A very believable account of a woman’s pain after losing a child. I love the part where she reflects on a memory when she was six years old and her dad took her dog to the vet but didn’t bring it back home. She was so mad she didn’t talk to him for 3 days until she found him crying in the garage and learned how he really loved and missed that dog. “You can’t guess at other people’s pain little one...”. And Owen’s comment: “At some point, grieving turns to remembrance, and that’s okay”. I could relate to a lot of what this woman was dealing with. Could have punched her mother though. What a b**ch! Even her sister was less than supportive at times. The one thing I hated and the reason I didn’t give this five stars? The ending where she kisses her baby girl and whispers “Everything happens for a reason”. UGH! How many times have I heard that but never ever felt that in almost 17 years. It’s such a slap in the face. Still, there is a really good story here and I know many will learn from it and many will relate to it.

“Everyone loves different...you can’t guess at people’s pain little one.”

What We Carry by Kalyn Fogerty was one of those books that make you forget you are reading.
It was filled with beautiful thoughts on life, friendship and motherhood. It was heart wrenching and also such a hopeful novel.

As What We Carry begins, we quickly meet Cassidy and Owen who are in the midst of a tragedy. As they recover from their trauma, we meet Claire, Cass’s sister and Joan, Cass’s mother. These four points of view are so well written and each character feels beautifully familiar. .As Cassidy and Owen recover from the loss of their first child, we watch their relationship struggle as they try to find their way back to themselves and to one another.

This novel also includes fun details about equine veterinary practices and architectural design which brings added fun and detail for readers who are passionate about these topics.

Kalyn’s description is beautifully detailed but not so much that the novel is laborious or hard to read. I was fully engaged from beginning to end.

A joy to read!!

https://www.instagram.com/notthelastchapter/

I have to admit shedding numerous tears due to the realism of the experience that Cassidy and Owen went through and the emotional implications. It was great that she had a strong sister in Claire and a man who would do anything for her; however, escapism in work is never the solution. What her mom stated is absolutely correct is that there are rainbows everywhere and we just need to look. Lillie brought hope and light to all.