"Bittersweet" by Lotte Bowser is a poignant and heartfelt memoir that delves into the themes of love, loss, grief, hope, and resilience. The book chronicles the author's journey with her late partner, Ben, from their idyllic life to the challenges they faced when Ben was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer. The narrative explores the complexities of navigating through grief and finding light in the darkest moments.

I felt the book beautifully captured the enduring nature of love and the profound impact of loss on the human spirit.Bowser's raw and authentic storytelling truly portrayed the complexities of grief and the journey towards healing and finding hope amidst profound sorrow. The author's resilience and courage in the face of adversity shined through the narrative, offering a testament to the strength of the human spirit. Through the author's experiences, I felt I witnessed a transformation from profound loss to a newfound sense of purpose and resilience.

"Bittersweet" by Lotte Bowser is a moving and inspirational memoir that offers a profound exploration of love, loss, and the resilience of the human spirit. Through raw and authentic storytelling, Bowser invites readers on a heartfelt journey through pain, healing, and the enduring power of hope. This book is a testament to the strength found in vulnerability and the beauty that can emerge from the depths of grief.

For those seeking a story that is both heart-wrenching and uplifting, "Bittersweet" is a compelling read that resonates with the universal experiences of love, loss, and the journey towards healing.

This is a heartwarming and heart-wrenching memoir that will resonate deeply with readers who have experienced the transformative power of love, loss, and resilience, and are seeking a story of hope and healing in the face of adversity.

Thank you to @netgalley and @brilliancepublishing for providing me with an Audible version of this novel.

Lotte Bowser’s Bittersweet is a powerful and moving memoir about love, loss, and the fragility of this one precious life we all share. From the very first page, it’s clear that this is a beautifully crafted exploration of grief—undeniably heartbreaking yet filled with moments of love and hope.

What makes this memoir so impactful is how Lotte doesn’t shy away from the difficult, painful topics; she faces them head-on with a resilience and courage that truly stand out. Her journey with Ben, from their first meeting to his diagnosis and beyond, is filled with raw, emotional honesty. I was completely captivated by their story—so much so that I couldn’t stop listening. The love between Lotte and Ben radiates from every page, making the heartbreaking moments even more poignant.

Bittersweet took me on an emotional journey from start to finish. It’s an unforgettable memoir about love, joy, loss, grief, hope, and finding a way to keep moving forward, even in the darkest of times. Every emotion and feeling imaginable is woven into this story, and I felt each one deeply. Lotte’s writing is both heart-wrenching and uplifting, reminding us of the resilience of the human spirit.

This memoir touched my heart and soul in a way few books ever have. I cried with Lotte, felt her frustrations with the endless “what ifs,” and, most of all, I felt the immense love she shared with Ben. Bittersweet is an extraordinary testament to the power of love and the enduring strength it gives us, even in the face of unimaginable loss.

Bittersweet is such an appropriate title for this book! Lottie’s journey with Ben and his diagnosis is very emotional and I couldn’t stop listening. Read by the author is even better because it adds so much listening to her tell her own story. So glad I had the chance to listen to this ARC.

Thank you to NetGalley and publishers for this audio arc. All opinions are my own.

Grief is a tricky thing. Everyone's experience is deeply personal from the immediate impact to long term coping with the loss. Having been recently diagnosed with Prolonged Grief Disorder, I applaud Lotte for putting her story out there. I don't feel like this is a book to pick apart as it is her personal journey. I enjoy reading books on grief because 1) it helps me realize these feelings I have are universal 2) potentially learning some new coping skills and 3) it helps me to be hopefully that I will eventually come out of this fog.

While I don't necessarily think there was anything profound in this work that I will take away, I did very much relate to most of the author's feelings.

As far as the audio, Lotte's voice is beautiful for audio. Love her cadence. Very soothing to listen to.