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No Time to Say Goodbye
It hit me, the reality of it, in a way it hadn’t before like a sledgehammer straight to the chest. Laura was gone. She was never coming back. I’d never see her again; she’d never hum in the kitchen, she’d never pull Ruby onto her lap and tickle her tummy as she buried her face in the sweet curve of our daughter’s shoulder.
Nathan West loved his wife Laura with all his heart. But now she’s gone, taken from him in a seemingly random act of violence. Laura was the glue that held their family together. And for Nathan, life without her feels almost meaningless.
As he tries to find hope in the darkness, his three young daughters express their grief in different and challenging ways – with one set on a path of self-destruction that could devastate their family all over again. Desperate to understand his own heartbreak better, he reaches out to others who had known Laura. Including her new friend Maria, whose light and warmth are exactly what their grieving family needs, and who is soon helping out and providing emotional support for them all.
But the picture Maria paints of Laura is unfamiliar to Nathan – of a wife who felt ignored, a mother who felt she couldn’t do enough – and he struggles to reconcile it with his own memories of the woman he loved. Is it possible he didn’t know his wife after all? And can he trust Maria? He can’t escape the feeling that she’s keeping something from him.
Maria is hiding a secret with the power to rock Nathan’s family to its core. Because it is about what happened the day that Laura died…
An insightful and powerful novel guaranteed to break your heart, about how the unthinkable can sometimes help us see the world in a powerful new way. Perfect for fans of Jodi Picoult, Diane Chamberlain, and Susan Lewis.
Readers are loving No Time To Say Goodbye:
‘All the feels… A beautiful story—a heartbreaking, breathless read that will leave you running for more tissues time and again… My reaction to the ending was visceral; it was both vivid and shocking. Absolutely brilliant. Powerful story that will haunt you. A must read. 5+ stars.’ NetGalley reviewer, 5 stars
‘A book has never had me cry so much through heartbreak and devastation. This author nailed it without a doubt.’ NetGalley reviewer, 5 stars
‘If ever there was a story that reminds you how life can change in an instant, this is it… heart breaking and tender, it also offers up hope… A story that touched my heart and soul and makes me want to hug my loved ones that little bit tighter.’ By the Letter Book Reviews, 5 stars
‘Heartbreakingly sad… It’s a story of death, war and crime. However, this is also a story of family, love, and hope. The emotions ran the gamut with this one... sadness, grief, anger and hope. It’s a story that will stay with you.’ Goodreads reviewer
‘The storytelling was exquisite, full of understanding and empathy... This is women’s literature at its very best.’ NetGalley reviewer, 5 stars
‘A heart rendering journey… I read the book armed with a box of tissues… Left me shell-shocked… Kate Hewitt is an amazing storyteller.
Nathan West loved his wife Laura with all his heart. But now she’s gone, taken from him in a seemingly random act of violence. Laura was the glue that held their family together. And for Nathan, life without her feels almost meaningless.
As he tries to find hope in the darkness, his three young daughters express their grief in different and challenging ways – with one set on a path of self-destruction that could devastate their family all over again. Desperate to understand his own heartbreak better, he reaches out to others who had known Laura. Including her new friend Maria, whose light and warmth are exactly what their grieving family needs, and who is soon helping out and providing emotional support for them all.
But the picture Maria paints of Laura is unfamiliar to Nathan – of a wife who felt ignored, a mother who felt she couldn’t do enough – and he struggles to reconcile it with his own memories of the woman he loved. Is it possible he didn’t know his wife after all? And can he trust Maria? He can’t escape the feeling that she’s keeping something from him.
Maria is hiding a secret with the power to rock Nathan’s family to its core. Because it is about what happened the day that Laura died…
An insightful and powerful novel guaranteed to break your heart, about how the unthinkable can sometimes help us see the world in a powerful new way. Perfect for fans of Jodi Picoult, Diane Chamberlain, and Susan Lewis.
Readers are loving No Time To Say Goodbye:
‘All the feels… A beautiful story—a heartbreaking, breathless read that will leave you running for more tissues time and again… My reaction to the ending was visceral; it was both vivid and shocking. Absolutely brilliant. Powerful story that will haunt you. A must read. 5+ stars.’ NetGalley reviewer, 5 stars
‘A book has never had me cry so much through heartbreak and devastation. This author nailed it without a doubt.’ NetGalley reviewer, 5 stars
‘If ever there was a story that reminds you how life can change in an instant, this is it… heart breaking and tender, it also offers up hope… A story that touched my heart and soul and makes me want to hug my loved ones that little bit tighter.’ By the Letter Book Reviews, 5 stars
‘Heartbreakingly sad… It’s a story of death, war and crime. However, this is also a story of family, love, and hope. The emotions ran the gamut with this one... sadness, grief, anger and hope. It’s a story that will stay with you.’ Goodreads reviewer
‘The storytelling was exquisite, full of understanding and empathy... This is women’s literature at its very best.’ NetGalley reviewer, 5 stars
‘A heart rendering journey… I read the book armed with a box of tissues… Left me shell-shocked… Kate Hewitt is an amazing storyteller.
344 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 20, 2019
2911 people are currently reading
1603 people want to read
About the author
Kate Hewitt
862 books1,660 followersKate is the USA Today-bsetselling author of many books of both historical and contemporary fiction. Under the name Katharine Swartz, she is the author of the Tales from Goswell books, a series of time-slip novels set in the village of Goswell.
She likes to read women's fiction, mystery and thrillers, as well as historical novels. She particularly enjoys reading about well-drawn characters and avoids high-concept plots.
Having lived in both New York City and a tiny village on the windswept northwest coast of England, she now resides in a market town in Wales with her husband, five children, and two Golden Retrievers.
She likes to read women's fiction, mystery and thrillers, as well as historical novels. She particularly enjoys reading about well-drawn characters and avoids high-concept plots.
Having lived in both New York City and a tiny village on the windswept northwest coast of England, she now resides in a market town in Wales with her husband, five children, and two Golden Retrievers.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 136 reviews
October 2, 2019
EXCERPT: NATHAN
I didn't take the call. I'll never forgive myself for that, even though I learned later it didn't matter. It was already too late. I don't even know who the call was from - the police? A stranger?
I'd never know, but the time of the call still haunted me - 11:42. Just minutes after the moment of my wife's death, according to witnesses. Apparently, someone was checking the time on their phone while a lunatic drew a gun and shot my wife.
ABOUT THIS BOOK: Nathan West loved his wife Laura with all his heart. But now she’s gone, taken from him in a seemingly random act of violence. Laura was the glue that held their family together. And for Nathan, life without her feels almost meaningless.
As he tries to find hope in the darkness, his three young daughters express their grief in different and challenging ways – with one set on a path of self-destruction that could devastate their family all over again. Desperate to understand his own heartbreak better, he reaches out to others who had known Laura. Including her new friend Maria, whose light and warmth are exactly what their grieving family needs, and who is soon helping out and providing emotional support for them all.
