I normally do not read books categorized as romance without a happy ending. And the title of the book already gave the ending away. Even so, I was curious or just in such a mood so it was easy to request the book.

Overall it is a lovely story. Palmer is terminally ill and alone and she is very lucky to find Kent, who is willing to accompany her on a trip to finish her bucket list. During their trip they fall in love. But no, there is no sudden cure for Palmer or anything. I cried my eyes out.

Some parts are unrealistic and added for extra effect (I guess). The whole story with the sister was too convenient, especially at the end. [ (hide spoiler)]

A well written tear jerker.

This book is the kinda of book that will be PERFECT for a film adaptation. this is a very emotional novel about living life to the fullest. The story base in Palmer Sinclair who is diagnosed with a serious illness, she realizes how little time she has left and decides to make a bucket list of all the things she wants to do before she dies and in this process she meets Kent Wagner and Kent offers to help with their bucket list.

McLaughlin's writing is beautiful , she capture raw emotions that make the character become alive. This novel is about love, friendship, and the power of human connection, and the importance of live the present. The way the author's portrayal of the characters struggles it was my favourite thing. The relationship between Palmer and Kent is beautifully written, realistic and I left this book with lots of tears and sadness but knowing the importance of enjoy and live the present. Big shout out to NetGalley for the ARC of this book. The book is out the 7 of November of 2023 so preorder it if you got a chance. You won’t regret it

Ahhhh (cries big tears)

Suuuch a good book, but I actually skipped to the end to see if she maybe miraculously survived.

Spoiler alert...
Spoiler alert...
Spoiler alert...

She didn't (cries more)

So well written and with a beautiful epilogue, but I just need my HEA's to be only happy. Read this one if you need a good cry.

Thank you to ARC and the publishers for an ARC. All views are my own.

Heidi Mclaughlin can never do wrong in my opinion. I have read everything she has written, The way this couple is brought together and how their characters delvoped over the story is beautiful... You will need Tissues

Thanks very much to the author and NetGalley for the ARC.

the writing was kind of repetitive and this was quite slow, but overall an enjoyable and heartwarming read.

Before I'm Gone is a great read! It's slightly above a slow burn book but Heidi makes sure to make you feel like you're living in real time with this book. I am a fan of this author and had a pleasure reading this page turning book. It's an absolute READ!! You will not regret it. I could not put this down and I wanted to continue following her journey after finding out about her illness. I am so glad she didn't have to complete her list alone. SOOOOO GOOD!!!

A touching and emotional novel about living life to the fullest and cherishing the small moments along the way. When successful loan officer Palmer Sinclair is diagnosed with a serious illness, she realizes how little time she has left and decides to make a bucket list of all the things she wants to do before she dies. Along the way, she meets Kent Wagner, an army medic turned paramedic, who has dedicated his life to helping others. After discovering Palmer's bucket list, Kent offers to help her fulfill her dreams. Together, they embark on an emotional journey, exploring the things that matter most in life, and each other.

McLaughlin's writing is evocative and heartfelt, and she elegantly captures the deep emotions experienced by the characters. The novel is about love, friendship, and the power of human connection to bring joy and purpose to life. The author's portrayal of the characters and their struggles is accurate, well-rounded, and emotionally engaging. The relationship between Palmer and Kent is beautifully written and realistic, and readers will be moved by their journey together.

This is an inspiring and heartwarming book that reminds us to live life to the fullest and not take our time for granted. It teaches us that in even the darkest situations, hope and joy can be found when we open ourselves up to new experiences and connect with others. This novel is an unforgettable journey that will resonate with readers long after they finish reading!

Thoroughly recommend this but fair warning - it’s not a romance with a HEA. It’s tragic and soooooo sad, and heartfelt. Our hero Kent is lost in a messy personal situation and takes on Palmer’s terminal illness as a project to give himself something away from his own funk. Orphan and our heroine Palmer has been in a rut her whole life and then receives a diagnosis of a terminal illness. Kent's interest and offer of a road trip stops her and as they work through her bucket list they fall in love.

There’s no miracle, no epiphany but there is joy in two lonely people giving each other care and comfort and so much kindness. The writing style is very sparse, third person simple sentences, almost a litany of thoughts and actions as they travel across the US on their bucket list. New York, Washington, New Mexico, Vegas, we see the sites and experience it all as they go, to a soundtrack of Lana del Rey.

As an Australian reader, I learnt a lot about American geography and history which fleshed out the narrative away from just the progression of Palmer's illness.

This is a cathartic but so rewarding read as they both grow and learn as they discover each other. It’s tough. Tears? Absolutely, but so worthwhile. Thoroughly recommended.

Thanks very much to the author and NetGalley for the ARC. I'll be reading more from Heidi McLaughlin.

Thank you to the publishers and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Do you need a beautiful story that makes you evaluate life and all the small things in it you may even take for granted followed by a soul crushing cry? If so, look no further my friend.

This was an amazing and touching story and you would have to be a heartless monster not to fall in love with all of the characters in it.

Now if you excuse me I'm going to go back to my box of Kleenex and cry some more while I listen to the playlist at the end of the book.

