This must be the year for women in books that have not lived their full lives due to family. First I read Maame then this book.
Clover is grieving her grandfather and working as a death doula. She has seen over 90 people die. I enjoyed learning about what a death doula does and how she helped the people leaving.
I suck at reviewing lately so that's about all my brain can pump out right now.

Booksource Netgalley in exchange for review.

Can you imagine being a kindergartener involved in the wild ride that is Peter Rabbit and having your teacher topple over, to die in the middle of the reading circle? I'm not sure I'd be the one to reach out a comforting hand and quietly wait it out. I'd be the one screaming for help, and spend the rest of my life talking about it.

Clover Brooks - of whose all responsible guardians have left the planet - save one, is not your normal woman. She's quiet, risk adverse, yet comforting deaths are her job. She's a death doula.

I'll go no further, except to say, this is one of my favorite books 2023 - all the stars, and a message to carry forward through the end of my days.

*A sincere thank you to Mikki Brammer, St. Martin's Press, and NetGalley for an ARC to read and independently review.*

I really enjoyed this! I found Clover's journey to be really beautiful to watch and loved her as a character. I also really liked learning more about what it was like to be a Death Doula. It was touching to hear how Clover honored each of her clients after they passed, as well.

The only thing I wish is that this book was longer. I really wanted to see more of Clover letting go of her regrets and living her life, but it felt like we only got a very small piece of that.

A wonderful read about a death doula and her impact on her clients. I was fascinated by the idea of a death doula, and I really love it. Clover helps people at the end of their lives, but needs a little reminder of how to help herself. A great book! Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC.

The Collected Regrets of Clover is the debut novel by author Mikki Brammer. It’s being published by St. Martin’s Publishing Group and is set to release on May 9, 2023. The main character, Clover, is a death doula. It’s not the most normal type of job but one that really seems to work for her. Clover is a bit of a loner, an introvert who was raised by her grandfather from the age of 6 when her parents were both killed while off traveling. At first she seems to be quite an odd bird but as the story progresses I found I really came to like her. From dealing with her patients and helping them come to terms with dying and learning about their regrets, she herself learns the importance in living life to the fullest. She learns to follow your dreams and to do what makes you feel happy. You should take chances on people and don’t be afraid to find love. This was an uplifting story and one I really enjoyed. You would think that reading about a death doula would be depressing but this was just the opposite. I’d like to thank Rivka Holler at St. Martin’s Press for the invite/widget to read this and NetGalley for the arc. I really liked this story and the characters and will be recommending it to others. I would be very interested in reading more by this new author in the future and I look forward to reading what her subject matter will be. For a debut novel, I believe this deserves a 5 star rating!

I could not put this one down after a few chapters. I had never heard of a death doula and found that aspect of the story very interesting. Clover was a great character to follow as she grows and changes throughout the story. This will be in my top 5 favorites of this year. I am already recommending to everyone. I look forward to what is next from Mikki Brammer.

I received the wonderful debut novel by journalist Mikki Brammer entitled “The Collected Regrets of Clover” as a digital, advanced readers copy. The novel recently was published in May, 2023 by St. Martin's Press. I’m grateful to Ms. Brammer, NetGalley, and St. Martin’s Press for giving me the opportunity to read this book for free. My review is voluntarily.

I thoroughly enjoyed every aspect of this unique novel. It tells the story of a young woman in her early thirties, Clover, who has spent her life as a loner, letting only 2 or 3 people into her orbit during this entire time, none of whom did she ever hug or kiss or exchange the words “I love you” with. After watching her kindergarten teacher die, she became fascinated with death; upon her grandfather’s death many years later, about which she harbors enormous guilt for not being near when he died, she becomes a death doula, vowing never to let other people die alone. Clover accepts and understands death well. It’s living she doesn’t get!

Through the course of the book, Clover struggles with relationships and intimacy, afraid to let people in lest she be hurt. Her struggles and thoughts and missteps are painful to read, but it’s endearing to see how she gradually learns to open her arms to the living as well as the dying. “The Collected Regrets of Clover” is a great read, and I can’t wait to read what next Mikki Brammer has in store .

The Collected Regret of Clover follows Clover, a death doula, that is searching for herself and also what life really is about. The story touches on so many important themes including grief, loneliness, and really making the most of what little time we all have. I loved Clover's character so much. She’s a bit prickly on the outside but once you get to know her, you can’t help but fall in love with her. I love how she grows and explores and learns to embrace who she is.

Grief is unique to every person but I feel anyone that has suffered from grief will find peace and beauty in this story.

“Grief, I’d come to realize, was like dust. When you’re in the think of a dust storm, you’re completely disoriented by the onslaught, struggling to see or breathe. But as the force recedes, and you slowly find your bearings and see a path forward, the dust begins to settle into the crevices. And it will never disappear completely-as the years pass, you’ll find it in unexpected places at unexpected moments. Grief is just love looking for a place to settle.”

