The Brilliant Life of Eudora Honeysett" is a heartwarming and uplifting novel that tells the story of an 85-year-old woman named Eudora Honeysett, who has decided to end her life on her own terms. She has made all the necessary arrangements and is ready to go, but before she does, she forms an unexpected friendship with a young girl named Rose and a widower named Stanley.

The story is told from Eudora's perspective, and it's clear that she has lived a full life, but also one filled with pain and loss. Through her interactions with Rose and Stanley, she begins to see the beauty in life again and realizes that there is still much to live for.

The book deals with some heavy themes such as suicide, loss, and loneliness, but it does so in a gentle and empathetic way. It's a reminder that life is precious, and even in the darkest moments, there is always hope.

Overall, "The Brilliant Life of Eudora Honeysett" is a beautifully written novel that will leave you feeling uplifted and inspired. It's a testament to the power of human connection and the importance of finding joy in the little things.

The Brilliant Life of Eudora Honeysett by Annie Lyons is a special book. We meet eighty-five-year-old Eudora Honeysett as she is so very aware of her mortality and absolutely sure she does not want to have her last days in a hospital, on machines, kept alive well past the time she is ready to go. She has seen this happen to her mother and to other people and she wants no part of it, especially because she has no friends or family. If she doesn't take control of her death and the timing of her death, she'll be at the mercy of the decisions and actions of strangers, so she needs to do something soon. Eudora has a plan and it involves being accepted to a clinic in Switzerland, where she can die on her own timeline, on her own terms.

At the same time she is initiating the process to be accepted to the clinic, a new family moves next door. Her new neighbor, ten-year-old Rose, a self-professed fashion guru whose fashion consists of wearing the most colorful, outlandish, sparkly clothes possible, immediately claims Eudora as her best friend. Rose is such a smart, precocious girl who sees no need to filter her words or thoughts and she is just what Eudora needs, whether Eudora knows it or not. Eudora is a cranky grump and she is in no mood for noise, happiness, adventure, or friendship, this late in the game. But nothing can put Rose off and under all of Eudora's gruffness is a kind heart that isn't willing to hurt Rose's feelings. Added to this duo in a third person, heartbroken widower Stanley, who spreads cheer wherever he goes, while pining for his late wife.

At the end of each chapter, we go back to Eudora's past and learn about the hardships that made her the woman she is today. It's all about family and the sacrifices that she felt she must make throughout life, putting others before herself while neglecting the chance to have an independent life of her own. Now, Rose and Stanley have roped Eudora in with friendship and love, just when she is finally going to do something for herself. Her memories and guilt weigh so heavily on her and she doesn't want these people pulling her into a life she never got to have in the past.

I was given a copy of this book by Netgalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Eudora is done. She is done with life, and she is going to go out on her terms. So she contacts a company in Switzerland who will help her end her life with dignity when the time comes.

However, when a new family moves in next door with 10yo Rose, and then she makes friends with another elderly person, Stanley, Eudora finds she might still have some life worth living after all.

Basically this is A Man Called Ove with a female protagonist.

I received a free ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I loved this book. I’m a sucker for a story with a curmudgeon who softens with time. I also enjoyed the character of Rose and the different relationships she formed throughout the book. Good storyline that moved at a good pace.

I loved this book. Between Eudora and Rose, I was thoroughly entertained. Eudora is a little crotchety and, at 85 years old, she feels she has the right to choose how to live … or die. As you get to know her, you will learn about her life from childhood. Your heart will ache at the many ways life has been unkind to Eudora. I kept wondering when something positive would happen … and why isn’t she even more crotchety!

Then Rose appears in her life and you will laugh at her bubbly personality, her delightful sense of fashion, and the sheer honesty that flows from her mouth. It was precious to see 10-year-old Rose tell everyone that Eudora and Stanley, another senior adult, are her best friends.

This book will have you laughing, crying, rolling your eyes, and asking yourself if you are living life to the fullest. What an emotional gem that will have you flipping the pages as fast you can. But you will not want the story to end because you’re not ready to say goodbye.

There’s something I love so so much when a geriatric character has their own coming of age story, or maybe better yet a finding themselves story. So heartwarming. I loved Eudora so much, and was such an enjoyable summer read.

Rather similar to A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman and Lillian Boxfish Takes a Walk by Kathleen Rooney. Wonderfully endearing characters that span generations coming together to for a "chosen" family. A great addition to the newish sub-genre Up Lit.

