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The Year of Goodbyes and Hellos
Two sisters work to heal lingering childhood wounds and seek a new balance in work, family, marriage, and love when one receives a diagnosis that sets the clock ticking. Determined to save Sherri’s life, Kristen drops everything to guide her sister on the harrowing cancer treatment journey. When she’s unable to balance the strain of caring for her patients, being a wife and mother, and her frantic efforts to save her sister, Kristen’s carefully balanced life crumbles, starting with her marriage. Desperate to regain her footing, she vows to rebuild her broken relationships . . . as soon she’s sure Sherri will beat the odds stacked against her. Unlike her sister, Sherri Reynolds has worked to cultivate balance in her life. Her children, her job as a teacher, and her strong faith keep her grounded—until her diagnosis sends her spiraling into the scary world of what-ifs and unknown outcomes. Sherri faces the agonizing realization that family history may be about to repeat itself. With the clock ticking, she’s determined to use whatever time she has left to heal old wounds and restore relationships. Together, the sisters are forced to reexamine their priorities, address the still tender wounds of their childhood, and delve more deeply to discover what it means to live each day to its fullest.
381 pages, Paperback
First published December 1, 2023
66 people are currently reading
5451 people want to read
About the author
Kelly Irvin
66 books831 followersBest-selling author Kelly Irvin splits her writing time between Amish romances and romantic suspense. Her latest release is Trust Me (2/8/22), a romantic suspense novel set in San Antonio's historic art district. It explores broken trust and whether trust can ever be restored. Publishers Weekly called it a "whirlwind romantic thriller" and "an emotional rollercoaster."
Her latest Amish romance is Love's Dwelling, the first book in the Amish Blessings series, which released in July 2021. The series takes place in Yoder and Haven, Kansas, and looks at adoption among the Amish. The series follows her Amish romance series, Amish of Sky Country includes Mountains of Grace, followed by The Long Bridge Home, and Peace in the Valley. The series explores Amish communities in northwest Montana and how they are impacted by wildfires.
Other romantic suspense novels include Her Every Move, which Publishers Weekly called gripping suspense and said, "loving descriptions of San Antonio’s attractions enhance the well-paced plot."
The publication called Closer Than She Knows a "brisk, smoothly written, thriller."
Kelly's Every Amish Season series includes Upon A Spring Breeze, Beneath the Summer Sun, Through the Autumn Air, and With Winter's First Frost from Zondervan/HarperCollins Christian Publishing. This follows the Amish of Bee County series, The Saddle Maker's Son, released in June 2016. It is an ECPA bestseller. It follows The Bishop's Son, and the critically acclaimed bestseller, The Beekeeper's Son, which earned a starred review from Publishers Weekly. The reviewer called it "a beautifully woven masterpiece." The Beekeeper's Son was a finalist in the romance category of the 2016 ACFW Carol Awards Contest.
Kelly is also the author of the Bliss Creek Amish series and the New Amish Amish series. The first series includes To Love and To Cherish, A Heart Made New, and Love’s Journey Home, published by Harvest House. The New Hope Amish series includes Love Still Stands, followed by Love Redeemed, which was an ACFW Carol Award finalist, and A Plain Love Song.
Kelly has also penned two other romantic suspense novels, A Deadly Wilderness and No Child of Mine..
The Kansas native is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers and ACFW's San Antonio local chapter Alamo City Christian Fiction Writers.
A graduate of the University of Kansas William Allen White School of Journalism, Kelly has been writing nonfiction professionally for thirty years. She studied for three semesters at the University of Costa Rica, learning the Spanish language. As a journalist, she worked six years in the border towns of Laredo and El Paso.
She worked in public relations for the San Antonio Parks and Recreation Department for 22 years before retiring earlier this year. Kelly has been married to photographer Tim Irvin for twenty-eight years. They have two young adult children and have three grandchildren. In her spare time, she likes to write short stories, read books by her favorite authors, and looks forward to visits with her grandchildren.
Her latest Amish romance is Love's Dwelling, the first book in the Amish Blessings series, which released in July 2021. The series takes place in Yoder and Haven, Kansas, and looks at adoption among the Amish. The series follows her Amish romance series, Amish of Sky Country includes Mountains of Grace, followed by The Long Bridge Home, and Peace in the Valley. The series explores Amish communities in northwest Montana and how they are impacted by wildfires.
Other romantic suspense novels include Her Every Move, which Publishers Weekly called gripping suspense and said, "loving descriptions of San Antonio’s attractions enhance the well-paced plot."
The publication called Closer Than She Knows a "brisk, smoothly written, thriller."
Kelly's Every Amish Season series includes Upon A Spring Breeze, Beneath the Summer Sun, Through the Autumn Air, and With Winter's First Frost from Zondervan/HarperCollins Christian Publishing. This follows the Amish of Bee County series, The Saddle Maker's Son, released in June 2016. It is an ECPA bestseller. It follows The Bishop's Son, and the critically acclaimed bestseller, The Beekeeper's Son, which earned a starred review from Publishers Weekly. The reviewer called it "a beautifully woven masterpiece." The Beekeeper's Son was a finalist in the romance category of the 2016 ACFW Carol Awards Contest.
Kelly is also the author of the Bliss Creek Amish series and the New Amish Amish series. The first series includes To Love and To Cherish, A Heart Made New, and Love’s Journey Home, published by Harvest House. The New Hope Amish series includes Love Still Stands, followed by Love Redeemed, which was an ACFW Carol Award finalist, and A Plain Love Song.
Kelly has also penned two other romantic suspense novels, A Deadly Wilderness and No Child of Mine..
The Kansas native is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers and ACFW's San Antonio local chapter Alamo City Christian Fiction Writers.
A graduate of the University of Kansas William Allen White School of Journalism, Kelly has been writing nonfiction professionally for thirty years. She studied for three semesters at the University of Costa Rica, learning the Spanish language. As a journalist, she worked six years in the border towns of Laredo and El Paso.
She worked in public relations for the San Antonio Parks and Recreation Department for 22 years before retiring earlier this year. Kelly has been married to photographer Tim Irvin for twenty-eight years. They have two young adult children and have three grandchildren. In her spare time, she likes to write short stories, read books by her favorite authors, and looks forward to visits with her grandchildren.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 188 reviews
December 12, 2023
In a Nutshell: A contemporary Christian drama focussed on an extended family whose life turns upside down after a cancer diagnosis. The Christian elements are more progressive than conservative, which is fine by me but might not work for conservative believers. One of the main characters is annoying. Overall, a decent read, but not a memorable one for me.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Story Synopsis:
Bookish Yays:
😍 It was refreshing to see middle-aged characters in the lead. Kristen is 48 and Sherri is 52. The problems they face are the ones typical of that age, and their behaviour also matches their character age.
😍 Sherri is an amazing character, despite having some personality flaws. (Which go to make her even more real.) I loved how practical she was about the whole cancer thing, fighting against the disease but still trying to be prepared for any eventuality.
😍 The sibling bond between the sisters is amazing. As the title indicates, the story is set over a year, and this year turns out to be an eventful one. All through, the sisters come close to each other and help each other in myriad ways.
😍 I love that Daniel is given his own voice. It would have been so easy to turn this woman-dominated story into a typical tale of siblings bonding after traumatic news. But Daniel’s perspective acts as the voice of balance, and also offers an external view on the happenings that Kristen is blind to.
😍 The medical details seemed very true-to-life and authentic, though only medical professionals might be able to gauge the accuracy of the same.
