What do you think?
Rate this book
The In-Between: Unforgettable Encounters During Life's Final Moments
NEW YORK TIMES
BESTSELLER Passionate advocate for end-of-life care and TikTok star Hadley Vlahos shares moving stories of joy, wisdom, and redemption from her patients’ final moments in this “brilliant” (Zibby Owens,
Good Morning America
) memoir.
“This extraordinary book helps dispel fear around death and dying—revealing it to be a natural part of our soul’s evolution.”—Laura Lynne Jackson, New York Times bestselling author of Signs and The Light Between Us
Talking about death and dying is considered taboo in polite company, and even in the medical field. Our ideas about dying are confusing at Will our memories flash before our eyes? Regrets consume our thoughts? Does a bright light appear at the end of a tunnel? For most people, it will be a slower process, one eased with preparedness, good humor, and a bit of faith. At the forefront of changing attitudes around palliative care is hospice nurse Hadley Vlahos, who shows that end-of-life care can teach us just as much about how to live as it does about how we die.
Vlahos was raised in a strict religious household, but began questioning her beliefs in high school after the sudden death of a friend. When she got pregnant at nineteen, she was shunned by her community and enrolled herself in nursing school to be able to support herself and her baby. But nursing soon became more than a when she focused on palliative care and hospice work, it became a calling.
In The In-Between, Vlahos recounts the most impactful experiences she’s had with the people she’s worked with—from the woman who never once questioned her faith until she was close to death, to the older man seeing visions of his late daughter, to the young patient who laments that she spent too much of her short life worrying about what others thought of her—while also sharing her own fascinating journey.
Written with profound insight, humility, and respect, The In-Between is a heartrending memoir that shows how caring for others can transform a life while also offering wisdom and comfort for those dealing with loss and providing inspiration for how to live now.
“This extraordinary book helps dispel fear around death and dying—revealing it to be a natural part of our soul’s evolution.”—Laura Lynne Jackson, New York Times bestselling author of Signs and The Light Between Us
Talking about death and dying is considered taboo in polite company, and even in the medical field. Our ideas about dying are confusing at Will our memories flash before our eyes? Regrets consume our thoughts? Does a bright light appear at the end of a tunnel? For most people, it will be a slower process, one eased with preparedness, good humor, and a bit of faith. At the forefront of changing attitudes around palliative care is hospice nurse Hadley Vlahos, who shows that end-of-life care can teach us just as much about how to live as it does about how we die.
Vlahos was raised in a strict religious household, but began questioning her beliefs in high school after the sudden death of a friend. When she got pregnant at nineteen, she was shunned by her community and enrolled herself in nursing school to be able to support herself and her baby. But nursing soon became more than a when she focused on palliative care and hospice work, it became a calling.
In The In-Between, Vlahos recounts the most impactful experiences she’s had with the people she’s worked with—from the woman who never once questioned her faith until she was close to death, to the older man seeing visions of his late daughter, to the young patient who laments that she spent too much of her short life worrying about what others thought of her—while also sharing her own fascinating journey.
Written with profound insight, humility, and respect, The In-Between is a heartrending memoir that shows how caring for others can transform a life while also offering wisdom and comfort for those dealing with loss and providing inspiration for how to live now.
- GenresNonfiction
Audible Audio
Published June 13, 2023
12 people are currently reading
103 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
February 17, 2024
This book is undoubtedly one of the best books I have ever read. Reading about Hadley’s experiences has reinforced my decision to enter the nursing field, and I hope one day to have just a fraction of the compassion and knowledge that she has.
January 14, 2024
What happens after we die? That’s a question we’ve all pondered at least once or twice, if not more. What happens right before we die? Now that’s a question I hadn’t thought of before, but I am now. Author Hadley Vlahos, RN weaves a narrative of death, life, and the in-between in this gut-wrenching, but beautifully crafted book. While discussing her own journey as a hospice nurse and young mother, Hadley brings us alongside her as she recalls the stories of twelve people who in the final days of their lives shined some sort of light on what happens before, during and after we die.
I highly recommend it, but please have tissues nearby.
I highly recommend it, but please have tissues nearby.
December 21, 2023
I lost my father earlier this year and after watching him pass, I struggled with immense unknown how he was feeling upon passing and guilt that I couldn’t do more. Hadleys insight and experience makes me feel so much more comfort and relief that my dad was at peace when he passed. It was a type of closure I’ve been searching for and I’m glad I found this book.
February 7, 2024
They say you meet your partner in divorce, your siblings in inheritance, and your children in old age. But when do you know yourself?
