Matt Haig writes books that fill your heart with a roller coaster of emotions. He never fails to deliver.
A quirky, profoundly humanistic tale set to an Ibizan backdrop.....like one big sunset!

I really enjoyed this book. It is not my typical genre. The book brought back my own memories of visiting the places mentioned in Ibiza. It was an easy read with characters that filled you with warmth. I would recommend reading this book.

It's been a while since I read one of Matt's books. What heart they have.

I really enjoyed the set-up of this book, leading us into the story through a request for some life advice. Plus, the message about learning to forgive yourself for your perceived mistakes (instead of letting them weigh you down) is important.

With this latest release, Matt Haig is back with his signature cocktail of witty anecdotes, poignant reflections, grief, hope and love for life. This time its wrapped up in a once-in-a-lifetime trip to Ibiza, taken by a retired schoolteacher, Grace.

I picked this book up when I was at a low moment and gave me exactly the escapist, heartwarming experience I needed and would expect from this author. Some of Grace's reflections actually reminded me of anecdotes from The Comfort Book, and the magic amongst these pages was akin to that of The Midnight Library and How To Stop Time.

Whilst this is book is full of Haig's usual charm and intelligent observations, it does feel like a departure from his previous novels in some ways. The older protagonist who has her fair share of grief behind her, the idyllic holiday setting and the unusual supernatural twists all add up to feel like something different from the author - and that change seems to be dividing some readers.

Overall, I'm so glad I read this novel - it picked me up when I was feeling down, and I can never get enough of this author's writing. There's plenty of quirky characters and Ibiza makes an exotic, beautiful backdrop for a unique adventure. I have to admit that it's not my favourite from the author - How To Stop Time was my first read from him, and as a sucker for time-travel romance it will hold a special place in my heart, and The Midnight Library captured the hearts of many during a turbulent time in the world. But this one feels fresh, exciting, and leans heavily into the author's quirky outlook, and I'm sure it will win over many readers.

As with all Matt Haig books, this was beautiful.
It captures the humanity and emotions and is delivered in a thoughtful and thought provoking way.
Another lovely read I’d highly recommend. You can’t miss with a Matt Haig novel.

I absolutely loved The Midnight Library by Matt Haig so I went into this book with high expectations and I thoroughly enjoyed it. This story is perfect if you want some magical escapism combined with thought provoking advice on life. I found a lot of comfort in this story, just as I did with the Midnight Library.

Matt Haig has delivered yet another brilliant story. He captures the essence of humanity so beautifully, and this book is no different. It's a reminder that life, with all its pain and tragedy, is a privilege and can be truly magical if we're open to it.

Matt Haig’s writing is, as always, easy to read and I am a lover of short chapters so this made me fly through The Life Impossible.

I read it while on holiday in Portugal and I definitely feel that the sun and beautiful scenery added to my enjoyment of the story. As the book is set mostly in Ibiza, I think I may have struggled to get into the story as easily if I’d been at home in rainy England while reading.

I liked the themes of environmentalism in this book, and the found family aspect is something I always appreciate. I did struggle a little with some of the more supernatural aspects of the story but overall I enjoyed my time reading the book.

This was a fantastical story. I like the character of Grace and the role she played in saving the ecosystem in the seas around Ibiza. I also enjoyed the setting of the story and the author's love for the place shone through. I found the writing style a little simplistic - I'm not sure if it is aimed at young people but the language and style is simple rather than sophisticated. It was very readable and accessible.

A magical, mystical tale about new beginnings and being at peace with your past.
Retired Maths teacher, Grace is alone; both her husband and son are dead and she's rather tired with life. When she gets notice, out of the blue, that she has been left a house on Ibiza by a former colleague, she impulsively decides to find out more and books a one-way ticket to the island.

The colleague is someone she barely remembers but to whom she was kind and hospitable one Christmas many years previously. Grace is puzzled as to why she has been given such a generous gift.

Soon bewitched by the hills and beaches of the landscape, Grace searches for answers about her friend’s life, and how it ended.

And that's where the story gets a little whimsical and mystical.

In learning more about the magic of this place, Grace has to confront her past - the mistakes she's made, the guilt she feels, the tragedies she's experienced and the healing she seeks.

It's a charming read which celebrates a world of possibilities and adventure. It's about the peace, hope and joy to be had in a new beginning. I enjoyed it.

I'd already read a few of Matt Hairs books so I was already expecting this one to be good too, and it did not disappoint.

