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Me Without You

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‘An unforgettable tale that I couldn't recommend more.’ 5/5 GirlsLovetoRead.com If you enjoyed Me Before You by JoJo Moyes, One Day by David Nicholls, or The Notebook by Nicholas Sparks – then make time for Kelly Rimmer’s stunning, heartbreaking new novel Me Without You. A story of how love can break our hearts – and heal them. A year ago I met the love of my life. For two people who didn’t believe in love at first sight, we came pretty close. Lilah MacDonald – beautiful, opinionated, stubborn and all kinds of wonderful in ways that words could never quite capture. The woman who taught me to live again. My Lilah, who gave me so much, and yet kept from me a secret that she knew would break my heart. My name is Callum Roberts, and this is our story. Me Without You is a book to make you smile, bring you to tears and remind you to hold on tightly to those you love. What people are saying about Me Without You… ‘I was hooked right from the start, and it was just the most beautiful portrayal of falling in love I've ever read. It's the type of love you dream of and want for yourself… Kelly Rimmer has done an outstanding job with Me Without You, it's engaging, it warmed my heart to the very core, and then tore it out and stomped all over it. (Quite meanly, may I add?) I knew it was coming, I knew the ending was inevitable before the first page, but the depth of Rimmer's writing and Callum's narrative slated me, and I ended up in tears. It was both sad and beautiful at the same time, and I admire Lilah for living her entire life on her own terms. I will miss Callum and Lilah. They stole into my heart, their story is one I will long remember and Me Without You is an unforgettable tale that I couldn't recommend more.' 5/5 GirlsLovetoRead.com ‘I fell in love with this amazing book after the first sentence and would read it all over again. A wonderful mixture of emotions, real love, secrets, laughter and sadness.’ Sky’s Book Corner ‘Me Without You is the beautiful, moving story of Callum and Lilah and they turned me into a complete emotional wreck. I loved the banter and the chemistry between them both right from the first, brilliant chapter and then as the book went on, it warmed and broke my heart all at the same time… It’s an incredible novel. Reviewed the Book ‘It’s been a while since I’ve read a book that made me ‘ugly cry.’ You know what I mean… big, fat tears rolling down your cheeks leaving you with eyes so puffy you look like you’ve had an allergic reaction. Think Claire Danes in… well… pretty much any role she’s ever been in. Kelly Rimmer’s Me Without You certainly broke that dry spell… Told in alternating points of view from Lilah and Callum, Me Without You is a heartbreaker of a book that has great characters and a gut-wrenching ending that left me feeling a weird mix of bereft and yet hopeful.’ 4/5 JudgingCovers.co.uk ‘There's not much I can say without giving the story away, other than how much I adore Callum and Lilah.

344 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 1, 2014

3153 people are currently reading
19193 people want to read

About the author

Kelly Rimmer

24 books8,266 followers
Kelly Rimmer is the author of historical and contemporary fiction, including The Warsaw Orphan, The Things We Cannot Say and The Secret Daughter, with 3 million books sold. Her books have been translated into dozens of languages and have appeared on bestseller lists around the world, including The New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today.

Since 2022, Kelly has owned and operated Collins Booksellers Orange, the last remaining bookstore in the small regional city she calls home. Her next novel, The Midnight Estate, will be released in Australia, New Zealand and the UK in July 2025.

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5,123 (37%)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,033 reviews
Profile Image for Sharon.
1,436 reviews263 followers
December 25, 2021
Me Without You by Aussie author Kelly Rimmer is a heartbreaking, unforgettable and moving love story that is beautifully written. I’ve read a few books by this author now and she is fast becoming another favorite author of mine. I absolutely loved this story, but I must warn readers to have the tissue box nice and handy as you will need them. Highly recommended.
Profile Image for Helene Jeppesen.
710 reviews3,586 followers
February 8, 2016
First 1-star-review of the year! I kind of want to throw this book out the window, but I need to hold on to it at least until I've done a review on my channel which will be up later this month :)
Profile Image for Irmak.
402 reviews932 followers
October 12, 2017
Kitaba başladığımda ve hatta ortalarına geldiğimde benim için ortalama bir kitap olacağını ve büyük ihtimalle bittiğinde de 3 puan vereceğimi düşünüyordum. Ama sonuna doğru olanlar, bana geçen hisler beni öyle etkiledi ki benim için ortalama bir kitaptan daha fazlası oldu.

Ben hüzünlü hikayeleri okumayı seviyorum. Aklımdan ya da kalbimden ne zorum var bilmiyorum ama dönem dönem 'bana ağlamalı kitap fırlatın' diye ortalıkta gezerim. Yine böyle bir dönemdeyken elime bu kitap geçti o yüzden hemen okumak istedim ve bittiğinde kendime al bu da sana ders olsun dedim çünkü son 50 sayfayı okurken işyerinde (bakın buraya dikkat çekiyorum) işyerinde hüngür hüngür ağlıyordum. Bir elimde peçete gözlerimi siliyor, diğer elimde bir defter suratımı yelliyordum.

