House on Fire

Very entertaining. Drew me in to the story. Loved it.
Thanks to author, publisher and Netgalley for the chance to read this book. While I got the book for free it had no bearing on the rating I gave it.

House on Fire
A Contemporary Family Drama
by D. Liebhart
Bernadette Rogers swore she’d never put her father in a nursing home. Does that include euthanizing him to keep her word? Her mother thinks it does. Bernadette isn’t so sure. And even if she were, it’s not like you can walk into a drugstore and buy Nembutal.
Neo-hippie turned ICU nurse, Bernadette’s no stranger to the blunt realities of death but her mother’s request to help her father—who’s disappearing into the abyss of dementia—go “peacefully” blindsides her. Her mother thinks it’s assisted suicide. Bernadette knows better. Even if they do it for all the right reasons, it would still be murder.
What was supposed to be a relaxing two-week break with her best friend becomes an emotional rollercoaster as Bernadette is forced to make an agonizing decision about her beloved father and figure out just how far she’s willing to go for love.

OMG. This book really did make me think even after the end. I felt so involved in this one. I was in tears reading parts of the book. I just felt the whole thing, money to help him, promises the father forced to be made by my young children. The unfairness of it all.
I never read a book that I felt so invested in.



How far would you go to keep a promise?

D Liebhart’s novel “House on fire” portrays the impact of dementia, not only on the patient but for their caregivers, extended family and those who care about them. Heartbreakingly sad, it depicts the everyday life of one family faced with the loss of their father and husband. I loved Bernadette, our main character, her agonizingly difficult decision, all while tending her own special needs child. The author paints a realistic portrait of the impact of dementia in all its cruelties to all members of the family! The author draws you into this family, their everyday lives, their history and into the toll of a promise made. My heart was hooked into this family from the very first line of this novel to the last. The characters in this novel will stay with me for a long time. The dilemma of the promises we make to our family members, the reality of end of life care in the United States and the ethical dilemmas sorrounding end of life care and/or assisted suicide options are all depicted through this remarkable, everyday real life family. Poses the core question of when is ending a life for a terminal family member an “act of love” vs a “ murder.” Book clubs can have a field day discussing the characters, their relationships, the dilemma and let’s not forget that ending! I am grateful to NetGalley, the author and publisher for the opportunity to read this uncorrected proof in exchange for my honest review. #houseonfire

I will start with why it surprised me: the theme. Due to personal history, in my whole adult life, I have never finished a book about dementia, Alzheimer, or memory loss. Until three days ago, when I finished this. This book treated this theme with such a care, an understanding, and just with so much love, that I picked it up and never, not once, felt the need to putting it down because it was becoming too much. It was raw, yes, but also beautiful. And it gave me a nice peaceful feeling of, for lack of a better term, catharsis.

I really liked it. And I was not expecting to like it so much, because as an almost thirty woman who does, yes, love her family to pieces, this was about the only thing I had in common with Bernadette (the protagonist). And still, it spoke to me on so many levels! And who knew that the story about a middle aged nurse whose father is battling dementia, whose mother is his primary caregiver, and who feels (together with her siblings) beholden to a promise made when she was only a child: not to put her father in a home. A middle aged nurse, might I add, who loves her family to pieces, and would really like to help, but who can’t bring herself to euthanize her father, either. Not now. Who knew it would speak to me so much.

And also (and I promise I am done raving about the book, for now at least) a story about big, larger than life themes, such as human dignity, paganism, family, and love. With oh so many discussion prompts for book clubs or, if you who are reading happen to be a social sciences teacher, in the classroom!

How far would you go to keep a promise? As a young child, Bernadette promised she’d never put her father in a nursing home, but as his dementia worsens she sees that her mother is in danger and there aren’t many other choices. Her mother has different ideas and when she asks Bernadette, an ICU nurse, to help him peacefully go from this world to the next, she can’t believe what she’s hearing. Bernadette knows it’s not assisted suicide, it’s out and out murder, but would it be the kind thing to do?
This book covers some rather heavy subject matter (dementia, euthanasia, childhood mental illness, family dynamics, and death), but Liebhart does a wonderful job bringing each depiction to life along with her flawed, multidimensional characters. Once started, this book was quite difficult to put down and I’m sure I’m not the only one that stayed up way too late to finish it! Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC of this book.

