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The Gift of Life
You've been given the gift of life, now go live it.
Gabby McPhee is the owner of The Tin Man, a chic new cafe and coffee roasting house in Melbourne. The struggles of her recent heart transplant are behind her and life is looking up - until a mysterious customer appears in the cafe, convinced that Gabby has her deceased husband's heart beating inside her chest.
Krystal Arthur is a bereaved widow, struggling to hold herself and her two young boys together since Evan's death, and plagued by unanswered questions. Why was her husband in another city the night he died? And why won't his spirit rest?
Krystal is convinced that Gabby holds the clues she needs to move towards a brighter future. Gabby needs Krystal to help her let go of her troubled past. The two women must come together to try to unlock the secrets in Evan's heart in order to set free their own.
By the internationally bestselling author of The Chocolate Promise, this is a profound and moving novel about the deeper mysteries of love and loss - and the priceless gift of life.
Gabby McPhee is the owner of The Tin Man, a chic new cafe and coffee roasting house in Melbourne. The struggles of her recent heart transplant are behind her and life is looking up - until a mysterious customer appears in the cafe, convinced that Gabby has her deceased husband's heart beating inside her chest.
Krystal Arthur is a bereaved widow, struggling to hold herself and her two young boys together since Evan's death, and plagued by unanswered questions. Why was her husband in another city the night he died? And why won't his spirit rest?
Krystal is convinced that Gabby holds the clues she needs to move towards a brighter future. Gabby needs Krystal to help her let go of her troubled past. The two women must come together to try to unlock the secrets in Evan's heart in order to set free their own.
By the internationally bestselling author of The Chocolate Promise, this is a profound and moving novel about the deeper mysteries of love and loss - and the priceless gift of life.
384 pages, Paperback
First published April 2, 2019
32 people are currently reading
439 people want to read
About the author
Josephine Moon
13 books372 followersHello! I live in the Noosa hinterland in Australia and now have the great pleasure of writing warm-hearted, feel good, contemporary fiction books for adults and now kids too! I am published in Australia, NZ, UK, Ireland, Norway, Greece and Germany. I'm so grateful to everyone who buys and reads my books. Thank you!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 101 reviews
May 25, 2019
Gabby McPhee is the owner of a café in the heart of Melbourne called The Tin Man. Although it’s been a couple of years since Gabby had her heart transplant operation, she still feels grateful to the family who gifted her a second chance at life. A life she intends to make the most of and enjoy every minute she can of it.
Whilst being interviewed for an article, Gabby expresses how thankful she is for the family that donated the organ which saved her life. For the following few days Gabby noticed a woman who visited the café and Gabby had a feeling she knew who this woman might be.
Krystal Arthur is struggling after the death of her husband, Evan. Taking care of her two young boys has been a challenge to say the least, but trying to come to terms with Evan’s death is taking its toll on her. Krystal has unanswered questions after the death of her husband, like why was he in a another city when he died. Krystal is certain she knows who might have the answers, but is she truly ready to find out the truth about her husband?
This was a fabulous read and I’m so glad I read it. Aussie author Josephine Moon has written a book that will have her readers flying through the pages wanting to know what’s going to take place next. A very entertaining read. Highly recommended.
Whilst being interviewed for an article, Gabby expresses how thankful she is for the family that donated the organ which saved her life. For the following few days Gabby noticed a woman who visited the café and Gabby had a feeling she knew who this woman might be.
Krystal Arthur is struggling after the death of her husband, Evan. Taking care of her two young boys has been a challenge to say the least, but trying to come to terms with Evan’s death is taking its toll on her. Krystal has unanswered questions after the death of her husband, like why was he in a another city when he died. Krystal is certain she knows who might have the answers, but is she truly ready to find out the truth about her husband?
This was a fabulous read and I’m so glad I read it. Aussie author Josephine Moon has written a book that will have her readers flying through the pages wanting to know what’s going to take place next. A very entertaining read. Highly recommended.
April 3, 2019
Two years had passed since Gabby McPhee had received the heart transplant that saved her life. The reporter who was chatting to her in The Tin Man, her café and coffee roasting house in Melbourne, brought it home to Gabby how lucky she was to be alive; thankful to the family of the heart she’d been given. When a woman appeared in the café in the days following the interview, wanting to speak to Gabby, she was shocked to hear who she was…
Krystal Arthur and her two young sons were still deeply grieving over the loss of their husband and father two years prior. The article Krystal read in the newspaper sent shockwaves up and down her spine – she just knew this woman was the recipient of Evan’s heart. Was it possible for Krystal to find the answers she needed with Gabby’s help? Would she discover why Evan was in Sydney when he was killed?
The Gift of Life by Aussie author Josephine Moon is my first by this author, and it won’t be my last. An intense, heartwarming and satisfying read, the characters were well crafted, the families blended well together – Gabby and Pippa (sisters) had seven children between them – and their loving closeness was gratifying. Their service dog, Sally was a delight. It was easy to care for them all, along with the extended characters in the book (apart from Aunt Cordy 😉 – oh didn’t she hate to be called that). The Gift of Life is a wonderful read which I recommend highly.
With thanks to Penguin Random House for my ARC to read in exchange for an honest review.
Krystal Arthur and her two young sons were still deeply grieving over the loss of their husband and father two years prior. The article Krystal read in the newspaper sent shockwaves up and down her spine – she just knew this woman was the recipient of Evan’s heart. Was it possible for Krystal to find the answers she needed with Gabby’s help? Would she discover why Evan was in Sydney when he was killed?
The Gift of Life by Aussie author Josephine Moon is my first by this author, and it won’t be my last. An intense, heartwarming and satisfying read, the characters were well crafted, the families blended well together – Gabby and Pippa (sisters) had seven children between them – and their loving closeness was gratifying. Their service dog, Sally was a delight. It was easy to care for them all, along with the extended characters in the book (apart from Aunt Cordy 😉 – oh didn’t she hate to be called that). The Gift of Life is a wonderful read which I recommend highly.
With thanks to Penguin Random House for my ARC to read in exchange for an honest review.
July 11, 2019
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The Gift of Life by Josephine Moon. (2019).
Gabby is the owner of a chic new cafe and coffee roasting house in Melbourne. The struggles of her recent heart transplant are behind her and life is looking up until Krystal approaches her convinced that Gabby has her dead husband's heart. Krystal is struggling to hold her family together and has many unanswered questions about Evan's death. Krystal thinks that Gabby can help her, and she may be able to help Gabby let go. The two women must come together to try to unlock the secrets in Evan's heart in order to set free their own.
I quite liked this intriguing book. I feel like it had a lot of food for thought. At the core of the story is an organ transplant and the idea of cellular memory (that memories and personality traits can be stored in organs). I find that concept really cool and also really terrifying! Some big issues are covered in this book: divorced/separated families, single parent/widowed families, postnatal depression, life after organ transplant (medically and emotionally) and unethical lawyer actions. There is a strong undercurrent of family support, particularly in relation to Gabby, her sister Pippa and their father Monty. On the flip side there is Krystal who has minimal family support but a very strong friendship with a fellow school mum who is always there for her. The book includes a whole cast of relatable and likeable characters (excluding Evan's sister who is extremely unlikable at all times!).
A very thought provoking and entertaining novel that I think will stick with readers long after they finish it.
*www.facebook.com/onewomansbbr
The Gift of Life by Josephine Moon. (2019).
Gabby is the owner of a chic new cafe and coffee roasting house in Melbourne. The struggles of her recent heart transplant are behind her and life is looking up until Krystal approaches her convinced that Gabby has her dead husband's heart. Krystal is struggling to hold her family together and has many unanswered questions about Evan's death. Krystal thinks that Gabby can help her, and she may be able to help Gabby let go. The two women must come together to try to unlock the secrets in Evan's heart in order to set free their own.
