One thing I really liked was how everyone’s stories were interconnected. It’s unsurprising that the parent’s and children’s stories link as they’ve all lost the same person, but there are some secondary characters that pop up here and there that help tie it all together. It helps create this sense of community and the importance of friendship and love. she tries to put together the last few weeks of Leni's life.......Only to find secrets she did not know about her. Where Lucy Diamond does excel is in her character creation. Main or supporting, old or young, female or male…they’re all so well written. And the extended family as a whole. It’s a great exploration of a dysfunctional family without straying into the pantomime. Grab your napkins and brace yourself for a very emotional, heartbreaking, bumpy road ahead! 'The best day of our lives' is a beautiful story about love (in so many ways), grief, strength and overcoming your pain to build something amazing out of it... Leni drives the narrative, making her relationships with the other characters shape them and bring them to vibrant life. I loved meeting them all because they are messy, flawed and human.

I received an advance review copy for free thanks to NetGalley and Quercus and I am leaving this review voluntarily. Belinda is dealing with her grief in a different way and her partner Ray is extremely worried about her. Hours spent talking to Leni through a psychic hotline may be bringing Belinda comfort but deep down surely she must know that this is not real at all? She may be finding short term comfort but long-term acceptance seems very far away. As her ex-husband Tony seems to have had a revelation/wake up call when it comes to his own life situation Belinda starts to realise things from the past which she desperately wanted kept hidden could be about to break through the surface. Can a lid be kept on something she and someone else have been sitting on for years? Or will a new can of worms be opened up? A brilliantly observed slice of family life full of joy, sorrow, happiness and hope, I loved it * Alex Brown * Belinda, their mother is obsessed with her clairvoyant friend, wanting answers from the other side. There are a few little mysteries along the way which do add to the story - Leni's story particularly, but I feel its these mysteries that help give closure to a devastating tragedy.

Summary

Lucy is at the top of her game with this wise and wonderful book. It's deeply moving and truly uplifting. No-one does real life better than Lucy Diamond * Veronica Henry * Through the novel we follow the four people closest to Leni, her mum Belinda, father Tony and sister and brother Alice and Will. Each is dealing with their grief in very different ways throughout the story. The way Diamond weaves each characters stories throughout works so well. Never do you feel lost or confused by what is happening. This is a story about grief, love and healing and as such the journey the family goes on is very special and yet also difficult. Diamond’s analogies of the butterfly having to fight it’s way out if it’s chrysalis and the way a river will learn to flow around a pebble we’re absolutely beautiful ways to explore how we might move forward after tragedy. In spite of the sadness surrounding the family there is still lots of good humour in the book. I especially liked Tony, I thought his character was funny. He made mistakes in the past, but as he begins to realise he didn’t quite live up to being a particularly good dad, he is determined to make amends now that he’s lost one daughter. Thanks to NetGalley and Quercus for the advanced copy of this title in return for an honest review.

Lucy Diamond is one of favourite authors. Her books are easy to read and great to snuggle down to, on a cold autumn night. Overall, a very tear jerking read with some happiness added in for good measure. I thoroughly enjoyed it. The Best Days of Our Lives is a beautiful and emotional read. It reminds us to make the most of every second and spend time with our loved ones even doing the most mundane things. The family are really struggling to get over the death of Lena, some of them more than others. There definitely a lot of secrets and a lot of things come to light after her death. And she admits: “I found myself in tears when writing parts of the book. But I didn’t want it to be miserable. I wanted it to be uplifting. Life is tough with difficult challenges but ultimately it shows there are good people and good times ahead.”Digital Reads A Curse For True Love : the thrilling final book in the Once Upon a Broken Heart series

I love books by Lucy Diamond and this one was just as good as the others I’ve read, with lots of characters to keep you interested. I found this book so uplifting. Having lost a son nearly five years ago, I found it so comforting to travel on this family’s healing journey. Will Lenis brother is really struggling to come to terms with everything and has fled the country. Alother this doesn't go quite as to plan as he hopes. And Tony Lenis dad is trying to make amends for leaving the family and being a rubbish dad. While awaiting a new baby himself with his new girlfriend. UK popular contemporary fiction author Lucy Diamond pens a family drama saga that fans will appreciate.

Humour, love, excitement and joy

The characters in the book were beautifully written, I loved getting to know their stories and how they all pulled together was heart warming. Even better is the sensation of being let into other secrets not all the characters know, but I won’t spoil the story by saying more! Reminding us how to fly Lucy Diamond writes with such warmth and her compassionate characters really shine in this story - Gen was a particular favourite of mine.