😍 The initial setup shows Kristen as the sister to envy, with her happy marriage, wealthy husband, big home, and flourishing career. Time shows that material wealth does matter and it is the divorcee and relatively poorer Sherri who lives a more fulfilling life. This was subtly but well done.
😍 The author's note at the end was very touching. She is a grade-IV cancer survivor, and it is her own medical ordeal that inspired her to pen this novel. I love her advice about listening to our body, even if our doctor suggests that nothing is wrong.
Bookish Mixed Bags:
😐 This is a Christian contemporary drama. The pros of the Christian representation are mainly in how Sherri uses her faith to guide her through her health issues, and how Kristen, who isn’t religious, grows in faith. On the other hand, this book has a few elements not common in this genre. There’s infidelity and divorce, both of which aren’t what conservative readers will appreciate. There are also a couple of irreverent references to God.
😐 Kristin and Sherri both have adult children. Sherri’s children are very easy to relate to, as their characters are sketched well. However, Kristin’s children are written in a one-dimensional manner.
😐 Daniel’s character earns a lot of sympathy for the way he is treated by Kristen. He seems to have a lot of patience and his breaking point seemed very realistic. However, the Pilar connection was predictable and irritating.
😐 I enjoyed the medical theme and the comments about the expenses related to health scares, treatments, and clinical trials. I also liked the focus on faith, work-life balance, and family dynamics. But I didn’t enjoy the inclusion of themes that weren’t connected to the core topic. Politics and racial discrimination simply didn’t fit into the storyline, then why wave those flags here? Overload of social commentary is never fun to read.
Bookish Nays:
😒 Kristin’s character was very tough to connect to. I get that she was a busy oncologist, but she was taking her family, especially her husband, for granted. After a point, “I’ll try better” has no merit if the intention isn’t followed by action. The justification that anything is acceptable as long as your goals are noble is silly. Her turnaround in the book is also too abrupt.
😒 The track about Kristin and Sherri’s estranged father suddenly making a reappearance and being accepted after only minimal hesitation feels farfetched.
😒 There’s much stress on how Daniel’s architecture firm develops environmentally friendly structures and how important it is to think in terms of sustainability. And yet the main characters smoke numerous cigarettes, throw away leftover or uneaten food, and leave lights on in houses. You can’t be environmentally conscious only in one avenue and ignore everything else.
Bookish Doubt:
👀 What does “I am not trying to be kumbaya” mean? I know Kumbaya only through the hymn, ‘Kumbaya, my Lord’, where the word stands for ‘Come by here.’ I have never seen this other usage. Google wasn’t much helpful. Anyone knows this usage?
🎧 The Audiobook Experience:
The audiobook, clocking at nearly 12 hours, is narrated by Jessica Holtan and Jeremy Childs. I did like both their narrations, but didn’t love them. As there are two female characters using the first person, having only one female narrator is a bit confusing, even though she tries a subtle variation in her pitch for each character. She does give a personality to the two sisters with her performance, but she sounds much younger than the age of the characters. In case of the male narrator voicing Daniel, the advantage is that his voice suits Daniel’s age, actually sounding like a man in his late forties or early fifties. However, his speaking style was a bit too lulling for my ears. Also, he doesn’t narrate the female voices in a different tone, so his narration sounds monotonous at times.
All in all, this novel definitely has some strong pros. But Kristen’s character and some of the themes made it tough for me to enjoy it more than I did.
A decent one-time read, recommended to women’s fiction readers. Will definitely work better if you read it with your heart than with your head. If you are picking this up for its Christian elements, better if you are a liberal or progressive Christian.
3.5 stars, rounding down because I didn’t enjoy the narration that much.
My thanks to HarperCollins Christian Publishing and NetGalley for the ALC of “The Year of Goodbyes and Hellos”. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the audiobook.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Connect with me through:
My Blog || The StoryGraph || Instagram || X/Twitter || Facebook ||
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Story Synopsis:
Kristen is a workaholic oncologist who gives her all to her patients, even if it comes at a cost to her personal life with husband Daniel. But when her elder sister Sherri is diagnosed with stage-IV ovarian cancer, Kristen is ready to put everything on hold to ensure that her sister gets the best chances of recovery. Yet again, Daniel feels ignored.
Sherri is a happy kindergarten teacher who has always lived her life making healthy choices. A divorcee, she loves her kids and grandkids. With the cancer diagnosis, she feels the pressure of having a limited time with her loved ones and the pain of giving up the job that means so much to her.
Post the cancer verdict, Kristen and Sherri are determined to make the best of the time Sherri has left and to prolong her good health as much as they can.
The story comes to us in the first person perspectives of Kristen, Sherri, and Daniel.
Bookish Yays:
😍 It was refreshing to see middle-aged characters in the lead. Kristen is 48 and Sherri is 52. The problems they face are the ones typical of that age, and their behaviour also matches their character age.
😍 Sherri is an amazing character, despite having some personality flaws. (Which go to make her even more real.) I loved how practical she was about the whole cancer thing, fighting against the disease but still trying to be prepared for any eventuality.
😍 The sibling bond between the sisters is amazing. As the title indicates, the story is set over a year, and this year turns out to be an eventful one. All through, the sisters come close to each other and help each other in myriad ways.
😍 I love that Daniel is given his own voice. It would have been so easy to turn this woman-dominated story into a typical tale of siblings bonding after traumatic news. But Daniel’s perspective acts as the voice of balance, and also offers an external view on the happenings that Kristen is blind to.
😍 The medical details seemed very true-to-life and authentic, though only medical professionals might be able to gauge the accuracy of the same.
😍 The initial setup shows Kristen as the sister to envy, with her happy marriage, wealthy husband, big home, and flourishing career. Time shows that material wealth does matter and it is the divorcee and relatively poorer Sherri who lives a more fulfilling life. This was subtly but well done.
😍 The author's note at the end was very touching. She is a grade-IV cancer survivor, and it is her own medical ordeal that inspired her to pen this novel. I love her advice about listening to our body, even if our doctor suggests that nothing is wrong.
Bookish Mixed Bags:
😐 This is a Christian contemporary drama. The pros of the Christian representation are mainly in how Sherri uses her faith to guide her through her health issues, and how Kristen, who isn’t religious, grows in faith. On the other hand, this book has a few elements not common in this genre. There’s infidelity and divorce, both of which aren’t what conservative readers will appreciate. There are also a couple of irreverent references to God.
😐 Kristin and Sherri both have adult children. Sherri’s children are very easy to relate to, as their characters are sketched well. However, Kristin’s children are written in a one-dimensional manner.
😐 Daniel’s character earns a lot of sympathy for the way he is treated by Kristen. He seems to have a lot of patience and his breaking point seemed very realistic. However, the Pilar connection was predictable and irritating.
😐 I enjoyed the medical theme and the comments about the expenses related to health scares, treatments, and clinical trials. I also liked the focus on faith, work-life balance, and family dynamics. But I didn’t enjoy the inclusion of themes that weren’t connected to the core topic. Politics and racial discrimination simply didn’t fit into the storyline, then why wave those flags here? Overload of social commentary is never fun to read.
Bookish Nays:
😒 Kristin’s character was very tough to connect to. I get that she was a busy oncologist, but she was taking her family, especially her husband, for granted. After a point, “I’ll try better” has no merit if the intention isn’t followed by action. The justification that anything is acceptable as long as your goals are noble is silly. Her turnaround in the book is also too abrupt.
😒 The track about Kristin and Sherri’s estranged father suddenly making a reappearance and being accepted after only minimal hesitation feels farfetched.
