Well I absolutely loved this book, what a charming read and not what I expected.
The main characters ‘rubbed along’ so well together and their characters developed with each chapter.
Not at all gloomy, a wonderful uplifting read. As I was reading, it very much reminded me of Maeve Binchy. Loved it 5 stars from me.

What do an out-of-work actress, a struggling single dad, and a psychic octogenarian have in common? Grief. It’s a heavy subject. It can wrap you in a fog that feels impossible to cut through. But what if you could view it through a slightly different lens that combines humor with heart? That’s exactly what Claudia Carroll does in her latest book set in Dublin, Ireland.

We embark on a journey with a cast of characters, each grappling with their own version of heartache. They stumble into the magical Bereavement Cafe, a comforting place like that quirky friend who always knows how to lighten the mood.

This book is filled with delightful charm. It doesn’t shy away from the rawness of grief but instead wraps it in a lighthearted tone that resonates with anyone on a similar path. We see the characters begin to heal through chuckles and shared laughter. They find ways to connect not only with their own pain but also with each other.

So if you’ve faced loss, this book might just be the companion you didn’t know you needed. Through laughter and tears, you’ll find comfort in the shared experiences of others. And who knows, maybe you’ll even find a little bit of hope along the way.

Thank you to Ms. Carroll for giving me the opportunity to read this book with no expectation of a positive review.

No one expects a book where the central theme is death and loss and grief to be warm and funny and not at all depressing, but that is exactly what you will get when you pick up Remember, I Love You by Claudia Carroll. If you ever wanted a book to remind you that life goes on, this is the one for you.

The story follows a group of people in Dublin who are all dealing with the loss of someone close to them, whether it be a parent, spouse, fiancé or something else. Anyone who has lost someone important to them knows what a struggle grief is, how lost and alone it can make you, how desperate to cling on to anything to stop you from drowning in the pain. This is where the Bereavement Cafe comes in. It is a place where people can gather and talk about their grief with people who understand, and it becomes a lifeline for this disparate group who are trying to make sense of their lives after loss.

But then famous author, Lucasta Liversidge, arrives in their mist, and there is a possibility that she might have the power to bring them messages from their departed loved ones. But is this a hope that any of these lost souls should cling on to? Does she really have the power to change their lives for the better in their darkest hour?

This is a book about holding on and letting go, about remembering the people we have loved and lost, but living life to the fullest in the aftermath of grief, about forging new relationships whilst honouring the ones we had. It may seem impossible in the moment, but with love and support it can be done, and anyone who has been in this situation will be able to relate. This story is so honest and will really resonate with anyone who has been in this situation.

All of the characters in this book feel like real people to the reader and my heart broke for all of them. Luke, trying to hold his life together for his daughter when his wife is gone, Connie, whose whole life is collapsing with the death of her mother, and the twins who don’t seem to have been brought together by their shared grief. It is all so sad and, yet, this book contains so much hope when people come together to support and care for each other. That’s the uplifting message to take away from the story.

The author writes with such tenderness and understanding of people and of grief, but also manages to insert a thread of humour throughout that stops the book sinking too far into the maudlin which keeps this book in the vein of a light read, which is unusual and fresh when dealing with this subject. I felt like it hit the perfect tone and, as someone who has dealt with a terrible grief, the book left me feeling uplifted and upbeat, which was wonderful.

Don’t shy away from this book because of its subject matter, it is a fantastic read.

Though this book covers the topic of bereavement, overall it was a light hearted read and filled with a variety of characters in different relatable situations (e.g. single parent, grieving child). It had slight supernatural elements to it which I enjoyed, though some of them ended a bit to abruptly for me. I felt the ending was also rushed and I would have liked to know what happened with the supporting characters that featured in the book.

I finished this just in time for Publication Day tomorrow - 12th Feb and want to you thank Claudia Carroll, Boldwood Books and NetGalley for this early release copy.

It was a joy to read, from start to finish. I have always been a fan of Claudia Carroll books (Eventhough she’ll always be Nicola to me) and this was no exception.

