After the End

A difficult topic, beautifully handled with great originality. Many authors would have based their novel on what happens to a couple when a child falls terminally ill, but Clare Mackintosh takes this one step further and examines what could happen next. I totally believed in this couple and their struggles and was reduced to tears on more than one occasion. Very very good.

I’m not someone who cries easily, but this ruined me. Compassionate, gentle and engaging - I’ve been blown away by the writing, the gripping storyline and the genuine pain.

So relevant in a time where the topic is more and more splashed across social media.

Highly recommended. Not an easy read, but a wonderful one.

A very powerful and emotive book, I work as a Paediatric Nurse and have seen very similar cases, there are no winners and a position no parent should ever have to make. It made me so sad how Pip and Max couldn't agree on the best end of life care for Dylan and no matter what the outcome of the court case it was hard to see how they would ever move forward

I'm a huge fan of Clare Mackintosh, so I was delighted to receive an advanced copy of this novel.

It's very different to her previous books, in that it's not a thriller. It's a family drama, based on very real emotions and unbelievably difficult circumstances. It's every bit as fast paced though, and I devoured it.

Very well written, I connected with all the characters and felt their pain throughout. You'd think it was a true story, based on those characters, and the author's note at the end confirms it comes from a very real place in the author's heart.

The second half of the book, which shows the alternative lives of the characters "after the end" was clever and something different. A fantastic read.

A totally different type of book from Clare’s previous 3, in lots of ways. As the mum of a 3 year old boy I found it incredibly moving and indeed hard to read at times.
Thank you NetGalley for the chance to read and review this book - it gets a high recommendation from me.

Loved, loved, loved it. To begin with it's a little like a Jodie Picoult story - trying to decide what is the right thing to do - morally. But eventually it just becomes a love story of two people and their love for their child. Definitely recommend it. Couldn't put it down.

From twitter.com/karamina

I started reading #AfterTheEnd by
@claremackint0sh
last night and couldn’t stop. It’s an exceptional book, beautifully written and full of humanity and tenderness and love. (And well worth staying up until after 2am to finish...)

Max and Pip are spending their lives in the intensive care unit with their small son, Dylan. Dylan has cancer and is very poorly and unless the hospital agree to extensive therapy in another county, death is the only outcome. Max and Pip want different things and this tale follows their paths.

This story was beautiful without being twee. The human pain was heart wrenching and I did well up a few times reading it.

This was such a contrast to Clare’s previous books and until I read the very end I didn’t understand why. Thank you for sharing this book. Thank you to netgalley and the publishers for this arc in exchange for my honest review.

I couldn't put down this heartbreaking story of two parents divided over the care of their terminally ill child. This is very cleverly written portrayal of the angst and trauma that two parents had to go through. Thought provoking and emotional, I loved it. Thank you!

This was a heartbreaking read and at times I forgot to breathe. The premise appears simple a perfect couple with an ill child. Max and Pip adore one another and their son Dylan, but when Dylan becomes seriously ill what is in his best interest? The chapters are written from three POV, Max, Pip and Dylan’s doctor Leila.
I don’t want to say anymore as it will spoil the magic of the book. All I will say is that you will need tissues and the story will linger longer after you have finished.
Thanks to Sphere and NetGalley for an ARC in return for a honest review.
#AfterTheEnd #NetGalley

Thank you to NetGalley, Little, Brown Book Group UK, Sphere and Clare Mackintosh for my ARC of ‘After The End’ in return for my honest review.

Where do I start? What a read. For me, this was an outstanding novel and I found it impossible to put down. I have read all of Claire Mackintosh’s previous books so am a huge fan anyway and this had clearly made one of my favourite authors.

This one was different for her but, for me, it was the best. Pip and Max were a strong couple who worked out how to deal with their son being in the PICU after having a brain tumour and surgery. The story of the hospital and other children and parents in the ward was vivid and real. It took my breath away at times and I felt for all of them.

Then the crunch time comes when Pip and Max disagree about Dylan’s care moving forward. How it is resolved is intense and heart wrenching. The story up to this point is clear and this is the point all aspects become blurred.

This is where we hear the story as it moves in two different directions. How brilliant and how cleverly written with characters who were amazingly well developed. Read it as I don't want to give away anything.

An absolute must read. Highly recommended.

This was a really clever book, and one that seems sadly too topical. It questions what happens when parents can’t decide on the medical treatment for their child, but more than just being a tragic tale of the short life and death of a toddler it goes on to explore what could happen to the parent’s relationship depending on what path is taken.

I surprised myself by not crying while reading this book but found it an utter page turner, and a courageous book to have written.

After the End is one of the most emotionally written book that I have ever read. Pip and Max seemed to have it all - meeting by chance on a transatlantic flight, they marry and go on to have their son Dylan. Tragedy strikes when Dylan is diagnosed with a brain tumour, and, as a consequence of treatment has to spend months in PICU. This takes its toll on the family, and the consequences of decisions made cannot be undone. Clare has the marvellous ability to draw her readers into the story, presenting each character in such a way that you are bound to champion them........but whose side do you take? I found myself changing my mind each chapter! This book presents the reader with real moral dilemmas, causing you to stop and think what you would do if faced with a similar situation. As with her other books, she likes to play with twists and turns, just when you think you know where the story is going, it surprises you! Having read a little about Clare’s personal life, the reader can feel the heart that has been put into this book.
Thank you to PenguinRandomHouse and NetGalley for the opportunity to preview this e book.

I could not put this book down. It was not a thriller but a story of a couples relationship pushed to the limit by a terminally ill child. It brought you in close to experience a couples love for each other and their love for their child, who developed terminal cancer before his 3rd birthday.. Using the sliding doors technique helped look at the alternative outcomes to the major decision Pip and Max made. Every character portrayed in the book felt human. This was a beautifully written story with enough dimensions to engage the reader to the very last page. I would thoroughly recommend this original book. It would make for a great Book Group choice

I really enjoyed this book but found it quite difficult in places due to the sensitive subject matter. A couple have to decide to withdraw treatment from their three year old son who has non curable cancer. One parent wants to try experimental treatment the other is concerned about his quality of life and wants to let him die with dignity.
i was well written and is a thought provoking book that brings up a lot of questions about the choices we make in life.
As medicine advances more ethical questions will need to be discussed about keeping patients alive or providing just palliative care.

I think the book is very timely as there have been similar stories in the press and on TV programmes recently. I enjoyed the book and found it interesting but just a little sad and poignant especially with the authors note at the end.

This is not in the usual Claire Mackintosh genre but don't let that put you off. In her usual style, she manages to really suck the reader in with her impeccable writing style and ability bring the characters to life. Full review to follow.

If l could give this book 10* I would it feels slightly wrong to admit to enjoying this book so much having regard to its subject matter but it was a wonderful book sad yes but not to its detriment just enough to matter but it had such hope and courage amazing - then when l thought l had felt every emotion possible l read the author’s final note and that put the whole book in another light - thank you netgalley for letting me read this fabulous book

A departure from Claire’s usually style this was nonetheless just as good, albeit in a different way. Tender but raw, punctured with sorrow and hope, I truly had tears in my eyes at times. I’m still thinking about it now, long after I have finished reading it.

With thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for the book in exchange for an honest review.
This was a thought provoking book, it is not an easy read but it is one that will stay with the reader for some time. There are many options and variables after Daniel’s death and it is these options that will stay with the reader. There is no right or wrong answer, only what is best for the child and the parents concerned. As Clare Mackintosh says at the end she and her husband had this choice to make and other parents have been in the spotlight in recent years because they wished to go against medical advice.
Highly recommended.

A truly beautiful read with well drawn characters. Both thought provoking & full of hope. A book that will stay with me. Clare’s writing is amazing

This book has moved me in more ways than I thought possible. My heart broke for the characters in the book; I could not imagine being in their position, facing the choices which Pip and Max must make.

With every chapter, the superbly powerful writing challenged my initial views of the decisions made by the characters. I found that, even when not reading, my thoughts returned to the dilemma encountered in this excellent novel, prompting probing discussions with my partner about what he would doing this situation.

I implore everyone to read this book.

A very enjoyable read! I was very interested in getting my hands on this one after I read the blurb and I am pleased to say that I was not let down.

The story is written very well and the characters are interesting and jump off the page. I would recommend this read!

This book is the definition of bittersweet. Moments in it were heart-breaking, particularly during the first section, dealing with Dylan’s illness. This book will resonate strongly with anyone who has experienced the pain of watching a loved one suffer through terminal illness. Mackintosh clearly describes the grief, guilt, and exhaustion which parents in the PICU must feel every day. At the same time, she shows the bond formed between parents on the ward, and how lifelong friendship can blossom from shared trauma. I particularly liked the little instances of parents helping one another to cope, such as the book of advice (‘the tree outside is a good place to sit and think’). Grief can be a uniting force, even as it separates us from those we love; a force for strength, even in our weakest hours. Despite the upsetting content of the book, examining how partners cope with the loss of a child, the overall mood – especially in the second half – was positive and uplifting. I really appreciate that Mackintosh chose to show both possible paths (to allow Dylan die in hospital or to use experimental medicine to give him a longer life) – it was a very considered decision. Had she chosen one or the other, the tone of the book would have felt sanctimonious, as if she were judging parents who chose the ‘wrong’ option. Instead, by following both options, she demonstrates that there is no easy right/wrong decision. PICU parents are forced to make a choice that no-one should ever have to make, and they must do whatever they think best for their child. Mackintosh shows that some outcomes are inevitable – whichever path Pip and Max choose, bad things will happen, but there can be hope.

The blurb says that Max and Pip are a strong couple who are facing the most important decision of their lives and they don't agree.
It didn't prepare me for the emotional rollercoaster that was 'After the End." It was the most heart-wrenching book I have ever read. I could not put it down. I cried and cried again. What a story. What a story-teller. I have never felt so emotionally wrapped up in characters in a book. The writing comes from the soul. Clare Mackintosh has written an amazing book, an honest, sad, traumatic yet uplifting book that every parent should read.
Five out of five.

This is a very well written story about one of the most heart wrenching and controversial decisions that a parent should never have to face.
It is heartbreakingly frank and gives us two separate yet quite similar outcomes.
A difficult read for any parent but so worth it.

I absolutely loved this book, I have loved Clare Mackintosh's previous books and could not wait to pick this one up and get stuck in.