😒 There’s much stress on how Daniel’s architecture firm develops environmentally friendly structures and how important it is to think in terms of sustainability. And yet the main characters smoke numerous cigarettes, throw away leftover or uneaten food, and leave lights on in houses. You can’t be environmentally conscious only in one avenue and ignore everything else.
Bookish Doubt:
👀 What does “I am not trying to be kumbaya” mean? I know Kumbaya only through the hymn, ‘Kumbaya, my Lord’, where the word stands for ‘Come by here.’ I have never seen this other usage. Google wasn’t much helpful. Anyone knows this usage?
🎧 The Audiobook Experience:
The audiobook, clocking at nearly 12 hours, is narrated by Jessica Holtan and Jeremy Childs. I did like both their narrations, but didn’t love them. As there are two female characters using the first person, having only one female narrator is a bit confusing, even though she tries a subtle variation in her pitch for each character. She does give a personality to the two sisters with her performance, but she sounds much younger than the age of the characters. In case of the male narrator voicing Daniel, the advantage is that his voice suits Daniel’s age, actually sounding like a man in his late forties or early fifties. However, his speaking style was a bit too lulling for my ears. Also, he doesn’t narrate the female voices in a different tone, so his narration sounds monotonous at times.
All in all, this novel definitely has some strong pros. But Kristen’s character and some of the themes made it tough for me to enjoy it more than I did.
A decent one-time read, recommended to women’s fiction readers. Will definitely work better if you read it with your heart than with your head. If you are picking this up for its Christian elements, better if you are a liberal or progressive Christian.
3.5 stars, rounding down because I didn’t enjoy the narration that much.
My thanks to HarperCollins Christian Publishing and NetGalley for the ALC of “The Year of Goodbyes and Hellos”. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the audiobook.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Connect with me through:
My Blog || The StoryGraph || Instagram || X/Twitter || Facebook ||
December 14, 2023
EXCERPT: My sister, Sherri. when was the last time I'd talked to her? She texted me on New Year's Day from her son Cody's house in Fayetteville, where she was spending the holidays. We used to talk more, but time seemed to get away from us - or me. I glanced at my smartwatch. Ten thirty. She should be sitting crisscross on the rug in her kindergarten classroom in Kerrville, reading The Little Blue Truck to her students. Or trotting in a single-file line to recess. Her life a a teacher had always struck me as idyllic. Not fair, I knew, but so hopeful and full of tomorrows. She gave her students the key that opened the door to a lifelong love of reading. What a gift.
Know yr busy but need to talk. When u can
Tonight? She went to bed so early, and I worked. I stabbed a response with my rapid-fire index finger.
Will try to call you on lunch break. are u on cafeteria duty today?
Not at school. in car. Doctor's office parking lot.
The hair on my arms prickled. A cold breeze wafted over me that had nothing to do with the overactive AC. My older sister had always been the picture of health. She loved Zumba, Billy Blanks Tae Bo, and spin classes. Her weight was perfect for fifty-two, likely so were her cholesterol and blood pressure. Last year she finished fourth in the San Antonio Rock'n'Roll Marathon's female fifty to fifty-five age division.
Why? whats up? are u sick?
Suddenly lightheaded, I waited, staring at the little twitching bubbles that meant she was typing a response.
not sick. have cancer.
ABOUT 'THE YEAR OF GOODBYES AND HELLOS': Two sisters work to heal lingering childhood wounds and seek a new balance in work, family, marriage, and love when one receives a diagnosis that sets the clock ticking. Determined to save Sherri’s life, Kristen drops everything to guide her sister on the harrowing cancer treatment journey. When she’s unable to balance the strain of caring for her patients, being a wife and mother, and her frantic efforts to save her sister, Kristen’s carefully balanced life crumbles, starting with her marriage. Desperate to regain her footing, she vows to rebuild her broken relationships . . . as soon she’s sure Sherri will beat the odds stacked against her. Unlike her sister, Sherri Reynolds has worked to cultivate balance in her life. Her children, her job as a teacher, and her strong faith keep her grounded—until her diagnosis sends her spiraling into the scary world of what-ifs and unknown outcomes. Sherri faces the agonizing realization that family history may be about to repeat itself. With the clock ticking, she’s determined to use whatever time she has left to heal old wounds and restore relationships. Together, the sisters are forced to reexamine their priorities, address the still tender wounds of their childhood, and delve more deeply to discover what it means to live each day to its fullest.
MY THOUGHTS: Firstly, I would like to thank author Kelly Irvin for writing this book. It cannot have been an easy task as she has written it since being diagnosed with stage 4 ovarian cancer, the seven years since her diagnosis being her 'research' period. She says in her acknowledgements that every appointment, every blood draw, every scan, every surgery and every healthcare provider she came in contact with served as fodder for the big and small details needed to accurately and authentically write Kristen's and Sherri's stories. And it shows. Kelly Irvin is obviously a very strong person, and I would like to thank her for sharing her story with us through this novel.
Secondly this is a book that every woman (and man) needs to read. We need to be more aware. We need to learn to listen to our bodies. We need to be our own health advocates and not bow down to our doctors whom we presume to know more than we do. They do know more than we do, generally. They just don't know our bodies like we do.
I was blessed to receive both a digital and an audio version of this novel and made great use of both formats. It is an emotional read, and definitely not an easy one. We are all touched by cancer in one form or another and, like with Kristen and Sherri, everything else going on in our lives doesn't stop because of it. Some relationships fracture, some are mended. Some people adjust their lives to encompass what is most important to them, some don't. Some people die, some don't.
I loved that we see the full story from both the perspective of the patient (Sherri) and the Oncologist (Kristen). This is an emotionally complex story involving not only the relationship between the two sisters, but a historical marriage breakdown on Sherri's part, a widening rift in the marriage of Daniel and Kristen, infidelity, Sherri and Kristen's estranged father coming back into their lives, the difficulties in achieving a work/life balance as a health professional, and the birth of a new generation into the family.
The Year of Goodbyes and Hellos is an important book. The characters are realistic and relatable, the story both devastating and hopeful.
⭐⭐⭐⭐.5
#TheYearofGoodbyesandHellos #NetGalley
I: @kelly_irvin
X: @Kelly_S_Irvin
THE AUTHOR: Kelly Irvin worked in public relations for the San Antonio Parks and Recreation Department for 22 years before retiring earlier this year. Kelly has been married to photographer Tim Irvin for twenty-eight years. They have two children, four grandchildren and two ornery cats. In her spare time, she likes to write short stories, read books by her favorite authors, and looks forward to visits with her grandchildren.
DISCLOSURE: Thank you to Harper Collins Christian Publishing, and Thomas Nelson Fiction via NetGalley for providing both a digital and an audio ARC of The Year of Goodbyes and Hellos by Kelly Irvin for review. The audiobook is superbly narrated by Jessica Holten and Jeremy Childs. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.
https://sandysbookaday.wordpress.com/...
Know yr busy but need to talk. When u can
Tonight? She went to bed so early, and I worked. I stabbed a response with my rapid-fire index finger.
Will try to call you on lunch break. are u on cafeteria duty today?
Not at school. in car. Doctor's office parking lot.
The hair on my arms prickled. A cold breeze wafted over me that had nothing to do with the overactive AC. My older sister had always been the picture of health. She loved Zumba, Billy Blanks Tae Bo, and spin classes. Her weight was perfect for fifty-two, likely so were her cholesterol and blood pressure. Last year she finished fourth in the San Antonio Rock'n'Roll Marathon's female fifty to fifty-five age division.
