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Time to Say Goodbye
Is there ever a right time to let go?
HOW DO YOU LEAVE THE PERSON YOU LOVE THE MOST?
Will Curtis’s six-year-old daughter, Ella, knows her father will never leave her. After all, he promised her so when her mother died. And he’s going to do everything he can to keep his word.
What Will doesn’t know is that the promise he made to his little girl might be harder to keep than he imagined. When he’s faced with an impossible decision, Will finds that the most obvious choice might not be the right one.
But the future is full of unexpected surprises. And father and daughter are about to embark on an unforgettable journey together . . .
*A heart-rending story about a father’s love for his daughter.
Perfect for fans of JOJO MOYES and JOHN GREEN.*
HOW DO YOU LEAVE THE PERSON YOU LOVE THE MOST?
Will Curtis’s six-year-old daughter, Ella, knows her father will never leave her. After all, he promised her so when her mother died. And he’s going to do everything he can to keep his word.
What Will doesn’t know is that the promise he made to his little girl might be harder to keep than he imagined. When he’s faced with an impossible decision, Will finds that the most obvious choice might not be the right one.
But the future is full of unexpected surprises. And father and daughter are about to embark on an unforgettable journey together . . .
*A heart-rending story about a father’s love for his daughter.
Perfect for fans of JOJO MOYES and JOHN GREEN.*
352 pages, Paperback
First published February 11, 2016
523 people are currently reading
1513 people want to read
About the author
S.D. Robertson
9 books118 followersFormer journalist S.D. Robertson quit his role as a local newspaper editor to pursue a lifelong ambition of becoming a novelist.
An English graduate from the University of Manchester, he’s also worked as a holiday rep, door-to-door salesman, train cleaner, kitchen porter and mobile phone network engineer.
Stuart lives in a village in North West England with his wife and daughter. There’s also his cat, Bernard, who likes to distract him from writing – usually by breaking things.
An English graduate from the University of Manchester, he’s also worked as a holiday rep, door-to-door salesman, train cleaner, kitchen porter and mobile phone network engineer.
Stuart lives in a village in North West England with his wife and daughter. There’s also his cat, Bernard, who likes to distract him from writing – usually by breaking things.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 264 reviews
March 25, 2016
If I had to write this review just after I had read this book, I just couldn't have, not in a million years.
First, my heart had to stop beating so fast.
I had to regain composure.
I would need to stop my forever flowing eyes of watery tears running down my cheeks and even then, I would have had to wait for my puffy eyes to subside.
DO NOT LET THIS PUT YOU OFF Because this book was a BEAUTIFUL CRY one of heart felt emotions.
If you had a little child who had lost their Mother in death and they looked at you and said "Daddy, you won't ever leave me will you?"
You would promise, and you would mean it. You could take your child into your arms and comfort them and say words like "I will always be here for you, comfort you, dry your eyes for you, bandage your knee for you, cuddle and love you always
And you would 120% mean those words.
But what if an unexpected event took your life? Leaving your daughter alone.
Then follows the "ghost" of the father "looking after his child as she grows.
I have never read such an awesome, unputdownable, heart touching [all the way through] book ever in this way.
It sometimes reminded me of the film GHOST with Patrick Swayze, but his wife got to see him, however, his daughter cannot.
This book is not all doom and gloom and forever wiping your eyes of tears but it is uplifting too.
S D Robertson. I am going to remember that name. This book has had such an effect on me that its taken me days to write.
Its one book this year you NEED to read.
*Thank you to HarperCollins UK, Avon via Net Galley for my copy to read and review*
August 19, 2023
The opening chapter of this book is powerful and intriguing. Will dies in a road accident. He has been a single parent to Ella since her mother died in childbirth. His spirit is devastated by having to leave her. The only person who can now see him is his spirit "guide" and she agrees an extension to him "passing over" for a while. That sets up the possibility of a powerful and emotional story. I'd prefer not to give anything much away as reading a new book should be a journey of discovery however this book follows his time as a spirit. He spends time with his family and tries to get Ella to "see" him again.
