The occupants of Shrubland Road in Brighton have no idea that tomorrow is hurtling towards them like a meteor. There’s Birdie Greenwing who wakes with a nagging sense of fear rightly so as after her oncology appointment she learns she only has months to live. Birdie is alone apart from Audrey, who, sorry Audrey, is a mutt. Birdie has been so lonely since her wonderful husband Arthur and her beloved twin sister Rose passed, her world is now a very small place. Next door is Jane Brown who wants a fresh start and moves to Brighton from Bristol with her twelve year old daughter Frankie, leaving behind Min, her tour de force mother. A few doors down is Ada, a doctor originally from Poland who came to the UK to extend her training and specialise in oncology. It only feels like home when she’s in the Polski Sklep with Lech and Aleksey. Ada is the deliverer of the sad news to Birdie. She has just got a new intern at work in Wilbur, an ex Army medic but that’s a whole other story.

I think when an author makes you totally invest in their characters lives and really care about what happens to them, their work is done. I loved the authors previous book ‘Dog Days’ but she’s knocked it out of the park with this one and it’s a very easy five stars to award. To read a book which is chock full of the most wonderful characters, who make you both laugh and cry is nothing short of a joy. It’s beautifully written with meaning, emotion and understanding of her characters and with scenes you can visualise in full technicolour. Birdie, with her memories, the nostalgia, the joy, the sadness, the what would Princess Margaret do, is a wonderful central protagonist. As the storyline develops we have a tale of unlikely friendship and of empathetic understanding. I love Frankie, who is a walking encyclopaedia or to update the statement, she’s a human Google. She’s unique, refreshing and fabulous. Jane is kind, caring and here in Brighton she finds herself as she richly deserves to. As for Min - what can I say? She’s a one off, hilarious with her straight as an arrow talking. What of Ada? She is complex and complicated as she battles so much, not least a job which frequently has bad outcomes. Who is the real Ada?? I guess if you read it, you’ll find out!!! The warmth that exudes Lech and Aleksey’s shop makes me want to seek out pierogi. I love their delightful, affectionate send ups of us Brits.

I’m sure the five stars says it all as it must be obvious I love this book. It’s heartwarming, will deliver many chuckles but have the tissues at the ready. Highly recommended.

Ps for Ericka Waller - sign me up for the rebellion as I grow old as disgracefully as possible!!

With thanks to NetGalley and especially to Random House UK for the much appreciated arc in return for an honest review.

This book was beautifully written and very moving. I loved the characters and Birdie's bravery made me cry. If anyone has lost a loved one to an accident or cancer this rings close to home and is very true to life. Dealing with love and loss its a fabulous book which I highly recommend.

I simply loved this poignant tale of loneliness, growing old, loss and ultimately community and friendship. Heartbreakingly tender with a good dose of humour. Highly recommended

I found this book drew me back frequently. The character study gently pulls back the layers and all of the characters have their endearing traits. The female cast are all individuals with their own backgrounds, history, hopes, dreams. It addresses death and grief and so much more. I recommend.

A slow burner. It took a few chapters to get into this novel, but once you get to know the characters this becomes a page turner. A book people will be talking about.

Absolutely adored #goodbyebirdiegreenwing from the supremely talented @erickawaller1 and have already pre-ordered a copy to keep forever!

I was lucky enough to go to the @doubledayukbooks showcase a couple of weeks ago & hear about Birdie Greenwing’s story and pick up a crocheted lavender heart ❤️

Everything about the story appealed to me- I was a huge fan of Ericka’s first book #dogdays and her second novel has a similarly heartfelt sense. I felt all of the emotions whilst I was reading it, from joy to tears in the same breath 😊.

It’s the story of a small group of neighbours living in Brighton. At first they don’t know one another other than by sight, but as the story develops, their lives interact in more and more meaningful ways.

There’s Birdie herself, a widow in her 70s who has just been told she has terminal cancer and can’t see the point of anything ; nurse Jane &her neurodiverse daughter Frankie who have just moved next door; and Polish oncologist Ada who is running away from her own emotional baggage.

We meet all of our main characters in the prologue, with an insight into each of their lives, beautifully setting the scene for what’s to come.

The author understands human emotions and motivations and writes about them in a way that makes it look so easy. Her imagery is sharp and fresh but instantly relatable and real - ‘lampposts of her life’, ‘cobweb dry’ ‘death Rsvp-ing’

The story tackles family, loneliness, loss, the power of community and connection, grabbing the most out of every moment . It’s also a love story to past generations and what makes us who we are, and who we can be.

Loved loved loved. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Wow, wow, wow! Ericka Waller has done it again and smashed it out of the park with this one. Whilst I loved Dog Days, Goodbye Birdie Greenwing pulled at my heartstrings and had me falling quickly and deeply in love with it.

Ericka's attention to detail and use of description is amazing. I didn't know it was a thing until booksta, but I have aphantasia where I can't actually picture scenes in my head (that sucks right, I'm just a big black hole up there), however, the way Ericka builds up imagery and includes all the senses, I was fully able to think and feel the scene I was in. If you don't have aphantasia then you're in for a sensory treat!

The novel comprises of 3 POVs: Ada, Birdie and Jane. Three strangers, all living on the same street, with the same thing I'm common; they're all lonely. That is until all their lives are brought together and they form unlikely, but wholesome, friendships. The character building was perfect, I felt a deep connection to all of the characters, but I will admit that my fave chapters were those with Ada, Lech and Aleksey!

You'll need your tissues by your side when you read this one, however, the book isn't short of comedy, which I love with Ericka's novels. They're the perfect balance.

Also, on a side note, I really want a collection of Connie's mugs! 😅

I finished this book with a smile on my face and a tear in my eye... Goodbye Birdie Greenwing is a beautiful story about motherhood, friendship and love that is both heartwarming and poignant. I adored this author's last book (Dog Days) so was very excited to hear that her second book was available to read on NetGalley. I downloaded it immediately and could not wait to get reading. I devoured this book over two days and have immediately pre-ordered the finished copy for next year. I can't wait for it to arrive.

There is so much to love about this book and the cast of characters is really delightful (and all too relatable)! Ericka writes with such warmth and it is clear how much she loves her characters. I love her wittiness and her use of language (such creative similes and metaphors). Connie's mug collection had me laughing out loud - there needs to be a range of these mugs available to coincide with the book release!

Fans of Hazel Prior, Libby Page and Rachel Joyce will love Goodbye Birdie Greenwing. I will definitely be recommending it.

This one made me weirdly emotional, for a group of women.
They made me laugh, they made me very very nearly cry.
I think each one of them was brilliant.
All sorts of relationships, and each of them reminded me of something in my life.
Throw in added amusement from the men in the shop, and this book is a sure fire winner.
It has charm, absolute bags of it .
It's one of those books that leaves you wanting more from the characters.

Eta For the first time EVER I think, I've come back to edit my star rating.
I've tried two different books this morn, and all I'm thinking about is this one.
I'd originally given it a 4+, but it deserves them all.

What an absolutely amazing book! I loved all the characters and it’s so well written you feel completely immersed in it all. My favourite book of 2023.