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meandmypaperback's review against another edition
3.0
Before I Go is a good, easy, contemporary story. It makes you feel. Sadness, Remorse, Love, Anger.
It is about a young woman; Daisy who after beating cancer once, started her life over again, in the process of getting her masters, finds out she gets the unlucky news of going into remission; despite all her healthy habits. This time however, there is no way of beating it. She is given maybe 4 months to live and is now onto doing life with a death sentence.
Through this she wants to start finding her husband a new wife. I found this bit a bit cringe worthy. I won't go into details so I don't spoil it, but... yah. Just no.
I give this 3 stars. It is a stand a lone novel, one that is great to pass the time. But also, one that I won't reach for again. There was a lot of me skimming thru pages, just to get onto the next chapter. I also didn't feel fully invested until the last chapter. And I think its because all through reading it I wish there was another POV. That of Jack. I wanted to know what Jack was feeling. While Daisy was pulling away and cutting him out, trying to find him a new love for after (all while still being pissed at that possibility) , I really wanted to know how he felt. Like, it can't be easy for a guy to go through his wife dying. I kept thinking about what my husband would do, how I would prepare.
All in all, not a bad way to spend a few hours!
Thank you Netgalley for an ARC (even though its been a looong time)
It is about a young woman; Daisy who after beating cancer once, started her life over again, in the process of getting her masters, finds out she gets the unlucky news of going into remission; despite all her healthy habits. This time however, there is no way of beating it. She is given maybe 4 months to live and is now onto doing life with a death sentence.
Through this she wants to start finding her husband a new wife. I found this bit a bit cringe worthy. I won't go into details so I don't spoil it, but... yah. Just no.
I give this 3 stars. It is a stand a lone novel, one that is great to pass the time. But also, one that I won't reach for again. There was a lot of me skimming thru pages, just to get onto the next chapter. I also didn't feel fully invested until the last chapter. And I think its because all through reading it I wish there was another POV. That of Jack. I wanted to know what Jack was feeling. While Daisy was pulling away and cutting him out, trying to find him a new love for after (all while still being pissed at that possibility) , I really wanted to know how he felt. Like, it can't be easy for a guy to go through his wife dying. I kept thinking about what my husband would do, how I would prepare.
All in all, not a bad way to spend a few hours!
Thank you Netgalley for an ARC (even though its been a looong time)
awebster92's review against another edition
5.0
Colleen has done a great job of breaking my heart into a million pieces. I honestly didn't wait until I finished the book to start writing down my feelings on it. After searching for my next ugly cry book for months, I just didn't think I would find one. Before I Go took me to that place. The "I feel so much better now that I've cried" place. So many emotions crammed into one book. I laughed, I cried, I was angry, I cried, I felt guilty, and I laughed. I just can't recommend this book enough. It's exactly what I was looking for.
Daisy and Jack's relationship reminds me so much of me and my husband. After my recent health problems, this hit me hard. I'm not saying I know what the "C" bomb feels like. I just know what happens when you think you might not be around much longer. Their want for children made me put the book down because I was sobbing so hard I almost woke up my toddler. Daisy's reaction to the news. The Orange frootloop. So perfect. I have never highlighted a single thing with my kindle, Not Once. before 20% I had highlighted 6 areas of text to read to my husband. Her thoughts on the Doctors being wrong - the denial. She has captured it so well. I would have reacted the same way.
I was so angry during certain parts of the book. I have never been angry with a fictional character like this before. They felt so real to me. Most books I read I think "No normal person would act like that." - I never had that moment in this novel. Another great debut novel. 5/5
I received this novel in exchange for an Honest review.
Daisy and Jack's relationship reminds me so much of me and my husband. After my recent health problems, this hit me hard. I'm not saying I know what the "C" bomb feels like. I just know what happens when you think you might not be around much longer. Their want for children made me put the book down because I was sobbing so hard I almost woke up my toddler. Daisy's reaction to the news. The Orange frootloop. So perfect. I have never highlighted a single thing with my kindle, Not Once. before 20% I had highlighted 6 areas of text to read to my husband. Her thoughts on the Doctors being wrong - the denial. She has captured it so well. I would have reacted the same way.
