What a wonderful book. Great main characters and very clever story that had me laughing and crying at times.. About halfway through I wondered why such an attractive, interesting and intelligent woman hadn't been pursued more ardently at some point in her life, but that slight fault was far outweighed by the positives and the ending, so 5* for me.

36 year old Clover is a death doula, giving comfort to those who are dying and keeping note of their regrets and last words. Clover genuinely wants to help her clients but it’s obvious from early on that the regret she is really trying to ease is her own.

This is more a thought-provoking, slow-burn novel than a plot-driven one, and at times this means that the pace is very slow. In some ways it occupies a similar space to books like Elinor Oliphant … and …Ove but it lacks the humour that made those books really sing for me.

It does make you consider how death is so under-discussed in many cultures but I would have preferred it if the supporting characters had been more fleshed out.

With thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an arc of this novel in exchange for an honest review.

Thought the concept of this was so interesting - a death doula! - but there was something about the writing style that really made me feel like the story was just dragging on and I couldn’t really get into it; even at the halfway mark.

A genuinely gorgeous read. " The Collected Regrets of Clover" is a poignant and heart-warming take on what it means to really live.
Clover is familiar with loss, her parents died when she was young, her grandfather (who raised her) passed before she got a chance to really say goodbye and now she works as a death-doula, devoting herself to easing peoples passing and documenting their final shared thoughts in her journals. Often she uses these journals to try and live other peoples final wishes for themselves, as a way of honoring them. Over the course of the story, while helping her latest client, the ever dynamic Claudia, while realizing she herself may lead a very life, Clover is forced to address what a life well lived might mean for her.
I was originally concerned that this might be to saccharine for me but it strikes a wonderful balance between being moving and full of mischief. Clover is a delightfully eccentric lead, and many of the side characters are also fantastically fleshed out. I found it to be a deeply comforting take on what it means to die, but more importantly what it means to genuinely live.
One that I will happily be recommending to friends.

Clover lives an isolated life, only seeing her clients (she is a death doula) and her neighbour, an 80-something year old man who is her closest and only friend. She keeps 3 notebooks titled ADVICE, SECRETS and REGRETS. And in these notebooks, she writes down the last words spoken by her dying clients. The fact that one of these notebooks is labelled regrets doesn’t seem to make her realise that unless she makes a change, by closing herself off from anyone who tries to get too close, she’s heading towards a life of exactly that.

If there’s one book you’re going to want to pick up this year, it’s this one. The Collected Regrets of Clover is going to give you that kick up the backside you’ve needed. The one that reminds you that we have to take those chances, be our most authentic selves and not worry about the what-ifs because we only get one shot at this thing called life.

Read if you:
are comfortable with reading about death/people dying
can empathise with introverts
Play Mahjong
Value friendships with the elder generation
Appreciate characters who take risks

My nerd out moment? The scene where Clover’s grandfather takes her out to observe nature. The dialogue in that part made me see that he would have made a great inquiry teacher. #IYKYK

Not my usual type of read but I really enjoyed this book!
This is a book with a big heart and I found myself nearly in tears at several points. Also having grandparents who have been reflecting themselves upon their lives as they approach the final stretch, I found it hugely relatable and a very comforting read. I liked Clover's own story about learning to live rather than hide away in the lives of others and learning to trust again but for me, the real things I liked about the book were giving you pause to think about the big picture and what really is important in life and what that might look like for different people. Try not to live in regret.
“The secret to a beautiful death is living a beautiful life.”

I love a book that makes me think and reflect and The Collected Regrets of Clover certainly did this. This book is not only thought provoking but also due to its unusual content, most heartfelt. It is also unique, uplifting and inspirational. One might think that because the themes of dying and death are forefront it might be melancholy but not so. Yes, it is a book about grief and regrets but it is also a book about moving forward and living your best life.

‘Grief plays tricks on you that way - a familiar whiff of cologne or a potential sighting of your person in a crowd, and all the knots you’ve tied inside yourself to manage the pain of losing them suddenly unravel.’

Clover lost both her parents at a young age and now lives alone in an apartment in Manhattan. She is a death doula - a companion for the dying and their family through the process of death. She is very good at her job - assisting those to die with dignity and see their wishes carried out. Clover records their final words in three books - Regrets, Advice and Confessions. She often reflects on the words in these books, selecting an entry and trying to fulfill or live by what is said for a week - it might involve eating something or attending a museum as an example.

‘I realized that it wasn’t my job to help them gloss over that reality if they didn’t want to; it was to sit with them, listen, and bear witness. Even if they were unhappy right up until their final exhale, at least they weren’t alone.’

