Member Reviews
Postscript is the sequel to Cecelia Ahern's first book P.S. I Love You, and takes place seven years after Gerry's death and the letters he left for his wife Holly to help her move on with her life without him.
At the start of Postscript we find Holly in a new relationship and working in her sister's secondhand store when Ciara (her sister) asks her to come on her podcast and tell the story of Gerry's letters. The podcast episode is a hit and soon Holly is approached by people in Gerry's position, the end of their lives are near, and they want help leaving messages for their loved ones. Holly had to decide if helping them is worth plunging herself back into the grief she felt seven years early by revisiting Gerry's letters and his purpose in writing them.
Since it's been so long since I read the first book, I think I was initially surprised at how serious the tone of Postscript. Grief, the aftermath of losing someone, and learning to live after them are at the center of this book. As far as sequels go, this one is fairly solid. The characters from the original book are still as charming and the new characters who Holly meets in this one are welcome (if brief) additions.
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC of this book.
PS I Love You holds a special place in my heart, so rather than being excited for a sequel, I was a little leery. I didn't want just any old book to be a companion to Holly and Gerry's story. Luckily, this book was thoughtful and practically perfect. Ahern has a way of dealing with death and grief in a way that it heart-wrenching and hopeful. Excellent read!
Holly Kennedy has spent the last seven years trying to build a new life. After her husband’s tragic illness ended, Holly felt like she too disappeared. With much help from friends and family and most importantly a year of P.S. I Love You letters, Holly has finally found her way back to the living. She works in her sister’s shop, has a sexy tree trimming boyfriend and can see the future more brightly than ever. One day, as a favor to her sister’s podcast, Holly reflects in public for the very first time about her unexpected year of letters and adventures she received from Gerry after he died. Holly explains the pre-arranged monthly surprises that got her out of her house, anticipating all her needs and tremendous sadness. After the broadcast, a small group of terminally ill people form a club to create something similar for their loved ones and they want Holly’s help. Instantly threatening all the strides she has made personally, she still cannot resist the magnetic pull of Gerry’s love. Having waited more than a decade for a sequel to P.S. I Love You, get ready to laugh and cry in Dublin with one of my all time favorite Irish authors, Cecilia Ahern.
Postscript starts off with a refresher of sorts with her readers in the most 2020 way possible, sharing her story on her sister's podcast show! This was the perfect way to "catch up" anyone who read this book years ago or fill a new reader in with the overall story of PS, I Love You. While this is a sequel and I would also recommend reading both for the full experience, this allows someone to read Postscript as a standalone which I can appreciate.
Postscript ended up being just a delightful follow up for me and I loved being reunited with Holly and also getting to know some new character's stories. Once again Ahern explores grief and loss and also the connections that can help guide us when we feel lost.
Ahern writes with grace, humor and an amazing amount of insight. I appreciated the initial resistance Holly feels in this storyline as it showed the many layers there are of connecting with past grief.
I love books that make me feel and Postscript has the perfect amount of complexities and emotions while also being a completely enjoyable book to get lost in. It was an easy story to read but also one that will stay with me for a long time. I don't often say this but this is a sequel I highly recommend!
A sequel to the book P.S I LOVE YOU, this book picks up 7 years after Holly’s husband Gerry’s death. I remember reading P.S.... when it first came out and really loved it, so I was excited that a sequel has come after so many years. I enjoyed the book and read it it one day, wanting to know what happens next. My favorite part is Holly’s relationship with Ginika. If you enjoyed the first book, I’m sure you will love this as well. But, even if you never read the first book, this gives enough background that it could be read in its own... however, I recommend reading both.
In the followup to the immensely popular P.S. I Love You, it is seven years after the death of Holly's beloved husband Gerry, Seven years of growth and learning, much of it difficult. However instead of surviving, as she was at the end of the last story, Holly is now really living again, Holly spends her days working at her sister Ciara's secondhand shop Magpie, has a close relationship with friends and family and a boyfriend as well. At the request of her sister, Holly agrees to take part in her podcast centered around grief and loss by talking about the loss of Gerry as well as the letters he left behind for her and the roll those played in journey towards acceptance. The podcast generates a large audience and lots of further followup questions. One group in particular, who goes by the name of " P.S. I love you" leaves a request for Holly's assistance. Overwhelmed by the response, and unable to open herself up to further pain, Holly leaves the letter unopened. Gabriel, Holly's boyfriend, later finds the letter and urges Holly to help these individuals who while dying are seeking out assistance in leaving letters for their own loved ones. Holly is torn. While she knows on the one hand she could provide valuable insight she is also reluctant to uncover old wounds and let the old feelings back into her life to once again consume her. Determined to meet with the group and turn them down, she instead is touched by their stories and sets out to help. What follows is a journey of discovery that is both intensely painful but also incredibly rewarding.
