Take a photo of a barcode or cover
A review by bookmarkedtbr
Dear Emmie Blue by Lia Louis
emotional
inspiring
lighthearted
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
5.0
Oh, Emmie Blue. It’s been a while.
I have adored Emmie Blue since I first read the manuscript in 2019. It was actually the first manuscript I ever read when I started working in publishing, and what a high bar to set! I genuinely adore this book and loved being on the marketing team when it published. I also wrote extensively about my love for Lia Louis on both Get Literary and Off the Shelf, unfortunately now defunct bookish websites.
I live in the US and have been feeling down (to put it lightly) lately, and I knew it was time to visit an old favorite. This time through audio. I keep coming back to this story not only because of realistic characters, heartfelt connections, and engaging prose, but also because something about Emmie’s loneliness makes me feel not so lonely, at least for a little while. The thing I love about Lia Louis’ writing is how realistic it is. These characters truly feel like real people you’re catching up with, and the flow of the story is so natural, I always finish it without feeling that much time has passed.
I will say that for this story in particular, I enjoyed reading it in print more than audio, but only slightly. The narrator is great and has an English accent, I just felt a little something missing. However, don’t let this put you off the audio if that’s your preferred format! It is still a great listen.
What to expect from Dear Emmie Blue:
I have adored Emmie Blue since I first read the manuscript in 2019. It was actually the first manuscript I ever read when I started working in publishing, and what a high bar to set! I genuinely adore this book and loved being on the marketing team when it published. I also wrote extensively about my love for Lia Louis on both Get Literary and Off the Shelf, unfortunately now defunct bookish websites.
I live in the US and have been feeling down (to put it lightly) lately, and I knew it was time to visit an old favorite. This time through audio. I keep coming back to this story not only because of realistic characters, heartfelt connections, and engaging prose, but also because something about Emmie’s loneliness makes me feel not so lonely, at least for a little while. The thing I love about Lia Louis’ writing is how realistic it is. These characters truly feel like real people you’re catching up with, and the flow of the story is so natural, I always finish it without feeling that much time has passed.
I will say that for this story in particular, I enjoyed reading it in print more than audio, but only slightly. The narrator is great and has an English accent, I just felt a little something missing. However, don’t let this put you off the audio if that’s your preferred format! It is still a great listen.
What to expect from Dear Emmie Blue:
- Relatable FMC on the cusp of turning 30
- Long distance friendships with 2 boys
- Coming of age but in your late 20s
- Incredible side characters
- Looks into the past
- A red balloon with a note
- Meaningful mixtapes
- Secret crush
- Many trips from England to France
- Supportive friendships
- Befriending the lovely elderly woman you live with
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying, Death, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Pedophilia, Sexual assault, Toxic relationship, Grief, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, Abandonment, and Sexual harassment