I found the first half emotional and tough going but I still couldn't put it down and read the second half in one sitting as I was not able to go to bed until I knew what happened to the characters. Throughout the book, I felt the highs and lows with the characters, what a book - I loved it.

This is beautifully written and very clever. My heart broke for the main characters - what a terrible decision to have to make, and live with. I loved seeing the outcomes of each route the couple chose. The characters are likeable and well-drawn and the dialogue is spot on. I didn't want to put it down.

I've read all of Clare Mackintosh's previous work so when I saw this book come up on NetGalley I thought great another psychological thriller. How wrong I was.

This is an utterly brilliant yet heartbreaking book about parents who have to make an incredibly difficult decision about their critically ill son.

It is full of emotion and hours later I'm still thinking about it and I'm sure I will still be thinking about it in days to come.

I think this may be Mackintosh's best book yet.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for a honest review.

Totally different to what I had read before from this author, but amazing and thought provoking. A sliding doors style approach to a situation which tugs at the heartstrings. Thank you for the read

I have read all of this authors books and I’m a fan. This one didn’t disappoint. I love the way she writes. Full of twists and turns and I couldn’t put it down. Recommend it 100%

Clare Macintosh is an author with enviable storytelling skills who has knife-like precision when it comes to writing the perfect thriller. Her pacing, characters and ability to ramp up the tension to the final few pages is incomparable. Therefore, I will buy and read anything she writes without knowing a single thing about the novel I’m about to delve into – she could write anything, and I’d read it!
I am so very thankful to __ for allowing me an early NetGalley copy of After The End to review. I will be buying myself a copy as soon as it comes out to treasure forever because this book has firmly found a place in my ‘Top Books Of All Time’ list.

I curled up in bed and opened After The End ready to get involved in another wickedly clever thriller, determined more than ever to outsmart Clare and work out the plot. However, what I got myself lost in was an intimate, intoxicating, incandescent novel that lingered in my mind every second I was away from the pages. I want to leave this review as enigmatic as possible because the most effective way to read this novel is to know very little about what it entails and uncover the beauty of it for yourself. What I will say though is this book will leave you torn in half with an impossible decision dividing not only the narrative but the characters within it.

Clare draws on her own personal experience to write this touching novel and it is brutal in its honesty. It’s, at times, overwhelmingly emotional and will touch even the hardest of hearts. I flew through the pages of After The End with tears pricking at my eyes and a heavy heart. You sometimes read books that feel important or life-changing but it’s rare to find a book that is both and then a little bit more. It moved me in ways I haven’t been moved by a novel in a long time, it renewed my faith in so many little things and gave me the chance to explore a decision I hope I’d never have to make.

This novel is both heart-warming and heart-breaking. It is funny and sad, light and dark, upsetting and uplifting. It is a novel of pure brilliance and one I would read a thousand times over and still not get bored. I can only hope this marks the first of many novels like this from Clare.

I have really enjoyed all of this authors books and this was no exception.
After the End is completely different to her other books, it's not a thriller but a superbly written emotional heart breaking story.
I found the characters to be believable with strong voices and the plot was very well paced and incredibly thought provoking.
A must read for anyone who loves Claire Mackintosh as an author. A riviting storyline that will grip you to the end
and will definitely pull your heart strings.

I received a free copy from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. It's hard to find words to describe this book - I've just spent the last four hours devouring it in one sitting, close to tears for much of it. Mackintosh writes beautifully and with buckets of emotion, and her author's note at the end was touching. I have so much sympathy for her, and am impressed with how she's used her own experiences to write such a deeply moving novel. The characters are all likeable and realistic, and I thought the way that she explored the consequences of both scenarios was effective. Despite the premise of the of the book making it in some ways a difficult read,, the ending(s) were ultimately heartwarming and uplifting, with hope and love ultimately shining through the darkness. I'm so impressed with this book, and look forward to reading more from this author.

A really moving and emotional read.
This book details every parents worst nightmare- the serious illness and terminal diagnosis of a child and the subsequent life changing decisions forced upon the family.
Beautifully crafted, after the terminal diagnosis the book divides into two alternative realities based on the two different options presented to and by the family of Dylan following both through several years after the events.
I couldn't put this book down- I need to find out what happened and lived every breath, every choice, every appointment and every tear with Pip and Max.
I also gathered my 3 year old to me extra close as the book really brought home the message of cherishing every moment- even the ones where you just wish for 5 minutes and a hot cuppa.

This is a very emotional story and quite heart-breaking in places. It is completely different from Clare's psychological thriller books but proving what a talented author she is. This is a "must read" book

I loved After the End. It will resonate with anyone who has known someone go through life-prolonging treatment, only to wonder if enough is enough and we can't put them through any more. I thought the sliding doors aspect of the book was brilliant. It is one of those books that will stay with me for a long, long time.

Oh my goodness is there no end to this lady's talents. I wasn't expecting to be reading a book that tore every emotion from me. A truly beautiful and heartbreaking book but one that also made me smile throughout. A very tough subject but written with so much heart and soul from an author that has first hand experience of what it is like to know you are going to lose your child.
One word AMAZING

I’ve loved all of Clare Mackintosh’s and this one is no exception. I loved how the story split and how it weaved between two different lives.

A raw story of a couple who have different views on what is the best way to progress with their sons treatment.

A heart breaking decision for anyone to imagine and then raw emotional journey if both outcomes is portraid by each of the characters as they try to love after death.

It’s not often you pick up a book to read that is written with eloquent and heart felt words throughout. This story is based on Dylan. Max and Pips son who is terminally ill, when faced with the decision as to whether or not to place him in pallative care plan both parents have opposing views. But which one has the right decision? Is there a right decision? Who decides. Irrespective life continues and they have to live with their decision.

I cannot imagine being faced with such a situation l. Losing a child must be a harrowing experience. At the end of the book we learn that the author has been in a similar situation. And I genuinely feel that this book is written from her heart, sharing her emotions, and it’s this that makes this an exceptional read.

Max and Pip are the strongest couple you know. Only now they're facing the most important decision of their lives - and they don't agree.

As the consequences of an impossible choice threaten to devastate them both, nothing will ever be the same again.

But anything can happen after the end....

****
Wow. I wasn't sure what to expect with this being a book away from Clare's usual genre. But, being honest, I think this is her best book yet.

This book is about a parents worst nightmare. A terminally ill child. Upon receiving the news that there was nothing further the doctors could do for Dylan, who was just shy of 3 years old, his parents have opposing views. His mum wants to let him go and be at peace and be pain free. His dad wants to fight and trial anything that may prolong Dylan's life. So what happens next....

What I liked about this book, was that there was no right or wrong. You felt for each parent in equal measures, and could completely understand where they were coming from. I also really like both parents and all the supporting characters too.

It is well worth reading Clare's personal note at the end. You will get an understanding of how she managed to write this beautiful eloquent story.

This is a book that will stay with me for a long time.

Highly recommended.

When I requested this book on NetGalley, I didn’t realise it wasn’t Mackintosh’s usual psychological thriller. It doesn’t give a lot away in the blurb, but I jumped at the chance to read another of her books as I’ve loved them all so far.
It doesn’t matter that this wasn’t the genre I was expecting as it is an outstanding and brilliant read in its own right.
I kept forgetting who the author was as it felt like I was reading a Shari Low book. Low’s books can be quite bleak and poignant. The most recent of hers that I read had the split ‘what if’ story where part of the book the heroine stays with her husband and the other half where she leaves him. The second part of ‘After the End’ reminded me a lot of ‘With or Without You’ as the chapters interspersed with different outcomes from the court trial.
I disagree with some of the other reviewers that thought the book should have ended after the court case as that’s not entirely what the book was about. It is concerning how each party coped with the aftermath and the consequences. It is called ‘After The End’ after all!
Sometimes the interspersed chapters could become a little confusing especially as it neared the end but if you concentrate you can keep up. I also missed Leila’s side of the story in these, yes she popped up now and again, but we had gotten to know her life in the first half and then all of a sudden she no longer had a staring role. The final chapter had me screaming out though as I’d hoped for the real ‘answer’.
I thought this book was beautifully written and you could feel the heartbreak that Pip and Max had to go through, and I don’t envy anyone that has to make that kind of choice. It really makes you think (I don’t have kids, but I do have cats) and it would break my heart to have to make a decision even close to this one.

A beautifully written book which touches your heart. It takes you through a parent’s journey and how they make their way through the toughest time of their lives and how their decisions affect their entire lives.

This is not the usual psychological thriller that Clare Mackintosh is renowned for. However, it’s certainly one of the most powerful and thought provoking books I’ve read in some time.

We’re probably familiar with the headline stories about very ill children where there’s a difference of opinion about treatment and the case ends up in court. This book goes right to the heart of of that scenario and deals with highly emotive issues with sensitivity and compassion. I was totally engaged with a heart wrenching tale with a final twist I didn’t expect. An amazing read and the story has stayed with me.

My thanks to the publisher for a review copy via Netgalley.

I can’t wait for the buzz about this book to take off, or to see someone read it on the bus, their eyes flicking as they try to pick a side or imagine what they would do. Does anyone really know if they haven’t been directly affected?

Pip and Max have a very ill son called Dylan, who is suffering from cancer at just two years old. After going through the ups and downs of his treatment, they are told they must make an important decision: remove his life support and let him die or potentially extend his life with treatment abroad.

After The End is very different from Clare Mackintosh’s previous psychological thrillers, but it got my mind racing all the same. I took Pip’s side near the beginning and although I was pushed and pulled all over the place, I kept my view at the end. I think it’d be interesting to discuss with others which side they took, why, and if it changed as the story unfolded.

Structurally, Mackintosh was very clever. Alternating chapters between Pip, Max and Dylan’s doctor Laila bring you up to the halfway mark where the judge is set to decide the course of action. There, the story splits in half. Pip and Max’s chapters reflect the future if they had got their way. Just when one future seems obviously better, they flip, showing that each outcome will have highs and lows. Elizabeth Gilbert said that life is about choosing which shit sandwich you want to eat. I’m sure Pip and Max would agree.

I’d recommend this book to fans of Jodi Picoult and Me Before You.

A completely different type of book that I normally would read but I’m so glad I did. A powerful and emotional story with a nice twist at the end and a very touching authors note. Pip and Max’s story will stay with me for a long time.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for giving me an advanced copy in exchange for a true and frank review.

What to say about this novel. A difficult subject but handled with compassion and insight. I couldn't put it down and read it in 2 days. I have read and loved all of Claire's previous books. This is very different but so well written and constructed.

What would you do if you had to decide - let your child stop treatment and die or go to America for radical treatment to extend his short life with potentially little or no quality of life?
Eventually the Courts have to decide.

This was such a beautifully written heartbreaking story. To begin with I found it a bit difficult to read and it took me a few days to get properly into it.
Pip and Max are facing every parents worst nightmare, their son Dylan is critically Ill and the Drs have advised that the best course of action is stop all treatment and let him go.
Max and Pip initially disagree with this and they begin to look into treatments available in the USA. However after much soul searching Pip decides she cant watch her baby suffer any longer and wants to let him go.
Max and Pip must now face each other in court on opposing sides and let the court decide if their boy should live or die.

Having read Clare Mackintosh previous novels, I was aware that this was not her usual psychological thriller, and wondered if I would enjoy this as much. However, this is another of her books which is well-deserved of 5 stars! This novel is highly emotional at times, exploring the tragic issue no parent ever wants to be faced with; being given the devastating news that your child has terminal cancer. The book is based around our two main characters, Pip and Max, the parents of young Dylan, who has a cancerous brain tumour. When they are told the news this is terminal, they are faced with some life changing decisions, which they will continue to reflect and continually dwell upon over the passing years. Through the unfolding of events, Mackintosh explores the options that these parents have, which they tragically cannot agree on, resulting in an impasse that the courts are finally left to decide. Whilst the book presents some extremely emotional events at times, you find yourself as a reader considering the same difficult plight and what you yourself feel should be the best outcome. Mackintosh cleverly deals with the expression in life we may find ourselves at times asking of various situations ‘what if…???’ She presents almost a ‘Sliding doors’ offer of events, where one decision can change the whole course of history. As the events evolve, it keeps you continually wondering about the decisions and questions the parents are faced with, but also keeps you gripped wanting to know more and how the novel will finally end – and in true Mackintosh style, doesn’t finish without a slight twist! As Mackintosh acknowledges in the Afterward, this is something that is very personal to her and so enables her to write from the heart in a powerful and creative way, but with such sensitivity and emotion. My thanks go to netgalley and Little Brown Books for the opportunity to read and review an ARC of this.

After The End is unlike anything I have read before and the story of Pip and Max and their baby Dylan is a complete departure from the Psychological Thrillers that I have read by Clare Mackintosh. After the End was brilliantly written (I wouldn’t expect anything less from Clare Mackintosh) and is a very special, sensitive book that was sometimes hard to read and tugged at my heart strings. Dylan’s story will stay with me for a long time. I give this book 5 stars. A big thank you to the publishers and to NetGalley for letting me read this for an honest review, I can’t wait for the publication date so that I can recommend After The End to friends and family.

This is a book that will stay with me for a long while. I wasn’t sure what to expect. I am a fan of Clare MacIntosh and I have enjoyed her thrillers. This is a departure. A story of love and loss, and I am very impressed.
The illness and potential death of a child is such a hard subject matter, but one that is tackled with sensitivity and understanding by the author. I was engrossed and felt so privileged to share the story of Dylan, his parents, and his doctor.
The book is very well written. To manage the time differences in part 2 could not have been easy and it was done really well. I was never lost or confused (sometimes I do struggle to keep up when a book has a ‘sliding door’ type concept.). I don’t want to give any spoilers, but the way the book is structured is very clever and works beautifully.
The main characters are believable, flawed, and so very human. I wanted to be their friend and to give them a massive hug. I found it so emotional - It is probably not a book for public transport.
I highly recommend this book and do not hesitate to give it 5 stars. I can’t wait to see what Clare MacIntosh writes next.

This book was so moving. At the centre is one poorly little boy surrounded by love but what happens when parents don’t agree on a way forward. You follow the parents through there turmoil where there is no right or wrong path. This book grabs you and holds you till you turn the last page.

Max and Pip are a happy couple facing their two year old son, Dylan's, terminal illness. When Max finds out about a new life-prolonging treatment available abroad, he starts fundraising to get his son to an American hospital for the most advanced care. Pip, however, is unsure that this is the right path for Dylan. Their little boy is reliant on pain relief and endless medications and therapies to get through each day, and she begins to wonder if the kindest thing would be to let Dylan go. Max and Pip cannot agree on what is best for Dylan, and what follows is an incredibly honest and painful story in which no one can be a winner.

In recent years there have been numerous reports in the news of parents fighting in court for further treatment of their children when the medical teams have concluded that this would not be in the child's best interests. Mackintosh has created a story in which Max and Pip are completely believable characters, with separate chapters written from both of their points of view. The views of Dylan's doctor adds weight to the story, showing the often impossible decisions healthcare professionals have to make on behalf of their patients. The far reaching impact of Dylan's illness on his grandparents, Pip's 'mum friends' with similarly aged children, Max's colleagues and strangers reading about Dylan online and in newspapers is explored giving the book even more depth.

At times heartbreaking, After The End is a frank look at the pain of parenting a child with a terminal illness, and being asked to make impossible decisions about their care. It shows the difficulty of navigating work, family, social situations and strangers when the worst thing in the world is happening to you, and the different ways in which we might start to heal and recover.

If you're expecting more of the same from Ms Mackintosh with respect to the psychological thriller genre, be warned that this book is not that. It's the story of two people torn apart from the tragedy of a sick child and the decision they have to make regarding his ongoing care. It's all the emotions and then some and fraught with all the things that go hand in hand with dealing with a life that is out of their control.
Max and Pip have a very strong relationship. Their family is complete when Dylan is born but then their world is torn apart when he starts to get sick. He deteriorates quite quickly and it soon becomes obvious that decisions regarding his ongoing care have to be made. To stop the treatment and let him go or to carry on regardless of what quality of life he may have afterwards. You already know from the start of the book how things develop there but, as we find out, that's just the start of things to come...
As with one of her earlier books, this book is a book of two halves. The second half leading nicely on from what happens and told alternately by Max and Pip. It's hard to say much more about it as you will find out yourself when you get to that point but I will say that it really gave me food for thought about the whole thing and both voices tugged on my heartstrings.
I remember the recent story about Ashya King, a young boy, and his family going through a similar thing near to me. How his parents defied the hospital and took him abroad for treatment. This case was front and centre in my local paper for quite a while. The story in this book does not follow this case so it's no spoiler but I am mentioning it as it speaks to an understanding and appreciation of what the author is writing about here and gives a lot of credence to what I read. I also understand that the story in this book has personal connections for the author and the parts that are not autobiographical have obviously been very well researched.
Gosh, it all sounds a bit dark doesn't it. Well, yes it is a bit along the way, but the author has managed to inject lighter moments within the book so it never gets too depressing. A tricky balance to maintain but also an important one and here her skill as an author really shines through.
It's a book about a journey, one taken by a loving couple who differ on one important outcome. It's also about that outcome and how the aftermath shapes the rest of their lives. The way the book progresses really makes it an incredible read but I can't go into that here for reasons which will become evident. It's a book that I feel privileged to have read and one that will stay with me for a while yet. My thanks go to the Publisher and Netgalley for the chance to read this book.

Wow, this book was such an emotional read. I don't think I have ever read anything that was this emotional and powerful. So cleverly written. Had me hooked from the first page. I sympathised with both Max and Pip and I honestly don't know what I would do if I had to face a decision like theirs. There is no wrong or right answer. Each decision is made out of the love for their child. I was so emotionally wrapped up in this book I did not want this to end. I have read all of Clare Macintosh's books and they each in their own way are the best books I have ever read. This book will live on in my soul forever and has taught me never to take life for granted. Thank you Clare for the amazing opportunity to have the wonderful opportunity of an advance reading of this new book.

Any book that has the ability to make me cry is, weirdly, a hit with me and this one made me cry more than once. Such a heartbreaking story that sadly is all too familiar for many families and while I can't imagine the pain of these poor families, this book manages to capture some of that heartbreak and gives a glimse into the feelings and story's of those involved both during and after such tragedies. Definitely a 5 star from me.

If you’re a fan of Clare Mackintosh’s previous books this may not be what you are expecting. However, this was a gripping and thought-provoking book which had me gripped from the start. I’m sure this will be as successful as her previous books but it also takes the author beyond the psychological thriller genre and into the upper echelons of contemporary authors.

Having read Clare Mackintosh’s books before I was fully expecting a psychological thriller, especially as I read the first chapter. (I hadn’t actually read the synopsis, just dived straight in!) Of course I then realised it wasn’t a thriller, but an extremely sad but well written and clever book. You wonder how authors sometimes write such books, and after I read the authors notes it made the whole book even more emotional and thought provoking.

After the End by Clare Mackintosh is a touching and controversial book that is extremely well written. Max and Pippa face an extreme emotionally heart wrenching time, that the author tackles with such passion and care. I wasn’t sure if I wanted to continue reading this book, in places as it was upsetting and I was expecting a psychological thriller, which it isn’t, but I’m really glad that I finished the book. I found it a insightful, compassionate and thought provoking.

An absolutely fantastic book from Clare Mackintosh. I have been a fan of the author for years and have loved her previous thrillers. After the End is very different from anything Mackintosh has published before, It centres around the heartbreaking decision of two parents, Pip and Max and what is the best course of action for their son Dylan in the face of an incurable disease, This difficult story is so well told that I simply couldn't put it the down. The story has remained in my thoughts for days afterwards.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for this ARC.

It's not often I read a book at the speed in which I read this. After the End tells the heartbreaking story of parents Pip and Max and the consequences of the decisions they make in relation to their terminally ill son.

Spilt into three parts, this is not an easy read. The subject matter will break you especially if you have children, or there are children in your lives you love as your own. Clare Mackintosh gives this subject the sensitive touch relating from her own experiences which adds the depth to this story.

I love the fact that especially in the first half of the book, it shows that any decision not only affects the parents but also those caring, such as the doctors, nurses, grandparents etc. There have been well known cases in the news of a similar nature but After The End explores what happens when its all over and the news cameras stop rolling. This is something that I feel is needed. No one knows what happens to a family in this situation but this book gives you an insight into what could happen.

Like I said this is not an easy read. Its heartbreaking, tragic but ultimately brilliant.

