How to pick up the pieces after a devastating tragedy?

Synopsis

Flora has always adored her brother Billy. Born just eighteen months apart, their childhood was spent like two peas in a pod – no one could separate them. Now, as adults, they remain the best of friends. And as Flora is immersed in family life, Billy is always there to lend a hand. 

But, in just one day, everything changes.

In just one day, Flora’s life falls apart.

In just one day, Flora has to learn how to live again.

From the nostalgia of seaside Britain to the breath-taking beauty of Venice, in tears and laughter, join Helen McGinn for this emotional, uplifting and joyful story about love in all its guises. But above all, this is an unforgettable story of one little girl and the brother she adores.

My review

Flora and her brother are not only siblings, but also best friends. Being born just eighteen months apart, they found themselves always in the same situation in life.
And even if Flora’s mother makes her feel like a failure sometimes, Billy is always there to make Flora feel better.
But then one decision from a stranger turns everyone’s world upside down.
And Flora has try to pick up the pieces again, and trying to live again, even if her heart got teared apart.
And with the help of her family, beloved husband and good friends, slowly she starts to see to beauty of life again.

This surely was a heart – breaking story!
Flora and Billy are the kind of siblings everyone wants to have, they are so close and there isn’t a thing they wouldn’t do for each other.

Even if Flora’s life didn’t go as planned, she couldn’t wish for a better one! She adores her husband and children, her friends always got her back.
And even when a minor hitch lures around the corner, both Flora and her husband Johnny are able to turn the negative into something positive.

I have to say, I had thought that the tragedy would happen earlier in the book. But as it happened almost halfway, if gave us as a reader a better understanding of the dynamics, and we would see very clear how close Flora and Billy are.
And when it does happen, it puts just everything in perspective…Some news that sounded devastating before, now is just not that important no more, because the loss is just too big to bare…

The pain Flora is feeling, is very realistic. I am also very close with my brother, and I just cannot imagine what it would mean if I had to endure the same thing Flora went through.
This story shows us that each person grieves on their own way, and there isn’t a timetable to tell you when it’s time to feel something else.
Some people feel the need to do something, while others just want to be left alone. The author managed to write beautifully how grief takes different forms, without ridiculing it, or insinuate that one way of grief is the right one and the other one is the wrong one.

But she also managed to write about how it is possible to overcome the most hurtful loss. Of course it takes time, and the pain will always be there, but for your sake and your family, who still need you, you have to start to live again.

Flora is lucky to have her Johnny by her side, taking her to Venice, which she once also visited with Billy when they were younger. And it was both heart – breaking as heart – warming to see how Flora relived moments she shared with Billy, and see her learning how she has to cherish the lovely moments she had with Billy.

I also have to admit, reading about the mother of the culprit was not something I expected. But it shows us also that in these tragedies, there is always more than just one victim and that all parties and those involved, have to learn to live with the consequences of one decision…

This story is about loss, grief and pain, but it’s also about hope for the future. I went through a whole rollercoaster of emotion, I was laughing, crying, feel the grief almost myself and yet I admired the main characters as they saw the silver lining again in the small things of life.

The author managed to write a gripping story about losing someone who matters the world to you, but learning that taking baby steps in your grief makes it possible to move on with your life, carrying that person always in your heart…