Drew Davies

‘This book was laugh-out-loud hilarious and give-me-a-box-of-tissues heartbreaking. I loved it so much!... I literally went back and reread some parts a few times just because they were so funny! It’s a beautiful story and I’m sure it’ll stick with me.’ Tales of a Bookbound Mum, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ The must-read book of 2019! Equal parts heartwarming and heartbreaking, fans of Jojo Moyes, Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine and One Day in December will love this special novel by Drew Davies. Dear Lily, It’s me, Joy, your much wiser and (very slightly) older sister. I thought I’d start a new tradition of letter writing – now that we’re long distance. On the plane over here, I began to cry in seat 21C. I think the magnitude of it finally hit me, after everything that happened… I haven’t even unpacked yet – the only thing I’ve taken out of my suitcase is Harville, your beloved childhood teddy. Sorry for stealing him, but I need him more than you do. Every time I look at that little brown bear I think about our childhood. Remember that dance we made up to Annie’s ‘It’s a Hard Knock Life’? (Remember the broom choreography?) I’m also sorry for abandoning you – I’ve always been your agony aunt, and a buffer in your infamous shouting matches with Mum. But I had to leave, Lily, I had to. Anyway, I’m here now. I’m here to start over, and to face up to the past. I want to learn to laugh again, and to find someone to love who will maybe even love me back. You always told me I was just getting by, not actually living, so I’m finally doing it. Wish me luck, little sister. Love, Joy x A beautiful book-club read for anyone who has ever hit rock bottom, longed for a fresh start, or needed to heal a broken, aching heart. Readers absolutely love Dear Lily: ‘Hysterical and unbelievably relatable… This book was so funny and romantic, but at the same time, extremely emotional… Broke my heart and then turned around and put it back together again.’ Goodreads reviewer ‘An absolute delight to read!… This book took me through such a wide array of emotions – I was laughing one minute and practically crying the next… A roller coaster ride of emotions and a very surprising twist… Entertaining, fun and able to make you shed a few tears, you need to get your hands on this fab book!’ It’s All About the Thrill ‘All I can say is WOW.’ Shelley’s Book Nook, 5 stars ‘This book is wonderful. Simply wonderful. I can’t recommend it enough. Funny, heartfelt, wise, sweet. It had me laughing and crying. Perfect.’ JTHBooks, 5 stars ‘I absolutely loved this book!... Made me laugh out loud… I am sad to say goodbye to these vibrant characters. I will miss them.’ Goodreads Reviewer, 5 stars ‘Loved, loved this beautiful book… I laughed, I cried. I will be gifting this book to friends… Grab this book – you’re in for a treat.’ NetGalley Reviewer, 5 stars ‘I fell in love… . This book was so funny and romantic, but at the same time, extremely emotional. Her letters to Lily broke my heart and then turned around and put it back together again.’ Goodreads Reviewer, 5 stars ‘A heartbreaking, yet heartwarming read, I cried, I laughed then I cried some more. Fabulous!’ Goodreads Reviewer ‘This book shook me to my core! It is filled with such heartache, beginnings, and life emotions… It was the perfect ending to a perfect book!!’ Literacy Indulgence, 5 stars ‘A cute, endearing, heartwarming, hilarious, tear-jerker of a book. I found myself crying and then suddenly laughing out loud at the same time. If you are a fan of Eleanor Oliphant or cute little rom-coms, this book is for you.’ Goodreads Reviewer, 5 stars ‘Every once in a while I stumble across a book that is like a breath of fresh air, and that was the case with this gem. It was beautifully unique and extremely touching and way more emotional that I was expecting, I just adored it!... Incredibly funny… This really had it all, it was funny and charming, warm and wise and also heartbreaking.’ Novel Gossip ‘Will warm your heart and then turn around and break it. Laugh out loud funny and heart-achingly sad, this is one that will play on all of your emotions.’ Goodreads Reviewer ‘Such a wonderful, uplifting yet heartbreaking novel… I found myself laughing out loud.’ Goodreads Reviewer ‘A cross between Bridget Jones and Eleanor Oliphant. A poignant look at love, loss and the pursuit of happiness… I found myself flying through the pages as I lost track of time.’ Goodreads Reviewer ‘Makes you laugh, cry, feel the bottom drop out of your stomach and then sigh with satisfaction as you turn the last page.’ Goodreads Reviewer

An absolutely charming, emotional novel about learning to love and taking chances

