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!

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.

Kaya McLaren has written a book that is rich is emotion, thought & heart. 

This is a story of Amy, her husband Paul and their daughter, Carly. Amy has recently undergone cancer treatment and surgery and is struggling to make sense of life. Paul is an Oklahoma City homicide detective. Carly has just graduated from high school and isn't sure what is her next step in life. 

This is not a happy book with happy characters. It is a heavy story with characters that are struggling with everything in their life. It is very deep and and thoughtful and the author's own personal experience with cancer is evident by the attention to detail and emotions of the main character. 

Amy does a lot of traveling to various National Parks and there is quite a lot of detail given to these settings. Her mental healing comes to fruition there. 

3.5 stars rounded up to 4.

This was my first read of the year and I’m so glad it was. I picked this book up after I DNF’d 2 other books (which I never do) and it hooked me right away. 
This is a story about a family and their individual needs to heal. When Amy finds out she has cancer and also finds divorce papers her husband filled out years ago, she begins to question the meaning of her life. Her husband Paul is still healing from trauma he experienced in his job years ago and their daughter is acting out while trying to deal with everything her parents are going through. They each embark on their own journey to find peace and healing. 
I loved reading about each family member’s different journey. I felt like I was healing right along with them. The descriptions of place were amazing. I loved these characters and I loved their stories. I hope you love it as much as I did. 
Thank you #netgalley and #stmartins for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

I received an ARC from NetGalley and the publisher for an honest review.  Amy Bergstrom, a wife, and mother, finds out she has cancer   Kaya McLaren, tells us her story, not only about how it affects her but also the effect it has on her husband and daughter.  I think this book gave an accurate description of what someone would go through, the emotions, the dealing with it, and the decisions.  
It wasn't just about Amy having cancer, it was also her husband being a police officer and the effects of what he sees every day does to him.  Two things the world hears too much about but now we have a story that shows us how it impacts them.  After reading the book, I think I would pretty much do what Amy did, although I hadn't given it any thought until reading the book, I also have a better understanding of what someone might be going through.   I know many police officers, and I never really stopped to think about what they see every day and what seeing the things they do, does to them. I don't think people talk about it, so I am glad this book was written.  For me, it was a wake-up call, with all that is going on today, think about others and what they might be going through.  
I definitely would recommend this book.  It is a journey, and with any journey to get beyond what is going on now, we have to keep moving forward.  I am going to print this off because no matter what, it is we are going through, this is what has to happen.  Thank you for writing this story, Kaya McLaren, you did an amazing job.

Amidst all the light fluffy love stories I adore devouring, contemporary and historical, I love a book that will break my heart from page one. There's nowhere to go but up!
Amy hits major obstacles within a short time frame. She's diagnosed with cancer, undergoes surgeries and chemotherapy, and her husband secretly wants a divorce. Her quiet method of dealing with the pressure is to walk away and return to her roots. Meanwhile, her husband and daughter are sorting out their own paths of dealing with and supporting Amy.
If you need a book to spark empathy and hope, I recommend picking up a copy. I was immediately moved by Kaya's expressive voice.
Thank you St. Martin's and NetGalley for the advanced copy. All thoughts in this review are my own.

Whats worth keeping is a story from 3 perspectives of a family learning to heal. Paul who has never been the same from the aftermath of the Oklahoma bombing, Amy the wife who is now cancer free but learning to deal with the aftermath of what had to be done to help her become that way and their daughter Carly who has witnessed her mother's struggle and pain only to face a possible future with the same cancer through genetics. 

I wanted to love this story. The idea of it was what I was looking for in a healing and deep journey but there was way too much filler to keep you enthralled. I felt like it dragged too much and this happened to take away from the intense deep beginning that pulled me in. 
The idea behind the story is a good one and I think without all the extra description added it could have been more enjoyable and harder for me to fall out of love with.

