Marianne Cronin described this book as a love letter to second chances, and that is the perfect way to frame it. I love what she does with intergenerational friendships in her books! The friendship between 90 year old Eddie and 24 year old Bella is at the heart of this book. I adored it thoroughly & it reminded me of two truths. First, it is never too late to pursue a dream. And second, the people we love never really leave us. This will definitely be on my list of best books for 2025. I won’t forget it!

4.5⭐️

Having read and loved The One Hundred Years of Lenni and Margot by Marianne Cronin, I was eagerly looking forward to her most recent novel and I’m glad to say that Eddie Winston Is Looking for Love did not disappoint!

Ninety-year-old retired academic Eddie Winston spends his days sorting through donations at The Heart Trust Charity Shop, where he volunteers. As he goes through boxes of donations both from those who visit the shop personally or items collected from the estates of the deceased, he endeavors to gain a deeper understanding of the lives of the original owners. Items he feels to be of special significance find a place on his “Eddie Shelf” at home, often intending to return them to their rightful owners under special circumstances or if they decide to come back for the same. Eddie lives alone with his pet guinea pig and has never been in a relationship despite having fallen in love once in the past and has never even been kissed. In the course of his work, he meets twenty-four-year-old Isabella “Bella” Williams, who has recently lost someone close to her. As Eddie and Bella become friends, Eddie tries to help Bella through her grief and Bella takes it upon herself to find Eddie a romantic partner. The story follows Bella and Eddie as they embark upon a beautiful journey of friendship, hope and healing.

With its endearing cast of characters, consistent pacing and beautiful writing I found this novel to be an immensely moving and heartwarming read that touches upon themes of intergenerational friendship, found family, love and kindness, grief, hope and healing with compassion and humor. Eddie is a lovable character and my heart went out to Bella. The story also features an interesting cast of secondary characters and, of course, Pushkin the guinea pig, for whom Eddie makes an effort to find a companion! The author deftly combines past and present timelines into a fluid narrative featuring short chapters. Both timelines are well-developed, and at no point does the story lose momentum.

Overall, this was a delightful and uplifting read with memorable characters that left me with a smile on my face! A perfect read to end the year on!

Many thanks to Harper Perennial and Paperbacks for the digital review copy via NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.

“The remnants of a life don’t add up to much, really. Not once the big things–the fridge freezer, the three-piece suite, the body–are all boxed up and gone. What remain are the little things.”

What a sweet lovely beautifully written story. I dare anyone to not adore him. He is kind, warm, loving and the kind of person that if we know someone in real life like we’d all be better for it. At 90, while he is volunteering in a local charity shop and there he meets Bella. He makes a promise to her and when she returns they form an incredible friendship. Its early in the year, but this is going on my best of ’25. This is the feel good story I didn’t know I needed, wasn’t really expecting and am thrilled to have read.

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

I absolutely loved this book. It was just the kind of heartwarming read I needed. I loved the characters and felt connected to all of them. I loved their stories and how they intertwined. Eddie was so adorable and I was rooting for him. I’ve already told several people to add it to their TBR list!

Eddie is a kind 90 year old man who has never been kissed and has never forgotten the woman he once fell in love with. He spends his days working in a thrift store where he occasionally takes home items that seem to have great sentimental value for someone. Bella drops off items which include something Eddie thinks she may want back at some time. Bella has just lost her first love and she and Eddie strike up a friendship. They decide that Eddie needs to find love and be kissed. A sweet, funny tale of friendship, love, loss and the never ending hope that things will turn out right. Bella and Eddie are wonderful characters and the novel is a lovely read.

This was a very sweet and heart warming story of 90 year old Eddie who befriends a young 24 year old Bella. Both have loved and lost their true loves but in different ways. Bella is on a mission to ensure that Eddie gets his first kiss, and I loved how she encouraged him to use the dating ap.

This is also a story of grief, and I appreciated Bella’s loss as she worked through it.