She opens our eyes and hearts to this idea of bereavement cafes / grief cafes (and I was glad to google that these have started to pop up across these shores), a safe space for people wherever they are in their grief journey to find solace, share stories and heal together. There’s no dramatics, unrealistic expectations, just the raw realities we face whether as as a child, spouse, sibling etc, with a seance or two thrown in for good measure!

Definitely recommend and if you didn’t manage to get it on NetGalley it’s only €2 at the moment on Amazon, which is mad for a new book! https://www.amazon.co.uk/Remember-Love-You-Claudia-Carroll-ebook/dp/B0CRR7HR8Z/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?crid=16FUKNCO3K0ZA&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.S8VXv0drpRwN387kFs5k205scXlI2N6o3TBQkV2BIZWDDCjQGiZeKDWVo6t4X7Z02V6Lxb41RtJuyDfjvWxjZfLGotBSixTf3iFVFL1azYg.ZfCKXLZ-mMU5ZYtlcfdn3MN1kYkBn68O7SqULf737SY&dib_tag=se&keywords=remember+i+love+you+claudia+carroll&qid=1739278619&sprefix=remember+%2Caps%2C130&sr=8-1

I loved the synopsis and couldn't wait to read it
. I enjoyed the book but felt it dragged in the middle and then everything seemed rushed at the end.

Claudia Carroll's Remember I Love You - at first I was wary as I had never read Ms Carroll's books before but I don't know what has taken me so long.

The book was poignant and heartbreaking, yet ultimately uplifting.

Carroll has struck gold with her creation of Lucasta Liversidge , a fantastical creature who leaps off the page, who listens and hears the pleas of the dearly departed loved ones of her fellow Bereavement Cafe attendees. Can she help Connie who talks to her dead mother through and old Nokia phone, or make Luke listen that his late wife Helen is worried sick about him and their beloved daughter Amy?

Deftly written intertwining tales of cotemporary Dubliners all dealing with their own personal loss which fans of Laura Pearson might enjoy.

An uplifting, sometimes funny, sometimes sad story about loss, grief, friendship and family. A group of people grieving meet in a cafe in Dublin and their lives intertwine with a famous writer that can speak with the dead. Through the story they help each other and their lives turns out better for all of them. Thanks to NetGalley and the ARC they provided. This is my honest review.

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

This is such an emotional, story of Connie, Alex, Luke and Lucy.

Each one is still dealing with the grief of losing someone they loved. The story is so well written, it’ll pull at your heartstrings. The cafe was a great idea and the support it gives, but the characters were reluctant to join as they didn’t feel ready to share their grief.

I felt for little Amy who’s mother passed away,

I highly recommend this book.

Set in Ireland this book is about loss, grief, and hope. Connie is an out of work actor and in addition to grieving the loss of her mother, her best friend and housemate, she is also stressing over the need to sell her house at her brother’s request. When she hears a brick phone ringing in the attic she picks it up only to hear her mom talking to her from the other side.
Luke is an overworked architect and Dad to 6 year old Amy. He is trying to navigate single parenthood and helping Amy grieve (in addition to handling his own grief) as he comes to grips with the loss of his wife, Helen.
Lucasta is the beloved author of the hit Mercy series, going on 20 years strong. While this octogenarian is known for her wonderful books and unconventional ways, she’s less known for conversing with spirits from the other side. Our three protagonists meet at a Bereavement Cafe; Connie and Luke attend at the insistence of others and Lucasta attends in the hopes of connecting a spirit who has come to her with her grieving husband.
I was drawn to this book because the synopsis sounded cute. I knew it was likely going to be sappy, but I was here for it. I was not expecting it to be as one dimensional as it was, however. While the book is about 300 pages (give or take 30- the kindle version is 321, the paperback 328, and the hardcover 272) there is absolutely no flushing out of the characters or plot. The book focuses mainly on Connie, Luke, and Lucasta and they are essentially on a hamster wheel for the majority of the book. Each of their parts are the same thing until the end when miraculously all of their problems are resolved in a handful of pages.
It felt as though the author knew how she wanted the book to start and end but she never really worked out the middle. If this were the case she would have done better to write about all of the side characters we meet at the bereavement cafe during the middle. While we still would have been confused as to how Connie, Luke, and Lucasta found their resolutions, at least we wouldn’t have been bored to tears during the middle.
Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for an advanced copy of this. I’m sorry I didn’t like it more. Remember, I Love You hits the shelves on February 12th.

