Left: A Love Story

by Mary Hogan

In this beautifully crafted novel from the author of the critically-acclaimed Two Sisters , comes the story of a woman who retreats into a fantasy world on New York City’s Upper West Side as she slowly loses her once whip-smart husband to dementia—perfect for fans of Still Alice. When life falls apart, a little fantasy goes a long way… It started as a dream vacation in Spain, with Fay and Paul Agarra enjoying all the delights of a European holiday. A respected New York City judge, Paul has always been the man Fay can rely on, no matter what. When he inexplicably disappears from a Barcelona street corner, Fay knows something is terribly wrong. Once reunited, Paul shrugs off the episode as a simple misunderstanding—but Fay suspects her almost perfect life has taken a dark and sudden turn. Soon there are more signs that Paul is beginning to change. Bouts of forgetfulness lead to mistakes in the courtroom. Simple tasks cause unexplainable outbursts of anger. Fay’s worst suspicions are realized when she learns her husband—her rock, her love, her everything—is succumbing to the ravages of dementia.  As her husband transforms before her very eyes, Fay copes with her fears by retreating into a fantasy life filled with promise instead of pain. In Fay’s invented world, she imagines herself living a glamorous life free from heartache, with a handsome neighbor she barely knows rescuing her from a future she can’t accept.  Poignant and beautifully crafted, Left is an unforgettable tale about life’s aching uncertainties—and a woman who discovers that somewhere between hope and reality, an unexpected future will find its way forward.  

Genres: Romance, Fiction, Contemporary, Adult, Adult Fiction, Love, Mental Health

256 pages, Paperback

First published June 19, 2018

About the author

Though an Okie by birth, I grew up in Southern California in the era of baby oil tans. Except mine. My youth was filled with sunburns and other red-faced events. Now, I live in the blessed shade of skyscrapers. New York City. Where I was meant to be all along.

At the risk of sounding bigheaded, I love GOOD books. I like to read writers who inspire me to read their sentences over and over just for the joy of it. You know that feeling? Like, wow, how did she think of that phrasing?

That said, I joined Goodreads because I'd become a genre snob. There are good Sci-fi novels, right? Historical? To my delight, I've found that to be true. As in life, when you open up, the world opens with you. Or so said Oprah. Before she abandoned us. :)

On a personal note, I am married to the man of my dreams. We share our home with the lovely Lucy, a Catahoula rescue dog who, frankly, isn't that into us. In another life, she was Greta Garbo. When I smother her with kisses she literally rolls her doggy eyes.

Professionally, I'm the author of ten novels. Seven Young Adult novels (HarperCollins), one bestselling mainstream book (TWO SISTERS) an historical novel called THE WOMAN IN THE PHOTO (William Morrow) and the upcoming love story, LEFT (Morrow). Goodreads helped me open up to WRITING in new genres, too. Thank you!!

Both LEFT and TWO SISTERS are personal novels for me. TWO SISTERS was inspired by my own sister, Diane, who passed away in 2010. The fictional story emerged as I struggled to understand why my sister died the way she did. It's a story about secrets and how they can disintegrate a family.

LEFT is a love story with a twist. It tells the tale of a woman who develops a fantasy life to cope with her husband's descent into dementia. Alzheimer's and other dementias run in my family. This novel is for the current--and future--caretakers who inspire me every day.

For another VERY personal story, I wrote an article about my mom's last days for Woman's Day magazine. If you've gone through your mom's passing, or soon will, you may relate. (If you feel like reading it, I posted the link on my website maryhogan.com)

I swear it's all true.

Reviews

[Diane S ☔ · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 He was much younger than her, a respected state supreme Court judge, already married once with a son. He was kind, funny, smart, and from the moment Faye saw Paul, they clicked, married. Now after many years of a successful marriage, Paul surprises her with a trip to Spain. At first things go marvelously, but then she begins to notice little things, and then something major happens.

