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The 31 Days of May
In the wake of a devastating family loss, 24-year-old May finds herself adrift, her belief in love and happiness shattered. Struggling to navigate her new reality, May grapples with the persistent sensation of being a misfit in a world where she never quite belongs.
But just as she begins to resign herself to this feeling of isolation, tragedy strikes once more, propelling May into action. Determined to shield herself from further heartache, she concocts a radical scheme to safeguard against future abandonment.
That is until May meets Mr. Parsley, a charming retiree who becomes May's unexpected neighbour. As May meticulously executes her plan, the presence of Mr. Parsley and his grown-up son, Sam, threatens to disrupt her carefully laid out path. Will May stick to her meticulously crafted schedule, or will the warmth and kindness of the Parsley family lead her down an unforeseen, life-altering path?
Join May on her poignant journey of resilience, love, and the transformative power of human connection in the face of life's most profound challenges.
But just as she begins to resign herself to this feeling of isolation, tragedy strikes once more, propelling May into action. Determined to shield herself from further heartache, she concocts a radical scheme to safeguard against future abandonment.
That is until May meets Mr. Parsley, a charming retiree who becomes May's unexpected neighbour. As May meticulously executes her plan, the presence of Mr. Parsley and his grown-up son, Sam, threatens to disrupt her carefully laid out path. Will May stick to her meticulously crafted schedule, or will the warmth and kindness of the Parsley family lead her down an unforeseen, life-altering path?
Join May on her poignant journey of resilience, love, and the transformative power of human connection in the face of life's most profound challenges.
340 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 12, 2024
3 people are currently reading
27 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
April 24, 2024
May McClelland is an introvert, she loves being with her mum Fran, and dad, Victor, her ambition was to be a Scientist and she focused on that graduating at the local University and still living at home with her parents. She decided to continue with her studying to get a masters in biochemistry and scientific research. She likes everything in order, likes to keep a routine, hates surprises, growing up she always felt awkward like she is a round peg in a square hole, she finds it difficult to articulate, struggled with friends, except for her one best friend Scarlett who she met at 10 years old they were inseparable, they are now 22, but still best friends except Scarlett now has her partner Ethan and has moved away. Whilst at University she has a part time job at an estate agents Lawson’s, where she helped the director Jack, with admin and finance. After a while she did a few extra hours, she became good friends with Trish who was the receptionist. Then Thomas Graham arrived and May was smitten. May was now in a flat of her own, but still visited her parents.
Unfortunately life doesn’t always go the way we have planned things happen that we aren’t prepared for, tragedy hit May. She didn’t know if she could manage her final year of her Masters Degree, everything was so dark and she couldn’t pull herself out. She decided to do the second year over two years instead of the one. Her romance with Thomas was helping her cope with her loss, she realised maybe she could be happy again. Then Thomas went to work in a different office he would come back at weekends for the first few weeks and they would Skype but then Thomas Skyped May to say it wasn’t working. May was devastated.
It was two years later in the March that tragedy hit May again for her this was the last straw. She couldn’t cope, Trish and Scarlett were there for her trying to pull her out of her depression. But May could see nothing going ahead. She had nothing she wanted to live forever anymore. If anyone has ever had mental health issues you will understand this, as I was reading it I was crying, it sent my brain into lots of different directions. I could understand May and her feelings and emotions. May made a decision she would end her life on her birthday the 31st May. She wrote a list of things she needed to do before then. But she hadn’t reckoned on a cat invading her flat, or for the new neighbour below Peter Parsley who she saw going out every morning at 8 and returning at 1. A friendship began to blossom between the two. Peter could read a lot about May.
This is at times a heartbreaking story, I cried in several parts but it is also about grief and dealing with that, until grief hits you, you have no idea how you will react as we are all different, we all have different coping mechanisms. For May being a bit of a loner, and finding it hard to make friends, or accept change it was tough. But will she be able to come out of it before the story ends. Can she find some sort of happiness again? keep the memories of growing up and family.
Depending on your personality this novel may make you cry in a couple of places, for others it may not. Again we are all individuals we all react differently to different things. I know I will cry at the slightest thing but I am fine with that. For May her whole life was wrapped around three people and when tragedy struck she didn’t have the ability to cope. Because she liked routine, order, and maybe things to stay the same because she was happy as things were.