I quite liked this intriguing book. I feel like it had a lot of food for thought. At the core of the story is an organ transplant and the idea of cellular memory (that memories and personality traits can be stored in organs). I find that concept really cool and also really terrifying! Some big issues are covered in this book: divorced/separated families, single parent/widowed families, postnatal depression, life after organ transplant (medically and emotionally) and unethical lawyer actions. There is a strong undercurrent of family support, particularly in relation to Gabby, her sister Pippa and their father Monty. On the flip side there is Krystal who has minimal family support but a very strong friendship with a fellow school mum who is always there for her. The book includes a whole cast of relatable and likeable characters (excluding Evan's sister who is extremely unlikable at all times!).
A very thought provoking and entertaining novel that I think will stick with readers long after they finish it.
June 4, 2019
The Gift Of Life is the fifth novel by Australian author, Josephine Moon. It’s almost two years since divorced mother of three, Gabby McPhee received her heart transplant, and a year since she opened The Tin Man, her artisanal coffee business off Chapel Street in Melbourne’s South Yarra. Life is good. Her staff are great and her expert coffee roaster, the handsome Luciano is talented, if reticent.
Her children are a joy, and if only her ex would step up to his responsibilities with them instead of pleading new-baby fatigue, everything would be perfect. So Gabby is uneasy and a little frightened when, soon after seeing a woman sitting in her café, her heart begins to pound and she sees a disturbing vision involving a dark alley, a bright light and fear, a lot of it.
Young widow Krystal Arthur and her two little boys are coping okay with life. She and her best friend, Roxy look out for each other, sharing the child-minding to give each other a break. But since she lost Evan two years earlier, Krystal has been plagued by questions to which there don’t seem to be answers. In particular: why, when he was meant to be working as a sommelier at a local restaurant, was Evan in a dark Sydney laneway being fatally knocked down by a hit-and-run driver?
This intriguing start will have readers eagerly turning the pages to see how the mystery will be solved, but there’s also the bonus of a bit of romance and the ups and downs which are de riguer for families with kids and ageing grandparents. Moon has a real talent for creating characters that are appealing for all their very human flaws. In this case, despite marriage break-ups, the families at the core of the story are made of good people who support, and care about, each other. However, as an ambassador for organ donation, Cordelia-Aurora is an abject failure. As a person, well, room for improvement.
Moon is even-handed in her treatment of the organ donation dilemma. As well as illustrating the enormous benefits that it can afford the recipient, she also demonstrates both the physical and psychological burdens of this gift of life: the life-long medication, the danger of even mild infection, the threat of organ rejection, the shorter life expectancy, the guilt and feelings of beholden-ness to the donor’s family and the lingering obligation to live well this new life granted.
As well, she clearly depicts what the loved ones of the donor experience at the time of making this momentous decision, some of the possible reasons for their objection, and ongoing feelings and emotions. Given that much has already been written about cellular memory, readers with an open mind will have no problem with the paranormal aspect of this story, and it is worth reading in the author’s notes describing what inspired this novel.
Moon seems to outdo herself with each successive novel, and this one is no exception. Topical, thought-provoking and moving, this is another outstanding read.
This unbiased review is from a copy provided by Penguin Random House Australia.
Her children are a joy, and if only her ex would step up to his responsibilities with them instead of pleading new-baby fatigue, everything would be perfect. So Gabby is uneasy and a little frightened when, soon after seeing a woman sitting in her café, her heart begins to pound and she sees a disturbing vision involving a dark alley, a bright light and fear, a lot of it.
Young widow Krystal Arthur and her two little boys are coping okay with life. She and her best friend, Roxy look out for each other, sharing the child-minding to give each other a break. But since she lost Evan two years earlier, Krystal has been plagued by questions to which there don’t seem to be answers. In particular: why, when he was meant to be working as a sommelier at a local restaurant, was Evan in a dark Sydney laneway being fatally knocked down by a hit-and-run driver?
This intriguing start will have readers eagerly turning the pages to see how the mystery will be solved, but there’s also the bonus of a bit of romance and the ups and downs which are de riguer for families with kids and ageing grandparents. Moon has a real talent for creating characters that are appealing for all their very human flaws. In this case, despite marriage break-ups, the families at the core of the story are made of good people who support, and care about, each other. However, as an ambassador for organ donation, Cordelia-Aurora is an abject failure. As a person, well, room for improvement.
Moon is even-handed in her treatment of the organ donation dilemma. As well as illustrating the enormous benefits that it can afford the recipient, she also demonstrates both the physical and psychological burdens of this gift of life: the life-long medication, the danger of even mild infection, the threat of organ rejection, the shorter life expectancy, the guilt and feelings of beholden-ness to the donor’s family and the lingering obligation to live well this new life granted.
As well, she clearly depicts what the loved ones of the donor experience at the time of making this momentous decision, some of the possible reasons for their objection, and ongoing feelings and emotions. Given that much has already been written about cellular memory, readers with an open mind will have no problem with the paranormal aspect of this story, and it is worth reading in the author’s notes describing what inspired this novel.
Moon seems to outdo herself with each successive novel, and this one is no exception. Topical, thought-provoking and moving, this is another outstanding read.
This unbiased review is from a copy provided by Penguin Random House Australia.
April 14, 2019
*https://mrsbbookreviews.wordpress.com
4.5 stars
‘Gabby liked the bustle and the noise. It was evidence of life all around her, a life she desperately wanted to be a part of for many years yet.’
Imagine that you were given the ultimate gift of life, a second chance in the face of almost certain death. For Gabby, a coffee connoisseur and cafe owner, a heart transplant gave her another chance to live her life. However, since the life changing operation things have not returned to normal. Gabby can’t put her finger on it, but the appearance of a mysterious woman in her cafe provides the all important link to Gabby’s uneasiness. Josephine Moon’s latest novel, The Gift of Life truly is a gift to any reader that chooses to read this title. It is moving, uplifting, intriguing and life affirming.
The Gift of Life is a book that hit close to home for me. My family has directly experienced organ donation and the process of a heart transplant, which is the focal point of this book. It was a long and emotional journey for us that had both a high moment and a very low experience. Unfortunately, rejection and infection set in and we lost our beloved family member. The feelings are still as vivid and raw today, as much as it was almost twelve years ago. It left a deep impression on our family, and we are incredibly thankful for the gift of life we received. Although I am writing this with tears welling up and our lost family member is close in my thoughts, The Gift of Life for me is an essential book. Josephine Moon’s latest gives a voice to organ donation and the life giving work of transplants.
Moving away from my personal connection to this novel, I have to remark on just how informative, educative and accurate the process of organ donation and the transplant experience was highlighted in The Gift of Life. Moon is mindful of presenting the facts and reality of the situation with a mindfulness that respects those who have been impacted by a similar experience. As our much loved family member passed away not long after the transplant operation, we never got the chance to discuss some of the feelings other organ recipients may have experienced. The acquisition of distinctive personal traits, memories and characteristics of the donor was handled extremely well by Moon. This has been evidenced by her ‘Acknowledgements’ section. It definitely makes for some thought provoking reading, which also made me think that The Gift of Life would be a fantastic book club title. There is just so much to discuss!
Friendship, an unlikely bond, trust and altruism are strong themes in The Gift of Life. I liked how the friendship between Gabby and Krystal developed over time and circumstance. It was an unusual way to form a friendship, but Moon makes us see that it is possible. The way these two women worked as team to solve the mystery underpinning this novel and Evan’s life was hopeful. I appreciated this aspect of the novel very much.
Those who are fans of Josephine Moon’s work will know she always incorporates a food angle within her books and this one of no exception to the rule! Gabby owns The Tin Man, a boutique cafe, known for its coffee roasting. I loved learning more about the coffee roasting business, it is quite an art! Moon takes this opportunity to tie in a great side romance and she throws in some mostly fabulous supporting cast. I had some trouble with Evan’s family, but on the whole, the rest of the cast were appealing and readable.
Readers will really appreciate the central mystery of this novel, it runs parallel to the other events in the story, such as the romance, friendship and the process of change both women undertake after the transplant. I was intrigued from the start by the mystery surrounding Evan’s death. I had plenty of questions and a couple of theories in my mind as to what Evan was doing the night he died. This element of the novel will keep readers on their toes. The final turn of events reminds us of the fragility of life and how it is important to embrace what we have – make the most of it.
The Gift of Life represents another fabulous read from Josephine Moon, who seems to have settled into the life lit genre extremely well. This one struck a personal chord for me and I am sure it will unite all readers.
‘This life, right here, right now. This amazing gift of life.’
*I wish to thank Penguin Books Australia for providing me with a free copy of this book for review purposes.
The Gift of Life is book #48 of the 2019 Australian Women Writers Challenge
4.5 stars
‘Gabby liked the bustle and the noise. It was evidence of life all around her, a life she desperately wanted to be a part of for many years yet.’
Imagine that you were given the ultimate gift of life, a second chance in the face of almost certain death. For Gabby, a coffee connoisseur and cafe owner, a heart transplant gave her another chance to live her life. However, since the life changing operation things have not returned to normal. Gabby can’t put her finger on it, but the appearance of a mysterious woman in her cafe provides the all important link to Gabby’s uneasiness. Josephine Moon’s latest novel, The Gift of Life truly is a gift to any reader that chooses to read this title. It is moving, uplifting, intriguing and life affirming.
The Gift of Life is a book that hit close to home for me. My family has directly experienced organ donation and the process of a heart transplant, which is the focal point of this book. It was a long and emotional journey for us that had both a high moment and a very low experience. Unfortunately, rejection and infection set in and we lost our beloved family member. The feelings are still as vivid and raw today, as much as it was almost twelve years ago. It left a deep impression on our family, and we are incredibly thankful for the gift of life we received. Although I am writing this with tears welling up and our lost family member is close in my thoughts, The Gift of Life for me is an essential book. Josephine Moon’s latest gives a voice to organ donation and the life giving work of transplants.
Moving away from my personal connection to this novel, I have to remark on just how informative, educative and accurate the process of organ donation and the transplant experience was highlighted in The Gift of Life. Moon is mindful of presenting the facts and reality of the situation with a mindfulness that respects those who have been impacted by a similar experience. As our much loved family member passed away not long after the transplant operation, we never got the chance to discuss some of the feelings other organ recipients may have experienced. The acquisition of distinctive personal traits, memories and characteristics of the donor was handled extremely well by Moon. This has been evidenced by her ‘Acknowledgements’ section. It definitely makes for some thought provoking reading, which also made me think that The Gift of Life would be a fantastic book club title. There is just so much to discuss!
Friendship, an unlikely bond, trust and altruism are strong themes in The Gift of Life. I liked how the friendship between Gabby and Krystal developed over time and circumstance. It was an unusual way to form a friendship, but Moon makes us see that it is possible. The way these two women worked as team to solve the mystery underpinning this novel and Evan’s life was hopeful. I appreciated this aspect of the novel very much.
Those who are fans of Josephine Moon’s work will know she always incorporates a food angle within her books and this one of no exception to the rule! Gabby owns The Tin Man, a boutique cafe, known for its coffee roasting. I loved learning more about the coffee roasting business, it is quite an art! Moon takes this opportunity to tie in a great side romance and she throws in some mostly fabulous supporting cast. I had some trouble with Evan’s family, but on the whole, the rest of the cast were appealing and readable.
Readers will really appreciate the central mystery of this novel, it runs parallel to the other events in the story, such as the romance, friendship and the process of change both women undertake after the transplant. I was intrigued from the start by the mystery surrounding Evan’s death. I had plenty of questions and a couple of theories in my mind as to what Evan was doing the night he died. This element of the novel will keep readers on their toes. The final turn of events reminds us of the fragility of life and how it is important to embrace what we have – make the most of it.
The Gift of Life represents another fabulous read from Josephine Moon, who seems to have settled into the life lit genre extremely well. This one struck a personal chord for me and I am sure it will unite all readers.
‘This life, right here, right now. This amazing gift of life.’
*I wish to thank Penguin Books Australia for providing me with a free copy of this book for review purposes.
The Gift of Life is book #48 of the 2019 Australian Women Writers Challenge
July 24, 2019
I have loved every single book Josephine Moon has written. But this one didn’t wow me as much as the others. Still a good read but didn’t have me feverishly turning pages as her others have.
January 12, 2021
The Gift Of Life is the fifth novel by Australian author, Josephine Moon. The audio version is narrated by Kat Stewart. It’s almost two years since divorced mother of three, Gabby McPhee received her heart transplant, and a year since she opened The Tin Man, her artisanal coffee business off Chapel Street in Melbourne’s South Yarra. Life is good. Her staff are great and her expert coffee roaster, the handsome Luciano is talented, if reticent.
Her children are a joy, and if only her ex would step up to his responsibilities with them instead of pleading new-baby fatigue, everything would be perfect. So Gabby is uneasy and a little frightened when, soon after seeing a woman sitting in her café, her heart begins to pound and she sees a disturbing vision involving a dark alley, a bright light and fear, a lot of it.
Young widow Krystal Arthur and her two little boys are coping okay with life. She and her best friend, Roxy look out for each other, sharing the child-minding to give each other a break. But since she lost Evan two years earlier, Krystal has been plagued by questions to which there don’t seem to be answers. In particular: why, when he was meant to be working as a sommelier at a local restaurant, was Evan in a dark Sydney laneway being fatally knocked down by a hit-and-run driver?
This intriguing start will have readers eagerly turning the pages to see how the mystery will be solved, but there’s also the bonus of a bit of romance and the ups and downs which are de riguer for families with kids and ageing grandparents. Moon has a real talent for creating characters that are appealing for all their very human flaws. In this case, despite marriage break-ups, the families at the core of the story are made of good people who support, and care about, each other. However, as an ambassador for organ donation, Cordelia-Aurora is an abject failure. As a person, well, room for improvement.
Moon is even-handed in her treatment of the organ donation dilemma. As well as illustrating the enormous benefits that it can afford the recipient, she also demonstrates both the physical and psychological burdens of this gift of life: the life-long medication, the danger of even mild infection, the threat of organ rejection, the shorter life expectancy, the guilt and feelings of beholden-ness to the donor’s family and the lingering obligation to live well this new life granted.
As well, she clearly depicts what the loved ones of the donor experience at the time of making this momentous decision, some of the possible reasons for their objection, and ongoing feelings and emotions. Given that much has already been written about cellular memory, readers with an open mind will have no problem with the paranormal aspect of this story, and it is worth reading in the author’s notes describing what inspired this novel.
Moon seems to outdo herself with each successive novel, and this one is no exception. Topical, thought-provoking and moving, this is another outstanding read.
Her children are a joy, and if only her ex would step up to his responsibilities with them instead of pleading new-baby fatigue, everything would be perfect. So Gabby is uneasy and a little frightened when, soon after seeing a woman sitting in her café, her heart begins to pound and she sees a disturbing vision involving a dark alley, a bright light and fear, a lot of it.
