Wow, this was such an unexpected gem! The beginning was slow, but around 40% I couldn't put it down. Clover is a death doula, a job I have never heard of but found very fascinating, who lives alone and is denying the grief from her grandpa's death years ago. Clover learns about processing grief while helping others through the death process, and how to live life with no regrets.
I have never been to New York but loved the descriptions of the places she went. I also was very satisfied by the resolution of the romance at the end <3 The audio narrator was perfect for the role of Clover, as she had a bit of a melancholy twinge in her voice.

Thank you to Netgalley and Macmillan Audio for an advanced listener's copy. All opinions are my own.

Clover does not fear death because she has helped many people transition to the next life as a death doula. Life, however, is complicated and hard to understand.  Through Claudia, she begins to understand how to live life and enjoy it.  This is a beautiful, moving story.  I loved the characters, this beautiful book, the narrator, and most of all Clover. Thank you to Net Galley, McMillan Audio and the author for the advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Clover is unpleasant. She is great with dying people, but terrible with living ones. Her past comes out and she really had some great people around her. So, this is the book where the unpleasant and shy loner is pursued by a bunch of people at once and learns to live in the world again. The problem is that most of the characters just aren't people I wanted to read about. The dying are the most interesting people here. The narrator didn't even seem to be that interested.

The Collected Regrets of Clover by Mikki Brammer is my favorite type of book. It shows a woman's journey of coming into her own while still trying to be true to herself. I think Mikki did a great job encapsulating all of the nuances that go with this and created a beautiful novel. I also love Clover's work and would ask her a million questions like Sylvie did; it's so interesting and beautiful.

As an aside, I am almost positive Clover has ASD. I have been doing the RAADS-R with my therapist for months and Clover has a lot of symptoms that would explain so much if viewing her through that lens.

Jennifer Pickens is a good narrator for this when sped up, although I do wish she'd use more range when voicing the other characters in the novel to provide distinction.

Overall, I rate The Collected Regrets of Clover 5 stars.

Thank you to Macmillan Audio for providing me with an ALC.

Mikki Brammer has hit it out of the park with her debut novel, The Collected Regrets of Clover! This heartwarming story observes how we shape the course of others’ lives, often without realizing it. Through her quirky protagonist Clover Brooks, the author beautifully examines themes of life, death, grief, love, and courage.

Clover is a death doula who is far more comfortable with people who are dying than those who are living. While she supports her dying clients with innate tenderness and compassion, in the rest of her life Clover is shy, painfully awkward, and retreating. Over the course of the novel, Clover is profoundly affected by the people surrounding her, nudging out of her shell and giving her new perspectives on life, love, and friendship.

You might expect a story about a death doula to be depressing, but that couldn’t be further from the case. This coming-of-age story is filled with growth and hopefulness, and Clover is one of the most appealing protagonists I have ever come across. The charming cast of supporting characters is so endearing – Clover’s old neighbor Leo, her new neighbor Sylvie, Bessie the bookshop owner, and her dying client Claudia, just to name a few – and all of them touch Clover’s life in meaningful ways. Clover’s character arc is delightful, making this a book I hoped would never end.

I was lucky enough to read this as an audiobook, which gave this story even more depth. The narration was spot on! I could not have picked someone more perfect than Jennifer Pickens to bring Clover to life, to fill her voice with trepidation at new experiences, gentleness in her death doula role, and joy in her growing world. Many thanks to NetGalley, Macmillan Audio, and St. Martin’s Press for providing me an advance copy of this audiobook.

First. Thank you NetGalley and St. Martins Press for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This was different than anything I’ve ever read. & not in a bad way. Clover is a death doula and it’s my first book ever based on one. During her time as a death doula she collects her patients regrets and advice all while navigating rough patches in her life. Clover was very likable; she’s quirky, compassionate and much like a lot of people, an introvert. Her character development was one I loved reading. I can’t believe this is the authors debut novel! The plot was a little slow but it was still a good book! A beautiful and heartbreaking story. I recommend 100%

Mikki Brammer's THE COLLECTED REGRETS OF CLOVER is a beautifully written and thought-provoking debut about a death doula who, in caring for others at the end of their life, has forgotten how to live her own.

Clover Brooks, age 36, experienced loss from an early age, and with her connection to death, she has made her career as a death doula.

DEATH SHE GETS. IT'S LIFE SHE CANNOT QUITE FIGURE OUT.

Clover has one elderly friend (age 87) and no family or romantic relationship. However, due to spending much time with the dying, she has not given herself a chance to live due to her isolation.

