Dear Eliza was a fast paced enjoyable read. I loved the realistic dilemmas with love interests, experiencing grief and finding other possibilities. I was compelled to keep the enjoyment going til the end!

Thank you to Net Galley and Girl Friday for the opportunity to read Dear Eliza by Andrea J. Stein, a lovely, respectfully written story. It touched my heart.

"Dear Eliza" is a heartrending journey through loss, family, and life's surprises. 💌💔 Eliza's world is upended when she receives a mysterious letter from her late mother, revealing secrets that challenge everything she knows. 🕵️‍♀️ The story unfolds with gripping emotion and unexpected twists, as Eliza navigates relationships and self-discovery. 💔👩‍👦‍👦 The characters are rich and relatable, their struggles adding depth to the narrative. 💪📖 And amidst it all, a slow-burn romance ignites between Eliza and her high school crush, Josh, adding layers of tension and hope. 💕✨ "Dear Eliza" is a beautifully crafted tale of love, resilience, and second chances. 📚💖

This was a lovely story. It was definitely an emotional read, as it follows the heroine in the days after her father’s death, as a letter from her deceased mother rocks her world. There are multiple themes involving challenges to conquer, hope, romance, and familial bonds.

This is a good book about family and grief and moving on after.
Eliza doesn't deal well with the news from this letter from her mother first. But with the support of her brother and her friends she finds her way again.

Thanks NetGalley for this ARC.

I really enjoyed this book overall. The main character, Eliza, was well rounded, flawed, and likable. The love interest, Josh, was very sweet and I really enjoyed their friendship throughout the book. I really wish I had been able to see Josh’s POV, because it would have helped to build up their romantic relationship. I didn’t love some of the side characters throughout the story, but at least they got better right at the end.

This is a touching and beautifully written story about a woman's search for her biological father, which leads her on a journey to finding herself. It balances the heaviness of grief with the lightness of love, creating an uplifting tale without ignoring the deep emotions involved. The book's pace is just right, mixing humor with the serious themes of dealing with long-held family secrets and understanding what family truly means. It's an engaging and heartfelt read that really hits home.

I cannot even fathom what it is like to lose two parents at such a young age coupled with the news Eliza received due to letter written by her mom that was given to her at her father's funeral. However, it often felt like she defined herself by the death of her parents and how she chose to conduct herself. Marred with grief, she isolated herself and allowed herself to physically deteriorate due to the lack of eating. She only had one friend that when she didn't enjoy Mo's advice about her interaction with Ross, she quickly angered and shut her out. She was so prone to crying and anger that it really felt like the common theme through the book. I was glad that she finally opened herself up to Josh and allowed herself to be happy but as a reader, I wish that her sadness was not the only characteristic that she thrived on.

This is lovely novel, about death and rebirth. Eliza who lost her beloved mother at 16 is coping with the death of her semi-estranged father when she receives a letter penned by her dead mother that reveals a long held secret. Eliza has to examine everything she felt about her mother, brother and father. As she searches for a new identity, she is supported by her brother’s longtime best friend, Josh. So, there is a lot that is obvious and predictable, it’s so engaging that as a reader, I didn’t mind.

I must say that I really felt the author missed the DNA boat. I can’t believe that a situation this complex, involving paternity and inheritance wouldn’t have had DNA tests thrown into the mix.

Eliza is a lovely, well described heroine, emblematic of millennials. She is surrounded by a very likable supporting group. Stein has created a charming novel which totally enchanted me as a reader.

Thank you Netgalley for allowing me to review this delightful, heart tugging novel.

"Dear Eliza" is a poignant and emotionally gripping novel that explores the complexities of loss, family dynamics, and the unexpected twists life throws our way. Ten years after the devastating loss of her mother to cancer, Eliza Levinger's carefully constructed life is shattered once again when she receives a mysterious letter from her deceased mother.

The narrative unfolds with a perfect blend of heart-wrenching moments and unexpected revelations. Eliza's journey is raw and authentic, as she navigates through the turmoil brought on by the letter, which unravels long-held secrets and challenges her relationships with her family and friends.

The characters are richly developed, each with their own struggles and flaws, making them relatable and complelling. Eliza's internal conflict, torn between her desire for independence and her need for connection, is palpable, drawing readers into her world with empathy and understanding.

The dynamics between Eliza and her brother, stepmother, and best friend are intricately woven, showcasing the complexities of familial bonds and the impact of secrets on relationships. As Eliza grapples with the fallout of the letter, her journey of self-discovery is both heartbreaking and uplifting as she learns to confront her past and embrace the possibility of a new beginning.

One of the most captivating aspects of the novel is the slow-burn romance between Eliza and Josh, her brother's best friend and her high school crush. Their chemistry is palpable, adding an extra layer of tension and emotion to the story. Their relationship unfolds organically, filled with moments of vulnerability and growth, ultimately offering hope and healing for both characters.

