
Member Reviews

I loved this book — it was cozy, heartwarming, and beautifully written. The story was so well-developed, and I found myself totally wrapped up in it. It felt like a warm hug but still kept me hooked. If you want something comforting and rich, definitely give this one a read.

The premise of this book sounded so interesting to me, as I had never heard of a death doula before. However, I found I just couldn’t connect with the main character, and found her naïveté and social awkwardness to be over the top. Being that she was a well travelled woman in her mid-thirties, it just didn’t really make sense to me, particularly with the career path she had chosen. Clover reminded me a lot of the mc in Maame, and I found that one to be cringey too.

Unfortunately I was unable to download this book before the archive date, so I'm not able to leave a review. I look forward to reading and reviewing books by this author in the future.

'The Collected Regrets of Clover' by Mikki Brammer is an interesting look at life through the lens of death. It is though provoking and beautiful, though emotionally heavy.

I have been thinking about this even after I finished. I love stories that explore grief and this was so well done. Emotive and well written. Ugh. i loved this

This was quite an amazing book! I have been putting off reading this one because it didn’t seem that appealing, but what’s it they say? Don’t judge a book by its cover.
Clover is a death doula. I didn’t even know there was such a thing! She helps people feel loved and not alone as they depart this world. Along the way, she keeps journals of their regrets. In doing so, she starts to look at her own regrets.
This was just so beautifully written and such a unique storyline. I finished it yesterday and I am still thinking about it today. It was relatable, it was honest, it had all the feels. I thoroughly enjoyed this one and am so glad that I read it!

This is a beautifully crafted novel that delves into the intricacies of life, love, and the human condition. Brammer's storytelling is poignant and uplifting. Clover, is deeply relatable and endearing. Her journey through the regrets and memories of others is a touching exploration of what it means to live a fulfilling life. Brammer does a great job touching on themes of forgiveness, self-discovery, and the importance of human connection. The Collected Regrets of Clover is a must-read for anyone looking for an emotional story that is hard to put down. This is one of those books that will stay with me for a long time. Definitely recommend!

I like books that deal with death and grief and how to process it.
I found this book interesting since it focused on helping the patients and their loved ones prepare for death and come to terms with any regrets they’ve had in their life.
Even though I enjoyed the book, I found it slow at times, but I am glad I put it down and came back to it. It ended up being a story that will stick with me for a while.

**Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.**
"And instead of constantly asking ourselves the question of why we're here, maybe we should be savoring a simpler truth: We are here."
This is one of those rare books that made me both smile and cry; long for the past and look hopefully toward the future. This put me into a bit of a reading slump, but in the best way. I finished this after staying up late because I was so enamored and when I finished it I just thought "now what?"
I read "The Secret Life of Albert Entwistle" last year and had been trying ever since to find something that would give me the same warm, fuzzy feelings. This book made me feel so many similar things. This book follows Clover, a death doula in her mid-30s living in New York City. Even in a bustling city, Clover feels alone, except for her dog, two cats, and elderly neighbor. She has immersed herself so fully in her job helping her clients die peacefully that she hasn't done much living of her own. From death cafes and new neighbors, Clover starts to realize that maybe she is worth being loved and cherished. She starts stepping out of her comfort zone and learns that while change can be scary it doesn't have to be bad, and she doesn't have to face it alone.
I LOVED this story. I relate so much to Clover and I cheered for her the entire time. I love how this story tackled the realities of death, especially how Western cultures tend to have a "don't talk about it" attitude, and how it can be both sad and beautiful. If grief is something you have a hard time reading about then this could be a bit of a difficult read, but all of the discussions are treated with respect which I really appreciated.
I am so surprised that this was a debut novel. Mikki Brammer is wildly talented and she has immediately become one of my insta-read authors.