Dear Lily

At the grand old age of eighty-two, Esther Saul has just one regret in life. Today, she's going to change that. For decades, Esther has barricaded herself in her vine-covered manor house. She spends her days tending to her rose-filled garden, glued to the pages of her favourite books, and listening to her beloved records. But, one spring morning, Esther wakes up and realises that time is running out. Forty years ago, the love of her life betrayed her - the only man she allowed herself to trust. Where is Thackeray, the handsome Scot with a devilish smile and piercing blue eyes? Will she ever learn the truth? Will she ever understand why he lied to her? Esther has to find out. If she doesn't act soon, her one regret will haunt her forever... But she'll need some assistance. That's where Bruno comes in. After Esther places an advert in the local library, seeking internet lessons, the eighteen-year-old knocks on her door. Esther can see how out of place Bruno is in their sleepy village, and that the paid position could be his one-way ticket out of there. An unexpected friendship forms between the two strangers, who have nothing in common except that they have spent most of their lives in hiding. It's the beginning of a journey - featuring a secret motorcycle ride, an escape plan, and a garden party with whisky, apple pie, and dancing the jig. Along the way, can a locked-away life finally start living? Just as heartbreaking as it is heartwarming, this utterly gripping page-turner is for anyone who has ever felt left behind, came close to giving up, or needed a friend. Perfect for fans of Sally Page, Ruth Hogan and Mike Gayle.

A Totally Gripping, Emotional and Heartwarming Page-turner

The Locked-Away Life

‘Oh my goodness!… I have tears streaming down my cheeks… I have been completely pulled in and unable to put this book down… I'm hugely shocked that this book has brought out such emotion in me… Definitely deserving of five stars.’ Little Miss Book Lover 87, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Wendy’s life can be neatly divided into two: before and after. Before her husband’s car accident, it was just the two of them. They never took the train at rush hour, and they avoided their noisy neighbour upstairs. Naveem devoted his spare time to vintage train models, and Wendy to re-reading the well-thumbed pages of her favourite books. It didn’t matter what others thought about their small, quiet life together – they were happy. After the coma, Wendy barely recognises herself. When she’s not holding the love of her life’s hand, accompanied by the beep of the life-support machine, who is she? The nurse tells her to talk to Naveem – that he can still hear her – but she doesn’t have a single thing to say. Suddenly Wendy can’t bear the silence. She needs something, anything, to talk to Naveem about. Suddenly she’s losing herself at fairgrounds packed with crowds and candyfloss, she’s at the airport, waiting for the whoosh of the planes as they take off, making friends with the neighbour she has spent over a decade avoiding. Knowing that every breath her husband takes might be his last, Wendy has no choice but to try to carry on without him. Should she feel guilty about living while his life is on pause? And when – if – he wakes up, will he still love the woman she has become? This poignant, moving and uplifting tale is for anyone who has taken life for granted, neglected to say ‘I love you’ to their loved ones, or forgotten to find happiness in the little things. Perfect for fans of Josie Silver, Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine and Jojo Moyes. Readers absolutely love With or Without You: ‘I am a little bit in love with this man and his incredible ability to make me cry my eyes out and then laugh so much I choke on my tea, in the space of a few pages!... A poignant, heartbreaking and heart-warming page turner.’ The Ladies Who Read ‘It’s heartwarming, emotional and a book I have thought about long after I finished it. I really enjoyed this and really recommend it!’ Goodreads Reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘This beautiful novel has stolen my heart. It’s original, poignant, funny and written with an exquisite sensitivity that cuts to the quick… Pure, belly-laugh farce – and yes, I did laugh out loud – but it is also deeply moving. I don’t know how he does it, but Davies gets the balance just right… ! And I loved the beautifully delivered messages about life, love, family and friends: the only things that really matter… I’m just going to come right out and say it: Mike Gayle, watch out! There’s a new kid on the block.’ Hook Me a Book, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘Incredible… In love… A poignant, heartbreaking and heartwarming page-turner… Makes me cry my eyes out and laugh so much I choke on my tea, in the space of a few pages!’ The Ladies Who Read ‘I loved this book so much… Thoughtful, funny… Sad, original and charming… This book comes highly recommended!’ Goodreads Reviewer ‘Wonderful… Drew me in, I laughed, I cried, a totally moving read.’ Goodreads Reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘I got through this book super quick… I really loved the unexpected twists and turns… Gripping and enticing.’ Goodreads Reviewer

