I requested this based on its comparison to Beartown, but unfortunately the content was too much for me. There are a lot of trigger warnings in this and I couldn't make it to the end.
Thank you Penguin Random House Canada for the ARC through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This book was hard to read. It is emotionally gripping. This is one of the most visceral novels I have read. It is very well written, but haunting.

This novel is about the tragic consequences for a child living with a parent who struggles with mental illness and as a result, is an unreliable caregiver. I found this book very difficult to read and although I think some will find it quite interesting, it is definitely not for me.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Last Winter by Carrie Mac is a gripping and unforgettable story!
This haunting novel describes the impact of a fatal avalanche on a small town in the mountains of B.C. as seen through the eyes of those who survive the tragedy.
The focus is on a child who knows no bounds in trying to rescue her beloved Dad while her mother struggles to be a parent and manage her grief while experiencing a Bipolar crisis.
A very realistic depiction of mental illness and an important read!

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Canada for an arc of this novel in exchange for my honest review.

Last Winter is the story of a young (selectively mute) girl grappling with the heartbreak of her father’s death and a mother who struggles with mental health. In the midst of significant marital issues, Gus takes Ruby’s class on an overnight backcountry trip, where Ruby is one of only two children to survive the avalanche that kills the others, Meanwhile, her mother's mental health is deteriorating and Ruby is often left to her own devices. Ruby is determined to find her father, using the survival skills he taught her and believing that he must still be alive.

I was really intrigued by the plot of this book. A comparison to Beartown made me instantly excited for this read. Unfortunately, this book fell short on many accounts. While I appreciate that the other was trying to reflect Fiona's (the mother's) mental health crisis in the writing by making it sporadic and unpredictable, it came across as random and disconnected. I definitely struggled to get through the book and hope that it resonates more with other readers.

Thank you to NetGalley & Penguin Random House for my ARC.

This was my first book by this author, and won't be my last.
I did find it slow at first but halfway through it picked up.. I really felt for the little girl,Ruby,especially towards the end of the book.
This was well written, intense, and thought provoking. It was interesting to me
I highly recommend reading it.

Unfortunately I have to agree with other reviews that this story is very disturbing and difficult to get into. Comparing it to Beartown is not accurate and gives an unrealistic expectation to the reader.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for allowing me to read this book. I did read this book until the end. I felt sorry for Ruby, because of her mother. Her mother is bipolar and when she is on her medication, she is better. But more often than not she doesn't take her medication. Ruby loves her father and seems to have a wonderful relationship with him. Gus, Ruby's Dad, has decided that he has to leave Ruby's Mom, as he can't deal with her anymore. He has to protect Ruby. He is planning to take Ruby with him. There is much more to this story, but I can't say much more, as it would contain spoilers. Did I like this book--I have to be honest, not really. The most I would give this story would be 2.5 out of 5.

A tragic story of a young child whose mother is mentally ill with bi-polar and who often goes off her meds, drinks heavily and sometimes leaves Ruby her almost 9 year old alone in a cold house. The furnace doesn’t work, but Fiona, the mom feels it not her job to phone to get it fixed. The wood stove she won’t touch so it is often left to Ruby to light the fire.
It becomes more interesting when Gus the dad sets off with Ruby and her school mates on a hike up into the mountains near Whistler, British Columbia. A trip that ends in tragedy. What transpires is heartbreaking.
The mental heath issue is prominent in this story, which makes it a difficult read. But in saying that it educated me and I found I had some empathy for the mother who loved her child but had lost control of her life. It’s worth a read to the end.

I found This too disturbing. Especially with the children. So unfortunately it wasn’t for me. But thank you for the opportunity to read.

this book was hard to read. it is a very realistic depiction of mental illness, even more so than the stated avalanche and town's grief stated in the synopsis.
I didn't like Fiona, and I'm sure we aren't meant to. it is sad, however, watching her spiral down into her bipolar illness.
this book should come with some trigger warnings, suicidality, alcohol, and drug abuse.
Ruby is such a mature soul that at times you forget she is only 8 years old. I was hoping she would find her daddy Gus.
thanks to Netgalley for the opportunity to read an ARC of this book.

3.5 stars

Early in the book, we learn that 5 children died in an avalanche. One adult also died. 8-year old Ruby was one of 2 children who made it out alive, along with one other adult.

Leading up to the avalanche, we follow Ruby, her mother Fiona, who has a mental illness, and Ruby’s father Gus, who is a former Olympic snowboarder and now runs a backcountry guiding company and was one of the adults on the trip when the avalanche happened. Fiona and Gus’s relationship is in bad shape and they fight a lot. Fiona often does not take her medication, so is quite shocking in some of the things she says and does with friends.

It took me a long time to get “into” the book. It was hard to follow for the first 1/3 to ½ of the book, as there were a lot of characters I had trouble keeping straight (who was who, and how are they “related”?). There were also a couple of shifts in time that I struggled with. Fiona was extremely unlikable; I guess I should try to have more sympathy, but it’s hard when she won’t take her mediation. But, the book really picked up in the second half as the avalanche hit, along with the aftermath.

Last Winter by Carrie Mac is a riveting, heart crushing story. Fiona meets ex Olympian Gus while on a mountain getaway. Initially exciting and risky their relationship will be a rocky one. Fiona, who lives with bi-polar disorder, does not comply with her medication regimen. The result is someone who partakes in risky and erratic behaviours. Gus, on the other hand, is seen as a responsible parent and community member. He loves their daughter Ruby and is often the steady and reliable parent she needs. All of this changes, however, after a devastating avalanche where Gus and five children die.