But the picture Maria paints of Laura is unfamiliar to Nathan – of a wife who felt ignored, a mother who felt she couldn’t do enough – and he struggles to reconcile it with his own memories of the woman he loved. Is it possible he didn’t know his wife after all? And can he trust Maria? He can’t escape the feeling that she’s keeping something from him.
Maria is hiding a secret with the power to rock Nathan’s family to its core. Because it is about what happened the day that Laura died…
MY THOUGHTS: I finished No Time to Say Goodbye with tears running freely down my cheeks, snuffling like a child. Heartbreaking and hopeful at the same time, this book is a reminder that life can change in an instant and that we do need to take the time to stop and smell the roses, to appreciate the people we love, and to count our blessings.
And the end wasn't the only time while reading this beautifully written story that I cried. Each copy of this book should come with its own box of tissues.
Kate Hewitt has absolutely nailed her characters. From workaholic Nathan, to sulky teen Alexa, I felt their pain, their suffering, their frustrations, their occasional triumphs.
This is no glib tearjerker of a book that ends with a 'happy ever after'. It is written with empathy and understanding. It realistically chronicles the struggle of a family finding its tremulous feet again after having its heart torn out.
And alongside this is the story of a refugee of the Bosnian war, of the atrocities committed against her and her family. I could not imagine having to endure what Maria endured, and surviving.
And although I quite quickly realised who had shot Laura, I had no idea why.
No Time to Say Goodbye is a magnificent and emotional read, my first by this author. It will not be my last.
#NoTimeToSayGoodbye #NetGalley
😍😢❤😭😍
THE AUTHOR: Kate is the USA Today-bsetselling author of many books of women's fiction. Her latest releases are A Vicarage Homecoming and Not My Daughter. Under the name Katharine Swartz, she is the author of the Tales from Goswell books, a series of time-slip novels set in the village of Goswell.
She likes to read women's fiction, mystery and thrillers, as well as historical novels. She particularly enjoys reading about well-drawn characters and avoids high-concept plots.
Having lived in both New York City and a tiny village on the windswept northwest coast of England, she now resides in a market town in Wales with her husband, five children, and two Golden Retrievers.
DISCLOSURE: Thank you to Bookouture via Netgalley for providing a digital ARC of No Time to Say Goodbye by Kate Hewitt for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.
For an explanation of my rating system, please refer to my Goodreads.com profile page or the about page on sandysbookaday.wordpress.com
This review and others are also published on Twitter, Amazon and my webpage https://sandysbookaday.wordpress.com/...
I didn't take the call. I'll never forgive myself for that, even though I learned later it didn't matter. It was already too late. I don't even know who the call was from - the police? A stranger?
I'd never know, but the time of the call still haunted me - 11:42. Just minutes after the moment of my wife's death, according to witnesses. Apparently, someone was checking the time on their phone while a lunatic drew a gun and shot my wife.
ABOUT THIS BOOK: Nathan West loved his wife Laura with all his heart. But now she’s gone, taken from him in a seemingly random act of violence. Laura was the glue that held their family together. And for Nathan, life without her feels almost meaningless.
As he tries to find hope in the darkness, his three young daughters express their grief in different and challenging ways – with one set on a path of self-destruction that could devastate their family all over again. Desperate to understand his own heartbreak better, he reaches out to others who had known Laura. Including her new friend Maria, whose light and warmth are exactly what their grieving family needs, and who is soon helping out and providing emotional support for them all.
But the picture Maria paints of Laura is unfamiliar to Nathan – of a wife who felt ignored, a mother who felt she couldn’t do enough – and he struggles to reconcile it with his own memories of the woman he loved. Is it possible he didn’t know his wife after all? And can he trust Maria? He can’t escape the feeling that she’s keeping something from him.
Maria is hiding a secret with the power to rock Nathan’s family to its core. Because it is about what happened the day that Laura died…
MY THOUGHTS: I finished No Time to Say Goodbye with tears running freely down my cheeks, snuffling like a child. Heartbreaking and hopeful at the same time, this book is a reminder that life can change in an instant and that we do need to take the time to stop and smell the roses, to appreciate the people we love, and to count our blessings.
And the end wasn't the only time while reading this beautifully written story that I cried. Each copy of this book should come with its own box of tissues.
Kate Hewitt has absolutely nailed her characters. From workaholic Nathan, to sulky teen Alexa, I felt their pain, their suffering, their frustrations, their occasional triumphs.
This is no glib tearjerker of a book that ends with a 'happy ever after'. It is written with empathy and understanding. It realistically chronicles the struggle of a family finding its tremulous feet again after having its heart torn out.
And alongside this is the story of a refugee of the Bosnian war, of the atrocities committed against her and her family. I could not imagine having to endure what Maria endured, and surviving.
And although I quite quickly realised who had shot Laura, I had no idea why.
No Time to Say Goodbye is a magnificent and emotional read, my first by this author. It will not be my last.
#NoTimeToSayGoodbye #NetGalley
😍😢❤😭😍
THE AUTHOR: Kate is the USA Today-bsetselling author of many books of women's fiction. Her latest releases are A Vicarage Homecoming and Not My Daughter. Under the name Katharine Swartz, she is the author of the Tales from Goswell books, a series of time-slip novels set in the village of Goswell.
She likes to read women's fiction, mystery and thrillers, as well as historical novels. She particularly enjoys reading about well-drawn characters and avoids high-concept plots.
Having lived in both New York City and a tiny village on the windswept northwest coast of England, she now resides in a market town in Wales with her husband, five children, and two Golden Retrievers.
DISCLOSURE: Thank you to Bookouture via Netgalley for providing a digital ARC of No Time to Say Goodbye by Kate Hewitt for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.
For an explanation of my rating system, please refer to my Goodreads.com profile page or the about page on sandysbookaday.wordpress.com
This review and others are also published on Twitter, Amazon and my webpage https://sandysbookaday.wordpress.com/...
December 1, 2019
If Kate Hewitt hadn't written this book I probably wouldn't have read it. Kate Hewitt is an author that in her phrasing and putting together words has always managed to capture me. Her talent, at least for this reader, is a way of drawing characters-- in a seemingly simple way-- and making them so real that I can see them. That I know them.
I am an escapist reader, an arm chair traveler, and a person who loves historical facts. And I almost never choose to read a book with a dark story. BUT I know that I can always read something from this author and the story WILL affect me (this is why I still have a couple of books from her, waiting for the right time to read them as they are also darker than I normally choose to read).
The Thangiving season is a difficult one for me. I tried reading happy stories, Christmas fluff and the books just didn't give me the escapism I was longing for. So I picked up this book (having it waiting for me for the right time). I was drawn in from the first page. Living in Austria at the time Maria went through her experiences of the war I was able to connect even more to her, having read the newspapers, watching the news, and talking to those who left to come here to live. Kate Hewitt captured perfectly and profoundly the same things I heard. That the author put Maria's story with an experiece of a family that I can only hope that I and no one else has to go through (I realise that this sounds a bit naive, but I can still hope) in such a real and touching way was amazing.
