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Hope Always Rises
In Heaven, there is a special gated community for those who end their lives by suicide. This is a complete surprise to Hope, a 43-year old woman, who ends her life one morning on the banks of the Fox River in Waukesha, Wisconsin. When she opens her eyes, she is sitting under a weeping willow tree. By her side is God, though he certainly doesn’t look like the God she’s been led to believe in. After introducing himself, he hands her a teddy bear from her childhood.
Hope has dealt with deep sadness throughout her entire life. From childhood on, she visited therapists, doctors, alternative medicine practitioners, Reiki artists, etc., to no avail. Hope leaves the earth, also leaving behind her two teenage children and her husband. In Heaven, God tells her that he knows what caused the sadness, but he is not ready to tell her yet. All residents in the community are required to attend weekly group therapy, led by someone who also committed suicide. Hope’s first group is led by Virginia Woolf. Several of the book’s chapters tell the stories of other members in Hope’s group therapy group.
While the book may sound grim, it is not. It has many moments of striking humor and uplifting realizations. Hope meets many new friends, who help her restore her forgotten artistic talent and passion, and God himself, who is amazingly human in the most inhuman of ways. As for Hope, she does exactly what the title says: Hope Always Rises.
Hope has dealt with deep sadness throughout her entire life. From childhood on, she visited therapists, doctors, alternative medicine practitioners, Reiki artists, etc., to no avail. Hope leaves the earth, also leaving behind her two teenage children and her husband. In Heaven, God tells her that he knows what caused the sadness, but he is not ready to tell her yet. All residents in the community are required to attend weekly group therapy, led by someone who also committed suicide. Hope’s first group is led by Virginia Woolf. Several of the book’s chapters tell the stories of other members in Hope’s group therapy group.
While the book may sound grim, it is not. It has many moments of striking humor and uplifting realizations. Hope meets many new friends, who help her restore her forgotten artistic talent and passion, and God himself, who is amazingly human in the most inhuman of ways. As for Hope, she does exactly what the title says: Hope Always Rises.
282 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 28, 2023
2 people are currently reading
24 people want to read
About the author
Kathie Giorgio
23 books81 followersKATHIE GIORGIO is the author of a total of fifteen books: eight novels, two story collections, an essay collection, and four poetry collections. She’s been nominated for the Pushcart Prize in fiction and poetry and awarded the Outstanding Achievement Award from the Wisconsin Library Association, the Silver Pen Award for Literary Excellence, the Pencraft Award for Literary Excellence, and the Eric Hoffer Award In Fiction. Her poem “Light” won runner-up in the 2021 Rosebud Magazine Poetry Prize, and her work has also been incorporated into many visual art and musical events. Kathie is the director and founder of AllWriters’ Workplace & Workshop LLC, an international creative writing studio. She lives with her husband, mystery writer Michael Giorgio, and their daughter Olivia, in Waukesha, Wisconsin. Three of her adult children, Christopher, Andy, and Olivia, live close by, along with her solo granddaughter, Maya Mae. One adult child, Katie, has wandered off to Louisiana and lives among the mathematicians and alligators.
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
April 30, 2023
In a Nutshell: Not my usual genre, but a lovely book nonetheless. Introspective and therapeutic. Fantastical yet grounded. Christian fiction with a strong but liberal biblical premise. Won’t work for everyone but to the select few who read this kind of fiction, it ought to click excellently.
Story Synopsis:
I am not that fond of philosophical-style fiction, not do I usually read fiction based on religious concepts such as heaven. But sometimes, a book’s blurb just calls to my heart and I cannot help but grab it. This was one such occasion. Thankfully, the gut feel was right.
A fictional work about a place beyond death might remind you of Matt Haig’s The Midnight Library or Mitch Albom’s The Five People You Meet In Heaven. But this book, while having a couple of similarities to these works, is unlike them at its core. The key differentiating factor is that the central characters have all chosen to die by suicide.
At the start, I wondered if the book was trying to glorify suicide by dialogues such as ‘You did the best thing for you’. But no, the author successfully conveys to us the feelings of the departed AND of those left behind in grief. I am astounded at how well she ended up writing such a tricky topic – making the dead character feel better while not absolving them of their deed’s aftermath. This is not a book that condones suicide, but one that allows us to condone those who took that drastic step. After all, forgiveness is the first step on the route to healing.
You might assume that those who opt for suicide might have a dysfunctional family or a terrible childhood, but that is not always the case, and the book proves this wonderfully. The content highlights the importance of mental health in a person’s wellbeing. In fact, the whole book spotlights mental health issues without going down the stereotypical track of therapy=recovery.
As you might guess, those who ended their lives had their reasons for doing so. We also get a chance to hear their stories through many interlude chapters that step away from Hope’s first person narrative and break into a third-person storytelling of one character’s decision to end their life. (Each interlude having a separate character’s backstory.) Most of these were just brilliant, and not what you typically see in fiction. Only a couple of these interludes stuck to typical angles such as having an abusive spouse.
Did I mention that ‘God’ also makes an appearance in this book? In keeping with the Christian theme, he is written as a bearded old man. However, the rest of his behaviour depicts him more like a loving ‘Father’ than an awe-inspiring ‘God’—one who talks with his children, drinks coffee with them, jokes with them, advices them, and even helps them move ahead. This is one of the few books where I felt touched by a fictional depiction of God.
(To be honest, I am also in awe of the fictional heaven of this novel. Imagine a heaven with coffee shops and endless supplies of favourite foodstuffs, and as many books as desired, and I can interact only with those I want to… Wow! Gimme, gimme!)
Most importantly, this novel can be a wonderful source of hope for those whose family members/friends might have taken the extreme step of killing themselves. There are so many churches that castigate suicides, claiming that such people will never enter heaven. Such a work can provide closure by indicating not just how heaven is a welcoming place for everyone, but also how God is forgiving towards all. Accepting this thought could be so therapeutic to the grieving!
The God + heaven angle must have already clarified to you that this is Christian fiction. While there is a biblical undertone in many of the scenes, the overall feel is more liberal than conservative or evangelical. This is perfectly in sync with my own liberal Christian beliefs, and hence I appreciated the tone of the book even more. That said, the book isn’t only for Christian readers. Its theology is somewhat universal, and its characters go beyond any religious demarcations. So even if you keep aside the biblical stuff, you will still find a lot of valuable and thought-provoking content herein.
All this may make the book sound very intense and morose. But while it is introspective, there are plenty of light moments as well, filled with family, friendship, and fun. One surprise factor is the presence of author Virginia Woolf – she has a pretty big role to play in Hope’s group therapy session. There is one more VIP appearance at the end that left me with a big teary smile. I shall leave you to discover this person’s identity for yourself.
All in all, this shouldn’t have been my type of book at all as I don’t favour philosophical or religious fiction. But it came in my life at the right time, and its approach towards the topic won me over. This isn’t an exciting novel but a calming one, offering loads to ponder upon.
Definitely recommended to those looking for a slow but soothing literary read with modernised Christian values.
4.25 stars.
PS: Just in case you are wondering why there is a whale fluke on the cover, you will get your answer if you read the book.
Content warning: This is a book about people who killed themselves in various ways and for various reasons. Do you really need to have content warnings? The whole book is a content warning!
My thanks to Black Rose Writing and NetGalley for the DRC of “Hope Always Rises”. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
The book is available for free to Kindle Unlimited subscribers in India.
———————————————
Connect with me through:
My Blog | The StoryGraph | Instagram | Facebook | Twitter
Story Synopsis:
Forty-three-year-old Hope has been sad since childhood and nothing she does can alleviate that feeling. One morning, she decides that she has had enough of life, and kills herself with an overdose, leaving behind her husband and two teenaged children. When she opens her eyes, she finds herself in ‘Heaven’, which is not exactly like what people on earth imagined, and yet a dream place in every way. As Hope died by suicide, she is in a special gated section of Heaven with others who also chose to end their lives. While “life” in heaven is indeed amazing, it comes with a mandatory weekly group therapy. And it is through this therapy that Hope learns to do what the title says: she rises.
The story comes to us mostly in the first person perspective of Hope.
I am not that fond of philosophical-style fiction, not do I usually read fiction based on religious concepts such as heaven. But sometimes, a book’s blurb just calls to my heart and I cannot help but grab it. This was one such occasion. Thankfully, the gut feel was right.
A fictional work about a place beyond death might remind you of Matt Haig’s The Midnight Library or Mitch Albom’s The Five People You Meet In Heaven. But this book, while having a couple of similarities to these works, is unlike them at its core. The key differentiating factor is that the central characters have all chosen to die by suicide.
