The Beautiful Little Things

Torn apart by grief, can two sisters rediscover joy in the memory of their mother’s love?
I was really drawn to these sisters the characters were so realistic for me.
Fantastic storytelling at its finest ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This is a very heartfelt seasonal read about three adult siblings who have each reached a turning point in their lives and then have to deal with the devastation of their mums terminal illness and death. Told over two Christmases, the first of which they spent oblivious to their mums illness, this really shows what makes a family but also how vulnerable things can become. The different relationships in here and the impact of grief are so well written but this is by no means a negative read, it’s well observed and poignant but also uplifting.

I love Melissa Hill and was really excited to receive this copy thank you.
It follows a family through the year following a bereavement and how they deal with themselves and each other. It was very moving, tearful and happy all at the same time. A little confusing at times as to whose story was being told but it didnt spoil the book for me, loved it

The Beautiful Little Things by Melissa Hill

A hearbreaking story of bereavement . It is from the perspective of three siblings , who are each dealing with the terminal illness, and then death of their mother.
The story mainly covers two Christmases , the first one of the illness , and the second showing how they are bearing up ( or not ) for the first Christmas without her.
This is a completely believable insight into how families cope with the loss of the matriarch and much loved family member.
Moving , poignant , at times amusing . A great read .









This is a very heartfelt seasonal read about three adult siblings who have each reached a turning point in their lives and then have to deal with the devastation of their mums terminal illness and death. Told over two Christmases, the first of which they spent oblivious to their mums illness, this really shows what makes a family but also how vulnerable things can become. The different relationships in here and the impact of grief are so well written but this is by no means a negative read, it’s well observed and poignant but also uplifting.

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Debbie M, Reviewer
I love Melissa Hill and was really excited to receive this copy thank you. It follows a family through the year following a bereavement and how they deal with themselves and each other. It was very moving, tearful and happy all at the same time. A little confusing at times as to whose story was being told but it didnt spoil the book for me, loved it

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This was such a good book. I have loved all the books of Melissa’s that I have read. Thanks for the opportunity to read and review this book.

A heart wrenching story of grief and how families can fall out in an instant. Really well written and pulls you in making you feel every bit of the grief with the family. Side stories of bullying, gas lighting and the struggles of motherhood blend in to create a really moving book. Totally recommend

I received an advance copy of, The Beautiful Little Things, by Melissa Hill. I have read other books by Melissa Hill, and enjoyed them. This is a really good book about family. Losing your mother puts everything in perspective.

A great read. Poignant at times. The story of how one family deals with bereavement is depicted in a realistic way by Melissa Hill. Two things: I didn't realise it was heavily based round Christmas, and if I had I would have waited to read it. Not a criticism, just a preference of mine to read Christmas books closer to well, Christmas, and not in August. Secondly, I would have liked a little more in the way of romance, but again, just my preference. With thanks to NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

The story of how three siblings Joanna, Matt and Romy deal with the death of their mother and how harsh words said in the heat of the moment cause their family to fracture. That is until Romy discovers a diary left by their mother which she hopes will help bring the family back together.

An emotional story which was an excellent read.

A story of loss and families pulling together . It proves a mother’s love is so important . The notebook of Romy , Matt andJoanna saved all of them and their Christmas’s . Ireland sounded lovely. Gosh Matt had a tough time with his work but I am glad he got his happy ending. You felt for Joanna big career then motherhood and all the juggling. We all know how hard that is. The ending was good. I always find Melissa Hill a good writer.

This beautiful family story begins during Christmas time when the children of the Moore family have all come home to their childhood home in Ireland. The three siblings, Joanna, Matt and Romy, had a wonderful childhood full of traditions and family experiences all instilled by their parents Bill and Cathy. These siblings are now grown adults who have their own real life problems with significant others and kids of their own, and begin experiencing a rift in the family bond after a death in the family changes them forever.

I truly loved this book and all of the family wisdom Cathy has passed down to her children through the use of her journal entries. . I cried throughout this book, aching to be a part of this lovely family and for the hardships they endured to bring their family back to what it once was. The messages that the author conveys of how our time on this earth is not infinite and we must use this time with our loved ones wisely.

