What is next, after your love is gone?
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Author: Emily Bleeker
Publisher: Lake Union Publishing
Publisher: Lake Union Publishing
Release Date: March 15, 2016
Genre: General Fiction
Genre: General Fiction
ABOUT THE BOOK
Dear Luke,
First let me say—I love you…I didn’t want to leave you…
First let me say—I love you…I didn’t want to leave you…
Luke Richardson has returned home
after burying Natalie, his beloved wife of sixteen years, ready to face the
hard job of raising their three children alone. But there’s something he’s not
prepared for—a blue envelope with his name scrawled across the front in
Natalie’s handwriting, waiting for him on the floor of their suburban Michigan
home.
The letter inside, written on the
first day of Natalie’s cancer treatment a year ago, turns out to be the first
of many. Luke is convinced they’re genuine, but who is delivering them? As his
obsession with the letters grows, Luke uncovers long-buried secrets that make
him question everything he knew about his wife and their family. But the
revelations also point the way toward a future where love goes on—in written words,
in memories, and in the promises it’s never too late to keep.
MY THOUGHTS
I started reading When I'm Gone by Emily Bleeker at 10:30 PM, I finished it at 1:17 AM. (I know, I'm a fast reader). The thing is, I don't think it it mattered if I was a fast reader or not. I would've still read through this book without stopping, because there's no point in stopping. Once you start, you don't realize you're reading a book. You're reading letters. You're reading about the life of someone past and someone trying to find solace in life without. When my eyes did get a bit droopy, I thought about stopping and head to bed, and then I looked down and I was already on page 290. I turned the book to its side, so I can see how much I have left. Less than a quarter of an inch. Now, being the book-nerd I am, I rubbed my eyes and kept going, because I didn't want to stop in the first place.
Enough about my reading habits. Back to When I'm Gone. This book reminded of PS I Love You when I first read the synopsis. Letters from your dead spouse. However instead of it about helping you start anew, Natalie's blue enveloped notebook paged letters are about what she can't say or what she didn't have enough time to say. Sometimes secrets are the hardest thing to let go, especially when those secrets have changed your life.
A beautiful story, of a happy marriage that started as first loves, with distance and struggles in between. With three beautiful children, Luke needs to move on after Natalie's death. Yet, it was too hard, until little blue envelopes started showing up through his mail slot. Natalie spent the last year of her life writing these notes for Luke, to encourage, but also to share what she's been too afraid to share before. The truth as to why certain events played out the way they did. I was intrigued, but mostly, I wanted to be there with Luke and find the courage to move on, and when things gets complicated, I wanted to know why.
I enjoyed this book and I highly recommend this, for the book lover in you, for the desire to find out what didn't seem as it is or should be, and in the end, like this book, even without answers, there's a new start, a new tomorrow. Since I'm recommending this book, I would like to remind my readers that there's a giveaway to win a copy, and trust me, this is one pretty book, inside and out.
NOTE: I received a complimentary copy of this book through TLC Book Tours for an honest review. All opinions expressed are my own. For my review policy, please see my Disclosure page.
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GIVEAWAY
The author and publisher have generously provided a print copy of this book (it's gorgeous) to a winner on this blog!

TOUR SCHEDULE
Click on the image below to check out the other stops on this tour for interviews, guest posts, reviews and more giveaways!
Um this sounds so good, maybe sad, but still good. Thanks for the chance to win!
ReplyDeleteThis is a new to me author. I am very intrigued by the excerpt I read and would love to read the rest of the story. Thank you for the giveaway chance.
ReplyDeleteIt does sound good! I really enjoyed PS I Love You... thanks for your review and giveaway.
ReplyDeleteThis novel sounds captivating and memorable. Thanks for this great feature and giveaway.
ReplyDeleteEmilie, Deanne, Patty and Traveler! Thanks for stopping by. I really enjoyed this book and hope you will too!
ReplyDeleteThe story sounds heart-wrenching but memorable. I would enjoy reading this book. Thanks for the opportunity to win a copy.
ReplyDeleteThis book sounds so sad, but once in awhile we need to shed a few tears. Thank you for the chance to win a copy of When I'm Gone.
ReplyDeleteThank you for a great review. Now I need to read the book.
ReplyDeleteSo excited about this book! Thanks for the giveaway.
ReplyDeleteHearing from a loved one after they've passed is something we've all wished for but is that healthy? Does it help or prolong the healing.
ReplyDeleteThis sounds like a one very emotional book. Thanks for the giveaway.
ReplyDeleteWhen I'm Gone sounds emotionally charged. Thanks for the great review!
ReplyDeleteThe feel of this book is so appealing - a narrative style that lets you into the characters lives in a profound way.
ReplyDeleteThanks for being a part of the tour!
Sounds like and intriguing story. Might be hard to read in some ways, but compelling.
ReplyDeleteIt just seems like a story I would greatly enjoy.
ReplyDeleteAwesome....thanks!
ReplyDeleteThis looks like a very emotional read.
ReplyDeleteSounds like a beautiful story. Thanks for the great chance!
ReplyDeleteThis sounds like a really good book, thanks for the review and the opportunity to win a copy
ReplyDeleteThis sounds like a really good book. Thanks for the review and the opportunity to win a copy
ReplyDeleteThis book sounds so good!
ReplyDelete