The Big C-Cancer is a terrifying word for not only those who have to endure the endless surgeries and rounds of treatments, but the people around them are just as affected. 
Amy Bergstrom is a survivor of Breast Cancer, but is holding her breath to make sure that all turns out still in the clear. Her husband is suffering from PTSD from a years ago encounter and he still has not gotten helped or talked with his wife about his nightmares. Amy has no clue what all transpired that day or his mental state.
Her daughter is having her own mental crisis as a result of her mother’s cancer because what if she has the cancer gene? 
Amy withdraws within herself as her husband did and decides to leave the family for a traveling trip to make a decision concerning her marriage and life. Her daughter, Carly is ferried out to the Great-Aunt Raes ranch to keep her from a undeseriable group of new friends.
Amy, Paul, and Carly are all on the path to reevaluating life choices and deciding what is truly Worth Keeping! 

The author does have a great plot, however the book for me seemed to drag and it took Amy forever to come to a resolution and communicate that I felt that part was not quite believable. I felt the characters of Rae, Carly and Paul were more centered and with a little more development it would have definitely kept my interest. 

I received an advanced copy free from NetGalley and these are my willingly given thoughts and opinions.

As I started this book and discovered it was about breast cancer, I feared it would be a depressing read.  However, I soon came to care about each of the characters as they presented their individual stories, fears and struggles.   The author incorporated a lot of information about our national parks and reinforced my belief in the healing properties of connecting with nature.  I will definitely be reading more from this author.  Thanks to NetGalley and St Martin's for an advance copy to read and review.

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.

Healing is the theme of this novel. A family needs vast healing. Paul,needs to heal from past trauma, Amy need to heal from cancer, physically mentally, and Carly needs to heal from her family’s fracture. Each chapter rotates in three voices as the characters step toward that healing. It was interesting to read the development and growth each family member makes, alone, so perhaps they can reunite. I think this book can connect with readers since we’ve all had to heal from something.

What's Worth Keeping by Kaya McLaren is a very enjoyable novel. The story is very thought provoking. It made my think about what emotions people that encounter trauma or life threatening illness, not only the person but their families too. It definitely me made me think about what I'd keep and what's important to me.

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!

This is a story that shows just how important communication is – and that you have to communicate with yourself first of all.  Amy, Paul, and Carly – mother, father, daughter – are in crisis.  It’s not certain they’ll come through it, and if by some miracle they do it’s even less certain they’ll still be a family.  At the beginning it seems like it’s all about Amy.  She’s a cancer survivor and she’s suffocating.  She needs to find out if she can live again.  And learn how to live without her husband Paul, because on the day she got her cancer diagnosis she found a file with divorce papers.  Paul never gave her the papers, never left, never mentioned it, stood by and took care of her through the cancer treatments, but she knows he doesn’t want her.  So Amy leaves to visit national parks, because that’s where she went with her parents and sisters growing up.  She doesn’t know if or when she’ll return.  

Before the cancer Paul was going to leave Amy not because he didn’t love her, but because he couldn’t love anybody or anything anymore.  He’s a cop in Oklahoma City, and saved some and lost many more people during the bombing.  He’s tried to pretend things are okay but he can’t pretend anymore.

Carly tried to take care of her mom, but the realization that this cancer was genetic shattered her.  What was the point of being a good girl, getting good grades, planning to go to college when she’d probably just get cancer and die anyway?  And she doesn’t know what to say to her mother so she lashes out in anger and then just doesn’t speak to her.

The star of the show is Amy’s Great-Aunt Rae.  Her life has been a lot more complicated and full than her family realizes, and her memories are bittersweet.  She’s got a lot to say and they need to listen.

On the day school is out, Paul drives Carly to spend the summer working at Aunt Rae’s horse ranch and Amy leaves for her park journey.  The story follows Amy as she remembers those early trips and confronts her future, Paul as he experiences trouble at work and turns to “fixing things” – mainly the old house near Aunt Rae they were planning to restore and retire in, and Carly as she learns Aunt Rae’s story and works and watches on the camping trips and starts to think about what matters.

