Dear Eliza - by Andrea J Stein (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

A Betches pick of "Novels That Healed Me Faster Than Any Self-Help Book"

Ten years after her mother's death, Eliza Levinger never imagined she'd hear from her again. But then The Letter arrived.

Eliza's world broke apart when she was sixteen and her mom died of cancer. Now, years later, she has rebuilt her life to include a director-of-development job at a nonprofit, a Manhattan apartment, and an easy-on-the-eyes bedroom buddy--just the kind of no-strings relationship she wants, even if it's less than her best friend, Mo, thinks she deserves. But when Eliza's dad dies unexpectedly, her beloved aunt Claude arrives at the shiva with a letter from her mom--to be opened only after her father's death. Inside the letter? A bombshell.

Suddenly, all of Eliza's relationships are upended. Her brother is angry, her stepmother is threatening to disinherit her, and Mo--who has always been her rock--doesn't seem to understand what she's going through. But as Eliza struggles to cope with the shocking news, she finds an unexpected ally--her brother's best friend, Josh--her high school crush, whom she's tried hard to forget. It's not in Eliza's nature to trust . . . but maybe it's time for that to change.

Perfect for fans of Emily Giffin, Katherine Center, and Jennifer Weiner, Dear Eliza explores the meaning of family, the complexities of grief, and the beauty in finding your way again.

Review Quotes

Touching and deeply romantic, Dear Eliza is a tender love story about a heroine whose bravery in the face of grief leads to discovery and the possibility of romance. --Abbi Waxman, bestselling author ofThe Bookish Life of Nina Hill and Adult Assembly Required

The beautiful and heartfelt tale of a woman who goes looking for her biological father and ends up finding herself. Andrea Stein deftly dances on the line between grief and love--keeping the story upbeat without shying away from the depths of emotion. I loved it! --Colleen Oakley, USA Todaybestselling author of The Mostly True Story of Tanner & Louise

A wonderful journey of resilience, grief, and love told in Andrea J. Stein's beautiful, breezy prose. Dear Eliza grabbed me from page one and did not let go!" --Jane L. Rosen, author of Seven Summer Weekends

Written with humor and hope, Dear Eliza is the story of a young woman navigating the complexities of loss, love, and family. I couldn't put it down! Perfect for fans of Katherine Center and Mhairi McFarlane." --Elyssa Friedland, author of Jackpot Summer

Dear Eliza is a deeply felt exploration of grief, mothers and daughters, and the secrets we keep from others and ourselves." --Laura Hankin, author of One-Star Romance

Dear Eliza is an engaging and heartfelt look at grief, the consequences of long-held secrets, and the true meaning of family. Stein's writing is thoughtful and well crafted with splashes of humor in all the right places. I was Team Eliza from page one!" --Lisa Roe, author of Welcome to the Neighborhood

Dear Eliza skillfully examines how family ties unravel when the loss of a parent exposes a shocking secret that sends a young woman reeling. Timely and relatable, this novel is a perfectly paced exploration of loss, love, and learning how to carry on when your world is turned upside down. Brimming with just the right mix of humor and heart, Dear Eliza is sure to be a book-club favorite." --Liz Alterman, author of The House on Cold Creek Lane

Dear Eliza is an emotionally compelling story filled with tension and drama that hooked me from the start, with vivid characters so real that they jump off the page. Stein has crafted a compulsive narrative that examines the complications of uncovered family secrets while exploring the question, Where do we go from here? A juicy, heart-tugging read." --Annie Cathryn, award-winning author of The Friendship Breakup

"Andrea J. Stein's stunning sophomore novel, Dear Eliza, is a must-read! As Eliza navigated her complicated feelings of grief while simultaneously learning that her parents weren't whom she thought they were, I couldn't put this heartfelt, engaging, and ultimately hopeful book down. I loved everything about it--especially its relatable, funny, honest heroine, who will stay with you long after you turn the last page. Perfect for fans of Josie Silver and Jennifer Weiner." --Angela Terry, award-winning author of The Palace at Dusk

"A moving exploration of grief, love, family, and self-acceptance." --Buzzfeed

"Andrea J. Stein's Dear Eliza is a beautifully layered novel that balances loss, love, and self-discovery." --Novels Alive

"If you're looking for a book about finding love, not just with another person, but within yourself, Dear Eliza is the perfect mirror to reflect not just insecurities, but the good parts." --Fangirlish

"Heartfelt, thoughtful, and sharp-witted . . . this novel will tug at your heartstrings, leaving you with tears in your eyes and love in your soul." --Bookstr, starred review
"Dear Eliza is the perfect fit for Emily Henry and Katherine Center readers who are looking for a novel that poignantly discusses grief, love, and finding beauty in messes." --Jewish Unpacked