Yes, there were tears in my eyes at times. But the story wasn't depressing, if that makes any sense at all. The story was terrible, the family's experiences horrifying. Maria's experiences were horifying. Still the whole story came together in a satisfying, captivating way. Because of the content it is hard to say I enjoyed this novel, but I CAN say I am really glad I read it.
I am an escapist reader, an arm chair traveler, and a person who loves historical facts. And I almost never choose to read a book with a dark story. BUT I know that I can always read something from this author and the story WILL affect me (this is why I still have a couple of books from her, waiting for the right time to read them as they are also darker than I normally choose to read).
The Thangiving season is a difficult one for me. I tried reading happy stories, Christmas fluff and the books just didn't give me the escapism I was longing for. So I picked up this book (having it waiting for me for the right time). I was drawn in from the first page. Living in Austria at the time Maria went through her experiences of the war I was able to connect even more to her, having read the newspapers, watching the news, and talking to those who left to come here to live. Kate Hewitt captured perfectly and profoundly the same things I heard. That the author put Maria's story with an experiece of a family that I can only hope that I and no one else has to go through (I realise that this sounds a bit naive, but I can still hope) in such a real and touching way was amazing.
Yes, there were tears in my eyes at times. But the story wasn't depressing, if that makes any sense at all. The story was terrible, the family's experiences horrifying. Maria's experiences were horifying. Still the whole story came together in a satisfying, captivating way. Because of the content it is hard to say I enjoyed this novel, but I CAN say I am really glad I read it.
October 2, 2019
Kate Hewitt has written another emotionally draining and heart wrenching story. A tale drenched in grief, guilt, and blame. How does a family survive when the person who held it all together is no longer around? How do you live another day, take another breath, when the worst possible thing has happened? This is the story of Nathan and his three daughters and how they try to pick up the pieces and learn to live again after Laura their wife/mother has been murdered. It was heartbreaking watching Nathan struggle to keep it together while his three daughters all at different ages dealt with their grief in very different ways. In an attempt to come to terms with what had happened to his wife Nathan visits the place where she was volunteering and the people that new of her secret longings. This leads to him meeting Maria. Maria is all too familiar with guilt and grief having gone through her own tragedy. She soon becomes a major source of support for the family and ultimately is hired as the children’s nanny, but Maria has some secrets that could possibly change everything.
This story really tugged at my heartstrings, especially the grief of the daughters. Alexa was so angry, Ella was so timid, and Ruby was just so young. And then there was Nathan, he was just so lost. Not only had he lost his wife, but he didn’t really know his daughters quite as well as he should have. I thought the subject of grief was handled very lovingly and realistically in the story. Maria was a great character and I’d love a story about her that delved more into her life leading up to the events of this book. There is a bit of a mystery in the story, who killed Laura and why? But if I’m being honest it really was so unimportant to the story that I am not even certain it was necessary. An emotional read that should come with a box of Kleenex.
This book in three emojis: 🇧🇦 🙍🏼♀️ 👨👧👧
This story really tugged at my heartstrings, especially the grief of the daughters. Alexa was so angry, Ella was so timid, and Ruby was just so young. And then there was Nathan, he was just so lost. Not only had he lost his wife, but he didn’t really know his daughters quite as well as he should have. I thought the subject of grief was handled very lovingly and realistically in the story. Maria was a great character and I’d love a story about her that delved more into her life leading up to the events of this book. There is a bit of a mystery in the story, who killed Laura and why? But if I’m being honest it really was so unimportant to the story that I am not even certain it was necessary. An emotional read that should come with a box of Kleenex.
This book in three emojis: 🇧🇦 🙍🏼♀️ 👨👧👧
August 21, 2019
Nathan is devastated when his wife Laura is killed in an act of violence by a stranger. He is left to look after his three young daughters.
A story of a family coming to terms of the loss of their mother.
Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for my e-copy in exchange for an honest review.
A story of a family coming to terms of the loss of their mother.
Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for my e-copy in exchange for an honest review.
September 22, 2019
With a title and the cover such a this, I knew I was in a heart rendering journey, and my instincts were bang-on. I read the book armed with a box of tissues. A family lost its backbone and devastation left its scars. Life changed.
Laura, a mother and a wife died suddenly and the family was left bereft like an oarless boat being ravaged by the storms of life. Husband Nathan needed answers to try to make sense of what was left. He met Maria, the woman befriended by Laura, who helped him as well as painted him a different picture of his wife. And she had a secret buried deep in her heart.
Having read books by author Kae Hewitt, I have become a big fan of the author as I knew that the strength of her writing lay in her portrayal of honest heart tugging emotions. Tears in my eyes was a foregone conclusion. I think I read the book with a film of it.
Two POV of Nathan and Maria, the story unfurled slowly as if free from its binding. Past and present slowly met in the middle to show the true picture. Nathan's grief moved through its stages, his need to get some answers spoke to me. Maria was intriguing, her past left me shell-shocked.
The plot was filled with feelings but also had a huge secret hiding in the wings which beguiled me. Kate Hewitt is an amazing storytelling who could weave the threads of the characters so finely that the framework on which the book rested, uplifted the story.
The story was a bag of emotions, each pulled at my control and brought mine to the surface, well written in its concept, with hope reflecting through, a story which made me shut my kindle and spend time with my family.
Laura, a mother and a wife died suddenly and the family was left bereft like an oarless boat being ravaged by the storms of life. Husband Nathan needed answers to try to make sense of what was left. He met Maria, the woman befriended by Laura, who helped him as well as painted him a different picture of his wife. And she had a secret buried deep in her heart.
Having read books by author Kae Hewitt, I have become a big fan of the author as I knew that the strength of her writing lay in her portrayal of honest heart tugging emotions. Tears in my eyes was a foregone conclusion. I think I read the book with a film of it.
Two POV of Nathan and Maria, the story unfurled slowly as if free from its binding. Past and present slowly met in the middle to show the true picture. Nathan's grief moved through its stages, his need to get some answers spoke to me. Maria was intriguing, her past left me shell-shocked.
The plot was filled with feelings but also had a huge secret hiding in the wings which beguiled me. Kate Hewitt is an amazing storytelling who could weave the threads of the characters so finely that the framework on which the book rested, uplifted the story.
The story was a bag of emotions, each pulled at my control and brought mine to the surface, well written in its concept, with hope reflecting through, a story which made me shut my kindle and spend time with my family.
September 26, 2019
Nathan's wife Laura is dead and he is now alone to raise their three young daughters. Facing this challenge, and the fact that he doesn't know his daughters as well as he thinks he does, causes him to reach out. For starters, Nathan cannot believe the circumstances in which his wife died. When he meets a woman at Laura's funeral, she is the very person Nathan reaches out to.
