Category: Book Reviews (Page 1 of 2)

This girls loves a good psychological thriller…and author, Iliana Xander, certainly delivered!  I had not heard of this author before discovering this book that had me hooked from beginning to end.  Of course, I had to research Iliana only to discover that there are currently two books published….I just LOVE finding a new author….don’t you?  Let’s dive into Love, Mom ~ A Book Review with study questions too if you are going to read for a book club!

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Love, Mom: A fast-paced psychological thriller with several twists

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12/16/2025 09:06 am GMT

CHARACTERS IN “LOVE, MOM” ~

• Mackenzie Casper – protagonist
• Elizabeth (Lizzie) Casper – author and mom to Mackenzie
• Ben Casper – wife to Elizabeth and father to Mackenzie
• Evelyn Casper – grandmother of Mackenzie
• Laima Roth – Elizabeth’s agent
• EJ – Mackenzie’s best friend
• Professor Robertson –  instructor
• Tonya Shaffer – resident in group home with Elizabeth
• Monica – EJ’s ex-girlfriend
• Minna – maid to the Casper family
• Dr. Pecora – Elizabeth’s therapist
• Mrs. Cavendish – elderly lady cared for by Tonya
• Grunger – super of Elizabeth’s building in earlier years
• Dianne Jacobsen – housekeeper at group home
• Garret – Ben’s friend
• John Robertson – worked at coffee shop
• Detective Jiminez – detective

A QUICK NOTE OF DISCOVERY ~

I love to include most to all of the characters in my review in hopes that it helps you, my reader, to refer back to at any time you are in question of particular names.  I feel this is helpful while reading (if there are a lot of characters) and also it serves as a great reference during book club discussions.  Interestingly enough, this is the first time in doing this that as I listed all of the characters I found most of them to relate to Elizabeth Casper, instead of the protagonist.  Just a thought I wanted to share.

PLOT ~

Mackenzie’s mom, Elizabeth (Lizzy), dies in a questionable accident.  She struggles to understand why she can’t feel like she is adquately mounring the loss of her mother.  She’s always had somewhat of a distant relationship with her…but it’s her mom…and she just died!  Shouldn’t she be feeling more pain about this loss?

Not long after her death, Mackenzie starts receiving letters in an envelope labeled From #1 fan  XOXO.  Each is signed Love, Mom.  While she (along with us readers) is very anxious to figure out who is hand delivering these letters, she is also enjoying getting to know her mom better through them.  These letters are actually from her mother’s journal, many written from when her mother was pregnant with her.

As Mackenzie, alongside her friend EJ, dives further into her mother’s past, they both start realizing that Lizzy’s first #1 Best Seller Lies, Lies & Revenge is actually written about her own life.  Deep family secrets emerge that Mackenzie was never aware of.  Secrets starting from the group home, Keller Foster Care, and moving on through the years from there.  As stated in the book, “Sometimes to understand your present, you have to look into the past.”  Buckle up my friends….it’s going to be a fun ride!

Check out this unique gift idea from TheHeartFilledHome for all of your favorite readers!  What an absolutely unique and clever idea by TheHeartFilledHome!

CONCLUSION ~

While there were some slow spots in this book, I very much enjoyed all of the twists and turns along the way.  Just when you thought you read the last twist, along came another one.  I enjoyed the relationships formed and also felt anger at the ones that were plain evil.  Each person introduced had a well formed relationship to the overall story.  Author, Iliana Xander, has another book, “Man of the Year,” which I am looking forward to reading as well when it comes out June 2025!  You can preorder with the link below:

Man of the Year: A gripping psychological thriller packed with twists

$3.99

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12/16/2025 04:02 am GMT

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS ~

(Warning:  Spoilers in the following questions)