At the start, I wondered if the book was trying to glorify suicide by dialogues such as ‘You did the best thing for you’. But no, the author successfully conveys to us the feelings of the departed AND of those left behind in grief. I am astounded at how well she ended up writing such a tricky topic – making the dead character feel better while not absolving them of their deed’s aftermath. This is not a book that condones suicide, but one that allows us to condone those who took that drastic step. After all, forgiveness is the first step on the route to healing.
You might assume that those who opt for suicide might have a dysfunctional family or a terrible childhood, but that is not always the case, and the book proves this wonderfully. The content highlights the importance of mental health in a person’s wellbeing. In fact, the whole book spotlights mental health issues without going down the stereotypical track of therapy=recovery.
As you might guess, those who ended their lives had their reasons for doing so. We also get a chance to hear their stories through many interlude chapters that step away from Hope’s first person narrative and break into a third-person storytelling of one character’s decision to end their life. (Each interlude having a separate character’s backstory.) Most of these were just brilliant, and not what you typically see in fiction. Only a couple of these interludes stuck to typical angles such as having an abusive spouse.
Did I mention that ‘God’ also makes an appearance in this book? In keeping with the Christian theme, he is written as a bearded old man. However, the rest of his behaviour depicts him more like a loving ‘Father’ than an awe-inspiring ‘God’—one who talks with his children, drinks coffee with them, jokes with them, advices them, and even helps them move ahead. This is one of the few books where I felt touched by a fictional depiction of God.
(To be honest, I am also in awe of the fictional heaven of this novel. Imagine a heaven with coffee shops and endless supplies of favourite foodstuffs, and as many books as desired, and I can interact only with those I want to… Wow! Gimme, gimme!)
Most importantly, this novel can be a wonderful source of hope for those whose family members/friends might have taken the extreme step of killing themselves. There are so many churches that castigate suicides, claiming that such people will never enter heaven. Such a work can provide closure by indicating not just how heaven is a welcoming place for everyone, but also how God is forgiving towards all. Accepting this thought could be so therapeutic to the grieving!
The God + heaven angle must have already clarified to you that this is Christian fiction. While there is a biblical undertone in many of the scenes, the overall feel is more liberal than conservative or evangelical. This is perfectly in sync with my own liberal Christian beliefs, and hence I appreciated the tone of the book even more. That said, the book isn’t only for Christian readers. Its theology is somewhat universal, and its characters go beyond any religious demarcations. So even if you keep aside the biblical stuff, you will still find a lot of valuable and thought-provoking content herein.
All this may make the book sound very intense and morose. But while it is introspective, there are plenty of light moments as well, filled with family, friendship, and fun. One surprise factor is the presence of author Virginia Woolf – she has a pretty big role to play in Hope’s group therapy session. There is one more VIP appearance at the end that left me with a big teary smile. I shall leave you to discover this person’s identity for yourself.
All in all, this shouldn’t have been my type of book at all as I don’t favour philosophical or religious fiction. But it came in my life at the right time, and its approach towards the topic won me over. This isn’t an exciting novel but a calming one, offering loads to ponder upon.
Definitely recommended to those looking for a slow but soothing literary read with modernised Christian values.
4.25 stars.
PS: Just in case you are wondering why there is a whale fluke on the cover, you will get your answer if you read the book.
Content warning: This is a book about people who killed themselves in various ways and for various reasons. Do you really need to have content warnings? The whole book is a content warning!
My thanks to Black Rose Writing and NetGalley for the DRC of “Hope Always Rises”. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
The book is available for free to Kindle Unlimited subscribers in India.
———————————————
Connect with me through:
My Blog | The StoryGraph | Instagram | Facebook | Twitter
March 14, 2025
This book will grab you!
Hope Always Rises received a 5 star rating from me because it was well-written, thought-provoking and gave me a very strong emotional response. I believe in God but am not a fan of organized religion so approached this book somewhat cautiously. I appreciated the character development and especially loved the author’s creativity when capturing “life in heaven!” I cried with many of the chapters as the book caused me to reflect on my own life and those that I have lost. Thanks to Kathie Giorgio for writing this treasure!
Hope Always Rises received a 5 star rating from me because it was well-written, thought-provoking and gave me a very strong emotional response. I believe in God but am not a fan of organized religion so approached this book somewhat cautiously. I appreciated the character development and especially loved the author’s creativity when capturing “life in heaven!” I cried with many of the chapters as the book caused me to reflect on my own life and those that I have lost. Thanks to Kathie Giorgio for writing this treasure!
June 14, 2023
Reviewed by Maria Frank
I loved Kathie Georgio’s.
Hope Always Rises.