This woman, Maria, said that she was a friend of Laura's. Before long, she pretty much steps right in and things begin to make sense to Nathan and the girls. With Nathan's intense workload, Maria seems to be a godsend. However, things simply cannot be this easy, this smooth. Eventually Nathan begins to be concerned - not just about Maria being part of his current situation, but also Nathan begins to wonder if even knew his wife at all.
As emotional as this story is, there is more than a bit of mystery and drama when it comes to Maria. She is holding a secret very close, and things slowly begin to reveal themselves. This story is delivered in a nice format. Not only do we have both Nathan's and Maria's points of view, but there is also then and now that goes back and forth.
This touching story was literally impossible to put down. Not only was it very sensitive and heartbreaking, it made me think about my own life, my own family. This book, as in life, however, offers hope, and therefore was very compelling.
This story, as well as the previous ones, always pull at my heartstrings. Every story I read by Kate Hewitt affects me the same way. I highly recommend this book and so look forward to reading much more by this fabulous author.
Many thanks to Bookouture and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.
This woman, Maria, said that she was a friend of Laura's. Before long, she pretty much steps right in and things begin to make sense to Nathan and the girls. With Nathan's intense workload, Maria seems to be a godsend. However, things simply cannot be this easy, this smooth. Eventually Nathan begins to be concerned - not just about Maria being part of his current situation, but also Nathan begins to wonder if even knew his wife at all.
As emotional as this story is, there is more than a bit of mystery and drama when it comes to Maria. She is holding a secret very close, and things slowly begin to reveal themselves. This story is delivered in a nice format. Not only do we have both Nathan's and Maria's points of view, but there is also then and now that goes back and forth.
This touching story was literally impossible to put down. Not only was it very sensitive and heartbreaking, it made me think about my own life, my own family. This book, as in life, however, offers hope, and therefore was very compelling.
This story, as well as the previous ones, always pull at my heartstrings. Every story I read by Kate Hewitt affects me the same way. I highly recommend this book and so look forward to reading much more by this fabulous author.
Many thanks to Bookouture and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.
September 29, 2019
Kate Hewitt never stops amazing me with each new book release. I am such a huge fan and at this point, I don’t even need to read a synopsis of a book as long as it has Kate Hewitt’s name on it I am going to NEED to read it. Hewitt has such a way of immersing her readers in her signature style of emotionally heartbreaking and tearjerker storylines. With her newest release, No Time to Say Goodbye, Hewitt has really upped the game and the tears with a story that will completely break your heart.
A theme that stands out from this storyline is how do you survive the loss of a loved one? How do you survive grief? I think these are two important questions we have all asked ourselves with the death of a loved one.
The first chapter of this story really pulls you right in immediately with its raw emotion, vulnerability and realism. Nathan West’s wife, Laura is killed in what seems like a random act of violence. With three daughters left without their mother, Nathan is left to pick up the pieces and try to hold his family together while they each go through their own form of grief. Nathan is also struggling with the knowledge that his wife was keeping secrets from him, namely that she was volunteering at a refugee center. Did Laura tell him and he just didn’t pay attention or did she hide it from him knowing he would never understand her need to help?
Searching for answers Nathan seeks out Maria, a Bosnian refugee with her own tragic past who also volunteers at the refugee center and was friends with Laura. As Nathan, his three daughters and Maria’s lives become entwined the healing process slowly starts to begin, but is Maria hiding a secret? A secret powerful enough to destroy Nathan’s fragile family? What really happened the day Laura was killed and an even better question is why?
Kate Hewitt is one of the greatest storytellers right along with some of the biggest names in the industry such as Jodi Picoult and even Nicholas Sparks. Her stories are so powerful and deep often times tugging at your heart and make you cry. No Time to Say Goodbye is definitely another top read of 2019. At this point Kate Hewitt is probably always going to be on one of my yearly top of the reading list. Hewitt is definitely a force in the writing community. If you haven;t figured it out by now, YEs this is a definite five star read for me and one I hope every reader will want to pick up a copy and immerse yourself in a truly remarkable story.
A theme that stands out from this storyline is how do you survive the loss of a loved one? How do you survive grief? I think these are two important questions we have all asked ourselves with the death of a loved one.
The first chapter of this story really pulls you right in immediately with its raw emotion, vulnerability and realism. Nathan West’s wife, Laura is killed in what seems like a random act of violence. With three daughters left without their mother, Nathan is left to pick up the pieces and try to hold his family together while they each go through their own form of grief. Nathan is also struggling with the knowledge that his wife was keeping secrets from him, namely that she was volunteering at a refugee center. Did Laura tell him and he just didn’t pay attention or did she hide it from him knowing he would never understand her need to help?
Searching for answers Nathan seeks out Maria, a Bosnian refugee with her own tragic past who also volunteers at the refugee center and was friends with Laura. As Nathan, his three daughters and Maria’s lives become entwined the healing process slowly starts to begin, but is Maria hiding a secret? A secret powerful enough to destroy Nathan’s fragile family? What really happened the day Laura was killed and an even better question is why?
Kate Hewitt is one of the greatest storytellers right along with some of the biggest names in the industry such as Jodi Picoult and even Nicholas Sparks. Her stories are so powerful and deep often times tugging at your heart and make you cry. No Time to Say Goodbye is definitely another top read of 2019. At this point Kate Hewitt is probably always going to be on one of my yearly top of the reading list. Hewitt is definitely a force in the writing community. If you haven;t figured it out by now, YEs this is a definite five star read for me and one I hope every reader will want to pick up a copy and immerse yourself in a truly remarkable story.
August 20, 2019
If ever there was a story that reminds you how life can change in an instant, this is it.
Nathan and his daughters lives are turned upside down when his wife, Laura, dies suddenly. It was actually really interesting seeing things from a male perspective in this story. The bread winner, the one who needs to be strong, having to not only deal with his own loss but the grief of his children also. My heart went out to this heart broken family.
The story alternates between Nathan and Maria. Through the death of Laura, it brings both these characters into each others lives. Maria has her own past that she tries to live with every day. I was intrigued to find out more about her and when I did, wow, it’s some powerful stuff.
It was interesting to see how Nathan and his daughters all deal with the loss of a wife and mother. Each one of them going through different stages and emotions. This with the mixture of Maria’s own past, really makes for some emotional reading.
No Time To Say Goodbye is pretty much a wake up call. It makes you think about the ones you love, also making you realise what is important in life. Nathan and Maria’s story offers the reader so much. Whilst in parts it is heart breaking and tender, it also offers up hope and the want of a better life. A story that touched my heart and soul and makes me want to hug my loved ones that little bit tighter.
My thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley for an advanced readers copy of this book. All opinions are my own and not biased in anyway.
Nathan and his daughters lives are turned upside down when his wife, Laura, dies suddenly. It was actually really interesting seeing things from a male perspective in this story. The bread winner, the one who needs to be strong, having to not only deal with his own loss but the grief of his children also. My heart went out to this heart broken family.
The story alternates between Nathan and Maria. Through the death of Laura, it brings both these characters into each others lives. Maria has her own past that she tries to live with every day. I was intrigued to find out more about her and when I did, wow, it’s some powerful stuff.
It was interesting to see how Nathan and his daughters all deal with the loss of a wife and mother. Each one of them going through different stages and emotions. This with the mixture of Maria’s own past, really makes for some emotional reading.
No Time To Say Goodbye is pretty much a wake up call. It makes you think about the ones you love, also making you realise what is important in life. Nathan and Maria’s story offers the reader so much. Whilst in parts it is heart breaking and tender, it also offers up hope and the want of a better life. A story that touched my heart and soul and makes me want to hug my loved ones that little bit tighter.
My thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley for an advanced readers copy of this book. All opinions are my own and not biased in anyway.
September 27, 2019
A very fast story of loss,grief and learning to go on.
I enjoyed the story,I had pretty much figured out the story line before I was half way through. Thanks to Netgalley for the early copy
I enjoyed the story,I had pretty much figured out the story line before I was half way through. Thanks to Netgalley for the early copy
January 30, 2020
The shock murder of Laura, an Upper East Side mother of three, on the subway brings to light lots of questions. Why was she in that part of town, what was she doing? For her husband Nathan his wife's murder forces him to take a look at his marriage and his relationship with his children.
Maria is a Bosniak (a Bosnian Muslim) who left Bosnia 20 years ago. She works as a hairdresser and volunteers at the same shelter as Laura. Deeply traumatised by her experiences during the siege of Sarajevo and her subsequent interment in a camp, Maria felt an odd affinity to this younger woman who wanted to give something back to society.
In the process of speaking to Laura's friends and fellow volunteers at the centre Nathan meets Maria. Maria tells Nathan of conversations she had with Laura which paint a whole new picture of his wife.
Can Nathan, Maria and the three children move on from Laura's murder and has the act changed them all?
This was fascinating and poignant and uplifting and so many other things. Difficult to describe without giving away some key aspects of the plot but really well worth the read.
I think I borrowed this on Amazon Prime.
Maria is a Bosniak (a Bosnian Muslim) who left Bosnia 20 years ago. She works as a hairdresser and volunteers at the same shelter as Laura. Deeply traumatised by her experiences during the siege of Sarajevo and her subsequent interment in a camp, Maria felt an odd affinity to this younger woman who wanted to give something back to society.
In the process of speaking to Laura's friends and fellow volunteers at the centre Nathan meets Maria. Maria tells Nathan of conversations she had with Laura which paint a whole new picture of his wife.
Can Nathan, Maria and the three children move on from Laura's murder and has the act changed them all?
This was fascinating and poignant and uplifting and so many other things. Difficult to describe without giving away some key aspects of the plot but really well worth the read.
I think I borrowed this on Amazon Prime.
December 23, 2019
I love Kate Hewitt novels. Her books always make me cry. I didn’t find this one quite as sad as the previous two I’ve read by her though. This book begins with a workaholic husband, Nathan, finding out his wife was murdered on the subway. He had to find a way to tell their three daughters that their mom isn’t coming home. That was sad but didn’t bring me to do the ugly cry.
What I liked: I enjoyed the alternating voices between Nathan and Maria. Maria was a friend of Laura’s and worked with her just before she died. I found Maria’s chapters to be more engrossing and liked her character. I liked the mystery of who killed Laura. Lastly, I enjoyed the last half of the book more. There was more character growth and everything wrapped up nicely although not a happily ever ending type story.
What I didn’t like as well: I would’ve liked one of the girls to have been a voice in the story, particularly Alexa. I just didn’t care for Nathan’s chapters. Found them to be drawn out and have a repetitive feeling.
Overall, it was a good story but not my favorite Kate Hewitt. I would recommend especially if you are a Hewitt fan or like to read family drama with a little mystery involved.
Many thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for this eARC!
What I liked: I enjoyed the alternating voices between Nathan and Maria. Maria was a friend of Laura’s and worked with her just before she died. I found Maria’s chapters to be more engrossing and liked her character. I liked the mystery of who killed Laura. Lastly, I enjoyed the last half of the book more. There was more character growth and everything wrapped up nicely although not a happily ever ending type story.
What I didn’t like as well: I would’ve liked one of the girls to have been a voice in the story, particularly Alexa. I just didn’t care for Nathan’s chapters. Found them to be drawn out and have a repetitive feeling.
Overall, it was a good story but not my favorite Kate Hewitt. I would recommend especially if you are a Hewitt fan or like to read family drama with a little mystery involved.
Many thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for this eARC!
October 14, 2019
A new refreshing read with a lot of sadness.
I can truly say I was surprised by this author’s new book. I read her Harlequin Presents and loved them. I read this book and can say it was unequivocally the best book I read this year. Kate Hewitt story is about Laura a wife and mother to three young girls and who also wants to do more with her life than
be a housewife and to show her daughters it is good to help others. Laura’s new journey sends her and her husband and children lives down this long twisted winding sad road. She meets a stranger name Maria at a Bosnia refugee center who will help Laura’s husband Nathan deal with the unforgivable act of violence. Please try this book ‘No Time To Say Goodbye’.
I can truly say I was surprised by this author’s new book. I read her Harlequin Presents and loved them. I read this book and can say it was unequivocally the best book I read this year. Kate Hewitt story is about Laura a wife and mother to three young girls and who also wants to do more with her life than
be a housewife and to show her daughters it is good to help others. Laura’s new journey sends her and her husband and children lives down this long twisted winding sad road. She meets a stranger name Maria at a Bosnia refugee center who will help Laura’s husband Nathan deal with the unforgivable act of violence. Please try this book ‘No Time To Say Goodbye’.
March 26, 2021
I found this book to be good and was into it until the murderer was revealed and why the wife was murdered. After that it took a dive for me! I think that the author could of had used her imagination alot more strongly than she did when writing that part of the book. It just did not make any sense nor did it seem plausible to me .
April 22, 2024
Definitely NOT my favorite by Kate Hewitt. I completely enjoyed the first 3/4 of the book, but found the ending completely disappointing. It simply made little sense to me and I would rather have had an entirely different outcome. I felt little connection with any one character and felt little this was not her best full picture story. But, I will definitely continue to read her books.
January 19, 2024
A beautifully written book that will tug at your heart strings!
July 3, 2025
I love this book. It was very sad, but nonetheless another great read.
September 22, 2019
First, I want to thank Kate Hewitt, Bookouture and NetGalley for providing me this book so I may bring you this review.
No Time To Say Goodbye is a heartbreaking and gripping emotional page turner by Kate Hewitt. So many times, in this book there was no time to say goodbye-so this was a perfect title for this must-read book. This book will bring up so many emotions up in you including sadness and anger. Not to mention empathy for the children especially Ruby. This is one incredibly powerful read that will have you thinking about your own life after.
