Some books are serious literature that require your absolute scrutiny, some books are fluff that satisfies a sweet tooth, and some, like this novel, are like a hot cup of tea on a wintry afternoon - absolute comfort.
A typical slice of life mixed with the poignancy of death and aging, Eudora Honeysett is the perfect book for an afternoon treat. The bright effervescence of Rose, the young girl that worms her way into Eudora's heart is a real high point of the book.
My complaint is that Eudora makes a LOT of mistakes in her life. And that's very, very sad - it feels like the happiness achieved within the novel couldn't cover the amount of trauma in her lifetime. I wanted something good to happen to her in the past.
However, a thoroughly enjoyable read. Beware, you will shed tears!

When I started this story I knew nothing about it really. One more chapter asked if I would like to read it and I jumped straight in. I immediately thought of the books A Man called Ove and Eleanor Oliphant is completely fine.
The main character a cranky, older, grumpy elder who has just had enough!
After a few chapters I was hooked.

Annie Lyons has created a moving novel that is about an elderly woman nearing the end of her life and is ready to embrace death her way and in sharp contrast a little girl who is so full of life, reminding us what it’s like to fully live in the moment.

Without family or friends Eudora learns about a service in Switzerland that allows people the chance to die on their own terms.
While she waits for the service to be approved, a family move in next door, and the ten year old daughter Rose aka unicorn fueled, rainbow fashion guru I love everything, quickly becomes a constant in Eudora's life. Rose is the best little character and draws the reader in and makes you want all the sadness and loneliness for Eudora to end.
There’s also new friend Stanley another neighbour who also in his twilight years, mourning the recent loss of his wife also in the need of a boost in life.Between the three of them they become an unlikely three musketeers, a troop of friends.
Rose and Stanley teach her what it’s like to love and be loved and to taste life in Eudora’s case for the first time.

Initially I felt quite sad reading about Eudora's life, her Father dying in the war, Dora being left to look after her baby sister and her ungrateful mother and a whole host of other sad circumstances that has made Eudora lonely and isolated in life. But as new characters were introduced and as the two time lines unfolded I felt myself willing Dora to allow herself to experience and enjoy life... and I really immersed myself into her character and thought you can do this Eudora.

This is a laugh out loud and at the same time grab a tissue book. It celebrates life. Full of quirky characters that I enjoyed. It touched me, made me realize that life can pass you by in a blink, and to enjoy it despite the not so easy times.

It was a surprise in a book and I really enjoyed it.
Four stars ⭐️ ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Thanks to Onemore chapter and Netgalley and #annielyons for this smasher.

I have to say this is the best book that I have ever read! Being in my 40's I've read a lot of books!

It was a very emotional and exceptionally well written book. I've never read anything like this before and I'm sure this will have a lasting memory for a very long time.

I'm sure this book will be a bestseller. If it isn't it certainly should be.

I am so grateful to Netgalley for letting me read this. Thank you.

Wow - definitely my book of the year And in my all time top ten! Just loved this uplifting, charming book and didn’t want to stop reading it. This is the story of 85 year old Eudora Honeysett who has had a really tough, lonely life as revealed in stages in the narrative. She is determined to take her own life at a clinic in Switzerland . Her isolated world is gradually opened up by meeting Stanley, a widower, and a new family that move in next door to her. There are so many genuinely humorous moments, which lift it from a potentially depressing subject that this book was a joy to read. The ending is beautifully written and I did shed a few tears, but they were happy tears for Eudora. The passages between Eudora and young Rose are particularly well observed, endearing, humorous and moving. I just loved this book and now want to search out other titles from this author. A sure fire best seller in my opinion Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this advanced copy.

Having thoroughly enjoyed books like Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine, and seeing that parallels had been drawn, I was intrigued by the blurb, about an octogenarian, Eudora Honeysett, who is contemplating an end of life clinic in Switzerland, to be her final stop on this planet, having no one around to care.
What a fantastic book!
I loved Eudora, the staid eighty-five-year-old, who has her simple days planned out and fancies sorting her end out too, so she doesn't become a burden upon anyone else, or have to suffer, like her own mother.
But, then along comes Rose, a ten-year-old whirlwind, who enters her life as a new neighbour, and who injects the affection into Eudora's life. Something she's been missing.
And I can't forget Stanley, the fellow octogenarian widower, who craves company but has never quite got the response from Eudora, that he hoped for.
The story flits back to Eudora's childhood formative years and key points in her past that have shaped her.
It was a heartwarming read, showing that it's never too late to form meaningful relationships.
I really loved it.
Many thanks to NetGalley. Harper Collins and One More Chapter for an ARC, in exchange for an honest review.