Hope “spoke” to me in so many ways. I wanted the story to go on and on and on like Heaven itself.
It gave me great cause for introspection regarding my own earthly life. I imagined myself in barista Joe’s coffee shop, Caffeine Heaven, joining Hope and others, and even God himself, for moving conversations about life, the sadnesses that led to the choices that were made and their consequences.
You’re going to love this book too.
God knows you will!
I loved Kathie Georgio’s.
Hope Always Rises.
Hope “spoke” to me in so many ways. I wanted the story to go on and on and on like Heaven itself.
It gave me great cause for introspection regarding my own earthly life. I imagined myself in barista Joe’s coffee shop, Caffeine Heaven, joining Hope and others, and even God himself, for moving conversations about life, the sadnesses that led to the choices that were made and their consequences.
You’re going to love this book too.
God knows you will!
May 30, 2023
Read through NetGalley
As I read this book, a song kept running through my head. It was "I Can Only Imagine" by MercyMe. If you're not familiar with this song, here is a taste of the lyrics:
"I can only imagine
What it will be like
When I walk by Your side
I can only imagine
What my eyes would see
When Your face is before me
I can only imagine"
The story is about a woman named Hope who at 43 years old commits suicide and is shocked to discover that she ends up in Heaven in a special gated community with others who have ended their lives by choice. Hope didn't know where she would end up but she knew it had to be better than to continue to live with her endless sadness that she called the Gulf. The book tells the stories of a number of the residents of this part of Heaven and show real insight into what their problems were and what drove them to end their lives. So as you can imagine, parts of this book are depressing but surprisingly many parts of this book are inspiring and happy. I won't call it "life-changing" but definitely "life-revealing" - of ourselves and of those around us who are dealing with their own "Gulf" and just trying to make it through. I would definitely recommend this book.
Amazon description: In Heaven, there is a gated community for those who end their lives by choice. This is a complete surprise to 43-year old Hope, who ends her life one morning on the banks of the Fox River in Waukesha, Wisconsin.
Hope has always dealt with deep sadness. From childhood on, she visited therapists, doctors, alternative medicine practitioners, Reiki artists, etc., to no avail. In Heaven, God reassures her that he knows what caused the sadness, but he won't reveal it yet.
All community residents are required to attend weekly group therapy. Hope's first group is led by Virginia Woolf.
Several of the book's chapters tell the stories of other members of this group. Filled with many moments of striking humor, uplifting realizations, and difficult challenges, Hope finds her way in Heaven. She meets many people like herself, who help her restore her forgotten artistic talent and passion, and God himself, who is amazingly human in the most inhuman of ways. Hope finds understanding and forgiveness, and most importantly, friends.
As I read this book, a song kept running through my head. It was "I Can Only Imagine" by MercyMe. If you're not familiar with this song, here is a taste of the lyrics:
"I can only imagine
What it will be like
When I walk by Your side
I can only imagine
What my eyes would see
When Your face is before me
I can only imagine"
The story is about a woman named Hope who at 43 years old commits suicide and is shocked to discover that she ends up in Heaven in a special gated community with others who have ended their lives by choice. Hope didn't know where she would end up but she knew it had to be better than to continue to live with her endless sadness that she called the Gulf. The book tells the stories of a number of the residents of this part of Heaven and show real insight into what their problems were and what drove them to end their lives. So as you can imagine, parts of this book are depressing but surprisingly many parts of this book are inspiring and happy. I won't call it "life-changing" but definitely "life-revealing" - of ourselves and of those around us who are dealing with their own "Gulf" and just trying to make it through. I would definitely recommend this book.
Amazon description: In Heaven, there is a gated community for those who end their lives by choice. This is a complete surprise to 43-year old Hope, who ends her life one morning on the banks of the Fox River in Waukesha, Wisconsin.
Hope has always dealt with deep sadness. From childhood on, she visited therapists, doctors, alternative medicine practitioners, Reiki artists, etc., to no avail. In Heaven, God reassures her that he knows what caused the sadness, but he won't reveal it yet.
All community residents are required to attend weekly group therapy. Hope's first group is led by Virginia Woolf.
Several of the book's chapters tell the stories of other members of this group. Filled with many moments of striking humor, uplifting realizations, and difficult challenges, Hope finds her way in Heaven. She meets many people like herself, who help her restore her forgotten artistic talent and passion, and God himself, who is amazingly human in the most inhuman of ways. Hope finds understanding and forgiveness, and most importantly, friends.
