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Before I Go
Daisy never asks you to feel sorry for her.
Daisy is 27-years-old and has only months to live. And, each day, she's finding her way through what needs to be done.
Her major worry is what her wonderful, charming husband, Jack, will do without her. She knows that he won't take care of himself so Daisy has to do it for him. As she searches for Jack's next wife, she begins to realise that her plan to ensure Jack's happiness is much more complicated than she expected.
Life-affirming, authentic, funny and heartbreakingly beautiful, Before I Go is all about love.
Daisy is 27-years-old and has only months to live. And, each day, she's finding her way through what needs to be done.
Her major worry is what her wonderful, charming husband, Jack, will do without her. She knows that he won't take care of himself so Daisy has to do it for him. As she searches for Jack's next wife, she begins to realise that her plan to ensure Jack's happiness is much more complicated than she expected.
Life-affirming, authentic, funny and heartbreakingly beautiful, Before I Go is all about love.
309 pages, Paperback
First published January 6, 2015
592 people are currently reading
20.7k people want to read
About the author
Colleen Oakley
10books2,110followersColleen Oakley is the USA Today bestselling author of The Mostly True Story of Tanner & Louise, The Invisible Husband of Frick Island, You Were There Too and other unconventional love stories. Her books have been translated into more than 20 languages around the world, lauded by numerous magazines including People, Us Weekly, Library Journal, and Real Simple, and won multiple awards including Georgia Author of the Year. Her sixth novel Jane and Dan at the End of the World will be published by Berkley in March 2025 and has been named a most anticipated book by People, Brit & Co, BookBub, Zibby Media, NerdDaily, SheKnows, The AJC and more!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,568 reviews
April 4, 2016
I'm glad I'm easy pleased with nice contemporary simple stories. This made me feel good, sad, anxious, upset and hopeful. My eyes welled up at the end and my heart beat a little faster.
What a great debut for an author, the writing was good, the story set out from month to month, and a lovely last chapter entitled 'Jack'.
I did in the middle third feel the book was headed down a cliched track, but it did not continue there and I rate this a definite 4 stars.
Daisy (I love when a protagonists name is one that fully suits a character, and this it did) is a lovely young woman who decides she must find her special husband a new 'wife' for when her cancer will inevitably claim her life. She made me so mad as I watched her do this, as I felt she was wasting time, but this is good story telling - I was invested!
I'm lucky Sydney is experiencing some crazy high temp days (think 40C degrees) and lucky I have ducted a/c and equally as lucky my little man has a three hour day sleep. My crazy family life didn't collude for a change as I loved this last two days of reading. An easy satisfying one at that. I'll be keeping an eye out for Colleen Oakley.
What a great debut for an author, the writing was good, the story set out from month to month, and a lovely last chapter entitled 'Jack'.
I did in the middle third feel the book was headed down a cliched track, but it did not continue there and I rate this a definite 4 stars.
Daisy (I love when a protagonists name is one that fully suits a character, and this it did) is a lovely young woman who decides she must find her special husband a new 'wife' for when her cancer will inevitably claim her life. She made me so mad as I watched her do this, as I felt she was wasting time, but this is good story telling - I was invested!
I'm lucky Sydney is experiencing some crazy high temp days (think 40C degrees) and lucky I have ducted a/c and equally as lucky my little man has a three hour day sleep. My crazy family life didn't collude for a change as I loved this last two days of reading. An easy satisfying one at that. I'll be keeping an eye out for Colleen Oakley.
April 17, 2015
is a standalone, women's fiction novel written by author . The book synopsis is surprisingly thorough and that surprised me. I mean, why include so many spoilers for readers? Well, after finishing the book, I figure it's because is more about the emotions than it is the story. The reader follows the main character on a heartbreaking emotional journey that feels all too real. I cried, I worried and grieved, and then I cried again. It was a lot. But the moral of this story is an important one. Spend quality time with those you care about. Communicate what's important to you. Let go of the stress and busyness of life and enjoy what you have while you have it because no one is guaranteed tomorrow. was effective in reminding me of this fact, and I would recommend this book (and a large box of Kleenex) for this reason.
My favorite quote:
"'A cancer diagnosis can be particularly stressful, but I find it's all about perspective. I mean, we're all dying aren't we? I could walk out of here and get hit by a bus this evening. Really, none of us have any control over when we die, and that's the frightening part. The loss of control.' He smiles, obviously proud that he brought his lecture full circle while I grind my bones further into the seat to keep from screaming. If I've learned anything from Patrick so far, it's that there's nothing more patronizing than someone who is not dying telling someone who is how to feel about it. And why do people always say they could get hit by a bus? Like life is just one big game of Frogger, and people are getting struck left and right by dangerous city transport."
My favorite quote:
"'A cancer diagnosis can be particularly stressful, but I find it's all about perspective. I mean, we're all dying aren't we? I could walk out of here and get hit by a bus this evening. Really, none of us have any control over when we die, and that's the frightening part. The loss of control.' He smiles, obviously proud that he brought his lecture full circle while I grind my bones further into the seat to keep from screaming. If I've learned anything from Patrick so far, it's that there's nothing more patronizing than someone who is not dying telling someone who is how to feel about it. And why do people always say they could get hit by a bus? Like life is just one big game of Frogger, and people are getting struck left and right by dangerous city transport."
December 20, 2015
3.5 Stars
BEFORE I GO is a heartbreaking read about the dreaded and devastating disease of cancer to a young woman only twenty-seven years old, and her wish to find husband Jack a new wife before her demise.
As Daisy fights her disease, and solicits best friend (crazy) Kayleigh (who, by the way, has the worst possible taste in men) to join forces seeking out the best candidates, all does not go as expected, with a little surprising twist, and one reader who was glad to see author did not take the obvious route to conclusion.
This debut novel pulled me in right from the start, and despite a bit of a lull here and there delivers a great message, ends with a promise and a last chapter entitled Jack that did indeed bring tears to my eyes prompting the round up to 4 Stars.
Look forward to more from Coleen Oakley!
October 11, 2016
I had zero expectations regarding this pretty paperback copy of "before i go." It was merely easy to grab off my shelf as I left for the airport. I think it's a disservice to any book to read a few pages, whenever you find time, but so it was, until I returned home and could settle into it.
Colleen Oakley's writing seemed to flow comfortably from one page to the next. She approached the subject of death so uniquely, bringing out a myriad of emotions in me: laughter, frustration, anger, separated with bouts of tears. I found myself becoming involved with the characters, sincerely caring about each one and their own personal journey through this difficult time.
In reflection, this book had more depth to it than what first appeared to be an easy, casual read. It's made me reexamine my own mortality and of those I hold dear. It touched me more than I was prepared for.
I look forward to more books by this author, and I most definitely recommend this book...with a tissue or two handy.
Colleen Oakley's writing seemed to flow comfortably from one page to the next. She approached the subject of death so uniquely, bringing out a myriad of emotions in me: laughter, frustration, anger, separated with bouts of tears. I found myself becoming involved with the characters, sincerely caring about each one and their own personal journey through this difficult time.
In reflection, this book had more depth to it than what first appeared to be an easy, casual read. It's made me reexamine my own mortality and of those I hold dear. It touched me more than I was prepared for.
I look forward to more books by this author, and I most definitely recommend this book...with a tissue or two handy.
