This was an easy read but heart warming book.

I enjoyed the overall plot, it wasn't especially deep but I can see how it would help people. It is a very quotable book.

I read it on holiday and whilst sad at parts due to dealing with grief it was a great beach read.

Thank you for the arc.

The Life Impossible by Matt Haig is a captivating novel that blends magic, philosophy, and self-discovery. The story follows Grace Winters, a retired math teacher who inherits a house on a Mediterranean island from a long-lost friend. As Grace explores Ibiza, she uncovers mysteries from her past and is given a chance to start anew.
Haig’s writing is mesmerizing, with beautiful descriptions of the island and its people. Grace's journey is both emotional and uplifting, as she moves from loneliness and regret to embracing life with renewed hope. The book touches on themes like time, purpose, and the environment, making it thought-provoking without being heavy. While it didn’t have the same impact on me as The Midnight Library, it’s still an enjoyable read that makes you reflect on life and second chances. A lovely, modern fairy tale that will leave you feeling warm and hopeful. Highly recommended!
Very grateful to the publisher for my copy, opinions are my own

Absolutely loved this new novel by Matt Haig and showed me the power of new beginnings. Devoured it in a day

Sometimes the Universe send you a book that talks to you, that seems to be written for you. Maybe someone will find it too fantasy or too sugary, my answer it who cares as any review is the expression of your personal feeling and the description of a personal experience.
So let's talks about Grace, about her non living and the incapacity to feel happiness. There's a lot of grief and anger in her but something unexpected send her on a new path and she will have to face herself before finding any other answer.
I loved the short chapter, the voice of Grace, and the storytelling that talked to my and made me read this book in two setting.
Poignant, emotionally charged, well written
I strongly recommend it.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine

I have not read all the books this author has written, but I have read a few. It seems to me that each time I read one, I feel as if I have understood it, but it also leaves me wondering if I have missed a much deeper level of his writing. This one is another, but my goodness it is also such a fabulous book to read.

So, this is one of you like, fiction, fantasy, contemporary fiction, philosophy, mystery, family and friendship. Once again a book that tickets a whole load of genres and probably falls into many more!

When Grace Winters was growing up she befriended Christina, a young woman at uni. It was over Christmas and Grace did not want to see her alone, she gave her hope and also a necklace. She never saw either again. Many years later, Grace has loved and lost. She also gets unexpected news, that this young woman who she befriended has left her a cottage in Ibiza. She can do with as she pleases.

On arriving in Ibiza, Grace starts to experience things that she has never come across before. For the first time in many years, she is given the chance to see the world through new eyes, to experience things as if it is the first time and she starts to live. Before this, she existed, but not lived, this is a chance to start anew but with something much bigger and much more important than herself.

This is one of those stories that absolutely captured my attention, the author has such a mesmerising way of writing and for me, he is someone who just seems to go with the flow as far as his writing and ideas are concerned. I did snigger at the mentions he added at the end of the book thanking people for helping with his weird ideas and stories, and weird does seem to be an apt word for this one. It is also very wonderful as well.

As Grace tries to discover what happened to Christina, she also finds herself looking at the bigger picture. Rather than being insignificant, in her 70s, feeling old and past it, she is given the chance to be part of something important. It does mean accepting things from her past and this is going to be hard. Never mind changing her view but also the views of others around her.

As much as this book is about Grace and her journey, it is also about the delicate ecosystems, the way climate change and human impact are creating havoc and how developments are ripping through habitats. The author blends both the story lines seamlessly together and also adds other things as well.

This is one of those books where I think many people will read it and take similar things from it, but I also think they will pick up things that appear to resonate with them on a more personal level.

I adored this book and the things the author brings into his story. A wonderful, quirky, addictive and captivating story and one I would definitely recommend.

Found this book to be a bit repetitive in some places. I didn’t love or like any of the characters, I wanted to like the main character but she just didn’t do anything for me. Some concepts of the story was good and thought provoking but that’s about it.

When 70+ year old Grace is left a hous ein Spain by a former coworker she was once kind to, it seems too good to be true. However, given Grace doesn't have anyone to stay in the UK for, she packs a suitcase and heads to the airport for an adventure. What she finds is a brush with the supernatural and an opportunity to start again. I found the pace of The Life Impossible moved a little slower than I'd like but the imagery was brilliantly vivid and the otherworldly element gave me real Paulo Coelho's The Alchemist vibes. I'm definitely a fan of Grace!

