Low, a divorced mother of teenagers, writes about life after her diagnosis of stage IV colon cancer. She frames it using St. Paul and his writings about the last room. I could have done without the parts where she dives into St. Paul and religion but the rest of the book was both fun and sad. Low felt like a friend sharing the stories of her life.

In her current abode, Amy Low faces the stark reality of her Stage IV metastatic colon cancer prognosis, devoid of hope for a cure and slim chances of long-term survival. Despite the odds stacked against her, she has defied expectations, living four years since her diagnosis and undergoing a profound transformation in the process.

Amidst the enduring trauma and overwhelming sorrow, Amy discovered a unique perspective, a lens through which to embrace life with kindness towards herself and others, even as she navigates through the inevitable pain and loss that accompanies every individual. Rather than perceiving joy and sorrow as opposing forces, she recognized their coexistence in a delicate balance filled with enigma and unexpected moments. Instead of categorizing days as successes or failures, and bodies as healthy or unwell, she has learned to accept both accomplishments and challenges with equanimity. By choosing forgiveness over resentment and betrayal, she has illuminated her path with the guiding light of wisdom.

The author's adept storytelling captures the intricacies of her tumultuous journey, balancing the struggles of battling cancer with the complexities of her personal relationships. Despite the gravity of her situation, Amy's unwavering strength and resolve shine through, inspiring readers to confront their own adversities with grace and courage. Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the advance review copy in exchange for my honest review.

Amy Low, a divorced mother of two young teens, is diagnosed with colon cancer in her early 40s. The focus is on coming to terms with her illness and spending her time wisely in the "last room" of her life, the time before death.

In Amy's case treatments, while brutal and challenging, are surprisingly effective, and the last room stretches from months to four years and counting, years where she is able to embrace a rewarding career, watch her children grow into young adults, and take a chance at love. She focuses on truth, beauty, and positive experiences for herself and her children.

There is more religious content than I expected to find and she's very cagey about her relationship with Sebastian and how she resolved the conflict of wanting more that he was willing to give, but I enjoyed the insights into learning to live with and even embrace what could have been a devastating diagnosis.

An achingly human and honest memoir that illustrates Paul’s passage in a modern time; it gives wings to hope and comfort in the face of the last room.

this was a beautiful memoir taking us deep into the grueling journey that comes with a cancer diagnosis. Amy Low is able to make the reader feel the highs, lows, despair, hope, confusion, and uncertainty that surrounds a cancer patients mind and life during this time. She is resilient and i always felt her hope and will through the pages. I think it is an important read to understand what this disease does to a persons personal, professional, and mental life.

This was an amazing book! It was hard to read, but so rewarding. I recommend it for everyone, not just people with or affected by this illness. There is a hope and outlook that the author has that we all need.

I enjoyed reading The Brave In-Between and found it to be a quick read. Amy writes well and draws you into her story and surprised me several times with the twists and turns to her story. I was surprised at how much of her Christian faith was a part of the story because I did not notice it mentioned when selecting the title.

As someone also diagnosed with stage 4 metastatic colon cancer, I was BEYOND excited for this book. Unfortunately, it is not good. Her continual metaphor of being in these "rooms" and the "last room" is clunky and odd. Even over time, it never ends up making more sense.

Also, there is more religion focus in this book than the average person would find necessary.

Ultimately, the situation is profound and difficult. The author is intelligent, but the book does not come together in a way to reach the profoundness she is obviously aiming for.