Lily is a recluse after the sudden death of her husband. Her brother Felix volunteers for their mutual friend from childhood Jack to stay with Lily. As time goes by Lily starts to get outside of her comfort zone and getting out of the house more regularly. Jack and Lily fall for each other. I loved this book. It was a sweet story and I could easily see made into a movie. I would love for there to be a follow up book.

This was a really sweet book.

My heart went out to Lily who becomes a recluse when her husband passes away 10 years ago after 3 years of marriage. At times I was conflicted over her attitude to live and her longing to pass so that she could be with her husband because I think enough time had passed for her to move on but then I also understand the guilt and love she had for him that made it difficult to move on.

Her dynamic with her family and Jack was really great. They weren't pushing Lily to come out her comfort zone but rather take the small steps needed to start living her life again. It is wonderful to see that they support her and are understanding of her emotions with her husband passing and they respect her choices even if they disagree.

It was lovely to see how Jack and Felix (Lily's brother) are trying to gently help Lily understand there is more to life and a life to enjoy out in the world.

Jack and Lily are very cute and have funny, heart warming relationship that builds throughout the story.

My favourite part was you're not a stranger, you're just strange and that's two different things.

Overall this was a very cute book albeit a bit slow in parts but nonetheless an enjoyable read.

Cute story. Lily has become a recluse after her husband's death. Jack becomes her housemate, and of course they fall in love. This is not just a love story, it's also about processing grief. It's a slow burner romance, which is something I like. I especially loved the dog. This was an enjoyable read.

A sweet, slow-moving romance. Lily has shut herself away from almost everyone and everything after the death of her husband. She is too afraid to get close to anyone in case they too are taken away from her. When Jack, an old family friend, comes to stay as a lodger, Lily slowly begins to realize that she needs to move forward with her life, but finds it difficult to take risks.

3 stars. I did really enjoy reading this book from how I've been so into the story since the first few pages. I loved that it's been told in a dual timeline and the family dynamics in here. There are just some hit or miss scenes in here, especially between Lily and Jack. I think I need more romance between these two from how I've sensed some build-up in their relationship since the beginning and since it's a slow burn, I think I've been expecting more from them.

Thanks to Netgalley and Boldwood Books for the ARC !!

Oh, this book brought tears to my eyes but also a heartwarming feel to my heart! The plot moves at a lovely pace and I loved seeing the friendship between Lily and Jack grow. They not only had a wonderful chemistry between them but they had a solid foundation of friendship too. I couldn’t help but root for them.

Grief is a big theme and for the main character in particular. I instantly felt for her and the situation she was in. However it was heartwarming to see Lily begin to take vital small steps that brought her out of her comfort zone. I loved how Lily’s family and Jack were right there beside her to reassure and bring love and encouragement Lily’s way. Oh and a certain cute dog that also stole my attention!

There is always a lovely charm to Maxine Morrey’s stories and You Only Live Once was another wonderful example of this. Within the pages of this book you get to experience a fabulous combination of friendships, family and romance. You Only Live Once is the perfect escape from everyday life!

This is a bittersweet angsty romance about emerging from the shadow of grief. Poor Lily has been happy enough pottering her widowhood away, but her brother offers her spare room to an old friend (cheeky!). Lily once had a thing for Jack but she's gotten very used to the safety of solitude.

I'd better set out a warning for the traumatic loss of a spouse and some suicidal ideation - despite the cheerful cover there's some heavy stuff in here. Lily starts the story as a successful recluse, having withdrawn to grieve. Her brother and sister-in-law have a bad habit of ignoring her boundaries and shoving her outside her comfort zone. Their love and care is touching but isn't the only way to support someone who is grieving - and Jack joins in almost as soon as he moves in. Fortunately, with their encouragement and support, Lily starts to face the world again.

I enjoyed the slowly growing friendship between Lily and Jack as they got to know one another again. Lily is witty and always ready to skewer Jack with a one-liner; Jack is ready to give as good as he gets and is more than able to stand his ground. I absolutely adored how his skills matched what Lily needed - and the restoration of her garden in line with the rebuilding of her life. Clive is, of course, adorable, as can only be expected of a golden retriever.

Best enjoyed in view of a garden - well tended or otherwise! If you're looking for a romance with a bit more emotional weight, come give this one a try.