Grace Is an ex Maths teacher in her 70's. She is struggling with loneliness and grief after losing her husband, and also her son when he was a young child. Her life seems to lack purpose and joy, until she receives a letter from an ex colleague, leaving her a house in Ibiza. She decides to go there and what follows changes her life. She recounts this story to an ex pupil who has written to her because he is struggling with similar issues.

Some people will think that the supernatural element of the plot is too far fetched, but all of Matt Haig's best books seem to combine this with a moral lesson. The Midnight Library and The Humans are two main examples. This does it very well, with thought provoking themes of capitalism and the effect it is having on the world, along with what is actually important in life and how we could all live a happier life if we focused on the things that actually matter.

I found Grace really likeable, and I loved how we discovered more of what had made her who she was as the book went on, and saw her develop throughout the story into something unrecognisable from the Grace in Chapter one..

Thank you Netgalley and Canongate for giving me the chance to read this book early!

I enjoyed this story immensely.
To begin with it created a mystery that grew inside me.

Grace's story struck a chord with me and I enjoyed her journey into the unknown.

Many thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for gifting me this arc in exchange for an honest, unbiased review.

Matt Haig never fails to deliver truly magical and thought provoking stories. And The Life Impossible, I am so happy to say, is just as fantastic as his other books I have read.
Grace Winters has no idea why she has been gifted a cottage by a colleague she has not seen for many years. But Grace does need a new start in life, so she takes the leap and buys a one way ticket to Ibiza. She barely knew the previous owner and she is not sure how she died. But there is a reason why the cottage was left to Grace.
Matt Haig is such a clever story-weaver and really knows how to draw his reader in from the beginning. Thank you to the Publisher and to Netgalley for giving me the opportunity of reading this book.

The main idea of the book was really unique and clever but there were some boring parts, some mad trippy parts and then some really good parts. It reminded me of the film Avatar.
At 75% I couldn’t wait too finish but then it kicked in again.
I wanted to really really love it but I didn’t, I just liked it. Glad I read it and it makes me want to go to Ibiza again, just not on a club 18- 30 holiday. ( like I did many many years ago)

Update
A week or so later and I still think of the story, usually I forget what I last read and it’s on to the next one. So it’s definitely an unforgettable story.

Grace Winters hopes to discover the truth about a friend when she arrives in Ibiza with a guidebook and no return ticket booked. Expect more than a sprinkling of stardust in this read, as Grace searches for answers not just about her friend, but herself.

A fairly easy book to read.
Quite quirky and not at all what I was expecting. I'm in two minds how I feel about it but probably not really my style.

I feel a little conflicted about this story, I really wanted to love it but for me, it didn't quite hit the mark and I'm not sure it convinced me enough to suspend my disbelief. That said, I did enjoy the story and the characters and I enjoyed Grace's development and finding herself again after so many years. The themes of grief and loss and the idea that a small act of kindness can hugely impact a life was powerful and were well written.

This is not my favourite genre but I really enjoyed this book and I am very pleased to have read it. Grace Winters is a retired maths teacher and has been left a property in Ibiza. Widowed and without any living children, she embarks on an unknown adventure. The story has been cleverly written, as it is a dialogue with one of her students back in the UK.
Grace tries to search for answers as to why she has been left the property, which is among rugged hills and beautiful seascapes. She goes on a long personal journey facing not only her past but her future. There is some fantasy that does blend in well and it was welcome escapism for me. A pleasure to read.

When I say I couldn’t put this book down I mean I *hoovered* it. It was such a quick read for me because Haig did such an amazing job of intricately weaving the characters, the setup and the plot.

Reading this, thinking “I wonder what’s next” wasn’t just about what would *happen* next but “what am I going to find out about this character/this place/this life?”
The characters were expertly crafted, and didn’t feel like any of their backstories were last minute ideas shoehorned into the story as an afterthought. I really felt like Haig knew exactly what he was doing.

I loved every character and I related to each of them in their own specific ways. Getting to the end felt like saying goodbye.

And most of all, it made me believe. And it made me appreciate life and nature around me.

If you decide to start reading it, I doubt you’ll want to put it back down again. It will become a part of you and a part of your being in a way that only few books do.

A loved the Midnight Library and had high hopes for this book, it didn't disappoint. A very special writer that captures you from the first page in a mesmerizing, magical, spiritual journey.

Grace Winters has all but given up on life. She lost her son and now her husband and she has nothing left to live for until she gets gifted a cottage in Ibiza. Her journey is crazy, miraculous and restorative.

But there is much more to this book than the storyline and clear conservation messages, it almost feels like a masterclass in spirituality and the potential we each hold. So many beautiful messages, full of hope and life and greater power. Highly, highly recommended.