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danisbookshelfx's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
deluciate's review against another edition
5.0
This beautiful, touching book made me cry over and over. The vivid characters in this family feel real and we care about them. The story of Rabbit's final days felt true to life and reminded me of many small touching moments in my own family's history of losses. The book explores love and hope as much, if not more, as it does sadness. I would recommend this story to any book club interested in talking about the nature of family, and I look forward to talking about it with my loved ones.
colleengeedrumm's review against another edition
4.0
An emotional, funny book about the all-to-real fact of life that we all must pass on at some point in our lives, some sooner than others. Although this book has plenty of illness in it, it also has plenty of good times and hope. Not only for the future of our loved ones, but what may come for us on the other side. I loved the characters and their conversations. I laughed at times, I cried at times. Illness touches this book throughout, but that's real life. I'm so thankful for my health!
And thankful to St. Martin's press for a free copy in exchange for an unbiased review.
It was as though she was disappearing right in front of his eyes and he was wondering how he would navigate the new reality without his wife.
'Define alone,' Davey asked.
'Not accountable.'
'How are you?' Grace said.
'Blown away.'
'I'm talking about your fanny.'
'Ma says it's a car crash down there.'
(childbirth)
If "If" were a donkey we'd all have a ride.
And thankful to St. Martin's press for a free copy in exchange for an unbiased review.
It was as though she was disappearing right in front of his eyes and he was wondering how he would navigate the new reality without his wife.
'Define alone,' Davey asked.
'Not accountable.'
'How are you?' Grace said.
'Blown away.'
'I'm talking about your fanny.'
'Ma says it's a car crash down there.'
(childbirth)
If "If" were a donkey we'd all have a ride.
pammy82's review against another edition
emotional
funny
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
jugglagirl's review against another edition
emotional
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? No
4.0
cariena's review against another edition
5.0
I enjoyed every page of the book and loved how the book ended
jacki_f's review against another edition
4.0
Mia Hayes, nicknamed "Rabbit" for her entire life, is 40, and dying of breast cancer. This book, as the title discloses, is about the final days of her life as her parents, siblings, daughter and friends come to terms with her imminent passing and she thinks about key events in her too-short life.
While this sounds like an extremely depressing premise for a novel (and it certainly does make you feel sad at times), much of it is uplifting or even funny. Rabbit and her extended family are a boisterous, entertaining and very engaging group and the genius of this book is that by the end of it you feel like you have come to know and love them all.
I gather that Davey, Rabbit's brother, is based in part on the author's husband Don (a professional drummer) and that Johnny is based on Jimmy Tague who was the vocalist in Don's band "The Missing Link". Knowing this explains why those parts of the book feel so grounded in reality - they are!
A couple of other reviewers have complained about the profanity in this book and it's true, they do swear a lot, but if you're okay with that, there is much to love here. It has the same warmth, humour and humanity as "Me Before You".
While this sounds like an extremely depressing premise for a novel (and it certainly does make you feel sad at times), much of it is uplifting or even funny. Rabbit and her extended family are a boisterous, entertaining and very engaging group and the genius of this book is that by the end of it you feel like you have come to know and love them all.
I gather that Davey, Rabbit's brother, is based in part on the author's husband Don (a professional drummer) and that Johnny is based on Jimmy Tague who was the vocalist in Don's band "The Missing Link". Knowing this explains why those parts of the book feel so grounded in reality - they are!
A couple of other reviewers have complained about the profanity in this book and it's true, they do swear a lot, but if you're okay with that, there is much to love here. It has the same warmth, humour and humanity as "Me Before You".
bookishgeordie's review against another edition
5.0
I really enjoyed this book. Although very sad, the story is not maudlin or overly sentimental and there are more than a few laugh out loud moments throughout. The characters are very well drawn, interesting, and thoroughly likable. We could all use a friend like Rabbit Hayes.
tidybex's review against another edition
4.0
An extremely poignant and heart wrenching book; definitely not a light holiday read. A well written story, which made me weep with laughter and sadness at the same time.
erinnejc's review against another edition
4.0
This book is confronting, sad, funny, but very well written. You have to make sure you are in the right frame of mind to read this which can be so sad at times.