1. Lizzy Casper, famous autor, slips and hit her head on a rock, killing her.  Did you find this plausible or did you question it from the beginning?
2. What are your feelings on Ben Casper, husband?  Is he to be trusted?
3. Someone desecrated one of Lizzy Caspers photos, was this a publicity stunt by the PR firm or is it someone that was stalking her?
4. What were your first thoughts about who was hand delivering the mysterious letters?
5. Did your opinion change regarding question #4 as you got deeper into the book?
6. Have you “idolized” what you thought was a perfect family at any time in your life only to find out later they were very dysfunctional as the Casper family turned out to be?
7. Mackenzie was brutally hurt by 3 boys.  Should she retaliate?  Did she retaliate?
8. She receives a note saying “I know what you did to those 3 boys in the barn?  How do you think you would have reacted to the letter….challenged the person regarding what they knew or try to sweep it under the rug?
9. In Letter #4 it states, “Sometimes I wonder what it would be like to kill my boyfriend like I do in my books?”  Did you believe or not believe she had actually performed this act when you first read it?
10. Do you think a large percentage of fictional stories stem from real life events or no?
11. Has there ever been a book that resonated strongly with you that you wondered if it had actually stemmed from a real life event?  Which book was it?
12. Did you think we would meet Tonya’s baby that was given up for adoption at any point in the book?  Was there a specific character you believed might be him if you did think so?
13. This story had several good twists.  Which one were you most surprised by?  Which one did you guess early on?
14. What were your thoughts on Tonya early on in the book?  Did those thoughts change after finishing?
15. When Ben Casper first runs into Professor Robertson later in the book, did you suspect anything at that moment?
16. An entry was written, “You know what’s worse than murder?  Burying someone alive.”  What are your thoughts on how this took place in Love, Mom by Iliana Xander?
17. The final letter….OMG!  Did you expect this?  (Let me refresh your memory…”Maybe, just maybe, and please forgive me for this my beautiful girl, but maybe Ben has nothing to do with you at all.  Love, Mom

I hope you enjoy this book as much as I did.  As always, I would love for you to drop your thoughts in the comments below.  A good book discussion is always enjoyed!

Happy reading my friends ~

Mimi

When I saw this book on Amazon First Reads, I kept asking myself, “Have I read any J. T. Ellison books?”  Her name sounded familiar, but a quick check proved that I had not read any…..now I’m asking myself, “WHY haven’t I read any J. T. Ellison books?”  Oh my goodness, I’ve read quite a few books this month, but this is the first one I have reviewed because I LOVED it!  Let’s talk about A Very Bad Thing ~ A Book Review!

The synopsis starts with this sentence:  A great writer knows when to deliver a juicy plot twist.  But for one author, the biggest twist of all is her own murder….ok, you got me!  I’m ready to sink my teeth into this juicy story!  The characters are introduced and come to life before your very eyes.  Some I liked right off…others not so much!

DISCLOSURE: This site contains product affiliate links for Amazon and other companies. We may receive a commission if you make a purchase after clicking on one of these links.  Thank you for supporting my small business!

A Very Bad Thing by J.T. Ellison

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12/16/2025 10:03 am GMT

Characters in A Very Bad Thing ~

• Columbia Jones – Author and protagonist
• Darian Jones – Columbia’s daughter & publicist
• Riley Carrington – Staff writer for East Fifth Magazine
• Maisie Carrington – Sister of Riley
• Mason Bader – Columbia’s bodyguard
• Ruby Erickson – Organizer of events
• Mary Preston – Head of publishing house
• Oliver – Lawyer & Riley’s boyfriend
• Nick – Riley’s boss
• Detective Sutcliffe – Denver Police
• Yvonne Maxwell-Dodd – Darian’s grandma in England
• Kira Hutchinson – Bakery Owner
• Luke Hutchinson – Kira’s husband and runs the ranch
• Karastan – House manager
• Dr. Vanessa Duran – Lead medical examiner
• Rami – Works front desk at Riley’s building
• Knox Shepherd – Convicted of 2nd degree murder
• Emily Shepherd – Knox’s wife
• Tamsin Shepherd – Daughter of Knox & Emily
• Devon Mears – Abused wife
• Benjamin Mears – Devon’s husband
• Victor Guul – Lifelong attorney for Columbia
• Liam Reeves – Columbia & Riley’s IT guy – Owner of 49 Spiders
• Skye Abbott – Private Investigator
• Vonda West – Client from Vic’s firm

Thriller Book Gifts Thriller Candle Funny Decor Book Lover Gift for Her Reading Avid Reader Bookish True Crime Book Club Gift

$24.99

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09/10/2025 10:00 am GMT

What Led To Columbia’s Demise ~

Columbia Jones is a New York Times Best Selling Author.  Her current book, Ivory Lady, is not only another hit, but has a movie deal already in the works.  On the last leg of her book tour, everyone notices that she pauses as a man stands in the crowd.  Who is this mysterious man and does he have anything to do with Columbia being found dead the next morning?