The way this book was so transparent about dementia was heartbreaking, but also necessary.
It took me back to high school when my great grandma was moved into a retirement home for end of life care. It reminded me of how hard it was on my family making those decisions and being there, but also being on the outside.
It really broke down what it’s like to deal with the rest of your life while a piece of your foundation is crumbling.

House on Fire is an anxiety-wrenching journey of a daughter (Benadette) dealing with her father's dementia, and her mother's request to help her father go "peacefully." We switch from the past to the present, seeing how Bernadette and her family's dynamics have evolved to their current state and how Bernadette is trying to find the right solution to help both her mother and father.

Throughout this book, I felt frustrated for Bernadette because she has a solution that her mother and sister do not agree with due to a promise made when they were literally children. I was hooked from the begining paragraph to see how this would resolve.



Special thanks to NetGalley, and Victory Editing for sharing this ARC with me in exchange for my honest review.

This story was heavy and real. It shows how life has a way of throwing punches all at once. At the same time, it reminds you that you are never the only one going through something. As alone as it may feel, there are others who could understand. It was hard because it hit close to home in a lot of unexpected ways, but it was a good read and something that a lot of people will identify with for many different reasons.

There is a lot going on here but the author manages to keep everything in line and doesn’t let the heavier aspects drag the book into a state where it is burdensome to read. Instead, they shine a light on things which need to be discussed and which so many people defer thinking about until they have to. A respectful account of some tragic conditions, this book does not shy away from the real impact on families.

This story is so beautifully written! I felt connected with the story and the characters. The way it capitalized on dementia hit close to home but was executed perfectly. I couldn’t help but wonder what I would have done in Bernadette’s situation.

This book is a page turner with unexpected twists! Highly recommend!

Thank you so much for allowing me to have my very first ARC in exchange for a review!

Thanks to NetGalley and ARC provided by Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op, for this read. Wowza is what I have to say about this book. I was a good read. Dementia was shown well in this book (with what I know about dementia) . This book was well written and had many twists. I suggest to not read too much of the synopsis before reading.

I received this for free from NetGalley to read and review. Boy was I happy I did! This was such a heart-wrenching, relatable story of something all of us children, partners and such dread - what to do when your parents are ill. Recognizing their wishes or putting the rest of the family first. This got my brain going and I loved every second of it.

House on Fire is a touching and thought-provoking novel that explores the challenges of caring for an elderly family member. Liebhart tackles the sensitive issue of humane euthanasia and delves into the question of when a family member can decide to discontinue care or assist in death.

The story follows a family struggling to provide care for their father, who has dementia and has become violent, putting himself and others at risk. He had made his family promise never to put him in a care facility, and they believe he wouldn't have wanted to continue living in this way. When Bernadette's mother asks her to help end her father's life, Bernadette is faced with a difficult decision. Should she assist in euthanizing him, or force her family to put him in a care facility against his wishes?

Liebhart offers a commentary on the complex decisions caregivers must make when an elderly loved one's quality of life has significantly deteriorated. While most families want to care for their aging parents and grandparents themselves, the novel delves deeper into the complexities of caregiving and raises important questions about our responsibilities as caregivers and the difficult decisions we may have to make.

Overall, House on Fire is a powerful and challenging read that opens the dialogue on what care is appropriate now with the medical advances and abilities available to us. As I read, I often found myself in tears or feeling quite distraught, knowing that these are decisions we all will likely face. I highly recommend this novel, especially as it prompts us to consider the difficult choices that may lie ahead.

Thank you NetGalley and Liebhart for this ARC!