There is such a realistic feel to this book, a honesty that is compelling and heartbreaking. Watching someone you love, leave you unwillingly in body and mind. Caregiving such a demand on the spirit, the emotional toll on the person. Family who try to help but don't understand, and then a granddaughter and a caretaker who have words of wisdom, much needed.

The author has watched someone she loves struggle with Alzheimers, and does a wonderful job here conveying the emotional and physical struggle on all involved. A difficult book to read, but one that provides an important insight into this horrific condition.

[Anna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Despite their age difference, Fay and Paul have a wonderful marriage based upon love and commitment. Paul is a respected judge and Fay is an artist, content in their lovingly restored brownstone in NYC. But when an incident occurred on their trip to Spain, Fay begins to see changes in Paul's behavior. He is forgetful, prone to bursts of anger and at times struggles with conversation. As Fay's fears of dementia become more real, she finds solace in a fantasy where she imagines living in the perfect apartment with her knight in shining armor. But the reality of Fay's life is that she has become Paul's caretaker, finding grace in the rare moments of Paul's lucidity and in the support of her best friend.
Having lost my mother to the ravages of Alzheimer's disease, I felt connected to Fay's trials and sorrow.

[Mary Hogan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Okay. You may think I'm cheating because I'm reviewing a book that I wrote. Understandable. But, hear me out. The truth is, this novel was shaped and sharpened by an amazing editor, Carrie Feron. Without her, my book would only be three or four stars. :)

LEFT is a personal story about a woman who develops a fantasy life to cope with her husband's descent into dementia. I had the words, the feelings, the heartbreak, the joy. Carrie had the eye, the shape, the fictional structure. She turned this tale into a five-star read.

If you like love stories and their rollercoaster journeys, this book is for you. And, as one reviewer wrote, "You'll meet the most well-rounded canine character I have every encountered, as real on the page as her human counterparts."

LEFT was inspired by real events. And a real dog. But, it is a work of fiction that aspires to make you think as much as feel.

[Yvonne · Rating 4 out of 5]

How could a beautiful trip to Spain with her husband turn so terrible? Fay Agarra is stunned when her husband Paul, a New York City judge, disappears leaving her alone on the streets of Spain. Paul would never just leave her like that. He is not that kind of man. After Paul is found by the police, he claims it was a misunderstanding. However, once they return home, Paul’s personality changes.

Fay fears that there is something terribly wrong with her husband. Fay tries to get help for Paul, but he denies he needs any. To get away from her fears, Fay builds a fantasy world for herself where everything is perfect.

This is a heartwarming, sad tale which takes a very realistic look into the world of dementia. My heart broke for Fay and Paul. Fay becomes Paul’s caregiver and their lives are changed forever. There are no magical cures.

I could certainly understand Fay’s need to escape into a fantasy world, but her fantasies kind of took me out of the story during those chapters. I wanted to know what the doctors were doing for Paul and how the couple was adjusting.

Overall, it’s a well-written love story and a quick read. The characters are all well-rounded and realistic. The only part I thought was a bit slow were the fantasy chapters, but the topic and characters all felt true-to-life to me.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this book for free from the Publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

 

Fay Agarra has the perfect life. She lives in a New York City with her husband, respected New York judge, Paul Agarra. Fay's perfect life slowly begins crumbling when her 'go to guy' suffers an explainable episode on their dream vacation.
 

Where other books such as, ' Still Alice' gives us a look inside the mind of those suffering from dementia,' Left' gives us a view of what it is to be the care giver of a dementia sufferer. Alzheimer disease is one of the most heartbreaking disease to witness. Loved ones have to witness not only the physical demise but also the mental deterioration of a once sharp and vital person.
 

'Left' is told from Fay's point of view.  In heartbreaking detail we realize how she uses fantasy to cope with her life situation. While, at times, Fay does come across as self-absorbed and even selfish, I remind myself that this is Fay's story. 'Left' represents her inner thoughts and feelings and is an accurate example of how many caregivers feel.