March 21, 2025
Well...I satisfied something I have not done before. I read all an author’s books. This was her debut novel.
It was described as heart-wrenching, and I would say they were right.
But...It is how it is written that makes it touching.
And...As a reader you have to be willing to take the plunge to read the story with an open heart and mind�
Thus...Be prepared to feel the emotions of the characters as we all venture on this emotional journey.
Because...How many of us have not been touched by cancer in some way?
As a reader...
Allow yourself the opportunity to experience it through Daisy, and when you do, you will most likely say this book is�
Thought-provoking, introspective, and yes, heartbreaking�
But...A beautiful story, still the same.
It was described as heart-wrenching, and I would say they were right.
But...It is how it is written that makes it touching.
And...As a reader you have to be willing to take the plunge to read the story with an open heart and mind�
Thus...Be prepared to feel the emotions of the characters as we all venture on this emotional journey.
Because...How many of us have not been touched by cancer in some way?
As a reader...
Allow yourself the opportunity to experience it through Daisy, and when you do, you will most likely say this book is�
Thought-provoking, introspective, and yes, heartbreaking�
But...A beautiful story, still the same.
July 15, 2015
Heartbreaking........
BEFORE I GO is a serious book about a tragic disease. If light and fluffy is your thing then look elsewhere. If you can handle a well written emotional story that makes you wonder if you could handle a situation like this, then read this story! You won't be sorry! I finished Daisy's story with tears in my eyes and a huge lump in my throat that would not go away. And then my heart was shredded, broken in a million pieces. The last chapter came and it was Jack talking, not Daisy. Every single one of those million pieces broke into even tinier pieces and I cried like I haven't cried in years. I finished the book, crying, turned off my Ipad, still crying, and started to cry harder than before. I'm looking forward to reading more by Colleen Oakley!
Note: I received this book free from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
BEFORE I GO is a serious book about a tragic disease. If light and fluffy is your thing then look elsewhere. If you can handle a well written emotional story that makes you wonder if you could handle a situation like this, then read this story! You won't be sorry! I finished Daisy's story with tears in my eyes and a huge lump in my throat that would not go away. And then my heart was shredded, broken in a million pieces. The last chapter came and it was Jack talking, not Daisy. Every single one of those million pieces broke into even tinier pieces and I cried like I haven't cried in years. I finished the book, crying, turned off my Ipad, still crying, and started to cry harder than before. I'm looking forward to reading more by Colleen Oakley!
Note: I received this book free from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
December 18, 2014
Before I Go is an emotional debut novel about a 27-year old named Daisy. Daisy has survived breast cancer at the young age of 24, and on the eve of her "Cancerversary" she finds out that she has "Lots of Cancer". After her yearly checkup, her doctor discovers that her cancer is aggressive and she may have only a few months to live. After considering life after her death, she decides finding her husband a new wife is how she will focus her time.
So... where to start? Let's begin with Daisy. Daisy is one of the character types that rises to the occasion. She sees problems and fixes them. This makes her the perfect candidate for her veterinarian husband who often leaves his socks in piles on the floor, or would probbly eat cereal at every meal if she weren't around. After she's given her diagnosis, Daisy realizes he will be severely handicapped and unable to fend for his self. This is how she rationalizes trolling cafes, dating sites, and other various places to find her husband a wife. Before long, this plan isn't as easy to take on as she expects.
Initially, what made me so interested in this title is that most people couldn't bear to see their significant others look at someone else, let alone, search for that someone else for them. I started thinking if I were to leave the world prematurely, but with an expiration date in mind, how would I like to spend those days, months, years. Would I worry about the after "Lots of Cancer" or would I focus on being happy. Living in the moment. Worrying about where my next laugh would come from instead of battling jealousy in my husband's potential mates.
Colleen Oakley allows us to take an emotional journey with a woman who needs more to let go and just be happy, as opposed to finding her husband a wife. Oakley writes a likable enough character. I just grew agitated with her shifting between jealousy and determination in reference to finding her husband a wife instead of living that life.
Although Before I Go is a debut, and at moments it shows, Daisy's voice allows book snobs to still enjoy this heartfelt read. The pages just fly by with the hope of finding out Daisy's outcome yet dread that it may come to an end. No I will not give away the ending except to say... YOU MUST READ IT!!! No spoilers here.
In conclusion, Before I Go by Colleen Oakley is a worthwhile debut that will have readers question just how easy it really is to let go and move on. Most importantly, it begs the question what is more important when life has an accelerated expiration date. Your own happiness or those you'll leave behind.
Copy Provided by Gallery, Threshold, Pocket Books via Netgalley
So... where to start? Let's begin with Daisy. Daisy is one of the character types that rises to the occasion. She sees problems and fixes them. This makes her the perfect candidate for her veterinarian husband who often leaves his socks in piles on the floor, or would probbly eat cereal at every meal if she weren't around. After she's given her diagnosis, Daisy realizes he will be severely handicapped and unable to fend for his self. This is how she rationalizes trolling cafes, dating sites, and other various places to find her husband a wife. Before long, this plan isn't as easy to take on as she expects.
Initially, what made me so interested in this title is that most people couldn't bear to see their significant others look at someone else, let alone, search for that someone else for them. I started thinking if I were to leave the world prematurely, but with an expiration date in mind, how would I like to spend those days, months, years. Would I worry about the after "Lots of Cancer" or would I focus on being happy. Living in the moment. Worrying about where my next laugh would come from instead of battling jealousy in my husband's potential mates.
Colleen Oakley allows us to take an emotional journey with a woman who needs more to let go and just be happy, as opposed to finding her husband a wife. Oakley writes a likable enough character. I just grew agitated with her shifting between jealousy and determination in reference to finding her husband a wife instead of living that life.
Although Before I Go is a debut, and at moments it shows, Daisy's voice allows book snobs to still enjoy this heartfelt read. The pages just fly by with the hope of finding out Daisy's outcome yet dread that it may come to an end. No I will not give away the ending except to say... YOU MUST READ IT!!! No spoilers here.
In conclusion, Before I Go by Colleen Oakley is a worthwhile debut that will have readers question just how easy it really is to let go and move on. Most importantly, it begs the question what is more important when life has an accelerated expiration date. Your own happiness or those you'll leave behind.
Copy Provided by Gallery, Threshold, Pocket Books via Netgalley
January 11, 2015
Daisy has been cancer free for more than three years. She's been really conscious about taking care of herself, but it doesn't stop the cancer from coming back. As her four year 'Cancerversary' approaches, she finds out that her breast cancer has returned. But this time it's spread throughout her body and she's given less than a year to live.
It's her husband Jack, a vet student, that she's most worried about. Daisy fears he won't be able to function on his own. He's busy with school, selfish and unable to do most things for himself. She toys around with the idea of finding him someone to love when she's gone. But, when reality hits and they start pushing each other away, it's too much for her to handle.
It was a struggle for me to get through this book. There were so many times I wanted to give up. And probably would have, had I not been given a copy in exchange for an honest review. I expected this to be a heartbreaking and emotional read, but honestly I was bored. I didn't connect with either of the characters or even feel the connection between them as a couple. It made it hard to get invested in the story and to care about what they were going through. This book just wasn't for me.
*Complimentary copy provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.*
It's her husband Jack, a vet student, that she's most worried about. Daisy fears he won't be able to function on his own. He's busy with school, selfish and unable to do most things for himself. She toys around with the idea of finding him someone to love when she's gone. But, when reality hits and they start pushing each other away, it's too much for her to handle.
It was a struggle for me to get through this book. There were so many times I wanted to give up. And probably would have, had I not been given a copy in exchange for an honest review. I expected this to be a heartbreaking and emotional read, but honestly I was bored. I didn't connect with either of the characters or even feel the connection between them as a couple. It made it hard to get invested in the story and to care about what they were going through. This book just wasn't for me.
*Complimentary copy provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.*
September 28, 2017
I dived into the pages of this book with so much excitement and glee, I had been wanting to read it for a while after snagging it from NetGalley and was gearing myself up for heart lurching moments, tears even and a few sniffles.
Sometimes what you expect to get is nowhere near it and you feel a bit ripped off and want your money back.
Daisy and Jack are a young couple, happily married for years and then Daisy developed breast cancer and BEAT that darn cancer until it was all gone. It made them closer, it gave them strength to know they can beat anything in the future.
Life goes on in a very normal sort of way, until one day Daisy hears the worst news she could ever imagine and the world jut stops for a moment.
Daisy has stage IV breast cancer back as well as other tumours including a large one on the base of her skull. The outlook is not good, she is pretty much, going to die. Treatment will only prolong her life somewhat.
Here is where the book started to confuse me. Quite suddenly Jack is pulling away from Daisy, as in almost NO comfort at all to her, working late, avoiding connections, I was so angry at him as a character, I felt he was weak, selfish and pathetic.
Yes, I get he was feeling the grief too, but you MAN UP for your woman when she only has months to live, you don't start ignoring her in her own home.
Daisy, being so nice and all, decides it's her mission to find a new wife to replace her once she has gone for Jack, so goes on a bit of a wife-hunt. The book got very unbelievable at this point and I felt the seriousness of the subject was being squashed. There is a twist here and there around this part of the book which I thought was quite good but in real life I am not sure how realistic it would be.
It didn't mix for me those parts of the book. She ignores her hubby forgetting who she is and is bored pottering around the house and having naps. I wanted to have sympathy for her for the cancer path is horrid and awful, I have seen it many times, but some of her choices and actions (that were written for her to act out) were just very silly and not of importance.
It's an easy read but I felt it did not flow and was a touch bored in places. Both main characters annoyed me and I think SO much more could have been done to make the story of this book just amazing. The ending for me just fell flat, not an ounce of emotion stirred in me. That was disappointing.
Not an awful book but certainly has room for improvement but if you like a chick-lit style book with a serious edge, you might enjoy this one. It was an okay book that was read quickly but will be forgotten just as fast.
I received a copy of this book thanks to the publishers via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Sometimes what you expect to get is nowhere near it and you feel a bit ripped off and want your money back.
Daisy and Jack are a young couple, happily married for years and then Daisy developed breast cancer and BEAT that darn cancer until it was all gone. It made them closer, it gave them strength to know they can beat anything in the future.
Life goes on in a very normal sort of way, until one day Daisy hears the worst news she could ever imagine and the world jut stops for a moment.
Daisy has stage IV breast cancer back as well as other tumours including a large one on the base of her skull. The outlook is not good, she is pretty much, going to die. Treatment will only prolong her life somewhat.
Here is where the book started to confuse me. Quite suddenly Jack is pulling away from Daisy, as in almost NO comfort at all to her, working late, avoiding connections, I was so angry at him as a character, I felt he was weak, selfish and pathetic.
Yes, I get he was feeling the grief too, but you MAN UP for your woman when she only has months to live, you don't start ignoring her in her own home.
Daisy, being so nice and all, decides it's her mission to find a new wife to replace her once she has gone for Jack, so goes on a bit of a wife-hunt. The book got very unbelievable at this point and I felt the seriousness of the subject was being squashed. There is a twist here and there around this part of the book which I thought was quite good but in real life I am not sure how realistic it would be.
It didn't mix for me those parts of the book. She ignores her hubby forgetting who she is and is bored pottering around the house and having naps. I wanted to have sympathy for her for the cancer path is horrid and awful, I have seen it many times, but some of her choices and actions (that were written for her to act out) were just very silly and not of importance.
It's an easy read but I felt it did not flow and was a touch bored in places. Both main characters annoyed me and I think SO much more could have been done to make the story of this book just amazing. The ending for me just fell flat, not an ounce of emotion stirred in me. That was disappointing.
Not an awful book but certainly has room for improvement but if you like a chick-lit style book with a serious edge, you might enjoy this one. It was an okay book that was read quickly but will be forgotten just as fast.
I received a copy of this book thanks to the publishers via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
January 25, 2015
Death is hard to talk about, hard to write about and hard to read about. Oakley has somehow made it a little easier with touches of humour found in the everyday. Daisy reminisces about her past, in a happy way, throughout the story.
I would say that most people have been touched by cancer in one way or another.
This book really resonated with me as I’m the Kayleigh. My best friend having lost her battle with cancer I can understand a lot of Daisy’s reactions as they were similar to my friend’s reactions. Not wanting to tell people, as they would then treat her differently. Hating people fussing over her. Saying “I’m fine�, when clearly she wasn’t. We made sure we spent extra time together but we never spoke of our feelings, just all the things we would do “when she got better�. Just like Daisy I think the denial part is human nature. I wonder if I had read this book first would I have said or done anything differently.
I thought I would be hopelessly sobbing through the whole book but it’s not until the last couple of chapters that the tears started flowing. Oakley has done a marvellous job of writing about a very difficult subject.
With thanks to Allen & Unwin for my ARC to read and review.
I would say that most people have been touched by cancer in one way or another.
This book really resonated with me as I’m the Kayleigh. My best friend having lost her battle with cancer I can understand a lot of Daisy’s reactions as they were similar to my friend’s reactions. Not wanting to tell people, as they would then treat her differently. Hating people fussing over her. Saying “I’m fine�, when clearly she wasn’t. We made sure we spent extra time together but we never spoke of our feelings, just all the things we would do “when she got better�. Just like Daisy I think the denial part is human nature. I wonder if I had read this book first would I have said or done anything differently.
I thought I would be hopelessly sobbing through the whole book but it’s not until the last couple of chapters that the tears started flowing. Oakley has done a marvellous job of writing about a very difficult subject.
With thanks to Allen & Unwin for my ARC to read and review.
March 7, 2017
Delighted to discover this new Atlanta southern author, Colleen Oakley! If this is a debut, can't wait to see what is next.
BEFORE I GO is a poignant, novel of love and loss, mixed with humor and emotion, keeping you glued to the pages, to learn the fate of lovable Daisy.
Daisy Richmond is still in her twenties, and has had cancer before; she and her much-loved husband, Jack have gotten past the fear and each year they celebrate another year of cancer-free remission.
Jack is a veterinary student and will be graduating soon. The couple has big plans to create a family with dreams for the future, as most young married couples.
When Daisy receives the devastating news her cancer has returned, they will not be celebrating. She begins worrying how Jack will survive without her in his life, for the future. She is very organized and runs a tight household, and has always been there for Jack in every way.
