For Every Goodbye

by Donna Gable Hatch

Kate Fletcher's world is undergoing a seismic shift. With a failed marriage and her youth behind her, a career in flux and a relationship she doesn't fully trust, Kate believes she's on a precipice faced with diminishing horizons. When her beloved mother is diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease, Kate returns to her roots to prepare her childhood home for sale. As she renovates the house, the memories locked within its walls renovate Kate. She braces to face the future, discovering that for every goodbye, God also provides a hello.

318 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2009

Reviews

[Iris Glendenning · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a touching book about one woman's journey of self discovery and examines how memories and dreams cycle into the cycle of life, and how home never leaves the core of who we are. I read the book with a box of tissues next to me, and I would recommend anyone who reads the book does the same. It's not that it's a sad story - it's more that it's cathartic and cleansing, spiritual and moving, and will likely stir up emotions in those who read the book. It did with me. But it's also a funny and witty - and suspenseful - read. I bought several copies and gave them to friends. It's a story worth sharing.

[Elana Villanueva · Rating 5 out of 5]

"For Every Goodbye" has all the elements I like in a good book: A character who searches for deeper meaning to life (and how what's happened in the past can dictate, and even derail, the future); a thread of spirituality running through the story; complex family dynamics - and just enough romance and steam to keep it interesting! The story also includes the relationship of the lead characters and the two dogs in their lives. I grew up with dogs, and know how strong and life-changing the pet/person bond can be, so it really rang true. Overall, it's a quest story, so it tackles a lot of the nagging demons we all encounter through life, but it goes beyond asking simply whether or not we made wrong or right choices, and by the end of the heroine's search for answers, I found answers to some questions in my own life. Pretty good stuff.

[Jennifer Nolan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I hesitated to download the book because I was unfamiliar with the author. So, I checked out her website and she looked solid. I'm glad I purchased it because it's a really sweet love story, on several levels, with lots of plot turns (some violence and sex), and it also has a spiritual flavor in that it's a journey of self-discovery. As a bonus (at least to me) is the fact that two dogs area woven into the storyline. The author really got it spot on how tight the bond is between a "forever home" pet owner and his or her four-legged family members. She also gave a, perhaps, unintentional "plug" to adopting an animal from a shelter. We need all the help we can get! The story is not about the dogs - it's about the journey - but the dogs are a genuine part in the lives of both the heroine and the man of her dreams, and one of the dogs is downright heroic.

[Kendra Thomas · Rating 4 out of 5]

I didn't know this author, but I read the summary and thought it sounded like a book I'd enjoy, and I was right. Without divulging too much (the summary is really on target), I could relate to Kate on a lot of levels. In the book, she's older than I am, but that doesn't really matter. Love is the same no matter what age you are - even teenagers go through the same jumbled of emotions as the rest of us. I'm watching my own family confronting the same thing my grandmother that Kate did with her mother. I think anyone who likes Nicholas Sparks' books will like this one. He and this author have a similar writing style. This book won't be a series (at least I don't see how it could be), but I'm hoping the author has another book coming. I checked, and she has a website (donnagablehatch.com).

[Alexa · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. It's what I'd call a "gentle" love story - actually there are several love stories within the story. I particularly like the mother, Nora, and the relationship she has with her daughter Kate, which is very deeply-rooted and multi-dimensional. In many ways, Kate sees and understands Nora like few others can, and I like how the author uses this "knowledge" to propel Kate into her path to better understand herself. I can relate to some, but not all, of what Kate goes through, but there situations and events that occur throughout the book that I think will appeal to almost everyone. It was recommended to me, and I'll pass it on to you!

[Mira Collins · Rating 4 out of 5]

I just finished this book (a Christmas gift), and I truly enjoyed it. Reading it over the holiday seemed appropriate because the sentimentality of the Christmas season is a theme in a portion of the story. The heroine deals with things all of us can relate to. Anyone over 40 knows it's not easy becoming a parent to your parent, or confronted with the possibility your job might disappear (especially these days). She also is questioning whether or not she can be certain the person she loves will be there for the long haul. Maybe it was Christmas, which is pretty much a time for reflection, anyway, but the book touched me. It's a small gem.

[Marcia Dennison · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just finished the book, and I have to say I was pleasantly surprised. I didn't know the author; now I can't wait for her next novel. All the secondary characters in the book are three-dimensional, and likeable: one, in particular (Mel) is hysterical. The relationships between them are believable. The author did a superb job of allowing Kate's character to develop into the woman she really always was, but didn't know how to reveal before she'd gone on this quest. The storyline celebrates the bond between family members and between friends, and the importance of appreciating real love and genuine romance, as well as the role spirituality has in finding answers to life's tough questions.

[Amanda Hughes · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just recently finished this book, and I found it very touching. I could identify with Kate. She's about my age, and she had been through similar life's up-and-down situations. Reading about her trip back to her hometown to get her head straight, and then finding her mojo helped me put my own life in perspective. There's always hope for an Act II. The book has plenty of romance, too, which is always a plus (her love interest is every woman's dream!). I've already recommended the book to a friend. It was the best three bucks I've spent in a long time.

[Miranda Bowers · Rating 5 out of 5]

A good love story is my "Achilles' heal," and this is a really good love story. The plot doesn't just capture the love between a man and woman, it also speaks to the love between a daughter and mother; daughter and father; woman and her friends; and even a woman and the dogs in her life. This book is a tear-jerker, at times, but it's a cathartic release, so that's a good thing; at least I think so. There's a nicely done book trailer for the book on YouTube. Here's the link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n7MihZ...

[Kimberly · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book, and not just because the author weaves into the story the importance of the love shared between a pet and its owner because the love between a pet and its owner can be as strong, in its own way, as the love between a man and a woman, and a parent for a child - and I was pleased to see that reflected in this book. That's not the key element in the story, but it's one that jumped out at me.

[Ally Reed · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a well-crafted novel that really touches the heart strings (I cried several times while reading it). But it's also an uplifting tale of how a person can redirect his or her life. It made me think about the choices I have made, or I will have to make. But more than just a thought-provoking book, it's also a really great read. I highly recommend it. I just found out there's a book trailer on YouTube. Here's a link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n7MihZ...

[Natalie Thomas · Rating 4 out of 5]

The author is new to me, and I can only hope she has more books on the way. This is a well-written story, and it's a quick read. She touches on things Baby Boomers face, but it's not just a book for Boomers. This is a love story between man and woman, woman and parents, father and mother, and even dog owners and their dogs. The story follows the main character as she retraces her past to plot her future. I think more of us should do that. Anyway, it's worth checking out, for sure.

[Zoey Zimmerman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a moving book filled with emotional and intriguing twist and turns, romance (and just the right amounts of sexy passion), a little humor and even some danger. The author's talents are not just in pace and plotting. She created wonderful, three-dimensional characters (even the two dogs in the story have personalities) that seem to just leap off the page. Loved it.

[Linda Mcgowen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very romantic, thoughtfully written and it still manages to tackle a lot of the topics that life hurls at Baby Boomers, in particular. I liked Kate (the heroine) a lot, but her mother, Nora, is a woman to be admired. I'd recommend it; it's great summer reading.

[Marge Stephenson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very well-written book. A real page turner, and a great beach book!