I've certainly read books which have used similar ideas in the past and found that they tread a difficult line mostly. My early notes while reading this contain the phrase "Powerful but matter of fact as well" and this is part of the problem. While I did fine the book nicely written it was also rather "matter of fact" for a story that should be highly charged emotionally. In general I certainly found the characters seemed a little shallow and less than unconvincing. Somehow Will's basic dilemma of whether he can/should try and stay with his daughter didn't seem to get the traction I felt it richly deserved. With hindsight the most interesting part of the book was Will's interaction (after death) with his father but that would require a large spoiler alert to say more about!
I did find the last third raised the emotional level of the book and made it hard to put down. There was some far more powerful scenes and threads in this section for me. I'm sure many will find this a powerful and emotional read. It is without question a very good debut book however despite the traumas and dramas it still felt less than convincing though it is definitely not a bad book. I'd happily read the next book by this author.
Note - I received an advance digital copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for a fair review
I can't honestly say this worked for me though I am equally sure others will see it differently...
I've certainly read books which have used similar ideas in the past and found that they tread a difficult line mostly. My early notes while reading this contain the phrase "Powerful but matter of fact as well" and this is part of the problem. While I did fine the book nicely written it was also rather "matter of fact" for a story that should be highly charged emotionally. In general I certainly found the characters seemed a little shallow and less than unconvincing. Somehow Will's basic dilemma of whether he can/should try and stay with his daughter didn't seem to get the traction I felt it richly deserved. With hindsight the most interesting part of the book was Will's interaction (after death) with his father but that would require a large spoiler alert to say more about!
I did find the last third raised the emotional level of the book and made it hard to put down. There was some far more powerful scenes and threads in this section for me. I'm sure many will find this a powerful and emotional read. It is without question a very good debut book however despite the traumas and dramas it still felt less than convincing though it is definitely not a bad book. I'd happily read the next book by this author.
Note - I received an advance digital copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for a fair review
I can't honestly say this worked for me though I am equally sure others will see it differently...
April 17, 2017
Não andarei longe da verdade se disser que a paternidade traz uma nova luz à noção que temos de mortalidade e à forma como a encaramos. A vontade maior do que a vida de proteger um filho e estar lá sempre que ele precisa é uma realidade com que a maior parte dos pais se identificará, por isso um cenário em que temos a infelicidade de desaparecer deste mundo e não conseguirmos mais cuidar de um filho é algo aterrador.
Este cenário é o ponto de partida de Tempo de Dizer Adeus, romance de estreia do inglês S.D. Robertson. No início da história, a bicicleta onde Will seguia é abalroada por um carro e ele não resiste aos graves ferimentos. Ao morrer, Will percebe que o seu espírito permanece e consegue acompanhar os acontecimentos subsequentes, estando particularmente preocupado com a sua pequena filha de 6 anos, Ella, que se vê subitamente sem o pai, quando já era orfã de mãe. A história gira então em volta do dilema de Will em tentar decidir se deve permanecer eternamente como espírito perto da filha ou se deverá rumar ao céu, deixando-a viver a sua vida o melhor que sabe, sendo que qualquer das decisões será definitiva.
A premissa do livro é interessante e a forma como o livro se inicia intrigante. Fiquei curiosa por saber quais as regras que o autor iria criar para a existência de um espírito e como se processaria todo o sistema pós-vida. Senda esta uma premissa básica do livro, penso que a suspensão da descrença por parte do leitor será fundamental para o sucesso da história perante quem a lê; pessoalmente, houve algumas coisas que penso que não funcionaram muito bem, mas de um modo geral, acho que o autor conseguiu criar uma história coerente.
O enredo vai decorrendo a um ritmo agradável, sendo o leitor movido pela curiosidade quanto à decisão que Will vai tomar. O final não é propriamente surpreendente, mas notei com agrado que o autor teve o cuidado de apresentar uma nuance interessante. De um modo geral foi uma leitura agradável, que manteve o meu interesse e que me deixou curiosa quanto a futuras publicações deste autor.
Este cenário é o ponto de partida de Tempo de Dizer Adeus, romance de estreia do inglês S.D. Robertson. No início da história, a bicicleta onde Will seguia é abalroada por um carro e ele não resiste aos graves ferimentos. Ao morrer, Will percebe que o seu espírito permanece e consegue acompanhar os acontecimentos subsequentes, estando particularmente preocupado com a sua pequena filha de 6 anos, Ella, que se vê subitamente sem o pai, quando já era orfã de mãe. A história gira então em volta do dilema de Will em tentar decidir se deve permanecer eternamente como espírito perto da filha ou se deverá rumar ao céu, deixando-a viver a sua vida o melhor que sabe, sendo que qualquer das decisões será definitiva.
A premissa do livro é interessante e a forma como o livro se inicia intrigante. Fiquei curiosa por saber quais as regras que o autor iria criar para a existência de um espírito e como se processaria todo o sistema pós-vida. Senda esta uma premissa básica do livro, penso que a suspensão da descrença por parte do leitor será fundamental para o sucesso da história perante quem a lê; pessoalmente, houve algumas coisas que penso que não funcionaram muito bem, mas de um modo geral, acho que o autor conseguiu criar uma história coerente.
O enredo vai decorrendo a um ritmo agradável, sendo o leitor movido pela curiosidade quanto à decisão que Will vai tomar. O final não é propriamente surpreendente, mas notei com agrado que o autor teve o cuidado de apresentar uma nuance interessante. De um modo geral foi uma leitura agradável, que manteve o meu interesse e que me deixou curiosa quanto a futuras publicações deste autor.
June 30, 2019
Once I picked this book up there was no stopping.
Time To Say Goodbye should be in book shops top list of books to read for February 2016. I would love to see more readers reading Time To Say Goodbye by S. D. Robertson. This is a beautiful well written heart-rending story about a father's love for his daughter. The story is a tear-jerker, but don't hesitate please just read it.
Six-year-old daughter Ella asked after her mother had died Daddy, you'll never leave me, will you? Will Curtis promised his daughter that he would never leave her. But tragedy strikes Will is knocked off his bike by a lady driver. He was pronounced dead minutes later. William comes back into the spirit world to look after his daughter and try to communicate with her. What I like the most is how the character William Curtis tells the story even though he is in the spirit world.
I wouldn't hesitate to read another novel by Stuart Robertson.
July 7, 2016
Ok so on the plus side this book was VERY EASY TO READ, kind spacing and a decent font size that is usual for this kind of genre. It was 343 pages but that means nothing, because (at the risk of being very condescending) it's not a complicated read and content is not challenging.
Story about a man who dies and his spirit hangs on for a bit and he has a six year old daughter who is now an orphan and he doesn't want to 'go to the other side' blah blah.
This was chosen for one of my book groups and I think it may be time to leave before any more brain cells die.
So no, if you're into this genre you'll love it, if you're not then you won't. Chick lit is hell on earth for me.
Story about a man who dies and his spirit hangs on for a bit and he has a six year old daughter who is now an orphan and he doesn't want to 'go to the other side' blah blah.
This was chosen for one of my book groups and I think it may be time to leave before any more brain cells die.
So no, if you're into this genre you'll love it, if you're not then you won't. Chick lit is hell on earth for me.
July 2, 2017
Um livro muito simples, que me surpreendeu pela positiva.
Uma leitura fluída e que me manteve sempre interessada.
Gostei e aconselho :)
Uma leitura fluída e que me manteve sempre interessada.
Gostei e aconselho :)
July 3, 2018
Gostei muito desta leitura…. Este livro fala da vida depois da morte….
É a história de um pai que faz tudo para não se separar da sua filha...
Este livro tem muitas surpresas curiosas e inesperadas
É a história de um pai que faz tudo para não se separar da sua filha...
Este livro tem muitas surpresas curiosas e inesperadas
January 8, 2016
3.5 stars!
Time To Say Goodbye has had a stellar marketing campaign. I’ve seen lots of lovely bloggers tweeting pictures of bizarre and seemingly random things that they’ve been sent. However, it all adds up to a clever marketing job for this book! So, this book has been on my radar for a while. When I had the chance to download a copy from NetGalley I jumped at the chance and dived straight in.
I’m just going to say this now: the blurb doesn’t give much of an idea about the story at all so if you want to go into this book blind then stop reading now as I will be talking about the premise briefly which could potentially spoil.