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book via NetGalley and Rachel's Random Resources; all opinions are my own.

Thanks to Net Galley for providing me a digital arc in response for an honest review.

This is the second book I’ve read by Maxine Morrey and I loved it!

When Lily's husband dies, she moves to the edge of a tiny village, settling into a solitary life, her only real company her brother and his family. A quiet life becomes her safe space, with no risk of getting hurt. When her brother offers her spare room to his oldest friend, Jack, Lily's reluctant but knowing how much she owes her family, can't say no.
A lodger takes some getting used to but to her surprise,Lily begins to enjoy Jack's company. Slowly but surely, Jack encourages Lily to step outside her comfort zone. But taking risks means facing the consequences, and telling people how she really feels, means Lily might have to face losing them. But as the saying goes - you only live once and being brave could mean Lily gets a second chance at love…..

My opinion: I loved the dual timeline of this novel. The characters were really nicely developed but I would have loved to see more of the development of their romance such as the first kiss. But despite this you could understand how much Jack cared for Lily and her feelings and how the best for her may not be him.

Overall this book was enjoyable and I cannot wait to read any further book by this author.

This is not my usual type of read but I thought I'd give it a read as I'd heard good things about this book. I enjoyed the beginning of the book, learning about Lily's grief and reclusive lifestyle but as soon as a devastatingly handsome friend of her brother comes to stay with her, I inwardly groaned, especially with the phrase " the house is so big, we'll hardly see each other" repeated several times. From then on, it felt fairly formulaic and predictable on the romance front. An easy read, but too tidy for me.

A beautifully written story full of hope and second chances. I loved the friendship between Lily and Jack - the reconnection from their teenage years and the slow build up of trust and love as they got to know eachother. The grief Lily had experienced is unimaginable and to have to rebuild and trust again must have been so difficult. An emotional read with such lovely characters in Felix and Poppy and of course Clive the dog. Q

Grief is a nasty animal, and Lily's way of living with it is staying home, enjoying her garden and her privacy. She does let family in, loves time with her brother and his family, but that's about it. She's afraid to let anyone else into her space in order to protect her heart from breaking again.

Her brother is a kind soul, and tries to encourage Lily to take chances. Finally he forces the subject by arranging for a friend who needs a place to stay to move in with Lily. Of course she balks at this invasion of her privacy, and tries her best not to get invested in Jack.

This book gave a real-life view into grief and how people can get stuck. It also shows human resiliency. Give it a try.

Thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book, but my opinions are my own.

**Slight spoilers ahead**

I really enjoyed this book even though I did have a few issues with it, and it read more like women's fiction to me than romance (and was definitely not a laugh-out-loud romantic comedy like the blurb I read said).

Lily lost her husband in a tragic accident ten years ago and has since become sort of a recluse. She basically never leaves the house except in the early morning to pop into the market when no one is there. She is a famous author and can afford to just stay in her house missing out on all the important moments of her brother, sister-in-law, niece, and nephews' life. She is perfectly happy in her little world and still deeply affected by her husband's death.

When her brother's friend needs a place to stay for a bit he offers Lily's place and after a while she agrees. Now Jack was the town playboy in the past leaving a trail of broken hearts behind. One of the things I didn't care for was how much Lily kept thinking he was the same person even though he shows her he has grown and matured. He was pretty great for the most part, but he would try and force her to do things outside her comfort zone and get angry with her if she wouldn't. See Clive the dog. Like I get it, it was all he is just trying to help, but Lily really needed therapy not someone to yell at her. The relationship between the two of them was overall sweet, but then suddenly they are in love and in a serious relationship and it didn't really work that well. Like we don't get to see them fall in love really, they just suddenly are? It was odd and partly why this didn't feel like a romance to me - you miss out on all the romance. They literally are friends then in love in one paragraph, but you don't see that it is just told to you that they are now. So you miss out on all the good parts, but this is really more a story of Lily moving on and living her life again.

Like I said I did really enjoy this one even though there were a few issues. This is the first book by this author I have read, but it won't be the last.

Thanks to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for an advanced copy of this book

Thanks to Netgalley and publisher for the advance read of this title.
A nice easy read, took some time to get into the story. ,
I loved the introduction of Clive into this story
⭐⭐⭐⭐

But was a good read but I have read better. Sorry but that may be just me. Personally I felt that it didn't quite have the ummph that I needed at the time. I am sure that many people will read this and think I am mad but that is how I feel. Sorry about that. I will give it 4 stars.

