Many thanks to NetGalley, Harper Collins Christian and Thomas Nelson for gifting me both a digital and audio ARC of this wonderful book by Kelly Irvin and perfectly narrated by Jessica Holtan and Jeremy Childs - 5 stars!

Sisters Kristen and Sherri processed their childhood trauma differently. Their mom passed away and their dad left. Kristen became an oncologist and was all focused on her career, to the detriment of her husband and daughters. Sherri led a much more balanced life until her diagnosis of ovarian cancer threw her world off orbit. Kristen swooped in to manage and control every aspect of Sherri's care, moving her into the home she shares with her husband, Daniel. While Sherri is doing her best to mend relationships and live her remaining days with grace and happiness, Kristen's focus on her work implodes her marriage and family.

While this is certainly a serious subject, this book was just so wonderful that I couldn't put it down. I started reading it but quickly switched to the audio so that I could listen more. You can't help but feel for the sisters, and while Daniel could have been a bit more understanding, he was certainly at his wit's end as well. It's not a depressing story; it's instead filled with hope and faith bringing light into such darkness. The author's note with her own cancer experience makes it all more real.

The Year of Goodbyes and Hellos by Kelly Irvin is the story of two sisters, one an oncologist the other a teacher. Kristen has dedicated her life to fighting cancer. While she is fighting for answers and cures, her husband and children feel neglected and want more from her. Then her sister, Sherri is diagnosed with Ovarian Cancer. Kristen’s life begins to crumble. Daniel leaves on their anniversary when she does not come home as planned and Sherri’s treatment is not progressing as she would like.
Kelly Irvin builds on each character’s strengthens and weakness as each step of the diagnosis and treatments are revealed. She does an amazing job of making each one relatable. Even though it is heartbreaking seeing the anger in Kristen’s children, it is understandable where their anger has come. Daniel’s actions are the same. It is easy to relate to his frustration but knowing where she is leaves the question to you save the world or save your family.
Thank you NetGalley, Thomas Nelson and Kelly Irvin for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Wow. What a book. From an author who write during the pain of walking through a cancer diagnosis herself, this book is needed. Kelly Irvin shares with us the joys of living your life to the best with the time you have left, & the hurt that also comes when life is hard for real people and real families.
Kelly did a beautiful job at creating characters that you FEEL like you know. There were times I felt like I was walking with this family through this pain- it felt very real.
Also, I lived in San Antonio for a little bit, so I loved the little landmarks that were noted in the book!
I felt there were times the story moved super fast in the chapters, which made some scenes feel in unauthentic. But for the sake of time, I know why that had to happen!
There is a HIGH chance you will cry at some point or two during this book. If you love books that are family centered and less romance, you may enjoy it too!
➡️ swipe for synopsis

This work of fiction is seen from Kristen, Sherri and Daniel's perspectives. I couldn't seem to get into much of the story at first shake; however, I think anyone and their family and friends going through the cancer treatment journey together would most likely have an affinity with Sherri's day-to-day battle with her health. The author was candid and readers may well have great tugs at their heartstrings and need to keep a box of tissue handy.

A secondary thread reflecting the struggling 'battle' of a marital relationship was woven throughout. Accordingly, married couples may well relate.

A third thread, which I appreciated was the faith-based one of the God - human being relationship and the grappling with Him in prayer. Did He hear? Did He care?

Discussion questions follow the narrrative's end for those who wish to take a more serious ponder on issues arising from what I feel are the three main threads.

~Eunice C., Reviewer/Blogger~

Disclaimer: This is my honest opinion based on the complimentary review copy sent by Net Galley and the publisher.

I got to the end and said wow…that was a sad one. This was so beautifully written and kept me turning the pages faster and faster.

The sisterly love between Sherri & Kristen is a back and forth dance of taking turns caring for one another. Both are looking to help bring the other support and guidance during their time of struggles.

There are so many parts of the book that will hit home for many readers. I connected with Daniel’s feeling of loneliness and Kristen’s need to take care of herself. I laughed, I cried, and I wanted to put my hands through the book and shake Kristen a few times!!!