In the simplest terms this is a book about a father who dies in a car accident; he then comes back as a ghost and tries to get through to his daughter. But, obviously, there are hurdles in his way and he has to work out whether he wants to pass to the ‘other side’ or stick around with his daughter forever.
Hmmmm. That’s the noise I’d made once I’d finished this novel. It was a strange reading experience for me – I felt like I’d read this book before. I think the trouble is, being a prolific reader I have read a lot of books and I’ve read a handful of books similar to this one; and therefore it felt a little like a retelling of a story I’ve already read. For example Make A Christmas Wish by Julia Williams, The Dead Wife’s Handbook by Hannah Beckerman and The Angel At Number 33 by Polly Williams are all very similar in idea to this novel: a dead parent who doesn’t want to ‘pass over’ because they want to stay with their child.
I guess there wasn’t enough for me that made Time To Say Goodbye stand out against these others? I was hoping that maybe as, Will, the protagonist was male and a father rather than female and a mother (like the other three mentioned above) that we might get a very different take on the premise but sadly, I think you could have swapped the gender of the protagonist and it would have made little difference.
There were a couple of moments in the plot that made me a little frustrated too. Will manages to find a way to interact with his daughter but makes her promise not to tell anyone because they might think she’s ‘mad’. ‘They might even think you’re sick and take you to a special doctor.’ That is a direct quote and it just made me feel a bit iffy! Firstly, if a child were seen to be talking to a dead parent I think most would pass it off as a symptom of grief and a way the child is learning to deal with life without their parent. Secondly, it just felt quite threatening the way Will was trying to ensure she didn’t tell anyone – perhaps through selfishness that he wanted to stay with his daughter (?) but it felt like he was putting his daughter in such an awkward position. And, lastly, the words ‘special doctor’ just sit badly with me but that’s by the by!
So did I actually like anything about this book? Yes, I did. There was a lot to like. Robertson’s writing style is easy to get into and keeps pace brilliantly throughout – there was always something going on and the plot was always moving forward at a good speed. There were a few plot elements that shocked me and to begin with I wondered whether they really sat well within the world of Will’s story – it was almost as if the spotlight was taken off of Will too much. But, when I think about it, I like how the plot encompassed the whole of Will’s family and their lives after his death rather than just focussing on Will’s plight.
The ‘spirits’ that Will meets were an interesting bunch and I liked how they presented their stories and represented the different routes Will could take – stay behind with his daughter or go into Heaven. I also found it heart-warming when Will meets his dead wife in spirit form (sorry, potential spoiler but he was a widower) and it was reassuring to know if he went to the ‘other side’ he wouldn’t be lonely.
There was a decent exploration of the father-daughter relationship but there were some moments when I would have loved some longer flashbacks into their shared past and seen how they’d enjoyed time together before Will died. I felt like all I was seeing for the most part was a sad daughter and a desperate father – I wanted to see them laughing and running around and eating ice cream and watching films and making daisy chains etc. I felt like that could have been explored a little bit more.
Overall this was a good book. I think if I had less experience of similar plots then I would have taken a lot more from this novel. It was an engaging read and I read it in just three sittings so it definitely kept my attention. I have noticed on Robertson’s website that he has a second novel called On A Clifftop coming in 2017 and I will be eagerly awaiting that. I think this book is a great debut and I am really looking forward to seeing what comes next!
Time To Say Goodbye has had a stellar marketing campaign. I’ve seen lots of lovely bloggers tweeting pictures of bizarre and seemingly random things that they’ve been sent. However, it all adds up to a clever marketing job for this book! So, this book has been on my radar for a while. When I had the chance to download a copy from NetGalley I jumped at the chance and dived straight in.
I’m just going to say this now: the blurb doesn’t give much of an idea about the story at all so if you want to go into this book blind then stop reading now as I will be talking about the premise briefly which could potentially spoil.
In the simplest terms this is a book about a father who dies in a car accident; he then comes back as a ghost and tries to get through to his daughter. But, obviously, there are hurdles in his way and he has to work out whether he wants to pass to the ‘other side’ or stick around with his daughter forever.