She becomes obsessed with finding Jack his next wife. While she is going through her fears, and concerns, trying all sorts of trial drugs and therapy to extend her life; instead of enjoying her precious time with her husband, she is moody and withdrawn, while addicted to finding the perfect replacement wife. When things start looking like her plan is working, she gets afraid, jealous and possessive.
Colleen delivers a beautiful and emotional novel, with nice character development, characters you care about, and enough suspense to keep readers guessing what is up, with Jack. She creates the right amount of humor mixed with the tragedy and illness, told with compassion. I enjoyed the sassy and honest relationship with her best friend, Kayleigh-a nice touch; and a likable and supportive husband.
While personally understanding the emotions surrounding cancer, as my mom has been battling for a year with ups and down with chemo, treatment, side effects, complications, and not always receiving the hopeful and positive news from ongoing scans and tests. A thought-provoking takeaway for readers, to treasure time with loved ones, while we can.
A riveting and compelling debut, fans of The Replacement Wife, by Eileen Goudge, as well as authors, Jojo Moyes, Kaira Rouda, Jane Green, Elizabeth Hein, Emily Giffin, Jennifer Weiner, and Liane Moriarty will enjoy Oakley's unique style, with insights into today’s contemporary women, marriage, and relationships. Highly recommend, and look forward to reading more!
A special thank you to Gallery, Threshold, Pocket Books and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
BEFORE I GO is a poignant, novel of love and loss, mixed with humor and emotion, keeping you glued to the pages, to learn the fate of lovable Daisy.
Daisy Richmond is still in her twenties, and has had cancer before; she and her much-loved husband, Jack have gotten past the fear and each year they celebrate another year of cancer-free remission.
Jack is a veterinary student and will be graduating soon. The couple has big plans to create a family with dreams for the future, as most young married couples.
When Daisy receives the devastating news her cancer has returned, they will not be celebrating. She begins worrying how Jack will survive without her in his life, for the future. She is very organized and runs a tight household, and has always been there for Jack in every way.
She becomes obsessed with finding Jack his next wife. While she is going through her fears, and concerns, trying all sorts of trial drugs and therapy to extend her life; instead of enjoying her precious time with her husband, she is moody and withdrawn, while addicted to finding the perfect replacement wife. When things start looking like her plan is working, she gets afraid, jealous and possessive.
Colleen delivers a beautiful and emotional novel, with nice character development, characters you care about, and enough suspense to keep readers guessing what is up, with Jack. She creates the right amount of humor mixed with the tragedy and illness, told with compassion. I enjoyed the sassy and honest relationship with her best friend, Kayleigh-a nice touch; and a likable and supportive husband.
While personally understanding the emotions surrounding cancer, as my mom has been battling for a year with ups and down with chemo, treatment, side effects, complications, and not always receiving the hopeful and positive news from ongoing scans and tests. A thought-provoking takeaway for readers, to treasure time with loved ones, while we can.
A riveting and compelling debut, fans of The Replacement Wife, by Eileen Goudge, as well as authors, Jojo Moyes, Kaira Rouda, Jane Green, Elizabeth Hein, Emily Giffin, Jennifer Weiner, and Liane Moriarty will enjoy Oakley's unique style, with insights into today’s contemporary women, marriage, and relationships. Highly recommend, and look forward to reading more!
A special thank you to Gallery, Threshold, Pocket Books and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
August 9, 2015
This is a really well written book. Daisy's cancer has come back and has been told she might live 6 months. Just in time to see her husband Jack graduate from veterinarian school. Daisy is a list maker and one of those items is to find Jack a new wife so he won't be left alone.
This book hit a little close to home for me. I'm an 8 year breast cancer survivor. I was lucky that the cancer had clear margins and didn't go to my lymph nodes so there is a 99% chance it won't come back. Daisy's first cancer went to her lymph nodes so she had a good chance of it coming back. Daisy is a confident person who just wants to make sure everything is in order once she is gone especially making sure her husband is okay and taken care of. She thinks he needs someone to take care of him. I think this is a distraction for her from the cancer and dying and gives her something to do even though deep down it isn't what she wants to happen.
I really liked Daisy and Jack and her friend Kayleigh. I thought they had a great relationship and it was sad to see her trying to ruin what they had for the last few months she was alive. I wanted to reach in and shake Daisy. Remind her that what she has with Jack is something special and that she needs to spend what time she had left with Jack as much as possible.
Even if you haven't had cancer like me, this is well worth the read. It is so beautifully written and will pull the reader right into the lives of the characters. The reader will care a lot for Daisy and it's so sad to know that she won't live for very long. She is a great character. At the end you wish that Daisy and Jack can live a long and healthy life together.
I received this book through my ŷ group Life as a Book Addict via the publisher.
This book hit a little close to home for me. I'm an 8 year breast cancer survivor. I was lucky that the cancer had clear margins and didn't go to my lymph nodes so there is a 99% chance it won't come back. Daisy's first cancer went to her lymph nodes so she had a good chance of it coming back. Daisy is a confident person who just wants to make sure everything is in order once she is gone especially making sure her husband is okay and taken care of. She thinks he needs someone to take care of him. I think this is a distraction for her from the cancer and dying and gives her something to do even though deep down it isn't what she wants to happen.
I really liked Daisy and Jack and her friend Kayleigh. I thought they had a great relationship and it was sad to see her trying to ruin what they had for the last few months she was alive. I wanted to reach in and shake Daisy. Remind her that what she has with Jack is something special and that she needs to spend what time she had left with Jack as much as possible.
Even if you haven't had cancer like me, this is well worth the read. It is so beautifully written and will pull the reader right into the lives of the characters. The reader will care a lot for Daisy and it's so sad to know that she won't live for very long. She is a great character. At the end you wish that Daisy and Jack can live a long and healthy life together.
I received this book through my ŷ group Life as a Book Addict via the publisher.
December 27, 2014
Cancer is a wicked 6 letter word that can change living in fantasy to quickly living in reality. Before I Go is the journey of Daisy a cancer survivor whose cancer has come back that train wrecks her, her marriage, her dreams, and her friendships. Told in Daisy’s voice, you get the sense of the loneliness, the lack of control that cancer brings to everyone in its tracks. Daisy who is a type a personality, who lives by the list and lives by I can fix it mode suddenly finds she is not living period. Her need to control takes the reader on journey of the anxiety it creates it her life and her journey to accept it. Her marriage to Jack is strong, but is it strong enough as two of them fight their own battles that cancer has waged.
The character development is so good. Daisy goes back to her past with her own family, the death of her father and how her mother coped, you can see how that plays a big part in Daisy’s story. What she discovers about herself and trusting those that care for her the most. It’s a story that will stay with you and give you some understanding of the reality of what war some are waging in fighting cancer.
A special thank you, Gallery Books
and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
The character development is so good. Daisy goes back to her past with her own family, the death of her father and how her mother coped, you can see how that plays a big part in Daisy’s story. What she discovers about herself and trusting those that care for her the most. It’s a story that will stay with you and give you some understanding of the reality of what war some are waging in fighting cancer.
