I was given an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest and independent review.
This is the sequel to 183 times a year which I absolutely loved. This is an extremely enjoyable read. A story about real people with real issues, told with great empathy and understanding. The style of writing is excellent. It made me feel so many emotions - anger, sadness, humour, hope to name a few. The family interactions and bonds were very heartwarming.
I am already looking forward to the next book.
4****

I was excited to learn that there was a sequel to 183 Times a Year as I had really enjoyed reading about Lizzie and her family. It didn’t take long to become familiar with the various characters again and while I’m pretty sure this would read well as a standalone book, why would you do that? At the time I was reading this part of the storyline strongly echoed an ongoing news story which made the book feel very real and up to date. There is a lovely balance between the lighthearted moments and humour and the darker elements of the story line. As usual I am mindful of spoilers but readers are advised to keep a tissue close by. I have definitely been left wanting more so I’m happy to see that book 3 is in progress.

I just love a book that can take you to emotional extremes – you’ll laugh a lot, you’ll feel deeply for several members of this wonderful family at different times and in different ways. And at other times you will cry – the way this book and its writer handles grief is quite exceptional. I was so caught up with the characters – Lizzie “approaching 50” was closest to home for me, but every single character is drawn with a wonderful depth of detail, whether a difficult teen, a troubled young woman or a friend having problems of their own.

From its prologue full of kaleidoscopic colour, I loved everything about this book. The first person narration – whether it’s Lizzie, son Connor, daughter Cassie – works just perfectly, and allows you to climb inside the skins of the characters. I’m in absolute awe of how well the author writes in the “voice” of Connor – I’m no expert, but I thought it was just flawless. This is a family of real people living their lives on the page… and I might have missed out on reading the first book, but I’m ready now to put my name down for the next one. One I’d recommend to others? Absolutely!

Families- love them or hate them- but we all have them one way or another. A daughter who is stick thin and troubled, a son who is being bullied but making his way in the world and Mum who strangely keeps being sick and getting hot flushes. Menopause she thinks, but sick all day? Dad left years ago and is now living in a hovel having been dumped by the “step-monster”. A Grandad that everyone loves and a son who thinks he knows who Grandad “really is”. Of life and love, of strengths and weaknesses,tragedy and justice, heartbreaks and triumphs. Eva has done it again and written a book that not only I can’t put down but makes me smile and sympathise with the characters and the antics they get up to. A brilliantly written tale of family life with its ups and downs , smiles and tears. I very much look forward to the next book from this truly talented author. An uplifting read.I voluntarily chose to read this ARC and all opinions in this review are my own and completely unbiased

Absolutely WOW, double wow, what a truly amazing, emotional and heartfelt read. The story was so brilliantly well written.

Having previously read the author's debut novel 183 Times a Year, it was a pleasure to be reacquainted with all of the characters and getting engrossed and absorbed within their yet lives again.

There was a fair few moments, where I was on tenterhooks and with a feeling of butterflies in my tummy, in anxious suspense and being emotionally charged, actually make that pretty much throughout the whole of the story. There was so much going on, it was like oh my gods, what's going to happen next or how is that situation/event going to resolve itself or play out. It was definitely a book that was impossible to put down.

There was also a couple of moments throughout the story, where it was quite emotional, so much so that it brought tears to my eyes.

I've always believed that if reading parts of a book brings tears to your eyes then it is one of many signs of just how outstandingly breath taking a book is and how talented the author must be to cause that to happen.

This book is certainly going to stay with me for awhile. So I can highly highly recommend it. However do read the author's debut novel 183 Times a Year first if you can.