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Life: A Love Story
Elizabeth Berg
Publication Date: March 17th, 2026
Random House
224 Pages
Amazon | Goodreads | Bookshop.org
Genre: General Fiction | Women’s Fiction
Elizabeth Berg is one of my favourite contemporary writers. I have been reading her books for over a quarter of a century, and she never disappoints. This one is about Flo (my grandmother’s name), who is nearing the end of her life. She decides to leave her house to Ruthie, the girl who grew up next door. She also decides to leave a sort of memoir for Ruthie. This written account of Flo’s life turns ordinary life experiences into an extraordinary take on things.
Berg always knows how to write about the small things in life. She writes wonderful character-driven stories that are that way because she writes wonderful characters. I often find myself thinking that her books are like having a conversation and a cuppa with a wise old friend. Her stories are absolute treasures. I liked that this one was told through some letters, so it is epistolary in that way, and I loved that about it.
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There are some emotional themes in this one, dealing with ageing, illness, and loss. Berg manages to get these themes across without the book feeling too heavy. The way it came across to me is more of a celebration of a life lived well. Flo celebrates the small joys like the perfect cup of tea, the sunshine in her garden, or a laugh she shared with a friend. She counts her blessings in real time.
As always, Berg’s writing is simple yet beautiful. It isn’t flowery but still very poetic. She writes about feelings we’ve all had but have never been able to put into words. This isn’t just a book about Flo’s history; it’s a reminder that every chapter of our lives, even difficult or boring ones, is part of our beautiful story. I always feel so satisfied after reading a Berg novel, and this is another winner. Elizabeth Berg has such a gift for making the mundane feel deeply meaningful. All. The Stars.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.
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