A special thank you, Gallery Books
and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
July 7, 2019
Daisy’nin, ‘kocamın ben öldükten sonraki eşini bulma� durumunu neden yaptığını anlamaya çalışsam da çok hoşuma gittiğini söyleyemeyeceğim. Ama böyle bir durumla karşı karşıya kalmadıkça, Daisy’nin hastalığını öğrenir öğrenmez neden böyle bir karar aldığını anlamak mümkün değil. O da ‘ölüyor olmakla� böyle bir amaçla, sevdiğini mutlu etmeye çalışarak, kendini rahatlatarak başa çıkmaya çalıştı sanırım. Ama tabii bunun düşündüğü kadar kolay olmadığını da görmüş oldu.
Bence, yazar, ölmek üzere olan bir kanser hastasının bakış açısını, gelgitlerini, duygu karmaşalarını, öfkesini, kırgınlığını, küskünlüğünü, en önemlisi gizli isyanını ve bu durumla başa çıkamayışını çok güzel anlatmıştı. Kitabın genelini gözlerim dolu dolu okudum çünkü geri dönülmez ya da düzeltilemez bir durum var ortada ve kendimi Daisy yerine koydukça, çaresizliğini, öfkesini kendi içimde yaşadım. İnsan bu kitabı okurken ister istemez kalan zamanını nasıl değerlendireceğini düşünüyor, kendini sorguluyor. Sırf bu açıdan bile, biraz ön yargıyla başlamama rağmen iyi ki okudum dediğim bir kitap oldu.
Bence, yazar, ölmek üzere olan bir kanser hastasının bakış açısını, gelgitlerini, duygu karmaşalarını, öfkesini, kırgınlığını, küskünlüğünü, en önemlisi gizli isyanını ve bu durumla başa çıkamayışını çok güzel anlatmıştı. Kitabın genelini gözlerim dolu dolu okudum çünkü geri dönülmez ya da düzeltilemez bir durum var ortada ve kendimi Daisy yerine koydukça, çaresizliğini, öfkesini kendi içimde yaşadım. İnsan bu kitabı okurken ister istemez kalan zamanını nasıl değerlendireceğini düşünüyor, kendini sorguluyor. Sırf bu açıdan bile, biraz ön yargıyla başlamama rağmen iyi ki okudum dediğim bir kitap oldu.
November 16, 2016
Before I Go is a heartbreaking and honest portrayal of a woman's emotional journey through terminal cancer and the painful thoughts of leaving her husband behind without her. I felt so much while reading this book for all the characters. Thought-provoking, introspective and heartbreaking, Before I Go was a beautiful debut. I can't wait to see what Colleen Oakley writes next.
Daisy is a doer and list-maker. She thrives on control and order. Her husband, Jack, is her complete opposite in that regard. He leaves his socks beside the bed every night, spills Fruit Loops on the kitchen floor and doesn't pick them up. Messes don't really bother Jack. But Daisy and Jack complement each other. They work. Until Daisy's cancer comes back.
I want fifty years, and all I get is a few extra months? It's like asking your boss for a five-thousand-dollar raise and he nods and says, "I can give you ten cents."
After years of being cancer-free, twenty-seven year old Daisy receives some terrible news that her cancer is back and this time it's bad. It's all over her body and there really is nothing doctors can do to make it go away. All of the treatments offered will merely prolong her life. To copeDaisy throws herself into things that make her comfortable � things she can control. Her main focus becomes fixing up her house that she and Jack moved in knowing it was a fixer upper and making sure her husband doesn't live the rest of his life alone.
I cannot die.
I will not die.
Then I look over at Jack in the darkness. The comforter rises and falls in time with his slow breathing. And as much as I try to keep the thought at bay, push it out of my head as I stare at my sleeping husband, like a seasoned thief, it sneaks in anyway.
But what if I do?
The author takes you into their daily life with Daisy's kale smoothies and Jack's Fruit Loops and kisses on the cheek. The loving happy home that we see in the beginning of the novel, slowing begins to morph and change in the smallest imperceptible increments as Daisy begins to deal with mortality and her limited time on earth. Jack's nights at the veterinary school get longer. The two of them begin to drift apart.
So much through the book, I wanted to take Daisy aside and help her refocus her energy on things that would be more useful. But that's often a reflection of all of us. In life, we spend too much time worry and stressing about this and that instead of taking a step back and look at what we're neglecting. In Daisy's case it was her marriage. She was so focused on her end goal that she was blind to Jack's needs.
Daisy was a hard character for me to like, but I think that was the point. Her flaws, fierce independence, and determination propelled her to do a lot of things that I wouldn't do. I have to admit that I was annoyed with her character throughout the novel. I felt like her abrasive personality was almost too much, I wanted some fragility mixed in, but that came later. She constantly pushed Jack away, as she struggled with the inevitable period that the universe was placing on her time on earth. Her unending list of todos that would never get accomplished and the future of those she would leave behind weighed on her. Having witnessed her mother's long battle with depression after her father's death, she knew firsthand the effects of having someone you loved so deeply be ripped from you. She didn't want that for Jack, so she trudged forward trying to find someone for him.
Honestly, I'm torn with how I feel about this book. On one hand, I loved the progression of Daisy's character. I loved the emotions I felt in the latter half of the novel � extreme frustration, anger, sadness, happiness, relief. At times, I felt like I was having a panic attack right along with Daisy. I was so drawn into the story and her emotions. On the other hand, it took awhile for the story to gain momentum and to keep me completely engaged. But once I was hooked, I was in it all the way.
* I received a copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
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January 3, 2015
Before I Go is the first novel by American author, Colleen Oakley. In February, almost three years after being declared cancer-free, twenty-seven year old Daisy Richmond discovers she has won the cancer lottery twice. And this second win is the big one: she will not survive. And once she accepts that fact, she suddenly begins to worry about Jack: how will her loving but disorganised husband cope without her there to manage his life, to scratch his back where he can’t reach, to cook him meals, bear his children and save him from suffocating in a sea of discarded socks?
As Daisy narrates current events, the reaction of family and close friends to this latest news, her own progress through the stages of grief, and her secret search for a wife for Jack, the reader is given glimpses of Daisy’s earlier life: her childhood with her widowed mother, meeting Jack, her first cancer diagnosis, her career. She actually finds the woman who ticks all the boxes for what she believes Jack needs, but when they meet, things don’t quite turn out how Daisy had anticipated. Is this a case of “be careful what you wish for�.�?
Oakley touches on many topics related to cancer and death: stages of grief; the hopes raised by clinical trials; the change in priorities and perception with a terminal diagnosis; the attitude of some health professionals (“…there’s nothing more patronising than someone who is not dying telling someone who is how to feel about it.�); the labile emotions (“…for weeks now I’ve been a walking bingo cage, my emotions tumbling around on top of each other like balls of numbers and I never know which one is going to come out next.�); the gut-punch power of certain words (like “widower�).
Whether or not this is an authentic depiction of how a dying woman with a brain tumour would think and react can, of course, only be confirmed by someone in that situation, but this book will certainly elicit in the reader some consideration as well as laughter and a lump in the throat. There is plenty of humour in what could have been a sombre tale: Daisy’s inner monologue is sometimes serious, but often funny; her use of Capitals (“…now that I have Lots of Cancer…�), her vivid imagination, the banter with Jack and the honest brevity of her best friend Kayliegh, all create laugh-out-loud moments.