As each character is developed, we find ourselves wondering, is this the person that is guilty of murder?  Then this line is read from Columbia’s own handwriting, “If you’re reading this,it’s because my sins have caught up to me.”  Columbia was a very loved author…what sins could possibly make someone want to murder her.  Was it indeed murder?

New & Old Relationships ~

Suddenly, new people are entering the scene, from the reporter hired to write about Columbia to the fans that are part of the VIP experience that get to meet her face to face.  Let’s not forget about the stalker.  But is it one of these “newbies” or is it someone that has been a part of Columbia’s life all along?  Columbia has skeletons in her closet that leaves numerous people with reason to want her out of the picture.

The Will Is Changed ~

Anytime a will is changed secretly it always leads to speculation…this is no different.  Darian is confused and angry.  Letters start being delivered regarding the reading of the will.  Why is Darian, the only daughter, just now learning about the revision and who are all of these people being invited to the reading?

Conclusion ~

This book had me reeling until the very end!  I was a bit confused at first when the murderer comes to light and there were still so many pages left in the book…..hmmm!

Discussion Questions ~

1. Who all did you feel had a motive to kill Columbia?
2. The Dedication in her book, Ivory Lady, states:  to J.C.  It’s all because of you.  Did you figure out who this was before the end of the book?
3. Riley’s notebook is stolen and a note is left in it to call a specific number and make sure she is alone, who did you think this was from at the point this happened.  Were you surprised nothing was stolen?
4. What were your thoughts when you learned there was a conflict of interest with Oliver?
5. Did you feel the story in the draft of Legacy was giving facts about Columbia’s earlier life?
6. The manager had requested Detective Sutcliffe.  What was the manager’s connection to all of this?
7. What are your thoughts on all of the videos being tampered with in every location?
8. A package is delivered to Kira’s dad’s house… what were your thoughts when you first read about this?
9. Was it right in your eyes that Benjamin Mears was killed?
10. Luke didn’t elaborate to Kira about getting “last minute tickets” to the VIP experience.  Would you have discussed this with your spouse beforehand if you found this a little sketchy?
11. Riley always feels slighted by her mother over preference to Maisie.  Do you feel this is a common feeling for adopted children?
12. What are your thoughts on Knox Shepherd getting more time in jail than Devon Mears?
13. What is Liam’s connection to Columbia?  Did he have sufficient reason to be angry with her?
14. Going back to the reading of the will being moved to Maine, on an island…what were your thoughts at that point about who the guilty party was?
15. Who wrote more of Columbia’s books….Columbia herself or her daughter Riley?
16. How did Columbia know that her life was about to end?
17. Who was your favorite character?
18. Were there any characters that you changed your opinion about as the book unraveled?
19. At what point did you figure out who all were daughters of Columbia?
20. Did the final twist at the end surprise you?

More Good Reads ~

Below are some other books that I have read and enjoyed…check them out!

The Collected Regrets of Clover by Mikki Brammer

When you come to the end of your life, which of these do you think will resonate with you the most:

1. REGRETS – There are things you wish you would have done differently.
2. ADVICE – There are some great things you have learned along the way that you feel are important to share.
3. CONFESSIONS – There are secrets you kept that you feel you should finally reveal.

Never Have I Ever by Joshilyn Jackson

What happens when you have two strong willed women who are more alike than either of them wants to admit?  This is a question author Joshilyn Jackson used as the basis of the current book of our book club.  Book selections have been awesome lately, as I am giving a rating of 5 out of 5 for the second time in a row!  Are you curious why?  Dive into my latest book review of Never Have I Ever by Joshilyn Jackson.

