Genre Fiction
![Phaedra Patrick - [object Object] author](https://res.cloudinary.com/readsomnia/image/upload/authors/a_a_phaedra_patrick.jpg)
The Messy Lives of Book People
The house cleaner of a famous author must carry out her employer's shocking last wish in this delightful new novel from beloved author Phaedra Patrick
Mother of two Liv Green barely scrapes by as a maid to make ends meet, often finding escape in a good book while daydreaming of becoming a writer herself. So she can't believe her luck when she lands a job housekeeping for her personal hero, megabestselling author Essie Starling, a mysterious and intimidating recluse. The last thing Liv expected was to be the only person Essie talks to, which leads to a tenuous friendship.
When Essie passes away suddenly, Liv is astonished to learn that her dying wish was for Liv to complete her final novel. But to do so Liv will have to step into Essie's shoes. As Liv begins to write, she uncovers secrets from the past that reveal a surprising connection between the two women-one that will change Liv's own story forever…
Look for Phaedra Patrick's previous charming bestsellers!
The Curious Charms of Arthur Pepper
Rise and Shine, Benedict Stone
The Library of Lost and Found
The Secrets of Love Story Bridge
Mother of two Liv Green barely scrapes by as a maid to make ends meet, often finding escape in a good book while daydreaming of becoming a writer herself. So she can't believe her luck when she lands a job housekeeping for her personal hero, megabestselling author Essie Starling, a mysterious and intimidating recluse. The last thing Liv expected was to be the only person Essie talks to, which leads to a tenuous friendship.
When Essie passes away suddenly, Liv is astonished to learn that her dying wish was for Liv to complete her final novel. But to do so Liv will have to step into Essie's shoes. As Liv begins to write, she uncovers secrets from the past that reveal a surprising connection between the two women-one that will change Liv's own story forever…
Look for Phaedra Patrick's previous charming bestsellers!
The Curious Charms of Arthur Pepper
Rise and Shine, Benedict Stone
The Library of Lost and Found
The Secrets of Love Story Bridge
Editorial Reviews
"Utterly enticing. This book is packed full of gripping and giddy moments… [A] gorgeous story." –Beth Reekles, author of Lockdown on London Lane
"Whenever I need my faith in humanity restored (which, let's face it: lately is often), I pick up a Phaedra Patrick book. The Messy Lives of Book People is no exception. Witty, relevant and delightful, with the perfect touch of mystery, this story is a salve to the soul-and I'm already looking forward to reading it again." -Colleen Oakley, USA Today bestselling author of THE INVISIBLE HUSBAND OF FRICK ISLAND
"I have consumed this book! What a masterpiece. Intriguing, moving and full of truths about writing and life. I loved it!" -Hazel Prior, author of Away with the Penguins
"The Messy Lives of Book People is the perfect book if you need a lift, or to feel better about the world. It's a read-in-one-sitting-while-smiling kind of a story. Just lovely." -Claire Pooley, bestselling author of The Authenticity Project
"Fans of lively fiction will be instantly drawn into the world Patrick creates with her signature charming, breezy style which is further enlivened with nods to popular literature." -Booklist
"Whenever I need my faith in humanity restored (which, let's face it: lately is often), I pick up a Phaedra Patrick book. The Messy Lives of Book People is no exception. Witty, relevant and delightful, with the perfect touch of mystery, this story is a salve to the soul-and I'm already looking forward to reading it again." -Colleen Oakley, USA Today bestselling author of THE INVISIBLE HUSBAND OF FRICK ISLAND
"I have consumed this book! What a masterpiece. Intriguing, moving and full of truths about writing and life. I loved it!" -Hazel Prior, author of Away with the Penguins
"The Messy Lives of Book People is the perfect book if you need a lift, or to feel better about the world. It's a read-in-one-sitting-while-smiling kind of a story. Just lovely." -Claire Pooley, bestselling author of The Authenticity Project
"Fans of lively fiction will be instantly drawn into the world Patrick creates with her signature charming, breezy style which is further enlivened with nods to popular literature." -Booklist
Readers Top Reviews
Literary Redhead
Liv Green is happy to just clean the house of her fav writer, reclusive Essie Starling. When Essie unexpectedly dies, she leaves instructions for Liv: To keep her death secret, and to finish her famous series. Liv wonders, "Why me?" As she starts to write, she discovers an unexpected connection to Essie that sheds light on her decision. A charming cozy mystery that gives a delightful escape when life gets too real. Such fun!
JudyD
I picked this book up because I had read Phaedra Patrick's The Library of Lost and Found and enjoyed it very much, so I was glad to have a chance to read this one. Liv Green, a married mother of two, is struggling to get by and working as a housekeeper. She felt so lucky to land a job as housekeeper for her favorite author, Essie Starling. Liv is a true fan of the bestselling author and has read all her books. She began reading Essie's series when she was just a child and had clung to the books where she could lose herself and escape. Essie is a recluse and most people she employs don't last very long. But for some reason Essie seems to like Liv and talks regularly with her. Liv is stunned when Essie dies and finds out that her last wish was for Liv to complete her final novel. As Liv begins to write she uncovers some secrets that reveal a surprising connection between the two women. Loved the characters in this book. Liv has a lot of heart, and Essie is a good quirkly character; I liked both of them. The writing was enjoyable and the book flowed well. It was a good plot and kept my attention - I was anxious for Liv to successfully complete the novel and to do well with it. Thanks to Harlequin Trade Publishing, Park Row through Netgalley for an advance copy. This book will be published on May 31, 2022.
kathleen g
Know this is a feel good book about a woman discovering as much about herself as she does about the woman who makes her the writer she's always wanted to be. Liv has been cleaning for Essie Starling for years but that's not what she wants. She wants to be a writer, a goal encouraged by her father that somehow fell by the wayside. Now though, Essie has died and made Liv her literary heir of sorts- she's designated Liv to finish the last book in her much loved Georgia Rory series, the 20th one. Liv sets out to learn what made Essie tick (complicated woman) and discovers that Essie had a lot of secrets, including one involving her own family. No spoilers on this one. There's a revelatory trip to Croatia. Thanks to the publisher for the ARC. Yes it's a bit trope-y and yes, you might see some of it coming but the characters are good, the storytelling is good and it's fun.