Why? whats up? are u sick?
Suddenly lightheaded, I waited, staring at the little twitching bubbles that meant she was typing a response.
not sick. have cancer.
ABOUT 'THE YEAR OF GOODBYES AND HELLOS': Two sisters work to heal lingering childhood wounds and seek a new balance in work, family, marriage, and love when one receives a diagnosis that sets the clock ticking. Determined to save Sherri’s life, Kristen drops everything to guide her sister on the harrowing cancer treatment journey. When she’s unable to balance the strain of caring for her patients, being a wife and mother, and her frantic efforts to save her sister, Kristen’s carefully balanced life crumbles, starting with her marriage. Desperate to regain her footing, she vows to rebuild her broken relationships . . . as soon she’s sure Sherri will beat the odds stacked against her. Unlike her sister, Sherri Reynolds has worked to cultivate balance in her life. Her children, her job as a teacher, and her strong faith keep her grounded—until her diagnosis sends her spiraling into the scary world of what-ifs and unknown outcomes. Sherri faces the agonizing realization that family history may be about to repeat itself. With the clock ticking, she’s determined to use whatever time she has left to heal old wounds and restore relationships. Together, the sisters are forced to reexamine their priorities, address the still tender wounds of their childhood, and delve more deeply to discover what it means to live each day to its fullest.
MY THOUGHTS: Firstly, I would like to thank author Kelly Irvin for writing this book. It cannot have been an easy task as she has written it since being diagnosed with stage 4 ovarian cancer, the seven years since her diagnosis being her 'research' period. She says in her acknowledgements that every appointment, every blood draw, every scan, every surgery and every healthcare provider she came in contact with served as fodder for the big and small details needed to accurately and authentically write Kristen's and Sherri's stories. And it shows. Kelly Irvin is obviously a very strong person, and I would like to thank her for sharing her story with us through this novel.
Secondly this is a book that every woman (and man) needs to read. We need to be more aware. We need to learn to listen to our bodies. We need to be our own health advocates and not bow down to our doctors whom we presume to know more than we do. They do know more than we do, generally. They just don't know our bodies like we do.
I was blessed to receive both a digital and an audio version of this novel and made great use of both formats. It is an emotional read, and definitely not an easy one. We are all touched by cancer in one form or another and, like with Kristen and Sherri, everything else going on in our lives doesn't stop because of it. Some relationships fracture, some are mended. Some people adjust their lives to encompass what is most important to them, some don't. Some people die, some don't.
I loved that we see the full story from both the perspective of the patient (Sherri) and the Oncologist (Kristen). This is an emotionally complex story involving not only the relationship between the two sisters, but a historical marriage breakdown on Sherri's part, a widening rift in the marriage of Daniel and Kristen, infidelity, Sherri and Kristen's estranged father coming back into their lives, the difficulties in achieving a work/life balance as a health professional, and the birth of a new generation into the family.
The Year of Goodbyes and Hellos is an important book. The characters are realistic and relatable, the story both devastating and hopeful.
⭐⭐⭐⭐.5
#TheYearofGoodbyesandHellos #NetGalley
I: @kelly_irvin
X: @Kelly_S_Irvin
THE AUTHOR: Kelly Irvin worked in public relations for the San Antonio Parks and Recreation Department for 22 years before retiring earlier this year. Kelly has been married to photographer Tim Irvin for twenty-eight years. They have two children, four grandchildren and two ornery cats. In her spare time, she likes to write short stories, read books by her favorite authors, and looks forward to visits with her grandchildren.
DISCLOSURE: Thank you to Harper Collins Christian Publishing, and Thomas Nelson Fiction via NetGalley for providing both a digital and an audio ARC of The Year of Goodbyes and Hellos by Kelly Irvin for review. The audiobook is superbly narrated by Jessica Holten and Jeremy Childs. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.
https://sandysbookaday.wordpress.com/...
December 5, 2023
When I first seen the cover of this book I wondered what it was about. I knew it was written by one of my favorite authors and I considered reading it. Then I heard that it was a story written about two sisters and one sister had just learned at the book’s beginning that she had Ovarian Cancer. The other Sister was an Oncologist who worked for a big cancer care center in Texas. I knew I wanted to read this book because my sister died from Ovarian Cancer in 2009. I spent a lot of time up in Canada with her and was there for her first chemotherapy treatment. As I started reading this book all the memories and feelings I had during my sisters fight for her life came flooding back to me. The book seemed very real and I could feel Sherri’s fear as her treatments started and her cancer advanced. The Author knows a lot about Ovarian Cancer because she also has this disease. Kelly Irvin is well researched on the topic of this type of cancer. I thought the book was very well written and the story though emotional was a warm story with a heart felt message to all women about how this type of cancer or any type of cancer can effect the patient and her family and support team. This was a book that I found impossible to put down. Though the story was sad it was also about learning what was really the important things in life. Now that I’ve finished the book I can truthfully say that this is the best book that I have read this year.
I recommend this book to all readers of women’s fiction, Contemporary Christian Fiction, and standalone novels. It is a story that all women should consider reading. This book is scheduled by be released on 12/5/23.
I voluntarily read an advanced readers copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.
#TheYearofGoodbyesandHellos #NetGalley
I recommend this book to all readers of women’s fiction, Contemporary Christian Fiction, and standalone novels. It is a story that all women should consider reading. This book is scheduled by be released on 12/5/23.
I voluntarily read an advanced readers copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.
#TheYearofGoodbyesandHellos #NetGalley
December 5, 2023
Obviously I picked this book because of the cover. I didn’t even read what the book was about 🤪
This book zooms in on two sisters (in their late 40’s- woohoo for books with middle aged women as main characters!) who lost their mom to cancer. One sister is a teacher and one is an oncologist.
In this story, there is a lot of hurt happening. Marriage vows crumbling, one sister ends up being sick, an old member of the family walks back into the ladies lives. A lot of “hellos” and “goodbyes”
This author wrote this book very well & with care. and after reading her author jot, from a place of experience. Cancer affects us all- some how some way. I’m thankful for books like this to bring attention to that.
No cursing. Clean as can be. Mega trigger warning of cancer- this can be a hard book if cancer is in your season of life right now. So just want to put that out there.
Thank you netgally for a free copy of this book.
This book zooms in on two sisters (in their late 40’s- woohoo for books with middle aged women as main characters!) who lost their mom to cancer. One sister is a teacher and one is an oncologist.
In this story, there is a lot of hurt happening. Marriage vows crumbling, one sister ends up being sick, an old member of the family walks back into the ladies lives. A lot of “hellos” and “goodbyes”
This author wrote this book very well & with care. and after reading her author jot, from a place of experience. Cancer affects us all- some how some way. I’m thankful for books like this to bring attention to that.
No cursing. Clean as can be. Mega trigger warning of cancer- this can be a hard book if cancer is in your season of life right now. So just want to put that out there.
Thank you netgally for a free copy of this book.
January 8, 2024
This novel is a must-read for Gen X-ers like me, mostly because we're getting to the age where our friends/family (or even we, ourselves) are being diagnosed with cancer. And cancer is not an easy subject to tackle, but Irvin does such a wonderful (and heartfelt) job bringing us an insider's view of the process of being diagnosed/people's responses/treatments, wrapping this information in a storyline with characters we get invested in.
And let's talk about characters. The main character Kristen can be abrasive, yes, but she doesn't stay stuck there. The book is largely about the revelations that push her into growth. Anyone who knows (or is) a workaholic will recognize Kristen's incessant drive to do better for her patients, even to the point of ignoring her family. She literally can't SEE what she's doing by putting her job first.