Oakley employs some lovely descriptive prose (“…the irreversible rush of emotions that overtakes everything when you first are falling in love. It’s like trying to stop a flood with a chain-link fence. Impossible.�) and while the characters are not all instantly appealing, and the end is predictable, the journey is enjoyable and worthwhile. Readers will look forward to more from Oakley.
With thanks to the publisher and TheReadingRoom for my copy to read and review
As Daisy narrates current events, the reaction of family and close friends to this latest news, her own progress through the stages of grief, and her secret search for a wife for Jack, the reader is given glimpses of Daisy’s earlier life: her childhood with her widowed mother, meeting Jack, her first cancer diagnosis, her career. She actually finds the woman who ticks all the boxes for what she believes Jack needs, but when they meet, things don’t quite turn out how Daisy had anticipated. Is this a case of “be careful what you wish for�.�?
Oakley touches on many topics related to cancer and death: stages of grief; the hopes raised by clinical trials; the change in priorities and perception with a terminal diagnosis; the attitude of some health professionals (“…there’s nothing more patronising than someone who is not dying telling someone who is how to feel about it.�); the labile emotions (“…for weeks now I’ve been a walking bingo cage, my emotions tumbling around on top of each other like balls of numbers and I never know which one is going to come out next.�); the gut-punch power of certain words (like “widower�).
Whether or not this is an authentic depiction of how a dying woman with a brain tumour would think and react can, of course, only be confirmed by someone in that situation, but this book will certainly elicit in the reader some consideration as well as laughter and a lump in the throat. There is plenty of humour in what could have been a sombre tale: Daisy’s inner monologue is sometimes serious, but often funny; her use of Capitals (“…now that I have Lots of Cancer…�), her vivid imagination, the banter with Jack and the honest brevity of her best friend Kayliegh, all create laugh-out-loud moments.
Oakley employs some lovely descriptive prose (“…the irreversible rush of emotions that overtakes everything when you first are falling in love. It’s like trying to stop a flood with a chain-link fence. Impossible.�) and while the characters are not all instantly appealing, and the end is predictable, the journey is enjoyable and worthwhile. Readers will look forward to more from Oakley.
With thanks to the publisher and TheReadingRoom for my copy to read and review
July 10, 2020
This is a bittersweet book, the type that's the best to read on a rainy Sunday afternoon, curled up with a blanket and a cup of hot chocolate. It's the type of book that will leave you a bit melancholy and thoughtful, and I think books like that are good for us from time to time, to remind us of this world that we live in and how fleeting some things can be.
Daisy is twenty-seven years old, and has already survived breast cancer once. She's happy, she's in love, she's in school - but then suddenly all of that is thrown into chaos when she learns that she has cancer again, and this time it's deadlier and more aggressive than before.
Reading this made me laugh, it made me sad, it made me cringe, and at the end it left me feeling kind of melancholy. It's not always an easy read, in part because the book is written so well - I could understand where Daisy was coming from, but I could understand where her husband Jack was coming from as well, and that makes for a story that has its humour, but also has moments where your heart will ache, especially if you've ever experienced knowing someone who is dealing with cancer.
The book has no easy answers, but it's not a pity fest, either - that became what I really liked about it. Many books that deal with illness can become weighted down with their own efforts to be serious, to be 'real'. This book avoids that, though, while still drawing you into Daisy and Jack's lives and their relationship, painting a picture of their obvious love for each other while they struggle to deal with Daisy's illness and what the future holds for them. I'd definitely recommend it.
Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book through Netgalley in return for an honest review.
Daisy is twenty-seven years old, and has already survived breast cancer once. She's happy, she's in love, she's in school - but then suddenly all of that is thrown into chaos when she learns that she has cancer again, and this time it's deadlier and more aggressive than before.
Reading this made me laugh, it made me sad, it made me cringe, and at the end it left me feeling kind of melancholy. It's not always an easy read, in part because the book is written so well - I could understand where Daisy was coming from, but I could understand where her husband Jack was coming from as well, and that makes for a story that has its humour, but also has moments where your heart will ache, especially if you've ever experienced knowing someone who is dealing with cancer.
The book has no easy answers, but it's not a pity fest, either - that became what I really liked about it. Many books that deal with illness can become weighted down with their own efforts to be serious, to be 'real'. This book avoids that, though, while still drawing you into Daisy and Jack's lives and their relationship, painting a picture of their obvious love for each other while they struggle to deal with Daisy's illness and what the future holds for them. I'd definitely recommend it.
Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book through Netgalley in return for an honest review.
July 25, 2016
I've had this on my Kindle for a while, since my friend Megan from Reading Books Like a Boss recommended it to me. The title seemed foreboding and I knew that I had to time this just right. I'm not afraid of sad books. In fact, I feel like I really need them sometimes. I read Before I Go through tears from the beginning to the end. Immediately you find out that Daisy, a young, happily-married woman, has cancer. This story isn't about heroically beating the odds, but rather about how a couple deals with the news and what they do with that time.
There were definitely moments when I wanted to shake both Daisy and Jack because they weren't doing things they way I wanted them to do them. As a reader, that can be quite frustrating. I've read a few books where that made me truly dislike the book. In this case, it pulled me in even deeper. I can't even explain why. The author seemed to nail the reality so perfectly that I couldn't fault the characters for acting the way they did. Both Daisy and Jack were flawed and I can imagine that they may not resonate with readers but they reminded me a bit of the characters in What Alice Forgot by Liane Moriarty. They were just so real but not always likeable. Sometimes this can backfire in a book but for me, it made me enjoy the story even more.
If you are someone who likes a good tearjerker every now and again, I would recommend this. I thought it was a well-written, quick read. I enjoyed the writing and will definitely read more from her.
There were definitely moments when I wanted to shake both Daisy and Jack because they weren't doing things they way I wanted them to do them. As a reader, that can be quite frustrating. I've read a few books where that made me truly dislike the book. In this case, it pulled me in even deeper. I can't even explain why. The author seemed to nail the reality so perfectly that I couldn't fault the characters for acting the way they did. Both Daisy and Jack were flawed and I can imagine that they may not resonate with readers but they reminded me a bit of the characters in What Alice Forgot by Liane Moriarty. They were just so real but not always likeable. Sometimes this can backfire in a book but for me, it made me enjoy the story even more.
If you are someone who likes a good tearjerker every now and again, I would recommend this. I thought it was a well-written, quick read. I enjoyed the writing and will definitely read more from her.
May 30, 2017
I wrote a lengthy review of this that ŷ failed to save properly, so I'll just try to sum it up quickly. I pushed through this book to 108 pages, but I can't finish it. Not only does this book include fat shaming, with the protagonist becoming preoccupied with her neighbor's "sausage fingers" and thinking to herself about an overweight contractor, "Is the weight of this guy going to cause our porch to buckle once and for all? Do fat people just not feel the cold?" (p.73), it also includes a graduate student of Psychology not knowing about the seven stages of grief and not caring about her mother's battle with depression. Worst of all, though, is that this same student, who is currently taking a course in gender studies, thinks that her husband will need a new wife when she dies because he is incapable of taking care of the domestic side of his life. She even contemplates just getting him a maid, but decides that wouldn't be enough because the maid couldn't offer intimacy and wouldn't be there to scratch his back in the middle of the night. It's more than a little disappointing for a book that was greatly praised as a piece of "Chick Lit" (an already problematic category) to tout as fact the sexist notion that men, even those that have PhDs like the husband in this book, are simply helpless when it comes to cooking and cleaning and, therefore, need women around to take care of them. It's fucking disgusting. I'm not even that sad that this is going down as a DNF, I'm mostly just disappointed that I wasted any time on it in the first place.
