If I Could Say Goodbye by Emma Cooper

Published : 17th September 2020

Publisher : Headline

Format : Kindle, Audio, Paperback

Genre : Contemporary

* All words highlighted in Grey are links to either purchase from a range of sellers or links to the authors sites.

Synopsis

Jennifer Jones' life began when her little sister, Kerry, was born. So when her sister dies in a tragic accident, nothing seems to make sense any more.

Despite the support of her husband, Ed, and their wonderful children, Jen can't comprehend why she is still here, while bright, spirited Kerry is not.

When Jen starts to lose herself in her memories of her sister, she doesn't realise that the closer she feels to Kerry, the further she gets from her family.

Jen was never able to say goodbye to her sister. But what if she could?

Would you risk everything if you had the chance to say goodbye?

Thank you @Headline for this lovely, heartbreaking read

My Review

Where can I start with this one.

I am a huge of Emma Coopers books and currently her second story ( see below ) is my most favourite romance to date, so to say I was excited to receive this proof copy is a little bit of an understatement.

Also I was able to interview Emma about all of her previous books, this one and upcoming stories, Aswell as some fun facts about her as a person. ( see my Interview with an Author post )

Anyway on with the story...

Jennifer Jones has it all together. She is a magnificent mum, wife and all round plate spinner. Organised and routined is her forte until one afternoon whilst out with her little sister Kerry, helping her buy an engagement ring the worst happens. Kerry dies and Jennifers world literally gets thrown upside down.

Told over two perspectives, Jens and Ed's, Jens husband, the story takes you through the life of a woman struggling to not be consumed by heart breaking grief and a husband desperately trying to keep her from the brink of a mental breakdown.

Jen thinks she has it all together, after the initial aftermath of losing Kerry, Jen thinks everything is getting back on track, but in reality it really isn't and not only is she struggling with the simplest everyday tasks that she loved previously but she also sees her sister everywhere she goes and talks to her quite regularly.

The trouble is Jen believes she should have dies instead of Kerry, she doesn't understand why she gets to live and the sister that has been her entire world since she was born had to die.

Kerry used to live life on the edge of her seat, taking risks and living in the moment whereas Jen is sensible, organised and meticulous with routine. But ever since Kerrys death Jen has been taking risks, living life spontaneously and basically living her life through her dead sister. But this is having the opposite effect on Jen and everyone around her slowly starts to realise that Jen needs some serious help to help her move on and accept that she has lost her sister.

Why I Loved It

I loved this story. It was a total rollercoaster of emotions, the prologue caught my heart and held it so utterly in its grip that there was no way I wasn't going to see this book out to the end.

Jens character is just brilliant, I loved her so much, but equally adored Ed and Kerry, all three characters I found myself wishing I knew and did not want the story to end.

I laughed, I've cried and I've basically been obsessed with this story from the minute that cover was turned.

The author has captured grief and a family's despair with how to deal with that in such a way that you truly feel the words you are reading.

HIGHLY RECOMMEND this author.

Rating

★★★★★

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Meet the author

Author, blogger, and host of a regular online radio show that draws an audience from all over the world, Emma Cooper is inspirational and funny as well as being a mine of information who connects with many types of people and online communities.

She lives in the UK.