If you have ever lost someone you love qucikly then you will without a doubt be able to relate to the characters of this story! This is a powerful and moving read!

A brand new author to me - I do like finding a new author. An enjoyable read and would be interested in reading more by this author.

This was a story of journeying through grief, learning to live again , and letting go. But it is also about loving those around you and making your mark on life. It is a beautiful story.
Many thanks to Lake Union Publishing and to NetGalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

COUNTING STARS - Kathleen Long

DEALING WITH GRIEF - 4 stars

Plot - 4 stars - Bernie's very-much-loved brother died unexpectedly, and she's trying to deal with her grief. When his widow comes to her and asks for help, Bernie convinces her that they should set out on a road trip together to visit all the sights he always wanted to see. Bernie's mom also comes along, although she's not enthusiastic, plus her friend's teenaged daughter is coerced into joining them.

Writing - 4 stars - Although it took several pages to really get into this story, once the scene was set and the characters established, the story developed quickly, and it was both wonderful and painful to watch their progression both on the road and through their grief. By the end of the story I really cared about each woman and felt like I was on the journey with them.

Characters - 4 stars - As we get to know Bernie better, we also meet Mark through her memories. Bernie is a single woman who is just trying to get through life after the loss of a baby and then her divorce. Now as she must deal with her brother's death, she tries to find a way to see hope again. Although she's not particularly persuasive, she eventually convinces her mom and Mark's widow to come along on the journey with her, despite their resistance. Even after they've set out, Bernie keeps trying to deal with her misgivings, pushing against their inattention and her disappointment. While on the road, she also faces other facets of her life that need attention. Jenny, the widow, has created a bunch of routines and schedules for herself and her children and is unwilling to let go of them in order to really deal with her grief. She is reserved and stiff and almost cold as she tries to hold herself together, but we can all see the pain underneath. Bernie's mom begins as just the mom character, but as the trip progresses Bernie (and we) get to know her better as a vibrant woman. She's had a rich and varied life even though she's settled into a quiet lifestyle after her husband's and son's deaths. Ashley is Bernie's friend's daughter who has been banished on this trip because her mother is dealing with her own issues. She's got a teenager attitude, can't leave her cell phone alone, and doesn't want anything to do with this trip. But it's nice to watch her remember how close she once was to Bernie and start to thaw.

Format - 4 stars - Actually, the format of breaking the book into sections isn't particularly innovative. But the titles of these sections were inspirational: Dream Your Dream, Follow Your Heart, Imagine, Listen to the Wind, Drink sunsets, Be free, Let the wonder never cease, Believe, Wish on every star, Create adventure, Be kind. Each evokes a warm and comforting yet hopeful feeling.

Title - 5 stars - The title is clearly explained when Bernie and her mom go for a walk. The stars are "loved ones winking down from heaven" and "represent memories of those we've lost and remind us of all the possibilities yet to be." Such a lovely thought.

Cover - 4 stars - Beautiful cover, an outdoor scene showing the sky, the stars, and a woman.

Overview - 4 stars - This is a road trip book, literally, as 4 women take a long trip together in an RV, in order to follow a dream trip that their beloved Mark had wanted all his life. But it's also a spiritual and emotional journey for all of them, and this is what's so appealing and heartfelt about this book. Each character grows and changes as an individual, reacting and dealing with her grief and sadness and coming to terms with it and with their life. But, more importantly, the women grow together, becoming a unit and learning to ask for help and to depend on each other's support. There's a lot of emotion involved, and the reader is drawn into their lives and is rooting for their success.

I hope Reese Witherspoon takes an option on this book because I can't wait to see the movie. This novel was both humerous and heartwarming. Four women of three generations on a 3 week roadtrip in an RV, dealing with loss, grief, love, family, and friendship. I devoured it.