I totally fell in love with this cover when I saw it. The little girl (It could be Ruby) with the dress bending down to pick something up behind the beautiful scenery was breathtaking. The colors and the theme were so vivid. Kudos to the graphic artist who designed this cover. You have talent.
From page one I was totally engrossed into the story as I was totally shocked by how the begging of the story was starting! Then my heart went out to the family and how they were each trying to deal with their loss. Each In their own way in their own time. My heart went out to all of them especially.
In No Time to Say GoodBye we are introduced to Maria one of the characters that plays a huge role in this book. From her we get such and cultural lesson from when she lived in Sarajevo. Stories about what horrid things happened to her growing up. How it has affected to her this day.
This book has a few themes in the book about forgiveness, letting go, moving on, sticking up for what you believe in, not everything is as it is always it seems. You also learn life is short don’t take it for granted.
Kate’s books all have a theme one major theme to them. This theme is what do you do when the worst happens? The worst might be different from every book or every person nut and for every person. Kate has struggled in the past through her own losses and sorrows. However, she has found hope admits the deepest sorrow or the wildest grief. She tries to convey this in her writings.
I didn’t understand why this book was broken up into two parts. Did she want it to be two books combined into one?! I didn’t feel like it needed to be labeled as such. However, by the end of part 1 I was getting a little frustrated that there was no mention of finding the suspect. That the story was still on the family and Maria. The part of me that LOVES a good mystery needed to know who killed Laura and why!! Needless to say I got my answers and was totally shocked and blown away by the reveal.
No Time To Say Goodbye is a heartbreaking and gripping emotional page turner by Kate Hewitt. So many times, in this book there was no time to say goodbye-so this was a perfect title for this must-read book. This book will bring up so many emotions up in you including sadness and anger. Not to mention empathy for the children especially Ruby. This is one incredibly powerful read that will have you thinking about your own life after.
I totally fell in love with this cover when I saw it. The little girl (It could be Ruby) with the dress bending down to pick something up behind the beautiful scenery was breathtaking. The colors and the theme were so vivid. Kudos to the graphic artist who designed this cover. You have talent.
From page one I was totally engrossed into the story as I was totally shocked by how the begging of the story was starting! Then my heart went out to the family and how they were each trying to deal with their loss. Each In their own way in their own time. My heart went out to all of them especially.
In No Time to Say GoodBye we are introduced to Maria one of the characters that plays a huge role in this book. From her we get such and cultural lesson from when she lived in Sarajevo. Stories about what horrid things happened to her growing up. How it has affected to her this day.
This book has a few themes in the book about forgiveness, letting go, moving on, sticking up for what you believe in, not everything is as it is always it seems. You also learn life is short don’t take it for granted.
Kate’s books all have a theme one major theme to them. This theme is what do you do when the worst happens? The worst might be different from every book or every person nut and for every person. Kate has struggled in the past through her own losses and sorrows. However, she has found hope admits the deepest sorrow or the wildest grief. She tries to convey this in her writings.
I didn’t understand why this book was broken up into two parts. Did she want it to be two books combined into one?! I didn’t feel like it needed to be labeled as such. However, by the end of part 1 I was getting a little frustrated that there was no mention of finding the suspect. That the story was still on the family and Maria. The part of me that LOVES a good mystery needed to know who killed Laura and why!! Needless to say I got my answers and was totally shocked and blown away by the reveal.
January 4, 2021
"Warning...............Warning................You will need Tissues when you read this brilliant book by the author Kate Hewitt. No Time to Say Goodbye by Kate Hewitt was just an emotional roll a coaster. This is a book that everything in your life can change in a blink of an eye."
Nathan was happily married to Laura and they had three young daughters. Laura held the family together and was the heart of their family. Until one day in a blink of an eye all their world came crashing down when Laura was killed, a lunatic drew a gun and shot her.
Nathan tried to keep his family together but the woman he loved deeply was taken from him so cruelly, he felt life without her feels almost meaningless and pointless. He has to be strong for his three daughters who are also grieving for their mum and are finding it challenging. Nathan is desperate to understand his own grief and then support them with theirs, he reaches out to others who knew Laura for help and guidance. Nathan also asks for help from Laura's new friend Maria shows warmth towards them all and this is what all the family needs. This gives emotional support to all and helps them through this tough time.
Whilst Nathan gets close to Laura's new friend Maria she finds out that his late wife Laura felt ignored and she felt she could not do enough. He struggles to reconcile it with his own memories of the woman he loved.
Is it possible he didn’t know his wife after all?
Could he trust Maria? Was she telling him the truth as Laura was everything to him and their daughters!
Nathan can’t escape the feeling that she’s keeping something from him.
Maria is hiding a secret with the power to rock Nathan’s family to its core. Because it is about what happened the day that Laura died…............What is it?
What is the Big Secret that will destroy all their happy memories they all have left of them being together as a happy family!
WoW.......I highly recommend this book.........However, don't forget to have some tissues handy.
Big Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for my e-copy in exchange for an honest review.
Nathan was happily married to Laura and they had three young daughters. Laura held the family together and was the heart of their family. Until one day in a blink of an eye all their world came crashing down when Laura was killed, a lunatic drew a gun and shot her.
Nathan tried to keep his family together but the woman he loved deeply was taken from him so cruelly, he felt life without her feels almost meaningless and pointless. He has to be strong for his three daughters who are also grieving for their mum and are finding it challenging. Nathan is desperate to understand his own grief and then support them with theirs, he reaches out to others who knew Laura for help and guidance. Nathan also asks for help from Laura's new friend Maria shows warmth towards them all and this is what all the family needs. This gives emotional support to all and helps them through this tough time.
Whilst Nathan gets close to Laura's new friend Maria she finds out that his late wife Laura felt ignored and she felt she could not do enough. He struggles to reconcile it with his own memories of the woman he loved.
Is it possible he didn’t know his wife after all?
Could he trust Maria? Was she telling him the truth as Laura was everything to him and their daughters!
Nathan can’t escape the feeling that she’s keeping something from him.
Maria is hiding a secret with the power to rock Nathan’s family to its core. Because it is about what happened the day that Laura died…............What is it?
What is the Big Secret that will destroy all their happy memories they all have left of them being together as a happy family!
WoW.......I highly recommend this book.........However, don't forget to have some tissues handy.
Big Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for my e-copy in exchange for an honest review.
September 27, 2019
With my favorite books that are centered around a tragedy, there is always the promise of hope at the end. After enduring all of the angst and drama, the reader is rewarded with closure, with the possibility of a brighter future—a way for the characters to move forward and live again. It is that soft landing that keeps us turning the pages.
'No Time to Say Goodbye' gifts the reader with a soft landing... and then pulls the rug out!
This book ran the gamut of all the feels: sadness, hopelessness, anguish, grief, hope, and love. Nathan, along with his three daughters, struggle to cope in the aftermath of losing Laura to a senseless crime. Maria, a friend of Laura's with demons of her own, offers comfort when it is most needed. It is a beautiful story—a heartbreaking, breathless read that will leave you running for more tissue time and again.
