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To the Moon and Back

3.99 of 5 stars 3.99 · rating details · 2,892 ratings · 305 reviews

The gorgeously indulgent, funny and touching new novel from the bestselling author

When Ellie Kendall tragically loses her husband she feels her life is over. But eventually she’s ready for a new start – at work, that is. She doesn’t need a new man when she has a certain secret visitor to keep her company...

Zack McLaren seems to have it all, but the girl he can’t stop think...more

Paperback, 407 pages

Published 2011 by Headline Review

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Oct 19, 2011 Mandy rated it 4 of 5 stars

While this wasn't the best piece of literature I have ever read, nor the best piece of Chick Lit I have read, I will say I had a hard time putting it down. The characters got stuck in my head. The multiple storylines were compelling, albeit some more contrived than others.

While some of the elements of the story were developed well, others were insufficient. As far as character descriptions went in general, I did have a hard time picture what Ellie, Todd, Zack, Jamie, looked like. I get that from...more

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Oct 04, 2012 Debra rated it 4 of 5 stars

What can I say? Jill Mansell's use of secondary characters always amazes me. Each one is as fleshed out as the main protagonists, just adding to the fun of her novels. While this one has an inordinate amount of guilt split up among everyone, all comes right in the end when each character is paired up with the loves (and in one case, the second love) of their lives. Well done! A fast and friendly read, Jill Mansell once again makes me smile.

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May 28, 2012 Anna rated it 5 of 5 stars

I spent a very happy 3 and a half hours on the hammock in the garden reading this!! The characters were really well created (especially Martha, she's possibly one of the most genuine characters I've ever come across in a book <3), the plot was predictable but lovely and the romance was ADORABLE. I LOVE ZACK!!! Oh and the fact that it made me laugh and cry just in the epilogue was the icing on the cake :')

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Mar 20, 2013 Kishel Ramirez rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2013-read-roll

"Everybody dies.. for death is inevitable."

I've always been a realist and inclined in thinking of the worse things to happen. That way, when situations turn up bad, i'm already prepared to deal with it, that i'll always have the best poker face plastered in my face. But no, not in all cases, like death. Death is something one can never really prepare themselves to deal with. And if you're normal enough, you'd not prepare for it.

This book tells about a story of a woman named Ellie who lost her h...more

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Nov 23, 2012 Suad Shamma rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: own, favourites, 2011

I've been in a dump for a long while when it came to books. Every time I bought a book it would disappoint in one way or another, and I wouldn't enjoy it in the least and have to force myself to finish it.

This book however, my first for the author, turned all of that around. I could not put it down, literally!! And I missed that, I missed enjoying a story so much that I honestly cannot put the book down because I always wanted to know what would happen next! And Ms. Mansell gave me that, she kep...more

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Aug 13, 2012 Big Book Little Book rated it 4 of 5 stars

Helen for www.bigbooklittlebook.com

Reading this book was like curling up with a cuppa and a custard cream; easy and comfortable. It is full of warmth, it has the feel good factor and has a dash of humour and a bit of depth.

Ellie is a young woman in a fantastic marriage with a bright future when her husband, Jamie, is killed in a car accident and she has to start life all over again. Jill Mansel writes about this with so much realism. Ellie clings to the memory of Jamie, she stays in a horrible f...more Helen for www.bigbooklittlebook.com

Reading this book was like curling up with a cuppa and a custard cream; easy and comfortable. It is full of warmth, it has the feel good factor and has a dash of humour and a bit of depth.

Ellie is a young woman in a fantastic marriage with a bright future when her husband, Jamie, is killed in a car accident and she has to start life all over again. Jill Mansel writes about this with so much realism. Ellie clings to the memory of Jamie, she stays in a horrible flat because it was their home, she talks to him and imagines him talking back,(or maybe he really does…), she blames his best friend for the accident that killed him and she feels guilty herself and she hates getting the sympathy card all the time. The story is not a complex dissection of grief, but it is accurate in showing how it affects people. It also helps to make Ellie an extremely likable, believable character for her faults and strengths.

When Ellie finally moves to a lovely flat in Primrose Hill, thanks to her film star father-in-law Tony, she meets a new friend in Roo and gets a new job as a PA for the delicious looking Zack. The very reason Ellie gets the job is because she is not available for romance. Of course at this point I instantly saw fireworks happening between them, but the story is clever and nothing is straight forward here.

The cast of minor characters are a great mix and I enjoyed the way they were pivotal to the plot in respects that only became obvious later on. The manner in which the characters crossed paths with each other and inter-linked was great too. I particularly liked the way that Roo’s relationship with Yasmin (Roo’s lover’s wife) became a bigger and bigger part of the story.

