International bestseller Jill Mansell crafts the perfect summertime tale, filled with love, friendship, and the power of redemption. You’ll laugh, you’ll cry, and you’ll never want the story to end. All it takes is one email to end her relationship, get her kicked out of her apartment, and just about ruin her life. Essie Phillips never meant for her private rant about her boss to be sent to … her boss to be sent to everyone in her address book, but as soon as it goes viral, her life as she knows it is over. Solution: move to a new town, find a new job, make new friends. If only it were as simple as that…
What People Are Saying About Jill Mansell:
“Captivating, warm, lighthearted and funny!”—What’s Better Than Books for Meet Me at Beachcomber Bay
“Readers will hang on every word, falling in love with the story, its characters and its emotions.”—RT Book Reviews, 4 Stars for Three Amazing Things About You
“Vivid and enchanting.”—Kirkus Reviews for You and Me, Always
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There were so many little brilliant facets within this story that maneuvered my emotions from elation to sadness and back again. The fully developed three-dimensional characters drove the story forward and kept me thoroughly entertained.
Jill Mansell is such a gifted author to create the wonderful world that exists in this book. It was a bit sad to leave it, when I was finished. When I began reading the book and was introduced to Zillah, I was so excited. I knew I would love this story. I love the older population and so often they are ignored or tolerated. It was great to have an older person included along with the younger characters that was full of life, love and spirt.
I adored each character. They are all so different and all blended into a family that cared about each other.
The plot is a bit like the butterfly effect. That everything that happens affects something else. The theory that everyone has a partner out there, and in time you will find them, that everything you do, no matter how small or large, for (or to) someone will affect their life and yours. This is the basic idea running throughout the plot.
It could be argued that there were too many coincidences that happen, but these things do happen in life. I live in a small “big” city and I am amazed all the time, when talking to a stranger, that they know someone that I do, or are related to someone I know, or work somewhere I used to work, so I do believe this story is “real” life. Often fate does intervene and a small miracle happens.
The story begins with a glimpse of Zillah, an 83 year old classy woman, trying to help out a young child, Ben. Her attention and small gift to him, could change his life. We later find out that she has a gift of finding what someone needs and helps them have their wish.
Two young woman having a chat late at night decide to write their true feelings about their lives in an email to each other, which no one else would ever see. Well anything written has that chance that it will be seen by others. Essie’s email was sent to all in her contacts! (by someone else) Oh no! This could change everything!
A young man, Connor, is a practicing attorney. He doesn’t like it much, but he always did what was expected of him and he lived with the results and accepted that as his life. A client comes into his office and he realizes he cannot pretend any longer. He quits his job, this could change everything!
The story is interwoven so well with all the character’s lives and situations that happen. It had me wanting to continuous read it to see what would happen next. I was hoping for a good ending, and I was not disappointed.
I think this story is how we would like the world to be, with caring adults that look out for each other and want only the best for them.
I enjoyed being in this world so much and I recommend this book highly.
How is it possible that I haven’t discovered Jill Mansell before now? I loved this book – the characters, the story, the writing style – from the first chapter! I didn’t want it to end. I now have a new “go-to” author for touching, fun, feel good reading. I can’t wait to read more!
My favorite Jill Mansell book to date. From the first page, it pulls you right in and won’t let go. Mansell is a master of blending comedy with heartfelt, genuine elements. I bought this book for my mother and mother-in-law as well, who both raved about it. Highly recommended.
“Every day, we do things that are capable of changing everything, that’s what makes life exciting.”
I really enjoyed this book of love, hope, wishes and happiness.
There are many wonderful characters in this story and my absolute favorite is Zillah who at eighty three, has a zest for life and a love for people. She has a way of drawing in anyone who meets her. She made me love her!
The descriptions of the countryside, town of Bath and the the Red House bar made me feel as if I was actually there.
It’s a terrific novel! I recommend it!