I think in death. How do you die? Regretful, angry, hating, loving, at peace. That makes a big difference and often defines who you are.
Reflections that this book inspired in me about a nurse who takes care of people before they die, I don't think there is a more difficult job, because she knows that all of her patients will end up dying.
This book tells the story of twelve of her patients, from all of whom she learned something to be a better caregiver, nurse, and person.
A regular book but it makes you think.
⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
I think in death. How do you die? Regretful, angry, hating, loving, at peace. That makes a big difference and often defines who you are.
Reflections that this book inspired in me about a nurse who takes care of people before they die, I don't think there is a more difficult job, because she knows that all of her patients will end up dying.
This book tells the story of twelve of her patients, from all of whom she learned something to be a better caregiver, nurse, and person.
A regular book but it makes you think.
⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
March 3, 2024
This is a phenomenal book! Not only does the author write about her experiences, she also talks about her own thoughts, feelings and her life while taking care of her patients which includes the illness of someone close to her and having to learn to be on the other side of the situation that she helps families through on a daily basis. The wide array of hospice situations the author is out into and how she handles him so well with grace and poise to me is mind blowing. It’s a very well written but that I found to be inspiring as well as a page turner that I didn’t want to put down.
October 26, 2024
Favorite quotes:
"I always thought I would have more time. I wish I would have spent more time with my loved ones. I wish I’d just eaten the damn cake.”
“I reminded myself to live for today, not the fears of tomorrow”
“While I still don't have all the answers, the one thing I can tell you for certain is that there are things that defy medical explanation, and that in between here and whatever comes next, there is something powerful and peaceful.”
"…no matter what anyone believes, the happiest people are the ones at peace with their own beliefs."
"I always thought I would have more time. I wish I would have spent more time with my loved ones. I wish I’d just eaten the damn cake.”
“I reminded myself to live for today, not the fears of tomorrow”
“While I still don't have all the answers, the one thing I can tell you for certain is that there are things that defy medical explanation, and that in between here and whatever comes next, there is something powerful and peaceful.”
"…no matter what anyone believes, the happiest people are the ones at peace with their own beliefs."
February 12, 2024
A quick insightful first person narrative a la Tuesdays with Morrie. Filled with insightful nuggets “eat the cake” and takeaways that are as unique as the stories told. This is an ultimate read on the uniqueness and universality of the human experience - though we all may believe differently the shared experience of life between is one we will all face. Read this book, whether you think death is foreign or unsightly or something done in the darkness and bring light to even tough reality.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 13, 2023
Wow. I needed this book. I’m not a nurse, but it makes me feel seen to see that someone else has had similar experiences with those around them and that it is okay not to be 100% sure what your beliefs are.
December 31, 2023
This book is amazing. I recently lost my grandmother to dementia. I helped take care of her for over 2 years before she had to go into a nursing home. I wish this book was around when I was caring for her. It has really opened my eyes.
December 31, 2023
This story was a slow start for me because of the nature of the book, but it got better with every chapter. So glad she wrote her stories down. This is a beautiful depiction on how patients can affect the nurse, and vice versa.
September 30, 2024
I loved how Hadley connected her own life and lessons to the different stories. It was eerie and cool in the ways that they connected sometimes. I only wish to have heard more weird/unbelievable stories than we did. Would definitely recommend.
January 24, 2024
I flew through this book, I just couldn't put it down. Wonderful stories, well told. Such touching tales. I'm grateful to Hadley for sharing her story.
February 4, 2024
Loves this book. Loved all the stories. Truly incredible and sad but glad Hadley shared some insights with us.
July 13, 2024
Exactly what I needed.
October 26, 2023
Working in geriatric healthcare I have seen people close to if not actively dying. Hospice is so important and I could not do my job with out them.
In my experience I had my own Carl… he always called me his adopted granddaughter and I love him and miss him greatly. He told me so many stories and didn’t like a lot of people.
When Hadley talked about the seeing passed on family members I remember what it was like when I was first told about it as a baby CNA and finding it weird in a way that they saw dead relatives.
Chills took over my body at the coincidences she shared and experienced while in her two years of work. It was crazy to me to hear about.
This book has completely changed my look on life and on death… plus everything in-between.
In my experience I had my own Carl… he always called me his adopted granddaughter and I love him and miss him greatly. He told me so many stories and didn’t like a lot of people.
When Hadley talked about the seeing passed on family members I remember what it was like when I was first told about it as a baby CNA and finding it weird in a way that they saw dead relatives.
Chills took over my body at the coincidences she shared and experienced while in her two years of work. It was crazy to me to hear about.
This book has completely changed my look on life and on death… plus everything in-between.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews