"Grief is just love looking for a place to settle." ~ pg. 304
Clover Brooks was exposed to death at age five. She witnessed her kindergarten teacher drop dead and lost both parents. After her grandfather who raised her dies alone, Clover becomes a death doula. She ushers people peacefully through the end of life. And she does it well. Maybe too well.
Clover spends so much time with the dying that she doesn't have time to live herself. Until a feisty old woman's dying wish encourages Clover to chase a love story. The cross-country trip allows Clover to reflect on romance, friendship and what she really wants out of her own life.
"Be cautiously reckless." ~ pg. 268
Even though The Collected Regrets of Clover is told in a heartwarming tone, the topic of death is heavy. It surrounds Clover and consumes her thoughts, actions and feelings. The most unique part of her job as a death doula is notating last messages of clients as they were dying, which fall into one of three categories: advice, regrets or confessions. I won't spoil the novel any further but romance works itself into the picture too.
"Was it possible that our encounter on the library steps was...a meet-cute?" ~ pg. 34
The Collected Regrets of Clover was highly recommended by a Bookheart. She never steers me wrong with fiction so I knew this would be a page-turner. What I didn't expect was for onions to be cut up and for my eyes to sweat. This novel dealt with grief in such a unique way that was unexpected and greatly explored. It is written so beautifully clever!
There is a reason The Collected Regrets of Clover was nominated for two (2) Goodreads Choice Awards: Best Debut Novel and Best Fiction in 2023. Don't sleep on this one, Bookhearts! Read it now; you won't regret it. In the meantime, I will be on the lookout for more books by Mikki Brammer since this debut earned every bit of 5 🖤.
Author: Mikki Brammer
Published: May 2023
Pages: 314
Edition: eBook
Genre: Chick Lit
Rating: 🖤 🖤 🖤 🖤 🖤
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