When Lili's friend Em dies suddenly, Lili is devastated, a year later she starts getting text messages from Em's old number. How can this be? A heartwarming story of coming to terms with grief, not just for Lili but the people around her. Such a lovely setting in Cornwall too. I do like the idea of a freedom ceremony. #netgalley #willyoustayanotherday

It’s never too early for a Christmas read in my eyes so I was excited to give another of Sam’s books a read. This isn’t full on Christmas either so it can easily be read before the season if you’re not quite ready for that but want some colder (but heart warming) scenes.

This book does touch on grief quite a bit but I felt like Samantha did this in such a lovely way and you definitely feel for both Em and Dylan in their stories. I absolutely loved the scenes with Bobbin - the saying ‘robins appear when loved ones are near’ is one of my favourites and is absolutely perfect for this book.

I really enjoyed reading this, getting to know all of the characters, from the Ware & Co customers and volunteers, to Em and Dylan, everyone was so lovely and I definitely feel like more of them could have books of their own!

If you’re looking for a cosy, heartwarming and (at times emotional) read set in the run up to Christmas then I urge you to add this onto your reading list.

A book about loss and how to deal with it and the journey that goes along with it. Add some Christmas cheer and you have a memorable story that will have you wanting to read from the start.
I received an ARC from NetGalley and Boldwood and leaving a review by my own choice.

I love how Samantha not only puts a great story together but also how she weaves everyday struggles that most people are experiencing or have experienced into her books, helping the reader resinate and feel comfort. This book takes you on a journey through the process of grief, through friendship and new beginnings.

My favourite quote is

"I'm passing on to you now. He said that how-ever bad things get, imagine yourself one year ahead, looking back on that difficult time. It won't seem as bad. I did that, and it got me through... Time might not make you forget, but it will teach you how to get through, and you'll be stronger as a result.'

Loved this story from the start, which is why I read it in one afternoon. Thank you, @SamTongeWriter for the heartwarming read. @NetGalley @BoldwoodBooks #WillYouStayAnotherDay?

A lovely Christmas story sure to tug at your heart strings. Lili is still grieving the loss of her best friend Em, and is shocked to receive a reply to a text message she sent to Em’s phone in an effort to keep connected to her memory. But Lili makes a connection of a different kind when she agrees to meet with the person who replied to the text.

Lily’s best friend Em passed away a year ago, and it’s been a tough year without her. Now, as the anniversary of her passing is coming up, Lili decides to send an inside joke text to her Em’s phone as one last good bye message. Imagine her surprise when she gets a response! Could it really be Em? When the person suggests a meet up, Lili finds that it’s not Em but a cute stranger named Dylan, who has also been missing someone special. They spend time together and they both begin to heal the loss and look forward to the future without the ones they love.
There’s an interesting Japanese traditional ceremony that Lili takes on in trying to move on and that was really interesting to me and it proved to be invaluable to her as well as some of the other support characters, who are also dealing with loss though in different ways and of different things but they come to mean a lot to each other as they walk the new season of life.
This is a story of found family, friendship and love. It is fairly heavy because it is dealing with grief, but it does so I’m a way that also gives hope. It’s a good read to snuggle up with a cuppa for the afternoon.
Thanks to Boldwood Books and NetGalley for this eArc in exchange for my review.

I enjoyed reading Will You Stay Another Day? by Samantha Tonge. You will fall in love with all the characters. I received an ARC of this book courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher. All opinions expressed in this review are my own and given freely. Happy Reading!

A romance cum Christmas story with the latter taking second place. All the main characters have lost someone special to them and this book is about coping with grief and loss. A mixture of wonderful characters that come to life in the pages

Lilli and Em were best friends, and when death separates them, Lilli finds it hard to cope with the day-to-day steeped in her grief. Sending text messages to Em is one way of coping, but when she receives a reply to one, she wonders if there is some chance Em is alive. Hoping to meet her friend, she instead finds Dylan, someone who is also grieving, and a healing friendship begins, although it is not without its surprises, and not all of them are good. It's a gentle and uplifting story full of poignant moments. Lilli shines in this story, and you invest in her. Dylan is not as transparently good, but you realise he is also worth investing in. The storytelling is lovely with touches of unexplained magic and an ethos of caring and support.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher.

Thank you netgalley, publishers and most of all Samantha Tonge for the opportunity to read this book. As a fan of this author, when I've read her latest book I wonder how she will top it, well she's succeeded again with this one. This book had me hooked from the very beginning, I loved the concept of this story,it's emotional, heartbreaking yet heartwarming and beautifuly written. I absolutely loved the idea of the special ceremonies and it has most definitely given me food for thought. Great story, lovely characters and a very special little Robin all make this a must read.

