I just could not get myself to read this book, not that there was anything awful about it,but I tried a few times and it seems I always dropped it for something else.

What an adorable book about friendship and the passage of time. Lucas and Emmie are unlikely of friends, and yet their bond is like none other. It transcends time and expectations of love.

Dear Emmie Blue is about unrequited love. it takes you through all the motions - love, anger, sadness, hope, grief, etc… I really enjoyed this book but I think it was a little more heavy than I was expecting by the cute cover. Emmie, however was so charming and I just wanted to hug her and walk her through life and the sadness she was feeling. I let this book sit for a year on my shelf and I regret letting it take me so long to read it. If you’re looking for something light and fluffy - skip this book. If you want something that feels real and raw but still lovely, definitely pick this one up!

Thank you so much for the opportunity to read and review this book. While this title is no longer within the realm of my current reading interests I appreciate the opportunity in receiving an ARC.

Oh what a heartbreaking, heartwarming, and beautiful love story we have here in Dear Emmie Blue! This book quickly landed a spot on my favorites shelf.

At 16 years old, Emmie release a balloon containing her biggest secret, thinking nobody will find it. Alas, fellow teenager Lucas Moreau finds this balloon only weeks later, and the two instantly hit it off, even forming a deep friendship. Fast forward fourteen years when Emmie is asked to be Lucas’s “best woman” and Emmie is left grappling with all of these not so buried feelings that she realizes can never be brought to light.

My heart! Emmie Blue is one of those characters that forever imprints themselves on your heart. I absolutely adored her and coming alongside her on her journey of self discovery and love. I simply found myself rooting for her every step of the way.

I really enjoyed how this story drifted along like a balloon in flight with its gentle pace. Everything about this one felt unique and original and the storyline itself even took me by surprise at times. The romance is 100% believable and gave me all the feels, which is exactly what I was hoping to experience. I was a bit nervous picking this book up that it could have been taken in an over the too, cheesy direction after reading the synopsis, but believe me that was not the case at all.

I could go on and on and gush some more, like about how wonderful the author’s writing is. But I’ll just leave you with the encouragement to pick this one up as soon as you can, because it surely will become a favorite of yours as well.

All the stars! What a true and utter delight is Dear Emmie Blue.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Atria for the gifted e-copy!

This book was quite the enjoyable read! It’s the kind of story that sneaks up on you and captures your heart. Rosie was by far my favorite character, I loved her friendship and support of Emmie. Highly recommend!

WOW. I read chick lit and thought it would be light. it has a lot of heavy subject matter which i was not expecting but didn't''t totally detract me from enjoying the book. I understand it's a bit polarizing and while it's not the best book, it's enjoyable, though would be more if people go into it with that disclaimer.

In Dear Emmie Blue by Lia Louis, we meet Emmie, a thirty-year-old woman who is in love with her best friend, Lucas. They met at age sixteen when Emmie released a balloon with a note inside. When Lucas found it and responded to her email address, a great friendship was formed. Emmie has hoped that someday they will be more than friends, but she hasn't told him how she feels and it looks like she has missed her chance. Lucas has just informed her that he is getting married. Heartbroken, she soldiers on, determined to do whatever is necessary to ensure his happiness.

Filled with darling characters, and a few others who could really use a punch in the nose, this book was very sweet. Emmie has had a hard life and with Lucas she gets to peek into what an ideal family might look like. He is her best friend, but his parents are almost like parents to her as well. She also has two wonderful friends at work and she discovers more of a connection with someone she has taken for granted for a long time.

This book is about relationships and found families. And I adored it.

I love stories where what you wish for isn't always what's best for you. Isn't that real life? The development of the characters was spot on and I laughed and cried with Emmie. It's a delightful weekend read and I highly recommend it!

99.0% "GAHHHHHHH!! This book is sooo wonderful. #AllTheStars #AllTheFeels #HappyHeart

Emmie Blue is one of my very mot favorite reads of 2020. While I'm writing a review for it nearly a year after I first read it, I still feel the pinch of my heart and my tummy. It gutted me and put me back together again. I felt like I knew where things were going, but I was constantly surprised by Emmie life, her emotional well being, and her strength. This is a story that deserves a re-read asap. #Mustread

Thank you to Atria Books and NetGalley for this free e-arc in exchange for my honest review.

Do you want a story to tug at your heart strings, give you all the feels, and make you feel the urge to tie a note to a balloon and find a friend far away? If you answered yes to all of these, read Dear Emmie Blue, and if you didn't, read Dear Emmie Blue anyway.

Chapter after chapter, I fell more in love with this story. Each character was well written and I love that I got to know more about each character in intimate ways. Emmie Blue sends a balloon up in the air with a note tied to it. She receives an email from Lucas, who finds her balloon on a beach, and they continue to send emails back and forth. They start a life long friendship and we find them as adults after 14 years of that friendship. This story tells of that friendship and the highs and lows that come with friendship. It's also the telling of several cute relationships and I love how different each one was. I feel like I'm friends with Emmie, Lucas, and Eliot. I see myself in Rosie. We're basically twins. Louise was a kind soul and was such a great addition to this story.

Lia Louis does a fantastic job of writing defined characters without dragging out the story. She made reading this book a joy!