Have you read A Very Bad Thing by J.T. Ellison?  I would love to discuss it further with you.  Put your comments in the section below and let’s talk!

Happy Reading My Friends ~

Mimi

I never excelled in history….I just wasn’t that person that enjoyed the subject much.  Maybe this is why I enjoy historical fiction so much now…to catch up on everything I missed in a “story-like” fashion vs. just memorizing the facts.  Kristin Hannah stated in her interview that she wanted to wait until she was a more established writer to write about The Vietnam War.  The country was divided about the war so she wanted to be ready to present it well.  The Women is the end result and came together fantastically.

The Women: A Novel

$14.99

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12/16/2025 07:01 pm GMT

The Characters ~

There are a number of characters introduced throughout the entire story of The Women.  I have listed the ones that seem to have the most impact on Frankie’s life.

• Frances (Frankie) McGrath – nursing student from wealthy family
• Finley McGrath – Frankie’s brother
• Bette McGrath – Frankie’s mother
• Connor McGrath – Frankie’s father
• Rye Walsh – Finley’s best friend
• Patty Perkins – Surgical nurse
• Major Goldstein – Chief nurse
• Ethel Flint – ER nurse, Frankie’s hooch mate
• Barb Johnson ~ Surgical nurse, Frankie’s hooch mate
• Jamie Callahas – Surgical doctor
• Captain Ted Smith – Doctor
• Slim & Coyote – Seawolves
• Rob Aldean – Doctor
• Harry “Hap” Dickerson – Doctor
• “Gasman” – Nurse anesthesist
• Sharlene – Nurse
• Margie Sloan – Frankie’s hooch mate
• Captain Mark Morse – Doctor
• Stan – Rye’s dad
• Becky – Frankie’s high school friend

“Women Can Be Heroes!” ~

Frankie comes from a wealthy family that believes women have their place in the home while men go off to war.  She never considered anything else until the words, “women can be heroes too” were stated to her in a conversation.  These very words are what drove her to enlist as an Army nurse.  Craving to be near her brother, who had already left for war, her naivete led her to believe she could serve near him and make her family proud as well.

Was Frankie’s Training Sufficient ~

Undeterred by the fact that other branches of the military did not find her skilled enough, Frankie continued on her mission to serve until the Army finally said yes.  In hindsight, maybe the other branches were right….or were they?  She was quickly thrown into a world of life and death for more soldiers than she ever expected, not to mention the gore she witnessed.  She rapidly becomes a seasoned trauma nurse, learning quickly and efficiently from more seasoned nurses and doctors.  Sometimes lives were saved….other times she held hands and chattered to the soliders until their hands went lifeless in hers.

With people enlisting at different times, doctors and nurses were constantly replacing those that had already served their time.  This only added to the continued confusion in the hospital as there was always time needed for the new staff to adjust to the horrific scenes they witnessed on a daily basis.

Living In The Chaos ~

In the midst of all the chaos and depression, the Army staff found some time to unwind.   It is not unusual that relationships, both friend and intimate related, consumed these very small snippets of time that they had to be “normal.”   Frankie had read the handbook and tried to remain professional as the rules stated, but she turned the heads of several different men.  Knowing that any of them may not live to see another day only escalated the strong feelings they had for each other.

The friendships forged through the chaos are deeper than any relationships she had made through her socialite life back home.  Romantically speaking, Frankie’s heart is constantly challenged as she develops deep feelings for different staff members, not ever knowing for sure if they are married or not.

Was Enlisting Worth It? ~

Just when you think Frankie has experienced more tragedies than any one person should face, you learn about the hate that is spewed at her because so many people are rioting against the war.  Her life was at risk every….single….day and then to have to ask herself, “Was it worth it?”

Reconnecting with those who survived is the only way Frankie can continue on.  Sometimes is it enough though?  PTSD is a very real thing and each person finds a different way to combat it as best they can.  Yet even through the reacquainting into “normal” life, Kristin Hannah keeps the plot twists coming.