Mikki Brammer has done an outstanding job for a debut novel. Interwoven throughout the tale is a celebration of life, urging you to enjoy each moment, take life by the hand, learning to live with as few regrets as possible. It is a beautiful message. Some readers found Clover a difficult character to warm to but I appreciated all she had been through. I loved the flashbacks of the memories with her grandfather and the character of Claudia and her story was truly beautiful.

‘It wasn’t just the regrets of the dying people I was trying to resolve—it was my own …. maybe it was time I addressed my own regrets.’

All up this is a lovely story that I thoroughly recommend, feeling that its message will resonate with many. There is so much to appreciate, reflect and linger over. With heart wrenching topics of aging, loneliness, dying with dignity, I found Mikki was very sensitive, making the subjects both relevant and mindful.

‘Here’s to living a life with fewer regrets’






This review is based on a complimentary copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. The quoted material may have changed in the final release.

I really loved The Collected Regrets of Clover, a lovely easy read of a book about a young woman who is a Death Doula. When Clover meets Sebastian in a death cafe she can’t help the fact he rubs her up the wrong way, but the more they encounter each other the more Clover becomes to understand him, Sebastian asks Clover to be the death doula for his grandmother Claudia and Clover and Claudia form a deep bond. A lovely read than you.

A good read. I didn't know what to expect when I started this book and thought it was going to be depressing as it starts with the Main character Clover and her job as a death doula but as the story gets going it's quite beautiful at times and especially when she gets to be with a fantastic character Claudia as she is coming to the end of her life and Clovers life seems like its just beginning. I really enjoyed it

This was a brilliant, cosy summer read. The characters were lovable and I found myself rooting for the protagonist from the beginning right up until the final page.

Clover is 36 years old and works as a death doula, that is someone who is there providing emotional and practical support for someone at the end of their lives. While she collects the regrets of others in notebooks, she rarely stops to examine her own life and to tackle what she may personally one day regret. With very few friends and no family still living she has become stuck in an isolated bubble that she can’t easily find a way out of. That is until a new neighbour and a particular client comes along.

I really enjoyed reading this. It had just the right amount of predictability to be a comforting read with the reassurance all would be well and yet enough twists and turns until the final page too. A brilliant debut novel.

I like a book with a self confessed weird main character. But Clover isn't really weird, she's a result of her upbringing. Loved by her grandfather who raised her after the death of her parents, she's been anchorless since his death when she was 23. Having studied the science of death, she becomes a death doula in New York, doing her bit to prevent anyone else dying alone. Outside of work Clover is alone and pushes people away as she doesn't know how to form relationships. Her friend is octogenarian neighbour Leo, who encourages her to widen her social circle. The arrival of new neighbour Sylvie, jolts Clover's world as does meeting Sebastian at a death cafe. Sebastian's feisty grandmother Claudia becomes Clover's defining case and we will her to become more fully involved in life. A lovely read, and a good one for a book club, as I can see it opening interesting discussions. #netgalley #thecollectedregretsofclover #deathdoula

This is quite original in some areas- speaking as the wife of a former mortuary manager- the reluctance to let people know what your job is because of the reaction it gets is spot on. Then it veers off into predictable 'will she open up and end up happy?' territory which is a bit of a shame.

I didn’t know what a death doula was until I read this book. I thought it might be an emotional read but I came away feeling positive and taking a good hard look at my life. If there’s one thing we all have in common it’s that we are all going to die, we just don’t know when so every second counts. Clover was a loveable character and had had a difficult start to her life. I loved reading about her memories of her grandpa, he sounded like a lovely man. Overall an enjoyable, thought provoking debut novel. Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin General, Viking for letting me read and review this book.

This book is wonderful. For a story with death as a major theme, it has left me feeling uplifted and with an appreciation of living life well.

Clover is a Death Doula, meaning she is with people navigating their final days. Sometimes she provides company, other times it’s more practical. But she makes sure people die with peace and comfort. Unfortunately she hasn’t given herself the same care and she is lonely and floundering. What emerges is a story of finding yourself, letting go and being brave.

The characters are wonderful, from vivacious Sylvie to rebellious Claudia, they each bring something special to the novel. Clover herself is the perfect mix of self aware and completely clueless. I loved the writing style and how much it made me think. I’ll definitely read this author again.
Thank you NetGalley for my Arc.

I've just finished this book and oh my, I need a minute! I think I experienced every emotion possible reading about Clover's life as a death doula. What an amazingly complex and beautiful character the author has written. In fact, every character felt authentic and necessary. I didn't move once I started this book, I had to consume it as I was so immersed in this story.

So many life lessons, so much food for thought and such a life affirming tale, you cannot fail to be moved.

Writing at its best.

Wow! Amazing how a book that deals so much with death, can also brim with hope, joy and life!

Thanks NetGalley and Penguin General, Viking for the ARC!

