What do you think?
Rate this book
PS, I Love You / If You Could See Me Now
P.S.I LOVE YOU, IF YOU COULD SEE ME NOW BY CECELIA AHERN
Published January 1, 2008
32 people are currently reading
536 people want to read
About the author
Cecelia Ahern
102 books19.6k followersCecelia Ahern was born and grew up in Dublin. She is now published in nearly fifty countries, and has sold over twenty-five million copies of her novels worldwide. Two of her books have been adapted as films and she has created several TV series.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 48 reviews
September 8, 2016
First of all the movie does not do this book justice. The book it's so much better in terms of everything. As a person who has lost someone deeply beloved, Holly describes perfectly the misunderstood wander that goes through our veins. I laugh, I cry, i got angry because for god sake Daniel could do so much better. But at the end of the day when i finished the book i started seeing all this different things from another perspective, i always thought that i was the one who lost a loved one, that i was the only one feeling empty (with my family of course), but i never realize that we are not the only ones losing this particular person, they are losing us too, they are losing themselves, they have giving up way before we even thought. We all care about Holly, of course she is the main character, but what about Gerry he makes this letters for a reason, can you imagine tell the one you love, a love so perfect that it was almost never meant to be that when you pass away they can find another person to love, they are in all their right but how much it hurts you? deeply, right? to imagine your soulmate go with someone else, that someone else will fix all the pieces of their broken hearts, a heart broken for your lost. A great thing about books is that you can relate with them, and this book its one of that kind. Denisse and Sharon they will make you laugh out loud, i was reading in public and the girls and the city just blew my mind away, Denisse the most because being honest we all have that one friend that well.it's Denisse. But more further than all of the cliche and baby love (which i love madly) the wake up call it's massive. what wouldn't give Gerry or Holly to have a minute with each other? All of the fights, all of the yelling means nothing when someone means everything, rather lose the argument than the person. Great book, sometimes it can get boring but i promise you its worth it, and take note of every single thing because books are like puzzles at the end of it you will need every single one of them to really appreciate the art. PS, I Love You; If You Could See Me Now Cecelia Ahern
December 4, 2022
"Shoot for the moon, even if you fail, you'll land among the stars"
Some books are as beautiful as their movie adaptations and this book is my case in point.
I loved almost everything - the premise, crazy characters, flow of the plot, nuanced friendships and relationships and one's journey in overcoming a traumatic and unexpected event in life and re-emerging as a stronger person.
What probably upset me was the ending, I wish it unfolded in a different way. That said, it is a wonderful read for people into romance as a genre! Happy reading :)
Some books are as beautiful as their movie adaptations and this book is my case in point.
I loved almost everything - the premise, crazy characters, flow of the plot, nuanced friendships and relationships and one's journey in overcoming a traumatic and unexpected event in life and re-emerging as a stronger person.
What probably upset me was the ending, I wish it unfolded in a different way. That said, it is a wonderful read for people into romance as a genre! Happy reading :)
August 14, 2023
Decent read but LORD ABOVE so depressing!
November 3, 2020
This is the debut novel of Cecelia Ahern who was 21 years old when she wrote this book. Although she was very young but the way she pictured love between two characters, how the grief of losing someone looks like and how devastating it is to see your loved ones die. Cecelia made sure this novel is easy to read and absorb every happening for the readers with complete emotions. Once you start reading, you will find out how artistically this has been written and I am sure it will fill your eyes and warms your heart too just like happened to me. It tells you that life does not stop after losing your love, it changes most definitely but it totally depends on the person going through sadness how he/she wants to recover from it. This book will tell you in the most emotional way how it is to lose the love of your life and how to regain strength after it. We are all emotionally dependent on one another and this novel tells us that comfort can come from the same person who causes the heartache.
The story revolves around two characters Holly and Gerry. A very typical cute start of the novel with two kids who were neighbors and friends since forever and later developed affection for each other. They both got married and like every normal couple they faced good days and bad days. They fought and adored each other side by side but most importantly fell for each other more and more with every passing day. The young couple went through a major disaster of their lives when Gerry was diagnosed with brain tumor and he died at a very young age. Holy who only had Gerry in her life throughout was set back from his sudden death. She faced days where she couldn’t get up to eat or bath or do routine chores because she never experienced loneliness in her life. Gerry was her love, her best friend and had been her partner in every phase of life so her suffering was natural. Meanwhile she was fed up of the society who kept telling her to get back up and face life again like a normal person. She felt as if after losing Gerry, her right to shed tears was gone too by the standards of her close ones. She obviously was not ready to face life yet and needed a push which people around her could not provide.
