Book Review: Have I Told You Lately by Beth Moran

I had high expectations going into Have I Told You Lately by Beth Moran, and let me tell you, this book absolutely delivered. If you’re looking for a heartwarming, uplifting story full of love, friendship, and self-discovery, this novel is a must-read.

The story follows Emmie Brown, who’s always known she was adopted. Raised by her mother Nellie, Emmie never doubted her mom’s love, despite Nellie’s reserved nature. But everything changes when Emmie uncovers a hidden stash of letters and a photo after her mother’s death. The discovery sends Emmie on a quest to uncover the identity of the mysterious ‘G’ who wrote the letters, and her journey takes her to the Isle of Siskin. It’s there that she meets the lively Hawkins family, and suddenly her quiet life is turned upside down.

I absolutely loved how Beth Moran brought the Isle of Siskin to life—it’s vibrant and full of energy, and I could almost feel the sea breeze as I read. Emmie’s journey of self-discovery is so relatable; at first, she’s overwhelmed by the bustling world of the Hawkins family, but as she spends more time on the island, she opens up in ways she never imagined. It’s impossible not to cheer her on as she learns to let go of her fears and embrace the new possibilities that come her way.

One of my favorite parts of the book was the blossoming friendship between Emmie and Pip Hawkins. The chemistry between them is undeniable, but it’s not just about romance—it’s about Emmie learning to trust others and herself. I could feel the warmth and support of the Hawkins family, and it made me wish I could be a part of their close-knit group.

As Emmie uncovers the truth about ‘G,’ the emotional weight of her discoveries builds, and I found myself so invested in the choices she had to make. The tension between revealing long-held family secrets and finding her own happiness was beautifully portrayed, and I really appreciated how Beth Moran handled these sensitive topics with grace and honesty.

The ending of Have I Told You Lately was everything I hoped for—emotional, satisfying, and full of hope. It’s the kind of book that leaves you feeling uplifted and reminded that life is full of unexpected turns, and sometimes, those turns lead to the most wonderful places.

In short, Have I Told You Lately is a beautiful story about love, family, and finding the courage to step into the future. I’d recommend this book to anyone who loves heartwarming tales with a touch of mystery and a whole lot of heart. Beth Moran has once again created a novel that will stay with me long after I’ve finished reading.

Rating: 5/5
A perfect, feel-good read that I couldn’t put down!

This is a heartwarming and uplifting read that will resonate with fans of feel-good, contemporary romance, particularly those who enjoy stories about self-discovery, family secrets, and the transformative power of love and friendship.

Sweet, sweet Emmie. I was so happy to see her take control of her life and go forth with gusto! Her time on the Isle of Siskin was transformative for her and at times, deeply uncomfortable to read about. The story unfolded in a way I wasn't expecting but was incredibly satisfying. Highly recommend!

Emmie is at a crossroads. She is running the airport kiosk her mother started keeping customers happy with coffee and pastries. When a passenger she helps gives her a lottery ticket Emmie does not expect anything but she wins! It’s not a lot but enough to take a spur of the moment trip to a small island where a mysterious man she met at the airport lives.

The best thing about Beth Moran’s books is they feature a woman or group of women trying to figure out what is best for them. A little clean romance splashed in and you have a great read. I loved the setting of this book and how open Emmie was to new adventures, even though this is not typical of her.

Emmie has worked in her mum's kiosk at the airport since as long as she can remember. Her mum baked pasties for selling there and now that her mum has passed away it's Emmie's turn to take over the kiosk.
The problem is Emmie isn't sure that that's what she wants to do with the rest of her life. Her mum was very strict and exacting. Emmie hhas only one friend and has never been anywhere or done anything.

Emmie has always been attracted to Pip who passes through the airport on his way to the Isle of Siskin where he lives.
One day Emmie aided by her only friend who works at the airport she decides to follow Pip and have a holiday on the island.
What is drawing her there? Is it just Pip or is it something more mysterious ?

I loved this story as I do all books by Beth Moran. I don't even have to look at the synopsis.
The story in this book has some surprising turns and some romance along the way as Emmie finds out answers to questions she has about her mum's past and why she lived life the way she did.
This kept me page turning until the end. Loved it !