The book has an excellent resolution to the workaholism and to Kristen's other childhood traumas, so we can finish knowing she's moving in the right direction, even after resisting it for so long.. In other words, there is character growth which makes her more relatable over time.
And Kristen's husband, Daniel. I'm guessing every reader has met a husband (or wife) like this--someone whose spouse's desires trump his own, to the point where he can't even talk to her about what he wants. This is an unusual marriage to be portrayed in Christian fiction, and I'd like to say kudos to Thomas Nelson for bringing us something different, yet highly believable with this story! It makes the reader think, which all the best books do. I loved seeing realistic marriages (and divorces) and how both partners grow over time.
I also appreciated the sobering but important thread that time is ticking for all of us.. I was impressed at how the storyline itself communicated deeper truths. Many Christian fiction books are extended sermons, full of pat answers, and, as anyone who's struggled with cancer knows (either themselves or their family/friends) there are many questions that might never get answered on earth. Yet the book continually points back to God's peace and the importance of TRUE faith, which I appreciated. The characters' struggles, laid bare for the reader, made us ponder if we're prioritizing the right things in the here and now, and their relationships and victories inspired readers.
I'll definitely be recommending this to those looking for a thought-provoking and realistic Christian fiction read.
And let's talk about characters. The main character Kristen can be abrasive, yes, but she doesn't stay stuck there. The book is largely about the revelations that push her into growth. Anyone who knows (or is) a workaholic will recognize Kristen's incessant drive to do better for her patients, even to the point of ignoring her family. She literally can't SEE what she's doing by putting her job first.
The book has an excellent resolution to the workaholism and to Kristen's other childhood traumas, so we can finish knowing she's moving in the right direction, even after resisting it for so long.. In other words, there is character growth which makes her more relatable over time.
And Kristen's husband, Daniel. I'm guessing every reader has met a husband (or wife) like this--someone whose spouse's desires trump his own, to the point where he can't even talk to her about what he wants. This is an unusual marriage to be portrayed in Christian fiction, and I'd like to say kudos to Thomas Nelson for bringing us something different, yet highly believable with this story! It makes the reader think, which all the best books do. I loved seeing realistic marriages (and divorces) and how both partners grow over time.
I also appreciated the sobering but important thread that time is ticking for all of us.. I was impressed at how the storyline itself communicated deeper truths. Many Christian fiction books are extended sermons, full of pat answers, and, as anyone who's struggled with cancer knows (either themselves or their family/friends) there are many questions that might never get answered on earth. Yet the book continually points back to God's peace and the importance of TRUE faith, which I appreciated. The characters' struggles, laid bare for the reader, made us ponder if we're prioritizing the right things in the here and now, and their relationships and victories inspired readers.
I'll definitely be recommending this to those looking for a thought-provoking and realistic Christian fiction read.
February 18, 2024
Whew! That was emotional. A female oncologist (Kristen) and her newly diagnosed sister (Sherri) navigate cancer, marriage and family in the pages. I learned quite a bit about the cancer journey from this novel. Looked up one term (N.E.D.). Tears were shed.
April 10, 2024
The Year of Goodbyes and Hellos is an emotional story, because it is so accurate to what a woman who has been diagnosed with ovarian cancer goes through. My mom died from ovarian cancer, so besides the medical trials, and having her own personal oncologist who is a family member, this really hit home. Kristen Tremaine and her sister Sherri Reynolds lost their mother to ovarian cancer when they were young. They reacted differently, with Kristen dedicating her life to to her career as an oncologist, often spending more time with her patients than her husband and family. Sherri is a kindergarten teacher, who lives a healthy lifestyle while spending time with grandkids, and some with her ex-husband. Because ovarian cancer is hereditary, Sherri is diagnosed with it and Kristen is adamant to save her sister, especially after not being able to do anything to help her mother years ago. With all that is going on in her life, she spends less and less time with her husband, eventually causing the relationship to break, and her husband moves out. Devastated by all that is going on, Kristen doesn't know what to do, until she finally faces the wounds from her childhood, that she has buried, but not dealt with.
Oh my goodness, this was such an amazing story. For anyone who has had a family member or themselves dealing with cancer, it is a familiar story, yet so emotional. Kelly Irvin wrote this book after her own journey after being diagnosed with stage 4 ovarian cancer. It has been seven years since that diagnosis and she used her experiences to write this book. Make sure you read her message when you read this book. The book deals with both the patient, Sherri, and what she deals with both physically and emotionally, as well as the effects on the family of the patient. Kristin had buried her grief and feeling of helplessness she developed as a young girl, and this affected everything she did, the decisions she made and the drive she had. At times this was okay, but once Sherri was sick, it caused her life to crumble. I did get frustrated by the reaction her family had, especially her daughters, but I think she needed some tough love as well. I don't want to spoil this book for anyone, so I will stop there. One of the most important messages from this book is early diagnosis. Don't brush off symptoms you might have that are unusual or different. Early diagnosis will make all the difference. A must read book for all women, their grown children and even men, especially if ovarian cancer runs in your family.
Oh my goodness, this was such an amazing story. For anyone who has had a family member or themselves dealing with cancer, it is a familiar story, yet so emotional. Kelly Irvin wrote this book after her own journey after being diagnosed with stage 4 ovarian cancer. It has been seven years since that diagnosis and she used her experiences to write this book. Make sure you read her message when you read this book. The book deals with both the patient, Sherri, and what she deals with both physically and emotionally, as well as the effects on the family of the patient. Kristin had buried her grief and feeling of helplessness she developed as a young girl, and this affected everything she did, the decisions she made and the drive she had. At times this was okay, but once Sherri was sick, it caused her life to crumble. I did get frustrated by the reaction her family had, especially her daughters, but I think she needed some tough love as well. I don't want to spoil this book for anyone, so I will stop there. One of the most important messages from this book is early diagnosis. Don't brush off symptoms you might have that are unusual or different. Early diagnosis will make all the difference. A must read book for all women, their grown children and even men, especially if ovarian cancer runs in your family.
January 15, 2024
Review to come.
August 17, 2023
This is an evocative, complex story of two sisters who lost their mother to cancer as teenagers. So when Sherrie, the older sister, is diagnosed with stage IV ovarian cancer in her 50’s, it is an unfortunate and traumatic twist of fate for both women. Kristen, as the younger sister, will need to dig deep to care for Sherrie. Luckily, Kristen is an oncologist and is able to guide Sherrie through her illness.
As an oncologist, Kristen has an extremely busy life and this is causing her marital problems, which will need to be put on the back burner while she cares for her sister.
This book covers so many topics flawlessly and emotionally - cancer, grief, marriage, divorce, job dynamics, religious beliefs and family. It is written beautifully and is really a gut punch right in the feels. I highly recommend this 5-star book. Thank you, NetGalley and Thomas Nelson Fiction for the ARC. This book hits the shelves on December 5, 2023.
As an oncologist, Kristen has an extremely busy life and this is causing her marital problems, which will need to be put on the back burner while she cares for her sister.
This book covers so many topics flawlessly and emotionally - cancer, grief, marriage, divorce, job dynamics, religious beliefs and family. It is written beautifully and is really a gut punch right in the feels. I highly recommend this 5-star book. Thank you, NetGalley and Thomas Nelson Fiction for the ARC. This book hits the shelves on December 5, 2023.