On Holy’s 30th birthday, she got a call from her mother telling her that she has a package named for her and she should get it ASAP. When Holy opened the package she was stunned to see Gerry’s letters to her for each month after his death. Quickly she opened the first letter of the month and was relieved to hear from him as if that was the only thing she needed. What Gerry did in those letters was played a happy little game with Holy to show her that he is looking down at her from heaven. His letters showed that he kinda knew she would be in such a condition so he helped her motivate through that phase of life. Every month she opened a letter and was filled with encouragement to move on with her life. Everyone is in need of a guardian angel and how beautiful it would be that the person you just lost becomes one for you and help you. Gerry knew he would not survive from this disease and he knew people he was leaving behind will be having a hard time but at the same time he did not want them all to be unhappy forever specially Holy. So he taught her the lesson that after you go through the heartbreak it is necessary to get back up not only for others but for yourself first. He made sure that she would walk on the sunny side of the road always and feel life once again even he was no more physically around.
So readers this is a novel about how to let go of what you have been holding on for a very long time. This shows that no matter what you do, you have to accept what has happened, you have every right to be in affliction but once you cope with the dilemma you have to emerge as a stronger person than ever. This novel has a little amateur and unrealistic approach of healing after a disastrous heartbreak like it’s not time specified that you will be back to normal after 10 months or 6 months but the beauty of the words covers all the flaws. A kind of warning for emotional reader that it will make you miss Gerry throughout the novel as if he was your husband and love of life 😀 But on the other side this will make you appreciate your loved ones more after completing it. And one last thing, anyone who wishes to watch the movie, DON’T, Read book first.
My favorite quote from this novel was “You don’t marry someone you can live with, you marry the person you cannot live without” ❤
Let me know yours 🙂
The story revolves around two characters Holly and Gerry. A very typical cute start of the novel with two kids who were neighbors and friends since forever and later developed affection for each other. They both got married and like every normal couple they faced good days and bad days. They fought and adored each other side by side but most importantly fell for each other more and more with every passing day. The young couple went through a major disaster of their lives when Gerry was diagnosed with brain tumor and he died at a very young age. Holy who only had Gerry in her life throughout was set back from his sudden death. She faced days where she couldn’t get up to eat or bath or do routine chores because she never experienced loneliness in her life. Gerry was her love, her best friend and had been her partner in every phase of life so her suffering was natural. Meanwhile she was fed up of the society who kept telling her to get back up and face life again like a normal person. She felt as if after losing Gerry, her right to shed tears was gone too by the standards of her close ones. She obviously was not ready to face life yet and needed a push which people around her could not provide.
On Holy’s 30th birthday, she got a call from her mother telling her that she has a package named for her and she should get it ASAP. When Holy opened the package she was stunned to see Gerry’s letters to her for each month after his death. Quickly she opened the first letter of the month and was relieved to hear from him as if that was the only thing she needed. What Gerry did in those letters was played a happy little game with Holy to show her that he is looking down at her from heaven. His letters showed that he kinda knew she would be in such a condition so he helped her motivate through that phase of life. Every month she opened a letter and was filled with encouragement to move on with her life. Everyone is in need of a guardian angel and how beautiful it would be that the person you just lost becomes one for you and help you. Gerry knew he would not survive from this disease and he knew people he was leaving behind will be having a hard time but at the same time he did not want them all to be unhappy forever specially Holy. So he taught her the lesson that after you go through the heartbreak it is necessary to get back up not only for others but for yourself first. He made sure that she would walk on the sunny side of the road always and feel life once again even he was no more physically around.
So readers this is a novel about how to let go of what you have been holding on for a very long time. This shows that no matter what you do, you have to accept what has happened, you have every right to be in affliction but once you cope with the dilemma you have to emerge as a stronger person than ever. This novel has a little amateur and unrealistic approach of healing after a disastrous heartbreak like it’s not time specified that you will be back to normal after 10 months or 6 months but the beauty of the words covers all the flaws. A kind of warning for emotional reader that it will make you miss Gerry throughout the novel as if he was your husband and love of life 😀 But on the other side this will make you appreciate your loved ones more after completing it. And one last thing, anyone who wishes to watch the movie, DON’T, Read book first.