This is a lovely heartwarming story. It could have been depressing but the way the author dealt with this sensitive subject it wasn't. I really liked Eudora and little Rose was a delight. She made me laugh out loud. The story is told in two time zones, present day and back to WWII. Life was hard for Eudora during the war and explains why she is the way she is.
Thanks to NetGalley and the author for the opportunity to read this book.

“Eudora Honeysett is Quite Well, Thank You” (I believe it will be called “The Brilliant Life of Eudora Honeysett” in the US) is classified on Amazon as “Women’s Friendship Fiction”. Friendship Fiction sounds lovely, and this book has many endearing moments. It just wasn’t my cup of tea, even though all the characters make and drink tea all the time.

Eudora has for the most part lived a cold and quiet life. Through flashbacks, we see the sadness and tragedy that has consumed her life. She is a no-nonsense type person, lives alone in the house she grew up in, and fine with that. Now 85, she knows her own mind and is prepared to travel to Switzerland to die. “My death, my way”. Then one day, new neighbors move in next door and watch out Eudora! You have a new BFF- Rose, a marvelous ten- year-old who wears a sparkly t-shirt with “Be More Unicorn” in big letters.

The characters in this book are the best part- you will love each one. Picture “Anne of Green Gables”. Rose is Anne, and she loves Eudora, who is like Marilla Cuthbert, and Stanley, the widower down the street who is like Matthew Cuthbert. Of course, in this book, Rose has a great Mom and a Dad, and many other heart-warming characters are encountered. Plenty of ear-jerking moment, and gentle humor also abounds.

Of course, you know how the story will end, but you will enjoy the journey and the life lessons. This is a pleasant read, I just wasn’t keen on the death part of it.

I received an advance digital review copy from Harper Collins UK and One More Chapter. This is my honest review.

Firstly I would like to thank the author, the publisher and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read an ARC of this book. I read this book pretty much in one sitting because the characters were so real I didn't want to leave them I was so immersed in the story. It had some wonderful laugh out loud moments and also some that made me cry. I will admit to crying when I finished the book, not because of the story but because I would longer be spending time with the characters Eudora, Rose and Stanley. I have already recommended this book to my friends.

I initially grabbed this book for the author: Annie Lyons has a way of creating a character that is so viable and palpable that you instantly want to see what’s going to happen. At eighty-five, Eudora has a ‘way of doing things’ that is comfortable, if not more than a bit isolating. She’s reluctant to ask for help, doesn’t understand the ‘new’ trend of friendliness, and prefers to keep herself to herself. But having dealt with a difficult mother in the last years of her life and knowing that she’s not interested in that sort of death is determined to make her own choices.

Of course, everything that she has studiously avoided in the past few years: friendships, emotions, entanglements with people, even a change to her routine is tossed in the air with the new next-door neighbors, particularly in the form of an exuberant ten year old girl with a passion for fashion (or clashing colors), an endless curiosity and a determination to make friends.

Slowly but surely, little Rose with her endless chatter, vivacious personality and bold colors is bringing Eudora into her circle – making her interact, swimming, snacks and making new friends. It’s gradual as Eudora, with several contacts from the agency she contacted to ‘arrange’ her end, she’s finding a new reason for the next day.....

Lyons treated both Eudora’s determination for a ‘good death’ and her gradual revealing of her story and the small changes that Rose had wrought to adjust her attitude and find new adventures, and even family and friends. Far from a sad story, while Eudora’s quest is a sad one, the changes and heart that are displayed and palpable – from friends, neighbors and her new status as Rose’s “friend” bring the heart and some tears with a smile – for the end couldn’t be better. Grab this for a thoughtful and quiet, surprisingly uplifting story to take you away for a bit.

I received an eArc copy of the title from the publisher via NetGalley for purpose of honest review. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own responsibility.

