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The Coordinates of Loss
From bestselling author Amanda Prowse comes a tale of a blissful life, a happy marriage, a beloved son…and a tragedy that destroys it all.
When Rachel Croft wakes up on her family’s boat in Bermuda, it’s to sunshine and yet another perfect day…until she goes to wake her seven-year-old son, Oscar. Because the worst thing imaginable has happened. He isn’t there.
In the dark and desperate days that follow, Rachel struggles to navigate her grief. And while her husband, James, wants them to face the tragedy together, Rachel feels that the life they once shared is over. Convinced that their happy marriage is now a sham, and unable to remain in the place where she lost her son, she goes home to Bristol alone.
Only when she starts receiving letters from Cee-Cee, her housekeeper in Bermuda, does light begin to return to Rachel’s soul. She and James both want to learn to live again—but is it too late for them to find a way through together?
When Rachel Croft wakes up on her family’s boat in Bermuda, it’s to sunshine and yet another perfect day…until she goes to wake her seven-year-old son, Oscar. Because the worst thing imaginable has happened. He isn’t there.
In the dark and desperate days that follow, Rachel struggles to navigate her grief. And while her husband, James, wants them to face the tragedy together, Rachel feels that the life they once shared is over. Convinced that their happy marriage is now a sham, and unable to remain in the place where she lost her son, she goes home to Bristol alone.
Only when she starts receiving letters from Cee-Cee, her housekeeper in Bermuda, does light begin to return to Rachel’s soul. She and James both want to learn to live again—but is it too late for them to find a way through together?
330 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 25, 2018
1962 people are currently reading
2184 people want to read
About the author
Amanda Prowse
83 books1,944 followersPrevious Book: 'Swimming to Lundy', published th August 2024'.
Latest Book: 'This One Life', published 7th January 2025.
Next Book: 'Ever After' published 7th August 2025.
Amanda Prowse is an International Bestselling author whose thirty-two novels, two non-fiction titles and ten novellas have been published in dozens of languages around the world. Published by Lake Union, Amanda is the most prolific writer of bestselling contemporary fiction in the UK today; her titles also consistently score the highest online review approval ratings across several genres. Her books, including the chart topping No.1 titles 'What Have I Done?', 'Perfect Daughter', 'My Husband's Wife', 'The Girl in the Corner' and ‘The Things I Know’ have sold millions of copies across the globe.
A popular TV and radio personality, Amanda has appeared on numerous shows where her views on family and social issues strike a chord with viewers. She also makes countless guest appearances on BBC national and independent Radio stations including LBC, Times Radio and Talk FM, where she is well known for her insightful observations and her infectious humour. Described by the Daily Mail as ‘The queen of family drama’ Amanda’s novel, 'A Mother's Story' won the coveted Sainsbury's eBook of the year Award and she has had two books selected as World Book Night titles, 'Perfect Daughter' in 2016 and 'The Boy Between' in 2022.
Amanda is a huge supporter of libraries and having become a proud ambassador for The Reading Agency, works tirelessly to promote reading, especially in disadvantaged areas. Amanda's ambition is to create stories that keep people from turning the bedside lamp off at night, great characters that ensure you take every step with them and tales that fill your head so you can't possibly read another book until the memory fades...
Praise for Amanda Prowse:
'A powerful and emotional work of fiction' - Piers Morgan
'Deeply moving and emotional, Amanda Prowse handles her explosive subjects with delicate skill' - Daily Mail
'Uplifting and positive, but you will still need a box of tissues' - Hello!
'A gut-wrenching and absolutely brilliant read' - The Irish Sun
'You'll fall in love with this...' - Cosmopolitan
'Deeply moving and eye opening. Powerful and emotional drama that packs a real punch.' - Heat
'Magical' - Now magazine
Latest Book: 'This One Life', published 7th January 2025.
Next Book: 'Ever After' published 7th August 2025.
Amanda Prowse is an International Bestselling author whose thirty-two novels, two non-fiction titles and ten novellas have been published in dozens of languages around the world. Published by Lake Union, Amanda is the most prolific writer of bestselling contemporary fiction in the UK today; her titles also consistently score the highest online review approval ratings across several genres. Her books, including the chart topping No.1 titles 'What Have I Done?', 'Perfect Daughter', 'My Husband's Wife', 'The Girl in the Corner' and ‘The Things I Know’ have sold millions of copies across the globe.
A popular TV and radio personality, Amanda has appeared on numerous shows where her views on family and social issues strike a chord with viewers. She also makes countless guest appearances on BBC national and independent Radio stations including LBC, Times Radio and Talk FM, where she is well known for her insightful observations and her infectious humour. Described by the Daily Mail as ‘The queen of family drama’ Amanda’s novel, 'A Mother's Story' won the coveted Sainsbury's eBook of the year Award and she has had two books selected as World Book Night titles, 'Perfect Daughter' in 2016 and 'The Boy Between' in 2022.
Amanda is a huge supporter of libraries and having become a proud ambassador for The Reading Agency, works tirelessly to promote reading, especially in disadvantaged areas. Amanda's ambition is to create stories that keep people from turning the bedside lamp off at night, great characters that ensure you take every step with them and tales that fill your head so you can't possibly read another book until the memory fades...
Praise for Amanda Prowse:
'A powerful and emotional work of fiction' - Piers Morgan
'Deeply moving and emotional, Amanda Prowse handles her explosive subjects with delicate skill' - Daily Mail
'Uplifting and positive, but you will still need a box of tissues' - Hello!
'A gut-wrenching and absolutely brilliant read' - The Irish Sun
'You'll fall in love with this...' - Cosmopolitan
'Deeply moving and eye opening. Powerful and emotional drama that packs a real punch.' - Heat
'Magical' - Now magazine
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 475 reviews
November 1, 2018
"For now, I feel nothing. For I loved you. I loved you. I will always love you. And now I live for eternity in deep, blue grief."
Rachel Croft wakes up on the family boat, one beautiful morning in Bermuda. The sun is shining, and she is happy to start her day. Happy, until she notices that her son, Oscar is not in his bed. After she searches around the boat for him, her concern turns into every parent’s worst nightmare. While she and her husband, James, frantically search their boat, it become evident that Oscar is not on board.
An investigation quickly takes place and in the days that follow, it becomes clear that Oscar is gone, and he will not be coming back. Grief is a tricky thing. Two parents suffer the same loss but will grieve their loss differently. While one parent may not be able to get out of bed, another may throw himself/herself into work commitments. One parent may lose their appetite, one may still be able to eat. Feelings of guilt blame and doubt can emerge. Grief is not a competition, but it is understandable how one parent would think the other is not grieving as much as the other. One may think "I can't get out of bed, I can't stop crying, I can't function at all, and my spouse is walking around, showering and walking the dog. He/she must not be as devastated as I am" I read that approximately 80% of marriages do not survive the death of a child. In this book, James wants he and Rachel to face their loss together, while she thinks everything they had is over and wants to be alone.
Boy what a sad book. Cee-Cee works as a housekeeper for James and Rachel and she lost a child years ago. She knows all too well, what they are going through. She writes beautiful and heartfelt letters to Rachel and helps her to come to terms with her loss.
Every parent’s worse nightmare has come true in this book. It was very easy to feel for all the adult characters in this book: James, Rachel, Cee-Cee. All lost a child. If you are a parent and have ever lost sight of your child even briefly, then you know that intense sharp feeling of dread that instantly hits you. Imagine that dread not going away until it evolves into something else. Read this book with some tissues nearby. This one pulls at the heartstrings and then some. Wonderfully written, captivating emotional read.
