Audiobook Review: The Collected Regrets of Clover by Mikki Brammer

Author: Mikki Brammer

Narrator: Jennifer Pickens

Title: The Collected Regrets of Clover

Genre: Fiction

Format: Audiobook

Published:  May 9, 2023

Where I got It: My shelf (Audible) 

Summary: 

What’s the point of giving someone a beautiful death if you can’t give yourself a beautiful life?

From the day she watched her kindergarten teacher drop dead during a dramatic telling of Peter Rabbit , Clover Brooks has felt a stronger connection with the dying than she has with the living. After the beloved grandfather who raised her dies alone while she is traveling, Clover becomes a death doula in New York City, dedicating her life to ushering people peacefully through their end-of-life process.

Clover spends so much time with the dying that she has no life of her own, until the final wishes of a feisty old woman send Clover on a road trip to uncover a forgotten love story—and perhaps, her own happy ending. As she finds herself struggling to navigate the uncharted roads of romance and friendship, Clover is forced to examine what she really wants, and whether she’ll have the courage to go after it.

Review:

This was picked for the book club. I'll be honest....I don't recall hearing about this book. Looks like a couple of friends of mine had read this. Not sure how this wasn't on my radar. Thank goodness for book club ;)

This is Clover's story. Since her childhood her life seemed to be filled with death all starting with the day her kindergarten teacher died during reading in class. Years later, her grandfather passed away all alone and from there she decided to become a death doula in NYC so she can help usher people peacefully through their end-of-life process. She spends so much time with the dying and her own grief, she has not really led a life of her own. Enter in a feisty old woman who sends Clover on a journey that will change her life forever. 

I'll admit....................I was scared to read this. There was a book that was sort of similar a while back that really and deeply discussed death and it sent me into a tail spin. Oof. That had hit hard. Luckily this one did a wonderful job with all the death. In a way...Clover eased the reader into this world and discussions about death. Beautiful job by the author. Sure, some bits were sad, but I only cried once. 

Oh that ending. It was so good. So full of hope and so very impactful. 

Now, I've been going back and forth on a certain element. No spoilers, but there is a hair of romance (not enough to call this romance by any means). It felt slightly forced and the person is just way too perfect. Mmm. Honestly, I think I want a sequel. See how Clover is doing. 

But yes. This suprised me on how good it was. I found myself not wanting to stop listening. The narrator was awesome and I highly recommend doing the audio of this. 

All-in-all, I really enjoyed this. Even with the one element I still liked this a lot. I'll give this 5 stars. The narrator and the whole story is worth the 5 star stamp. 

- Favorite Character(s): Leo

- Least Favorite Character(s): No one really. I went back and forth with Sebastian but he redeemed himself at the end. 

 Challenge(s):

- Audiobook #12

- Romance Reading #10 (Non-romance with Flowers on the cover)