Who Would Like This Book:
If you're a fan of heartfelt, character-driven stories that blend romance with deeper themes, Dear Emmie Blue is a must-read. The story starts with a whimsical balloon note that turns into a years-long friendship across countries, making for a truly unique meet-cute. Emmie Blue herself is incredibly relatable - she’s been through some tough times, but her resilience and quest for belonging will tug at your heartstrings. The book shines in its exploration of found family, friendship, and personal growth, all wrapped in an emotional, slow-burn romance. It’s perfect for fans of Mhairi McFarlane and anyone who loves stories about healing, hope, and discovering your own self-worth.
Who May Not Like This Book:
If you’re hoping for a breezy rom-com, this might not be your jam. Some readers found the book heavier than expected, dealing with themes like trauma, neglect, and unrequited love, so it’s not all light and fluffy. Emmie’s tendency to pine and feel stuck may be frustrating for those who prefer more assertive protagonists. Also, if you want lots of steam in your romances, you’ll find this one pretty closed-door. And a handful of readers felt that certain side characters and plot resolutions could be a bit predictable or tied up too neatly.
About:
'Dear Emmie Blue' by Lia Louis is a heartwarming story about Emmie Blue, a young woman who has faced numerous challenges in her life, from betrayal to neglect. The book follows Emmie's journey as she navigates her past traumas, searches for her missing father, and discovers the true meaning of friendship and love. Through a captivating writing style, vibrant characters, and engaging drama, readers are taken on a emotional rollercoaster as Emmie's story unfolds.
Genres:
Tropes/Plot Devices:
Topics:
Notes:
Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings
The book includes triggers for themes like sexual assault and victim-blaming.
Has Romance?
The romance aspect of the book is significant, with themes of unrequited love and the complexities of relationships.
From The Publisher:
In this charming and poignant novel that "oozes charm and wit and speaks beautifully about friendship and love, and the differences between the two" (Laura Pearson, author of I Wanted You to Know), teenager Emmie Blue releases a balloon with her email address and a big secret into the sky, only to fall head-over-heels for the boy who finds it. But fourteen years later, everything Emmie has planned is up in the air.
At sixteen, Emmie Blue stood in the fields of her school and released a red balloon into the sky. Attached was her name, her email address…and a secret she desperately wanted to be free of. Weeks later, on a beach in France, Lucas Moreau discovered the balloon and immediately emailed the attached address, sparking an intense friendship between the two teens.
Now, fourteen years later, Emmie is hiding the fact that she's desperately in love with Lucas. She has pinned all her hopes on him and waits patiently for him to finally admit that she's the one for him. So dedicated to her love for Lucas, Emmie has all but neglected her life outside of this relationship-she's given up the search for her absentee father, no longer tries to build bridges with her distant mother, and lives as a lodger to an old lady she barely knows after being laid off. And when Lucas tells Emmie he has a big question to ask her, she's convinced this is the moment he'll reveal his feelings for her. But nothing in life ever quite goes as planned, does it?
Filled with heart and humor, Dear Emmie Blue "beautifully captures the heartache and frustrations of carrying our teenaged selves with us wherever we go" (Anstey Harris, author of Goodbye Paris) that is perfect for fans of Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine and Evvie Drake Starts Over.
Ratings (26)
Incredible (1) | |
Loved It (10) | |
Liked It (11) | |
It Was OK (3) | |
Did Not Like (1) |
Reader Stats (109):
Read It (27) | |
Want To Read (48) | |
Not Interested (34) |
2 comment(s)
2nd read: there's something about British Contemporary Romance. There's something super cosy about them, despite the heavy topics they sometimes include.
This book broke my heart and taped back to shape ❤️a must read for sure!
What can you read after
Dear Emmie Blue?
About the Author:
Lia Louis lives in the United Kingdom with her partner and three young children. Before raising a family, she worked as a freelance copywriter and proofreader. She was the 2015 winner of Elle magazine's annual writing competition and has been a contributor for Bloomsbury's Writers' and Artists' blog for aspiring writers. She is the author of Somewhere Close to Happy, Dear Emmie Blue, and Eight Perfect Hours.
When you click the Amazon link and make a purchase, we may receive a small commision, at no cost to you.
