Imagine waking up and speaking to your wife as she lay in bed only to discover that she is dead! I could not! That is what drew me in to want to read this book. I thought it was going to have all kinds of drama, but it fell short.

I didn’t find the humor that was spoken of in the summary.

The storylines that had the potential to be exciting were too short! They were over as quickly as they started.

I didn’t find myself falling in love with the main character Rudy because he just fell flat for me and did not touch my heart in any way. And, I was really trying!

Sasha, his coworker was one character that I was finding myself to caring for and her backstory was more interesting than most of the book.

I am beginning to think I may have something against piano music in department stores?? A lot of time was spent there.

Maybe that was where my boredom lied.

Without giving away the ending, I will say that I was very pleased with how the book closed.

This story may appeal to some readers, but it wasn’t to my liking.

2.5 stars

I really enjoyed this book. The likeable protagonist reminded me somewhat of A Man Called Ove. The Interesting scenario of a widower finding love again kept my interest. And he plays the piano at Nordstrom !!

I received an ARC of this book. It is a story about the way life can change with no warning, leaving tremendous grief behind. It is also a story of second chances and finding love and happiness once again. The characters are well-developed and relatable. I enjoyed this book very much and would recommend it highly.

This is another really sweet book. If you liked Arthur Truluv, Night of Miracles, and A Man Called Ove, you will like this too. It is told from the point of view of Rudy, a recently widowed man. He seems to be fine, until he suddenly isn't. Rudy's friend Sasha has had her own grief, and she seems to be just the one to help Rudy as he struggles. A really human and relatable situation, and very pleasant and enjoyable characters. Pay attention to the title - if you get it wrong you will be in a completely different book. This is NOT Me Before You!
Thanks to Netgalley and Simon and Shuster for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Rudy wakes up one morning and has his usual conversation with his wife when he realizes she’s not answering. Midway through his life he lost his best friend and does not know what to do with himself. He has to work to find happiness again.

Overall I enjoyed the book but several parts felt like they did not fit with the plot and were distracting. I loved watching Rudy develop in the story. It was not as relatable to me as the characters are much older than I am. I may have enjoyed it better if I felt I could relate to the characters better.

I fell in love with these characters! Rudy, recently downsized becomes a pianist at Nordstrom. His wife Bee has recently passed away during the night. Sasha is Rudy’s coworker and friend. She is still mourning the loss of her young daughter and has a husband that she is desperate to divorce. Cece, Rudy and Bee’s daughter is very judgmental and has marital problems. After Bee’s death, Rudy mourns her loss deeply and falls into a deep depression. This is a beautiful story of love, loss, guilt and friendship.

The first half of this book was heart-wrenching in its realistic portrayal of grief and depression. The suddenness of Bethany's death understandably rocked Rudy to his core. I think in general, men don't handle the loss of their spouses as well as women, perhaps because it is more unusual. Going along with Rudy's journey in depression as he tried to handle his grief felt raw and real. The last half of the book, however, seemed somehow superficial. Perhaps it's realistic too - most men do remarry after a wife dies - but it just felt like unlike the first half of the book where we delved deeply into emotions, the last half skimmed them.

The first half of the book was 5 stars for me, the last half 3 stars. So I'll even it out and give 4 stars.

My feelings about Me for You are somewhere in the middle. I didn't hate it, but I didn't love it either. The story had potential, and I like the beginning as Rudy tries to deal with his loss, but it changes as the book progresses with the introduction of subplots that don't all see their way to a satisfactory conclusion. There are some unanswered questions, and the last half of the book was a bit too drawn out for my tastes. For me, this book was certainly worth the read, but it isn't something I would want to revisit.

I became a fan of Lolly Winston after reading Happiness Sold Separately (highly recommend). So it is no surprise that I enjoyed Me For You. It contains an empathetic story line, that doesn’t glorify quick come backs, but garners you a glimpse into the grieving process. Me For You by Lolly Winston had me feeling an array of emotions. I truly understand how broken heart deaths can happen.

Rudy (Rudolph) Knowles loses his wife Bee (Bethany). While his story is heart breaking, it is encouraging. Rudy & Bee were your typical “waiting for retirement” couple. They were going to do all the fun, adventure & enjoyment of life activities, just as soon as they retired. Unfortunately, that day doesn’t come, because Bee passes.

