This book started out strong, then degenerated into a mess as it kept adding characters and wandering aimlessly between storylines. First it was a pretty effective 1st person POV story of a young woman who is experiencing the gradual dissolution of her known world through the progression of Alzheimer's. It seems set to tackle some of the challenging issues of autonomy, self-determination, and the ability to provide informed consent as cognition declines, wrapped up in a sweet love story. Then we start muddying the story with other 1st person POV characters, dealing with completely different issues and concerns, and attempting to weave them together.

I found myself first annoyed, then losing interest. I decided to DNF at 75% when another book I had on hold at the library became available.

Audiobook version, borrowed from my public library. The performances by Therese Plummer and Barrie Kreinik were very good. ( )

excellent, predictable story, but wonderful explanations of the different dementias ( )

Part romance, part tearjerker, this story is tragic yet inspiring, and heart felt.. Anna Forster has not had a great life, and now at only 38 years old it seems her life is coming to an end. She and her twin brother watched their mom deteriorate with Alzheimer's, and it would seem their dad never looked back after abandoning them. Now Anna herself has been diagnosed with the same deadly disease and can no longer take care of herself. She is one of only 2 "young people" in Rosiland House, the assisted living facility which is now her home.
Eve Bennett and her young daughter Clementine are also facing some hard times of their own, when Eve comes to take over as cook and housekeeper at Rosiland House. Having lost her home, her friends, and her money through no fault of her own Eve knows what it's like to have loved and lost. Eve forms a bond with Anna and finds herself risking losing her job to do what she can to make Anna's final days happy, and maybe at last find some happiness for herself and her daughter.

I received an advance copy for review.
( )

I initially thought this book would be pretty similar to Still Alice by Lisa Genova (also centered around early onset Alzheimer's), which I read about a year ago. But no, this is a different story and perhaps a more hopeful one. Anna is in her late thirties when she is diagnosed with early onset Alzheimer's and she soon finds herself living in a residential care facility, where she encounters Luke, a man about her age who also struggles with dementia. Intertwined with Anna's story is that of the facility's cook Eve and her daughter, who are both grieving after Eve's husband completed suicide following a scandal. Each of the characters discovers new ways to love and learn to live for the moment in the course of this novel, making for a touching read. There are, of course, harder parts as well - as some of the details of Anna's story might make for uncomfortable read to some. Overall, though, I enjoyed this book and would recommend it. ( )

This was equally riveting, beautiful and gut wrenchingly sad. The three main perspectives of the story are well told and keep you thinking. ( )