Yani anlayacağınız o ki, kitap beni dağıttı. Üstelik başta bu kitabı ortalama bulacağımı düşünürken.

Peki gelelim nedenlerine. Öncelikle kitaba başladığımda karşıma çok fazla yazım hatası çıktı, ki bu söz konusu Pegasus Yayınları olduğunda neredeyse hiç karşılaşmadığım bir durum. O yüzden biraz dikkatim dağıldı. Ama kitap devam ettikçe bu yazım hataları azaldı ya da o duygu selinde bana öyle geldi.

Lilah ve Callum ayrı ayrı iki bambaşka karakterken bir araya geldiklerinde ortaya çıkan uyumu çok sevdim. Lilah'nın durulmak bilmez kişiliğini, Callum'un sakin tavırlarını. Aralarındaki uyum ve sevgi çok güzeldi. Fakat kitap çok fazla bu ikilinin üzerineydi. Mesela Callum'un Karl diye bir arkadaşı var ama kitapta Karl ile saklambaç oynuyoruz resmen. Birazcık burnunu gösterdi derken hop yine kayboluyor. Ben biraz daha yan karakterlerin de kitaba dahil olmasını isterdim.

Kitap boyunca beni neyin beklediğini biliyordum. Zaten kitabı da bu yüzden okumuştum. Yaşasın ruh hastası melankoli severler. Ne Lilah'yı ne de Callum'u suçlayabildim. İkisini de o kadar iyi anladım ki yüreğimi burktu bu.

Kitaptaki en güzel şey de hislerin bana geçmiş olmasıydı. Sevginin, hüznün, acının. Her şeyin. Özellikle de son sayfalara geldiğimde artık hissettiklerim çok hassas bir boyuta geçmişti ve karşıma geçip 'Irmak kahve ister misin?' deseniz bile ağlayacak hale gelmiştim. Yazarın bunu böyle güzel aktarabilmesine bayıldım gerçekten.

Benim gibi hüzün sever bir manyaksanız buyurun okuyun. Ama yok ben biraz bile sevmiyorum diyorsanız bu kitaptan uzak durun. Çünkü üzgünüm ama bittiğinde sizi sudan çıkmış balığa çevirecek.
Profile Image for Seda.
568 reviews182 followers
December 11, 2017
Kitap biteli kaç saat oldu ama hala gözümün yaşı durmuyor. İnsanın isteyerek bu kitabı okuması için aklından zoru olması lazım. Ve evet benim aklımdan zorum var sanırım. Tanıtımını gördüğüm günden beri sebepsizce okumak istiyordum. Sadece kapağıyla bile garip bir hüzün uyandırdı içimde. İlk o zaman anladım çok üzeceğini. Hem bir an önce okumak istedim, hem de elime aldığım anda okumaktan korktum. Zaten resmen mehter marşı gibi, iki ileri bir geri okudum kitabı. Boğazımdaki düğümle okumak çok zor geldi.

Herkes belki okurken Lilah’a kızacak ama ben Callum’a kızdım. Bu kadar salak olduğu, durumu anlamadığı için. Lilah’a birazda kişisel tecrübelerden hayran kaldım, tanıdığım biri gibi hissettim. Hikaye hakkında çok bir şey söyleyemeyeceğim, hatta alıntı bile yapamıyorum ki kitabın çoğu benim için alıntılarla doluydu. Çok büyük spoiler olur ne yazsam. Daha önce de buna benzer iki hikaye okumuştum. Ben durumu direk başlarda tahmin ederek okuduğum için, başından sonuna acı çektim resmen. Tek söyleyebileceğim ciddi dram okumaya hazırsanız başlayın kitaba. Hiç eğlenceli bir yanı yok ve duygusal biriyseniz işiniz çok zor, peçeteleri hazırlayın.


“Veganlığı yaymaya çalışan birisi değilim. Fakat bu peyniri hiç duymadıysan en azından denemek için bir şans vermen gerektiğini düşünmüyor musun?”
O kirpiklerini kırpıştırarak bana bir tabak çamur paylaşalım mı dese bile kabul eder, hatta üstüne biraz çakıl taşı bile ekletirdim.


“Babam inanılmaz birisiydi. Bütün kalbiyle sevebilen o eşsiz ruhlardan biriydi. Annemle o değil de başka birisi evlenmiş olsaydı annem o adamı çiğ çiğ yerdi. Annemin hayatının yüzde doksan dokuzu müzikle ilgili olmuştu her zaman. Fakat babam müzikten geriye kalan yüzde birin tadını çıkarmanın yolunu bilirdi ve bu kısmı annemin en güzel yanıydı. Babam onu desteklemek için en zorlu yolculuklara çıktı çünkü babamın en büyük hayali, annemin hayallerini gerçekleştirmekti.”


