Dear Eliza is the second novel by American author. Andrea J. Stein. Eliza Levinger hasn’t finished grieving the loss of her mother at sixteen years of age. Her recovery wasn’t helped by a father who remarried less than a year after Laura Levinger died, and a stepmother who seemed to hate her. Still, Eliza has her apartment on the Upper East Side, a job she enjoys with a non-profit, and casual hook-ups that are satisfactory substitutes for romance.

But now Jack Levinger has suddenly died, and even though they had grown apart, it adds to her sense of loss. Then, her Aunt Claude, Laura’s younger sister, hands her a letter from her mom that contains a bombshell, something that throws everything she believed about her life into doubt.

When she accidentally broadcasts the shocking information wider than intended, her step-mother gets nasty, her older brother isn’t as supportive as she would have expected, and her best friend doesn’t seem to be taking it seriously. Surprisingly, it’s her brother’s best friend who steps up with understanding and practical help. But Eliza is wary of getting too close to Josh: her teen crush ended with his ghosting her just when she badly needed a friend.

It takes a while for her to realise that her reactions, and those of people close to her are, in part, justifiable anger that Laura would have directed this revelation to be dropped on her just when she has lost her father. She reluctantly has to rethink how she sees her beloved mother, even as she deals with her step-mother’s antics.

Stein gives the reader both topical and age-old themes: grief, family dynamics, friendship, infidelity, inheritance, step-parents, and new love: lots for book clubs to focus on, and the eventual romance was sweet. But revealing the contents of the letter would be a major spoiler, so… Very enjoyable.
This unbiased review is from an uncorrected proof copy provided by NetGalley and Girl Friday Productions.

I am horribly remiss in submitting my review for this ARC so late, but better late than never, right?

Dear Eliza is a wonderfully easy and fun read. I'm a sucker for stories that are premised on a Big Secret Reveal, and Eliza gets the reveal of a lifetime when her father passes. In the aftermath of the bombshell, Eliza navigates her life and memories of the past, dealing with issues of grief and family complexity along the way. And of course, there's her brother's best friend, with whom she reconnects and grows closer to as she struggles to get a handle on her life.

I thoroughly enjoyed this read and really connected with the main character. I think it's a testament to the story and the author's writing that almost half a year after I read this book, I still remember and like it enough to now be writing a review for it. To the author and publisher, my apologies for this review coming so late in the game, but well done and congrats on an amazing book, and thank you for gifting a copy of the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Dear Eliza is an incredible book that really delves into the exploration of relationships in all their forms. Family, friends, self, and love. Eliza finds herself diving deep and exploring how each of these relationships shaped her as a person and how they will allow her to grow into the woman she wants to become after losing both parents and learning of her mom's lifechanging secret.

The book was heartbreaking and uplifting, and overall it was a well-paced, engaging read.

Like several other books I have read recently, this one has its plus points but felt like it was too long( although it might not have been).

Eliza has just lost her father ( her only living parent) and they were almost estranged for a while. After losing her mother early in life, Eliza let her grief become an integral part of her. It became the reason she didn’t look for genuine happiness in her personal life and the root of her anger in general.

Eliza’s mother wrote her a letter, one that her aunt has been holding onto until this eventuality. This letter throws everything Eliza knows to be true about her memories out of order. She starts to realise that everyone is only human and comes with the good and bad.

As I mentioned in the beginning I felt like it dragged at certain points to the point that I personally started getting with Eliza, but the way the author has written the final understanding that everyone reaches, it felt a lot more realistic than I expected.

I would recommend this to people who like family based drama.

I received an ARC thanks to Netgalley and the publishers but the review is entirely based on my own reading experience.

Okay this one had me crying from page one. First she loses her mom as a teenage. And then when her dad dies when she's an adult and ends up with a letter from her mom. That her aunt kept secret. Gotta love the suspense. But I did love following Eliza on her journey.

When life hands the FMC some unexpected news, she must navigate the life and relationships she thought she knew while reevaluating her own sense of identity.

