Despite this taking new prohibitively long time to review I’m glad I read it despite it hitting close to home. Terry is trying to stop her friend Iris from making a huge mistake so takes her dad who suffers from dementia to try and stop her. They end up on a road trip crossing countries , Terry learns a lot about herself on the trip and realises that she can change her life. Not an easy subject matter but it was written from a place of love full of moments to make you smile and cry a story to get lost in

This is a great novel about friendship, I just wished it had mentioned the dementia aspect in the book blurb.

Whilst in the main I enjoyed this book, the fact that Eugene has dementia and is not just "confused" as the description stated was at times hard for me to read. I also felt for Eugene as he was traipsed around on the road trip. Someone with dementia needs stability and little change and this was far from that, although he didn't seem to do too badly with it and the subject was dealt with sensitively.

Another surprise and this is a little bit of a spoiler - Iris is travelling to a euthanasia clinic, she isn't missing. I tell you this only because it's a big part of the book and maybe not the story you wish to read.

All of that aside, I loved the humour in book and the characters they encountered along the way. The three of them on the road trip also gave as good as they got with those they met, but in a lovely manner. The writing is very vivid and I could imagine it all, which sometimes wasn't a good thing. It's certainly a thought provoking read. To say more would give away too much.

I gave this a good go a couple of times, but I am afraid that I now must admit defeat and give up. Nothing wrong with the book it's just not the right book for me.

⭐ I absolutely love it - Feel-good fiction at its best!
⭐ The characters are fabulous, they easily wormed their way into my heart and stole a piece of it.
⭐ An absorbing thought-provoking read that had me laughing, crying & will stay with me for a long time to come.
⭐ Brilliant writing brought humour & handled sensitive subjects with tremendous insight & compassion.
⭐ Highly recommend to those who love feeling all the feels.

'Rules of the Road' is a very charming and poignant book but unfortunately the style just didn't quite gel with me. I was expecting something in the vein of 'The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry' and whilst 'Rules of the Road' certainly has similar themes, the writing just didn't quite pull me in.

I did very much enjoy the focus on female friendship - and the sensitive and thoughtful way in which the author has handled some very challenging topics to create a story that remains uplifting despite its heavier or more poignant moments. But I just didn't have that compulsion to return to the book when I put it down.

This wasn't really a book for me but that is more to do with personal taste and expectation than the book itself. Although it wasn't for me, I'm sure that 'Rules of the Road' will appeal to many readers, especially those who have enjoyed the story of Harold Fry or 'A Man Called Ove'.

An absolutely beautifully written story which focuses around the very cruel and devastating illnesses of dementia and MS but also focuses on the unity between family and friends and how they all pull together to help each other. An incredible but emotional read which I thoroughly enjoyed. The characters are given so much depth – I loved the relationship between Terry and Eugene and I loved how despite being taken out of his normal routine and comfort zone, he coped with everything that was thrown at him. I highly recommend this book.

I loved Rules of the Road so much so that I read this book in one sitting. An insight into and focusing around MS and Dementia as a central theme throughout it was a great book.

This is a story about friendship and deals with two very sensitive topics, dementia and adult end of life decisions. Two friends embark on a road trip to Switzerland along with one of the women's father, Only one woman will return. I read this novel with a slight sense of disbelief but I liked the characters and the gentle style of storytelling.

When Terry can't get hold of her best friend Iris she starts to panic, having just picked up her father who suffers from dementia she breaks in to her house in case she has had an accident as Iris suffers from MS. Finding the house tidy and immaculate she knows there must be something wrong and then finds a letter from Iris saying that she has gone to Switzerland to end her life! Terry jumps into the car with her father and heads to the port to find Iris and so starts the journey to Switzerland with the unlikely trio!

A lovely story dealing with a heartbreaking topic, will Terry stop Iris doing what she wants to do or will she learn to understand her friend and what she is dealing with..... but whatever outcome you can guarantee there will be an adventure along the way

When she finds out that her friend Iris has gone missing, Dublin housewife Terry sets out to look for her. Finding out that she is planning to visit a clinic in Switzerland to end her life due to her progressive MS, Terry decides to accompany her. Which would be fine but Iris hates flying and Terry has her father in the car with her, her father who suffers from dementia. Thus begins a road trip like no other, a trip which will end Iris’s life and change Terry’s life irrevocably.
From its slightly off-putting premise, that of a terminally ill person wanting to end their life in an assisted suicide, Geraghty has produced a wildly entertaining road trip story. Often the sheer silliness of the plot makes one forget the profundity of long-term illness, both dementia and ms. That is what works so well, there is a gentle understanding of the nature of disease and the way this reflects on Terry’s life as a woman who lives for her family and her routine yet is given the opportunity to grow. A very clever book.

