Absolutely brilliant book.

Full of thoughts about life, hope, pain, and difficult decisions.

I enjoyed this as an audio book but think it would E n equally great to read

3.5 stars, rounded up

This was a heartwarming and hopeful story following an older British lady who is contemplating physician-assisted suicide. She ends up befriending the little girl who lives next door and an older man in her neighborhood; both give her new outlooks on her life. The friendship that is built between the characters of the novel is so wholesome. Throughout the story, we get intermittent snippets of Eudora's past and further insight into her life and background to understand how she got to where she is. Overall, what began as a sad and lonely story ended up being quite hopeful and heartwarming. This story made me want to visit my grandparents and give them big hugs.
The audio of this book was good - had a bit of a difficult time with the high-pitched voice that was used to play the little girl, Rose.

I guarantee Eudora Honeysett is Quite Well, Thank You, will brighten any day – as rewarding and uplifting as it was touching and affecting.

Neither sick, depressed, nor fearful, eighty-five year old Eudora Honeysett is ready for her end of life. But, rather than waiting for it, she has made the decision to arrange her death on her own terms, at a time and place she chooses.

Then, like the whirlwind that she is, Rose moves in next door – a ten-year-old lively ball of energy, who never stops talking, and loves all things bright and shiny. At first Eudora is resistant to the little girl’s attempts to befriend her, just wants to be left alone, but Rose’s determination and positive nature is infectious, and little-by-little Eudora’s life is changing, whether she wants it to or not.

I delighted in reading this book – every page, every chapter was inspirational, without being sappy or fluffy. Keep those tissues nearby though for some sad, poignant moments. The friendships depicted in this book (in particular those that bridged the generational gap) were natural, real, reciprocal, amusing and heart-melting. All the characters were simply amazing, especially adorable Rose. Everyone needs a Rose in their life.

It dealt with some pretty heavy topics – WW2, the London blitz, depression, loneliness, bullying, domestic violence, grief and loss, not to mention some pretty frank discussion regarding death and assisted dying. The entire book was narrated by Eudora in the third person with every chapter ending with a snapshot of her childhood, early adult life.

The audio was spectacular. Nicolette McKenzie was magnificent as Eudora Honeysett – it felt like Eudora was sitting in my living room speaking directly to me. And she did a brilliant job of the various British, Canadian, and Swiss accents, and her child voices, and even her baby one, were all fantastic.

If you haven’t already, I invite you to read Eudora Honeysett’s story. I’m just sorry I waited so long. I’ll definitely be looking at other books Annie Lyons has written.

Published in the US under the title, The Brilliant Life of Eudora Honeysett, which I personally think isn’t as catchy. The cover art for both editions is equally gorgeous though.

I’d like to thank Netgalley, Harper Collins Audio UK One More Chapter, and Annie Lyons for the audio-ARC.

🌟 A gem that came along when I least expected it but it's fabulous & certainly deserves more fanfare.
🌟 The dual timeline & the incredible characters will have you feeling all the feels (don't forget the tissues!)
🌟 The plot unique & thought provoking, it will stay with me long after I closed the book.
🌟 Half read/half listened to, I think this really added to the immersive experience.
🌟Perfect uplit!

A heartwarming and sweet tale to warm the cockles and bring a smile to the face. The narrator is perfectly suited and pleasant to listen to.

I’d heard about this book before I read it or should I say listened to it, but I wasn’t expecting it to be quite as good as it was. In fact I really enjoyed it and it was a warm story with engaging characters. I enjoyed listening while crafting.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for letting me access an advance copy of this audiobook.

I received this as an audio book so it took me longer to finish as I usually only listen to audio books on a Friday afternoon when I am cooking! It was narrated absolutely brilliantly by Nicolette McKenzie, whose voices for the various characters were just as I imagined they should be. The elderly and refined Eudora, the very young and irrepressible Rose, and the rather gruff Stanley being the best.

The story is of Eudora, in her mid  80s, living alone with just a cat for company, and feeling her body start to fail her. When ten year old Rose and her family move in next door, a rather unlikely friendship is born between Rose and Eudora, and grows to include Stanley who is a widower. Eudora has decided to take herself off to Switzerland so she can terminate her life in the manner And timing of her own choosing.

Rose, Eudora and Stanley set off a series of adventures including birthday parties, trips to the beach and shopping sprees and Eudora finds she is having more fun than she ever has before. When Eudora is forced to help deliver Rose's baby sister it opens up feelings she didn't think we're possible.