As usual, the story is set in Nottinghamshire, near the Sherwood forest. It is also set on the Isle of Siskin in the Irish Sea. Emmie has worked in her mum's highly popular pasty kiosk in Nottingham airport since the age of 13. We meet her at a time when she is re-evaluating her life and has a family mystery to solve. The story is one of taking chances, personal growth, and chasing your dreams. There's friendship, family, hidden secrets, new love, and a gorgeous setting. Emmie faces a lot of challenges and overcomes them really well, showing how strong and independent she really is. There's a fair smattering of heartbreak, but plenty of heartwarming content, too. There's a lot going on in the story, as past and present collide, and Emmie learns more about the past life of the woman she called mum. There was some great descriptive writing and a strong sense of place. The characters were well written, and some were deliciously flawed. Beth Moran is definitely one of my go-to writers for comfort reads, and 'Have I Told You Lately' ticks all the right boxes. Perfect for fans of Jessica Redland, Shari Low, and Jennifer Page.

This was an enjoyable read. The characters were well written, and I enjoyed the alpaca farm storyline. A touching and heartwarming story.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Boldwood books for my copy of Have I Told You Lately by Beth Moran in exchange for an honest review. It published January 24, 2025.
This totally hits all the notes I’ve to expect from Beth Moran. I loved getting to travel to an Irish isle, and I loved all of the character development. The cast of characters was so endearing. I’m going to miss them!

Beth Moran’s Have I Told You Lately is a heartfelt exploration of identity, belonging, and the healing power of connection.

The tale opens with Emmie Brown, a reserved young woman who has always known she was adopted. Nellie, Emmie’s mom, was a strong and loving presence in her life. After her death, Emmie uncovers some surprising secrets – a hidden photo and mysterious letters signed by ‘G.’ These revelations turn Emmie’s world upside down and lead her on a journey of self-discovery.

Moran set Emmie’s quest on the picturesque Isle of Siskin. As the island’s beauty unfolds, so does Emmie. The noisy, loving, and chaotic Hawkins family is really different from Emmie’s quiet and isolated life. Moran shows us what unconditional family love looks like.

This book’s all about Emmie and her relationship with Pip, a lovely islander who’s her rock as she deals with some heavy stuff. Their connection builds up naturally and the love story feels completely genuine.

The best thing about Have I Told You Lately is how it mixes up all the themes. This book’s not just about romance and family; it’s a moving story about courage, finding your worth, and how our choices matter. Emmie’s hunt for “G”‘s identity is a big part of what makes the book so gripping—she wants the truth, but she fears what she might find.

Moran’s writing is beautiful and moving; you really feel what Emmie’s going through. Beth Moran crafts a narrative that is both heartwarming and profound, reminding us that the bravest thing we can do is let ourselves be seen and loved. This book is heartbreaking in places and leaves you with a lump in your throat and a smile on your face.

Have I Told You Lately by Beth Moran

I received an advance review copy for free thanks to Rachel's Random Resources and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Blurb

One photo and a handful of letters can change everything.

Emmie Brown has always known she was adopted. Nellie Brown sacrificed everything to make their life together comfortable and, while not the most demonstrative or warm woman, Emmie never doubted her devotion. But, when Emmie finds a stash of letters and a hidden photo after her mother’s death, everything she has believed changes in an instant. And she won’t be able to rest until she finds the mysterious ‘G’ who sent the letters.

Emmie’s quest takes her to the breathtakingly beautiful Isle of Siskin and into the home of the gregarious, fiercely loyal Hawkins family. After an isolated and introverted life, the burst of colour and noise is overwhelming. But soon Emmie feels her heart begin to open, her mind begin to dream. And as her friendship with kind and gorgeous islander Pip Hawkins gets closer, endless possible futures draw into focus.

But the discovery of ‘G’s true identity will mean Emmie has to choose. One of her choices would mean revealing secrets hidden for decades, one could lead to happiness, but both will need Emmie to be braver than she’s ever been…

My Opinion

Beth Moran writes delightful novels and this was no exception. Following Emmie on her journey to find out more about her family’s past made for such an easy read – there was so much going on that I just had to keep reading to find out what would happen next. Emmie was a character that I liked from the very beginning. Beth Moran has once again written a stunning book that I would not hesitate to recommend.

Rating 4/5

A wonderful and sweet story that captures love in a wonderful setting. There is family life on an island farm with camaraderie of family and tension amid unresolved anger from a long ago hurt. The main character, Aimee, found love letters of her adopted mother that shocked her. She travels to a local island to find the sender and becomes vested in a man she adores family. A very captivating story.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of the book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

A beautiful cover initially drew my attention, but I quickly became immersed in the story of Emmie and Pip. The story combined elements of romance, mystery and family relationships. I am adding Beth Moran to my list of must-read authors because I like the way she presents her story over the course of 24 hours and incorporates characters from her previous books. Thanks to NetGalley, Boldwood Books and the author for an advance copy to read and review.

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

I enjoyed reading this book.

Emmie’s mother passed away and since then she has taken on what she used to do and continue selling pasty’s at the little cart at Sherwood airport.