Thank you to the publishers for sending me an eARC of this book, I have found it hard to write this review. This for me was an emotional read, but occasionally I like that. It makes you think.
Unfortunately life doesn’t always go the way we have planned things happen that we aren’t prepared for, tragedy hit May. She didn’t know if she could manage her final year of her Masters Degree, everything was so dark and she couldn’t pull herself out. She decided to do the second year over two years instead of the one. Her romance with Thomas was helping her cope with her loss, she realised maybe she could be happy again. Then Thomas went to work in a different office he would come back at weekends for the first few weeks and they would Skype but then Thomas Skyped May to say it wasn’t working. May was devastated.
It was two years later in the March that tragedy hit May again for her this was the last straw. She couldn’t cope, Trish and Scarlett were there for her trying to pull her out of her depression. But May could see nothing going ahead. She had nothing she wanted to live forever anymore. If anyone has ever had mental health issues you will understand this, as I was reading it I was crying, it sent my brain into lots of different directions. I could understand May and her feelings and emotions. May made a decision she would end her life on her birthday the 31st May. She wrote a list of things she needed to do before then. But she hadn’t reckoned on a cat invading her flat, or for the new neighbour below Peter Parsley who she saw going out every morning at 8 and returning at 1. A friendship began to blossom between the two. Peter could read a lot about May.
This is at times a heartbreaking story, I cried in several parts but it is also about grief and dealing with that, until grief hits you, you have no idea how you will react as we are all different, we all have different coping mechanisms. For May being a bit of a loner, and finding it hard to make friends, or accept change it was tough. But will she be able to come out of it before the story ends. Can she find some sort of happiness again? keep the memories of growing up and family.
Depending on your personality this novel may make you cry in a couple of places, for others it may not. Again we are all individuals we all react differently to different things. I know I will cry at the slightest thing but I am fine with that. For May her whole life was wrapped around three people and when tragedy struck she didn’t have the ability to cope. Because she liked routine, order, and maybe things to stay the same because she was happy as things were.
Thank you to the publishers for sending me an eARC of this book, I have found it hard to write this review. This for me was an emotional read, but occasionally I like that. It makes you think.
May 13, 2024
“The 31 Days of May” by Helen Aitchison is about grief and hope, the two sides of an intricate coin we call life. It is going to be challenging to share my impressions about this book without giving away any spoilers, but I will try.
May is twenty-four. She isn’t the most sociable person, and she struggles in some situations which to others seem mundane and not worth paying extra attention to. Still, May has a comfortable life, with a few people who love her and appreciate her the way she is, her studies and plans for her future dream career. When the tragedy hits, May isn’t prepared for the challenges it brings in addition to the devastating feeling of loss. She tries to continue as before, even though it is harder for her than for more outgoing people. But when a new tragedy follows, having not given her enough time to get over the previous one, May begins a precarious slide downhill.
"She realised now that sometimes it seems easier to let the depths take you when you’re already drowning rather than to swim hard against the tide and search for a life raft." May is ready to succumb to the depths her grief is sucking her into. Yet, she does it her own way. Even the black despair that seems to have consumed her cannot change who she is. And May is someone who must have a plan. She likes predictability and structure. So, she applies these things even in a situation that for others screams ‘impulsivity’ and ‘recklessness’.
And here, the laws of life, which are beyond our control, seem to step in. Before, being different felt like a burden to May, with her missing the opportunities for friendship and socialising. Now, her meticulousness might give her an opportunity to arrive at the stage when she is capable of wrapping her mind around the universal wisdom: "The only way to go when your arse is on the bottom is up."
Still, life gives as much as it takes away. Will May be strong enough to realise another axiom: "And love doesn’t end when a life does"?
“The 31 Days of May” has a lot to offer to every reader who appreciates stories about the intricacies of real life. It has likeable characters aplenty, the plotlines many of us can relate to, food for reflection and much more. For me personally, it was a special delight to read the scenes with a four-legged Alexander and learn about the tremendous role a fluffy ginger tabby charmer played in May’s story.