This book is a lovely exploration of relationships in all their forms. Family - both parents and siblings - friends, and a love interest all feature and the relationships are layered with the added element of grief and loss. Overall, it’s a well-paced, engaging and satisfying read and will be especially enjoyed for those who love a character driven novel.

In Dear Eliza, Andrea J. Stein crafts a heartfelt and poignant exploration of grief, family secrets, and the complexities of rebuilding one's life after loss. Ten years after her mother’s death, Eliza Levinger’s life is turned upside down when a letter from her mother—sealed until after her father’s death—arrives unexpectedly, bringing with it a devastating revelation that shatters her carefully constructed world.

Eliza, now a successful director of development for a nonprofit, lives in Manhattan, enjoys a no-strings-attached relationship, and seems to have it all together, at least on the surface. But beneath the facade, she’s still coping with the loss of her mother at sixteen and is unsure of her place in the world. When her father unexpectedly passes away, her aunt presents her with the letter, setting off a chain of events that forces Eliza to confront painful truths about her family and herself.

The letter's contents spark anger and division among Eliza's family members, with her brother lashing out, her stepmother threatening to disinherit her, and her closest friend Mo struggling to understand the gravity of her situation. As Eliza grapples with the fallout, she unexpectedly finds solace in her high school crush, Josh, her brother’s best friend. Despite her initial reluctance to trust, Josh proves to be a steady presence in her life as she navigates the emotional upheaval brought on by the letter.

Stein’s writing is emotionally rich, with a keen understanding of human relationships and the intricacies of grief. The tension between family members feels real and raw, with each character’s personal struggles and growth adding depth to the narrative. Eliza’s journey of self-discovery and healing is relatable and heartfelt, and her evolving relationship with Josh provides both a romantic subplot and a pathway to emotional recovery.

Dear Eliza will resonate with readers who enjoy stories about personal growth, love, and the messy yet beautiful nature of family. Stein’s novel is a touching reminder that while the past shapes us, it’s how we move forward—especially through trust, vulnerability, and unexpected alliances—that defines our future.

Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and publisher for an advanced copy to review.

. . . ⭑ ⭑ ⭑ ⭑ ⋆
This is the book I didn’t know I needed. Lately I’ve been reading a lot of romance, fantasy, and thrillers, and while they can be exceptionally enjoyable, I think I’ve been craving a book with a bit more “meat” to it, and Andrea J. Stein once again delivered.

This book is about people - our complex emotions, thoughts, and coping. It’s about families - the dynamics, our shared history, the differing perspectives of shared experiences, the coming-of-age and adult realizations. It’s about love - the love between children and their parents, between siblings, between friends, and between partners. In short, this book is about life, and some of its best and worst parts were in here.

I really connected with this story, and a lot of Eliza’s character resonated with me personally. I also felt like her emotions / thoughts / feelings in this novel were portrayed - she didn’t know how to feel, what to do, how to act on those swirling thoughts and feelings, while simultaneously feeling numb. I felt like this was just an accurate picture of what grief looks like, while life seems to still pile on. Even the shifting dynamics and coping within a family when there is a death, was done so well in this story.

I found myself frustrated with a lot of the people surrounding Eliza, which I think was exactly how I supposed to feel as a reader - it highlighted how isolating the grief experience can be, even with the shared experience of loss. I really enjoyed the dynamics between Eliza and Josh, and I think the story really benefited from the lightness of it.

Honestly, I feel like I could say so much more about this book, but instead I’ll just say this: go read it.

~👩🏻‍🦰

⧞ Thank you, thank you, thank you to @books.turning.brains_ajstein for giving us the opportunity to read an advanced copy of this book, so that we may shout her prowess as a writer from the rooftops, and find a new book to love.

I listened to the audiobook of this story and I truly enjoyed the narration and character development. The characters are well done and very relatable. Especially, Eliza the MC. Highly recommend!

I don’t know if I can say that I necessarily enjoyed this book because the grief journey written in it so closely reflects my own, but this was an extremely well-written, well-paced book. To say the story is multi-layered is an understatement, and at the beginning I had a difficult time keeping track of all the players and figuring out the role they’d play. But once it became clear I was hooked, to the point that it’s 4:30 in the morning and I had to write a review the second I finished reading.!