My favorite quote from this novel was “You don’t marry someone you can live with, you marry the person you cannot live without” ❤
Let me know yours 🙂
August 23, 2010
WOW! I really did not want the story to end. The characters and their lives were so real for me. Even though I could not pretend to truly understand Holly's grieving process, the book really helped me see someone's perspective. It made me rethink a few things.
August 13, 2020
Words cannot simply describe how much I adored this read!
Heartbreaking, yet immensely delightful, P.S I Love You follows Holly as she attempts to grapple with life following the loss of her soulmate, Gerry.
Prior to his death, Gerry wrote, and left with Holly’s parents, a series of 10 notes to be opened by her at the beginning of each month subsequent to his passing. Contained within these notes were sets of instructions, surprises, and powerful messages that held the intention of assisting Holly with starting her new life without him.
With these notes, Holly was provided with the sense that Gerry was still with her, and, as when he was alive, that she was still living through him and for him. You will be left feeling extremely proud of the bravery she fails to see within herself.
Prior to this read, I had never read a novel by Cecelia Ahern, and only a few chapters in, I knew I had been missing out. The way in which she enables you to build such a strong connection with each character is truly remarkable, even through the use of a third person narration.
Overall: I cannot recommend this novel enough. Once I finished, I just had to order the sequel and am so excited for it to arrive.
Heartbreaking, yet immensely delightful, P.S I Love You follows Holly as she attempts to grapple with life following the loss of her soulmate, Gerry.
Prior to his death, Gerry wrote, and left with Holly’s parents, a series of 10 notes to be opened by her at the beginning of each month subsequent to his passing. Contained within these notes were sets of instructions, surprises, and powerful messages that held the intention of assisting Holly with starting her new life without him.
With these notes, Holly was provided with the sense that Gerry was still with her, and, as when he was alive, that she was still living through him and for him. You will be left feeling extremely proud of the bravery she fails to see within herself.
Prior to this read, I had never read a novel by Cecelia Ahern, and only a few chapters in, I knew I had been missing out. The way in which she enables you to build such a strong connection with each character is truly remarkable, even through the use of a third person narration.
Overall: I cannot recommend this novel enough. Once I finished, I just had to order the sequel and am so excited for it to arrive.
January 18, 2022
Used to work at an epic bookstore in Brazil and this guy landed in my hands for free. I was a bit hesitant and in a very no-love mindset. Did watch the movie previous to that and had no intention to lose my sanity over past heartbreaks. Dear lord I had no idea the author was Irish though. That my name was the Irish translation to hers. And how deeply in love I would fall in love with Irish authors, and how beautifully they make stunning use of the English language (being a foreigner myself). More than the story itself, the structure and flow of the language made me so intrigued I remember running to the dictionary quite often to deeply understand every meaning from any dialogue. Not sure how this book ranks for English natives. But as a foreigner, it made fall in love even more for English.
August 18, 2025
oh. my. GOD. every person i know that is a bookworm always has one book that is their absolute favourite, and that is 'their' book. for ages, i never had one that stood out to me...until i read this.
i'm never one to go for romance books, but i read the blurb and knew that it'd give me a good cry, so i picked it up. typically, i go for around 300 pages, so when i saw how big the book was, i was a little intimidated, but if anything, it didn't take me any longer to read (mainly because i just couldn't put it down lol)
I. SOBBED. i cried NINE times throughout this book. holly's grief is explored so beautifully, and it really covers all angles of bereavement. it's such a bittersweet book, but written so, so stunningly that you can FEEL holly's grief deep in your heart.
my absolute favourite book now (even if i am about 20 years late to the party) , would totally recommend if you need a good cry (and laugh!)
i'm never one to go for romance books, but i read the blurb and knew that it'd give me a good cry, so i picked it up. typically, i go for around 300 pages, so when i saw how big the book was, i was a little intimidated, but if anything, it didn't take me any longer to read (mainly because i just couldn't put it down lol)
I. SOBBED. i cried NINE times throughout this book. holly's grief is explored so beautifully, and it really covers all angles of bereavement. it's such a bittersweet book, but written so, so stunningly that you can FEEL holly's grief deep in your heart.
my absolute favourite book now (even if i am about 20 years late to the party) , would totally recommend if you need a good cry (and laugh!)