What’s Worth Keeping is an intense story, at times frustrating because you just want the characters to stop and talk to each other.  They all seem foolish or selfish at times, but they are going through extraordinary trials and the way out is hard.  Will they learn to communicate?

Thanks to St. Martin’s Press for providing an advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.  It was a thoughtful, satisfying read and all opinions are my own.

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 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.

What's Worth Keeping by a new to me author, Kaya McLaren felt deeply personal as if the author is well acquainted with the emotions if the characters. I had thought that the three main characters along with Great-Aunt Rae would take the journey together. I will admit that I was a bit disappointed to see the three of them separated early in the book. However as I read on I could see how it was necessary for each to take their own journey to arrive at the same destination. One of my favorite characters is Great-Aunt Rae. Her solid, down to earth but wise was an anchor for this family. Everyone needs someone like her in their lives.

This is a story of great loss, a fight for life, second chances and reconnection. It is sad in many parts but it is hopeful too. I will say you should have the tissues handy. The sad events, perspectives and emotions are so-so real and authentic it is impossible not to be touched by them.

An ARC of the book was provided by the publisher through NetGalley which I voluntarily chose to read and reviewed. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

A story of healing Paul Bergstrom is a police officer and hasn’t been right since he helped rescue and recover those in the Oklahoma bombing. Amy is now recovering from cancer that involved several surgeries. Carly, their daughter is just scared and also mad as the type of cancer her mother had is hereditary. You find out how each is feeling as well as how they are dealing with it. Carly has been taken by her father to Great Aunt Rae’s horse ranch in the mountains. She wasn’t happy about it but with the help of T Rex, a Clydesdale horse, and Great Aunt Rae, she comes around. Amy is traveling through forests that she traveled with her father. Paul is working on a house he planned or remodeling but when the pipes burst years ago, he put it all on the back burner. Will they be able to get through all the trauma and tragedy and rejuvenate their family into a stronger unit.
I received a copy of this book from NetGalley and this is my honest review.

This book is heavy as the Bergstrom family are at the edge of falling apart. Amy is navigating her breast cancer diagnosis, Paul suffers trauma from the Oklahoma City bombing, and their daughter Carly feels hopeless for her future if she shares the same genetic fate as her mother. The story is told from their three alternating perspectives as they navigate a summer apart for some soul searching.

The book was kind of depressing for a while, and I couldn’t help but get frustrated with how they all pushed each other away. I haven’t shared these experiences so I can’t imagine how I’d react in the same situation, but ultimately enjoyed how the story and characters came together and grew in the end. I loved Great Aunt Rae’s character and the wisdom she brought to the family. She was the source of healing and connection among the characters, even if from a distance.

I wish there was a bit more at the end to conclude the story, or a glimpse at the family at a point in the future.

If you can handle an emotional read that reminds you of the importance of healing and forgiveness, then pick up What’s Worth Keeping when it publishes January 19.

Amy is struggling to heal herself mentally and physically after her cancer diagnosis. Carly, Amy’s daughter, is in such pain watching her mom suffer and then realizing her life might take the same path. Then there is Paul, Amy’s husband. Paul is a homicide detective and he also has PTSD. He is at a loss on what to say or do to help Amy recover.

Wow! What a fantastic, powerful novel. This is a tale not to be missed. But it may not be for everyone. If the wounds are still raw…this story is going to open them up full blast.

This is a heavy, emotional read and I loved everything about it. It is about healing and coming together when your world is falling apart. This is a book which I will think about over and over again. I never reread…but I just might have to reread this one.

Do not miss this one…add it to your list today!

I received this novel from the publisher for a honest review.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for the ARC. It’s a book that I wasn’t sure I would finish because it was just too sad. But that said, I read it and came to like the characters who each had their own traumas to heal from. Definitely worth reading.