Publishing date: 01.10.2024
Thank you to NetGalley and Little A for the ARC. My opinions are my own.

Features:
Soulmates
Finding and holding onto hope in a hopeless situation
Advancing cancer
Slowly losing control

This book is a tragedy. Multiple times, I was devastated by what was happening. Reading it made me feel such an overwhelming sense of dread that I considered putting it down for my own good. But I pushed through it, just like the author had to.

Bittersweet is a biography, even if it isn't marked as such, this is a story that happened to a real person (the author). I think that's what made me even more devastated while reading it. If you decide to pick it up, you will be sad and might cry like I do.

This book is split up into two parts, during, and after. While I found the "during" to be both harder and more engaging to read, the "after" was necessary and lifted the dread I had been feeling the first 50% of the book.

Final ranking and star rating?
4 stars, A tier. When finding and reading sad books I want them to crush my soul and leave me a little depressed afterwards. I got what I "wanted" here. It wasn't just sadness, there was hope too, a light at the end of the tunnel. A delightful read. My sad girlies should absolutely try this out.
My condolences to the author

From the moment Lotte first met Ben, she knew they were meant to be together. And for a few years, their life was truly idyllic: flourishing careers, adored friends, and travel to every corner of the planet.

But when Ben was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer, Lotte was catapulted into the uncharted landscape of cancer medicine, becoming his caregiver overnight. With the world around them in lockdown, they refused to give up the fight for his survival, travelling from London to Mexico in hope of a cure at the height of the Covid-19 pandemic.

When Ben lost his life, many miles from home, Lotte found herself asking: how do you see what the future looks like—without the person you love most in it?

Heartfelt and heartbreaking, healing and hopeful, this intimate memoir reminds us that grief and joy can coexist, and that life after loss can still be beautiful.

From the moment Lotte first met Ben, she knew they were meant to be together. And for a few years, their life was truly flourishing careers, adored friends, and travel to every corner of the planet.

But when Ben was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer, Lotte was catapulted into the uncharted landscape of cancer medicine, becoming his caregiver overnight. With the world around them in lockdown, they refused to give up the fight for his survival, travelling from London to Mexico in hope of a cure at the height of the Covid-19 pandemic.

When Ben lost his life, many miles from home, Lotte found herself how do you see what the future looks like—without the person you love most in it?

Heartfelt and heartbreaking, healing and hopeful, this intimate memoir reminds us that grief and joy can coexist, and that life after loss can still be beautiful.

I loved this story. Will recommend to others.

Bittersweet by Lotte Bowser is an inspirational memoir.
A powerful read on true love, the darkness of grief—and learning how to find your way back into the light.
The writing was amazing. The storytelling was done so well I was hooked till the very end.

Did not finish. Lost interest around 30% of the book. Will post review on 15th October, on tumblr.

Not much to say since I dnf'ed the book.

Thank you @netgalley and @brilliancepublishing for my ARC of this memoir in exchange for a fair review! Rating 3/5. A memoir about grief honestly sounded like it was right up my alley and I really did find myself liking parts of the narrative and relating to certain sections, however, I found the writing style to be a little choppy and underwhelming. The narrative felt distant at times, and I surprisingly had a hard time connecting with the writing. This disconnect made it difficult for me to fully immerse myself in the themes of grief and healing. There were definitely moments of beauty and reflection, but I felt as though something was missing to make it resonate on a deeper level.

“Bittersweet” is a moving and inspirational memoir that explores the profound themes of true love, the darkness of grief, and the journey of finding one’s way back into the light after loss. The narrative follows Lotte Bowser as she recounts her deep connection with Ben, whom she believed to be her soulmate. Their life together was filled with joy, adventure, and shared dreams until it was abruptly altered by Ben’s diagnosis of a rare form of cancer.

As Ben’s illness progressed, Lotte became his caregiver, navigating the complexities of cancer treatment while the world faced lockdown due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Their determination led them to seek alternative treatments in Mexico, showcasing their unwavering hope and love amidst adversity.

The memoir poignantly captures the moment when Ben passes away far from home, leaving Lotte grappling with her future without him. This part of the story delves into her emotional turmoil and questions about life after such a significant loss.

Lotte’s reflections on grief are both heartfelt and relatable. She illustrates how joy and sorrow can coexist, emphasizing that life after loss can still hold beauty. The narrative serves as a testament to resilience and the human spirit’s capacity to heal.

“Bittersweet” is not just a story about love and loss; it is an exploration of how one can find hope and meaning even in life’s darkest moments. It resonates deeply with anyone who has experienced grief or seeks understanding in their own journey through loss.

Sweet sweet story.
Thanks to author, publisher and Netgalley for the chance to read this book. While I got the book for free it had no bearing on the rating I gave it.

I liked this book, but did find it a bit 'listy' and ploddy.
This happened, then this happened, then i did this etc.

I didn't feel anything when reading, despite my own dealings on grief being similar to Bowser's. Maybe I just have a heart of stone, maybe it was her writing style.

Didn't really get anything from this, just felt I was reading from a random strangers personal diary.

Bittersweet is not an easy read. Do not go into this book expecting a heart-warming read, cozy and adorable. Sure, there is a 'sweet' side to it, but in general I'd say this is a very sad and quite heavy story, especially if the reader knows, or has known, someone battling (or who died of) cancer. That might be triggering.
But it's a short book and the final message is positive, so it pays off.

Read this in an hr this morning. Looked the guy up.. doesn't seem that special and to say she was blissfully happy with the love of her life this doesn't come across in the photos on her IG of them as a couple where he looks miserable. and not smiling. The only genuine smiles seem to be in the pictures of her with another blonde woman - both smiling with their eyes etc..Wondering how much of this Ben bliss is inflated to sell books and fit the narrative.

Sorry for her loss but the book was kinda middling tbh. Glad it was free on Amazon so I didn't have to waste money on it. I wasn't impressed by all the bragging about Shoreditch House and the party lifestyle but then again I am not a millennial into dance music. It just reeked of privilege. Fair play to her if it helped her get it all out on paper to aid her grief process but this book didn't have anything to say about grief we haven't read a thousand times before in much better works by more talented authors.

I really hope that she gets out of the pigeon hole she has put herself in as a grieving widow and moves on because she is still very young..

A heartbreaking and powerful story told by an exceptional writer. I could not stop reading about her life. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

This is a heartwarming and heart-wrenching memoir that will resonate deeply with readers who have experienced the transformative power of love, loss, and resilience, and are seeking a story of hope and healing in the face of adversity.

I read Bittersweet in one sitting. Lotte has an incredible way with words, sharing a raw account of her experience of love, of loss, the depths of grief, and life after loss. The book was heartbreaking, captivating and hopeful all at once. I have no doubts that it will have a hugely positive impact on conversations around grief, and I will be recommending far and wide.