Rudy takes the loss of Bee hard, but he believes he is coping. He is not coping. He is struggling to figure out how to live life, without his wife, & overcome personal guilt. The baggage of regret holds Rudy in a pattern of looking at all of the could of, should of, would of choices that can’t be undone; even in our minds.

Rudy’s depression becomes so severe his daughter Cecilia (CeCe), begs him to try a psychiatric program run by a doctor she knows. At first, I thought this was a bit extreme. You’re hospitalizing a man for grieving the loss of his wife. This is normal, you don’t function the same after. You take some sick days, you become a little isolated & you grieve.

However, I realized that Cecilia wasn’t wrong. Rudy going through the program was something he needed. So much so, he even allowed himself to move forward without Bee. Forming a relationship he didn’t need to bear any guilt from having or feeling any shame in losing his wife. It isn’t exactly a happily ever after ending, but a one day at a time ending.

Thank you so much to Touchstone Books and NetGalley for providing me with a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

This was my first book by Lolly Winston and after hearing numerous good things about her I was intrigued by this one.  It wasn't amazing to me by any means, it was just okay.  I felt that the book was a little choppy and all over the place at times and then drug on in areas that didn't really need to be so long.

This book is about Rudy who wakes up one morning to find his wife has passed away, just when they're looking forward to the adventures of retiring.  Rudy falls into depression and grief and isn't sure how he's going to go on with his life without her by his side.  While at work at Nordstrom he meets a fellow coworker Sasha who is also suffering from a tragedy.  Just as their relationship is starting to take off, Rudy succumbs to his deep depression and ends up institutionalized and finds out his wife's death might not have been an accident.

I loved how the author touched so much on mental health and grief and I did enjoy Rudy's character a lot.  However, I did feel that this book left a lot to the imagination.  It was so choppy and all over the place and certain parts of the book felt like they weren't finished.  I'm not sure if that's because I have the uncorrected proof but I was left with a lot of questions that aren't answered.  All in all not a bad book, just felt it wasn't finished properly.

John Lennon said it best “Life is what happens when your busy making plans”
Imagine one morning waking up and having everything you have planned for being gone. No warning, not even a little hint. Growing old together with the love of your life and all the wonderful possibilities gone. That’s what happens to Rudy. He is left devastated and cannot believe that he is the one left behind. In his mind he was supposed to go first, but not for many many years. The only thing propelling him out of bed is his job at Nordstroms as a piano player where he has met a lovely co-worker named Sasha. The two of them connect and in the depths of their grief they make sense. Two good and kind people who are so very damaged, broken really and yet they find comfort in each others company. They both need and deserve some good things in their lives. Months later a detective shows up to tell you someone has confessed to her killing. Not surprisingly, Rudy cannot take it all and falls into a deep depression and with the aid of his beloved daughter checks into the hospital to receive treatment to help him heal his heart and mind and find a way to move forward with his life. Sasha is dealing with an abusive alcoholic not quite ex who is bleeding her dry financially and emotionally along with living with chronic pain as a result of the almost ex. So sad.
It is a sweet tale of what comes next, sheds some light on love, loss, depression and grief. Difficult, but compelling topics about mature adults and yet it fell flat for me. I had a hard time getting through it. Too many sub and distractions from the heart of the story of love, loss and healing. For me it didn't live up to my expectations of the excerpts I read.

This book was a great, quick and easy read that was a welcomed change from my normal genre of books. It was well-written, and I loved the story and the flow of it. I'm definitely going to be picking up more Lolly books!

Lolly Winston made me feel a part of this book. I felt like I knew Rudy, his family, and Sasha. Me for You was truly heartwarming and spoke volumes to me. A great book!

I first read Lolly Winston wayyyyy back when. At the time I didn't write reviews, I only rated books. Both Good Grief and Happiness Sold Separately garnered a "Favorites" from me and I wouldn't change a thing. I was ecstatic to see she had a new release and am happy to say that I really enjoyed it, it warmed my heart and soul. The story is shared through multiple perspectives but the focus is on Rudy Knowles as he begins the grieving process for the sudden death of his his best friend and wife, Bethany.