Thank you Netgalley for a complimentary ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

Such loveable characters and what a sweet story! It could have come across as smarmy but this author has a gift for pulling at heartstrings in the most appealing way. I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Another heartwarming novel from this author! Eddie found retirement boring so began working in a charity shop where he is charged with placing donations up for sale, many of them the last possessions of people who have died recently. He meets the much younger Bella when she brings in items previously owned by her deceased boyfriend. I loved the intergenerational friendship and mutual respect between Eddie and Bella. The excellent character development made me wish I knew them too. They helped each other with their broken hearts in this emotional but ultimately hopeful story. I can't wait to read more by this author!

This was a warm hug of a book. I absolutely adored this book and can't stop thinking about it. It made me go through a whirlwind of emotions: happy, sad, wistful, and just so grateful for getting to read this one. I really enjoyed it and if one word could describe this book for me, it would be: wholesome. I'll be recommending this one to all my friends. Loved it!

The most tender and touching love story! .

Thanks NetGalley and Harper Perennial for the ARC!

Synopsis -

Eddie Winston, a nonagenarian who works in a charity shop has never been kissed in his entire life. When Bella, a young girl who’s just lost her boyfriend crosses paths with Eddie - they embark on a mission to find him a perfect match, his true love and that sweet first kiss. But fate has its own plan in store for Eddie and Bella.

Review -

Oh what a wonderful book this was to curl up with! Especially on those cold winter nights, Eddie’s story can feel like a comforting hot chocolate that soothes your soul and warms your heart.

#OneHundredYearsOfLenniandMargot was an exceptional debut by @itsmariannecronin and that was a tough act to follow, but she has triumphed again via this unusual pairing of Eddie and Bella.

At its heart, this novel tries to bring together two lonely people who have very different histories, experiences and vastly differing in age. But what kindles the most unexpected friendship between them is the best part - Bella trying to donate her dead boyfriend’s belongings to Eddie, an expert in handling dead people’s stuff and maintains a separate “Eddie” pile. The moment I learnt about this secret stash of Eddie, is when I came to adore him.

While exploring this companionship between a 20 something and a 90 something, the author brings in a surprise from the past and this closely follows Eddie’s present quest for love via online dating. I could only hope and cheer for these two threads to collide - and guess what! The author pulls off the most spectacular feat as she merges them both - putting us through peals of laughter, tears of joy and immense relief.

Eddie’s pet, the guinea pig named “Pushkin” deserves a special mention, as this little guy just added to the overall cuteness and adorability of this entire book!

Eddie’s tale imbibes kindness, compassion, hope and will forever carve a place in your heart. If heartwarming, uplifting reads are your jam, especially with elderly protagonists, then this is the book for you!

This was an endearing story about friendship and love. I loved Eddie’s character! He was so kind, loving, and a hopeless romantic at age 90 and never been kissed. I loved the friendship between Eddie and Bella. They were good for each other. I also liked the humor sprinkled throughout the story. The swearing among the younger generation was a bit much for me, but the story itself was beautifully written. It was the reason I gave it four stars. If you are looking for a charming story to read this is a great choice.

Thank you NetGalley and Harper Perennial for the ARC in exchange for my honest review!

Such a lovely story. Has wonderful, rich characters; I loved each one of them. They had so much depth and added to the story. I adored the friendship of Eddie and Bella. A delightful read that will stay with me. Highly recommend.

A very sweet, joyful book with moments of emotional depth.

I loved the intergenerational friendship between Bella and Eddie. Loved that we had an eclectic mix of side characters: Ham and Cheese, Marjie, and of course Pushkin.

I would have read an entire book about Bridie and Eddie, and wanted even more of this tragic storyline. The timing of their connection was so well written, as was their internal motivation.

THE ONE HUNDRED YEARS OF LENNI AND MARGOT was one of my favorite books of 2022, and I was hoping this would be a similarly emotionally devastating read. While EDDIE WINSTON IS LOOKING FOR LOVE didn't quite measure up to Cronin's debut, it is still a lovely gem of a book.

