This is the story of Clover who works as a death doula, helping others prepare for their upcoming end of life. Clover is very good at her job, but realizes that she is lacking close relationships and a life of her own. A new client helps her realize what's missing from her life and reexamine her needs and priorities. This story is beautifully written, and will make you think about your own days.

It’s been a really long time since I read a contemporary romance that got me giddy and excited to read each chapter but The Collected Regrets of Clover renewed my love of romance books.
Clover is a one of a kind main character that is overflowing with interesting qualities and with many outstanding side characters, this book held my attention every single time I picked it up.

At times bittersweet, at times beautiful, at times overly sentimental, this is a highly unusual novel and a highly immersive one. It’s hard to put the book down. And from 50% onward, I didn’t.

With the main character (Clover) employed as a death doula, as well as discussions of thanatology and death cafés, the content is certainly original. From the outset, I felt that here’s a story I haven’t read before! Clover turns into one of the most memorable characters I’ve encountered in recent fiction — a quirky loner, afraid of emotional commitment, who’s nevertheless introspective and self-aware. She’s also devoted to her clients (the dying) and wiser than most people I know when it comes to thinking about and discussing the end of life.

I enjoyed the book and think it’s well written. And there’s a great deal to think about — how to think and talk about death, how to talk to the dying, and especially the importance of living a good, full life, to avoid having regrets at the end of it.

As much as I enjoyed the book, I thought there are probably too many coincidences and too many perfectly charming, big-hearted characters (though I liked them all!). By about 75%, much of the rest seemed predictable and a little too fairy-tale for my taste. A regrettable title — one that I’ll never remember, though I’ll remember the story.

Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for an Advanced Reader Copy.

Clover. We meet our new-age-named protagonist as she is orphaned and is embraced by her loving academic grandfather. Perhaps due to her desire to understand her feelings about her parents death, Clover embarks upon an educational and spiritual voyage and becomes a “death doula” - similar to a birth doula, providing education, support and assistance to the patient and their families, but at the event of the patient’s death. Clover is exceptionally comfortable with the concept of death, from the perspective of many different cultures, which can be an unusual characteristic in the Western world, and she learns a lot about human nature and life from tending to her patients who have advice, confessions, and regrets. Clover is retained by an especially uptight and closed off blueblood family to tend to their matriarch upon her terminal diagnosis, and unravels several generations of advice, confessions and regrets about this exceptional individual and her story.
The Collected Regrets of Clover was extremely well written and such unusual subject matter - I thoroughly enjoyed this book and learned a lot about people and relationships through the insightful reflections presented. Mikki Brammer was able to convey rich descriptions of the characters and their personalities, motivations, and dispositions without relying on physical characteristics which was refreshing and unique.

I loved getting to know Clover and not only her work as a death doula, but also her personal history. I liked the progression of Clover's personal revelations. The pace felt realistic but also not too slow. Isolated and introverted, Clover realizes that she's not living the life she wants. Her own grief and losses are keeping her from moving forward. Clover slowly integrates her dying clients' advice (often in the form of regrets) into her own life as she grows in allowing others into her life and taking risks. I really enjoyed this one.

"But the secret to a beautiful death is a beautiful life."

Clover is a death doula. She sits with people as they die and she makes sure they are not alone. And yet, she's mostly alone. She has one friend who is 76 and that's it.

This is the story of how through the help of a new client, some unexpected friends and some tough but real words she slowly starts to change her life.

This character driven story is beautiful and is full of reminders that life is for the living. It's for taking chances, it's for being cautiously reckless and it's for living the moments we're given to their full capacity.

with gratitude to netgalley and St. Martin's Press for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you Netgalley for this ARC of The Collected Regrets of Clover by Mikki Brammer.

This was such a sweet novel that surprised me about as much as it made me smile.

Clover is not only devastated at the loss of the man who raised her, her grandpa, but at the excruciating truth that he died alone. Since then, she has dedicated her life to being a death doula, ensuring that no one on her watch will have the same end. And while Clover's quiet life of solitude suits her, some unlikely characters begin entering her life, forcing her to start living hers.

First off, death is an endlessly fascinating topic, so you had me there. I also really enjoyed the non conventional friendships and romances in this story. I felt like the author was winking at us, saying, "yeah, I know the formula, and I'm not doing it." Every chapter of this made my heart happy, especially the ending.

As someone who enjoys no plot fiction, this was definitely one of those books, although it took a while to realize. I expected a turn for Clover earlier than almost at the end of the book. It was hard to connect with Clover, but the events that took place kept me reading.

I loved this book so much. Between the subject matter and the characters I was drawn in first chapter. The book is so well written I gobbled it up and knew immediately I would want this as my book club pic.It's not often you read a fiction book about a subject matter most authors don't use but I found it fascinating. I feel in the love with the main character Clover and enjoyed watching her grow and transform.
Clover experienced many losses as a young child but the hardest was her beloved grandfather. Clover was not with him when he passed and the news that he was alone has haunted her for years, so much so that she became a death doula so she can comfort people in their last minutes of life. Clover has learned how to make her patients comfortable, how to help them seek forgiveness or send one last message before they go, maybe they have regrets and people they want to make amends with, Clover will do anything she can to grant their last wishes.
Spending her life serving others in commendable but also prevents Clover from making any meaningful personal relationships. As a friend or foe points out, this may be on purpose. Clover becomes close to one of her patients and her family and the opportunity for a new life, love, and happiness are in her near future. Can Clover let go of some of her fears and learn to let people in without the fear they will leave her? She'll have to learn to trust and allow herself the life she deserves.

Interesting storyline with a likable main character. I had never heard of a death doula before. Is this a real thing? I appreciated that it was a clean read with no overt political undertones.