An accurate portrayal of the caregivers feelings, emotions, and coping mechanisms is a vital part of this book.A book that idealizes the caregivers and love ones does little to support those who are actually going through similar situations. I really loved the relationship that Fay had with her dog, Lola. This story exemplifies how a pets love can give us love and support that we often can not get anywhere else.
 

 

'Some days were calm. Almost normal. Other days felt like I was living in the middle of an icy lake.'
 

 

An important part of the story is that Fay hadn't worked through her mother's death years earlier. It becomes apparent that a lot of what Fay is feeling about Paul's illness has to do with her mother's death from lung cancer.

Fay must also struggle with 'outing' Paul's mental decline, realizing this will end his career and could overturn convictions.
 

As a side note as a migraine sufferer myself I thought the author's description of migraine's is some of the best I've ever seen described.
 

'...the dark tentacles of a migraine wrapped themselves around a vein in my temple and squeezed. A sucker on the back of its pointed tips attached its self to the back of my eye and pulsed like a festering sore.'
 

I enjoyed this story immensely. The story is well constructed and the prose is beautiful. The story is even more impactful and heartbreaking when you find out the story is inspired by the author's own husbands battle with dementia. While some readers might find Fay's behavior and thoughts as problematic, I think this gives the reader a sense of what Fay is going though. 'Left: A Love Story' is definitely a must read for those that would like an inside look at a caregivers point of view on dementia.
 

I do want to point out that there is a small discrepancy in the story that put me off a little. Near the end of the book Fay says her father died when she was in high school, from a car accident. This contradicts earlier in the book when her father walks her down the aisle on her wedding day (after she graduated from college).

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[Asheley T. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Left by Mary Hogan is the story of how life changes for Paul and Fay Agarra after Fay begins to notice mental status changes with Paul while the couple vacations in Spain and after their return home. At first, it seems like small incidents of forgetfulness or grouchiness here and there, but soon Paul has a true diagnosis of dementia and needs round-the-clock care. Fay’s idyllic life of creating art while her husband works as a judge changes into full-time caregiver responsibilities and their future dreams are gone.

First and before anything, I am experiencing something quite similar with my Dad. He has advanced progressive supranuclear palsy, a rare neurodegenerative disease, and interestingly he has experienced basically every issue that Paul has, although the severity is a little different just due to the difference in my Dad’s PSP vs. dementia. So I’m very close to the underlying subject matter of this book. I’m just putting that out there.

Because of this, I felt so deeply for Paul. His part of the story rang pretty true to me, from what I know of this process. I had no idea that I would be able to connect with Paul on such a level. I could relate to those personality changes and the times when Paul didn’t want to discuss the changes he was experiencing, and I could completely visualize the blank stares that he gave off as his dementia progressed. The same goes with Paul’s wife, Fay, but only to a degree. Fay is initially upset with Paul for his forgetfulness and for his bad mood. She feels like their love has changed. Heck, she feels like their entire marriage has changed and it is all Paul’s fault.

And she sounded really angry about it on the pages.

Certainly their marriage has changed after Paul’s diagnosis, and the changes are due to his cognitive decline. To this end, their future must be re-imagined, and plans have to be updated accordingly. This, this, is also something that I could understand wholeheartedly because I am so, so close to this. Not in marriage, but because I went through this with my Dad, and I watched my parents re-work their lives and toss out their prior-planned future. I could completely appreciate these parts of the story. The heartache, the pain, the longing for the future.

Still, Fay’s words and behaviors were really hard for me to stomach at times. She sounded so selfish on the pages, and I just didn’t see what I felt to be true remorse for her words or actions. She has a right to feel how she feels and to be fair, this story is HER point of view-not Paul’s. But listen: Paul could not help his cognitive decline. And to be completely transparent, this was an issue we dealt with in our family too. Hurt, disbelief, and shock over our diagnosis caused some really odd and cringe-y words and behaviors on our end. Fay’s awful behavior is probably more true-to-life than people realize, and I’d also say that if the story were extended a little further, it would go on to show remorse and tears over her actions, and some big feelings of guilt.