Clover writes down her client's last words in a journal labeling them regrets, advice, or confessions, with a lesson from each.

Things change when she meets Sebastian at a death cafe. His grandmother has terminal cancer, and she takes her on as a client. At first, the grandson does not want her to tell her she is a death doula pretending to enjoy photography to build trust and connect.

As fate steps in, she could give herself a gift by helping Claudia renew her long-lost love before she dies. (this was my favorite part)!

I loved this book! I am all about death doulas, enjoy stories about them, and hope to have one when the time comes. Everyone deserves to die with dignity, with their wishes carried out. Having someone experienced by your side would be comforting. Death doulas are emotionally supportive and often better understanding than family members. I highly respect their role; it takes a special person.

THE COLLECTED REGRETS OF CLOVER is an inspiring and uplifting tale full of hope. I enjoyed the wisdom and memorable quotes, and the cast of well-developed characters came alive on the page. Clover is an endearing character, and I look forward to reading more from this talented debut author, Mikki Brammer.

I had the privilege of reading the e-book and listening to the audiobook, narrated by Jennifer Pickens, for an engaging performance for all voices. I Highly recommend the audiobook.

Perfect for readers of Jessica Strawser's The Next Thing You Know, The Midnight Library, and Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine. Also, for fans of authors: Fredrik Backman and Elizabeth Strout.

Thank you to #StMartinsPress #MacmillanAudio for a gifted ARC and ALC via #NetGalley for review purposes. #SMPInfluencers

Blog Review posted @
JudithDCollins.com
@JudithDCollins | #JDCMustReadBooks
Pub Date: May 9, 2023
My Rating: 5 💐 STARS
May 2023 Must-Read Books

Happy official Pub Day to THE COLLECTED REGRETS OF CLOVER by Mikki Brammer! I listened to the audiobook narrated by Jennifer Pickens and I really fell in love with Clover!
⭐⭐⭐⭐💫
In a nutshell, Clover is a Death Doula (a support for those who are dying), who has a long list of traumas for her perceived closed-nature. When a particular client comes along, and her interesting grandson, Clover is pushed out of her routine on a specific quest. Along the way, she begins to discover how her own grief has held her back and she has to decide how she will live.

I seriously looked into this profession about a decade ago. Ultimately, I couldn't imagine giving a bill for it (my personality) and so I stick to volunteering. All this to say, I absolutely loved Clover and did not think she was ever strange. I was quite perturbed by the insinuation by others that she was. That may be my biggest issue with this story is the way she was presented as flawed. I think this was remedied mostly by the end, however, as her gifts to others were honored as they should have been and her grief acknowledged.

This is a coming-of-age amidst grief story as well. I wasn't worried about Clover finding her place, possibly because I believe all in their 20's (and even 30's) are doing this. This is a normal process in which we all find our own grounding for adulthood, and all at different paces. I loved Hugo's support for her.

This is a rather hopeful story despite the presence of the dying. In fact, this is what gives the story its poignancy. The finiteness of our days makes them special and what we choose to do with them can create beauty.

I do think that it takes wisdom and the ability to reflect (a.k.a. age!) to have some of the perspectives here. I can honestly say I have regretted much more of the things I have done than those I have not, but it seems I am in the minority on that one! I don't always agree with the YOLO mentality, but I did love Claudia's admonition to "be cautiously reckless!"

Many thanks to @netgalley
& @macmillan.audio for the chance to listen & share!

Happy release day! I enjoyed this book very much. It is a real thought provoking read. The character development and pacing was spot on. Thanks NetGalley for an audio eArc.

"Grief is just love looking for a place to settle."

Forgive me if I don't have the words to convey how much The Collected Regrets Of Clover by brilliant debut author Mikki Brammer brought me such catharsis and joy. This poignant, inspiring life altering work of literary fiction deserves all the accolades for it's purity in conveying living a full life and remembering some "...regrets are (written) in pencil." Give yourself some grace.

Clover is 36, a death doula, and never been kissed but she knows love and she knows loss. Raised by her grandfather, after her parents tragic death, she felt comfort in their routines including reading together. When he passes away while she is traveling she is truly stunted in moving on with her life. "That's the thing about loneliness we never choose it."

When Clover befriends the 91 year old grandmother of a would be suitor she finds herself swept away with the woman's story of her biggest regret; leaving the man she loves to marry the man she is expected to be with by her family and society. Clover is moved to find this man and her journey awakens in her some truths about herself.

