A wonderful book with a heartfelt message we coul all use these days!
Taz came from nothing. Her mother had left her as a child and her father was dead. Yet, she appreciated each and every single thing she received and earned. It was the simples things.
When she married her best friend Dan, they survived. It surely was not easy, but it definitely was a happy time for both of them.
Somehow --they both lose their way as Dan moveds up the ladder of success and his parents helped to provide more job opportunities and a bigger home. Is this what they really need?

When Taz receives a letter from her estranged mother, that she is not well, Pandora's box opens and Taz goes to her. Will she find the answers she is seeking? Was her childhood as she remembered?
Truly a detailed, beautifully written story about appreciation for life's daily gifts!

This is the 1st Book that i have read by the author

This Book pulls on your heart strings from dealing with childhood trauma to alzheimers disease it tells the story of Natsha and Daniel who are opposite apart but end up together and what follows is a good story but it has twist i won't spolit it by giving any spoilers away

with thanks to the publisher and netgalley for the arc of this book in exchange for this review

This book is the story of Natasha and Dan.......young sweethearts who after a number of years together find married life tough.
Natasha craves family, after growing up in a dysfunctional one. Her journey takes her to the Scottish highlands where she finds out what really matters in her life.
I found the book incredibly well written and thought provoking.
At the end of the day we all want to find the things in life that matter.
I would recommend this book.

#thethingsthatmatter #family #life #dreams # emotive # thoughtprovoking
#harpercollins #andreamichael #onemorechapter

I could not finish this one. I just could not get into it. The physical descriptions of the characters read like an obligatory list of facial and body parts, and the interactions between characters are wooden and forced. This is just not for me. I wish I could but I just didn't enjoy

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

The Things That Matter
by Andrea Michael

Five Stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Wow! What a fun, emotional journey this book took me on. I rarely can find a book that is equal parts fun, and emotional. This book took me to a rural Scottish farm set in the Highlands, complete with horses, pigs, chickens, two alpacas named Hermione and Neville and a grumpy Shetland pony.

Publishers Blurb: A beautifully moving and poignant tale of finding yourself in the wake of heartbreak, perfect for fans of Amanda Prowse and Susan Lewis
Natasha and Daniel were meant for each other. On paper you’d never think it so; whilst Taz would arrive at school hungry and in clothes too small, Dan’s affluent background was no secret. But they were drawn together and found comfort in the fact that neither felt they truly belonged.

When something terrible happens and Dan is sent to prison, Taz doesn’t even pause to think before standing by his side. As the ground beneath Dan crumbles, it’s Taz who is there to catch him. A family of two, it’s them against the world.

But now, years later, what happens when the threats they face come from within? Plagued by guilt over a secret in her past, Taz must face the truth or risk losing Dan forever.

My Take: I have never read anything by this author, so I was so pleasantly surprised by this book, and I’ve found a NEW AUTHOR with a writing style that I love.

This book deals with childhood trama, the trama of miscarriage, Alzheimer’s disease and family interactions and how they shape a child into adulthood.

This marriage-in-crisis story is full of emotional drama, but also humor and lightheartedness. The main characters are interesting, good people who have been through so much in their young lives, and yet when they start to have the things in life they thought they wanted, their lives start to fall apart.

I liked the way the author weaved the characters emotional journey into a story full of quirky characters, an idyllic Scottish farm, where even the animals have their own eccentric personalities.

I got into this book right away, the pacing is excellent and it took me through the story from start to finish.

This book made me cry, and laugh out loud, and to me that is the type of book I enjoy the most.

About the author: Andrea Michael writes books to explore complicated relationships. Having trained in using writing for therapy, she really believes in the magic of stories to change your life. Failing that, sparkling wine and obnoxious sing-a-longs also do the trick.

Andrea works in content marketing, and runs Writing for Wellbeing workshops. She lives in Hertfordshire with her fiancé and their crazy cat, and can be found reading in a comfy corner or digging something at the allotment.

Recommendation: I highly recommend this book.

This review is based on NetGalley ARC provided in exchange for an honest, unbiased opinion.

A heartbreaking read from this author who is new for me, sensitively written with good descriptive characters.

Very well written and a good read which I enjoyed and can recommend.

Thank you to Netgalley and Harper Collins (OMC) for giving me the opportunity to read this book.