Title: Her Last Chance
Author: Alison Ragsdale
Publication day: April 13th 2021
Description:
My darling girl, I watch you playing outside in the grass. Your long blonde hair sweeps back and your blue eyes are bright with joy. You are utterly perfect, I never imagined something could be so wrong and I’d be powerless to protect you…
Ava’s daughter Carly is everything a ten-year-old should be: energetic, creative and the light of her parents’ lives. But when she starts stumbling down stairs and walking into doors, Ava wants to rush to the doctor. Her husband Rick is sure she’s fretting over nothing – kids can be a little clumsy sometimes. But Ava’s instinct is telling her something is seriously wrong.
Against Rick’s advice, Ava takes Carly to see a specialist and is given a devastating diagnosis: a rare genetic condition that will change her future forever. When Rick realises the truth, he is determined to do all he can to help Carly enjoy what light she has left. The close-knit family take it one day at a time, walking to the beach and watching the sunrise.
Just as Ava begins to imagine a new future for them all, a tragic accident throws their lives into chaos once more. To give her daughter a chance at a full life, Ava faces a devastating choice. How can she possibly choose between the two people she loves most?
An emotional, heartbreaking page-turner about a mother’s love and an utterly devastating decision. Readers of Kate Hewitt, My Sister’s Keeper and Diane Chamberlain will keep this story in their hearts forever.
BLOG TOUR REVIEW
Review for 'Her Last Chance' by Alison Ragsdale.
Read and reviewed via NetGalley for Alison Ragsdale, Bookouture publishers and Bookouture anonymous
Publication date 13th April 2020.
This is the first book I have read by this author. However it most certainly will not be my last!!!
I was originally drawn to this book by its beautiful eye catching cover and its intriguing synopsis. It also stated in the synopsis 'Readers of Kate Hewitt, My Sister’s Keeper and Diane Chamberlain will keep this story in their hearts forever'.
I am a fan of Kate and Diane's books and LOVED 'My Sister's Keeper' so am looking forward to see if it loves up to this. I must admit I was also biased due to the publisher being Bookouture. I have yet to read a book published by Bookouture that I haven't enjoyed. Hopefully this won't be the first... Watch this space! (Written before I started reading the book).
This novel consists of a prologue, 31 chapters and an epilogue. The chapters are short to medium in length so possible to read 'just one more chapter' before bed...OK, I know yeah right, but still just in case!
This book is based in Scotland, UK 🇬🇧. The bonus for me of books that are partly or fully based in the UK is that I live in the UK and have sometimes visited places mentioned in the book which makes it easier to picture.
This book is written in third person perspective and the protagonist is Ava. The benefits of third person perspective are that it let's you see the bigger picture of what's going on and you get to know more characters more, what they are thinking and what they are doing. It feels like you get to see the whole picture and not miss out in anything.
It is set over multiple timelines via flashbacks When books show what has happened in the past and what is happening in the present I find it really helps the reader (if it is well done) understand why things are happening and what has lead to the present activities and decisions. It also shows the bigger picture.
'Her Last Chance' discusses some topics that may trigger some readers. I like to point this out ahead of time in my reviews so you can judge if this book is for you or not. In this book Alison discusses children's health, car accident, coma, end of life care and more.
Well ladies and gents if you are looking for a tear jerker you have come to the right place!!! This book has been beautifully written and it completely drew me in with its vivid descriptions. The storyline and synopsis worked perfect for this book.
The storyline is stunningly devastating and it had me on the edge of my seat throughout. The cover states that this book is 'Utterly heartbreaking, gripping and emotional' and I couldn't agree more!!! It is such a powerful storyline that will stay with me for a long time. It was filled with love, heartbreak, friendship and loss and I was completely absorbed throughout. If you have ever read 'P. S I love you', 'Me before you' or 'My Sisters keeper' and enjoyed them then this book is definitely for you!! I love the fact that Alison focused on Stargardt disease and the fact that she most definitely did her research shines through!!! I have never heard of this before and I'm sure many others haven't either so it is great that she is bringing such awareness whole weaving it into such a beautiful storyline, that takes talent.
The characters were well defined, realistic and strong. I cannot even begin to imagine the pain and suffering that Ava was going through, especially as a Mum myself, such a strong and passionate woman. However it wasn't just Ava that was string but also Carly who had all that to go through whilst being just a child. Ava, Carly and Rik are a perfect family unit and to watch them go through all that was absolutely heart wrenching. However where there was dark the light shone through and I was very glad of Cam and Jenna's friendship to them both and the support they both gave while having their own problems to deal with.
This book absolutely grabbed my heart and mind and didn't let go while bringing tears to my eyes and I do not cry easily unless it comes to animals. So do make sure you have tissues at the ready!!
Although this book brought me to tears I also think that it ended perfectly and would absolutely love to see this made into a film!!! Alison welcome aboard the favourite author train, I just need to make a stop at amazon to add all your books to my wishlist!!!
Overall a devastatingly, heartbreaking and yet beautiful story that will leave you in tears.
Genres covered in this novel include Literary Fiction and Fiction amongst others.
I would recommend this book to the fans of the above as well as fans of of 'P. S I love you', 'Me before you' or 'My Sisters keeper' or just anyone who is looking for a beautiful tear jerker.
311 pages.
This book is just 99p to purchase on kindle via Amazon which I think is an absolute bargain for this book!!!
Rated 5/5 (I LOVED it ) on Goodreads, Instagram, Amazon UK and Amazon US and on over 30 Facebook pages plus my blog on Facebook.
Feel free to add me on Goodreads or follow me on my website or Facebook for more reviews
@AlisonRagsdale @Bookouture @Bookworm1986 @bookworm86
Author Bio:
A former marketing executive, originally from Edinburgh, Alison now lives near Washington D.C. with her husband and dog. She was educated in England and holds an MBA from Leicester University. For more information on upcoming books go to www.alisonragsdale.com.
Author Social Media Links:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/AlisonRagsdale
BUY LINKS:
Amazon: https://geni.us/B08TPDNBQCsocial
Apple: http://ow.ly/2dbD50Dh621
Kobo: http://ow.ly/kjWQ50Dh61f
Google: http://ow.ly/qokT50Dh62Q
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