Thank you to Little Brown and Clare Mackintosh for not only an advance copy in exchange for an honest review but for also allowing me to read this amazing work.

After the End Clare Mackintosh
I’ve been waiting a while to mull over my thoughts and get them in order before writing a review. It blew me away and I needed thinking time! What a brave book to write!
This book is really emotive and well-written, dealing with a sensitive subject compassionately. It is giving no secrets away to say that it is about Dylan, a very sick little boy and the enormity of the decisions the grief-stricken parents have to make, and how these decisions affect the rest of their lives.
I feel the main theme of the book is how we deal with the consequences of our decisions and how we decide to live our lives. The 2nd half of the book deals with parallel stories of what might have been, the ‘if only’s’ we all consider. I was certainly gripped and willing Pip and Max on, empathising with them. There is a ‘Mackintosh’ traditional twist which blindsided me. After (I reached) the end, I went back through the 2nd half, following the timelines separately to help the story ‘settle’ in my mind. And make sure you read the ’Acknowledgements and Authors notes’ - that really brought it all home to me! Brilliant! More than a 5*!

LOVE this book! Split into two section, Before and After, this book tells the story of Pip and Max who disagree over the treatment of their terminally ill son Dylan. Beautifully, sensitively written. This was well worth staying up till 3am to finish in one sitting. Simply unable to put it down. A haunting tale that will remain with you long after the final pages.

Thank you to Clare Mackintosh and NetGalley for providing an advance copy in return for an honest review.

I started this book on a flight so could not read the blurb so went in blind. I had no idea what was coming. I truly thought I was going to be reading a psychological thriller as Clare's previous amazing books. As I progressed through the story I realised that it was far from that but a family saga and a heartbreaking one at that. A story to make you think and very relevant with recent high profile cases hitting the media. A family torn apart by a heart wrenching decision and who thinks the best for their son should be. Highly emotive and cleverly written with a touch of sliding doors. Will stay with you long after you finish.

You'd be forgiven for thinking you'd mistakenly mixed up Clare Mackintosh's latest book, with Jodi Picoult’s, but that's not a bad thing at all.
Sliding doors, the road less travelled, all of these would adequately describe this beautifully written, heart wrenching story of unimaginable loss and what may seem as betrayal at times.
After the end, made me think about my own father's tragic and untimely death and our family's loss a little differently.
This is my book of 2019. It made me cry, laugh and think and I hope to be a little kinder and a little more thoughtful before I comment in future, on things in the media I know nothing about. That said it was very difficult not to pick a side TeamPip or TeamMax. I eventually opted for TeamDylan.

A fantastic powerful and emotional page turning novel beautifully executed by Claire Mackintosh. It’s very rare that a book has me this emotionally invested and I found myself in tears at several points throughout this novel. Claire Mackintosh told the devastating story of Pip, Max and Dylan with such empathy and compassion that it was effortless to connect with the characters. I cannot recommend this book highly enough and if I could give it more than 5 stars, I would.

There are some authors whose books you just want to read without even finding out what it’s about, because they wrote it. For me, Clare Mackintosh is one of those authors. I found her three previous books to be really gripping page-turners which I found hard to put down. This book is very different, which was something of a surprise as I hadn’t read the book details. Rather than being a psychological thriller like the others, this is more of an emotional family drama.

When I first started reading and realised what the book was about, I must admit that I was a bit worried I would find it just too difficult. At the heart of the story is a very sick little boy, Dylan, whose parents Pip and Max disagree about the best course of treatment for him. With the hospital trust agreeing with one of them, the case goes before the court. The book follows the family as Dylan’s illness progresses and in the aftermath of the court’s decision.

I don’t really want to say much more about the story as it really is a book you have to read for yourself. It is very cleverly written and one of these books that makes you think what you would do in the same situation. And the thing is, as I think comes across in the book, it is a virtually impossible decision to make. I could completely understand why both Pip and Max felt they were doing the right thing for their son. Clare Mackintosh has written so convincingly about their convictions and feelings that as I read their chapters, I was totally on their side, whoever’s side I was reading about. It was also interesting to read about the thoughts of the doctor involved in the care of their little boy and to realise the effect that the case had on her both while she was caring for him and after the court case.

This is an utterly heart-breaking story yet so compelling and ultimately hopeful. It is a powerful portrayal of a couple pushed to breaking point in a devastating situation and how life goes works out for them afterwards. A gripping and convincing story of loss and of love, After The End shows that Clare Mackintosh is just as skilled at as writing about a sensitive and emotive subject as she is at writing a psychological thriller.

I was a little bit scared from this book because even though I love Clare Mackintosh's books they are totally different than this one.

It was a very sweet and positive disappointment!

When I started to read I felt sad for Dylan and the whole story is sad, on the other hand when the story's timeline slip, and start to tell two different stories as an outcome of two different decision it is just genius.

The story doesnt tell us which decision happened but it is a really eye-opening, how decisions in our life have an effect on it. Doesnt matter what we decide, we will have to live with it even if we have doubts about it.

I just simply loved it
I would give 10 out of 5 star for this book.

Max and Pip are the perfect couple.

At the very start of the book though we are with them in court as their hands touch to hear the verdict about the fate of their child.

The first part of the book leads up to the trial and shows how they have reached this point, This was touching, heart rending and well written.
For me it was the second half of the book after the verdict which gave this book five stars. Told in different voices and in different times, it cleverly shows the consequences of two different verdicts and I loved this. Although it did make me weep.
Great

A very beautifully written book about an extremely touching and controversial subject that I absolutely loved.

This is a very moving story that is something entirely different from the author. Clare's writing was as usual beautiful and she managed to keep in all the emotions of her normal books but with a very different subject matter. Absolutely would recommend.

Wow, what a book. Heartbreaking tale of Pip, Max and their ill child Dylan. A nightmare scenario, whichever way you look at it.

The story leaps out at you from the page and at the end you discover that the author lost a child in 2006. That loss and love resonates across the pages, and is illustrated in every word.

I have to admit to getting a bit confused in the middle and clearer signposting to the different outcomes would have helped but ultimately this didn’t detract from this powerful, emotional and raw book.

An absorbing tale that left me sobbing. Another standout book from this talented author

Max and Pip are the strongest couple you know. Only now they're facing the most important decision of their lives - and they don't agree. As the consequences of an impossible choice threaten to devastate them both, nothing will ever be the same again. But anything can happen after the end.

I will admit to being apprehensive about reading this. It is completely different to Mackintosh's other books but it is every bit as perfect. The plot is undeniably beautiful and heart-stoppingly sad too. I was brimming with tears for a lot of the book and could not get the story of Max, Pip and Dylan out of my head.

Despite this being a different genre, this still has twists that ensure you know you are reading a Mackintosh book and they completely spin the book on its head. I have to say, this is very reminiscent of books by Jodi Picoult, so you get the idea of how emotional it is. What I loved about this is Mackintosh does not dwell on any part of the story, instead it is written and we move on, and it works spectacularly.

The characters are of course stunning, they are lovely people who have a gorgeous story to tell. I thoroughly enjoyed getting to know them and following their story was indescribable.

If I could give this a million stars then I would. 'After the End' is the most perfect book I have read in a long time, words cannot do this stunning read justice. I adored everything about this and the ending is just perfect, as well as being a massive shock. You will cry but it is so worth it! Mackintosh, please never stop writing.

Thank you to NetGalley and Sphere for an advance copy.

An emotional, raw read. This is a difficult subject but Mackintosh handles it with eloquence and grace.

Quite possibly the most affecting and powerful novel I’ve ever read. The kind of novel that requires huge gulps to stem your own heartache. With lines like ‘The heart stretches’ and ‘In grief, I’ve found you have to make your own journey’ which you just know you will quote to others who experience loss. I can’t imagine how painful it was for the author to write, but as a reader I can only express how grateful I am that she was able to. A novel of loss, love and grief, yes, but also of hope, just when I need it most.

What an incredible book.
This is not the usual book from this author but it will touch you deep inside and make you think about things that you haven’t thought about before

This book is heartwarming and personal. 5 out of 5 just isn’t a high enough rating

Another amazing read by Claire Mackintosh , Couldn't put it down. Truly heartbreaking story of Pip , Max and Dylan. 100 percent recommend this book you wont regret a penny spent on it !

Wow what an emotional book. Full of heartache, joy, tears, hope, sadness, love and so much more, if you can think of an emotion it is probably in this book !!

Having read and loved Clare’s previous psychological thrillers I wasn’t quite sure what this was going to be like as it is so different from the genre I know and love but this is an absolutely beautifully written story.

Max and Pip are faced with an unthinkable decision, one that will decide the future of their young child, Dylan. They are such a strong couple but what happens when for the first time they can’t agree ?

This is truly a heartbreaking story but also shows that love and hope can be found even in the darkest of places and maybe not where you were expecting to find it.

A really think that this showcases Clare’s amazing writing and the characters emotions and thoughts just jump off the pages at you. You really do feel as though you are part of the story and you go through the emotions with them.

If you are looking for a beautiful thought provoking read then this is a must for you. Although the story is heartbreaking it is a stunning emotional book.

Thank you to Little, Brown Book Group UK and NetGalley for a digital copy of this book.

Well this was a surprise, albeit a positive one. Based on Clare Mackintosh’s three previous books I had anticipated this would be another thriller but whilst this is certainly a page turner it is a heart wrencher rather than thriller. A book of two halves this is the sad tale of parents Max & Pip faced with an impossible choice regarding their desperately sick son Dylan, unable to agree on what they believe to be the best course of care for him and so they are left with no option but to let a Judge rule on Dylan’s future. The first half of the book tells of Dylan’s illness and struggles and his parents battle to do what is best for him, the second half of the book tells of life after the Judge makes his ruling.

Told alternately from the perspectives of Max & Pip (and on occasion their doctor Leila) this is a very well thought out story, most especially the second half of the book, and Clare Mackintosh has skilfully woven her way through Max & Pip’s lives dealing with an impossible aftermath. The style of the book reminded me of Jodi Picoult and whilst it’s a huge change from Clare Mackintosh’s usual style it’s a very natural fit for her writing, reading the authors note at the end went a huge way to understanding her motivation behind this story too. Not an easy subject to read about however I don’t thing this feels like a negative book, hard going and emotional yes but certainly not depressing, Not one for a light summer read but very much well worth reading.