Overall, "Dear Eliza" is a beautifully written tale of love, loss, and resilience. With its interesting characters, heartfelt storytelling, and unexpected twists, it's a must-read for anyone who enjoys contemporary fiction with depth and emotion.

Dear Eliza examines how family ties unravel when the loss of a parent exposes a shocking secret. Fresh, modern and relatable, this is a perfectly-paced exploration of loss, love and learning how to carry on when your world is turned upside down. Brimming with just the right mix of humor and heart, Dear Eliza is sure to be a book club favorite.

2.75 stars

Eliza lost her mother to cancer 10 years ago and now her father has died. At his funeral, her aunt gives her a letter that her mother left for her but which was only to be given to her on her father's death. In it, Eliza learns that her mother cheated on her father and the man who she thought was her father, isn't. It throws everything she's ever known into question and starts a process that takes off like a runaway train.

I wanted to love this book. But I felt like Eliza was a pain in the butt, self-centred and yet completely and utterly unself-aware (is that a word? It should be). Considering her trauma - losing her mother at 16, going through severe panic attacks, being estranged from her father etc - there is no way in the world she would not be in therapy and yet she seems to be therapy-free (perhaps the reason I had no patience for her). Her responses were very immature and over the top to me and I felt like we were being told a lot rather than shown. For example, her biological father's response to being told that he was her father seemed like a reasonable response to me, and yet we were told that it was rude and he was an asshole. I didn't believe that for a second.

I know we were supposed to relate to Eliza and her situation but I found myself more connected with everyone else's responses.

There was also a LOT going on in the story - we had Eliza's father's death, her discovering her parentage (and somehow processing that quickly), her step-mother being a bitch (which resolved quickly again), her falling in love, her friend falling in love, her brother and sister-in-law doing stuff, Eliza running a whole gala, etc etc. And while everything wrapped up, it felt like too much to care about at times.

Thank you to Girl Friday Productions/Flashpoint and NetGalley for a digital copy of this book in return for an honest review.

A sweet read about grief, family, and love.

Eliza's mom passed away a decade ago and she is still having a hard time. Now, her father has also passed away, and despite their difficult relationship, Eliza feels lost. To complicate matters, Eliza receives a letter from her mother exposing a secret that will change Eliza’s future and cause her to question her past. This was an enjoyable read with some surprises, a delightful romance subplot between Eliza and her former crush, and a satisfying conclusion.

Thank you very much to Girl Friday Productions and NetGalley for the opportunity to read a copy.

3.5 stars

The plot was good, if somewhat predictable.
The writing felt a little stilted at times but the overall reading was fine.

Also reviewed on GoodReads (user=Melb)

Ugh, losing a parent is so hard, and it's something I worry about often. I think I'll definitely come back to this book when the inevitable happens, but it had me in tears even though I haven't had this experience.

Eliza Levinger just lost her dad, and lost her mom 10 years earlier. Her aunt gives her a letter helping Eliza navigate the loss of her parents. I thought it showed a beautiful portrayal of grief and how everyone handles it differently; reminding us there is no right way to do so. This could easily be a book club pick, but just be extra sensitive to the members in your book club and whether or not they've lost a loved one. It might not be the right timing to read this book.

Thank you to netgalley, the author and publisher for this arc in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Dear Eliza by Andrea J. Stein is a thought-provoking novel that left me thinking about the characters for days after I finished the novel.

Eliza's father dies and her maternal aunt gives her a letter from her long-dead mother that she was to give to Eliza only after her father's death. The information contained in the letter changes Eliza's life forever and the way that she views the world and her relationships.

Having lost both parents ten years apart, it is incredibly easy for me to commiserate with Eliza as she deals with grief, the shock of the letter, and trying to fight her way through hurt, anger, and sadness. Eliza's relationship with her brother and his wife was very relatable as well. Watching Eliza struggle with what she wants career-wise and romantic relationship-wise was incredibly interesting. I won't reveal any spoilers, but I was rooting for our main love interest from their first encounter in this book.

I've not read Ms. Stein's other works, but I plan on rectifying that immediately! If you're looking for a thoughtful, well-plotted book with likable and not-so-likable characters, this one is for you.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this book in consideration of an honest opinion

Dear Eliza by Andrea J. Stein tells the story of Eliza Levinger, who receives a letter from her mother 10 years after her death and days after the death of her father. The story follows Eliza as she processes her grief and the information in the letter.

This was a good novel that I read quickly. The characters are well-written and the story moves at a good pace. It is a good look at how secrets, loss, and grief are handled by the characters.


Thanks to NetGalley for the chance to read this book.