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The Rest of Me
Alex Fox knows there are lots of things she should be.
She should be the perfect wife to her chronically ill husband Sam, and the perfect mother to their two daughters. She should be excelling in her high-stress job. And she should be completing the demanding to-do lists she makes to keep herself on track.
Even if, just sometimes, she doesn't have time to breathe.
When Sam's condition worsens and Alex donates a kidney to save his life, her carefully scheduled existence starts to unravel - eventually forcing her to face up to a past that she has buried for years.
As the family she has fought so hard for threatens to fall apart, can Alex finally confront the mistakes that have shaped her - and rediscover what is most important in life?
***
The Rest of Me is an emotional and uplifting story which will make you laugh, cry and hug the people you love a little bit tighter.
380 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 26, 2018
134 people are currently reading
565 people want to read
About the author
Katie Marsh
19 books240 followersHello and welcome to my GoodReads page. Thank you for visiting!
I wrote romantic fiction before turning to crime in my forties. My debut novel was a World Book Night pick and my books are published in ten languages.
I live in the countryside and love strong coffee and pretending to be in charge of my children. ‘Murder on the Dancefloor'’, the second in my Bad Girls Detective Agency crime series, will be published by Boldwood Books in March 2024.
Do come and chat on instagram - I'm @katiemarshauthor.
Katie x
I wrote romantic fiction before turning to crime in my forties. My debut novel was a World Book Night pick and my books are published in ten languages.
I live in the countryside and love strong coffee and pretending to be in charge of my children. ‘Murder on the Dancefloor'’, the second in my Bad Girls Detective Agency crime series, will be published by Boldwood Books in March 2024.
Do come and chat on instagram - I'm @katiemarshauthor.
Katie x
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 69 reviews
June 12, 2018
I’ve said it before, but I really think it’s worth saying again – Katie Marsh has a gift for dealing with emotion in her writing that I’ve rarely experienced elsewhere. As I immersed myself in the lives of Alex, Sam and their two perfectly drawn daughters – the wonderful Izzy with her big heart and passion for football, fourteen year old Jenna causing all the problems hormonal teenagers frequently do – I acquired a strange lump in my throat that never really went away. There’s something both acutely uncomfortable and absolutely compelling about watching a family slowly falling apart, their problems piling on top of each other, as you hope beyond hope that everything will turn around and bring happiness for a cast of characters that very quickly grab you by the heart.
This isn’t a book filled with fireworks and unexpected twists – it’s a slow unspooling of a set of circumstances and a coming to terms with important events of the past and their impact on the present, and those many curveballs that life has a tendency to throw. I don’t want to say too much about the story, but its central theme absolutely broke my heart – children can be so desperately cruel, their very real problems so difficult to talk about, adults often too busy and caught up in issues of their own. Alex’s workplace experience too, with its resonances from her past, was quite perfectly handled – a strong woman who finds herself wrong-footed, unable to cope, events overtaking her and struggling to cope against a backdrop of a disintegrating marriage and relationship with her family.
I loved the relationships in this book – the glimpses into the past and the secrets carefully kept hidden, the whole slowly revealed background to Alex’s relationship with sister Lucy, the support of best friend Tasia. And I particularly loved the relationship between Alex and husband Sam – and I thought the very real issues brought about by a long-term illness and its effect on the nature of a relationship were exceptionally well done, authentic and recognisable.
The writing itself is simply wonderful. Alex’s own voice predominates, as we share her thoughts and feelings, sitting with her as she recognises her mistakes and omissions, sympathising with her and understanding – if not always agreeing – with her actions and decisions. But the voice that perhaps has the greater impact is that of young Izzy – the simple account of life through the eyes of a child, her joy and passion, her desperate sadness, totally appropriate in tone and content, very funny and heartbreakingly sad by turn, and quite beautifully imagined and written. And as well as the two distinct voices, there are the lists – Alex’s way of managing life, from life’s practicalities to its biggest challenges, with inclusions that make you smile and others that touch you to the heart.
I’ve mentioned elsewhere the way that the author has the ability to surprise with a scene or passage that just stuns you with its impact – this book is full of them, as you find yourself unexpectedly and disconcertingly tearing up shortly after smiling at something that went before. And please don’t get the impression that this book is unremittingly sad and earnest – it really isn’t, with plenty to lift your heart, flood you with warmth, and fill your heart with joy. The whole is perfectly balanced, beautifully handled, and inspiring and uplifting in its outcome. I absolutely loved it.
This isn’t a book filled with fireworks and unexpected twists – it’s a slow unspooling of a set of circumstances and a coming to terms with important events of the past and their impact on the present, and those many curveballs that life has a tendency to throw. I don’t want to say too much about the story, but its central theme absolutely broke my heart – children can be so desperately cruel, their very real problems so difficult to talk about, adults often too busy and caught up in issues of their own. Alex’s workplace experience too, with its resonances from her past, was quite perfectly handled – a strong woman who finds herself wrong-footed, unable to cope, events overtaking her and struggling to cope against a backdrop of a disintegrating marriage and relationship with her family.
I loved the relationships in this book – the glimpses into the past and the secrets carefully kept hidden, the whole slowly revealed background to Alex’s relationship with sister Lucy, the support of best friend Tasia. And I particularly loved the relationship between Alex and husband Sam – and I thought the very real issues brought about by a long-term illness and its effect on the nature of a relationship were exceptionally well done, authentic and recognisable.
The writing itself is simply wonderful. Alex’s own voice predominates, as we share her thoughts and feelings, sitting with her as she recognises her mistakes and omissions, sympathising with her and understanding – if not always agreeing – with her actions and decisions. But the voice that perhaps has the greater impact is that of young Izzy – the simple account of life through the eyes of a child, her joy and passion, her desperate sadness, totally appropriate in tone and content, very funny and heartbreakingly sad by turn, and quite beautifully imagined and written. And as well as the two distinct voices, there are the lists – Alex’s way of managing life, from life’s practicalities to its biggest challenges, with inclusions that make you smile and others that touch you to the heart.
I’ve mentioned elsewhere the way that the author has the ability to surprise with a scene or passage that just stuns you with its impact – this book is full of them, as you find yourself unexpectedly and disconcertingly tearing up shortly after smiling at something that went before. And please don’t get the impression that this book is unremittingly sad and earnest – it really isn’t, with plenty to lift your heart, flood you with warmth, and fill your heart with joy. The whole is perfectly balanced, beautifully handled, and inspiring and uplifting in its outcome. I absolutely loved it.
