I was given an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest and independent review.
A very emotional and difficult read due to the subject matter. Every parents’ worst nightmare which was told with great empathy and honesty. A well written story which moved me. A book of hope and moving on and continuing to live following such sadness.
Having read the postscript at the end of the book and having learned that this was a deeply personal experience for the author, filled me with much admiration for her courage to tell this story.
4 stars

I wasn't expecting to finish this book and I was certainly not expecting to enjoy it as much as I did. Enjoy is not quite the right word to use but I was compelled to keep reading. As a mum to two young children, the subject matter is one that I am very head in the sands about, and had never contemplated before reading this book. But what is beautiful about the story is that it doesn't dwell on the sadness and anguish of the situation that Pip and Max find themselves in.

Actually it's about them and their relationship, and the choices we make together and apart. I enjoyed the pace of the book, covering many months and then years, because that's what life is like. You blink and another six months has gone by. This book reminds you to treasure every moment, to not take anything for granted.

I feel privileged to have read this book and humbled by the topic. Like with other Claire Mackintosh novels, I'm still thinking about it days after finishing it, and questioning what I would do. Although it's a departure from the author's usual thriller style, I gobbled up After the End in much the same way, desperate to find the resolution. It's not an easy read at times but absolutely a must read.

This wasn't my favourite of Clare Mackintosh's but I really appreciated the unusual format, and have talked about it on my YouTube channel as a book not quite right for me but that others may enjoy. Thanks so much for the chance to read!

After the End is a book which will stay with me for a long time !! I finished it with tears rolling down my face but with also a positive feeling inside.

Max and Pip are blissfully in love and have an enviable marriage until their young son Dylan becomes ill with a brain tumour which has left him with brain damage. The doctors recommend palliative care to stop Dylan’s suffering. This is devastating news for Max and Pip but will it be one they can both agree with?

What a tough decision for anyone? This book explores the realities of having to make such a decision. As individuals we all have our own views but if these differ from our partner what are the consequences ? Can love conquer all ? Or does life get in the way .?

I am so glad to have read this emotion filled book, which has left an imprint on my heart. I want to urge you to read this book as the beauty shining from each page will make you appreciate and understand life just a little more.

It is evident this novel has been written from the heart and I feel that is why it is so special. Brilliant emotive writing and definitely one of my favourites. When life gives you lemons make lemonade is definitely a saying which sums up this book!!!

Thank you to netgalley and the publishers for my chance to read this beautiful book.

I may not have read this book had I not heard of the author. “What appeals to you about this book?” NetGalley asks when you request a proof. “Author. I have heard good things about Clare Mackintosh. She writes thrillers.”

‘After the End’ is not the psychological mystery I was expecting but it is a profoundly moving novel, the story of parents faced with an impossible choice - to submit their terminally ill child to treatment that may prolong the length his life but not its quality, or to let him slip away, allowing his pain to end. It is a sad story but it makes you smile in places. It is harrowing but full of humanity.

In her afterword, Clare Mackintosh, who lost a son in circumstances which inspired the novel, says “this is not a story about loss, but about hope. Hope for the future, for a life beyond an unavoidable tragedy.” And, as the second half of the story explores possible outcomes, Sliding Doors-style, the message of hope is clear - life goes on, changed by the experience, but loss does not mean forgetting.

‘After the End’ is an intensely emotional novel and one that I am thankful to have read.

Whenever I read a book by Claire Mackintosh I know to clear my day and get comfortable,as I will not be able to put her book down and won’t be disappointed!!

Max and Pippa have a son Dylan who they adore. Sadly Dylan is diagnosed as having a brain tumour ,which couldn’t be removed during surgery and caused brain damage which will leave him unable to walk or talk.

Max and Pippa have the dreadful decision whether to opt for further treatment which may lengthen his life but not cure him or to allow doctors to give him palliative care till he dies.

This decision is hard enough but when Max and Pippa’s decisions are not the same, they have to let the courts decide. Their relationship is stretched to breaking point at a time when they should be there for one other.

This is such a beautifully written book, I was drawn into this book from the first page and had a Massive lump in my throat whilst reading this emotional story. This sensitive topic was dealt with compassion and understanding and left me with a tear in my eye.

