I am always excited when I am invited to read a book by a new author and discovering “Dear Emma Blue” in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic was the perfect antidote to all of the negativity we are bombarded with via the news.

Written by Lia Louis, this novel’s plucky protagonist is Emmie Blue who had just hit the big 3-0, a birthday she shared with best guy friend, Lucas. Emmie’s stuck in a job going nowhere, does not have a close relationship with her mother, and does know who her father is. At a dinner where Emmie believes that Lucas is going to ask her to be more than friends, she is instead devastated to discover Lucas is getting engaged (and wants her to be the best woman). At sixteen, Emmie met Lucas when she had released a red balloon with a note that contained a secret and her email address. Lucas had found the balloon (which had traveled from England to France) and the two quickly became friends. (Had I tried at sixteen to send off a balloon with a message, I doubt I would have had such welcome results).

As Lucas becomes consumed with wedding planning, Emmie realizes the depths of her loneliness. But instead drowning in her sadness, she reaches out to others including attempting yet again to build a relationship with her mom while trying to discover who her dad is. Emmie’s perseverance and inability to dwell on what she cannot have commits the reader to joining Emmie on her journey. “Dear Emma Blue” is also peppered with a delightful supporting cast including Rosie (Emmie’s gal pal), Eliot (Lucas’s brother), Amanda and Jean (Lucas’s parents) and Fox (Emmie’s coworker).

Emmie’s story switches easily back and forth between past and present. While you might think that this novel is about Emmie finding love, it really focuses on friendship and family (and how often they can be one in the same). Emmie is such a likable (though sometimes frustrating) woman and you cannot help but root for her.

This sweet novel was an unexpected surprise with just the right combination of hope and promise. Thank you to Lia Louis, Atria books, Net Galley for a chance to read and review this novel.

Dear Balloon Girl,
Because you aren’t what happened to you.

Emmie Blue is turning thirty and thinks that life is about to take a wonderful turn, by way of a proposal from her best friend Lucas. When Lucas instead tells her he is planning to propose to an ex flame, Emmie is not only shocked but heartbroken. Emmie has had some horrible, horrible things happen to her in the past, but will she have the strength and courage to take control of her destiny and change what happens to her moving forward?
I genuinely enjoyed this book! I enjoyed the characters, the setting, and the little quirks that made Emmie so lovable. There are many different layers all going on at once,
as well as flashbacks, so a few times I felt a little lost and had to go back and look at the dates listed to understand exactly what was going on.
I can really see this book coming to life on the big screen and would love love love a sequel to see what Emmie is up to now. This was a fun read. 5 stars.
Thank you to Netgalley and Atria books for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my truthful review.

The premise of this book really drew me in. A sixteen year old releases a balloon with a wish which leads her to a lifelong with Lucas, who she falls in love with. Fourteen years later, she's dealt with devastating news, Lucas is engaged to be married.

The story is poignant coming of age story, one of my favorite stories that are told because of how intensely your feelings present itself during those formative years and I'm always interested in character building and seeing how life has molded the character.

Dear Emmie Blue does not disappoint in that regard and I'm glad I got my hands on this one before it was released.

4.5 Stars rounded up

Dear Emmie Blue was just the book I needed right now. On the heels of finishing the award winning Pachinko and Janelle Brown’s new release Pretty Things, both of which were close to 500 pages, and the constant barrage of news being thrown at me I craved something light and uplifting.

I don’t want to give away too much of the plot here because I believe this story sort of relies on the reader not knowing too much going in. The publishers synopsis says
“ DEAR EMMIE BLUE starts with a teenage Emmie Blue releasing a balloon with a message inside which also includes her email address and a dark secret she finally wants to be free of. Lucas finds the balloon and messages her, which starts a cherished friendship. Fourteen years later, Emmie is sure Lucas is the one, but is devastated when he tells her that he’s getting married. Emily suddenly realizes that life is not quite going as planned.”
Dear Emmie Blue started off well enough and kept me engaged, but, for me, it took a little while to really find its groove but once it did I couldn’t put it down. I found myself falling for the entire cast of charming characters. There was so much to love here from Emmie’s relationships with her friends, to her finding family in places and people she least expected, to the beautiful romance that blossomed throughout the story.