This exceptional novel is a heartfelt exploration of life’s meaning, the impact of choices on our journey, and how to embrace our limited time while learning to let go. It delves into the profound themes of life and death.

Clover, the central character, is a truly unforgettable personality. She’s unique, introverted, and fixated on the concepts of death and the lives of those with limited time. She often prioritizes these contemplations over living a fulfilled life. Clover maintains few connections with others, with her sole friend being her elderly neighbour, Leo, who also shared a friendship with her late grandfather.

Clover’s life took a turn at the age of five when she witnessed the death of her kindergarten teacher and reacted in an unconventional way. This incident led to her being ostracized for her unusual behaviour. Following the tragic loss of her parents in an accident, she moved to live with her grandfather in a New York City apartment.

At 36 years old, Clover still resides in the same apartment she once shared with her late grandfather. She grapples with the emotional weight of collecting and donating his belongings, lacking the courage and energy to do so.

As a death doula, Clover dedicates her time to connecting with individuals approaching the end of their lives, offering solace and support during their transitions. Her narrative unfolds in a poignant and engaging manner, leaving a lasting impact on readers.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for sending a digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I wasn't sure what to think about this book initially. I was fascinated by the idea of a death doula and someone who was holding onto the past (as many are prone to do), but as things got going, I was so pulled into the complication for so many of us when it comes to remembering those who have passed: what is our responsibility between hanging onto them and putting part aside to live for ourselves? Anyway, I loved it once I got 30 or so pages in and I've thought back about it several times since completion.

I really enjoyed this book called The Collected Regrets of Margaret Clover. It could of been a very heavy book but it was actually very hopeful. Would recommend.

The Collected Regrets of Clover by Mikki Brammer. Clover is a death doula. She is there for people to give them peace in their last days. She collects their last thoughts, their confessions and their regrets in 3 separate notebooks at her house. But Clover is dealing with her own loss, and her a hiding herself away from life.

As she cares for her latest elderly “patient” she goes on an adventure to discover a lost love, but she ultimately finds herself.

I really enjoyed The Collected Regrets of Clover. The premise could have made the story very heavy and sad, yet it was very hopeful. As Clover rediscovers herself, she opens herself up to others.

I was also able to attend @lbtheloverofbooks discussion with @mikkibrammer and it was so interesting! That discussion can be found here: https://youtu.be/TpjAUluVmC0?si=wXpSp77CEFA0lhVg.

Thank you to #netgalley and @stmartinspress for the advanced e-copy of #thecollectedregretsofclover

I did not finish this one, it was not for me, I couldn't relate to the characters, and just did not care for the story.

4.5 Stars. After the grandfather that raised her passed away, Clover Brooks became a death doula, connecting with those that are dying and helping them leave this earth peacefully. However, dedicating her life to death has led Clover to having no life of her own, until her latest client, a new friend, an old friend, and a new neighbor help her take a look at her own story.

This was an uplifting, thought-provoking story that helps you to reflect on life. While a main theme of the book is obviously death with Clover’s profession as a death doula, it’s actually a hopeful and optimistic story. Clover is a likable, quirky character, and I really enjoyed following her journey!

FAVORITE QUOTE: “Don’t let the best parts of life pass you by because you’re too scared of the unknown. Maybe the biggest risk in life was taking no risks at all.” {pg. 288}

Thank you to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for my gifted e-book!

While the romance aspect of this book wasn't my favorite, the rest of it was absolutely fantastic. The premise and the obsession with death was so uniquely told and the theme of living a beautiful life is something every reader can connect to. This is a must read, whether you like romance or not.

I went blind reading this and I was pleasantly surprised. I was not expecting the unfolding live story at the end. I was not quite fond of Clover as in some moments she was so naive that it was hard to believe she was almost in the 40s. Overall, it was a lovely read.

- thank you to netgalley and the publisher for an arc to review!

- this was a solid debut, filled with death and life, with one person trying to live life to the fullest all while being surrounded by death. a good read for those who like journeys of self discovery!

I received this book in exchange for an honest review from Netgalley.

To be perfectly transparent, I picked this book up because my daughter’s name is Clover. The premise of a death doula was interesting, and I’m happy to say that part of the book delivered for me. The story overall was less literary than I prefer, and a little saccharine. Great for someone who enjoys a Hallmark movie now and again.

Clover comes of age in this book about a death doula who finally is facing life and reality. This story involves relationships, romance, coming of age, and finding reality in daily life.

This book was amazing. As someone who has dealt with death quite a bit and struggled with grieving, I think this was a fantastic way to talk about it and a beautiful perspective. I loved the characters.