Review first appeared at <a href=” https://wp.me/p3OmRo-aKP/” > <a> I am, Indeed </a>

This book will be one of those that I will always remember. I have literally just finished it. It is the most emotional book I think I have ever read. I really felt like I knew the characters - Eudora 85 is happy on her own, she doesn't need anybody - after all she has been left by many. That is until she meets Rose who is 10 and Stanley a gentleman her own age. They teach her that she can love and be loved - I loved the character of Rose, an exceptional child who anyone would be proud of. I found myself laughing and smiling at the antics and loved the interaction between Rose and Eudora. It felt like I was reading a true story it was that good. It was a fabulous book which I didn't want to end. It really has touched me like no other book has. I hope the author reads this review! I would give it more than 5* if I could

Thanks Netgalley and the Publisher. This was the perfect feel good read set in a great location, great characters and a really good storyline. I really liked it.

With thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for the arc, which I have enjoyed reading.
This book, Eudora Honeysett is quite well, thank you by Annie Lyons is an absolute fabulous read.it is funny, sad and has an up beat take at the end of life which is refreshing and hopeful.
Eudora was always the carer and giver and now in the later years of her life, she to experiences how people will give of their time to enhance your end of life journey. Rose, as Eudora’s friend, is a marvel dressed in the colours of the rainbow, and is an awesome companion for someone of 84., sh e gives a meaning and a purpose to Eudora’s life and subsequent death.
A wonderful storyline, full of optimism and love and humour. How an end of life story should be.
Highly recommended.

Having read this author’s previous books I was looking forward to reading this one and I think it’s the best one yet.

Eudora Honeysett is 85 years old and she is done with life. She wants to die when and how she chooses, so a journey to Switzerland is planned. When the colourful and vivacious 10 year old Rose moves in next door to Eudora, she finds her life begins to change for the better. But can the Rose effect show Eudora that even if you are 85, life is still worth living.

A fantastic story of love and friendship which I recommend.

A wonderful. story a book that drew me right in.Characters that cane alive emotional moving delightful.This is an author I will be following,A book I will be recommending.#netgalley #fharpercollinsuk

This is absolutely the book we need right now. Uplifting, warm and all about the power of friendship, this book felt like a tonic to the madness of the world.
I've read almost all of Annie Lyon's books, and this one feels like it's in a league of its own. So many books, movies and TV shows ignore the elderly. Interestingly, the main character Eudora has feelings of indifference and irritation towards old people, she thinks people should have the pride and strength to choose a good death, not waiting to fade away without dignity. Which is why, at eighty five, she's taking her death into her own hands. At least until her ten year old neighbour comes bouncing into her life and turns it upside down.

Eudora was such a faceted, wonderful character. Her little mannerisms, her polite coldness and need to keep people at a distance could have put anyone off. But Lyons managed to bring so much warmth, life and kindness to her, and the more she thawed around those who cared about her, the more I loved her too.

I'm not ashamed to say tears were falling for the last ten pages of the book. Lyon's books always seem to be about the beauty of a community, of friends and people yet to become friends, helping each other out. More than ever, that's the energy we need right now. It made me want to go out and look for opportunities to brighten people's days.

Eudora has decided she no longer wants to live and decides to die on her terms. Her 10 year old neighbor comes into her life and makes her rethink her position. Flashbacks tell us much about Eudora's life and it will keep you up at night finishing it. A wonderful story that will have you thinking about it long after the last page.
Thank you NetGalley for the free copy to review.

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for an early review copy.

Eudora is feeling like she’s done with life now, after seeing what a prolonged illness effect had on people she’d rather not leave the end details to others.

So she makes a calm to a clinic in Switzerland and decides to takes matters of her life into her own hands.

But, it’s not as easy as that as a ten-year-old Rose(her family move in next door) on her doorstep. Bubbly Rosie takes Eudora to places she’d never imagined, making Eudora reflect on what happened in her past.

Soon, she’s left thinking, am I really ready for death! When I’ve only just found out what it’s really like to live.

Will Eudora follow up on her course of action or will she change her mind???

Eudora is 85 years old and has decided to end her life under her terms at a clinic in Switzerland when the 10 year old daughter of a new neighbour bursts into her life. Rose is colourful and full of life, can this rub off on Eudora? Rose starts breaking through Eudora's tough outer shell, but will this be enough to change her view?
Although the main theme of this book is about death it is in no way morbid, in fact it is actually more about life. Using flashbacks to the times when Eudora is growing up you begin to understand her stand on life and its ending. This is undoubtedly one of the best books that I have read this year, it kept me hooked to the point where I had to finish it - at 1:3am and then spent a while thinking on the story before I could get to sleep. Definitely recommended.
I received an advance copy of this book from the publisher through Netgalley, however this did not influence my review of the book