My first thoughts on this book is how beautifully it was written and superbly narrated by Sofia Zervudachi. I was totally drawn into every single minute of this incredible audio. A poignant tale of death, hope and love, .that really touches you deeply.
Hannah Treave writes with a deep understanding of the lives of everyone in the Hospice and beyond. The relationships formed are strong and entirely realistic. I felt that any one of the characters could be a friend struggling with lose. It takes a lot to create such a wonderfully deep and meaningful book with out it becoming to sentimental.
The main character, Zoe leaves her Australian home after the devastating death of her son. She is a strong woman who works in a hospice and takes notes from those who are near to death. A message that perhaps they need to pass on to their loved ones who can not be with them. Such a beautiful and thoughtful act despite her heart-breaking past. She is so loving and kind towards her patients.
I loved this heart warming story and would absolutely recommend it. A five star audio all the way.

Set in a hospice, and with the major constituent of this story being death, you can guess correctly that at some point it's going to be poignant and you are going to need a hanky. The story follows Zoe as she endeavours to ensure her patients 'have a good death' - and with her own set of tragedies both behind and in front of her, you can certainly feel empathy towards her as she deals with these challenges. However, that being said, it's not all doom and gloom - a good deal of the story is uplifting and it does give you a sense of hope. I don't usually do well with sad books, but a glowing recommendation from a friend had me requesting this one (Thanks NetGallery and Bolinda Audio for approving my request). I was most likely expecting too much - It is pretty predictable, which is a disappointment, but I can acknowledge that it is pretty well written and reasonably compelling - if nothing else, it makes you count your blessings and appreciate your continued good health.

The Notekeeper by Hannah Treave
Narrated by Sofia Zervudachi

I received an advance review copy for free thanks to NetGalley and Bolinda Audio and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Blurb

Following a tragedy, Zoe flees Australia and makes a life for herself in the UK. Now working as a care nurse in The Oaks hospice, and knowing just how much comfort last words can bring, Zoe has taken it upon herself to become a notekeeper – writing down the final thoughts of her patients and delivering them to their loved ones.

Zoe’s new boss, Ben, isn't happy about her getting so involved in the residents’ lives. But even as the two clash, they discover they have more in common than either could have ever imagined.

As Zoe learns to confront her past and her own grief, her heart can finally begin to mend. With the broken pieces slowly becoming whole, will she cope when her world is shattered once more?

My Opinion

Do not go into this book with having some tissues handy, this is a really touching book with some very difficult topics. It is a great and uplifting read and is so well written. I went into this book and after the first few chapters I wondered if I was actually going to make it to the end - it was so difficult to listen to as it was such an emotional read.

A hard-hitting read that I really must recommend.

Rating 4/5

The main character in this story is Zoe and she is a "notekeeper". Zoe fled Australia for personal reasons two years ago and is working as a nurse in a hospice in the UK. At the hospice she takes down the last words of the patients and gives them to their loved ones after the patient has passed on. Several of these stories are really moving and gradually we also hear Zoe's story and why she started taking these notes. I am not sure many can hear it without crying. I loved several of the characters we meet, but above all I really loved Zoe and loved seeing her grow and live her life the best she could and even allowing some romance back in her life. There were many ups and downs and devastating events in this story, but through my tears I was still left smiling.

This beautiful book will have you in puddles of tears and howling with laughter through them.

Sometimes life is shit.

Zoe has came to the U.K. to flee the grief that lies in Australia, a nurse in a hospital and spurred by the words she carries in her pocket she is not only a hospice nurse she is quite literally the notekeeper. Taking notes and carrying out the final wishes of her patients. I loved Zoe, for me Zoe was very much real, we know there are so many end of life nurses/carers/hospital and hospice staff, and we know that if ever there can be such a thing they’ll give people a good death. Zoe definitely does this, despite or perhaps because of her own grief. The story surrounding Zoe and her rebuilding her life is quite something, as I said you’ll laugh and you’ll cry. I recommend that you do.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for the opportunity to listen to this audiobook in return for an honest review.

I'm so pleased I experienced this book.

I needed to. I'm fairly new to feel good fiction, I'm still finding my feet and learning the boundaries of the genre.

A feel good romance centred around a nurse in an end of like hospice?

Zoe is a devoted, caring nurse, she encourages dying patients to make notes of their last words to their loved ones. She believes it helps them achieve a good death and gives their loved ones something precious to hang on to.

Zoe is Australian, living in Bath, why did she leave Australia in a hurry? Why does she hold such a deep belief in the benefits of the notes?

It's a beautiful, expansive story, deeply moving, full of life, love, loss and grief. I was frequently close to tears then smiling through the tears as I was listening.

The narrator Sofia Zervudachi is excellent, bringing a wide variety of characters and accents to life, all are distinct and nuanced, free from exaggeration or parody. I was hugely impressed by her performance.

It's simply wonderful, as moving, emotionally involving fiction, and also as a book which I believe could really help those grieving or coming to terms with end of life.

Thank you Hannah Treave for creating this incredibly moving and enjoyable fiction.

Thanks to Netgalley and Belinda Audio

4.5-4.75⭐️ Which I’ve rounded up

Contemporary fiction written by UK author and journalist. Read by Sophia Zervudachi who is excellent, the voices are distinct, with great delivery, she added just the right amount of feeling and poignancy.
What I loved is that’s it’s a different kind of book from my usual.

After a tragedy Zoe flees Australia to the UK where she works as a nurse in the Oaks hospice.
Zoe writes down the last thoughts of her dying patients promising to deliver them to their loved ones. It’s not just about the dying, it includes their loved ones who are navigating their way through such a difficult experience.

The writing style is easy, chatty, thoroughly engaging. It’s packed full of humour, love, emotion and hope.
It’s a feel good, not the first thing you’d associate with a hospice, there’s empathy, laughter and tears. It’s a very moving totally enjoyable read.
Zoe is an adorable character, the characters all have good depth and are engaging. One I’d highly recommend, treat yourself to this lovely listening experience.
The only reason it’s not the full house is I felt there was lag in the middle section.