A heartbreaking story but one that is so relevant in today’s society.

Max and Pip are very happily married and are parents to a little boy, Dylan, who has been diagnosed with a brain tumour. The parents have a very difficult choice to make, do they let the Drs turn his life support off, or do they keep treating him in the hope that a cure can be found. But what happens if they cannot agree?

This is their story of what happens after a decision has been reached.

Claire, you got me, I did not expect the way the book unfolded and I loved all the little twists and turns along the way which kept me turning the pages.

I really came to care about what happened to both Max and Pip and your ending kept me awake!

This is a heartbreaking novel that is both original and clever in the way it is written. Max and Pip are placed into a position which is every parents worst nightmare. When their toddler, Dylan is diagnosed with an incurable brain tumour they cannot agree on the best course of action for him. After the courts have decided his fate, the book takes an interesting turn (that I don’t want to spoil for you) making it a truly captivating read.
I have read similar articles in the press regarding impossible situations like this, but the afterword of the book explains that the author herself has to go though this in 2006. When faced with an impossible decision, how can we ever be sure we made the right choice? What would our lives be like if we’d chosen differently?

Wow what a roller coaster ride. Heart breaking and thought provoking. Each chapter is written from the perspective of the three main characters, who’s perspective would you relate to! Highly recommend this book but not an easy subject to read about, especially as a parent myself

This is the second of Clare Mackintosh's books that I have read, I read her debut novel for our Book Club and that was very good, but this is very different.

Wow, this is such a powerful novel and also very hard to review without giving anything away. You have to read the Prologue, I know people say they don't bother, but the chances are you miss something.

Make sure you have a box of tissues to hand, because you are surely going to need them.

It is such an emotive subject when the case of a terminally ill child hits the press, and there have been several high profile cases in the UK press in recent years. The thought that money will be the answer, the big bad NHS doesn't want to spend money etc. To write so well about the subject I knew that Clare Mackintosh had some knowledge of the subject and it turns out she did.

The difference in this book was that Max and Pip disagreed on the treatment and ultimately they end up in court.

Be careful of reading too many reviews about this book as some are already saying how the second half plays out. It is different and not what I expected, but for me it worked. Occasionally I had to check back on who was narrating the chapter as it swaps between Pip and Max. It does through the whole book, with Doctor Leila also having a few chapters, I perhaps would have like to hear more about her and her family struggles.

Highly recommend this book.

Thank you NetGalley and Little Brown Book Group for allowing me to read this pre publication edition.

Before reading this please arm yourself with a box full of Kleenex, you are going to need them.
This story was quite a departure from the authors previous psychological thriller works. This novel is based on real life events that the author has experienced which makes the book all the more emotional. This book follows the story of parents Pip and Max and their young son Dylan. Dylan is an incredibly poorly boy suffering from a brain tumour. The family unit is very strong but as Dylan's health deteriorates the parents have to start thinking about his on going treatment. This is where the cracks form and the marriage takes the full strain of the decisions that need to be made. I'd love to write more about this book but in the same breath I don't want to give anything away. This book is best read without any awareness of what is on the horizon. This is an exquisitely beautiful read, it will touch your soul, as heart breaking as the story is its also life affirming.

Clare - you have a piece of my heart with this story.

Thank you Netgalley for my advance copy of After The End.

A heartbreaking and impossible dilemma is handled in a beautiful, sensitive and original way in this emotional novel. This isn’t the kind of book you expect from this Ms MacIntosh but it could be her best yet.

The story opens with a courtroom where parents are awaiting a judge’s ruling on their young son’s fate and then goes back to when two-year-old Dylan Adam lies unconscious in hospital with complications from chemotherapy to treat his brain tumour. When doctors tell his parents Max and Pip they’ve reached the end of the road they ask them to make an impossible choice: further treatment that will prolong Dylan’s life for a while or palliative care. Initially the couple are in no doubt of their agreement of the right choice. But by the time they come to tell the doctors their decision Pip has changed her mind and the couple now find themselves on opposing sides of a battle where both believe they know what is best for their beloved son.

What would you do? How do you know what the right choice is? What if the one you made wasn’t the right one? What would life have been like if we’d taken the other path? These questions and more are explored in this poignant and thought-provoking story.

I don’t want to say too much about what happens once they go to court as it would ruin the story, but after the court case is written in a unique manner that gave the book a lot of it’s charm. It was unexpected and at first I wasn’t sure what I thought. But I quickly loved the direction the author took and the message she was conveying to the reader.

This was one of the most moving, tragic and affecting stories I have ever read. Max and Pip are faced with the choice no parent ever wants to make and you can’t help but have your heart break alongside them.

One last thing- you need to read the author’s notes at the end of the book. In these notes the author shares her motivation for writing this story and my heart broke all over again.

Clare, I have such admiration and respect for your bravery in writing this book. You have touched my heart and soul with this unforgettable story.

I picked up this book to read without reading the blurb just before I started it. I have read this authors first 2 books and loved them so I had high hopes for this book. I had no idea it was a different genre to the other books. It hooked me from the start and I struggled to put it down. I loved the second half of the book and how the storylines developed. This book brought out every emotion in me and I had tears reading it on more than one occasion. Clare Mackintosh has done it again. I would highly recommend this book.

The author moves away from her usual mystery/thriller genre in this, her latest book. Despite it being very different to previous books I've read of hers, I was nevertheless drawn into this amazing story and was kept gripped throughout. The main characters, Pip, Max and toddler son Dylan are so well drawn and have great depth and warmth making the reader really care for them. In fact, all of the characters are people you come to care about deeply. The book is incredibly sad as it deals with the subject of a child's terminal illness but throughout the book the overriding emotion is that of love. The parents are equally devoted to their young son and to each other but the book goes on to show that even the strongest and most loving relationships can be torn apart by tragedy and Pip and Max are both such lovely people who get right under your skin and you feel their every pain and sadness as they grapple with the inevitability of their son's condition and their faltering relationship. The emotion that this book drew from me is huge and was at times quite draining but the need and the hope to see how things turned out for Pip and Max kept me hooked to the last page. I applaud the author for the immense amount of research that must have gone into the book and all the more for her own heart breaking experience that is a basis for the story. It must have been an extremely difficult book to write but she does it so beautifully and with words that could not fail to touch any person reading them. My only very slight negative was that I found the chapters in the latter part of the book a little confusing at times with different narrators and timelines and had to keep going back to check facts. All in all though - another fabulous book from this incredibly talented author. My thanks to Netgalley and Little Brown Book for the chance to read this copy in return for my honest opinion.

Thanks to the publishers for the chance to read this review copy via Netgalley.
I had been a fan of Claire Mackintosh from her previous psychological style novels and so was expecting more of the same.
I must admit from the storyline I probably wouldn’t have chosen to read this, but I’m so glad that I did.
Unfortunately real life heartbreaking decisions like those “ Pip and Max” have to make appear from time to time in the news.Its all too easy to make judgement on how you think you would act , without considering , once that no win decision is made what happens next ?
So sad to read this was written from experience.I wouldn’t hesitate in recommending this to others

After the End is a book which will stay with me for a long time !! I finished it with tears rolling down my face but with also a positive feeling inside.

Max and Pip are blissfully in love and have an enviable marriage until their young son Dylan becomes ill with a brain tumour which has left him with brain damage. The doctors recommend palliative care to stop Dylan’s suffering. This is devastating news for Max and Pip but will it be one they can both agree with?

What a tough decision for anyone? This book explores the realities of having to make such a decision. As individuals we all have our own views but if these differ from our partner what are the consequences ? Can love conquer all ? Or does life get in the way .?

I am so glad to have read this emotion filled book, which has left an imprint on my heart. I want to urge you to read this book as the beauty shining from each page will make you appreciate and understand life just a little more.

It is evident this novel has been written from the heart and I feel that is why it is so special. Brilliant emotive writing and definitely one of my favourites. When life gives you lemons make lemonade is definitely a saying which sums up this book!!!

Thank you to netgalley and the publishers for my chance to read this beautiful book.

I may not have read this book had I not heard of the author. “What appeals to you about this book?” NetGalley asks when you request a proof. “Author. I have heard good things about Clare Mackintosh. She writes thrillers.”

‘After the End’ is not the psychological mystery I was expecting but it is a profoundly moving novel, the story of parents faced with an impossible choice - to submit their terminally ill child to treatment that may prolong the length his life but not its quality, or to let him slip away, allowing his pain to end. It is a sad story but it makes you smile in places. It is harrowing but full of humanity.

In her afterword, Clare Mackintosh, who lost a son in circumstances which inspired the novel, says “this is not a story about loss, but about hope. Hope for the future, for a life beyond an unavoidable tragedy.” And, as the second half of the story explores possible outcomes, Sliding Doors-style, the message of hope is clear - life goes on, changed by the experience, but loss does not mean forgetting.

‘After the End’ is an intensely emotional novel and one that I am thankful to have read.

Wow! Not sure that what I will write about this amazing book will do it justice.
After The End tells Max and Pip’s stories after the death of their young son.
In this story Max and Pip are faced with the news every parent dreads. Their son has a life threatening tumour which has left him brain damaged. The hospital believe that there is nothing more that can be done other than palliative care and initially both Max and Pip disagree and look for alternative treatments. However Pip changes her mind leaving his parents unable to agree on the next step, forcing the hospital to make the decision to take the case to high court.
In this book we are told both Max and Pip’s respective stories after the end.
. I now know that Clare drew on her own personal tragedy to write this story and has written with huge compassion an amazingly moving story on an extremely controversial subject
I would like to thank Netgalley for the opportunity to read and review this book

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5 cry your eyes out stars

Well I didn’t know what this book was about, I just knew the author wrote one of my favourite books, I Let You Go, so thought I’d read this.

Not my usual genre but oh my goodness this book broke me.

I warn you, it’s about a toddler with a serious illness, so if you have kids or have been affected by serious illness in your life in some way, this book will no doubt hit you harder.

The writing is brilliant, told from 3 viewpoints, mum, dad, doctor. It is so balanced and heartfelt.

If I was going to level any criticism, I would say that I wish we had more of Leila’s story, and the second half of the book felt a tad rushed and a bit too ‘happy endings’

But this book is one I won’t forget; you feel like you really know the characters and so you feel their pain all the way through.

Recommended.