I really enjoyed this book and flew through it in less than 2 days. The book tells the story of Clover Brooks who becomes a death doula after her grandfather dies alone while she is traveling. She is quirky and clearly does not know how to have a relationship with someone who isn't actively dying. The writing flowed and the characters were not just likeable but relatable. It touches on some deep points and makes you think about how you would reflect on your life at the end. This is a really great debut novel and I can't wait to read more from this author.

Clover is a death doula who hasn't dealt with her own grief. A new neighbor and a new client help her escape the prison she's created for herself. A lovely story.

Although this is the story of Clover, a 36-year-old death doula, it is by no means a downer. I enjoyed learning what a death doula does--calmly guiding one person at a time through the last days of life with dignity and peace, listening to their regrets and confessions with no judgment, and helping to work through any unresolved issues, always letting the client set their own terms. But I also loved the in-depth portrait of Clover herself, someone who hasn't allowed herself to have friends of her own age, establish romantic relationships, or fully accept herself for who she is.

Clover has been interested in death since she witnessed the demise of her kindergarten teacher, and as an adult she has traveled abroad to learn about death customs and traditions in other countries, written her master's thesis on thanatology (the study of death), and visited death cafes. She has even honored many of her clients' regrets by experiencing activities they said they wished they had done. But none of it could completely make up for the fact that she was not there at the death of her beloved grandfather, who had raised her since her inattentive parents died in an accident when she was six.

Along the way, Clover realizes she has made her own life too restricted, keeping her feelings locked inside herself, and her half-hearted attempts to change have always been thwarted. No one seemed to want to be around someone who is that involved with death. But taking on a client who had blazed the trail for female photojournalists and reluctantly turned away from the love of her life inspires Clover to make some life-changing decisions, take on seemingly impossible tasks, and open herself up to finding love. I found all of the supporting characters to be distinct, memorable, and equally as well drawn as Clover herself. And I had a lot to think about after reading Clover's story. Debut author Mikki Brammer is one to watch.

My thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the opportunity to read and provide an honest review of this book.

I deeply enjoyed this book's ability to weave grief and joy. It was a book that felt like opening up after a long, hard day and allowed me to laugh, cry, and process my emotions. I recommend this book to anyone in need of a hug, who needs to remember the joys of life, and who wants a fast-paced read.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for allowing me access to this ARC!

The Collected Regrets of Clover follows a 30 year old death doula through her experiences with both her job, and her newly found social life. She has always been a loner but when she meets her new client Claudia, things start to change for Clover.

There were some really nice things about this book. I enjoyed learning a little bit about what a death doula is, and I think there were some very poignant passages about both death and grief. Some of the advice offered in this book really hit home with me as someone who has lost several immediate family members. I think the topic of death was handled mostly in a respectful and elegant way that leaves the reader feeling comforted instead of uneasy.

Despite the things I enjoyed about the writing, I really couldn't get into this book. I felt like all the characters were kind of boring and unrelatable. Clover herself seems utterly clueless about how the world and the people who live in it work for someone who literally socializes with people/has incredibly difficult conversations for a living. Also at 36, there's just no way she doesn't understand how to interact with people her age. I feel like the pacing was incredibly slow as well. I had no idea what I was supposed to be getting out of the book until about halfway through because the story just seemed kind of loosely planned. Considering how slow the book moves for the vast majority of the story, the ending seems overly fast paced as if the author was trying for a hasty wrap up. The ending seemed rushed and not entirely well thought out at points (Clover's entire personality takes a total 180), but it did have some very sweet moments for a few of the characters.

This book was definitely not for me, but it had some really great moments that I think a lot of other readers will really enjoy.

I absolutely loved this book. To the author, well done! I found this book very engaging. Clover was easy to identify with. Sometimes she was exasperating and at other times she garnered sympathy. She was a likable character and you just wanted for her.to be happy. In her small way, she does big things. I would read this book twice. Do yourself a favor and read this book. You will enjoy it.

I'm an introvert and I really need to get out more. If any novel convinces me to do so, The Collected Regrets of Clover is that book. Clover is a Death Duala, someone who helps ease dying patients journey from life to death. She keeps three journals of her clients' last words Confessions. Advice. Regrets. At one point she realizes she works with the dying to avoid long-term commitments to living people.

You would think that with all the dying this would be a depressing read. Think again. Clover finally opens up to meeting people who plan to stick around awhile. While some are dying, Clover learns to live.

The Collected Regrets of Clover is a kick-start to get people like me out from under the covers and walking forth into the world. Now, if I only had the kind of money Clover has and live in New York City like she does...well, I guess I'll scrounge around with what I've got.

Thanks to Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for allowing me to read and review an eARC of The Collected Regrets of Cover.

What a beautiful story! The synopsis makes the book seem like the journey Clover goes on is the story of the book, but it’s really a story of Clover and how a series of events coincidentally occurring at one time forces her out of her comfort zone and to re-examine her life.

I love books where the main character has a unique occupation because it really lends a whole new layer to the story, and a death doula is definitely unique! But what a lovely and comforting concept.

Don’t read this book in one sitting, this book warrants thought and reflection.

Thank you to NetGalley and St Martins Press for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

I must admit the main character of this story hit home with me. We are much alike, personality wise, and even though I am not a death doula I could relate.

This is an interesting look at a profession one does not hear about routinely, but I did enjoy how they can make a dying person’s passing easier. In the midst of death our Clover finally discovers how to live.

Well I just love Clover. Give me a broken female lead character and I’m all in. Interesting take on death and grief. Her story is filled with heart and taking chances. Another perfect ending!