Thanks to Netgalley and Harper Perennial for the ARC. Expected publication December 31, 2024.

What an enchanting read! I loved Eddie, a 90 year old who volunteers at a charity shop. Eddie has never been kissed . Enter Bella, a 24 year old widow. Eddie and Bella become friends and Bella is determined that Eddie receive his first kiss. Read this fun novel and enjoy Eddie and Bella's adventures.

6 stars!
Eddie Winston is a delightful 90 year old man who shows us that with a little hope, patience and a positive attitude, anything is possible. The characters in this book will steal your heart. I just adored this beautiful story. If you are a fan of Remarkably Bright Creatures and A Man Called Ove, you will love this one! I will be recommending this to all of my friends.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced release copy in exchange for an honest review. Most of all, thanks to the author, Marianne Cronin, for the joy she gave me with this book.

Eddie Winston Is Looking for Love follows an unconventional friendship between 90-year-old Eddie and 24-year-old Bella, with a handful of flashbacks following Eddie's first love. This novel was sweet and tender, with a beautiful combination of moments full of grief and hope. I really loved all three characters, especially Eddie.

I received an ARC from Harper Perennial and Paperbacks | Harper Perennial via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Eddie Winston is Looking for Love
Marianne Cronin
December 31, 2024

This is a remarkable story of an aged man who is kind, pleasant and happy to be around most people. He is a phd graduate in English. He worked at the University in Manchester in England until his retirement. He taught, wrote a book and was a guest speaker at many conferences. His only real love is a woman, Bridey, who was the department secretary. She married before her husband too became a professor. He was well-liked by many, especially female students. Because of that, he treated Bridey poorly. He was gone often for department engagements and appointments. She knew that most of those were dates with other women. She always hoped that none were students. It was embarrassing and depressing. He rarely made time for her or made an effort to be pleasant when he was home. Eddie however spent time with her as a friend nothing more. He was a gentleman then and continues to be one at the age of 90.
Eddie Winston is Looking for Love was published on December 31, 2024 by Harper Perennial. I was able to read Cronin´s latest novel via NetGalley. It is an extremely heart-warming story. The methods that Eddie would take while sorting donations for the Thrift Shop where he worked for the previous twelve years. His dialog and thoughts are just delightful. This novel made me laugh and yet at times brought tears to my eyes. This extraordinary story is one that readers will truly enjoy.

How could you not fall in love with Eddie Winston? He is always the ultimate gentleman and at 90 years old he is looking for his first kiss. Why has he waited this long? He has been in love with a married woman who takes her wedding vows very seriously even though her husband does not. She also loves Eddie but will not break her vows. This story a story about love and friendship with a few highs and lows and many amusing incidents to make you laugh. It's a story of being happy and satisfied with your life although it may not be what you hoped for. The author did a great job bringing the characters to life.
Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Collins for an advanced ebook for my honest opinion.
#EddieWinstonIsLookingForLove #MarianneCronin #NetGalley

This was a perfectly lovely book. It reaffirmed that no matter your age it is never too late to go to unexpected places.
I would like to thank NetGalley for this ARC.

This is a charming novel about an unlikely friendship between and elderly man and a young woman. One has to love the character of Eddie. He works in a charity shop and loves to look at items and think about their past. His character is so open to new people and ideas which can be unusual for his age. While he may never have found love he thinks the world is full of love and wishes love to be found for others.

Meet Bella who intially came to donate some items but begins lurking around the shop. It doesn't take long for Eddie and Bella to form a friendship. Bella brings a lot of joy and warmth to Eddies's life. He did not know he was missing it. She decides to help him find love and the story begins.

The story weaves between others from items Eddie has found at the shop. The stories are touching and at times funny. I enjoyed reading all about the shop and what one may find. If you spent any time in a shop it certainly brought some light to what goes on behind the scenes.

If you enjoy found family and quirky characters you will enjoy this novel. Thank you Netgalley for the chance to review this book.