I’ve never read anything by Lia Louis before, in fact if it weren’t for Milena from Atria books and Netgalley kindly sending me an ARC I probably never would have even heard of Lia Louis. However, now that she is on my radar I am excited to read her first book Somewhere Close To Happy and then her next book and then the one after that...

If you are in search of a charming romance to keep your mind off of the worries of the world this is exactly the book you’re looking for. 🎈

Loved, loved, loved this! Dear Emmie Blue, by Lia Louis, needs to be made into a movie! Sixteen year old Emmeline writes her name and email, along with her deepest secret, on a card and attaches it to a red balloon. When she releases the balloon in England, she never dreams that the finder will become her dearest friend, her biggest supporter, or the love of her life. Fourteen years later, Emmie is convinced that her “Balloon Boy” is going to ask her to be more than just friends, but instead he surprises her by telling her that he is getting married and asks if she would be his Best Woman. A devasted Emmie cannot let Lucas down, so she accepts. As she helps the man she loves prepare for his wedding to another woman, Emmie learns to open herself up to other friendships, forgiveness, facing her fears and love. Thank you to a Netgalley and Simon & Schuster for an advanced digital copy in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you Atria for putting Dear Emmie Blue on my radar! I was not expecting this read, but boy did it leave me as an emotional wreck! Great read about growing up and doing what is right for you.

Thank you so much to #Netgalley and Lia Louis for the ARC of Dear Emmie Blue.

Oh my heart.
I' almost ALMOST put this book down and DNF'd it. But I'm so so glad I didn't because once it picked up (about 1/4 way through) I couldn't put it down.

Emmie is thirty and she's in love with her best friend Lucas. (This was the story of my life) Of course as in most scenerios, Lucas is with someone else and ready to commit forever to this someone else. Emma has been in love with Lucas since she was 16 years and fate bought him into her life. Or at least that is what Emma believed for 14 years. She sent a balloon and a note confessing a traumatic event into. The balloon also included her email address. Lucas found it in France (it was released in England)

Emmie was such a wonderful flawed character. I loved her and rooted for her more than I have ever rooted for a fictional character before. She was broken but was able to put herself back together in the best way possible.

Like I said, the book starts slow, but stick with it! It is amazing!!

An absolute sweet story about finding who you are in this world and that family doesn’t always mean blood.

Emmie Blue goes through a really rough time so she writes a note, attaches it to a balloon and lets it go. A boy finds it miles and miles away and there begins a decade long friendship.

However, Emmie wants more and when she thinks she’s about to get it, Luke surprises her and not in a good way. As she struggles to cope with her feelings, she discovers that love may be in the cards for her - just not the way she thought. And don’t get me started on dear old Louise! She really brings the story together and makes you fall in love!! And if that isn't enough, Rosie is truly my doppelgänger. She speaks and acts how I would to a friend like Emmie and it makes you root for their friendship.

This story is one of a kind that will put your feelings through the wringer (Team Lucas or Team Eliot?). Read Emmie Blue’s story and dwell in the thought that hope is not lost and love can always be found.

I echo this book's early praise. It is indeed charming! The story is sweet and serendipitous, but still has that conflict we all need in a good story. I’m also a sucker for any English setting, soooo that may have helped hook me. But really, this story has a cast of great characters, and touches upon really relevant themes for anyone newly 30, with some added drama to keep it spicy.

Thank you to Netgalley for my advanced copy of Dear Emmie Blue by Lia Louise, for an honest review. This was such a surprisingly sweet story for me. Such a compelling story from start to finish. Lia Louise creates such a beautiful story with such believable and human characters. The story starts with red balloon and develops into an unlikely friendship over the years. Emmie Blue, two brothers, a disgruntled mother, friends co-workers and a land lady. Each character is developed so well and their interactions are perfectly timed. Emmie Blue, has longed to have a loving family, to be loved and to fit in comfortably somewhere. Such a pleasure to read along as this story takes you along for the ride. I don’t want to spoil this story, so I will leave it with that. This is a 4 1/2 star ⭐️ read for me. I would recommend it to others and I hope they enjoy at much as I did. This book comes out July 14, 2020.