Glued to the Page
The characters in House on Fire seem so real and so imperfect that the novel feels almost like a memoir. The writing is excellent; I very seldom feel as glued to the page as I did reading this. I didn’t want to stop reading. This is a story about a family and a world with plentiful dilemmas and no easy answers. The father in the story made his family promise years ago not to put him in a nursing home. He said he’d rather go out in the backyard and shoot himself. But now that his dementia has taken hold, some of the family are considering the unthinkable. At the same time, the narrator of the story is struggling with her son’s mental illness and expulsion from another school for violence. Yet, it isn’t a bleak story. Despite the trauma and heartbreak, there are moments of humor and love. Maybe the universe doesn’t give a *** about them. They still care about each other. And I think that ultimately makes this an optimistic book. I felt enriched by reading it.
My favorite quote: What if this was the day that I became a stranger to him? Every person’s last moment was coming. Each of us was being erased, vanishing neuron by neuron. One day he wouldn’t know any of us. And that moment, when it came, would happen without fanfare, without a goodbye. (6%)

A very complicated, debated subject portrayed with feeling by a writer/ nurse who sees the difficulty families can face when trying to do what's best for their loved ones. D Liebhart does an excellent job of showing both sides of the impact quality care can make, even when facing an irreversible medical diagnosis. When Bernadette is confronted with her Father's failing health, both physical and mental, she receives so much advice it is hard for her to see her way to make a decision.

this was a very heart rending story written with skill and understanding.

I loved everything about this story;
Friendship, love, heartbreak, mental health and unconditional love.

As a nurse who worked in an assisted living/memory care unit for over 10 years, I found myself being able to relate through many parts of the story.

Thank you for letting me read!

Wow! This novel dives deep into family dynamics and the impossible choices we need to make. I don't know anybody that enjoys thinking about their own mortality or that of their family members, but it is in inevitable discussion and ultimate reality. Out main character, Bernadette, is faced with the hardship of caring for an making decisions regarding her father with dementia, all while also caring for her own special needs child. Hot button topics such as assisted suicide and health care in America are covered delicately by the author, and I felt invested in this family from the beginning of the story. I'm still thinking about it after it ended! This book would be perfect for book clubs!

Wow! This book was beautifully written! It contained heavy subject matter such as dementia, euthanasia, youth mental illness and death and the complicated family relationships that can evolve from that. I was pulled in from the first page and felt so connected to Bernadette.

This book is absolutely heart breaking, yet a reality for many people. It shows the daily lives of not only people with dementia, but their families, friends, and caregivers. The title House on Fire is the most perfect title because in the end, what would you do to please your loved ones in this situation? What's morally right, or what's ethically wrong?

One thing that really stood out for me thoughwas that the author was able to get across that life is over all a mixed bag. There are good days and bad days for everyone, it's up to you to make the decisions you can live with.

D Liebhart’s novel “House on fire” tells the story of how one family is impacted by Dementia .

When Bernadette's father begins to show signs of Dementia she thinks back to her childhood and remembers a promise she made to him. She said she would always look after him and never put him in a home. However, as an adult she begins to see things differently and ultimately a family struggle takes place with her Mum and sister. They all what the best for him but what does that entail? What lengths would she go to to fulfil his wishes.

This was told with a gentle sensitivity and gave a well rounded take on the choices and dilemmas we are sometimes dealt with our loved ones.
Special thanks to NetGalley, and Victory Editing for sharing this ARC with me in exchange for my honest review.

Pub date 31 March 2023

#HouseonFire is heartbreaking but at the same time a gem, this book was just what I needed right now . It dives into a situation that I'm sure touches every family in America in some way or another & makes u feel like your not alone in this battle .
I can't speak for others but this book spoke to me so deep . I was in tears at times but could understand where every character was coming from. I related to each of these women in one way or another . I wish I could give it more stars . ❤️

The whole Farm thing was also fascinating to read about.

Thank u #Netgalley for this wonderful ArC.

This is a very emotional story that felt like a real life. I absolutely loved the women in House on Fire - their faults, weirdness and all because they felt so real.

Bernadette, the main character, faces many difficulties in her life, one of them being what to do with her ailing father. Beautifully written novel, showcases dynamics of the family facing challenges, without being preachy.

I want to thank NetGalley and 9:25 Books for this ARC. Highly recommend this read.

House on Fire by D Liebhart is a poignant and evocative novel that delves into the struggles of dealing with dementia, expertly portraying the challenges faced by both individuals and their families. Through beautiful and insightful writing, Liebhart paints a vivid picture of life in California, capturing the essence of the Pacific coastline and the valley.