April 13, 2025
P.S. I love you, one of my most favourite and treasured books. There will always be a copy of this on my bookshelf. I first read this book 19 years ago. I decided to listen to it.
The way this book captured me and the emotion I felt reading this for a second time was the same as it was all those years ago. Be prepared to laugh and cry. The way and pace this book is written is just right. Perfect.
There are so many beautiful messages and reflections on life and how we should treasure and live it to the fullest.
I will always recommend this book to anyone. It is truly beautiful <3
The way this book captured me and the emotion I felt reading this for a second time was the same as it was all those years ago. Be prepared to laugh and cry. The way and pace this book is written is just right. Perfect.
There are so many beautiful messages and reflections on life and how we should treasure and live it to the fullest.
I will always recommend this book to anyone. It is truly beautiful <3
May 17, 2021
A fantastic book that helps heal the broken heart, and teach us about not only the romantic relationship but also friendship, family. I cried reading this book and laughed. The unthinkable can happen at any time in our lives, that's why we have to learn to adapt to the changes and unexpected incident. Life is for living, I realise - but it always helps if there's an angel watching over you. A beautifully touching love story. Recommend anyone who is a fan of love to read this book.
June 12, 2021
One of the best romance novels I have ever read. I totally loved it. The way love between two individuals has been portrayed is Excellent. For someone who lost their special someone or someone who played an important role in their life, this book will surely help to move on. There were many instances when I found myself crying when reading this book. At no point are you going to feel like the feelings are artificial or they are being imposed on the reader.
June 20, 2025
P.S I love you - Cecelia Ahern
Beautiful love story, Journey of holly was a reminder for me that I should not take the life I have now with my loving husband for granted.. It had beautiful moments, sad moments and goosebumps moments.. Its not easy to move on but holly had to make the choice and Gerry helped her despite of he not being there physically... I loved the book more than the movie.. ❤
Beautiful love story, Journey of holly was a reminder for me that I should not take the life I have now with my loving husband for granted.. It had beautiful moments, sad moments and goosebumps moments.. Its not easy to move on but holly had to make the choice and Gerry helped her despite of he not being there physically... I loved the book more than the movie.. ❤
May 31, 2021
Well, It seems like I am the only one who didn't enjoy the book. I think the movie was far better than the book. Although I haven't finished the book as yet, but having read the first 300 pages, I just can't wait to finish reading this . Gerry's letters were a bit disappointing. I had expected much more.
OKAY!! after having read the entire book, there are beautiful bits. A good read!!
obviously expected a lot more. but that's maybe because I watched the movie before I read the book.
OKAY!! after having read the entire book, there are beautiful bits. A good read!!
obviously expected a lot more. but that's maybe because I watched the movie before I read the book.
April 20, 2024
This book follows a love story with a twist. The husband is dying and knows his wife will not be able to cope so he gives her 12 letters to read one comes each month with a task for her to do. It's set in Ireland and is an amazing read it made me cry and laugh but the book is so much better than the film.
This is a book I can re read Time and time again
This is a book I can re read Time and time again
January 2, 2022
Spoiler free review on P.S I love you- cecelia Ahern
4 stars
I really enjoyed this book! I found it a bit boring at some parts and at others I was really hooked. Despite that, I still really enjoyed this read and would read again in the future. I recommend it! Romance/ heartbreak/ loss
4 stars
I really enjoyed this book! I found it a bit boring at some parts and at others I was really hooked. Despite that, I still really enjoyed this read and would read again in the future. I recommend it! Romance/ heartbreak/ loss
December 2, 2022
this was so much worse than the second book tbh. it wasn’t as emotional and i just like did not care what this woman was going. 2 stars because i finished it but it took me like 4 days to get past the 2nd chapter bc i was bored
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 10, 2024
Holly's husband has died and she is lost without him.
Her friends try to comfort her, but have moved on it seems.
Holly left her job to take care of her husband. Now without
him and without a job, what does the future hold for her.
Will her memories be enough?
Her friends try to comfort her, but have moved on it seems.
