This book is heart-warming and heart-breaking at the same time. The main character has dementia, but that's just part of the story. It focuses on the choices that he and his family made over the years, and how those choices changed what happened to them as a family. It has a though-provoking depth to it, yet it''s a quick read. I felt that during the first read I missed a lot and almost read it again straight afterwards (if I had time I would have done).

Evocative, profound and carefully crafted. We meet Frank and his family in short chapters or flashes, a form the author excels at. Told from the POV of different family members, they focus on key moments of Frank’s life that shine as if surrounded by an aura because they are told with such intensity and lyricism. From a difficult childhood with a violent father to courtship, marriage and deviations and illness, the latter superbly portrayed. Only About Love is an uplifting novel that shows the beautiful imperfection of human experience, embracing our falls and inadequacies in a forgiving act of love. the writing, exquisite and compelling, fully captures the power of memory. Reading this story filled with hope, longing, regret and acceptance was an emotional experience that touched me deeply.
I am grateful to the publisher for an ARC via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Hands down, my favorite Mad Men episode is Season 1 episode 13 “The Wheel.” In this episode lots of things happen but the most memorable part is when Don Draper pitches Kodak’s new film slide carousel. There are so many that have happened in the earlier 12 episodes. You get to know Don. He’s a womanizer, a seducer, someone who is at the top of his game and gets what he wants. But he is rarely sentimental. This episode gives us a glimpse into his more emotional side.

The whole episode he struggles with how to pitch this carousel. How to make it something that every family will need to have. He ends up loading it with his own family photos and, as always, gives an impeccably delivered emotional pitch.

<I>”In Greek, 'nostalgia' literally means 'the pain from an old wound.' It's a twinge in your heart far more powerful than memory alone. This isn't a spaceship, it's a time machine," he says. "It goes backwards and forwards. It takes us to a place where we ache to go again."

"It's not called 'The Wheel,'" he continues. "It's called 'The Carousel.' It lets us travel the way a child travels. Around and around and back home again. A place where we know that you're loved.”<\i>

Sold.

This book reminded me of that episode. Delivered in snapshots of a life. From good, bad, and everything in between, every nostalgic memory that makes life what it is. It is painful, it is funny, it is romantic, and it will break your heart.

Told from varying points of view, this ‘family portrait’ is a journey through live and love.

Thank you to NetGalley for an advance copy of this book.

This was a brilliant snapshot of a man's life and his downward slide into Alzheimer's and the effect on his family. For anyone who's been affected by this terrible disease you'll surely shed a few tears.. I certainly did. Well captured, well written. Sad but a story that needed to be told.

This may be a Novella and so quite short, and yet so much is conveyed in this heartfelt story of one man - Frank, his life, his family, his love for his family and in the early days after his diagnosis, the fear of his illness.

The book has very short chapters, some perhaps only a couple of pages long and yet each one holds a message. Sometimes told from the point of view of his children Dawn and John, others his wife Liz and often Frank himself.

It tells Frank's story, from his early years, cruelly treated by his Father to when he met Liz, his life long wife. Yet as much as Frank loved his wife and his family he just couldn’t help his philandering ways, often putting all that he loved and cherished so much at risk.

It’s a brilliant book but incredibly sad towards the end as his illness takes a hold on everything that Frank ever was. His demise as described by his children - mainly his daughter is heartbreaking to read. It’s wonderfully written, with great sensitivity but at the same time highlights the wretchedness of such a cruel disease that robs families of their loved ones long before they pass away.

A short book, but nevertheless profound in it’s observation of love in its many forms and whilst ultimately very sad, it did have a lighter side in places with humour and fondness. I loved it and highly recommend this book for its honesty and insight - the title says it all.

*I will review on my blog on publication date which I think is 5 August '21 according to Amazon*

Wow! Such a beautiful little book about love, loss, family and the struggles that we face when we love one another deeply and unconditionally. Our main character, Frank, and his family could be any of us. The realities and complexities of life were dealt with time and again, whether they added to Frank's life or took away from it. One thing is certain though, Frank's life was not only about love...it was about decisions and choices made that helped yield the life of love that he yearned for. Thank you NetGalley for this lovely eCopy.