This was an extremely emotional drama that really made me think. Impressive character development along with a fascinating storyline make this book a success.

Often stories about premature death can be a bit paint-by-numbers, but what I liked about this novel is that it wasn't like that at all. Sylvia (who meets her more straightforward husband, a vet, when she brings in her pug named 'Ted'- get it)? is a complex woman long before her breast cancer diagnosis, and that doesn't change after it. She has an eating disorder that troubles her all her life with a few exceptions for her pregnancies, sometimes behaves in vain and self-centred ways that most people would be able to recognise in themselves, and deals with a family trauma not by becoming a saintly mum, but by smoking fags and drinking a lot of terrible pub Chardonnay (we've all been there)! Sylvia is not always likeable and there is a suggestion that she may have contributed to the main trauma that changed her future relationships with her other family members (and definitely contributed to another lesser rift involving her husband and sister) but in both cases, it doesn't actually make you like her less that she's done some things that are potentially destructive to others. I couldn't put this down and felt as though Sylvia was a real person - to the extent that I also found myself missing her! Five stars.

For When I’m Gone is a beautiful book. It reminded me quite a bit of Cecelia Ahern’s PS I Love You. It’s full of emotion and quite hard hitting at times. The writing was good and flowed easily. Have the tissues ready. This book will make you cry but in a good way as you realise what there is left to live when a person’s life is taken too early and all they’re concerned about is taking care of those they’re leaving behind.

Thank you so much Rebecca Ley and Orion Books for the privilege of reading and reviewing For When I'm Gone. This book is utterly unputdownable, and will no doubt bring you to tears. This is the story of Sylvia, a young mother married to a vet happily enjoying her life when she receives a diagnoses of breast cancer. Knowing she will soon die she finds ways to say goodbye to her loved ones. Sylvia takes you one the story of her life, as she battles through the disease. A heart wrenching, funny and poignant read that will stay with you for a long time.

An emotional read, you will need tissues, however at the same time it is uplifting and full of hope despite the subject matter of a young woman with cancer finding ways to say her goodbye to her family. A heart wrenching read but also full of humour as Sylvia is a normal not perfect mum, a poignant read that will remain with you long after you finish it.

Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for a free copy for an honest opinion

Because there's never enough time to say goodbye...

Sylvia knows that time is running out and with a husband and two children to leave behind, she begins to write her husband Paul, a handbook for when she's gone - details of what to do with their two children, pointers on how to raise them, what they eat, how he should act and also everything she should have told him before it’s too late.

Sylvia wasn’t the perfect mother, far from it, but we see a side to her that I wasn’t expecting and that is her secret, one she has saved right for the very last few pages and it is one that might just change everything - though I won’t spoil it!

Undoubtedly an issue that will have touched most of us and as sad a read as it is, I found it quite uplifting in parts too!

Thanks to Netgalley for a preview of this book. It was a beautiful read. It is honestly one of the most heartbreaking reads . You will cry so much when reading this book & feel every emotion that the characters feel. I cannot recommend this book enough. It is brilliant.

This is a very emotional book but in spite of the need for tissues it is well worth reading. Don't miss it

A heartbreaking read which kept me wanting to keep reading more to wanting to sit there crying for the suffering and heartbreak cancer brings to the life’s of families.
Beautifully written and although have the tissues at the ready, I highly recommend.

Such an emotional and inspiring book!
It chronicles the main character's (Sylvia's) life changing breast cancer diagnosis and eventually passing. She's a mother, wife, daughter,sister whose life is cut short due to this awful disease.
It deals with such harrowing issues like, how can you come to terms with such a thing, how do you prepare your loved ones for when you leave them, and what do you do while you're waiting to die?
Sylvia writes a manual for her husband Paul to help guide him through single parenthood to her children, Jude and Megan, highlighting all aspects of their life and the domesticity of family life. In doing so it helps Sylvia come to terms with several issues and eventually reveal a secret to her husband.
A heartbreaking yet important read that will resonate with anyone who has lost a relative due to cancer and any other illness.
While it's a serious subject it's definitely not depressing, and leave you with a lasting impression of resilience and hope.

Absolutely loved this book. It is an emotional rollercoaster of a story that gives you all the feels.
We meet Sylvia, who unfortunately has a terminal illness and she has decided to write her husband Paul - a manual of how to look after the family. She decides in order to do this though she needs to tell him all her secrets. These help him understand relationships in her family.
The book goes from now to then and back, it is written beautifully keeping you captivated.
It really pulls on the heart strings at times and makes you hug your loved ones tighter.
Really enjoyed this book and will definitely look out for more titles from Rebecca Ley.

A heartbreaking read which kept me wanting to keep reading more to wanting to sit there crying for the suffering and heartbreak cancer brings to the life’s of families.
Beautifully written and although have the tissues at the ready, I highly recommend.