At the heart of the story lies an atypical family, bound by the realization that their patriarch has succumbed to dementia and has become violent, endangering himself and those around him. It is a deeply emotional journey as they grapple with the difficult decision of honoring his wishes to never be placed in a care facility, while also acknowledging the need for appropriate care given the available medical advancements.

Liebhart's writing shines in the moments that explore the profound struggle of dealing with dementia. These poignant scenes are powerfully rendered, capturing the raw emotions, confusion, and heartbreak experienced by both the individual with dementia and their loved ones. Through these passages, the author creates an empathetic and compassionate portrayal, shedding light on the realities faced by those living with this condition.

The California setting plays a significant role in the narrative, and Liebhart's descriptive prowess shines as the story unfolds. From the majestic Pacific coastline to the sprawling valleys, the author's vivid prose transports readers to these landscapes, immersing them in the rich tapestry of the characters' lives.

House on Fire also raises important questions about the appropriate care for individuals with dementia in light of medical advancements. The family's internal dialogue and external discussions with professionals open up a challenging dialogue on the complexities and ethical considerations surrounding dementia care. Liebhart skillfully navigates these themes, offering readers an opportunity to reflect on the choices and dilemmas faced by families in similar situations.

While the novel is a powerful and challenging read, there are moments of respite in Liebhart's beautiful and insightful writing. These instances provide glimpses of hope, resilience, and the enduring bonds that unite the family despite the hardships they face.

Thanks to the writer, publisher and Netgalley for the ARC copy.

House on Fire by D. Liebhart is a must-read. What would you do if you made a promise to your father to never put him in a nursing home but now he suffers from dementia and could pose a threat to your mother? Your mother asks you, a nurse, to help end his life with compassion. This is the conflict Bernadette faces.

I loved every page of this book. It was an emotional ride and had so many family conflicts we all have experienced, witnessed, or feared. Will definitely recommend this book to anyone who wants an emotional ride. Thank you, NetGalley for allowing me an advanced copy and allowing me to write this honest review.

Such a heavy read! Lots of heavy topics like dementia, death, euthanasia and mental illness. This book was well written and deep. I definitely feel for the main character and her struggles.

A House on Fire is billed as a contemporary family drama which is on point. The marketing for the book leads with Bernadette's dealing with her mom's request to relieve her dad's suffering from dementia. I found the story to be even more complex as it was the story of Bernadette who is living this life and facing so many challenges, one of which is her dad's dementia. I felt a lot of empathy for Bernadette and was engaged in her journey as well as the challenges posed by her father's illness.
All in all an engaging read!
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance copy of House on Fire in exchange for an honest review. House on Fire is on sale now.

The premise for this story is How Far Would You Go to Keep a Promise?

The promise is one that a family make to a father that if the time comes he would not be put in a nursing home.

The promise was made when the children were small - and does it stand up when Bernie's father is disappearing into his one Alzheimer's world and his elderly wife - his sole carer - cannot manage any longer.

Would you rather kill your father than break a promise which he clearly cannot remember?

This theme is morally debated between main protagonist Bernie and her sister Colleen. Bernie is an ICU nurse and sees death every day. Sometimes welcoming it for her patients. Colleen has religious views about killing and how its God's decision when someone dies. Brother Adam takes the practical view in that he seems not to have one except in that you cannot beholden to a promise you were asked to make when you were a child and could not decide otherwise.

This debate is big part, but it is only a part of this thoughtful and entertaining family relationship drama. Bernie has her own issues and her own tragedies to deal with. But at the heart of it is what is best for her father - the one person we have no idea what is thinking as we are never told.

Thank you to the publisher and to Netgalley for an advance ARC in return for my honest review.

The reader will go along with Bernadette as she struggles with issues involving her son, her job, her pseudo-ex, her mother, her sister, her brother, her father, Occasionally following Bernadette's somewhat disconnected troubles gets a tad boring. Overall, it was an enjoyable read even though I never really connected with the main character. who somehow seems to be able to keep putting one foot in front of the other and powering on. I was disappointed with the ending as it was totally unbelievable given how the stage had been set up to that point. I do recommend reading this one. There are several themes in this story: family relationships, mental illness, pagan lifestyle, assisted suicide, friendship,.....