I loved this story! The Brilliant Life of Eudora Honeysett is charming but totally believable, so sweet and well written. I really look forward to reading more from this author.

A beautifully written story of love and loss. It made me cry (but in a good way). Sometimes you give up on life and then someone comes into your world that gives it meaning again. You never know what a new day will bring.

This was an emotional feel good book that made me smile and almost cry and left me thinking about it a lot. It has strong characters and deals with tough subjects but in a way that makes you want to keep reading. The main character is 85 year old Eudora and you learn how she was hurt by many people growing up and that she has no family or friends left. She is ready to die on her terms. But then a new family moves in next door which includes 10 year old Rose. They develop a friendship that is so special and unique. Thank you NetGalley for this sweet novel.

Did I enjoy this book? I am not sure. Too much like A Man Called Ove, but not as good. Not original or moving enough.

Do you need a good cry? This is for you!

This was such a great book, and I have recommended it to many friends. I think it's a book that everyone should read, if they can. Eudora is a 85 year old woman, who has lived a rough life. She has hasn't always been the recipient of kindness throughout her life, so it's fitting that a ten year old girl, Rose, should pop into Eudora's life and give her life. Rose wholeheartedly believes that her and Eudora are going to be best friends. It is truly a heart-warming novel that lets you believe there is still goodness out in this world, even if you believe there is not. Brilliant job Annie Lyons!

Loved this one; The authors of voice is authentic even when dealing with test subjects. I also liked the added humor. This one was widely loved by my book club

Thank you Bookclub Girls and Net Galley for the ARC of this title for my honest opinion.

4 stars on this one! Although this book covered a sad topic, death in an aging person, it was such an enjoyable, sweet read. Eudora Honeysett is ready to die. Sounds gruesome, but the book basically starts out with the same line. The setting is near London, so she inquires about assisted suicide in Sweden. As she prepares to make the toughest decision ever, Eudora finds a new lease on life via her nosy, intrusive, and very young new neighbor, Rose. Rose shows Eudora what it is like to be a kid again, how not to care what others think, and to truly feel that she is part of a community and chosen family. It is a very heart-warming story and I highly recommend it! In some ways the book reminded me a lot of "A Man Called Ove" by Frederik Backman.

Eudora Honeysett is 85 years old. She never married and has no living relatives. She does not want to become a burden to strangers or be confined to a bed in a nursing home. She decides to make arrangements for the end of her life by contacting a clinic in Switzerland that help with end of life planning.

Rose Trewindley is 10 years old and moved into the house next door to Eudora. She knocks on Eudora’s door and introduces herself and proceeds to burrow her way into Eudora’s heart.

The story is told in modern day with flashbacks of Eudora’s younger life and all the she suffered and survived.

This is a beautifully written story that will make you think of the importance of friendship and what truly makes people family.

Thank you William Morrow and NetGalley for the ARC and the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

Oh how I long to be Eudora Honeysett when I am older! What an amazing story and yes let's live life to the fullest.

I loved this book! I fell in love with Eudora, Stanley, and Rose. What a heart warming story of friendship, love, and forgiveness. Highly recommend!!!

Fun, quirky characters will have you smiling and laughing. I don’t know who I enjoyed more, Eudora or Rose who both have a no nonsense approach to love, friendships and life. Highly entertaining.

A gorgeous book in the same vein as one of my other favorites with juxtaposed elderly and young women, The Elegance of the Hedgehog. That book was French, so was appropriately existential; this would be existential “light” - which is so appropriately British. A pleasure to read if a little tangential at times - there were at least two parts when the book could have ended and I would have been happy. However, it was my pleasure to keep learning about these characters in depth.

This book was so sweet. Anyone who reads this will look at the elderly in a different light.
Eudora is old and tired and keenly aware of her own mortality and is in the process of planning her death on her own terms when her new neighbor 10 year old Rose bursts into her life. Rose is exuberant and fast talking and Eudora’s gruffness does not stop Rose from working her way into Eudora’s life and heart. Interweaved is the story of Eudora’s past and the hardships she endured that shaped her into the gruff old woman she was. I loved watching the sweetest cast of characters unknowingly piece each other back together.
This is a very special book that is easy to fall in love with. So much to learn by in this book.