The name change for this book took me by surprise.
This was a quirky story and entertaining premise. I liked it and agree with the similarity to other quirky stories, such as Eleanor Oliphant.
My only complaint is that the pacing isn’t as good as others like it.
#HowNottoDieAlone #NetGalley #SomethingToLiveFor

This book was hard to get into and honestly did not finish it. The text and layout was a mess so that didn't help my desire to continue.

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

Great book! Very well written. I really enjoyed the main character.

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

I had a hard time getting into this book. The pacing was a bit slow and I had a harder time following the story at first. While the writing was good, I just wasn't connecting with any of the characters. I also feel it was more character-driven, and I tend to prefer plot-driven stories. I did enjoy the dual timelines, back and forth between Andrew's past and present.

I really enjoyed this book. I'm not sure why the title change was necessary. I provided a review under the original title.

DNF @25%

This book would've been a lot easier to read if it wasn't the messy and disorganized text. I was really looking forward to reading this but some of the words aren't completed. I don't blame the author, I blame the publisher.

A fun quirky read. Very unique protagonist!

Many thanks to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for my ARC. All opinions are my own.

Andrew works for the Death Department. His job is to pick through the homes of the recently deceased to try to find a next of kin, and any money that can be used to cover funeral expenses. His days follow a routine, though his imaginary life provides quite a bit of color to the mundane. Until Peggy starts working with him. More spontaneous and open than he, she brings a colorful streak into his life, one that has him wondering if he's doing this whole life thing wrong, and maybe he should start living more.

I saw this book on Netgalley last year, when it was titled How Not to Die Alone. But, since I'd only recently started with Netgalley and this was published by a major publisher, I forced myself to pass on it and pick it up in the bookstore instead. Last summer, a few months after it was released, I did see a beautiful hardcover copy in our local bookstore, but I already had my arms full of books, so had to pass again. When I saw it, for the third time, back on Netgalley under a new title, I knew I was supposed to at least try to read it. Even though I'm approved more often from major publishers, I'm still surprised when I get a book, so I've really been looking forward to this one. Of course, I much prefer the funnier original title, but the book is still a lot of fun, probably regardless of what it's called.

The Characters: Quite Amusingly Proper

All of the characters are terribly, properly British, which shouldn't be surprising as it takes place in London. I'm always amused by how they come off as much more liberated than the usual stoic, proper stereotype, though there still is quite a bit of the proper Brit that comes out! These characters were no exception. They were very proper, even worrying a bit about how they appeared to others, but also seemed so much more open about drinking and sex as though it's quite normal in day-to-day life. And maybe it is. I've only met a handful of British people in person and they all seemed very polite and proper, so I couldn't say for sure. But I was constantly amused by these characters. They were fun and annoying and had many sides to them.

At first, I found them to not be terribly exciting. Their lives, especially Andrew's, felt quite boring and routine, very mundane, though Andrew's imaginary life was incredibly fascinating. But then I got to know them and got to see them interact and react to each other. They were an odd bunch, but very upfront, and somehow cared about each other. They initially felt like disparate parts, but came together in interesting ways so that I was certain I didn't want to see any of them go.

Andrew was most peculiar to me. I've tried looking it up and reading several reviews to see if my thoughts were in any way justified. It doesn't look like it, but I kept getting the feeling he was on the autism spectrum. Of course, the way I know that disorder is also likely to differ from how it's known in other countries as I reside in the US, but several of his quirks came off to me in such a way that I couldn't help but wonder. Of course, there are likely cultural differences I don't understand and maybe the characterization is quite normal in British society.

I adored Peggy. She was a splash of color next to Andrew, which really highlighted just how routine and mundane his life was. It almost made me sad. But she was so vibrant and so honest in her characterization that I couldn't help but love her. She made mistakes, tried to believe the best in people, and really cared about others. It was hard to not like her.

The Setting: London, With Lots of Dead People

Much of the book takes place in London, but I didn't get the feeling that fleshing out the setting was a big focus. It felt British in the way the characters behaved and spoke, but there were no long passages or descriptions to describe every detail of every street or house so it was clear this takes place in London.

Instead, it was very subtle, very well woven into the story. It was in the way the characters just popped into a pub in the middle of the day or routinely took the tube to and from work. I have no idea what any of the buildings looked like, how the streets were laid out, or even what people were wearing. It was delightful because I could focus on the people and the story and just feel like I was wandering along behind them, as though everything they saw was just so normal that it didn't merit a whole paragraph of description. I suppose it assumed some knowledge of London, but I think it also made me believe this story could be happening anywhere, that someone could be lonely but choosing to try not to die alone.