"Dear Eliza" is poignant and beautifully crafted. The way that Stwin delves into the complexities of familial relationships, loss, and the journey of self-discovery is masterful.
Stein’s writing is lyrical and evocative, drawing readers into Eliza's world with vivid descriptions and deep emotional insight. She masterfully intertwines themes of love, grief, and redemption, making Eliza's struggles relatable and heartfelt. Each character is well-developed, contributing to the richness of the story and highlighting the intricate dynamics within families
The pacing of the book is perfectly balanced, allowing for moments of reflection while maintaining an engaging plot. Stein's ability to capture the essence of human emotions makes this novel a compelling read. The letters exchanged throughout the story add a unique layer, offering intimacy and revealing Eliza’s innermost thoughts and feelings

An interesting premise and a good fit for readers of chicklit such as Jennifer Weiner or similar. Recommended for readers who enjoy a novel based on a main character discovering something surpising about their family (I'm always drawn to that type of story, tbh).
Thank you for the ARC.

Eliza is going through life's paces after her mom dies when she was 16. Now that her dad is also gone, Eliza receives a long-held letter from her mother that floors her and turns everything upside down. The news is both curious and causing waves all around her. The only one who seems to stand by her side is Josh, her brother's best friend.
I love a good sibling's best friend romance. They feel a little forbidden but so natural. I don't know anyone who hasn't had a crush (or been crushed on) in this exact sort of scenario. I liked the backstory and little extras that Andrea fills in to bring her characters to life. And Josh? Such a sweetheart.
Thank you to the author and Netgalley for the advanced copy. All thoughts are my own.

What a delightful surprise! "Dear Eliza" takes us on a heartfelt journey through the many sides of grief, a feeling we all share yet experience in our own unique ways. Eliza discovers just how unpredictable grief can be. Some days feel overwhelmingly heavy, but she gets up, gets dressed, and moves forward as best as she can. Through her journey, she learns to lean on friends and family. “The people who are worth having in your life will stay.”

I absolutely love the romance between Josh and Eliza! It’s wonderfully subtle yet swoony. These two are destined to be together from the start - ”it's always been you” trope. Josh is not just patient and supportive; he’s an incredible listener who stands by Eliza as she navigates her journey through grief. Their connection is beautifully genuine and full of promise!

Other highlights: Jewish rep, evil stepmother, family drama, found family, brother’s best friend trope

Dear Eliza by Andrea J. Stein follows Eliza in the aftermath of her father’s death. She is grieving the loss of the father she loved but had grown estranged from after her mother’s death when she was a teenager. As if losing both parents by the time she’s a young adult isn’t tragic enough, Eliza receives a letter her mom wrote to her before her death, revealing an existence-shaking secret.

I won’t spoil the contents of the letter, but I will say I found it perplexing that Eliza’s mom would choose to share this particular secret after her death or to have it delivered after Eliza lost her other parent. It felt cowardly and selfish, and the book doesn’t explore why she would make that choice. Maybe the reasoning will be clear to some readers, but to me, it felt cruel.

Eliza then embarks on a journey to unravel the layers of her grief and understand what her life looks like after this reveal.

My main issue with Dear Eliza, however, is its narrative style. Told from a third-person perspective, it gives us a broad view of the events but keeps us distant from Eliza’s emotions. While we’re told what she’s going through, we don’t truly feel it—something that’s crucial for a book focused on emotional growth and healing. I struggled to connect with Eliza or her journey and found it even harder to understand the motivations behind some of the actions the people around her took. While the narrator tells us why, their actions are not explored why any depth.

That said, the plot is compelling and well-paced. While the book felt flat in some areas, I was engaged in Eliza’s journey and the story’s resolution was heartwarming.