The versatility of narrator Jennifer Pickens to go from moments of quiet reflection, to gut wrenching grief, to panic driven anxiety to found bravery to self love was pure fascination to my ears. Hearing the thoroughly profound writing of this phenomenal writer was a breathtaking experience for my heart. My one regret is not having a physical copy of this book to hug as my tears hit the last page.

Some favorite quotes:
"We weren't meant for this lifetime perhaps we'll meet in the next one."

"That's the day I realized it's hard to be anything but what the world thinks you are."

I received a free copy of this audiobook from MacMillan Audio via #NetGalley for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.

✨ Review ✨ The Collected Regrets of Clover by Mikki Brammer; Narrated by Jennifer Pickens

Wow - this book was intense -- I came in prepared to feel sad because of the topics of death & dying, but instead I was so sad for the character because of her loneliness but also the tough life she's had.

Clover is a death doula, meaning she supports them through their final days by offering comfort, company, a helping hand, support in processing in death, and more. In between jobs, she spends quite a lonely life in her dead grandfather's apartment, with her elderly neighbor Leo as her only real friend.

As the book progresses, Clover experiments with friendship and dating, both things she's never had good luck with in the past, as the girl fascinated with death didn't lead to building many strong friendships. I really felt so many feelings as she struggled to grapple with building these new relationships with the characters that surround her.

The new client she finds in the book and the journey it sends her on made this book an absolute delight. It made me smile; it made me sad; it made me feel all the feels. I loved the journey she went on this book and it left me feeling fulfilled.

The book tackles difficult topics of death, grief, loss, and more, in a way that felt refreshingly honest and open. I loved the breadth of ways in which someone could die well in this book, with an open heart and a path forward. I really appreciated that. I also appreciated the ways in which the book argued for an expansive view of grief - not one bound by time or cultural convention, but one that adapts for each person in each moment.

I did struggle a little with some of the ways that Clover felt immature or disconnected; and I think some of the things that happened felt a little extreme/unrealistic, but at the same time, I appreciated how it drove the story forward. I also wondered a bit about her possible cultural appropriation of certain grief rituals, and where the boundary lay between using these as tools for guiding deaths and crossing a line of appropriation. Overall, the book didn't talk much about this, and I'm glad it didn't take this angle father.

Overall, I enjoyed both the print and audio versions of this book, and highly recommend it as a book full of feels.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 (4.5)
Genre: women's fiction
Setting: NYC
Pub Date: May 9!

Read this if you like:
⭕️ themes of death, dying, grief
⭕️ feeling big FEELINGS
⭕️ character growth in friend/dating relationships

Thanks to St. Martin's Press, Macmillan Audio, and #netgalley for advanced copies of this book!

Advanced Reader’s Copy provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I loved everything about The Collected Regrets of Clover!

This story was refreshingly unique and quite surprising. While reading I really felt for Clover and I appreciated the discussions of grief and death throughout this novel. As Clover grows into herself and begins to accept life, I felt myself grow a bit too!

I could say so many things about this novel, but then most of it would likely be too much of a spoiler. All I can say is I really loved this read!

The Collected Regrets of Clover is a unique contemporary fiction book about a loaner who works as a death doula. Clover has been on her own since her parents and grandfather died, and she spends her life helping others peacefully into death. She is a character in the vein of Eleanor Oliphant, where her ideas about life and social interactions are outside the norm. Clover's perspectives begin to change as she spends time with her latest client and meets a new neighbor.

While I enjoyed the premise and the satisfying outcome of the story, I did not get fully absorbed in the novel until the very end. If you are looking for a high energy, action packed kind of story-- this is not it. But, if you like character driven tales like Olive Kitteridge, then you will enjoy the quiet arc of Clover.

Thank you netgalley and Macmillan Audio for this ARC and happy belated pub day (May 8th) to this lovely little book!

The collected regrets of clover is a deep dive into how we grieve and process death. Clover has experienced a lot of loss in her lifetime from her kindergarten teacher, to her parents, to her grandfather who raised her. Clover takes that loss and turns it into a curiosity, a study of death in all cultures. She takes that curiosity and becomes a death dula. She uses her empathy and kindness to capture her clients final words. Any clients regret that she can do herself, she takes on in honor of them whether that be dying her hair blue or buying a fancy dish soap. I loved a lot of aspects of this novel I love how candidly and nuanced death is discussed, but I also wish some plot points that are explored in the last 20% of the book were explored a lot sooner. I would definitely recommend this book to a friend especially if their interest align with clovers.