“Sorun neydi peki?”
“Birkaç ay beraber olduk. Aslında kötü giden bir şey yoktu, hatta... Bilmiyorum. İlişkinin bir yere gitmeyeceğini biliyordum.”
“Çünkü o mükemmel birisi değildi.”
“Hayır,” dedim ve o anda aslında istediğim şeyleri söyleyebileceğimi fark etmiştim. “Çünkü o sen değildi.”


“James ile tanıştığın ilk güne dönebilseydin bunu tekrar yapar mıydın? İçinde ileride yaşayacağın kalp acısını da bildiğin bunca yılı yaşayacağını bilerek yanında kalır mıydın?” Peta gülümsedi.
“Şimdi hissetmiyor olabilirsin fakat yakında hissedeceksin. Yaranın çiğliği geçince acın devam edecek fakat etrafı ince bir minnet kabuğu saracak. Sonunda beraber geçirdiğiniz güzel anları, seni nasıl değiştirdiğini ve buna değdiğini hayranlıkla anacaksın. Söz veriyorum Callum. Kalbimde bir tek bu kaldığı için biliyorum.”
Profile Image for Melissa.
647 reviews29.3k followers
May 28, 2014
4.5 "moment by moment" stars

There's not much I can say without giving the story away, other than how much I adore Callum and Lilah. Their love story is so genuine and heartfelt.

From the moment they first met, a chance encounter on a ferry, I was hooked. Lilah is a quirky, vegan, environmental lawyer that tries to live life to the fullest. And, she does so barefoot whenever possible. Callum on the other hand, is a workaholic that makes no time for a social life or his family. They are total opposites in the way they view the world and live life, but they have such an undeniable spark. It's so cute how they interact and tease each other.
"She could be barefoot for the rest of our lives and I'd love her disgustingly filthy feet with every bit of strength I had."
Neither is looking for a commitment, so they agree to take their relationship "moment by moment". But they can't deny what's between them. They just fit. What I loved most about this story, was how Lilah's love and eccentricity totally changed Callum's perspective on life and what really matters. Isn't that what true love does?
"I always wondered if relationships could really be like that, where if a moment lined up just right, you could stand in a crowded room with them and feel only their presence."
This book is beautifully written, and I found myself highlighting like crazy throughout. I highly recommend this book, but I must warn you, it's one that will make you cry.

*Complimentary copy provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*

4.5/5 Fangs
MrsLeif's Two Fangs About It
Profile Image for Kirsty Hoggons.
199 reviews5 followers
June 26, 2014
I received this book from NetGalley and I am so excited to tell people about it. It is absolutely incredible. I will admit that I did not really read what the book was about before I started reading it, which is something I usually do, and I was not disappointed. I connected with these characters from the very beginning. I am a very visual reader and I imagine every detail of what I am reading, in my head, as if I am watching a movie as I go along. This book make it so easy to do that. The details were incredible and well thought out and the characters were well developed. Normally when I am reading a book, if I don't like something about a character (the way they dress or look) I will change it in my mind as I go along, in this book it was not possible to do this (Note: The thing that I wanted to change was a personal preference and in no way a bad part of the story. It added to the character and was necessary for further character development - This also proves how well thought out the characters were). Every single thing that the author mentions about the characters adds to them and makes them who they are. One or two of the things about the female lead in this book were things that might have irritated me in another character but I could find no fault with this one. This book made me laugh and cry which also proved how much I had connected with it. I definitely think that everyone should read this book.

Blog post: http://kirstyhoggons.wordpress.com/20...
Profile Image for Jan.
581 reviews
September 19, 2015
I bought this book because I loved Me Before You, that was a big mistake, it invited comparison. Up against books like One Day, The Fault in Our Stars and Me Before you, this book falls flat. The story was so long winded at the beginning, it was bland but as it progressed it did get better. I could not get any feeling for the characters at all and that was sad. With all the shades of Love Story, I wonder what went wrong, I wanted to like it more than I did and believe me it's not a bad book.it just lacked that essential something. I lacked understanding as to why 'such love' was not truthful and maybe that was what would have made the difference I wanted. If you haven't read the books I mentioned then go for this, you may enjoy it, if you have then this book will disappoint. That said, I think there is potential for future books, whether I would but them or not remains to be seen.
Profile Image for Öznur (kendimizeaitbiroda).
395 reviews52 followers
September 25, 2019
“Uzaklaşmanın artık çok zor olduğu, ona bağlanmandan öncesine, James ile tanıştığın ilk güne dönebilseydin bunu tekrar yapar mıydın? İçinde ileride yaşayacağın kalp acısını da bildiğin bunca yılı yaşayacağını bilerek yanında kalır mıydın?”
Peta gülümsedi. Tanrım, onunla ilk tanıştığım zamandan çok daha yaşlı gözüküyordu fakat gücünün geri döndüğünü görebiliyordum. Peta saatler ilerledikçe iyileşiyordu. Ben ise hâlâ yaralıydım ve her geçen dakika acım daha da kötüleşiyordu.
“Şimdi hissetmiyor olabilirsin fakat yakında hissedersin. Yaranın çiğliği geçince acın devam edecek fakat etrafını ince bir minnet kabuğu saracak. Sonunda beraber geçirdiğiniz güzel anları, seni nasıl değiştirdiğini ve buna değdiğini hayranlıkla anacaksın. Söz veriyorum Callum. Kalbimde bir tek bu kaldığı için biliyorum.”