Verdict: As I mentioned before the journeys in this book are not predicable. There are ups and downs, dating disasters, disappointments, pleasures in the simple things of life and huge successes. It all revolves around normal life, sharing coffee, dinner, a glass of wine and living life together with people you care about. The dog share was genius! Ellie getting back on her feet surprises even her and that makes this a fresh and intelligent bit of chick lit.
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May 15, 2012 Jordan rated it 5 of 5 stars

After a recently heavy session of exams and revision I wanted to celebrate by reading something totally unrelated to my course, something light-hearted and optimistic and 'To the moon and Back' proved to be the perfect read.

This is the first Jill Mansell book I have read and at first I wasn't sure I liked her style; Initially it seemed to lack something that I couldn't put my finger on. However by the time I got to the end of first chapter I was 100% in to it. The characters are instantly like-...more

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Feb 17, 2012 Amanda The Book Slayer rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: contemporary-romance

I really, really enjoyed this book even though I spent most of it crying my eyes out.

Recommend: Anyone who loved the movie 'Ps. I Love You, will love this book. It is along the same lines and happy endings for all.
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Keep tissues close
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My Background and why the book hit home for me:
I know I have mentioned in other reviews that my Hubby had almost died 3 weeks after we are married, but I think that once you know that here it makes sense why this book caused so many tears for me. I will never forget...more

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Jan 07, 2012 Sheyla rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Ellie Kendall's life dramatically changes overnight.

One second, she's getting ready to watch Rocky Horror Picture show and her husband Jamie is going out with his best friend Todd. The next second her husband is in a motor vehicle accident, ending up in the hospital and later dying.

Fast forward one year. Ellie is ready to move on from her job; she is tired of seeing the sorrow in her coworkers eyes.

Her father in law, Tony Weston, is still involved in her life. He is an actor in America who co...more

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Dec 25, 2011 drey rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2011-reads, romance-contemporary, favorites

drey’s thoughts:
While reading To the Moon and Back, I kept thinking in the back of my mind how I was going to classify it–was it a contemporary romance? Or chick-lit? I finally settled on both, because while this is quite the romantic read, it’s not just about the boy and the girl.

In addition to being about a boy and a girl, To the Moon and Back also deals with loss and grief, allowing yourself to move on, and the wonderful bonds of friendship. All wrapped up in Mansell’s trademark humor. How c...more

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Nov 30, 2011 Catherine Vezey rated it 4 of 5 stars

I loved this book! It is very romantic, and once you pick it up you cannot put it down!It's been about 2 years after Ellie's husband Jamie has died and she is now ready to move on and start her life fresh. She finds a new job, and little does she know that she is about to fall in love with her boss. Her boss is a huncky rich guy named Zack. My favorite character in fact is Zack. To me, Zack is a very chilled person and even though he may come across as being a rich snob, he isnt at all! The part...more

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Oct 03, 2011 Book Binge Blog rated it 4 of 5 stars

Jill Mansell did another wonderful job of sucking me into the lives of the characters she created. In To the Moon and Back, we meet Ellie as she goes from living the life of a happily married woman to putting her life back together again as she loses the husband she loved so much.

Mansell always does a wonderful job of making me connect with her characters and that wasn't any different with this book. I've dealt with the death of a loved one and I saw my thoughts and reactions mirrored with Ellie...more Jill Mansell did another wonderful job of sucking me into the lives of the characters she created. In To the Moon and Back, we meet Ellie as she goes from living the life of a happily married woman to putting her life back together again as she loses the husband she loved so much.

Mansell always does a wonderful job of making me connect with her characters and that wasn't any different with this book. I've dealt with the death of a loved one and I saw my thoughts and reactions mirrored with Ellie's thoughts and reactions in this book. The denial and the grief, followed by the need to blame someone (even when there really isn't anyone to blame) took me back to a few months ago when I was going through the same thing with the death of my Mother. There isn't anything that could bring them back but that doesn't stop you from wanting it and it doesn't stop you from having conversations with that person even though they're gone.

Ellie was a well rounded character that I related to and connected with on so many levels. She definitely made this book just that much more enjoyable and I'm glad that I picked this book up for review because it showed that it may take time but you'll move on. You won't want to and you won't lose sight of the people you lost but you will pick up the pieces of your life and move on.

As with all of Jill Mansell's books, her secondary characters stand out. They're all so wonderfully three-dimensional and I absolutely loved them all. From Roo and Todd to Tony and his love interest (dang, I forgot her name)- they all made this story just that much enjoyable and I really enjoyed getting to know the whole lot of them. It's never hard to fall into a Jill Mansell book and while I haven't loved every single one of her books, I did love this one.

