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craigidile's review against another edition
4.0
It's been a while since I've found a book that I didn't have to force myself into finishing, but every now and then we find one! It's definitely not high literature, but still entertaining. "Convenient" is how I'd describe the downsides of the book; the relationships, the odd distribution if alcohol, and even the deaths all seem too convenient... Still, a fun time! Also, surprisingly British (that part really caught me off guard).
(I feel like I'm writing in a pretentious voice... Sorry about that....)
(I feel like I'm writing in a pretentious voice... Sorry about that....)
swemo's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
kimmyp's review against another edition
5.0
I was worried at a few parts of this story about how it was going to go, but I really enjoyed this. I thought the writing was good. You slowly learn about Andrew and his past, and the more you do, the more you understand the choices he’s made. This was an emotional book and I think the way the story played out was really beautiful. I love that he found some friends and that helped him build his confidence, find some happiness and move on from the past. I like stories that make me feel, and this one did.
janayawebb's review against another edition
emotional
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Really good book. Made me cry a lot towards the end
stacyroth's review against another edition
3.0
I received an ARC of this book through NetGalley in exchange for my unbiased opinion.
Andrew works as a public health employee in London, searching for next of kin for people who die alone, trying not to think about the fact that someday, he will be the one dying alone. His co-workers don't know that, though, as he pretended to have a wife and two kids during his interview and has kept the lie going these past few years. In Andrew's mind, this fantasy brings him happiness. When Peggy joins his department, though, he feels a connection to her and begins to think of having an actual friendship/relationship with someone. Can he find the courage to take that step?
Andrew's decisions to keep up the ruse kept making me cringe; I wanted to be able to shake his shoulders and tell him to let the truth out to quell his anxiety, though it was expected given the blurb. It wasn't just that, though; Peggy was married. I did enjoy reading about Andrew's job; what happens when people die alone wasn't something I had thought about prior to this book. It wasn't a bad book, but it's not among my favorites of the year so far.
Trigger warning for suicidal thoughts, abuse, and alcoholism
Andrew works as a public health employee in London, searching for next of kin for people who die alone, trying not to think about the fact that someday, he will be the one dying alone. His co-workers don't know that, though, as he pretended to have a wife and two kids during his interview and has kept the lie going these past few years. In Andrew's mind, this fantasy brings him happiness. When Peggy joins his department, though, he feels a connection to her and begins to think of having an actual friendship/relationship with someone. Can he find the courage to take that step?
Andrew's decisions to keep up the ruse kept making me cringe; I wanted to be able to shake his shoulders and tell him to let the truth out to quell his anxiety, though it was expected given the blurb. It wasn't just that, though; Peggy was married. I did enjoy reading about Andrew's job; what happens when people die alone wasn't something I had thought about prior to this book. It wasn't a bad book, but it's not among my favorites of the year so far.
Trigger warning for suicidal thoughts, abuse, and alcoholism
chanbing's review against another edition
3.0
kind of funny, kind of cute, a little outlandish. a quick easy lighthearted read
literarylunchbreak's review against another edition
4.0
**Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher, G.P. Putnam's Sons for an advance copy of this book in exchange for my unbiased feedback.**
This book was a little slow starting for me, but after about 50 or so pages, I got sucked right in.
Andrew's job is a little... different. He works for a government agency entering the homes of deceased people who lived and died alone. His job is to searches for any sign of next of kin or funds to pay for a funeral. A dark task (to say the least), but someone has to do it?
For the last 20 years, Andrew has also lived alone but, due to an unfortunate misunderstanding during his interview, all of his co-workers think he is married with two children. Once he meets Peggy, his new trainee, he starts to reflect (more than he would normally like) on the direction his life is headed and how he got to the particular place he is in.
This book is darkly funny and thoughtful without being heavy. Even though the subject matter is a bit heartbreaking, Roper does an excellent job providing hope and humor to even things out.
I absolutely loved this book.
This book was a little slow starting for me, but after about 50 or so pages, I got sucked right in.
Andrew's job is a little... different. He works for a government agency entering the homes of deceased people who lived and died alone. His job is to searches for any sign of next of kin or funds to pay for a funeral. A dark task (to say the least), but someone has to do it?
For the last 20 years, Andrew has also lived alone but, due to an unfortunate misunderstanding during his interview, all of his co-workers think he is married with two children. Once he meets Peggy, his new trainee, he starts to reflect (more than he would normally like) on the direction his life is headed and how he got to the particular place he is in.
This book is darkly funny and thoughtful without being heavy. Even though the subject matter is a bit heartbreaking, Roper does an excellent job providing hope and humor to even things out.
I absolutely loved this book.
mhillebrenner's review against another edition
2.0
Painfully dull. I struggled to get through it, and only in the last 25% did I find myself invested in the story and the characters.
lopsel225's review against another edition
5.0
10/10 title. Great book if you wonder what it would be like to start over at a job and pretend to be a completely different person/live a completely different life. Also if you like trains