This is a book I feel will stay with me for years and these memorable characters will be ones I will think of often and wonder how their life continued.

The Moore family is celebrating a happier Christmas..one where Mum Moore has always given her three adult children want to go home for the holidays. From festive preperations ,baked pastries, sausage rolls, black puddings, and Christmas Eve filled their house with the neighbors .
Matt,Joanna,and Matt have no idea this may be their's mother's last Christmas,and bring home their own personal issues where Mum notices.
Her spirit is kept alive through her journals for the following holiday.
Romy, the single daughter makes sure their mother's instructions for a festive Christmas again, are kept the same traditions,food and decors included.
Joanna, a mother of girl twins has her life too busy to had gone home after last years holiday. She senses she is needed to return home once again for this year's Christmas.
Her brother Matt has now been living with their father Bill. In her entrance back to her childhood home,she finds the two men gloom and no holiday spirit started in the house.
This is a story of love, strength and finding hope and family connections without their mother's prescense.
Mum gives them all a push through a journal she has left behind, all the instructions and her thoughts alive and well, for each of them.
Each adult has their own hidden secrets they soon reveal to one another. I enjoyed reading their pain in their life, and love for each other,even if it didnt seem they could pick up the peices.
Melissa Hill gave this story a beautiful touch to let readers accept what we get in life for a mere moment because the detailed stressed out moments dont mean much,except the Beautiful Little Things.
I highly recommend this ARC given to me from NetGalley & AMazon Publishing UK.This opinion of my feedback is solely my own.

A novel about family and love, grief, being together, and Christmas. It shows the impact of grief on a family. It's a very real, rich, and emotional story, beautifully portrayed and great characters. I definitely recommend this book! Thanks to NetGalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you so much for this ARC!

I have been a fan of Melissa Hill for such a long time. She is such a beautiful storyteller and her books always explore serious topics in a way that is enjoyable to read. After each of her books, whether it took place along the hills of Ireland or the coast of Italy, I always felt like I had a learned a lesson - on love, life, friendship and in this case family.

The Beautiful Little Things tells the story of a family grieving after the loss of their matriarch. Each family member is facing their own personal issues but come together for the first Christmas after their mom's passing to honor her traditions and to build their family back together.

This book was so poignant and realistic and I really loved the setting of Dublin and Christmas time. The book has a great cover to reflect the Dublin mountains. The story brought on a multitude of of thoughts and emotions for me...sadness, love, laughter and resilience to name a few. This was such a great family Christmas story as we have the happy Christmas before anyone knows the mother is ill and then we have an after Christmas, when the family is grieving and trying their best to move on. You never really do though, do you? Yes it gets easier but the missing never goes away. I felt the author's writing about grief was real as it does take a long time to deal with loss and bereavement. It brought back memories of my grandmother passing away. And as sad as this story was there was also hope and a lot of love and let's not forget forgiveness. I loved what this book made me think and feel.

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

This book, for me was a little to close to home. It was so moving as well as realistic. The setting of the story was lovely, Dublin, and it was about Christmas time.

The story, brought emotions that I’ve felt before such as sadness, love, bereft to name a few. It’s a really lovely story of a family at Christmas, celebrating together, laughing, spending time together. No one apart from their Mother knows what’s to come, she doesn’t want to spoil this time. After this special time her children are made aware of what’s happening.

The next Christmas, the family are still trying to move on but still grieving their loss. But you never really do though, do you? It gets easier as time goes on, but the piece of the puzzle remains missing.

Their mother leaves a diary, which Romy finds and decides to make sure the family can continue this Christmas as their Mother used to.

Will the family fulfil their Mother’s traditions or is it best not to celebrate Christmas……

The way the author wrote about the loss and the grief the family went through I felt was beautifully written, as it’s something we all feel and go through and it takes a long time to finally get over that loss, if we ever do.

The story brought memories back, which are still there in the back of my mind.

Even though this is a sad story, it was also about hope, a lot of forgiving and love.

Siblings Romy, Joanna, and Matt are mourning the loss of their mother Cathy, as is their father Bill, in this emotional and heartfelt novel of grief and healing. Set over two Christmases, it's sadly the story of her death one year and how her journals helped the family through their individual troubles. Romy and Joanna are the best fleshed out characters although Cathy's presence is strongly felt. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. It's a good read that will tug.