Kudos to Jill Mansell on another wonderfully written story that had me tearing up, smiling and laughing more times than I can count. It's an enjoyable read and I so recommend it to fans of chick lit, women's fiction, romance and British characters. This is a good one.

Grade: 4.5 out of 5.

This review was originally posted by Rowena on Book Binge.(less)

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Sep 26, 2011 SOS Aloha rated it 5 of 5 stars

On the opening page, Ellie thanks her husband, Jamie, for ironing her skirt, “I am. Very grateful. Thank you, thank you, to the moon and back.” Each have separate commitments – Ellie is dressing for the Rocky Horror Picture show with her girlfriends; Jamie is attending a school reunion with his friend, Todd. Sadly, this is their last time together as Jamie is killed in an auto accident that Todd survives. The story kicks in 15 months later when Ellie’s former father in law, Tony, encourages her...more

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Sep 21, 2011 Yla Delarosa rated it 4 of 5 stars

Introduction: To tell you the truth, I hesitated reading this book after reading the exerpts. But I always believe in giving chances, in hope that the novel will touch my heart somehow:

Overview: When Ellie Kendall tragically loses her husband she feels her life is over. But eventually she’s ready for a new start – at work, that is. She doesn’t need a new man when she has a certain secret visitor to keep her company...
Zack McLaren seems to have it all, but the girl he can’t stop thinking about wo...more Introduction: To tell you the truth, I hesitated reading this book after reading the exerpts. But I always believe in giving chances, in hope that the novel will touch my heart somehow:

Overview: When Ellie Kendall tragically loses her husband she feels her life is over. But eventually she’s ready for a new start – at work, that is. She doesn’t need a new man when she has a certain secret visitor to keep her company...
Zack McLaren seems to have it all, but the girl he can’t stop thinking about won’t give him a second glance. If only she’d pay him the same attention she lavishes on his dog.
Moving to North London, Ellie meets neighbour Roo who has a secret of her own. Can the girls sort out their lives? Guilt is a powerful emotion, but a lot can happen in a year in Primrose Hill.

My opinion: To The Moon And Back is a sweet romantic contemporary novel about love, loss, and second chances. This is a story of one girl's struggle to go back living after having lost the only man she can possibly love. Often times we are faced with this kind of dilemma, when its hard for us to move on simply because we put what we have lost in a pedestal... believing so much that no other thing can replace it.

Although this book is full of clichés, personally I still found the book interesting because there were quite a few surprises on it, and I almost said "NOOO!" out loud a couple of times. In other words: typical "chick-lit", but I like those books, obviously or I wouldn't be reading them. :p

I like the idea of Ellie making her husband come back to engage a conversation with her. Its funny imagining talking to a make-believe husband, yet at the same time, its heartbreaking being in this situation when the only way you can be with the person you love so much is through your imagination. My favorite character was Roo, who undergoes a massive change during the book. But I liked her both before and after. She really is a bit too much - doing things we can hardly think of doing... and then drastically changing in ways we cannot even think possible! That's why I love her!(less)

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Sep 19, 2011 Luanne Ollivier rated it 4 of 5 stars

I would say that Jill Mansell is my favourite chick lit author. I've read every North American release of her books and just finished the latest - To the Moon and Back.

Ellie Kendall's husband Jamie was killed in an auto accident. They were desperately in love and Ellie still has not come to grips with his being gone. In fact she 'sees' Jamie almost every day and talks to him. When her father in law insists she move to a decent apartment in Primrose Hill, she reluctantly agrees. Maybe with a chan...more

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Sep 14, 2011 Namratha Kumar rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: chick-lit

I recommend this book to all who want a low-on-scepticism, everything's-coming-up-roses-in-the-end kind of love story.

Our heroine is Ellie. Ellie lost her much-loved husband Jamie in a tragic accident. She deals with her misery by talking to Jamie in her imagination and her obliging imagination has him talk back to her. Her beloved father-in-law Tony who happens to be a prominent British actor can’t bear to see her dwindling away into nothingness and promptly cajoles her into leaving her fast d...more I recommend this book to all who want a low-on-scepticism, everything's-coming-up-roses-in-the-end kind of love story.

Our heroine is Ellie. Ellie lost her much-loved husband Jamie in a tragic accident. She deals with her misery by talking to Jamie in her imagination and her obliging imagination has him talk back to her. Her beloved father-in-law Tony who happens to be a prominent British actor can’t bear to see her dwindling away into nothingness and promptly cajoles her into leaving her fast debilitating environment and taking up residence in a posh upscale neighbourhood.