Her life is the same day to day and she’s close to having a burnout as she never stops doing something, constantly on the go.

Wanting to make a start on sorting her mother’s bedroom, she comes across a photograph along with some letters which were kept by her.

She travels to Siskin with Pip, one of her regulars at her pasty cart.

I loved how Emmie began to take time to find what she wanted to do and how the islanders made her feel welcome. She found the answers to the letters she found.

Loved the setting of Siskin, The characters were well developed.

I highly recommend this book.

I have absolutely loved reading this book. The perfect setting and a great cast of characters. For me in these types of stories the side cast are so important and Beth has created a great set here. From Blessing at the airport to Lily and her family it's all just wonderful.

I wish I could dive into this book and escape the madness of the real world!

Emmie is at a crossroads in her life. Should she stay and continue with the family pasty business, or (literally) take flight and see what the big wide world can offer? A chance win on the lottery offers Emmie the choice to escape to the Isle of Siskin, where adventure, and secret crush Pip await.

Emmie is soon ensconced in island life, from cycle trips down windy roads and family jaunts to the beach. But what secrets about her past could Emmie uncover, and what impact will this have on her relationship with Pip?

Have I Told You Lately is classic rom-com with some fairly weighty family drama thrown in for good measure.

I have loved every one of Beth Moran’s books that I have read so far! They are absolute perfection because they are so sweet, while managing to deal with some tough topics, and always make me cry with happiness. I ugly cried TWICE toward the end of this book! I adored Emmie and Pip, loved his fun family, and have never loved a supporting character like I love Blessing! I mean, everything you need to know is in her name! I had a lot of empathy for Emmie, growing up the way she did with such a rigid and structured mother. Then she finds the letters and starting to learn a bit more about her mother, so of course she wants to do some digging to find out more. I was proud of her when she made the last minute, and very unlike her, decision to jump on the plane. As she explored the island and learned more about her mother, she also learned more about herself and what she wanted for her life. Ultimately the story ended in such a perfect way after dealing with a lot of obstacles. I will keep reading books by Beth Moran as long as she keeps writing them!

Emmie Brown has always known she was adopted. Nellie Brown sacrificed everything to make their life together comfortable and, while not the most demonstrative or warm woman, Emmie never doubted her devotion. But, when Emmie finds a stash of letters and a hidden photo after her mother’s death, everything she has believed changes in an instant. And she won’t be able to rest until she finds the mysterious ‘G’ who sent the letters.

Emmie’s quest takes her to the breathtakingly beautiful Isle of Siskin and into the home of the gregarious, fiercely loyal Hawkins family. After an isolated and introverted life, the burst of colour and noise is overwhelming. But soon Emmie feels her heart begin to open, her mind begin to dream. And as her friendship with kind and gorgeous islander Pip Hawkins gets closer, endless possible futures draw into focus. But the discovery of ‘G’s true identity will mean Emmie has to choose. One of her choices would mean revealing secrets hidden for decades, one could lead to happiness, but both will need Emmie to be braver than she’s ever been.

This was a lovely story of a woman finding herself in the midst of new discoveries. I want to go to this island! I really loved Emmie - she's flawed, which makes her feel real. Excellent read! 4.5⭐

I received an advanced complimentary digital copy of this book from Netgalley. Opinions expressed are my own.

Loved this so much ! Emmie has lived a mundane life doing exactly the same thing trying to honor her mom who has passed .Then one day she realizes she needs to start her life for herself as she embarks on a surprise trip ,she learns about her past, and finds her future. This story was so sweet , didn't want to put in down .

Emmie's fed up with her life. Always either working at Sherwood Forest airport at the Parsley's Pasty's kiosk or prepping for the next day. She's always known that she was adopted but didn't know much about her family. Pip always come and gets a pasty before going back home to Siskin. On a spur of the moment decision she decides to shut the kiosk and go to Siskin

Have I Told You Lately by Beth Moran is a heartwarming tale of self-discovery, love, and friendship set on the fictional Isle of Siskin in England. Emmie, raised by her devoted aunt after her mother’s death, embarks on a journey to uncover her identity after finding mysterious letters tied to her past. On the island, she discovers warmth and friendship with the Hawkins family and her love interest, Pip, while facing unexpected challenges and unraveling secrets about her mother’s sacrifices.

This story beautifully captures themes of women supporting women, personal growth, and the importance of community. Moran’s relatable, imperfect characters, vibrant island setting, and mouthwatering descriptions of food (including pasties) enrich the narrative. With elements of mystery, romance, and personal transformation, it’s a heartwarming and multi-layered story about embracing change and finding oneself.