Rudy is a lovely and gentle soul. As a part time piano player at a major department store, Rudy shows himself to be a very introspective and intuitive man. And quirky, delightfully so. With his daughter CeCe keeping her eye on him while her world changes, Rudy tries to come to terms with life as a widower. But it's just not one he embraces "He missed being married. The living with your best friend part of it." Rudy is the kind of man who is better paired, he simply enjoys couple-dom. And then there is Sasha. We learn about Sasha and the loss she has suffered as she recalls the disintegration of her marriage. She and Rudy have a tentative friendship built on fond regards and the luck of time and place, but I prefer to see it as fate.

Rudy's grieving process is multifaceted and Lolly Winston shows that while there may be prescriptive efforts, grief is really subjective; experiencing it and managing it alike. Rudy's is forced to confront an unsettling revelation and he experiences a set-back of sorts, relationships key to him change. For Rudy, Sasha and CeCe, this may be what's needed to help them move forward, as they help each other heal.

I love the way Lolly Winston wove their stories together. Rudy and CeCe are forever bound together, but Sasha's history and her influence on Rudy, his on hers, is inspiring. The writing is impeccable brave, thoughtful and at times funny ~ just like life. 5 stars and recommendation!

Title: Me For You
Author: Lolly Winston
Publisher: Gallery Books
Reviewed By: Arlena Dean
Rating: Four
Review:

"Me For You" by Lolly Winston

My Rationalization.....

I found "Me For You" a pleasant read giving the reader some 'pleasure moments, funny, sad and by the end very relatable.' The two main characters gave this story some substance that will carry one through till the end where we find Rudy a fifty-four-year-old man who was struggling to move on after the death of his wife Bethany. Having had such a wonderful marriage just how will Rudy be able to move forward? After finding out from a detective Jensen who was looking into his wife's death as a murder...what will come of that? What will happen as Rudy was starting a relationship with Sasha where he worked as a pianist at Nordstrom? However, after a while, Rudy seemed lost and his daughter CeCe gets him into the hospital for some help which turns out he was suffering from a major depressive disorder. After being there for a while it looks like Ruby is improving. What will happen as Sasha shares her dark pass with Rudy? Will this be two people with 'broken hearts trying to figure out how to let go of their past and be truly happy together?' To get all of these questions answered and much more you will have to pick up this good read to see how this author brings it all out for the reader. In the end, this author "delivers a heartfelt and realistic portrait of loss and grief, hope, forgiveness, and two imperfect people coming together to create a perfect love story."

Thanks to NetGalley and Gallery Books for the ARC for an interesting read.

I jumped at the chance to review this book because many years ago I read and thoroughly enjoyed Winston’s first novel, Good Grief. It’s one of those stories that has truly stuck with me. She has such an enduring way of writing about grief - especially when it’s that of a spouse. It’s tender, real, heartbreaking and at times even quite humorous.

This story follows Rudy. A newly widowed, middle aged man who plays the piano inside of Nordstrom. He’s haunted with the image and guilt of finding that his sweet wife had suddenly passed during the night. There’s also a second storyline woven in about a Hungarian woman named Sasha. She lost her young daughter very tragically and endured a horrible marriage. She works at the watch counter and enjoys listening to Rudy’s tunes. The two have an easy connection that slowly turns into more.

I really liked Rudy. He was sweet, loves to cook amazing meals and is rather sarcastic at times. Watching him work through his emotions brought about so many emotions. I loved the gentle friendship between him and Sasha. There storyline showed the instant camaraderie that occurs when people experience the same kind of grief and the longing for companionship even when it feels awkward. Their scenes together were always my fav, especially in the hospital. Growing up, I had a family member go through a similar situation of being admitted to the psych ward after the death of her husband, so I could relate to this part of Rudy’s story. Winston did an amazing job portraying the employees, patients and feelings during this section.

This was a tough book to get through and slow at times. Quite often the chapters were sad, but if you know the topic, it should be expected. It does contain a few triggers: death, severe depression, abusive spouse and death of a child. Overall, it’s a realistic look at mental illness caused by deep grief and the strength it takes to move on with your life.