(Content Warnings: Cancer, Cursing, Death, Emotional Abuse, Grief, Rape, Sexual Assault)

It has been a really long time, I think, since I've had a 5 stars-read, but this is it! This book! Dear Emmie Blue by Lia Louis was absolutely heart-breaking, but also laugh-out-loud fun. Emmie feels like she has no one except Lucas and Eliot. The characters are all unique and lovable. I think it's pretty rare you like all characters, even the mean ones! The story was engaging and well-written. It's about overcoming terrible events and finding happiness. Also, the romance wasn't too heavy and it wasn't the main point of the story. I am glad to have a new "auto-read" author!

TW : Teen sexual assault (not graphic), death of a loved one, cancer, parental issues.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for a free ebook copy in exchange of a honest opinion.

3.5 stars

I was back and forth for my rating of this novel. I LOVED the plot, the characters, and the unique story that was created. However, for some reason, I had extreme difficulty with the writing style.

Due to the writing style, for the majority of the first half of this novel, I thought I'd be giving this book a two star rating. But then the story picked up and even though I had difficulty with the way the book was being written, I loved the story that was unfolding enough to look past it.

It's hard to compare this story to anything because it's uniquely its own story but has some elements that remind me of other sources of media. For instance, part of this storyline reminded me of the movie "My Best Friend's Wedding" yet both stories are extremely different from each other.

This was a pretty emotional read and some of the trigger warnings would include content involving: sexual assault, PTSD, parental absence/abandonment. The main character was extremely strong but the story did also show how she understandably still had her struggles.

I loved all of the characters in this novel and even though I had some moments of questioning Lucas's character near the end of the novel, I can understand what was happening leading to those moments.

This is a book that should be read for the story. I think the writing style may be where readers have difficulty but the story is truly beautiful.

***Thank you to the publisher for supplying me with an ARC of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review***

I am a sucker for an unrequited love story and that is a big part of Dear Emmie Blue. In a stroke of fate lonely 16 year old Emmie meets Lucas and they quickly develop into best friends, even over a long distance. Through texts and emails and occasional trips between England and France Emmie finds the family and deep connection she had been missing. A few years later Emmie meets Lucas for dinner thinking he is going to propose only that's not quite how things work out.

I found this story to be very compelling, sweet, warm-hearted. I loved so many of the characters, some more than Emmie and Lucas themselves (I'm looking at you, Elliott, Louise, and Rosie)! I love how Emmie learns to open up and let down her walls and to see the support and friends she has around her. I thought there were parts that were a bit predictable, but I was ok with it.

This story was lovely and sweet, but also dealt with some deeper issues like sexual assault, loneliness, lies, rejection, forgiveness, friendship and trust. I am so glad I read it and am thankful for Netgalley giving me that opportunity.

3.5 stars, rounded up

This is another sweet, romantic story that is a breath of fresh air when I needed it the most. An updated, thoughtful version of My Best Friend's Wedding, it is a quick read, albeit not always light and fluffy. Although it is a bit predictable at times, it's also a beautiful homage to courage, starting over, and realizing that you are enough.
I admired Emmie and some of the obstacles she had to overcome in order to live her best life. There are a few characters (her mother for one) that I couldn't identify with, yet I do know that people like her exist in the world, as horrible as that seems.
The humor sprinkled throughout, especially with Emmie's friends, is the perfect balance for the more sad and introspective moments. Rosie and Fox are delightful. I don't want to say too much about the romance because it's just better when you read it for yourself.

Dear Emmie Blue was a story that was really hyped up for me. So many people I trust rated it really highly. Unfortunately it didn’t work quite as well for me. I’m not big on highly emotional reads, and this one was so emotional! I ultimately DNF. However the writing was beautiful and I can see how so many would love it.

This book was so cute! Loved the idea of the main character writing a note in the balloon and the boy finding it. I love a book with a happy ending and this one did it for me. I rated this one 4 stars.

I received a free digital copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Cute book, good read. I loved the main character.

Thank you kindly to the author, the publisher, and NetGalley for this review copy.

I love this one. The characters were so relatable and I loved how I really felt for Emmie. Lucas and his friendship with Emmie from when they were young was such a touching (and fun) way to open this story as well and had me hooked. How would Emmie react to what he has to say? This was a cute, funny little life and love story that will tug at your heartstrings!

This was a pretty cute story! I was a little underwhelmed after checking out the reviews first, it wasn't the revelation for me that it seemed to be for others.. but like I said, it was pretty cute.

I didn't like the part about Emmie's mother, it felt borderline cartoonish how evil and uncaring she was. I also did not like how Emmie pined for Lucas, for seemingly no reason. As the book went on, she "suddenly" realized, bit by bit, how he wasn't *that nice* or even supportive of her afterall? After half of her life of knowing him? Being practically part of his family for years?? It just felt like she was SO out-of-tune with everyone around her, too much so. It took me out of the story, a bit. I did love Eliot's character, though! I was definitely rooting for him from the start.

To me, the best part of the whole story was the relationship Emmie had with her landlady (whose name I can't remember.) And her friends, they were pretty delightful. I did like the writing style, the editing was well done and I'd absolutely watch a movie adaption, too.

Overall, I'd give this 3.5 stars and I would recommend it- as a light, happy and quick read. I get the comparisons to Evvie Drake Starts Over and Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine. I liked Evvie Drake better, but I certainly preferred this to Eleanor Oliphant.


Thank you to #Atriabooks and #Netgalley for the complimentary ARC in exchange for my honest review.