This book was okay. It got confusing at times with how she would switch back and forth with calling her mom and dad by their names without an actual introduction. Eliza was also a hard character to root for at times. The plot was interesting!

This was a slow burn for me. I immediately felt a connection to Eliza as we both lost our moms young and our dads remarried quickly. It took me longer to warn up to her as a person, which makes sense with all the walls she had built up around her. I was so angry with her mom for dropping this bombshell in her lap when she had just lost her father. A new identity followed by her stepmother contesting her inheritance and her brother's wife asking her not to burden him with her issues would be hard for anyone. I grew to feel for the burden of it all on Eliza's shoulders and cried through the last quarter of this book.

Thank you to NetGalley and Andrea J Stein for the ARC of Dear Eliza.

Such a great read! Highly recommend this one.

Many thanks to the author, the publisher, and Netgalley for my ARC. All opinions are my own.

Dear Eliza is a gorgeous novel that delves into the complexities of grief and what truly makes a family. I found the character of Eliza to be so real and believable, as she navigates the death of her father and the ripple effects of the letter from her long-deceased mother. There is so much loss and yet so much love and hope within this story, and I found myself completely immersed in Eliza's journey. It's fascinating because of course I wanted to know what would happen, but also found myself wondering what I might do if confronted by similar circumstances. Questions about how much we should venerate people after they're gone, and how to hold both love and anger towards a person (especially after they're gone) make this a powerful and moving novel.

A bit sad to read, but I enjoyed it. The story was easy to follow along and I enjoyed following the main character through her grieving process

This is a lovely novel about a young woman coping with the death of a parent who is confronted by a letter left for her by her deceased mother. The information comes as a shock and starts Elizabeth on a journey of discovery that encompasses everything she believed and all of the people she loved.

"Dear Eliza" by Andrea J. Stein chronicles the life of Eliza Levinger, who grapples with the lingering impact of her mother's death a decade prior. As she navigates the challenges of adulthood, maintaining a stable job and a casual relationship, her sense of stability is abruptly disrupted by the unexpected loss of her father. During the shiva, her aunt presents her with a letter from her mother, which is intended to be opened only after her father's demise. The revelations contained within this letter serve to upheave Eliza's life, straining her connections with her brother, stepmother, and her best friend, Mo.

The narrative delves into significant themes such as grief, family dynamics, and the journey of personal growth as Eliza confronts the startling truths unveiled in the correspondence. In the midst of her turmoil, she discovers unexpected solace in her brother's best friend, Josh, who rekindles feelings she believed had long been suppressed. Eliza's path is characterized by a rich tapestry of emotions, encompassing anger and confusion, alongside moments of tenderness and levity, as she endeavors to rebuild her capacity to trust and confront her sorrow.

Stein's narrative is both engaging and relatable, immersing readers in Eliza's emotional odyssey and the complexities of her interpersonal relationships. The text not only illuminates the challenges inherent in coping with loss but also celebrates the vibrancy of life and the bonds we cultivate. With its intricate character development and heartfelt storytelling, "Dear Eliza" offers a profound exploration of navigating grief and underscores the critical importance of rediscovering joy and connection in the aftermath of tragedy.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the advance review copy in exchange for my honest review.

Dear Eliza is the journey of Eliza, who immediately after her fathers death, receives a letter from her late mother confessing that her biological father is not in fact who she believed him to be all her life.

Her usually stable life flips into turmoil as she comes to terms with the bombshell and tries to reconcile her identity with the news.

Stein’s writing is lovely. It’s full of heart with a sprinkle of subtle humour. It’s a very enjoyable book.

This is becoming a familiar story - parent dies and a secret comes out... Dear Eliza is just that... when her dad dies, she finds out a truth about herself and it causes a lot of events to unfold...

The problem I had with this book was I just couldn't connect with Eliza. She seemed to moan and push people away and then there'd be some memory from when her mum was ill... her mum's illness obviously affected her, I get that, but I feel like the author was trying too hard to get that across so it felt like it was in our faces the whole time. It detracted from the present story so meant I could never be full invested as she kept jumping to the past for about a Page and then returning. It may have been better to have had this told as a dual timeline.