December 22, 2023
I had mixed emotions about reading this book with a deep topic because I gravitate towards books that are happy to escape the sadness and ugliness in the world. Let me say, I read and finished the book and thoroughly enjoyed it. I laughed, I cried and my compassion for the characters was through the roof. I congratulate Kelly Irvin for being able to share her own stage 4 ovarian cancer story with her readers through this book. Such an emotional read complete with forgiveness, faith and new beginnings. I highly recommend this book and thank you Kelly for your insight on ovarian cancer.
I was given a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley and the publisher. All words are my own.
I was given a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley and the publisher. All words are my own.
June 11, 2023
This is a well written novel about the highs and lows of a family affected by a cancer diagnosis. It's such a serious and difficult topic but told in such a sweet way and from the perspective of the patient and the oncologist. Sherri and Chance were my favorite characters in the story.
Thanks so much to netgalley and the publisher for the arc. The opinions are my own
Thanks so much to netgalley and the publisher for the arc. The opinions are my own
June 9, 2023
Sherri and Kristen are sisters who have weathered many losses. In this Christian based fiction, the sisters must comes to terms with Sherri's terminal cancer diagnosis. Kristen, an oncologist, knows her sisters's fate...yet can not understand her sister's faith. Sherri makes the point several times that God answers all prayers, just not always hope we expect or want....and that true faith shows in difficult circumstances.
During the cancer diagnosis and treatment, Kristen is also standing by as her 25 year marriage falls apart. During her sister's diagnosis and treatment, Kristen must decide what matters most and that time spent shows what really matters.
Thank you NetGalley, Nelson Publishers, and Kelly Irvin for this ARC.
During the cancer diagnosis and treatment, Kristen is also standing by as her 25 year marriage falls apart. During her sister's diagnosis and treatment, Kristen must decide what matters most and that time spent shows what really matters.
Thank you NetGalley, Nelson Publishers, and Kelly Irvin for this ARC.
December 4, 2025
I have to admit this book was difficult to read because it is so real and vulnerable and evokes emotions. The author did such a great job bringing the honest portrayal of struggling people to life. I cried more reading this book than any other I’ve ever read. If you have dealt with cancer, you may find this hard to read, so beware. Yet, although a challenging journey with the authentic characters, the story is a tale of overcoming and pushing through the trials. The satisfying ending makes the painful experience worth it. I received a copy from the author and publisher. All opinions are my own.
December 19, 2023
This book felt like a love letter from the author, Kelly Irvin, to her readers. Though fictional, it describes much of what Kelly has been through in recent years, and the reader can't help but feel that very special connection.
An informative, heartfelt book about the challenges cancer patients and their families face, this book also serves as a wonderful reminder to all of us to appreciate every day, to care for one another, to take time for one another, and to always move forward in love.
Recommend for all fans of Christian fiction.
An informative, heartfelt book about the challenges cancer patients and their families face, this book also serves as a wonderful reminder to all of us to appreciate every day, to care for one another, to take time for one another, and to always move forward in love.
Recommend for all fans of Christian fiction.
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June 24, 2025
DNF at Chapter 7. This book just isn’t for me. It was hard reading about cancer and what they go through. It was so depressing overall and it didn’t seem to be getting any better. I didn’t like that Sherri was divorced either. I stopped once there were some comments that I didn’t agree with being in a Christian book and that make me uncomfortable. I have enjoyed some of Kelly Irvin’s books in the past so this was disappointing.
September 23, 2023
This book was a good read and I really enjoyed it and then I read the author's note and realized that, in some ways, Kelly was living this story and that raised the star level for me from a 4 to a 5.
Sherri is battling ovarian cancer and Kristen, her sister, is determined to save her, adding caretaking to her myriad of responsibilities she is trying to juggle. While on the surface it appears as if she is managing fine, her marriage is on the brink of ruin; the question is will she realize it in time?
There is much heart break and hope in this story. Sherri's only marriage had ended in divorce, but yet there was reconciliation. It's a story that makes you think about living in each moment and enjoying life while you have life and health. There is no guarantee.
I felt like the relationship to God was a little more surface than I want to have, and yet, I think, Sherri especially, was seeking to know Him and live for Him.
There did seem to be some confusion in the book as to what Sherri's daughter's husband's name was. Most of the time it was Zach, but at one point it seemed to be Trevor. I'm not sure if I missed something there or if it was an editing thing that got missed. Not a big deal, but....
I did really enjoy the book and want to take to heart the message to enjoy my family while I have them with me to enjoy.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Thomas Nelson via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.
Sherri is battling ovarian cancer and Kristen, her sister, is determined to save her, adding caretaking to her myriad of responsibilities she is trying to juggle. While on the surface it appears as if she is managing fine, her marriage is on the brink of ruin; the question is will she realize it in time?
There is much heart break and hope in this story. Sherri's only marriage had ended in divorce, but yet there was reconciliation. It's a story that makes you think about living in each moment and enjoying life while you have life and health. There is no guarantee.
I felt like the relationship to God was a little more surface than I want to have, and yet, I think, Sherri especially, was seeking to know Him and live for Him.
There did seem to be some confusion in the book as to what Sherri's daughter's husband's name was. Most of the time it was Zach, but at one point it seemed to be Trevor. I'm not sure if I missed something there or if it was an editing thing that got missed. Not a big deal, but....
I did really enjoy the book and want to take to heart the message to enjoy my family while I have them with me to enjoy.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Thomas Nelson via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.
October 25, 2023
I received a free e-arc of this book through Netgalley. The title drew me in, but then I almost had to stop reading in the first chapter because the sister, Sherri, gets a cancer diagnosis. My sister died from cancer just over 3 years ago so it was very hard to read parts of this book. Kristen, as the main sister, was very frustrating to me as her marriage swirled down the drain. This book does have a Christian theme throughout. The book did hit on some of my points about prayer. An emotional read for me.
October 14, 2023
Be prepared with tissues before tackling this book! This was a very emotional read for me since there is a history of cancers in my family, but I felt like it needed to be read. It is a must-read for all women.
I'm happy the author wrote about the subject of ovarian cancer, especially since she went through the treatments herself. There is so much need for people to know and be aware of the symptoms and signs of this cancer.
Thank you to Netgalley for a complimentary copy of this book to review. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
I'm happy the author wrote about the subject of ovarian cancer, especially since she went through the treatments herself. There is so much need for people to know and be aware of the symptoms and signs of this cancer.
Thank you to Netgalley for a complimentary copy of this book to review. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
October 20, 2023
Thank you NetGalley, Nelson Publishers, and Kelly Irvin for this ARC. Two sisters, Sherri and Kris are forever bonded through childhood losses and experiences. When Sherri is diagnosed with Stage IV ovarian cancer, Kris, an oncologist, puts herself in charge of Sherri’s care. Kris’s dedication to her job, to the detriment of her relationships with her husband and daughters, is a focal point of this story as well. This was an engrossing, well told story, with more religious content than I am used to, but it was an important part of the story, especially for Sherri.
June 19, 2025
When Sherri Reynolds discovers that she has ovarian cancer, she naturally turns to her sister, oncologist Dr. Kristen Tremaine. Sherri had helped her mother's best friend raise her younger sister after their mother died of ovarian cancer years before.
Kristen has franticly thrown herself into doing whatever she can to fight cancer and help her patients. She has gone so far that she is losing her husband Daniel and two daughters, and Kristen doesn't even realize it. With Sherri's cancer, Kristen becomes desperate. When she forgets his birthday and then their 25th anniversary, Daniel leaves. Nothing he can say gets through to Kristen, who has repeatedly promised to do better. With her sister's life and her marriage on the line, Kristen must determine whether her marriage or the new opportunity to add cancer research to her hectic schedule means more to her.