First thought: Loved,Loved,Loved it! But warning it requires a box of tissues, as it tugs at the heartstrings.

Meet Palmer she is 37 and works as a Bank Manger, she grew up in the system and has no one. She is starting to have debilitating migraines and the medication the doctor gave her is just not working. After collapsing at work and being taken to the ER she learns she has a stage 4 brain tumor. She makes the decision to live out her last days on her terms. Little does she know she would be taken on a journey of a lifetime by one of her bank regulars.

Kent is a paramedic he lives his life helping others. He also happens to be a regular at Palmer’s bank and he is always happy when he gets to see her. His personal life is a mess. He was responding to an accident when he discovered his gf was in the car and injured. To make matters worse we find out his gf of over a year is actually still married and is pregnant and it may or not be his.

Kent needs to escape his life and he has the opportunity as his unit responded to Palmer’s second collapse and while grabbing her purse he finds her “Before I’m Gone” list. An idea sparks in him that he is going to take Palmer on a trip of a lifetime and help her cross off everything she wants to do. Palmer was ready to end her life on her terms alone but then Kent showed up at her darkest moment and she said yes to the adventure and the chance to finally start living life.

This novel follows the duo as they cross items off Palmer’s list as they race against the tumor aka the octopus taking over her brain. It is a journey that you won’t want to miss. Make sure to snag yourself a copy of Before I’m Gone to follow Palmer on her end of life journey, when it debuts Nov 7th, 2023.

Before I’m Gone has jumped to the top of my Ugly Cries list. There are times that I need a good ugly book to remind me that things could be so much worse. Before I’m Gone will be that book from now on. You know what that means? Have the tissues at the ready. Not only does it remind me that others have it much worse, but the story itself brought out so many emotions, so many surprises and so many special moments. I learned an important lesson from the story—don’t put it off for tomorrow, because tomorrow may not come.

This was Palmer’s mistake. She had never truly lived. She had been dealt a crap hand growing up and now as an adult it just keeps getting worse. She never learned how to make friends. She never learned how to be out going. She just went from day to day on the slow and easy.

Unfortunately life isn’t easy. When her world starts to crumble she saved literally and figuratively by Kent, a bank customer and San Francisco EMT. He responds to a call at the bank and then a request to her home. He learns the unthinkable. He sees her “Before I Go” list and takes it with him.

Kent becomes her knight in shining armor helping her try and fulfill some of the items on her list before she goes. They share their struggles with on instagram where it goes viral as Palmer tries to come to terms with the inevitable.

Before I’m Gone is a story that cuts deep. The emotions are explosive but at the same time beautiful. Before I’m Gone soon becomes a love story. Kent will do anything he can to make her days special. The connection is deep. The connection is inspirational. Love can help ease the pain of death.

The story of this book starts of slow and the author takes care and time in building the world around the main character in a way that personally for me felt slow, at least with the expectations I had for a book like this. I think it is a lovely read otherwise.

There were some pieces of the book that I enjoyed. Some of the descriptions and observations were good and the balance between death and life is always a plot line I’ll gravitate towards. However, a lot of the writing felt both predictable and repetitive (especially stylistically as there was minimal sentence structure variation) and lacked the true anguish and conflict that people feel when they deal with a diagnosis like this. I think it needed a little bit of a deeper dive into those emotions prior to the bucket list angle happening. It didn’t feel like when I’ve lost people to short terminal illnesses or memoirs I’ve read on the topic. The connection between the two main characters also felt a bit forced and exploitative on the part of Kent and is even commented on by Palmer in passing.

I can appreciate what the author was trying to do and I do think people who enjoy simpler, easy to read books with a sad angle would be happy reading this as there’s nothing wrong with the book technically. It just doesn’t break out into anything exceptional either.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC of this book!

I begun this book today and read it within a matter of hours. I couldn't put my kindle down. This book is honestly amazing but heartbreaking all at the same time. Heidi Mclaughlin has created a book that is a serious emotional rollercoaster. I couldn't help but giggle along with Kent and Palmer as they made their journey and have my heart break more and more near the end for them both. Especially Kent. He is the perfect man and I would give anything for a person to look at me the way he looks at Palmer. I very rarely get so emotionally attached to a character that I cry but this book made me ugly cry at the end. Get your tissues out and at the ready for when you read this book. Even though it was a rollercoaster ride of emotions it is well worth the read and I'm so happy that I was able to read the arc because my life is definitely much better for reading it. Palmer is an inspiration hands down. I can see this being a movie some day already.

This book is an absolute masterpiece, deserving of every accolade it receives. From the very first page, I was utterly captivated by its spellbinding narrative and richly developed characters. The author's prose flows effortlessly, painting vivid pictures that transport the reader to enchanting worlds and evoke a myriad of emotions. The plot is ingeniously crafted, keeping me on the edge of my seat until the final, satisfying conclusion. This book explores profound themes with depth and sensitivity, leaving a lasting impact on my mind and heart. It is an absolute must-read for anyone seeking an immersive and transformative reading experience.