Liv Green has been a fan of author Essie Starling since she was a schoolgirl. When young Liv was trying to make sense of her world after losing her father in an accident, she wrote to the author and much to her surprise and gratitude, she received a warm response from Essie Starling. Liv became an even more-devoted fan of Starling’s novels, anxiously awaiting each new novel along with the rest of Essie’s fans. When Liv is an adult and working as a maid and house cleaner, she cannot believe her good fortune when Essie hires her as a housekeeper.
Essie is not an easy woman to work for, but she pays Liv well and Liv’s hard work eventually impresses Essie. The two women form a decent working relationship, if not exactly a friendship. When Essie dies suddenly, Liv discovers that Essie’s deathbed wish was for Liv to complete the novel that she was writing. Liv had longed to be a writer when she was younger, but is not feeling capable of finishing a highly-anticipated novel by her favorite author. Liv has only a few months to fulfill Essie’s wish and she gives it her best shot. While finishing Essie’s book, Liv follows some loose threads that Essie has left hanging, and she discovers that she and Essie have a connection from their pasts.
Liv is likable, conscientious and industrious. I found Essie to be more likable than I expected her to be, and I was surprised that the least appealing character is Liv’s whiny and entitled son. Liv’s marriage is at a critical juncture, and the task that Essie has left for her does not leave Liv much time to work on her relationship with her husband. Liv’s husband and sons become resentful that Liv is leaving them to fend for themselves a little bit more than they are used to, and I think many readers will identify with their new family dynamic. One storyline, when Liv goes to a publishing conference, is silly and unrealistic, but overall, this is a fun, engaging and very readable book.