Hmmmm. That’s the noise I’d made once I’d finished this novel. It was a strange reading experience for me – I felt like I’d read this book before. I think the trouble is, being a prolific reader I have read a lot of books and I’ve read a handful of books similar to this one; and therefore it felt a little like a retelling of a story I’ve already read. For example Make A Christmas Wish by Julia Williams, The Dead Wife’s Handbook by Hannah Beckerman and The Angel At Number 33 by Polly Williams are all very similar in idea to this novel: a dead parent who doesn’t want to ‘pass over’ because they want to stay with their child.
I guess there wasn’t enough for me that made Time To Say Goodbye stand out against these others? I was hoping that maybe as, Will, the protagonist was male and a father rather than female and a mother (like the other three mentioned above) that we might get a very different take on the premise but sadly, I think you could have swapped the gender of the protagonist and it would have made little difference.
There were a couple of moments in the plot that made me a little frustrated too. Will manages to find a way to interact with his daughter but makes her promise not to tell anyone because they might think she’s ‘mad’. ‘They might even think you’re sick and take you to a special doctor.’ That is a direct quote and it just made me feel a bit iffy! Firstly, if a child were seen to be talking to a dead parent I think most would pass it off as a symptom of grief and a way the child is learning to deal with life without their parent. Secondly, it just felt quite threatening the way Will was trying to ensure she didn’t tell anyone – perhaps through selfishness that he wanted to stay with his daughter (?) but it felt like he was putting his daughter in such an awkward position. And, lastly, the words ‘special doctor’ just sit badly with me but that’s by the by!
So did I actually like anything about this book? Yes, I did. There was a lot to like. Robertson’s writing style is easy to get into and keeps pace brilliantly throughout – there was always something going on and the plot was always moving forward at a good speed. There were a few plot elements that shocked me and to begin with I wondered whether they really sat well within the world of Will’s story – it was almost as if the spotlight was taken off of Will too much. But, when I think about it, I like how the plot encompassed the whole of Will’s family and their lives after his death rather than just focussing on Will’s plight.
The ‘spirits’ that Will meets were an interesting bunch and I liked how they presented their stories and represented the different routes Will could take – stay behind with his daughter or go into Heaven. I also found it heart-warming when Will meets his dead wife in spirit form (sorry, potential spoiler but he was a widower) and it was reassuring to know if he went to the ‘other side’ he wouldn’t be lonely.
There was a decent exploration of the father-daughter relationship but there were some moments when I would have loved some longer flashbacks into their shared past and seen how they’d enjoyed time together before Will died. I felt like all I was seeing for the most part was a sad daughter and a desperate father – I wanted to see them laughing and running around and eating ice cream and watching films and making daisy chains etc. I felt like that could have been explored a little bit more.
Overall this was a good book. I think if I had less experience of similar plots then I would have taken a lot more from this novel. It was an engaging read and I read it in just three sittings so it definitely kept my attention. I have noticed on Robertson’s website that he has a second novel called On A Clifftop coming in 2017 and I will be eagerly awaiting that. I think this book is a great debut and I am really looking forward to seeing what comes next!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 28, 2016
This is a book that reaches in to your heart and pulls at it, then it twists just that bit deeper and settles nicely to be with you for a long long time. I have no idea how someone can come up with these sort of sentences and lay them on a sheet of paper … then to let it out in the world… they must be either a genius or just totally amazing… i would love to spend days with authors like this and talk to them. To have a mind that can write such a beautiful story is not only a gift but must also be such a pleasure, it certainly is for the reader. I would give this book a million starts if i could <3
September 22, 2022
A bitter sweet story and one I found difficult a times as I’m still grieving and the issues of death,loss and the afterlife resounded with me personally.
Nevertheless this was a uniquely beautiful story. Tissues will be needed while you read this book. The love of a father for his daughter is heart rendering. This book managed to touch all my emotions and i must commend the author on such an unique read.
Nevertheless this was a uniquely beautiful story. Tissues will be needed while you read this book. The love of a father for his daughter is heart rendering. This book managed to touch all my emotions and i must commend the author on such an unique read.
