A Mother's Last Wish by Jo Bartlett was brilliantly written. It follows a mom of two named Louisa who gets diagnosed with terminal cancer. She has to navigate the emotions that go with the diagnosis as well as explain it to her two young children with the help of her husband Dan and twin sister Holly. Told in different points of view from all three of the adults, you get a well rounded and realistic look at how one might navigate a life ending diagnosis, palliative care and the aftermath. I rarely cry while reading a book, but this one definitely had me emotional. Would definitely recommend this book for anyone who likes books that tug on their heart strings.

I was given this Advanced Reader Copy from NetGalley in exchange for my honest opinion and review.

I’m going to start by saying what a truly beautiful book this is, despite having to read it through a veil of tears. Jo Bartlett writes from the heart and intuitively knows how to command her audience’s attention. Her command of the word flow and intuitive timing with the reveal of more and more detail is impressive.
We meet Louisa and Tom along with their delightful children, Stan and Flo. A perfectly imagined family that ticked every box in the description of ideal goals. We also met Holly, who is Louisa’s non-identical twin and the eldest by a narrow margin. We also learned that Holly is a survivor of cancer so it was an easy leap to hope that the story would somehow prove to be about Holly. Wishful thinking.
Once the initial diagnosis was revealed, the pain and downward spiral commenced, and I became inconsolable through my tears. This story felt very close to home, and it’s impossible not to recall those who have survived as well as those who have succumbed to this relentless disease.
It seems patronising to describe Louisa as brave. She didn’t really have any other option, but her reactions to the reality of not being around to see landmarks in her family’s future were totally understandable. I genuinely felt as though I knew and understood this brave and love-filled woman whose life was being halted so arbitrarily before it had really begun.
The love between Louisa and Tom was never in doubt, and their love story was one that I would have liked to spend more time with, but I know that more time is probably the strongest wish for anyone with a limited amount remaining.
There was no doubt in Louisa and Holly's relationship. Their connection as twins was very special, even though they struggled to navigate the proverbial sea of emotions. Try to overlook Louisa's manipulative behaviour as she conjures up her ultimate solution for Tom’s future without her. It’s impossible to second-guess where our minds may head in desperate times.
I cannot heap enough praise on this book, and I know I will continue to be emotional about it for years to come. The one consideration whilst reading was the knowledge that Jo had also survived a damning cancer diagnosis. If you follow her on social media, you will easily spot that there’s a large helping of Jo in Louisa’s character and quite rightly so. I was hoping for a miracle, but will happily accept that Jo being around to write her beautiful books is exactly the miracle I was looking for.

With the inevitability of its outcome, this was never going to be an easy book to read – Lou’s journey following a diagnosis of pancreatic cancer was raw, excruciatingly painful, and very emotional. I read it over the course of three days – often having to set it aside, just to breathe a little – and felt entirely part of the family’s experience, through every devastating setback and with an immense sympathy for her concerns about leaving her young children (and her husband Tom, and twin sister Holly) behind. The blow they’ve been dealt is even crueller because of Holly’s own earlier successful fight against a cancer diagnosis – the universe can be so very unfair at times – and we learn that they are particularly close because of the appalling parenting they were both subjected to.

It almost feels wrong to write a review in terms like characterisation, the relationships and their emotional impact because – such is the author’s skill – every moment of this book felt entirely real. When they hurt, I could feel their pain – and when they cried, I wept with them. And after that, it might seem strange to say that I found the whole story particularly uplifting – it’s overflowing with love, and I could feel that throughout every bit as strongly as the immense sadness at a life cut short. The characterisation is quite superb – however low her spirits, Lou never loses her wry sense of humour (or her sassiness – I loved her so much…), and there are unexpected moments of sheer joy as she attempts to cram in all the positive experiences her children will remember. As the author puts it, she’s finding her own way to keep living while she’s dying, not wanting to waste a precious moment. And, on a lighter note, that includes not suffering fools gladly – the times when she puts insufferable “friend” Billie in her place are just magnificent, and I wanted to hug her even more than I already did.

Her attempts to make sure her children are cared for after her death are so real and understandable, however impossible to achieve – as are her interactions with the on-line end-of-life forum (something many of us turn to in challenging times – I vividly recall my own experiences when dealing with mum’s dementia), including the cruelty of the trolls who only seek to make a bad situation worse. And something I particularly liked about this book was that we didn’t just see everything through Lou’s eyes – we have Tom and Holly’s perspectives too, and their own emotional turmoil while providing the best support possible was quite wonderfully handled. And, as we shared their inner thoughts, I entirely empathised with many of their complex feelings too, and their emotional honesty – especially Holly, concerned that she was so deeply involved because it felt good for once to be truly needed.

And, as a review, I think that’s enough. If this was – at times – a challenging book to read, it must have been an incredibly difficult one to write. And I thought it was an absolute triumph – written from the heart, drawing on her own real-life experience, making the reader feel so very deeply for the individuals at the book’s centre. It might not be the book for everyone – especially if they have their own struggles, because it might just be too painful. But the book really is so much more than that – if I found myself sobbing helplessly at times, the perfectly judged ending left me hopeful for some happiness in everyone’s future. Extraordinary writing, and an entirely unforgettable read – and I couldn’t recommend it more highly.