This book is gut wrenching. The death of a father; selective mutism of the daughter; and a mother whose life has been filled with loss. One whose mental illness has interfered with her relationships and the ability to support her daughter in the midst of despair.

Once reading the bio info it made sense. The writing and description of mania and the ongoing inner conflict of bi-polar disorder could only be written by someone who has worked in the area or experienced it personally. As difficult as this was to read I can only imagine how draining it was to write. Still one cannot help but get drawn into the story and the characters. Waiting to see what will happen next. Definitely a must read. Also, if you get the chance, the audiobook is excellent bringing the intensity of the story to another level.

Many thanks to NetGalley, Penguin Random House Canada and the author, for the opportunity to read and review this arc.

Comparing this to Beartown was ultimately the undoing for me. My expectations were too high. I thought it was well written and i liked the writing style, but the content was very heavy and not my favourite.

Last Winter is the story of the build up and aftermath of a tragedy that occurs in a small town just outside of Whistler, British Columbia. Told from the perspectives of Ruby, an eight year old girl who is selectively mute and her mother Fiona, a British ex-pat who struggles with Bipolar Disorder, the story delves deep into their shared story through time jumps, flashbacks, and sometimes unreliable narration.

This book was not an easy read both from the perspective of the non-linear timeline, the unreliable adult protagonist, as well as the traumatic and potentially triggering content. A feel-good, light romp this is not. Having said that, I found myself glued to the page and anxious to know what happened next, and whether the two female leads would find the stability that so eluded them.

But the eventual outcome was not the only aspect that kept me reading. I found that the immersion into the thoughts and mind of someone struggling with BPD, written by an author with firsthand knowledge of that struggle, was thoroughly compelling and beautifully crafted. As much as I feel compassion for Ruby, the daughter who needs love and stability, I can also see that Fiona was ill-equipped to provide either to her. I've never thought to wonder how profound a struggling with mental health can be, and now that I am more enlightened by this story, I feel compassion brought on by this unlikeable main character. If you can make it through this literary narrative, the broadened perspective on how different minds work is well worth the harrowing journey.

Thank you to NetGalley for the chance to read this novel.
Carrie is known for writing the hard things, and this book does not disappoint. As soon as I read the first part, I could see this as a movie. This story almost reads like a memoir of a mother's daily struggle to do the right thing for herself and her daughter. The ending is all the feels. I finished it earlier today, and it is still lingering with me. As a mom, I can't imagine the pain of what Ruby went through with both of her parents.

Thanks to NetGalley for the advance copy of this book. Although Carrie Mac has written several novels, this is my first. This Canadian author bases the story in a remote area of British Columbia where an avalanche forever changes the town and the families. The story will have you feeling every emotion- anger, sadness, sympathy, and hurt. Fiona (mom), is bipolar and an addict who is unable to care for her and Gus’ child, Ruby. During a trip in the mountain led by Gus, an avalanche strikes and leaves several children dead and Gus missing. Ruby has lost her father and she is now left with a mom who is unable to care for herself let alone an 8 year old child. A heart wrenching story of mental illness, death and love.

Thank you net galley for giving me this opportunity to read this book.
This is about a young girl who lives in a small town British Columbia.
Gus and Fiona are married and have a young daughter Ruby. Gus is a former olympian in snowboarding and is now a backcountry guide.
Gus and Fiona's marriage is falling apart and due to their fighting young Ruby has stopped talking.
Gus takes Ruby's class on a weekend backcountry trip and then an avelanche happens. Ruby and one other student are alive.
Fiona's mental health is deteriorating and Ruby is convinced that her father made it out of the avelanche alive. Ruby sets out to find him without her mothers' knowing.
Generally, it was a good story but with all the f-bombs I gave it a rating of two stars.

Received an arc from NetGalley. Although the synopsis sounded great, with comparisons to Bear Town and The Great Alone, two books that I loved, the only similarities I see are the cold, snowy landscape.

There is so much going on in this book, Fiona and Gus are dealing with their marriage breaking down, Fiona’s serious bipolar disorder for which she refuses to take medication, her childhood trauma, infidelity, their daughter Ruby who is selectively mute, neglected and abused by Fiona, and the overarching tragedy that affects the entire town. The formatting of the book that flips between Fiona and Ruby, past and present with no real separation was also problematic for me.

Overall, I just wish I hadn’t bothered to read this one.

I was excited to read this book based on its blurb, its Canadian location and the publisher’s comparison to Fredrik Backman’s, Beartown (one of my five star reads last year). But the wilderness locales of the three books is where the similarities end. Honestly, I felt frustrated, a bit miffed and very mislead by the book’s blurb.

I don’t take DNFing (did not finish) books lightly. Last Winter is one of only two advanced copies (out of over 600 books) that I have ever DNF’d. I read 25% of this book but had to set it aside due to a vast array of uncomfortable topics. The ick factor is high in this book, and it really should contain trigger warnings. I was unprepared for the detailed descriptions of various genitalia, adult nudity in front a child, abuse, a woman sexualizing a minor and vivid descriptions of bodily fluids (including ejaculate and urine) … that were described gratuitously. These highly sensitive and sexualized scenes easily overshadow the main plot and its description of a person with bipolar disease.

I don’t consider myself prudish and don’t normally DNF based on content, but I could not continue reading this book. Thanks to the publisher for the opportunity to read Last Winter, but since I did not read the entire book, I will not be posting my review on my blog.