"Dear Eliza is a brilliant book that is at once both deeply moving, quietly entertaining, and utterly engrossing, and I loved every single page . . . Stein is one to watch." --Bookaholic Bex

"[Dear Eliza]'s inviting tone and realistic scenarios are not just revealing, but utterly compelling." --Midwest Book Review

"This is a beautiful book about grief and families, and a lovely tale about learning what it means to love." --Kveller

"Dear Eliza is a compelling story of love, loss, and grief." --She Does the City

Praise for Typecast

"Callie is wise, knows what she wants, and has a sense of humor you can't help but love; however, the most remarkable thing readers get to witness about this main character is her journey of coming to terms with herself to make amends with the past."--BuzzFeed

"Filled with many great supporting characters, Stein's writing is sharp and her character development for Callie is strong . . . Perfect for fans of Josie Silver." --Booklist

"Stein's novel presents a charming tale of first love and second chances that's likely to entertain fans of the works of Emily Giffin . . . A heartwarming modern romance for movie mavens." --Kirkus Reviews

"Jumping between past and present, you will get sucked into both versions of Callie's world." --Her Campus magazine

"A clever mix of ingredients: a strong and intelligent heroine (although she might not realize it), a messy plot, and . . . a healthy dose of 90s nostalgia." --Literary Mama

"With a cast of interesting characters, Typecast is a compelling story about love, friendship, family, relationships, and second chances in life." --Jersey Girl Book Reviews

"Typecast . . .[is] a novel I'll remember for a long time to come . . . such an addictive storyline and excellent characters." --A Quintillion Words

"If you're looking for an enjoyable and engaging read, with characters that are fully actualized and realistic, I totally recommend Typecast. Andrea J. Stein is a writer to watch." --The Book Self

Touching and deeply romantic, Dear Eliza is a tender love story about a heroine whose bravery in the face of grief leads to discovery and the possibility of romance. -Abbi Waxman, bestselling author ofThe Bookish Life of Nina Hill and Adult Assembly Required

The beautiful and heartfelt tale of a woman who goes looking for her biological father and ends up finding herself. Andrea Stein deftly dances on the line between grief and love--keeping the story upbeat without shying away from the depths of emotion. I loved it! --Colleen Oakley, USA Todaybestselling author of The Mostly True Story of Tanner & Louise

A wonderful journey of resilience, grief, and love told in Andrea J. Stein's beautiful, breezy prose. Dear Eliza grabbed me from page one and did not let go!" --Jane L. Rosen, author of Seven Summer Weekends

Written with humor and hope, Dear Eliza is the story of a young woman navigating the complexities of loss, love, and family. I couldn't put it down! Perfect for fans of Katherine Center and Mhairi McFarlane." --Elyssa Friedland, author of Jackpot Summer

Dear Eliza is a deeply felt exploration of grief, mothers and daughters, and the secrets we keep from others and ourselves." --Laura Hankin, author of One-Star Romance

Dear Eliza is an engaging and heartfelt look at grief, the consequences of long-held secrets, and the true meaning of family. Stein's writing is thoughtful and well crafted with splashes of humor in all the right places. I was Team Eliza from page one!" --Lisa Roe, author of Welcome to the Neighborhood

Dear Eliza skillfully examines how family ties unravel when the loss of a parent exposes a shocking secret that sends a young woman reeling. Timely and relatable, this novel is a perfectly paced exploration of loss, love, and learning how to carry on when your world is turned upside down. Brimming with just the right mix of humor and heart, Dear Eliza is sure to be a book-club favorite." --Liz Alterman, author of The House on Cold Creek Lane

Dear Eliza is an emotionally compelling story filled with tension and drama that hooked me from the start, with vivid characters so real that they jump off the page. Stein has crafted a compulsive narrative that examines the complications of uncovered family secrets while exploring the question, Where do we go from here? A juicy, heart-tugging read." --Annie Cathryn, award-winning author of The Friendship Breakup

"Andrea J. Stein's stunning sophomore novel, Dear Eliza, is a must-read! As Eliza navigated her complicated feelings of grief while simultaneously learning that her parents weren't whom she thought they were, I couldn't put this heartfelt, engaging, and ultimately hopeful book down. I loved everything about it--especially its relatable, funny, honest heroine, who will stay with you long after you turn the last page. Perfect for fans of Josie Silver and Jennifer Weiner." --Angela Terry, award-winning author of The Palace at Dusk

"A moving exploration of grief, love, family, and self-acceptance." --Buzzfeed

"Andrea J. Stein's Dear Eliza is a beautifully layered novel that balances loss, love, and self-discovery." --Novels Alive