This is the third of Irvin's books that I've read and is definitely my favorite. Her characters have profound issues to face as Sherri, a Christian, faces the questions about death and God's answering or not answering prayer for her healing, Kristen, who is not a believe, is challenged to find balance in her life and forgiveness in her heart, and Daniel asks whether Kristen will ever let him be an important part of her life.
Irvin tells the story through the POV of all three characters which shows there are no easy answers to the dilemmas the characters face. At times, I did not like Kristen and wanted to shake her. However, her mother's death and sister's illness ease the dislike.
This is the best novel I've read so far this year. It's deadly serious but it offers hope.
Kristen has franticly thrown herself into doing whatever she can to fight cancer and help her patients. She has gone so far that she is losing her husband Daniel and two daughters, and Kristen doesn't even realize it. With Sherri's cancer, Kristen becomes desperate. When she forgets his birthday and then their 25th anniversary, Daniel leaves. Nothing he can say gets through to Kristen, who has repeatedly promised to do better. With her sister's life and her marriage on the line, Kristen must determine whether her marriage or the new opportunity to add cancer research to her hectic schedule means more to her.
This is the third of Irvin's books that I've read and is definitely my favorite. Her characters have profound issues to face as Sherri, a Christian, faces the questions about death and God's answering or not answering prayer for her healing, Kristen, who is not a believe, is challenged to find balance in her life and forgiveness in her heart, and Daniel asks whether Kristen will ever let him be an important part of her life.
Irvin tells the story through the POV of all three characters which shows there are no easy answers to the dilemmas the characters face. At times, I did not like Kristen and wanted to shake her. However, her mother's death and sister's illness ease the dislike.
This is the best novel I've read so far this year. It's deadly serious but it offers hope.
January 4, 2024
What a heartrending story encompassing the hard subjects of a cancer diagnosis, divorce, estrangement, and spiritual questioning.
The characters and situations came across as very realistic. I applaud the author for using her own cancer experience to enlighten her audience. She truly has made lemonade out of lemons.
Forgiveness is a big theme as was getting your priorities straight, living in the moment and actively loving your family. It was told in several voices. Kristen was an oncologist who wholeheartedly gave to her patients. But she learned that she could not do enough when the patient was her sister, Sherri. The story showed how cancer affects the whole extended family, not just the person with the diagnosis.
Recommended for fans of women’s fiction.
*i received a complimentary copy of this book from Thomas Nelson through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.*
The characters and situations came across as very realistic. I applaud the author for using her own cancer experience to enlighten her audience. She truly has made lemonade out of lemons.
Forgiveness is a big theme as was getting your priorities straight, living in the moment and actively loving your family. It was told in several voices. Kristen was an oncologist who wholeheartedly gave to her patients. But she learned that she could not do enough when the patient was her sister, Sherri. The story showed how cancer affects the whole extended family, not just the person with the diagnosis.
Recommended for fans of women’s fiction.
*i received a complimentary copy of this book from Thomas Nelson through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.*
April 21, 2024
Not my usual read but it came highly recommended by a patron. It is a beautiful sad story about death and a life worth living. Not many books can make these old eyes water but this one certainly did.
January 20, 2024
I found this one tough to get through but I'm not sure if that was the book my struggle with reading anything lately. It was well written and the topic of ovarian cancer and how that affects a family was important. But I really didn't like Kristen and it was frustrating how long it took her to realize how she needed to change. It felt like the story just dragged a bit (but again, that could just be me).
December 3, 2023
Two sisters, Kristin and Sherri, work to heal the lingering wounds of childhood loss when one sister, Sherri, receives a devastating cancer diagnosis. As Kristin works to navigate the system with Sherri, her personal life, and marriage starts to crumble. Together they work to heal old wounds, find balance and live in the moment.
This is a very realistic and heart wrenching view of a family affected by a cancer diagnosis. It is beautifully written with themes of marriage, faith, and forgiveness. It explores the question of why bad things happen to good people and focuses on balance in your life and living in the moment. Overall a great book that provides an opportunity to think about your own life and the faith and balance within it.
This is a very realistic and heart wrenching view of a family affected by a cancer diagnosis. It is beautifully written with themes of marriage, faith, and forgiveness. It explores the question of why bad things happen to good people and focuses on balance in your life and living in the moment. Overall a great book that provides an opportunity to think about your own life and the faith and balance within it.
June 17, 2023
This story grabbed me from the beginning and I could not put it down until the last page was turned.
Sisters, Sherri, and Kristen lost their mother to cancer at an early age, which caused Sherri to fill the role of mother to younger sister Kristen. Sherri later became a kindergarten teacher and Kristen an oncologist, determined to save the lives of all cancer victims. Kristen, however, so obsessed with her patient’s well-being, often made them her priority over her own family.
When Sherri is diagnosed with advanced ovarian cancer, Kristen insists she come stay with her and be treated in the clinic where she works so she can oversee her care. Kristen puts everything else on hold, determined to save her sister.
This is an emotional, gripping, beautiful story that includes family, faith, and friendship, as well as forgiveness. It is somewhat of a roller coaster ride, which kept me on the edge of my seat with anticipation. A beautifully written story with relatable characters that I recommend straight from my heart.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
Sisters, Sherri, and Kristen lost their mother to cancer at an early age, which caused Sherri to fill the role of mother to younger sister Kristen. Sherri later became a kindergarten teacher and Kristen an oncologist, determined to save the lives of all cancer victims. Kristen, however, so obsessed with her patient’s well-being, often made them her priority over her own family.
When Sherri is diagnosed with advanced ovarian cancer, Kristen insists she come stay with her and be treated in the clinic where she works so she can oversee her care. Kristen puts everything else on hold, determined to save her sister.
This is an emotional, gripping, beautiful story that includes family, faith, and friendship, as well as forgiveness. It is somewhat of a roller coaster ride, which kept me on the edge of my seat with anticipation. A beautifully written story with relatable characters that I recommend straight from my heart.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
November 21, 2023
The Year of Goodbyes and Hellos written by Kelly Irvin delves into the emotional complexities of two sisters navigating the challenges of ovarian cancer. As a cancer survivor herself, this author brings an authentic and deeply personal perspective to this tender story. The narrative skillfully weaves through the highs and lows of the older sister’s cancer journey, offering a heartfelt exploration of family, faith, and the profound impact of a life-altering diagnosis.
The characters, particularly sisters Sherrie (older sister) and Kristen (younger sister), are portrayed with depth and realism, drawing readers into their world of grief, love, and resilience. Irvin skillfully intertwines multiple themes, including marriage, career dynamics, and the delicate balance between life's priorities. The emotional depth is a testament to Irvin's ability to convey the profound impact of cancer on individuals and their relationships.
The overall narrative remains a powerful exploration of life, loss, forgiveness, steadfastness, and the strength found in family bonds. I longed for a more profound exploration of the Christian faith within this narrative; had it been present, it would have undoubtedly secured a five-star rating from me.
The audiobook version of this novel captivated me, particularly due to the compelling voices and, in particular, the exceptional portrayal of the male main character. His performance was nothing short of amazing, adding a layer of depth, authenticity, and emotions to the story that enhanced my overall listening experience.