Thank you for allowing me to review this book. I found it to be a very moving story, as Grace moves to Ibiza to put up for sale a property she has been left. Grace is not a very happy lady who is living a very reclusive life. So much changes for her in Ibiza. The descriptions of the island, the floral and fauna, the oeople and the mathematical links are excellent. This story surprised me in many ways. I found it enjoyable and read it easily.
I can recommend this to those who like books that provoke them to think about life and all its facets.

A lovely modern fairy story with all the ingredients for a feel good life affirming tale. Grace Winters inherits a house in Ibiza. She is lonely and depressed and decides to go and have a look at the house she has been bequeathed. Slowly she opens up and embraces the magical island. It could be a bit predictable and cliched, but written by Matt Haig, it is a lovely book, that by the end will have you feeling warm and happy and recommending the book to everyone you know.

Hmmm, I'm still trying to work this book out. A new Matt Haig will attract attention but this book just did not get out of third gear for me. I was on board with the story's expansive ideas but didn't gel with the characters. I loved the descriptions of the locations, the island and sea are characters in their own right but the people - hmmm not so much. Maybe it needs a second read.

Matt Haig makes you think like no other author I have ever read. His books linger with you long after you have finished reading them and this is no exception. This book is full of questions about time, purpose, regret and fulfillment. Some marine magic too. I was transported to Ibiza with its heat, beauty, nature and vibrant clubbing lifestyle. The Midnight Library will always take some beating for me and I didn’t feel this book had the same impact on me as that did but this was an enjoyable read that raises lots of questions in your mind.

I loved the Midnight Library and eagerly accepted the chance to read the next new book by Matt Haig.

The Life Impossible is an enjoyable, easy-to-read book about a retired maths teacher called Grace who unexpectedly inherits a small house in Ibiza from a former colleague who shared Christmas with her many years before. Grace is sad and lonely at the beginning of the book because she is recently widowed and lost her only son in an accident many years before. Moving to Ibiza might be her chance to find her life again.

The book was good fun, but I found the supernatural/otherworldly aspects a bit silly. Ultimately though, it was an uplifting book and I think it would be an ideal holiday read, particularly if you're travelling to Ibiza,

This is a wonderful book. For everyone who's feeling lost or feeling down. For everyone who feels that their life hasn't amounted to much. This isn't just magic realism. It's magic. You can change your world by changing your narrative.

Grace Winters is lonely and depressed following the deaths of her husband and son. When she unexpectedly inherits a house in Ibiza, from an old acquaintance, who is presumed dead after going missing at sea, Grace’s life is turned on its head. Before she knows it, maths teacher, Grace, has her logical world view challenged as she endeavours to find out what happened to her friend.

I was so excited when I heard Matt Haig had a new book. Very unoriginal, but like a lot of people, I loved The Midnight Library. I love his writing. I love the richness of his characters and how he effortlessly drops in philosophical statements that seem almost poetic.

In The Life Impossible, Grace is a flawed character, wracked with guilt and ill-feeling towards herself. Seeing her progression throughout the book is so heartwarming. She is surrounded by a host of similar characters who could be described as odd and not the most easy to connect with. I love the empathy that Haig writes with, and the kindness he shows to his characters. How he writes Grace, a 70-odd woman with care, without being condescending or over-simplistic, is impressive. I love the lives and eccentricities he gives his characters; even if they are simply strangers that are unnamed in the background (without giving much away, this will make more sense once you’ve read it).

At the start, I wasn’t quite sure how I’d get on with the maths and scientific elements of the book. I decided to go with it. Whilst he hasn’t quite converted me to studying them, I did like the parallels between numbers, sequences and symbols, and language and philosophy. I suspend my disbelief and enjoyed how the sci-fi element enriched the plot and character progression.

The story flows nicely with shorter punchy chapters making it easy to read. It can get a big abstract at times, which I personally like to break it up a bit and keep the reader on their toes. In terms of tone, I would say there are definitely dark and challenging themes, which are counterbalanced by dry humour.

I cannot recommend this book enough. If you are a fan of Matt Haig’s earlier work, you will love it. For people who haven’t, I would recommend it for people who want a quirky uplifting read with a smattering of philosophy.

