My Review
An extremely compelling and poignant read where author Barbara Conrey has left a slice of her heart in the words of the story. Relationships had never come so close to a sacrificial analysis as this book saw them. Emotions were just buried under the surface, they were vast and complex.
Life is never linear, is it?
Emma and Kate were best of friends. Kate died of a brain tumor, and Emma vowed to find a cure for it. Kate’s father Ned too pushed Emma to excel at the cost of her family life. Then Emma became pregnant. She had to choose between family and career. A tough decision.
A debut by author Barbara Conrey, I loved how the dilemma in a woman was shown. Career or family? Can a woman have both, giving them equal commitment? Pregnancy and delivery were complex situations, and add to that the need to keep the promises, it was no wonder that Emma had to shatter to find her solution.
The characters remained strong, and their psyche was well explored. I liked and empathized with husband, Tim. Though not detailed, his emotions came through. I loved how the subtle byplay became the driving force in the book. All facets of their characterization came to light as the pages turned. Being a doc, the medical terms were easy to understand.
Emma was a great doc, her passion and drive to stand up for her patients came through. And therein lay my biggest niggle. I couldn’t connect to her, though I understood her situation. It felt that she never went beyond her narrow vision of life. She was Nowhere Near Goodbye, but she was first to say goodbye.
The story had its twists written every few pages which made my pulse skitter. Some reactions were shocking and laid my emotions bare, and some were expected in the course of the plotline.
Overall, it was a book meant to be read by every woman who stood at the precipice of choice.
My Rating
Book Blurb
A mother’s love vs. a doctor’s oath.
Oncologist Emma Blake has dedicated her life to finding a cure for a rare brain cancer. Twenty-five years ago, Emma’s childhood friend Kate died of glioblastoma, and Emma vowed to annihilate the deadly disease. Now, Kate’s father, Ned, is pushing her to work harder to fulfill that promise.
When Emma discovers she’s pregnant, she’s torn between the needs of her family and the demands of her work. While Ned pressures her to do the unthinkable, her husband, Tim, decorates the nursery. Unwilling to abandon her research, Emma attempts to keep both sides of her life in balance.
Emma knows she needs to reconcile her past with her present and walk the fine line between mother and physician. But Ned has a secret, and when Emma discovers what he’s been hiding, the foundation of her world cracks.
Nowhere Near Goodbye is a story of family, failure, and second chances.
Book Details
Publication Date: September 2020
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Amazon India: https://amzn.to/35ufFRC
4 Responses
I am always amazed and greatly pleased when a first-time author pulls off a good book like this
Ah this was one of my stronger reads I wanted more from the main character yet the book kept me so motivated to finish it at one go
Career or family, such difficult choices for a woman. Lovely review dear:-)
Great review. I think women stand at the precipice more than men, worrying about the effects of our choices on others.