I received a copy of the audiobook via HarperCollins Christian Publishing, Thomas Nelson Fiction, and NetGalley. I am not required to write a positive review no paid to do so. This is my honest and unbiased review. My thoughts and opinions expressed in this book/audiobook review are my own ensuring transparency and reliability.
The characters, particularly sisters Sherrie (older sister) and Kristen (younger sister), are portrayed with depth and realism, drawing readers into their world of grief, love, and resilience. Irvin skillfully intertwines multiple themes, including marriage, career dynamics, and the delicate balance between life's priorities. The emotional depth is a testament to Irvin's ability to convey the profound impact of cancer on individuals and their relationships.
The overall narrative remains a powerful exploration of life, loss, forgiveness, steadfastness, and the strength found in family bonds. I longed for a more profound exploration of the Christian faith within this narrative; had it been present, it would have undoubtedly secured a five-star rating from me.
The audiobook version of this novel captivated me, particularly due to the compelling voices and, in particular, the exceptional portrayal of the male main character. His performance was nothing short of amazing, adding a layer of depth, authenticity, and emotions to the story that enhanced my overall listening experience.
I received a copy of the audiobook via HarperCollins Christian Publishing, Thomas Nelson Fiction, and NetGalley. I am not required to write a positive review no paid to do so. This is my honest and unbiased review. My thoughts and opinions expressed in this book/audiobook review are my own ensuring transparency and reliability.
February 2, 2026
This was a very emotional, heavy, and thoughtfully written story. I really appreciated how the author told the story from multiple perspectives — not just the patient’s, but also the doctor’s and the loved ones’. Even though Sheri’s cancer is the central plot, the book felt equally like Sheri’s, Kristen’s, and Daniel’s story depending on whose point of view you were in. Each storyline felt important and intentional.
I don’t usually cry while reading, but this book made me cry — especially when Sheri passed away. Watching a sibling experience that kind of loss, on top of everything else, was heartbreaking. Even though I spent much of the book frustrated with Kristen, I still felt deeply for her as she faced the collapse of her marriage while also losing her best friend. Sheri’s journey, especially having to choose how she wanted to spend the remainder of her life, was incredibly painful but beautifully written.
I also really appreciated how faith was handled in this book. Sheri’s strong belief paired with doubt and anger toward God felt very real, and Kristen’s journey as a nonbeliever who eventually finds her way back to faith after profound loss was relatable and moving. It showed faith as something complex and human, not perfect or easy.
I was glad to see Kristen and Daniel rekindle their marriage, and I understood Kristen’s decision to leave oncology, though working at a women’s clinic felt slightly out of character to me. Still, I respect that choice as something she did in honor of Sheri. My main critique is that the ending felt a bit abrupt, and I really wish we had gotten the moment where Sheri’s ashes were scattered from the Eiffel Tower — that felt like a missed emotional detail.
Overall, this was a powerful story full of important lessons about health, faith, love, grief, and not taking the people in your life for granted.
I don’t usually cry while reading, but this book made me cry — especially when Sheri passed away. Watching a sibling experience that kind of loss, on top of everything else, was heartbreaking. Even though I spent much of the book frustrated with Kristen, I still felt deeply for her as she faced the collapse of her marriage while also losing her best friend. Sheri’s journey, especially having to choose how she wanted to spend the remainder of her life, was incredibly painful but beautifully written.
I also really appreciated how faith was handled in this book. Sheri’s strong belief paired with doubt and anger toward God felt very real, and Kristen’s journey as a nonbeliever who eventually finds her way back to faith after profound loss was relatable and moving. It showed faith as something complex and human, not perfect or easy.
I was glad to see Kristen and Daniel rekindle their marriage, and I understood Kristen’s decision to leave oncology, though working at a women’s clinic felt slightly out of character to me. Still, I respect that choice as something she did in honor of Sheri. My main critique is that the ending felt a bit abrupt, and I really wish we had gotten the moment where Sheri’s ashes were scattered from the Eiffel Tower — that felt like a missed emotional detail.
Overall, this was a powerful story full of important lessons about health, faith, love, grief, and not taking the people in your life for granted.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 11, 2023
Thank you very much to HarperCollins Publishers for mailing a copy of this book to me. I have never read any novels by this author, and she is quite prolific! This novel is filled with wisdom about dealing with cancer, from the perspectives of the patient, friend, family member. Here are some lines I liked:
. Why is it so hard to see how we've squandered time until we can see it all in hindsight? I was about making sure my time was well spent; no time to waste.
. We are connected by the sinew and tissue of shared joys and traumas.
. Why does He save one person and not the other? God answers all prayers, just not the way we want Him to.
. Oncologists know healthy living doesn't translate to no cancer. People can do all the right things, and still get cancer.
. Was there some grand design that made their suffering "worth it?"
. Live in this moment. Stop brooding about what might have been, or what will be. This is out time now. It's all we're getting. Treasure this moment in time.
. The truth was that life had all sorts of dead ends, fork in the road, detours, and potholes.
. Why is it so hard to see how we've squandered time until we can see it all in hindsight? I was about making sure my time was well spent; no time to waste.
. We are connected by the sinew and tissue of shared joys and traumas.
. Why does He save one person and not the other? God answers all prayers, just not the way we want Him to.
. Oncologists know healthy living doesn't translate to no cancer. People can do all the right things, and still get cancer.
. Was there some grand design that made their suffering "worth it?"
. Live in this moment. Stop brooding about what might have been, or what will be. This is out time now. It's all we're getting. Treasure this moment in time.
. The truth was that life had all sorts of dead ends, fork in the road, detours, and potholes.
December 25, 2023
The Year of Goodbyes and Hellos is a lovely story of love and loss, and even though it's beautifully written, it's a very difficult read at moments.
This book covers so many important topics - illness, sisterly love, loneliness in marriage, loss in different forms - but as I've said, it's written in a lovely way.
What I didn't particularly like is the amount of details of Sherri's hospital visits, but even though the personal preference is not to read about it, I think it's good that people understand even that aspect of cancer treatments.
Also, I must say that even this book is classified as Christian Fiction, and that is not the genre I ever read, I didn't find it overwhelming or overused - the faith and god element was written well into the Sherri's story.
Thank you netgalley and publisher for this arc.
This book covers so many important topics - illness, sisterly love, loneliness in marriage, loss in different forms - but as I've said, it's written in a lovely way.
What I didn't particularly like is the amount of details of Sherri's hospital visits, but even though the personal preference is not to read about it, I think it's good that people understand even that aspect of cancer treatments.
Also, I must say that even this book is classified as Christian Fiction, and that is not the genre I ever read, I didn't find it overwhelming or overused - the faith and god element was written well into the Sherri's story.
Thank you netgalley and publisher for this arc.
August 14, 2024
This book captured me from the very beginning. I found myself so invested in the lives of the characters. It evoked all the feels for me. Several times I had tears rolling down my cheeks. It is so relatable in how life is today. I also found it convicting regarding choosing to make time for those most important to us.
The faith content in this book was done in a subtle way, not preachy, but evident. One quote that especially impacted me was, "Suffice it to say, I had no right to ask for anything, but I was sure God got that all the time."
I appreciate how Kelly is not afraid to write about the hard things in life and how important it is to work through them, good or bad.
Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas Nelson for the complimentary copy. This is my honest review.
The faith content in this book was done in a subtle way, not preachy, but evident. One quote that especially impacted me was, "Suffice it to say, I had no right to ask for anything, but I was sure God got that all the time."
I appreciate how Kelly is not afraid to write about the hard things in life and how important it is to work through them, good or bad.
Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas Nelson for the complimentary copy. This is my honest review.
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