Kitabı az önce bitirdim ve aklım karmakarışık. Ama arayı açarsam bir daha yorum yazacak gücü kendimde bulamayacağım.
Ben bu kitabı çok uzun zaman önce görüp okunacaklar listeme eklemiştim.
Bence artık siz de biliyorsunuz böyle canımı yakacağını düşündüğüm kitaplara gözü kapalı atladığımı. Bu kitap da onlardan biri olacak gibi gözükünce inanılmaz bir beklentiye girdim haliyle. Ve uzun bir bekleyişin ardından nihayet okudum, geldim.
Konuya hiç girmeyeyim çünkü neresinden tutarsam spoiler olacak. Sadece şunu söyleyeyim, eğer okumaya karar verirseniz bir yıkıma hazır olun. Kolay kolay sindirilecek bir kitap değil çünkü.
Lilah ve Callum taban tabana zıt karakterlerdi fakat bir uyum içindeydiler. Bir araya geldiklerinde birbirlerini tamamlıyorlardı adeta. Ben aslında ikisini de sevdim ve ikisine de çok kızdım. Gerçekten.
Kitap oldukça durağan ilerliyor. Ne yalan söyleyeyim, ben kitabın büyük bir kısmında perişan halde olacağımı falan düşünüyordum ve duyguları pek hissedemediğim için beklentimin büyüklüğünü suçlamaya başlamıştım. Fakat o son kısımlarda en başından beri beklediğim şeyi buldum. Boğazımda koca bir yumru ve bulanıklaşan görüşümle kitabı tamamladım. Ama sadece son kısamlarda bu kadar etkilenmeyi istemezdim. Kitabın geneline hakim olan durağanlığı pek sevemedim. Daha fazla uzatmayacağım, gerçekten şu an olaylar çok taze benim için. Eğer dram okumaktan çekinmiyorsanız hazır olduğunuz bir zamanda okumanızı tavsiye ederim.
“Önünde her ne var ise, lütfen bırak ikimizin önünde olsun.”
Profile Image for Seyma.
858 reviews
March 29, 2020
Bu kitaba yorum yapabileceğimi düşünmüyorum sadece canımı acıttığını bilin 💔
Profile Image for Claire.
2,324 reviews738 followers
August 2, 2020
4 - "It's the thrill of the ride, even when you're holding on for grim death..." Stars!

I am not going to write a massive long review for Me Without You (well actually I probably will!), the synopsis sums it up beautifully. If you have read Me Before You etc, as a reader you will know exactly what you are getting yourself into.

I can't afford to take the beauty of life for granted, because I'm living mine on borrowed time.



Once in a while I have the compulsion to read a book, it's a special type of book, one that I know will rip me apart, and leave me a broken, gibbering incoherent mess. This is that type of book.

Callum is a workaholic with no life outside of that bubble, Lilah is a workaholic, who lives her life outside of that bubble to the full. An innocent meeting on a ferry home, brings these two people together in the most remarkable of ways. Lilah Pushes, Callum pulls. Lilah gets worked up, Callum chills out. Lilah makes a mess, Callum tidies up. Essentially they are pretty much the Ying to the others Yang.

Callum on Lilah

It's the thrill of the ride, even when you know you're holding on for grim death.



It works, and things are progressing well, except for that one thing Lilah has been keeping hidden like a huge skeleton in the back of her closet.

I've moved from a technicolour world into a black-and-white one, and while I never thought to question black-and-white before, I realise now what I am missing.

Once the cat is out of the bag things progress quickly, brace yourself you are going to need tissues.

"If you have ten good minutes left, I need to have them."



"I want a part of every breath she has until the end, whatever that looks like.

This book does exactly what it says on the tin, if you are looking to read about living life to the full, leaving that life on your own terms, and how the people around you deal with it, then this is the book for you. It is beautifully written, the characters unique, likeable and well developed. There are a few giggles along the way, but this is not one for reading on the bus!

"I want to pretend this is the middle of our life together. I want to pretend we've had decades and we have decades left. I want to pretend that we know everything about each other but we haven't run out of things to talk about, because we just like to hear each other speak.



"I love you. And I'll always love you forever, whether you're sick or well, or here or... not.



Gone with the sunrise.