This one felt very much like a Christmas story to me, as the bulk of the book takes place over three Christmases – the current Christmas, one a year prior, and then one a year. So, it would be a good one to read over the holidays – just make sure you bring your tissues as it’s a tear-jerker by the end! But, rest assured, it does have a happy ending!

Sweet, likable Romy is a people pleaser, her sister Joanna is a go-getter, and their brother Mark is a bit of a rabble rouser. But they all love to come home for a real Irish Christmas, and their mom always makes it extra special. Yet, when their mother passes away a few months after their last holiday together, it tears the family apart.

Told in two different voices – that of Romy and that of Joanna – it does get a bit confusing from time to time as it takes a minute to figure out who is “talking”. Yet, the characters have good backstory, believable personalities, and the conflicts and troubles each go through feel very authentic.

This is one that would be great for book clubs, and perhaps very meaningful (albeit sad) for anyone who has lost someone close. An uplifting story about The Beautiful Little Things that make life worth living.

A big thank you to Melissa Hill, Amazon Publishing UK, and NetGalley for providing an Advance Reader Copy in exchange for this review.

If you’re looking for a copy of The Beautiful Little Things, please consider buying from www.bookshop.org – the online bookstore that gives 75% of the book’s profits back to independent bookstores. Find it at https://bookshop.org/lists/best-fiction-of-2021.

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I loved this book. The characters are well written, they have a great backstory and I loved how the author pulled them all together. I loved the Christmas theme, the misunderstandings, the coming together, and the conflicts.
I cried a few times as Cathy was dying and her leaving behind the notes.
I don't want to give too much away, but this is a masterpiece and I am so happy to have read it.

As soon as I saw the author was Melissa Hill I was desperate to read this novel and was delighted to get it as an ARC. Thank you NetGalley.
I have enjoyed every one of her books and this one did not disappoint. In this troubled world Melissa Hill is a ray of sunshine and I always feel better when I read her books. Not that this one is all sunshine and light. There are some dark moments as the story deals with bereavement and the affect this must have on the most loving of families. Unfortunately the Moores, whilst loving, are also disparate and their mother is the glue that holds them together. Will they ever get that closeness back after her death? The story follows each of them. Romy the youngest and seemingly most insecure, Matt the fun loving son and Jo, the corporate genius and mother of very young twins. In the year following their mother’s death they each have to deal with turmoil in their personal lives and how do they handle this without their mother’s good advice and guidance? Hill’s genius is the description of her characters, even the babies. They are none of them perfect but they each have a core of goodness. You live with them through the ups and downs and sooo want a happy ending. I did not want to finish this book. I wanted to keep reading as I was so involved in the characters I was living their life with them.

A beautiful and bittersweet book about Cathy's journal entries guiding her family through their first Christmas without her. Christmas can be a very tough time when you are grieving, especially if there have been misunderstandings and harsh words after the funeral of their mother. As Romy, Matt and Joanne are forced to consider the choices they have made over the past year, their mother's gentle guidance through the journal entries helps them to rediscover joy in the beautiful little things.

This is a beautifully written, emotional story about dealing with grief and the importance of family.
The Moore siblings Joanna,Romy and Matt have always been close knit especially at Christmas time when they all come together with their own families to their parents' house which is a haven with their mother, Cathy, making everything extra special.

When they lose Cathy suddenly to an illness, the family literally falls apart, unable to reach out to each other. Joanna struggles with her grief and her feeling of inadequacy about not being the perfect mother she wants to be. Romy and Matt each have their own struggles which keep them all aloof until Christmas comes around and they reluctantly gather at the house to honour Cathy.

Finding a list of little traditions written down by Cathy that she believed would get them through this difficult time without her, they try to recapture the spirit of togetherness and family that has always been their comfort.

Anyone who has lost a parent will relate to this story especially because it really poignantly expresses the shock, anger, sense of loss and hopelessness that follow. It also equally beautifully shows how to move forward while keeping the memories always close.

An emotional read that's really well written.