The Women by Kristin Hannah, A Book Review ~

Hannah does an extraordinary job of putting you in the scene.  Her descriptive manner both of the people and the surroundings make you feel as if you are right next to Frankie.  Whether in the makeshift hospital rooms that many times are without light to the helicopter rides while being shot at, to the rare occasions they are enjoying music and downtime by the water, you will feel that you are right there too!  It’s a hard call because I have loved every book I have read by Hannah, but I believe The Women has risen to my favorite!

Discussion Questions ~

1. Have your thoughts on war changed or stayed the same after reading The Women by Kristin Hannah?
2. Do you think Frankie’s thoughts of meeting up with her brother in Vietnam were unrealistic?
3. Did you learn anything new about the Vietnam war from reading this book?
4. Did Frankie’s nurse duties surprise you?
5. Do you feel there should be a difference in nursing during a war vs. nursing during dad to day life?
6. Were the views of Frankie’s parents reasonable regarding her going to war?
7. Compare and contrast Frankie’s love interests?
8. Is the friendship with Barb and Ethel stronger than friendships made during “normal” life?
9. Did the system fail Frankie as a war veteran?
10. Do you think Frankie would have been happier if she had reenlisted?
11. Which plot twist surprised you the most?
12. Do you think Frankie’s miscarriage was the result of being in the service?
13. Having questions themselves about the war (Frankie, Barb and Ethel), do you think they regretted the time spent in service?
14. Do you believe the American government was lying about the war?
15. Do you think Frankie was a hero?

Wrapping Up ~

My favorite sentence in the book is, “She’d joined the Army to find her brother and found herself instead.”  How Krisin Hannah can create such a plot through so much tragedy and confusion is beyond amazing to me.  Not only did I find myself wanting to understand more about the Vietnam War, but I was engrossed in the lives of each of her richly developed characters!  I rate this book a 5 out of 5!

Have you read Winter Garden by Kristin Hannah? ⬅️ Read my review of this historical fiction that explores the intricate relationship between mothers and daughters.

Winter Garden

$12.99

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12/16/2025 09:05 pm GMT

Have you read The Women by Kristin Hannah?  I would love to hear your thoughts!  Comment below!!!

Happy Reading ~

Mimi

Vigo Wood Book/Kindle Stand with Storage

$35.99

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12/16/2025 10:03 am GMT

Ahhhh….the age old question that sparks conversation all around the world…What would you do?  Author Nikki Erlick presents a very thought provoking scenario for this very question.  On an otherwise normal day, all around the world, every person aged 22 and above receives a little box at their house/dwelling/etc.  Each one looks the same and has the same inscription, “The measure of your life lies within.”  Would you open it?

The Measure by Nikki Erlick is a fascinating story that carefully weaves you into the lives of several different people.  Some are “short stringers”, some are “long stringers”, and some choose to not find out!  From the beginning she brings you in with her descriptive writing style that truly puts you in the middle of each scene.  Follow along in my review as we discuss whether family relationships, politics, religion, government, etc. would change if we knew our lifeline ahead of time.  *There are some great disscusion questions at the end of this post!

The Characters ~

• Nina – Editor, Maura’s girlfriend, Amie’s sister
• Maura – Nina’s girlfriend, member of support group
• Ben – Architect, member of support group
• Claire – Ben’s ex-girlfriend
• Deborah Caine – Managing Editor
• Amie – Nina’s younger sister
• Sean – Head of the support group
• Lea – Member of the support group
• Doc Hank – Member of the support group
• Chelsea – Member of the support group
• Carl – Member of the support group
• Nihal – Member of the support group
• Terrell – Member of the support group
• Sarah – Nina’s college roommate
• Jonathan Clarke – mass shooter
• Jack Hunter – From a family that has a strong military background
• Anothony Rollins – congressman/Presidential candidate and Jack’s uncle
• Katherine Rollins – Anthony’s wife and Jack’s aunt
• Grandpa Cal – Jack’s grandfather
• Javier – Jack’s roommate at the academy
• Dr. Anika Singh – fellow doctor with Hank
• Dr. Amelia Parkins – Presidential candidate
• Governor Russ – Presidential candidate
• Alice Harper – Presidential candidate
• Senator Wes Johnson Sr. – Presidential candidate