ARC generously provided via Netgalley, in exchange for the above honest review.
Profile Image for Elaine.
604 reviews240 followers
September 19, 2014
Warning: You WILL need the tissues for this book!

I absolutely, completely and utterly fell in love with Callum and Lilah. I just adored them from the start. They are both successful career people and neither are looking for love but when they meet they just click and are just so right together. Their story is told mostly from Callum’s perspective interspersed with entries from Lilah’s journal. Right from the beginning we learn from her journal that Lilah has very good reasons for not wanting a relationship and that if she does, then it can only end in heartbreak. Her head tells her not to get involved, but her heart says it is too late. As for Callum, he is just hooked on Lilah.

Their story is told very slowly, just as they decide to take their relationship one day at a time. I loved this and never felt bored at all, just felt that it helped me get to know them better. By the time Lilah’s secret emerged in the story, I really felt that they were a real couple and wanted them to have a happy ever after. That is not to be though, from there on in you just know that it is going to be a real weepy of an ending. No matter how hard I braced myself, I had tears rolling down my cheeks at the end. If you like a story that will break your heart then you will absolutely adore this read.

Many thanks to the publisher for the ARC.
Profile Image for Alex.
576 reviews76 followers
August 30, 2016
Questa non è una recensione, più che altro credo sia uno sfogo.
Leggendo la sinossi di questo libro ho pensato erroneamente di trovarmi difronte un bel contemporany, magari con qualche lacrimuccia di mezzo, ma niente di ingestibile. Errore, tremendo, immane e mega errore!
La trama sin dalle prime pagine mi ha fatto storcere il naso, vuoi per l'insofferenza nei confronti di Lilah, che sembra affetta dà bipolarismo o stronzismo, o per il totale zerbinaggio di Callum. Sta di fatto che ho trovato lo stile troppo lento e al contempo eccessivamente frettoloso nelle dinamiche affettive.
Una contraddizione in termini, ma non sto scherzando veramente: si incontrano, si spupazzano, non si vogliono innamorare e poi sbam stiamo insieme forever... Poi il colpaccio di scena (malattia) che tanto colpaccio non è dato che già dal secondo capitolo li avevo sgamati.
Il finale che è di un angoscioso allucinante mi ha fatto saltare paragrafi su paragrafi per sottrarmi all'inevitabile tragedia.
Io adoro i libri dolorosi, quelli, per intenderci che ti maciullano il cuore e ti lasciano qualcosa su cui riflettere. Questo è un dramma annunciato che viene servito su un piatto di pietismo melenso, un amore che nasce subito e non dà il tempo di sentire crescere tale sentimento, anzi sembra finto e superficiale quasi forzato.
Concludo dicendo che le nostre CE in quanto a cover e soprattutto titolo che NON C'ENTRANO UNA BEATA MAZZA sono i numeri 1. Il cuore vince sempre sarebbe la traduzione di Me without you????
Ma datevi all'ippica!
Mi dispiace ma per me é un mega NO!
Profile Image for Jayme.
1,539 reviews4,442 followers
September 18, 2015
I actually love books that move me emotionally, whether I cry or laugh out loud. But, nothing in this story surprised me, so, it didn't touch me as much as it should have.
Profile Image for Annie Brewer.
Author 14 books789 followers
June 8, 2014
***Arc kindly provided by the publisher for review***



I absolutely loved this book! I stumbled upon this book on netgalley and had no expectations or reservations. I loved the cover and was just curious about the story. Once I got into this book, I was pleasantly surprised by how much this story kept me hooked. The writing was amazing. The characters were easily relateable and real. My heart broke for both Lilah and Cal. I cried plenty. I laughed. I swooned. Callum was definitely a charmer and sexy. But he was also a sensitive soul when it came to his love for Lilah. And it was so sweet to see their love blossom. Even when they tried to fight it. I didn't realize at first what heartache this story would bring. So I just went along for the ride of adventure and fun. But once shit hit the fan and we learned the truth about what Lilah was hiding, I felt so helpless. Like Cal. And it was horrible to see the pain he suffered, along with the love of his life. But they both taught me so much about life and it was a wonderful experience.
Definitely have some tissues if you're a cryer. You'll need them. But you'll also smile alot and laugh plenty. I was so glad I read this and would recommend it to all my book friends. I hope this author writes more because she's got a great writing style that is easy to follow, and characters that you'll fall in love with and root for a happy ending. But just so you know, it doesn't exactly end with an HEA. Still, I loved everything this book has to offer. And I hope readers will give this gem a chance.
Profile Image for Di.
732 reviews43 followers
October 13, 2023
This is the story of Callum and Lilah.

I was drawn to this book because I have read others by the author and enjoyed them. I did not realize that this one is actually a re-release of an earlier book.

Callum and Lilah meet at the beginning. Their relationship starts off contentiously right from the start and continues that way. For much of the book it is a non-relationship. It is obvious that something is going on in the background but it does not come to light until the book is well into the second half. While I did know the secret because of a blurb I had read, I did not enjoy the way it was playing out. The coombativeness of two people in a relationship just wore me out.

