Thanks to Macmillan Audio for the copy of this book.

I feel like my heart just got a nice little hug. This is such a tender and sweet story of a death doula - a woman who sees poeple through their last days and lets them think through their lives, their last wishes, and what happens next. Clover is a bit lonely herself, I think high-functioning autistic (although this isn't explicitly stated in the book), and spends her life bringing people peace. I loved watching her shine through her job, but also blossing in her relationships with the living as the book went on. This is a really beautiful book and one I can see myself rereading.

The audiobook is narrated by Jennifer Pickens, who does a fabulous job. I think you could win on either format for this book: physical to highlight favorite quotes, or audio to experience the great narration. Just pick it up in some format :)

What a beautiful story!

The MC goes from living vicariously through movies and her neighbors to stepping out of her comfort zone to possibly find a new direction in life. A new lover and a new passion in taking photos to highlight the beauty of life. The opposite to her current job as a death doula. I love the way the tables turn.

Although I loved this story, I wanted the book to captivate me a bit more. Regardless, this book is important. It teaches you the importance of spending time with your loved ones, getting to truly know yourself, and living a life that makes you happy. Death is inevitable but we do have some say in the things that happen to us and the things that we do prior to.

4.5 ‘no regrets’ stars rounded up to 5
“Here’s to living a life with fewer regrets….Be cautiously reckless.”

From a young age, Clover Brooks feels a strong connection with the dying. She becomes a death doula to help those dying pass with fewer regrets. Clover keeps three notebooks on her clients’ parting words: REGRETS, ADVICE, and CONFESSIONS. While a novel about a death doula could be a downer, The Collected Regrets of Clover was hopeful, touching, charming, and wise. “The secret to a beautiful death is to live a beautiful life. Putting your heart out there. Letting it get broken. Taking chances. Making mistakes.”

Clover is a loner; inexperienced, and insecure when it comes to interactions with men and women, especially those her age. I liked that she showed growth throughout the book. The plot always moved forward. I liked that the romance I anticipated did not go in the direction I expected. (Way too many ‘romance’ novels are formulaic.)

Jennifer Pickens’ voice for Clover is perfect. It is nuanced and easy to understand. She made the novel come alive.

Brammer’s writing is strong and wise. When listening to the dying, “it’s tempting to try to fix it, to cheer them up. But truth is, you’ll never find the right thing to say – because the right thing doesn’t exist. The fact that you’re there, and present, says so much more.” “Maybe we just need to appreciate that many aspects of life- and the people we love- will always be a mystery. Because without mystery there is no magic.”

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for providing ’the magic’, an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Wow! This was a phenomenal novel. Although I wasn't familiar with the profession of a Death Doula, somehow Clover's career as one made sense. The ultimate lessons she learned, after spending time with Claudia and Leo, became a catalyst for change. It might have been a bit hard to believe that she was a 36 year old woman who had never been kissed and never put herself out there at all, her story arc was uplifting. The narrator provided a soothing voice to the story as well.

Clover is a death doula living in New York City. I had never heard of death doula as a profession before listening to this fully engaging and compassionate audio book, while taking a very long car trip. It turns out that death doulas are companions for dying people, who help them transition from life to death, with peace of mind and fewer regrets.

Clover came to her profession easily as she has had very early experience with death. Her kindergarten teacher keeled over and suddenly died while reading, “ PeterRabbit” to the children in his class. Shortly after that, Clover’s parents were killed in a car accident. She moved in with her living grandfather, who eventual death left her adrift with no friends or family.

As a result of these traumas, Clover had no real personal bonds , nor did she live her own life to the fullest. Aside from her job as a death doula, her only social activity was going to death cafes and listening to others who also were obsessed and immersed in death and loss In one such cafe, Clover meets Sebastian who hires her as a death doula for his dying but still full if a zest for life , grandmother. Claudia.

It is through her relationship with Claudia, that Clover learns to live. That turnaround is poignant , sweet, and lovely to read.

Sometimes audio books are difficult to follow while on a long drive. This one was read with meaning, compassion and at a pace that was fully engaging- definitely an important and worthwhile story.

Many thanks to NetGalley and MacMillan audio for this ARC.

A big thank you to: @netgalley & @macmillan.audio for the complimentary audiobook.

Huge thanks to the author and the narrator for this story that filled my heart and for giving Clover a voice that couldn’t have been more perfect.

Y’all…this book *dreamy sigh*. It was my first five star read in a hot minute. I’m not done thinking about it and it’s been days.

I’ve hastened Clover & Co. into the area in my brain reserved for my favorite characters.

You’ll love this story if you enjoyed: A Man Called Ove, All the Lonely People, Something to Live For and/or Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine.📚

If this book’s feels were an album, it would be Paul Simon’s Graceland. 🎶

You need this read if you love crying whilst smiling, having your heart broken AND your hope restored.

You’ll love Clover herself if you adore a quirky character (you can’t tell me she isn’t coded as neurodivergent/ASD and I say this as a person who is both), who is finding her way and struggling to do so, and holding on to that which doesn’t serve her.

