Author: Sally Hepworth
Published: January 2016, St. Martins Press
Format: ARC E-copy, 352 pages
Source: Netgalley via Publisher
Anna Forster, in the early stages of Alzheimers disease at only thirty-eight years old, knows that her family is doing what they believe to be best when they take her to Rosalind House, an assisted living facility. She also knows theres just one another resident her age, Luke. What she does not expect is the love that blossoms between her and Luke even as she resists her new life at Rosalind House. As her disease steals more and more of her memory, Anna fights to hold on to what she knows, including her relationship with Luke.
When Eve Bennett is suddenly thrust into the role of single mother she finds herself putting her culinary training to use at Rosalind house. When she meets Anna and Luke she is moved by the bond the pair has forged. But when a tragic incident leads Annas and Lukes families to separate them, Eve finds herself questioning what she is willing to risk to help them.
My thoughts: This is the first book Ive read by Sally Hepworth and it is an absolutely heartbreakingly beautiful, yet thought provoking book. Its a hard book to put down once you get involved in it, yet one that you will not be able to stop thinking about once you finish reading.
I loved the way this story was told, alternating between Anna, diagnosed with early onset Alzheimers disease in her late thirties; Eve, suddenly a single mother, who begins working at the assisted living facility where Anna lives; and Clementine, Eves 7 year-old daughter. This allowed for a different perspective on what was going on, as well as different story lines. The main story is Annas, though Eve does have her own story to tell as well. But, whats equally interesting is that Annas part is told in reverse order, while Eve and Clementines is told straight forward. How clever and when you think about it, makes total sense!
This story is definitely about loss, no doubt about that, though, not all loss is tangible. Anna is trying desperately to hold on to the person she was before her diagnosis and maintain some sort of dignity. She learns quite a bit when she befriends Luke, the other young person at the care facility with a similar diagnosis. Their relationship blossoms into something that no one expected and its sweet, though not everyone agrees. But that begs the question - what drives a relationship - your mind or your heart?
There is a lot of food for thought when reading this book. Its a compelling read that will leave you with many questions. But, isnt that the point when you read a book of this type? Isnt it supposed to get you thinking? I always think so.