May is twenty-four. She isn’t the most sociable person, and she struggles in some situations which to others seem mundane and not worth paying extra attention to. Still, May has a comfortable life, with a few people who love her and appreciate her the way she is, her studies and plans for her future dream career. When the tragedy hits, May isn’t prepared for the challenges it brings in addition to the devastating feeling of loss. She tries to continue as before, even though it is harder for her than for more outgoing people. But when a new tragedy follows, having not given her enough time to get over the previous one, May begins a precarious slide downhill.
"She realised now that sometimes it seems easier to let the depths take you when you’re already drowning rather than to swim hard against the tide and search for a life raft." May is ready to succumb to the depths her grief is sucking her into. Yet, she does it her own way. Even the black despair that seems to have consumed her cannot change who she is. And May is someone who must have a plan. She likes predictability and structure. So, she applies these things even in a situation that for others screams ‘impulsivity’ and ‘recklessness’.
And here, the laws of life, which are beyond our control, seem to step in. Before, being different felt like a burden to May, with her missing the opportunities for friendship and socialising. Now, her meticulousness might give her an opportunity to arrive at the stage when she is capable of wrapping her mind around the universal wisdom: "The only way to go when your arse is on the bottom is up."
Still, life gives as much as it takes away. Will May be strong enough to realise another axiom: "And love doesn’t end when a life does"?
“The 31 Days of May” has a lot to offer to every reader who appreciates stories about the intricacies of real life. It has likeable characters aplenty, the plotlines many of us can relate to, food for reflection and much more. For me personally, it was a special delight to read the scenes with a four-legged Alexander and learn about the tremendous role a fluffy ginger tabby charmer played in May’s story.
August 24, 2024
Helen never disappoints when carving and creating the characters of the world she’s working in. You know these people. You work with them, have been friends with them, bumped into them in the shops.
There is a profound brilliance she beholds when it comes to choosing dialogue and scene settings, a realistic way of pulling the world out from under your feet, as the world will do.
The story follows May, a naturally shy and socially awkward student looking to build the foundations to take her forward into adult life. Her daily life could be considered somewhat vanilla or mundane from the outside, underserving of what is about to come.
I really can’t go into to my plot details without giving much away, and I’d rather you follow her path yourself.
All I can say is, from someone who has walked those shoes and forced yourself to wake up against what feels like a ticking clock… it’s perfectly on point.
From how May sees the world by merely opening her front door, to interactions with friends she’s known for years… it’s so accurate.
For anyone who has been at this point, or know someone who has, I feel this book should be mentioned in every breath, because it’s a harrowing look into the mindset of someone who has lost their light, and the chance to find a way back.
Helen, this, like all your other work is amazing and invaluable 💚💚💚💚💚
June 29, 2024
A beautiful, uplifting story about grief and friendship. Helen has such a way of creating the most loveable characters!
May 11, 2024
Make sure you have a box or two of tissues handy before you dive into this book and become part of May's world. A world full of angst, determination, heartache and strength.
May is a self proclaimed square peg trying to fit into a round hole but failing miserably. She's different. Not only does she know it but she embraces it. Which is refreshing to see in a character. Her loving, supportive parents also embrace her quirkiness and love her dearly. That's precisely why she spirals out of control when she unexpectedly loses them both on two separate occasions.
The security blanket of her childhood has unraveled leaving her alone and distraught. Grieving and miserable, she is totally heartbroken, not wanting to survive any longer.
It's a tough subject to tackle but it's done with so much grace and realism. You feel for May. You want to reach through the pages and tell her it's going to be ok and validate her feelings. The writing is done so well that you totally understand why May feels the way she does. Her spiral is gripping and painful.
Just when May makes a plan to end it all, her world starts to change, giving her bits and pieces of hope. She begins to see the light through the tunnel of despair she's been living in.
An orange cat, she names Alexander, unexpectedly shows up on her doorstep, adopting her and showing her the love she's been missing. She slowly begins to love again.
Next she gets a new neighbor, Peter Parsley, who intrigues her. They become friends and he is just who she needs, but didn't know it. He is patient, insightful and kind, taking her under his wing and into his world. More glimmers of light and hope emerge.
Her world starts to change and she begins to feel joy and happiness. It's wonderful to witness her transformation from thinking she had nothing to live for, to wanting to live again due solely to her fantastic support system.
The writing is phenomenal taking you on a roller coaster ride of emotions. You feel her pain, her despair and her heartache. Bravo for creating these wonderful characters that are real and lovable.
