Book Review: Always With You by Hannah Ellis

The best thing about being sick (if you can even say there is one) is having unlimited time to read. But there is a catch: you have to make sure to pick the right book so that your time isn’t wasted. I certainly made the right choice when I picked up Always With You – I finished it in just one day.

Always With You by Hannah Ellis unravels a lifelong secret which Evelyn has kept from her daughter Libby. When Evelyn dies, grief-stricken Libby decides to travel to the Australian outback her mother spent a year in and find the father she never knew.

The book is essentially broken into two parts: Evelyn’s trip in 1994 and Libby’s trip in 2017. I’ve never even been to Australia but Kununurra is as vivid in my head as if I lived in the town myself. Ellis has a great way of describing things, of painting a picture. The hotel, the lake, the Croc – I feel like I have been to them all, or at least watched the film adaptation of this book; that is how good Ellis is at writing a narrative.

She equally excels at evoking emotion. Travelling Australia is something which many people can relate to, therefore the basis of this story will immediately hook certain readers. But it was the emotional attachment to the characters which got me. My heart broke for Libby when Evelyn died, as it did when I learned the burden Evelyn was carrying more than years, Likewise, my heart was full as Libby was able to piece her mother’s past together. The scenes in which Evelyn spent time with friends Joe, Beth, Leslie, Cal and Kai were my unanimous favourite, though. They were simple but so beautifully written and unleashed a whole load of similar memories for me.

Finally, I liked Always With You as it was the perfect balance between chick-lit and mystery. Not all mysteries need to have a dark element and this one certainly didn’t, but it did keep me guessing throughout, just like a mystery should.

I mean, what else can I say other than you have to pick up a copy of this book. The cold weather is creeping in and Always With You is certainly one for a cosy evening in front of the fire.

This is my stop during the book blitz for Always With You by Hannah Ellis. This book blitz is organized by Lola’s Blog Tours. The book blitz runs from 3 till 9 October. See the tour schedule here. Always With You is only $0.99 on Amazon for a limited time!