Thank you to Lake Union Publishing and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this email in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
Read more of my reviews at www.openbookpost.com
Rachel Croft wakes up on the family boat, one beautiful morning in Bermuda. The sun is shining, and she is happy to start her day. Happy, until she notices that her son, Oscar is not in his bed. After she searches around the boat for him, her concern turns into every parent’s worst nightmare. While she and her husband, James, frantically search their boat, it become evident that Oscar is not on board.
An investigation quickly takes place and in the days that follow, it becomes clear that Oscar is gone, and he will not be coming back. Grief is a tricky thing. Two parents suffer the same loss but will grieve their loss differently. While one parent may not be able to get out of bed, another may throw himself/herself into work commitments. One parent may lose their appetite, one may still be able to eat. Feelings of guilt blame and doubt can emerge. Grief is not a competition, but it is understandable how one parent would think the other is not grieving as much as the other. One may think "I can't get out of bed, I can't stop crying, I can't function at all, and my spouse is walking around, showering and walking the dog. He/she must not be as devastated as I am" I read that approximately 80% of marriages do not survive the death of a child. In this book, James wants he and Rachel to face their loss together, while she thinks everything they had is over and wants to be alone.
Boy what a sad book. Cee-Cee works as a housekeeper for James and Rachel and she lost a child years ago. She knows all too well, what they are going through. She writes beautiful and heartfelt letters to Rachel and helps her to come to terms with her loss.
Every parent’s worse nightmare has come true in this book. It was very easy to feel for all the adult characters in this book: James, Rachel, Cee-Cee. All lost a child. If you are a parent and have ever lost sight of your child even briefly, then you know that intense sharp feeling of dread that instantly hits you. Imagine that dread not going away until it evolves into something else. Read this book with some tissues nearby. This one pulls at the heartstrings and then some. Wonderfully written, captivating emotional read.
Thank you to Lake Union Publishing and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this email in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
Read more of my reviews at www.openbookpost.com
April 6, 2024
I was randomly searching on NetGalley one day when I saw The Coordinates of Loss show up in my feed for recommended books. I'm a big fan of Amanda Prowse, but she has so many previous novels that I hadn't been paying attention to new releases. Since it was on NetGalley, and the publisher had auto-approved me, I downloaded the book and put it in my queue. I wanted an author I could count on this week and began the read assured it would be the perfect choice. It delivered and I'm very happy with Prowse's latest story!
Rachel Croft and her husband James are sleeping on their boat in the Caribbean when they discover one morning that their young son, Oscar, isn't in his bed. They search and search, but he's gone. No one saw any boats nearby and there's no sign of any struggle or injury. He had fallen overboard and likely drowned. With no body, how does a family move on? There's always the question of "what happened" and "could he be somewhere else" and this is what haunts the young couple. Another story about CeCe, their housekeeper, parallels the Croft family pain. CeCe lost a child years ago, too. Through a series of letters, CeCe tries to help Rachel get through the pain. The story chronicles a few years in everyone's life ultimately culminating in what happens to the family years later after all the pain and struggle seems to come to a head between Rachel and James over who's at fault.
Prowse is killer when it comes to packing gut-punching emotion. At many points in the story, a rip current tore through me wondering how I'd handle such a situation. While it was powerful and painful, I didn't feel the normal devastation I've previously felt when reading a Prowse novel in the past. It's not to say say the book isn't great, as it really is. I devoured it in two days, but parts were less emotional and more matter of fact. At times, Rachel seemed too spoiled and independent, pulling away from James. I got angry with her for not turning to her husband, but then again, it's a phenomenal author who can make readers angry at good characters for some of their decisions.
All in all, it's a prime example of why Prowse's books always impact me. I will finish them all, but I'm glad to know even her most current ones are still strong contenders for favorite stories each year. A solid 4 stars with a beautiful balance and tone.
Rachel Croft and her husband James are sleeping on their boat in the Caribbean when they discover one morning that their young son, Oscar, isn't in his bed. They search and search, but he's gone. No one saw any boats nearby and there's no sign of any struggle or injury. He had fallen overboard and likely drowned. With no body, how does a family move on? There's always the question of "what happened" and "could he be somewhere else" and this is what haunts the young couple. Another story about CeCe, their housekeeper, parallels the Croft family pain. CeCe lost a child years ago, too. Through a series of letters, CeCe tries to help Rachel get through the pain. The story chronicles a few years in everyone's life ultimately culminating in what happens to the family years later after all the pain and struggle seems to come to a head between Rachel and James over who's at fault.
Prowse is killer when it comes to packing gut-punching emotion. At many points in the story, a rip current tore through me wondering how I'd handle such a situation. While it was powerful and painful, I didn't feel the normal devastation I've previously felt when reading a Prowse novel in the past. It's not to say say the book isn't great, as it really is. I devoured it in two days, but parts were less emotional and more matter of fact. At times, Rachel seemed too spoiled and independent, pulling away from James. I got angry with her for not turning to her husband, but then again, it's a phenomenal author who can make readers angry at good characters for some of their decisions.
All in all, it's a prime example of why Prowse's books always impact me. I will finish them all, but I'm glad to know even her most current ones are still strong contenders for favorite stories each year. A solid 4 stars with a beautiful balance and tone.
August 21, 2018
When you loose your child or baby in death the pain is beyond acceptable. It stays with you like an open wound no matter how you get on with live.
But loosing Oscar in the way this happened was heartbreaking for me to read.
Funerals are closure, acceptance.....even if your emotions and heart doesn’t want to accept it, you know in the recess of your mind, they won’t be there any more. Only in our memories.
I felt for these parents, I ached to hold them, to give them comfort.
The horrendous event they’ve both gone through.
When they separated for a while I was annoyed. I fully understood and I 100% understand wanting to get your own space and grieve.
This could have easily happened to us.
But it takes all your willpower and the love of your husband and the love for each other to actually stay together.
When there is blame, no matter if unfounded and irrational it’s rational to the person going through it. It’s very easy to blame.
The love that these two had for each other although apart was so heart splitting for me to read, I had tears pouring down my face. I couldn’t see the writing.
I took a break to make a cuppa but I just had to carry on reading.
This is the beautiful craftsmanship of Amanda Prowse. When she puts pen to paper you just know that you can’t leave that book there. It eventually has to be read. It will keep calling you despite the fear of another good cry or a whooping jump in the air because all has worked out fine.
The beauty of this authors reads is that I never know if the ending is going to be Happy ever after, or, not what you were expecting but the ending is just as satisfying even if it did leave you in a blubbering mess.
But loosing Oscar in the way this happened was heartbreaking for me to read.
Funerals are closure, acceptance.....even if your emotions and heart doesn’t want to accept it, you know in the recess of your mind, they won’t be there any more. Only in our memories.
I felt for these parents, I ached to hold them, to give them comfort.
The horrendous event they’ve both gone through.
When they separated for a while I was annoyed. I fully understood and I 100% understand wanting to get your own space and grieve.
This could have easily happened to us.
But it takes all your willpower and the love of your husband and the love for each other to actually stay together.
When there is blame, no matter if unfounded and irrational it’s rational to the person going through it. It’s very easy to blame.
The love that these two had for each other although apart was so heart splitting for me to read, I had tears pouring down my face. I couldn’t see the writing.
I took a break to make a cuppa but I just had to carry on reading.
This is the beautiful craftsmanship of Amanda Prowse. When she puts pen to paper you just know that you can’t leave that book there. It eventually has to be read. It will keep calling you despite the fear of another good cry or a whooping jump in the air because all has worked out fine.