July 31, 2018
Thank you NetGalley for this book.
I've never read any books by Katie Marsh before but I will certainly try and find more of her. I agree she is a great author and she is especially very good in writing about emotions. There are lots of emotions in this book, and I could relate to almost all characters (not to Tarik, of course...). I really felt for Alex.
And there lies the point that I gave this book 4 stars instead of 5. It came too close... I know all about being bullied, being a victim for about 10 years. I had to stop reading sometimes. And to be honest, I was suprised to feel so awful at times, reading what happened to her and of course, to Izzy. It is 45 years ago, but it sometimes felt like yesterday, reading this book.
I am very, very happy Katie Marsh found a way to have Alex start over, as it were, and leave a big part of her problems behind. It also helped me! I think this book is not just a very good read, I think it is very important people with the same problem read it and learn from it.
Thank you Katie Marsh!
I've never read any books by Katie Marsh before but I will certainly try and find more of her. I agree she is a great author and she is especially very good in writing about emotions. There are lots of emotions in this book, and I could relate to almost all characters (not to Tarik, of course...). I really felt for Alex.
And there lies the point that I gave this book 4 stars instead of 5. It came too close... I know all about being bullied, being a victim for about 10 years. I had to stop reading sometimes. And to be honest, I was suprised to feel so awful at times, reading what happened to her and of course, to Izzy. It is 45 years ago, but it sometimes felt like yesterday, reading this book.
I am very, very happy Katie Marsh found a way to have Alex start over, as it were, and leave a big part of her problems behind. It also helped me! I think this book is not just a very good read, I think it is very important people with the same problem read it and learn from it.
Thank you Katie Marsh!
August 1, 2018
"The Rest of Me" is Katie Marsh's fourth offering - I have read all of her books and from the beginning have been championing them and Katie's writing - she delivers my favourite kind of novels, she offers much more than a simple tale, her stories are always full of emotions and feelings and they tug at your heart - strings. They also always sound so very realistic, they're genuine and close to life, and it was the same with Katie Marsh's newest release. I simply adored it.
In "The Rest of Me" we are introduced to Alex Fox who has just donated a kidney to her husband Sam - he would have died otherwise. Alex expected to bounce back to her life almost immediately, however it turns out that it's her now that needs medical help. Moreover, the operation didn't bring Alex and Sam closer together, like Alex hoped, but problems and troubles seem to unravel. Add to this problems at work and with their two daughters and you are reading a complex, beautiful family drama.
The way the author writes about Alex, Sam and their family was incredible - I felt not like a part of their family, because they were such a close - knit unit, even with all their troubles, but I felt like the proverbial fly on the wall, seeing, hearing, observing, almost touching and, above all experiencing all their troubles, problems and the little joys with them. Seeing all those troubles piling on top of each other made my heart break and I couldn't stop thinking, oh no, please not again, and I was hoping that everything will eventually turn around and good.
This book is not full of twists and turns, but it also doesn't need it. It slowly peels off layer after layer laying bare the real life of our characters, bringing back important events from the past, allowing us to get to know the characters and why those past events were so important and significant, how they impacted on the present. The characters are very well developed. They're not flawless, I so often found myself disagreeing with them, I wanted to shake them and tell them to open their eyes. The story is mostly told through Alex's point of view, and she shares all her thoughts and feelings with us. I immediately fell for her and I kept everything crossed for her. We shared the same worries and problems. She was strong and she had a backbone, she noticed all the discriminations that came with the new boss but also during her interviews, and she was not afraid to speak loud about them, questioning them.
To be absolutely honest, for a long, long time I had a huge problem with Sam. Maybe because I was rooting so much for Alex, right from the very beginning? I mean, I didn't begrudged him this kidney but after the transplant it seemed that everything turned upside down for Alex in any case: her health, her job, her self - esteem, while Sam was enjoying his life fully and totally and it seemed to me that while he was sick, Alex just devoted herself to looking after him and forgot about her own life, and as soon as he was feeling better he forgot about it and instead of looking after Alex he just enjoyed his life. I mean, it was his right, for the love of god, of course, but for me it just was as if he got what he wanted and well, Alex, your health, your life is your problem now. It took me long to see his side of things, so long that I've already started to panic what's happening here and if I'm going to warm to him at all.
But I think that the voice that shook me so much was this of the young Izzy. Her character was so very well drawn, she was not too childish, she was not too mature for her age as it often happens, she was simply perfect with her love to Arsenal and football obsession. She tried so hard to be tough and strong and brave, she experienced so much, seeing things through her eyes was, I think, even more authentic and cruel - because she told what she really felt.
This story also deals with bullying. As a mum of a six - year - old girl who's about to start school in September, this topic is so very close to my heart. It's probably my biggest nightmare that one day she can be bullied or that she can be the bully - I don't know how I'm going to cope if something like this happens. The way Katie Marsh tackled this subplot in this story was absolutely perfect and realistic, and to be totally honest, it has broken my heart. I don't want to spoil the reading for you so I'm not going to say anything more but be prepared for having your heart broken, fixed and then broken again.
This book, and especially the last part of it, made me think so much, especially about the way I am around and with my daughter, and it taught me that I can't take our together time for granted. So I, just like Alex, am going to spend as much time with her as possible - she's just too precious.
Katie Marsh can put into words all the feelings and emotions that we feel but can't express - how often we just don't have time to sit down and listen, to talk, to open up. She doesn't make the relationships in this story bed of roses but she makes them honest and raw. Simply, she captured all those feelings so well and the way Alex felt about her past and keeping it a secret gave me goose bumps - because it sounded so real, authentic and genuine. The writing somehow feels so very authentic and personal, I'm not sure why I had this feeling but I just felt like this, and the words used by Katie Marsh, her descriptions, they touched me deeply and tugged at my heart - strings.
It was a gorgeous novel about relationships, about sisterhood, friendship, marriage and family dynamics. About secrets that shouldn't have been kept, about things that shouldn't have happened. It wasn't sad - it may sound like this but it is also incredibly uplifting and affirming and it makes your heart sing again in the end. I can't recommend it highly enough!
