I did not finish this book as I didn't enjoy the writing style of the author. However if you are interested in the afterlife, angels etc I would recommend you try this novel

This is a beautiful and emotional story of the afterlife, as it pertains to Vivienne. It makes one think about things that are important and things that (although they may seem important) actually aren't important at all.

Despite all the 5 star reviews on Goodreads, I really could not get into this book for some reason. Perhaps I wasn't in the right mindset (emotionally?) for something like this. But it's definitely a book I want to try and re-read; hopefully my thoughts will be different then.

Initially, I was completely drawn to this book including the cover, description, and just the whimsical tone - but then I kept passing it over on my TBR list for some reason. After finally diving into this novel, I truly loved it. Shannon Kirk's writing is exquisite, detailed, and allows the reader to hear, taste, smell, and feel everything in the novel. I was truly blown away by the imagery and how I was completely swept away by Vivienne- her decisions, her questions, her emotions - all of it. Vivienne's journey with Noah was fascinating, emotional, heartbreaking, and wonderful all at the same time. Themes in this novel are too numerous to list but for me it was about love, living, letting go, and moving forward. This novel was wonderfully unique and thought-provoking!

Wearing her red birthday shoes,35 year old Vivienne takes a fatal walk into a moving vehicle while she is texting and walking and not paying attention. Her spirit guide,guardian angel is her boyfriend who passed on before her. He guides her in her uncertainty as she treks through heaven. She leaves behind a young son and one of the things she was carrying in her bag when she was hit is a book that he enjoys having her read to him.The story also told of his missing her and featured his life as he grew up,married,had children,grandchildren and great-grandchildren and he read them all his favorite childhood book. Very emotional and enjoyable book!
Pub Date 06 Sep 2016.
Thank you to NetGalley and Reputation Books for a review copy in exchange for my honest opinion.

Death is one of those frightening and yet fascinating topics. What happens when we die? What does heaven look like? Is there really a hell? Who do we meet there? The questions are endless and because of the love we have for those who have passed away it sometimes makes it painful to think about.

When I first started reading The Extraordinary Journey of Vivienne Marshall, I found myself a bit confused as we jumped around in the story but by a quarter of the way in I was hooked. We learn about Vivienne’s childhood – her fears, her family, her successes and even the great love she holds for Noah, her childhood best friend. This story alternates with the future story of her son (which I didn’t quite put together until halfway through the novel), her stay in the ICU and her visit to multiple different heavens with Noah. We watch as she faces the worst and happiest moments in her life with Noah and how this has made her into the woman she is. Her heaven is beautiful and full of promise, love, hope and faith.

The Extraordinary Journey of Vivienne Marshall was beautiful and made me smile and cry. Vivienne in her own confident and powerful way, showed her son such a great love and how to be a strong young man. What could have been a moment that would destroy people, is turned upside down and provides hope and faith. The story was uplifting and provides many great lessons about letting go, moving forward and loving with all your heart. I absolutely loved every moment of this story and it is a definite must read.