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A Sky Full of Stars
Award-winning romance writer Dani Atkins returns in this heart-breaking love story, in which a newly widowed father brings up his six-year-old son alone.
He'd have done everything differently if he'd known she'd be gone so soon...
When Lisa married Alex, she gave his life meaning. She was a professional astronomer: a stargazer. And when she gazed at Alex, she saw that behind his tough exterior was a man she could love.
Alex, Lisa and their young son Connor made a happy little universe. But then Lisa dies in a train crash, and their universe is destroyed. Alex is shattered by loss, and overwhelmed by the difficulties of being a single father to a six-year-old boy. How can he and Connor carry on without Lisa lighting up their lives?
Then Alex meets four strangers. Two men and two women, who never met Lisa, but whose lives changed profoundly because she died. As Alex hears their stories, he begins to realise the world may not be as cruel and senseless as it seems. Perhaps, after all, the future is written in the stars...
He'd have done everything differently if he'd known she'd be gone so soon...
When Lisa married Alex, she gave his life meaning. She was a professional astronomer: a stargazer. And when she gazed at Alex, she saw that behind his tough exterior was a man she could love.
Alex, Lisa and their young son Connor made a happy little universe. But then Lisa dies in a train crash, and their universe is destroyed. Alex is shattered by loss, and overwhelmed by the difficulties of being a single father to a six-year-old boy. How can he and Connor carry on without Lisa lighting up their lives?
Then Alex meets four strangers. Two men and two women, who never met Lisa, but whose lives changed profoundly because she died. As Alex hears their stories, he begins to realise the world may not be as cruel and senseless as it seems. Perhaps, after all, the future is written in the stars...
464 pages, Paperback
First published February 4, 2021
1034 people are currently reading
2288 people want to read
About the author
Dani Atkins
27 books1,176 followersDani was born and brought up in Cockfosters- a small London suburb at the end of the Piccadilly Tube Line.
This served her well for commuting into the city, where from the age of 18 she worked in a succession of secretarial positions in companies as diverse as a BMW car dealership to the BBC. Dani spent her two hour commute avidly reading and dreamed that one day she would become an author herself.
When her two children grew up and left home, Dani set about turning this dream into reality and devoted her time to writing. She now lives in a rural Hertfordshire cottage with her husband, a soppy border collie dog and a haughty Siamese cat.
Her first novels FRACTURED (called THEN AND ALWAYS in the US) and THE STORY OF US published in 2014. In January 2016, her third novel, OUR SONG was published.
This served her well for commuting into the city, where from the age of 18 she worked in a succession of secretarial positions in companies as diverse as a BMW car dealership to the BBC. Dani spent her two hour commute avidly reading and dreamed that one day she would become an author herself.
When her two children grew up and left home, Dani set about turning this dream into reality and devoted her time to writing. She now lives in a rural Hertfordshire cottage with her husband, a soppy border collie dog and a haughty Siamese cat.
Her first novels FRACTURED (called THEN AND ALWAYS in the US) and THE STORY OF US published in 2014. In January 2016, her third novel, OUR SONG was published.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 398 reviews
February 18, 2021
I really enjoyed Gone Too Soon. I was instantly invested in all of the characters. This made it very emotional when Lisa passes away. Gone Too Soon is an interesting and unique story. I thought I wanted something to happen in the book, but Atkins had other plans that I liked much better. Alex develops a friendship with the organ recipients. This is unusual and difficult for everyone at times. Alex is looking for characteristics from his wife but has to figure out how to seem the recipients as their own people. All of the characters are very unique, so I really enjoyed reading about their interactions and how they fit into each other’s lives. The book takes place over the year after Lisa’s death. All of the characters had a difficult year and have to figure out how to move on with their changed life. The book is told from Alex and Molly’s perspectives which makes this great story even more interesting. Molly receives Lisa’s heart and Alex feels the biggest connection to Molly.
Thank you Bookouture and NetGalley for Gone Too Soon.
Full Review: https://justreadingjess.wordpress.com...
Thank you Bookouture and NetGalley for Gone Too Soon.
Full Review: https://justreadingjess.wordpress.com...
April 21, 2023
Review of paperback version.
Lisa, an astronomer is married to Alex and they have a young son Connor. When tragedy strikes Alex is at a loss to know how to cope. But four strangers , who have never met Lisa, change his life and that of Connor profoundly. There is Barbara, a woman in her seventies with a love of cats. Another is Molly a school teacher in her thirties whose life is dramatically changed. Mac, who Molly meets in an embarrassing situation and Jamie a younger man with a tendency to exaggeration. Is it just chance that brings these four strangers into Alex and Connor’s lives? Or is it written in the stars?
The story is told in chapters from both Alex’s and Molly’s perspectives. It is an emotion charged read. If you can get though it without tears, you are better than me. Young Connor just about broke my heart as he struggled to deal with the loss of his mother.
Yes, you will have to suspend disbelief especially towards the end. But that aside, this is an engaging read that involves the reader in events. I loved it.
Lisa, an astronomer is married to Alex and they have a young son Connor. When tragedy strikes Alex is at a loss to know how to cope. But four strangers , who have never met Lisa, change his life and that of Connor profoundly. There is Barbara, a woman in her seventies with a love of cats. Another is Molly a school teacher in her thirties whose life is dramatically changed. Mac, who Molly meets in an embarrassing situation and Jamie a younger man with a tendency to exaggeration. Is it just chance that brings these four strangers into Alex and Connor’s lives? Or is it written in the stars?
The story is told in chapters from both Alex’s and Molly’s perspectives. It is an emotion charged read. If you can get though it without tears, you are better than me. Young Connor just about broke my heart as he struggled to deal with the loss of his mother.
Yes, you will have to suspend disbelief especially towards the end. But that aside, this is an engaging read that involves the reader in events. I loved it.
February 21, 2021
A beautifully told emotional tale. Dani Atkins definitely tugged on my heartstrings with this evocative story. The story begins with Alex saying goodbye to his beautiful wife for what turns out to be the last time. Lisa a devoted wife and mother with a passion for astronomy who was gone too soon. As Alex begins the process of grief he is informed that Lisa signed up to be an organ donor. Knowing his wife would always want to help out those in need Alex agrees to this. Lisa‘s organs save/improve the lives of four random people. And Alex is left picking up the pieces not knowing how he’s going to manage this, much less his six-year-old son Connor. Driven by his grief and need to understand Alex connects with the four people who benefited from Lisa’s organ donation. What follows is a lovely story filled with hope, encouragement, strength, grief, and second chances.
The story is told from the alternating perspectives of Alex and Molly. Molly is a 32-year-old elementary teacher who received leases heart. I really liked Molly she had such a kind spirit about her. Alex was a good guy who was so shattered, my heart broke for both him and his young son. What I loved most about this book was the found family that these organ beneficiaries found with one another as well as Alex. It’s kind of funny that there was so much feel goodness in this book about grief.
Now on a personal note I need to address something about the book that did not sit well with me. I myself suffer from a degenerative I disease like one of the characters in the story who received a cornea transplant. First of all I want to point out that you cannot get an eye transplant or a retina transplant, so most people who are blind would not benefit at this point in time from any kind of transplant. And as much as I liked this particular character in the story, I really wish he was not included. The thing is getting a cornea transplant is not life-saving it is life enhancing. Being blind is not a death sentence it is a disability that many people live with daily. It was unfortunate and truthfully a little hurtful every time it was mentioned that this man’s life was pretty much over with because of his disease that caused his blindness. I don’t believe that this was the intent of the book or the author and I debated whether or not to mention it in my review. I decided that I needed to be true to myself and I needed to say something. And I need to mention one more thing, I really don’t mean to nitpick, but... blind people are more tactile than sighted people, however they don’t actually invade peoples personal space and touch them “as seen on TV“. Now this is not an indictment of this book that I will reiterate was very good it is just a little reminder for all of us to be a little more mindful.
This book in emojis 🌕 🫀 🪐 🫁 💫
*** Big thank you to Bookouture for my gifted copy of this book. All opinions are my own. ***
The story is told from the alternating perspectives of Alex and Molly. Molly is a 32-year-old elementary teacher who received leases heart. I really liked Molly she had such a kind spirit about her. Alex was a good guy who was so shattered, my heart broke for both him and his young son. What I loved most about this book was the found family that these organ beneficiaries found with one another as well as Alex. It’s kind of funny that there was so much feel goodness in this book about grief.
Now on a personal note I need to address something about the book that did not sit well with me. I myself suffer from a degenerative I disease like one of the characters in the story who received a cornea transplant. First of all I want to point out that you cannot get an eye transplant or a retina transplant, so most people who are blind would not benefit at this point in time from any kind of transplant. And as much as I liked this particular character in the story, I really wish he was not included. The thing is getting a cornea transplant is not life-saving it is life enhancing. Being blind is not a death sentence it is a disability that many people live with daily. It was unfortunate and truthfully a little hurtful every time it was mentioned that this man’s life was pretty much over with because of his disease that caused his blindness. I don’t believe that this was the intent of the book or the author and I debated whether or not to mention it in my review. I decided that I needed to be true to myself and I needed to say something. And I need to mention one more thing, I really don’t mean to nitpick, but... blind people are more tactile than sighted people, however they don’t actually invade peoples personal space and touch them “as seen on TV“. Now this is not an indictment of this book that I will reiterate was very good it is just a little reminder for all of us to be a little more mindful.
This book in emojis 🌕 🫀 🪐 🫁 💫
*** Big thank you to Bookouture for my gifted copy of this book. All opinions are my own. ***
November 7, 2020
The story of a group of people brought together by tragic circumstances.
This book really tugged and my heartstrings. A story of loss and new beginnings with some unforgettable characters.
Thank you to NetGalley and Head of Zeus for my e-copy in exchange for an honest review
This book really tugged and my heartstrings. A story of loss and new beginnings with some unforgettable characters.
Thank you to NetGalley and Head of Zeus for my e-copy in exchange for an honest review
December 26, 2020
A Sky full of Stars from Dani Atkins in my first book from the author and it won’t be my last.
When Lisa dies after a tragic accident, her husband Alex and their 7-year-old son Connor are left bereft. The pair are trying to get over her death are asked for permission to donate her organs. Alex wasn’t aware that Lisa wishes and at first, he hesitates. But eventually agrees. Her heart, lungs, corneas, and kidneys are given. Alex finds it hard to get over her death and being a one parent family to Connor, but he is not alone as he has help from his brother and sister-in-law. To start his healing process, he decides to meet the recipients of Lisa’s organs and when they meet all things start to happen, but they become friends.
This is a beautifully written story of love and loss and grief. Of a child coming to terms with the sudden death of their Mother. This was a very emotional sad story but sensitively written which I really enjoyed. I will now be looking at the other books that this author has written.
When Lisa dies after a tragic accident, her husband Alex and their 7-year-old son Connor are left bereft. The pair are trying to get over her death are asked for permission to donate her organs. Alex wasn’t aware that Lisa wishes and at first, he hesitates. But eventually agrees. Her heart, lungs, corneas, and kidneys are given. Alex finds it hard to get over her death and being a one parent family to Connor, but he is not alone as he has help from his brother and sister-in-law. To start his healing process, he decides to meet the recipients of Lisa’s organs and when they meet all things start to happen, but they become friends.
This is a beautifully written story of love and loss and grief. Of a child coming to terms with the sudden death of their Mother. This was a very emotional sad story but sensitively written which I really enjoyed. I will now be looking at the other books that this author has written.
September 4, 2022
3,5 ⭐️ von mir.
In dieser Geschichte geht es sicherlich um ein sehr wichtiges Thema: Organspende.
Die Autorin hat hier eine warmherzige Geschichte mit liebevollen Charakteren geschrieben. Sehr früh konnte ich mir schon denken, wohin die Reise gehen sollen.
Einmal gab es eine Wendung, die ich nicht erwartet hätte, die aber gut gepasst hat. Alles in Allem, war es eine schöne Geschichte. Leider war sie mir zu glatt und zu sehr auf Kino ausgelegt. Ich kann mir diese Geschichte als Film vorstellen, aber eben trotzdem zu glatt und zu vorhersehbar.
Letztlich mag ich aber die Geschichten, die Dani Atkins schreibt. Sie erwärmen einem zwischendurch das ♥️.
Für diese Story ist das tatsächlich sehr passend 😌.
In dieser Geschichte geht es sicherlich um ein sehr wichtiges Thema: Organspende.
Die Autorin hat hier eine warmherzige Geschichte mit liebevollen Charakteren geschrieben. Sehr früh konnte ich mir schon denken, wohin die Reise gehen sollen.
Einmal gab es eine Wendung, die ich nicht erwartet hätte, die aber gut gepasst hat. Alles in Allem, war es eine schöne Geschichte. Leider war sie mir zu glatt und zu sehr auf Kino ausgelegt. Ich kann mir diese Geschichte als Film vorstellen, aber eben trotzdem zu glatt und zu vorhersehbar.
Letztlich mag ich aber die Geschichten, die Dani Atkins schreibt. Sie erwärmen einem zwischendurch das ♥️.
Für diese Story ist das tatsächlich sehr passend 😌.
February 14, 2022
Kurzmeinung:
Hach, wow. Wie wunderschön war dieses Buch bitte? 🥺 Was unglaublich tragisch begann, entwickelte sich in eine unfassbar tröstliche Geschichte über Verlust, Zusammenhalt, Familie & Hoffnung 🥺 Trotz des vielen Schmerzes, der hier auch eine Rolle spielt, war es letztlich ein absolutes Wohlfühlbuch, das mich sehr berührt hat. Ich hab auch immer eine Schwäche für Bücher, bei denen der Titel eine so präsente Rolle spielt.😍🌙
Es war mein erstes Buch der Autorin, aber ich hatte schon so viel Gutes über sie gehört und ich wurde nicht enttäuscht 🙏🏼 Ich liebe den Erzählstil, die Charaktere, die Gefühle & Emotionen, die leichte Prise Humor - es war ein rundum gelungener Roman, den ich wahnsinnig gern gelesen habe und von Herzen empfehlen kann. 🥺
Hach, wow. Wie wunderschön war dieses Buch bitte? 🥺 Was unglaublich tragisch begann, entwickelte sich in eine unfassbar tröstliche Geschichte über Verlust, Zusammenhalt, Familie & Hoffnung 🥺 Trotz des vielen Schmerzes, der hier auch eine Rolle spielt, war es letztlich ein absolutes Wohlfühlbuch, das mich sehr berührt hat. Ich hab auch immer eine Schwäche für Bücher, bei denen der Titel eine so präsente Rolle spielt.😍🌙
Es war mein erstes Buch der Autorin, aber ich hatte schon so viel Gutes über sie gehört und ich wurde nicht enttäuscht 🙏🏼 Ich liebe den Erzählstil, die Charaktere, die Gefühle & Emotionen, die leichte Prise Humor - es war ein rundum gelungener Roman, den ich wahnsinnig gern gelesen habe und von Herzen empfehlen kann. 🥺
January 28, 2021
After his wife dies in a tragic accident, a widower and his young son deal with their grief – with varying levels of success. Lisa's death saves four lives as an organ donor, and the recipients' lives are brought together along with grieving Alex and Connor.
I'm a little surprised by how engrossed in this story I became. There is a lot of cheesiness in it, and a lot of romance tropes (some of which were a little eyeroll-inducing), but they're balanced out fairly well by the tragedy and raw emotions also explored. There was a fair amount of suspension of disbelief needed, and as someone who rarely reads romance stories I did have to keep reminding myself that it's a quirk of the genre, however it ended up being somewhat of a page-turner.
3.5 stars, rounded up
I'm a little surprised by how engrossed in this story I became. There is a lot of cheesiness in it, and a lot of romance tropes (some of which were a little eyeroll-inducing), but they're balanced out fairly well by the tragedy and raw emotions also explored. There was a fair amount of suspension of disbelief needed, and as someone who rarely reads romance stories I did have to keep reminding myself that it's a quirk of the genre, however it ended up being somewhat of a page-turner.
3.5 stars, rounded up
August 29, 2021
A beautiful novel
A truly beautiful novel for readers who are willing to feel moved enough to want to cry. It's not often you read a book with such a wonderful group of engaging and lovely characters who are so easy to care about. There is some suspense, a thrilling ending, some plot twists, but ultimately it's a feelgood novel about love, loss, grief and the value of generosity, gratitude, family and friendship. An antidote to troubled times and a reminder that we all have reasons to be grateful and a moral obligation to pay it forward.
A truly beautiful novel for readers who are willing to feel moved enough to want to cry. It's not often you read a book with such a wonderful group of engaging and lovely characters who are so easy to care about. There is some suspense, a thrilling ending, some plot twists, but ultimately it's a feelgood novel about love, loss, grief and the value of generosity, gratitude, family and friendship. An antidote to troubled times and a reminder that we all have reasons to be grateful and a moral obligation to pay it forward.
December 11, 2022
My problems with this book started at pacing and somehow ended up at child abuse
Yes this review contains spoilers, but seriously, don’t waste your time on this book.
Let’s start at the beginning. At first it just felt a bit cheesy, but that was expected from the cover and blurb. You know there’s that certain kind of writing and it makes for an easy read but is not particularly interesting, so it was fine.
I liked the concept - a woman dies and her organs get donated and how these people are fated to be in each other’s lives. That’s interesting!
And credit where it’s due, Lisa’s death did make me emotional. It was the one well written part of the book.
It’s how everything unfolds that frankly sucks, and there’s a lot to get through so this might be slightly sporadic.
I’ll start with the family she leaves behind - her husband Alex and seven year old son Connor (since none of her family seemed to care she died and check in at all or be relevant to the story). Alex is a bad dad. He’s one of the two main characters yet he’s so hard to sympathise with, mostly because he’s so selfish. Of course grief is hard, but his priority should be his kid and yet he’s blatantly neglectful. If your SEVEN YEAR OLD child is clearly not dealing with this event you need to get him help. Maybe I’m too practically minded but I can not read about how sad it is a little kid is so depressed- GO HELP HIM!! Give him therapy, properly explain what has happened, don’t let him think his mum is returning. And it’s that stupid cliché of mum’s dead and dad’s useless. YOU ARE A PARENT! YOU WERE A PARENT BEFORE SHE DIED AND YOU STILL ARE NOW! SO STEP UP! There’s no denying that suddenly losing your partner would be horrible, but this portrayal is not one that conjures any sympathies from me.
The other main character is Molly, who receives the heart transplant. The chapters switch between first person for molly and third for alex - a choice that makes little sense when the narrative voice stays pretty consistent in style. Molly is at least a nicer character but her story is frustrating. She somehow is in a love triangle between Alex and Mac - who receives a retina transplant. Both are obviously terrible options. One thinks he loves her because she has his wife’s heart (though of course the author decides it’s important to mention that he’s Sexually attracted to her) and the other she describes multiple times as feeling childlike in his presence because he’s so tall. Heres a tip! If you want 2 characters to get together, DONT USE ANY DESCRIPTION THAT REFERS TO CHILDREN YOU WEIRDO. And Mac even says at one point that they should be friends and it is said in such a brilliant way that YOU WOULD THINK THE AUTHOR WOULD LISTEN. Oh and there’s this irrelevant plot point about Mac having a pregnant friend and Molly thinking he must be involved somehow because god forbid a man be friends with a pregnant lady??? What in the world?
Here are some quick fire problems I have as they come to me:
* Molly wearing red lipstick with a smoky eye. You either do a bold eye or a bold lip otherwise it’s too much…unless you’re doing Strictly.
* Connor gets a kitten from the old lady who received the kidney transplant after she basically forced it on Alex. Why when your kid is severely traumatised would you not immediately accept the first thing to bring him joy in months? And why was his reaction ‘Lisa would’ve been so proud of me’ NO SHE WOULDVE GOT THE KITTEN IMMEDIATELY YOU DICK
* Bad research on blindness. Mac says he didn’t think he’d ever have children? Because blind people can’t have children??? And there was the stupid old misconception of ‘i can hear so much better because I’m blind’ no babes blind people rely on hearing more than sited people THEYRE NOT BLOODY SUPERHEROS WITH ECHOLOCATION
* the pacing of the book sucked and there were so many unnecessary chapters and things stretching on too long
* The ending omg THE ENDING ok obvs major spoilers but if you’re still planning on reading the book have a word with yourself. Ok so the ending - Connor, a seven year old CHILD, slips out the house with no one noticing. i mean you have to be joking. Someone please take his father’s rights away. So alex doesnt want them calling the police which again terrible parenting. Connor’s gone to find his mum because he thinks she’s still alive (!!) and ends up at a pier (not really explained why). Somehow Mac had been driving to this same pier a lot when he first got his surgery so knew where it was and it’s like the mum’s eyes knew where her son would be like what kind of supernatural bs is this. Connor ends up in the sea, in a storm, getting mouth to mouth, only to be fine to talk to his dad. LIKE GIRL JUST WATCH ONE CASUALTY EPISODE AND YOULL KNOW THATS NOT ACCURATE.
* And the final chapter? A five months later subheading and Mac and Molly getting married. For one, why are you getting married so fast. For two, how are you planning a wedding so fast. For three what a lazy cliché ending. Why not the ending where Connor heals and gets the help he needs.
This book just makes me rage. I am shocked it got through editors and no one pointed out these 490 flaws. I’m even more shocked people LIKE this book?? At this point I think it might be a prank.
But yes I did finish it. The absolute ridiculousness of it all kept me hooked by making me wonder what on earth is gonna come next, and shocking me every time.
I’m glad I got this book second hand rather than paying full price. Some people kayak the amazon for charity, I read a shite book that cost 50p from a charity shop.
Yes this review contains spoilers, but seriously, don’t waste your time on this book.
Let’s start at the beginning. At first it just felt a bit cheesy, but that was expected from the cover and blurb. You know there’s that certain kind of writing and it makes for an easy read but is not particularly interesting, so it was fine.
I liked the concept - a woman dies and her organs get donated and how these people are fated to be in each other’s lives. That’s interesting!
And credit where it’s due, Lisa’s death did make me emotional. It was the one well written part of the book.
It’s how everything unfolds that frankly sucks, and there’s a lot to get through so this might be slightly sporadic.
I’ll start with the family she leaves behind - her husband Alex and seven year old son Connor (since none of her family seemed to care she died and check in at all or be relevant to the story). Alex is a bad dad. He’s one of the two main characters yet he’s so hard to sympathise with, mostly because he’s so selfish. Of course grief is hard, but his priority should be his kid and yet he’s blatantly neglectful. If your SEVEN YEAR OLD child is clearly not dealing with this event you need to get him help. Maybe I’m too practically minded but I can not read about how sad it is a little kid is so depressed- GO HELP HIM!! Give him therapy, properly explain what has happened, don’t let him think his mum is returning. And it’s that stupid cliché of mum’s dead and dad’s useless. YOU ARE A PARENT! YOU WERE A PARENT BEFORE SHE DIED AND YOU STILL ARE NOW! SO STEP UP! There’s no denying that suddenly losing your partner would be horrible, but this portrayal is not one that conjures any sympathies from me.
The other main character is Molly, who receives the heart transplant. The chapters switch between first person for molly and third for alex - a choice that makes little sense when the narrative voice stays pretty consistent in style. Molly is at least a nicer character but her story is frustrating. She somehow is in a love triangle between Alex and Mac - who receives a retina transplant. Both are obviously terrible options. One thinks he loves her because she has his wife’s heart (though of course the author decides it’s important to mention that he’s Sexually attracted to her) and the other she describes multiple times as feeling childlike in his presence because he’s so tall. Heres a tip! If you want 2 characters to get together, DONT USE ANY DESCRIPTION THAT REFERS TO CHILDREN YOU WEIRDO. And Mac even says at one point that they should be friends and it is said in such a brilliant way that YOU WOULD THINK THE AUTHOR WOULD LISTEN. Oh and there’s this irrelevant plot point about Mac having a pregnant friend and Molly thinking he must be involved somehow because god forbid a man be friends with a pregnant lady??? What in the world?
Here are some quick fire problems I have as they come to me:
* Molly wearing red lipstick with a smoky eye. You either do a bold eye or a bold lip otherwise it’s too much…unless you’re doing Strictly.
* Connor gets a kitten from the old lady who received the kidney transplant after she basically forced it on Alex. Why when your kid is severely traumatised would you not immediately accept the first thing to bring him joy in months? And why was his reaction ‘Lisa would’ve been so proud of me’ NO SHE WOULDVE GOT THE KITTEN IMMEDIATELY YOU DICK
* Bad research on blindness. Mac says he didn’t think he’d ever have children? Because blind people can’t have children??? And there was the stupid old misconception of ‘i can hear so much better because I’m blind’ no babes blind people rely on hearing more than sited people THEYRE NOT BLOODY SUPERHEROS WITH ECHOLOCATION
* the pacing of the book sucked and there were so many unnecessary chapters and things stretching on too long
* The ending omg THE ENDING ok obvs major spoilers but if you’re still planning on reading the book have a word with yourself. Ok so the ending - Connor, a seven year old CHILD, slips out the house with no one noticing. i mean you have to be joking. Someone please take his father’s rights away. So alex doesnt want them calling the police which again terrible parenting. Connor’s gone to find his mum because he thinks she’s still alive (!!) and ends up at a pier (not really explained why). Somehow Mac had been driving to this same pier a lot when he first got his surgery so knew where it was and it’s like the mum’s eyes knew where her son would be like what kind of supernatural bs is this. Connor ends up in the sea, in a storm, getting mouth to mouth, only to be fine to talk to his dad. LIKE GIRL JUST WATCH ONE CASUALTY EPISODE AND YOULL KNOW THATS NOT ACCURATE.
* And the final chapter? A five months later subheading and Mac and Molly getting married. For one, why are you getting married so fast. For two, how are you planning a wedding so fast. For three what a lazy cliché ending. Why not the ending where Connor heals and gets the help he needs.
This book just makes me rage. I am shocked it got through editors and no one pointed out these 490 flaws. I’m even more shocked people LIKE this book?? At this point I think it might be a prank.
But yes I did finish it. The absolute ridiculousness of it all kept me hooked by making me wonder what on earth is gonna come next, and shocking me every time.
I’m glad I got this book second hand rather than paying full price. Some people kayak the amazon for charity, I read a shite book that cost 50p from a charity shop.
December 28, 2021
A beautifully written emotional story which this author does so well. It’s a heartbreaking read, entwined with some humorous moments too. I loved all the characters and was invested in them all. Definitely a recommended read.
June 28, 2021
3.5 stars
February 16, 2021
This story starts by introducing us to Alex, Lisa and their six year old son Connor. Connor was a sweet, shy boy who I immediately fell in love with. When Lisa dies in a tragic accident, Alex honours her wishes and donates her organs. They are used in transplants for four people (heart, kidney, lungs, corneas). The story takes place over the next year as Alex and Connor try and deal with their grief and Molly, Barbara, Jamie and Mac begin their new lives integrating into each others as well as Alex's and his family.
The story is told from Molly's and Alex's point of views in alternating chapters. Molly was suffering from heart failure and Lisa's heart saved her life. This was a heartbreaking story. Dealing with grief, especially in a young child is hard. I connected to Connor's feelings having lost my father when I was only eight. Alex was looking for Lisa in the organ recipients in different ways. I had read about organ recipients taking on characteristics of the donor and suddenly liking things they had hated before, but the donor loved, but I am not sure how true that all is. I have a very dear friend who is a heart transplant survivor, so again, there was another connection there as well. I enjoyed seeing how this group became like a chosen family. I was worried about Alex for awhile there, but with Connor to take care of, I am glad he came around. I will not share what else happens in this story, but there were some moments where I was holding my breath, some where I had tears in my eyes and some where I was smiling widely. There is some romance, but that is not the main point of this story. This is a well written and pace story with relatable and developed characters. I recommend this on to those who like good family stories, stories dealing with grief and those who survive it, as well as stories of human nature. I am a true believer in being an organ donor and think a story like this one will help people understand the importance of that. This is my first book by Dani Atkins, but I know it won't be my last. I was gifted a copy of this book upon request. The rating and opinions shared are my own.
The story is told from Molly's and Alex's point of views in alternating chapters. Molly was suffering from heart failure and Lisa's heart saved her life. This was a heartbreaking story. Dealing with grief, especially in a young child is hard. I connected to Connor's feelings having lost my father when I was only eight. Alex was looking for Lisa in the organ recipients in different ways. I had read about organ recipients taking on characteristics of the donor and suddenly liking things they had hated before, but the donor loved, but I am not sure how true that all is. I have a very dear friend who is a heart transplant survivor, so again, there was another connection there as well. I enjoyed seeing how this group became like a chosen family. I was worried about Alex for awhile there, but with Connor to take care of, I am glad he came around. I will not share what else happens in this story, but there were some moments where I was holding my breath, some where I had tears in my eyes and some where I was smiling widely. There is some romance, but that is not the main point of this story. This is a well written and pace story with relatable and developed characters. I recommend this on to those who like good family stories, stories dealing with grief and those who survive it, as well as stories of human nature. I am a true believer in being an organ donor and think a story like this one will help people understand the importance of that. This is my first book by Dani Atkins, but I know it won't be my last. I was gifted a copy of this book upon request. The rating and opinions shared are my own.
August 8, 2021
First Dani Atkins book that I’ve read and I absolutely loved it!
Will hold off my review as read this as part of a buddy read but I’ve been greedy and quite honestly, I couldn’t put it down!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Will hold off my review as read this as part of a buddy read but I’ve been greedy and quite honestly, I couldn’t put it down!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
April 10, 2022
I really enjoyed this book. Each character was well written and engaging. Would definitely recommend.
September 13, 2023
Mooi!! Maar….in het begin vond ik het vrij “wazig” en eigenlijk ook wel ver gezocht. Later vond ik het verhaal beter worden en nog later werd het mooi😊
May 31, 2023
4,5 Sterne
February 8, 2021
I just don't know how Dani Atkins can bear to put her characters through so much in every single novel. It must be exhausting. But even though she makes me cry until i am severely dehydrated with each and every word she writes I still love the characters and the worlds she creates and the stories she weaves. A sky full of Stars was such a wonderful read and I enjoyed every moments, even the ones where I had to step away for a moment to get a new box of tissues.
Be warned, this book does start off with a lot of really weepy events. It's no spoilers because you know going into a Dani Atkins novel that you're going to need tissues but She doesn't normally get you so early on. You will need tissues for the first 25% of this book. There is a lot to get through in terms of bad new for people in that first quarter. After that though I loved the fact that we got deeper into the storyline and deeper into the relationships between these characters.
This book is told in a dual narrative format (my favourite). We get to meet Alex and we get to meet Molly. Molly is a primary school teacher so I instantly warmed to her. She is a similar age to me and she has a wonderful outlook on life. I really love the fact that her best friend is also a work colleague. That is so often true for those of us who work in schools because it is very hard to try and have a life outside of school to bravo to Dani for writing that so true to life.
Alex is such a complex character and because we get to see the narrative from his point of view as well as from Molly's we get to see how he is feeling after Lisa. I love that he is really open and honest with himself about his feelings and he has the most precious relationship with his brother. I really don't feel like I have read about such a brotherly bond in this kind of novel before and I found it fascinating to follow.
There are so many unusual features in this novel and even though it made me cry so much at the beginning and I spent the rest of the book worrying about these characters I just couldn't stop reading it. Like most Dani Atkins novels I read this in less than 24 hours. I felt such a bon with these characters and I loved the story that this author created. This is definitely another hit for Dani Atkins and I highly recommend this truly special book!
Be warned, this book does start off with a lot of really weepy events. It's no spoilers because you know going into a Dani Atkins novel that you're going to need tissues but She doesn't normally get you so early on. You will need tissues for the first 25% of this book. There is a lot to get through in terms of bad new for people in that first quarter. After that though I loved the fact that we got deeper into the storyline and deeper into the relationships between these characters.
This book is told in a dual narrative format (my favourite). We get to meet Alex and we get to meet Molly. Molly is a primary school teacher so I instantly warmed to her. She is a similar age to me and she has a wonderful outlook on life. I really love the fact that her best friend is also a work colleague. That is so often true for those of us who work in schools because it is very hard to try and have a life outside of school to bravo to Dani for writing that so true to life.
Alex is such a complex character and because we get to see the narrative from his point of view as well as from Molly's we get to see how he is feeling after Lisa. I love that he is really open and honest with himself about his feelings and he has the most precious relationship with his brother. I really don't feel like I have read about such a brotherly bond in this kind of novel before and I found it fascinating to follow.
There are so many unusual features in this novel and even though it made me cry so much at the beginning and I spent the rest of the book worrying about these characters I just couldn't stop reading it. Like most Dani Atkins novels I read this in less than 24 hours. I felt such a bon with these characters and I loved the story that this author created. This is definitely another hit for Dani Atkins and I highly recommend this truly special book!
August 10, 2021
Told from the dual perspectives of Alex and Molly, A Sky Full of Stars is a heartbreaking story of a family ripped to pieces when the mother, Lisa, an astronomer, suddenly dies. Heartbroken husband Alex is left a single father to young son Connor, who can’t accept that his mother has gone forever and still believes that she is coming back for him. Lisa made him a promise that sadly she was never able to keep.
Molly is one of four people who come into Alex and Connor’s lives following Lisa’s death and each one has an impact on Alex and Connor and indeed, on each other. Four strangers who in normal circumstances wouldn’t have met have their lives changed and they must each learn to find a new way forward.
It is such a difficult and sad situation and against advice, Alex gets rather more involved than perhaps is wise. He was struggling himself and at a loss to know what to do to help Connor. His brother Todd and his wife did their best to help but Connor was inconsolable and however improbable it may be, Alex was drawn to these four people feeling that there was a connection to Lisa.
Any book by Dani Atkins is an emotional read and this was no exception. I couldn’t help but feel invested in these characters and I liked all of them, especially Molly, a primary school teacher. She was a fabulous character – engaging and funny. Aside from the emotional aspect, there are moments of drama – Atkins certainly puts her readers through the wringer!
A Sky Full of Stars will tug at the heartstrings. It is written with warmth and sensitivity, dealing with grief and showing how friendships can be forged in the most challenging of circumstances. The characters are wonderfully drawn and feel authentic. I loved the relationship between Alex and his brother Todd, there was real brotherly love although Todd wasn’t afraid to dish out some home truths to Alex. It wasn’t all sadness and there were plenty of humorous moments too which is why I love this author’s books – there is always light and shade.
I enjoyed this so much. Unusually I didn’t cry (I frequently do with Dani’s books!) and the story didn’t pan out the way I expected however I was sad to leave these characters behind at the end.
Molly is one of four people who come into Alex and Connor’s lives following Lisa’s death and each one has an impact on Alex and Connor and indeed, on each other. Four strangers who in normal circumstances wouldn’t have met have their lives changed and they must each learn to find a new way forward.
It is such a difficult and sad situation and against advice, Alex gets rather more involved than perhaps is wise. He was struggling himself and at a loss to know what to do to help Connor. His brother Todd and his wife did their best to help but Connor was inconsolable and however improbable it may be, Alex was drawn to these four people feeling that there was a connection to Lisa.
Any book by Dani Atkins is an emotional read and this was no exception. I couldn’t help but feel invested in these characters and I liked all of them, especially Molly, a primary school teacher. She was a fabulous character – engaging and funny. Aside from the emotional aspect, there are moments of drama – Atkins certainly puts her readers through the wringer!
A Sky Full of Stars will tug at the heartstrings. It is written with warmth and sensitivity, dealing with grief and showing how friendships can be forged in the most challenging of circumstances. The characters are wonderfully drawn and feel authentic. I loved the relationship between Alex and his brother Todd, there was real brotherly love although Todd wasn’t afraid to dish out some home truths to Alex. It wasn’t all sadness and there were plenty of humorous moments too which is why I love this author’s books – there is always light and shade.
I enjoyed this so much. Unusually I didn’t cry (I frequently do with Dani’s books!) and the story didn’t pan out the way I expected however I was sad to leave these characters behind at the end.
February 28, 2021
The most brilliant author of these times. The queen of heartbreaking yet life affirming emotions, author Dani Atkins again managed to break my heart into slivers filled with tears and laughter and patch it back again with love.
Lisa and Alex with Connor – a perfect family where they loved each other deeply. Alex was just 6 when one day on the way to the astronomy fair, the train had a crash, and Lisa was brain dead. Then Alex met 4 strangers, and their life story helped him to understand a fate that was full of stars of hope.
Every word in this book was precious. Every word spoke to the cells of my heart. Every word carried forth its emotions, evoking tears and smiles in me. From the blurb, it was easy to understand what the story was all about.
But the journey into the prose was an experience. Nothing could have stopped me from reading this. Told in dual POV, the story told me the tough lives all the characters have had in this book. It was heartening to see them find their hope, and through them for Alex and little Connor to start living.
I cried big, fat tears. I read the prose choked up. My heart was crushed and slowly, like the other characters, I began living again, looking up at stars as they are our past and our future.
Anyone who donates their organs so willingly to total strangers belongs to a league of heroes.
-Dani Atkins
I am an organ donor. Just a couple of points.
One can live with one kidney. So relatives can donate their kidney, depending on the country and national organ donation laws of the region.
Liver too can be donated as it is the only organ in the body which regenerates.
Cornea can be donated by any person who has died in the first 6 hours. Doesn’t have to be brain dead.
Recepients taking on the characteristics and feelings of the donor, especially heart transplant has not been seen in the patients I spoke to. To be frank, we call heart as emotional organ, but it is actually the brain which has an emotional center.
Brain transplant has not yet been done.
Lisa and Alex with Connor – a perfect family where they loved each other deeply. Alex was just 6 when one day on the way to the astronomy fair, the train had a crash, and Lisa was brain dead. Then Alex met 4 strangers, and their life story helped him to understand a fate that was full of stars of hope.
Every word in this book was precious. Every word spoke to the cells of my heart. Every word carried forth its emotions, evoking tears and smiles in me. From the blurb, it was easy to understand what the story was all about.
But the journey into the prose was an experience. Nothing could have stopped me from reading this. Told in dual POV, the story told me the tough lives all the characters have had in this book. It was heartening to see them find their hope, and through them for Alex and little Connor to start living.
I cried big, fat tears. I read the prose choked up. My heart was crushed and slowly, like the other characters, I began living again, looking up at stars as they are our past and our future.
Anyone who donates their organs so willingly to total strangers belongs to a league of heroes.
-Dani Atkins
I am an organ donor. Just a couple of points.
One can live with one kidney. So relatives can donate their kidney, depending on the country and national organ donation laws of the region.
Liver too can be donated as it is the only organ in the body which regenerates.
Cornea can be donated by any person who has died in the first 6 hours. Doesn’t have to be brain dead.
Recepients taking on the characteristics and feelings of the donor, especially heart transplant has not been seen in the patients I spoke to. To be frank, we call heart as emotional organ, but it is actually the brain which has an emotional center.
Brain transplant has not yet been done.
February 24, 2021
Another amazing book by an author that can do no wrong in my opinion. This book was every part as emotional, heart wrenching, enlightening and thought provoking as I expected it to be.
The whole concept of the story was about a lady passing away unexpectedly and deciding to donate her organs. Four peoples lives are saved because of this and these four people end up being involved in the ladies late husbands and sons life. I did enjoy the concept however, the sheer determination and obsession of the late husband did upset me in parts. The writing is that passionate in parts that you feel every single thing that they feel. As much as I love that about Danni Atkins in this case it’s the reason why it’s a 4 and not a 5 purely because it made me feel so much and did upset me in parts. That being said it’s still a wonderful book and you will fall in love with each and everyone of the characters just make sure you have a box of tissues close by when reading it.
The whole concept of the story was about a lady passing away unexpectedly and deciding to donate her organs. Four peoples lives are saved because of this and these four people end up being involved in the ladies late husbands and sons life. I did enjoy the concept however, the sheer determination and obsession of the late husband did upset me in parts. The writing is that passionate in parts that you feel every single thing that they feel. As much as I love that about Danni Atkins in this case it’s the reason why it’s a 4 and not a 5 purely because it made me feel so much and did upset me in parts. That being said it’s still a wonderful book and you will fall in love with each and everyone of the characters just make sure you have a box of tissues close by when reading it.
January 3, 2021
Thanks to netgalley for the chance to read this book.
Wow, what an amazing book from Dani.
When Lisa is involved in a catastrophic train crash and is pronounced brain dead at the hospital Alex must decide whether to donate her organs to help others. Molly receives Lisa’s heart, Mac receives Lisa’s corneas, Jamie receives Lisa’s lungs and Barbara receives Lisa’s kidneys. Alex can’t let go of Lisa and arranges to meet these 4 people in the hope of getting Lisa back. A book full of love, loss and emotion.
Wow, what an amazing book from Dani.
When Lisa is involved in a catastrophic train crash and is pronounced brain dead at the hospital Alex must decide whether to donate her organs to help others. Molly receives Lisa’s heart, Mac receives Lisa’s corneas, Jamie receives Lisa’s lungs and Barbara receives Lisa’s kidneys. Alex can’t let go of Lisa and arranges to meet these 4 people in the hope of getting Lisa back. A book full of love, loss and emotion.
February 6, 2021
Beautiful well writtn emotional story of loss and longing. Pulls at your heart and made me read on.
Death, life, hope, new beginnings!
When Alex's wife Lisa dies suddenly he is forced to piece his life back together along with his son Connor. Alex struggles trying to bridge the gap of grief for them both, until he meets those whose Lisa's organs have saved. Alex seeks solace and help in each of them in various ways as their lives are now interlinked forever.
Death, life, hope, new beginnings!
When Alex's wife Lisa dies suddenly he is forced to piece his life back together along with his son Connor. Alex struggles trying to bridge the gap of grief for them both, until he meets those whose Lisa's organs have saved. Alex seeks solace and help in each of them in various ways as their lives are now interlinked forever.
December 11, 2022
Alex, Lisa en hun jonge zoon Connor vormen een gelukkig gezin. Maar dan komt Lisa om bij een treinongeluk en Alex is kapot van het verlies. In zijn verdriet weet hij niet hoe hij er moet zijn voor de zesjarige Connor.
Dan ontmoet Alex vier mensen die Lisa nooit hebben ontmoet, maar wier levens ingrijpend zijn veranderd door haar dood dankzij haar orgaandonatie. Als Alex hun verhalen hoort, begint hij te beseffen dat het nog niet te laat is voor hem en Connor om elkaar terug te vinden...
'Mijn leven zal niet veel meer voor me betekenen, als jij er niet meer in voorkomt.'
Volgens velen is Dani Atkins de koningin van de tranentrekkers; tranen van ontroering.
Mijn eerste kennismaking met Atkins was zonder tranen. Maar al voor ik begon aan dit boek, had ik een vermoeden dat dít verhaal van een ander kaliber zou zijn.
Ik pakte het boek op - zittend in bed - met mijn nachtlampje aan. In mijn hoofd speelde zich muziek af: A Sky Full of Stars van Coldplay. Hoe toepasselijk. En ik liet mij meevoeren door de fijne schrijfstijl van Atkins. Beeldend. Soepel. Een sterrenregen aan zinnen. Niet eerder wist een boek mij zo snel te raken. Recht in mijn hart. Mijn moederhart.
'Waar is mammie?'
Mijn moederhart huilde. Mijn ogen deden mee. Tranen werden onttrokken. Voor de derde keer dit jaar. Het blijft bijzonder als een verhaal je zo weet te raken... Na de tranen kwam er ruimte voor het verhaal.
Een verhaal waarin rouwverwerking, nieuwe vriendschappen én vertrouwen centraal staan.
'Wij zijn de erfenis van een vrouw die we nooit hebben ontmoet.'
Het verhaal werd afwisselend verteld vanuit Alex en Molly. Twee personages die door een noodlottig ongeval met elkaar verbonden raken. En doordat je het verhaal vanuit deze mooie mensen meekrijgt, leer je ze goed kennen. Atkins heeft het verhaal met zorg uitgewerkt en laat hier en daar een kruimel van een peperkoekmannetje achter. Een kruimel die later van betekenis blijkt te zijn, terwijl het verhaal zich verder ontvouwt.
Een verhaal met een lach en een traan. Alleen was het verhaal, voor mij, niet altijd even geloofwaardig. Desondanks heeft Atkins mij weten te raken. ****
Dan ontmoet Alex vier mensen die Lisa nooit hebben ontmoet, maar wier levens ingrijpend zijn veranderd door haar dood dankzij haar orgaandonatie. Als Alex hun verhalen hoort, begint hij te beseffen dat het nog niet te laat is voor hem en Connor om elkaar terug te vinden...
'Mijn leven zal niet veel meer voor me betekenen, als jij er niet meer in voorkomt.'
Volgens velen is Dani Atkins de koningin van de tranentrekkers; tranen van ontroering.
Mijn eerste kennismaking met Atkins was zonder tranen. Maar al voor ik begon aan dit boek, had ik een vermoeden dat dít verhaal van een ander kaliber zou zijn.
Ik pakte het boek op - zittend in bed - met mijn nachtlampje aan. In mijn hoofd speelde zich muziek af: A Sky Full of Stars van Coldplay. Hoe toepasselijk. En ik liet mij meevoeren door de fijne schrijfstijl van Atkins. Beeldend. Soepel. Een sterrenregen aan zinnen. Niet eerder wist een boek mij zo snel te raken. Recht in mijn hart. Mijn moederhart.
'Waar is mammie?'
Mijn moederhart huilde. Mijn ogen deden mee. Tranen werden onttrokken. Voor de derde keer dit jaar. Het blijft bijzonder als een verhaal je zo weet te raken... Na de tranen kwam er ruimte voor het verhaal.
Een verhaal waarin rouwverwerking, nieuwe vriendschappen én vertrouwen centraal staan.
'Wij zijn de erfenis van een vrouw die we nooit hebben ontmoet.'
Het verhaal werd afwisselend verteld vanuit Alex en Molly. Twee personages die door een noodlottig ongeval met elkaar verbonden raken. En doordat je het verhaal vanuit deze mooie mensen meekrijgt, leer je ze goed kennen. Atkins heeft het verhaal met zorg uitgewerkt en laat hier en daar een kruimel van een peperkoekmannetje achter. Een kruimel die later van betekenis blijkt te zijn, terwijl het verhaal zich verder ontvouwt.
Een verhaal met een lach en een traan. Alleen was het verhaal, voor mij, niet altijd even geloofwaardig. Desondanks heeft Atkins mij weten te raken. ****
February 20, 2021
Review can be found on my blog here: https://booksonthebookshelf.wordpress...
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Thank you to Head of Zeus for the eARC of this book via NetGalley.
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A heart-wrenching, edge-of-your-seat story as you read along and follow the lives of Alex, his wife Lisa and their son Connor. After the terrible train tragedy that took the life of Lisa, Alex struggles to move on with his son Connor without Lisa in their lives. A heart-warming story as Lisa’s loss of life changes the lives of 4 complete strangers, and brings them close to Connor and Alex.
These 4 strangers come in Alex’s life and changes his life as much as Lisa’s death changed theirs. After heartache and unbearable loss they find comfort in one another and quickly become friends and confidantes. Be sure to have tissues handy, as anyone who has read Dani’s novels before know too well that you will definitely need them!
A enjoyable read that had me flipping the pages until the very end, I highly recommend this novel which is available now!
....
Thank you to Head of Zeus for the eARC of this book via NetGalley.
....
A heart-wrenching, edge-of-your-seat story as you read along and follow the lives of Alex, his wife Lisa and their son Connor. After the terrible train tragedy that took the life of Lisa, Alex struggles to move on with his son Connor without Lisa in their lives. A heart-warming story as Lisa’s loss of life changes the lives of 4 complete strangers, and brings them close to Connor and Alex.
These 4 strangers come in Alex’s life and changes his life as much as Lisa’s death changed theirs. After heartache and unbearable loss they find comfort in one another and quickly become friends and confidantes. Be sure to have tissues handy, as anyone who has read Dani’s novels before know too well that you will definitely need them!
A enjoyable read that had me flipping the pages until the very end, I highly recommend this novel which is available now!
February 4, 2021
Dani Atkins is a fabulous author and I was lucky to be able to read an arc of this, her latest book A sky full of stars.
Each of Dani’s books are beautifully and sensitivity written based on well written characters and each pull on the heartstrings. This is no different and caused me to laugh and cry at different points of the novel. Towards the end I was so emotional I had family members checking I was okay!
In this novel Dani writes about loss and the story centres around a young family who tragically lose the mother and the decisions that are made following her death. Lisa, the mother, has chosen to donate her organs and during the novel we see her husband Alex deal with his bereavement and his young sons inability to process the loss of his mum.
Complicated emotions come into play as Alex meets and befriends the four donor recipients and the story follows them and the family to an emotional conclusion.
It is a very interesting topic to cover and the delicate focus on grief, moving in and dealing with the complex emotions of another person living with something that was a part of your loved one is dealt with great compassion.
A lovely book which I am very happy to recommend and will be buying to add to my collection of Dani’s previous novels which I have also recommended many times.
Thank you to Netgalley, the publisher and the author for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
Each of Dani’s books are beautifully and sensitivity written based on well written characters and each pull on the heartstrings. This is no different and caused me to laugh and cry at different points of the novel. Towards the end I was so emotional I had family members checking I was okay!
In this novel Dani writes about loss and the story centres around a young family who tragically lose the mother and the decisions that are made following her death. Lisa, the mother, has chosen to donate her organs and during the novel we see her husband Alex deal with his bereavement and his young sons inability to process the loss of his mum.
Complicated emotions come into play as Alex meets and befriends the four donor recipients and the story follows them and the family to an emotional conclusion.
It is a very interesting topic to cover and the delicate focus on grief, moving in and dealing with the complex emotions of another person living with something that was a part of your loved one is dealt with great compassion.
A lovely book which I am very happy to recommend and will be buying to add to my collection of Dani’s previous novels which I have also recommended many times.
Thank you to Netgalley, the publisher and the author for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
March 1, 2023
Een boek van Dani Atkins stelt mij nooit teleur. Ieder boek bevat drama en romantiek. Het doet je heimelijk lachen maar het stelt je ook tot nadenken, je herkent emoties en je leeft mee met alle personages. Zo ook dit verhaal. Lisa, een jonge talentvolle partner en mama vertrekt voor een presentatie over sterren en planeten. In alle gekte en vroegte vertrekt ze met de trein. Het noodlot slaat toe. Totaal ontredderd wordt Alex een alleenstaande papa voor Connor. De keuze van zijn vrouw respecterend zorgt voor de ontmoeting van 4 andere belangrijke personages.
Een aanrader, te lezen met kobo plus abonnement
Een aanrader, te lezen met kobo plus abonnement
December 26, 2022
Dani Atkins wist mij in het verleden al tot tranen te roeren, te raken en mijn hart te veroveren met boeken als 'Zonder mij', 'Duet met jou', 'Versplinterd' en 'Dromen van jou', maar is dat haar ook gelukt door het onlangs door Uitgeverij de Fontein vertaalde boek 'Een hemel vol sterren'? Ik zal er niet lang omheen draaien: Geen twijfel over mogelijk, dit boek is weer zó mooi!
Of je het namelijk nu wil of niet, Dani Atkins zorgt er met haar prachtige beeldende schrijfstijl voor dat je gegrepen wordt. Gepakt en ontroerd door het verhaal van Alex, Connor en Lisa en tegelijkertijd door Molly, Mac, Jamie en Barbara, vier karakters die tot voor kort vreemden voor elkaar waren maar die door één bepaald moment voor altijd aan elkaar verbonden zullen zijn. Je raakt aan ze verknocht, sluit ze diep om je hart en kan enkel hopen dat er voor ieder van hen een prachtig einde in het verschiet ligt. Ondanks dat je ook weet dat ieder karakter op zich nog een bijzondere reis - met een lach en een traan - heeft te bewandelen.
Is het daarentegen het beste boek van deze auteur? Dat idee heb ik niet. Ik had het idee dat het hier en daar net iets teveel van hetzelfde werd, maar alsnog heb ik genoten. ENORM genoten zelfs.
Of je het namelijk nu wil of niet, Dani Atkins zorgt er met haar prachtige beeldende schrijfstijl voor dat je gegrepen wordt. Gepakt en ontroerd door het verhaal van Alex, Connor en Lisa en tegelijkertijd door Molly, Mac, Jamie en Barbara, vier karakters die tot voor kort vreemden voor elkaar waren maar die door één bepaald moment voor altijd aan elkaar verbonden zullen zijn. Je raakt aan ze verknocht, sluit ze diep om je hart en kan enkel hopen dat er voor ieder van hen een prachtig einde in het verschiet ligt. Ondanks dat je ook weet dat ieder karakter op zich nog een bijzondere reis - met een lach en een traan - heeft te bewandelen.
Is het daarentegen het beste boek van deze auteur? Dat idee heb ik niet. Ik had het idee dat het hier en daar net iets teveel van hetzelfde werd, maar alsnog heb ik genoten. ENORM genoten zelfs.
February 21, 2021
I spent the weekend in another world. In their world. What an amazing novel. I’m just so glad I stumbled across it. In a difficult 2020, this book inspires hope for new beginnings, for the importance of togetherness and the and for living a full life. Thank you!
February 25, 2022
4.25⭐️
Oh man
This book is just awesome. It messed with me in a wayyyy. There would be moments when I would just stare for a whole minute at what I had just read.
This is a really good book, but I wouldn’t recomend it to you if you’re not ready for an emotional trainwreck!
Good luck :)
Oh man
This book is just awesome. It messed with me in a wayyyy. There would be moments when I would just stare for a whole minute at what I had just read.
This is a really good book, but I wouldn’t recomend it to you if you’re not ready for an emotional trainwreck!
Good luck :)
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