Before We Say Goodbye by Madeleine Reiss

I was hoping for good things from this book because there was just something about the cover of the book that drew me in.  Once I started reading I wasn't really sure where this was going but I was soon swept up in the lives of Scott and Josie, the wonderful mundanity of everyday life laid bare by the sure and certain knowledge that it could all end with one single tick of the clock.

The telling of Josie and Scott's story is poignant without slipping in to mawkishness and I appreciated their no-nonsense acceptance of their situation without a loss of hope.  I am not an overly emotional person but it left me with a lump in my throat that I find hard to move - if you are given to venting your emotions then I would strongly suggest ordering a big box of tissues alongside the book as you WILL need them.

It deals with perhaps the most troubling subject matter - the death of a child.  Every parent presumes they will depart this realm before their children and surely that is how it should naturally be.  Sadly for Josie it looks as though Scott will not allow her this luxury, with his heart failing she clings to hope and acknowledges the guilt she feels that his only hope is the death of another child.

They do get their second chance and whilst at University Scott decides to start Project Boyfriend.  His mother has been alone for all his young life and he wants to rescue her from that loneliness.  The men that reply are weird and wonderful and none are quite right for Josie, but she grits her teeth and tries for her son's sake. 

This is an outstandingly human tale and told with warmth and understanding.  You will burn the midnight oil to read just one more chapter even though you don't want the end to come crashing over you like the sea at their beloved Bowick Beach.

I RECEIVED A FREE COPY OF THIS BOOK FROM READERS FIRST IN EXCHANGE FOR AN HONEST REVIEW.

**Review originally published February 4th, 2018**