Interspersed with the'current day' activities of Eudora, Rose and Stanley are chapters from Eudora's past explaining how she ended up so alone and feeling so bad about life. Her relationships with her parents, sister, and a couple of boyfriends have a massive impact on the rest of her life.

But with Eudora's life suddenly becoming more fun, and fulfilling, how will she be able to give it up to end her own?

A fascinating story that will have you in turns smiling and feeling sad. If you loved Eleanor Oliphant or A man called Ove you will love this book.

Am amazing emotional book. Eudora Honeysett is 85 years old and in all honesty is fed up with living. She is not looking forward to becoming infirm and at the mercy of others. She wants to die with dignity. When a new family move in next door she meets unstoppable 10 year old Rose who is determined to be her friend. I would definitely like Eudora, she reminds me of an elderly aunt, and I was sobbing at the end of the book. The story is written extremely well with a great deal of compassion.

I wasn't quite sure what to expect when I started to listen to this story. Eudora Honeysett is an older woman who is ready to die. The artwork on the cover is so bright and cheerful, so I continued to listen. The story unfolds into a delightfully, gentle, poignant story about finding friendship and family in later life.

Eudora is eccentric, opinionated and sad until she meets a young girl Rose and Stanley, a good-hearted widower and their friends and family. They see something worth saving in Eudora. Eudora's current life experiences are increasingly positive, but flashback chapters show a life full of betrayal, loss and sacrifice.

Excellent narration makes the characters vibrant, especially Eudora. Her introspection and dialogue are witty, making her memorable.

This is a lovely story with relatable characters and events.

I received an audiobook copy from One More Chapter (Harper Collins Audio UK) via NetGalley in return for an honest review.

Such a heartwarming feel good book (listen)! It did take me a little while to get into it, however I was soon invested in the story. I loved all of the characters and how they interacted with each other, and also the flash backs to give an insight into Eudora’s past. Highly recommend, a strong 4 stars.

My thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for my audio copy of Eudora Honeysett is Quite Well, Thank You; a beautifully read, heartwarming and enchanting tale. I know I am going to miss the characters as they came to be quite real to me as I listened.

A lovely read, heartwarming and life affirming. Gives hope to all of us, especially those who might be alone, particularly in these difficult times.
Thanks to the publisher for a review copy.

Eudora is now in her 80s and has tired of life, a life of care for others. She is curmudgeonly, she suffers from the aches and pains that often accompany older age and she has made her decision. She is off on a one way ticket to Switzerland so that at least she has control over how her life might end. To date she has largely had to accommodate the needs of others and now that she is alone in her later years, it is is the one aspect over which she has any power.

There are flashbacks to periods of her life that explain why she has now come to this point. Her father departed as part fo the war efforts and never returned, leaving her to ensure that her mother and her sister would be cared for. Her sister was quite a wayward little girl, full of life and fury and Eudora often had to referee heated exchanges between mother and daughter. Her mother became reliant on Eudora's presence and support and the roles over time gradually reversed, Eudora caring for her mother in an almost maternal capacity.

Could one say that Eudora has become embittered in the twilight years? I think so. New neighbours move in next door and little Rose exuberantly makes overtures to befriend Eudora. At first you can feel Eudora's reticence but as Rose and her rambunctious nature assail Eudora's defences, she begins to buckle and allows herself to engage with life. She takes to Richard Osman and watches the old favourite "Pointless" which he hosts. She reluctantly agrees to try her first pizza and enjoys it and rather revels in the banter that naturally happens when you are out and about in good company. Not, of course, forgetting her feline companion, Montgomery, who is grumpy as the book opens but soon finds his more relaxed side as Rose bounces in and out.

Eudora has had terrible disappointments, heartache and trauma in her life. Will Rose's charm and bubbly nature be enough to encourage Eudora to want to continue living?

This is a poignant novel that comfortably flips between Eudora's life now and her past experiences. It was perhaps a little slow to get going - the author goes to great lengths to set the scene of Eudora's life now - but once the narrative found its rhythm, it bowled along and it will tug at your heart strings. Guaranteed!

I listened to the audiobook and the narrator - Nicolette McKenzie - had quite a tall order, needing to differentiate between multiple characters, young, old, past, present, male, female. Her voice for Eudora now, later 2010s, is rich and crusty, with well-rounded vowels and, oh dear, I couldn't get the 'dulcet' tones of Ann Widdecombe out my head. Sorry. That's probably a terrible thought to leave you with.

