P.S. I Love You is an extremely special movie for me and my husband. It was the very film we went to watch on our first date!

The Pogues's "Love You 'Till The End" holds a dear place in our hearts as it is our first song. And of course, we have had many wonderful songs together since then.

I have an intense love for this movie. Even though I got the book on its release date, I still haven't managed to read it yet. I've come across numerous reviews stating that it's nothing like the film. So, I guess I keep postponing it. Maybe it's time for me to just pick it up and read it now!

It's taken me a really long time to sit down and read this story.

Mainly because I just hadn't managed to find the right time frame or the perfect frame of mind to do so.

Now, I am extremely pleased that finally, I can mark "PS I Love You" as read.

The story is about a woman named Holly who loses her husband Gerry because of a terminal tumour.

She is shocked to discover that before he passed away, he sat down and painstakingly wrote a collection of letters.

These letters come with specific instructions to do things that are out of her comfort zone.

For example, one month involved Holly having to do karaoke.

The letters start arriving on her 30th birthday.

The story is so emotional and the writing is really well done.

I truly enjoyed reading Cecelia's unique writing style.

It made me feel a whole range of emotions and really got me invested in Holly's journey.

I would highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a touching and engaging read.

I was reading the manuscript and immediately fell in love with it.

I had a hunch that it would become a bestseller.

It is truly one of my favorites among all the books and authors that I discovered during my time as an editor and for which I bought the rights for Serbia.

The story had a unique charm that captivated me from the very beginning.

The characters were well-developed and the plot was engaging, keeping me on the edge of my seat.

I could envision the book being widely read and loved by many.

I was excited to bring this wonderful work to the readers in Serbia and share it with them.

I believed that it would make a significant impact and leave a lasting impression on everyone who read it.

A wonderful book.

Holly loses her very young husband, and after his death, he leaves her a package with an envelope each month containing things she should do to help her get over it.

The protagonist manages to engage you in reading from the beginning. She is a real, simple, approachable person who cries when she can't take it anymore, says what she thinks and doesn't care if others don't understand her. She copes with the pain in her own way. You empathize with her, and although there are very sad moments and it's inevitable to hold back the tears, there are also comic and funny moments with her crazy friends.

It is a story of love, yes, but also of overcoming, of how one can smile and live again after the loss of one's soulmate. It is not an easy process, and here her friends and family play a very important role.

True friendship is another pillar of this book.

Really, it is a wonderful story. The writer manages to attract you from the beginning with the plot and the protagonist.

I recommend it, a beautiful story that will reach your heart.

With the movie coming out, I finally made up my mind to read the book. However, I have no intention of seeing the movie as it seems really bad. Before reading the book, I had no idea what to expect. I didn't know much about it other than the basic premise.

As I have a great love for all things Irish, I really enjoyed that this book was set in Dublin. I was quite surprised to learn that the author was so young when she wrote it. Also, I can't help but like the fact that she is the daughter of the Irish prime minister. But, of course, that has nothing to do with the book itself.

I thought the characters were extremely well developed. It's every wife's worst nightmare to be in Holly's situation, but I feel like the author captured as accurately as possible what it would be like to be her. There were so many moments that made me cry, which was a bit embarrassing since I was reading on the train.

Unlike many chick lit books, the side characters were also well developed. Her friends and family were portrayed realistically and entertainingly. I especially loved the sibling dynamics. I did have some issues with the ending of the book, but I don't think that's necessarily a bad thing. I don't believe that one has to agree with every decision an author makes for it to be a good book. All in all, Ms. Ahern does an excellent job of walking the fine line between writing about a woman trying to move on with her life after the death of her husband.

I truly, truly adored this book. It was an absolute masterpiece, exquisitely beautiful and flawlessly written.

The words seemed to dance off the pages, creating a vivid and enchanting world that I couldn't help but get lost in.

Every sentence was crafted with such care and precision, as if the author had poured their heart and soul into every word.

The story was engaging from start to finish, filled with twists and turns that kept me on the edge of my seat.

I found myself completely invested in the characters and their journey, rooting for them every step of the way.

This book is not just a read, but an experience that will stay with me for a long time.