This one really reminds you to make memories and make every minute count. You can’t get back time.

I can’t wait to add this to my bookshelf. Go press purchase and don’t forget to read the acknowledgments!!

Thank you Netgalley & Thomas Nelson for a complimentary copy of this book. My review and opinion are completely my own.


👉🏻This book has:
•Sisters •Marriage •Parenting •Family Dynamic •Death •Grief •Work/Life Balance •Forgiveness

🤔 What is on your bucket list that you plan on doing in 2024?

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Posting to Goodreads 12/3/23
Posting to Instagram 12/4/23
Posting to Amazon 12/5/23

Although this book dealt with a difficult issue (cervical cancer), the author told the story in such a way that 5he book was almost unputdownable!

The story involves two sisters….one an oncologist and the other a cancer patient. To me what could’ve been a depressing story ended up not being that at all. I was left with a hopeful outlook about the end of life as well as for the good resolution of the sister with marital problems. I will certainly recommend this book to my book club!

I received this book from the publisher via net galley in exchange for an honest review. Five stars!

The Year of Goodbyes and Hellos by Kelly Irvin is an emotional tale. I thought the story was well-written with realistic, developed characters. The author captured the emotions that are experienced by an individual when they receive a cancer diagnosis as well as by those close to person (family, friends, coo-workers). The author was able to share her knowledge and experience (with stage 4 ovarian cancer) in this story. I can tell that Kelly Irvin did her research. I had no idea that insurance would not cover all the costs. You can go severely into debt trying to get cured. I liked reading about the caring oncologists and how they are there for their patients. The Year of Goodbyes and Hellos is told from Kristen (the sister who is the oncologist), Sherri (the sister who is diagnosed with cancer), and Daniel’s (Kristen’s husband) point-of-view. The story deals with a variety of topics. Kristen and Daniel are empty nesters who are drifting apart. Kristen is a dedicated doctor. We get to see what happened in Kristen’s childhood that drew the sisters closer and led her to become an oncologist. Sherri is divorced, but she still cares for her ex-husband. Forgiveness, job dynamics, family troubles, grief, new beginnings, and faith are other topics addressed in this touching story. We get to see the ups and downs of a family affected by a cancer diagnosis. Faith was beautifully woven into the story. Faith and Sherri’s church family are an important part of her life. You will want to have a box of tissues nearby while reading The Year of Goodbyes and Hellos. The Year of Goodbyes and Hellos is an expressive story with close sisters, a scary diagnosis, a dedicated doctor, thoughtful friends, costly chemo, a frustrated husband, a devoted family, and a firm faith.

A moving story, particularly if you have been impacted by cancer, that focuses on the relationship between two sisters (as well as one of the sisters and her husband). It was highly predictable, to be sure, and dragged on quite a bit in the middle before wrapping up very quickly at the end. But I appreciated the dynamics between Sherri and Kristen, and this may be a good/helpful/realistic read for sisters facing a cancer diagnosis.

The Year of Goodbyes and Hellos by Kelly Irvin was a beautifully written and thought provoking story.
Talk about hitting me in my feelings! This book did that.
I adored the characters and honestly it got me thinking about me and my sisters.
I loved the writing. Kelly did an absolute fantastic job of setting the scene and making me feel every single emotion. Her writing was captivating and inspiring.
I will definitely be on the lookout for her future books.

I would like to thank NetGalley and Thomas Nelson for the opportunity to read this ahead of its publication date in return for my honest review.

Wow, THE YEAR OF GOODBYES AND HELLOS is an emotional and thought-provoking novel that would be ideal for bookclubs. The author is not afraid to confront difficult issues, including cancer, family bonds, betrayal, and what it means to find hope in the midst of illness or other trying circumstances. This story will likely make you cry, but don't be afraid of that. Well-fought emotions like what the author evokes here can be so cathartic. Ultimately, this is a story about people digging deep to find courage and resilience.

Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for the e-galley; all opinions in this review are 100% my own.

What a wonderful book. The story of two sisters one with terminal cancer and the other an oncologist.I throughly enjoyed this book. I received an advance ebook from the publisher and Netgalley. This is my unbiased review.

This book surprised me by being so honest while still offering hope and inspiration. Anyone who has experienced complex relationships, a difficult past, or a heartbreaking diagnosis will relate to these characters and their story. Irvin does a lovely job of taking the reader along a journey with two sisters, exploring their connection, as well as their marriages and relationships with the children, their work, and those they work with. Thoughtful and Truth-filled without preaching.

What a story! I laughed, I cried, I cringed, and I sighed. I could not put this book down! The multiple points of view really added to the story. The theme of forgiveness and reconciliation was woven beautifully throughout. This story will stick with me for awhile. Highly highly recommend!

I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

This is an emotional, yet uplifting story of two sisters who are best friends.
Younger sister, Kristen is a busy oncologist who cares for her patients and supports their family.
Unfortunately, this takes away from her own family and life.
Sherri is a teacher, with her own children and grandchildren and a strong believer in the power of prayer. She has always taken care of others as well, including her mom when she was sick and Kristen later on.
Now.. it appears that Kristen will need to care for Sherri in her time of illness. Can she do this? Will the treatment be enough?
There are many lessons in this wonderful novel and I truly enjoyed the reminders.
Life is shorter than we even realize and we must embrace each moment.

As an oncology/hospice nurse, I have to say this book is spot on in all areas.
This is also based on author, Kelly Irvin's journey and I commend her for sharing her story.
Thank you to @NetGalley and to @Thomas Nelson--Fiction for this ARC and allowing me to read and provide my own review.
Well done.

This is a story of two sisters, Kristen a dedicated and motivated oncologist who wants to save as many patients as she can and her sister Sherry who is diagnosed with ovarian cancer.

This is a beautiful story of their bond, a life with hope, love, betrayal and ultimately family dynamics. It is personal for Kristen as their mother died of breast cancer when she was just 14 and Sherry has always taken care of her. I had to grab on tissues a lot many times and had to stop because book was making me overwhelmed. If you like some tear jerkers, this book is definitely for you.

Daniel - Kristen's husband and Sherry's ex husband - Chance both are my favorite characters from the whole book. They are actually too good to be true. But I like when women write these kind of men even though they do not exist in reality.

What makes The year of goodbyes and hellos special is it is also a part of author's journey. Kelly Irvin herself suffers from stage 4 ovarian cancer and physical disability. A loss is sometimes so difficult to deal with and yet people find courage to carry on which I really find admirable.

Thank you Netgalley and Thomas Nelson fiction publishing for the ARC in exchange of an honest review.

Get your tissues! and then recommend this book for book club ASAP. A rollercoaster of an emotional ride that I took too personally since I have been in this boat myself. And yes, holding onto faith is a struggle at trying tumes when we need it most.
As one sister heals, the other unravels. A pattern that has gone on too long. And a coming-of-age that comes too close to middle-age. Is middle-age too late?
Not a good idea to read if you or someone you love is just starting their cancer journey. Read it later. Trust me.

The Year of Goodbyes and Hellos by Kelly Irvin is an amazingly well written story that tackles the sensitive subject of cancer, it’s treatments and outcome. It also shows how it affects not only the patient but also their family and friends. This story is so good with several things going on at the same time in the life of oncologist Kristen and her family. Not only does this story cover the cancer issue very well, it also covers the issues couples with important careers deal with. This story shows the difference between Kristen and her sister Sherri, the way they both live their lives. It is sad to see the extreme struggles Kristen and her family go through because of her job and the decisions that have to be made.

I voluntarily received a complimentary copy of this story, this is my honest review.

When Kristen and Sherri lost their mom to breast cancer back in their teens, Sherri took over the role of both mother and father at the tender age of 18. She guided her younger sister, Kirsten, through high school, college, and marriage. The wounds from their father’s abandonment and their mother’s death run deep, but each sister processed them differently.

Kristen launches herself into a cancer-curing career path as an oncologist. She vows to always be there for her patients—some of whom will need treatment for years or decades. Kristen carefully balances marriage to her one love, Daniel, and motherhood with her demanding occupation. Once their nest empties, Daniel and Kristen feel a growing rift between them.

Sherri relies on her faith to navigate life as a wife, mother, and teacher, and after her divorce, a single mom. When she receives an ovarian cancer diagnosis, Sherri turns to her little sister to help her navigate the frightening world of cancer. She doesn’t expect her faith to waiver nor her relationship with her ex to rekindle.

Kristen drops everything to guide her sister through treatment. Sort of. She can’t leave her patients high and dry, and she realizes too late the consequences of shortchanging Daniel. While her professional life offers her an opportunity to really make a difference in saving lives, Kristen must decide if the cost is too high.

Why I Loved This Book

Irvin paints a tender story of family, relationships gone awry, faith in crisis, a woman’s mid-life crisis, and redemption. Told from multiple points of view, readers will relate to the two sisters and Daniel. Daniel and Sherri feel emotionally abandoned by their spouses, and each reacts differently.

Reading books where a character has cancer isn’t easy for me (my husband has survived three different kinds of cancer), but The Year of Goodbyes and Hellos didn’t trigger any adverse emotions (unlike other books I’ve read where a character has cancer). Instead, I came away feeling hopeful about my relationship with God and his ability to handle my big questions and uncertainties.

While this book doesn’t fit into Irvin’s usual genres (romantic suspense and Amish romance), it’s a gem readers won’t be able to put down.

Cancer is definitely not the easiest subject matter for an author to choose to write about, but it's a disease that almost everyone probably has some personal experience with. Author Kelly Irvin chose to take her personal story and turn it into an emotional, heart wrenching story about two sisters navigating their way through the older sister's cancer diagnosis.

This is not an easy story to read, but it's a worthwhile one. While a lot of the plot focuses around Sherri's cancer diagnosis and her younger sister Kristen (who is an oncologist) trying to help her navigate treatment, the story goes so far beyond that and has many separate storylines all connecting together. Kristen's grappling with childhood trauma from her mother's death and her father's abandonment. She's chosen to push it all away, and instead bury herself in work. This has lead to watching her twenty five year old marriage to her husband Daniel crumble before her eyes, and neither seem able to navigate past the giant elephant in the room. Sherri has her own regrets about how her marriage ended, and how her childhood with her father was never the idyllic one she dreamed about. As time seems short and so many situations are left to navigate, the sisters will find themselves truly questioning everything they thought they knew about faith and the One who promised to always have things under His control.

A poignant and heartbreaking story about cancer, grief, familial tensions, and the Heavenly Father who is truly the only one able to navigate us through all of life's uncertainties, The Year of Goodbyes and Hellos is a book that I think will touch every single reader who chooses to pick it up.

If you or anyone you know has navigated the brutal realities that cancer brings with it, then this is the book for you. It brought back a lot of memories for me of watching my Grandmother go through cancer treatment when I was a young child, and also, while I was reading it another person in my life is currently navigating treatment and this book was honestly a bit of a reminder to look to the one who brings the light in an otherwise dark situation.

Final Rating: 4/5.

Thanks so much to Thomas Nelson for allowing me to advance read and review this one!

I voluntarily read and reviewed a complimentary advance reader copy of this novel from the publisher (Thomas Nelson) via NetGalley. I was not required to give a positive review. All thoughts and opinions are my own, and this is my honest review.

I received a complimentary copy from the publisher and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.

This is my first Kelly Irvin book and she made me cry .It's a perfect read for sisters as it follows two sisters dealing with an unfortunate diagnosis. The book follows Kristen an oncologist and her sister Sherri who has cancer . While trying to help her sister her career takes a tumble and her marriage comes under fire. It's a story about family bonds, trauma, sisterhood, marriage and faith. It will break you and because it's good.