A must read book that will tug at anyone’s heartstrings and reminds us all never to give up hope no matter what. You cannot help thinking what would you have done in this scenario!!

Thank you to Netgalley for my copy in exchange for a review.

Wow! Not sure that what I will write about this amazing book will do it justice.
After The End tells Max and Pip’s stories after the death of their young son.
In this story Max and Pip are faced with the news every parent dreads. Their son has a life threatening tumour which has left him brain damaged. The hospital believe that there is nothing more that can be done other than palliative care and initially both Max and Pip disagree and look for alternative treatments. However Pip changes her mind leaving his parents unable to agree on the next step, forcing the hospital to make the decision to take the case to high court.
In this book we are told both Max and Pip’s respective stories after the end.
. I now know that Clare drew on her own personal tragedy to write this story and has written with huge compassion an amazingly moving story on an extremely controversial subject
I would like to thank Netgalley for the opportunity to read and review this book

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5 cry your eyes out stars

Well I didn’t know what this book was about, I just knew the author wrote one of my favourite books, I Let You Go, so thought I’d read this.

Not my usual genre but oh my goodness this book broke me.

I warn you, it’s about a toddler with a serious illness, so if you have kids or have been affected by serious illness in your life in some way, this book will no doubt hit you harder.

The writing is brilliant, told from 3 viewpoints, mum, dad, doctor. It is so balanced and heartfelt.

If I was going to level any criticism, I would say that I wish we had more of Leila’s story, and the second half of the book felt a tad rushed and a bit too ‘happy endings’

But this book is one I won’t forget; you feel like you really know the characters and so you feel their pain all the way through.

Recommended.

Max and Pip have a young boy called Dylan who has a brain tumour that has left him severely disabled. When a scan confirms their worst fears, they are faced with making a heartbreaking decision.

Told in two different time scales- Before and After. After is written like a Sliding Doors account giving two different scenarios.

It is a very well written, emotional read that will tug at your heart strings and make you hug your children a little tighter.

It is a book that will stay with me for a long time and I highly recommend it!!!

This is a beautfiul and emotional book about parents dealing with their young child's terminal illness. It is shocking and painful in parts, where you can only feel the upmost sympathy for anyone going through such a traumatic experience. The author skillfully switches between the two parents' perspectives, showing how they each respond in a different way to the joint struggle, in addition to the perspective of the doctor treating the child. It is sensitive in its manner of dealing with such a difficult topic. Only at the end, when reading the author's note, did I discover that the author herself experienced the loss of a young child and I have a huge amount of respect to her for her courage to write this novel. It sends an incredibly important message out to everyone to be grateful for everything they have, and also helps us to understand how we can best support those experiencing such trauma. As a parent of young children, I found this novel eye-opening and it made me appreciate every day I share with my healthy children. Although it is a difficult read in many places, I think it is a very important one.

A total departure from Clare Mackintosh's usual genre - I had not read the synopsis so had no idea what to expect. The 'Before' story was told with such empathy and understanding it was both heart-rending and fascinating to read. The 'After' story takes the 'sliding doors' direction which, although sometimes a little confusing, was very interesting and cleverly portrayed. It was only on finishing this book that I found out that Clare Mackintosh was writing from personal experience and that made the inspired and emotional writing understandable. This can not have been an easy book to write.
Very many thanks to Netgalley/Clare Mackintosh/Little, Brown Book Group UK for a digital copy of this title. All opinions expressed are my own.

Wow what a courageous book to write, I totally admire Clare mackintosh who has written about such an agonising choice parents max and pip have to make regarding the terminal illness of their son Dylan, this could have been a heartbreaking dismal read as the subject matter is so heartbreaking,sad and distressing but it is written sensitively and with dignity,showing the courage and tenacity that parents in this situation are capable of possessing in the most difficult of situations. Above all it reiterates that love is endless and that there is always hope at the end of a journey so that overall peace can be found!
Thank you net galley for this advance copy to read, it took me out of my comfort zone and was very thought provoking.

