Welcome to Litsy!

• TBR since April 30, 2019

Absolutely the saddest book I‘ve read to date.

A deeply moving page-turner about an impossible choice—and the two paths fate could take.

Max and Pip are the strongest couple you know. They're best friends, lovers—unshakable. But then their toddler gets sick and the doctors put the question of his survival into their hands. For the first time, Max and Pip can't agree. They each want a different future for their son.

Book 50

I listened to this story about a couple who disagrees over how long to have their son receive treatment for his terminal cancer. In an author's note, Mackintosh admits to writing from personal experience. It isn't a platform for a specific moral agenda; she chooses an interesting way to explore both heartbreaking options. This book has potential to be a very emotional read but falls short in evoking its heartbreaking potential. 3.5 ⭐

⭐⭐⭐🌟⭐ amazing heavy read so beautifully written. Definitely different than her others books.

Looks good check it out of the library

This novel is harrowing yet beautiful. It will squeeze the breath from you yet it will fill you with love. It will re-teach you just how fragile is Life. Each page is emotionally charged and Clare Mackintosh herself applauds the reader for finishing it, if indeed they get that far. It‘s a book bringing what truly matters into sharp focus, and prompting the belief that no matter your difficulties, you may still find joy in unexpected places.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ - not what I was expecting compared to her other books but such a good read - emotional, life-affirming and thought-provoking.

💛💛💛💛💛

Lunch by the lake. Enough said!

1. Tulips

2. Sizzle is one of my favorite words.

3. I love to watch basketball the most. I do missed March Madness this year. Favorite game to play either Scrabble or Farkle.

@J.B.Baker @A_Novel_Idea

Got some #bookmail that I'm excited about! I loved her other books and am late to this particular party 👏🏽

Because I‘ve not really been able to go anywhere, I‘ve become a little obsessed with subscription boxes. I‘ve bought a nature/craft one for me and the toddler and two for me; a chocolate one and a book one.
My first book from the book one (Bert‘s books) came today. I selected one book every 2 months, I couldn‘t justify monthly given the piles of books I already have!
It‘s lovely, arriving with a book mark and note about the book from Bert. 🥰

“After the End” is an emotional, contemporary novel about two people facing the hardest decision of their lives. I enjoyed the narration and would definitely recommend the audiobook – this was a great 4 star read for me.

My full review is up on my blog now 📚

Pulling on all the heartstrings... #catreadingbuddy #bookish #booknerd #currentread #heartstrings #bookstagram #bedtimereading

A different style and difficult topic that I think the author pulled off. First half was devastating; the second part an alternate timeline type view was clever and well written even if I found the ending a little odd

What a different narrative style. At 1st it was a turn off but I got use to the style of alternative narratives based on the judge‘s decision & I really grew attached to Max & Pip in their alternate timelines. Very emotional read that may be challenging, but it is well worth the time! It‘s my 1st read by this author, & I‘ll give her psychological thrillers a chance.

Two parts, Before and After. The first part was brilliant, the second totally unnecessary. A great idea but ultimately pointless though well written. What happens after an inexplicably terrible event ? People get on with their lives, the end. Yawn.

Tonight should be a bath night but I just don‘t have the energy after a miserable bedtime with my kids. Plus these new sheets from Aldi are calling my name. They‘re kind of ugly but SO comfortable.

Just finished After the End and I‘m truly speechless. Clare Mackintosh is in a class all her own.

This book was heartbreaking, but so very good. I‘ll hug my babies extra hard today.

What an amazing book.
Sometimes families don't agree but loving each other is what matters

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5 Stars

This was tough to read. Not only because it deals with a child dying, but because you really felt for both of the parents. I love how Clare wrote this book (and as heartbreaking as it was, it was equally as beautiful and thought provoking). I was saddened to hear this was a book she shared personal experience with as a mother.

“When you stand at a crossroad you cannot see each destination, only the beginnings of the paths that will lead you there. All you can do is choose one, and walk, and hope that someone will walk with you.”

- After the End

This book took me on an emotional rollercoaster. I sobbed my heart out reading it. Beautifully written with exquisite detail. This book is an absolute must read.

Not feeling so good today, so I‘ve been trying to read this little by little. Problem is I can‘t seem to concentrate and I‘m tired, so I haven‘t gotten very far.

Isn‘t it ironic? You think “oh, I finally get a day to rest and read” and then you can‘t even enjoy it. 😩

On a side note, I have no idea what to expect from this book, but I‘ve heard it is amazing (and emotional). So far it seems pretty good!

This book grabs you by the heart and doesn‘t let go!! How people are the decisions Pip and Max has to make, I have no idea! I loved the following two different paths storytelling, like Sliding Doors in a book. It was such a great read! Cements Mackintosh as one of my favourites.

Never read anything like this before

Decided to start on this last night while I waited for 4 8 year olds to go to sleep.... my daughter‘s first ever sleepover!! I have loved everything else Mackintosh has written and this is going to be good too. It‘s not a thriller like her others, but is still going to be thrilling. I think I‘ll be cuddling my babies more tightly for a while (once we‘ve all had a nap!!)

WOW, this was a really hard book to read but also a really beautiful and hopeful one! I love the way the author shows us two paths this couple could have taken after having to choose what sort of medical care they should -or shouldn‘t- have their son go through. The author‘s note at the end explains why this book was so important for the author to write and it makes it that much more poignant. Highly recommend!! 🌟🌟🌟🌟 1/2

What a profound way to paint a picture of the road(s) less traveled in life. Beautifully written with every emotion well felt out. Amazing take on where love and loss actually carry us to. Such a unique way to describe how one small step can change the course of many lives.

Somebody DOES NOT want me reading this morning 🐕 🙄

Giving this one a go!! I‘ve only just started but I‘m already invested. Shaping up to be a heartbreaker!

My favorite book this month!! 2/18 Now to hit my step goal for today. I hope my team is having a great hump day!! #BFC #teamflow #bookfitnesschallenge @wanderinglynn @julesG @laurenslibrary @LibrarianJen @CocoReads @Moony @britt_brooke @Reecaspieces

#mayMovieMagic #theend
@Cinfhen @rohit-sawant

The book mail has been very very good to me. 😃📚

Its always a great day when you get a book in the mail that you won for a giveaway!

A beautiful, heartbreaking, and hopeful book. I liked how the author explored both options of a decision and followed the possibilities. It was hard to read at times but so worth it. After reading the author‘s note at the end, I appreciated how difficult this was to write.

This book was so moving. At the centre is one poorly little boy surrounded by love but what happens when parents don‘t agree on a way forward. You follow the parents through there turmoil where there is no right or wrong path. This book grabs you and holds you till you turn the last page.

This was a gift even though it totally shattered me. It is an emotionally wrought page-turner about an impossible situation. Because none of us know the future, we make our decisions based upon the facts we have at the time. MacIntosh draws on her own personal tragedy and reflects on the life-changing decision that she and her husband were forced to make for their own critically ill child. This is a story of hope, of what the future may bring.