Somewhere Close to Happy

This was charming! A really lovely heart-warming read. The characters were real and very believable, and I wanted everything to turn out well for them. One to recommend!

This was a breath of fresh air! Wonderfully sentimental and told with flashes of brilliant wry humour, I inevitably fell head over heels for Roman. I can't wait to see what Lia Louis does next!

There was so much to love about this book, from the intriguing premise to the warmth and sensitivity of Lia's writing, which reminded me of Jojo Moyes. As an 80s kid, I loved the 90s references and the laugh-out-loud humour throughout. The characters were hugely relatable and I found myself willing Lizzie on, on her own personal journey, as well as in pursuit of answers regarding her friend, Roman. The denouement, although not what I expected, was beautiful, honest, real and will stay with me for a long time. A hugely enjoyable and emotional read. Thanks to Lia, publishers and NetGalley.

Beautiful and bittersweet, this is such an incredible debut novel focusing on Lizzie and her quest for answers after a letter arrives one day from Roman, her first love. However, not all is simple as the letter is dated 12 years previously, on the day he disappeared. What follows is a brave and at times heartbreaking journey of what really happened during the year when Lizzie's life fell apart.

The conclusion of Lizzie's journey surprised me and wasn't what I was expecting. However, on reflection I think it's quite refreshing for an author to have confidence to write an ending that is right for their leading character even if it is emotional for us as a reader and goes against our instincts. Already I just wish I could keep reading more about these characters, with so much wonderful depth.

The writing style was also fantastic; I've been addicted over the last two days. I really loved the flashbacks to when Lizzie and Roman were teenagers too. They were very cleverly interwoven to link in to events of the present day whilst Lizzie is on her journey of discovery to try and find Roman. I also loved the occasional references to McFly and the Girls In Love tv series; little things that really made me smile.

I hope that everyone picks up this book in June as I think everyone will take Lizzie in to their hearts. The quote I am going to hold on to, as said by Lizzie's grandad Hubble is this: "Goodbyes are a privilege."

Lizzie has a humdrum life, living on her own with a dead end job in an accounts department. She's happy enough, eating take aways for dinner and spending time with her glam BFF Priscilla and her brother. But then a letter sent 20 years ago arrives. and shatters her world. When her friend Roman ran away the night her world ended, Lizzie has always wanted answers. Now, with a girls roadtrip to find them, will they give her the resolution she seeks?

I genuinely loved this book and couldn't put it down. I have to confess that Priscilla was my favourite character and I loved their road trip for answers. Despite this being a debut, Lia Louis is a very accomplished writer indeed - this is my bet for 2019's Eleanor Oliphant - because if you liked that, you'll love this!

This book is fresh, thoroughly modern and packed full of heart. I loved it from start to finish. It’s the story of Lizzie, who’s sort of stuck, living alone and doing a job in an accounts office that she doesn’t much like. At the start, she receives a letter from her former best friend, Roman, dated twelve years earlier. Dated the day he disappeared from her life. And the arrival of this letter kickstarts a series of events that lead Lizzie back through her troubled teen years to find her friend.

Lizzie is the easiest of characters to root for. She’s clever and kind and she’s had her fair share of shit to deal with. Louis draws characters with a deft, sure touch. The friendships between Lizzie and Priscilla and Lizzie and Roman are incredibly touching. I thought about these people all the time while I was reading the book, and I thought about them after I’d finished.

I find it quite hard to believe that this is a debut novel, as it’s written in such an assured way. Louis takes you on a journey, and it’s one I was more than happy to go on. I trusted her to navigate the twists and turns of the story adeptly, and I trusted her to deliver an ending that felt completely right. Somewhere Close to Happy broke my heart at times, but I’d have it broken again and again for the sheer pleasure of immersing myself in Lizzie’s life for a while.

I got lost in this wonderful debut that covers a number of complex topics skilfully and sensitively. From mental health, to addiction, to love and loss, I was engrossed from the first page to the last. Louis tells the story of Lizzie, whose friend Roman disappeared twelve years earlier. When she receives a letter from him, dated when he disappeared, she embarks on a journey to find out what happened to Roman.

Louis has created a character so likeable that I found myself willing Lizzie on from the very beginning. Lizzie has a great sense of humour and I found myself laughing regularly. Her friends and family were entirely believable, and I felt that I knew each one of them personally. Some excellent twists are woven throughout the book, and I found the ending both believable and satisfying. I loved the descriptions of the scenery throughout the book, and especially the rugged coastline towards the end of the novel which I could picture perfectly. I will be keeping an eye out for Louis' future novels.

I really enjoyed this book. When I read it time stopped and I was there, with Lizzie, wondering what had happened to Roman. It’s a beautiful story of friendship and of a special kind of love.

For me the standouts were the characters (rich in detail and I loved their quirkiness), the gorgeous engaging and chatty tone of voice and the use of language. Some of it made me let out a little sigh - beautiful one liners!

The one tiny weakness was the opening chapter with the surprise party. I felt it was too heavy on dialogue and I had to read it a few times to get a sense of what was going on and who was thinking what. It felt busy and hard work for the reader. But, that’s just my opinion.

I would recommend this book to others. This book is perfect to curl up with and lose yourself in it.

Lizzie won me over as a heroine. Lia Louis had me truly believing in the characters and throws the reader into that feeling of teenage angst and first love so convincingly that it almost had me falling for Roman myself. I’m sure many of us wonder what it would be like to go back and find that first meaningful relationship and in my view, the whole plot was handled perfectly. When I had finished, it was one of those books I wanted to talk about. The story was carefully woven between the past and the future so you were never too far away from the teenagers, and the emotions that had resurfaced for Lizzie so that I could share her urgency to find Roman. I enjoyed the fact that Roman was important but never more so than Lizzie herself and Priscilla’s role was fantastic - just what was needed in a novel that centred around a vulnerable but ultimately powerful female protagonist. I was taken in by this novel entirely and actually loved all of the characters, which is a rarity for me.

I loved this book and warmed to the characters.
The story was well written and kept my interest throughout the book.
A great read

I loved it! This book was funny, touching, heart wrenching and true to life. Mental health issues don’t magically disappear and this story took us through that journey for two people; it also told the story of those around them who were affected by their illness. Although I found it sad they did not end up together, it was the right ending and I was glad the author did not make it into a saccharine sweet happy ending, and instead left the reader feeling uplifted, if a little melancholy. I completely recommend this book.

I finished this book at 1am last night - just had to get to the end to find out whether Lizzie got to meet Roman again! Wonderfully written - made me laugh out loud so many times at the hilarious family situations & also cry at the poignancy of their teenage relationship. Loved it all & can’t wait for Lia’s next one.