I didn’t cry whilst reading this book but I could definitely see why some people had. I think if it was the right time of the month, I think it would have broken my heart in two. There are definitely moments in this book that make me feel extremely grateful that I have (very luckily) never had to deal with grief. Because like Lydia Bird, I don’t know what would happen.

Lydia Bird has her perfect man and is very much happily in love, engaged and waiting to get married. Yet life ever-so-cruelly steps in and takes that all away from her. I really felt for Lydia and I was rooting for the whole way through the book. She makes some questionable decisions, but who can blame her when her whole life came crashing down in front of her very eyes…on her birthday of all days. A day that is now a day for grieving rather than celebrating.

I really enjoyed the concept of the two lives. I loved how Josie Silver managed to create this second life where Freddie is still alive, but there are consequences for being in that world for too long, both in that world and outside. It offers Lydia a space to be with Freddie and remember him. It offers her time to grieve and feel like she still has some normality in her life. However, although this world may not be realm the consequences are really quite tangible.

I think its a really clever book and gave me all the P.S I Love You vibes. A great story that discusses coping with grief whilst offering a very authentic outlook on what it is really like to live after the death of a loved one. I would highly recommend if this is something you’re going through or still coping with, as there is a lot to take away from this read.