What's Worth Keeping

What’s Worth Keeping is a heartwarming book of a family dealing with the mother’s cancer.
Kaya McLaren wrote this story from each family members poignant point of view.
This is such a heart touching story that I pretty much cried most of the way through the book.
This is a solid 5+ stars.

This is such a highly emotional book that I almost didn’t read it. I am 56 years old and I have Stage 4 Metastatic Breast Cancer. My cancer will never be beaten, I will never go into remission but I have battled it for 2 1/2 years and I will continue to battle it until there is nothing left to fight with. Amy’s diagnosis of cancer brought on so many emotions that she was unable to express them to her family, she was barely able to survive each day of treatment. The author was bang on with what Amy was feeling and what Amy was unable to feel anymore. Reading the acknowledgements I see that the Author had cancer herself so this is likely why she could right such an emotional novel. She wrote a true scenario of how a person that is battling breast cancer feels. While some of us will never have an “after” Cancer life we all are searching for a path that leads us to living a life that has meaning. You don’t have to climb a mountain or jump from a plane, you just have to find the peace within yourself to accomplish the little things that others take for granted. The author shows us, through Amy, that this is possible. I thank St, Martin’s Press and NetGalley for allowing me to read an ARC of this novel. I found it realistic and reassuring and instead of leaving me upset or feeling sorry for myself I felt a little more at peace. Thank you to the author for giving me this. I have read a few other books by this author and they were all wonderful. Give this book a try, it will leave you feeling better.

A lovely, haunting story about the echo of genetics and illness through generations. Very touching.

Many thanks to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for my ARC. All opinions are my own.

Real. Raw. Brave. Emotionally true. These are the words that come to mind after finishing this book yesterday and reflecting on it some. I have survived cancer treatments and surgeries twice and have to say that the author is spot on with her descriptions particularly of the emotional ramifications of such a diagnosis. She doesn’t flinch from asking the real, raw questions about life and illness and even the possibility of death.

One of my favorite characters was Great-Aunt Rae. Her wisdom and tenderness with Amy (and also with Carly) was beautiful to my own sometimes-weary soul.

I think that any woman who has ever had cancer, past or present, would benefit from this novel, even if just for the fact that she would know she’s not alone.

Also, I loved that the healing power of nature was such a prevalent force in Amy‘s story of recovery and making her way back to good health

I'm still trying to process this book, so forgive me please for the short review. This is a true tear jerker. One that will make you cry but you can't help but love it at the same thing. Its a gut wrenching look at cancer and what it does to not only the people who are fighting it but also those who are watching someone they love go through it. I cried through out most of it.

Such an emotional read, and it has to be on your TBR list for 2021!

This is hands down one of the best books I have read in 2020. The subject is a difficult one and I did cry a few tears, some of sadness and others of happiness. I love a book that makes me feel. Amy, her husband Paul and daughter Carly all have a story to tell in this most heartwarming book. My suspicion was confirmed when I read the Acknowledgements. I wish the Author continued good health. Thanks to NetGalley, St. Martin's Press for the invitation to read this book and the Author for the privilege to read and review this book.

Such a touching and emotional story told from three different viewpoints. Get your tissues ready. This was an intense emotional drama. This is a story about a family's journey of survival. 5+ stars! This was a nice palate cleanser after reading thrillers most of the summer.

This was a beautiful story about finding love again, coping with loss/tragedy/heartbreak, and about family. I knew going into this one that it would be sad, but it had such uplifting and positive moments as well. To know the author drew the inspiration for this story from personal experience really made me feel so much more while reading and made me have a better understanding for the characters. I cannot wait to read more by her in the future. Absolutely beautiful!

What a beautiful, life-affirming novel on perseverance and strength throughout challenging seasons. Amazing depth of compassion during traumatic situations along with admirable introspection and growth. I would highly recommend!

A beautiful, honest, gut wrenching story about a woman, Amy, which is re-evaluating everything in her life after surviving breast cancer. At times, the book was very difficult to read, filled with such sadness and pain. At times, it was such an uplifting experience to be a part of this character’s journey into her future.

The story is written in three voices, which is a great way to have the tale unfold. The reader gets to understand the perspective of each.

This book is an experience I will not forget very soon. I think that maybe everyone should read this book to be grateful for his or her healthy life, and those that have went through this experience, I am sure will understand every emotion that Amy is walking through.

This is the first book I have read by this author. I think she wrote an amazing book.

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! No spoilers. Beyond amazing I enjoyed this book so very much. The characters and storyline were fantastic. The ending I did not see coming Could not put down nor did I want to. Truly Amazing and appreciated the whole story. This is going to be a must read for many many readers. Maybe even a book club pick.

