Walking Back to Happiness
“You don’t have to stop loving the past to enjoy the rest of your life.”
Life and death. Love and honesty. Betrayal, fear, and jealousy are all at the heart of Lucy Dillon’s literary journey, Walking Back to Happiness. Juliet is a young widow who is turning her back on life. She finds solace retreating into her own private world, surrounded by memories of her husband, Ben. Overcome with grief, the only voyages Juliet takes beyond her front door is to walk Minton, her deceased husband’s loyal dog. Juliet’s mother encourages her to interact more with people and lovingly pushes her into starting a dog-walking business. While still very much mourning Ben, Juliet begins an innocent flirtation with the owner of a spaniel and gets pulled into the messy and chaotic folds of her neighbors’ lives.
The emotional component of this novel was very realistic and heartfelt. It was not a simple, “watch her get over the loss of her husband and move on to someone new” kind of book. It was very honest and often heart wrenching but ultimately hopeful and life affirming. Anyone who has had their life flipped upside down can relate and be inspired by this wonderful story of hope and survival amidst life’s worst curveballs.
Highly recommended read.
“Life’s not one long poem, Juliet. It’s a book with a series of chapters. You’re sad for awhile; then you turn the page and see what happens next.”
British Cover
Had to include the British version here to support my belief that British covers are just happier and more inviting. Thoughts?