Dear Fellow Reader,

I am looking out my window at the snow. I wish I was looking at a beach or something that would make me feel warm. The sun is out and perhaps this winter will move along sometime soon. The weather person thinks that we may not have any more single-digit temperatures. It’s about time! Winter is a great time for reading; there is something about a blanket and a book.

This week’s book is brand new. So brand new that it is being released today. Congrats to Lolly Winston on her book release day! I received an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my unbiased review. (On the philosophical side, can there be an unbiased review? Enough of that!)

Me for YouMe for You by Lolly Winston is a story about Rudy. Rudy wakes up one morning to find that his beloved wife, Bethany (Bee), is dead in bed next to him. He feels bad that it takes him a few minutes to figure out that she is dead. He is in shock that she could be dead. She had felt poorly the day before and he took her to the doctor but the doctor hadn’t found anything wrong with her.

Bee and Rudy had met in college and had one daughter and one granddaughter. They loved each other and were looking forward to Bee’s retirement. Bee was a pharmacist at a hospital. Rudy had been downsized out of his job. It was a few years before he had planned to retire and with Bee still working, he took a job at his local Nordstroms playing the piano. He loved to play so the job suited him.

After Bee’s death, he continued to work at Nordstroms. While working at the store, he met Sasha and they became friends. Sasha had immigrated to the United States from Hungary. Sasha’s marriage had broken up and she was trying to get a divorce from her husband, Gabor. Gabor and his new girlfriend had stayed in the house that he and Sasha had purchased. One day Gabor announced he and the girlfriend were moving. It was then that Sasha discovered that Gabor had not paid any of the bills. She had no idea what to do about the mortgage and other bills. She was working two jobs (one at Nordstroms and one cleaning at a gym) but didn’t understand the paperwork. She asked Rudy’s advice and he helped her to get her finances in order.

While Rudy and Sasha grew closer, Rudy still missed Bee. And his daughter, CeCe, who had always been independent, was having marital problems. For the first time, Rudy felt she needed him. He was happy he could be there for her.

Me for You is a nice book. It is a good beach read candidate. While it does take an unexpected turn, it is a light, pleasant read. There is nothing that will change the world but it does make some worthwhile points. So, if you are looking for a book to read to lighten up your reading, I think you would do well with Me for You.

Thanks for reading!

“Me for You” tells the story of a middle-aged man attempting to come to terms with the death of his wife. In his work as a pianist at a major department store, Rudy meets and befriends a Hungarian woman, also a store employee. Thus begins the next chapter in his life, which is full of twists and turns before finally moving in a positive direction.

The author is spot on in her accurate descriptions of the emotional roller-coaster upon which one embarks when a spouse dies. This book spoke right to my heart, since I have experienced all the emotions of Rudy in the grief process, having been widowed myself and then finding a new love. She skillfully interweaves heartbreak, humor, and pathos to draw the reader into the story. (Rudy’s foray into internet dating is hysterically funny. As they say, I have “been there, done that.”) I fell in love with this book, and could not put it down.

The characters were well-drawn, realistic, and multifaceted individuals. These were people I would like to get to know. I liked the way the author alternated chapters between the different characters, allowing the reader to see and experience life through their eyes.

I highly recommend this book, not only for the casual reader, but for those who are themselves dealing with the loss of a beloved spouse. I only wish I had been able to read this book when I was newly widowed. This book would also help family members or friends to “see” grief through the eyes of the bereaved.

I received this book from NetGalley and the publisher, in exchange for an honest review. The opinions expressed here are entirely my own.

Rudy's wife Bee did not wake up one morning. That's sad, really sad, but then a police officer appears and tells him she was murdered. This plot line didn't really belong, imho, in what would have otherwise been a very well done novel about grief, guilt, and moving on. Rudy's also lost his job and finds himself playing piano at Nordstrom where he develops a relationship with Sasha, who has her own difficult back story. Rudy's grief, however, paralyzes him so much that he is hospitalized and must fight his way back. I very much liked Good Grief but for some reason, perhaps because there have been a number of novels lately about widows and widowers, this one did not grab me the way I'd hoped. Thanks to netgalley for the ARC. I'm looking forward to Winston turning her talents to a new subject.

This is a story about grief and recovery. How soon is too soon to fall in love again. Although not what I normally enjoy reading it was an interesting read.
Thank you to Netgalley for providing me with an advance copy of this book.