Susan_T

Tilly lost the love of her life, and fell into an emotional abyss. Before his death, her lost love arranged for Tilly to receive one book a month from an attractive bookseller, Alfie. Each book helped Tilly heal from her grief and ultimately she is able to regain her zest for life. The book is filled with book recommendations across many genres, and is also a travel journal of sorts, as Tilly launches off on many new risk taking adventures. The book was a nice diversion, although I found the characters and the plot to be predictable. It was a good "fairy tale" but lacked the nuances of complex human emotion. I'd say the book is worth the read if you're not expecting profound insights into the human condition.

Dandelion is Dead is more than a romantic novel. It has psychological depth, exploring themes of complex grief and abandonment. The author also shows the cost of settling for a safe and familiar relationship due to fear of the unknown. The main characters are wonderfully flawed and human. Poppy's and Jake's struggles make them all the more likable. I was rooting for both of them to find the peace and happiness they deserved. The book is well written, with pockets of wisdom. For example, when Poppy is in a world of hurt, her mother says "The best advice I ever received is to forgive. Regardless of if the othe person is sorry. Or whether they've apologized or ever will apologize. Forgiveness is something we must do because our own soul deserves the peace." This was an immensely readable and enjoyable book.