Callum fell in love quickly and hard, but Lilah kept him at a distance even though she seemed to enjoy being with him. There turn out to be reasons for her behaviour. I wish these reasons had been revealed earlier.

I slogged through the first part of the book. To me, it just seemed to be the same push and pull between the characters, over and over. The last half was a huge improvement. I found it enlightening and much more interesting. I also learned that there is a huge difference between giving up and acceptance.

The ending was very dramatic. Heartfelt and emotional.

I think if the structure of the book was changed, it would have appealed to me more. But, there were a lot of similarities to Jojo Moyes Me Before You. Even the title is close.

Such a hard book to rate. I can only give the first part 2 stars. It was such a slog for me. I'm not sure what made me push on but in the end, I was glad I did. I see from the other reviews that I am in the minority. But the last part was 5 stars. Such a difference. That leaves me with 3.5 which I will promote to 4 stars.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the Advance Readers Copy.
Profile Image for Harmonyofbooks.
501 reviews208 followers
December 25, 2017
Bir ömrün sütunlarını şekillendiren türde sevgiler vardır ve bir de ömrün temelini şekillendiren türde bir sevgi vardır. Lilah ile ilişkim bana hayatı hareket halinde yaşamanın bütün olanaklarını gösterdi. Öğrendiklerimi Lilah'yı onurlandırmak için hayata geçirmek artık bana bağlı.
4/5🌟🌟🌟🌟
Herkes öyle güzel övdü ki ben de okumaya sabırsızlanır oldum. Elime geçtiği gibi vakit geçmeden zaman ayırdım ve zaten en hızlı okuduğum tür bu kitaplardan olduğu için pat diye bitirdim. Ufak sayılmayan bir beklentiyle okumaya başladığımın altını çizmeliyim çünkü herkes o kadar çok "ağladım, bayıldım" cümleleri kullanınca bir yere kadar klişe, sonrasında klişenin sınırından zıplayıp uçacak bir kitap olacağını düşünüyordum. İlk olarak karakterlerin yaşlarının bu kadar büyük olduğu bir aşk romanı hiç okumuş muydum hatırlamıyorum. Bu zaman kadar okuduklarımda erkek karakter kırk yaşa yakın olsa bile kız karakter hep çok daha genç olmuştu. Bir de karakterlerin hareketleri çok da yaşlarına hitap eden keskin bir çizgide olmadığından kitabın başında ilişkilerini kafamda pek oturtamadım. Lilah'ın Callum'dan uzak durmak için sakladığı sırrın nedenini merak ediyordum ama bir yandan da "lütfen bu yüzden olmasın" diye umut ediyordum çünkü bu nedenle ilgili o kadar çok kitap okuyup film izledim ki artık bu klişe durumla karşılaşmak istemiyordum ama ne yazık ki tahmin ettiğim gibi çıktı. Son elli sayfaya kadar kızgınlıkla okumaya devam ettim çünkü ne yazık ki abartıldığını düşünüyordum. Tüm kitabı "hani nerede ağlayacağım" diyerek zorlama bir düşünceyle okumadığımı da söylemeliyim. Genel olarak yazı tipi ve olay dizilişinde yaşananlar zaten oldukça bilindik bir şekilde ilerliyordu. Son otuz sayfa kadarındaydı sanırım; Lilah'ın gizlice yaptığı bir şeyi videoya çekerek itiraf ettiği paragrafta çok ama çok duygulandım. Gözlerim öyle bir doldu ki kalanını da gözlerim doldu dolu okudum ama beklediğim gibi bir duygu patlaması yaşayarak peçete ihtiyacı duymadım ki bazen tek bir satırla ağlayabilen bir insanım. Yani anlayacağınız sonları sayesinde bir anda kat kat çok beğensem de hala gözümde eksikleri mevcut. Bu türde çok okuduğum ve bu konuya çok rastladığım için tam puan vereceğim kadar klişeden sıyrılabilen bir kitap değildi ama bazı kısımları sayesinde ve dahi yazarın bazı satırlardaki yazı biçiminin harikalığı sayesinde övgüyle bahsedebileceğim bir kitaptı. Keyifli okumalar dilerim..
Profile Image for Syndi.
3,683 reviews1,037 followers
June 26, 2025
Me Without You is powerful story about degenerative disease. But fictional. The story of Lilah and Callum is so emotional. I was really moved emotionally by Miss Rimmer story telling.

The love story is sweet and cute. Although it is not end in HEA, I still think Miss Rimmer done justice to her story.

4 stars
Profile Image for Drita.
452 reviews36 followers
June 2, 2014
ARC, kindly provided by publisher at NetGalley.

I can not begin to explain how i can't wait for you all to meet Callum and Lilah, it's not going to be all pretty...but it's a pretty incredible written story.