The beauty of this authors reads is that I never know if the ending is going to be Happy ever after, or, not what you were expecting but the ending is just as satisfying even if it did leave you in a blubbering mess.
September 24, 2018
Warning: Before ever picking up a copy of The Coordinates of Loss by Amanda Prowse it’s probably best to pick up a nice full box of tissues.
Rachel and James Croft had a loving marriage and along with their seven year old son Oscar the perfect family. Living in Bermuda and surrounded by water James had convinced Rachel to get a boat for the family and while packed up for the weekend tragedy strikes. Rachel wakes up on the boat and Oscar is no where to be found.
As the hours, days, weeks and months go by Rachel battles her grief and shuts herself off from her husband, friends and family. With no answers as to what happened that night while they were sleeping Rachel struggles with letting go and accepting Oscar is gone. It’s only through the words of understanding from their housekeeper Cee-Cee that Rachel finally begins to heal.
One thing I’ve learned when picking up a book from Amanda Prowse is that the story will be full of emotion and this was no exception. Obviously there is no “right” way to deal with a loss in one’s life but the author gave us an exceptional view into this couple and their heartache and grief as they struggled to navigate through the ocean of despair.
I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.
For more reviews please visit https://carriesbookreviews.com/
Rachel and James Croft had a loving marriage and along with their seven year old son Oscar the perfect family. Living in Bermuda and surrounded by water James had convinced Rachel to get a boat for the family and while packed up for the weekend tragedy strikes. Rachel wakes up on the boat and Oscar is no where to be found.
As the hours, days, weeks and months go by Rachel battles her grief and shuts herself off from her husband, friends and family. With no answers as to what happened that night while they were sleeping Rachel struggles with letting go and accepting Oscar is gone. It’s only through the words of understanding from their housekeeper Cee-Cee that Rachel finally begins to heal.
One thing I’ve learned when picking up a book from Amanda Prowse is that the story will be full of emotion and this was no exception. Obviously there is no “right” way to deal with a loss in one’s life but the author gave us an exceptional view into this couple and their heartache and grief as they struggled to navigate through the ocean of despair.
I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.
For more reviews please visit https://carriesbookreviews.com/
October 31, 2018
EXCERPT: 'Oscar! Oscar!' she screamed, crying now, her tears clogging her nose and the back of her throat, making shouting harder and blurring her vision. She ducked under, looking as far as she was able at the hull, and then came back for air; nothing. Her hair hung in a heavy waterlogged curtain over her face; she dug at it with her fingers as she trod water, spinning this way and that, looking, hoping and crying, as her teeth chattered in her gums.
She could hear her husband screaming louder than she had ever heard and in a way that was chilling, desperate. His lack of control and fear only fuelled her own.
It was in that moment of realisation that Rachel Croft looked towards the horizon, weakened, weary and with the certain knowledge that her life had changed.
It had changed forever.
ABOUT THIS BOOK: When Rachel Croft wakes up on her family’s boat in Bermuda, it’s to sunshine and yet another perfect day…until she goes to wake her seven-year-old son, Oscar. Because the worst thing imaginable has happened. He isn’t there.
In the dark and desperate days that follow, Rachel struggles to navigate her grief. And while her husband, James, wants them to face the tragedy together, Rachel feels that the life they once shared is over. Convinced that their happy marriage is now a sham, and unable to remain in the place where she lost her son, she goes home to Bristol alone.
Only when she starts receiving letters from Cee-Cee, her housekeeper in Bermuda, does light begin to return to Rachel’s soul. She and James both want to learn to live again—but is it too late for them to find a way through together?
MY THOUGHTS: I think that every parent has briefly tasted the fear, felt the panic, of a missing child. For the majority of us, it has been only that, briefly. The child has turned up, or been recovered, safe and sound. But having tasted that fear, it never really leaves you; the 'what if?'. . .
Amanda Prowse is a powerful writer. She stripped my emotions bare with this story of every parents worst nightmare - the loss of their child. There are no holds barred in her descriptions of the grief, the guilt, the blame, and the shattering of the lives of those left behind.
The title, I thought, was very clever. And I adore the cover; very evocative.
Other than the fact that this is a heart-wrenching read, I really enjoyed the author's descriptions of Bermuda, a destination I have now added to my travel list.
Best read with a large supply of tissues at hand. 😭😭😭😭
THE AUTHOR: Amanda Prowse was a management consultant for ten years before realising that she was born to write. Amanda lives in the West Country with her husband and their two teenage sons.
DISCLOSURE: Thank you to Lake Union Publishing via Netgalley for providing a digital ARC of The Coordinates of Loss by Amanda Prowse for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.
Please refer to my Goodreads.com profile page or the about page on sandysbookaday.wordpress.com for an explanation of my rating system. This review and others are also published on my blog sandysbookaday.wordpress.com https://sandysbookaday.wordpress.com/...
She could hear her husband screaming louder than she had ever heard and in a way that was chilling, desperate. His lack of control and fear only fuelled her own.
It was in that moment of realisation that Rachel Croft looked towards the horizon, weakened, weary and with the certain knowledge that her life had changed.
It had changed forever.
ABOUT THIS BOOK: When Rachel Croft wakes up on her family’s boat in Bermuda, it’s to sunshine and yet another perfect day…until she goes to wake her seven-year-old son, Oscar. Because the worst thing imaginable has happened. He isn’t there.
In the dark and desperate days that follow, Rachel struggles to navigate her grief. And while her husband, James, wants them to face the tragedy together, Rachel feels that the life they once shared is over. Convinced that their happy marriage is now a sham, and unable to remain in the place where she lost her son, she goes home to Bristol alone.
Only when she starts receiving letters from Cee-Cee, her housekeeper in Bermuda, does light begin to return to Rachel’s soul. She and James both want to learn to live again—but is it too late for them to find a way through together?
MY THOUGHTS: I think that every parent has briefly tasted the fear, felt the panic, of a missing child. For the majority of us, it has been only that, briefly. The child has turned up, or been recovered, safe and sound. But having tasted that fear, it never really leaves you; the 'what if?'. . .
Amanda Prowse is a powerful writer. She stripped my emotions bare with this story of every parents worst nightmare - the loss of their child. There are no holds barred in her descriptions of the grief, the guilt, the blame, and the shattering of the lives of those left behind.
The title, I thought, was very clever. And I adore the cover; very evocative.
Other than the fact that this is a heart-wrenching read, I really enjoyed the author's descriptions of Bermuda, a destination I have now added to my travel list.
Best read with a large supply of tissues at hand. 😭😭😭😭
THE AUTHOR: Amanda Prowse was a management consultant for ten years before realising that she was born to write. Amanda lives in the West Country with her husband and their two teenage sons.
DISCLOSURE: Thank you to Lake Union Publishing via Netgalley for providing a digital ARC of The Coordinates of Loss by Amanda Prowse for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.
Please refer to my Goodreads.com profile page or the about page on sandysbookaday.wordpress.com for an explanation of my rating system. This review and others are also published on my blog sandysbookaday.wordpress.com https://sandysbookaday.wordpress.com/...
September 22, 2018
When Rachel Croft wakes up on her family's boar in Bermuda, it's to sunshine and yet another perfect day, that is until she goes to wake up her seven year old son, Oscar. But the worst thing imaginable has happened. He isn't there.
