Postscript by Cecelia Ahern @Cecelia_Ahern @AbbieEsalter @HarperFiction #postscript #PSILoveYou #ceceliaahern

Harper Collins September 2019

Book Description

It’s been seven years since Holly Kennedy’s husband died – six since she read his final letter, urging Holly to find the courage to forge a new life.

She’s proud of all the ways in which she has grown and evolved.  But when a group inspired by Gerry’s letters, calling themselves the PS, I Love You Club approaches Holly asking for help, she finds herself drawn back into a world that she worked so hard to leave behind.

Reluctantly, Holly begins a relationship with the club, even as their friendship threatens to destroy the peace she believes she has achieve.  As each of these people calls upon Holly to help them leave something meaningful behind for their loved ones, Holly will embark on a remarkable journey – one that will challenge her to ask whether embracing the future means betraying the past, and what it means to love someone forever…

My Thoughts

Thank you so much to Abbie Salter at Harper Collins to send me the most beautiful proof of Postscript.  The surprise sequel to PS I Love You, a book I read so many years ago and loved, along with the film.  Holly lost her true love in Gerry and through a series of letters he guided Holly posthumously as she managed her grief and rebuilt her life.

Seven years on Holly is doing ok, she is in a relationship and working in her sister’s shop.  Life is pretty good.  However she inadvertently draws attention to the moving story of her and Gerry and finds herself drawn into the PS I Love You Club.  A group of terminally ill people who want Holly to help them end well and help their loved ones remember them in the way Gerry did with Holly.

I defy anyone not to cry when reading this book –  I did quite well ,I think I made it past half way!  But seriously this is a beautiful and tender story about when death comes and how to say goodbye.  The characters were without exception wonderful and though there was one particular person whose story really moved me, all were individual wanting to leave something for their loved ones after they had gone.

I was surprised how quickly I reinvested in Holly, it was such a long time ago that I read PS I Love You, however the film helps to bring characters alive and this was a perfect sequel to read.  It did not require too much past knowledge, although why anyone wouldn’t read the first book is beyond me.

Cecelia Ahern writes beautifully, this story is incredibly moving but warm whilst dealing with such a sad topic.  But Holly’s story continues to be a story of growth and recovery as the loss of a spouse so early in her life touches everything and leaves a mark.  Told in the first person voice of Holly this is very much her story.  She is a strong female character and while I was really pleased how this played out, I felt throughout that she would be ok.

So yes, I thoroughly enjoyed this book and highly recommend it.  But do read PS I Love You first – thinking of those younger readers who may have missed it!

About the Author

Cecelia Ahern wrote her first novel, PS I Love You at 21 years old.  She has published sixteen novels since then.  PS I Love You was made into a film starring Gerald Butler and Hilary Swank.  To date Cecilia’s books have sold 25 million copies internationally, are published in over 40 countries, in 30 languages.