May is a self proclaimed square peg trying to fit into a round hole but failing miserably. She's different. Not only does she know it but she embraces it. Which is refreshing to see in a character. Her loving, supportive parents also embrace her quirkiness and love her dearly. That's precisely why she spirals out of control when she unexpectedly loses them both on two separate occasions.
The security blanket of her childhood has unraveled leaving her alone and distraught. Grieving and miserable, she is totally heartbroken, not wanting to survive any longer.
It's a tough subject to tackle but it's done with so much grace and realism. You feel for May. You want to reach through the pages and tell her it's going to be ok and validate her feelings. The writing is done so well that you totally understand why May feels the way she does. Her spiral is gripping and painful.
Just when May makes a plan to end it all, her world starts to change, giving her bits and pieces of hope. She begins to see the light through the tunnel of despair she's been living in.
An orange cat, she names Alexander, unexpectedly shows up on her doorstep, adopting her and showing her the love she's been missing. She slowly begins to love again.
Next she gets a new neighbor, Peter Parsley, who intrigues her. They become friends and he is just who she needs, but didn't know it. He is patient, insightful and kind, taking her under his wing and into his world. More glimmers of light and hope emerge.
Her world starts to change and she begins to feel joy and happiness. It's wonderful to witness her transformation from thinking she had nothing to live for, to wanting to live again due solely to her fantastic support system.
The writing is phenomenal taking you on a roller coaster ride of emotions. You feel her pain, her despair and her heartache. Bravo for creating these wonderful characters that are real and lovable.
May 6, 2024
I adored The 31 Days of May. May took me on a journey with her. So beautifuly written with warmth and compassion. Difficult subjects such as grief and suicidal thoughts are covered in this book and the author has given such thoughtful consideration with her writing. It's very easy to relate to May and the feelings she encounters as she navigates through the most difficult of circumstances. It's a book that reminds you of the importance of connections, kindness, animals and hope. These things really can help you come out of the darkness and overcome your battles. May's story is one of finding your place in the world and championing hope.
April 26, 2024
Touching and relatable … a wonderful read
May is reserved and introverted; she keeps her feelings to herself. She also likes to have everything under control. But life brings surprises, and sometimes they can be devastating.
The 31 Days of May is a clever illustration of grief, and the different emotional states we might pass through before coming to terms with loss, and before finding a new normality … and indeed, how so often, we benefit from the kindness and support of others along this journey.
If you’ve suffered loss and grief, you will relate to this book; even more so if you’ve felt isolated and with nobody to talk to. It’s sensitive, emotional, and beautifully written, and a great reminder of the importance of kindness and understanding.
May is reserved and introverted; she keeps her feelings to herself. She also likes to have everything under control. But life brings surprises, and sometimes they can be devastating.
The 31 Days of May is a clever illustration of grief, and the different emotional states we might pass through before coming to terms with loss, and before finding a new normality … and indeed, how so often, we benefit from the kindness and support of others along this journey.
If you’ve suffered loss and grief, you will relate to this book; even more so if you’ve felt isolated and with nobody to talk to. It’s sensitive, emotional, and beautifully written, and a great reminder of the importance of kindness and understanding.
April 28, 2024
Very well written. May goes through overwhelming losses and thinks she has a way to find relief. Thankfully, she has an elderly neighbor who needs a friend.
April 28, 2024
Thank you @cahilldavispublishing, @publishingdavis for letting me be part of this tour and reviewing this book. Wow, I don't think I have ever cried so much reading a book as much I have as I have with 31 days of May. I was utter mess reading this book, but I am so happy that I was asked to review this book. Even though I was a bag of tears reading this, I absolutely loved it and I adored May. May is the main character who is 24 years old and suffers loss and heartache until she meets Peter, her retired neighbour. This story has some hard topics running through the book, suicidal, loss, love, trauma, mental health and friendship. This is the first book I have read by Helen Aitchison and I read it in a day. I will be looking out for more, she is extraordinary writer that knows how to tug on a reader heart strings. 31 days of May is easy to get into, and you get lost in May's world, and I did not want to put it down because I wanted to know what happens to her in the end. I feel this story will stay with me for a while. All The characters were fantastic. I loved May as I said above but also loved the friendship she has with Scarlett, Trish, and Peter. They are so lovely, and I felt like I got to know them all. This is a beautiful read that will leave you sobbing but will also leave you with a smile and a warm feeling in your belly. It was so lovely that May finds her forever friends and hope. Brilliant 5 stars.