Copy provided by the publisher in return for an honest review.
October 16, 2022
A family saga about Alex, who has given a kidney to save her husband and was bullied as a child, and now as an adult. And her daughter Izzy who is also being bullied. It shows how bullying can shape how your life develops.
March 21, 2018
I've come to look forward each year to Katie Marsh's new book. And with The Rest of Me, she has really surpassed herself. This one feels somehow the most personal. The most raw. And it touched me deeply. The writing, as always, is a delight, and the characters are the kind of people you know in your real everyday world. This is a beautiful, tender, and utterly absorbing novel.
May 10, 2018
With beautiful characterisations, a wonderful heartfelt and moving story, and exploring issues that we all do to ourselves. Being our own worst critics. This is a book that is by far Katie’s best work. This book will make you laugh, smile and cry sometimes all at the same time. A wonderful book.
August 12, 2018
Oh, I loved this story, made me tear up a few times.
June 29, 2018
Disappointing
A very drawn out story that I felt never really got going. Lacked a strong story line and no strong emotional connection.
A very drawn out story that I felt never really got going. Lacked a strong story line and no strong emotional connection.
September 23, 2018
Alex Fox writes herself lots of to-do lists. She’s a mother, wife and hugely successful in her career working for a charity.
Her husband Sam has a chronic kidney disease and over the past couple of years Alex has become his carer whilst holding down a demanding job and coping with two young daughters. Now Alex has donated a kidney to Sam and although he’s much better, almost back to his old self, Alex’s world seems to be crumbling around her.
Her new boss has made his feelings about her perfectly clear and his attitude towards her brings back old and previously well buried memories of her experiences as a child.
Whilst Alex is battling to hold everything together at home and at work, her youngest daughter; football crazy Izzy is trying to cope with being an outsider. Izzy is determined that she won’t tell Alex or Sam what she’s going through, after all they have quite enough to worry about as it is.
The Rest Of Me is a sensitively and beautifully written story that is sure to touch every reader’s heart. As Izzy experiences the pain of rejection and the humiliation of being the girl that nobody wants at their party, Alex is reliving her almost identical childhood experiences.
Vividly written and packed with emotional punches, this novel is devastating yet uplifting. The characters are brilliantly crafted, with vulnerabilities and flaws and beautifully observed.
Her husband Sam has a chronic kidney disease and over the past couple of years Alex has become his carer whilst holding down a demanding job and coping with two young daughters. Now Alex has donated a kidney to Sam and although he’s much better, almost back to his old self, Alex’s world seems to be crumbling around her.
Her new boss has made his feelings about her perfectly clear and his attitude towards her brings back old and previously well buried memories of her experiences as a child.
Whilst Alex is battling to hold everything together at home and at work, her youngest daughter; football crazy Izzy is trying to cope with being an outsider. Izzy is determined that she won’t tell Alex or Sam what she’s going through, after all they have quite enough to worry about as it is.
The Rest Of Me is a sensitively and beautifully written story that is sure to touch every reader’s heart. As Izzy experiences the pain of rejection and the humiliation of being the girl that nobody wants at their party, Alex is reliving her almost identical childhood experiences.
Vividly written and packed with emotional punches, this novel is devastating yet uplifting. The characters are brilliantly crafted, with vulnerabilities and flaws and beautifully observed.
April 1, 2018
Alex makes a huge sacrifice by giving her husband Sam a kidney but instead of bringing them closer, their lives together start to unravel. While the book explores the painful issue of bullying - not just the kind that comes from other people, but the way we can be unrelentingly cruel to ourselves - it is never maudlin thanks to Marsh’s optimistic and humorous writing style. Reading The Rest of Me felt like the equivalent of watching back-to-back episodes of Cold Feet - funny, heartwarming and thoroughly entertaining. The characterisation is fabulous too. A joyous, page-turning read.
October 24, 2018
I have tried to read this book twice and I am sorry to say I am not going to finish it. I do not want to put others off reading it but for me there are too many 'dramas' - I usually like a story that evokes an emotion but this one rather than being gripping me into wanting to read more, with each chapter I have thought "now what?" and not wanted to engage in more. I am sure this will be enjoyed by many people, but not me.
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November 25, 2021
This story was very drawn out and not enough going on to keep my attention. I found myself skipping pages here and there and glad to finish it.
August 17, 2018
Oh dear...
I feel awful for saying this as I normally love Katie’s writing and yet I couldn’t help but feel like the plot was dragging on for me and the story overall fell a bit flat. I sympathised with Alex and her situation and Sam’s frustrations. But I honestly did struggle with this.
I feel awful for saying this as I normally love Katie’s writing and yet I couldn’t help but feel like the plot was dragging on for me and the story overall fell a bit flat. I sympathised with Alex and her situation and Sam’s frustrations. But I honestly did struggle with this.
October 15, 2018
Didn't want to put this one down
Great book, Monty normal read, but good story one dealing with all issues of life. Excellent book. Will definitely look out for further books.
Great book, Monty normal read, but good story one dealing with all issues of life. Excellent book. Will definitely look out for further books.
July 24, 2018
this book was such a surprise in that I was expecting a book about a husband and wife and their love and their health but what I got was a book with a strong feminist message and a book which highlights the devastating effects of bullying on both children and adults-so unique!
Firstly, I love the way this book is structured. We have a dual narrative between Mum Alex and daughter Izzy. I really love when we have a child narrator even as part of the story because we get such honesty and such innocence when we have a child narrator, it brings a whole other level to the book. I also loved the fact that Alex's sections had the to-do list at the start of them just like on the back of the book so we get to see what state of mind she is even before we start reading her chapters.
As I've mentioned, we have very different leading characters in this novel. As well as Alex, we have Sam, her husband to whom she gives the kidney. Sam is great and definitely provides the lighter moments of the book, but he's a little naive too because he doesn't always realise what is going on with his wife and children. Izzy is a great character but is such a worrier, she is playing out some of the worries her mum has now and also some of those she had as a child. Jenna is the older daughter of the family and she is also worried about her parents but at the same time as being worried about school, how she looks and sex.