March 21, 2018
Having recently read the wonderful 'Stand by Me' by this author, I was keen to give some of his other books a read. I spotted this one as a free to download on Amazon and immediately added it to my Kindle.
It tells the story of Will, who having just died is left with the terrible dilemma of staying on earth as a spirit or ascending to heaven. Here on earth, he is still able to communicate with his beloved 6 year old daughter. In heaven, he will see his wife who died during childbirth. Given some time to choose by his spirit guide, he has to make the difficult decision to stay or leave.
Although I don't personally believe in an afterlife, I still liked this story. Yes, it is far-fetched, but it's fiction and it held my interest throughout. I would say that I didn't find it particularly emotional though; given the subject matter I thought a few tears would fall at least, but I remained dry eyed. It's a story with an interesting perspective, but not one that I'm likely to remember in a few weeks time.
It tells the story of Will, who having just died is left with the terrible dilemma of staying on earth as a spirit or ascending to heaven. Here on earth, he is still able to communicate with his beloved 6 year old daughter. In heaven, he will see his wife who died during childbirth. Given some time to choose by his spirit guide, he has to make the difficult decision to stay or leave.
Although I don't personally believe in an afterlife, I still liked this story. Yes, it is far-fetched, but it's fiction and it held my interest throughout. I would say that I didn't find it particularly emotional though; given the subject matter I thought a few tears would fall at least, but I remained dry eyed. It's a story with an interesting perspective, but not one that I'm likely to remember in a few weeks time.
March 18, 2018
Dnf at 36%
'Heart rending'??
No. Mawkish and ludicrous more like it. But that wouldn't sell books would it?
'Heart rending'??
No. Mawkish and ludicrous more like it. But that wouldn't sell books would it?
September 3, 2020
I absolutely loved this tale. It was so different to what I usually read. It really played with my imagination. Definitely will be reading more of this author when I want a break from the domestic and psychological thrillers I usually read.
Thank you so much Tracy for bringing it to my attention way back in 2016. I'm slowly getting through my TBR list!
Thank you so much Tracy for bringing it to my attention way back in 2016. I'm slowly getting through my TBR list!
February 19, 2016
When I read the first page of this book (I don’t think I will be giving any spoilers away here) and found out the main character had died, I just knew I was going to enjoy this book! Two of my favourite books ever have been where the main character is dead and comes back as a “spirit” for a time.
William (Will) is a 30 something widower bringing up his six year old daughter Ella on his own when he is tragically knocked off his bike, leaving him with fatal injuries. He realises straight away that something is wrong as he looks down at the paramedics desperately trying to revive him, to no avail.
Meanwhile Ella is waiting at school for her Dad to collect her at the end of the day and wondering why her Dad is late.
Not long after Will realises he has died he meets Lizzie, who is his spirit guide. She tells him that he has a few weeks to decide if he wants to pass over to the “other side” or stay looking out for Ella. The only thing with staying is that he would not be able to change his mind again, he would be left in limbo forever. This has happened to another spirit called Arthur who has regretted his decision not to go to Heaven with his wife.
I know this story sounds very far fetched, but I love reading about other people’s perceptions of what they think happens to us when we die. I think the author told the story very sympathetically and in great detail. The characters were very well described and I loved Will and thought Ella was a sweet, intelligent, sensitive little girl. The only character I personally had trouble believing was Will’s Dad and what evolves about his past.
Will’s parents are not only trying to come to terms with their grief over losing their son, but when Will’s Dad has a major stroke and is rushed to hospital, all sorts of family secrets unfold that will have another devastating effect on everyone!
I really loved this book right up to the last chapter when I had to read it again as I got a bit confused. I wasn’t sure at first what was happening, which was a bit of a disappointment, but on the whole I loved this book and would thoroughly recommend it and am already passing it on!
William (Will) is a 30 something widower bringing up his six year old daughter Ella on his own when he is tragically knocked off his bike, leaving him with fatal injuries. He realises straight away that something is wrong as he looks down at the paramedics desperately trying to revive him, to no avail.
Meanwhile Ella is waiting at school for her Dad to collect her at the end of the day and wondering why her Dad is late.