A heartfelt book about love, loss and there after. The story focuses on Lucasta, eccentric octogenarian author who just so happens to speak to spirits, and the recently bereaved who come together at the bereavement cafe- some more cynical than 0thers.

What a lovely story on a sad topic-grieving the loss of a loved one. For Like, Connie and Stacy, attending the Bereavement Cafe brings a touch of something different to them. Also, there is octogenarian Lucasta with whom spirits communicate. The events at the cafe and the relationships formed have a profound effect on them.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of the book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This was a sad, but also a hopeful read.
I have suffered grief myself and found I resonated with bits from several characters stories.
I thought it was a nice read, but it did make me cry. Maybe that means it's worked!
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Such a great book, beautifully written, beautiful friendships and strong women. It was a joy to read. I loved Luke and Amy and his adorable sister and nieces. I loved Stella and her steely determination that Luke could and should do better for Amy and I loved the flourish that lacsta brought to the story. I would really like to read more about Claudia and hear Wills story more.
I was hooked from the first couple of chapters and I really recommend this beautiful book.
Thank you NetGalley for this arc in exchange for an honest review.

This is a lovely, easy to read relaxing book.

Some interesting characters that are easy to become invested in and nice story lines woven in.

The only thing I would say is that it’s conveniently wrapped up a little too quickly at the end, but none the less, an enjoyable read.

4 Stars
One Liner: Sweet and hopeful

Though the book deals with the grief of losing a loved one, it has many lighthearted moments that balance out the heaviness.
The pacing is steady almost throughout. Moreover, the narrative shifts between the three tracks with ease. The limited third-person POV helps as it is easier to go with the change (compared to first-person POV).
The impact of losing a loved one comes across clearly in Luke and Connie’s tracks. Little Amy made me sad and happy. Luke’s work-life balance and Connie’s frustration about her job are realistic and thought-provoking.
Of course, I happily disliked the characters I was supposed to hate. The other characters like Stella, Phoebe, and Will were good and did their bit to support the plotline.
Since the official blurb mentions Lucy and Alex, I thought their track would be just as detailed as the others. Turns out, that’s not the case. They get some attention but not enough to be mentioned in the blurb.
Lucasta is a key character – eccentric, straightforward successful, and kindhearted. While I could see her side, I could also feel for her assistant. The resolution of their track is well done.
Though there are hints of love, there is no romance. The focus firmly stays on the central theme. I appreciate it a lot. Even the epilogue is just right – hopeful for a happy future but at their own pace. After all, we cannot rush through the grieving process.
To summarize, Remember, I Love You is a story that’ll make you a wee bit sad but also feel happy and hopeful for the characters. The concept of Bereavement Café is beautiful (there are quite a few branches in and around the UK).
Thank you, NetGalley and Boldwood Books, for eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.

Luke's wife Helen passed away and he misses her. He goes to a bereavement café one evening where he meets other people who are also grieving. One evening at the cafe a woman tells him that she has a message from Helen. Will he believe it or is she a fraud. A good heartwarming read.
Overall rating 3 1/2 stars

Connie, Luke, Alex and Lucy are all struggling with grief in their own ways after the passing of someone they loved. The author has written a tender, emotional, heartwrenching story immersed with bits of humour and hope for a brighter future. I love the idea of the cafe and I know it benefits and supports everyone but I also understand the characters hesitancy in joining as everyones grief is personal and different. It's not easy but I enjoyed every word of this book on a hard subject. I don't know if I am a believer but I am open too. It's what we all dream of receiving a message from a loved one who has passed away. The characters learn to watch and listen. My heart broke for six year old little Amy who lost her mother. I cried but I also smiled and laughed. It's a sad but happy sort of story!

A sweet, hopeful tale focusing on grief with themes of the supernatural.

My thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book.

I received a free copy of, Remember, I Love You, by Claudia Carroll, from the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Their is a group of people: Connie, Alex, Lucy, and Luke, have all lost someone close to them. This was a good read, sad at times though.