Indeed this could be categorized as your typical tearjerker, however, what makes this tale exceptional is the ending. In one precise sleight of hand, all of the pain that the reader harbored and the tears that they may have shed are exponentially compounded, hollowing out all of the burgeoning hopefulness for Nathan and his girls. My reaction to the ending was visceral; it was both vivid and shocking. Absolutely brilliant.
Powerful story that will haunt you. A must read. 5+ stars.
Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, and Kate Hewitt for an ARC of 'No Time to Say Goodbye' in exchange for an honest review.
'No Time to Say Goodbye' gifts the reader with a soft landing... and then pulls the rug out!
This book ran the gamut of all the feels: sadness, hopelessness, anguish, grief, hope, and love. Nathan, along with his three daughters, struggle to cope in the aftermath of losing Laura to a senseless crime. Maria, a friend of Laura's with demons of her own, offers comfort when it is most needed. It is a beautiful story—a heartbreaking, breathless read that will leave you running for more tissue time and again.
Indeed this could be categorized as your typical tearjerker, however, what makes this tale exceptional is the ending. In one precise sleight of hand, all of the pain that the reader harbored and the tears that they may have shed are exponentially compounded, hollowing out all of the burgeoning hopefulness for Nathan and his girls. My reaction to the ending was visceral; it was both vivid and shocking. Absolutely brilliant.
Powerful story that will haunt you. A must read. 5+ stars.
Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, and Kate Hewitt for an ARC of 'No Time to Say Goodbye' in exchange for an honest review.
September 28, 2019
You live your everyday life and you take a lot, almost everything for granted. You focus on one thing and the rest is going on the backburner. Suddenly there is an incident and that’s when you get kicked in the butt. A period full of regrets and what ifs starts and you are feeling like you are falling in a bottomless pit. But life goes on and you have to follow even though you don’t know very well how you have to tackle everything.
You thought life was good and everybody was happy, but the incident is also a big eye opener. Little by little you find a ladder to climb out of the darkness and the sun starts peeking through the clouds. Then, once again, the life of your family is turned upside down.
This is a story abound getting up after being flung to the ground due to a tragedy, about healing and helping others to heal as well.
There are a lot of emotions involved, happy ones as well as very sad ones and I loved it. I had just put away my tissue and then I read the epilogue … 5 stars.
Thank you, Kate Hewitt and Bookouture (via Netgalley)
https://bforbookreview.wordpress.com
You thought life was good and everybody was happy, but the incident is also a big eye opener. Little by little you find a ladder to climb out of the darkness and the sun starts peeking through the clouds. Then, once again, the life of your family is turned upside down.
This is a story abound getting up after being flung to the ground due to a tragedy, about healing and helping others to heal as well.
There are a lot of emotions involved, happy ones as well as very sad ones and I loved it. I had just put away my tissue and then I read the epilogue … 5 stars.
Thank you, Kate Hewitt and Bookouture (via Netgalley)
https://bforbookreview.wordpress.com
November 20, 2019
Nathan, Laura and their three daughters are the perfect family but their world is torn apart when Laura is shot dead. Nathan is left bereft and struggling to cope with the aftermath. He learns that Laura was a volunteer at a refuge centre without him and the girls knowing and he starts to question whether he really knew his wife at all. On visiting the refuge he meets Maria, who was originally from Bosnia and who was a friend of Laura’s. He decides that she would be an ideal nanny for the girls but as the story unfolds we find that Maria has a secret past of her own that could be connected to Laura’s death. This is a heartbreaking story of how Nathan and the girls cope with the loss of Laura, with chapters told in the past and present by Nathan and Maria. It covers the grief and pain of death, the healing process and also the horrors and suffering of war. A very emotional read.
Thanks to Netgalley and Bookouture for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book.
Thanks to Netgalley and Bookouture for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book.
December 8, 2019
I came to this novel as a reader of romance hoping for a happy ending with a love interest in the plot. This story of Nathan, who, when his wife is abruptly murdered, hires Maria, one of her friends, an immigrant from Bosnia, as a nanny for his three children, could go this way. A theme also seemed to be Nathan’s realization that he had focused too much on his career, that his wife and family were not happy even though he was making a lot of money. We do get him realizing he needs to focus on his family more, but there is no romance after all and the story moves slowly, with a lot of focus on domestic details. There is also of course the underlying mystery—who killed the wife? The ending was not particularly happy or redemptive, even though the characters –the children, Nathan, and Maria--seem to have matured and be able to deal with the tragedy in their lives. Maybe this novel would appeal to readers who like a story mainly about dealing with tragedy and loss.
September 2, 2019
No Time to Say Goodbye is a book that will break your heart but give you hope.
It is a book of hope, faith and family and added in is the mystery who shot and randomly killed Laura on the subway leaving Nathan a widow with 3 young girls.
Its a book that shows how life changes in an instant, how we all have different perspective of our relationships.
Its about about healing and family.
Maria is a strong part of the book who comes in to look after the girls as they try to get life back to the new normal. Maria has her own story to tell.
Well worth the read as you cheer on Nathan as he tries his best to deal with his and his children's grief.
Thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for the opportunity to read No Time to Say Goodbye
It is a book of hope, faith and family and added in is the mystery who shot and randomly killed Laura on the subway leaving Nathan a widow with 3 young girls.
Its a book that shows how life changes in an instant, how we all have different perspective of our relationships.
Its about about healing and family.
Maria is a strong part of the book who comes in to look after the girls as they try to get life back to the new normal. Maria has her own story to tell.
Well worth the read as you cheer on Nathan as he tries his best to deal with his and his children's grief.
Thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for the opportunity to read No Time to Say Goodbye
March 9, 2024
This was probably my least favorite Kate Hewitt book. I love this author, her stories are always so well written and pull at the heartstrings. But this one, just never gelled with me.
Nathan's wife Laura is murdered on the subway, shot by a man who then escapes. He is distraught and now must pick up the pieces of their lives with their three daughters. He then learns that she had been working at a center that assisted new immigrants to transition to life in US. A woman there, Maria, was a friend of hers and Nathan contacts her to try to learn more about what Laura had been doing because he knew nothing about this.
Maria starts to get closer to the family and Nathan impulsively asks her to serve as a nanny for the kids since she gets along well with at least two of the daughters; their oldest teen daughter becomes more closed off and angry. Nathan learns to become more engaged with his family, more than he had been before and also realizes how he had focused so much on creating a strong financial life for the family that he had actually been neglecting his marriage and daughters.
Nathan's wife Laura is murdered on the subway, shot by a man who then escapes. He is distraught and now must pick up the pieces of their lives with their three daughters. He then learns that she had been working at a center that assisted new immigrants to transition to life in US. A woman there, Maria, was a friend of hers and Nathan contacts her to try to learn more about what Laura had been doing because he knew nothing about this.
