The Collected Regrets of Clover by Mikki Brammer (Penguin)

Ever since Clover started working as a death doula, she’d had the same ritual, documenting each client’s final words before the breath had left their body. Over the years, she’d found that people often felt the need to say something as they were dying, something of significance—as if they realized it was their last chance to leave a mark on the world. Usually, those last messages fit into one of three categories: things they’d wish they’d done differently, things they’d learned along the way, or secrets they’d kept that they were finally ready to reveal.

Clover sits with the dying, listen, and bears witness. Even if they were unhappy right up until their final exhale, at least they weren’t alone.

Despite being 37 years old, lives alone and has no real friends. She embarks on her first adventure when she meets Claudia, a woman with a completely different life than her own.

The novel is moving, inspiring, humorous and full of wisdom. Death is described as a natural and necessary part of life.

A very well-balanced book that is a pleasure to read.

4/5