This book was provided in exchance for an honest review graphic

I don’t usually cry over letters (or books about letters), but Andrea J. Stein’s Dear Eliza made me feel all the things. Huge thanks to Girl Friday Productions | Flashpoint, NetGalley, and Andrea J. Stein for the ARC. This one was a delight.

Let’s start with Eliza herself—she’s everything I want in a protagonist. She’s messy, relatable, and navigating some serious emotional terrain, yet her wit and resilience kept me rooting for her the whole way. The supporting cast? Just as strong. Josh was swoon-worthy in the best way, and I loved the nuanced relationships Eliza had with her friends and family, especially her aunt Claude.

The plot delivered exactly what I hoped for and more. It’s layered with grief, self-discovery, and just the right amount of romance to keep my heart in a constant state of flutter. Plus, that bombshell in the letter? A twist I didn’t see coming, but it added so much depth to the story.

The writing? Chef’s kiss. It’s heartfelt, sharp, and perfectly paced. Stein doesn’t just tell a story—she pulls you into Eliza’s world and makes you care about every little detail.

If I had one small critique, it’s that some moments felt a little rushed—I wanted to linger longer in certain emotional beats. But that’s a testament to how much I loved being in this world.

Dear Eliza is a beautifully written story about love, loss, and finding the courage to trust again. Whether you’re in it for the romance, the family drama, or just a good ugly cry, this one is worth the read.

When Eliza’s father passes away, her aunt presents Eliza with a letter from her mother who died from cancer ten years earlier. The letter contains a shocking confession that turns Eliza’s world upside down. The man she has thought of as her father for her entire life is not actually her dad, and the man who is her father has no idea she exists.

This was such an emotional read for me! I can’t even imagine getting that kind of news while you’re already struggling to process the death of your last living parent. While I understood where Eliza’s mother was coming from in that she didn’t want to break her husband’s heart, I thought it was a horrible way to break the news to her daughter.

I loved Eliza though and I loved her journey of self discovery. She has so much to work through as she has to process her grief for the man she always thought was her dad and decide if it even matters that they weren’t biologically related since he was there for her in all the ways that counted most.

Eliza also has to reevaluate certain other relationships in her life because once the news gets out, her brother, stepmother, and even her best friend, Mo, don’t really seem to understand what she’s going through emotionally. Thankfully she finds an ally in Mo’s brother, Josh, and this alliance gradually gives rise to a lovely slow burn, friends to lovers romance.

Dear Eliza is a great choice for anyone who enjoys poignant stories about exploring the grieving process, finding the true meaning of family, and discovering a new way forward after loss.

4/5 stars

Big thank you to Andrea J. Stein & Flashpoint for the advanced reading copy!

While this story took me a little bit to get into, I ended up hooked by the end! Such a heartwarming and unique plot, full of beautiful words and characters. This book had it all -- grief, secrecy, intimacy, complicated family dynamics, character development/coming of age, friendship and found family. There were some very heartbreaking moments, and some that made me tear up with contentedness, or even joy. My favorite part of this story was, perhaps, the found family and the ways that Eliza created the support system that she needed after such loss. This is a great book to read when you need to feel something (or everything).

Unfortunately, this was a DNF for me. I really tried to like it and continue, but it was not for me. Although, I got to 50% of the book before I called it quits.

The main turn off for me was the unlikable characters, even Eliza.

This book just wasn't for me.

Eliza has just received a letter from her deceased mother. The letter is a bombshell. Eliza’s father is not who she thought. Her mother had a one night stand with an old boyfriend. Now, Eliza is in a tail spin.

Y’all know I love a good family drama. And this one is full of secrets!

Eliza is a character which broke my heart. She is truly struggling with the news. And she does take the bull by the horns and searches out her “new” dad. But he is not the person she expects.

I love how this story just keeps twisting and turning around this letter. And this cover is a bit misleading…y’all know I very seldom read the blurb. This cover looks like it would be a romance…but oh no! It is not!

Needless to say…I really enjoyed this tale! The secrets, the emotions, the characters all lead you on a wild ride!

Need a good family drama…THIS IS IT! Grab your copy today.

I received this novel from the publisher for a honest review.