I received a copy of WHAT’S WORTH KEEPING by KAYA MCLAREN. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the free copy in exchange for an honest review.

FIVE Stars and here’s why:

Total book hangover. And keep a box of tissues handy, too. This gut-wrenching story is told from multiple points of view about second chances. Cancer affects most of us in some way – we either know someone who has fought it or have walked in the trenches of that battle ourselves. In my case, my husband is in remission from cancer and I didn’t know if I could read this book. But, when I started reading it, I discovered that Ms. McClaren took a hard look at the reality of that battle—from the view of the patient and loved ones stuck on the sidelines—yet infused just the right amount of humor and love into the plot to make me keep turning the pages to see how the story played out. Well done, Ms. McClaren. Well done.

This is a highly emotional read, yet so satisfying, too. Highly recommend.

What’s Worth Keeping is a deeply moving story of a family’s journey of finding acceptance, healing, peace, and the things that are worth keeping. In my opinion, this novel deserves nothing less than a five-star rating because it made me feel so much. Throughout the book’s entirety, I was invested, riveted to the pages, and completely immersed in the story and the characters.

Amy had been through so much. Her pain, suffering, and despair were palpable. Not only had she been dealing with her health and mortality, but her marriage and her relationship with her daughter were teetering on the edge. Amy’s turmoil leapt off the pages and into my heart. I felt all of the emotions right along with her, from her anger, hurt, and betrayal to her relief, determination, and comfort. I wanted her to be at peace, to live her life the way she wanted, and to seek the much-needed joy in the places, people, and things that brought her solace.

The story is told in alternating chapters between Amy, Paul, and their daughter Carly. This worked perfectly for this novel. It gave me an insight into each of the character’s feelings and how their lives were affected by certain events. While I was definitely a cheerleader for Amy, I can’t downplay the difficulties that her husband and daughter also faced. It took me a while to get behind Paul and his actions, but the chapters from his perspective really shone a light on his own despair. As far as Carly was concerned, she was a teenager who had witnessed her mother fighting for her life and she was beginning to question aspects of her own future. And, again, she was a teenager. She needed a little nudge in the right direction along with some words of wisdom and some time to reflect…and some time with Great-Aunt Rae. I think it’s fair to say that every family needs a Great-Aunt Rae in their lives.

What’s Worth Keeping made me feel a plethora of emotions. I’m not much of a crier, but I will admit that I spent a good amount of my time wiping the tears from my eyes while I was reading this book. There was simply no avoiding it. I finished the book and an entire box of tissues. When a book can elicit such a reaction from a reader, the author has done her job. While it was heartbreaking and gut wrenchingly painful, it wasn’t all sadness and despair, it was also brimming with growth, hope, and love.

Since finishing What’s Worth Keeping, I haven’t been able to stop thinking about it. It’s definitely a story that will stick with me for a long time to come.

*5 Stars

"Life is an imperfect experience."

What's Worth Keeping tells the story of Amy, Paul, and their daughter, Carly, who are at the tail end of Amy's treatment for breast cancer. Carly has just graduated high school and is still reeling from her mother's diagnosis and treatment as well as findings that may directly affect Carly in the future. Amy is coming off of a year of intense treatment and pain during which she found out a secret Paul had been keeping. Paul has been fighting demons of his own for years while dealing with some very real PTSD. This is a family hurting and the question is asked whether they can heal from it all and come back together.

This book is so beautifully well-written. It is heartbreaking and gut wrenching at times and yet I couldn't stop reading. McLaren writes these characters with such soul-bearing poignancy that I found myself wrapped up in the loss and sadness with them. I loved Amy's Aunt Rae and how she is able to be the string that ties the three together while they work to re-center themselves so they can move on stronger for one another. I enjoyed the connections she made in the book to nature, horses and the National Parks. It's really a stunning book that, while hard to read at times, is all the better for that pain and sorrow. Seeing these three slowly heal in their own ways was hopeful and heartwarming.

This book is the first I have read from McLaren. I sincerely hope to read more from her in the future. Trigger warnings for those dealing or who have dealt with breast cancer and/or PTSD. 4.5 stars

This is a lovely story of healing. Amy just finished cancer treatments, Paul is still struggling with the aftermath of helping in the Oklahoma City bombings, and their daughter Carly just graduated from high school. Each person is strongly affected by Amy’s cancer and their own pasts and they need to heal.

What I loved most about this book is how each person was able to heal in their own way without anyone else getting in the way or trying to help without really helping. Everyone has to evaluate their situation and decide what is best for them, how to move forward, and how to let go. I also enjoyed that it each chapter was told from a different persons POV. I love books written this way because I feel you see much more of the person. I would highly recommend this book!