Sick to the bone of the apologetic, walk-on-eggshells treatment meted out by her colleagues, Ellie is ready for a fresh move, career-wise. And when new friend, the bizarre but lovable Roo informs her of an opening as PA to the delicious Zack McLaren, Ellie is ready. And no, it’s not the fact that Zack is delicious or that he fills out a suit nicely that attracts Ellie to the job. It’s the fact that Ellie is guaranteed to be the only woman most likely NOT to succumb to the charms of Zack. She is still in love with her dead husband. This is an ideal situation for Ellie and surely Zack too. After all, which decent boss wants to be chased by a wide-eyed, lust and love lorn secretary around the desk?!?

But Zack is not happy. No siree! Zack had fallen for Ellie when he had spotted her two months back in a pale pink coat dining with the famous movie star Tony Weston. He didn't do anything about it back then and when Ellie applies for the job, it's seems like a magnificent stroke of luck. The only way he can be near her is to hire her, hoping that the proximity will make Ellie fall in love with him too.

Sadly this isn’t so. What ensues is a *blink-and-you-miss-it-a-gazillion-times* love story. And woven into the Ellie-Zack saga are the loves, lives and betrayals of a host of related characters.

Many people like a spanner thrown into the love works. Me, I get excited at predictability. Don’t get me wrong. I love the twists and turns on the pathway of lu-urve. But I love it more when there’s a heroine I like and a hero I admire showing every glaring possibility of ending up together. Infact, I more often than not turn to the last page and make sure that the couple I’m rooting for actually do get it together. Because, c’mon, face it, chick-lit is about having something going right. I do not need to get stressed out about other people’s love stories. N-uh uh, no thank you.

So, To the Moon and Back was just what the doctor with the rose-coloured glasses prescribed. Ellie is a warm heroine with an emotional core but a practical nature. And she loves dogs. That’s always a plus in my books. Zack is the quintessential picture-perfect hero. You don’t begrudge him his awesomeness, because Ellie needed a hero exactly like Zack. (I kind of fell just a little bit in love with him too when the author goes “he smelt like faded aftershave, cognac and the seaside”) And Zack loves dogs too. Yet again, a big HELL YES in my books.

Grief, acceptance and moving on....all handled with a twist of humour and positive vibes.

Please don’t get turned off by the depressing tone of the first few pages. The tragedy made me melancholic but the book picks up and charms it’s way straight into your heart.
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Sep 04, 2011 Judy & Marianne from Long and Short Reviews rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: contemporary, non-erotic

Originally posted at: http://longandshortreviews.blogspot.c...

Like a late afternoon rain at the end of a hot summer day, Jill Mansell’s To the Moon and Back lifts the spirit, brings a smile, assails the senses, and reaffirms that love is the greatest of all healers. Like a fresh poured glass of champagne, the story sparkles and bubbles and makes one glad to be sharing a vicarious experience with the lifelike characters.

Even with the heartbreak of death and love deferred, the story has an underc...more Originally posted at: http://longandshortreviews.blogspot.c...

Like a late afternoon rain at the end of a hot summer day, Jill Mansell’s To the Moon and Back lifts the spirit, brings a smile, assails the senses, and reaffirms that love is the greatest of all healers. Like a fresh poured glass of champagne, the story sparkles and bubbles and makes one glad to be sharing a vicarious experience with the lifelike characters.

Even with the heartbreak of death and love deferred, the story has an undercurrent of hope, humor, and a zest for life that sweeps the reader into Ellie Kendall’s world as she deals with life after the death of Jamie, her much-loved husband.

Ellie’s coping mechanism is conjuring up Jamie so they can talk. Even their talks have a special humor that they shared when he was alive. After fifteen months of emotional isolation, Ellie begins the slow process of having meaningful interactions with people again and the reader gets to share this new awakening of the vibrant, intelligent, and caring Ellie.

The many characters that roam the pages of To the Moon and Back help Ellie to find true self-awareness and they enrich her life with fun, purpose, friendship, and love. Tony, Jamie’s father the Hollywood actor who seems the quintessential upper-class Englishman, stays close to Ellie and helps her as much as she will allow. Their shared love for Jamie, their grief and memories bring comfort to them both. Todd, Jamie’s best friend, eases back into Ellie’s life after months of strained feelings. Todd walked away unscathed from the accident that killed Jamie.

Ellie changes jobs to escape her fellow workers who continue to feel sorry for her and seem to tiptoe around as if on eggshells when she is near, seemingly afraid they will say or do the wrong thing. They always look at her with pity. Even though they mean well, Ellie is not comfortable around them, she needs a new start.

