Somewhere Close to Happy

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What to expect

A laugh-out-loud funny yet heart-breaking novel about first love and second chances, with a satisfying mystery at its heart.

Lizzie James is happy. She has a steady office job (with a steady stream of tray bakes), has had the same best friend since secondary school, and she sees her family every Thursday night for take-away and TV soaps. Granted, some members of her family she'd rather not see, and they definitely don't want to see her after what happened back then... But on the whole she's happy. Or somewhere close to it, anyway.

Until a letter arrives one day from her best friend, Roman. A letter dated 12 years ago, the exact day he went missing.

It brings all her painful memories flooding back: the new school she had to go to when she was ill, losing her beloved granddad, Hubble, and then losing her first love. As Lizzie uncovers the secrets of the letter, she starts to discover what really happened the year her life fell apart - and all avenues lead back to Roman.

Who sent her the letter, and what happened to Roman?

Perfect for fans of Cecelia Ahern, Jojo Moyes, Giovanna Fletcher and Kate Eberlen's Miss You. This is a novel you won't soon forget.

(p) Orion Publishing Group Ltd 2019

Critics Review

This book is beautiful. The writing is generous and kind and funny. I fell in love with the story and the characters, it made me feel hopeful, and I cried. Lia is such a talented, wonderful writer.
Hayley Webster
A wonderfully written, funny and moving debut with an intriguing mystery at its heart. I laughed, cried and was completely swept away by Lizzy and Roman's story. Unforgettable.
Claire Douglas
I thought it was both a funny and heart-warming story... Louis's is a bold, standout voice in the women's fiction genre and Somewhere Close To Happy deserves to be huge.
Gillian McAllister
I loved it. I want more. It is just exquisitely written. So tender and packed with emotion but also great humour. It deserves to soar.
Claire Allan
Honest and brave, Somewhere Close to Happy is a thought-provoking, beautifully observed study of love and real life, social issues and mental health
Jill Mansell
Oh my god, I LOVED Somewhere Close to Happy. It made me cry several times but was also really funny. It is so incredibly good.
Laura Marshall
Beautiful, raw, emotional, gripping. Roman and Lizzie will burrow into your hearts and never leave.
Lynsey James
Lia is one of those rare writers who manage to break your heart and mend it all at once. Somewhere Close to Happy is a gem of a book - funny, touching and true
Stacey Halls
In her protagonist Lizzie, Lia has created a character whose journey and emotional depth is a triumph.
Woman's Weekly Fiction Special
You'll laugh, you'll cry and you'll love this warm and tender story.
Fabulous Magazine, The Sun
Lia Louis could give PS I Love You author Cecilia Ahern a run for her money with this funny and moving debut.
Sunday Post
Told with warmth, this is an enjoyable, bittersweet page-turner.
Good Housekeeping

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