Postscript is a beautifully written book that takes readers on a journey of self discovery right alongside Holly that explores the process of grief for those leaving and those left behind. I must admit I was a bit skeptical that after over 15 years I could pick back up where the last book ended and fall back into the world of Holly Kennedy, however that is exactly what happened. Holly has grown immensely since the first book however her character is still the same in many ways. While the last book left off on a positive note, the grief was still rather raw. Ahern is a pro at capturing a character's true emotions and does a beautiful job of bringing Holly back to life in this new stage of her life. The stories from the members of the P.S. I Love You group were heartbreaking to hear but truly illustrated the other side of loss from Gerry's perspective. This book was an emotional roller coaster that will have you at turns laughing and crying, sometimes within the same page. I highly recommend this book to those who adored the first story featuring Holly and for those who haven't had the pleasure of reading the first in the series yet.
Many thanks to NetGalley, Grand Central Publishing, and especially Cecelia Ahern for letting us back into Holly Kennedy's life after Ahern's wonderful first novel, P.S. I Love You.
It's been 7 years since Gerry died and Holly found the 10 letters that Gerry left for Holly to find after his death. She is now in a relationship with Gabriel, working in her sister's shop, and happy. When her sister, Ciara, convinces Holly to do a podcast from their store about Gerry's letters, the story hits people hard. Holly is contacted by a woman who wants Holly to write a book and leaves her a business card with the words, P.S. I Love You Club in an envelope after she passes away. Holly meets with this group of terminally ill people who want Holly to help them write letters to their loved ones. But this brings Gerry back into the present stronger than ever and threatens Holly's stability and relationships.
This is a must-read book, especially if you were turned inside out by the first one! Ahern is a master at mixing romance, grief, hope and humor into a book that will make you do some deep thinking about life and death. 5 glorious stars!
Ahern burst onto the scene with her wonderful & wildly popular book, P.S. I Love You. The fans have been waiting for this book ever since.
It was worth the wait.
It's a very reflective book on life & death, family, and memory. Holly decides to open up in a podcast about her husband's death and his letters. This happens as she is really getting a handle on starting her life again. The talk has many unforeseen consequences, not the least of which is the desire of others with terminal illnesses to do something for their loved ones.
How Holly reacts, how she remembers, and how she changes make this a wonderful and moving book.
When I first became a Cecelia Ahern fan, I was hesitant to read P.S. I Love You because of the subject matter. However, something pushed me to check it out and then I loved it! (I didn't feel like the movie did it justice though). When I first heard about Postscript being published, I couldn't wait to get my hands on a copy! Was it worth the sixteen (seven for Holly) year wait? I can attest that it was!
The story was a good follow-up to P.S. I Love You. It was nice to revisit Holly's story and see what she has been up to, as well as check in with her family again. I'm glad Ciara got even more time in the story, since I really liked her in P.S. and even think she should have her own spin-off novel. I felt like Daniel should have been reintroduced somehow, as well. (Harry Connick Jr. played him in the movie.)
I liked the idea of the P.S. I Love You club and how Holly was resisting getting involved but kept getting pulled into the fray. I found myself caring about the people in the club, especially Ginika. However, I felt like one of them didn't get as much closure. I had a feeling of where one aspect of the story was going (and was right), but the rest of it was surprising.
This was a sweet story overall and it gives new insight about grief.
Movie casting suggestions, since I wasn't fond of the P.S. I Love You movie casting:
Holly: Hayley Atwell
Denise: Rebecca Hall
Ciara: Jessica De Gouw
Sharon: Jodie Whittaker
Gabriel: Michael Fassbender
Ginika: Aparna Brielle
Paul: Ben Whishaw
Bert: Ron Cephas Jones
Heartbreakingly beautiful, this book grabs you by the heart strings and doesn’t let go. It’s been seven years since her husband Gerry died. After speaking on her sisters podcast about the letters he left her after his death, she is approached by a client to do a PS, I Love You Club. A club that helps those that are terminally ill leave letters, videos and messages for the loved ones they have left behind. The story takes off as Holly reluctantly agrees to help out. Each member has a unique story and as Holly becomes immersed in the club she sees things in a different light. As she helps others, her heart is slowly stitched back together as she learns to really live and love again. A sequel to PS, I Love You, this book reads well as a stand alone and I would love to see the story continue in future books❣️
Thank you to the tagged publisher and NetGalley for the gifted copy in exchange for an honest review.