March 29, 2020
Where to begin? This one left me with so many feelings and emotions. I FELT a lot while reading this one. It was sad and nostalgic and tragic and sweet. It makes me want a happy ending and ice cream and a day at the park. It makes me dream of traveling and living and loving as I go. I admire this author and applaud her work. It's a beautiful story that deserves to be read.
May 16, 2014
*ARC provided by publisher in exchange for an honest review*
Okay, as per rules I cannot give any quotes because Before I Go won't be released until Jan 2015. But I will say a few things because my mind is reeling.
It is a must read. Perfectly executed, no unnecessary drama for the sake of it. (Which is a big thing with me. I can't stand stupid drama.) I was crying, laughing, and frustrated throughout this book. But if you've read the description that's kinda how it's supposed to be. You want the lead character (heroine) to thrive against all odds.
If you liked the following books: P.S. I Love You, The Notebook, A Walk To Remember...then definitely give this a shot.
I cried, cried, cried...and cried some more. It's heart-wrenching because almost everyone can relate to the topic in this book.
The Good, Bad, and Ugly
1) There were some places where I skipped over a page or two. I wanted more dialogue, but hey, what can you do?
2) There were times I wanted more from Daisy. I wanted her to fight for it. I wanted her to grab Jack by the collar and shout "LOVE ME" or something of that nature.
3) The ending was textbook execution. (Which I wasn't expecting.) I had a hard time reading the middle of this book. At times it felt like it went on and on, but then a new chapter would start with fresh drama, and I was so damn curious I couldn't step away.
4) It was well-written.
Minor note: She is laughing Jack. *PATS CHEST* Damn you, she is laughing!
Conclusion: 4 solid stars.
Okay, as per rules I cannot give any quotes because Before I Go won't be released until Jan 2015. But I will say a few things because my mind is reeling.
It is a must read. Perfectly executed, no unnecessary drama for the sake of it. (Which is a big thing with me. I can't stand stupid drama.) I was crying, laughing, and frustrated throughout this book. But if you've read the description that's kinda how it's supposed to be. You want the lead character (heroine) to thrive against all odds.
If you liked the following books: P.S. I Love You, The Notebook, A Walk To Remember...then definitely give this a shot.
I cried, cried, cried...and cried some more. It's heart-wrenching because almost everyone can relate to the topic in this book.
The Good, Bad, and Ugly
1) There were some places where I skipped over a page or two. I wanted more dialogue, but hey, what can you do?
2) There were times I wanted more from Daisy. I wanted her to fight for it. I wanted her to grab Jack by the collar and shout "LOVE ME" or something of that nature.
3) The ending was textbook execution. (Which I wasn't expecting.) I had a hard time reading the middle of this book. At times it felt like it went on and on, but then a new chapter would start with fresh drama, and I was so damn curious I couldn't step away.
4) It was well-written.
Minor note: She is laughing Jack. *PATS CHEST* Damn you, she is laughing!
Conclusion: 4 solid stars.
February 15, 2015
Daisy Richmond is twenty seven, happily married, working towards her Master's degree and about to celebrate three years cancer-free, when her doctor delivers the news that her body is riddled with tumours, and it's likely she won't live beyond six months. Daisy is devastated but her overwhelming concern is for her husband, Jack. How will her wonderful but disorganised and absent minded husband cope without her? Who will scratch his back when he can’t reach, make sure he eats regular meals, or save him from drowning in a sea of dirty socks?
Before I Go is a poignant, tender debut novel authored by Colleen Oakley that tugged on my heart strings as I read it. However, on reflection, I don't have much to say about it.
It doesn't offer a particularly unique premise though the idea of finding a replacement for yourself is thought provoking. The characters are engaging, evoking an appropriate mixture of sympathy, admiration, and frustration, but none of them surprised me.
I did feel that the book was well written, and I appreciated the way Oakley tempered the inevitable seriousness with flashes of humour. The underlying message, about savouring and living in the present, is sincerely and simply presented.
Before I Go is an emotional, bittersweet story about love, loss, life and death. A lovely read, just not really memorable for me.
May 16, 2016
Bu kitabı okurken salya sümük ağlayacağımı, hayata küseceğimi falan sanıyordum ama... Konusunun güzel olup bu kadar vasat anlatılması... Kelimelerim yetersiz kaldı. Bu kitap neden beni etkilemedi ya?
November 15, 2017
Such a heartbreakingly beautiful story!
July 25, 2017
Jack güzel kalpli bir eş olmasaydı bir verirdim...
March 16, 2015
Daisy Richmond has been cancer free for exactly two years when her doctors tell her that her cancer is back. Stage IV cancer, with an orange-sized tumor in her brain. They give her six months to live. Six months to get her affairs in order, watch her husband finish graduate school and prepare for the end of her life.
Daisy spends this time doing just that--checking things off her never-ending to-do list, and decides her final responsibility is to find her husband Jack a new wife. Enlisting her best friend to help, Daisy searches for the perfect woman to take her place and take care of her husband after she's gone. But it finally appears she's found the perfect woman, can she really face the reality of someone else taking her place?
I received an advanced copy of this book and was excited to read it, as it was described by the publisher as being "in the tradition of " by . I loved that book. That book was about grief and loss and love transcending death. This book is not. The only thing they vaguely have in common is two married people. And cancer.
Before I Go is a book of missed opportunity. The reason P.S. I Love You works is because the payoff (a woman getting over her husband's death through notes he wrote while he was dying) is worth the setup (learning about the couple through flashbacks). This book doesn't do that. Daisy spends the majority of the book talking about the "Lots of Cancer" and frankly, wasting her time (the setup). She wastes her months of living eating organic food, doing yoga, pushing away her husband, and trying to find him a wife on dating websites. No one imagines themselves doing these things if they were dying of cancer; who cares about the ingredients in Cheez-Its if you're dying? She's irrational because then she gets annoyingly jealous when what she wants to happen actually happens: he seems interested in another woman. And she's not likable because she's judgmental, pretentious and self-righteous.
The payoff of her learning to appreciate life and her loved ones is too little, too late. If I wasn't a person who is OCD about finishing all books she starts, I would have quit so many times. This book had the opportunity to be touching, which it sort of was in the end, but I was so annoyed with her that it almost didn't matter to me how it ended--I was just glad it was over.
Daisy spends this time doing just that--checking things off her never-ending to-do list, and decides her final responsibility is to find her husband Jack a new wife. Enlisting her best friend to help, Daisy searches for the perfect woman to take her place and take care of her husband after she's gone. But it finally appears she's found the perfect woman, can she really face the reality of someone else taking her place?
I received an advanced copy of this book and was excited to read it, as it was described by the publisher as being "in the tradition of " by . I loved that book. That book was about grief and loss and love transcending death. This book is not. The only thing they vaguely have in common is two married people. And cancer.