Once such a happy family, the dad, James, the mum, Rachel and their seven year old son, Oscar. They live the perfect life in Bermuda and they have Cee-Cee, their housekeeper, who has had her own fair share of heartache. The family set out for a three day trip on their boat. They have a fantastic first night but when they wake in the morning, Oscar has disappeared.
This is a beautifully written story that will tug at your heartstrings and bring a tear to many a readers eye. We feel for Rachel, who is struggling to accept that her son has drowned. James, who is struggling with his own grief, does not know how to help his wife. I really liked Cee-Cee and all the things she said and did to try and help Rachel. Amanda Prowse has dealt with the subject matter with sensitivity. A story that deals with the time parents need to deal with their grief. I really liked the way this book ended. Happy or sad, you will need to read the book to find out.
I would like to thank NetGalley, Lake Union Publishing and the Amanda Prowse for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Once such a happy family, the dad, James, the mum, Rachel and their seven year old son, Oscar. They live the perfect life in Bermuda and they have Cee-Cee, their housekeeper, who has had her own fair share of heartache. The family set out for a three day trip on their boat. They have a fantastic first night but when they wake in the morning, Oscar has disappeared.
This is a beautifully written story that will tug at your heartstrings and bring a tear to many a readers eye. We feel for Rachel, who is struggling to accept that her son has drowned. James, who is struggling with his own grief, does not know how to help his wife. I really liked Cee-Cee and all the things she said and did to try and help Rachel. Amanda Prowse has dealt with the subject matter with sensitivity. A story that deals with the time parents need to deal with their grief. I really liked the way this book ended. Happy or sad, you will need to read the book to find out.
I would like to thank NetGalley, Lake Union Publishing and the Amanda Prowse for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.
September 20, 2018
2.5 stars
This is the second book I’ve read by Amanda Prowse and just like the one I read last year ( The Idea of You ), I struggled with getting through this and once again, very nearly DNF’ed it. I’m not sure what it is, but I find it hard to connect with this author’s books, even though the subject matter she writes about are things that women in my age group are usually able to identify with. In this, her newest book, the main character is Rachel Croft, whose happily married, blissful life with husband James comes crashing down when they lose their 7-year-old son Oscar in a boating accident – this happens within the first few pages of the book and from there, the entire rest of the story (300+ pages) is about how Rachel attempts to deal with her grief and eventually embarks on a path to healing after reading letters of encouragement from her housekeeper Cee Cee. That is basically the entire plot (no, I am not exaggerating – I’m struggling with finding things to write about the plot because literally nothing much else happens)…
Given the subject matter, I was expecting an emotional, heart-wrenching story, one that would move me emotionally and even make me shed a tear or two…but that didn’t happen. In fact, I found it difficult to get into the story at all and after the first chapter, my attention already started to wane – about a quarter into it, I felt the urge to skim and by the halfway mark, I was in full-on “speed-skim” mode….by the time I got to the end, I was relieved that I FINALLY finished the book. The biggest issue for me (which was actually the same issue I had with this author’s previous book) is that the story dragged way too much – over the course of the first 150 pages or so, page after page was of Rachel either 1) repeatedly denying that her son had died and trying to justify her theories about her son’s whereabouts in every way possible, or 2) constantly arguing with and resenting her husband. The second half of the book was basically of Rachel’s healing process and eventually coming to terms with her son’s death. Now don’t get me wrong – I have no problems with the subject matter being heavy and yes, I do understand that the slowness of the plot was perhaps intentional in order to mirror the real life process of grieving and healing that occurs when we lose a loved one, but for me, the execution was too drawn out, to the point that I felt it diminished the significance of the story. While the writing was good overall, there were parts that were tremendously wordy -- also, the dialogue was repetitive in that every conversation felt drawn out for the purposes of justifying and explaining Rachel’s every thought, feeling, action, etc. Perhaps the purpose of writing the character this way was to make us as the readers feel sorry for Rachel and sympathize with her struggle – I hate to say it but for me, it had the opposite effect in that I grew increasingly irritated with her character as the story wore on. I honestly feel like the story would have been better told if it had been several hundred pages shorter, with tighter writing and less repetition.
Reading this book confirmed for me that, plain and simple, this author’s works just aren’t my cup of tea. I will give her future works a pass going forward but since mine is the lone negative review amongst the dozens of positive ones, I would once again recommend checking out the other reviews for a more balanced perspective. This one clearly didn’t work for me, but perhaps it will for others.
Received ARC from Lake Union Publishing via NetGalley.>
This is the second book I’ve read by Amanda Prowse and just like the one I read last year ( The Idea of You ), I struggled with getting through this and once again, very nearly DNF’ed it. I’m not sure what it is, but I find it hard to connect with this author’s books, even though the subject matter she writes about are things that women in my age group are usually able to identify with. In this, her newest book, the main character is Rachel Croft, whose happily married, blissful life with husband James comes crashing down when they lose their 7-year-old son Oscar in a boating accident – this happens within the first few pages of the book and from there, the entire rest of the story (300+ pages) is about how Rachel attempts to deal with her grief and eventually embarks on a path to healing after reading letters of encouragement from her housekeeper Cee Cee. That is basically the entire plot (no, I am not exaggerating – I’m struggling with finding things to write about the plot because literally nothing much else happens)…
Given the subject matter, I was expecting an emotional, heart-wrenching story, one that would move me emotionally and even make me shed a tear or two…but that didn’t happen. In fact, I found it difficult to get into the story at all and after the first chapter, my attention already started to wane – about a quarter into it, I felt the urge to skim and by the halfway mark, I was in full-on “speed-skim” mode….by the time I got to the end, I was relieved that I FINALLY finished the book. The biggest issue for me (which was actually the same issue I had with this author’s previous book) is that the story dragged way too much – over the course of the first 150 pages or so, page after page was of Rachel either 1) repeatedly denying that her son had died and trying to justify her theories about her son’s whereabouts in every way possible, or 2) constantly arguing with and resenting her husband. The second half of the book was basically of Rachel’s healing process and eventually coming to terms with her son’s death. Now don’t get me wrong – I have no problems with the subject matter being heavy and yes, I do understand that the slowness of the plot was perhaps intentional in order to mirror the real life process of grieving and healing that occurs when we lose a loved one, but for me, the execution was too drawn out, to the point that I felt it diminished the significance of the story. While the writing was good overall, there were parts that were tremendously wordy -- also, the dialogue was repetitive in that every conversation felt drawn out for the purposes of justifying and explaining Rachel’s every thought, feeling, action, etc. Perhaps the purpose of writing the character this way was to make us as the readers feel sorry for Rachel and sympathize with her struggle – I hate to say it but for me, it had the opposite effect in that I grew increasingly irritated with her character as the story wore on. I honestly feel like the story would have been better told if it had been several hundred pages shorter, with tighter writing and less repetition.
Reading this book confirmed for me that, plain and simple, this author’s works just aren’t my cup of tea. I will give her future works a pass going forward but since mine is the lone negative review amongst the dozens of positive ones, I would once again recommend checking out the other reviews for a more balanced perspective. This one clearly didn’t work for me, but perhaps it will for others.
Received ARC from Lake Union Publishing via NetGalley.>
September 26, 2018
Such a heartbreakingly beautiful story that will make even the most stoic reader break down and cry. What does it feel like to lose a child suddenly? Amanda Prowse brings to life this unthinkable horrific and tragic event through the eyes of Rachel and James. While on a family holiday aboard their yacht, their 7 year old boy Oscar disappears and is presumed to have drowned. Their story alternates with Ceecee, their housekeeper's own story of loss and how to find the strength to keep living.
