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caoimhekilleen's review
funny
hopeful
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Blood, and Cancer
Moderate: Grief
Minor: Emotional abuse and Death of parent
alisonannk's review
5.0
This is that unique kind of book that will make you laugh almost as much as you will cry. I cannot even begin to explain how much I loved it!
The story of the Hayes family continues in this book after the death of Rabbit Hayes. This might be the follow up to The Last Days of Rabbit Hayes, but I hadn't read the first book and did not feel disadvantaged for not having done so. I most certainly will be going back to read it though!!
The characters in this book are so vividly described that I felt like I could reach out and touch/hug/slap them!
Molly, the matriarch is the kind of woman I want to be. She is a plain talking, no nonsense type. Her husband Jack can be morose but he has a heart of absolute gold. Both are struggling with grief in their own way.
Added into the mix are Rabbit's sister Grace, who discovers she has the same cancer gene which killed her sister, and her family. Her three sons are all very different but you can tell that this is one huge loving family.
Next up, we have Rabbit's daughter who is cared for by Rabbit's free-spirited brother. Again, we follow the ups and downs as Juliet adapts to being mother-less and cared for by her uncle. There is the added complexity of Rabbit's best friend Marjory and her relationship with certain members of the family.
This book has it all - relationships, bereavement, grief, comedy, family bonds, coming of age, adjusting to change and every single bit of it feels so authentic.
The detail is real and their struggles completely broke my heart on more than one occasion.
I cannot wait to read more by Anna McPartlin and I do hope she revisits the Hayes family.
Thanks to The Pigeonhole for access to this book in ten daily installments. It has been one of my favourite books of the year so far.
The story of the Hayes family continues in this book after the death of Rabbit Hayes. This might be the follow up to The Last Days of Rabbit Hayes, but I hadn't read the first book and did not feel disadvantaged for not having done so. I most certainly will be going back to read it though!!
The characters in this book are so vividly described that I felt like I could reach out and touch/hug/slap them!
Molly, the matriarch is the kind of woman I want to be. She is a plain talking, no nonsense type. Her husband Jack can be morose but he has a heart of absolute gold. Both are struggling with grief in their own way.
Added into the mix are Rabbit's sister Grace, who discovers she has the same cancer gene which killed her sister, and her family. Her three sons are all very different but you can tell that this is one huge loving family.
Next up, we have Rabbit's daughter who is cared for by Rabbit's free-spirited brother. Again, we follow the ups and downs as Juliet adapts to being mother-less and cared for by her uncle. There is the added complexity of Rabbit's best friend Marjory and her relationship with certain members of the family.
This book has it all - relationships, bereavement, grief, comedy, family bonds, coming of age, adjusting to change and every single bit of it feels so authentic.
The detail is real and their struggles completely broke my heart on more than one occasion.
I cannot wait to read more by Anna McPartlin and I do hope she revisits the Hayes family.
Thanks to The Pigeonhole for access to this book in ten daily installments. It has been one of my favourite books of the year so far.
dianesmillie's review
5.0
Following on from Rabbit Hayes, this book continues to follow the Hayes family as they go forward in their life after rabbits death. Tears all through this book. With sorrow one minute and laughter the next. All the character are so familiar and lovable and you just want to be part of their family. Lovely family read with such a strong family theme through it that it will stay with you well after you have finished it
leona_omahony's review
5.0
Having read and loved The Last Days of Rabbit Hayes a few years back , I will admit to being slightly nervous about starting this sequel, would I enjoy it as much ? Well there was nothing to fear, this book was just fabulous. There was sad moments and there was also laugh out loud moments. From the first page I was absorbed by this book and as I was getting nearer the end I just wanted to savour it and for it not to end. Without a doubt a massive 5⭐️ read for me.
lisa_bergin's review
5.0
This is a follow up to The Last Days of Rabbit Hayes and follows the Hayes family after Rabbit’s death. It was a wonderful read making me laugh and cry in equal measure. It deals with grief and finding yourself and also with dealing with having a cancer gene and should you or shouldn’t you take preventive measures to lesson your chance of getting cancer ( this was handled brilliantly). Like the previous book it could have been really depressing but it is full of warm Irish humour and so although there are many sad bits the overall book is uplifting. Also I don’t think you have to have read the previous book to enjoy this one as there is sufficient back story to read this as a stand-alone. Thanks to The Pigeonhole, Anna McPartlin and the publishers for the opportunity to read this book.
gemmabelle's review
emotional
hopeful
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.0
I hadn't read the book set before this one but it didn't seem to matter.
csd's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
emandherbooks's review
3.0
This book was raw and dealt with horrible tragic life events. There were points that were difficult to read and for me a little close to home! Nonetheless I still enjoyed the book and it’s overall story and message.
annarella's review
4.0
A poignant, heartwarming and well written book that moved me to tears and made me smile.
I didn't read The Last Days of Rabbit Hayes but I had no issues with this one.
I loved the plot that flows, the storytelling and the well thought and flesh out characters.
It was a bitter sweet and engrossing read, recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.
I didn't read The Last Days of Rabbit Hayes but I had no issues with this one.
I loved the plot that flows, the storytelling and the well thought and flesh out characters.
It was a bitter sweet and engrossing read, recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.
aminakara's review
5.0
Oh, what to say about this beautiful book! So gut wrenchingly heartbreaking at times, but also so witty and humorous too!
I absolutely loved this book and was so sad to see the end of it! That was in part to being so well written. You could really feel the pain of the Hayes family and friends as they struggled to come to terms with the loss of Rabbit Hayes.
The characters were thoroughly likeable. No, scratch that, they were totally lovable, which added to the beauty of the story! Molly and Ryan were my favourites and their brilliant one liners had me in absolute stitches.
This was my first time reading one of Anna's books and I can safely say that it won't be last! I will definitely be reading the first book and will be hoping for more books involving the Hayes family!
Thank you to Pigeonhole and Anna McPartlin for the chance to read this amazing book.
I cannot recommend this book highly enough!
I absolutely loved this book and was so sad to see the end of it! That was in part to being so well written. You could really feel the pain of the Hayes family and friends as they struggled to come to terms with the loss of Rabbit Hayes.
The characters were thoroughly likeable. No, scratch that, they were totally lovable, which added to the beauty of the story! Molly and Ryan were my favourites and their brilliant one liners had me in absolute stitches.
This was my first time reading one of Anna's books and I can safely say that it won't be last! I will definitely be reading the first book and will be hoping for more books involving the Hayes family!
Thank you to Pigeonhole and Anna McPartlin for the chance to read this amazing book.
I cannot recommend this book highly enough!
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