In a long time i haven't read something so beautifully written. I was hung on every word, the story's strong theme, the fascinating plot, the fitting structure and mostly the unforgettable characters. They touched my soul. This is one strong heartbreaking love story, so touching, , so unique, so authentic, so beautifully told...it felt as if i was there having the story unfold right in front of my eyes. It knocked me on my ass, emotionally...it came at me like a wrecking ball, it broke my heart, it made me laugh, it evoked feelings from deep within. I didn't expect to be touched by this story to such a degree.

“She could be barefoot for the rest of our lives and I'd love her disgustingly filthy feet with every bit of strength I had.” ~Callum
http://media-cache-cd0.pinimg.com/originals/ca/27/1d/ca271dab90657ad955737761971ed559.jpg

~Inspiring quote~



There is so much more to this story that I just can't go into without giving it away. I LOVED this authors signature ability, she captured my heart with every turn of the page. Thus far, definitely my favorite book of the year!!!


Profile Image for Dri ✰.
693 reviews240 followers
June 20, 2016
4.5 Ly&Cal estrelinhas!

Graças a Deus por eu ser uma pessoa curiosa! Apesar da sinopse ser um tanto "assustadora" para muitos... Esse livro foi uma ótima e maravilhosa surpresa! Estou naquela fase que se o livro não me prende logo nas primeiras páginas, eu abandono mesmo e parto para o próximo.
E esse me cativou logo na primeira página! Que delícia de escrita e os personagens então? Lilah e Callum são completamente opostos e foi impossível não me apaixonar pelos dois. <3 Me diverti muito acompanhando o desenvolvimento do relacionamento dos dois e claro, dei boas risadas.
Cativante, apaixonante e inspirador!

Adoooooorei!!! <3

''Ela poderia ficar descalça para o resto de nossas vidas e eu adoraria seus pés repugnantemente sujos com cada pedaço de força que eu tinha."
<3
"— Como você acredita em Deus se o mundo é tão fodido?
— Você entendeu errado. É porque o mundo é tão fodido que eu acredito em Deus."
Profile Image for TeriLyn.
1,385 reviews440 followers
May 31, 2014

**Me Without You generously provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.**

3 Life Changing Stars

There are moments, experiences, and people in our lives that happen so fast it feels like they almost never happened at all. Me Without You wraps itself around this notion and holds on tight throughout the entire passionate, loving, freeing, melancholy story.

This contemporary romance gives the reader a refreshing reminder of why this life is most precious and that we should live it to the fullest. Me Without You focuses on the poignant journey of Callum Roberts, told through his POV we’re in for a life changing ride. Peppered in between Callum’s chapters are journal entries written by Lilah providing us a deeper look into the life she’s chosen. There’s cause for concern in Lilah’s entries, a subtle mystery woven through her thoughts.

The characters here are in their forties having lived a life without each other for a while. Both engage the reader with fun, passion, and wisdom. Their plot provides angst but not in an overly dramatic way but a more acute type of drama. Lilah shows us freedom, a free-spirit destined to enjoy life. She doesn’t sweat the small stuff. She’s endearing to the reader so there’s no wonder as to why Callum finds irresistibly charming. Callum proves to be the kind of guy jaded by love, stagnant in his life never really living just existing comfortably. He’s a reserved hero, strong and steady. Until Lilah pulls him from the shadows he begins to see beauty in more than he ever cared to think about. Together they’re a great force, providing strength and new opportunities to each other. Lilah’s a wrecking ball to Callum’s subdued life – the destruction left in her wake provides fun reading. The way the two meet right at the beginning set a tone for the rest of the book that’s both funny and unsettling. Callum has a nostalgic way of telling their story.

The story has a melancholy feel even through the moments of pure bliss. There’s something running deeper than each of them care to admit. It’s written well; descriptive and evocative. There were times, however, when the prose became a bit boring to me. Superfluous thoughts turned into paragraphs where I was wondering how they were actually relevant to the story. There were spots where I found myself skimming in order to find the meat of the particular chapter. Enough of this instances came to light for me that I became distracted at times rather than pulled deeper into the book.

Overall, though, Me Without You proved to be a good love story. You’ll need your tissues handy as the sadness becomes overwhelming at points. It’s a book you need to be prepared for in every emotional capacity. The unconventional happily-ever-after reached my heart and left feeling deeply about the plot Callum and Lilah endured. It was such a story that I’m glad I experienced it but I wouldn’t read it over again. I do feel however, when you’re in the mood for an emotionally charged journey, you should pick this story.
Profile Image for Kirstine.
466 reviews604 followers
May 16, 2017
I cried for the last 100 pages of this book. I just cried and cried and cried, and then I had a headache for the rest of the day.

A lot of people are comparing it to Me Before You, which I vaguely remember thinking myself, but I hadn't read that back when I first read this. There are similarities, but mostly they're very, very different narratives.

Honestly, this might be the better book. If you agree with the criticism leveled at Me Before You (about it being ableist), but you liked the idea of it anyway, you'd like this. It's a more appropriate, less dramatic version of the same story - on the surface at least. There are important differences however.

In all honesty, this might be the better book.

Part of what I liked about it was the grown-up characters. Callum and Lilah are both in their 30s and 40s, and are, as a result, a lot more mature and experienced than characters in stories like this usually are. They fight, they misunderstand, but they don't throw tantrums the same way. It was refreshing. Lilah is a lawyer, working relentlessly to save the planet, while Callum works in an PR firm, and leads a life that has pretty much stagnated. They accidentally meet on a ferry going home from work, and fall in love almost immediately. For Callum, there's absolutely no doubt that this is the woman for him, but Lilah keeps her distance.

She tries hard in the beginning to keep him at arms length, refusing to consider a relationship with him. Callum doesn't understand, and Lilah doesn't want to tell him. But she used to be sick, very sick, and she might be sick again. It might kill her. So falling in love with someone she might have to leave behind? Not much an option.

But when true love comes knocking it's difficult not to answer. So Lilah gives in, she breathes life back in to Callum, and they both remember how beautiful, how tender, how fragile life can be.

Honestly, this is a somewhat predictable novel. It has that message all stories like this have: live life as fully as possible, seize chances, follow your heart, never lose hope. Etc. But it didn't feel forced, not really. Maybe it was the maturity of the characters, maybe it was the nature of the narrative. It was stupidly romantic at times, but in a way that felt right.

It's more realistic in what it expects us to believe. It's more subtle in it's emotions, or at least more subdued. Or so I remember it.

In any case I recommend it if you like the idea of it, or have enjoyed stories like this before. And if you need a reminder to live life fully while you have it, and never ever be afraid to love those that fall into your life at just the right time.
Profile Image for Becky.
740 reviews152 followers
April 30, 2014
I received this book for free from NetGalley to read & to give an honest review…..I really liked this book, I was hooked to it right from the beginning….Lilah is an environmental lawyer & she meets Callum, who works in marketing. He is everything she isn't but they are drawn to each other. I thought it was going to be a light, romantic story but it was much deeper & I loved how the author really gave a lot of detail. The story takes place in Australia & I liked hearing about that part of the world …..I won't say more because I don't want to give anything away….
Profile Image for Cititor Necunoscut.
476 reviews94 followers
August 15, 2022
De obicei evit acest gen de carti. Si filmele din aceeasi tema, dupa ce am vazut Sweet November. Pentru ca nu se pot sfarsi decat rau. Nu prost. Rau. Dar imi place Kelly Rimmer, am descoperit-o relativ recent si reuseste sa emotioneze in ciuda cliseelor folosite. Si aceasta are multe clisee, dar are si o poveste draguta si desi se termina rau, are o doza de optimism care atenueaza suferinta personajelor.
Profile Image for Odette Brethouwer.
1,732 reviews302 followers
October 31, 2017
Ik ben op 1/3 maar het boek pakt me op de een of andere manier totaal niet. Maar dit is een heel sterk geval 'this is me, not the book', want het is een prima chicklit. Het is een mooi concept, volgens mij gaat de verhaallijn ook wel verder op de prima-lijn die in de eerste 1/3 zit als ik zo mijn moeder hoor die hem uit heeft, maar toch pakt het mij gewoon totaal niet op de een of andere manier. Als je van boeken van Jojo Moyes e.d. houdt zou ik zeker aanraden deze een keer te proberen! Maar ik ben nu meer in een YA en fantasy stemming, denk ik.
Profile Image for ✰ Bianca ✰ BJ's Book Blog ✰ .
2,331 reviews1,338 followers
August 31, 2015

description

I loved it - I especially loved Callum ♥
But the first 60-70% were a bit ... boring :/
The last part was great and full of feelings and I cried a lot...but the beginning was just too slow and eventless for me. But I still loved the story.
Profile Image for Kathy.
626 reviews30 followers
July 7, 2018
A beautiful yet heartbreaking story of Callum & Lilah that pulls you in as we follow their journey from a chance meeting on the Manly ferry that you just know is the beginning of something special. Yes the blurb says for those who loved Me Before You will also be captivated by this read - and that is very true. You know what is going to happen, but still, with the box of tissues by your side you get through the best and worst of it just hoping for a miracle cure! A great read ....4 stars!
Profile Image for Elin.
52 reviews4 followers
April 27, 2017
Åhh, så dålig! Så klyschigt och förutsägbart och hemskt på alla sätt och vis. Ändå just precis vad jag behövde. Jag är nöjd.
Profile Image for moi, k.y.a..
2,071 reviews379 followers
x2-check-it-out
May 29, 2018
Bir dahaki ağlak seansı için ayıralım bunu da. 😿
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