I didn't find the other characters' actions believable at all. The way her brother reacted was just so odd. Same with her sister in law and her childhood "friend".

The story became very dull with lots of reflecting and not a lot happening.

Eliza gets a letter from her mother who has passed away at a tumultuous time in her life. The news in the letter upends her life even further and, at time when she needs her family and friends most, they appear to be drifting away from her.

I haven't read anything by this author before, but I had heard good things. I think, maybe, this should not have been the first book I tried. The subject matter is grim to begin with - Eliza is going through grief for loss of one parent and then has to confront her grief for another. Her expectations of the people around her have to change and she feels very alone. Even Eliza's prospective romance with Josh didn't provide any relief - even that was complicated.

I didn't really connect with Eliza as a character - from the beginning she seemed insipid and a bit selfish. In fact, I didn't really connect with any of the characters. Scott was overbearing, Josh was boring and Eliza's best friend Mo was vapid. Her parents, Ross and Carol, who to story seemed to revolve around, didn't interest me at all. I made it to the end by skimming the last quarter of the book. While the ending came with some revelations the book just seemed to sputter out. Josh and Eliza's relationship seemed like it was tacked on as an afterthought.

I think you can guess from this review that I did not enjoy it. But while it did not appeal to me, the author is obviously a talented writer. It's an introspective look at the life of a young woman who is going through a lot, so if you're in the mood for something like that, you might enjoy this book.

I received an ARC of this book from Netgalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.

This book was an emotional examination of grief, personal identity, family dynamics and friendship. Eliza was dealt a really sad and difficult hand in life, and the people around her didn't always offer the best support. I felt so sad for her and wanted to give her a hug! I was absolutely disgusted by the actions of her step-mother, and felt so angry with her throughout the book. I always feel that when a book evokes such strong emotions about a character, it means it's written very well, and this book is no exception! The only thing I wished had been different was the ending. The relationship between Josh and Eliza was the very definition of slow burn (it also wasn't meant to be the focal point of the story, so I was ok with the slowness of it) but then I felt like the ending was rushed. I would have liked to see a few more chapters to really flesh out what happened between the characters! But all in all, I thought it was a wonderful book with a main character I cared about so much.

Dear Eliza is a touching read that dives into themes of love, loss, and self-discovery. I found myself invested in the protagonist's journey through her personal struggles and triumphs. The emotional depth of the characters adds a lot of heart to the story. However, I did find some parts a bit predictable, and the pacing occasionally dragged. It’s a solid book with some genuinely moving moments, but it didn’t quite blow me away. If you’re into stories about personal growth and emotional resilience, it’s worth picking up.

Thank you to NetGalley and Girl Friday Productions for providing me with an eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

In Dear Eliza by Andrea J. Stein, readers are drawn into the tumultuous life of Eliza Levinger, whose world is upended by the death of her father and a letter from her long-deceased mother. The letter reveals a shocking family secret, unraveling Eliza's carefully constructed life and forcing her to confront her family's hidden past and her own unresolved grief. Stein’s portrayal of Eliza’s emotional journey is both raw and heartfelt, capturing the complexities of grief, betrayal, and self-discovery with sensitivity and depth.

The novel deftly balances the heavy themes of loss and family secrets with a glimmer of romance, as Eliza finds solace in her brother’s best friend, Josh. Their budding relationship provides a hopeful counterpoint to Eliza’s tumultuous internal struggles and family conflicts. Stein's writing is engaging and relatable, making Eliza’s journey through grief and personal upheaval both compelling and authentic.

While some readers may find the combination of family drama and romance a bit formulaic, Dear Eliza stands out for its emotional resonance and character-driven narrative. The novel offers a poignant exploration of how family secrets can reshape our understanding of ourselves and those we love, making it a touching and worthwhile read for fans of contemporary fiction that delves into the heart of human experience.

I initially was concerned this would be a formulaic romance, but I was happily surprised. This explores grief, family dynamics, and opening your heart.
Grief can also be complicated and different for each person, which we see with Eliza's brother.

A secret is discovered after the death of their father, with whom Eliza had a complicated relationship. Her mother passed when she was young, so she held a sort of idolized memory of her mom.

