So badly written that it detracted from the touching and interesting premise.

I read this solely because I saw that a film was being made of it with Gerard Butler (of 300 fame) and wanted to have read the film prior to seeing the film which I am bound to do because it has Gerard Butler (of 300 fame) in it. The book is written by the daughter of the Irish Prime Minister which is the most interesting thing I can think to say about it. I like myself some chick-lit-lite but this is ridiculous. The writing was obvious, unsubtle, clichéd and dull. I did not connect with the characters and felt no emotional connection whatsoever with the story or the protagonist. I did not care what happened in the end. Having said this, I can see why this will be made into a film. The premise is actually not that bad: Widow receives a letter from her dead husband which he wrote before he died along with 11 other instalments to be read monthly to help her bereavement. It actually sounds really naff now I write it… But I honestly think the film will be far superior to the book. I hope so anyway. This does really annoy me though. It seems that to have your novel made into a film, you don’t have to be a good writer. You just have to have a good idea. Seems a bit unfair to me.