I was so angry during certain parts of the book. I have never been angry with a fictional character like this before. They felt so real to me. Most books I read I think "No normal person would act like that." - I never had that moment in this novel. Another great debut novel. 5/5
I received this novel in exchange for an Honest review.
morgannayman's review against another edition
3.0
3.5
I loved the writing style in this book. It was a gut wrenching topic that makes you appreciate the moments you have.
I loved the writing style in this book. It was a gut wrenching topic that makes you appreciate the moments you have.
mickeyreadsbooks's review against another edition
5.0
I really loved this. Her writing at various times, separate from the plot line, just seemed to be things I would literally say but no one would appreciate. haha. So I loved that she was in my head at times. The plot had me crying, laughing, reading as fast as I could, staying up late at night. I just devoured this book. And I just embraced her main character, telling the story of a woman dying of cancer certainly can't be easy and I felt like this woman was a real person and a friend I would know in real life.
minseigle's review against another edition
4.0
Don't know what to say about this book....it's a good read, albeit sad and tragic. I liked the characters and the plot. Not the ending, though I knew it had to come.
fictionalkate's review against another edition
4.0
Four years ago Daisy fought cancer and she won. Now 27 years old, Daisy should have her whole life to look forward to. She has a loving husband, a best friend who has always been there for her and a master's degree in psychology all but completed. But the cancer is back and this time Daisy's prognosis is not good. "Lots of cancer" has infected her body and now Daisy only has a few months left. With her expiration date approaching, Daisy knows her time is running out. But before she goes she wants to make sure her husband is taken care of - and that means finding him a new wife.
Before I Go is heartbreaking and lovely with a thoughtful take on mortality. Daisy is a fantastic character to follow as she starts the last chapter of her life. Her approach to life is believable - from her obsession with organic food to her love for her husband. Daisy's physical decline was written perfectly. Her confusion, anger and sense of loss at her future being taken away from her felt real. Daisy's desire to continue to live without people treating her different because of the "lots of cancer", her friends and family reaction to her diagnosis resonated with me.
I loved Before I Go although I do regret bringing it with me on my commute to work. Bursting into tears on public transport because of just how much Daisy made me feel - not my finest moment. I had reservations before I started reading - a book about a woman's last few months? There is so much potential to be depressing and whiney. But Colleen Oakley handled Daisy's story in such a smart and well-considered way with the right balance of bittersweet and humour.
Daisy's relationship with her husband Jack was a highlight of this novel. She wants him to be happy and looked after when she's not around to pick up after him. But she finds it harder than she expected to prepare for a life after she's gone. The problems they faced felt authentic - both prepping for after but also the way they communicated and interacted during the present. The friendship between Daisy and Kayleigh was another brilliant addition to the story. Jack and Kayleigh contrasted nicely and despite their differences, they both added to the beautiful tragedy of Daisy's diagnosis.
What I liked most about this book was how it wasn't all about the cancer nor about death despite Daisy's cancer being terminal. There is a strong message of love and living whilst you are alive. There are many heartfelt moments and a sense of hope despite it all.
Before I Go is an emotional journey dealing with death, life and love. Filled with beautiful moments and fantastic relationships, this book has been one of my favourite cancer related stories I've read and I can't wait to check out more by Colleen Oakley in the future.
Thanks to Allen and Unwin for the review copy
Before I Go is heartbreaking and lovely with a thoughtful take on mortality. Daisy is a fantastic character to follow as she starts the last chapter of her life. Her approach to life is believable - from her obsession with organic food to her love for her husband. Daisy's physical decline was written perfectly. Her confusion, anger and sense of loss at her future being taken away from her felt real. Daisy's desire to continue to live without people treating her different because of the "lots of cancer", her friends and family reaction to her diagnosis resonated with me.
I loved Before I Go although I do regret bringing it with me on my commute to work. Bursting into tears on public transport because of just how much Daisy made me feel - not my finest moment. I had reservations before I started reading - a book about a woman's last few months? There is so much potential to be depressing and whiney. But Colleen Oakley handled Daisy's story in such a smart and well-considered way with the right balance of bittersweet and humour.