Holly left her job to take care of her husband. Now without
him and without a job, what does the future hold for her.
Will her memories be enough?
May 13, 2024
What a splendid book! It’s such a heartbreaking and heartwarming storyline, just shows how cruel life can be,
simultaneously it was truly magical. Gerry and Holly were soulmates, I think everyone deserves to have the love they shared.
simultaneously it was truly magical. Gerry and Holly were soulmates, I think everyone deserves to have the love they shared.
October 18, 2021
Liked it!
Read
December 30, 2021Guess wat .. you can read the same book years later and still love it ♥️♥️
May 10, 2022
never finished
September 2, 2022
It was a great story, but not my fav.
January 3, 2023
Main character got annoying.
June 5, 2023
This is the book after which I fell in love with English novels
August 3, 2023
Emotional, whilst at certain times funny. I couldn’t put it down, the pages were flowing and my love of reading was ignited due to this book.
June 14, 2024
This is the book I wish I could read for the first time again. I recommend this book to everyone I talk to. If you are thinking about reading it I would
November 11, 2024
This one is beyond beautiful...❤️❤️
February 12, 2025
Much better than the movie
October 13, 2010
The book started great, got all irritating in the middle, had a good second half, and had a fairly good ending. A few pages moved me to tears but then a few also made me laugh out loud - overall, a decent book. This is my first book of Cecilia Ahern.
Let me start with my favorite parts. One of the places where I really found it hilarious was the one about Holly's karaoke performance. It was really good, well thought out and not predictable. I enjoyed the description about how the 'list' actually came into being - through one of Holly and Gerry's silly but enjoyable arguments. The opening of the final note was just so touching. A lot of places were really good and very funny too, actually. The author is good in describing the loneliness and confusion Holly often feels, and her efforts to stay positive which then dwindles back down after a few days. The honesty in a few places is also admirable. Wish her writing for the whole book had been the same. That would just have made this a great book!
Now for the things I didn't like about this book. I've never read chick-lit before and I've not exactly developed a fondness for it after this experience. Actually I had no idea this was one until I saw one of the reviews in the cover describing it as chick-lit at its best. A lot of places where the girls get into fits of giggles wasn't really funny at all for me. Daniel's switch of places towards the end just irritated me. And I really liked Gerry but felt there wasn't enough about him in the book. Towards the middle of the first half there wasn't a lot about how Holly was coping up but rather about a lot of different characters which just took away the general feel of the book.
For those who've seen the movie version first, the book would only read alright. The story is entirely different, though it works well either way.
Let me start with my favorite parts. One of the places where I really found it hilarious was the one about Holly's karaoke performance. It was really good, well thought out and not predictable. I enjoyed the description about how the 'list' actually came into being - through one of Holly and Gerry's silly but enjoyable arguments. The opening of the final note was just so touching. A lot of places were really good and very funny too, actually. The author is good in describing the loneliness and confusion Holly often feels, and her efforts to stay positive which then dwindles back down after a few days. The honesty in a few places is also admirable. Wish her writing for the whole book had been the same. That would just have made this a great book!
Now for the things I didn't like about this book. I've never read chick-lit before and I've not exactly developed a fondness for it after this experience. Actually I had no idea this was one until I saw one of the reviews in the cover describing it as chick-lit at its best. A lot of places where the girls get into fits of giggles wasn't really funny at all for me. Daniel's switch of places towards the end just irritated me. And I really liked Gerry but felt there wasn't enough about him in the book. Towards the middle of the first half there wasn't a lot about how Holly was coping up but rather about a lot of different characters which just took away the general feel of the book.
For those who've seen the movie version first, the book would only read alright. The story is entirely different, though it works well either way.
December 16, 2014
It manage to get me cried while just turning few pages. Brilliant novel but not perfect. I can see some cliches in Ahern's novel and the guys are usually so passionate, gentle, caring, sensitive to the protagonist. I mean, with all the irrational tantrums threw over him, he still loves her no matter what and remain sweet and gentle. It's good to have guys like that around but uh, it doesn't sound so real to me. Another thing is,not enough depth when it comes to describing the relationship between Holly and Gerry. The romantic things Gerry does are touching but other than just tolerating and sucking up Holly's shits? Okay...maybe I'm asking too much. It's a nice book that I manage to finished it in a night.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 48 reviews