Max and Pip have a young boy called Dylan who has a brain tumour that has left him severely disabled. When a scan confirms their worst fears, they are faced with making a heartbreaking decision.

Told in two different time scales- Before and After. After is written like a Sliding Doors account giving two different scenarios.

It is a very well written, emotional read that will tug at your heart strings and make you hug your children a little tighter.

It is a book that will stay with me for a long time and I highly recommend it!!!

This is a beautfiul and emotional book about parents dealing with their young child's terminal illness. It is shocking and painful in parts, where you can only feel the upmost sympathy for anyone going through such a traumatic experience. The author skillfully switches between the two parents' perspectives, showing how they each respond in a different way to the joint struggle, in addition to the perspective of the doctor treating the child. It is sensitive in its manner of dealing with such a difficult topic. Only at the end, when reading the author's note, did I discover that the author herself experienced the loss of a young child and I have a huge amount of respect to her for her courage to write this novel. It sends an incredibly important message out to everyone to be grateful for everything they have, and also helps us to understand how we can best support those experiencing such trauma. As a parent of young children, I found this novel eye-opening and it made me appreciate every day I share with my healthy children. Although it is a difficult read in many places, I think it is a very important one.

A total departure from Clare Mackintosh's usual genre - I had not read the synopsis so had no idea what to expect. The 'Before' story was told with such empathy and understanding it was both heart-rending and fascinating to read. The 'After' story takes the 'sliding doors' direction which, although sometimes a little confusing, was very interesting and cleverly portrayed. It was only on finishing this book that I found out that Clare Mackintosh was writing from personal experience and that made the inspired and emotional writing understandable. This can not have been an easy book to write.
Very many thanks to Netgalley/Clare Mackintosh/Little, Brown Book Group UK for a digital copy of this title. All opinions expressed are my own.

Wow what a courageous book to write, I totally admire Clare mackintosh who has written about such an agonising choice parents max and pip have to make regarding the terminal illness of their son Dylan, this could have been a heartbreaking dismal read as the subject matter is so heartbreaking,sad and distressing but it is written sensitively and with dignity,showing the courage and tenacity that parents in this situation are capable of possessing in the most difficult of situations. Above all it reiterates that love is endless and that there is always hope at the end of a journey so that overall peace can be found!
Thank you net galley for this advance copy to read, it took me out of my comfort zone and was very thought provoking.

Absolutely heartbreaking, you can tell that the author is deeply invested emotionally and reading her author's note at the back confirms this.
An emotional roller coaster that is beautifully and respectfully written, with alternating viewpoints between the two parents of poor Dylan. Max and Pip are multilayered and sympathetically portrayed, it's impossible to chose a side.
Definitely different from her usual crime thrillers, but recognisable by the twists and turns that will keep you on the edge of your seat.

Beautiful and heartbreaking all at the same time. I’ve sobbed my heart out at the rawness of this book. Without a doubt this is on my list of books to read and read again.

I especially liked the way the second half of the book was told. I didn’t find it confusing but instead a beautiful story of how choices and decisions made can take lives in such different directions.

It’s a hard, emotional book simply due to the subject matter but at the same time a must read. Just have tissues at the ready.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for the ARC in return for an honest and unbiased opinion.

After The End by Clare Mackintosh is a book I will remember for a long, long time.

I have written and re-written this review so many times, but no matter what I say, it doesn’t do this novel justice. I feel like a fraud, trying to review this book because I simply cannot dissect the character development, the emotion, the growth of the story when Ms. Mackintosh is writing from living this experience every single day.

I cried, I laughed, I empathized, I fell in love with every single person in this book. I wish I could meet Ms. Mackintosh and tell her how much I loved this story, how I thought about my own children and cried more at the joy I feel because they are HERE, with me.

Her ability to show the deepest of human emotions, the good and the bad, the dark and the light, is astounding and seeps through you, right through to your soul.

I have read all her other books, which are as magical as this one. With this book, she has become one of my most beloved authors.

#netgalley #aftertheend #claremackintosh #littlebrownbookgroupuk #sphere

This was a beautiful read and extremely moving. I was in tears a few times throughout the story and couldn't help but feel the emotions of the characters. It is definitely a book that touches on a difficult subject and experiences but I felt was sensitive in the way it was written.


I would recommend this but have the tissues ready.

This will go live at the link below on 12 June.

Hi and welcome to FromBelgiumWithBookLove where I’ll be talking today about Clare Mackintosh’s new book baby. I’ve been a fan of Clare’s ever since I Let You Go, which, like Clare’s other books since, was an outstanding psychological thriller. With After the End, she goes down a different road, and frankly, one I most likely wouldn’t have joined her on if she were not the author I know her to be. Sometimes you pick up a book because you’re drawn to its premise, because the synopsis is right up your street; sometimes the premise is more like a side alley off your street but you pick up the book anyway, because you love the author’s writing and you have faith in the author’s ability to capture and hold your attention. The latter is exactly what I did and I didn’t regret it for a second.

After the End is the story of Dylan. He’s just a toddler, but he has a brain tumour and he is being treated for it in hospital. That fact alone broke my heart. There is just something so unfair about someone so small having to go through all that.

The first part of Dylan’s story is told from the perspective of his parents, alternating with the perspective of his doctor. It is really quite refreshing that the focus is not only on the desperate parents of this very ill little boy, but also on his doctor, who is just as desperate and equally powerless, especially when it turns out that the treatment is not working, on the contrary, the tumour has grown.

The pivotal moment in the story is when Pip and Max have to decide what to do: let their boy go and make sure he doesn’t have to suffer, or go to whichever lengths necessary to prolong his life, regardless of what kind of life that would be. I’m pretty sure that the toughest choice for a parent is whether to keep their child alive and quite possibly suffering, or to say goodbye earlier. As an outsider, my choice was pretty straightforward: stop the treatment, don’t have the surgery that will cause at least some brain damage, you can’t save your child, you’ll only postpone the inevitable and sure he’ll live a bit longer, maybe even a lot longer, but odds are that he’ll have to live with pain, he’ll never be independent, he’ll never be happy. To my mind, the choice to continue to fight a lost cause is a selfish one. But then I am not a parent, let alone one with a terminally ill child.

For the first time, Dylan’s parents don’t see eye to eye, and in the end, the case is brought before court and an impartial judge must decide. Here is a sliding doors moment where the story becomes two stories: one where the judge rules in favour of further treatment and one where the judge orders all treatment to be stopped, except palliative care. It was both fascinating and heart-breaking to see what happens in each story, with Dylan, and with his parents as a couple. I kept wondering if in the end they would end up in the exact same place, if there would be some kind of serendipity, is there such a thing as “meant to be”, are things written in the stars, is there any kind of providence.

A heartbreakingly beautiful, poignant and thought-provoking tale of love and loss, of guilt, of wanting to do the right thing and not knowing what that is, of life, of losing yourself and finding yourself, of failure and success and finding happiness in the little things, of living the worst possible thing that could happen and fighting through it, of finding a way to pick yourself up and piece yourself together again.

This is a story that makes you ask yourself what you would do, whether you’re a Pip or a Max. The fact that the author has lived through a similar loss, which I knew about before reading After the End, added an extra layer to my perception of the story, and made it even more heart-breaking and poignant.

Highly recommended.

After the End is out on 25 June.

In the UK you can pre-order:
from Amazon
from Awen Meirion independent bookshop (signed, with personal message)
from Waterstones (limited edition & signed, with blue sprayed edges)

In the US you can pre-order via Penguin Random House, in Australia via Hachette Australia and in Canada via Penguin Random House.

Many thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the free e-copy. All opinions are my own and I was not paid to give them.

This is such a hard review to write but I imagine not nearly as hard as it must have been to write this novel.

Max and Pip face one of the toughest decisions any parent could possibly face. Their three year old son, Dylan, is brain damaged due to complications from a tumour. Max and Pip are one of the strongest couples you're bound to meet but now, they find themselves on opposite sides as each tries to decide for themselves what's best for Dylan.

After The End is a novel I had to read in bits and pieces, for fear of choking on the huge lump in my throat. The author deals with a highly emotional topic and it all feels incredibly realistic, moving and extremely heartbreaking. The story is split into two parts, the before and after. The reader is offered an insight into Dylan's circumstances and the many long days Pip spends at his bedside. The tiny slivers of hope and the plummeting realisations when things go downhill felt like a rollercoaster. There are also the wonderful friendships parents form with each other on the ward, the support they give each other and yet it must be so incredibly hard to watch another child make a recovery and ultimately leave for home when your own child lies unmoving in their bed.

The "after" in the story is split in two. The reader follows both Pip and Max but in alternative storylines. Each has to deal with the decision they made regarding Dylan's future. Was it the right one? How can you ever know? Will their marriage survive when so many do not?

I must admit that my feelings for this novel were also split in two. I thought the first part of the story was exceedingly compelling and I was right there with the characters on the ward, trying to figure out what I would do in that situation. But the second half of the story started to lose me somewhat. It seemed a bit repetitive at times and while I was still rooting for the characters to come through it all, I didn't find this second half as gripping as the first half.

Nevertheless, After The End is a beautifully written story about a marriage put under strain in the most difficult of circumstances and facing an impossible choice. A remarkable departure for Clare Mackintosh, who you may know from some excellent psychological thrillers. This was quite obviously a story that she needed to tell and she did it in the most wonderful way possible. Not an easy story to read, yet one that will remain with forever.

Wow what a roller coaster ride. Heart breaking and thought provoking. Each chapter is written from the perspective of the three main characters, who’s perspective would you relate to! Extremely well written. Highly recommend this book

Pip and Max seemingly have the perfect life. Both with good jobs, plenty of friends and best of all, a beautiful little boy, Dylan. But Pip fears that all is not well with Dylan, he seems very clumsy for two years old and despite Max telling her not to worry, she goes to her GP and soon her worst fears are realised. Dylan has a brain tumour.

We join their story with Dylan in the Paediatric Intensive Care Unit, seriously ill after a lung infection. We sit with Pip when she is at Dylan's side, hoping that one day they will be told he can go home. We rage with Max whose boss seems to have no understanding of what it is like to have someone so close to you critically ill. The story is told from the perspective of both Max and Pip as well as that of Leila, Dylan's doctor who has to deliver heart breaking news to them.

Pip and Max cannot agree what is best for Dylan and end up in court leaving the judge to decide. There have been several cases recently where parents have ended up fighting the NHS over decisions made on their child's future care and these are always heartbreaking.