Daisy's relationship with her husband Jack was a highlight of this novel. She wants him to be happy and looked after when she's not around to pick up after him. But she finds it harder than she expected to prepare for a life after she's gone. The problems they faced felt authentic - both prepping for after but also the way they communicated and interacted during the present. The friendship between Daisy and Kayleigh was another brilliant addition to the story. Jack and Kayleigh contrasted nicely and despite their differences, they both added to the beautiful tragedy of Daisy's diagnosis.
What I liked most about this book was how it wasn't all about the cancer nor about death despite Daisy's cancer being terminal. There is a strong message of love and living whilst you are alive. There are many heartfelt moments and a sense of hope despite it all.
Before I Go is an emotional journey dealing with death, life and love. Filled with beautiful moments and fantastic relationships, this book has been one of my favourite cancer related stories I've read and I can't wait to check out more by Colleen Oakley in the future.
Thanks to Allen and Unwin for the review copy
donttakemybooks's review against another edition
3.0
Very readable book. I related a lot to Daisy's control freak personality. And of course her plight was emotional to read about. Her search for a new wife for Jack was more realistic and less cartoonish than I expected. My issues were mostly frustration with how Daisy reacts to dying by pushing Jack away and never really communicating with him about any of her feelings (he didn't share his either). All in all, good, but I expect it to be pretty forgettable.
kbranfield's review against another edition
5.0
Before I Go by Colleen Oakley is a bittersweet, emotional and surprisingly humorous novel. It is a thought-provoking and riveting story about a twenty-seven year old cancer survivor who is stunned by the news her cancer has returned and she only has months to live.
Just as Daisy Richmond and her husband Jack are about to celebrate another Cancerversary, their world is turned completely upside down by her shocking diagnosis. The couple try to keep their lives as normal as possible but Daisy soon finds herself consumed with worries about how Jack will go on without her. She devises a plan to find him a replacement wife, but Daisy is surprised by her reaction when it looks like she might have succeeded in finding him the perfect woman.
Daisy is an über organized, strong and capable woman and she does not let her diagnosis defeat her. Her reaction to the news is believable and she definitely goes through all the stages of grief (albeit at an accelerated rate). She tries to maintain her regular routine, but her worry about how Jack will go on without her is soon uppermost in her mind. Daisy turns to her best friend Kayleigh for dating advice, and they concoct a somewhat harebrained but well-intentioned scheme to find Jack a new wife. In the process, Daisy pushes Jack away and in his helpless, absentminded way, he lets her. Daisy eventually figures out the reasons behind her actions, but is it too late for her to repair the damage to their relationship?
Before I Go is an incredibly heartwarming and realistic novel that is a perfect blend of heartache and humor. The cast of characters is appealing and beautifully developed with relatable flaws and imperfections. Colleen Oakley has an engaging writing style but it is the unique storyline that makes the story so captivating. Despite its serious subject matter, it is an overall light read that I absolutely loved and highly recommend.
Just as Daisy Richmond and her husband Jack are about to celebrate another Cancerversary, their world is turned completely upside down by her shocking diagnosis. The couple try to keep their lives as normal as possible but Daisy soon finds herself consumed with worries about how Jack will go on without her. She devises a plan to find him a replacement wife, but Daisy is surprised by her reaction when it looks like she might have succeeded in finding him the perfect woman.
Daisy is an über organized, strong and capable woman and she does not let her diagnosis defeat her. Her reaction to the news is believable and she definitely goes through all the stages of grief (albeit at an accelerated rate). She tries to maintain her regular routine, but her worry about how Jack will go on without her is soon uppermost in her mind. Daisy turns to her best friend Kayleigh for dating advice, and they concoct a somewhat harebrained but well-intentioned scheme to find Jack a new wife. In the process, Daisy pushes Jack away and in his helpless, absentminded way, he lets her. Daisy eventually figures out the reasons behind her actions, but is it too late for her to repair the damage to their relationship?
Before I Go is an incredibly heartwarming and realistic novel that is a perfect blend of heartache and humor. The cast of characters is appealing and beautifully developed with relatable flaws and imperfections. Colleen Oakley has an engaging writing style but it is the unique storyline that makes the story so captivating. Despite its serious subject matter, it is an overall light read that I absolutely loved and highly recommend.
tlvz721's review
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5