A poignant, heart-warming and heartbreaking page-turner

With or Without You

‘Absolutely brilliant!’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘Completely mesmerising’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘Heartwarming and unforgettable’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘I absolutely loved this’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘A little Love Actually in all the best ways’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘AMAZING... Had me in tears of laughter and in tears of sadness. A completely mesmerising, heartwarming and unforgettable book!... Took me less than 24 hours to read!... In fact, I’m off to read it all again!' Stardust Book Reviews If you read one book this year, make it this hilarious and emotional novel about love, loss and second chances. Fans of Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine, The Note and Jojo Moyes will be utterly charmed by this unique love story. 'A gorgeous read!' Josie Silver, author of One Day in December One day in London… Daisy is rushing to work when a stranger on a bicycle almost knocks her over – and then asks for her number. JoJo, a wife in her sixties, is trying desperately to win her beloved husband back from his mistress. Adam has recently lost his job and lies to his housemate about where he goes every day. Dylan, a teenage boy, lives with an illness which means he can’t leave his bedroom – but which hasn’t stopped him falling hopelessly in love. These four total strangers – whose paths cross in the charming and crazy city of London – have one thing in common. They are all lonely souls looking for love. But what are the chances of them actually finding it? An absolutely unputdownable, uplifting and unforgettable book-club read for anyone who has ever made a mistake, been broken-hearted, or waited by their phone for it to ring. Readers are absolutely loving The Shape of Us: ‘I absolutely adored this book. It was unlike any other romance I've read… Read it over a couple of days which is hard when you are a working mum of two!’ NetGalley Reviewer, 5 stars ‘What can I say? I absolutely loved this deliciously bonkers book… Each and every plot line grabbed my attention and made me think a lot, laugh even more and cry at the end… Five, shiny heartfelt stars from me.’ Goodreads Reviewer, 5 stars ‘A mixtures of laughs, tears and OMGs.’ Ali the Dragon Slayer ‘This book is excellent! I loved it so much.’ Goodreads Reviewer ‘Absolutely brilliant! Highly highly recommended!’ Cwtch Up With Books ‘Amazing… The book is full of love and romance and there are so many funny moments that I have sat and laughed my way through most of it!... Romantic, heartbreaking and life-affirming... I have been completely spellbound.’ Stardust Reviews, 5 stars ‘I’m so glad I took a chance and picked this up… The Shape of Us is a love story but it’s so much more… It’s a little Love Actually in all the best ways.’ Goodreads Reviewer, 5 stars ‘Absolutely fabulous… Would definitely recommend.’ Goodreads Reviewer ‘A beautiful story… Drew Davies is an author to watch!’ Sarah’s Book Reviews ‘I was drawn into this book from the first sentence and by the end of the first page it’s safe to say that I had become addicted… I didn’t realise how quickly I was reading until the moment I looked up and was stunned to see that I was 40% through.’ Ginger Book Geek ‘Wonderful… Poignant… Will stay with you long after you finish that final page.’ Stacy is Reading, 5 stars ‘Beautiful… A unique and quirky look at life, love and the pursuit of happiness… A whole lot of wonderful!’ Audio Killed the Bookmark ‘Brilliant… Will tug at your heartstrings.’ Jen Med’s Book Reviews ‘Now this was fun!... A brilliant comedic touch... Just lovely!’ Goodreads Reviewer, 5 stars

A hilarious and emotional page turner about love, life and laughter

The Shape of Us

'Oh my gosh...! Laugh-out-loud hilarious and give-me-a-box-of-tissues-heartbreaking. I loved it so much!... Beautiful.' Tales of a Bookbound Mum, 5 stars The must-read book of 2019! Equal parts heartwarming and heartbreaking, fans of Jojo Moyes, Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine and One Day in December will love this special novel by Drew Davies. Dear Lily, It's me, Joy, your much wiser and (very slightly) older sister. I thought I'd start a new tradition of letter writing - now that we're long distance. On the plane over here, I began to cry in seat 21C. I think the magnitude of it finally hit me, after everything that happened... I haven't even unpacked yet - the only thing I've taken out of my suitcase is Harville, your beloved childhood teddy. Sorry for stealing him, but I need him more than you do. Every time I look at that little brown bear I think about our childhood. Remember that dance we made up to Annie's 'It's a Hard Knock Life'? (Remember the broom choreography?) I'm also sorry for abandoning you - I've always been your agony aunt, and a buffer in your infamous shouting matches with Mum. But I had to leave, Lily, I had to. Anyway, I'm here now. I'm here to start over, and to face up to the past. I want to learn to laugh again, and to find someone to love who will maybe even love me back. You always told me I was just getting by, not actually living, so I'm finally doing it. Wish me luck, little sister. Love, Joy x A beautiful book-club read for anyone who has ever hit rock bottom, longed for a fresh start, or needed to heal a broken, aching heart.

Drew Davies

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