From the start, this novel is funny and intriguing and oh so relatable. I love that Emmie, our main character, views 30 as the magical age where you automatically have your life together (didn’t we all, before we hit the big 3-0?).

Emmie Blue is tough. She’s made of tough stuff. I keep coming back to that turn of phrase, used by her friend Lucas, because it sums Emmie up well. She’s experienced terrible things no person should have to deal with: an incident with an adult she trusted, losing her best friends, not having a family to rely on, being totally on her own. But she handles it. Some days, she’s stronger than others, and that’s totally okay. She keeps going and isn’t afraid to let people in. She’s patient, taking one day at a time, even/especially when the world feels overwhelming.

The story itself is wonderful. There are a few unexpected twists and turns, and I absolutely loved the ending. I could feel my loyalties shifting throughout the book as we learn more about Emmie’s history and relationships, and it felt like I was growing as Emmie did.

I’m so glad to have read this book. It was just what I needed this week.

Thanks to the author, Lia Louis, the publisher, Atria Books, and NetGalley for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

This is a book about friendship, love and i really enjoyed it. Emmie blue is a completly adorable character, a girl who's past as been full of injusttice but even through all of it, she remained kind, generous and full of hope. Thos is a book that as some elements of destiny to it, a feel of soulmates that i loved. Who would not want to believe in soulmates? Cute story. well written .

Dear Emmie Blue was a fun and heartwarming escape read during this time of lockdown. I ended up giving it only 3 stars because I found it to be predictable and there were a lot of moments where the protagonist, Emmie, drove me a little crazy with her codependency on her friends and at times I had a hard time connecting with her. Overall, the book is a well written quick read and if you're looking for a rom com to dive into for a break from reality, this may be the book you're looking for.

Thank you to Atria and Netgalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

14 years ago, Emmie released a balloon containing a note with a big secret and her email address. Little did she know it would be found by Lucas, who not only shares her birthday, but became her best friend, and her family. While celebrating their 30th birthday, Emmie expects Lucas to tell her he returns her feelings and is in love with her, but instead he asks her to be his “best woman” in his upcoming wedding. Emmie has lost so much in life that she rarely lets anyone in, but maybe it’s time to change that?

This was the perfect little love story. It had unrequited love, it had drama, love, anger, sadness, grief….it really hit them all. The characters were just absolute perfection. They were so realistic and I just wanted to dive into this world and be friends with them all…well maybe smack a few but that’s what made them so real. I found myself tearing up at the end of this one which is always a welcome occurrence for me while reading! Any book that makes me cry is a good one! My heart broke for Emmie, but it also healed with her. I loved Emmie Blue, and I think you will too, so make sure to order this one, coming out July 14th!

Thank you to Atria Books for my gifted copy of this book!

Thank you to Atria Books and NetGalley for providing me with an advanced copy of this book. There are very few books that bring me to tears; however, Dear Emmie Blue was one of them. I didn't fully connect with all of the characters but Emmie did tug at my heartstrings. This story was well-written and unique. I'm happy to have seen it pop up on NetGalley. It was a read I'd recommend to my fellow book club members.

I was sent a copy of this book from Atria publishing (who I love) and they were right on the nose thinking I would enjoy this book. It was the PERFECT quarantine read: uplifting, romantic, poignant, adorable. It was the perfect book to take me out of the depression of the real world for a bit and just feel a little warm and fuzzy.

Emmie Blue sent her email address out in the world via balloon during one of the hardest times in her life. And Lucas found it, responded and a decades long friendship was born. The two became more than friends, his family became Emmie's family. Now in their 30s though, life is changing and that includes their friendship. Relationships change, new ones begin and Emmie finally finds ways to accept what a family you make looks like as well as learning to love the life you make.