I’ll admit that I did not connect with the fantasy life that Fay created for herself. That part of the story is actually woven throughout the narrative and was off-putting. It was also confusing until I figured out that she was just daydreaming and not actively seeking out another relationship. Perhaps I’m too close to the story, but I don’t like the daydreaming parts because Fay does give herself so wholly to taking care of her husband, and she does a great job. In fact, if you remove that entire part of the story, I think you could better focus on the gradual progression of Paul’s state and Fay’s gradual acceptance of it and have more of an opportunity to dig deeper into Paul and Fay as characters, their marriage, Paul’s decline, and Fay’s caregiver role and how it changed her.


I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review. Thank you, William Morrow Books!

Find this review and more like it on my blog, Into the Hall of Books!

[Ruthanne Johnston · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am a nurse and I have cared for Alzheimer’s patients and comforted family members who are in a type of shock,even though they are hearing the diagnosis they knew was coming but praying against any hope that it would not.
This is a book that doesn’t pull any punches. Paul is a respected judge in Manhattan. His wife begins to notice small changes in personality that become more and more distinct over time. A trip to Spain opens her consciousness to what she is dealing with. She copes, for awhile, by entering a fantasy world to escape the reality she can’t bear to face. When her fantasy world collapses in a terrible confrontation, she has to face reality in a harrowing way.
Through it all, there is a sweetly stubborn dog named Lola, whom, despite her diva-like behavior, adds just the gentlest comic relief to dry your tears between chapters.
I loved this book...I will never forget this book and am grateful of how it reminded me of both the patients and their families I cared for.
Thank you, Mary Hogan, thank you.

[Amara · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book is well written and easy to read, but so boring. The characters are tolerable at best, but also very boring and simple. The protagonist is weak and passive. Childish. While her husband is dying from dementia, she's stalking some nobody guy across the block. When the nobody finally talks to her, she realizes he's a crass Trump-voting creep with yellow teeth named Jim, not a pediatrician named Blake as she'd imagined, not anybody special at all. No shock factor or deliberate "twist", just sort of a bland realization that makes her happy she's not missing out. Cynical, almost, but not enough to give the story weight. And this story, even though it is about such a heavy sad subject, is fluffy and light as air. There isn't much to this book at all. I can't give a good reason to read it or not read it. It's just sort of another story.

[Cheryl · Rating 3 out of 5]

I loved Fay and Paul story of how they met and their relationship. It was a true love one. Although, my issue is that this love and bond they shared was not so easily conveyed to me. In the matter that I was not able to fully embrace them or the story as strongly as I wanted too.

For this story, it should be about the characters. I am only basing this off the story and not on the author's life. This book is part memoir/non fiction about the author's marriage. Alzheimer's is a sad disease. It was apparent in this book. It does not just affect the person experiencing Alzheimer's but also the person's loved ones as well. I felt for Fay and her frustration with trying to get help for Paul. It was like she was hitting brick walls. The most powerful sentence in this book was said by Paul when Fay caught a glimpse of her husband in his eyes. He said "I never left".

[Kirsten · Rating 1 out of 5]

This was just terrible. The structure was confusing, I hated the main character, half of the dialogue didn’t make sense, and she skipped over some of the potentially most interesting stuff (like details about Paul’s decline, or what happened after his crisis). The whole thing was too focused on surface-stuff.

[Deborah · Rating 1 out of 5]

Paul Agarra, a respected judge, and his much younger wife Fay are on the last day of a trip to Spain. Fay proposes a quick side trip on the way to the airport, but they soon got lost. They pull into a diner so that Fay can use the rest room and ask for directions; Paul will circle around until she comes out. Except that Paul never returns. Frantic, with no money or cell phone (she had left her purse in the car), Fay finally makes her way to the airport, where she finds Paul waiting for her. He insists that going to the airport without her was the logical thing to do, since they were lost and he knew that she was expected to be there. This is one of the first signs that something isn't quite right with Paul, and the rest of the book tracks his slide into Alzheimer's. Fay struggles with the changes while Paul, his children, and his ex-wife refuse to accept his decline--until one night the police find him wandering in the middle of the night.