April 15, 2024
When May suffers terrible loss it leaves her feeling like she has lost all hope for happiness. She decides on a drastic plan to prevent heartbreak happening again, but new people coming into her life could change everything.
A beautifully written story that is utterly heartbreaking and a complete emotional rollercoaster.
When you're tearing up two chapters in you just know that it's going to be something special. I was immediately invested in May as a character. I've never cried so much throughout a book, not just during the saddest parts but when there were gestures of true kindness between the characters. The humanity of each character has been perfectly captured and every single one was brought to life on the page.
I already know that this won't be the last book I read by Helen Aitchison, as The 31 Days of May was so brilliant and really touched me as a reader.
Thank you Cahill Davis Publishing for sending this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.
A beautifully written story that is utterly heartbreaking and a complete emotional rollercoaster.
When you're tearing up two chapters in you just know that it's going to be something special. I was immediately invested in May as a character. I've never cried so much throughout a book, not just during the saddest parts but when there were gestures of true kindness between the characters. The humanity of each character has been perfectly captured and every single one was brought to life on the page.
I already know that this won't be the last book I read by Helen Aitchison, as The 31 Days of May was so brilliant and really touched me as a reader.
Thank you Cahill Davis Publishing for sending this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.
April 18, 2024
Though the topic is deep and thought-provoking, the author lightens the prose with anecdotes of May’s quirky personality as we walk through her daily life with her.
May is weighed down with her heavy thoughts, while her friends try valiantly to rally around her. I became instantly invested in May’s story and followed her highs and lows with equal amounts of empathy and compassion.
Character-rich and filled with empathic understanding of human nature.
May is weighed down with her heavy thoughts, while her friends try valiantly to rally around her. I became instantly invested in May’s story and followed her highs and lows with equal amounts of empathy and compassion.
Character-rich and filled with empathic understanding of human nature.
April 10, 2024
Devoured this read!
This is my first book by Helen but I adored it so much it's safe to say I'll be picking up anything she writes in the future. First and for most I cant even express my feelings for May the fmc of this book, from page one I felt an instant connection that grew and grew the more I read on. I think it would be hard not to root for this character as you're reading about her life and the tragedies and struggles she's put through early on in life.
Helen does an amazing job of pulling on your heart strings in this novel. I felt every emotion vividly that May was feeling. This was a novel that I couldn't put down, from its captivating story line to how well paced it was, each chapter flew by and before I knew it I was on the last pages with a huge smile on my face. This is a story about healing and perseverance and is a must read in my books!
This is my first book by Helen but I adored it so much it's safe to say I'll be picking up anything she writes in the future. First and for most I cant even express my feelings for May the fmc of this book, from page one I felt an instant connection that grew and grew the more I read on. I think it would be hard not to root for this character as you're reading about her life and the tragedies and struggles she's put through early on in life.
Helen does an amazing job of pulling on your heart strings in this novel. I felt every emotion vividly that May was feeling. This was a novel that I couldn't put down, from its captivating story line to how well paced it was, each chapter flew by and before I knew it I was on the last pages with a huge smile on my face. This is a story about healing and perseverance and is a must read in my books!
April 9, 2024
I absolutely adored this book. I've read all of Helen's and for me, this was the best and most touching yet. I cried a lot, but I also resonated with the story and themes, making it more real. Great job and definitely worth a read.
July 2, 2024
In the wake of a devastating family loss, introvert May McClelland finds herself adrift, her belief in love and happiness is totally shattered. Struggling to navigate her new reality, May wrestles with the persistent sensation of being a misfit in a world where she never quite belongs.
Just when she plans to end it all May meets Peter Parsley, a charming retiree who becomes May’s unexpected neighbour. As May meticulously executes her plan, the presence of Peter and his grown-up son, Sam, threatens to disrupt her carefully laid out path.
Grief and suicidal thoughts are very tough subjects for any author to tackle and is something I wouldn’t usually go for…I’m a Fantasy, Murder Mystery and Romantic Fiction reader. However, this is written so well you totally get engrossed very quickly in it.