Lili and Em were inseparable – very different personalities, but as close as friends could be. But Lili has now survived a year alone – Em died in a houseboat accident, and she’s still struggling with life without her. Lili sometimes sends her jokey text messages, just like she always used to, knowing her phone number won’t be cancelled for a while – although she knows they’ll never be read. Until that day when her knock-knock joke gets a reply – and one that looks as if it could have been sent by Em. And when she follows through and arranges a meeting, she begins to wonder if – or perhaps just hope – Em didn’t really die but will be there waiting for her.

Of course, she isn’t there. The number was reallocated, and it’s a rather lovely man called Dylan, dressed as Dracula, because it’s Halloween – who also thought (yes, and hoped) that her messages were from someone else. But they gradually become friends, and she shares memories of Em that she’s never been able to share with anyone else – except with the robin in her garden that she’s now able to feed on the palm of her hand. And their relationship becomes stronger – but Dylan has secrets he’s not as able to share, and there are a lot more difficulties to come before any possibility of a happy ending.

It’s a book that deals very authentically – and particularly emotionally – with the impact of grief and loss, but that’s really nicely balanced with lighter moments. Lili inherited Em’s clapped out mini, complete with cassette player and collection of 80s mix tapes – and loves singing her heart out as she drives, one of the better memories of life with Em. She has a lot of positive energy, managing a charity shop and really believing in the ethos of recycling and reusing – and works there with some real characters (all so beautifully drawn) who each have their own issues and stories. And then there are the customers – and there are certainly some stories there too. And then there’s her little sideline, and it’s rather a lovely one – the ceremonies she holds to help people let go of cherished items when they feel ready to move on.

As always, the whole book is an absolute delight – lots of laughter and many tears, but so filled with love, warmth and hope. The relationship with Dylan, while only a part of the story, is beautifully handled – and, despite the secrets he was hiding and the hurt he caused, he won a place in my heart alongside the lovely Lili. And as for that little robin – rather special, and something that will resonate with many. Oh, and don’t worry too much about the Christmas setting – it certainly figures in the story, but this really is a book you’d enjoy whenever you read it. Very much recommended – I loved it.

When Lili sends a text to her best friend Em she was surprised to receive a reply as she hadn't seen her for a year. When she suggests that they meet up Em isn't there, instead a man waiting to meet somebody else.
This story is about dealing with grief and loss, however don't think that this is downbeat and depressing, rather showing a more positive view of friendships helping with this. It is also set in Cornwall and Mevagissey in particular, my favourite place in the world, which makes it easy to see in my minds eye. There is also a visit to Las Vegas and the Grand Canyon, which I am lucky enough to have seen and can therefore place myself in. In summary don't look upon this story as full of grief, more the positive side of help that you can receive from those around you. There is also a description of a Japanese ceremony for saying farewell to items that you wish to clear from your life, I'm clearing my loft from years of accumulated "stuff", however I'm not being quite so formal.....
I received an advance copy of this book from the publisher through Netgalley, however this did not influence my review of the book.

Will You Stay Another Day by Samantha Tonge is a heartbreaking story about overcoming grief and loss, how grief can affect us; not just grief from a death but also from loneliness. It is a story that teaches about finding joy in new beginnings, starting over is possible and letting go of the past is possible.

Lili lost her best Em in a boat accident. Em was not just her best friend, but her ride and die, her travel companion, her sister from another mister. Lili’s grief has devastated her, taking over her life; even as the one year anniversary of her death approaches. Lili finds that listening to texts from Em keeps her close. One day, Lili sends Em a text and when it is answered, believes that maybe Em is still alive. After going through every possibility, she decides to meet the person replying to the texts. It is not Em who she meets, but Dylan; drinking alone while also missing someone. As it happens, Em’s mobile number was given to Harry, Dylan’s brother, who is away travelling. Once the two start chatting, a friendship forms, one of fun, good food and shared secrets. Lili is secretly attracted to Dylan but keeps him at arm’s length as she is scared of losing someone again.

Lili is a kind soul and through her work at the local charity shop, she meets several people with baggage they need to let go of. With Lili’s help and support they learn that saying goodbye doesn’t mean all the doors to a new future should close. The hope is that Lili will apply the same techniques for herself as she does for others, to help her move forward and possibly open her heart to more than just friendship.

As the year progresses Lili has to choose to live again and with the help of her friends and little Bobbin the robin she has to let go of her grief to move forward. Hopefully, Dylan will be the one to help her, at least once he is able to open up and unburden himself of his secret.