Clare Mackintosh deals very sensitively with this subject. Personal experience was the inspiration for this book and it is extremely brave of her to write about this. It must have been so difficult for her. Very cleverly she avoids taking sides though she doesn't avoid making telling observations about some aspects of cases like this.

A thoughtful, emotional book which I have no doubt will be a best seller. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

After the End is one of the best books that I have read in a long time. Max and Pip have a terminally ill son Dylan, they both love him but when difficult decisions have to be made, they have different points of view. Do they let Dylan slip away or take him to America for therapy that might prolong his life?
Inevitably it puts a strain on Max and Pip’s marriage. Will it be strong enough to survive? Will they be strong enough to survive?
This is an incredibly powerful story and the writing strong, so much so I felt like I was actually there in hospital and in the courtroom with the parents.
It was only after finishing the book that I found out that it is based on personal experience and I am so sorry for that. No parent should have to endure what the author and the characters that she created did.
Highly recommend.

I was given an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest and independent review.
A very emotional and difficult read due to the subject matter. Every parents’ worst nightmare which was told with great empathy and honesty. A well written story which moved me. A book of hope and moving on and continuing to live following such sadness.
Having read the postscript at the end of the book and having learned that this was a deeply personal experience for the author, filled me with much admiration for her courage to tell this story.
4 stars

This was an incredibly hard book to read especially as a parent and one which made me hold my little girl that little bit longer. Two parents forced with an impossible decision told authentically.

The book is a story of hope and how you can never know if the path you are taking is the right one. You can never know how one decision can impact the rest of your life. The fact the author has been in a similar position shows throughout the book with how raw, heartbreaking and honest the portrayal of this situation was.

Yes a box of tissues is needed but there is so much more to this book than expected. I loved the second half of the book just as much as the first. I felt the second half really brought home the authors message by showing what would happen in the future with either decision that they made and I loved it.

This is a thought-provoking book, that doesn't just focus on the parents but also the effect it has on the child's doctor. This is a must read book that will tug at your heartstrings, make you cry and also uplift you when you least expect it.

Thank you to NetGalley, Little, Brown Book Group UK and Clare Mackintosh for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

Jodi Picoult fans, eat your heart out!

When it comes to writing a compelling, engaging, insightful story, Claire Mackintosh can do no wrong in my book, and even though I knew going in that this was going to be completely different from her usual domestic suspense thrillers (which I love) I was still desperate for the chance to read it.

After the End is the story of a terminally-ill toddler with multiple deliberating disabilities. Dylan is not yet three years-old but as the result of a brain injury is paralysed from the neck down, unable to communicate or swallow, unlikely to have any awareness of his surroundings, and without medication would be in constant pain. His parents are forced to make a decision no parents should ever have to make – stop all treatment, except pain relief, and allow him to die, or opt for an experimental treatment that may extend his life. With mother and father on opposing sides it's up to the courts to decide.

‘Before' incorporated the days leading up to, and directly following, Dylan's parents receiving the devastating news that his tumor had grown to such an extent that they needed to make a decision regarding his future treatment. We were offered three differing, equally valuable perspectives – mother (Pip), father (Max) and one of the consultants looking after Dylan (Dr. Leila Khalili).

Clare Mackintosh did an incredible job of showing what life is like in the PICU (Pediatric Intensive Care Unit) section of the hospital – the day-to-day, and overall struggles of dealing and coping with a severely ill child, the support system including medical staff, and other parents in the ward, and the environment, treatment, and equipment. Glimpses into what Dylan was like when he was healthy, and when he first started developing symptoms gave us an overall picture of life before, and Dylan's personality. Max and Pip's resilience and love for each other, and the effects on their relationship and marriage was evident throughout. But at its core of course was their all encompassing love for their son.

The ‘After’ section of the novel used dual POV's (Pip and Max) and parallel-timelines to show the different directions their lives might've gone in, depending on the Judge's ruling. This format didn't work as well for me as the first half, as things became somewhat repetitive, but I understand what the author was trying to achieve, and appreciated being given both outcomes of such an agonising decision. Even though I knew logically that neither option was going to end favourably for little Dylan, in my heart of hearts I would've been left wondering “what if?” so to be offered up both timelines gave me a sense of closure I wouldn't have gotten otherwise. The only other small issue I had with the last half was that I dearly missed Leila's viewpoint – she was a wonderful character that I would've liked to have heard more from.

Even though I personally prefer her thrillers, Clare Mackintosh has penned something truly special in this moving story of love, loss, guilt, grieving and hope.

I loved this book so much. It's a tear jerker but also a book that helps you to remember that life is short and so precious.
I just felt compelled to keep reading.

A truly heart-rending story of a young boy with a terminal condition. The story is told from the points of view of his mother, father and Doctor. There have been a couple of such cases in the news in the last year or so and this story really makes you feel all the emotions the parents go through in such trying circumstances.

Firstly I need to say how very different this book is to the authors others. Having loved her other books which are under the psychological genre, this one couldn’t be any further away in terms of genre.

Max and Pip are a loving couple who find themselves having to make one of the hardest decisions I think anyone can be faced with when it comes to their son. All through the story in fact I was so torn as to which direction I would have gone. It’s one of those scenario’s where you wish you could see what the future holds. In a way this is what the author brings to the reader. We get a chance to see which direction the couples lives take, depending on which decision is made.

This really is such a hard review to write as, as you can see, the blurb doesn’t give a great deal away. There are so many things I want to say about the story or talk about but think it may spoil it for anyone who hasn’t read it so I really am trying to be as vague as I can be.

The story alternates between Max and Pip so we get to see what is going on inside their heads. These two characters were just fabulous. I loved both of them. The more I got to know them the more like old friends they became. It felt at times like I was right by their side going through everything they were going through. I know it’s only fiction but you really couldn’t come across a nicer couple.

After The End is a thought provoking, at times heart wrenching and emotional read. The author has written about a topic that I am sure could split many of us. People will certainly have their own thoughts on the matter but this story is more than that, it’s about the aftermath and how you live with that decision. It’s certainly something I don’t envy anyone and at the end I felt so bereft at having to leave these characters behind. I shed so many tears through out the story and I don’t regret one of them. The sign of a very talented story teller and a story that will definitely stay with me for a long time to come.

Wow oh wow!! I have never wanted to rush and write a review straight after reading it. I usually ponder on what to write.

What if..... Absolutely beautifully written. Touching. Heartbreaking. Thought provoking. I'm really impressed with how this is told. I've never come across this method before, I loved it. Although I didn't shed a tear during the book, I certainly did when I read the author's note at the end of the story. Clare, you have my total respect. Very brave of you to write this as I'm sure it must have been so difficult and heartbreaking for you. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for telling this topical story.

This has to be my favourite book of 2019 and my favourite of Clare's. You should be very proud of yourself and your family.

"Max and Pip are the strongest couple you know. They're best friends, lovers—unshakable. But then their son, Dylan, gets sick and the doctors put the question of his survival into their hands. For the first time, Max and Pip can't agree. They each want a different future for their son. What if they could have both?"

PART 1 -
Dylan has a brain tumour that the Medical Team at the Hospital decide would be pointless to operate on any further. In their opinion, the best and kindest path would be to offer Dylan palliative care full of love, tenderness, calm and comfort. Pip, as a Mother has seen Dylan go through so much pain and suffering and agrees that this would be for the best. Dr. Leila whose opinion they trust is also of the same mind and knows how much the whole family has gone through as a result of Dylan's illness and long stays in hospital. Pip knows if Dylan dies it will hurt for ever, but she can no longer let him suffer. She wants for him no more pain, no drugs and no more suffering in a hospital bed.
However, Max does not want to give up on his son and wants to take him to America for further radiation treatment and hopefully prolong his life. But this would still mean that Dylan is still unable to walk, talk, grow up as a healthy young boy but Max feels any life is better than letting him die, regardless of the quality of that life. Ultimately the parents cannot agree and they take the case to Court for a decision on their son's future.

PART 2 -
This is where the book takes the Reader on a completely different journey, where we are rewarded with the gift of experiencing both scenarios. The Author allows us to see what would happen if the decision went in Max's favour, but also in a sliding doors moment, what would happen if the decision when in Pip's favour. The emotional turmoil that they both still go through, continually questioning their own judgement and wondering if ultimately they let their heart rule their head and had really done the best for their son.

I loved the bit where Pip explains how sometimes you only know for certain if you have made the right decision once you've made it. Either it slides smoothly into place or sits spiky and misshapen in the corner of your mind saying This isn't right- you've made the wrong decision.

The hospital scenes are written with an insider knowledge of such situations, especially the Paediatric Intensive Care Unit which is somewhere no parent ever wants to have to spend time in, and later I discovered Clare Mackintosh did have first hand experience. This shows in her descriptions of the bleeping machines, fluorescent lighting, smells of disinfectant, feel of the anti-bac hand gel and endless hours sat by the side of your child wishing things were different. Experiencing the bitter jealousy whenever another child was well enough to leave PICU and you silently scream "That's not fair, why them and not us, when will it be our turn?"

The part where Leila tells them there is nothing more they can do and they ask the ultimate question of "How long?" broke my heart, how many parents before and after Pip and Max were to be given bad news in the crying room and told there is no hope for their child.

I sobbed by the time I was only a little way into the book when Leila explained that the centimetre of tumour left behind after surgery (because removing it completely was impossible) was growing back slowly. I have spina bifida occulta and have a tumour at the base of my spine with the same prognosis and have had and will continue to have endless operations while Surgeons do their best, but I am an adult and I cannot imagine a child and it's parents experiencing something similar.

I applaud Clare Mackintosh for allowing us to see what was in the future if we were able to go down both forks in the road, even though the dual timelines and narratives did become confusing in places, but nevertheless I loved this book and will treasure it for a long time.

A sensational and powerful read, heart-breaking and emotional story which sets you thinking when you are faced with such life or death decisions you need to make for your 3 year old son.Robert Frost's poem puts a feel to the story to it's entirety.
Cleverly written to reflect how life would have been taking the route of each parents decision.
The part that struck me emotionally was when I realised the author was narrating her own personal experience in the story.It is a brave and courageous step to have taken to open up in her novel and I completely empathise with her throughout the book.

Message to author,I am so sorry you had to go through that path of choice in life.