I really like Helen’s writing I’ve already read and enjoyed her other two novels “The Dinner Club” and “The Life and Love (Attempts) of Kitty Cook” so I had to read this one.
Helen Aitchison is an experienced professional who works with charities that support people in all kinds of demanding situations that health and life can bring and her expertise and experience certainly shows in her sensitive and deeply emotional writing.
Whether like me an exciting fantasy or a romantic fiction is your thing I can thoroughly recommend this book.
It is rich with wonderful characters, definitely makes you think and pulls on your heart strings.
The 31 Days of May is a poignant journey capturing the essence of human resilience and deep friendship…another beautiful novel from Helen Aitchison.
Just when she plans to end it all May meets Peter Parsley, a charming retiree who becomes May’s unexpected neighbour. As May meticulously executes her plan, the presence of Peter and his grown-up son, Sam, threatens to disrupt her carefully laid out path.
Grief and suicidal thoughts are very tough subjects for any author to tackle and is something I wouldn’t usually go for…I’m a Fantasy, Murder Mystery and Romantic Fiction reader. However, this is written so well you totally get engrossed very quickly in it.
I really like Helen’s writing I’ve already read and enjoyed her other two novels “The Dinner Club” and “The Life and Love (Attempts) of Kitty Cook” so I had to read this one.
Helen Aitchison is an experienced professional who works with charities that support people in all kinds of demanding situations that health and life can bring and her expertise and experience certainly shows in her sensitive and deeply emotional writing.
Whether like me an exciting fantasy or a romantic fiction is your thing I can thoroughly recommend this book.
It is rich with wonderful characters, definitely makes you think and pulls on your heart strings.
The 31 Days of May is a poignant journey capturing the essence of human resilience and deep friendship…another beautiful novel from Helen Aitchison.
May 24, 2024
This was an enjoyable but heartwarming book. It pulls on the heart strings along the way. Tissues may be needed along the way. I took longer to read this than I would like as personally, the idea of reading about parents getting older and the inevitable getting closer strikes a chord and gets to me. Makes me think of mine and what's to come.
I love May, her attention to detail reminds me of myself, as her story progresses, you see her shrink into herself, thinking she is a burden but Peter is the start of her saving grace. Trish is a gem, as is Sam. Screw Thomas! I wasn't sure of the chapter titles, a bit like a countdown but that's the point. A dilemma to decide on. One way or another.
This book really gets you thinking about your own life, are you happy with your life? If no, can you change something about it? Can you do new things? Meet new people?
I'm glad I read this book as it makes you appreciate what you have and who you have around you. People don't leave you when they pass, you have memories to remember them by. Would recommend this.
I love May, her attention to detail reminds me of myself, as her story progresses, you see her shrink into herself, thinking she is a burden but Peter is the start of her saving grace. Trish is a gem, as is Sam. Screw Thomas! I wasn't sure of the chapter titles, a bit like a countdown but that's the point. A dilemma to decide on. One way or another.
This book really gets you thinking about your own life, are you happy with your life? If no, can you change something about it? Can you do new things? Meet new people?
I'm glad I read this book as it makes you appreciate what you have and who you have around you. People don't leave you when they pass, you have memories to remember them by. Would recommend this.
May 12, 2024
This is my first book by Helen Aitchison but would definitely read more by her.
This book follows May who has always felt different and out of place in the world. She is most comfortable when at home with her parents and when speaking to her best friend Scarlett. Thebon day her world turns upside down and May realises things will never be the same again. This is later followed by more heartbreak. The book then follows May as she tries to carry on and find her place in the world where she crosses paths with her new neighbour Mr Parsley.
I really felt for May and felt as though I could relate to her in some aspects. This book covers a lot of upsetting topics but the author does this with such sensitivity and care. I really enjoyed this book and found it both heartbreaking and heartwarming at the same time. Please check trigger warnings before reading.
Thank you to Cahill Favis publishing for a copy of this book in return for an honest review.
This book follows May who has always felt different and out of place in the world. She is most comfortable when at home with her parents and when speaking to her best friend Scarlett. Thebon day her world turns upside down and May realises things will never be the same again. This is later followed by more heartbreak. The book then follows May as she tries to carry on and find her place in the world where she crosses paths with her new neighbour Mr Parsley.