As much as this book is about death, heavy with grief, it’s very much also about life, love and finding our people.

Clover, as a death doula, is with her clients as they make their goodbyes, but this is also a tale of fresh starts and rebuilding. I HIGHLY recommended it.

CW/TWs: cancer, liver failure, leukemia, heart failure, heart attack on page, grief, death of parents, death of friend, death of grandparents, miscarriage, homelessness, Alzheimer’s, alcoholism, obsessive behaviors

The Collected Regrets of Clover by Mikki Brammer is one of the most heartwarming books I have read in such a long time. I love the story of Clover and her life as a death doula, a job that I never knew existed but one that is so meaningful to many. I also enjoyed going on Clover's life journey and the way that she finds herself and what she wants from her life even when she is surrounded by so much death.

I did not expect to enjoy this one as much as I did, but I highly recommend it to all.

The narrator for this autobook, Jennifer Pickens, did a wonderful job brining Clover's story to life.

Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for this copy in exchange for an honest review.

This book felt like it was so well thought out. It is a touching story of finding yourself and also coping. As someone who has experienced a lot of grief, so much of this felt familiar. I really enjoyed the story and the narrator of the audiobook. It was done really well. Clover falling for Hugo was the best part. Realizing that there are people she wants to be around and that being a result of her work was touching.

This was unexpected! I've been anticipating this book for months now. The premise is absolutely unique and unlike anything I had ever heard of. However, it wasn't quite what I thought it would be. This is a very wholesome contemporary with sweet messages about living without regret. I recommend this book to fans of Matt Haig and Sarah Jost.

Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the advance listening copy in exchange for my honest review.

[really liked it]

I loved the writing and narration of the audiobook. I thought the story was very easy to get into even though it was a slow burn. The characters are the ones who really brought the story to life. I absolutely loved the main characters in this book. The story was unique and heartfelt.

Thank you to the publisher and @netgalley for providing a free advanced copy of this book and audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

A beautiful novel that compels the reader to take a closer look at the dual spectrum of life and death. The theme felt philosophical in a sense. The main character is a somewhat unlikeable 38 year old death doula. She was raised by her now deceased elderly grandfather. Although kind and endearing, her obsession with death after a tragic childhood kept her isolated from peers. Her story unfolds to highlight what it truly means to live.

Thank you to NetGalley, Mikki Brammer, and St. Martin’s Press for a digital
copy of this story in exchange for my honest feedback.

“But the secret to a beautiful death is to live a beautiful life. Putting your heart out there. Letting it get broken. Taking chances. Making mistakes.”

I had a doula with my first son and it was such a great birthing experience. Besides the support and comfort she offered me to have the natural childbirth I wanted, she gave me a beautiful story afterwards that detailed out many of the small things I had forgotten or hasn’t noticed.

Clover does that same type of thing, but for the other end of life. Sometimes she collects the regrets of the dying. Sometime she captures the beautiful sentiments to share with the families. It’s definitely not a profession I’ve ever heard or thought of, but can certainly appreciate.

I felt for Clover the whole story. She had a lot of character growth as she went from almost a recluse to putting herself out there for a chance to find love. I really enjoyed watching that growth.

Rating:
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.25

Read if you like:
Character driven stories
Introverted characters
Looking at death in a new light

(A spoiler-free review)
The Collected Regrets of Clover by Mikki Brammer
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

This story really hit the spot. It’s the perfect balance of love and loss, but more importantly, with learning to accept the idea that nothing is permanent. There are life lessons we can pick up along the way from those who came before us and we can learn from the regrets of others, using that knowledge to fuel changes that hopefully lead us to fewer regrets of our own in the end.

Clover is a death doula. She studied death and spends her time helping the dying find some sort of inner peace and acceptance at the end of their time. She lives alone, speaks to almost no one, and spends more time around death than she does out living a life.

She’s also incapable of making the same relationships she hears time and time again people regret missing out on. She can’t let go of the hoards of items her grandfather left behind when he died, unwilling to part with the memories and in essence living surrounded by reminders of death constantly.

It isn’t until she begins to make real personal connections - including a first kiss and the beginnings of a true friendship with a new neighbor - that she realizes what she's been missing out on by staying locked away.

This is a beautiful story that has more levity than you might imagine while still packing a punch with the life lessons not just at the end but throughout the narrative about the possibilities that present themselves when you open yourself up to their potential and take a leap or two.

(Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the ARC copy of this audiobook!)

Oh I loved this book so much. All the stars, and the narrator was PERFECT for this story. Well done!!! I thoroughly enjoyed the character development and thought this was an extremely powerful book in the most subtle of ways. It was brilliant and I will be recommending to all. I haven't come up with my instagram post yet but I will be sharing one soon. You can find me at @ifyoucanread_this . Many thanks for this opportunity and I will be posting my reviews everywhere under the sun haha

With gratitude,

Chanel

Title: A Beautiful Journey to Self-Discovery - "The Collected Regrets of Clover"

Firstly, I would like to extend my gratitude to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for providing an advanced copy of this insightful book, "The Collected Regrets of Clover" by Mikki Brammer. This novel offered a remarkable journey, one filled with introspection, profound emotion, and transformative realizations.

