You and Me, Always

by Jill Mansell

Overview

"…vivid and enchanting.... [You and Me, Always] can be enjoyed on a rainy afternoon with a pot of tea and some scones." — Kirkus

International bestseller Jill Mansell crafts a deliciously romantic story about love, loss and secrets that just can't be kept

Nothing stays secret forever, least of all love…

On the morning of her twenty-fifth birthday, Lily Harper opens the very last letter written to her by her beloved mother, who died when she was eight. Learning about the first and only real love of her mom's life is a revelation.

The same momentous day, Lily meets Eddie Tessler, an actor fleeing fame who could change her world in unimaginable ways. But her childhood friend Dan has his own reasons for not wanting Lily to get too carried away by Eddie's attentions.

As secrets past and present begin to emerge, Lily's not sure what—or who—to believe. But one thing is clear: in the beautiful Cotswold village of Stanton Langley, nothing will ever be the same again…

Praise for Making Your Mind Up:

"Mansell's gentle humor and enormous heart always ensure a treat for her readers." —RT Book Reviews, 4 stars

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781492638858
Publisher:	Sourcebooks
Publication date:	07/05/2016
Edition description:	Reprint
Pages:	384
Sales rank:	659,719
Product dimensions:	5.20(w) x 7.90(h) x 1.20(d)

About the Author

With over 10 million copies sold, New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Jill Mansell writes irresistible and funny, poignant and romantic tales for women in the tradition of Marian Keyes, Sophie Kinsella and Jojo Moyes. She lives with her partner and their children in Bristol, England.

Editorial Reviews

05/16/2016
The charming village of Stanton Langley in England’s Cotswolds serves as both character and setting in Mansell’s (The One You Really Want) latest multigenerational romance. Lily’s dying mother wrote her letters, each one to be opened on her birthday. Now that Lily’s turning 25, she reaches the final letter. She learns the name of her mother’s real love and writes to him with hopes of a meeting. Lily’s biological father was never in the picture, and the recently widowed Coral, who runs the architectural salvage where Lily works, raised Lily after her mother died. Pilot Dan, Lily’s childhood friend and confidant, secretly loves her, and for years Lily has concealed her feelings for him as well. Their witty dialogue sizzles, and the plot weaves naturally among characters, who are all strongly developed with solid backstories. An actor hiding from the paparazzi in a neighbor’s house and the antics of Coral’s Internet dating complete this captivating read. Agent: Jennifer Unter, Unter Agency. (July)

Publishers Weekly

"The village of Stanton Langley is vivid and enchanting.... [You and Me, Always] can be enjoyed on a rainy afternoon with a pot of tea and some scones." — Kirkus Reviews

"The charming village of Stanton Langley in England’s Cotswolds serves as both character and setting in Mansell’s (The One You Really Want) latest multigenerational romance.... [The] witty dialogue sizzles, and the plot weaves naturally among characters, who are all strongly developed with solid backstories... [A] captivating read. " — Publishers Weekly

"Mansell's novel is a wonderful mix of romantic tension and uproarious comedy, and her complex characters share a common desire to be deeply loved and appreciated. You and Me, Always is a deliciously charming read from beginning to end! " — BookPage

"There is a lightness and energy to Mansell’s writing that makes her work a consistent pleasure and a perfect escape. Her characters are charming; their struggles, emotions and relationships feel wonderfully genuine, and there is an implicit promise that, no matter what, all those characters who deserve happiness win it in spades. This particular story is a beautiful mix of heartbreak, humor, and redemption that is sure to delight fans and engage a wealth of new readers." — RT Book Reviews, 4 Stars

From the Publisher

2016-05-03
British author Mansell (Three Amazing Things About You, 2015, etc.) continues her franchise of pastel-covered books featuring the romantic lives of lovable characters in picturesque English locales. On Lily Harper's 25th birthday, she opens a letter from her deceased mother, as she has done ever since her mother's death when she was a little girl. In this letter, her mother reveals the identity of her first love, Declan Madison, the one that got away. Lily decides to contact him and invite him to visit Stanton Langley, the village in the Cotswolds where she runs an architectural salvage business with her guardian and mother's best friend, Coral. Outside of work, Lily's active social life involves childhood friends Patsy and Dan Rafferty. Patsy, a hairdresser, has been braving the online dating scene since divorcing her gay husband, and Dan, a pilot, has had a string of beautiful girlfriends, none of whom have been Lily, much to her disappointment. Lily's pleasant but ordinary life takes a turn, however, when she meets Eddie Tessler, a charming movie star hiding in Stanton Langley from a show-business scandal. Eddie fancies Lily, which is unbelievable to Lily and an unpleasant surprise to Dan. Though the characters are likable enough and the village of Stanton Langley is vivid and enchanting, there are few surprises in this mostly uninspired novel. The various storylines are either predictable or suspended before any real trouble can brew. Mansell's fans might be disappointed to find some of her signature wit lacking in the clunky writing and insipid dialogue. Yet, despite its shortcomings, this novel continues to deliver an appealing brand: uncomplicated stories of ordinary lives taking extraordinary romantic turns in British settings. It can be enjoyed on a rainy afternoon with a pot of tea and some scones. A painless read but with few rewards.

Kirkus Reviews