Wow. What a book. There are some incredibly tough issues broached within this book, the sort of ones where you’d take a sharp intake of breath if someone tried to discuss them with you. We have relationships, secrets, friendships, disability, mental health and ethics all rolled into a book that actually, given all those topics, has quite a sunny disposition.

From the opening lines until the very end and beyond, your heart will be clasped firmly within the grip of the pages of this book. You won’t be able to let go and, if you’re like me, you’ll probably be holding onto the emotions for a long while after you’ve processed the final word.

Terry is a very ordinary, slightly neurotic mother of two, with a father who is suffering from dementia and a husband who takes her for granted. She also has a friend suffering from M.S and so starts the story. Terry discovers accidentally that Iris is planning to go to Switzerland in order to end her life in a euthanasia facility. Shocked, Terry vows to travel with her in order to prevent this from happening. At times this book is very funny as we travel to England, through France and eventually into Switzerland. Terry discovers much about herself, her friend, her family and her father as she does so. No spoilers as to plot but suffice to say that Terry changes forever as a result of her journey. A lovely book and one I’d highly recommend. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC.

I tried several times but couldn’t get into this book, which is a shame as the central premise sounded very promising. Unfortunately, the writing style grated on me too much, as the sentences were so short and choppy. It threw me out of the story constantly and I found myself rewriting it in my head.
Thank you for the chance to review and I am sorry I could not be more positive.

This was a beautiful, sensitive and downright lovely read. It was funny, heart breaking and heart-warming in equal measures. It is about a deep bond of friendship between two women which is tested to breaking point by multiple sclerosis. That may sound a bit dark but it really isn’t. Terry and Iris, along with Terry’s dad, who suffers from dementia are on a road trip from Dublin to a certain clinic in Switzerland. Terry is determined to change Iris’ mind about this being her finally journey in life.

This is a wonderfully crafted book written with empathy, compassion, sensitivity and a lot of insight. The characters are really well drawn and the humour and banter very well described.

I really enjoyed reading Rules of the Road and I highly recommend it.

Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Collins for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This book released a host of emotions. What a difficult subject for such a book. The road trip is bitter sweet with Terry following her friend Iris to talk her out of a trip from Ireland to Switzerland to end her life. A life severely curtailed by progressive MS. And Terry just happens to be accompanied by her dad, who is living with dementia. The story is funny and poignant, and manages to deal with serious issues. Along the way Terry finds herself questioning her quiet life as a stay at home mum. Will she keep her promise not to talk Iris out of her decision? Can a friend sit back and let her loved one end her life? What should have been a tough read was presented sensitively and with pathos and humour. #netgalley #rulesoftheroad

An interesting read. Brought up some tough topics. Bit unsure what benefit bringing the father on the trip brought to the story. But
the book was an enjoyable read

Brilliant. A heartbreaking read. I loved this story. Iris is determined she is going to die in Zurich and Terry is determined to stop her. A beautiful story about love and friendship and enjoying life. Wonderful and definitely worth reading.

Thank you to Netgalley for my copy.

Initially I looked forward to reading this book about Iris who takes off on her way to Dignitas. She wants to do it her way which is why she has just taken off so worrying her friend Terry. She goes off in search of her friend with her father in tow who has dementia. I did enjoy this book when I first began reading it but unfortunately, half way I lost my way. I lost interest and I'm afraid to say that i couldn't finish it. It does deal with important issues such as family responsibilities, friendship and the ethical dilemma but i'm sorry it still couldn't hold my interest. Thank you NetGalley for giving me the chance to read and review this book.

Terry,her father ,who is living with dementia, and her friend Iris are driving through France to Switzerland. Terry isn't a confident driver,especially in a foreign country. Her father who initially taught her to drive offers helpful hints. She copes until Iris goes missing after a huge argument. Iris is asking her to do something which tests the boundaries of friendship. Can Terry find her?

Such a lovey saddening but also uplifting read! A bit of a slow starter, however once it got started I couldn’t put it down!