Alex is a great main character because she has all the worries that we often have as women on a day to day basis but also she has some skeletons from her past that have made her the way she is. We get to find out about those in due course but they have definitely had an impact on the way she lives her life. I also love the fact that Alex notices the discrimination she faces as a women in the workplace but also as a women in the home. She feels like she has to be strong to show her daughters how to be strong but also because she has a husband who has been so sick for so long. I could both sympathise and empathise with her as a character and I loved spending time with her.
Yes I cried at multiple points in this novel because there are obviously sad and worrying times for this family. But I also cheered at the way Alex and co challenge some of the discrimination that women face. I also loved the fact that even ten year old Izzy was already stomping all over those gender stereotypes and the whole thing just felt very empowering. I was drawn into the story and raced through it in just two sittings. I would definitely recommend adding this one to your TBR!
Firstly, I love the way this book is structured. We have a dual narrative between Mum Alex and daughter Izzy. I really love when we have a child narrator even as part of the story because we get such honesty and such innocence when we have a child narrator, it brings a whole other level to the book. I also loved the fact that Alex's sections had the to-do list at the start of them just like on the back of the book so we get to see what state of mind she is even before we start reading her chapters.
As I've mentioned, we have very different leading characters in this novel. As well as Alex, we have Sam, her husband to whom she gives the kidney. Sam is great and definitely provides the lighter moments of the book, but he's a little naive too because he doesn't always realise what is going on with his wife and children. Izzy is a great character but is such a worrier, she is playing out some of the worries her mum has now and also some of those she had as a child. Jenna is the older daughter of the family and she is also worried about her parents but at the same time as being worried about school, how she looks and sex.
Alex is a great main character because she has all the worries that we often have as women on a day to day basis but also she has some skeletons from her past that have made her the way she is. We get to find out about those in due course but they have definitely had an impact on the way she lives her life. I also love the fact that Alex notices the discrimination she faces as a women in the workplace but also as a women in the home. She feels like she has to be strong to show her daughters how to be strong but also because she has a husband who has been so sick for so long. I could both sympathise and empathise with her as a character and I loved spending time with her.
Yes I cried at multiple points in this novel because there are obviously sad and worrying times for this family. But I also cheered at the way Alex and co challenge some of the discrimination that women face. I also loved the fact that even ten year old Izzy was already stomping all over those gender stereotypes and the whole thing just felt very empowering. I was drawn into the story and raced through it in just two sittings. I would definitely recommend adding this one to your TBR!
August 13, 2018
Meeting Alex - wife to Sam, mother to Izzy and Jenna - you can relate to her from the very beginning. A strong, independent woman who juggles family life with her career, her daily struggles are what many women today can recognise. But throw in her kidney transplant to save her husband’s life, and you get another dimension added in to an already emotional plot. 'The Rest of Me' is a novel that inevitably has you looking inwards at your own place in life as a woman, a working woman, a mother, a wife, and a daughter.
There are many layers to this novel and this is reflected in the metaphorical title. 'The Rest of Me' is not just about Alex rediscovering herself and the memories she relives throughout the novel; it is also a reference to the convalescence she undergoes after surgery. Spending so much time in recovery and resting post-op, Marsh nicely has a dual-meaning to what initially is a simply titled novel. A nice touch.
The plot encourages you to reflect inwards and there are so many strands to the story that I am sure many women can relate to. It is difficult not to empathise with Alex's worries and frets in terms of raising her children, looking after her household and juggling the increasing demands her career provides. It is an intense story and I certainly found that after reading massive chunks, I had to sit back and take stock: appreciate all the good things I have around me and even reflect on my place as a wife, woman, mother and daughter.
The narrative switches between (mostly) Alex and her youngest daughter, Izzy. As both narratives develop, you can see the similarities between Alex's childhood and what Izzy is experiencing. You desperately wish for Alex to open up to others and re-connect with her children: you are desperate for her to recognise the signs that Izzy is also being bullied at school, just like Alex used to be. However, this is just part of the journey that Alex undergoes in this novel and the tiny steps she begins to make all eventually culminate in a very satisfying ending.
This was a fantastic book and one that I read over a very busy weekend. A summer, autumn, winter or even spring read, this is definitely one to recommend. It's not a typical "chick flick" read and more of a "coming of age drama". Expect to experience intense emotions and maybe even relive some of your past but, this is certainly one you don't want to miss.
There are many layers to this novel and this is reflected in the metaphorical title. 'The Rest of Me' is not just about Alex rediscovering herself and the memories she relives throughout the novel; it is also a reference to the convalescence she undergoes after surgery. Spending so much time in recovery and resting post-op, Marsh nicely has a dual-meaning to what initially is a simply titled novel. A nice touch.
The plot encourages you to reflect inwards and there are so many strands to the story that I am sure many women can relate to. It is difficult not to empathise with Alex's worries and frets in terms of raising her children, looking after her household and juggling the increasing demands her career provides. It is an intense story and I certainly found that after reading massive chunks, I had to sit back and take stock: appreciate all the good things I have around me and even reflect on my place as a wife, woman, mother and daughter.
The narrative switches between (mostly) Alex and her youngest daughter, Izzy. As both narratives develop, you can see the similarities between Alex's childhood and what Izzy is experiencing. You desperately wish for Alex to open up to others and re-connect with her children: you are desperate for her to recognise the signs that Izzy is also being bullied at school, just like Alex used to be. However, this is just part of the journey that Alex undergoes in this novel and the tiny steps she begins to make all eventually culminate in a very satisfying ending.
This was a fantastic book and one that I read over a very busy weekend. A summer, autumn, winter or even spring read, this is definitely one to recommend. It's not a typical "chick flick" read and more of a "coming of age drama". Expect to experience intense emotions and maybe even relive some of your past but, this is certainly one you don't want to miss.
August 13, 2018
Alex Foxy Fox is superwoman until life reminds her we’re all human.
I have loved everything Katie Marsh has written so I was extremely apprehensive about reading The Rest of Me. I didn’t want to be disappointed. Oh – I wasn’t. I think The Rest of Me may be her best book yet. There’s a depth of emotion and raw honesty between the pages of The Rest of Me that hit me in the solar plexus and knocked me for six. I didn’t just read about the emotion in The Rest of Me, but rather felt it physically so that my heart feels a little bit bruised as a result.