This book has been likened by many to 'Still Alice.' Don't believe it--this one is far inferior. Yes, it's about a smart professional who develops Alzheimer's. But whereas Lisa Genova focused primarily on Alice herself, Hogan's main character is Fay, and I found it extremely hard to empathize with her. She's a vain, shallow, pampered woman who is really full of herself. I got tired of reading about her classy outfits, her constant primping, her flashing diamond earrings at doormen to let them know how important she is, her fantasies about younger men that she expected would fall in love with her, her claims that she looked much younger than her years, her insistence that she had the most perfect husband in the universe, yadda, yadda, yadda. By the time she tried to redeem herself, it was too late for me. It also bothered me that, after Paul suffers a serious shoulder injury, the whole family is ready to blame the surgeon and the hospital for his rapid decline. I have great compassion for families having to deal with a relative suffering from this dreaded disease, but I know that there are much better written novels about the issue, ones that make you care about their dilemma. The only likable character is Lola, the dog. Not recommended.

[Tracey · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read a lot of mixed reviews on this book before I started it. Some people loved it, others not so much. When my Mom was terminally ill and I was her caretaker, I often fantasized about what I was going to do when it was over. When life was "good" again. I found myself doing the same thing when caring for my terminally ill fiancé. Imagining a bright future helped me deal with the horrors of the present. I'm so glad I was given the opportunity to read this book. I feel like I connected with Fay and I totally understood what she was dealing with.

[Kat · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book took me a bit to get into it, but it's a REALLY light read that's a lot shorter than it seems, since the print is very large and all chapters start on the right page.

Parts of this story really hit home, since I've had some family members have cognitive issues as they got older. I even learned a couple things about motor function being more connected to cognitive function than I'd realized.

If you're looking for a REALLY quick read (under 2 hours for most people, I'd guess) about coping with a loved one heading into dementia, this is a good choice.

[Cindy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a beautiful and poignant love story about a young woman watching the love of her life slowly fall into the depths of dementia. Kudos to all those caretakers out there who decide to care for their loved ones at home. This book made me very sad as my own father developed dementia and unfortunately my sisters and I were not able to take care of him. 3 stars and an extra 1/2 for the caretakers point of view. I won this book from LibraryThing.

[Katy O. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks to TLC Book Tours for this free review copy!
*
I thoroughly enjoyed and was deeply touched by this story of a younger wife coping with her husband's descent into early dementia. Left is a very fast read and my heart aches for anyone caring for their parent or spouse in these conditions.

[Carolyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Where are all my Nicholas Sparks, Lisa Genova and Charles Martin fans at? 🙋🏻‍♀️ Because I’m partnering with @tlcbooktours and @williammorrowbooks to tell you about Left by Mary Hogan and I think you guys will love this one!

Heartbreaking and stirring, Left is an achingly realistic look at a modern love story and aging marriage.

Left is a love story first (like the cover tells us) and a story of coping second as Fay, Paul’s younger wife, watches as her perfect life and perfect marriage slips from her grasp as it becomes clear her husband is quickly retreating from her in to the clutches of dementia.

What makes this book beautiful and poignant rather than just too terribly sad is Fay’s ability to find humor at times and the coping strategy she’s found in escaping to her fantasy life whenever possible.

Left is a small book and a quick read, but it’s small size packs a powerful punch and I bet this one will stick with you long after you’ve turned the last page.

[Lisalit · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was an easy read. At some moments I would read super fast because I was hooked and wanted to know what would happen but nothing came close to surprise me, and I obviously finished the book disappointed. I just would have liked to know more about the characters, which is an issue I encounter in many books that tend to have such an important focus on the protagonists and not so much on a broader topic - which this book tried to have but did not do too well. This resulted in leaving me unattached to Paul and Fay, and therefore to the story.
On a more positive note though, I found the beginning of the book was very strong but it quickly collapsed to fully make me go "meh" by the end of it. I thought the foundations were so much greater than what was built onto it.
You know what, in the title there is 'A Love Story' and yet, I thought that was missing. It did not radiate of love. Perhaps the title had an effect on my expectations and consequently my disappointment.

