Very different from Clare's other books but my oh my what a great and emotional read! I couldn't put this down, it grabbed me from the start and pulled me right in! The second half of the book is very clever (without giving anything away!)

Recommended read most definitely

After The End was a totally different book to how Claire normally writes, I found it quite hard to get into. I found the court case quite drawn out and ended up skipping through the pages.

This book has moved me in more ways than I thought possible. My heart broke for the characters in the book; I could not imagine being in their position, facing the choices which Pip and Max must make.

With every chapter, the superbly powerful writing challenged my initial views of the decisions made by the characters. I found that, even when not reading, my thoughts returned to the dilemma encountered in this excellent novel, prompting probing discussions with my partner about what he would doing this situation.

I implore everyone to read this book.

This is very different from her other books - it is not a thriller, however like her other books it is a very good read.

'After the end' describes the heartbreak of a child's terminal illness. The book does not hide from the emotional turmoil when parents are asked the most difficult question - should their child live or die?

The 'sliding doors' approach to the story demonstrates that there are no easy answers and I appreciated that there was no sermonising, or obvious 'right solution'. It is a thoughtful, considered book, which I appreciated even more having read the final Author's Note.

A very enjoyable read! I was very interested in getting my hands on this one after I read the blurb and I am pleased to say that I was not let down.

The story is written very well and the characters are interesting and jump off the page. I would recommend this read!

I enjoyed this book but found it somewhat unwieldy at times. Really sensitive subject matter and handled really well and with much sensitivity.

This book is the definition of bittersweet. Moments in it were heart-breaking, particularly during the first section, dealing with Dylan’s illness. This book will resonate strongly with anyone who has experienced the pain of watching a loved one suffer through terminal illness. Mackintosh clearly describes the grief, guilt, and exhaustion which parents in the PICU must feel every day. At the same time, she shows the bond formed between parents on the ward, and how lifelong friendship can blossom from shared trauma. I particularly liked the little instances of parents helping one another to cope, such as the book of advice (‘the tree outside is a good place to sit and think’). Grief can be a uniting force, even as it separates us from those we love; a force for strength, even in our weakest hours. Despite the upsetting content of the book, examining how partners cope with the loss of a child, the overall mood – especially in the second half – was positive and uplifting. I really appreciate that Mackintosh chose to show both possible paths (to allow Dylan die in hospital or to use experimental medicine to give him a longer life) – it was a very considered decision. Had she chosen one or the other, the tone of the book would have felt sanctimonious, as if she were judging parents who chose the ‘wrong’ option. Instead, by following both options, she demonstrates that there is no easy right/wrong decision. PICU parents are forced to make a choice that no-one should ever have to make, and they must do whatever they think best for their child. Mackintosh shows that some outcomes are inevitable – whichever path Pip and Max choose, bad things will happen, but there can be hope.

I will post a full review nearer the publication date but this is an incredible book. Topical, thought provoking and with great emotional depth, I can’t recommend this enough

I have previously read clare mackintosh and loved them but i just did not enjoy this book. The whole book could have ended after the court case. It dragged on for me and took me much longer to read than any other books as i just was not feeling it. Such a pity as i like this authors previous books..

This was a heartbreaking read and at times I forgot to breathe. The premise appears simple a perfect couple with an ill child. Max and Pip adore one another and their son Dylan, but when Dylan becomes seriously ill what is in his best interest? The chapters are written from three POV, Max, Pip and Dylan’s doctor Leila.
I don’t want to say anymore as it will spoil the magic of the book. All I will say is that you will need tissues and the story will linger longer after you have finished.
Thanks to Sphere and NetGalley for an ARC in return for a honest review.
#AfterTheEnd #NetGalley

Thank you to NetGalley, Little, Brown Book Group UK, Sphere and Clare Mackintosh for my ARC of ‘After The End’ in return for my honest review.

Where do I start? What a read. For me, this was an outstanding novel and I found it impossible to put down. I have read all of Claire Mackintosh’s previous books so am a huge fan anyway and this had clearly made one of my favourite authors.

This one was different for her but, for me, it was the best. Pip and Max were a strong couple who worked out how to deal with their son being in the PICU after having a brain tumour and surgery. The story of the hospital and other children and parents in the ward was vivid and real. It took my breath away at times and I felt for all of them.

Then the crunch time comes when Pip and Max disagree about Dylan’s care moving forward. How it is resolved is intense and heart wrenching. The story up to this point is clear and this is the point all aspects become blurred.

This is where we hear the story as it moves in two different directions. How brilliant and how cleverly written with characters who were amazingly well developed. Read it as I don't want to give away anything.

An absolute must read. Highly recommended.

Max and Pip are spending their lives in the intensive care unit with their small son, Dylan. Dylan has cancer and is very poorly and unless the hospital agree to extensive therapy in another county, death is the only outcome. Max and Pip want different things and this tale follows their paths.