This was a very emotional and heart wrenching read and covered a topic that is very close to my heart after losing a very dear friend to cancer a year ago. I am sure that a mothers last wish will resonate with many readers for one reason or another as sadly lots of people are either going through their own cancer journey or supporting others with theirs.

This is a brilliantly written book told from the perspective of three characters and I strongly advise having tissues close by. This book will resonate me for a long time to come.

It starts off with the mother of 2 children getting ready for a big wedding anniversary only to be told that she is sick.
It follows the mother, louisa, and her family as they navigate her diagnosis. Its a great book and really relatable, even if you dont have any children. It goes through the normal questions and discusions that people dont really want to have until absolutely necessary.
Another aspect was Louisa sister. As great as it is being an Auntie she questions whether or not she can measure up as a mother figure after her sisters death.
I received an Arc copy in exchange for honest review #NetGalley

Read and reviewed in exchange for a free copy from Netgalley. Jo Bartlett is one of my favourite authors, although this was a family drama rather than a romance. It is difficult to say I enjoyed this book, as the subject matter was so painful, but Bartlett wrote this difficult topic skillfully, sensitively, and heartbreakingly. I was compelled and deeply moved by the book (cue crying over my morning tea and toast) , and Bartlett used different perspectives to great effect, with an engaging cast of supporting characters as well.

Louisa is given the heartbreaking news that she has incurable pancreatic cancer - just a few years after her twin sister recovers from breast cancer.

Her family is her world. She's the person who always had a backup plan and a backup for that plan, and now no plan can change the outcome.

I adored the relationship she had with her sister and how they all tried to create memories her young children would remember. The family movie night scene was particularly special ( and heart-wrenching)

This was such a raw and emotional read, and the last few chapters had me full-on crying.

Jo Bartlett did such an incredible job capturing the emotions of all the characters, and her own story is equally as moving. Jo is an amazing human.

A Heartbreaking, thought provoking , book which is full of emotion, love, family and so much more.
It is Louisa, Tom and Hollys stories and shows how they all cope with Louisa’s incurable cancer diagnosis and Journey and how they look to protect Louisa and Toms two young children Flo and Stan .
An emotional rollercoaster of a book , partially based on the authors own cancer diagnosis when her children were very small .
Jo it must have been a very hard story to write.
A really informative and thought provoking story, beautifully written, and highly emotional . It had me crying
Thank you to Netgalley, Boldwood Books and Jo Bartlett for letting me read this book in exchange for an honest review

I absolutely loved Jo's previous standalone book, The Girl She Left Behind. I was looking forward to another similar book by her.

A Mother's Last Wish sounded heartwrenching enough from the title. The novel itself is that and more. Jo Bartlett creates characters effortlessly in this book, and I really felt for Louisa and liked her personality. I also liked her passion for writiing and her writing job. I enjoyed the insights into her experience being a mother, and her marriage with Tom.

I liked the bond between her and her sister Holly, and how she was a support when Holly had cancer in the past.

Both twin sisters have experience with cancer, and that also made the book very sad. The way that Jo Bartlett approaches the subject is tactful and in a way that made me want to know more.

A Mother's Last Wish is completely immersive and I had to struggle not to get emotional. I really liked her children Flo and Stan and they were cute. I can't imagine but what it would've been like for Louisa and everyone close to her. I identify with what she says about saying "I'm fine" as being what people want to hear.

I did like Kate too, and how supportive she was of her. I really didn't like Billie. I felt she was very manipulative but I did feel proud of Louisa for standing up for herself when near her. I felt Billie was even unfair to her son Felix. I really felt for him too.

Jo Bartlett goes really deep into Louisa's feelings and experiences, wich are mostly about her concern for Flo and Stan and everyone else after she's not there for them. This is understandable. The way Louisa tried to live was admirable, and how she tried to help herself and her experience on the forum was realistic.

The hospital atmosphere is really well described. I am a person who has had a lot of experience of hospitals, and this was very realistic.

A Mother's Last Wish is unforgettable. I was close to tears on many occasions.

5 stars

Thanks to Jo Bartlett and Boldwood Books for my eARC in exchange for an honest and voluntary review.

Heart-wrenchingly beautiful. Bring your Kleenex. 5⭐

I received an advanced complimentary digital copy of this book from Netgalley. Opinions expressed are my own.

Louisa’s life takes a devastating turn when she is diagnosed with terminal cancer. The story follows her journey from diagnosis to her passing, told through the perspectives of Louisa, her husband Tom, and her twin sister Holly. Louisa’s greatest fear is leaving her children behind, and she selflessly focuses on ensuring their future happiness.

The book explores themes of love, family, and resilience, with touching moments, including Louisa’s participation in a support group for individuals with terminal diagnoses. It’s an emotional, beautifully written story about facing life’s hardest challenges with courage and grace.