[Cristina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fay is too kind. I would’ve left Paul the moment he left me stranded in Spain…….

[Laurel-Rain · Rating 4 out of 5]

It started as a dream vacation in Spain, with Fay and Paul Agarra enjoying all the delights of a European holiday. A respected New York City judge, Paul has always been the man Fay can rely on, no matter what. When he inexplicably disappears from a Barcelona street corner, Fay knows something is terribly wrong. Once reunited, Paul shrugs off the episode as a simple misunderstanding—but Fay suspects her almost perfect life has taken a dark and sudden turn.

Soon there are more signs that Paul is beginning to change. Bouts of forgetfulness lead to mistakes in the courtroom. Simple tasks cause unexplainable outbursts of anger. Fay’s worst suspicions are realized when she learns her husband—her rock, her love, her everything—is succumbing to the ravages of dementia.

As her husband transforms before her very eyes, Fay copes with her fears by retreating into a fantasy life filled with promise instead of pain. In Fay’s invented world, she imagines herself living a glamorous life free from heartache, with a handsome neighbor she barely knows rescuing her from a future she can’t accept.

My Thoughts: From the beginning of Left: A Love Story, we alternate between fantasy and reality. Fay’s comfortable and predictable life is changing, and she takes flights of fancy, mostly involving a beautiful apartment building nearby, where she goes to watch and imagine a perfect life within its gorgeous walls.

The experiences on their trip to Spain were terrifying to Fay, especially since the husband she had always counted on suddenly turned different. Seemingly uncaring. Afterwards, she realizes that nothing would ever be the same again.

However, she has trouble getting Paul’s doctor, his son, or even his legal assistant to listen when she expresses her concerns. Feeling dismissed and isolated, her daily walks take her more often to the “fantasy building.”

How did a traumatic event change everything forever? Why did others finally acknowledge her concerns, but act as if she were derelict in her duty not to have noticed sooner? I really disliked Paul’s primary physician and his son. But soon, they all went on with their lives…and Fay is left to deal with her new reality. A sad and poignant story, this one earned 4.5 stars.

[Peg · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks to the publisher, Wm Morrow, via LibraryThing, for a copy in exchange for my honest opinion.

Mary Hogan is a new author for me. She has written a passionate novel about a happily married couple of 22 years who find themselves coping with the husband's dementia. He is a prominent judge, over 20 years older than his wife, and has always been there for her. She's an artist and is overcome with his condition so creates a fantasy world to escape which adds a lot to the story line. Their dog, Lola, is prominent throughout the novel.

Since I have done volunteer work with patients suffering from dementia. I have knowledge of how this ravaging disease affects not only the patients, but their caregivers also. I found this author did a great job of describing the path of decline for the judge and his wife's reactions to various situations. It's a very difficult situation for both.

[Linda Quinn · Rating 3 out of 5]

After reading Mary Hogan’s Woman in the Photo I was really looking forward to this, her latest book. Left is a completely different kind of story and to be honest I didn’t like it as much. While some may find it a touching look at what a spouse and caregiver goes through while watching the decline of their spouse, for me it was much to close to watching my mom slowly become someone other than she had been. And frankly Fay, the main character and wife in this story, was annoyingly clueless and kept doubting what she was seeing and experiencing. I had much higher hopes for this book.

[Virginia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ugh, I read the cover blurb before starting and unfortunately it told the entire story from beginning to end, so there was no tension and no surprise anywhere. I did love Fay's chatty voice and the chic-lit feel of the beginning, and would have loved the long fantasy about "Blake", but it felt a little off knowing what was coming next. It was also disappointing to be introduced to the rather stereotypical ex-family and inlaws just to have their involvement peter out. It would also have been good to hear more about the beginning of the relationship between Fay and Paul. The writing is great and I'd certainly read a sequel to this detailing Fay's life as events with Paul continue.