The writing in this book felt exactly like a film. It was like I could see scenes played out before me, pictured faceless actors portraying these characters. I had a hard time putting it down because I fell so in love with the characters; each one complicated and interesting.

I will absolutely be recommending this book to friends this summer once it is released. 5 stars for Emmie Blue!

Dear Emmie Blue is a heartwarming story about sixteen-year-old Emmie who releases a balloon with her email address and a secret that’s weighing on her in the sky, only to fall in love with the boy who finds it on a beach, Lucas Moreau. The book starts fourteen years later when Lucas and Emmie are having dinner and Lucas tells her he’s engaged. Lucas' engagement forces her to re-evaluate her life and relationships and redefine her idea of true love.

I really enjoyed this book, it was a sweet coming of age / swoon worthy love story featuring what I think is going to be one of my favourite book-boyfriends of 2020. I LOVED the way he was written. I don’t want to give too much away, but trust me when I say this guy is boyfriend goals.

The book also tackles serious issues like sexual harassment / assault, bullying, loss and loneliness - I am happy to report though that I finished this book crying happy tears.

I feel a few of the secondary characters could have done with a bit more background and development, including Emmie’s mother who I felt was over-dramatically mean to Emmie.

Overall, I think this is book is going to appeal to a lot of readers and if you are a fan of books with protagonists who overcome obstacles and find their happy ending, this one is for you.

Thank you NetGalley for providing me an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

<i>Maybe home isn’t a place. It’s a feeling. Of being looked after and understood. Of being loved.</i>

Oh this story is so sweet! It took me a bit to get into it but then I read the last 40% in one sitting, letting the story wrap around my heart and leaving me smiling for days.

Emmie Blue releases a balloon as a teenager that contains a confession that she was sexually assaulted by a teacher. Lucas finds it an ocean away and they quickly because best friends. Fast forward fifteen years later to their thirtieth birthday, and Emmie thinks Lucas has asked her for dinner so he can confess his feelings (which she obviously reciprocates). Instead, he tells her he’s getting married and wants her to be his best woman.

This is a story about putting yourself back together. About not letting the worst day of your life define you. About unconventional family and friendships so close they feel like family. About realizing that some things aren’t as they seem and the best things in life may be right in front of you.

Thanks to Atria Books and NetGalley for the advance copy of this delightful read.

Sweet, albeit predictable read! This was the perfect book to get lost in for an afternoon and walk away with a smile and full heart.

Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC of Dear Emmie Blue.

I'm not a fan of chick lit, but the premise of Dear Emmie Blue was unique so I was excited when my request was approved.

Fourteen years ago, during a turbulent period in 16 year old Emmie Blue's life, she let loose a red balloon that flew across an ocean and was found by a young man named Lucas. And an enduring friendship was born.

Now, at the age of 30, Emmie is in love with Lucas and believes their destiny is to be married. Until Lucas tells her he is getting married. To another woman. And would she be his best woman?

Of course she will! But, as she slogs her way through all the events leading to the big day, Emmie discovers that her friendship with Lucas was seen through rose colored glasses and someone has loved her since day one. His brother.

To say Dear Emmie Blue follows the traditional and predictable route of so many chick flicks and chick lit books is an understatement.

Its all here; a meek main character with no family and few friends who is desperate for a partner to feel less alone who, at the end, has gained everything she always wanted. And then some.

Emmie Blue was hard to like; she is a doormat, desperately lonely (which I understand) but believes getting married will cure her loneliness.

By the end, I still found it hard to like her, much less care about her.

Her mother is a narcissistic, neglectful parent and her father is a no-show, Emmie the result of a one night stand, or so she was told.

Her job is meaningless, she lives in a tiny apartment with an old landlady and is haunted by a terrible assault when she was sixteen.

As the story continues, Emmie learns that the most important thing a person has to do, before they can love anyone, is to love themselves.

Sadly, I didn't love Emmie, not after she started to get back on track, though I did like her friends.

This a good read for anyone who wants to read something predictable with a happy ending.