I feel a bit conflicted reviewing this book because I am aware it is a deeply personal subject to the author. I'm a big fan of Clare Mackintosh's thrillers so was keen to see her write another genre. After The End is about a couple who are having to deal with a terminally ill child and make a decision about his healthcare. Around halfway through the book splits and we are taken through the two possible choices which alternate chapter about. I found that this didn't help the narrative flow and made the book seem quite disjointed. I didn't find any of the characters likeable and really struggled to get through this.

A difficult topic, beautifully handled with great originality. Many authors would have based their novel on what happens to a couple when a child falls terminally ill, but Clare Mackintosh takes this one step further and examines what could happen next. I totally believed in this couple and their struggles and was reduced to tears on more than one occasion. Very very good.