How to Grieve Like a Victorian

It’s fine. She’s fine. Really.

Dr. Lizzie Wells, professor of British literature and bestselling author, is not okay. She wasn’t consulted when her beloved husband died unexpectedly, so she’s going to grieve however she damned well chooses. She keeps a lock of his hair in a choker around her neck and dons widow’s weeds. You bet. She notifies colleagues and students that she will only accept paper letters instead of email. Why not? She very nearly kissed her late husband’s best friend, Henry. Unfortunately, er…yes.

So when she’s offered a trip to London, Lizzie grabs it. What better place to escape, heal, and be reborn than in the same city where Queen Victoria famously mourned her beloved Prince Albert? Encouraged by new friends to be bold, have champagne and oysters before noon, and celebrate the beauty and the messiness of life, Lizzie begins to embrace it all.

Still, there’s that almost kiss with Henry she just can’t forget. Their cross-Atlantic ‘check-ins’ turn into FaceTime hangouts and their friendship evolves into something more. When Henry shows up in London, Lizzie fears she’s falling in love with him… Will she bravely embrace this second chance, too?

When life’s turned you into a big hot mess, there’s still love, laughs, and snark to be had…

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A Library Journal best book of 2025 — Library Journal.