Leave Everything You Know Behind has been sitting in my to-read pile for quite a while. Maybe it was knowing that the storyline focuses on two women who are facing the end of their lives. One is older and the other younger but each wants to have some influence on the path their life takes. Indira and Anne bring their issues/challenges to their relationship with one another and we watch the path of their friendship and their life choices.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest opinion. It is available now.

One of my favorite books this year… I laughed a bit and cried a lot. The story of two women on separate voyages to their death , the choices they make, their histories, their families, and their developing relationship. Loved loved loved.

This novel takes readers on several journeys, those of the dying and the living, while exploring family, love, secrets, mistakes, and how we give meaning to our lives. What does it mean to live? To lose yourself? To find yourself? To die? Anne, though stubborn and strong willed, is a devoted mother and business woman. Indira, a struggling wife and cherished friend. The one thing they have in common is that they are dying. What are they going to do about it?

I truthfully enjoyed this book, as much as one can “enjoy” something written about such a depressing topic. I felt like I got to know the characters, they felt human. They made mistakes and acted/reacted as real people would. It was well written with a fleshed out plot and relatable characters.

My rating system is as follows for reference:
1 star: would have DNF’d
2 stars: not for me but some redeeming qualities
3 stars: an average book that I would recommend to the right person
4 stars: a good book that I would recommend to most people, overall very enjoyable
5 stars: top tier, recommend to everyone, might even re-read at some point

**Disclaimer: I received an advanced review copy of this book for free and this review reflects my honest opinion.

I personally rated this 3.5 stars but have rounded up since half stars are not available.

This was, for the most part, a lovely book. I appreciated the author’s approach to discussing assisted suicide/death with dignity, however, I do hope that Indira’s admission that she was only afraid of pain would not give readers the impression that those who would choose a death with dignity are doing so as an “easy way out” as opposed to truly being read for death and wanting to die on their terms.

I loved Indira and Anne, and their beautiful friendship. There were multiple times this bond and their stories brought tears to my eyes.

There were some other characters throughout the book that lacked depth or acted in a manner that was too unrealistic and difficult to believe. I would have liked more information and resolution on many characters’ futures including Indira and Tom, Freddy, Laura (hopefully divorce and jail!), Margaret, Tom’s father, etc. I felt that these characters and this story had more to give. Even if the book doubled in length to provide more context and conclusion, I think it would benefit from the additional information.

Overall, the writing, plot, and characters in this book were enjoyable and well written.

Grab the tissues.

This was sad, the book went through some really hard topics (some for me hit a little too close to home), but wow.

Lots of unanswered questions too.

Thank you NetGalley and publisher for my E-ARC in exchange for my honest review.