The prose takes the reader through the overwhelming pain and sorrow experienced when such a loss happens. The portrayal of grief felt painfully real to me to the point in which I had to put the book down every so often to collect myself. This is an emotionally hard read but also includes an element of hope and strength.
If you enjoy heartfelt emotional books and particularly ones involving loss and grief, this is the perfect read.
Thank you to Lake Union Publishing for an ARC of this book.
The prose takes the reader through the overwhelming pain and sorrow experienced when such a loss happens. The portrayal of grief felt painfully real to me to the point in which I had to put the book down every so often to collect myself. This is an emotionally hard read but also includes an element of hope and strength.
If you enjoy heartfelt emotional books and particularly ones involving loss and grief, this is the perfect read.
Thank you to Lake Union Publishing for an ARC of this book.
October 6, 2018
Having read an Amanda Prowse book before I made sure the tissues were on standby as she always tugs on you’re heart strings!!!
James and Rachel live in Bermuda, from the outside they have an idyllic lifestyle with a house overlooking the sea and a yacht they go on regularly with their 7 year old son Oscar.
Whilst on their yacht, Oscar disappears presumed dead by the police, both James and Rachel feel guilty that they hadn’t realised Oscar had got out of bed and had somehow ended up in the sea. Unfortunately in the depths of their grief Rachel finds herself turning away from her husband James.
This is beautifully written, you can feel the grief and despair at losing a child in such a mindless accident and you want them to find peace in the end.
Thank you to Netgalley for my copy in exchange for a review.
James and Rachel live in Bermuda, from the outside they have an idyllic lifestyle with a house overlooking the sea and a yacht they go on regularly with their 7 year old son Oscar.
Whilst on their yacht, Oscar disappears presumed dead by the police, both James and Rachel feel guilty that they hadn’t realised Oscar had got out of bed and had somehow ended up in the sea. Unfortunately in the depths of their grief Rachel finds herself turning away from her husband James.
This is beautifully written, you can feel the grief and despair at losing a child in such a mindless accident and you want them to find peace in the end.
Thank you to Netgalley for my copy in exchange for a review.
August 17, 2018
This book will tear out your heart and leave you with sadness and grief that are overwhelming. With beautiful strokes Amanda Prowse takes you into the beautiful, happy family of Rachel and James and their 7-year-old son Oscar. They have a wonderful life on the island of Bermuda. Then they take the boat out for a three day trip. Having a great times on their first night out Rachel and James put Oscar to bed, have a few drinks and upon awakening find that Oscar is gone.
The grief that encompasses the couple is devastating and the entire book is the loss of their son and learning to live with the loss. Their housekeeper, Cee-Cee, who has lost a son of her own is a source of strength for them.
Though difficult to read this is a beautifully written, insightful, and very likely a true rendering of the all-encompassing grief a couple might feel upon the loss of a child. I admire the way Amanda Prowse was able to describe the process.
Thanks to Amanda Prowse and Amazon Publishing UK through Netgalley for an advance copy.
The grief that encompasses the couple is devastating and the entire book is the loss of their son and learning to live with the loss. Their housekeeper, Cee-Cee, who has lost a son of her own is a source of strength for them.
Though difficult to read this is a beautifully written, insightful, and very likely a true rendering of the all-encompassing grief a couple might feel upon the loss of a child. I admire the way Amanda Prowse was able to describe the process.
Thanks to Amanda Prowse and Amazon Publishing UK through Netgalley for an advance copy.
July 25, 2018
I have seen alot of Amanda Prowse books around and I have never gotten around to reading any. The Coordinates Of Loss was my first and I am now on a mission to read Amanda's whole catalogue.
The book pulled at my heart strings and right throughout I just wanted to take Rachel and James' pain away after their life was shattered when their seven year old boy fell over board from their boat whilst on a family trip.
The book tells of Rachel and James' journey of loss and how a friendship blossomed with the family's housekeeper Cee Cee.
Cee Cee put pen to paper and writes letters to Rachel documenting her own loss and heartache from 55 years ago.
The book pulled at my heart strings and right throughout I just wanted to take Rachel and James' pain away after their life was shattered when their seven year old boy fell over board from their boat whilst on a family trip.
The book tells of Rachel and James' journey of loss and how a friendship blossomed with the family's housekeeper Cee Cee.
Cee Cee put pen to paper and writes letters to Rachel documenting her own loss and heartache from 55 years ago.
June 26, 2018
As always Amanda Prowse writes in the most beautiful prose. Emotions and feelings are laid bare and the descriptions of Bermuda and Bristol were superb. But, I also found it utterly depressing although I know many readers who will find it uplifting.
October 13, 2018
This book is one huge gathering of profound grief. Rachel has a wonderful life in a literal paradise on Bermuda. In the very first pages of this book this all comes undone when she loses her son. Her grief is so overwhelming it seems as if nothing and no one can provide comfort. She distances herself from everyone but finds an ally in her housekeeper Cee-Cee who has been through this herself.
This is a heavy book and terribly sad, it does however have moments where it becomes borderline 'textbook' in some of its dialogue about grief and feelings. The dialogue was just too polished to ring as natural.
Certainly this book has a moral, to make the most of here and now and to not take any loved ones for granted.
I am a big fan of Amanda Prowse, however I did not feel that this was up there with her best work.
Thank you Amazon Publishing UK, Lake Union Publishing and Netgalley for the opportunity to review this book.
This is a heavy book and terribly sad, it does however have moments where it becomes borderline 'textbook' in some of its dialogue about grief and feelings. The dialogue was just too polished to ring as natural.
Certainly this book has a moral, to make the most of here and now and to not take any loved ones for granted.
I am a big fan of Amanda Prowse, however I did not feel that this was up there with her best work.
Thank you Amazon Publishing UK, Lake Union Publishing and Netgalley for the opportunity to review this book.
June 24, 2018
This book was beautiful!
Beautifully written about a very raw, touching, heartbreaking experience, the ending filled me with so much joy!
Beautifully written about a very raw, touching, heartbreaking experience, the ending filled me with so much joy!
July 4, 2018
I really enjoyed this book. I found it hard to read as it was so raw - dealing as it does with loss and grief.
Beautifully written and heartwarming.
I think her books only get better!
Beautifully written and heartwarming.
I think her books only get better!
July 3, 2018
Such a beautifully written book. Keep tissues handy. Amanda had done it again. How she gets into peoples minds and emotions is incredible
October 22, 2018
When I first read the summary of this book I wasn’t sure I wanted to read it. I had read two other books by Amanda Prowse previously and though I liked them (3 stars each), I didn’t love them. I was concerned that this would be an average book about difficult subject matter and that would make it hard to get through.
I should not have worried. Yes, it is a difficult subject and incredibly sad, but it is not a mediocre book. It was well-written and engaging. At first, I was annoyed by the MC, Rachel. Her sadness was overwhelming and I felt she wasn’t fair to her husband. However, considering what she had been through, I couldn’t blame her. I can’t even imagine her sorrow.
As the story progressed and you saw her struggle with her grief, I started to understand her better and really feel for her. I even became defensive of her when certain people said things that were insensitive or hurtful. I wanted to help her through her misery. I wanted her to find her way back.
Cee Cee’s story is equally compelling. Throughout the book there are letters that Cee Cee writes to Rachel that tell her story. She is writing these letters in an effort to help Rachel through her grief, as parts of her life parallel Rachel’s. I don’t typically enjoy stories written in letter format, but these letters were able to draw me in and I wanted to know more.