Initial review 2015 - 5 stars (2020 review below):

I absolutely adored this book. Right from the very first chapter, it became evident to me how special it was. There was something about Holly that I could truly relate to on a deep level. I never once found her to be annoying, and I firmly believe that this is a crucial factor in determining whether one will enjoy this book or not. Because if you can't understand her emotions, then her constant struggles might grate on you, and you'll end up disliking the book. For instance, when Holly couldn't seem to be happy for Sharon when she was pregnant and didn't talk to her for about two weeks, some might think she was being selfish and overly focused on her own pain. But I thought it was a completely normal reaction, and I truly felt along with her, not just in that instance but throughout the entire book. This is why it touched me so profoundly, I think.

What I also really loved about it was the message. The story isn't about time magically healing all wounds or the idea that one can simply find happiness with someone else. Instead, it's about accepting your feelings of grief (and allowing yourself to give in to them now and then), but not letting them define you or your life. It's about being grateful for the (albeit short) time you've had with your soulmate, knowing that some people never get to find theirs at all, rather than fixating on the emptiness you feel. It's about learning how to live again while still honoring your lost beloved.

Throughout the book, these messages are subtly interwoven, but the epilogue really drives it home. It's a perfect example of a meaningful epilogue!

A small thing that I feel like mentioning too: chapter forty-five, the final paragraph. I wonder if it made anyone else's heart melt, or if I was just being overly sensitive :p.

And, of course, Gerry was just so likable. I adored chapter two, where we get a brief flashback to when Gerry was still alive and where "The List" originated. It was so adorable! Also, as we get to know Gerry a bit more through his letters throughout the book, we see just how kind and caring he was, and how he always wanted the best for her.

This brings me to something that I was a bit disappointed about: I had expected more flashbacks. I had hoped that we'd get to know Gerry in more detail through flashbacks, but as far as I can remember, there are only about 3 significant flashbacks about him. I think the story would have had more depth and intensity if there had been more flashbacks.

Another small thing that I didn't like was that some events seemed irrelevant to the story in my opinion. For example, "Girls in the City" and all the commotion surrounding it, like the newspapers and stalking Cindy. It was just a fleeting thing that didn't have any real impact on the main story. It could have been omitted.

But overall, it's a great book with a nice writing style. (I thought that having everything written in the she-style might be annoying, but I hardly noticed.) You should definitely give it a read!

-------
Update after re-reading in 2020:

Went down one star because I didn't love it as much as I used to, but it's still a great book.

I just really appreciate the message of how learning to live doesn't mean forgetting about the past. I love the realism of the book: Holly needs her time to grieve and get her life back on track. Gerry helps her by setting both smaller and bigger goals for her, and she has her struggles with them but still manages to follow through. Her journey isn't a straight line; how well she appears to be doing on the outside actually makes people forget that she's still hurting. By the end of the book, Holly isn't suddenly completely healed; she still has her bad days, but her mindset has changed. She truly wants to live.

It is a chick-lit after all, so there was a fair amount of (perhaps unnecessary) drama, but thankfully it was never overly dramatic - there were no huge blowouts - and I liked that. I loved how Holly had a supportive network of friends and family. I really disliked Daniel, so I was glad she didn't end up with him (I'd forgotten whether she would or not).

So it didn't touch me as deeply as the first time I read it, but I remember that I really identified with Holly, and I think that's why I loved it so much. It's still a good read with a great message, although if you really despise chick-lits, this probably won't be for you.

No, I haven't seen the movie.

However, that is good, because I quite enjoyed the book.

There's that bittersweet quality in Holly's journey that leaves you both emotional and hopeful at the same time. It's beautifully written with a great cast of characters that had me in both hysterics and feeling for everyone's struggles.

Cecelia Ahern really knows how to strike the right balance between sweet and sad.

The story is so engaging that it keeps you hooked from the very beginning. You find yourself completely invested in Holly's life and her experiences.

The way the author portrays the emotions and relationships is truly remarkable.

Definitely recommend this to everyone.

4.43 / 5

Cecelia Ahern's debut novel, PS, I Love You, is a captivating tale that follows the engaging, witty, and at times, sappy reawakening of Holly. Holly is a young Irish widow who must piece her life back together after losing her husband Gerry to a brain tumor. Ahern, the twentysomething daughter of Ireland's prime minister, has come up with a clever and original twist on the well-known concept of Moving On After Death. Gerry has left Holly a series of letters to help her face the year ahead and continue with her life.