“The secret to a beautiful death is living a beautiful life.”

Short synopsis: Clover is a death doula, someone whose job it is to usher those dying into the next life. She has a book she notes down the last words and regrets of those who have passed in her care.

My thoughts: I was consumed with this debut. So many hidden gems within these pages. This book does talk about grief, and dying but I felt like it was done in an uplifting way. This one will leave your heart warm and wanting to drop everything to take that trip you’ve been dreaming about. To live life while you can, and take very opportunity that presents itself to you.

I loved the unlikely friendships in Leo and Bessie, the quirkiness and compassion of Clover, Claudia and her zest for life and words of wisdom, and of course Grandpa and the lessons he taught.

Read if you love:
* Fun heartwarming characters
* Unexpected friendships
* Taking chances
* Lost love
* Living life

THE COLLECTED REGRETS OF CLOVER review

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.25/5

💐Happy pub day to this stunning debut novel! I had no idea this was a debut until I went to the author’s Goodreads page to add their backlist titles to my tbr. I can’t wait for Mikki Brammer to release more books asap. 👏 I went into this one with no expectations and really enjoyed the story, and the ending left me teary eyed. 🥹

💐Here’s a summary of the plot:👇
Clover works as a death doula, sitting at the bedside of the dying as a source of comfort and peace. Clover’s life is so wrapped up in her job, that she forgets to live her own life to the fullest. Soon she starts to wonder, how can you have a beautiful death unless you live a beautiful life??

💐This book was so interesting to me because I had never even heard of a death doula. Clover’s character was so quirky I couldn’t help but love her. I definitely enjoyed the second half of the book more than the first. The first half of the book dragged a bit imo, and I would have liked the story more if the first half had been condensed and the back half a bit more expanded upon. The ending made me cry and I really enjoyed it. 🥹 Overall, I’d recommend checking this one out especially if you like more sad/emo reads!

💐Thanks @macmillan.audio and @netgalley for my advanced copy of this one!

I picked this one as my next audiobook to listen to on a whim and I’m so glad I did! Being an only child, I really identified with Clover so I was invested with her story from the very beginning. I’ve really been enjoying stories about self-discovery and finding happiness lately (French Holiday and Love Buzz had similar vibes) so I couldn’t stop listening to this one, plus the narrator was phenomenal. I also never thought a story centered around death could be so hopeful and charming but this one was exactly that. 4.5/5⭐️

You might think a book about someone who works as a death doula would be a very sad book, but think again - because it’s not. Certainly there are some rather sad moments, but on the whole, The Collected Regrets of Clover is more uplifting than it is sad.

This amazing debut novel might be classified as a sort of delayed coming-of-age story. The main character, Clover, is in her mid-30s and is a pretty solitary person as the book opens. She was raised by her grandfather after her parents died when she was six years old. She and her grandfather grew very close over the years and after he dies (alone) suddenly while she is traveling overseas, she decides to become a death doula, to help other people. She’d already been fascinated with death rituals and traditions in various cultures, so this job seems perfect for her. She even records some of the things her “clients” tell her, in journals titled Regrets, Advice, and Confessions.

I loved Clover and sympathized with her. I got frustrated with her always hiding from the world - she’s never had a real friend or a boyfriend. She mainly socializes with an elderly neighbor, Leo, who has known her since she moved in with her grandfather. A new neighbor in their small apartment building coaxes Clover out of her shell a bit and a young man she meets at a “death cafe” (a new concept to me!) asks her to take on his dying grandmother as a client, which further leads Clover out of her shell.

I could really relate to how attached Clover was to her grandfather’s things. It’s hard to get rid of things when you have a sentimental attachment to them! My husband and I are going through some of the same issues right now, so Clover’s reluctance to part with his things rings true.

I bounced between the audiobook and the ebook for this title, which was very convenient. The audiobook was beautifully narrated by Jennifer Pickens.

Thank you to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advance reader copy of this book and to Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for the opportunity to listen to an advance copy of this audiobook. All opinions are my own.

**As posted on my Bookstagram account**

💐 𝗥𝗘𝗩𝗜𝗘𝗪 💐

Thank you #partners @stmartinspress and @macmillan.audio for the #gifted copies.

