I really enjoyed this book. Taz is a strong character who's been through a lot, and Daniel has been through a lot of it with her. They are from quite different backgrounds but it hasn't really made a difference until now, when they face tragedy.

The pace is this book is leisurely, but this fits the plot perfectly, and it's an engaging read.

Captivating and very real, with beautiful settings, it's a compelling read.

The Things That Matter is a beautifully written story about a woman who struggles with her past and must face it in order to move forward. Natasha dislikes her present life and wants things to go back the way they were when her and her husband were younger. Now they're in their thirties and her husband Dan is more worried about impressing his family than his own wife's needs. Natasha goes on a journey to discover her past, what really happened and finds new family along the way.

I found the Things That Matter to be a very endearing read. It should be noted first that this novel covers several topics that might be triggering and include: infertility, the death of a child, manslaughter, domestic violence and mental illness. Taz and Dan have been together since they were fifteen. Dan was the golden child and Taz came from a complicated past, but together, they have everything. For ten years, they combat England with a very “us against the world” attitude and are blissfully happy. Present day finds Dan working as an investment banker and their marriage trying to keep up to the boasting circle of friends that they now have. Taz is reeling from a recent tragedy and when her estranged mother contacts her, Taz ventures 500 miles to Scotland to face her past. I adored the town members that Taz finds in the Scottish Highlands, the quaint town and working farm that Taz finds herself on. This novel tackles a lot of heavy details and it was genuinely a tough read. But, the relationships and writing kept me going and rooting for Taz all along the way. I highlighted several lines throughout the novel and overall enjoyed it tremendously.

A sincere thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Taz and Dan are two people from entirely different backgrounds, yet fate set them on a life journey together.
She comes from the local estate, living with her alcoholic father, and abandoned by her own mother.
He hails from a wealthy family, with the world at his feet. One event changes both their lives. and made this book gripping for me.

The Things That Matter by Andrea Michael. provides the ideal balance of finding second chances, giving forgiveness, personal growth, and providing hope. Taz is a true survivor of a horrific childhood and yet she manages to pull her life together despite overwhelming obstacles. Much is due to Dan, a survivor of a childhood full of all things material with no love to spare.

Dan and Taz find their way to each other and despite their brokenness begin to find healing. Unfortunately, not all is easy for these two. Multiple unspeakable tragedies and challenges occur that lead Dan and Taz to be separated against their will, Taz ends up in a vastly new geographic location and the growth that occurs for her is a testament to the resiliency of her amazing spirit.

The redemptive journey will take you on an emotional high and unexpected lows. Be prepared to carve out some time, this is a book you will finish in one day and then think about long after, I would be remiss if I did not mention that this book has lovable characters, including animals and especially Aunt Kit who help lighten the tone. You will absolutely love this book and will find strength from their example to never stop hoping for a brighter future.

Michael provided the perfect blend to keep the reader entertained and characters that will not be soon forgotten. I was provided a free advance reader copy from Harper Collins UK, One a more Chapter in exchange for my honest review on Net Galley. The opinions shared in this review are my own.

My thanks to #Netgalley and #HarperCollinspublishers for allowing me to review this book.

I absolutely loved it. A light feel good read with a happy ending. It has just enough to make you think of consequences, self guilt and sacrifice, but tempered with a touch of humour.
Highly recommended.

I really enjoyed this book. It was an interesting book full of different situations life sometimes throws at us, which made it really relatable.

There were characters that found infuriating (Dan's mum and Taz's mum), they were just so selfish. There were also characters that I loved, I think Kit, Taz and Sarah were my favourites.

Part way through the book I got really choked up when Sarah told the story of the bird, I just wasn't expecting it. I'm glad Taz went up to Scotland because things were put into perspective for her.

Dan and Taz go through so much together all the way through you're hoping they stay together and live life for themselves and noone else.

Heartbreaking and Heartwarming in equal measure. Loved it.

'The Things That Matter' is a moving and poignant story about heartbreak, family dynamics, how the nature of your childhood leaves a lasting impact upon how you live your life, and trying to move on after loss. The romance between Taz and Dan is tender yet raw, beautiful and thought provoking. Andrea Michael doesn't shy away from writing about the things that matter to so many of us and she does so with emotion, realism and panache. A 5 star read!!!

This was beautifully written and heartfelt. I felt like I actually knew the characters and the details of their lives. Good read, would definitely recommend.

A moving story that tackles subjects like shame, guilt, mental illness and domestic violence in a way that demonstrates the complexity of families affected by such.

Taz loves her husband Dan very much. But she's living a life she never wanted. And she's convinced herself that he only stays with her out of duty.

When her estranged mother writes after many years, she leaves for Scotland, and stays with her aunt Kit (who she never knew she had). Kit is fierce, no nonsense and fully there for Taz in a way nobody ever has been before.

