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The Grief of Goodbye
Discover an emotionally charged tale of love, sacrifice, and redemption in The Grief of Goodbye. Can a mother's unwavering determination save her self-destructive daughter before time runs out?
Amidst a fatal diagnosis, Tess Sullivan, a high-powered executive, faces an unimaginable dilemma as her teenage daughter, Pen, plunges into the abyss of self-destruction. At a crossroads, and determined to rescue her daughter, Tess makes a heart-wrenching decision—she will delay her own cancer treatment and embark on an extraordinary journey to save Pen.
As Tess and Pen set off in the scorching sun on the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage across Spain, their departure fills Tess's husband, John, with an overwhelming mix of fear and hope. Aware that their lives hang in the balance, John, in a moment of profound vulnerability, pours his heart into a letter that will alter the course of their lives forever.
While Tess fights to reach her daughter amidst the trials and revelations along the Camino, John's heartfelt letter becomes a guiding light, revealing truths that will test the strength of their family's bond. As Tess's illness takes its toll and Santiago seems more distant than ever, she realizes the gravity of shielding her family from her own grief and pain.
The Grief of Goodbye weaves a tapestry of love, resilience, and the lengths we go to protect those we cherish. Will the unyielding bonds that tie a mother and daughter together be enough to save them?
Amidst a fatal diagnosis, Tess Sullivan, a high-powered executive, faces an unimaginable dilemma as her teenage daughter, Pen, plunges into the abyss of self-destruction. At a crossroads, and determined to rescue her daughter, Tess makes a heart-wrenching decision—she will delay her own cancer treatment and embark on an extraordinary journey to save Pen.
As Tess and Pen set off in the scorching sun on the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage across Spain, their departure fills Tess's husband, John, with an overwhelming mix of fear and hope. Aware that their lives hang in the balance, John, in a moment of profound vulnerability, pours his heart into a letter that will alter the course of their lives forever.
While Tess fights to reach her daughter amidst the trials and revelations along the Camino, John's heartfelt letter becomes a guiding light, revealing truths that will test the strength of their family's bond. As Tess's illness takes its toll and Santiago seems more distant than ever, she realizes the gravity of shielding her family from her own grief and pain.
The Grief of Goodbye weaves a tapestry of love, resilience, and the lengths we go to protect those we cherish. Will the unyielding bonds that tie a mother and daughter together be enough to save them?
323 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 15, 2023
11 people are currently reading
45 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
August 26, 2023
Great love story
Unconventional but wonderful tale of loves and the Camino! Can't wait for the next book! Always love a good Camino book!
Unconventional but wonderful tale of loves and the Camino! Can't wait for the next book! Always love a good Camino book!
September 2, 2023
masterful storytelling
masterful storytelling
I am a sucker for the trials and unforeseen struggles of the kitchen sink variety
Such as moving to a new country
This was the hook from this writer that only left me reading my time away…
masterful storytelling
I am a sucker for the trials and unforeseen struggles of the kitchen sink variety
Such as moving to a new country
This was the hook from this writer that only left me reading my time away…
July 24, 2024
As someone who recently lost a parent from cancer, this book wasn’t for me. Well written though. I personally didn’t like the way she dealt with everything and kept thinking about her poor husband.
October 29, 2023
Make sure you have a box of tissues next to you before you start this book! Reading the blurb I thought I had a pretty good idea of what to expect from this book, and I was very pleasantly surprised with how the plot developed.
This book follows the journey of mother-daughter duo Tess and Pen as they embark on the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage from France through Spain. Tess is diagnosed with terminal cancer, but before she has the opportunity to tell her teenage daughter Pen, Tess and her husband discover Pen has been on a self-destructive path involving very serious drugs. Tess makes a decision that will change all of their lives: she is going to delay her cancer treatment and take Pen on this two month journey through Spain in hopes that she can reconnect with her daughter and save her from herself.
This book is a wonderful journey of self discovery and a mother's love for her daughter. This story is equal parts heartwarming and heartbreaking. Very bittersweet as we see Tess and Pen reconnect knowing Tess has to reveal this diagnosis to Pen. Make sure you aren't wearing mascara and aren't out in public as you near the end. I definitely recommend this book!
This book follows the journey of mother-daughter duo Tess and Pen as they embark on the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage from France through Spain. Tess is diagnosed with terminal cancer, but before she has the opportunity to tell her teenage daughter Pen, Tess and her husband discover Pen has been on a self-destructive path involving very serious drugs. Tess makes a decision that will change all of their lives: she is going to delay her cancer treatment and take Pen on this two month journey through Spain in hopes that she can reconnect with her daughter and save her from herself.
This book is a wonderful journey of self discovery and a mother's love for her daughter. This story is equal parts heartwarming and heartbreaking. Very bittersweet as we see Tess and Pen reconnect knowing Tess has to reveal this diagnosis to Pen. Make sure you aren't wearing mascara and aren't out in public as you near the end. I definitely recommend this book!
August 15, 2023
With the inspiring backdrop of the transformative Camino de Santiago Pilgrimage, this book weaves together a captivating story of love, loss, and hope. I was completely captivated by page one. As the book unfolded, the storylines were so relatable with characters facing complex relationships and major life challenges at midlife.
Kelli is a gifted writer as shown by the dedicated following she has amassed with her daily blog, “Vive España, Moving to Spain”. She is a master storyteller always vulnerably sharing the challenges and the absurdities of building a life in a new country. This and so much more come shining through in her debut novel. As I closed the last page, all I wanted to know was what happened next to these complex characters I had grown to love. I did not want to say goodbye. I anxiously await the sequel!
- Leigh Brennan,
Kelli is a gifted writer as shown by the dedicated following she has amassed with her daily blog, “Vive España, Moving to Spain”. She is a master storyteller always vulnerably sharing the challenges and the absurdities of building a life in a new country. This and so much more come shining through in her debut novel. As I closed the last page, all I wanted to know was what happened next to these complex characters I had grown to love. I did not want to say goodbye. I anxiously await the sequel!
- Leigh Brennan,
May 26, 2025
Bought this book as we walked the Camino. I also have breast cancer so had a unique perspective as I read this book. Some of her choices didnt make a lot of sense to me but I’ve lived long enough with this disease to know that everyone handles the cancer journey differently (much like Camino). The author has a nice writing style and I enjoyed reading along as the characters progressed on the Camino. Would someone enjoy it as much if they weren’t familiar with the Camino? I doubt it
December 29, 2024
Grabs your heart from page 1
I started this book right before Christmas and made time to read …finishing within a few days. A story of love and a life that is messy. Following the journey of a mom who wants to save her daughter, rebuild their relationship and fulfill a dream of walking the Camino. I won’t say more but there’s so much more. A must read!
I started this book right before Christmas and made time to read …finishing within a few days. A story of love and a life that is messy. Following the journey of a mom who wants to save her daughter, rebuild their relationship and fulfill a dream of walking the Camino. I won’t say more but there’s so much more. A must read!
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews