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What's Worth Keeping
"A book as wise and unflinching as an old growth forest, filled with the capricious beauty and brutality of life. Kaya McLaren gives us a powerful, deeply moving story of a family in desperate need of healing and the paths each of them must walk to find it, and shows us how we might all find hope if we can pause long enough to listen to the whispers of nature." —Barbara O'Neal, Wall Street Journal, Washington Post, and Amazon Charts #1 bestselling author of When We Believed in Mermaids In Kaya McLaren's What's Worth Keeping, during one unforgettable summer, three generations of one family receive the best gift of all a second chance...The day her doctor says the one word that no one wants to hear, Amy Bergstrom discovers a secret that her husband of 25 years has been keeping from her. Now that the months of treatment and surgeries are behind her, she escapes her claustrophobic life seeking healing, peace and clarity in an ancient forest in Washington State, a forest that holds memories of her childhood summers.After dropping off his daughter at Amy’s Aunt Rae’s horse ranch in the mountains of New Mexico, Officer Paul Bergstrom visits the fixer-upper he had bought years ago as a place to retire with his family. Although it appears fine on the outside, the inside is a disaster—just like his marriage. When he finds himself with more off-duty time than he expected, he lovingly repairs his dream home, building the future he so desperately wants.Witnessing her mother’s health crisis had been terrifying enough, but learning the cause was genetic leaves Carly with the sense that all of her dreams are pointless. With the help of her eccentric great aunt and a Clydesdale named T. Rex, Carly just may find her faith in her future again.Amy, Paul, and Carly discover that love and family are worth keeping in this powerful, emotional, and hopeful novel.
297 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 19, 2021
132 people are currently reading
2903 people want to read
About the author
Kaya McLaren
7 books261 followersIn January 2020, my new title will be released, WHAT'S WORTH KEEPING, a story of healing and renewal inspired by but not based on my own experience with breast cancer, treatment, and recovery. My other titles include: THE ROAD TO ENCHANTMENT (Jan. 2017), THE FIRELIGHT GIRLS (2014), HOW I CAME TO SPARKLE AGAIN (2012), ON THE DIVINITY OF SECOND CHANCES (2009), and CHURCH OF THE DOG (2008).
In addition to being an author, I've been an archaeologist, a massage therapist, an art teacher, an elementary teacher. After spending a couple winters in Mexico, I've returned to my roots in Washington, where I'm teaching middle school art.
When I'm not working, I love to play outside-- kayak, telemark ski, cross-country ski, stand-up paddleboard, skate ski, bicycle, ride horses, and attempt to surf. And if I can't be outside, I like to play cello and bass, guitar, and banjo. I enjoy painting, sculpting, and every once in a while I make a quilt or stained glass window. I love to spend time in my garden, too.
My dog, Frida Kahlo, adopted me on the streets of Mexico and has been enriching my life ever since.
In addition to being an author, I've been an archaeologist, a massage therapist, an art teacher, an elementary teacher. After spending a couple winters in Mexico, I've returned to my roots in Washington, where I'm teaching middle school art.
When I'm not working, I love to play outside-- kayak, telemark ski, cross-country ski, stand-up paddleboard, skate ski, bicycle, ride horses, and attempt to surf. And if I can't be outside, I like to play cello and bass, guitar, and banjo. I enjoy painting, sculpting, and every once in a while I make a quilt or stained glass window. I love to spend time in my garden, too.
My dog, Frida Kahlo, adopted me on the streets of Mexico and has been enriching my life ever since.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 200 reviews
August 23, 2020
Omg! I knew this was going to be a tear jerker. I knew it was going to hit close to home. She had the cancer. I had the cancer. Here we go...
I thought the book was ultimately going to be about Amy and her cancer journey. While this is about her journey, after cancer, this is also a journey about her husband, Paul and daughter, Carly.
We have the three different POV’s: Amy, Paul and Carly. At first I thought, Paul and Carly were jerks. But, it turns out they have their own traumas and issues.
Amy decides she has to get away. She has to find a way to heal. Not only from the trauma of cancer treatment, but of other things that have been haunting her. Secrets she found... So she’s going back to nature. This is the exact place I went after I got my energy back. The same place I go today, to hike, to get away, to feel love.
*Uncorrected Proof Quote
Amy goes off on her own journey to visit as many National Forests as possible. We get to read about the beautiful places, feel the heartbreak of Amy’s thoughts (which really, only cancer patients understand), and slowly see her start to heal.
Meanwhile, Amy and Paul discussed taking Carly to work on Great-Aunt Rae’s horse farm.
Aunt Rae has Clydesdale horses and she takes people camping and trail riding with them. My favorite horse and Carly’s as well is T-Rex. She’s loved him since she was a little kid.
Aunt Rae is one of my favorite characters. She’s the glue that bonded everyone together again.
Carly loves the horses and her aunt. Carly finds herself on the farm, opens up about her anger and pain, decides what she really wants for her future and can finally get some peace.
Paul is a cop and he’s only a few years from retirement. He’s battling his own demons from being a first responder in a bombing and watching the world and friends go downhill. This has taken its toll on him. Not to mention going through cancer treatment with Amy.
At one point in the past the family bought a house not far from Aunt Rae’s farm in Chama, NM. Paul has finally started to fix up the house, trying to find his own peace of mind and create a nice home for the family to possible move into some day. He finally met some of the wonderful neighbors and I fell in love with Mr. Martinez. He helps Paul in some important ways.
All of the pieces of their lives start to fit together the way they should. This was a long road for each person but getting there was the most rewarding in my opinion. I loved it and this book will be going on my real life bookshelf.
*Thank you to Netgalley and St. Martin’s for a digital copy of this book.
Mel 🖤🐶🐺🐾
BLOG: https://melissa413readsalot.blogspot....
I thought the book was ultimately going to be about Amy and her cancer journey. While this is about her journey, after cancer, this is also a journey about her husband, Paul and daughter, Carly.
We have the three different POV’s: Amy, Paul and Carly. At first I thought, Paul and Carly were jerks. But, it turns out they have their own traumas and issues.
Amy decides she has to get away. She has to find a way to heal. Not only from the trauma of cancer treatment, but of other things that have been haunting her. Secrets she found... So she’s going back to nature. This is the exact place I went after I got my energy back. The same place I go today, to hike, to get away, to feel love.
*Uncorrected Proof Quote
"I just want to be in the forest. I feel like nature is the only thing that might heal me. For months, I kept thinking that if I could just be with the really big trees, I would be okay."
Amy goes off on her own journey to visit as many National Forests as possible. We get to read about the beautiful places, feel the heartbreak of Amy’s thoughts (which really, only cancer patients understand), and slowly see her start to heal.
Meanwhile, Amy and Paul discussed taking Carly to work on Great-Aunt Rae’s horse farm.
Aunt Rae has Clydesdale horses and she takes people camping and trail riding with them. My favorite horse and Carly’s as well is T-Rex. She’s loved him since she was a little kid.
Aunt Rae is one of my favorite characters. She’s the glue that bonded everyone together again.
Carly loves the horses and her aunt. Carly finds herself on the farm, opens up about her anger and pain, decides what she really wants for her future and can finally get some peace.
Paul is a cop and he’s only a few years from retirement. He’s battling his own demons from being a first responder in a bombing and watching the world and friends go downhill. This has taken its toll on him. Not to mention going through cancer treatment with Amy.
At one point in the past the family bought a house not far from Aunt Rae’s farm in Chama, NM. Paul has finally started to fix up the house, trying to find his own peace of mind and create a nice home for the family to possible move into some day. He finally met some of the wonderful neighbors and I fell in love with Mr. Martinez. He helps Paul in some important ways.
All of the pieces of their lives start to fit together the way they should. This was a long road for each person but getting there was the most rewarding in my opinion. I loved it and this book will be going on my real life bookshelf.
*Thank you to Netgalley and St. Martin’s for a digital copy of this book.
Mel 🖤🐶🐺🐾
BLOG: https://melissa413readsalot.blogspot....
March 28, 2021
Isn’t this cover dreamy? I love it. Over the years I’ve bought a couple books by Kaya McLaren’s books, Church of the Dog, The Firelight Girls, due to the terrific reviews. I haven’t yet picked them up, but I am happy to say I’ve now read What’s Worth Keeping. This was sent to me as a complete surprise, and I’m so grateful.
What’s Worth Keeping is all about second chances. Amy’s life is challenging when she is diagnosed with cancer while also finding out a secret her husband has been hiding for years. The story is more about her life after cancer and the rift in her marriage. It’s also about Paul’s (Amy’s husband) hopes, dreams, and pain, and this house he wants to repair for his family and the future.
Lastly, the book is also about Carly, the daughter of Amy and Paul. She has her own fears and emotions to work through.
What’s Worth Keeping is a sometimes somber, emotional story of family contrasted with hope and healing. It’s also about how horses help us heal (as a horse lover, I LOVED this). The story is well-written, and the characters are completely lovable and full of heart. I loved Amy’s travels through the national parks. All in all, there’s much goodness here, and the final accent point is the resilience of these lovingly drawn characters.
I received a gifted copy.
Many of my reviews can also be found on my blog: www.jennifertarheelreader.com and instagram: www.instagram.com/tarheelreader
What’s Worth Keeping is all about second chances. Amy’s life is challenging when she is diagnosed with cancer while also finding out a secret her husband has been hiding for years. The story is more about her life after cancer and the rift in her marriage. It’s also about Paul’s (Amy’s husband) hopes, dreams, and pain, and this house he wants to repair for his family and the future.
Lastly, the book is also about Carly, the daughter of Amy and Paul. She has her own fears and emotions to work through.
What’s Worth Keeping is a sometimes somber, emotional story of family contrasted with hope and healing. It’s also about how horses help us heal (as a horse lover, I LOVED this). The story is well-written, and the characters are completely lovable and full of heart. I loved Amy’s travels through the national parks. All in all, there’s much goodness here, and the final accent point is the resilience of these lovingly drawn characters.
I received a gifted copy.
Many of my reviews can also be found on my blog: www.jennifertarheelreader.com and instagram: www.instagram.com/tarheelreader
December 15, 2020
This is a well-written, very sad novel. Every character has a sad story. It’s told from the points of view of Amy, the mother and wife who had to have a double mastectomy and hysterectomy and is still recuperating from chemo and surgery; Paul, the police officer husband and dad who has never recovered from clearing bodies from the Oklahoma City Bombing; and Carly, the high-school age daughter who gets angry at the whole world after her mother’s diagnosis.
Carly spends the summer at her Great Aunt’s ranch, taking care of horses and helping with guests. Amy spends time back in nature, dealing with her failing body and marriage. Paul initially stays behind to work, but a glitch on the job gives him some time to do repairs on a home that he’d planned on retiring in with his wife. Time with nature and art—drawing and music—help the three of them start repairing themselves and seeing themselves within their family unit differently.
Thanks to NetGalley for the opportunity to review this novel, which RELEASES JANUARY 19, 2021.
Carly spends the summer at her Great Aunt’s ranch, taking care of horses and helping with guests. Amy spends time back in nature, dealing with her failing body and marriage. Paul initially stays behind to work, but a glitch on the job gives him some time to do repairs on a home that he’d planned on retiring in with his wife. Time with nature and art—drawing and music—help the three of them start repairing themselves and seeing themselves within their family unit differently.
Thanks to NetGalley for the opportunity to review this novel, which RELEASES JANUARY 19, 2021.
January 8, 2021
I can appreciate a book even if I didn't necessarily love everything about it. This story explores a few important subjects and for that reason, I'm thankful I read it.
Amy Bergstrom finds out her husband, Paul, is keeping a secret from her on the same day her doctor informs her she has breast cancer. Months later after treatment and surgeries, her body might be healing but her spirit is broken. So Amy goes on a road trip visiting the national parks.
Both Amy and Paul are concerned about their teenage daughter, Carly, so they send her to work on a horse ranch for the summer which is owned by Amy's aunt. Meanwhile, Paul is dealing with both past and present issues related to his career as a police officer. The story alternates between the three members of this family.
Unfortunately, I didn't feel emotionally invested in any of the characters which is a shame. I do think they each brought something unique to the table in terms of storyline though. Carly in particular was faced with the tough situation of watching her mom battle cancer and thinking about what could be in store for her in the future regarding her own health. Each character was on an interesting journey and yet it felt more like I was just reading about their lives rather than feeling emotionally invested in their fate.
The characters might have fell flat in my opinion but that's okay. I still found it to be a worthwhile and thought provoking novel. With each character I would wonder how I would act and feel if I were in their shoes. Not a perfect novel, but good enough.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with an advance copy! All thoughts expressed are my honest opinion.
Amy Bergstrom finds out her husband, Paul, is keeping a secret from her on the same day her doctor informs her she has breast cancer. Months later after treatment and surgeries, her body might be healing but her spirit is broken. So Amy goes on a road trip visiting the national parks.
Both Amy and Paul are concerned about their teenage daughter, Carly, so they send her to work on a horse ranch for the summer which is owned by Amy's aunt. Meanwhile, Paul is dealing with both past and present issues related to his career as a police officer. The story alternates between the three members of this family.
Unfortunately, I didn't feel emotionally invested in any of the characters which is a shame. I do think they each brought something unique to the table in terms of storyline though. Carly in particular was faced with the tough situation of watching her mom battle cancer and thinking about what could be in store for her in the future regarding her own health. Each character was on an interesting journey and yet it felt more like I was just reading about their lives rather than feeling emotionally invested in their fate.
The characters might have fell flat in my opinion but that's okay. I still found it to be a worthwhile and thought provoking novel. With each character I would wonder how I would act and feel if I were in their shoes. Not a perfect novel, but good enough.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with an advance copy! All thoughts expressed are my honest opinion.
June 25, 2021
If you’re interested in the type of book that rips your heart out, tears it into pieces then slowly puts it back together again then What’s Worth Keeping by Kaya McLaren is for you. This contemporary women’s fiction titles follows three characters, each with their own point of view, as they struggle with their own issues.
Amy Bergstrom has cancer but as she struggles with how to deal with this news she finds out that her husband has been keeping a secret. Amy decides what is best for her is to get away and get some space to clear her head so she packs up and heads to the forest in the state of Washington.
As Amy is away on her trip her husband, Paul, is going to take their daughter to her Aunt Rae’s horse ranch because Carly is also struggling. Carly has gone from a teenager with a bright future to a mother with cancer that could be genetic. Paul meanwhile is going to the house nearby that he once thought he and Amy would retire to as he struggles with his wife’s diagnosis and his demanding job as a police officer.
There were so many words that came to mind after finishing reading What’s Worth Keeping. Powerful. Moving. Gut wrenching. Heartwarming. And so on. This book takes a broken messed up family and pieces them together as it did the same with my emotions while reading. A well written emotional roller coaster of a ride that I’d definitely recommend.
I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.
For more reviews please visit https://carriesbookreviews.com/
Amy Bergstrom has cancer but as she struggles with how to deal with this news she finds out that her husband has been keeping a secret. Amy decides what is best for her is to get away and get some space to clear her head so she packs up and heads to the forest in the state of Washington.
As Amy is away on her trip her husband, Paul, is going to take their daughter to her Aunt Rae’s horse ranch because Carly is also struggling. Carly has gone from a teenager with a bright future to a mother with cancer that could be genetic. Paul meanwhile is going to the house nearby that he once thought he and Amy would retire to as he struggles with his wife’s diagnosis and his demanding job as a police officer.
There were so many words that came to mind after finishing reading What’s Worth Keeping. Powerful. Moving. Gut wrenching. Heartwarming. And so on. This book takes a broken messed up family and pieces them together as it did the same with my emotions while reading. A well written emotional roller coaster of a ride that I’d definitely recommend.
I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.
For more reviews please visit https://carriesbookreviews.com/
January 21, 2021
3.5 stars
I FINALLY had some reading time to finish this contemporary women's fiction. Quite the intense emotional experience dealing with a family that is broken and struggling to each find themselves again. Perfect for fans of Kristin Hannah.
On the day that Amy found out she had cancer, she also found the papers that signified her husband was preparing for divorce. Although Paul stayed by her side through her surgeries, all these months later, Amy is determined she'll be the first one out the door. Paul knows that he has let his family down, as a police officer he has done his best to serve and protect but a long-ago day in Oklahoma City has haunted him for years. For their daughter Carly, this should be her summer to celebrate high school graduation and prepare for college. Yet when Amy makes a startling confession to Carly that will impact her own future, the young teen feels frustration towards both her parents. Can an older relative help all three find their way to forgiveness?
Publication Date 19/01/21
Goodreads review published 20/01/21
Published review on Instagram and Facebook as well.
I FINALLY had some reading time to finish this contemporary women's fiction. Quite the intense emotional experience dealing with a family that is broken and struggling to each find themselves again. Perfect for fans of Kristin Hannah.
On the day that Amy found out she had cancer, she also found the papers that signified her husband was preparing for divorce. Although Paul stayed by her side through her surgeries, all these months later, Amy is determined she'll be the first one out the door. Paul knows that he has let his family down, as a police officer he has done his best to serve and protect but a long-ago day in Oklahoma City has haunted him for years. For their daughter Carly, this should be her summer to celebrate high school graduation and prepare for college. Yet when Amy makes a startling confession to Carly that will impact her own future, the young teen feels frustration towards both her parents. Can an older relative help all three find their way to forgiveness?
Publication Date 19/01/21
Goodreads review published 20/01/21
Published review on Instagram and Facebook as well.
October 3, 2020
When I had breast cancer, I thought I would be jubilant when it was over. After all, not everyone is lucky enough to have the gift of more time. Instead, I felt traumatized. Traumatized by being mutilated (which was how I saw my mastectomy at the time) and from discovering just how fragile my life was. I missed my hair and my hormones and my breasts-- all of the things that made me feel feminine. On top of it all, I was in a state of extreme hormonal imbalance. In that moment, I wondered whether my life had been wrecked when it had been saved. It seemed there were so many things to be afraid of now. It took me awhile to find my way back to some sense of being myself again. That's what inspired me to write this book. I talked to friends who had been through it and it turned out, this post-cancer trauma was a thing, a thing no one talked about because no one wanted to appear ungrateful, but still, a thing. I hope this book will encourage people who are watching a loved one go through something like this, and help them understand even just a little more. Cancer is something that affects the whole family. In my darkest hours, there were exactly two things that didn't seem like bullshit to me: love and nature. For me, those were the things worth keeping. I hope you enjoy reading about what Amy, Paul, and their daughter Carly decide is worth keeping, with a little help from (Great) Aunt Rae.
January 19, 2021
A heart-breaking story of a middle-aged woman battling breast cancer, told from three perspectives: hers, her husband's and their teenaged daughter's. The family is torn apart at first and the story depicts their individual journeys back. I found this to be a worthwhile but difficult read, written by a cancer survivor. It is honest and hopefully inspiring for those looking for a way through the darkness.
I received an arc of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Many thanks.
I received an arc of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Many thanks.
September 13, 2021
The first thing that caught my interest when I was reading the synopsis of the book was that part of the setting is in New Mexico, where I live. It is always refreshing to view my state through another's eyes and perspective.
I thought I knew the direction that What's Worth Keeping by Kara McLaren would go, but I am happy to report that I was wrong. This book is powerful and very emotional as we get to hear from three different narratives: Amy who is just recovering from cancer and multiple surgeries... who has wounds that her husband is not able to heal. We also get the husband's perspective as Paul starts on his own self journey. Then there is their daughter, Carly who is hurting and scared...acting out so much that Paul takes her to a ranch in New Mexico to work for the summer.
As their lives intersect and separate for a time, Paul, Amy and Carly embark on powerful journeys that resonate with this reader. I highly recommend author Kaya McLaren as an author- she has the magic spark which is what it takes to tell three separate and connected stories.
Thank you to NetGalley, author Kaya McLaren, and St. Martin's Press for this temporary, digital advance review copy for me to read and enjoy. My review is voluntary and my opinions are my own.
I thought I knew the direction that What's Worth Keeping by Kara McLaren would go, but I am happy to report that I was wrong. This book is powerful and very emotional as we get to hear from three different narratives: Amy who is just recovering from cancer and multiple surgeries... who has wounds that her husband is not able to heal. We also get the husband's perspective as Paul starts on his own self journey. Then there is their daughter, Carly who is hurting and scared...acting out so much that Paul takes her to a ranch in New Mexico to work for the summer.
As their lives intersect and separate for a time, Paul, Amy and Carly embark on powerful journeys that resonate with this reader. I highly recommend author Kaya McLaren as an author- she has the magic spark which is what it takes to tell three separate and connected stories.
Thank you to NetGalley, author Kaya McLaren, and St. Martin's Press for this temporary, digital advance review copy for me to read and enjoy. My review is voluntary and my opinions are my own.
January 17, 2021
What's Worth Keeping was definitely worth reading. I do think you have to be in the right mindset when you do. It isn't an easy book. It isn't full of fluff and feel good romance. It's painful, heartfelt and real.. This book is told from three different point of views: Amy, Paul and Carly.
Amy has recently been declared "cancer free" after a hard battle that included chemo, a double mastectomy and a hysterectomy. She's a survivor but is unsure how to move forward. She's also not sure how to deal with her family. Her personal relationships are lacking and she feels disconnected. She needs to rediscover who she is.
Amy's husband, Paul is battling his own demons. As a police officer, he's seen the worst of humanity. After dealing with the aftermath of the Oklahoma City bombing, Paul because a different person. He was more withdrawn and harder to reach. The trauma that he experienced during that time changed the person he was.
Their daughter, Carly is struggling with the knowledge that her mother came so close to dying. In addition, she feels uncertain about what this means for her own mortality. As a young person on the verge of graduating high school, that's a scary place to be. Her parents are so broken themselves that they can't figure out how to help her. Hence, they enlist the help of Great Aunt Rae and her horses to save Carly. I absolutely adored Rae. She'd experienced her own personal tragedy in life and could speak to pain and hardship. She was also able to show Carly how to find the ability to move forward in life and find the beauty in things. Her character was definitely pretty special.
Overall, I have to admit there were times that reading this story was difficult for me to read. It was heartbreaking. I just wanted this family to communicate and fix their relationships. Instead, it seemed they all needed to be apart to realize how special the others were. There were some times when Amy was in the national parks that it felt as if the story moved a little slowly for me. However, it was worth pushing through for the book as a whole. I think this book can speak to anyone, whether you've been impacted by cancer or not. It speaks to those who've experienced loss of any kind and how you try to regain your sense of direction .
Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC. I chose to voluntarily review this book and the opinions contained within are my own.
Amy has recently been declared "cancer free" after a hard battle that included chemo, a double mastectomy and a hysterectomy. She's a survivor but is unsure how to move forward. She's also not sure how to deal with her family. Her personal relationships are lacking and she feels disconnected. She needs to rediscover who she is.
Amy's husband, Paul is battling his own demons. As a police officer, he's seen the worst of humanity. After dealing with the aftermath of the Oklahoma City bombing, Paul because a different person. He was more withdrawn and harder to reach. The trauma that he experienced during that time changed the person he was.
Their daughter, Carly is struggling with the knowledge that her mother came so close to dying. In addition, she feels uncertain about what this means for her own mortality. As a young person on the verge of graduating high school, that's a scary place to be. Her parents are so broken themselves that they can't figure out how to help her. Hence, they enlist the help of Great Aunt Rae and her horses to save Carly. I absolutely adored Rae. She'd experienced her own personal tragedy in life and could speak to pain and hardship. She was also able to show Carly how to find the ability to move forward in life and find the beauty in things. Her character was definitely pretty special.
Overall, I have to admit there were times that reading this story was difficult for me to read. It was heartbreaking. I just wanted this family to communicate and fix their relationships. Instead, it seemed they all needed to be apart to realize how special the others were. There were some times when Amy was in the national parks that it felt as if the story moved a little slowly for me. However, it was worth pushing through for the book as a whole. I think this book can speak to anyone, whether you've been impacted by cancer or not. It speaks to those who've experienced loss of any kind and how you try to regain your sense of direction .
Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC. I chose to voluntarily review this book and the opinions contained within are my own.
December 8, 2020
"You've got a lot of armor on. It's invisible, but still very real. You'll need to take that off before you can experience the really good stuff in life. The land of the good stuff is a risky place. And sometimes it leaves you utterly devastated...completely destroyed. But you can't have it both ways. You can't get into the land of the good stuff with armor on, and I suppose that's why I've never been back. You've just got to jump in with your heart wide open. I don't know that I have it in me to go to the land of the good stuff again, but Carly, I am so glad I went there once. Don't miss out. " - Great Aunt Rae
I just want to start by saying that everyone needs a Great Aunt Rae in their life. She is solid and sure and loving and full of grace and light and insight. I LOVED her.
This book was slow burning and heartbreaking and deep and tender and sad in the sweetest possible way. Each character is dealing with SO much. Cancer, PTSD, trauma, loss, suppressed emotions, fear of the future...and watching them work through it, being privy to such personal moments, was beautiful.
I loved how each character used nature and animals to help them work through their problems. They didn't *just* work with horses, rebuild old homes, or tour national parks. They connected in extraordinary ways to these tasks and learned from them. It' was quite lovely.
Each character grows and learns and mourns and forgives and starts over again. We get to see them build and tear down walls and rage and celebrate and live. And isn't that the nature of this horrible, gorgeous, terrible, amazing life we live?
Just stunning.
4.5 stars.
Thanks to St. Martin's Press/Griffin and NetGalley for a complementary copy of this novel. All opinions are my own.
I just want to start by saying that everyone needs a Great Aunt Rae in their life. She is solid and sure and loving and full of grace and light and insight. I LOVED her.
This book was slow burning and heartbreaking and deep and tender and sad in the sweetest possible way. Each character is dealing with SO much. Cancer, PTSD, trauma, loss, suppressed emotions, fear of the future...and watching them work through it, being privy to such personal moments, was beautiful.
I loved how each character used nature and animals to help them work through their problems. They didn't *just* work with horses, rebuild old homes, or tour national parks. They connected in extraordinary ways to these tasks and learned from them. It' was quite lovely.
Each character grows and learns and mourns and forgives and starts over again. We get to see them build and tear down walls and rage and celebrate and live. And isn't that the nature of this horrible, gorgeous, terrible, amazing life we live?
Just stunning.
4.5 stars.
Thanks to St. Martin's Press/Griffin and NetGalley for a complementary copy of this novel. All opinions are my own.
December 13, 2020
3.5 rounded up. A dark yet hopeful story of a family in crisis. The disintegrating Bergstrom family is coping with Amy’s cancer and seriously lacking in communication and support. Reading the story through the three perspectives of Amy, Paul and Carly provided shows just how easy thoughts and actions can be misinterpreted.
Can this family be whole again? Doesn’t look promising as Amy has just discovered that her husband of 25 years has been having an affair. I was hopeful though that they would find the strength and means to healing.This book explores how the paths people take can be so vastly different.
People make it so much harder on themselves when holding suffering within. Thanks to St. Martin’s Press for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Can this family be whole again? Doesn’t look promising as Amy has just discovered that her husband of 25 years has been having an affair. I was hopeful though that they would find the strength and means to healing.This book explores how the paths people take can be so vastly different.
People make it so much harder on themselves when holding suffering within. Thanks to St. Martin’s Press for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
October 25, 2020
Cancer is a scary word. It wrecks havoc not only on the person that has it but everyone around them. Amy Bergstrom has survived. It has had a serious impact on her life and those around her. But that’s not the only thing that is having an impact. Her husband, Paul, is going through his own silent crisis. Their daughter, Carly, is a high school graduate and on the cusp of adulthood and with that comes its own set of growing pains. Their story and journey is told from each of their POVs giving a clear look at their emotions and insight to thoughts and decisions. It shows how communication is key and failure to express oneself can lead to unintended consequences. They are each victims in their own way. They are devastated and angry. They are falling apart. As they each journey on a path to strength and healing it’s easy to feel exactly what they are experiencing. I understood where they were coming from even though I have no personal knowledge of the disease or it’s effects. I appreciated the positive affirmation and belief that it was better to focus on who they are as humans and not be identified by a diagnosis or event.
My complaint is it did drag a bit. I feel guilty for saying that because the story is inspirational, but it got to a point where I felt it wasn’t really moving and became boring.
My complaint is it did drag a bit. I feel guilty for saying that because the story is inspirational, but it got to a point where I felt it wasn’t really moving and became boring.
January 19, 2021
What's Worth Keeping is a thought-provoking, powerful tale by Kayla McLaren.
The overall tone is sadness and more sadness. But ultimately, it's a tale of survival, acceptance, and healing.
Amy, her husband Paul, and their daughter Carly are all suffering, with each of them trying to survive the aftermath of Amy's cancer diagnosis and treatment. We all know that cancer effects all those around the one physically suffering, and this story tackles just that.
It's been a long road for Amy, with having just beaten cancer. But knowing she's done with her treatments leaves her unsure of her life now. Of course, it doesn't help that she expects her husband to leave her now. She's left depressed, lonely, unsure, and grieving for her old self. She can't bare to look at her new body. Her perspective is well handled, with care, knowledge, and compassion.
Meanwhile Paul is suffering from an issue with his job. The aftermath of seeing terror and not being able to help anyone, has left him feeling less than. He was there, at the Oklahoma City bombing, and he still has flashbacks to all he saw that day. It's truly heart-wrenching to read his journey.
And Carly. Not only is she dealing with everything her family's gone through, she is dealing with how to tackle things. Should she be reckless and not care about anything? Should she do things to get her parents attention? And should she be tested to see if her odds of getting cancer like her mother are high? She's only a teen and she has no clue how to process everything she's facing or how to deal with her future.
Then there's Aunt Rae, who is one of those special characters who you'll remember for a long time. She's supportive, she's honest, she's helpful, and most of all she's caring. She loves hard and she loves fully. I love her role in this storyline.
The writing is good, written in three povs, fully developing each character. Amy, Paul, and Carly are complex characters with an extremely complex tale. Each character's emotions are front and center, well explored, and driving the story throughout. My only complaint is that is it definitely slow.
What's Worth Keeping is a long, detailed family tale. Kaya McLaren tackles some heavy topics and does so in a wonderful manner. I definitely recommend this book when you have time to tackle a long and serious read.
The overall tone is sadness and more sadness. But ultimately, it's a tale of survival, acceptance, and healing.
Amy, her husband Paul, and their daughter Carly are all suffering, with each of them trying to survive the aftermath of Amy's cancer diagnosis and treatment. We all know that cancer effects all those around the one physically suffering, and this story tackles just that.
It's been a long road for Amy, with having just beaten cancer. But knowing she's done with her treatments leaves her unsure of her life now. Of course, it doesn't help that she expects her husband to leave her now. She's left depressed, lonely, unsure, and grieving for her old self. She can't bare to look at her new body. Her perspective is well handled, with care, knowledge, and compassion.
Meanwhile Paul is suffering from an issue with his job. The aftermath of seeing terror and not being able to help anyone, has left him feeling less than. He was there, at the Oklahoma City bombing, and he still has flashbacks to all he saw that day. It's truly heart-wrenching to read his journey.
And Carly. Not only is she dealing with everything her family's gone through, she is dealing with how to tackle things. Should she be reckless and not care about anything? Should she do things to get her parents attention? And should she be tested to see if her odds of getting cancer like her mother are high? She's only a teen and she has no clue how to process everything she's facing or how to deal with her future.
Then there's Aunt Rae, who is one of those special characters who you'll remember for a long time. She's supportive, she's honest, she's helpful, and most of all she's caring. She loves hard and she loves fully. I love her role in this storyline.
The writing is good, written in three povs, fully developing each character. Amy, Paul, and Carly are complex characters with an extremely complex tale. Each character's emotions are front and center, well explored, and driving the story throughout. My only complaint is that is it definitely slow.
What's Worth Keeping is a long, detailed family tale. Kaya McLaren tackles some heavy topics and does so in a wonderful manner. I definitely recommend this book when you have time to tackle a long and serious read.
August 25, 2023
WHAT'S WORTH KEEPING
BY KAYA MCLAREN
This beautiful novel is about a family of three that after going through a devastating period in their lives, get the chance at a sort of re-birth. They all go through a life changing transformation and find their way back to each other. Not everybody is always so lucky so I loved the many philosophical quotes that gave the language and observations that there were so life affirming that there were just too many to quote. This is really a meditation on life and family and what is most important to lead a meaningful life. The title of "What's Worth Keeping," is such a perfect choice as it encompasses the main theme of this novel of gratitude.
Amy Bergstrom has just suffered many surgeries and going through chemotherapy to survive breast cancer. Her husband Paul is a seasoned police officer in Oklahoma City that sees the worst of humanity in his job. Carly is an angry senior in high school that has directed it towards both of her parents. Most people understand that anger is a form of underlying fear.
Amy found out at the same time that she had her diagnosis and was looking in both of her and her husband's filing cabinet that her husband, Paul has filled out divorce papers. She kept her discovery of the divorce papers to herself knowing she would need her families help if she stood the slightest chance of beating her cancer. After she is cancer free she knows in her heart that she wants to find hope by being among the giant trees and mountains and decides to take a road trip back to the nature of her childhood alone.
Paul drops Carly off at her Great-Aunt Rae's horse ranch in New Mexico to have her work and hopefully Rae can influence Carly by Rae's wisdom about life. Carly had been making bad life choices and perhaps working with the horses and her Great-Aunt Rae Carly will grow up. Meanwhile Paul is fixing up a property when he is not working in the same town as Rae. Amy is very introspective while she seeks the solitude of hiking and she has one goal only and that is to heal and grow her inner strength in order to find true acceptance of herself and accept what she views her new body as being okay. She avoids mirrors because she grieves the amputated breasts and the parts of her she gave up by having a hysterectomy. She is grateful to be alive and she doesn't feel sorry for herself.
Paul goes through a transformation as he ponders the flashbacks and memories of being a first respondor who looked for human life as he and his colleagues dug through the wreckage of the Oklahoma bombing by Timothy McVeigh. He realizes that he wants to retire from the police force and repair his marriage. Carly, Amy and Paul all are on a path to healing but there is not one ounce of pity. What could have been a depressing novel was the opposite. The character's felt so real and the setting was vivid. I have a feeling that the author was an evolved and a person of great maturity as she painted a canvas of inner retrospection and acceptance rather than despair. This was a remarkable novel with so much to take away about how our circumstances don't define us no matter how bad they are rather it is the way we choose to move forward. I didn't think that I would like this book at the beginning but the more I read from each of the three character's point of view, the more I knew that I was richer inwardly from experiencing the positive growth that takes place. I am so grateful for reading this and thank you Kaya McLaren for your insights about how our outlook can have such a life affirming impact.
Publication Date: January 19, 2021
Thank you to Net Galley, Kaya McLaren and St. Martin's Press for gifting me with such an incredibly uplifting. inspiring novel in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.
#What'sWorthKeeping #KayaMcLaren #StMartinsPress #NetGalley
BY KAYA MCLAREN
This beautiful novel is about a family of three that after going through a devastating period in their lives, get the chance at a sort of re-birth. They all go through a life changing transformation and find their way back to each other. Not everybody is always so lucky so I loved the many philosophical quotes that gave the language and observations that there were so life affirming that there were just too many to quote. This is really a meditation on life and family and what is most important to lead a meaningful life. The title of "What's Worth Keeping," is such a perfect choice as it encompasses the main theme of this novel of gratitude.
Amy Bergstrom has just suffered many surgeries and going through chemotherapy to survive breast cancer. Her husband Paul is a seasoned police officer in Oklahoma City that sees the worst of humanity in his job. Carly is an angry senior in high school that has directed it towards both of her parents. Most people understand that anger is a form of underlying fear.
Amy found out at the same time that she had her diagnosis and was looking in both of her and her husband's filing cabinet that her husband, Paul has filled out divorce papers. She kept her discovery of the divorce papers to herself knowing she would need her families help if she stood the slightest chance of beating her cancer. After she is cancer free she knows in her heart that she wants to find hope by being among the giant trees and mountains and decides to take a road trip back to the nature of her childhood alone.
Paul drops Carly off at her Great-Aunt Rae's horse ranch in New Mexico to have her work and hopefully Rae can influence Carly by Rae's wisdom about life. Carly had been making bad life choices and perhaps working with the horses and her Great-Aunt Rae Carly will grow up. Meanwhile Paul is fixing up a property when he is not working in the same town as Rae. Amy is very introspective while she seeks the solitude of hiking and she has one goal only and that is to heal and grow her inner strength in order to find true acceptance of herself and accept what she views her new body as being okay. She avoids mirrors because she grieves the amputated breasts and the parts of her she gave up by having a hysterectomy. She is grateful to be alive and she doesn't feel sorry for herself.
Paul goes through a transformation as he ponders the flashbacks and memories of being a first respondor who looked for human life as he and his colleagues dug through the wreckage of the Oklahoma bombing by Timothy McVeigh. He realizes that he wants to retire from the police force and repair his marriage. Carly, Amy and Paul all are on a path to healing but there is not one ounce of pity. What could have been a depressing novel was the opposite. The character's felt so real and the setting was vivid. I have a feeling that the author was an evolved and a person of great maturity as she painted a canvas of inner retrospection and acceptance rather than despair. This was a remarkable novel with so much to take away about how our circumstances don't define us no matter how bad they are rather it is the way we choose to move forward. I didn't think that I would like this book at the beginning but the more I read from each of the three character's point of view, the more I knew that I was richer inwardly from experiencing the positive growth that takes place. I am so grateful for reading this and thank you Kaya McLaren for your insights about how our outlook can have such a life affirming impact.
Publication Date: January 19, 2021
Thank you to Net Galley, Kaya McLaren and St. Martin's Press for gifting me with such an incredibly uplifting. inspiring novel in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.
#What'sWorthKeeping #KayaMcLaren #StMartinsPress #NetGalley
January 19, 2021
What’s Worth Keeping is a deeply moving story of a family’s journey of finding acceptance, healing, peace, and the things that are worth keeping. In my opinion, this novel deserves nothing less than a five-star rating because it made me feel so much. Throughout the book’s entirety, I was invested, riveted to the pages, and completely immersed in the story and the characters.
Amy had been through so much. Her pain, suffering, and despair were palpable. Not only had she been dealing with her health and mortality, but her marriage and her relationship with her daughter were teetering on the edge. Amy’s turmoil leapt off the pages and into my heart. I felt all of the emotions right along with her, from her anger, hurt, and betrayal to her relief, determination, and comfort. I wanted her to be at peace, to live her life the way she wanted, and to seek the much-needed joy in the places, people, and things that brought her solace.
The story is told in alternating chapters between Amy, Paul, and their daughter Carly. This worked perfectly for this novel. It gave me an insight into each of the character’s feelings and how their lives were affected by certain events. While I was definitely a cheerleader for Amy, I can’t downplay the difficulties that her husband and daughter also faced. It took me a while to get behind Paul and his actions, but the chapters from his perspective really shone a light on his own despair. As far as Carly was concerned, she was a teenager who had witnessed her mother fighting for her life and she was beginning to question aspects of her own future. And, again, she was a teenager. She needed a little nudge in the right direction along with some words of wisdom and some time to reflect…and some time with Great-Aunt Rae. I think it’s fair to say that every family needs a Great-Aunt Rae in their lives.
What’s Worth Keeping made me feel a plethora of emotions. I’m not much of a crier, but I will admit that I spent a good amount of my time wiping the tears from my eyes while I was reading this book. There was simply no avoiding it. I finished the book and an entire box of tissues. When a book can elicit such a reaction from a reader, the author has done her job. While it was heartbreaking and gut wrenchingly painful, it wasn’t all sadness and despair, it was also brimming with growth, hope, and love.
Since finishing What’s Worth Keeping, I haven’t been able to stop thinking about it. It’s definitely a story that will stick with me for a long time to come.
*I received a copy of the book from the publisher (via NetGalley).
Amy had been through so much. Her pain, suffering, and despair were palpable. Not only had she been dealing with her health and mortality, but her marriage and her relationship with her daughter were teetering on the edge. Amy’s turmoil leapt off the pages and into my heart. I felt all of the emotions right along with her, from her anger, hurt, and betrayal to her relief, determination, and comfort. I wanted her to be at peace, to live her life the way she wanted, and to seek the much-needed joy in the places, people, and things that brought her solace.
The story is told in alternating chapters between Amy, Paul, and their daughter Carly. This worked perfectly for this novel. It gave me an insight into each of the character’s feelings and how their lives were affected by certain events. While I was definitely a cheerleader for Amy, I can’t downplay the difficulties that her husband and daughter also faced. It took me a while to get behind Paul and his actions, but the chapters from his perspective really shone a light on his own despair. As far as Carly was concerned, she was a teenager who had witnessed her mother fighting for her life and she was beginning to question aspects of her own future. And, again, she was a teenager. She needed a little nudge in the right direction along with some words of wisdom and some time to reflect…and some time with Great-Aunt Rae. I think it’s fair to say that every family needs a Great-Aunt Rae in their lives.
What’s Worth Keeping made me feel a plethora of emotions. I’m not much of a crier, but I will admit that I spent a good amount of my time wiping the tears from my eyes while I was reading this book. There was simply no avoiding it. I finished the book and an entire box of tissues. When a book can elicit such a reaction from a reader, the author has done her job. While it was heartbreaking and gut wrenchingly painful, it wasn’t all sadness and despair, it was also brimming with growth, hope, and love.
Since finishing What’s Worth Keeping, I haven’t been able to stop thinking about it. It’s definitely a story that will stick with me for a long time to come.
*I received a copy of the book from the publisher (via NetGalley).
January 19, 2021
What’s Worth Keeping by Kaya McLaren is an emotional story about family, love, hope, grief and second chances. It’s about a family’s journey after they are hit with some hard issues and how they move forward. Amy, the mom, was diagnosed with cancer and is dealing with the trauma of that and secrets from her husband. Paul, the father, is dealing with trauma from his job, his wife’s diagnoses and fallout in his marriage. Carly, their daughter, is struggling with everything that is going on in her family’s life. It is a lot for a teenage daughter. Will the family survive together or separately?
Each character embarks on their separate journey to find their way to move forward. Can they find what they need? What’s Worth Keeping by Kaya McLaren was touching, heartbreaking and heartwarming.
Happy reading!
Each character embarks on their separate journey to find their way to move forward. Can they find what they need? What’s Worth Keeping by Kaya McLaren was touching, heartbreaking and heartwarming.
Happy reading!
November 19, 2021
Thanks to St. Martin's Press for the free book.
This book is all about one family and its recovery after trauma and cancer changes their world. What I liked about this book was how it was told from the POVs Amy - the cancer survivor; Paul - the husband and PTSD sufferer; and Carly - their daughter dealing with anxiety. This gave me a depth to the characters that was well done. I think the pacing was helped in this regard, too. However, I didn't love all of the flashbacks Amy had. Some of the chapters got long, and I felt like some of it was unnecessary. But I did love the journey for these characters. The supporting characters are small, which gives the book an intimate feel. If you like reading about what one family is going through during one summer, then this is the book for you.
This book is all about one family and its recovery after trauma and cancer changes their world. What I liked about this book was how it was told from the POVs Amy - the cancer survivor; Paul - the husband and PTSD sufferer; and Carly - their daughter dealing with anxiety. This gave me a depth to the characters that was well done. I think the pacing was helped in this regard, too. However, I didn't love all of the flashbacks Amy had. Some of the chapters got long, and I felt like some of it was unnecessary. But I did love the journey for these characters. The supporting characters are small, which gives the book an intimate feel. If you like reading about what one family is going through during one summer, then this is the book for you.
February 2, 2021
After Amy's recent battle with breast cancer, her family of three is left dealing with his/her own set of demons. Amy is grappling with life after cancer ("Something along the lines of whether she had enough courage to live the rest of her life with the new set of fears she had, knowing how fragile and temporary life was.") and from discovering that her husband, Paul, has been harboring a secret. Paul is struggling to overcome the PTSD triggered by his work as a police officer. And Carly, their 18 year old daughter, is confused after nearly losing her mom and wonders if cancer is in her future.
As a way of coping and since she loves nature, Amy decides to tour many of the western National Parks by herself. Since my family also has the National Park passports mentioned in the book and have visited some of the parks, it was fun revisiting them with her... and it makes me want to visit the rest! Amy's journey was an emotional one, and my heart both ached and rejoiced for her along the way. If you love nature and/or have endured a health crisis (or know someone who has), then I'd highly recommend this sweet and hopeful family drama.
Location: Oklahoma (Oklahoma City), New Mexico (Chama), and Washington (Mt Rainier)
While visiting the tide pools: "All these things just waiting for the tide to come back in. They've mastered the art of holding on... At the moment, she was still surviving in her tide pool, but anytime now the tide would be back in. The clouds were gone. The sun was back. Hope was all around them."
I received an advance copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
As a way of coping and since she loves nature, Amy decides to tour many of the western National Parks by herself. Since my family also has the National Park passports mentioned in the book and have visited some of the parks, it was fun revisiting them with her... and it makes me want to visit the rest! Amy's journey was an emotional one, and my heart both ached and rejoiced for her along the way. If you love nature and/or have endured a health crisis (or know someone who has), then I'd highly recommend this sweet and hopeful family drama.
Location: Oklahoma (Oklahoma City), New Mexico (Chama), and Washington (Mt Rainier)
While visiting the tide pools: "All these things just waiting for the tide to come back in. They've mastered the art of holding on... At the moment, she was still surviving in her tide pool, but anytime now the tide would be back in. The clouds were gone. The sun was back. Hope was all around them."
I received an advance copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
July 2, 2020
A wonderful book with tragic situations. Cancer is not something easy to deal with. This book did a wonderful job writing about the family that surrounds it.
Thanks to the author, publisher and Net Galley for an early release if this book.
Thanks to the author, publisher and Net Galley for an early release if this book.
December 27, 2020
When I read the synopsis of this book, I had a feeling it’s going to be a tear jerker type of read. But, it turned out not just tears that I shred. It is also beautifully written, full of hopes, tolerance, spreading positivity, crossing paths with strangers who happen to affect our choice of life no matter how small or big the effect is.
The book has multiple POVs, each character shares their struggles with how to deal with “a big change” in their life, related to breast cancer. How the story goes is not asking the readers to fall apart from the beginning, instead asking us to keep supporting every character in here, how to tell them that “everything is going to be okay, and we are in this together”. Was the book emotional? Yes, I admit I had the emotional odd feelings when I read this book, it's like there was a butterfly in my stomach and it refused to leave until I stopped reading the book. Happens again when I continue reading it. This book is so realistic and touching.
Other than that, prepare to make a bucket list for visiting National Parks that's being written in this book. The author did a great job to describe those places with their beauty, their fresh air, silenceness..everything!!
Huge thank you to St. Martin’s Press/St. Martin’s Griffin for providing a complimentary ARC of this book through NetGalley. This book will be published on January 19, 2021, do add this beautiful book on your 2021 TBR.
5 stars
The book has multiple POVs, each character shares their struggles with how to deal with “a big change” in their life, related to breast cancer. How the story goes is not asking the readers to fall apart from the beginning, instead asking us to keep supporting every character in here, how to tell them that “everything is going to be okay, and we are in this together”. Was the book emotional? Yes, I admit I had the emotional odd feelings when I read this book, it's like there was a butterfly in my stomach and it refused to leave until I stopped reading the book. Happens again when I continue reading it. This book is so realistic and touching.
Other than that, prepare to make a bucket list for visiting National Parks that's being written in this book. The author did a great job to describe those places with their beauty, their fresh air, silenceness..everything!!
Huge thank you to St. Martin’s Press/St. Martin’s Griffin for providing a complimentary ARC of this book through NetGalley. This book will be published on January 19, 2021, do add this beautiful book on your 2021 TBR.
5 stars
November 13, 2020
Beautiful. A moving tribute to inner strength.
What’s Worth Keeping is the story of three lives torn apart by Cancer. The disease infiltrates not only the person afflicted but everyone they know, in one way or another.
When Amy Bergstrom receives the shocking news from her doctor, she mistakenly assumes nothing could be worse. Until she arrives home to find her husband of twenty-five years had plans to leave her. Angry and hurt, she shuts down and succumbs to the necessary treatments needed to rid her body of the disease. Needing escape from everything that’s gone wrong in her life, Amy heads into the sweeping forests of Washington to heal.
Amy’s husband, Paul, is also battling demons. As a police officer, he’s been forced to witness the worst of humanity and it’s taken a painful toll. Now he’s hit with another traumatic event, that of his wife’s double mastectomy. The pressure he’s under is intense but instead of sharing his grief with his wife, Paul closes t up inside.
Instead of enjoying her senior year of high school, Carly is her mother’s night nurse while she goes through her cancer treatments. She knows she shouldn’t be so selfish but anxiety mixes with fear and resentment to create a stew of hostility in her breast.
The journey taken by each member of the Bergstrom family is heartfelt and realistically portrayed. Thank goodness for Aunt Rae!
What’s Worth Keeping is the story of three lives torn apart by Cancer. The disease infiltrates not only the person afflicted but everyone they know, in one way or another.
When Amy Bergstrom receives the shocking news from her doctor, she mistakenly assumes nothing could be worse. Until she arrives home to find her husband of twenty-five years had plans to leave her. Angry and hurt, she shuts down and succumbs to the necessary treatments needed to rid her body of the disease. Needing escape from everything that’s gone wrong in her life, Amy heads into the sweeping forests of Washington to heal.
Amy’s husband, Paul, is also battling demons. As a police officer, he’s been forced to witness the worst of humanity and it’s taken a painful toll. Now he’s hit with another traumatic event, that of his wife’s double mastectomy. The pressure he’s under is intense but instead of sharing his grief with his wife, Paul closes t up inside.
Instead of enjoying her senior year of high school, Carly is her mother’s night nurse while she goes through her cancer treatments. She knows she shouldn’t be so selfish but anxiety mixes with fear and resentment to create a stew of hostility in her breast.
The journey taken by each member of the Bergstrom family is heartfelt and realistically portrayed. Thank goodness for Aunt Rae!
November 24, 2020
I am a 29 year breast cancer survivor. I was 35 years old when I was diagnosed. There was no breast cancer history in our family. I was the youngest of 3 children. I had a 13 year old girl and a 10 year old boy. I went through a mastectomy and 6 months of chemo. I had just been married to my 2nd husband and we were both working 2 jobs. I did not lose my hair, so there is that.
I thought, by reading this book, it would be something that I could relate with and find comfort and healing. I thought that after 29 years, the feelings would not still be this raw. This was not the case.
Many thanks to Netgalley and St Martins Press for this advanced readers copy. This book is due to release in January 2021.
I thought, by reading this book, it would be something that I could relate with and find comfort and healing. I thought that after 29 years, the feelings would not still be this raw. This was not the case.
Many thanks to Netgalley and St Martins Press for this advanced readers copy. This book is due to release in January 2021.
October 21, 2020
Okay. This book was okay.
I thought this book had a lot of potential considering the subject matter. This could have been a deep and raw story about a woman overcoming loss, but it honestly fell so short.
I felt as if this book lacks serious character development. When I should have been interested in Amy's journey, I found her husband Paul's story to be far more interesting and well rounded.
This book was incredibly safe. There was no real raw and earth-shattering moments. Everyone just sorted figured themselves out without much conflict. I also felt as though the author could have been far more daring with her word choices. I thought this was a very PG-rated novel.
I found this book boring and repetitive and honestly, it didn't make me feel much of anything. The writing style was alright, but overall it was a lackluster story.
I thought this book had a lot of potential considering the subject matter. This could have been a deep and raw story about a woman overcoming loss, but it honestly fell so short.
I felt as if this book lacks serious character development. When I should have been interested in Amy's journey, I found her husband Paul's story to be far more interesting and well rounded.
This book was incredibly safe. There was no real raw and earth-shattering moments. Everyone just sorted figured themselves out without much conflict. I also felt as though the author could have been far more daring with her word choices. I thought this was a very PG-rated novel.
I found this book boring and repetitive and honestly, it didn't make me feel much of anything. The writing style was alright, but overall it was a lackluster story.
May 21, 2022
This book was not for me. It felt like one of those silly made-for-TV horse movies. I should stop randomly grabbing books off the new fiction shelf I guess.
October 26, 2020
What’s Worth Keeping is a life-affirming novel that explores important themes such as love, family, perseverance, and finding your way when you feel lost. Not only that, it is full of wonderful imagery and metaphor. From Oklahoma City to Mount Rainier National Park in Washington State, McLaren imbues the novel with a definite sense of place, from the South Central plains to magical, forested mountaintops.
This is the story of Amy, Paul, and Carly – a woman, her husband, and their teenage daughter – who are all lost and floundering in life. Amy is a recent cancer survivor recovering from a double mastectomy and hysterectomy. Paul, many years later, is still suffering post-traumatic stress disorder from his role as a first responder at the Oklahoma City Bombing. Carly is angry and lashing out over her fear that she will be overcome with cancer like her mother and grandmother; and is also questioning the fruitfulness of going to college as she planned.
What’s Worth Keeping is based on the author’s own experience with breast cancer, treatment, and recovery, which gives the story a strong sense of authenticity. It starts out with a scene of Amy sorting through her clothing and deciding “what’s worth keeping” and what should be donated, an apt metaphoric theme for the novel, as Amy, Paul, and Carly struggle with putting their lives in order. The unsung star of the show, however, is Amy’s Aunt Rae, a wise and feisty wrangler of Clydesdale horses, who firmly, but gently, helps Amy, Paul, and Carly see what is truly meaningful and what can be discarded.
If I had any complaints, it would be that while McLaren has excellent usage of symbolism and analogy, it does at times feel a bit heavy-handed. And, occasionally, scenes such as Paul’s home remodeling project are over-explained, as if the average reader doesn’t have the capacity to understand simple construction techniques.
Despite these couple of small bumps in the road, I do recommend the novel as I did really enjoy it. I especially loved traveling across the country with Amy from Oklahoma City to the Pacific Northwest, sharing with her the novelty and beauty of each of the National Parks along the way (I have some new places on my bucket list!). Also, Aunt Rae is a true kick in the pants, with rustic yet astute advice for every situation – I found myself wishing I could plunk right down into one of her horse camping trips with those beautiful Clydesdales.
A big thank you to Kaya McLaren, St. Martin’s Griffin, and NetGalley for providing a complimentary copy of What’s Worth Keeping in exchange for this honest review. What’s Worth Keeping is available January 19, 2021 from St. Martin’s Griffin, an imprint of St. Martin’s Press.
#WhatsWorthKeeping
#KayaMcLaren
#StMartinsGriffin
#StMartinsPress
#WomensFiction
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This is the story of Amy, Paul, and Carly – a woman, her husband, and their teenage daughter – who are all lost and floundering in life. Amy is a recent cancer survivor recovering from a double mastectomy and hysterectomy. Paul, many years later, is still suffering post-traumatic stress disorder from his role as a first responder at the Oklahoma City Bombing. Carly is angry and lashing out over her fear that she will be overcome with cancer like her mother and grandmother; and is also questioning the fruitfulness of going to college as she planned.
What’s Worth Keeping is based on the author’s own experience with breast cancer, treatment, and recovery, which gives the story a strong sense of authenticity. It starts out with a scene of Amy sorting through her clothing and deciding “what’s worth keeping” and what should be donated, an apt metaphoric theme for the novel, as Amy, Paul, and Carly struggle with putting their lives in order. The unsung star of the show, however, is Amy’s Aunt Rae, a wise and feisty wrangler of Clydesdale horses, who firmly, but gently, helps Amy, Paul, and Carly see what is truly meaningful and what can be discarded.
If I had any complaints, it would be that while McLaren has excellent usage of symbolism and analogy, it does at times feel a bit heavy-handed. And, occasionally, scenes such as Paul’s home remodeling project are over-explained, as if the average reader doesn’t have the capacity to understand simple construction techniques.
Despite these couple of small bumps in the road, I do recommend the novel as I did really enjoy it. I especially loved traveling across the country with Amy from Oklahoma City to the Pacific Northwest, sharing with her the novelty and beauty of each of the National Parks along the way (I have some new places on my bucket list!). Also, Aunt Rae is a true kick in the pants, with rustic yet astute advice for every situation – I found myself wishing I could plunk right down into one of her horse camping trips with those beautiful Clydesdales.
A big thank you to Kaya McLaren, St. Martin’s Griffin, and NetGalley for providing a complimentary copy of What’s Worth Keeping in exchange for this honest review. What’s Worth Keeping is available January 19, 2021 from St. Martin’s Griffin, an imprint of St. Martin’s Press.
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January 21, 2021
Thank you Netgalley for an ARC of What's Worth Keeping.
What's Worth Keeping is a look at 3 family members and the toll hereditary breast cancer can have on their lives.
Amy is diagnosed with breast cancer and discovers at the same time that her husband, Paul, of 25 years was planning on leaving her. His plans change once she's been given her diagnosis...and he doesn't know she's aware of his plans. Their teenage daughter, Carly, is struggling with the diagnosis. She's obsessed with the fact that this diagnosis may one day be hers - and isn't quite sure how to grapple with that.
The three family members travel on 3 very different journeys of healing. Amy leaves on a solo trip "to visit the trees", where she faces her past, confronts her thoughts about her marriage, and works on healing her future. Paul, a police officer, is put on administrative leave and decides to work on gutting and refurbishing their dream retirement house, all while facing his own thoughts and demons. Carly is sent to spend the summer with her great Aunt in New Mexico, where she also begins to let her guard down and learns how to heal.
This is such a sad book and a quick read. If you are ready for an emotional journey through the life of a devastated family dealing with a cancer diagnosis, definitely pick this one up. But make sure your heart is ready!
What's Worth Keeping is a look at 3 family members and the toll hereditary breast cancer can have on their lives.
Amy is diagnosed with breast cancer and discovers at the same time that her husband, Paul, of 25 years was planning on leaving her. His plans change once she's been given her diagnosis...and he doesn't know she's aware of his plans. Their teenage daughter, Carly, is struggling with the diagnosis. She's obsessed with the fact that this diagnosis may one day be hers - and isn't quite sure how to grapple with that.
The three family members travel on 3 very different journeys of healing. Amy leaves on a solo trip "to visit the trees", where she faces her past, confronts her thoughts about her marriage, and works on healing her future. Paul, a police officer, is put on administrative leave and decides to work on gutting and refurbishing their dream retirement house, all while facing his own thoughts and demons. Carly is sent to spend the summer with her great Aunt in New Mexico, where she also begins to let her guard down and learns how to heal.
This is such a sad book and a quick read. If you are ready for an emotional journey through the life of a devastated family dealing with a cancer diagnosis, definitely pick this one up. But make sure your heart is ready!
January 19, 2021
Amy Bergstrom is recovering physically after her cancer treatment, but the mastectomy and hysterectomy have left her emotionally scarred. Her husband Paul, an Oklahoma City police officer had been distant ever since the bombing in the federal building. In order to block out his emotions from the horrible things people do to each other, he also blocks out the good. Carly, their teenage daughter, is terrified after finding out her mother's form of cancer is genetic. If she has the same gene, what is the point of going to college or starting a relationship if she's only going to die young? The summer after Carly's graduation, they all spend time apart in ways that bring them healing and hope to come back together as a family.
This was a beautiful story of hope and healing. The author did an excellent job of describing the emotional pain of each character. Thank you to St. Martin's Press and Kaya McLaren for the opportunity to read this wonderful book.
I received a complimentary copy of this book through NetGalley. The views and opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.
This was a beautiful story of hope and healing. The author did an excellent job of describing the emotional pain of each character. Thank you to St. Martin's Press and Kaya McLaren for the opportunity to read this wonderful book.
I received a complimentary copy of this book through NetGalley. The views and opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.
October 21, 2020
An emotionally challenging battle with breast cancer is one of the 'beneath the surface' struggles faced by the Bergstrom family. The depth of the compassion could only be written by a breast cancer survivor.
Amy's 47th birthday finds her reassessing her life with her new mutilated body. Paul, her husband, is an Oklahoma City cop burying the horror of the rescue part he played in the bombing that rocked the U.S., works the night shift so he can look care of Amy during the day. Carly, their teenage daughter, has spent her senior year of high school being the night shift caregiver to her mother during her cancer surgeries and treatments.
How this family each face their own fears and how they survive individually and as a family make this an emotional experience for the reader.
Well done Kaya McLaren.
I volunteered to read an ARC from St. Martin's Press through Net Galley
Release date Jan 19 2021.
I will be purchasing a print copy.
Amy's 47th birthday finds her reassessing her life with her new mutilated body. Paul, her husband, is an Oklahoma City cop burying the horror of the rescue part he played in the bombing that rocked the U.S., works the night shift so he can look care of Amy during the day. Carly, their teenage daughter, has spent her senior year of high school being the night shift caregiver to her mother during her cancer surgeries and treatments.
How this family each face their own fears and how they survive individually and as a family make this an emotional experience for the reader.
Well done Kaya McLaren.
I volunteered to read an ARC from St. Martin's Press through Net Galley
Release date Jan 19 2021.
I will be purchasing a print copy.
January 19, 2021
What's Worth Keeping is a profound, intimate, emotionally stirring book about survival and hope. The story is told from the points of view of three people: Amy, who has just finished treatment for breast cancer; Paul, Amy's husband, a policeman in Oklahoma City who is still haunted by the bombing, years later; their daughter Carly, who is 18 and angry and confused. At the beginning of the story, they are each in a different place, geographically and emotionally, and the book is their journey--taken alone, but with perhaps the hope of reuniting at the end. I was particularly moved by Amy's story, since I also had breast cancer. Her cancer was treated with honesty, and the author clearly understood all of the tangled feelings that Amy dealt with--that I think most cancer survivors find themselves living through. I highlighted so many passages, as there is deep wisdom in this wonderful book. It is obvious to me that the author wrote every word of this book with her heart; this story of healing is personal and poignant, and I recommend it highly.
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