I really enjoyed Cee Cee as a character and feel that her sections in the story were needed to temper the sadness of the rest of the book. Her story isn’t a happy one, but it has a different feel to it. Cee Cee’s story felt like she was making herself feel better by telling it, sort of her way of finally releasing her sadness. Rachel’s parts felt much more like she was drowning in her sorrow and struggling to find a way back. I think without Cee Cee’s letters, much of this story would have been difficult to read.
I’m so glad I decided to read this book. It was just excellent. I look forward to reading more of Ms. Prowse’s future work.
Thank you to NetGalley, Amazon Publishing UK, and Lake Union Publishing for providing me with a free electronic copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I should not have worried. Yes, it is a difficult subject and incredibly sad, but it is not a mediocre book. It was well-written and engaging. At first, I was annoyed by the MC, Rachel. Her sadness was overwhelming and I felt she wasn’t fair to her husband. However, considering what she had been through, I couldn’t blame her. I can’t even imagine her sorrow.
As the story progressed and you saw her struggle with her grief, I started to understand her better and really feel for her. I even became defensive of her when certain people said things that were insensitive or hurtful. I wanted to help her through her misery. I wanted her to find her way back.
Cee Cee’s story is equally compelling. Throughout the book there are letters that Cee Cee writes to Rachel that tell her story. She is writing these letters in an effort to help Rachel through her grief, as parts of her life parallel Rachel’s. I don’t typically enjoy stories written in letter format, but these letters were able to draw me in and I wanted to know more.
I really enjoyed Cee Cee as a character and feel that her sections in the story were needed to temper the sadness of the rest of the book. Her story isn’t a happy one, but it has a different feel to it. Cee Cee’s story felt like she was making herself feel better by telling it, sort of her way of finally releasing her sadness. Rachel’s parts felt much more like she was drowning in her sorrow and struggling to find a way back. I think without Cee Cee’s letters, much of this story would have been difficult to read.
I’m so glad I decided to read this book. It was just excellent. I look forward to reading more of Ms. Prowse’s future work.
Thank you to NetGalley, Amazon Publishing UK, and Lake Union Publishing for providing me with a free electronic copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
October 11, 2018
DNF
While the writing is excellent, this story and this subject matter are just entirely too depressing for me. I cannot continue to read about the depths of despair Rachel and James. It is just too much for me.
While the writing is excellent, this story and this subject matter are just entirely too depressing for me. I cannot continue to read about the depths of despair Rachel and James. It is just too much for me.
September 24, 2018
This is my first Amanda Prowse novel but it won't be my last. This book was so heartfelt and tugged on my heartstrings so much. Rachel Croft goes from having a perfect day in paradise to absolute terror. Her 7 yr old son is missing and she has no idea where to even begin to search. The search proves futile and she leaves Bermuda without her husband and son. As she prepares to leave, her housekeeper bombards her with messages and it shines a whole new light on Rachel. I will highly recommend this book to everyone . Thank you to Netgalley and Amazon Publishing UK
Lake Union Publishing for the chance to read this amazing novel
Lake Union Publishing for the chance to read this amazing novel
June 20, 2018
Oh my! What a book - tugs at the heartstrings and absorbs you into its sadness.
I’m in floods - such a beautiful book...
Another superb read from Amanda Prowse...
I’m in floods - such a beautiful book...
Another superb read from Amanda Prowse...
December 19, 2018
I literally devoured this book in one day. Rachel’s story had me in tears, from beginning to end.
The author has a skill of the characters emotions flowing off the pages into the reader. The grief that the characters feel felt so raw and at times I thought my chest was going to burst with all the emotions I was feeling. Whilst I know that no one can truly understand that loss until it’s happened to them, I think with this book it comes a close second.
I had a box of tissues, well a roll of toilet paper, next to me throughout and kept having to have a break to control my feelings while wiping away the tears. It wasn’t just from the loss of Oscar but the break down of Rachel’s and James’ marriage. It was sad to see a couple who were experiencing the exact same things not be able to help each other.
Cee-Cee is a very special character and I loved her letters to Rachel. Her own past was so intriguing and I found it so endearing whilst getting to know her better. There are actually a few characters who stood out even though they only have a small role in the story like Rachel’s dad. They all just make this story even more heart warming.
The Coordinates Of Loss is a breath taking read of love, loss and relationships. It is a tough read in parts due to the nature of the story but I don’t regret one single tear. Whilst in parts it is sad, I found it also to be uplifting. A definite tear jerker which is high praise to the author that she can get such a reaction from her reader.
The author has a skill of the characters emotions flowing off the pages into the reader. The grief that the characters feel felt so raw and at times I thought my chest was going to burst with all the emotions I was feeling. Whilst I know that no one can truly understand that loss until it’s happened to them, I think with this book it comes a close second.
I had a box of tissues, well a roll of toilet paper, next to me throughout and kept having to have a break to control my feelings while wiping away the tears. It wasn’t just from the loss of Oscar but the break down of Rachel’s and James’ marriage. It was sad to see a couple who were experiencing the exact same things not be able to help each other.
Cee-Cee is a very special character and I loved her letters to Rachel. Her own past was so intriguing and I found it so endearing whilst getting to know her better. There are actually a few characters who stood out even though they only have a small role in the story like Rachel’s dad. They all just make this story even more heart warming.
The Coordinates Of Loss is a breath taking read of love, loss and relationships. It is a tough read in parts due to the nature of the story but I don’t regret one single tear. Whilst in parts it is sad, I found it also to be uplifting. A definite tear jerker which is high praise to the author that she can get such a reaction from her reader.
October 16, 2018
Amanda Prowse has always been the 'Queen of Emotions' for me. Her books have always made me run for tissues, a big box load of them. I generally read her books with tears down my cheeks along with a smile on my lips.
This book too had its moments when my eyes would film over, but it didn't wrench my heart, overloading it with emotions. The premise of the story was soul shuddering, just imagining the scene when Rachel and James get up one morning on their boat and finding their 7 year old Oscar missing. The worst thing that could happen to parents.
The story followed Rachel's pain with James and housekeeper CeeCee feeling their own loss. Oscar's death affected everyone. The book was basically Rachel's point of view with CeeCee sending her letters telling her own story of loss. But they didn't gel together for me.
The book had its moments where I too was sadder than sad, but they were seen occasionally, especially scenes and conversations of Rachel with her father. I loved him. His love for her and his pain at her suffering came through so beautifully in a few lines that I couldn't help crying.
I love books which have a whirlpool of emotions, but this book didn't pull me in. I coasted its emotional surface, both thankful and sorry for not crying like a baby!!
This book too had its moments when my eyes would film over, but it didn't wrench my heart, overloading it with emotions. The premise of the story was soul shuddering, just imagining the scene when Rachel and James get up one morning on their boat and finding their 7 year old Oscar missing. The worst thing that could happen to parents.
The story followed Rachel's pain with James and housekeeper CeeCee feeling their own loss. Oscar's death affected everyone. The book was basically Rachel's point of view with CeeCee sending her letters telling her own story of loss. But they didn't gel together for me.
The book had its moments where I too was sadder than sad, but they were seen occasionally, especially scenes and conversations of Rachel with her father. I loved him. His love for her and his pain at her suffering came through so beautifully in a few lines that I couldn't help crying.
I love books which have a whirlpool of emotions, but this book didn't pull me in. I coasted its emotional surface, both thankful and sorry for not crying like a baby!!
August 1, 2018
Very aptly titled this book takes you along several paths of loss. The grief of some characters, and the attempts of others to support those grieving is explored within a work of general fiction.