Brammer masterfully weaves a narrative around Clover, a death doula whose life work is to guide terminally ill individuals as they confront the end of life. Clover's role is not just one of a guide, but she is also a confidante, the person who listens to their final thoughts, regrets, and tales of lost loves. It's a role that requires empathy, sensitivity, and strength, and Clover embodies these traits perfectly.

However, what's most compelling about Clover's character is her own internal struggle - the ways in which she's not fully living, despite her intimate understanding of life's impermanence. This irony creates a fascinating tension in the narrative, one that is further amplified when one of her dying clients and his insightful grandson challenge Clover to confront her own unacknowledged regrets.

Brammer's prose is elegant, thoughtful, and full of empathy. The story is delivered with such intellectual care and emotional depth that it never feels didactic or condescending. Instead, it gently nudges the readers to consider their own lives, their own potential regrets, and the ways in which they might be holding themselves back.

As a reader, I found myself deeply invested in Clover's journey. I was cheering her on, hoping that she would confront her fears, reconcile with her regrets, and finally allow herself to live freely and fully. This emotional investment is a testament to Brammer's skillful character development and her ability to evoke strong emotions in her readers.

"The Collected Regrets of Clover" is an enlightening exploration of life, death, and the choices we make in between. It's a beautiful reminder of the importance of living authentically and embracing every moment. I highly recommend this book to anyone in search of a thought-provoking and emotionally resonant read.

In conclusion, Mikki Brammer has certainly left a lasting impression with "The Collected Regrets of Clover." I am eagerly anticipating her future works and the insightful, impactful narratives I'm confident she will continue to weave.

“What’s the point of giving someone a beautiful death if you can’t give yourself a beautiful life?”

I was hesitant when I picked this one up.

I’m all about the Happily Ever After.

Could a book about death ever end happily?

Hopeful is probably the better word, and hopeful is enough for me.

There’s so much to recommend in this book.

First off, it tackles the taboos around death. Why don’t we talk about it, when it happens to LITERALLY EVERYONE.

It also does a decent job talking about loneliness and legacy and adult friendships.

Also: Do I want to become a death doula?

Can’t wait to read more from this debut author.

7/10

Thanks to NetGalley, Macmillan Audio, and St. Martin’s Press, for this thought-provoking ARC.

The Collected Regrets Of Clover was a book that I was hearing a lot of buzz about coming into May 2023. I saw lots of predictions that it would be featured by Book of The Month (which it was) and generally a lot of good feedback. I'm here to add to the chorus.

This book centers around Clover, a socially isolated woman who works as a Death Doula. As someone who is chronically stoic around death, I found Clover to be a refreshing character. She isn't overly emotional or full of flat platitudes about the next chapter in life. Instead, she is a real person focused on providing real comfort to people as they live out their last days. I also really found myself relating to her in a social sense. While I am not quite as isolated as she is in the start of the book, the segments of this book relating to her childhood and not understanding why people don't like her really hit home in a deep way. I'm sure most people relate to those moments to some degree as we all experience rejection in life.

As someone who is not at all a romance reader, I was a bit nervous when this book started to verge into the romance territory, especially the love at first sight trope. There was no need to worry though, as the romance was tastefully done and only a minor part of a much larger picture.

The main portion of the plot revolves around wish resolution for a dying client and while I did at times find myself a bit worried that it would delve into cliches, the book thankfully avoided most major tropes. Clover isn't magical and able to fix every wound. She doesn't snap her fingers and cause a dysfunctional family to start behaving in a more functional way. She just provides comfort and safety for the people who allow her to and I really liked that.

All in all, if you like contemporary fiction with a very relatable character, a sprinkle of romance and a lot of meaning, I think you'll enjoy this book.

The audiobook narration was well done. I found the narrator's voice to fit the story she was telling. She read very smoothly and was easy to understand.

* Thank you to Netgalley, Mikki Brammer, and St. Martin's Press for the Audio-ARC of this book. This in no way affects the objectivity of my review.

That you so much for the ARC copy! Oh my, I loved this book. I loved Clover and feel like we had a kindred friendship after reading this. Death is a hard topic to talk about but this book promotes the idea of appreciating your life and living it well!

3.5 stars
I enjoyed this story and its unique plot. The main character was bookish and likeable. It was interesting how she explored people's regrets, confessions and advice, and incorporated them into her own life. I found myself nervous that she was so consumed with death that she would forget to live her own life.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ALC of "The Collected Regrets of Clover". I feel in love with this story and am telling others in my orbit to pick it up and/or listen to the audio verson. I was very invested in Clover and was hoping for an appropriate ending for her. I love it when an author can craft a character that is relatable and believeable and Clover was all of those to me. I also found myself reflecting on my own life and there were so many powerful statements of self-reflect in this story. Well-done.