Alex is so fabulous a character. I defy any woman (and that may sound sexist but I don’t care) to read about Alex and not understand her or feel a little bit of her personality in themselves. Her desperate need to maintain her shell of competence at all costs, her ‘self-bullying’ and her unhappiness as she loses sight of the real things in life that matter are all too familiar. I felt as if Katie Marsh had looked into my soul, understood me and had written a novel just for me to help me understand myself better. At the risk of being accused of hyperbole, I genuinely think Katie Marsh has a Shakespearean understanding of humanity.
The others in the story are perfectly depicted too. Izzy is a triumph and, although I don’t have children of my own, I can envisage mothers looking at their children anew having read The Rest of Me.
The wonderful plot is so clever. Aside from the major event of donating a kidney to Sam, Alex’s life is one we can all relate to as it revolves around juggling work and home. So often I wanted to step into the narrative, grasp Alex by the shoulders and shake her until she understood what she was doing – not because the story didn’t work, but because it worked so well I couldn’t bear what was happening to her. I was desperate for her to find happiness, and the depth of sadness I felt as I read is beyond description.
I genuinely believe reading The Rest of Me has changed me as a person. Once again Katie Marsh’s words have made me reappraise my life and helped me understand what is truly important. If you’ve yet to discover her as an author, what are you waiting for? Your life will never be the same again.
https://lindasbookbag.com/2018/08/13/...
I have loved everything Katie Marsh has written so I was extremely apprehensive about reading The Rest of Me. I didn’t want to be disappointed. Oh – I wasn’t. I think The Rest of Me may be her best book yet. There’s a depth of emotion and raw honesty between the pages of The Rest of Me that hit me in the solar plexus and knocked me for six. I didn’t just read about the emotion in The Rest of Me, but rather felt it physically so that my heart feels a little bit bruised as a result.
Alex is so fabulous a character. I defy any woman (and that may sound sexist but I don’t care) to read about Alex and not understand her or feel a little bit of her personality in themselves. Her desperate need to maintain her shell of competence at all costs, her ‘self-bullying’ and her unhappiness as she loses sight of the real things in life that matter are all too familiar. I felt as if Katie Marsh had looked into my soul, understood me and had written a novel just for me to help me understand myself better. At the risk of being accused of hyperbole, I genuinely think Katie Marsh has a Shakespearean understanding of humanity.
The others in the story are perfectly depicted too. Izzy is a triumph and, although I don’t have children of my own, I can envisage mothers looking at their children anew having read The Rest of Me.
The wonderful plot is so clever. Aside from the major event of donating a kidney to Sam, Alex’s life is one we can all relate to as it revolves around juggling work and home. So often I wanted to step into the narrative, grasp Alex by the shoulders and shake her until she understood what she was doing – not because the story didn’t work, but because it worked so well I couldn’t bear what was happening to her. I was desperate for her to find happiness, and the depth of sadness I felt as I read is beyond description.
I genuinely believe reading The Rest of Me has changed me as a person. Once again Katie Marsh’s words have made me reappraise my life and helped me understand what is truly important. If you’ve yet to discover her as an author, what are you waiting for? Your life will never be the same again.
https://lindasbookbag.com/2018/08/13/...
July 16, 2018
I really struggled with this book. It's quite well written, but, it felt really drawn out to me and I just couldn't connect with any of the characters.
I appreciate the opportunity to preview and thanks to netgalley and the publishers for the opportunity to do so.
I appreciate the opportunity to preview and thanks to netgalley and the publishers for the opportunity to do so.
June 18, 2018
The Rest of Me was such an uplifting book that had me gripped throughout, I really enjoyed it.
August 19, 2018
Time taken to read - 2 days
Pages - 400
Publisher - Hodder
Source - Review copy
Blurb from Goodreads
Alex Fox knows there are lots of thing she should be. She should be the perfect wife to her chronically ill husband Sam, and the perfect mother to their two daughters. She should be excelling in her high-stress job. And she should be completing the demanding to-do lists she makes to keep herself on track.
Even if, just sometimes, she doesn't have time to breathe.
When Sam's condition worsens and Alex donates a kidney to save his life, her carefully scheduled existence starts to unravel. The operation leads to unexpected complications, putting a strain on Alex's marriage and her relationship with her children - and eventually forcing her to face up to a past that she has buried for years.
As the family she has fought so hard for threatens to fall apart, can Alex finally confront her imperfections and the mistakes that have shaped her - and rediscover what is most important in life?
The Rest of Me is an emotional and uplifting story which will make you laugh, cry and hug the people you love a little bit tighter.
My Review
Alex loves making a list, she is super mum, a hard worker at a job she loves and juggling many balls with her sick husband Sam. When the chance to save his life comes up, by donating her own kidney, Alex doesn't think twice. What she didn't bargain for what how dramatically it would change all of their lives. Their family life, her own health, her work life, everything changes and Alex is losing control and has to face demons from her past.
I have read Marsh before and enjoyed her books, she tells a genteel tale that packs an emotional punch. Family life, relationships, horrible bosses, bullying, marital issues - it covers quite a lot of ground that many readers will be able to identify with. We hear from Alex and her youngest daughter Izzy, from their voices, thoughts and feelings we see exactly how everything is impacting upon their family.
Izzy is the cutest wee chop ever, she is so laid back, loving, kind, sweet, trusting and all she wants is a happy family and to play football. Her older sister is at the teen stage where she knows everything, everything her mother does infuriates her and everything is boys and popularity.
Alex finds her slow recovery giving her a lot of time with her thoughts, losing control and having to face inner demons and a past she has ran from. I think this and young Izzy is where a lot of readers will ride the emotive train. Sadness, anger, love, loss, regret so so much and yet all is visited with just enough depth to give the reader a vested interest in the characters. Beautifully written, Alex could be any one of us, her road to recovery is anything but just a physical one, prepare yourself for a beautiful story that plucks on the heart strings, 4/5 for me this time.
Pages - 400
Publisher - Hodder
Source - Review copy
Blurb from Goodreads
Alex Fox knows there are lots of thing she should be. She should be the perfect wife to her chronically ill husband Sam, and the perfect mother to their two daughters. She should be excelling in her high-stress job. And she should be completing the demanding to-do lists she makes to keep herself on track.
Even if, just sometimes, she doesn't have time to breathe.