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗖𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗥𝗲𝗴𝗿𝗲𝘁𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗖𝗹𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿
𝗕𝘆 𝗠𝗶𝗸𝗸𝗶 𝗕𝗿𝗮𝗺𝗺𝗲𝗿
𝟯𝟮𝟬 𝗽𝗮𝗴𝗲𝘀
𝗣𝘂𝗯: 𝟱/𝟵/𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟯

🎧 𝗔𝘂𝗱𝗶𝗼𝗯𝗼𝗼𝗸:
𝟵 𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗿𝘀 𝟰𝟵 𝗺𝗶𝗻𝘀
𝗡𝗮𝗿𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗯𝘆 𝗝𝗲𝗻𝗻𝗶𝗳𝗲𝗿 𝗣𝗶𝗰𝗸𝗲𝗻𝘀

📖 𝗔𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁: Young Clover Brooks had seen more death than the average child, beginning in Kindergarten when her teacher dropped dead while reading Peter Rabbit. Not long after, Clover's parents die while on vacation, and she's raised by a grandfather who provides her with a loving home.

As an adult, Clover's grandfather dies alone while she's traveling. Racked with guilt of not being there for him during his last moments, Clover becomes a death doula so that others won't have to die alone.

But while clover spends so much of her time with the dying, she's not really living. She doesn't date, and her best friend is an elderly man who lives in her building. She lives vicariously through others with her addiction to rom coms, and her binoculars that peer into the lives of the couple next door.

Some people come into Clover's life when she needs them most, and she must navigate the messiness of friendship and relationships. With so much of her life dedicated to death, it's time for Clover to learn how to live.

💭 𝗧𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵𝘁𝘀: This debut novel is a MUST READ! It's smart, touching, and beautifully written. For a book about death, it's incredibly life-affirming. Clover is a special character; the reader can't help but care for her. 💕

I read this partly in print, and partly via audio. I had never heard Jennifer Pickens narrate before this, but she's a new favorite. What an exceptional talent! 👏🏻 If audiobooks are your jam, I highly recommend this format. She was the perfect Clover. Amazing job!

The Collected Regrets of Clover is a book that will stay with me for a long time. I loved it!

Out tomorrow!
.

The Collected Regrets of Clover - Mikki Brammer: Audiobook narrated by Jennifer Pickens

What a fascinating look at the impact of death and loss on the development of Clover; Brammer grabbed me on the very first page. . Beginning with witnessing the death of her teacher in kindergarten, experiencing the loss of her parents, and the grandfather who raised her, Clover’s experiences lead her to become a death doula. She spends her life alternating between being isolated in the apartment left to her by her grandfather, still filled with his things and comforting her clients as they approach death. She recognizes that she is lonely and spends some time at grief group meetings where she meets Sebastian who ultimately hires her to stay with his grandmother who is dying. Simultaneously she begins to spend some time very reluctantly with Sophie who has just moved into her apartment building. These experiences combined very slowly encourage Clover to step out of her comfort zone and begin to live.
Brammer explores Clover’s development in such a lovely and compassionate way. Because I feel so shaped by an early loss in my life - I was drawn to Clover immediately. Since I had the novel in audio form, the sadness communicated by Jennifer Pickens reinforced Clover’s sense of loss. The beautiful way that she comforted others drew me in as well. Her slow growth through meeting Sebastian and working with his grandmother, and taking chances with Sophie, and through the love of her grandfather’s friend Louie who continued to look after her. All of these characters are fully rendered with strengths and weaknesses of their own which contribute to Clover’s journey. She has to accept failures in these folks and be brave enough to develop friendships anyway. Seeing her find joy and curiosity and safety in the world again is an absolute pleasure. And certainly while I love the hint of a happy, romantic ending, I also love that she is setting out on her own adventure in the end.
In many ways the city setting serves as a character. Clover spends a great deal of time moving through the city - walking - thinking - growing - changing. When I visit the city, I am overwhelmed and anxious now, and I love seeing how it proves to be a part of Clover’s healing. Her apartment as well - as Clover takes the brave step of going through her grandfather’s things and making the place her own, Bremmer provides a beautiful illustration of her inner growth.
We are always looking for ways, I think, to process the loss that death brings. Some of my favorite books - The Book Thief, The Midnight Library - even The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue that features the inability to die - explore the topic from a variety of perspectives. For me what seems so special about this one is that it ultimately affirms the value of a life well lived. I am slow to change - I fear it. I appreciated Brammer's patience with Clover. I appreciated the cast of characters who love and support her. They remind me to be patient with myself. In a season of change, I don’t have to cross every bridge quickly, but trusting in my friends and challenging my fears - while always moving forward is really just good enough.
Thank you to Netalley for providing me with the audiobook to review.