Sometimes it’s impossible to part with the things we love the most…
When Amy Ashton’s world came crashing down eleven years ago, she started a collection.
Just a little collection, just a few keepsakes of happier times: some honeysuckle to remind herself of the boy she
loved, a chipped china bird, an old terracotta pot . . . Things that others might throw away, but to Amy, represent a
life that could have been.
Now her house is overflowing with the objects she loves – soon there’ll be no room for Amy at all. But when a family
move in next door, a chance discovery unearths a mystery long buried, and Amy’s carefully curated life begins to
unravel. If she can find the courage to face her past, might the future she thought she’d lost still be hers for the
taking?
My Thoughts
As soon as I was given the opportunity to read and review this book i leapt at the chance! The description alone is enough to get the readers intrigued, and the cover is simply stunning.
Everything is beautiful is without any doubt one of the most beautiful books I have ever read. The characters are brought to life by the authors wonderful writing style, so much so you feel a true connection to them throughout. Amy’s character is enchanting and incredibly endearing, and as we learn more about her, her story is so deeply moving and truly pulled on my heartstrings.
And then we meet Ray. The ways in which he portrays the various reasons behind Amy’s hoarding being a response to the grief and trauma she has endured in her life is incredibly emotional. The story takes the characters through a huge range of emotions, and the reader alongside them too. The ways in which the characters have to learn to adapt to their new ways of life, and the unspoken tragedy of Tim and Chantel is ever present and always lurking just below the surface, leaving an air of suspense and a truly thrilling story in its wake.
This story was compelling and truly immersive from beginning to end. The storyline is so intricate and beautifully written. Eleanor Ray has captured the characters unique trace and brought them to life for the reader, perfectly highlighting the difficulties of not quite fitting in with everyone else, carrying emotional baggage and discovering how to slowly untie the knots from your past and move forward.
Although heart breaking at times, this book is thought – provoking and quite simply brilliant. I think everyone needs to read this book, i assure you you will most definitely not be dissapointed.
You can grab pick up your own copy of this book via the link below.
About the Author
Eleanor Ray has an MA in English Literature from Edinburgh University and works in marketing. She lives in London with
her husband and two young children. Eleanor was inspired to write Everything is Beautiful by the objects her toddler
collects and treasures – twigs, empty water bottles and wilting daisies. She is currently working on her next novel.
I would like to thank Jo Wickham, Elanor Ray and Piatkus for providing me with an ARC of this book in return for my honest review.
Victoria Wilks 