As Eliza tries to get her life in order, maneuver through discoveries and grief, and navigate changing relationships, she will come to terms with everything as she knew it, and what might be reality.

What a really nice book. I loved it.
Thank you to Gal Friday Productions and NetGalley for a digital ARC of this title in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for giving me the EPUB in exchange of an honest review.
Dear Eliza by Andrea J. Stein is novel that explores grief, family ties and personal growth. Ten years after her mother’s death, Eliza Levinger’s world is turned upside down by a letter from her dead mother, that was revealed by her aunt after her father’s sudden passing.

Stein’s writing is heartfelt and engaging, drawing readers into Eliza’s emotional journey. The author is so good at balancing heavy themes like loss and forgiveness with moments of hope and love. The characters are relatable and likable making it easy to root for them and to sympathize with their struggles.

I highlight recommend this if you’re looking for a heartwarming and compelling story that doesn’t shy away from conflict and grief.

When a parent dies, the grief weighs heavy on a person. I'm still living in that grief 6 years after my dad passed. Dear Eliza by Andrea J Stein takes a parental death and examine the repercussions of secrets and family.

Elizabeth lost her mother 10 years ago. When her father dies, and her Aunt arrives for the funeral (shiva), she is handed a letter from her mom. The instructions were to only open after her father dies, and that time is now.

The contents of the letter destroy what family she has left. The secrets led Eliza to confront the truth, while falling for her brother's best friend.
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I think this could have been two different books. 1) a cheesy romance or 2) a literary fiction book about grief. The combination of the two was okay, but I felt like I couldn't have cared less about the romance. Still, it was enjoyable.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for the opportunity to read and review this book.

Received ARC through NetGalley

I loved this, I was gripped from the start and read it in one sitting.
Eliza’s character was immediately compelling and felt so relatable you can’t help but root for her from the get go.

I just wish there was more!

At 16 years old, eliza levinger lost her mom. Now, 10 years later, at 26, she lost her dad. After the funeral and being with family, she's given a letter from her mother by her aunt. In this letter she is delt a devestating blow.

Dear Eliza follows Eliza while she navigates grief, hurt and anger, and a new life.

This book is well written and had my attention from the beginning. Also, it was an incredibly quick read. It's a true, hearfelt coming of age story.

Thank you, Andrea J Stein, Netgalley, and Girl Friday productions for this ARC

Eliza's mom died of cancer when she was 16 and and now 10 years later her dad has died suddenly. After Eliza's dad's funeral, her aunt Claude gives her a letter that her mother wrote before she died but didn't want Eliza to read until after her father's death. The shocking details of the letter turn Eliza's life upside down and make her question everything she thought she knew about her family and herself.

While Eliza is trying to navigate her grief and process the shocking information revealed in her mother's letter, she is also managing a busy workload at her non-profit job and turmoil in her personal relationships. Her brother is grieving and angry with Eliza's choices, her stepmother wants to disinherit her and her best friend doesn't understand what she's going through - it seems the only person she can depend on is her brother's best friend, Josh, who she had a crush on in high school.

Dear Eliza is a well-written story of a young woman coping with grief whose experience will especially resonate with anyone who has lost a parent. The book explores grief, identity and a range of personal relationships (parent/child, sibling, friendship and romantic) and although it's primarily about Eliza learning to cope with her grief, there is also a sweet, slow-burn romance side plot that is a nice addition. The subject matter may seem heavy but it's a feel-good story that will tug at your heartstrings and have you rooting for Eliza to get her happy ending!

Thank you to NetGalley, Girl Friday Productions and Andrea J. Stein for sending a digital ARC of this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.

I have been dying to read Dear Eliza since I downloaded it. I absolutely loved Typecast so I was thrilled to have the opportunity to read and provide feedback.
Dear Eliza did not disappoint, the story was so well told. I felt the emotions that Eliza felt, found myself angry with Scott and Maren for what seemed like a lack of support. And empathized with Eliza around her feelings for her dad and stepmother. The storyline was so believable - the intricacy of familial relationships, the belief that our parents had never been young or made bad decisions and the real life struggles of managing relationships while wanting to protect oneself from devastating hurts.
Andrea has once again written a story from the heart, with characters that are not perfect but are relatable.