The Beautiful Little Things by Melissa Hill - 4 ⭐️

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Review ⭐️ - The Beautiful Little Things, is beautifully written - it’s an emotional story of the importance of family and how grief effects us all differently! The Moore siblings have always been close, especially at Christmas when they all come together and spend it with their parents in their childhood home in Dublin, that is until they lose their mother to an illness, and everything they’ve ever known falls apart. When Christmas comes around, the family is still so torn apart, so when a list of family traditions is stumbled across, they feel like it’s a message to reunite them all from their mum.

Though this is set around a number of Christmases, it didn’t feel like a book that needed to be read just at Christmas, but with that in mind, it does have a happy ending - just prepare for the tears throughout. This is my first Melissa Hill novel, and I loved it! It’s another book that brought tears to my eyes but one that reminds you of the importance of family and the traditions we all grow up so accustomed too. Simply put this is an uplifting heart felt story about The Beautiful Little Things that make life worth living.

Thank you to net gallery for a pre-release copy of this book!

The family all get together for Christmas not knowing that it will be the last one with their mum as she had terminal cancer but didnt tell them as she wanted to enjoy it.
Once mum has gone Romy, Joanna and Matt are struggling after hurtful things were said in the heat of the moment and are all dreading the first Christmas without her but go to be with their dad.
Romy finds a diary in her mum's study with guidance from her mum of how to manage a perfect Christmas without her and bring the family back together again
A great read

Amazon Publishing UK seriously thank you so much for this ebook copy!

Honestly that's why I requested this book..... That description!
I will be surprised if readers pick this book up in stores or on their Kindles and read the synopsis and not take this book home with them!
Because if that doesn't make you want to dive inside this story I don't know what will!

What an emotional, heart warming, raw, tear jerker story this one was!
I was thinking of this book when I wasn't reading it! I had to be reading it!
One of the best stories I've read!
And I haven't read a story that made me tear up like that in some time!
This author has a way with her writing that just make you want more of it!
More of these characters more of the story!
Its honestly amazing!
Every character is compelling, and the author does a tremendous job of weaving together and slowly unraveling a complicated setting!
I loved it all! And I hope and think others will too!

This is a story of siblings coming home to spend Christmas with their mother while enjoying time with their mother they have no idea this will be their last Christmas together.. This was a emotional read that was about grief, strength and hope and family. Anyone that has lost a parent will connect to this story.

A beautiful read. A tear jerker looking at grief at Christmas and how it can bring a family together and tear it apart. I love Melissa Hills and this one is no exception. Highly recommended

Indeed beautiful, but also quite a pill to chew. I teared up a number of times.
The idea of a mother preparing a family for their first Christmas without her is a heart-breaking thought and it is not an easy one for most people who will empathise or relate to it.
While the story is beautifully written with a wonderful little twist at the end, some of the storylines are a little too obvious and changes within characters are so blatantly obvious they give away what will happen.

Thank you Netgalley for the opportunity to read and review this.

A beautifully written story that follows a family that has each suffered their own setbacks, and the loss of their matriarch.

The loss initially pulls the family apart, but Christmas brings them together, as they all come to terms and face the setbacks that had contributed to the separation, each responsible in their own way.

Such an absolutely touching and insightful novel about family and all the ups and downs it can go through. Each character is well thought out and detailed against their foibles and strengths. Definitely worth the time to read.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Having read many of Melissa Hills previous books I was delighted to receive this preview copy- it did not disappoint.
The story is set around the Christmas traditions established by the the family's mother over her married life. After a heartbreaking bereavement and a major disagreement the family navigate their first Christmas without their beloved family member. With lots of drama, tears, nostalgia the family find their way back to each other. With mostly likable characters ( apart from one - purposely dislikeable individual) I enjoyed this book and would recommend to a friend

It was a pretty good book. Storyline was good. I definitely enjoyed it. Would search out this author aagain.Good storyline and characters to root for.

Melissa Hill is one of my favourite contemporary authors so I was thrilled to be approved to read this one, especially as some of her titles are hard to find in North America! I was previously only familiar with her Christmas in New York titles, so this one was a little different for me. As usual, Hill did not disappoint and she remains one of my beloved writers. Always will look forward to her new works.

This story of a family torn apart and then coming together after their mothers death is poignant and well done. Very believable characters and well thought out story telling. Thank you.

