"We All Want Impossible Things" by Catherine Newman is a heartfelt and beautifully written novel that explores love, loss, and the complexities of friendship. At its core, the story revolves around the profound bond between two lifelong friends, Eileen and her best friend, who is facing a terminal illness.

Newman’s prose is both poignant and witty, skillfully balancing moments of humor with the deep sadness that permeates the narrative. The author captures the essence of friendship and the ways in which it can be both a source of strength and a reminder of vulnerability. Eileen's reflections on her life, love, and the inevitable changes that come with facing mortality create a deeply emotional reading experience.

The novel delves into themes of grief, the nature of love, and the impact of difficult choices. Newman’s exploration of the characters’ inner lives is rich and relatable, inviting readers to reflect on their own relationships and the fragility of life.

The pacing is steady, allowing for a gradual build-up of emotional depth as the story unfolds. Newman’s ability to create relatable, nuanced characters makes their experiences feel authentic and impactful, drawing readers into their world.

Overall, "We All Want Impossible Things" is a beautifully crafted novel that resonates on multiple levels. Catherine Newman delivers a poignant tale that speaks to the heart, making it a must-read for anyone who has ever navigated the complexities of friendship and love in the face of life’s challenges. This book lingers long after the final page, leaving readers with a sense of hope amid the sadness.

You know this is going to stomp on your heart as soon as you start reading. It’s a slow story, I struggled to get into it to start but then it kinda makes sense and begins building to a sad end that can’t be rushed.

Edi is amazing, she’s done so much and yet doesn’t do anything throughout really. I did and didn’t like Ash, needy but a good best friend. She’s there more than she needs to be which is what Edi needs.

I’ve had this on my list for a while and couldn’t read it due to a loss myself but now seemed the right time. I’m glad to have finally read it and would recommend it to anyone when the time is right.

I've had this book on my Kindle for almost two years-- so sorry publicity people! But all publicity, even tardy publicity, is good publicity right? It's a bit embarrassing that in the time it's been sitting on my Kindle, Newman has written a new novel-- "Sandwich"-- which also sounds great. But that compelled me to finally read this one.

Lots of friends and book people who I admire recommended this book, so I was looking forward to it. Unfortunately, for me, it didn't live up to the hype. I'm sure this is down to one very specific reason. As it's a book about a woman helping her friend in hospice for the final month of her life, it hit a bit too close to home. I've been there and got the t-shirt (twice!).

First the positives: it's well written, a fast read, and the characters are fully formed. The negatives: too many times I read something and thought, "That would never happen.." Also, I was irritated by the number of characters whose names start with J-- other names are available, you know-- which I found unnecessarily confusing.

Like I said, I trust the many people who recommended this book to me. I know many people loved this book. Unfortunately, I wasn't one of them.

PS: I still plan to read her new book, "Sandwich," though.

We All Want Impossible Things

Catherine Newman

I was late getting to this one (sorry!) but it was well worth the wait.
Loved it! Sad, touching with a lovely sprinkling of humour. Just gorgeous. I love the way this woman writes and can’t wait to read whatever she writes next. I also would like to be her friend. 🥰

Thanks so much for the opportunity to read and review this title.

I don't really know what to say. This was a lovely, well written, devastating book. It was clearly written with the love and compassion of someone who has lived the horrors of watching a loved one die but also the peace and compassion that a hospice can bring to that.

Unfortunately I didn't connect with this book and after multiple attempts have had to admit defeat and mark as dnf. I just struggled to get into it.

Ash and Edi have been the best of friends for most of their lives. When Edi is diagnosed with terminal Cancer, Ash's life revolves around Edi's care for the remainder of her life.

I've had a good think about this review before writing it, as I finished it feeling quite conflicted. On the one hand it is well written, with a matter of fact maturity and raw wit I appreciate in adult fiction - and on the other hand I found the MFC a little infuriating and the content a little lacking. This is a contemporary fiction about friendship and love, life and death, so of course there is going to be the usual dramas and conflicts. I enjoyed the very realistic descriptions of every day life and multiple conversations between family and strangers, and I chuckled at moments which felt a little too authentic. But it felt a little too indulgent, focusing too much on Ash and her self sabotaging behaviour, when I wanted more detail on Edi, and their friendship.

