This book is about every parents worst nightmare coming true and then doubling it.  This is the situation Pip and Max find themselves in when their beautiful son, Dylan is diagnosed with a brain tumour at just over two years old.  Unfortunately during surgery to remove the cancer he was left with severe brain damage leaving him unable to ever walk or talk or lead a pain-free life.

When the hospital gives them the impossible decision to either continue treatment to give Dylan a little more time or to provide palliative care, Pip and Max find themselves disagreeing with what is best for their son and now they are fighting each other rather than uniting together.

The story is cleverly told through the points of view of the three main characters; Pip and Max the parents and Leila, the Doctor who is looking after Dylan.  All the characters felt authentic and I found myself completely immersed throughout.

There is so much more I want to say about this book, but after having read the author's note at the end of the book and knowing about her own loss, I can simply say that After The End is a brave and beautifully told story about love, loss, family and grief.  I can't add more because I can't begin to imagine the pain and despair anyone with a terminally ill child goes through and whilst this is a fictional story, the fact that the author drew on her own experiences brings Pip, Max and Dylan to life in a raw and heartbreaking narrative.

After the End by Clare Mackintosh

This is something entirely different from the author. Not a psychological thriller but an emotionally heartbreaking and beautifully written portrayal of how a loving relationship can be turned on its head by the most cruel and distressing of circumstances. Stunning writing from Clare Mackintosh that brings us so close to her characters and we're right there with them, through the best and the worst. A remarkable novel.

Max and Pip are the strongest couple you know. They're best friends, lovers—unshakable. But then their son 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.

What if they could have both?

How do you decide the fate of your child when you don't know what the decision will mean for their future, are you doing it for them or for yourself? This is what Pip and Max are faced with when they are told their 3 year old son, Dylan hasn't got long to live, but he could have with life saving treatment abroad, one parent wants the treatment but the other one doesn't, so now it's for the courts to decide.

This book is so far from the author's usual genre, which I've loved, so I wasn't sure what I'd think of this one, but I need not have worried because she got it spot on. It's a book packed with raw emotion due, I imagine, to the fact that the author has experienced this heart-wrenching ordeal herself and she has executed this beautifully within this book. I cannot begin to imagine what this would feel like, even though I have family members that have lost a child, until you experience it yourself you can't even come close to knowing how it would affect you. I must say I was a bit confused at first part way through the book but as soon as I realised what was happening I settled back into it and it all made sense. I know many people don't read the acknowledgements but it's definitely worth reading to the end of this book where you will find a personal note from the author telling you of her experience in this.

I'd like to thank Little Brown Book Group and Netgalley for the auto approval, I will post my review on Goodreads and Amazon.

Absolutely heartbreaking, you can tell that the author is deeply invested emotionally and reading her author's note at the back confirms this.
An emotional roller coaster that is beautifully and respectfully written, with alternating viewpoints between the two parents of poor Dylan. Max and Pip are multilayered and sympathetically portrayed, it's impossible to chose a side.
Definitely different from her usual crime thrillers, but recognisable by the twists and turns that will keep you on the edge of your seat.

I don’t want to say too much..... but what a great read! A complete departure from the authors previous crime led thrillers, but my goodness she can certainly turn her hand to another “ genre”.
Clearly a topic so dear to her own heart, the story and voices are truly authentic, but in true Mackintosh style she gets us half way through a book and brings out the unexpected. I’ll say no more.....
Incredibly moving, very emotional, told with true passion and understanding for the subject matter. Deserves to be a huge success.

An exceptional novel to make you think, to make you realise that there is often no such thing as the 'right' decision, to make you understand that hindsight may be a powerful thing, but even then you don't always get all the answers. A book that will stay with you for a very long time.

I don't even know where to start with a review at the moment - reading this so early gives me the opportunity to not have to say too much as yet so nearer publication I will attempt to write a full review and make it count.

I can't even begin to imagine what it took to write this but After The End is incredible. Just that. The sheer weight of emotion in it is astounding, beautiful even in heartache and it offers a perspective and ultimately a choice for the reader that makes you think, really think about the toughest life choices.

Probably one thing that should be said, just because of expectations, is that "After The End " is not a psychological thriller, it's not like anything you will have read from Clare before - but this is a book that brings right to the forefront, her amazing talent, her ability to vividly show all the light, the dark, the nuance of human emotion. It is incredibly personal and touches your soul on the most basic level.

I won't forget this one.