When Sam's condition worsens and Alex donates a kidney to save his life, her carefully scheduled existence starts to unravel. The operation leads to unexpected complications, putting a strain on Alex's marriage and her relationship with her children - and eventually forcing her to face up to a past that she has buried for years.
As the family she has fought so hard for threatens to fall apart, can Alex finally confront her imperfections and the mistakes that have shaped her - and rediscover what is most important in life?
The Rest of Me is an emotional and uplifting story which will make you laugh, cry and hug the people you love a little bit tighter.
My Review
Alex loves making a list, she is super mum, a hard worker at a job she loves and juggling many balls with her sick husband Sam. When the chance to save his life comes up, by donating her own kidney, Alex doesn't think twice. What she didn't bargain for what how dramatically it would change all of their lives. Their family life, her own health, her work life, everything changes and Alex is losing control and has to face demons from her past.
I have read Marsh before and enjoyed her books, she tells a genteel tale that packs an emotional punch. Family life, relationships, horrible bosses, bullying, marital issues - it covers quite a lot of ground that many readers will be able to identify with. We hear from Alex and her youngest daughter Izzy, from their voices, thoughts and feelings we see exactly how everything is impacting upon their family.
Izzy is the cutest wee chop ever, she is so laid back, loving, kind, sweet, trusting and all she wants is a happy family and to play football. Her older sister is at the teen stage where she knows everything, everything her mother does infuriates her and everything is boys and popularity.
Alex finds her slow recovery giving her a lot of time with her thoughts, losing control and having to face inner demons and a past she has ran from. I think this and young Izzy is where a lot of readers will ride the emotive train. Sadness, anger, love, loss, regret so so much and yet all is visited with just enough depth to give the reader a vested interest in the characters. Beautifully written, Alex could be any one of us, her road to recovery is anything but just a physical one, prepare yourself for a beautiful story that plucks on the heart strings, 4/5 for me this time.
April 10, 2020
I don't even know how to begin this in the hope that it will draw you to the book. I've never read anything from this woman before, but if I can find additional books of hers, I'll give them a read.
Alex Fox has her act together in ways that would dazzle even the most jaded among us. She is highly organized, a list maker of epic stamina. She's the go-to woman at work who has the answers. She is self-contained, self-reliant, and very much in charge.
Those attributes were necessary when her husband, Sam, developed kidney disease and was rendered nearly helpless. Alex and her two daughters worked to hold the house together. Then they discovered that Alex was a suitable kidney donor for Sam, and soon thereafter, he was recovering nicely with her kidney. But Alex wasn't recovering so well, and the family dynamic shifted in a mammoth way when Sam became the healthy vibrant one and Alex struggled to recover for months.
But this is so much more than a book about shifting family roles. Why had Alex been so intent on being the go-to woman, the organized one the tough one? What was it in her past that made her thus? And then there's ten-year-old Izzy. She loves soccer, and she's good at it. She has a solid chance of getting into a prestigious soccer club if her parents approve. But life at home is anything but good since the kidney operations. Mom finds herself out of work, and neither parent can cross the ever-widening chasm to one another. Worse still, things at school are grim, too. Izzy's former friend has turned on her and, with help from other girls in school, has turned Izzy's life into something worse than hell.
These plots are so well written and narrated that you will long remember this book. Marsh taps into emotions you won't even realize she can touch. I literally shed tears in the climactic portion of the book near the end and you very well may also. This is excellent writing at its best, and you'll ponder the impact of family role changes and of the past on the present. I have no idea where I picked up the recommendation for this, but I'm grateful I paid attention to that recommendation.
Alex Fox has her act together in ways that would dazzle even the most jaded among us. She is highly organized, a list maker of epic stamina. She's the go-to woman at work who has the answers. She is self-contained, self-reliant, and very much in charge.
Those attributes were necessary when her husband, Sam, developed kidney disease and was rendered nearly helpless. Alex and her two daughters worked to hold the house together. Then they discovered that Alex was a suitable kidney donor for Sam, and soon thereafter, he was recovering nicely with her kidney. But Alex wasn't recovering so well, and the family dynamic shifted in a mammoth way when Sam became the healthy vibrant one and Alex struggled to recover for months.
But this is so much more than a book about shifting family roles. Why had Alex been so intent on being the go-to woman, the organized one the tough one? What was it in her past that made her thus? And then there's ten-year-old Izzy. She loves soccer, and she's good at it. She has a solid chance of getting into a prestigious soccer club if her parents approve. But life at home is anything but good since the kidney operations. Mom finds herself out of work, and neither parent can cross the ever-widening chasm to one another. Worse still, things at school are grim, too. Izzy's former friend has turned on her and, with help from other girls in school, has turned Izzy's life into something worse than hell.
These plots are so well written and narrated that you will long remember this book. Marsh taps into emotions you won't even realize she can touch. I literally shed tears in the climactic portion of the book near the end and you very well may also. This is excellent writing at its best, and you'll ponder the impact of family role changes and of the past on the present. I have no idea where I picked up the recommendation for this, but I'm grateful I paid attention to that recommendation.
July 27, 2018
What an absolute delight this book was to read. I was so sad to finish this book as I had connected so strongly to Alex and her lovely family. This book really does have it all. It's a modern family drama dealing with real life issues, such as bullying, the work life balance and raising children. It's an emotional and joyous read.
At the beginning of the novel we are introduced to Alex, who has just donated a kidney to her husband, Sam. They have two children, and on the surface they seem like any other 'normal' family, but what we find is a family slowly unravelling. I couldn't put this book down from the moment I read the first word I was hooked. I believed in Alex and Sam and their family unit. What would happen to them?
I love any book that deals with medical issues, but this book was special to me as it dealt with kidney transplant. I worked as a renal nurse for many years and so this book brought back some happy memories of patients and their families, that I cared for. It was also very authentic, in that the donor always has a longer recovery post surgery than the recipient. It highlighted the many issues surrounding kidney domafion, both mentally and psychologically, and what happens afterwards.
What I also particularly liked about this book was of how it focussed upon Alex and her role as carer, before the transplant. The fact that her identity and role within the family unit changed as a result of caring for her sick husband. The role is then reversed once she has donated her kidney. Throughout the story Alex is in search of her new identity, she needs to find herself again, and to realise that it's okay to show weakness. But can she change? Alex is a wonderful character and I completely immersed myself in her story. I understood her completely.