The Plot ~

The Tree of Life – we all have a spot that begins and ends in our family tree.  This has been true since the beginning of time.  If you are able to know when your time on earth will end, would you want to know?  If so, why?  Would you live your life differently if you knew it was shorter….or longer?  Should people with short strings be treated differently than those with long strings?  Should we force everyone to look…and if we did how does that affect our government as we now know it?  Does your answer to any of these questions change if you were never given the chance to see your string (life as we currently know it?)

Nina & Maura ~

You instantly fall in love with these two women.  The love they share is raw and deep.  One wants to look at their strings and one does not.  Once Maura decides she is doing it, Nina decides to follow along for the sake of continutity in their relationship.  Do they both have the same length of strings?

Ben ~

Ben is an architecht that has recently separated from his girlfriend, Claire.  He opens his box alone and finds himself deep in thought about his life.  Unsure if he should share his string length with his parents, he decides to attend a support group.

Amie ~

One of the “third” group that chooses not to open her box.  She is a teacher that gets to watch history play its course right in front of her young students.  Some of her loved ones have opened theirs and she quickly starts seeing the effect it has on relationships….but is there still more for her to learn on a more personal level?

The Support Group ~

People from all walks of life find this support group to help them through the acceptance of the size of their strings and the effect it has on their lives.  As they continue to meet week by week, they also discover things they may or may not have known about themselves by getting to care about the other members more intensely.

Anthony & Katherine ~

Katherine comes from a very respectable family that is honored for it’s long years of service in the military.  Anthony has his sites set on becoming the next president.  A perfect match?

The Other Presidential Candidates ~

Is it wise to use the length of your string as part of your campaign?  Whether it is short or long there are ways to display that you can get the most done in your allotted time…or will that go against you in the end?

Jack Hunter ~

Jack is a guy that struggles because he doesn’t have the same desire as all of the men in his family have had before him.  How can he use the length of his string to his advantage?

Javier ~

Javier was raised by parents that believe strongly in family values and supporting your country.  He doesn’t have all of the financial  benefits that his best friend, Jack, does.

The Measure by Nikki Erlick raises so many more questions than just how long do I have to live.  She goes deeper in how people treat each other once they figure out their string lengths are different.  But wait, doesn’t society do this already?  We don’t have these strings and yet we still treat each other differently and many times unfairly.  So does it really make a difference if we know how long we are going to live?   Shouldn’t we just always focus on living a good life?   Isn’t the better question, “How well do you live your life?”

Discussion Questions for The Measure by Nikki Erlick ~

• If you could know the length of your life, would you want to?
• The long stringers many times became more of a “daredevil” of such.  What daredevil thing would you do?
• Short stringers went to support groups.  Do you think you would do this or crawl in a hole ignoring everyone?
• If you were a short stringer, would you share secrets you had never shared before?
• Do you think doctors treat elderly and the very sick different than otherwise healthy patients?  Do you think this would happen with short stringers vs. long stringers?
• Would it be important to you that the president you vote for was a long string?
• Should people with short strings get pregnant?
• Do you think Doc Hank would have jumped in front of the shooter even if he didn’t know the length of his string?
• Do you believe short stringers received their length because of something they have done wrong in life?
• Would you contemplate an “easier death” according to what you believe if you found your string to be short?
• Were you shocked by the car accident at the end of the book?
• With the death of 2 parents, it is common for an aunt/uncle to step in to parent the children.  Is this any different if you knew the length of your life or not?

Have you read The Measure?  If so, I would love to have a discussion with you as there is SO MUCH to talk about!  Put your comments in the section below and let’s chat!  If you haven’t read it….go get it now!  You won’t be disappointed.  I rate this book a 5 out of 5 because it was so well written and gave me so much to think about!

Here’s a link if you need it…

DISCLOSURE: This site contains product affiliate links for Amazon and other companies. We may receive a commission if you make a purchase after clicking on one of these links.  Thank you for supporting my small business!