Absolutely heartbreaking, you can tell that the author is deeply invested emotionally and reading her author's note at the back confirms this.
An emotional roller coaster that is beautifully and respectfully written, with alternating viewpoints between the two parents of poor Dylan. Max and Pip are multilayered and sympathetically portrayed, it's impossible to chose a side.
Definitely different from her usual crime thrillers, but recognisable by the twists and turns that will keep you on the edge of your seat.

This is a heart breaking story, beautifully written by Clare Mackintosh. It's entirely different to her previous books but every bit as good. I would definitely recommend this book.
Thanks to NetGalley for my copy.

Beautiful and heartbreaking all at the same time. I’ve sobbed my heart out at the rawness of this book. Without a doubt this is on my list of books to read and read again.

I especially liked the way the second half of the book was told. I didn’t find it confusing but instead a beautiful story of how choices and decisions made can take lives in such different directions.

It’s a hard, emotional book simply due to the subject matter but at the same time a must read. Just have tissues at the ready.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for the ARC in return for an honest and unbiased opinion.

After The End by Clare Mackintosh is a book I will remember for a long, long time.

I have written and re-written this review so many times, but no matter what I say, it doesn’t do this novel justice. I feel like a fraud, trying to review this book because I simply cannot dissect the character development, the emotion, the growth of the story when Ms. Mackintosh is writing from living this experience every single day.

I cried, I laughed, I empathized, I fell in love with every single person in this book. I wish I could meet Ms. Mackintosh and tell her how much I loved this story, how I thought about my own children and cried more at the joy I feel because they are HERE, with me.

Her ability to show the deepest of human emotions, the good and the bad, the dark and the light, is astounding and seeps through you, right through to your soul.

I have read all her other books, which are as magical as this one. With this book, she has become one of my most beloved authors.

#netgalley #aftertheend #claremackintosh #littlebrownbookgroupuk #sphere

I found this a difficult book to read as I didn't read the blurb before I requested it, My request was based on my love of the authors previous works. It was too raw for me from the offset, I have a son the same age, so I wasn’t able to finish it unfortunately.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced copy.

This is a story that will tug at your heartstrings. Somewhat reminiscent of the story of Charlie Guard. A little boy, Dylan, is terminally ill and his parents Max and Pip disagree with what is best for their son.

I did find the ending a little confusing, as it jumped around in what a would describe as a sliding doors kind of ending.

A really interesting and heartfelt story.

This was a truly gripping read. As I said before, I was hooked from the very beginning because both the story and the characters were compelling and real. I have read many books by the author and they are all filled with mystery, questions and suspense. This one was the same. Each chapter was different and unique and even though I had read about difficult decisions in books such as Me Before You by Jojo Moyes, I didn’t think this story would turn out to be so memorable.

I loved every minute of it and Mackintosh made me face different aspects of my own personality. What would I do if I were in Max and Pip’s shoes? Can love and marriage survive something so brutal and big? What is the moral thing to do? Do people really face this kind of situations? Of course they do but then again, how can they possibly function normally?

Mackintosh’s book is an exploration of marriage, parenthood, love and regrettable decisions, as well as those ones we’re completely certain about. It’s a story of loss and makes the reader face alternative endings as the characters find their own fates. People have been saying that this book touched their souls. It certainly touched mine and left me struggling to go back to my own life once I turned the very last page.

With emotional power and her amazing writing, the author helps readers to see that sometimes the end is just another beginning – even if it’s difficult for us to realise it.

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I am a huge fan of Clare MacKintosh. I think that I have read all of her books that she has written so far. This book is different as in it is a departure from her normal genre of psychological thrillers.

This book is about a married couple who have a nearly 3 year old boy Dylan who is on life support. The first half of the book focuses on Max & Pip, their experiences in the hospital and them having to make the decision whether or not to support the doctors conclusion about switching off Dylan’s life support. The decision ultimately goes into the hands of a judge to make the decision.

The second half splits into two which I thought was a great idea. We get to see what happens if the judge makes the decision that Dylan should stay on the life support and what happens if the judge allows him to die. I really enjoyed this book but just felt there was something missing and the ending really came out of the blue. It took me so much by surprise that I had to reread it a couple of times.