The Rest of Me really is the perfect summer read. It's a story about the strength of family, about love and relationships and about being a parent. It's a life affirming read with so much heart and soul. It's a beautiful book.
With thanks to the publisher and Bookbridgr for the Advanced paperback copy.
At the beginning of the novel we are introduced to Alex, who has just donated a kidney to her husband, Sam. They have two children, and on the surface they seem like any other 'normal' family, but what we find is a family slowly unravelling. I couldn't put this book down from the moment I read the first word I was hooked. I believed in Alex and Sam and their family unit. What would happen to them?
I love any book that deals with medical issues, but this book was special to me as it dealt with kidney transplant. I worked as a renal nurse for many years and so this book brought back some happy memories of patients and their families, that I cared for. It was also very authentic, in that the donor always has a longer recovery post surgery than the recipient. It highlighted the many issues surrounding kidney domafion, both mentally and psychologically, and what happens afterwards.
What I also particularly liked about this book was of how it focussed upon Alex and her role as carer, before the transplant. The fact that her identity and role within the family unit changed as a result of caring for her sick husband. The role is then reversed once she has donated her kidney. Throughout the story Alex is in search of her new identity, she needs to find herself again, and to realise that it's okay to show weakness. But can she change? Alex is a wonderful character and I completely immersed myself in her story. I understood her completely.
The Rest of Me really is the perfect summer read. It's a story about the strength of family, about love and relationships and about being a parent. It's a life affirming read with so much heart and soul. It's a beautiful book.
With thanks to the publisher and Bookbridgr for the Advanced paperback copy.
October 5, 2018
Alex is a woman no one should ever aspire to. She wants to be the perfect wife, be the perfect mother and feels it bitterly if there are any shortcomings. Permanently playing catch up, with a demanding job, an ailing husband (whom she has just donated a kidney to) and not recovering well herself, she pushes herself more and more trying to keep up with the very growing list of chores and things to be done.
What Alex does not do is listen to her children, both young - one a precocious teenager and one a very young girl. Both desperate for a mother to just listen to them and give them the opening they need to confide in her. Subjects which they cannot bring up as it is not cool enough or they are not comfortable with. Sam on the other hand, the husband who is now well recovered after surgery is blithe, having left it to Alex's capable hands for the last two decades he is quite willing to continue in the same vein.
The fact that Izzy is being bullied mercilessly and does not know how to cope and that Jenna is trying to cope with her budding sexuality are the two topics that are so well handled that it should be compulsory reading for all mothers and fathers. Whilst their children try to cope as best as they could, Alex and Sam both involved and focussed on their careers as they feel that this is what they do best, damage their family so much that it is a wonder that they did not all disappear into a black hole.
Honest to goodness day to day life for a typical first world family very well depicted.
What Alex does not do is listen to her children, both young - one a precocious teenager and one a very young girl. Both desperate for a mother to just listen to them and give them the opening they need to confide in her. Subjects which they cannot bring up as it is not cool enough or they are not comfortable with. Sam on the other hand, the husband who is now well recovered after surgery is blithe, having left it to Alex's capable hands for the last two decades he is quite willing to continue in the same vein.
The fact that Izzy is being bullied mercilessly and does not know how to cope and that Jenna is trying to cope with her budding sexuality are the two topics that are so well handled that it should be compulsory reading for all mothers and fathers. Whilst their children try to cope as best as they could, Alex and Sam both involved and focussed on their careers as they feel that this is what they do best, damage their family so much that it is a wonder that they did not all disappear into a black hole.
Honest to goodness day to day life for a typical first world family very well depicted.
August 3, 2018
I read a lot of books but none have touched me so much recently as The Rest of Me by Katie Marsh. I was Izzy between the ages of 7 and 12, and again in my adult years, and could easily be Alex now. I won't go into details, as this is a review of the book, not of my life. But this book left me in pieces and in tears, late in the evening one night, unable to sleep, taking me back several decades, bringing back memories that I'd stored away.
I love Katie Marsh's writing. I don't read much of this genre, but her books are definite 'must reads' for me. She covers topical emotional issues, writing straight from the heart (and I know that this was a particularly emotional book for Katie Marsh to write). She also covers medical issues with sensitivity and believability. Her writing is so descriptive that it gets right under my skin every time, with characters so real that I wonder if they do truly exist. And she sprinkles all of her books with some gentle humour to lighten the load.
It's so easy to give in to the bullies, as well as the self-bullying and the self-doubt. Katie Marsh reminds us that we can be stronger than this, we can rise above it and that we mustn't let the bullies win. Her books are always heartbreaking yet also uplifting and full of hope. They're honest, raw and powerful. And they always make me laugh, cry and think a lot about the important things in life, long after I've turned the final page.
I love Katie Marsh's writing. I don't read much of this genre, but her books are definite 'must reads' for me. She covers topical emotional issues, writing straight from the heart (and I know that this was a particularly emotional book for Katie Marsh to write). She also covers medical issues with sensitivity and believability. Her writing is so descriptive that it gets right under my skin every time, with characters so real that I wonder if they do truly exist. And she sprinkles all of her books with some gentle humour to lighten the load.
It's so easy to give in to the bullies, as well as the self-bullying and the self-doubt. Katie Marsh reminds us that we can be stronger than this, we can rise above it and that we mustn't let the bullies win. Her books are always heartbreaking yet also uplifting and full of hope. They're honest, raw and powerful. And they always make me laugh, cry and think a lot about the important things in life, long after I've turned the final page.
July 26, 2018
With every Katie Marsh book I have read, there is always, from the very start, an emotional connection with her characters which continues through the whole of the story.
In The Rest of Me we meet Alex Fox who, in order to save a life, has just donated one of her kidneys to her chronically sick husband, and whilst this altruistic gesture is made with all the love in the world, Alex doesn't bounce back quite as quickly as she thought she would. Add into the mix, her slow recuperation, a highly stressful career and two daughters who are each facing their own problems and you have the perfect ingredients for a complex family drama.
As always, the author draws you into the difficulties of family life, and piece by intricate piece we come to learn about what has gone on before, and of the problems which beset them in the here and now. How they cope individually with these problems forms the core of the story, which is quite heart-breaking at times.