In a new upscale neighborhood that Tony talked her into moving to, she meets the funky dressing Roo Taylor who proves to be a good friend even though she is impulsive, wild, and has a bad track record with men. Her type of logic brings fun and action to events as the story zips along. Her idea of doing good-works for her redemption is hilarious.

Zack McLaren, Ellie’s new boss, opens up a whole new world for Ellie. The sexual tension and determination to not renege on their original agreement makes for delightful reading.

The many sub-plots keep the story bubbling with conflicts, heartaches, fun, and emotional rollercoaster rides. Not to be missed are the connection with Tony and the artist Martha, the love/hate relationship of Roo and Todd, the Joe and Kaye Kelligan’s story. Of course, Elmo, the time-share dog does his share to enchant.

Jill Mansell makes the story live and breathe with metaphors like “Fear coagulated like cement in her chest”, “like two balloons inviting a hedgehog along on a night out”, “like a toddler’s out-of-control tantrum”. Her imagery engages the senses and pulls one into the action and her humor makes it all sparkle while her foreshadowing keeps one turning pages to see if what happens is what the hints suggest.

Ms. Mansell is a master storyteller who creates characters with unique personalities that captivate the reader’s imagination and heart. She tells a story that totally engages the emotions while it makes its way to a happy-ever-after. GOOD READING!

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Jul 23, 2011 V H rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: what-s-in-a-name-2011

I bought this book at the airport in Brussels, but I didn't read much on the plane and it has just been lying next to my bed for the last two weeks, not because it was boring, but because I've had so much else to do. Yesterday picked it up again and read the last 300 pages, almost in one sitting.

Not that I can even begin to imagine how it must feel like to lose a husband, but I think Ellie's emotions and thoughts are very realistic, she thinks a lot like I would in most situations. At the same t...more

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Feb 22, 2011 ALPHAreader rated it 5 of 5 stars

Ellie Kendall lost it all when her beloved husband, Jamie, died in a car accident. She lost the love of her life; all the memories and plans and growing old together vanished in a heartbeat. Her co-workers, friends and family started treating her differently, walking on eggshells and constantly apologizing for her heartbreak. Ellie may have even lost her sanity – because occasionally she still talks to Jamie (and sometimes he talks back). But all that is going to change now. It has been a year a...more

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Oct 06, 2011 Laura rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

To the Moon and Back is the third book by Jill Mansell that I’ve read in the past year. Mansell has quickly become one of my new favorite women’s fiction, “chick-lit,” or however you would like to describe wonderful, well-written stories that keep you engrossed until the very end. Mansell’s style is unique as in each of the novels that I’ve read, she writes about a great cast of well-rounded characters. There may be one lead, but she is surrounded by great people with interesting stories of thei...more To the Moon and Back is the third book by Jill Mansell that I’ve read in the past year. Mansell has quickly become one of my new favorite women’s fiction, “chick-lit,” or however you would like to describe wonderful, well-written stories that keep you engrossed until the very end. Mansell’s style is unique as in each of the novels that I’ve read, she writes about a great cast of well-rounded characters. There may be one lead, but she is surrounded by great people with interesting stories of their own. I love it!

Ellie Kendall is happily married to Jamie, a “drop-dead gorgeous 28-year old male.” They have a wonderful relationship that abruptly ends when Jamie is killed in a car crash while traveling to a class reunion with his best friend Todd. Eighteen months later, Ellie is having a hard time moving on. She finds herself still talking to Jamie, living in the same flat although it has gone downhill, and not dating anyone else. With help from her father-in-law, Tony, Ellie moves to Primrose Hill (an upper class area of London), where she makes a great new friend, Roo, and finds a new job within walking distance.

At her new job, Ellie has a handsome boss named Zack McLaren who happens to be crazy about her. Not wanting to mix her love life and her job, Ellie keeps her personal details to herself and tries to keep her crush for Zack under control. She starts to move on with her love life, much to Zack’s dismay. Will she be able to see the love that is right under her nose?

Side stories also include Roo and her transformation from an ex-rocker marriage wrecker to a being a better, caring person, and Tony finding a second chance at love. Tony meets an attractive middle aged artist and they feel an instant attraction. Unfortunately Martha is married. Her long-time love and husband Henry is suffering from Alzheimer’s disease and is in a home. Martha is lonely, but loves her husband and can’t move on while he is alive. I thought it was a great look into the complications of love and the difficulties of living with Alzheimer's. My only complaint is that I would love to have read more about Martha and Tony . . . spin-off novel?

I read this novel in record time and had a hard time putting it down. Mansell was able to write a novel that both has a realistic look at grief, but is also a light-hearted romance. It’s a difficult task to find that perfect balance, but I believe that Mansell achieved it flawlessly.
Mansell has a wonderful gift for writing interesting, fully developed characters. I loved Jamie and he was dead by the end of the first chapter. I love how the story involved so much more than Ellie as a main character; the reader really gets to know the entire world of characters in which she resides.

Overall, To the Moon and Back is another fantastic novel by Jill Mansell. If you’ve loved her previous work, or are looking for something new to read, I highly recommend her!

Book Source: Review Copy from Sourcebooks. Thank-you!

This review was first posted on Laura's Reviews at: http://lauragerold.blogspot.com/2011/...(less)

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Mar 09, 2011 Jessica (Jess Hearts Books) rated it 4 of 5 stars

Being a fan of chick-lit I’ve heard of Jill Mansell and have been eyeing her books for a while although had never picked one up. Twenty two books later and I was thrilled to find out that I’d won her latest book To the Moon and Back on Twitter. I was so excited to see what all the fuss was about and made it my next chick-lit read, and honestly why did I not pick up a book by this author sooner!?

When we’re first introduced to our main character Ellie she seems to be living a blissful life, happil...more Being a fan of chick-lit I’ve heard of Jill Mansell and have been eyeing her books for a while although had never picked one up. Twenty two books later and I was thrilled to find out that I’d won her latest book To the Moon and Back on Twitter. I was so excited to see what all the fuss was about and made it my next chick-lit read, and honestly why did I not pick up a book by this author sooner!?

When we’re first introduced to our main character Ellie she seems to be living a blissful life, happily married to gorgeous hubby Jamie, but by the end of the first chapter Ellie’s world has come crashing down when Jamie’s in a fatal car accident that kills him. The book then skips to fifteen months later where whilst Ellie’s still grieving she’s not in the beginning horrifying grips of it keeping the book light and not too heavy or depressing. Ellie’s trying to rebuild her life by moving into a beautiful London flat and getting a new job as PA to gorgeous Zack McLaren. Zack wants a sensible, hardworking PA who isn’t going to fall head over heels for him making their working relationship awkward and he’s certainly found that in aloof, non-affected by his money, charm and good looks Ellie. The last thing Ellie wants is a new relationship but as Zack falls in love with her and Ellie starts to heal will a year of mishaps and near misses bring the love that both of them need? And more importantly will it be with each other?

The thing that I immediately loved about this book were the characters. Ellie’s a lovely heroine who you can’t help but want the best for after all of her grief and upset. I loved watching her develop as she slowly began to heal and was rooting for her to find love and a happy ending, but will it be with boss Zack? You’ll just have to read it and find out! Ellie has three love interests throughout the book and whilst I was rooting for Zack at some points I honestly couldn’t be sure who she’d end up with. As well as Ellie’s story there are also the love lives of her neighbour Roo and her father in law to contend with. I loved reading about each characters story and found it to all tie together very nicely in the end.

I loved Jill Mansell’s way of writing. Whilst this book is about a woman grieving the death of her husband it never feels heavy or depressing. Sometimes whilst reading I got a bit teary eyed but by the end of the page I’d soon be smiling again with Jill’s meticulous way of keeping things light hearted.

I put this book down feeling happy and relaxed as if I’d just come back from a lovely holiday with friends. I’m so happy that I finally joined the Jill Mansell loop and will most definitely be buying and catching up with everything I’ve been missing out on with her other books. A lovely, heartwarming tale that I would most definitely recommend.(less)

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Feb 14, 2011 Leah rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: for-review, books-read-2011

When Ellie Kendall loses her husband Jamie her entire world collapses. She throws herself into her job, and spends her evenings trying to keep her ever-decaying flat together. Until her father-in-law Tony insists she looks after his house in Primrose Hill. There, Ellie meets the enigmatic Roo, who brings some much needed vitality into Ellie’s life. When Ellie gets a new job working for Zack McLaren it’s the start of a new life almost. But will Ellie ever be able to let herself fall in love again...more When Ellie Kendall loses her husband Jamie her entire world collapses. She throws herself into her job, and spends her evenings trying to keep her ever-decaying flat together. Until her father-in-law Tony insists she looks after his house in Primrose Hill. There, Ellie meets the enigmatic Roo, who brings some much needed vitality into Ellie’s life. When Ellie gets a new job working for Zack McLaren it’s the start of a new life almost. But will Ellie ever be able to let herself fall in love again, especially when Jamie was the love of her life. And what of Roo, with her very own secrets. One thing’s for sure, Ellie’s new life in Primrose Hill will change her life in ways she’s never known.

