Dear Eliza - by Andrea J Stein (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

A Betches pick of "Novels That Healed Me Faster Than Any Self-Help Book"

Ten years after her mother's death, Eliza Levinger never imagined she'd hear from her again. But then The Letter arrived.

Eliza's world broke apart when she was sixteen and her mom died of cancer. Now, years later, she has rebuilt her life to include a director-of-development job at a nonprofit, a Manhattan apartment, and an easy-on-the-eyes bedroom buddy-just the kind of no-strings relationship she wants, even if it's less than her best friend, Mo, thinks she deserves. But when Eliza's dad dies unexpectedly, her beloved aunt Claude arrives at the shiva with a letter from her mom--to be opened only after her father's death. Inside the letter? A bombshell.

Suddenly, all of Eliza's relationships are upended. Her brother is angry, her stepmother is threatening to disinherit her, and Mo--who has always been her rock--doesn't seem to understand what she's going through. But as Eliza struggles to cope with the shocking news, she finds an unexpected ally--her brother's best friend, Josh--her high school crush, whom she's tried hard to forget. It's not in Eliza's nature to trust . . . but maybe it's time for that to change.

Perfect for fans of Emily Giffin, Katherine Center, and Jennifer Weiner, Dear Eliza explores the meaning of family, the complexities of grief, and the beauty in finding your way again.

Review Quotes

Touching and deeply romantic, Dear Eliza is a tender love story about a heroine whose bravery in the face of grief leads to discovery and the possibility of romance. -Abbi Waxman, bestselling author ofThe Bookish Life of Nina Hill and Adult Assembly Required

The beautiful and heartfelt tale of a woman who goes looking for her biological father and ends up finding herself. Andrea Stein deftly dances on the line between grief and love--keeping the story upbeat without shying away from the depths of emotion. I loved it! --Colleen Oakley, USA Todaybestselling author of The Mostly True Story of Tanner & Louise

A wonderful journey of resilience, grief, and love told in Andrea J. Stein's beautiful, breezy prose. Dear Eliza grabbed me from page one and did not let go!" --Jane L. Rosen, author of Seven Summer Weekends

Written with humor and hope, Dear Eliza is the story of a young woman navigating the complexities of loss, love, and family. I couldn't put it down! Perfect for fans of Katherine Center and Mhairi McFarlane." --Elyssa Friedland, author of Jackpot Summer

Dear Eliza is a deeply felt exploration of grief, mothers and daughters, and the secrets we keep from others and ourselves." --Laura Hankin, author of One-Star Romance

Dear Eliza is an engaging and heartfelt look at grief, the consequences of long-held secrets, and the true meaning of family. Stein's writing is thoughtful and well crafted with splashes of humor in all the right places. I was Team Eliza from page one!" --Lisa Roe, author of Welcome to the Neighborhood

Dear Eliza skillfully examines how family ties unravel when the loss of a parent exposes a shocking secret that sends a young woman reeling. Timely and relatable, this novel is a perfectly paced exploration of loss, love, and learning how to carry on when your world is turned upside down. Brimming with just the right mix of humor and heart, Dear Eliza is sure to be a book-club favorite." --Liz Alterman, author of The House on Cold Creek Lane

Dear Eliza is an emotionally compelling story filled with tension and drama that hooked me from the start, with vivid characters so real that they jump off the page. Stein has crafted a compulsive narrative that examines the complications of uncovered family secrets while exploring the question, Where do we go from here? A juicy, heart-tugging read." --Annie Cathryn, award-winning author of The Friendship Breakup

"Andrea J. Stein's stunning sophomore novel, Dear Eliza, is a must-read! As Eliza navigated her complicated feelings of grief while simultaneously learning that her parents weren't whom she thought they were, I couldn't put this heartfelt, engaging, and ultimately hopeful book down. I loved everything about it--especially its relatable, funny, honest heroine, who will stay with you long after you turn the last page. Perfect for fans of Josie Silver and Jennifer Weiner." --Angela Terry, award-winning author of The Palace at Dusk

"A moving exploration of grief, love, family, and self-acceptance." --Buzzfeed

"Andrea J. Stein's Dear Eliza is a beautifully layered novel that balances loss, love, and self-discovery." --Novels Alive