I really felt for May and felt as though I could relate to her in some aspects. This book covers a lot of upsetting topics but the author does this with such sensitivity and care. I really enjoyed this book and found it both heartbreaking and heartwarming at the same time. Please check trigger warnings before reading.
Thank you to Cahill Favis publishing for a copy of this book in return for an honest review.
May 27, 2024
The 31 Days of May is Helen Aitchison’s third book…and the third of her books that I have read. Helen tells the heartbreaking and poignant story of May who has grown up with the feeling of being awkward in everything she is and does. The devastating events of loss is too much to bear and so she hatches a plan in which she feels is a failsafe answer to her fears and problems. A chance friendship borne from an enigmatic but friendly new neighbour arriving with his own story to tell. The unlikely companions cause May to rethink her meticulous plans. Subjects in the story are sensitively broached as beautifully as Helen does in her previous novels. Poignant and emotional at times, I found myself relating and reflecting on life and our purpose during the read. Beautiful.
April 10, 2024
Tissues at the ready for this one as this is a guaranteed read to make you cry!
May really goes through it at the beginning of this book and my heart broke for her. She's relatable, personable and kind hearted.
The themes of loneliness, grief and Alzheimer's are prevalent here and are portrayed sensitively and accurately. It doesn't shy away from these subjects and the range of characters involved made me feel this even more.
I felt very invested in this read from the off, and the journey it took me on will stay with me.
Heartfelt and wholesome.
May really goes through it at the beginning of this book and my heart broke for her. She's relatable, personable and kind hearted.
The themes of loneliness, grief and Alzheimer's are prevalent here and are portrayed sensitively and accurately. It doesn't shy away from these subjects and the range of characters involved made me feel this even more.
I felt very invested in this read from the off, and the journey it took me on will stay with me.
Heartfelt and wholesome.
May 12, 2025
Wow! What can I say about this book?! I absolutely loved it and fell so much in love with the characters. The main character of May, suffers so much tragedy in her short life and you really connect with her loss and in reading her story, you find yourself willing her on as you read on how she adapts to her new life. The supporting characters too all have their own stories and I love how they all come together supporting May the best they can. I had a good cry but at the same time, the book made me smile a lot too! Wonderful, heartwarming story; fantastic author!
April 14, 2024
May was the outsider who didn't fit in at school with just one true friend. She grew up a bright young woman but when tragedy struck, it was routine that helped her navigate her grief. When tragedy struck a second time, May's world crumbled and became very dark. Small kindnesses and unexpected friendships helped May see that life really was worth living. Healing often comes from unexpected places. The 31 Days of May is a poignant journey of resilience and love.
April 29, 2024
May's story is a powerful and moving depiction of the obstacles that people face in their lives. What sets this book apart is the courage and honesty of May's friends, who openly shared their own struggles. Their vulnerability and authenticity allowed May to let down her guard and connect with them on a deeper level. This book is a masterpiece that beautifully captures the essence of human resilience and the transformative power of friendship. Bright, shiny 5-stars!
July 24, 2024
All three books by this author are heartwarming must-reads, but this one left me a bit wrecked. May, who wants to end her life when misery after misery piles upon her, finds herself embraced by a universe of special people (and a cat!) who worm their way into her world. 🐈
For some reason, this story gave me “Breathe” (a song by Anna Nalick) vibes, the subject of which relates to taking time to just “be and feel” during life’s turbulence.⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
For some reason, this story gave me “Breathe” (a song by Anna Nalick) vibes, the subject of which relates to taking time to just “be and feel” during life’s turbulence.⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
July 10, 2024
Just finished The 31 days of May and boy .... What an emotional rollercoaster -- I laughed, I cried (a lot 😅 ) and it is so relatable with today's society, especially in regards to mental health & would highly recommend it to anyone 📚📖👌🏼💚💚💚💚 there are trigger warnings but a wonderfully written current story with beautiful character relationships
May 28, 2024
Thoroughly enjoyed this book, which took me on a journey with May through her grief and despair, on to acceptance and hope for happiness! The story was beautifully written and very moving. Would wholeheartedly recommend and I look forward to more from this author!
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