I’d like to let it be known that I love Jill Mansell. I’ve read the majority of her earlier novels, devouring them all a couple of years ago. However since her 2008 release An Offer You Can’t Refuse I haven’t read a Jill Mansell novel. I have the books on my shelf, but I just never found the time to manage to read them. I received a proof copy of To The Moon and Back, though, and I was desperate to end my Jill Mansell drought and I thought this was the best one to start with as it sounded very intriguing from the synopsis. And while I did enjoy the book, there were aspects I didn’t particularly like and it was only an average read for me.

To The Moon and Back, with the greatest of respect to Jill Mansell, has a fairly average main plot mainly because there isn’t much to it. Yes, Ellie is still trying to get over Jamie’s death but even that’s a stretch because after Jamie’s death the book skips fifteen months so we seem to miss the entire grieving period. So I would assume the plot is meant to be Ellie’s new life in Primrose Hill which comprises of a new flat, a new job and some new friends. It just didn’t really excite me, and it really didn’t hold my attention as much as I would like. To top it all off, Ellie’s new friend Roo is the kind of female I’m coming to hate: having an affair with a married man, believing he’s going to leave his wife. It’s so cliched and if I’ve read it once I’ve read it a million times and it’s gotten to the point where any sort of plot line that goes in that direction, no matter how vaguely, annoys me.

As for the characters, I must admit it took me a while to really take to Ellie as there just wasn’t much there for me to work with early on. Don’t get me wrong, I liked her a lot I just didn’t feel connected to her at all. Despite my reservations and annoyances over Roo’s plot, she was in fact my favourite character. She added some sparkle into the book, well, she did until she went on her mad mission to atone for her mistakes. I liked Zack McLaren and bar Roo he was a favourite, but again, there wasn’t enough substance to him. Despite dying in the first few pages, Jamie is fairly prominent in the book and from what I can tell he seemed like a very nice person, he seemed wonderful in fact. Jamie’s dad Tony is also heavily featured, as he and Ellie get on well and Tony was the realest character to me (which is funny, since he’s an actor!). Mainly though I just felt disconnected to them all. I wasn’t entirely fussed about what they did or didn’t do and that’s really the kiss of death with any novel. You have to be invest in the characters otherwise it’s never going to work.

Now it might sound like I’m totally hating the book, I didn’t, not at all. It was a decent enough effort and I enjoyed the fact that although Jamie died in the first few pages he is with us throughout the book as Ellie keeps him alive in her mind. The writing is classic Jill Mansell and is always a joy to read but the plot and most of the characters just didn’t really grab me. I feel awful for saying that I didn’t enjoy the book, as Jill is one of my favourite authors but this book didn’t grab me or speak to me like previous books of hers and I found myself getting bored as the book neared its conclusion and I couldn’t wait for it to end because I just wanted to get it over with. So although the book itself was readable enough, the plot and characters didn’t really speak to me like I would have expected them to and I just feel a little let down by To The Moon and Back. The potential was there, but I just didn’t feel it was utilised to its best ability.(less)

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Sep 08, 2011 BecksBookPicks rated it 3 of 5 stars

This is my first book by Jill Mansell. It isn't the first one however I have gotten my hands on. She is an author where I have several of her books I just hadn't sat down to read them. I will be getting my hands on another soon and getting lost in it. When we start the book we get to meet Ellie with Jamie, her husband, who with in the first few chapters dies. As a reader, you know this is coming. I will note the author wrote it well and while I felt for Ellie, it was nice so much wasn't put int...more

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Mar 03, 2011 Mandy Baggot rated it 5 of 5 stars

