Synopsis: “When Tilly Nightingale receives a call telling her there’s a birthday gift from her husband waiting for her at her local bookshop, it couldn’t come as more of a shock. Partly, because she can’t remember the last time she read a book for pleasure. Mainly, because Joe died five months ago…

The gift is simple – twelve carefully chosen books from Joe, one for each month, to help her turn the page on her first year without him.

And so begins a reading-inspired journey that takes Tilly around the world; from bustling side walks in New York and the tree-lined avenues of Paris to the tranquil Tuscan countryside and the white sands of Bali. With the help of the bookshop owner, Alfie, Tilly starts to discover who she is now, after Joe.

But can Tilly’s year of books show her how to love again”

My Review

This was such a lovely book, a cosy comforting read, and another new favourite for this year, by one of my favourite authors. It was also one of my most anticipated reads for the year, and it’s lived up to all my expectations. In fact I think it’s her best book yet!

The story is told from Tilly’s point of view and also Alfie, the owner of the bookshop where Tilly gets her monthly book gifts from.

I loved Tilly straight away, and felt for her as grieves for her husband Joe. I was worried that this book was going to be too sad to read, but I needn’t have worried as although it does have sad parts, it’s mostly about living with grief, rather than be overwhelmed and stuck in it.

I loved reading about how the books Joe and had arranged for Tilly took her on adventures ,to Bali, Paris, Tuscany, Greece, New York and even around London. The books also got her out of her comfort zone by making her try new things. I loved the new friends she made in Paris, and how she reconnected with people closer to home.

Highly recommended if you’re looking for a lovely feel good, contemporary novel.

Book 15 of 20 Books of Summer 2026