Young widow Krystal Arthur and her two little boys are coping okay with life. She and her best friend, Roxy look out for each other, sharing the child-minding to give each other a break. But since she lost Evan two years earlier, Krystal has been plagued by questions to which there don’t seem to be answers. In particular: why, when he was meant to be working as a sommelier at a local restaurant, was Evan in a dark Sydney laneway being fatally knocked down by a hit-and-run driver?
This intriguing start will have readers eagerly turning the pages to see how the mystery will be solved, but there’s also the bonus of a bit of romance and the ups and downs which are de riguer for families with kids and ageing grandparents. Moon has a real talent for creating characters that are appealing for all their very human flaws. In this case, despite marriage break-ups, the families at the core of the story are made of good people who support, and care about, each other. However, as an ambassador for organ donation, Cordelia-Aurora is an abject failure. As a person, well, room for improvement.
Moon is even-handed in her treatment of the organ donation dilemma. As well as illustrating the enormous benefits that it can afford the recipient, she also demonstrates both the physical and psychological burdens of this gift of life: the life-long medication, the danger of even mild infection, the threat of organ rejection, the shorter life expectancy, the guilt and feelings of beholden-ness to the donor’s family and the lingering obligation to live well this new life granted.
As well, she clearly depicts what the loved ones of the donor experience at the time of making this momentous decision, some of the possible reasons for their objection, and ongoing feelings and emotions. Given that much has already been written about cellular memory, readers with an open mind will have no problem with the paranormal aspect of this story, and it is worth reading in the author’s notes describing what inspired this novel.
Moon seems to outdo herself with each successive novel, and this one is no exception. Topical, thought-provoking and moving, this is another outstanding read.
January 27, 2021
A wonderfully rich story, exploring heart transplant, life, family, friendship, love of all kinds and some mystery. A little touch of life after death. Loved the characters, and exploring how you can’t judge someone until all the facts are in. Best Josephine Moon book yet.
June 23, 2019
Fabulous read - engaging, informative, poignant.
My View:
A fabulous read - engaging, informative, and poignant.
This is a very moving narrative; organ donation is subject that has recently received deserved attention in the media and despite that increased attention there seems to be so much more that is needed to be done. https://donatelife.gov.au/about-donat... What I really enjoyed about this story was hearing the unique voice of the character who is a recipient – each day a gift but with that gift are so many caveats.
Then there is the mystery.
This is a very engaging read; life is exposed in all its fragile beauty – difficult, tiring, exasperating, frustrating, challenging, worthwhile, exhilarating, loving and precious. Themes of family, friendship, love, loss, grief and second chances dominate this read. Josephine Moon has written characters that you will genuinely care about wrapped in a narrative that is complex and discusses many contemporary issues.
My View:
A fabulous read - engaging, informative, and poignant.
This is a very moving narrative; organ donation is subject that has recently received deserved attention in the media and despite that increased attention there seems to be so much more that is needed to be done. https://donatelife.gov.au/about-donat... What I really enjoyed about this story was hearing the unique voice of the character who is a recipient – each day a gift but with that gift are so many caveats.
Then there is the mystery.
This is a very engaging read; life is exposed in all its fragile beauty – difficult, tiring, exasperating, frustrating, challenging, worthwhile, exhilarating, loving and precious. Themes of family, friendship, love, loss, grief and second chances dominate this read. Josephine Moon has written characters that you will genuinely care about wrapped in a narrative that is complex and discusses many contemporary issues.
July 18, 2019
Do you believe that death is the end of life or the continuance of another form of life? In Josephine Moon's lastest novel, she has you asking exactly that question. Tackling a highly emotive issue, organ donation, Jo weaves a beautiful narrative and has us rallying so hard for the characters that I feared my own heart would break. I always love Jo's novels and this one is no exception. It is a must read!
July 29, 2025
This was an interesting book about how there are memories stored in transplant organs and how this helped out a mystery. Some of the characters were unlikeable but it was ok.
August 25, 2019
What a surprising novel. The blurb sums up the the main themes of the book - organ transplantation, family life and dealing with loss but it is so much more and I loved it for that reason.
Gabby McPhee, her extended family from her ex-husband, to her business and of course children and the father she lives with, are central to the story. However, Krystal and her family lead to the growth of the story, chapter by chapter. Her early years, her boys and of course the despicable wealthy in-laws.
There is so much more to this story beyond the core ideas and I’m very happy that I continued reading beyond the first quarter which felt a little stereotypical - it is not! Beautifully written, fantastic characterisation, excellent Australian identity, thoroughly enjoyable and refreshingly unique!
Gabby McPhee, her extended family from her ex-husband, to her business and of course children and the father she lives with, are central to the story. However, Krystal and her family lead to the growth of the story, chapter by chapter. Her early years, her boys and of course the despicable wealthy in-laws.
There is so much more to this story beyond the core ideas and I’m very happy that I continued reading beyond the first quarter which felt a little stereotypical - it is not! Beautifully written, fantastic characterisation, excellent Australian identity, thoroughly enjoyable and refreshingly unique!
May 23, 2019
‘There it was, beating away, pumping her blood, keeping her alive. Someone else’s heart. A heart full of nerve cells that had lived inside another human being from not long after conception to their time of death. A heart that might have travelled the world. Fallen in love. Been betrayed. Been educated. Indulged. Danced. Lied. Cheated. Gambled. Recovered. Swum in foreign oceans. Rock climbed. Painted. Loved horror movies. Craved friendships. Felt, seen or experienced a million things that Gabby never had.’
What a novel this one turned out to be! I had fairly high expectations of this being excellent, I’ve read Josephine Moon’s previous novels, but this story still managed to catch me by surprise. The extent of my engagement with the process of organ donation to date has been to tick yes on my driver’s license and make it clear to my husband that this is what I want in the event of my death. I’ve never had to go through the process of donating a loved one’s organs (as yet), and I’ve also never had to deal with the recipient side of things. So everything I read in this novel was fairly new to me. It’s such a deeply personal decision, with such wide reaching effects, and I think that Josephine Moon has crafted a story about this with the utmost sensitivity and insight. The Gift of Life is a special novel that contains a valuable and well-balanced presentation of both the benefits and difficulties of organ donation, offering insight from both the donating family and the recipient.
‘She rinsed the breakfast bowls, thinking about the scar that ran down Gabriella’s chest, imagining what it might look like, wondering if it was straight or jagged, an ugly purple or fine white. She wanted to see it. It would be an exquisite horror, a breathtaking pain, to see the line, the incision, and know that Evan’s heart was just there, centimetres below. Krystal craved that pain. It was sick, clearly. Probably something like deliberately cutting herself with a knife.’
Gabby is the recipient of a heart and two years on, has begun to feel the presence of her donator through sensory experiences and vivid dreams. Krystal is the wife of Gabby’s donator and is desperately seeking answers that will help her understand why her husband was in another state when he died, instead of up the road at his job. A newspaper article in which Gabby accidentally discloses the date of her transplant provides the catalyst for these two women meeting. There is a lot of mysticism woven throughout the narrative and it does require the reader to let go a bit and just go with it. Everything Josephine has written is backed by anecdotal evidence, but even so, it could still be a leap for some. I don’t have a problem with this sort of storyline though, where souls linger and pass on messages, where people can be caught ‘in-between’ life and death. I think that if you’re brought up with any sort of religious influences, ideas of souls and the afterlife are pretty much par for the course. I found myself heavily invested in this story, the plausibility of it not a stretch at all. It’s fascinating, but also a bit frightening, to think that the recipient of a donated organ might feel, smell, see, taste and remember things the way the original owner of the organ might have done. I’m not too sure about visitations by the spirit of the deceased donator, but in this case, within this story, it all worked for me.
