Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for giving me this book review.

This book had me so much in my feels I cried within the first 10% of the book, these stories were so breath taking but I think I learnt somethin from everyone’s story!

The beauty in these pages isn't just measured by the accomplished prose or the way that the author narrates seamlessly and sensitively through the end of life stories. No the beauty of this book is the evocation of hope. Its unequivocal message of love.

It is true that I was saddened by many a story. Take Sid for example who through a foolish decision lost his one chance at love. Or Anthea who tanned thinking she was never enough. Both dying from terminal diseases. They had huge regrets about the choices they'd made.

But their stories, along with others in the book, made me more hopeful than sad. Through their bravery and truth I could see a different way to live. A way to try and negotiate life without fear of judgement. A way to recognize what's really important. If these people were brave enough to voice their regrets. Could I be string enough to learn the lessons?

You may not resonate with each and every story but I promise you this. At least one of them will touch you. And if you are very lucky perhaps you will learn to die with less regrets.

Gorgeous. Brave. Powerful. A stunning novel that if you let it, will touch your soul.

How do you live life after facing death? We all know our lives will end one day, yet we live as if they won’t. Often, it’s too painful to admit otherwise. But for most of us, there are milestone-moments where, forced to stare death in the face, we re-evaluate the past and decide to live the future differently.

What Georgina Scull does in her beautiful book, Regrets of the Dying, is to offer us the wisdom she and others have learned at great cost from life-changing trauma. Having internally ruptured and been close to death herself, the author decided to meet and question others who had been in similar positions to find out if and what they’d changed about their lives. What did they regret? How were they squeezing the juice from the time they had left?

The stories themselves are at times heart-breaking but they’re also inspiring. Hope sings from these pages as the author shares not only people’s tragedies but their revelations too: work to live not vice versa, trust your gut, say sorry before it’s too late. These are just a few nuggets drawn from the experiences of those interviewed for the book.

The style is well written and unpretentious, refusing to distract the reader from the stories told. But Scull draws together the wisdom of many with clarity and insight, ending with a challenge for us all. A deeply reflective and inspiring read which I would recommend to anyone, especially those needing to refocus on the things that really matter.

This is a book I'd highly recommend you read. I also believe it would be great as a discussion starter for a group of close friends (or complete strangers!). It is a very poignant, and sometimes hard to read book, but full of small nuggets which will have something for everyone to be aware of and to incorporate in daily life before it's too late. It's about choosing life rather than fearing dying.

Having thoroughly enjoyed the books by Kathryn Mannix on tender conversations with the end in mind and how to actively listen, I was thoroughly looking forward to reading Regrets of the Dying by Georgina Scull as I was hoping to pick up a few ideas of what I may be able to tweak in my own life to ensure there are no(t so many) regrets at the end.

The book is divided into five main sections - Work, Friends & Family, Love, Hard Decisions, Reflections - each consisting of a few stories loosely connected to that theme. At the very end of the book Georgina Scull is sharing her own reflections on the various stories; in the ever popular format of "top 10 tips to live a less regretful life".

One of the steps in this journey is to be brutally honest with ourselves and identify what is important to US (not to followers on social media, neighbours, family, boss, etc). We are also reminded to enjoy the present, to let go of control in some situation, to not waste time dwelling on the past and to be content with what we have (seeking constant happiness is a bad spiral and never lasts).

‘What a wonderful life I’ve had! I only wish I’d realised it sooner.’
Georgina Scull

Thank you to NetGalley and Welbeck Publishing for allowing me to read this fantastic eARC.

Full title: Regrets of the Dying - Stories and Wisdom That Remind Us How to Live
Author: Georgina Scull

Such an interesting and thought provoking read, Throyghlh enjoyed it and wa# super inspired by it. I’ve had a lot of loss in my life as of late and thus inspired me to do more, be more, etc

Such a poignant prose on life and living and the transient nature of life. I read it and it was so melancholic and heart warming and bitter sweet.

Real-life stories sometimes have the disadvantage of not being fluid or neatly packaged narratively. Having said that, such kind of stories does hold valuable lessons for those who can sift through its ambiguities to find what they need. Regrets of the Dying is such a book. It is a book that contains stories of people who, like us, have made lots of mistakes and, given the chance, ponder on what they could have done better.

WHAT I LIKE IN THIS BOOK
This is a book that reflects the messiness of life and the ways in which life situations can spiral out of control. Regrets of the Dying contains a lot of stories that might not resonate with everyone, but there is no doubt that it has something for everyone.

DISLIKES
None.

WHO IS IT FOR
A few of the stories are depressing and aren't for those with a particular set view of life.

Many thanks to Welbeck Publishing UK for providing a review copy.

Incredibly thought provoking read from different families and individuals on how they approach dying. Tenderly put together by the author. A timely read in our uncertain world and a valuable prompt that it is loved ones, memories and our experiences together that matter most. Deserves a place on the shelf with the other grief tomes.

A really good Insight in to the thoughts and regret of those faced with death. I would recommend this book I anyone

An interesting read that was quite moving. Made you think and ask questions. I did enjoy it but I read it over the course of a month

A very interesting read. Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.