Synopsis –

36 year old Clover is a death doula. She helps people on death bed to slip away from the world feeling better, listened to and understood. But while she dedicates herself to deal with dying people and hearing their regrets, somewhere along the way she has missed ‘living’ her own life - making friendships, finding love and most of all making sure she doesn’t end up with her ‘regrets’.

Review –

Clover, Meredith, Maame – these are all my kind of girls.

I just loved Clover! Introverted, socially awkward and self-withdrawn, and oh! a bookworm above all – I could relate to her so much. It was heartbreaking to know about her childhood, the unimaginable loss she suffered at only 6 years of age and then her struggles in school.

Raised by her grandfather, her relationship with him is truly the most beautiful thing in the book. Brammer portrays it so well via flashbacks and Clover’s treasured memories of him. I adored his pearls of wisdom for her, filled with simple yet pragmatic outlook towards life.

The best part was how Clover adopted his advice, making it her way of living. Also, I was so glad for the presence of Leo, her grandfather’s friend, who was such a blessing to keep her loneliness at bay.

I loved how Clover diligently recorded her patients’ histories, their list of regrets and most importantly what she chose to do with them. The taboo subject of death is handled with so much subtlety and sensitivity, that I was surprised how it changed my perspective towards it.

When Clover becomes doula to 87 year old Claudia, with terminal cancer, her life begins to change. Claudia, a photo journalist in the 50s was such a force to be reckoned with and it was a joy to see the rapport they both developed.

While Clover tries to help Claudia get closures from her past, she also has to grapple with her new found friendship with her neighbor Sylvie. I cheered for her all the way as she deals with her losses, makes some difficult decisions about the past she clings to, embraces the future with a hint of romance. My heart soared & leaped as Clover ‘upgrades’ her life and finds her footing in the world.

Thought-provoking, heartwarming and uplifting, Clover’s story is one that will live with me forever!

What a beautifully written book! For me, Mikki Brammer has captured western attitudes towards death perfectly: nobody really wants to talk about death and yet it’s something that we can’t deny. Having spent four years living in Mexico I was fascinated by their attitudes towards death and how they celebrate the dead every year, so when I saw the blurb for this book I was immediately grabbed. I adored Clover as a character, her profession as a death doula, and loved watching her learn to accept her own grief throughout the book. Claudia was simply wonderful with her wit and wisdom from her long life well lived and the relationship between the two women was beautifully crafted. Full of charm and humour, this book is anything but morbid and left me feeling uplifted and sure that some of the final advice Clover is given really is the way to live - “The secret to a beautiful death is to live a beautiful life.”
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced copy in exchange for a review.

I’d describe this book as realistic fiction. The author has done a fantastic job of creating imaginary characters and situations that depict the world and society. The characters focus on themes of growing, self-discovery and confronting personal and social problems. The language is clear, concise, and evocative, with descriptions that bring the setting and characters to life. Dialogue is natural and authentic, and the pacing is well-balanced, with enough tension and release to keep the reader engaged.

The E-Book could be improved and more user-friendly, such as links to the chapters, no significant gaps between words and a cover for the book would be better. It is very document-like instead of a book. A star has been deducted because of this.

This is a first for me by the author and one I enjoyed and I would read more of their work. The book cover is eye-catching and appealing and would spark my interest if in a bookshop. Thank you to the author, publisher and Netgalley for this ARC.

I absolutely loved this book. What could easily have been a depressing read was uplifting, beautifully written and thoughtful.

The story centres around 36 years old Clover, a loner, who has been surrounded by death most of her life after watching a schoolteacher die when she was younger. Clover finds her calling as a Death Doula, offering comfort and compassion to those in there last weeks, or days, of life.

Clover has only had one relationship and that was with her grandfather, who raises her after her distant parents die in an accident whilst travelling. The snippets of their relationship are beautiful, and the warmth of their love flows through the pages. However, Clover doesn’t open herself and has been hurt in the past when she hasn’t been guarded. But then Clover meets Sebastian, then Sylvie, then Claudia – each one bringing something special into her life.

Thank you to Mikki Brammer, NetGalley and St Martin’s Press for the wonderful opportunity to read this fab book. I’d give it more than 5 star if I could

The Collected Regrets of Clover is an original and moving novel that I was completely immersed in over the course of 24 hours.
Clover Brooks is a death doula in New York. Her parents died when she was six and she went to live with her grandfather. She is still grieving his death 13 years ago and lives a solitary existence with her cats and dog and an elderly neighbour for company. Clover's life changes when she meets her neighbour Sylvie and a new client Claudia.
I loved the character of Clover, she felt very real as did her often awkward interactions with those around her. Although this is a novel about death and dying it is filled with life. Clover keeps three journals where she records the regrets, confessions and advice of those she has sat with as they died and she tries to live out these regrets and advice in her own life. It's a life affirming and uplifting novel that I would recommend.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this digital ARC.