Dylan is a little boy who is in hospital long term. He is brain damaged after a tumour and remains in a long term coma. His parents Max and Pip have been with him in hospital, sitting by his bedside hoping for the day that he will improve, and eventually come home.

Unfortunately, the hospital needs a decision from both parents. Normal parents who love their little boy (and each other), more than anything. This part was heart wrenching. As a mother and a wife, I was challenged to think about what I would do in this situation, and how I would handle it if my husband disagreed with my choice.

I really felt for everyone involved and the author pulls no punches on how difficult this is for everyone. The family, the hospital, other parents of children in hospital, and how the Joe Public gets involved with Facebook pages, Twitter hashtags and public demonstrations.

I found a lot of this very difficult to read, and really felt for both Pip and Max when the decision was made for them.

The second novel follows the outcome of the decision, following the two different directions and the stories are told in alternating chapters after each outcome. I felt this part dragged on a bit and went on to long for me which is why its 4 stars not 5.

Watch out for the epilogue though when I did have to bring out the tissues.

With After the End Clare Mackintosh has produced an emotional rollercoaster of a book that will result in you being hooked in and unable to put it down until you have finished it.

The story centres on the perfect couple who face having to make the impossible decision. The first half shows how the couple face their dilemma whilst the second half shows what may or may not happen.

The book is superbly written and clearly from the heart and is recommended unreservedly

Dear Clare,

When we, book bloggers, finish a book, we often start thinking about the best way to review it. We want our opinion to be clear. We want to convey what happened to us between the opening and the ending page of the author’s work.
When I put down After The End, I understood a review wouldn’t do. This is why I am writing you a letter. Not as a book blogger. Not as a serial reader. As a woman talking to another woman.

Thank you.

I escape life through crime fiction. I find it easier to face dead bodies and monsters rather than life’s unfairness and hardships. There is a protective wall between me and the rest of the world. Well, actually, this is no longer true. There was a wall. After The End attacked it, each word hitting the stones, creating a hole. A small one at first. A mouse escape. Just enough for me to feel my heart tighten when I met Pip and Max. It grew bigger when the antiseptic smells of the hospital reached my nose and Dylan appeared in front of my eyes. Rain passed through the hole when I got to meet Leila.

Page after page, I felt my defenses fall. How do you protect a child from an invisible illness leaving traces on a frail and pale body which should be hitting a ball in a park or eating cookies while playing cards with his parents? We never hear from Dylan himself, and his silence, contrasting with his presence, immensely felt throughout the novel, dug a winding path on my cheeks for my tears to follow.

I am not one for crying. I read Me Before You without even blinking. I remember thinking ‘What kind of monster am I?’ But I now know I wasn’t at fault. Neither was the book. I just needed a voice, faces, roads written in a different way. I needed a key to open the door to the fears I was keeping at bay. Your writing is that key.

I sound very dramatic, don’t I? After The End is dramatic. It is a tragedy. It is one of life’s coins. And like every coin, it has two faces. Tragedy can’t happen without happiness. Pip and Max cling to this happiness, holding those moments as weapons against Dylan’s tumor. They hold on to each other in the most beautiful and heartbreaking way. They gave me hope, even in the darkest chapters. You breathed life into them, you surrounded them by it, then threw them in the coldest night. Car trips. The exhaustion of caring for someone. The rain. The meals. Long nights. Love. You crafted them so well I could almost touch them. They left the pages to sit next to me as I was reading. No one can make me believe that you didn’t pour your entire heart into this novel. It shows. It shines through.

A power couple faced with an impossible decision. A terminally ill son, and its fate in their hands. Is life with constant medical support worth living? Is there hope? Is it torture? Is it selfish to wish for more time? The tragedy of our human condition. We don’t have the answer. There is no right answer.

It doesn’t mean that you don’t have to choose. It only means you will carry a weight for the rest of your life. A red scar burning your soul. What happens when parents disagree? Then the court comes in. Law talks. Like medicine and science, the law must look at the facts, at the best decision at a given time.

Oh, I had never wished for a man and a woman to find each other again more than I did for Pip and Max. The way you handled their differences, the slow and inevitable gap forming between them. The bridge left by the love they have shared, share, and always will.

Am I rambling? Probably. Pardon me, for my mind is crowded with thoughts and my chest is filled with emotions threatening to make me explode. (I am writing this right after having finished the book. Before I change my mind and chicken out.) I don’t want to chicken out. I want to earn a millimeter of the courage the novel holds, a milligram of the strength it took you to write After The End.

Because it needs saying. Thank you for dealing with such a current, painful topic. Thank you for creating amazing parents, fascinating second characters, and a door to a world that is just one step from any of us. Thank you for the respect with which you treated both sides. Thank you for walking both sides of the argument with a clear mind, moments and thoughts so spot-on they scared me.

The blogger inside me wants a word… Would I recommend After The End? Yes. A million yes.
Why? Because the writing can pierce the hardest armor. Because everyone needs a Pip, a Max, a Dylan, a Leila, to try and understand, to ponder, and most of all, to feel. This book is the closest you can get to the topic of survival, and what it means to live.

But you, dear Clare, doesn’t stop there. Because life doesn’t stop, does it?
No, you give us the unpredictable, insane, and indestructible chapters of the After. Pip’s choice. Max’s choice. Parallel roads never to cross path. Each offers its load of tears, grief, doubt, and struggles. But then the unthinkable happens. Hope. Survival. Again, this word. My heart, after having slowed so much during the pivotal time, started beating again. It hurt, it smiled, it jumped, it stopped. With a prose I can’t praise enough, you gave me a taste of what a phoenix goes through when it rises from the ashes. It is not new, it carries its past, and it goes on. Life may not be what you wanted it to be, but it is what it is.

June 2019. I have found a profoundly moving novel, a stunning and tragic tale. My favourite book of the year.

Thank you for breaking my wall and reminding me crying is okay, feeling is okay, and that turning your head the other way doesn’t make it disappear, it only pushes your further away from reality. I didn’t know I needed this kind of book until I found yours. I am glad I read it. I will read it again. I will talk about it and ask my friends, acquaintances, and even strangers to give it a chance. Because a beautiful book needs eyes to dance its choreography.

This review will be posted 13 June 2019 on chocolatenwaffles.com

Max and Pip are the strongest couple you know. Only now they're facing the most important decision of their lives - and they don't agree.

As the consequences of an impossible choice threaten to devastate them both, nothing will ever be the same again.

But anything can happen after the end . . .

No spoilers, but what a heart breaking book this is … so sad. I can not imagine being in that situation, and don’t want to be. Also love and laughter. I did not want this book to end. Loved it! 5*

This was a beautiful, but very sad book. The two main characters, husband and wife Pip and Max, find themselves in an impossible situation that will either make or break them. Their terminally ill son, Dylan is nearing the end of his short life. One parent wants him to live, the other wants him to die. The story that unfolds is touching and very moving, made more so by knowing that the author based her book on her own experience. The only reason I have not given this book 5 stars is because I found it a little difficult to keep up with what was really happening in the second half of the book. But nevertheless, I'd highly recommend it.

What happens if you have a very sick child and you and your partner can’t agree on whether to let them die or try potentially life-prolonging treatment?
Borne of Mackintosh’s own experience, this visits this incredibly difficult subject, and what happens after the decision is made.
There is a ‘sliding doors’ effect, in that we see what would have happened, whichever way the decision went. I found it slightly tricky keeping a hold on which story I was following and - hand on heart - I’m not entirely convinced I’d get 100% in an exam on this - but it didn’t affect my enjoyment!
This makes for a heartbreaking and very touching novel that approaches a decision that can never be right or wrong, from the point of view of all involved including the doctor, Leila.
I don’t have children but still found it very poignant and personally affecting.
A novel like this could never be an easy read but it’s a compelling and well-executed one. Recommended.

Max and Pip have a toddler called Dylan. Sadly he has been diagnosed with a brain tumour of which surgeons couldn't remove all off. Then they are given the devastating news that the Timor is growing again. There is nothing more the surgeons can do but give him palitive care and make sure that he is pain free. Max, not wanting to give up on his son, researches the disease, hoping to find a cure for his son. He finds that it can be treated in America. But first he has to take the hospital to court so that they will keep Dykan alive until they get to America.

This book reminded me so much about Charlie Gard, a young boy from England whose parents fought to keep their young son alive so that he could be treated in America. My heart was on my sleeve reading the first half of this book. I couldn't get through it quick enough. The second half has a duel storyline. The first being Pip's senario, she just wanted the palitive care for her son, she did not want to see him suffer any longer than necessary. Max's story is where his where the court grants him his wish to take Dylan to America to receive more treatment. The senario sare told in alternative chapters and at times, this was quite confusing. Though they are both written about beautifully. If the author had stuck to one conclusion, this would have been a 5⭐️ read.

I would like to thank NetGalley, Little Brown Book Group UK and the author Clare Mackintosh for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Totally engrossing, brilliantly constructed and beautifully written, this book cannot fail to move and haunt the reader. It is any parent's worst nightmare to have a child become so gravely ill that they need intensive care and may not survive despite all that modern medical science can achieve. And, if death is thwarted, what of the quality of life remaining? Clare Mackintosh puts us into the shoes of one couple facing that nightmare, and through them we experience some of the possible consequences of the situations and decisions that need to be made. When you want the best for your child, just what is that best? And with a child who needs everything you've got, what is left for each other? It is a brave and carefully researched story, which is both entertaining and thought-provoking. I cannot recommend it enough.

After the end by Clare Mackintosh should come with a waterproof mascara and a huge box of tissues, There aren’t many books that made me bawl my eyes out like this one did, in fact it’s rare for a book to have such an extraordinary impact on me! This book is heartbreaking, moving, tragic, a powerful story of love, grief and life-changing decisions. After The End is one of those rare books that you will haunt you long after you reached the last page. It’s one that will find you questioning what you would do if you found yourself in a similar situation.

Thank you to Netgalley and Little Brown Group for an advanced reading copy in exchange for an honest review and feedback. I've really enjoyed Clare's other 3 books so immediately requested this book without reading the blurb. Once I received approval I wasn't sure whether I'd enjoy it as it's not the normal type I'd book I would go for, but it was fantastic. It was such a compelling and difficult story told with sensitivity. However you still felt the raw emotions and consequences of the characters struggles.