As the novel takes readers through the seasons and Gerry's monthly directives, we witness Holly finding a new job, taking a holiday to Spain with her girlfriends, and sorting through her beloved husband's belongings. Accompanying Holly throughout the healing process is a cast of friends and family members. Their stories add depth to the novel and make it more than just a superficial tearjerker. In fact, it is the mini-dramas of these supporting characters that give PS, I Love You its charm. Ahern shows real talent for capturing the essence of interactions between friends and foes alike.

While her style can be repetitive at times and her delivery is occasionally amateurish, Ahern deserves credit for her spirited first effort. If PS, I Love You is any indication of her talent, readers have much to look forward to as she matures as a novelist and storyteller. --Gisele Toueg --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

It took me an extremely long time to finish it. It was very boring. The only thing that I liked was a small twist at the end.

I really struggled to get through this task. The process was so dull that I almost gave up several times. However, when I finally reached the end, there was a little unexpected turn that made it somewhat worthwhile.

Despite the initial boredom, that one interesting element at the conclusion managed to salvage the overall experience to a certain extent. It made me think that perhaps there was more to this than met the eye at first glance.

Nevertheless, I still can't deny that the majority of the time spent on it was rather tiresome. But at least I can now say that I completed it, and that small twist will stay in my mind for a while.

I picked this up because I have an absolute adoration for the film. It truly was just as cute as the movie, if not more so. The story within these pages had the same ability to touch my heart and warm my soul.

Every word seemed to bring the characters to life, and I found myself completely immersed in their world. The details were so vivid that I could picture every scene as clearly as if I were watching the film itself.

This book is a must-read for anyone who loved the movie. It captures all the charm and magic that made the film so special. I can't recommend it highly enough.

\\n  5 stars\\n

A story that is both messy and tender, revolving around love and loss, grief and survival. P.S. I Love You is like a beautiful love letter addressed to all of us, highlighting the strength that lies within us to carry on despite the heavy burden of loss, especially when we have the support of our friends and family.

Full Book Review

\\"Nobody's life is filled with perfect little moments. And if it were, they wouldn't be perfect little moments. They would just be normal. How would you ever know happiness if you never experience downs?\\"

Synopsis:
After the untimely death of her husband Gerry, 30-year-old Holly finds herself in a state of complete turmoil. She is drowning in the depths of her loss and devastation. But then, a glimmer of hope arrives in the form of letters from Gerry. These letters, one for each of the ten months following his death, gently guide her on how to take small steps forward. With the unwavering help and support of her friends and family, Holly struggles to hold on to the memories of Gerry while simultaneously trying to find the courage to live and love again.

My Thoughts... 3.5 Stars
First and foremost, this charming book is far superior to the movie! It is truly baffling why they chose to Americanize this Irish tale of love and loss. While the movie might have gained a wider American audience, it sacrificed the authenticity of the location, the richness of the culture, and the warmth that the book so beautifully conveys. But enough about that...

Cecelia Ahern masterfully and poignantly depicts loss and grief in this novel. It is a story that is both heartfelt and messy, tender and filled with anguish. It is not a story of a quick recovery from loss to new love, nor is it a story of processing grief in an impossibly short time. In fact, what Ahern does so brilliantly is show that grief and loss will always remain a part of us, they will hold us and sometimes even suffocate us, but they will also shape a new version of us that is capable of survival. Ahern vividly illustrates how Holly must learn to carry the weight of all her love and loss while still finding a way to move forward and embrace life.

Some of the characters in the book were a bit irritating at times, but this actually added an interesting layer to the story. It showed how people who have not fully experienced the same loss as you can become frustrated when you don't seem to be moving on fast enough, or when they simply don't know how to offer the right kind of support. Overall, however, there were many unexpected moments of tenderness between the characters, who were all flawed but were constantly trying (and sometimes failing, only to try again).

The flow of the book could perhaps have been improved with a bit of editing to shorten it, but on the other hand, it did allow for a great deal of backstory and the development of secondary characters. Additionally, the tension between Daniel and Holly throughout the book was resolved in a rather unexpected way. While it might have been disappointing if not for the very last scene, I thought Ahern did a wonderful job of tying up all the loose ends and leaving the reader with a sense of satisfaction.