The Plot: Sad and Funny

This managed to be both sad and funny. It went back and forth between the present and Andrew's past, so the reader really gets a full picture of Andrew. It was absolutely Andrew's story, anyways, what with him talking about his real and imagined lives and the changes he chooses to make. It's the story of a lonely man who doesn't fully know he's lonely until Peggy breezes into his life. It's the story of a man being brought back to life.

Still, it's kind of morbid in the way is talks so much about death, though of course it deals with death since Andrew and Peggy work for the Death Department. I really like that that was where they worked since Andrew seemed almost in a dead state himself. And then the ending just felt perfect and I adored the changes Andrew went through and the realizations he had. It wasn't easy for him, and he fought against it, but the tide of change was coming and he couldn't do anything to stop it. It was incredibly sad, though, when his imaginary life came crashing down around him.

But this book is also funny. The characters were interesting and brought a lot of life to it. They each had their place in the story and each were revealed at the perfect time to add color to Andrew's life and move the story along. They were funny, and I especially liked a parenthetical piece about a marshmallow. It was amusing in the way sometimes a sad situation needs a bit of brightness to lift the mood a little before it becomes somber again. This book had a brilliant balance of both while also providing glimmers of hope for Andrew.

The one thing I will complain about is that some of it felt too contrived. Like with the dinners Andrew's boss forces everyone to do. It was key to getting the story going, but, since so many of his other ideas had fallen apart, it was surprising how this one was forced. There were a few other pieces that felt like they didn't fit perfectly, but this was annoying and kept making me squirm in my seat.

Overall: Immensely Enjoyable, But Also Sad

Overall, I'm very glad I did finally get the chance to read this book, more than a year after How Not to Die Alone was first published. After having read so many novels by British authors that take place in and around Great Britain, it was easy to slide into this one and really helped me enjoy the story immensely. The characters were quirky and fun, very colorful and so different from each other. The story was sad, but lovely at the same time. It was a little boring at first, but then I became invested in Andrew's life and just really wanted to find out how everything was going to crash down around him and what would happen next for him.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for a free e-copy. All opinions expressed are my own.
Link to post: https://thelilycafe.com/book-review-something-to-live-for-by-richard-roper/

What to say about this book? I loved it. The characters were quirky without being precious or annoying. They were real and you really cared about what happened to them. Andrew accidentally let his subconscious answer a question he barely listened to and suddenly he had a family that didn't exist.

Andrew worked for "the council" and helps to find the next of kin to say goodbye to those who die alone. He like his work and thinks his lonely life is all he needs. He feels that it fills a void. When he meets Peggy, he knows that it really does not. How does he extricate from the lies he has told? How does move beyond this place where his life has stalled? How does he face his past?

This book was previously released under another name in the US. I hope to read more from Mr. Roper in the future.

You can tell when you read the book that it is trying to feature that loveable but awkward character that the reader roots for during the course of the book. I love those books! Andrew is supposed to be that person. But somehow the emotional hook was missing for me. Sure he was awkward and sure he needed a little pushing, enter Peggy, but the story fell flat for me more so than most of the stories in this nebulous genre. I was almost more interested in finding out about his friends on the train enthusiasts chat board and was hoping something strange and interesting would happen with that than I was for Andrew to open up with Peggy and his coworkers. The rest of the book was cute, but predictable and even at the end I didn't quite have that enthusiastic, positive feeling I would have expected.

I was unable to finish this book, but I do not think it is necessarily the fault of the author. Rather, in the midst of social turmoil and a pandemic, I just did not want to read such sad and melancholy subject matters. It honestly just made me really sad.

Something to Live For by Richard Roper, previously titled How Not To Die Alone, is an incredible story about someone with nothing to lose finding a reason to live.

My thanks to G.P. Putnam's Sons (Penguin House Group) and NetGalley for the advanced reader's copy.

Andrew worked for the London authority responsible for 'Section 46', a public health statute that determined the disposal by burial or cremation of persons who died without relatives or means.

His job consisted of visiting the houses of people recently deceased in search of documents that might lead to family members or money to pay for the burial expenses.

These people died alone, some were not found for months. The houses smelled of death and decay, and facing this reality was a harsh reminder of how fragile life is and how things can change in a heartbeat.

It was worse for Andrew, who lived alone himself, having only his model trains as companions.

The story is so engaging and well-written. I love the way the author expressed Andrew's internal turmoils. In one passage, he feels like "a trapdoor had opened above his head, and Polaroids were cascading down on him."

I felt a deep connection to Andrew. He seemed so real to me. I felt his tension entering the houses, his insecurities, I could almost feel the unbearable odors.

Andrew is a very complex character. He is so broken inside, and yet so sweet and caring. One cannot but like and root for his happiness.

The side characters are gold: the neurotic boss, the egocentric co-workers, and the lovely and funny Peggy.

