This book is both heartwarming and heartbreaking in equal measure. I started off thinking it would be a lovely story about Bronté, but everything shifts in a brief moment—and suddenly I’m just as wrapped up in Maggie’s story too. Their journeys are so cleverly intertwined, and I felt completely absorbed, as if I were right there with them. I didn’t want this book to end! A beautifully written, emotionally rich read.

I have to say this is one of the most emotional and inspiring books I've ever read. Without giving spoilers, this is a story of love, loss, hope and despair in equal measures. It follows the story of Maggie and spam between her summer of travelling as a young woman in 2000 up to the present day. As I said, I don't want to give anything away, but there is such emotion in this book, both happy and sad, coupled with bravery and doing things outside of your comfort zone. There is also lots of travel, and the descriptions of the places visited, make me want to visit. It is a lovely read from start to finish.

This was such a lovely story. I learnt so many things about countries across the world and I definitely want to visit some of them in the future! Mum’s gap year should be an actual thing!

Read and reviewed in exchange for a free copy from NetGalley. This book was utterly exquisite. Maggie was an engaging narrator, and Bramley delivered a beautiful, moving, heartwarming, and heartbreaking exploration of grief and love. Ultimately hopeful, Maggie's travels were charted vividly, completely immersing the reader in her world and investing them in her story. Bramley's books are great, and I can't wait to read the next.

I always feel privileged to be able to read a book written by Cathy Bramley prior to publication, it feels special to be allowed a sneaky peek at another wonderful story, well written, thought provoking, and emotional, which this was. I have read all of her books from the start of her writing career and you can see how over time her stories have expanded with different emotions and something I look forward to reading each year.
This time we are taken on a journey that no mother wishes to take, but we see how Maggie's grief is funnelled into good memories and adventures and how stepping into her daughter Brontes shoes and her gap year book, she can see there world through her eyes and the adventure she wanted to have before settling down to work.
A beautiful story.

I enjoyed this book and enjoyed all the characters unfortunately I did not like the ending of this book as I guessed what would happene halfway through the book, I wish the author all the best with the book and thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book

The premise of this book in itself is a tearjerker but actually there's much more that is life-affirming and hopeful about this story that I encourage anyone, ESPECIALLY those who have experienced loss and grief, to read it.
There's a familiar tug between work and "life" experienced by the main character that I feel many people, particularly women in their 40s, can relate to and though we may all not have the resources to travel, we certainly would like to, and this book opens up this escapism to do so. The wonderful and hilarious moments of experience that travelling brings is captured perfectly and I think reading about Nepal, Australia and Bali alone was captivating.
The "journey" the main character goes on through grief as well as deep-rooted family and career tangles is a second branch of this story that is equally as important and interesting. Discovering what really matters and what options we have ties into the stages of life we all experience and the forks in the road that bring change and uncertainty but also gifts.
Another wonderful and beautiful book by Cathy Bramley who is one of my "must-buy" authors every time.

This was such an emotional read — heartbreaking and heartwarming all at once. After the sudden loss of her daughter Bronte, Maggie’s journey to retrace her daughter's gap year was incredibly moving. Reading about the places she visited and the people she met along the way made the story feel so real and powerful.

I loved how the journal guided Maggie through her grief and helped her reconnect not only with Bronte’s world, but with herself and her past. The way she created the memories Bronte never got to have was written beautifully. And the rekindled love story with Jono? So touching.

I read the last few chapters while sitting in the airport, and I’m not kidding—there were actual tears. I had to hold it together or risk looking like the emotional stranger crying at the gate!

A beautiful, bittersweet story. Thank you NetGalley for the download

This was a beautiful read. So well written and Maggie as the main character was fantastic. I’d recommend reading this to anyone.

Cathy Bramley is a go to author for me and this latest book is a beautiful, heartbreaking but uplifting and powerful story of grief and loss. Maggie’s Mums Road Trip in honour of her late daughter Brontë helps her make new friends and reconnect with her past whilst dealing with her loss and learning to live and love again. Beautiful, moving and emotional, a really special book.