Maria starts to get closer to the family and Nathan impulsively asks her to serve as a nanny for the kids since she gets along well with at least two of the daughters; their oldest teen daughter becomes more closed off and angry. Nathan learns to become more engaged with his family, more than he had been before and also realizes how he had focused so much on creating a strong financial life for the family that he had actually been neglecting his marriage and daughters.
April 24, 2020
It's hard to say how you "love" a book when it is about such a sad subject.
I really like this Author's work so far, this is the second book of hers that I have read. I will definitely be reading more of them.
This book is about Nathan and Laura, and their 3 daughters. Nathan works too much and Laura volunteers at an organization where they help immigrants who are new to the country, especially to NY. Laura becomes friends with Maria, a woman who has worked at the center for about 20 years.
One day after work, Laura is on the subway, on the way home from work when a man shoots and kills her. Her husband and children are shocked and grief stricken.
Nathan goes through his wife's phone to find out who she was friends with and ends up finding Maria, who he seeks out and to see if Laura had ever spoken about him.
They end up becoming friends and when he invites her to dinner at his home, his girls fall in love with her, especially his youngest. Nathan is in frequent contact with the police, trying to find out who killed Laura, trying to deal with his and his girls' grief and not doing a good job of either.
Eventually he asks Maria if she will come and help him with the girls. She agrees to stay with them when he returns to work, and she helps mend their broken hearts over time.
I Definitely recommend this book, and make sure you have lots of tissues, paper towels, t-shirt sleeves, or something else to wipe your tears and blow your nose on!
I really like this Author's work so far, this is the second book of hers that I have read. I will definitely be reading more of them.
This book is about Nathan and Laura, and their 3 daughters. Nathan works too much and Laura volunteers at an organization where they help immigrants who are new to the country, especially to NY. Laura becomes friends with Maria, a woman who has worked at the center for about 20 years.
One day after work, Laura is on the subway, on the way home from work when a man shoots and kills her. Her husband and children are shocked and grief stricken.
Nathan goes through his wife's phone to find out who she was friends with and ends up finding Maria, who he seeks out and to see if Laura had ever spoken about him.
They end up becoming friends and when he invites her to dinner at his home, his girls fall in love with her, especially his youngest. Nathan is in frequent contact with the police, trying to find out who killed Laura, trying to deal with his and his girls' grief and not doing a good job of either.
Eventually he asks Maria if she will come and help him with the girls. She agrees to stay with them when he returns to work, and she helps mend their broken hearts over time.
I Definitely recommend this book, and make sure you have lots of tissues, paper towels, t-shirt sleeves, or something else to wipe your tears and blow your nose on!
June 22, 2020
Kate Hewitt is a master at examining how we present ourselves to the world vs. how we present ourselves to others on a personal level, and ultimately how we present ourselves, not always with self-awareness, to ourselves.
After reading The Secrets We Keep, this falls short on unexpected twists and turns. It tries, but it falls short. No real gasps to be had in this book.
She does a great job of being very relatable. Many people in long marriages, especially with children, will appreciate what was taken for granted and the constant questioning of what was missed. You'll find yourself wondering what would be uncovered and how it would be processed if you were to suddenly be removed from your shared lives too.
The tempo of the book also seemed a little off but it was still an enjoyable read with characters who you will likely recognize as similar to people in your worlds and will stay with you after you finish the book.
After reading The Secrets We Keep, this falls short on unexpected twists and turns. It tries, but it falls short. No real gasps to be had in this book.
She does a great job of being very relatable. Many people in long marriages, especially with children, will appreciate what was taken for granted and the constant questioning of what was missed. You'll find yourself wondering what would be uncovered and how it would be processed if you were to suddenly be removed from your shared lives too.
The tempo of the book also seemed a little off but it was still an enjoyable read with characters who you will likely recognize as similar to people in your worlds and will stay with you after you finish the book.
June 14, 2023
I liked this book but only because it had an unusual storyline. I'm not a romantic and didn't get teary-eyed at the thought of the family losing their mother in a tragic event, but enjoyed the fact that the novel was fast paced and had some interesting side stories. And with all of that, there was the mystery of who killed Laura, what had happened to Maria in Bosnia, and the question of if she was connected to Laura's death.
As with many stories, the book makes you think about what others are going through in their daily lives, from grief to marital discord. I think that is what I took away from this novel. The writing is easy to read and the characters act as you would expect - no surprises there. Still, a quick, undemanding read.
As with many stories, the book makes you think about what others are going through in their daily lives, from grief to marital discord. I think that is what I took away from this novel. The writing is easy to read and the characters act as you would expect - no surprises there. Still, a quick, undemanding read.
January 9, 2022
Looking forward to more!
This story is backgrounded by the Bosnian Conflict, yet with so many other important themes as love and loss, the atrocities of war, refugees and immigrants, assimilation into different cultures, family conflicts and finding hope & a way forward after devastating tragedy. This prolific author has us page-turning, unable to put the book down, as the novel takes many unexpected turns!
The story is told by the two main characters but the end is dramatically told by an unexpected 3rd. person, who ties it all together amazingly!!
I look forward to more of her books!
This story is backgrounded by the Bosnian Conflict, yet with so many other important themes as love and loss, the atrocities of war, refugees and immigrants, assimilation into different cultures, family conflicts and finding hope & a way forward after devastating tragedy. This prolific author has us page-turning, unable to put the book down, as the novel takes many unexpected turns!
The story is told by the two main characters but the end is dramatically told by an unexpected 3rd. person, who ties it all together amazingly!!
I look forward to more of her books!
April 22, 2022
A heartbreaking, hope inspiring set of stories
Be patient as the story begins to slowly come together. Absolutely stunned at the random death of Nathan's wife, he and his family face terrible grief with all the fear, anger, second-guessing one can imagine (if you have been fortunate; otherwise it will be all too familiar). The narrative is shared by several of the people in the story. With what seems a step back for every one forward, they gradually form a new pattern, one that shifts again and again. This is so true to life. Of course ultimately hope unquenchable will be won.
Be patient as the story begins to slowly come together. Absolutely stunned at the random death of Nathan's wife, he and his family face terrible grief with all the fear, anger, second-guessing one can imagine (if you have been fortunate; otherwise it will be all too familiar). The narrative is shared by several of the people in the story. With what seems a step back for every one forward, they gradually form a new pattern, one that shifts again and again. This is so true to life. Of course ultimately hope unquenchable will be won.
November 15, 2023
I loved Not My Daughter, so I was excited to read another book by Kate Hewitt. No Time to Say Goodbye had a good story line and likeable characters. It had a lot of potential to be great, but was just good in my opinion. There were some slow parts and the ending was very anticlimactic. We never learned enough about Laura to really love her. It was odd that the line about Laura looking like she knew her killer/ looking at peace, was emphasized so much but never explained. I was actually hoping for some crazy twist in the end but it never happened.
The writing was great. Just not my favorite book.
The writing was great. Just not my favorite book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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