Thanks to Netgalley and publisher for this ARC

What a heartwarming and charming read!! I loved the characters-even Clive the dog was so sweet!
Lily has been struggling with her confidence and finds herself hiding away from everyone after she loses her husband in a freak accident. When her brother’s best friend needs a place to stay for a few days when he comes back to town, her brother suggests that he stay with Lily, and as much as she objects to it on the basis that she likes her quiet life, she agrees to let him stay. Of course, over the course of time, lily comes to realize all she’s been missing by hiding herself away and once she opens her heart and her life up again, good things start happening again. Cute and entertaining rom-com that will stick with you.
This was my first book by this author, but it won’t be my last!
Thanks to Boldwood Books and NetGalley for this eArc in exchange for my review.

I’d like to thank Boldwood Books and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read ‘You Only Live Once’ written by Maxine Morrey in exchange for my honest and unbiased review.

When Lily’s much-loved husband dies in an accident in Paris she moves from London to the peace and quiet of Meadow Blossom House in a country village. She shuts herself away and sees nobody except for her brother Felix, sister-in-law Poppy, and their children Freddy and Ruby. When Jack Coulsdon-Hart, an old friend who she had a crush on many years ago, moves back from New Zealand he needs somewhere to stay and Lily grudgingly agrees to let him stay until he can find somewhere permanent.

‘You Only Live Once’ is an easy-to-read light-hearted chicklit novel about Lily, her family, and the boy she once had a crush on, that’s ideal for reading on a beach on a Summer’s afternoon. It’s an enjoyable story with not a lot of surprises but pleasant nonetheless, that has a happy-ever-after ending that leaves you with the feel-good factor.

I was provided with an advance e-copy of “You Only Live Once” by Maxine Morrey from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

“You Only Live Once” is the story of our protagonist Lily. Lily, a successful author, tragically lost her husband years ago. After his death she moved to the countryside, and became somewhat of a recluse.
All that changed when Lily’s older brother Felix, arranged for his childhood friend, Jack to come stay with Lily as he returns home. Jack, also happens to be Lily’s unrequited childhood crush, and as the two bond while living together as roommates, Lily is forced to confront her feelings and the possibility of finding love again.

There is a lot to like about this charming novel. There aren’t many novels that handle the complexities of grief and the lasting trauma that comes with it; but Maxine Morrey has managed to successfully convey the grief and trauma process. Lily, understandably is left with survivors guilt. She struggles to understand why her life was spared, and she often wishes it hadn’t been. We see in her choice to settle into a new home, separate from her memories of her husband Mike, that she was attempting to move on. But, Lily finds settling into a new routine, socializing with people without Mike, to be too much and she instead withdraws within herself. Like many survivors of trauma, her home has become her safe haven, and she’s reluctant to venture beyond this safe space.

The brother and sister bond between Lily and Felix, was a favourite of mine. Felix and his family are the few people that Lily feels comfortable socializing with and where she feels free to be herself. And while Felix May sometimes push Lily to face her fears and start moving forward, it comes from a place of love. He’s a brother that truly wants the best for his sister; when she’s hurting, it hurts him. This relationship felt realistic and genuine to me, and was a real standout.

The romance between Jack and Lily is very slow burn, and the romance scenes are fade to black. Maxine Morrey does an excellent job of showcasing the changing dynamics in their relationship, and that slow burn pays off. As wonderful as the relationship between Jack and Lily is, what I enjoyed best was how Jack was able to improve Lily’s relationship with herself. He didn’t just help her to fall in love again, he helped her to see all her potential and to learn to love herself again.

All in all, “You Only Live Once,” is that rare romantic comedy that successfully blends deeper themes with romance.

Thank you Netgalley and the Publisher for my ARC in exchange for my honest review. This was an enjoyable book.

A cute book about loving again after grief. It took a while to get into, but I'm glad I stuck with it

I received an ARC from netgalley in exchange for my honest review.

Ah what a book
When it's romance. You have my attention 110%. I love love and this book was so beautiful to read.
From the amazing characters, to the food and amusing and witty banter. What's there not to love about this book
I'd definitely recommend this book to anyone looking for their next read