As I read I was reminded that all of us feel and have to navigate through a time of loss at some time in our lives. Some loss is known, some is not. Some loss is acknowedged, some is not.
Characters echo the reactions to loss and grief that are as varied as there are types of loss, they also somehow leave the reader buoyant with the reassurance that there are enough similarities in grief that people can potentially empathise.....and that given the opportunity many will.
Cee-cee clearly has a Faith which she draws strength from.
Empathy and insightfulness are strong traits of Amanda Prowse, I look forward to reading other books by her.
As I read I was reminded that all of us feel and have to navigate through a time of loss at some time in our lives. Some loss is known, some is not. Some loss is acknowedged, some is not.
Characters echo the reactions to loss and grief that are as varied as there are types of loss, they also somehow leave the reader buoyant with the reassurance that there are enough similarities in grief that people can potentially empathise.....and that given the opportunity many will.
Cee-cee clearly has a Faith which she draws strength from.
Empathy and insightfulness are strong traits of Amanda Prowse, I look forward to reading other books by her.
July 5, 2018
Amanda Prowse does it again, when you pick up this book prepare to have your heartbroken and to require many tissues.
I started this book knowing I have loved Amanda Prowse's other books but this book was on a whole other level and I didn't want to put it down.
You fall in love with the characters instantly and feel the many emotions they are experiencing throughout. The characters are vivid and you could clearly picture them as you got to know them on many levels as this wonderful read progressed.
This book totally broke my heart, left me with a horrendous book hangover but it was exceptional and I wish I could start this fresh all over again as it was another work of art and I loved every page.
I started this book knowing I have loved Amanda Prowse's other books but this book was on a whole other level and I didn't want to put it down.
You fall in love with the characters instantly and feel the many emotions they are experiencing throughout. The characters are vivid and you could clearly picture them as you got to know them on many levels as this wonderful read progressed.
This book totally broke my heart, left me with a horrendous book hangover but it was exceptional and I wish I could start this fresh all over again as it was another work of art and I loved every page.
September 16, 2018
Very sad but so beautifully written. I loved the way that Cee-Cee’s story was interwoven with that of Rachel and James. Amanda Prowse is definitely one of my favourite authors at the moment!
Maybe should have given it 5 stars!
Maybe should have given it 5 stars!
August 25, 2018
All consuming, utterly gripping story about a couple coming to terms with the sudden loss of their child, while at sea on day, in Bermuda.
I could barely put the book down as the writing is so good, and it just drew me in and wouldn't let me know.
However unlike other books by this author, I just didn't quite connect properly with the subject and the characters and I can only think that is because we didn't really get to see Oscar alive and connect to him before the tragedy, so its harder to feel his loss for yourself.
We do get to know Oscar a bit through reminisces but given the book is all about his death and those coping with it, I was surprised that I didn't feel anything towards him, especially given I normally love child characters in books.
What I loved were the letters that Cee-Cee, their housekeeper was writing to Rachel, to help her with her grief and through them we learn about Cee-Cee's own life and her heartbreak.
I started to warm to Rachel once the complete despair stage was a bit lesser and watching her slowly come to terms with her new life and situation is rather inspiring. I am sure that if you are going through a similar situation and were in a position to read this, then it would give you some comfort, and hope. Equally those that have unfortunately lived through what Rachel and James do, may connect to this book a lot more than I did.
That being said I was unable to tear myself away, I had to read it in a few hours, in long stints, and wasn't really aware of what was going on around me. I didn't find it emotional, but it was interesting and the topic is dealt with, with Amanda Prowse's typical levels of details warmth and sensitivity.
This ia a great book and if you are new to the author it will certainly give you a fabulous idea of what she is capable of.
Thank you to Netgalley and Lake Union Publishing for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.
I could barely put the book down as the writing is so good, and it just drew me in and wouldn't let me know.
However unlike other books by this author, I just didn't quite connect properly with the subject and the characters and I can only think that is because we didn't really get to see Oscar alive and connect to him before the tragedy, so its harder to feel his loss for yourself.
We do get to know Oscar a bit through reminisces but given the book is all about his death and those coping with it, I was surprised that I didn't feel anything towards him, especially given I normally love child characters in books.
What I loved were the letters that Cee-Cee, their housekeeper was writing to Rachel, to help her with her grief and through them we learn about Cee-Cee's own life and her heartbreak.
I started to warm to Rachel once the complete despair stage was a bit lesser and watching her slowly come to terms with her new life and situation is rather inspiring. I am sure that if you are going through a similar situation and were in a position to read this, then it would give you some comfort, and hope. Equally those that have unfortunately lived through what Rachel and James do, may connect to this book a lot more than I did.
That being said I was unable to tear myself away, I had to read it in a few hours, in long stints, and wasn't really aware of what was going on around me. I didn't find it emotional, but it was interesting and the topic is dealt with, with Amanda Prowse's typical levels of details warmth and sensitivity.
This ia a great book and if you are new to the author it will certainly give you a fabulous idea of what she is capable of.
Thank you to Netgalley and Lake Union Publishing for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.
November 2, 2018
When your husband dies, you become a widow. What do you become when you lose a child? Are you still a mom? Heartbreaking questions asked by a woman who has lost her son, in a terrible way. When Oscar disappears off a boat, Rachel and James don't know what happened to him. Their guilt is immense and that only causes their grief to be worse and never to loosen. When this book opens with the scream of "Oscar, Oscar" you know something terrible has happened. Rachel does not know what happened to her son, but she knows that her life has changed. When Oscar's body is not recovered, Rachel refuses to have a funeral or memorial service, thus never giving anyone closure. When your grief is so overwhelming, it is almost impossible to realize that others are also dealing with the loss of this little boy.
I felt for these parents, I ached to give them comfort. I wanted to reach into the book and give them a hug or something to help them deal with this loss, even knowing that I had no idea what they were going through. This is the beautiful craftsmanship of Amanda Prowse. When she puts pen to paper you just know that you must read this book. She makes the characters real to the reader and that is a great talent. If you have lost a child, this story might hit a raw spot, so you may want to forgo this one. Once again, I was emotionally spent when I finished this book. I know that Amanda Prowse's books are not going to end happily ever after, but they make you think and she brings attention to issues that are real and could touch the lives of anyone. The publisher, Lake Union Publishing, generously provided me with a copy of this book to read. The rating, ideas and opinions shared are my own.
I felt for these parents, I ached to give them comfort. I wanted to reach into the book and give them a hug or something to help them deal with this loss, even knowing that I had no idea what they were going through. This is the beautiful craftsmanship of Amanda Prowse. When she puts pen to paper you just know that you must read this book. She makes the characters real to the reader and that is a great talent. If you have lost a child, this story might hit a raw spot, so you may want to forgo this one. Once again, I was emotionally spent when I finished this book. I know that Amanda Prowse's books are not going to end happily ever after, but they make you think and she brings attention to issues that are real and could touch the lives of anyone. The publisher, Lake Union Publishing, generously provided me with a copy of this book to read. The rating, ideas and opinions shared are my own.
August 18, 2018
4* Time Heals Stars
This is by no means a good feel happy story. I found it a bit depressing and very sad. The story is told from Rachel’s POV and centres around the death of her and her husband James seven year old son Oscar, who mysteriously disappeared from their yacht in Bermuda. Their grief and heartache is paramount throughout the story as they both try to piece back together their lives. I struggled to like Rachel in the beginning as she was quite bitter and selfish in the way she abandoned James to grieve alone without any compassion to how he was feeling.