The dialogues are fun and witty, which is a most welcome diversion from the dreadness of Andrew's work and the reality of what dying (and living) completely alone entails.

The narrative is well-woven and, although I was not completely clueless, I was pleasantly surprised by how it all ended.

This book makes one think about life, priorities, and how vital those grudges we hold to really are.

Great read! Highly recommended.

Disclosure: I received an ARC of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

*This review will be posted on https://lureviewsbooks.com on 07/27/2020*

I just adore stories that involve quirky characters and this was no exception! The characters were incredibly likable and I was invested in Andrew from the beginning. Some of his antics made me cringe but the internal dialogue from his character just kept endearing me to him more. This was a lovely story with a cast of unique characters. Each one added an essential element to this charming book. This was a warm, unique, lovely story. My thanks to the publisher for the advance reader in exchange for my honest review.

An uplifting and wonderful story of a man who has lived alone for some time with a secret that he has been keeping from his coworkers. Through an honest misunderstanding, he has led them to believe he is married with children when in reality he lives alone and is interested in building his model trains. Andrew works dealing with those who pass away and need to be given a "pauper's burial" by the government in the UK. He finds any next of kin, and then arranges affairs after their passing. This tale is at time beautiful, heartbreaking and kind. I was blown away with the attention to detail and character arcs, leading to a great resolution to the book. If you have enjoyed the works of Fredrik Backman and Helen Fielding and were hoping for a kind of Bridget Jones for men, look no further!

This ebook was provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

A quirky funny emotional moving read.A book that drew me in kept me turning the pages.A book I will be recommending.#netgaley #penguinputnam

Thank you NetGalley, Penguin Group Putnam and Richard Roper for an advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.
It’s not often I close a book and feel like I don’t know what I feel. This was one of those books. While I enjoyed the characters and the storyline, I have a problem with extra marital affairs. I just didn’t want them to be romantically involved at the end of the day because of their situations. I really didn’t agree with how Andrew handled his family either. I’m hoping to keep this vague and spoiler free but basically I felt... meh.

This book was both charming and melancholy, quirky and deeply moving. Our hero is a man surrounded by death and loneliness. He has lost (to death) all of the people that he's ever loved, and his daily work involves taking care of final arrangement for those who have died without friends and family to care for them. He accidentally tells a lie in his job interview that leads to a full blown imaginary wife and children, and his only friends are "strangers" in an online miniature train forum. Into all of this arrives a woman who makes him want to become "unstuck"... but is that even possible?

Roper presents a fascinating premise, and does a great job of tying together the strings in the final quarter of the book. Definitely recommend.

I was given an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest opinion, which I am always happy to give. My thanks to #NetGalley, the author and publisher for this opportunity.

PREVIOUSLY TITLED HOW NOT TO DIE ALONE.

I requested this book because I noticed the author was one I'd like his previous book (How Not to Die Alone) and I mistakingly assumed this was a sequel. It's actually the same book, which a name change. So I'm actually really confused on why the name did change, and I'm sharing my review here from my previous read of the book.

I wasn't totally sure what to expect when I picked How Not to Die Alone for my May Book of the Month pick. The synopsis seemed unique and funny, plus it was recommend by Liberty Hardy, who is always my go-to when I can't seem to choose, so it sounded like the right option.

This novel follows Andrew, a 40-something government employee who scavenges homes after individuals die alone with seemingly no close friends or relatives. For the past five years, he's worked in the same role, with the same people - who all believe him to be happily married with children. So, when he becomes close to a new co-worker, he begins to feel guilty about his family, because well, they don't exist.

This book was so quirky and unique. It was unlike anything else I've ever read before. I laughed. I cried. But mostly this book made me think, and when I thought too hard, it made me overwhelmingly sad. Keep in mind, this entire book is about death, but tries to bring a light to it.

I really wanted to like Andrew's character - I've seen him described as a highly likable yet flawed character, but I thought he was immensely selfish. And I get that. We're all selfish in many ways - I can be incredibly selfish, but I truly thought he was terrible. He's the protagonist, so I wanted things to work out for him, but I just disliked him (which isn't the general consensus, it seems). I did very much like Peggy, for the most part, and I appreciated Andrew's boss and his responsibilities - he was just a kind person trying to be well-liked.

"What was he going to do next - throw a television out of a window? Ride a motorbike into a swimming pool?" - How Not to Die Alone, Richard Roper

The story was overall fun and enjoyable, though it focused on a not so fun and enjoyable topic. There were definitely character flaws, though the characters were well-written and the book itself was written well. I can definitely see myself reading more from Richard Roper.

I saw this book on bookstagram and knew I wanted to read it. I absolutely loved it. It drew me in and I didn't want to take a break. Definitely did not disappoint!

Got halfway through this novel (again) before realizing I'd already read it and ordered it for our collection. Oops!