I knew this book was about grief before going into it, which is probably why I procrastinated it for so long
Clover is a death doula who has never fully come to terms with her grandfather’s death. When she takes a job for a woman who once had a summer romance, Clover finds herself questioning her life choices.
This book is so good, if you’re in the right mindset. It’s deep, and sad, and warm. I loved to see Clover’s character grow and change. I wish we would have had more with Hugo. I also wasn’t a fan of Clover’s age; I hate it took her this long to have these lessons. Overall, I did really enjoy this one.
Read if you like…
✈️Reflective
✈️lonely narrator
✈️character driven books
✈️life lessons

Live is precious, don’t let opportunities slip by! Clover is not new to death. Having seen it many times she decides to become a death doula. For being a book focusing so much on death this book was so bright and powerful. Live everyday as it’s your last

Many thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
This book pleasantly surprised me. I initially expected the book to be a heavy read, focusing on Clover and her experiences in her unique occupation as a death doula, I went into it thinking I would read about how she was cataloging the regrets of her clients on their deathbeds. However, it ultimately delved deeper, exploring how her interactions and experiences with her clients and their families prompted her to reflect on her own past regrets and gave her the courage to shape her future.
I thought the storyline was truly unique. Clover's character was endearing, and the author masterfully conveyed the emotional rollercoaster she experienced, making it feel authentic and relatable. I also enjoyed how much the supporting cast of characters played an essential role in Clover's development. This book ultimately left me pleasantly surprised!
💐 Deeply emotional yet it didn't feel like an overly heavy read
💐 Great debut from Mikki Brammer
💐 Brought the MC full circle. I always enjoy that in a story!

Overall I'm glad I finished the book. However, for me, the first half was slow and I really did have to make myself push through. Clover seemed very young to me although she was in her 30's...that made this a slow read for me as I found myself becoming annoyed with Clover.
Due to its subject matter (death, grief, etc.) I really wanted to like this book more than j did.

Beautiful writing, beautiful story. I would absolutely recommend this for anyone who has dealt with grief. It’s full of perspective and hope. I will likely reread and recommend to others.

What started as an exploration of her own anxieties around death resulted in this beautiful debut. Journalist Mikki Brammer’s first book was everything I hoped my last read of the summer would be; heartwarming, engaging, unique, informative, and memorable. Clover is a character I won’t soon forget.
After her parents die when she is a child, Clover moves to NYC to live with her grandfather. Her life’s experiences help chart her career path as a death doula, someone who helps people navigate their final days. But Clover’s existence has been lonely and she’s found it difficult to make friends and as a woman in her mid 30s, has never been kissed or figured out how to form lasting relationships.
I absolutely loved this book. Clover’s growth and story arc felt real and I rooted for her to take risks and develop. Whether you are comfortable talking about death or avoid the topic, you will find beauty in how it’s discussed and maybe it will make you want to take chances and live your most beautiful life without regrets ❤️

Clover believes she is living her best life by playing a vital role in supporting people through their final days, weeks, and months. As an only child who lost her parents at a young age, Clover was raised by her devoted grandfather, who has also since passed away. She now resides in Manhattan, in the same apartment she has called home since she was six years old. Her days are a careful balance of work and moments of respite: playing mahjong with her neighbor Leo and revisiting the neighborhood bookstore she once frequented with her grandfather.
This book delves deep into the profound topics of death and what it means to truly live. I found it captivating from the start, though I initially approached it with some trepidation, fearing it might be too heavy and dark.
It’s remarkable that this is the work of a debut author. The story is both heartwarming and deeply touching, as we witness Clover navigating her grief over her grandfather's death while choosing to live in a self-imposed solitude.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and am grateful to have finally read it. An ARC had been sitting on my shelf for quite some time, and I’m glad I picked it up. In our culture where death often carries a stigma, this book offers a thoughtful and moving perspective. It also contains some truly beautiful quotes. I hope Mikki writes another book, and if you haven’t read this one yet, I highly recommend it.

Clover is a bit odd. She is a bit obsessed with death, and has become a death doula (basically the opposite of a birth doula). Apparently this is a real thing, which is interesting, but she seemed to relish in that as a way to not connect with others. I actually enjoyed her relationships, how they progressed, and the way everything did come together at the end. Clover is much more likeable than Eleanor Oliphant (of which this book was compared to).

An amazing debut novel about loss, death, and continuing to live with an insurmountable amount of grief. The characters in this story are are wonderfully written. Clover is an amazing characater who has lost so much people she’s loved around her and dedicates her life to being there for those are are near the end of their life. Death is a difficult thing to discuss but a very real pet of life. Clover tries to find a way to be brave enough to let more people into her life. A heart breaking and encouraging story.

One of my new favorites- follow along with Clover as she navigates life, death and lots of changes. This book will suck you in from page one!

It is a beautiful melancholic love story with an unexpected premise. This is perfect for others who also have a death fixation.