Member Reviews
This is an emotional story of 3 women who have cancer or are in remission. The 60 year olds are busy attending funerals of their friends and trying to keep upbeat with the family and friends. Switching back and forth between Bethesda, Md. and Cape May , NJ the women navigate lost treasure from WWII to the adoption of a little girl who lost her mother. One woman in particular has her sights set on seeing the total eclipse several months away and gets her friends involved in the trip. A tear jerker and inspirational. I received a copy of this ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review.
Lifelong friends get a 2nd chance after cancer. What will they do with life from now on? Good book about a hard topic.
A very reflective look at 3 childhood friends, now in their 60's who are cancer survivors. They al l support each other as they come to terms with their various problems. Story is a little slow, but the characters are likeable. Thanks to Net Galley and the publisher for the opportunity to read an advance copy.
I have no words for this book but oh my goodness.
This book through the pages forces you to appreciate life and the little things in it .
A very slow but oh so reflective read
Best friends, cancer survivors, family secrets and issues, hidden treasure, romance....this story has a lot going on!
I’m not really sure how I feel about this book. I didn’t dislike it but it wasn’t a favorite read either. The idea was such a interesting one.....the journey of 3 older women surviving cancer.
Some parts of the story drew me in and kept my attention while other parts just seemed so slow and boring.
All in all, the interesting aspects of the story kept me engaged enough to say I’m glad I read Life Is Too Short.
Many thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and author for the opportunity to read this book for my honest opinion. All opinions expressed are my own.
Charlotte, Kate and Eileen are cancer survivors. The are sixty five years old and ready to appreciate in full splendor what life throws at them. It's then when some real changes knock their doors, putting them in the position it was long overdue.
I liked the premise of this book. The start, somehow slow, was good enough to keep me engaged until the end.
The epilogue though, in my opinion, was poorly worked. I would have liked a more fulfilling transition. But that's just an opinion. All in all, the book is a good one.
Thank you Netgalley for the chance to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
This was a slow read but ultimately satisfying. The three main characters are all survivors of cancer and lifelong friends. All in their 60's and facing their mortality, they support each other through some major life changes. One is in a dreadful marriage, another is drowning in grief over her daughter's death. The other is happily married but dwelling on her lousy relationship with her mother. There are some surprising insights along their journey and some laughs. A lot like real life! Makes you look at your own life to see what you would change if death were imminent. All in all, a very good read.
I received a free copy of this book from Netgalley and the publisher and voluntarily chose to review it.
Started off with so much promise but devolved in to a mish-mash of too many uninteresting characters and not enough storyline. Don’t spend your money on this one- borrow it from the library.
I seem to be in the minority here, but I thought this was one of the most annoying books I have read in a long time. Yes, the premise that 4 older women who had survived cancer was a touching way to begin the book, but I found none of these women likable. Each of them was carrying bitterness and dysfunction that dominated the book, all to find out near the end that each had a small misunderstanding that magically changed their whole perspective. I could have believed it if there was true growth or a show of strength of character throughout the book, but I never felt that way, nor was it written that way. The secondary characters as well were not likable. Very unsatisfying novel.
Life Is Too Short is an emotional story of courage and passion, it's about not giving up on life even when one hits rock bottom.
The main characters, three childhood friends, Kathy, Charlotte & Eileen, who are battling cancer, but try their best to remain optimistic and contribute to their community. The characters are well described and down to earth, likable, and easy to relate to. Kudos to the author for keeping this story real and relatable.
I love how the three friends, Kathy, Charlotte, and Eileen constantly encourage each other, provide support and sound advice to keep each other. They are a source of strength and a pillar of hope.
Vartanoff has produced a masterpiece that touches on life issues that are worth pondering on, in such an interesting and captivating way.
Summary: A wonderfully written novel, keeping you pondering about life's outcome. A definite page-turner. Highly recommended.
This was a beautifully written story!
I fell in love from the beginning.
This is a story about love friendship and happiness.
I enjoyed learning about the characters.
The mystery in this was great.
I enjoyed this book alot
Thanks NetGalley Publishers and Author.
Life is Too Short is beautifully symbolized by the once-in-a-lifetime viewing of the 2017 total solar eclipse! Three lifelong friends have survived cancer and now analyze their 65 years of life already past, the present, and the important impact the multitude of events have on their choices for the future. The 50th high school reunion returns others to the core group as they review decisions and biases of youth through adult lenses. They address the past issues, the changes in morals through the decades, and review the reality of their present situations with families and unexpected new friendships. There are mysteries to be solved. Changes of attitude occur as through the survival view of the fragility of life at this stage in their lives. Past hurts and mistakes as well as current relationships are explained and frankly examined. Together they view the amazing historical eclipse, watching the moon pass in front of the sun, in awe of the reverent darkness of the total eclipse, and the brief diamond radiance as the moon passes beyond the sun to return its normal, bright, daylight sunshine. The main characters in this novel identify with all of these stages and gain internal acceptance of peace and happiness for the diamond moments in their lives. A truly lovely read!
I received an ARC from the author through NetGalley for an honest review. After lifelong friends, Kathy, Eileen, and Charlotte all had cancer and was in remission, they had decisions to make. Cancer changes a person and the three friends face their future together. For some reading the book, they will see how different things were to how they are now. For others, they will see how facing death and surviving does to people.
It was amazing seeing what women put up with and just accept, how after cancer, they realize life is too short and how it changes each of them. The ladies are older but there is so much in the book that any generation would enjoy it.
There is a lot happening but I think it shows the reality of life after cancer. To get their mind off they had cancer there is a couple of mysteries that need to be solved. We see how the women change, some more than the others and in different ways but when we learn life is short, we begin to think differently.
I don't think there is anyone who doesn't know someone who has had cancer and this book helped me understand what they might be going through but also, I began to see where life is short and started thinking about what is important to me, what I would want to accomplish and. instead of being a people pleaser, I need to start speaking out, This book is a wake-up call without waiting for a health scare. Life is too short is a book that needs to be read and it is an eye-opener.