I was lucky enough to win To the Moon and Back in a Twitter competition and I am so glad I did! The main character in the book is Ellie, a recently widowed thirty-something (I think!) keen to move on with her life without letting go of her past and her beloved husband Jamie. I liked the character of Ellie straightaway and although she was going through the most horrible of times Mansell never let her appear as someone weak or vulnerable. It would have been too obvious to splash Ellie's pain all...more I was lucky enough to win To the Moon and Back in a Twitter competition and I am so glad I did! The main character in the book is Ellie, a recently widowed thirty-something (I think!) keen to move on with her life without letting go of her past and her beloved husband Jamie. I liked the character of Ellie straightaway and although she was going through the most horrible of times Mansell never let her appear as someone weak or vulnerable. It would have been too obvious to splash Ellie's pain all over the pages but the story is rapidly moved on away from the grieving process. This I thought was admirable and Ellie's positivity through adversity shone through from the start.
Another great character is Roo whom Ellie meets when she moves house. She is the ideal girlfriend for her, full of life and fun with a carefree nature. Her sub plot is good too but I won't give that away!
And then there's the gorgeous new boss Zack. He exudes masculinity from every pore and I liked the fact he was bowled over by Ellie's naturalness. That definitely made him a Mr Right in my book. He is a cross between Alpha male and Metro-sexual man - it certainly did it for me!
The other character I liked was Ellie's late husband Jamie and I was glad he made appearances in the book because we learn so much about him and why Ellie loved him - skinny legs and all!
I love writing that draws you into a story in the fewest words possible. I'm not a fan of long pieces of description telling me the exact colour of the blue of the sky and how all the birds were singing 'Morning has Broken' in unison, some alto, some soprano etc. In this book I fell in love with Jill Mansell's relaxed and easy style of writing. Everything was perfectly described, enough information to put the reader in a scene but not so much they needed a dictionary to find out the true hue of the sunset. This is my type of writing and the sort I could read again and again.
To the Moon and Back is very sweet, very funny and very emotional at times. I thoroughly enjoyed every minute I spent reading it and would encourage readers to buy it because it really does leave you in a happy place!(less)

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Mar 02, 2012 laninaki rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2012, brit-lit, nooky-wook

I'm always a little hesitant to read books about widows/widowers because I usually start to get weird and put myself in the character's place and I get all mopey. In spite of the sad beginning, this really isn't a sad book. Yes, there were parts that made me cry, but there were more that made me smile. And there weren't any cringe-worthy moments. Jamie wasn't hugely flawed and therefore unworthy of Ellie's grief (how many times do you read that in novels??) Ellie didn't fall for an obvious loser...more

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Apr 22, 2012 Bon Vivant rated it 2 of 5 stars

I did not finish this book because it wasn't as enjoyable as other reviewer implied. I have a very long reading list and not any second to spare on reading books that are unable to capture my attention. I read for Mansell before and I had the same feelings regarding the previous book, but I forced myself to finish it. Some authors have a certain style which shows regularly on most of their books. I sensed Jill Mansell’s style in the current and previous book and I can say I’m not going to read a...more

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Apr 12, 2011 Kim rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2011

This book is due back at the library today- and I couldn't sleep last night. So I finished this book practically in one session. I loved it. Ellie lost her husband Jamie in a tragic accident and she still 'chats' to him in the flat they shared. His dad , Tony, a famous actor is horrified to discover the state of the flat and the terrible neighbours. So he buys a flat in North London to use when he's in the UK and gets Ellie to live there. She meets Roo, a neighbour when she leaves her key in her...more

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Mar 14, 2012 Stacey rated it 4 of 5 stars

Having just recently read Jill Mansell's A Walk in the Park, and loving it, I didn't expect to love this book just as much initially. However, Mansell's characters in this novel are just as vibrant and interesting as those in any of her novels. These romances may be cliche at times, but they are genuinely some of my favourite chick-lit books out there, and I'm saddened that Mansell is not more well-known outside of the UK.

I enjoyed all the characters in To the Moon and Back, and had great sympat...more

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Jul 18, 2012 Jennifer rated it 5 of 5 stars

I can see the person giving the bad review's point. To the moon and back is not the most intelligent deep read out there. However, I do feel the need to point out that it probably isn't supposed to be.

I found this book warm and an easy read. I loved reading it, helped me get away from all my exam stress. I absolutely fell in love with Zack, when he's looking after he when she's ill I thought it was adorable!!
The story with Martha was brilliant and it warmed my heart.
Each character has their own...more

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Mar 26, 2013 Julie rated it 3 of 5 stars

This is my first Jill Mansell book and I wasn't used to the multiple storyline feel but got the hang of it. I really liked reading about Roo and Todd and how her character evolved.

There were some parts of the story when Ellie's talks with Jamie almost got me to the point of tears because you can just see how much she misses him to be able to conjure up a person in her head. Her relationship with Zack--I just wished there was a bit more to it. Just something a bit more. I think a lot of the time...more

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About Jill Mansell

Jill Mansell lives with her partner and children in Bristol, and writes full time. Actually that’s not true; she watches TV, eats fruit gums, admires the rugby players training in the sports field behind her house, and spends hours on the internet marvelling at how many other writers have blogs. Only when she’s completely run out of displacement activities does she write.

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Quotes from To the Moon and Back

“I haven't been able to stop thinking of you. One way or another you were always out of reach... I think I'm in love with you... Actually no, that's not true. I know I am.” — 26 people liked it

“This not flirting and just-being-friends business was going to be bloody hard.” — 1 person liked it

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