A beautiful story of how a mother copes with her grief following her daughter's death. She follows her planned gap ear, giving the reader a travelogue of Nepal, Australia and Bali. Wonderful reading, I couldn't put it down.

Lauren is living in Spain with her son Sam.
Hope is a therapist, happily married with a so Sam but he is missing and police tell her Sam is living in Spain with Lauren, but Lauren can prove Sam is her's and Hope can prove Sam is her's, but who is telling the truth?
It's difficult to find out the truth so it keeps you wondering who is telling the truth so keeps you wondering all the way through, a great read definitely recommend.
Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC and I give my honest review

If you’re a fan of Race Across the World this book will tickle your fancy. Be prepared for tears though because this is a story loss, grief and new beginnings. Maggie suffers the indescribable death of her daughter who was just about to go in gap year travels. She copes by driving herself to work harder. Forced to take a break before breaks Maggie takes her daughter’s journal and vows to fulfill Bronte’s dream of travel.
At times funny and also unbearably sad this novel shows a way forward through grief, a way to make a fitting memorial for the life lost. It’s not a task to undertake lightly.

This is a fabulous book. I loved following Maggie on her travels as she tries to find her way again following the sudden death of her beloved daughter.
Emotional and uplifting, I couldn't put it down.
A great summer read. Highly recommended!

As always a absolute stunning book by Cathy! I devoured this in one sitting, there was so many different emotions attached to this one story it had be sobbing and laughing! I absolutely loved following the main character on her mum gap year and felt the places she visited perfectly described, i felt i was there!

A fantastic read. I loved following Maggie on her travels, bringing places to life as she discovers (or rediscovers) the places and herself.

Maggie's daughter Bronte was tragically killed at the young age of twenty-three. Maggie is finding it hard to come to terms with, especially as she didn't want her to give up a new job to go back packing for a year.
Forced to take a sabbatical from her job, Maggie decides to open Bronte's gap year journal and take herself on her travels.
This was quite an emotional read. I did find myself crying at times, so be warned and armed with tissues!
Maggie visits some amazing places. Nepal, where she meets the wonderful Tiff. Then, onto the Blue Mountains of Australia, where she has a little romance and then finally to Bali. The final destination is where she can talk about her grief with the one person who will understand.
Cathy writes with such depth and humanity.
I felt I was on the journey with Maggie. There are definitely some places I want to visit, and you can tell that Cathy has also been here too. Beautiful locations.
Thanks to Netgalley and Orion Publishing for the ARC in return for an honest review.

This book is a truly special read. It’s a rollercoaster of emotions – heart-wrenching, heartwarming, funny, sad, romantic, and exciting – all rolled into one. You won’t want to put it down, let alone finish it. It’s a fabulous journey of self-discovery born from one of the most devastating life events. This book surpassed any reservations or expectations I had and has transcended into one of the best books I’ve read this year. Enjoy it, savour it, and bask in the joy!

Thank you, Netgalley.

I adore Cathy Bradley book, this is not one to disappoint, you just can’t put this down and her writing is always fantastic, immersive and engaging. An emotional read, heartfelt, but also heartwarming, a story about overcoming grief, loss and new beginnings, beautifully done.

This book deals with grief and one mothers struggle with it after losing her 23 year old daughter,

Maggie had brought up Brontë on her own and poured all her love and energy into her. When she is taken away from her in a tragic accident, Maggie is left feeling devastated.

Brontë had planned on taking a gap year to travel with her boyfriend Harry , something her mother was unsure off but now all that’s left is her beautifully illustrated notebook full of her travel plans .

Maggie struggles at work and with an unexpected paid break from work she decides to take the gap year herself , using Bronte’s notebook as her guide.

The story has dual timelines. Present day and 24 years ago when Maggie was working in a turtle sanctuary in Bali, falling for handsome Jackson who was her daughter’s father.

This book explores grief in a very emphatic way. Finding purpose after losing a loved one is difficult and as we travelled with Maggie we could see how she was growing, focusing on celebrating her daughter’s memory. We all struggle with the small stuff and this book made me think of the fragility of life and the importance of taking chances and valuing the important people in my life.

Heartbreaking and heartwarming in equal measures I really enjoyed this book