This Book Made Me Think of You
by Libby Page
Publisher: Berkley
Release Date: February 3, 2025
Reviewed by PJ
Twelve books. Twelve months. One chance to heal her heart…
When Tilly Nightingale receives a call telling her there’s a birthday gift from her husband waiting for her at her local bookshop, it couldn’t come as more of a shock. Partly because she can’t remember the last time she read a book for pleasure. But mainly because Joe died five months ago....
When she goes to pick up the present, Alfie, the bookshop owner with kind eyes, explains the gift—twelve carefully chosen books with handwritten letters from Joe, one for each month, to help her turn the page on her first year without him.
At first Tilly can’t imagine sinking into a fictional world, but Joe’s tender words convince her to try, and something remarkable happens—Tilly becomes immersed in the pages, and a new chapter begins to unfold in her own life. Monthly trips to the bookstore—and heartfelt conversations with Alfie—give Tilly the comfort she craves and the courage to set out on a series of reading-inspired adventures that take her around the world. But as she begins to share her journey with others, her story—like a book—becomes more than her own.
PJ's Thoughts:
What a lovely, tender, transformative story. As one who knows first hand how difficult the first year following the death of a loved one can be, I started this book with mixed feelings. Would it be weighted down by unimaginable grief? Would it be a total sob fest? Or, would it be a gradual awakening, a reminder of love that never leaves the heart but the realization that the living heart goes on beating.
With the help of her late husband's gift, the thoughtful bookseller who is waging his own battle with grief, twelve carefully curated books, and twelve beautifully and lovingly written letters from her late husband, Tilly slowly begins to reimagine her future. Her emotional journey resonated deeply with me. Page does a superb job of laying it out, with realistic stops and starts along the way. I wanted to wrap her in a warm hug while also encouraging her to venture out of her small, but understandable, comfort zone. I loved the part books play in her transformation, how each month's selection, and each visit to Alfie's bookshop, seem to bring her exactly what she needs to move one more step forward.
Alfie is a true beta hero: thoughtful, caring, dealing with his own loss, and unaware of the lasting impact he has on his customers, family, friends...and Tilly. I wanted to hug him too. He puts himself last - always - and I so wanted someone to put him first. He deserves healing. He deserves love. And, he deserves to live life - the life he chooses - to the fullest. Page skillfully guides him through the various stages of his journey and I couldn't help but cheer him on the entire way.
If you enjoy tender, transformative stories about starting over, reclaiming joy, and moving forward with the healing help of loving letters, thoughtfully selected books, new friends, family, and an endearing bookseller and grieving widow who may not be perfect but could be perfect for one another, give This Book Made Me Think of You a try. I highly recommend it.
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