‘Not only did Gabby have Evan’s heart, she had his memories too. His memories! The one thing that should have been exclusive to Krystal was her memories of Evan and of their lives away from his interfering family or his toffy friends or even the friends they’d shared at the restaurant. The one thing she had to offer her children were memories. And now a stranger – another woman – could lay claim to them.’
Needless to say, The Gift of Life is a highly emotional story. But it’s a beautiful one. Josephine Moon deftly handles the minefield of issues and difficulties associated with such a delicate topic. I really felt so much compassion for both Gabby and Krystal, their burdens and pain, their hopes for their future, and their mutual need for answers from Evan. They were both wonderfully flawed, so realistic, and I really enjoyed spending time with them. This novel is perhaps the lightest from Josephine in terms of her trademark food-lit slant, and while I missed the deliciousness of her previous novels, there is plenty here about coffee, all of which I knew nothing about prior to reading. I had no idea, for example, that the coffee beans themselves can be flavoured; I thought the flavours just came from the syrups added during the brewing process. I’m pleading tea drinker status here, I don’t drink coffee at all, so I guess it should come as no surprise that everything to do with coffee was new to me. The Gift of Life is one novel I highly recommend, far and wide. Despite the gravity of the themes, the characters are terrific and there are plenty of moments of sunshine and laughter. This is above all a very hopeful read, up-lifting and insightful.
‘We’ll give up drinking and we’ll spend our money on disgusting, healthy green juices or something.’
Krystal shuddered. ‘We don’t have to do that, do we? Couldn’t we spend our money on imported cheese or something?’
‘Yes! Even better.’
‘All right, done. Cheese it is.’
Thanks is extended to Penguin Random House Australia for providing me with a copy of The Gift of Life for review.
What a novel this one turned out to be! I had fairly high expectations of this being excellent, I’ve read Josephine Moon’s previous novels, but this story still managed to catch me by surprise. The extent of my engagement with the process of organ donation to date has been to tick yes on my driver’s license and make it clear to my husband that this is what I want in the event of my death. I’ve never had to go through the process of donating a loved one’s organs (as yet), and I’ve also never had to deal with the recipient side of things. So everything I read in this novel was fairly new to me. It’s such a deeply personal decision, with such wide reaching effects, and I think that Josephine Moon has crafted a story about this with the utmost sensitivity and insight. The Gift of Life is a special novel that contains a valuable and well-balanced presentation of both the benefits and difficulties of organ donation, offering insight from both the donating family and the recipient.
‘She rinsed the breakfast bowls, thinking about the scar that ran down Gabriella’s chest, imagining what it might look like, wondering if it was straight or jagged, an ugly purple or fine white. She wanted to see it. It would be an exquisite horror, a breathtaking pain, to see the line, the incision, and know that Evan’s heart was just there, centimetres below. Krystal craved that pain. It was sick, clearly. Probably something like deliberately cutting herself with a knife.’
Gabby is the recipient of a heart and two years on, has begun to feel the presence of her donator through sensory experiences and vivid dreams. Krystal is the wife of Gabby’s donator and is desperately seeking answers that will help her understand why her husband was in another state when he died, instead of up the road at his job. A newspaper article in which Gabby accidentally discloses the date of her transplant provides the catalyst for these two women meeting. There is a lot of mysticism woven throughout the narrative and it does require the reader to let go a bit and just go with it. Everything Josephine has written is backed by anecdotal evidence, but even so, it could still be a leap for some. I don’t have a problem with this sort of storyline though, where souls linger and pass on messages, where people can be caught ‘in-between’ life and death. I think that if you’re brought up with any sort of religious influences, ideas of souls and the afterlife are pretty much par for the course. I found myself heavily invested in this story, the plausibility of it not a stretch at all. It’s fascinating, but also a bit frightening, to think that the recipient of a donated organ might feel, smell, see, taste and remember things the way the original owner of the organ might have done. I’m not too sure about visitations by the spirit of the deceased donator, but in this case, within this story, it all worked for me.
‘Not only did Gabby have Evan’s heart, she had his memories too. His memories! The one thing that should have been exclusive to Krystal was her memories of Evan and of their lives away from his interfering family or his toffy friends or even the friends they’d shared at the restaurant. The one thing she had to offer her children were memories. And now a stranger – another woman – could lay claim to them.’
Needless to say, The Gift of Life is a highly emotional story. But it’s a beautiful one. Josephine Moon deftly handles the minefield of issues and difficulties associated with such a delicate topic. I really felt so much compassion for both Gabby and Krystal, their burdens and pain, their hopes for their future, and their mutual need for answers from Evan. They were both wonderfully flawed, so realistic, and I really enjoyed spending time with them. This novel is perhaps the lightest from Josephine in terms of her trademark food-lit slant, and while I missed the deliciousness of her previous novels, there is plenty here about coffee, all of which I knew nothing about prior to reading. I had no idea, for example, that the coffee beans themselves can be flavoured; I thought the flavours just came from the syrups added during the brewing process. I’m pleading tea drinker status here, I don’t drink coffee at all, so I guess it should come as no surprise that everything to do with coffee was new to me. The Gift of Life is one novel I highly recommend, far and wide. Despite the gravity of the themes, the characters are terrific and there are plenty of moments of sunshine and laughter. This is above all a very hopeful read, up-lifting and insightful.
‘We’ll give up drinking and we’ll spend our money on disgusting, healthy green juices or something.’
Krystal shuddered. ‘We don’t have to do that, do we? Couldn’t we spend our money on imported cheese or something?’
‘Yes! Even better.’
‘All right, done. Cheese it is.’
Thanks is extended to Penguin Random House Australia for providing me with a copy of The Gift of Life for review.
May 1, 2019
You can’t go wrong with a book by Josephine Moon. Another wonderful read!
March 22, 2019
I'm a diehard mystery/thriller fan and I nearly didn't read because I thought Josephine moon's previous books although my friends loved them weren't my cup of tea (pun intended). I'm so glad I gave this a go! A gripping read, full of mystery, love, and truly deep connections between those who are alive, those who are dead and those somewhere in between. What a cracker of a read! Read it you won't be disappointed.
April 26, 2019
Would you be brave enough to follow your heart even if it wasn’t your own? I have never read a Josephine Moon book so came into The Gift of Life without knowing what to expect. The concept that messages can be transferred through organ donation is an interesting one given organ donation is so topical and the concept grabbed my interest from the outset. The idea of people finding new skills or suddenly liking or disliking something after organ donation is something that I could easily imagine therefore enjoyed reading about. I also enjoyed that this book gave a different perspective through Krystal, not everyone is for organ donation and if it was you in that moment having to make the call you might find it an extremely difficult decision. I think in life we often make bold statements but it’s not until you experience something that you know what you’ll do so I appreciated that point of view. I liked the mystery factor in the plot but thought it could have been added to, sometimes it felt quite rushed and could have done with a bit more grit. I found Gabby likeable but she also made me roll my eyes at times particularly in her interactions with her ex husband and sister. I also struggled with Krystal’s backstory I thought that could have been better thought out so it had more success of pulling you in. I had high expectations so that’s why it was an underwhelming read for me but I can see how a lot of people have loved this book as well, it has excellent bones. An enjoyable read 3.5 stars
August 6, 2020
The Gift of Life by Josephine Moon really caught me by surprise for a couple of reasons, one because it appeared on my doorstep sent to me by a friend as a random act of kindness and the second reason this book caught me by surprise was it put my monthly reading off track as the moment I started reading it all other books got put to one side and I was hooked.
I’d intended to just flick through the first couple of pages but before I knew it I was several chapters in following as story of Gabby and Krystal, their families and the connection between them unravel.
Gabby McPhee is the owner of The Tin Man, a chic new cafe and coffee roasting house in Melbourne. The struggles of her recent heart transplant are behind her and life is looking up – until a mysterious customer appears in the cafe, convinced that Gabby has her deceased husband’s heart beating inside her chest.