[Macayla Fryc · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fay's life is so...normal. And that's what makes it beautiful. Not a story of extenuating circumstances, but a very realistic and relatable life. It makes you sympathize.
The plotline is straightforward, so I won't rehash in, but I do have a few complaints, from minor grammatical errors to unnecessary political quips that, in my opinion, discredit the author. Authors who try to weave political alignment into non-political books establish themselves as petty, which is disappointing to see.
All in all it was a nice book. Well written, and nice.

[Chris · Rating 1 out of 5]

The only good thing about this book is that it ended quickly.

[Cathy Cermele · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is truly a love story and by that I mean one that is the epitome of an unselfish love. A love that will test the bonds of any relationship, but especially one of a marriage between a younger woman and an older man. Fay and Paul had what seemed like the perfect life, but something went wrong on their dream vacation in Spain.

I could understand how Fay felt when Paul failed to meet her as planned. her anger was real but as time passed, she began to see more and frightening changes in him. I think the author told a sad and delicate story in way that made me understand what they were going through.. The slow build up to the diagnosis and Fay finally reaching out to family and friends is heartbreaking, because people want to make excuses for what Paul is experiencing. I think I would feel terribly alone in that situation but I suppose I would understand how they would react to such news.

It seemed natural that Fay would want to escape reality any time she could, although she never let it interfere with taking care of her husband as bet as she could. Her fantasy world became one that I enjoyed as much as she did. It was harmless and kind of interesting. I actually think that lent a bit of realism and added a touch of humor to the situation.

Overall, I think the plot and the writing were both lovely and informative at the same time. I cared more about Paul than I thought I would and it’s because the author wrote his character so well. This isn’t the type of book that I typically read but it sounded so good that I wanted to read something outside of my comfort zone and I’m glad that I did. I found out at the end of the book that Ms. Hogan dedicated this to her father who died of Alzheimer’s disease, which made this story much more poignant to me. This is a quick read and one that I recommend to others looking for a beautifully written novel.

I received a copy from the publisher and was not required to write a positive review. All opinions are my own.

[Misty (Reds Romance Reviews) · Rating 5 out of 5]

To an outsider looking in most would think Fay and Paul Agarra have the perfect marriage, they make time for one another, take special trips together, and always put one another first. But then something changes, Fay begins to notice changes in her husband, his behavior is all over the place, and sometimes he forgets how to do the simplest things. It's like he is stuck in a fog and struggling to find his way out, but when she mentions it to him, it winds up putting a huge rift between them, and she is at a complete loss. What happened to the man she fell head over heels in love with, the one who put their happiness first, and was always in a good mood?

Soon she finds herself dreaming about living in a different world, her fantasy world, one that is free of pain and agony. It gives her a chance to escape all of the life alternating changes happening in her world, and gives her something to look forward to, even if it isn't necessarily real. Just a place she can go when the world around her becomes too much to deal with...

Left is a deeply moving tale about a woman who watches her marriage and the man she loves slip away when he is diagnosed with dementia. The beautifully crafted story line will pull you from the first page, and take you on an unforgettable and heart-breaking journey, you just can't but feel for these characters. This was a first time read for me, and I have to say it left a pretty memorable impression, one that is certain to stick with me for a while. I highly recommend this one, it's eye opening tale that should not be missed!

[Stephanie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'll be upfront and admit that I probably wouldn't have been aware of this novel if I hadn't won a proof copy from Good Reads. It took me a few pages to adjust to Mary Hogan's style of writing.

This is the tale of a successful May-December romance. Paul, a New York State Supreme Court criminal judge is 21 years senior to his Etsy artist wife Faith "Faye" Thayer ("impossible to say Faith Thayer without sounding like you have a lisp". It is true. Hubby and tried it out and laughed!). They've been married 22 years and this tale addresses some of the challenges of May-December relationships such as family acceptance, whether or not to have children together (Paul has a son, daughter-in-law, granddaughter and a very interfering ex-wife) and health issues of the older spouse.

