Publisher's Weekly Review
Hepworth's second novel (after The Secrets of Midwives) explores issues of self-determination and identity through an unconventional tearjerker of a love story. Diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer's at 39, Anna has made the difficult decision to move into a residential care facility. Though she's mostly surrounded by senior citizens, there's one other self-described "young person, old mind": Luke, who suffers from frontotemporal dementia. The two immediately bond over their unlikely shared circumstance, and eventually their friendship moves into romance. But as Anna's condition worsens, the question of whether she is capable of relationships, or of falling in love, comes into question, and her family insists that she and Luke be kept apart. The home's new cook, Eve, is charmed by Luke and Anna's tale of star-crossed love, and she vows to help them at any cost-but her understanding of the potential dangers is incomplete, and facilitating their romance could put more than just her job in jeopardy. The story's nonlinear structure, designed to mimic Anna's disorientation, cleverly obscures a few reveals that color the reader's perception of the dilemma at hand, and while none of these reveals are particularly surprising, they're no less heartbreaking. A supporting cast of quirky old folks and Eve's precocious daughter add levity to a poignant and nuanced story. (Jan.) © Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.
Kirkus Review
A woman suffering from early Alzheimer's finds romance in an assisted living facility while an abandoned wife restarts her life in the intertwined narratives that make up this second novel. At 38, Anna is an energetic, tart-tongued, motorcycle-riding paramedic. Actually that's who she was, just before she starts telling us her story. Diagnosed with Alzheimer's, Anna leaves her husband and winds up in a residential facility in New Jersey called Rosalind House, which caters to frail old people and a couple of memory-challenged younger ones. Anna's voice feels very true; particularly in the early chapters, she's still cogent enough to describe her deterioration, and her descriptions are precise and harrowing. The second voice we hear belongs to Eve, 35, who finds employment as a cook/housekeeper at Rosalind House after her highflying financier husband flames out la Bernie Madoff. Eve and her young daughter, Clementine, must adjust to drastically reduced living circumstances and endure the slings and arrows of those who know what Eve's husband did. (Clementine narrates a few chapters in a voice that seems less authentic than the other two.) At work, Eve takes a shine to Anna and eventually risks her job to allow Anna to pursue a relationship with Luke, an attractive, young fellow patient. Eve also finds a love interest, a development you'll spot miles away. Though likable and sympathetic, she's far more two-dimensional than Anna. Perhaps Hepworth, who got some positive attention for her debut novel, The Secret Lives of Midwives (2015), feared this book would be too grim with Anna as the main focus. A lot happens heretoo much really, especially in the last, somewhat improbable chaptersbut it's a definite page-turner. It's also uneven, with genuinely poignant moments brushing up against cheesy ones. Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Booklist Review
Hepworth (The Secrets of Midwives, 2015) likes to tell stories via three voices. This time, we meet Anna, a 38-year-old institutionalized with early onset Alzheimer's; Eve, a single mom working as a cook at the residential care facility where Anna lives; and Clementine, Eve's seven-year-old daughter. One has to give Hepworth kudos for even attempting to speak through Anna's Alzheimer's-addled perspective, even more for succeeding in the task of having the woman string enough cogent thoughts together to make a unique kind of sense. This is less difficult than trying to keep up with a story that bounces around in time. With Eve speaking several months ahead of Anna's story line, it can get confusing. Clementine offers insights into Eve's state of mind that don't contribute much to the overall theme, but she is a charming character who adds an innocent's wisdom. Finally, a few words of caution. Although the story has a fairly upbeat ending, it could be a distressing read for anyone struggling with an Alzheimer's diagnosis either as a patient or as a caregiver.--Chavez, Donna Copyright 2015 Booklist
Library Journal Review
Thirty-eight-year-old Anna Forster has early-onset Alzheimer's disease and lives in a residential care facility where there is one other person her age, Luke. They are drawn to each other and eventually fall in love. In a lucid moment, Anna and Luke promise that they will be together until the end. Anna writes this promise in her journal so she will remember it. When Eve Bennett joins the staff of the facility as cook and cleaner, she becomes especially close to Anna. She can see that Anna and Luke are happiest when they are together. Despite Anna and Luke being physically separated by the staff, Eve secretly allows them to visit each other, until her intervention is discovered. Eve shows the journal entry to Anna's brother and convinces him that love can continue even when memory cannot. This heartbreaking story is replete with humor, sadness, and love. The characters are well rounded and sympathetic. Barrie Kreinik and Therese Plummer do a solid job narrating. VERDICT This book will appeal to fans of general fiction. Recommended. ["Nothing less than a poignant testament to the immeasurable and restorative power of love": LJ 12/15 starred review of the St. Martin's hc.]-Joanna Burkhardt, Univ. of Rhode Island Libs., Providence © Copyright 2016. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