Setting isn't particularly strong.

Loved this book.

Rose is now probably one of my favourite characters, wonderfully written.

I love how Eudora goes through all changes so subtly under influence of her new friends and starts opening up.

Really nice heartwarming book

Beautiful book! I really enjoyed listening to this audiobook. It is written and read beautifully.
We meet Eudora Honeysett, an 85 year old lady who feels like she is ready to leave this world now. She applies to a clinic in Switzerland. As the story goes on we flick between the present time and Eudora meeting her new neighbour, 10 year old Rose, and also Eudora's life gone by with her mum, dad and little sister Stella. The story explains how she has got to the decision she has and what happens next....
Would definitely recommend this book!

I am always and forever on the lookout for books which resemble Eleanor Oliphant, and this was it. Funny, comforting, yet emotional and in parts heartbreaking, Annie Lyons absolutely nailed it. My favourite read in a very long time.

Our main character, a lovely old lady Eudora Honeysett, is eighty five years old and tired of all the B.S. happening in this world. She has had enough. So, having planned her own end at a Swiss clinic, she is set on carrying out her plan. But then she meets a ten-year-old Rose, an annoying but very charming girl who takes Eudora on adventures which show her the many simple joys in life, and eventually also take her down the memory lane to her painful past.

Annie Lyons's novel is special and unforgettable. I grew close with the characters and really enjoyed their adventures. It was everything I needed at this time, so it is a 5-star book without hesitation.

*Thank you to the Publisher for a free copy of this audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

Eudora Honeysett is eighty-five and done with living, determined to approach death on her own terms, until a new family move next door and she strikes up an unlikely friendship with ten-year-old, Rose. Their relationship is not without its teething difficulties, but the fun and novelty Rose sweeps into Eudora’s life is joyous. A reminder to keep embracing the new, whatever our age or circumstance.

It’s a dual timeline novel, flicking back and forth between Eudora’s childhood during WW2 then young adulthood, and the present day. It is a gentle, uplifting read, and who doesn’t need one of those right now?

The audio narrator captured the voice and spirit of Eudora beautifully, and make me think everyone probably knows someone a bit like Eudora Honeysett. Also, the pacing of the reading felt just right.

Finally, I would recommend Eudora Honeysett is Quite Well, Thank You for lovers of Joanna Cannon’s The Trouble with Goats and Sheep.

Oh my word this book was simply wonderful. I laughed and cried at times listening to this absolute fabulous book. A perfect read during these difficult times.

This story follows the long life of Eudora and her selfless ability to help others at the expense of her happiness. She’s not enjoyed life, but when a little girl moves next door with her family, she is thrown into a new world of purpose and meaning. It’s a lovely story with ups and downs.

Okay, this book is brilliant. At first, I was not sure whether I would enjoy this book as it seemed a bit depressing for me, but I think as soon as Rose appears, I was turned around and I just knew this book would be amazing.
The story itself is beautiful and I think old people’s and even young people’s loneliness should be taken more seriously. I also feel so sorry and so angry for Eudora as she is an amazing character who has been given a really bad hand in life. This book also opened my eyes to why some older people might sometimes seem rude and not really mean it.
Rose has to be my favorite character out of this book and I hope that if I ever have a daughter, she would be as amazing as Rose is. She is so bright, and brave and lovely I wish I could meet her in real life. I also like how adamant Stanley is to befriend Eudora. I just loved following the growing friendship between these three characters. I also like how they talk about death and life. It’s not a common topic in books but it’s something all of have to face.
Eudora’s story is also very interesting to read about and although it made me really sad and angry to learn about everything that she’s faced, it helps to understand why Eudora acts the way she does.
The characters in this story are really good and complex. I really loved following them along their journey and I loved how they became such close friends. I also really like the ending. It is so sad, but also so happy and I did not cry in the end but I did cry in the middle of the book because that part is just so incredibly sad.

I listened the audiobook and I think the narrator makes the book come to life. Their voice just made me feel like Eudora herself was talking and telling her story to me and I really enjoyed this. I think I enjoyed this more as an audiobook than I would have enjoyed it had I read the book myself.

All in all, this book is just amazing! And I recommend to everybody!

*ARC received from the publisher via Netgalley