This story was beautiful without being twee. The human pain was heart wrenching and I did well up a few times reading it.

This was such a contrast to Clare’s previous books and until I read the very end I didn’t understand why. Thank you for sharing this book. Thank you to netgalley and the publishers for this arc in exchange for my honest review.

I needed time after finishing this book to get over it. I both loved and hated it for the same reason.
I was expecting a similar style read to the authors previous books. Phycological Crime thriller. This was completely different. It was emotional, thought provoking, and heart wrenching, but beautiful.
Often authors stay true to their usual genre, and this shows that Clare Mackintosh can make any story gripping and relatable.

We follow parents Pip and Max along with their son Dylan through the worst time of their lives – Dylan is in the child’s care unit with a brain tumour. Hes had surgery and treatment and there is light at the end of the tunnel. His mom has left her job and is with him, all day every day, whilst his dad is trying to keep his job – with a boss that’s less than sympathetic, travelling all over the world and not home to spend time with his family as much as he would like.

The doctor that was are following has her mother visiting, who wont leave the house and has a QVC addiction. One morning Leila comes off her bicycle on the morning cycle to work, and is rescued by a paramedic who becomes her friend. He understands her work, her life and how hard the job can be, so when she confides in him it makes the world seem better – just for a while.

By a couple of chapters in you are emotionally involved with this book, and its characters, they feel like people you know and care about. You want things to get better for them, for Dylan to come home and be okay. The second part of the book confused me to start with. But I quickly picked up it follows both Pips choice to let Dylan be at peace, and Max’s to take him to Texas for treatment. The timelines are slightly out and it becomes a sliding doors style book. It allows easy comparison of their lifes, how each decision affected both of them, and what their lives become. It follows the ups and downs, and shows that no matter how much you may believe in your choice, it can bring about regret. Simple things can cause all of your emotions to come to the surface, and you have to manage and control it.

What happens in both versions is devastation, in this story Dylan was never going to survive. It wasn’t medically possible. It shows the toll it can create on a relationship when something like this happens, not just with your partner, but with everyone around you. People change and you learn who your friends really are. The end is a ray of sunshine, Pip gets pregnant again, and it takes time for her to accept it, the fear that comes with it and the guilt is difficult to read – but the ending is beautiful, showing that you can move on, and things can get better, day by day.

I couldn't put down this heartbreaking story of two parents divided over the care of their terminally ill child. This is very cleverly written portrayal of the angst and trauma that two parents had to go through. Thought provoking and emotional, I loved it. Thank you!

Loved, loved, loved it. To begin with it's a little like a Jodie Picoult story - trying to decide what is the right thing to do - morally. But eventually it just becomes a love story of two people and their love for their child. Definitely recommend it. Couldn't put it down.

My goodness. I can see that this is a book which does and will divide opinion. I have worked with parents and pre-school children most of my life and could really feel the pain portrayed in this book concerning the illness of a much loved child. I was gripped and can freely say that this is very well written, at least in the first part. It was a great idea to split the story and continue it telling two accounts following the aftermath of the court case. However it was somewhat confusing to read and personally I found this section less believable and compelling. It would have been improved by the parallel stories being less alike. Easier to follow and with a greater interest to the reader. I would give the first half of the book 5 stars but overall 4.

From twitter.com/karamina

I started reading #AfterTheEnd by
@claremackint0sh
last night and couldn’t stop. It’s an exceptional book, beautifully written and full of humanity and tenderness and love. (And well worth staying up until after 2am to finish...)

I have read and enjoyed all of Clare Mackintosh's previous books and was delighted to receive a copy of her latest book After the End.
This story is unlike any of her other books. This is a story of a family in crises, a sad emotional tale of a terminally ill child and the choice that his parents have to make for his future. A thought provoking story that made me think of what I would do in their shoes.
Thank you to NetGalley and Little, Brown Book Group UK for my e-copy in exchange for an honest review.

I can't imagine the heartache and tears required to write this book. It's based on the author's own experiences I understand and that got me. I didn't know the subject matter before reading the book and I only went on the name of the author,. This is quite an amazing book but it was very very hard to read. If you can cope reading about terminally ill children and hospital appointments then you're stronger than I am. Goodness knows how someone actually goes through this. I can't review this book for many reasons but I am in awe of Clare's strength and that of her family. Much love to them all.

Had I'd known what the subject matter was for this book, I would not have requested to read this. The blurb on the NetGalley page did not mention the terminally ill child at all. I can say that the writing style was very engaging initially and I got into the main characters very quickly and you also get to read the Doctor point of view too.

I did find this story very difficult to read and it makes it even more hard to review when you read that the author has used her own personal experiences to write this book.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for a honest review.