It’s an incredibly tender, quietly powerful read. Samantha Tonge writes about grief in a way that feels both deeply personal and universally understood. Her storytelling doesn’t try to fix the pain of loss, but instead gently holds space for it; while offering a flicker of hope for what still lies ahead. I loved how the story reminds us that, although grief never leaves us, we can still find joy, connection, and even new beginnings. It’s not a traditional love story, but rather a story of human connection, understanding, and emotional rebuilding.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.
#WillYouStayAnotherDay #Boldwood #NetGalley

Who would be your "STAY ANOTHER DAY" person? Hopefully, your life is full of so many special people that it would be hard to choose.

For Lili, it is her BFF Em. The two were friends, roomies, and travel companions until an accident ended Em's life too soon. When a phone glitch leads Lili to Dylan, she falls into a one-night stand. (Not my favorite trope, btw). The two share a vision for helping folks clear clutter and recycle, so a business friendship blooms. Could Dylan be her new favorite person?

Here are three things I appreciated about this holiday read:

💖Lili makes friends with a robin and names it Bobbin. The bird eats a special mix of fruit, cheese, and nuts out of her hand.
👗Dylan helps tote away clutter from people's homes, sorting for trash and donations. Lili manages a charity shop called Ware & Care. Love thrift store shopping and a good clutter-clearing now and again.
🛫The two spend some time in Las Vegas right before Christmas. That would be a great season for seeing the strip at its best and avoiding the heat.

I'm sorry to say I was a bit underwhelmed by this one. The cover had me expecting more of a Shari Low experience and it wasn't. There was too much time spent on Lili's Sunday afternoon freedom ceremonies.

Thank you to Boldwood Books and NetGalley for a DRC in exchange for an honest review.

As you can perhaps gather from the book title, this is an emotional read that deals with loss and grief, but not in a way that weighs on your emotions, but replaces that loss with the more powerful feeling of hope.
Initially, we meet Lilli and learn about her loss. Her best friend, Emma, had died a year ago, and Lilli still hadn’t accepted her death. Having discovered that mobile phone companies didn’t reallocate numbers until sometime after the owner had passed away, she had continued to message Emma whenever she felt the urge to contact her. However, when she receives a reply, she begins to believe that she will see Emma again as they arrange to meet in a pub. What she didn’t expect was to meet the gorgeous Dylan or to discover that he had been responding to her messages, assuming they were from someone else.
The way this story is crafted drew me in, and I found myself hoping for a happy ending, despite the clues to the contrary. Lilli was an absolute joy, and her positivity was a source of delight. Having started her life over, several hundred miles from her home in Manchester, she was heavily involved in recycling and upcycling items donated to the charity where she worked. I particularly enjoyed her commitment to her donation ceremonies, where a funeral was held as a final farewell to a cherished item. From the awkward to the heartwarming, some of the eulogies gave me pause and caused me to reconsider my bond with inanimate objects.
Dylan took me a little longer to connect with, as the story is created in a way that doesn’t reveal everything immediately. Still, once I was able to see him clearly, I was invested in the potential of their shared future, if only they could find their way to the same page.
This gorgeous book starts with flashes of hope and then becomes completely hope-filled as the characters begin to share their stories, and my tears gently rolled down my cheeks. Whilst this may not be Sam’s most emotional offering, it still captured my imagination and left me quietly hopeful with a belief that there is a way to recover from grief. I hope you enjoy this book and also the robin...

This book dealt with loss, friendship and slow romance. The most cheerful thing about the book was a robin visitor. I found the story a bit depressing to be honest but persevered and it improved for me as it went on.

This is a nice slow-burn romance with an interesting reference to a ceremony in Japanese culture. Grief over the loss of a loved one is a very strong motif throughout the book, which doesn't make it an easy read and might be a trigger for some.

Lili is still mourning her friend when she first meets Dylan.
This book is about grieving and learning to let go and live again. This was kind of a sad story in spots. It does have some feel good parts tho too.

A cute, heartfelt Christmas story from Samantha Tonge. Will You Stay Another Day has great characters and beautiful settings. Perfect for a cosy, winter night.

Okay, the blurb was intriguing. The book started okay, and although the author was taking too much time to get to the point, it was too intriguing to not read through. So I went on till the 10th chapter and then…bam!

The very first meeting between the protagonist and this new character (the hero), which was supposedly something poignant and emotionally charged, takes a sharp turn from mystery and grief to implausible insta passionate romance, when there's absolutely no chemistry, no endearing or catchy conversations.

It seemed very off putting to me.

Also, the death sequence: it seemed like the author was engineering the situation —using grief as a plot device — to make the mystery work.

Thank you for the copy. Unfortunately, it didn't work for me. Not posting my review anywhere else.