March 15, 2023
Overall Rating = 4.83
Storyline & Concept = 4.5
Writing & Delivery = 5
Editorial = 5
Hope Always Rises recounts the story of Hope, a woman who suffered from depression her entire life and who, at forty-three, finally decides to end it. She arrives in Heaven to discover a gated community reserved for those who ended their lives voluntarily. She struggles to come to terms with her life, her decisions, and all that she lost, but new friendships, a surprisingly human-like God, and the rediscovery of her creative self propel her on her journey.
This novel creates an emotion-filled ride through a roller-coaster of ups and downs. It evoked chuckles, tears, moments of deep consideration, and periods of pain. It vacillated from a light read to a dark plunge, but it was never dull. Written with brilliance and an expertise in word-crafting, Hope Always Rises will remain in the reader’s thoughts long after the last word is read. However, some words of caution are needed. Although the term “trigger” is hated by some, this novel is written around plenty of them, most notably the disturbing subjects of depression, suicide, and the consequences of each. From a spiritual perspective, some may take offense with the portrayal of an almost human-like God, but I accepted it as a work of fiction and was intrigued by the vision of Heaven and its leader.
Sublime Line: “For a brilliantly written, humorous, and courageous view of a difficult subject, look no further than Hope Always Rises.”
Storyline & Concept = 4.5
Writing & Delivery = 5
Editorial = 5
Hope Always Rises recounts the story of Hope, a woman who suffered from depression her entire life and who, at forty-three, finally decides to end it. She arrives in Heaven to discover a gated community reserved for those who ended their lives voluntarily. She struggles to come to terms with her life, her decisions, and all that she lost, but new friendships, a surprisingly human-like God, and the rediscovery of her creative self propel her on her journey.
This novel creates an emotion-filled ride through a roller-coaster of ups and downs. It evoked chuckles, tears, moments of deep consideration, and periods of pain. It vacillated from a light read to a dark plunge, but it was never dull. Written with brilliance and an expertise in word-crafting, Hope Always Rises will remain in the reader’s thoughts long after the last word is read. However, some words of caution are needed. Although the term “trigger” is hated by some, this novel is written around plenty of them, most notably the disturbing subjects of depression, suicide, and the consequences of each. From a spiritual perspective, some may take offense with the portrayal of an almost human-like God, but I accepted it as a work of fiction and was intrigued by the vision of Heaven and its leader.
Sublime Line: “For a brilliantly written, humorous, and courageous view of a difficult subject, look no further than Hope Always Rises.”
May 23, 2023
Kathie Giorgio is a perfect Author for anyone who has ever known someone who wanted to end their life. Or anyone who has ever felt that way themselves. Before you ask yes, I felt that way after Suzzane was killed. But through the LORD I fought to move forward and thank the LORD I did because now, I have Charlie and David.
The Author brings us through so much and at times I felt myself tearing up which can be cleansing and something we all need to do at times. I loved her post about Heaven which I was able to discuss with Charlie and David. Even though this book is a self-help book for adults with all Charlie has gone through in his life were reading it in our Homeschool Reading Class.
Charlie has been struggling with Church and God. As I began to, I read the book I didn’t stop until I finished. Charlie and I did struggle with the parts where the Author had God came across as having human tendencies because like a lot of people we are Christian and not something we believe in which led to many discussions in our home, which is nice when your son is 16 and mom and dad aren’t cool and they want to hide in their room at all times.
If you were to ask Charlie what type of book this is he would say Fiction and David agree with Charlie and I do as well. Although, I also would say it’s a self-help book or a motivational novel for someone who has lost someone they love due to suicide. Which I don’t know about you. But we’ve had happened not only in my family but with friends.
The Author brings us through so much and at times I felt myself tearing up which can be cleansing and something we all need to do at times. I loved her post about Heaven which I was able to discuss with Charlie and David. Even though this book is a self-help book for adults with all Charlie has gone through in his life were reading it in our Homeschool Reading Class.
Charlie has been struggling with Church and God. As I began to, I read the book I didn’t stop until I finished. Charlie and I did struggle with the parts where the Author had God came across as having human tendencies because like a lot of people we are Christian and not something we believe in which led to many discussions in our home, which is nice when your son is 16 and mom and dad aren’t cool and they want to hide in their room at all times.
If you were to ask Charlie what type of book this is he would say Fiction and David agree with Charlie and I do as well. Although, I also would say it’s a self-help book or a motivational novel for someone who has lost someone they love due to suicide. Which I don’t know about you. But we’ve had happened not only in my family but with friends.
