PopSugar 2020 Reading Challenge Prompt: A book with a pink cover

Other PS 2020 reading prompts this would satisfy: A book that's published in 2020, A book with an upside-down image on the cover, A book with at least a four-star rating on Goodreads, A book with more than 20 letters in its title (adv), A book with a main character in their 20s (adv)


TW: Death



When I saw The Two Lives of Lydia Bird was a Book of the Month pick in March, I about lost it. I was so excited to read it because it sounded so. freaking. good. I didn't realize it was the same author that wrote One Day in December, which I haven't read, but I know people had really liked that book, too.


On Lydia Bird's 28th birthday, her fiancé gets into a fatal car accident. This novel follows the next year and half-ish of her life. During that time, she begins taking a trial sleep agent because her grief prevents her from sleeping. Surprisingly, the pill she's testing allows her to enter into a parallel universe where her fiancé (Freddie) is still alive and well. She's able to live her sleeping life with Freddie, while simultaneously continuing her waking life without him. 


Wow. This book is so good. I mean, I expected to like the book, but it exceeded my expectations. Lydia was such a relatable character, and I really appreciated following her through grief journey. This novel is immensely sad, and that's something to note going in, because it's sad from the get-go.

This book is hopeful in many ways, but it's full of grief. It's about having to choose between what's good for you and when it's time to let go or give in. And about allowing the memories of someone you've loved and lost to live on.

The writing was fun and easy to read, but at times I found some of the verbiage and descriptions a bit tricky and confusing. But it was nothing major, so I was able to move past that pretty easily.






I loved this book so much. Lydia reminded me so much of Louisa from Me Before You and the story itself reminded me very much of After You. If you're looking for a sappy, sad, and sweet romance story, then I'd definitely recommend The Two Lives of Lydia Bird.





Goodreads rating: ★★★★☆