Beautifully written with the author's trademark compassion and her unique ability to bring her characters alive in the imagination, The Rest of Me is one of those wonderfully immersive stories which takes you by the hand and leads you into heart of a family struggling to deal with the hand that fate has dealt them. How they come through it all makes for perfect summer reading.
In The Rest of Me we meet Alex Fox who, in order to save a life, has just donated one of her kidneys to her chronically sick husband, and whilst this altruistic gesture is made with all the love in the world, Alex doesn't bounce back quite as quickly as she thought she would. Add into the mix, her slow recuperation, a highly stressful career and two daughters who are each facing their own problems and you have the perfect ingredients for a complex family drama.
As always, the author draws you into the difficulties of family life, and piece by intricate piece we come to learn about what has gone on before, and of the problems which beset them in the here and now. How they cope individually with these problems forms the core of the story, which is quite heart-breaking at times.
Beautifully written with the author's trademark compassion and her unique ability to bring her characters alive in the imagination, The Rest of Me is one of those wonderfully immersive stories which takes you by the hand and leads you into heart of a family struggling to deal with the hand that fate has dealt them. How they come through it all makes for perfect summer reading.
August 14, 2018
We are introduced to Alex Fox who has donated a kidney to her husband and whilst he swiftly recovers Alex is left struggling to recover. She has a fantastic job which she loves and two children – one of which is Izzy a six year old girl who is a keen supporter of Arsenal and football is her life. Whilst Sam goes from strength to strength, Alex struggles. She goes back to work too soon, and collapses. She is used to coping; managing school runs, organising her household; dealing with the children, but everything starts to disintegrate; not least her job and her new boss who is just awful.
It was very interesting to witness Alex’s life crash, how she went from being superwoman to a vulnerable, bullied in the workplace woman. This brought back Alex’s pain of being bullied as a girl. In juxtaposition, Sam just powered through and Alex felt all her strength dwindle away at home and work.
A thought-provoking book that illustrates how quickly one’s identity and confidence can be severely injured, by health and bullies. How I wished Alex and told her boss what to do with his incessant carping and badgering emails – it certainly irritated and angered me on her behalf.
Do I recommend this book – indeed I do! Fascinating and incitefull.
Thank you to the author, publishers and NetGalley for providing an ARC via my Kindle in return for an honest review.
It was very interesting to witness Alex’s life crash, how she went from being superwoman to a vulnerable, bullied in the workplace woman. This brought back Alex’s pain of being bullied as a girl. In juxtaposition, Sam just powered through and Alex felt all her strength dwindle away at home and work.
A thought-provoking book that illustrates how quickly one’s identity and confidence can be severely injured, by health and bullies. How I wished Alex and told her boss what to do with his incessant carping and badgering emails – it certainly irritated and angered me on her behalf.
Do I recommend this book – indeed I do! Fascinating and incitefull.
Thank you to the author, publishers and NetGalley for providing an ARC via my Kindle in return for an honest review.
February 10, 2021
Ugh! This book had such potential!! As a wife that is often a caretaker for my disabled veteran husband, I was intrigued by the description on the back of the book. I felt a storyline built around a wife who gives her husband a kidney and then deals with the physical and emotional aftermath lent itself to deep character development and a subtle but very real study of “for better or worse, in sickness and in health”. That was NOT this book. This is a book about bullying. The kidney premise is really only about 10%, if that, of the story. It’s as if the author wanted to write two different books but somehow got confused and made them into one. I keep asking myself if I would have liked the book any better if it had been touted as a book on bullying, but the truth is, it still would have been a two-star book for me. The author “dumbed down” these characters for her audience, making their feelings and actions so black and white that it felt not only unrealistic but also insulting, as if we couldn’t read into the subtleties of a character who had the very human qualities of mixed emotions and paradoxical behaviors. I won’t be reading this author again. My Book Club hated it.
February 19, 2024
Alex is a woman who thought she had everything- a successful career, two healthy daughters and a loving husband. But when we meet her things have taken a downturn. Alex’s husband Sam had become so ill she was forced to take on more roles around the home including career for all the family, main bread winner and successful career woman. And when we meet her for the first time she has also just donated a kidney. It is interesting to see how Alex deals with a range of struggles in trying to build her family back up, however, I did feel it didn’t challenge the view of working women, but perhaps reinforce societies views which was disappointing. This is really my only criticism but I found it a real shame.
The issue of bullying and how serious it can be was dealt with well and there were some really believable moments but I often felt the characters needed a good shake and it was irritating how many times they found reasons not to talk to their loved ones. Kind of the whole point but still annoying.
Sad and thought provoking with some positive messages, but also perhaps some opportunities missed.
The issue of bullying and how serious it can be was dealt with well and there were some really believable moments but I often felt the characters needed a good shake and it was irritating how many times they found reasons not to talk to their loved ones. Kind of the whole point but still annoying.
Sad and thought provoking with some positive messages, but also perhaps some opportunities missed.
December 15, 2018
I really enjoyed reading this book, it was certainly an emotional rollercoaster!
It tackled all sorts of topics such as parenting, bullying, marriage relationships and even how people feel after they have an organ transplant - both from the donor and the recipients point of view, which I found particularly interesting.
At the end of the day, it was love that got them all through: love for family, love for each other as siblings, spouses, workmates etc. I thought Alex was a great character, even though she made me cringe a little bit, especially with her love of lists! (because I make lists all the time too, lol). The bullying at school I could relate to as well - that scene were Izzy goes to her friend's house, hopeful that they are back to normal again - my stomach had so many butterflies!
It was a real thinker of a book and many, many women would be able to relate.
4.75 stars from me, rounded up to 5 :)
It tackled all sorts of topics such as parenting, bullying, marriage relationships and even how people feel after they have an organ transplant - both from the donor and the recipients point of view, which I found particularly interesting.
At the end of the day, it was love that got them all through: love for family, love for each other as siblings, spouses, workmates etc. I thought Alex was a great character, even though she made me cringe a little bit, especially with her love of lists! (because I make lists all the time too, lol). The bullying at school I could relate to as well - that scene were Izzy goes to her friend's house, hopeful that they are back to normal again - my stomach had so many butterflies!
It was a real thinker of a book and many, many women would be able to relate.
4.75 stars from me, rounded up to 5 :)
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