Thanks to the Publisher and Netgalley for an early review copy.

This was so beautifully written, the story of Louisa, who is informed that her cancer is incurable.

It highlights how you should live your life to the full and to cherish those you love.

Louisa realises that she won’t be there to see her family grow, the milestones of her children and the lives they’ll lead as adults.

What is at the centre of this story is the love of her family, which she cherishes.

An emotional read.

I highly recommend this book.

First, I want to thank Jo Bartlett, Boldwood Books, NetGalley and Rachel's Random Resources for providing me with this book so I can bring you this review.

WOW!!!! Jo Bartlett’s A Mother’s Last Wish was an incredibly emotionally difficult book to read as I just lost my father in December. There were many many parts of the book where I found myself ugly crying (you will need tissues for this book). Jo wrote a very beautiful story with many insightful messages that went outside the box in creative writing.

Jo dedicates this book to the two she couldn’t bear to leave Anna and Harry.

In a Mother’s Last Wish Jo Bartlett educates her reader’s about Pancreatic Cancer that Louisa is diagnosed with and Breast Cancer that her twin sister Holly has.

My heart went out to Lousia who just got diagnosed with Pancreatic Cancer and has two adorable young children. This is when my heart broke in a million pieces. I was blessed to have my Dad for 48 years..but these characters in the book wouldn’t have their Mom for that long. She wouldn’t get to see their big milestones and that tore me up. I was blessed to have that. I didn’t realize that til I read Jo’s book.

My favorite part of the book was when they had Disney Movie night with Pizza and munchies and the characters Lilo and Stitch came for the kids! How cool was that? My kid at heart would be flipping out!

There was a very unique twist to this story.

When Louisa gets dealt a devastating diagnosis her world as she knows it tilts dramatically. Suddenly she realises what she will miss out on with her family and begins to worry.

But when she is given advice, she relaxes and decides to to take all matters into her own hands and believes she can enjoy them while she can.

This story looks at the who,e issue of receiving the diagnosis, to the final moments when everything is taken out of your hands. It looks into how the emotions are laid bare and the discussions of what is going on and how they deal with it all.

It is a heartbreaking story that you will need tissues for.

A very heartfelt story about twin sisters who each get a health diagnosis and have to deal with it. Oh I felt all the emotions, from the parents to the twins to the kids. Oh so good! I can’t wait to read more from this author. Thanks to NetGalley for this early release in exchange for an honest review. To be published January 26, 2025.

Get the tissues ready when reading this moving read
About a mother providing all she thinks her children need.
A dreadful diagnosis has her reevaluating her life
And making plans for others, despite the strife.

Lou's husband and her twin both really care
And the happiness of Stan and Flo they'll try to share.
But worries, love and making the most of time
Not to make the most of it would be a crime.

A harrowing, moving, inspirational read,
Though tissues I suspect you'll also need.
So skilfully written, from three points of view
Making it easy to empathise with them all the way through.

For my copy of this heartbreaking read I say thank you
As I share with you this, my honest review.

A Mother’s Last Wish by Jo Barlett

What a heartbreaking story of a loving mother, Louisa, who receives the most devastating news possible, she has pancreatic cancer and its incurable and she only has months left to live.

Now Louisa wants only the best for her children, six-year-old Flo and four-year-old Stan. Who will be there to look after them when their dad, Tom, goes away on business? Who will be there to hug them when they are sad or to comfort them when they are upset? As Louisa learns to let go she finds her twin sister Holly is there to step in and be the best Aunt the children could ask for.

This book is written from three points of view Louisa, Tom and Holly.

I loved this book and shed many tears, I loved the characters, especially Louisa, and I found the story heart wrenching.

I would like to thank Net Galley and Boldwood Books, for a copy of this eBook in exchange for an honest review.

Louisa gets the heartbreaking news that she has terminal cancer. We follow her journey from her initial diagnosis through to her passing. She is lived and supported by her husband Tom and her twin sister Holly.

This story is told from Louisa, Holly, and Tom's points of view. Have a box of tissues handy as this story will make you cry as you live through the emotions Louisa has to go through. Louisa is distraught at the knowledge that her children will be carrying on their lives without her. This story could be abut any one of us. This is a beautifully written book.

Published 26th January 2025

I would like to thank #NetGalley #BoldwoodBooks and the author #JoBartlett for my ARC of #AMotersLastWish in exchange for an honest review/

In my opinion, this author always produces amazing reads. And this one was no different.

The pacing of the plot was great.
The storyline was ....heartbreaking.
The characters were relatable and easy to like.

Would definitely read others by this author!

This was such a sad, heartbreaking story that left me with a tear in my eye. Louisa and Tom are the perfect couple with two small children when a hospital appointment changes everything. She has cancer and it’s terminal. The story tells of her struggles during this sad time and spending as much time with her two children. It’s a beautiful story with the reality that this could happen, it was very well written and the emotions were everywhere in the book. This book fulls at your hearts strings, a great story. 5 stars
Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for a copy.