The Measure: A Novel

$17.46

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12/16/2025 09:02 pm GMT

Happy Reading ~

Mimi

When you come to the end of your life, which of these do you think will resonate with you the most:

1. REGRETS – There are things you wish you would have done differently.
2. ADVICE – There are some great things you have learned along the way that you feel are important to share.
3. CONFESSIONS – There are secrets you kept that you feel you should finally reveal.

That’s enough to make you ponder for a bit…am I right?  You might even find yourself thinking you fall into more than one category.  According to Clover, most people really tend to focus on just one when they know they are nearing death.  Let’s dig in to my book review of Mikki Brammer’s ~ The Collected Regrets of Clover.

DISCLOSURE: This site contains product affiliate links for Amazon and other companies. We may receive a commission if you make a purchase after clicking on one of these links.  Thank you for supporting my small business!

The Collected Regrets of Clover: A Novel

$17.71

Buy Now

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12/16/2025 01:02 pm GMT

Meet the Characters ~

• Clover Brooks – Main character – Death Doula
• Patrick – Clover’s Grandpa
• George – Clover’s dog
• Lola & Lionel – Clover’s cats
• Leo – Clover & Patrick’s neighbor
• Mr. Hyland – Clover’s kindergarten teacher
• Ms. Lucas – School principal
• Miss McLennan – Babysitter of Clover
• Julia & Reuben – Neighbors across the street
• Sebastian – Attendee at Death Cafe
• Sylvie – new neighbor
• Miss Bessie – Bookstore owner
• Claudia – Sebastian’s Grandma
• Selma & Joyce – Claudia’s aides
• Allegra & Phil – Moderator’s at The Death Cafe
• Tabitha – attendee at Death Cafe
• Priya – Short term friend in 10th grade
• Guillermo & Abigail – two of Clover’s clients
• Hugo -Claudia’s long lost love
• Hugo – grandson of Hugo

Plot of The Collected Regrets of Clover ~

Clover is a woman who has grown up a loner.  She experiences death a the tender age of six when she witnesses her kindergarten teacher suffer a heart attack.  Not long after, she is sent to live with her grandfather due to her parents being in an accident.  She spends many happy years with her grandfather until losing him as well.  Knowing all too well the sadness of death, she then becomes a death doula, aiding others in the transition from life to death.

So much time is spent comforting others in the end of life process that Clover doesn’t realize that she herself has forgotten how to live!  As she slowly learns to let others in, she realizes that life really can be a beautiful thing.  We feel pain along the way, but the love and happiness are worth the struggles.

Death Cafes ~

Death cafes are an organized meeting where people discuss death over food and drink.  Did you know these actually exist?  I, personally, did not.  However, I think it is such a wonderful idea.  When I first heard the name my thoughts went to something dark and a bit quirky.  I have since researched them, and I now realize that they can be a very helpful tool for various reasons.  We even have one in my city!  Do you have one where you live?

Clover visits different death cafes around New York City.  Careful not to follow any particular schedule as she does not want to become a regular and have to participate in small talk with others who visit the same ones regularly.  This is one of Clover’s numerous ways to interact with people while still staying reclusive.  Little does she know that ultimately it will lead her down the path to some very interesting new “friends.”

Death Doula ~

Just as a doula or midwife assists in bringing new life into the world, a death doula assists in the dying process.  I had never considered this but my eyes have been opened through reading The Collected Regrets of Clover.  Dying can be a lonely and difficult process whether you have family around you or not.  Clover is a very meticulous and conscientious person that cares deeply about her work.

While Clover is every bit of an introvert, when she is working her true personality comes out.  The relationships she forms with those who are dying are very special.  I found myself thinking many times, if only Clover would open up to people who are not dying she could have some amazing friends.  I cringed at times when she worked so hard to not be noticed.  It is very easy to fall in love with her character and  want her to find happiness.