Mark my words, your social media feeds are shortly about to be filled with quotes taken from Matt Haig’s latest novel, ‘The Life Impossible’.

He has shown in his previous books that he can take thoughts and feelings that many of us can relate to and put them into words incredibly, incredibly well. ‘The Life Impossible’ is no exception. In fact, it’s the best he has ever written.

‘The Life Impossible’ follows a retired mathematics teacher called Grace as she leaves behind her quiet, predictable life in the UK and travels to the island of Ibiza, having been unexpectedly left a house there by someone she once worked with. The novel is written in an epistolary style, as Grace recounts her journey as a reply to an email written to her by a former student, and as a result the reader feels as if she is speaking directly to them.

What follows is not just a beautiful story about self acceptance, recovery from grief, and the kindness of others but is also a remarkable love letter from Haig to the island itself. He is already well known for the gift of being able to write about the human condition, but his descriptions of the Ibizan landscapes and culture are rendered beautifully, carefully and are truly heartfelt.

‘The Life Impossible’ reminded me a little of ‘Isaac and the Egg’ by Bobby Palmer. A little suspension of belief is required at first, but soon is accepted as an integral part of the story – and perhaps, maybe, might not be so unlikely, as the title of the book itself suggests!

I loved this book, felt the love contained within it, and genuinely felt better about myself and about life in general after reading it and will go out and recommend it to everyone.

I’m extremely grateful to the publishers for the advance copy on which this review is based.

Grace is in her seventies and feels old. She exists rather than lives. Her son died when he was young and she carries guilt over that. Her husband died a few years ago and she carries the guilt of a brief affair.
When she receives a solicitor's letter telling her she had been left a house in Ibiza, she is confused as she hasn't seen the person who left it to her in many, many years.
However she goes to Ibiza and her life is changed. In turn she changes the lives of many people.
A gorgeous story and a joy to read.

The Life Impossible is a beautiful, magical, feelgood book that scoops you from the first chapter and wraps you in a warm, loving blanket. I thoroughly recommend this book to anyone who can read, it's just wonderful.
As a woman in her seventies who has lost a son I was overwhelmed by Matt Haig's ability to bring Grace Winters to life in such a well rounded and empathetic manner.
I spent a short time in Ibiza over twenty years ago and now I want to go back.
My thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for my early copy.

I tried to approach this with a positive open mind which worked to start with. I enjoyed how Grace gradually relaxed and allowed herself to enjoy things. However once the supernatural kicked in I lost belief in the story.

I have read and enjoyed quite a few books by this author. This was definitely another winner...
We start with Grace Winters who, quite out of the blue, is left a run-down house on Ibiza by Christina, one of the students she taught back in the day. She's confused as to why her, but decides to go visit to check it out anyway.
The house itself is as already described, a bit old, tired and run down. But a letter she finds, along with a strange jar of "something" does pique her interest and intrigue and, despite warnings to the contrary, sets off to go see Alberto, one of Christina's closest friends...
And so begins a rather strange story which for the life of me I can't even start to work out how to explain without spoilers, so I won't. I think you're best off learning all about what is to be found under the ocean at the same time as Grace, and as the author intends... Suffice to say, go in with an open mind and just let it all wash over you... It's magical and wonderful and heartwarming, and all things in between...
Its a book that, as with most of his offerings, can be read on many different levels, depending on how deep you want to take it. There are echos of hope, of embracing the life you have, of acceptance, all wrapped up in some wonderful magical realism. It's definitely one that I will ponder for a while yet, some of the things that resonated with me are definitely worth a second look... I can't wait to revisit it on Audiobook.
My thanks go to the Publisher and Netgalley for the chance to read this book.

I'm a fan of Matt Haig books and have loved his way with words and heart-warming stories. This book starts as a usual feel-good story about a retired maths teacher who is mysteriously left a run-down house on Ibiza. In taking the leap to go and explore the house and eventually move there, she gets out of her day to day existence where she has not really been living and afraid to let go of her grief and guilt and live again. The story definitely moves into more fantastical realms along with a strong eco-message that I appreciated.

I have to say though unfortunately the story itself did not grip me as much as Matt's previous novel.s. I didn't find myself reaching for it as often or eager to know what happens next and the story felt a bit too slow at times. Overall a pleasant read.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the advanced copy.