This is beautifully written and very clever. My heart broke for the main characters - what a terrible decision to have to make, and live with. I loved seeing the outcomes of each route the couple chose. The characters are likeable and well-drawn and the dialogue is spot on. I didn't want to put it down.

The blurb says that Max and Pip are a strong couple who are facing the most important decision of their lives and they don't agree.
It didn't prepare me for the emotional rollercoaster that was 'After the End." It was the most heart-wrenching book I have ever read. I could not put it down. I cried and cried again. What a story. What a story-teller. I have never felt so emotionally wrapped up in characters in a book. The writing comes from the soul. Clare Mackintosh has written an amazing book, an honest, sad, traumatic yet uplifting book that every parent should read.
Five out of five.

This is a very well written story about one of the most heart wrenching and controversial decisions that a parent should never have to face.
It is heartbreakingly frank and gives us two separate yet quite similar outcomes.
A difficult read for any parent but so worth it.

This was a really clever book, and one that seems sadly too topical. It questions what happens when parents can’t decide on the medical treatment for their child, but more than just being a tragic tale of the short life and death of a toddler it goes on to explore what could happen to the parent’s relationship depending on what path is taken.

I surprised myself by not crying while reading this book but found it an utter page turner, and a courageous book to have written.

After the End is one of the most emotionally written book that I have ever read. Pip and Max seemed to have it all - meeting by chance on a transatlantic flight, they marry and go on to have their son Dylan. Tragedy strikes when Dylan is diagnosed with a brain tumour, and, as a consequence of treatment has to spend months in PICU. This takes its toll on the family, and the consequences of decisions made cannot be undone. Clare has the marvellous ability to draw her readers into the story, presenting each character in such a way that you are bound to champion them........but whose side do you take? I found myself changing my mind each chapter! This book presents the reader with real moral dilemmas, causing you to stop and think what you would do if faced with a similar situation. As with her other books, she likes to play with twists and turns, just when you think you know where the story is going, it surprises you! Having read a little about Clare’s personal life, the reader can feel the heart that has been put into this book.
Thank you to PenguinRandomHouse and NetGalley for the opportunity to preview this e book.

I could not put this book down. It was not a thriller but a story of a couples relationship pushed to the limit by a terminally ill child. It brought you in close to experience a couples love for each other and their love for their child, who developed terminal cancer before his 3rd birthday.. Using the sliding doors technique helped look at the alternative outcomes to the major decision Pip and Max made. Every character portrayed in the book felt human. This was a beautifully written story with enough dimensions to engage the reader to the very last page. I would thoroughly recommend this original book. It would make for a great Book Group choice

I really enjoyed this book but found it quite difficult in places due to the sensitive subject matter. A couple have to decide to withdraw treatment from their three year old son who has non curable cancer. One parent wants to try experimental treatment the other is concerned about his quality of life and wants to let him die with dignity.
i was well written and is a thought provoking book that brings up a lot of questions about the choices we make in life.
As medicine advances more ethical questions will need to be discussed about keeping patients alive or providing just palliative care.

I think the book is very timely as there have been similar stories in the press and on TV programmes recently. I enjoyed the book and found it interesting but just a little sad and poignant especially with the authors note at the end.

Pip and Max are the parents of Dylan who is in a coma. The doctors believe his case is irreversible, however, some hope is given from an American doctor who offers a revolutionary new approach to treatment.
I felt the first half of the book dragged a wee bit, it was a bit back and forward between Pip and Max but it did set the scene. Both characters exasperated me at the same time I was trying to understand them!
The second half of the book moved faster as we heard the story from both sides and I felt it was a more enjoyable read..

When requesting this book there was nothing to indicate this was as far away from her usual genre as you could get. I assumed it was another thriller and probably wouldn't have requested had I realised otherwise. It was well written and thought provoking just not what I was expecting and I found the dual endings a little unsatisfying.

This is not in the usual Claire Mackintosh genre but don't let that put you off. In her usual style, she manages to really suck the reader in with her impeccable writing style and ability bring the characters to life. Full review to follow.

In all honesty I didn’t enjoy this as much as I expected too. I usually love Clare’s books but this one lost some of the thriller element. This was more of a Jodi Picoult style novel which certainly isn’t a bad thing but in I just found the storyline a little depressing.

If l could give this book 10* I would it feels slightly wrong to admit to enjoying this book so much having regard to its subject matter but it was a wonderful book sad yes but not to its detriment just enough to matter but it had such hope and courage amazing - then when l thought l had felt every emotion possible l read the author’s final note and that put the whole book in another light - thank you netgalley for letting me read this fabulous book

A departure from Claire’s usually style this was nonetheless just as good, albeit in a different way. Tender but raw, punctured with sorrow and hope, I truly had tears in my eyes at times. I’m still thinking about it now, long after I have finished reading it.

This book was extremely thought-provoking and emotional. I always enjoy Clare Mackintosh and I did here too albeit the subject matter was very sad. It was very cleverly written so you didnt have to wonder about 'what if' however it still left you thinking about which were the right decisions. Clever, emotional, optimistic and a damn good read.

With thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for the book in exchange for an honest review.
This was a thought provoking book, it is not an easy read but it is one that will stay with the reader for some time. There are many options and variables after Daniel’s death and it is these options that will stay with the reader. There is no right or wrong answer, only what is best for the child and the parents concerned. As Clare Mackintosh says at the end she and her husband had this choice to make and other parents have been in the spotlight in recent years because they wished to go against medical advice.
Highly recommended.

A truly beautiful read with well drawn characters. Both thought provoking & full of hope. A book that will stay with me. Clare’s writing is amazing

Very different from Clare's other books but my oh my what a great and emotional read! I couldn't put this down, it grabbed me from the start and pulled me right in! The second half of the book is very clever (without giving anything away!)

Recommended read most definitely

After The End was a totally different book to how Claire normally writes, I found it quite hard to get into. I found the court case quite drawn out and ended up skipping through the pages.

This book has moved me in more ways than I thought possible. My heart broke for the characters in the book; I could not imagine being in their position, facing the choices which Pip and Max must make.

With every chapter, the superbly powerful writing challenged my initial views of the decisions made by the characters. I found that, even when not reading, my thoughts returned to the dilemma encountered in this excellent novel, prompting probing discussions with my partner about what he would doing this situation.

I implore everyone to read this book.

This is very different from her other books - it is not a thriller, however like her other books it is a very good read.

'After the end' describes the heartbreak of a child's terminal illness. The book does not hide from the emotional turmoil when parents are asked the most difficult question - should their child live or die?

The 'sliding doors' approach to the story demonstrates that there are no easy answers and I appreciated that there was no sermonising, or obvious 'right solution'. It is a thoughtful, considered book, which I appreciated even more having read the final Author's Note.