When Stacey’s husband, Greg, is diagnosed with incurable cancer, Stacey’s life as she knew it comes to a halt. Confronted with this devastating reality, Stacey explores the profound differences between our expectations and reality in this part self-help, part memoir book.

Stacey takes readers on a journey through the complexities of grief in modern life, revealing the messy and unexpected realities of love, desire, motherhood, death, grief, identity, personal growth, and the challenges and questions that arise from our nuanced lives.

‘Now is Not the Time for Flowers’ is a truly honest reflection of grief and all its complexities. I found Stacey’s writing refreshing; her honesty resonated, and she articulates so well what many of us fail to put into words. Her words are comforting, and her perspectives on life are encouraging – I don’t think I have highlighted so many things in one book before.

I loved how the book had short chapters and jumped between topics. Many books on grief reflect on a few topics in great detail, but in doing so, they leave out so much and become repetitive. Grief is messy; it impacts many parts of our lives and can leave our minds jumping ferociously between different thoughts and emotions, and I felt this reflected in this book. No stone is left unturned, and Stacey doesn’t shy away from any thought, making it more authentic and relatable than most books on grief.

Other themes which come to light in the book, and which I found incredibly enlightening, include the power of social media networks, the relationship between grief and capitalism, the experiences of women and how we find ourselves playing roles throughout our lives, and the concept of a teenage bedroom as a site for identity construction.

This book is not only for those who have dealt with grief or know someone who is terminally ill but for everyone, as it serves as a poignant reminder of why we should find joy in every day. Thank you, Stacey, for sharing your and Greg’s story.

Now Is Not The Time For Flowers by Heale
Rating:5/5
Release Date: 28 March 2024

"Now is Not the Time for Flowers" is a poignant and candid memoir by writer Stacey Heale. Triggered by the death of her husband, Greg, Stacey delves into the multifaceted experiences of women. Through the lens of her own life, she navigates the intricate and often messy realities of love, desire, motherhood, death, and grief, along with the profound challenges and questions that arise from our nuanced lives.

This book captivated me despite stirring emotions I'd prefer to keep buried away. It articulates truths and presents perspectives that I believe will be profoundly meaningful for others to explore.

Stacey's writing possesses a magical, funny, bright, and unusual charm. Her perspective on life, including the profound subject of death, is refreshingly brave, raw, and honest. Having recently lost my father to the side effects of cancer, I found this book deeply resonant and, in a strange way, comforting. It provided a sense of solace that I haven't been able to find elsewhere.

Thank you so much to NetGalley, Bonnier Books UK | Lagom, and the author, Stacey Heale, for providing me with an ARC copy in exchange for an honest and fair review.

Stacey’s book is certainly powerful stuff - it made me cry but it also made me laugh out loud so many times. This is for anyone who has had to deal with grief, for anyone who has someone in their life who is terminally ill, or for a recent bereavement but it’s also a reminder of the wonder and joy of life and of simply celebrating every day.