Krystal Arthur is a bereaved widow, struggling to hold herself and her two young boys together since Evan’s death, and plagued by unanswered questions. Why was her husband in another city the night he died? And why won’t his spirit rest?
This book was quite thought provoking, it made me think about organ donation which is quite timely as they have recently been advertising here in Australia about the changes to registering as a donor, it’s no longer ticking a box on your driver’s licence.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book, it’s a beautiful read and recommend it highly!
I’d intended to just flick through the first couple of pages but before I knew it I was several chapters in following as story of Gabby and Krystal, their families and the connection between them unravel.
Gabby McPhee is the owner of The Tin Man, a chic new cafe and coffee roasting house in Melbourne. The struggles of her recent heart transplant are behind her and life is looking up – until a mysterious customer appears in the cafe, convinced that Gabby has her deceased husband’s heart beating inside her chest.
Krystal Arthur is a bereaved widow, struggling to hold herself and her two young boys together since Evan’s death, and plagued by unanswered questions. Why was her husband in another city the night he died? And why won’t his spirit rest?
This book was quite thought provoking, it made me think about organ donation which is quite timely as they have recently been advertising here in Australia about the changes to registering as a donor, it’s no longer ticking a box on your driver’s licence.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book, it’s a beautiful read and recommend it highly!
August 8, 2019
I really wish I'd enjoyed this more. The whole idea was interesting, but the story was sooooo slow to build, and it was struggling to hold my attention until a good ways in. I have to say it felt a bit anticlimactic, but it was still an enjoyable read.
I think I would have enjoyed it less if I hadn't known how much research Josephine Moon put into this novel. I attended an author talk at the local library when she was promoting this novel, and it was really interesting hearing all the things she'd learnt about cellular memory during her research.
If you have a fascination for that kind of stuff and need a bit of a Liane Moriarty style read, definitely give this a go.
I think I would have enjoyed it less if I hadn't known how much research Josephine Moon put into this novel. I attended an author talk at the local library when she was promoting this novel, and it was really interesting hearing all the things she'd learnt about cellular memory during her research.
If you have a fascination for that kind of stuff and need a bit of a Liane Moriarty style read, definitely give this a go.
April 22, 2019
The Gift of Life is the fifth contemporary book by Aussie author, Josephine Moon. I have enjoyed Moon's previous novels and her latest release is her best to date. Set in Melbourne, this is the story of two protagonists; Gabby and Krystal. I thoroughly enjoyed going back to Melbourne and being able to envisage the the simple things in life such as tram trips! Gabby and Krystal have distinctive voices as they tell their stories in the third person through alternating chapters. Using these characters, Moon explores a variety of issues that are relevant to readers today; heart transplants, family, friendship, animal therapy, old age and life after death to name just a few!
Using research and emotion, Moon delves into the world of a heart transplant recipient with Gabby McPhee. A divorced woman, Gabby has been given the gift of life with Evan's heart. She has much to live for as a mother of three children; Summer, Celia and Charlie. Her sister, Pipa, provides much needed support and advice while her father, Monty, is the male role model in his grandchildrens lives. Unexpected romance comes knocking as Gabby contiues to be the proud owner of The Tin Man Cafe, with its name bearing personal connotations. Despite all the goodness in her life, Gabby is struggling... is she leading the best life she can with a second chance? Why is she dreaming and having visions that appear to belong to someone else? Should she persue a relationship when statistics show transplant recipients only live for ten years? It is only when Krystal walks into her life, that the pieces start to come together for Gabby.
Krystal Arthur is Evan's widow and a mother. She is a mother to two children, young Olly and Jasper. Krystal's friendship with her best friend, Roxy, has helped her through her darkest hours. These darkest hours involve dealing with Evan's rich family, in particular his siter, when heart breaking decisions need to be made. Krstyal too, has many unanswered questions that she is striving to answer since the death of Evan, the primary one being why wasn't Evan in Melbourne when he died? The answer seems obvious to the reader and it appears that Krystal is in denial for much of her personal journey. Things aren't what they seem though, and the answer is an uncliched surprise as Moon uses it as an opportunity to bring legal issues to the forefront.
The Gift of Life is THE book to read if you are looking for something thought provoking and that will leave you pondering after you have finished the last page.
#AWWC16#
Using research and emotion, Moon delves into the world of a heart transplant recipient with Gabby McPhee. A divorced woman, Gabby has been given the gift of life with Evan's heart. She has much to live for as a mother of three children; Summer, Celia and Charlie. Her sister, Pipa, provides much needed support and advice while her father, Monty, is the male role model in his grandchildrens lives. Unexpected romance comes knocking as Gabby contiues to be the proud owner of The Tin Man Cafe, with its name bearing personal connotations. Despite all the goodness in her life, Gabby is struggling... is she leading the best life she can with a second chance? Why is she dreaming and having visions that appear to belong to someone else? Should she persue a relationship when statistics show transplant recipients only live for ten years? It is only when Krystal walks into her life, that the pieces start to come together for Gabby.
Krystal Arthur is Evan's widow and a mother. She is a mother to two children, young Olly and Jasper. Krystal's friendship with her best friend, Roxy, has helped her through her darkest hours. These darkest hours involve dealing with Evan's rich family, in particular his siter, when heart breaking decisions need to be made. Krstyal too, has many unanswered questions that she is striving to answer since the death of Evan, the primary one being why wasn't Evan in Melbourne when he died? The answer seems obvious to the reader and it appears that Krystal is in denial for much of her personal journey. Things aren't what they seem though, and the answer is an uncliched surprise as Moon uses it as an opportunity to bring legal issues to the forefront.
The Gift of Life is THE book to read if you are looking for something thought provoking and that will leave you pondering after you have finished the last page.
#AWWC16#
April 17, 2020
4 stars
If you’re not already on the Josephine Moon bandwagon, you absolutely should be! She’s an amazing Australian author and The Gift of Life is another must read book from her.
Gabby owns Melbourne’s The Tin Man cafe and coffee roasting house, named so because of her recent heart transplant. Recipients and the family of donors aren’t allowed to know each other’s identities; but Krystal is convinced that Gabby’s heart has come from her deceased husband Evan.
Evan and Krystal also lived in Melbourne; but Evan died in a hit and run car accident in Sydney. Krystal didn’t even know he was in Sydney, thinking he was at work just down the road. What was he doing in Sydney and who was he meeting? Was he cheating on her or was it something else completely and what can Gabby do to help her find the answers she’s so desperately looking for?
The Gift of Life is a beautifully written book. The chapters alternate between the main characters, Gabby and Krystal; beginning with what’s going on their lives and building up to their joint search for Krystal’s answers. There’s a host of supporting characters for both woman and they bring a lot to the plot. Speaking of the plot, it’s engaging and has a good mixture of drama, intrigue, mystery, romance, family dynamics and sinister acts. There’s also a couple of excellent plot twists that escalate this book far beyond the usually fluff of chick lit.
I highly recommend The Gift of Life. Fans of this talented Aussie author will already know how good her writing is, but for those that are new to Moon’s writing; I put her up there with Marian Keyes and Jane Green.
To play along with my Book Bingo and to see what else I’m reading, go to #ktbookbingo and @kt_elder on Instagram.
If you’re not already on the Josephine Moon bandwagon, you absolutely should be! She’s an amazing Australian author and The Gift of Life is another must read book from her.
Gabby owns Melbourne’s The Tin Man cafe and coffee roasting house, named so because of her recent heart transplant. Recipients and the family of donors aren’t allowed to know each other’s identities; but Krystal is convinced that Gabby’s heart has come from her deceased husband Evan.
Evan and Krystal also lived in Melbourne; but Evan died in a hit and run car accident in Sydney. Krystal didn’t even know he was in Sydney, thinking he was at work just down the road. What was he doing in Sydney and who was he meeting? Was he cheating on her or was it something else completely and what can Gabby do to help her find the answers she’s so desperately looking for?
The Gift of Life is a beautifully written book. The chapters alternate between the main characters, Gabby and Krystal; beginning with what’s going on their lives and building up to their joint search for Krystal’s answers. There’s a host of supporting characters for both woman and they bring a lot to the plot. Speaking of the plot, it’s engaging and has a good mixture of drama, intrigue, mystery, romance, family dynamics and sinister acts. There’s also a couple of excellent plot twists that escalate this book far beyond the usually fluff of chick lit.
I highly recommend The Gift of Life. Fans of this talented Aussie author will already know how good her writing is, but for those that are new to Moon’s writing; I put her up there with Marian Keyes and Jane Green.
To play along with my Book Bingo and to see what else I’m reading, go to #ktbookbingo and @kt_elder on Instagram.
November 6, 2023
This is a book that really makes you think. I quite enjoyed it and found that the further in I read the more I liked it. The subject matter was quite interesting and the family dynamics of all the families involved made it such a real story.
As always, Josephine Moon writes a very intriguing book and I suppose in some respects could be a bit controversial and one of those books that would be a great book club read as everyone would have a differing opinion.
Loved the writing and the characters and found it thought provoking and had me wondering if this sort of thing happens often. Interesting and a good read.
The Gift of Life
Josephine Moon
As always, Josephine Moon writes a very intriguing book and I suppose in some respects could be a bit controversial and one of those books that would be a great book club read as everyone would have a differing opinion.
Loved the writing and the characters and found it thought provoking and had me wondering if this sort of thing happens often. Interesting and a good read.
The Gift of Life
Josephine Moon
October 20, 2019
Really enjoyed reading this one. I literally could not put it down. It's a great book. I'd have liked to "see" Cordelia's reactions in court, but I suppose that's another book altogether.
November 8, 2022
I have read and loved all of Josephine Moon's books. The Gift of Life had me totally engrossed from the 1st page and was another great read by this author.
January 21, 2020
Gabby is the owner of The Tin Man, a chic new coffee house in Melbourne. The struggles of her recent heart transplant are behind her and life is looking up - until Krystal appears in the cafe, convinced that Gabby has her deceased husband’s heart beating inside her chest. The two women must come together to try to unlock the secrets Evan’s heart ✨ The heart has secrets, always remember that even if that heart hasn’t always belonged to you. This book centred around organ donation, which is a topical subject. The two women - Gabby and Krystal grew on me. I was intrigued about Evan and his death. I felt the book started off slow but then it all came together and I couldn’t stop listening. Looking forward to reading more of this author. 3.5 ⭐️
April 18, 2019
I was intrigued by the premise of this book when I read the blurb because I think it presents an interesting ethical question as well as tapping into the heightened emotions of organ donation. And there were elements of this book that I enjoyed, however I think that your mileage may vary depending on just how much you are willing to delve into something that presents organ donation as much more than just a physical transaction.
Gabby received a heart transplant 2 years ago and all has gone well. She’s opened a new business, a coffee shop in Melbourne and one of the things I did really enjoy about this book was Gabby’s devotion to coffee and her shop, to the point where she employs a roaster to roast all their blends and offerings on site. I love coffee but I’m not what you’d call a coffee snob – I can’t pick notes and flavours and I don’t know my single origin Peruvian from my Kenyan and Ethiopian blends. I just know what I like and there are plenty of great cafes where I live out here on the outskirts of Melbourne to get my fix. Melbourne really is truly devoted to its coffee and I think that definitely came through – to the point where Gabby’s kids were becoming aficionados, her oldest learning latte art and even the younger ones indulging in weak, milky coffees.
Gabby’s world is turned upside down when she accidentally gives away a bit more than she should in an interview which leads Krystal Arthur to her shop, convinced that the heart that now beats inside Gabby is from her husband, who was killed in an accident in Sydney. Apparently there are protocols around revealing the exact time a transplant is received, presumably to prevent families of the bereaved being sure who received their loved one’s organ and I can honestly see the wisdom in that. It’s a part of someone people knew and loved, that now keeps someone else alive. It would be tempting to befriend them to keep close to that piece…..or perhaps even air grievances that the recipient is alive but the donor is no longer. And Gabby and Krystal’s interactions are tested when Gabby realises Krystal’s true feelings about the donation. The decision to donate organs can be made by the next of kin if the person isn’t a stated organ donor and it’s very difficult to be in the right state of mind to make that decision for someone, because it means that they’re basically brain dead and being kept alive by machines. It’s the sort of decision that you can make and regret, either way and there are probably a lot of complicated feelings revolving around it. It’s not a decision I’d feel comfortable making for someone if I wasn’t 100% on their feelings on it either.
I’m a more practical than spiritual person so for me, this book was kind of a step too far in what a donor can share with the recipient. I know there are plenty of stories – people who wake up after receiving an organ transplant to realise they crave hamburgers when they were vegan before the operation or things similar to that. I think that probably some weird and unexplainable things do happen – but being able to witness whole scenes from the donor’s life was kind of too big a leap for me and Gabby basically becomes this detective using the memories she’s unlocking through the heart transplant (which seem to be mostly triggered by the arrival of Krystal in her life, because apparently her heart can hear her or sense she’s there, or however it’s explained) to solve just precisely how and why Krystal’s husband was killed. It suddenly became this big mystery about Krystal’s husband’s death and his family and it felt a bit of a swerve, like this was not what I was expecting and to be honest, I wasn’t particularly engaged with that part of it. I was more interested in what was going on with Gabby’s husband, who she co-parents with, but who has become increasingly disinterested in sharing the load. I felt as though that was quite an interesting situation and it could’ve been much more in depth than it was and the reveal was a bit lacklustre and lacking in the sort of impact. Perhaps because he’d spent most of the book doing as little as possible and was a character that inspired more irritation than sympathy until an abrupt about face that I felt needed a lot more exploration.
There were some interesting ideas here and some things that I enjoyed seeing explored but ultimately I felt that the direction things went in, just wasn’t for me personally and I found it a bit distracting from the things I was enjoying. There were a few elements that I felt could’ve benefited from more time spent on them (and some, probably, with less). Ultimately it was okay, but I didn’t love it.
***A copy of this book was provided by the publisher for the purpose of an honest review***
Gabby received a heart transplant 2 years ago and all has gone well. She’s opened a new business, a coffee shop in Melbourne and one of the things I did really enjoy about this book was Gabby’s devotion to coffee and her shop, to the point where she employs a roaster to roast all their blends and offerings on site. I love coffee but I’m not what you’d call a coffee snob – I can’t pick notes and flavours and I don’t know my single origin Peruvian from my Kenyan and Ethiopian blends. I just know what I like and there are plenty of great cafes where I live out here on the outskirts of Melbourne to get my fix. Melbourne really is truly devoted to its coffee and I think that definitely came through – to the point where Gabby’s kids were becoming aficionados, her oldest learning latte art and even the younger ones indulging in weak, milky coffees.
Gabby’s world is turned upside down when she accidentally gives away a bit more than she should in an interview which leads Krystal Arthur to her shop, convinced that the heart that now beats inside Gabby is from her husband, who was killed in an accident in Sydney. Apparently there are protocols around revealing the exact time a transplant is received, presumably to prevent families of the bereaved being sure who received their loved one’s organ and I can honestly see the wisdom in that. It’s a part of someone people knew and loved, that now keeps someone else alive. It would be tempting to befriend them to keep close to that piece…..or perhaps even air grievances that the recipient is alive but the donor is no longer. And Gabby and Krystal’s interactions are tested when Gabby realises Krystal’s true feelings about the donation. The decision to donate organs can be made by the next of kin if the person isn’t a stated organ donor and it’s very difficult to be in the right state of mind to make that decision for someone, because it means that they’re basically brain dead and being kept alive by machines. It’s the sort of decision that you can make and regret, either way and there are probably a lot of complicated feelings revolving around it. It’s not a decision I’d feel comfortable making for someone if I wasn’t 100% on their feelings on it either.
I’m a more practical than spiritual person so for me, this book was kind of a step too far in what a donor can share with the recipient. I know there are plenty of stories – people who wake up after receiving an organ transplant to realise they crave hamburgers when they were vegan before the operation or things similar to that. I think that probably some weird and unexplainable things do happen – but being able to witness whole scenes from the donor’s life was kind of too big a leap for me and Gabby basically becomes this detective using the memories she’s unlocking through the heart transplant (which seem to be mostly triggered by the arrival of Krystal in her life, because apparently her heart can hear her or sense she’s there, or however it’s explained) to solve just precisely how and why Krystal’s husband was killed. It suddenly became this big mystery about Krystal’s husband’s death and his family and it felt a bit of a swerve, like this was not what I was expecting and to be honest, I wasn’t particularly engaged with that part of it. I was more interested in what was going on with Gabby’s husband, who she co-parents with, but who has become increasingly disinterested in sharing the load. I felt as though that was quite an interesting situation and it could’ve been much more in depth than it was and the reveal was a bit lacklustre and lacking in the sort of impact. Perhaps because he’d spent most of the book doing as little as possible and was a character that inspired more irritation than sympathy until an abrupt about face that I felt needed a lot more exploration.
There were some interesting ideas here and some things that I enjoyed seeing explored but ultimately I felt that the direction things went in, just wasn’t for me personally and I found it a bit distracting from the things I was enjoying. There were a few elements that I felt could’ve benefited from more time spent on them (and some, probably, with less). Ultimately it was okay, but I didn’t love it.
***A copy of this book was provided by the publisher for the purpose of an honest review***
November 29, 2023
Gabby McPhee is celebrating the two year anniversary of receiving a heart transplant. Her business, The Tin Man is a successful cafe and coffee roasting house in Melbourne. Gabby has started to get disturbing visions which she believes are related to the person whose heart she has received.
The novel is a brilliant story that explores the intricacies of organ donation as well as family values and a dabble in the supernatural. A beautiful and highly recommended read from Australian author Josephine Moon.
The novel is a brilliant story that explores the intricacies of organ donation as well as family values and a dabble in the supernatural. A beautiful and highly recommended read from Australian author Josephine Moon.
May 9, 2019
The Gift of Life is an exceptional novel by Josephine Moon. Not only does it tell a great story of female friendship but touches your heart (literally). Gabby has received a heart transplant and is the owner of a boutique cafe in Melbourne called The Tin Man as a tribute to her recent operation. Krystal is still grieving for the sudden loss of her husband in a tragic accident which left her with two small boys to look after and no support from her late husbands family. When a journalist interviews Gabby, she lets it slip the date that she received her transplant, Krystal is convinced that Gabby must have her husband's heart and seeks her out.
Gabby never liked wine that much but now loves it and has a great "nose" for it. She has also been receiving flashbacks of situations she doesn't understand. Krystal is desperate to find out why her husband was in Sydney when he died, yet they live in Melbourne.
This book has it all, there is a hunky Coffee bean Roaster who works in Gabby's cafe, an ex husband who is losing the plot, a mystery to solve and the friendship that forms between the two women. I had the privilege to hear Josephine talk at my library workplace this week where she spoke about her research into organ donation and the subject of cellular memory which was fascinating to learn about. An excellent novel which also had a very satisfying ending!
Gabby never liked wine that much but now loves it and has a great "nose" for it. She has also been receiving flashbacks of situations she doesn't understand. Krystal is desperate to find out why her husband was in Sydney when he died, yet they live in Melbourne.
This book has it all, there is a hunky Coffee bean Roaster who works in Gabby's cafe, an ex husband who is losing the plot, a mystery to solve and the friendship that forms between the two women. I had the privilege to hear Josephine talk at my library workplace this week where she spoke about her research into organ donation and the subject of cellular memory which was fascinating to learn about. An excellent novel which also had a very satisfying ending!
March 5, 2023
“We know the realities of the world. We know that anything and everything can change in a single moment, because we’ve seen it firsthand. We know that the only way to live is right here, right now. What other choice is there?” ~ Luciano
Now and again, a story comes along that reminds us of the fragility of life- this is one of those stories.
I appreciated how well it all came together at the end, each characters’ life and inevitably, the consequences of their actions and life choices.
This book has it all;
*Powerful characters we love to hate (Cordelia De Vil)
*Second chances at love we hope to find
*Understanding & forgiveness for decisions we’ve made under duress
*Reminders that under the surface, we are all suffering for reasons unknown to others.
*Unexplainable connections to lives past and present
Thank you, Josephine Moon. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Now and again, a story comes along that reminds us of the fragility of life- this is one of those stories.
I appreciated how well it all came together at the end, each characters’ life and inevitably, the consequences of their actions and life choices.
This book has it all;
*Powerful characters we love to hate (Cordelia De Vil)
*Second chances at love we hope to find
*Understanding & forgiveness for decisions we’ve made under duress
*Reminders that under the surface, we are all suffering for reasons unknown to others.
*Unexplainable connections to lives past and present
Thank you, Josephine Moon. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
March 22, 2019
In this novel, Moon asks ‘How much of the original donor travels with their donated organs?’ For storytellers seeking emotional catalysts, this concept isn’t original. However, treading a well-trod path is not, in and of itself, an issue—it just presents the challenge of finding a new way to create an emotional arc. Unfortunately, The Gift of Life does not succeed in breathing new life into a tired plot point. The story leans into sentimentality and glosses over areas of grit—and also of potential nuance. Moon introduces several areas of friction, even outside of the fundamental—and often spiritual—interrogation of organ donation, but they are underexplored and unexploited, creating little opportunity for reader engagement. The neat, complete epilogue also creates missed opportunities for reflection. Readers who have enjoyed Moon’s previous books will surely be disappointed with the
lack of emotional resonance, but those seeking an unchallenging read for an afternoon will
appreciate the easiness of the writing and the contemporary representation of family.
lack of emotional resonance, but those seeking an unchallenging read for an afternoon will
appreciate the easiness of the writing and the contemporary representation of family.
September 8, 2019
The issue sounded interesting - Gabby, owner of a coffee roasting house and café in Melbourne, has received a heart transplant and a new lease on life. But the new heart brings with it some changes that she believes may relate to the donor.
Krystal is the bereaved widow of Evan and mother of two young boys. She is estranged from his wealthy and influential family and has tracked down the person that she believes received her husband's heart.
I was expecting the book to evolve and deal with the issues of donor family and recipient - but the book took a turn towards the occult and crime. A bit hard to swallow. And a bit too much information about how coffee beans are roasted for my taste - although I don't drink coffee. Maybe a coffee drinker would be fascinated.
Krystal is the bereaved widow of Evan and mother of two young boys. She is estranged from his wealthy and influential family and has tracked down the person that she believes received her husband's heart.
I was expecting the book to evolve and deal with the issues of donor family and recipient - but the book took a turn towards the occult and crime. A bit hard to swallow. And a bit too much information about how coffee beans are roasted for my taste - although I don't drink coffee. Maybe a coffee drinker would be fascinated.
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