Melissa Hill writes great books and this one was no exception. It is an well written and emotional story about heartbreak and reconciliation, which are subjects that many of us can connect with.

A great heartbreaking book about three adult siblings dealing with their mother's death and how they cope, or not, with it and the fallout amongst themselves. Told over two Christmases the first when their mother keeps it to herself to give them all one last perfect Christmas and the second where they are facing their first Christmas without her and have all fallen apart.

Another great book by Melissa Hill with true understanding of siblings and how situations are dealt with and how the people you are closest to can be completely misread

This book was so wonderful. The emotional connection the author creates with with characters was impeccable. A heartfelt story about siblings learning to cope with the grief of losing their mother.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC. All opinions expressed are completely my own.

This was a brilliant read and is being featured on my blog for my quick star reviews feature, which I have created on my blog so I can catch up with all the books I have read and therefore review.
See www.chellsandbooks.wordpress.com.

The Beautiful Little Things by @melissahillbooks another @netgalley read. This is about a family that torn apart by grief and I don’t really want to say much more than that about what it’s about as I do t want to ruin it and I actually as always didn’t read what it was about and I think that’s what made this even more wonderful, going in without a preconceived idea. I have read a few books my Melissa Hill but not for a very long time and just happened to come across this on NetGalley and picked it purely because it was an author I vaguely knew and the cover looked appealing. This is such a great unassuming book, that without a doubt will hit you in the heart and give you the feels, as well as a few tears, so keep the tissues near. As I’ve said it’s about a families grief and the repercussions that grief has on even the strongest a#and closest of families. Yet it deals with this subject with grace, realism, calmness and sensitivity. It doesn’t sugar coat it, like many books would, yes there are some parts that we would all like to do before the inevitable happens yet this adds to making this book one not to be missed. This book for me made me remember the beautiful little things, memories came flooding back of things that get lost in the everyday, of those spent with love ones that are no longer here. It that respect it’s such an emotive and relatable book, it made me laugh and it made cry because in remembering those beautiful little things you actually come to realise they are the things you miss the most and that in turn make them the big things and that in turn makes you want to appreciate those little things a little bit more. In not sugar coating things it shows that all families aren’t perfect, there’s no certain way to deal with grief, each individual family member is dealing with their own grief their own way, and sometimes clashes happen yet at the heart your still family. I know this isn’t always the case but it’s real for this family, in this book and because of that it works for them and makes the characters feel real. It’s such a simplistic book in many ways but it’s got such heart and soul. A page turner and one I will be recommending⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Melissa hill is one of my top 10 authors couldn’t believe that I was able to read this early. A sad story that had me in tears but amazing at the same time. Definitely wasn’t disappointed can’t wait for her next book

An easy Christmas read but it shows the harder side of family and holidays after the lose of a loved one who is a major part of the holiday traditions. The story is well written and the characters are easy to relate to.
Thank you for giving me the opportunity to read this wonderful heartfelt story.

I was absolutely captivated reading 'The Beautiful Little Things' by Melissa Hill. It broke my heart and it gave me hope. It is an emotional read but one that is very, very well written.

This could have been a very sad book to read, however it didn’t read like that. It felt emotional, life affirming and a celebration of the ups and downs of family life.
It follows the 3 grown up children of a gorgeous lady who is diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. And how the family coped with losing the pivotal member of their family. But not in a sad way, it vibes with messy, vivid, fun family moments. Which balances out the sad times perfectly.
I really enjoyed it.

This was such a well written story. All the feelings of the characters were so real and what they went though was told perfectly. I read this book very quickly. Thank you for the arc.

It’s Christmas and the family are gathering in their childhood home near Dublin for the usual festivities not knowing that this is to be the last one. For me it was all too winsome and cosy with caricature characters with no substance. A few touching moments here and there for those who like that sort of thing and a bit repetitive. It’s not the sort of book which plays in your mind long after you’ve finished it. Might have been better had it been shortened by about a quarter. It will appeal to those people who love anything set in Ireland!

An excellent story about family, loss and moving on. Melissa Hill is a wonderful writer and I’ve enjoyed most if her books. Her last couple have been the best.