapter, this is not a book I would ordinarily seek out myself. I went into that first (slightly clunky) chapter with low expectations. Before I knew it, I was desperately flipping chapters and having my heart pulled from my body and then put back together again multiple times. I finished the book at two in the morning with trembling breath, tears in my eyes and a hopeful ,happy feeling in my heart. It was telling that I hit the next page on my kindle a couple of times, not consciously realising that the book had ended and I didn’t want it to, I wanted to be part of their world a little longer and to witness the moments of joy that were coming their way. I adored the characters and their journey and the book ending was absolutely wonderful full of hope and promise while honouring the past. It’s funny, I often read really fantastic books and wonder why I’m so picky about giving 5 stars but then a book like this comes along and I realise why. It’s not just a book, it’s an experience and it changes you after reading it. I can see this book being huge and I really hope it finds the audience because it absolutely deserves to.

Tilly Nightingale is grieving the loss of her fiancé Joe when she’s surprised by a final gift from him: twelve books, one for each month of her first year without him. Each book sends her on literary, inspired adventures around the world. As she shares her journey online, she finds new friendships, support from a kind bookshop owner, and maybe even the spark of love again.

When I first came across this, I instantly thought of P.S. I Love You, one of my all-time favourites, so my hopes were high. Add to that my love for Libby Page’s other novels, and I was pretty excited. This one didn’t disappoint.

It’s heartfelt and beautifully written. Each book Joe left for Tilly felt so perfectly chosen for the stage of grief she was in. I warmed instantly to both Tilly and Alfie, each dealing with their own loss and slowly building a new friendship. The little flashbacks to Tilly and Joe’s life together were touching, and I loved how books became the thread pulling her through her grief.

The background characters were wonderful too, each adding their own little spark to the story.
I really enjoyed this one. It’s beautiful, and now my TBR pile is even bigger thanks to all the book recommendations.

Thanks to NetGalley for the early copy!

If I could give 10 stars for this I would, my favourite book of this year. I loved everything about it, I laughed and cried throughout and I think it's a story that will stay with me.

This book was outstanding in its depiction of grief and navigating an unknown world post loss. The characters are well developed, relatable and infuriating at times. This book is so powerful and packs a punch for those navigating grief or those looking to understand it more and support those around them.

⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐.5

Wow 🥹
This book is truly beautiful.

I can’t even find the words to describe how this story made me feel. This story follows Tilly Nightingale as she navigates her journey through grief after losing a loved one.

It shows the ups and downs of grief and how it lonely it can feel at times. However, as the story goes on Tilly begins to realise there is a life beyond grief after she is left a very thoughtful and unexpected gift from her late husband.

I was tearing up the whole way through this book but not always sad tears!! There are some lovely moments in this book and I recommend every romance lover to give this a read - you won’t regret it!

This is one of those books that you can't put down but never want to end at the same time. A bittersweet book about Tilly, a recently widowed young woman, when she receives a call from a local book seller telling her to collect an order she didn't place. She quickly discovers her late husband had left a thoughtful parting gift- a pertinent book for each of the twelve months that follow. Simply stunning. Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for this advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

This book was brilliant, I lost count of how many times I cried, although saying that it wasn’t a sad doom and gloom book. It felt very uplifting. I really enjoyed this story. I was rooting for the two main characters to get together.

Loved it! Feel good story telling.

Adore the concept of giving books for a year but also the story unfolding as to why each is relevant had me hooked.

From a tough time to being hopeful, this books gives me inspiration that we can get through rough times. From loss to love.

The Book Shop - I felt I could picture it so clearly and it felt warm and inviting. The characters felt believable.....I would love a part two!

This is just the most wonderful book for all book lovers. It feels like a warm hug, full of emotions and a love of books.
Tilly has lost her husband to cancer and is struggling with her grief. She gets a call from Alfie, and independent bookshop owner. Joe, her husband, has left a year of books as a gift, each helping her find her love of reading and living again.
This book is full of hope and was a joy to read. I finished it in 2 sittings and think I could actually start it all over again.

I shall be telling everyone I know to buy this book on release (or even better pre-order) because it is absolutely beautiful. There is very little I appreciate more than a bookish nerd in scruffy knitwear with earnest adoration for his struggling bookshop. Add the most thoughtful gift from beyond the grave and we are looking at the deepest puddle of swoon.

A very sweet book about learning to live (and love) again after loss. I did enjoy the book and there were some lovely moments, but it felt a bit twee for me at points.

It took me a couple of tries to get into this book, but that was entirely down to me, not the story. Once I did, I devoured 70% in one sitting, only stopping because I had to sleep.
I was completely drawn into the emotional journey, not just Tilly’s, but the lives of everyone around her. The PS, I Love You-style twist, where Joe leaves her books and notes to guide her through a year in her new life, was heartfelt and beautifully done.
Moving, uplifting, and impossible to put down once it hooked me this is a 5-star read for me.