Cee-Cee their housekeeper was a breath of fresh air in the story and brought some comfort and calm to the life of Rachel by means of written letters providing love and hope.
The author’s writing is very heartfelt and the story was beautifully written.
I breathed a great sigh of relief when I read the epilogue. It was a much-needed end to a highly emotional read.
Many thanks to Lake Union Publishing and NetGalley for an advance copy for me to read and review.
This is by no means a good feel happy story. I found it a bit depressing and very sad. The story is told from Rachel’s POV and centres around the death of her and her husband James seven year old son Oscar, who mysteriously disappeared from their yacht in Bermuda. Their grief and heartache is paramount throughout the story as they both try to piece back together their lives. I struggled to like Rachel in the beginning as she was quite bitter and selfish in the way she abandoned James to grieve alone without any compassion to how he was feeling.
Cee-Cee their housekeeper was a breath of fresh air in the story and brought some comfort and calm to the life of Rachel by means of written letters providing love and hope.
The author’s writing is very heartfelt and the story was beautifully written.
I breathed a great sigh of relief when I read the epilogue. It was a much-needed end to a highly emotional read.
Many thanks to Lake Union Publishing and NetGalley for an advance copy for me to read and review.
September 13, 2018
The Coordinates of Loss
Rachel and James look like they have a perfect life. They live in a beautiful house in Bermuda, own a boat and have a beautiful 7 year old son Oscar until one tragic night where Oscar has bee taken away from them and they need to find their way to deal with their grief after losing a child. An impossible task.
Cee Cee was the housekeeper and adored Oscar. After losing her own baby boy when she was young having Rachel, James and especially Oscar had made her feel alive again but although broken hearted she stands strong to help Rachel and James each in different ways.
This is a beautiful written story about a horrible tragedy no one ever wants to experience. You will fall in love with Cee Cee, I dare you to try not to! The back and forth between Rachel’s point of view and Cee Cee’s was a brilliant decision by the author! Have tissues as this is definite going to pull on your heart strings.
Rachel and James look like they have a perfect life. They live in a beautiful house in Bermuda, own a boat and have a beautiful 7 year old son Oscar until one tragic night where Oscar has bee taken away from them and they need to find their way to deal with their grief after losing a child. An impossible task.
Cee Cee was the housekeeper and adored Oscar. After losing her own baby boy when she was young having Rachel, James and especially Oscar had made her feel alive again but although broken hearted she stands strong to help Rachel and James each in different ways.
This is a beautiful written story about a horrible tragedy no one ever wants to experience. You will fall in love with Cee Cee, I dare you to try not to! The back and forth between Rachel’s point of view and Cee Cee’s was a brilliant decision by the author! Have tissues as this is definite going to pull on your heart strings.
October 18, 2018
Thank you NetGalley Amazon Publishing UK and Amanda Prowse for this copy. My review is my honest opinion of this book.
This has been the most heart wrenching book I have ever read in my whole life. I’ve read books that took my breath away and made me shed lots of tears, but this one made me feel such heartbreak for each character. It’s a very sad story of the loss of a child and trying to move on. It’s written in such a way that you feel like you are right there with the characters. You feel all of the pain they feel. You better have a good stash of tissues handy when reading this one.
I had to put this book down quite a few times and do something else because of the subject matter. It made me cry and then I could not see the words. It actually made me weep tears from the gut. Big ugly tears of terrible pain. It is told with such realism and in ways that you won’t soon forget. Losing a child is the most painful feeling in the world. Nothing can erase that pain. No words can make it easier. You just have to hope that you can find peace in your life and learn how to move forward with life and be happy.
Rachel and James are the parents of Oscar. Oscar is the child who went missing in this story. Fell off of their boat and vanished. How do you recover from that kind of loss? If you can it will take many years. Then you are just moving past the pain and living life as best you can. They both blamed themselves and each other for Oscar’s death. It was so sad seeing them trying to move on alone. Without each other. Yet you understand why they need this. Though I kept thinking that they needed each other to lean on. To be there for each other. To heal together.
Cee Cee was my very favorite character. She was their housekeeper and loved Oscar like he was her own child. She went through so much pain in her life and losing Oscar was like the last thing she could take. She tried to help Rachel move forward. She was there for her through so much. Writing her stories for her and sharing her life, her pain, her heartache. She was there for James too. Rachel and James loved Cee Cee as if she was their family and she was. I really loved Cee Cee. She was such a kind person. She was so full of wisdom and love and empathy. She deserved a happy life and she had that with Rachel, James and Oscar.
I do highly recommend this book. Even after all the tears and heartbreak, I truly do. It was beautifully written. Loveable characters. Written with such meaning. I honestly don’t see how Ms Prowse wrote this book the way it is without shedding some tears herself. I’m sure she did though, tears that is. It’s really a beautiful book even through so many tears. So many times putting it down and collecting myself. Even my hubby said I needed to stop reading it because he hates to see me cry for any reason. But it was so worth every single tear. It’s hard to explain exactly how this book made me feel. I lost a baby and this sums up that feeling so well. The heartbreak and pain never leaves. You just learn how to live...
I gave this a 5 star. For the beautiful characters. For the story itself. It’s worth more though. It really is. I have not taken this long to read a book in so many years. It’s very good.
This has been the most heart wrenching book I have ever read in my whole life. I’ve read books that took my breath away and made me shed lots of tears, but this one made me feel such heartbreak for each character. It’s a very sad story of the loss of a child and trying to move on. It’s written in such a way that you feel like you are right there with the characters. You feel all of the pain they feel. You better have a good stash of tissues handy when reading this one.
I had to put this book down quite a few times and do something else because of the subject matter. It made me cry and then I could not see the words. It actually made me weep tears from the gut. Big ugly tears of terrible pain. It is told with such realism and in ways that you won’t soon forget. Losing a child is the most painful feeling in the world. Nothing can erase that pain. No words can make it easier. You just have to hope that you can find peace in your life and learn how to move forward with life and be happy.
Rachel and James are the parents of Oscar. Oscar is the child who went missing in this story. Fell off of their boat and vanished. How do you recover from that kind of loss? If you can it will take many years. Then you are just moving past the pain and living life as best you can. They both blamed themselves and each other for Oscar’s death. It was so sad seeing them trying to move on alone. Without each other. Yet you understand why they need this. Though I kept thinking that they needed each other to lean on. To be there for each other. To heal together.
Cee Cee was my very favorite character. She was their housekeeper and loved Oscar like he was her own child. She went through so much pain in her life and losing Oscar was like the last thing she could take. She tried to help Rachel move forward. She was there for her through so much. Writing her stories for her and sharing her life, her pain, her heartache. She was there for James too. Rachel and James loved Cee Cee as if she was their family and she was. I really loved Cee Cee. She was such a kind person. She was so full of wisdom and love and empathy. She deserved a happy life and she had that with Rachel, James and Oscar.
I do highly recommend this book. Even after all the tears and heartbreak, I truly do. It was beautifully written. Loveable characters. Written with such meaning. I honestly don’t see how Ms Prowse wrote this book the way it is without shedding some tears herself. I’m sure she did though, tears that is. It’s really a beautiful book even through so many tears. So many times putting it down and collecting myself. Even my hubby said I needed to stop reading it because he hates to see me cry for any reason. But it was so worth every single tear. It’s hard to explain exactly how this book made me feel. I lost a baby and this sums up that feeling so well. The heartbreak and pain never leaves. You just learn how to live...
I gave this a 5 star. For the beautiful characters. For the story itself. It’s worth more though. It really is. I have not taken this long to read a book in so many years. It’s very good.
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