February 29, 2024
What is heaven really like? Can people who commit suicide go there? In this novel, Kathie Giorgio shows us her version of heaven, from lattes available whenever you want them and delicious food that doesn’t make you fat to God showing up like a friend for one-on-one chats whenever you need them. The residents live in condos designed to look any way they want, furnished with everything they need. For our protagonist, Hope, it’s, well, heavenly. But she needs to know what made her so sad all her life that she finally decided to end it with pills and liquor? If she had not abandoned her art to care for her family, would she have been happy? God knows the answer, but he is not ready to share it with her. This is a fabulous book, so enjoyable to read, full of magic and dreams coming true. But it also asks some important questions about how people treat each other and how we might be happier when we’re alive. Hope does eventually get her answer—just before the surprise ending. I highly recommend this book.
January 17, 2024
Great reading, but...
I did enjoy reading this book. It is different from what I anticipated from the title. I didn't like the way God was portrayed. I don't believe God makes mistakes. I don't like those parts that disagree with my understanding of God, the Bible, and heaven. I don't believe everyone goes to heaven because the Bible clearly states there is a hell. It clearly teaches that Jesus is God's son and we must accept Jesus for who he is.
As a fictional novel, this is a very compelling book. But it is fictional and if a reader is not firm in their Faith, they could be easily led astray.. In that way it seems like a twisted story, with enough that sounds right and nice but is deception.
I did enjoy reading this book. It is different from what I anticipated from the title. I didn't like the way God was portrayed. I don't believe God makes mistakes. I don't like those parts that disagree with my understanding of God, the Bible, and heaven. I don't believe everyone goes to heaven because the Bible clearly states there is a hell. It clearly teaches that Jesus is God's son and we must accept Jesus for who he is.
As a fictional novel, this is a very compelling book. But it is fictional and if a reader is not firm in their Faith, they could be easily led astray.. In that way it seems like a twisted story, with enough that sounds right and nice but is deception.
May 5, 2024
What if there was a corner of heaven just for suicides? It is a unique premise, and a book which offers comfort to those brave enough to face their darkest corners. Always compassionate, always creative, and yet a premise which feels close to the mark. Heaven wouldn't bother with hunger or poverty. Heaven would bother with exposing our lowest moments in the gentlest way possible. In a way that is productive, in a way that preserves our essential character while allowing us to soften the hard edges a bit. In our own time, in our own way. Heaven is paradise, but that's not the good bit. True heaven is understanding. Highly recommend.
April 30, 2023
Giorgio's depiction of Heaven is both imaginative and heartwarming, and her wonderful writing style is engaging and easy to read. Hope Always Rises is a beautiful reminder that there is always a chance for healing, growth, and new beginnings. I highly recommend Hope Always Rises to anyone looking for a heartwarming read that explores the complexities of grief and the power of hope.
June 24, 2024
Interesting subject...suicide, heaven, and God. It's hard to say I enjoyed a book about suicide, but the subject was different and well presented. Engaging stories of what author thinks might happen after suicide is committed and what heaven might be like.
May 14, 2023
Very imaginative and creative. Lovely description and fascinating characters.
December 5, 2023
I absolutely loved this book. It grabbed me right from page 1. Kathie describes God the same way I think of God. It made me laugh, it made me cry, it made me think. It’s well worth the read!!
March 7, 2024
This book is an exercise in empathy, pain, and unironically, hope. An exploration of self-acceptance and faith.
December 8, 2024
I have to say that there were several aspects of this book that I did not like or appreciate. While I do not have a problem reading about suicide, it is a difficult subject and reading about the author’s thoughts on what happens after someone commits suicide and her view of heaven were intriguing. But I have a major issue with believing God makes mistakes. And I do not believe everyone ends up in heaven. If everyone goes to heaven, why bother having hell? At least this is presented as fiction so hopefully people take it with a grain of salt and are not influenced by the thoughts presented through the pages. It is definitely one I cannot recommend.
Thank you to NetGalley and Black Rose Writing for my advanced review copy. All opinions and thoughts are my own.
For more reviews, please visit my blog at: https://www.msladybugsbookreviews.com/. Over 1000 reviews posted!
Thank you to NetGalley and Black Rose Writing for my advanced review copy. All opinions and thoughts are my own.
For more reviews, please visit my blog at: https://www.msladybugsbookreviews.com/. Over 1000 reviews posted!
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews