This is a memoir dealing with loss, specifically the grieving process as the author faces the prospect of losing her mother to cancer. Having initially struggled with this news, Munn sees that her mother is taking her diagnosis very differently and she realises that this “heart-opening journey” is a chance for reflection and growth.
Although it covers a period of around three years, it is quite a short book and there is a sense that some aspects of this time have been omitted or glossed over in order to maintain a consistently positive vibe.
There is some repetition, for example when background to the events of the book are shared, and the flashbacks grew a little annoying, but overall, this is a deeply moving and relatable story for any reader.

Beautifully written. It is a book on the gift of goodbye. I found this enlightening.

Probably one of the hardest thing for any of us is the loss of a parent or the loss of a child. Ms Munn in this book relates her experiences as she says goodbye to her mother who is suffering from cancer.

What I thought was good is that Ms Munn had a great relationship with her mother and that it is and was able to sustain her through hardship. However, this novel, as much as it had good intentions was a dull trip down memory lane. First and foremost what struck me was that Ms Munn's mother was a saint. There was not a single experience related of her mother being mad, being out of sorts, being angry. She is elevated so much that she really does not seem like a real person with faults and all. Secondly, was that this book went on and on and repeated itself so many times that it wore on the patience of this reader. Finally, there was never really any anger expressed by the author at her mother's lot. She seemed to take it all into her stride and it irked me that she wasn't mad. Mad at God, mad at the world, mad at anything would have been welcomed and shown that she too, was human and was ever so angry that this was happening to a person she loved.

While I applaud Ms Munn's ability to find healing, I just could not bring myself to find authenticity in her feelings. I know if that had been me I would have been raging mad at what fate had dealt to my mother. This book is just too laid back, too repetitive, and way too long for me. I am however, happy for Ms Munn as I am sure writing this book was a cathartic experience for her.

Thank you to NetGalley and She Writes Press for an advanced copy of this book for an unbiased review.