I remember reading and adoring P.S. I Love You when it first came out ages ago (16 years, to be exact. How??). So, when I saw Cecilia Ahern had written a follow up, I knew I had to read it.
I was not disappointed. Postscript was filled with the vivid and rich prose that I love. Holly as a main character is honest, flawed, and vulnerable. Every heartbreaking story was equally uplifting.
It wasn’t an easy read, but I very much enjoyed Postscript.
A heartwarming follow-up to the best-seller P.S. I Love You shows that even years later, your loved ones can still be with you. I laughed. I cried. I cried some more. While not anywhere near as good as the first book, this was still a solid read and it was nice to see Holly's life now and see her help more people.
What a fantastic sequel to PS I Love You. I truly enjoyed getting a look into Hollys life seven years after the passing of Gerry. Beautifully written and I may have teared up multiple times throughout the story.
Oh y'all, I so, so wanted to love this book the way I loved Ahern's P.S. I Love You, but first I had to struggle with getting Hillary Swank out of my head. And then I struggled with discovering why we needed this sequel. Sure it was nice to see Holly doing well, but honestly I knew she would be. Once again Ahern addresses a topic not often discussed or even realized- grief does not have an expiration date,- but rather than the gentle and uplifting lessons in grief we received from P.S. I Love You, Postscript comes off treacly and trying too hard.
PS I Love You was such an amazing book, that I wasn’t sure a sequel could live up to
its precedent. I’m happy to say that Postscript absolutely does! Postscript somehow manages to simultaneously be both a heartbreaking and heartwarming story. I love knowing what became of Holly once Gerry’s letters had all been written.
Thanks go to NetGalley and Grand Central Publishing for the opportunity to read an advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
#NetGalley #Postscript
This book is about how we deal with death but more importantly it is about life and love. Holly lost her husband 7 years ago but he left her with letters to be opened each month to help her with her grief and aid her in getting on with life. Her sister runs a second hand shop but also does podcasts and persuades Holly to do one on grief and talk about her husband’s letters. The PS I Love You club is formed by some listeners who would also like to do the same for their families. Holly’s reluctance is changed when she is able to help these people with their requests. Life takes on new meaning for Holly as she becomes transformed into a completely different person. The author does a great job with a difficult subject matter and truly makes this an uplifting book! #Postscript #CeceliaAhern #NetGalley
I really liked PS I Love You so was looking forward to reading the sequel. Maybe I should have reread the first though, I read it years ago and I know my life experiences have made me view things differently. I found Holly to be exceptionally annoying, she was so dull and unadventurous even after her journey through Gerry's letters in PS I Love You. How had she not grown?
The best bit about this book was the ending and all the wonderful, sad, heart wrenching ideas people came up with to be remembered. I was crying and my husband looked over and said "Must be a good book." No, overall I didn't enjoy it but I would recommend it to other sentimental folk just for the last couple chapters.
I read PS I Love You when the movie came out and revisited it this year in preparation for this sequel. After reading both books I can say with confidence that Ahern has really grown as an author.
PS I Love You was a good book, but its sequel is even more mature. Ahern captures the feeling of grief in both books but she excels in it in this narrative. The plot and its conclusion felt genuine and real. I wasn't convinced that PS I Love You needed a sequel when I learned about this book but now it feels like a good duology.
It’s rare that sequels work for me but this absolutely did. Holly’s husband’s death and letters from beyond the grave filled the first book. This one picks up 7 years later with a fan club of sorts. The stories are sad but uplifting. And the growth Holly shows in the face of it all makes for engaging reading. Totally recommend this book. A big thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for the ARC. Opinions are my own.
I had no idea that Cecelia Ahern was writing a sequel to P.S. I Love You until I saw it online. I was so excited and couldn't wait to read it! It was so good. It has the same heart and soul as the original and allowed us the chance to get to know Holly again seven years after she lost Gerry. There is also plenty of Gerry in this book, even some peeks into their early relationship that we didn't get in the first book which was wonderful! Postscript is both heartbreaking and heartwarming all at the same time. I absolutely loved it and read it quickly since I couldn't put it down. The journey Holly finds herself on is an interesting one and if you loved the first book you will most definitely love Postscript.