Before her eyes, Faye sees her "my there kind of guy" morph into another person she barely recognizes as he descends into dementia. To help cope with this transformation (dare I say loss?) she creates a fantasy world to escape.

Along the way, you'll pick up some knowledge about the female inventor of the dishwasher, cucamelons, gotu kola, the dog breed Catahoula, NYC rent control and some other facts if you take a few minutes to research them online. I actually appreciated this as I always love to gain knowledge from books.

It's wasn't my story to tell, but I felt it ended too soon and the ending made me miffed.

[Emily Green · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received this book as a GoodReads FirstReads in exchange for an honest review.

Mary Hogan’s Left: A Love Story is a tale about Faye, a spirited artist struggling with some changes in her husband’s cognitive abilities. Her husband, Paul, is a respected judge, and has always been a dependable, supportive partner. Until he wasn’t.

At first, Faye is angry, but as she begins to realize the nature of her husband’s challenges, she grows concerned.

For a novel about such a serious topic, the story remains lighthearted. There are no tear-jerker, heartbreaking moments for the reader because the narrative and narrator do not allow the tone to become sad or despairing.

The book begins with a red herring—Faye falling in love with a potential new residence. As a reader, I anticipated that the plot would hinge on the building, perhaps in Faye’s desire for a new life and change. However, this never actually materializes as a major plot thread. Instead, Faye’s main struggle is how to cope with her new reality.

The book is plot-lite, but it does manage to avoid being melodramatic. Perhaps a person with a loved one living with memory challenges would find comfort in this book. However, do not expect considerable analysis of the complicated emotions that a loved one struggles with. Instead, Left is more like watching and listening to a friend’s struggle from a distance than going through it yourself.

[Claire · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received Left as part of a Goodreads giveaway.

Faith "Fay" Agarra lives an idyllic life in New York City with her husband Paul, more than two decades her senior. Married 22 years, the couple is happy and successful, until a trip to Spain uncovers a startling and painful truth: Paul is suffering from the early stages of dementia. As Paul's condition worsens and Fay's alarm and exhaustion grows, she half-disappears into a fantasy life free from the emotional turmoil she faces on a daily basis.

This was a really well-written story, simple and poignant. I didn't love Fay at first, but she's just so well-drawn, and really reminded me of myself in many ways. She's a bit impatient and uncharitable, particularly towards people she doesn't like, but at the same time, those she loves, she loves fiercely and unconditionally. Left doesn't try to do or be more than it is--it's a tale of dementia's long goodbye, and the mental turmoil it can take on both the victim and his or her caregivers. With an ever-aging Baby Boomer generation, it's a story we're going to see written across many families in the next decade or two, and one represents a powerful touchstone for those family members who take on the caregiver role.

[Merry Miller moon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to Goodreads for the free ARC of this book. ***POSSIBLE SPOILERS AHEAD*** Fay and her husband, Paul, a New York district judge, lead a pretty normal life. She is an artist who spends her days creating pieces of art and taking care of their dog, Lola. Until they take a dream vacation to Spain, and Paul leaves her stranded at a gas station. Her loving, trusting, 'rock' husband has forgotten her. He starts to forget other things as well and then his behavior becomes belligerent and somewhat mean. She doesn't even bother to cook his favorite, home made meals, she just orders food in. As a mental escape, Fay develops a fantasy world in which she envisions the striking young man she keeps seeing in the beautiful and historic building she falls in love with, as 'Blake', a surgeon, who is trying to save the world. It is this escape that allows Fay some sense of joy from the home life that she is trying desperately to cope with. There is no doubt that Fay loves her husband. Left is indeed a love story. What happens when that love is no longer reciprocated? Can you deal with seeing the person that you have loved for decades turn into a shell of their former self? This book is thought provoking, loving, and sad.....