Visiting her mother reveals layers of lies and deceptions but it also frees her from the burden of guilt she's carried for so long.

A charismatic and rich tale of family and friends who become family, and one that gives hope.

The Things That Matter is a beautiful and emotive read, that really captures the reader's heart and soul and has them fully invested in the journey the characters in it go on,

The Things That Matter is a very well written book. A story of teen friends who stand up for each other through adversity and find love in adulthood. A very good read.

The emotional life journey of Taz and Dan. So different from each other as children but so there for each other. Lots of emotions in this story. Loved the characters and their life together. Not easy, but worth it.

This was a great read. So different and very gripping. I really enjoyed the way it was written. My thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for giving me the opportunity to read this book in return for an honest review.

I didn't love this, but didn't dislike this one. It just never really piqued my interest and I felt my mind wandering.

I had a hard time getting into this book. It seemed to really drag in the first half, but once I got to the second half I really enjoyed the story line. The story touched upon many delicate topics in a very sensitive way.

Thank you to Netgalley, One More Chapter, and Andrea Michael for a gifted copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I absolutely LOVED this book! I actually hadn’t planned on reading it as the cover is not one that draws me in, but I was very happy to be asked to read a copy! What a great story! This story centres around love and figuring out those things in life that matter the most, and it has a big focus on financial disparities and how people who have less money and therefore live a different lifestyle are viewed as “less than” by those who have more.

I really enjoyed watching Taz’s journey and witnessing all of the joy, lessons, and discomfort she experienced in leading to the eventual fate of her life and her story. Following along with her really enables the reader to mistrust other characters we meet, and gives a feeling of uncertainty when new people or events are involved. The author writes in such a way that the reader is truly brought into the story, and it feels as though you are right there with Taz and David and the rest of the quirky cast.

Can not wait to read this one again as I can see it being a multiple reread story ❤️

Andrea Michael is a new author for me but one I will be definitely keeping an eye on. An emotional and thought provoking read. One which will keep you thinking about it long after you’ve finished. Taz and Dan are childhood sweethearts. Both are from different worlds and shouldn’t work. Something major happens while they are still teenagers and it pushes them even closer together. I really loved this book.

This Author is new to me, but definitely one whose books I will be reading again.
This is a very emotional read, very poignant and it makes you think about it after you have found reading it.
I like the message about how money doesn't always lead to happiness, and can't buy you everything. I think that this is important in what can be a very materialistic society.
It was also good how Taz and Dan also became friends despite being from different ends of society, one poor, one rich. This book is very thought provoking about society as a whole.
Thank you to Netgalley and the Publisher for my ARC.

Do you ever read a book that just really speaks to you and leaves you thinking about it a LOT even after you’ve finished it? That is what The Things That Matter did for me. This book really touched me and I felt incredibly emotional while, and after, reading it.

This is a moving and poignant tale of finding yourself in the wake of heartbreak, perfect for fans of Amanda Prowse and Susan Lewis.

I love books that cover family relationships and turmoil, books about sensitive or controversial topics, books about the bonds of love that bring people together. I love books that grip and affect me, that carry me on an emotional rollercoaster journey, leaving me feeling exhilarated and satisfied at the end. That is how I felt with The Things That Matter. Maybe it is because I, too, have experienced miscarriages and the myriad of emotions surrounding them. Or maybe because I, too, have lost perspective and have taken my husband and other family members and friends for granted when things in life are rough and rocky. Or maybe because I, too, have dealt with loved ones inflicted with Alzheimer’s. Or maybe it is all of the above.

Miscarriages are HARD to get over and get past. I didn’t have the background that Taz did but I could still emphasize with her. Everyone needs time to get over it, if you really ever do, and that amount of time is different for everyone. I hated when people said or hinted that it was time to move on. I hated seeing or being with people for a long time, even family members who I love. I only wanted to be with and see my husband. He knew what I needed and wanted and he fully supported me. I could relate to a lot of what she went through.

Like Taz, I was able to clear my head by escaping from my every day life and travel abroad for work. I was able to walk the city of Paris and do a lot of soul-searching, I was able to reflect and dig deep into my mind, my heart, and really think about life and what I wanted out of it next. I also was able to come home feeling a stronger appreciation of myself, my family, and my friends. I came home feeling at peace.

Having spent my wonderful honeymoon in Scotland, I was thrilled to read about this beautiful land and be brought back in memory while reading this. The author captured the scenery, the people, the life just perfectly and accurately. Oh how I wish I could go back!

There is so much more to this book that I loved, there is so much more that it is about, but to summarize, this is a moving and emotional read that I highly recommend.

Andrea Michael is a new author for me and I am a fan! I truly enjoyed reading The Things That Matter and have added her other books to my TBR list.

#thethingsthatmatter #netgalley #omcreads