Before I Go is a book of missed opportunity. The reason P.S. I Love You works is because the payoff (a woman getting over her husband's death through notes he wrote while he was dying) is worth the setup (learning about the couple through flashbacks). This book doesn't do that. Daisy spends the majority of the book talking about the "Lots of Cancer" and frankly, wasting her time (the setup). She wastes her months of living eating organic food, doing yoga, pushing away her husband, and trying to find him a wife on dating websites. No one imagines themselves doing these things if they were dying of cancer; who cares about the ingredients in Cheez-Its if you're dying? She's irrational because then she gets annoyingly jealous when what she wants to happen actually happens: he seems interested in another woman. And she's not likable because she's judgmental, pretentious and self-righteous.
The payoff of her learning to appreciate life and her loved ones is too little, too late. If I wasn't a person who is OCD about finishing all books she starts, I would have quit so many times. This book had the opportunity to be touching, which it sort of was in the end, but I was so annoyed with her that it almost didn't matter to me how it ended--I was just glad it was over.
October 28, 2014
“before i go� by Coleen Oakley, published by Gallery Books.
Category � Fiction/Literature Publication Date � January 06, 2015
I am sure there are many of us who think about what we would do if we knew that our death was imminent. Of course, we would like to pick the manner in which we died, like maybe going peacefully in our sleep or a sudden heart attack. There would be few of us that would take cancer as our manner of death.
Daisy Richmond had cancer but she has been cancer free over the last several years, that is, until she hears those fateful words from her physician, “It’s back�. Not only is it back but in a very aggressive form. At twenty-seven years of age she is given six months to live. She must make medical decisions that can severely affect her life.
Her husband, Jack, a veterinarian student at the University of Georgia is about to graduate and she wonders if she will be around for his graduation. Jack does present some problems in that he may be a great veterinarian but does lack the domestic skills of laundry, cooking, and cleaning. Daisy takes on the task of finding him a new wife to take on the duties that she has been performing as his wife. She attempts to find his new wife by going to a dog park, coffee shop, and finally she tries on line dating.
When and if she does find the perfect match for Jack just what kind of a reaction will she have, and what about Jack’s reaction. These questions and how Daisy reacts to the terrible reality of having cancer make for a very poignant story that many cancer patients face today.
This story not only explores the problems faced by those with cancer but also looks at their interaction with friends and relatives. Although the story is tragic in its consequence, the author has infused some comedy and redemption in making it a wonderful read.
Category � Fiction/Literature Publication Date � January 06, 2015
I am sure there are many of us who think about what we would do if we knew that our death was imminent. Of course, we would like to pick the manner in which we died, like maybe going peacefully in our sleep or a sudden heart attack. There would be few of us that would take cancer as our manner of death.
Daisy Richmond had cancer but she has been cancer free over the last several years, that is, until she hears those fateful words from her physician, “It’s back�. Not only is it back but in a very aggressive form. At twenty-seven years of age she is given six months to live. She must make medical decisions that can severely affect her life.
Her husband, Jack, a veterinarian student at the University of Georgia is about to graduate and she wonders if she will be around for his graduation. Jack does present some problems in that he may be a great veterinarian but does lack the domestic skills of laundry, cooking, and cleaning. Daisy takes on the task of finding him a new wife to take on the duties that she has been performing as his wife. She attempts to find his new wife by going to a dog park, coffee shop, and finally she tries on line dating.
When and if she does find the perfect match for Jack just what kind of a reaction will she have, and what about Jack’s reaction. These questions and how Daisy reacts to the terrible reality of having cancer make for a very poignant story that many cancer patients face today.
This story not only explores the problems faced by those with cancer but also looks at their interaction with friends and relatives. Although the story is tragic in its consequence, the author has infused some comedy and redemption in making it a wonderful read.
January 9, 2015
If you were to rate books like they rate storms or earthquakes, this would be a Category Five, 9.0 on the Richter scale of ugly cry books. I knew by reading the synopsis it was going to make me emotional but I wasn't quite prepared for the emotional punch-to-the-gut of Before I Go. I pretty much cried the entire way through this book.
Daisy Richmond is dying. Cancer. Everywhere. Her husband is on the cusp of finishing a double doctorate program, but he can barely take care of himself. Daisy decides it's a brilliant idea to help him find a new wife for after she's gone. Taking trips to bookstores, dog parks, anywhere she can think of where Jack's next ideal mate may be. Finally she finds someone. The perfect woman to step into her shoes and be Jack's next wife. As she begins to pull away from her husband and push him into another woman's arms she begins to regret her decision. Suddenly they're having whispered phone calls and spending time together. That's what she wanted wasn't it?
Oh my goodness. Really, I don't think I can even put the right words into a review for fear of not doing this book or author justice. It's a beautiful, heart wrenching story. And yes, it's one of the best and saddest books I have ever read, it's also full of humor and witty insights. Daisy is a three dimensional character and if she were real, the kind of girl you'd want to be best friends with. I could easily see this book on the big screen. I know 2015 just started, but this book is going to be, without a doubt, hard to top.
Before I Go belongs in your TBR pile. Written in Daisy's, first person POV, this is a standalone. Obviously I can't say it has a HEA, but it leaves you thinking, reflecting and wanting to grab a hold of your loved ones and tell them how much they mean to you.
~ Erin, 6 poignant and gorgeous stars
Daisy Richmond is dying. Cancer. Everywhere. Her husband is on the cusp of finishing a double doctorate program, but he can barely take care of himself. Daisy decides it's a brilliant idea to help him find a new wife for after she's gone. Taking trips to bookstores, dog parks, anywhere she can think of where Jack's next ideal mate may be. Finally she finds someone. The perfect woman to step into her shoes and be Jack's next wife. As she begins to pull away from her husband and push him into another woman's arms she begins to regret her decision. Suddenly they're having whispered phone calls and spending time together. That's what she wanted wasn't it?
Oh my goodness. Really, I don't think I can even put the right words into a review for fear of not doing this book or author justice. It's a beautiful, heart wrenching story. And yes, it's one of the best and saddest books I have ever read, it's also full of humor and witty insights. Daisy is a three dimensional character and if she were real, the kind of girl you'd want to be best friends with. I could easily see this book on the big screen. I know 2015 just started, but this book is going to be, without a doubt, hard to top.
Before I Go belongs in your TBR pile. Written in Daisy's, first person POV, this is a standalone. Obviously I can't say it has a HEA, but it leaves you thinking, reflecting and wanting to grab a hold of your loved ones and tell them how much they mean to you.
~ Erin, 6 poignant and gorgeous stars
June 26, 2016
Bu kitap sinirlerimi bozdu. Kanser hastası ve ölümüne 3-4 ay kalmış bir kadın neden kocasına yeni bir eş arar ki? Son zamanlarını niye kendini mutlu etmeye ayırmaz? Sen öldükten sonra kocan ne yaparsa yapsın arkadaşım. Ben mi çok bencilim anlamadım ben ölüyor olsam kendimden başka bir şey düşünmezdim sanırım. Bir de şöyle bir durum var. Kocasına eş arıyor ama kocasının başka biriyle olması düşüncesine bile katlanamıyor krizler falan geçiriyor. Sadece sonda ki jack'in ağzından okuduğumuz kısmı sevdim. Onun dışında sinirlerim bozuk :)
July 14, 2014
I was lucky enough to read an advance reader's copy of this book -- funny, touching, for fans of JoJo Moyes' Me Before You.
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