Analogy of a Matchstick ~

Who doesn’t love a good analogy?  As many children will do, Clover asked her grandfather, “Why do people die?”  Grandpa Patrick ponders for a minute and then begins explaining the many different stages of a matchstick.  Where are we going with this you ask?  Matches in a matchbox are all initially made the same.  When struck, some burn a long time while others burn out earlier due to different circumstances….wind, match breaks, or maybe it never even burns to begin with.  Just as we never know how long a match will burn the same can be said about a person’s life.  I just really like this analogy….how about you?

Closing Thoughts ~

When Clover finally opens up a bit she starts to discover that life indeed can be a wonderful thing!  She finds herself traveling across the country to help an old lady who is dying find her long lost love.  Does she get there in time?  I’m not going to share that with you, but I will say that it is just possible that she finds her own happy ending in the process.  Seriously, you need to read this book!

Book Club Questions ~

1. After reading this book, will you ever visit a Death Cafe?
2. What other analogies can you come up with to explain death?
3. Do you ever find yourself rejecting others before they can reject you?
4. Clover believes that people get frozen fashion wise in a certain era (usually from the age of their 30s to 40s).  What will your glory days be?
5. Tabitha in one of the Death Cafes asks the group, “If you could know the date of your death in advance, would you want to?”  What are your thoughts about this?
6. Sebastian has a fear of death due to his upbringing.  How do you feel your upbringing has affected your views on death?
7. Clover finds it difficult to connect with people once she tells them what she does for a living.  Do you feel it is socially acceptable to discuss death?
8. Do you feel there is an acceptable amount of time to grieve?
9. Clover tries to honor those she has helped die by living out their regrets or taking their advice.  What are your thoughts on this?
10. Would you feel comfortable having a death doula assist you or a family member?

Book of the Month Club ~

My daughter, Karleigh, blessed me with a membership to this for my birthday.  What a PERFECT gift for bookworms.  Have you checked it out yet?  You choose your books at beginning of the month and they get shipped directly to you.  Their spotlight on books is great as well…so helpful in finding new and interesting reads.  I have only had this subscription for 1 month and loved the book they recommended….yes….it is this current book you are reading about right now!  I am not an affiliate of them currently….but am working on it as we speak.  Here is a link to check Book of the Month Club out!

More Reading Choices ~

Are you as curious about death cafes as I am?  I think I am just surprised that I have never heard of them until reading The Collected Regrets of Clover.  Of course, being the curious person I am, I had to look up books that talk more about them…

The Death Café Movement: Exploring the Horizons of Mortality

$99.26

Buy Now

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12/16/2025 10:06 pm GMT

Also, have you been looking for some new reads to share with the littles?  Be sure to check out my post, 33 Favorite Reads for Kids for some all time favorites!

Happy Reading Friends ~

Mimi

*Spoilers Included*

What happens when you have two strong willed women who are more alike than either of them wants to admit?  This is a question author Joshilyn Jackson used as the basis of the current book of our book club.  Book selections have been awesome lately, as I am giving a rating of 5 out of 5 for the second time in a row!  Are you curious why?  Dive into my latest book review of Never Have I Ever by Joshilyn Jackson.

This is my first book to read by New York Times Best Selling Author, Joshilyn Jackson.  Have you read any of her books?  Interestingly enough, this book is similar to my last review, The Lies I Tell by Julie Clark in that there are 2 main characters.  In the current novel, Amy would be considered the protagonist and Roux the antagonist….but what happens when the lines between good and bad cross?  Can one person be both a villain and a hero in the same story?  Hmmmm……

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“By the time you are saying nice to meet you, I’ve already known you for months.”  Creepy….am I right?  This line from Julie Clark’s novel stayed with me through the whole book.  In today’s times where information is so easily obtained by anyone who wants to take the time to do so….well, it just hit home!  The first book I have rated 5 out of 5 in a long time….find out why in my book review of The Lies I Tell.

Meg Williams has been in hiding for 10 years.  In that time she had numerous other identities…Deidra, Sandy, Amelia, Margaret, Melody & Maggie.  The list goes on.  Why so many identities?  Exactly how does she pull all of them so successfully?  While we don’t get to know all of those other pseudonyms intimately, we do learn a lot about why Meg has decided to come out of hiding after 10 long years!

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