I get that books like this are more about the character development than the story or plot, and of course I know that humans are flawed, complicated, and generally a hot mess - and there are oceans of readers out there who live for this kind of book. I do like the way you can relate and connect with the characters in this accessible way, but sometimes I find them a little too real. Enjoyed the writing though - both written and when listening to audio - and definitely cried towards the end.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book. I have chosen to write this honest review voluntarily and it reflects my personal opinion.
I was attracted to this book by the blurb, it had the potential to be funny, emotional and touching. Within the first few pages it failed miserably for me: 'the average age of the hospice inhabitants was 150' - so ridiculous and insulting, sleeping with hospice staff, and letting her 17 year-old daughter catch her in bed with her naked lover. It wasn't what I expected, I didn't find it funny, the language was awful (swear words and made-up words which only the author understands). I didn't read any more than 6% and would have given it no stars if it were possible.

A raw and emotional journey told from the perspective of a woman caring for her best friend in the late stages of her cancer diagnosis.

The author captured the heart felt moments.and shared them in a way that transported me, the reader, into the story with her.

This novel will linger with me for a very long time.

Following Edi and Ash, lifelong best friends- facing Edis diagnosis and last days with cancer. This is a heartfelt romp through memories and friendship, with real, flawed characters. This had a touch of Firefly Lane for me. I loved it.

Edi is in the late stages of ovarian cancer leaving behind a husband and young son. It’s been decided that it’ll be best for everyone if she says her goodbyes while she still can and be cared for by her best friend Ash in a hospice.

This has been described as a marmite book and I can see why …

It took me a while to get used to the chaotic writing style but once I did I loved all the anecdotes and stories, but it also made me feel like an outsider looking in.
I loved the banter but the conversations felt unrealistic, surely no group of people can be that witty, especially during a time of heartbreak.
I loved how it made me confront death, something that I’ve always been very avoidant of, but the ending when it inevitably came felt too sweet?

As you can probably tell, I’ve got pretty mixed feelings about this book but the main criticism in other reviews that it seemed unbelievable for Edi to not want to spend her last days with her son, is not one that I agree with, as I could understand her desire to protect him, and herself, from the pain.

Gorgeous, funny, heartbreaking but comforting read about family, friendship and loss.

Ash and Edi have been best friends ever since early childhood. When Ash is diagnosed with terminal cancer, Edi devotes herself to spending time with and caring for her friend. We follow Edi through this process, exploring the relationships and love within the families.

Beautifully written with complex, believable and raw characters. Had me laughing and crying at the same time.

Laughed and sobbed for the 24 hours it took to me to read this. The characters are so unusual, so convincing, so real I feel like I will miss them forever. Beautiful depiction of friendship and maternal love

This book is the story of two long-standing best friends Edi and Ash.When Edi becomes ill with terminal cancer she moves to a hospice close to her best friend.Ash devotes her time to staying close to her friend during her last weeks on earth.
Beautifully written,insightful,heartbreaking and uplifting this really was a special book

An absolutely gorgeous read that will have you in tears. I look forward to more form this talented writer.

I would be rating this book higher if I personally liked the characters more. They are extremely real, and the book drips with honest, raw commentary about how families work and how people deal with tragedy and sorrow, but several of the individuals are not very likeable outside of the narrative. This is probably on purpose, given the complex situations everyone finds themselves in.
At the centre of the story is the friendship between two women. Edi and Ash have been friends forever. Theirs is a bond forged by the lives they have led. They may have lived further away from each other physically, but they have been ever-present in the other's day-to-day lives.
We enter their lives as Edi's time is running out. There is no other approach but to await the inevitable end. This extremely heart-rending scene fades into the mundane as it becomes a part of everyone's lives. This is the kind of character-driven narrative that relies entirely on the conversations that people have. I like books like that. By the time you set the book down, having read the last page, you have a complete image of everyone involved, both the good and the bad, based on the interactions between the various people one encounters.
I can imagine this being triggering for someone who has faced a similar situation or cathartic since the author writes from her own experience.
I received an ARC thanks to NetGalley and the publishers, but the review is entirely based on my own reading experience.

Thanks to NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book. A touching and sad book, dealing with grief that had me crying at times. This was well written and very compelling.

I finished this extraordinary book last night and it has jumped straight into my favourites of all time. Heartbreaking and hilarious, We All Want Impossible Things is nothing short of astonishing.

Well written story which wasn't quite what I thought it would be. At times incredibly sad, this book dealt with terminal illness, loss and friendships in a sensitive way. I did think the main character made some dubious decisions at times, but it showed life in all it's messy imperfection, and in that way the book was perfect. I cried.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Incredible, heartbreaking, life-affirming book from the wonderfully talented Catherine Newman. Be prepared to cry a great deal, but it's definitely worth it!