Not long after Will realises he has died he meets Lizzie, who is his spirit guide. She tells him that he has a few weeks to decide if he wants to pass over to the “other side” or stay looking out for Ella. The only thing with staying is that he would not be able to change his mind again, he would be left in limbo forever. This has happened to another spirit called Arthur who has regretted his decision not to go to Heaven with his wife.
I know this story sounds very far fetched, but I love reading about other people’s perceptions of what they think happens to us when we die. I think the author told the story very sympathetically and in great detail. The characters were very well described and I loved Will and thought Ella was a sweet, intelligent, sensitive little girl. The only character I personally had trouble believing was Will’s Dad and what evolves about his past.
Will’s parents are not only trying to come to terms with their grief over losing their son, but when Will’s Dad has a major stroke and is rushed to hospital, all sorts of family secrets unfold that will have another devastating effect on everyone!
I really loved this book right up to the last chapter when I had to read it again as I got a bit confused. I wasn’t sure at first what was happening, which was a bit of a disappointment, but on the whole I loved this book and would thoroughly recommend it and am already passing it on!
February 7, 2017
PLEASE NOTE THIS REVIEW CONTAINS SPOILERS
So I originally picked up this book as its about the special relationship between a father and his daughter. As I have a very close relationship with my own father, I thought I would really enjoy this book and be able to relate to it.
However, it became apparent very quickly that this was not the case!
So it jumps straight into the story. If I had to describe it in a nutshell it would go like this...
6 year old girl who's mum has died
Her dad then dies.
Its like Ghost so the dad (William) is present during his death and then goes to his family, specifically to be there for his (now orphaned) daughter
The daughter lives with William's parents.
The granddad then has a stroke.
While he's in hospital, his wife and sister discover he's been having an affair.
Granddad commits suicide while in hospital by slitting his own throat.
Man turns up at the family home and he turns out to be the one the granddad has been having an affair with.
I've never read anything so depressing in my entire life (including The Man Who Broke Into Auschwitz). The plot was entirely depressing and, even the moments that should have been touching between father and daughter, I just didn't find them convincing. The daughter, Ella, is 6 years old. I have never heard 6 year olds use the type of language that Ella uses - far too advanced for her age.
The book was very easy to read but entirely unbelievable that one family could go through so much in so little time, and still be fairly unscathed by it. I found myself rolling my eyes throughout the whole book and am relieved to have finished so I can now read something better written and more entertaining.
I very rarely rate books with only 1 star, but I felt it was the only fair score in this case due to how little I enjoyed this book.
So I originally picked up this book as its about the special relationship between a father and his daughter. As I have a very close relationship with my own father, I thought I would really enjoy this book and be able to relate to it.
However, it became apparent very quickly that this was not the case!
So it jumps straight into the story. If I had to describe it in a nutshell it would go like this...
6 year old girl who's mum has died
Her dad then dies.
Its like Ghost so the dad (William) is present during his death and then goes to his family, specifically to be there for his (now orphaned) daughter
The daughter lives with William's parents.
The granddad then has a stroke.
While he's in hospital, his wife and sister discover he's been having an affair.
Granddad commits suicide while in hospital by slitting his own throat.
Man turns up at the family home and he turns out to be the one the granddad has been having an affair with.
I've never read anything so depressing in my entire life (including The Man Who Broke Into Auschwitz). The plot was entirely depressing and, even the moments that should have been touching between father and daughter, I just didn't find them convincing. The daughter, Ella, is 6 years old. I have never heard 6 year olds use the type of language that Ella uses - far too advanced for her age.
The book was very easy to read but entirely unbelievable that one family could go through so much in so little time, and still be fairly unscathed by it. I found myself rolling my eyes throughout the whole book and am relieved to have finished so I can now read something better written and more entertaining.
I very rarely rate books with only 1 star, but I felt it was the only fair score in this case due to how little I enjoyed this book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 14, 2018
This is sooooooo sad in places but pretty uplifting (and amusing) in others. It's to be expected, of course, if you've noted its tagline. However, it is beautifully written and I loved it, despite my tears at times. Yes, you need to suspend belief, which isn't my forte in the least but it didn't seem to matter with this particular book. I don't mean it's full of dragons or zombies or elves, vampires, pixies or fairies. None of that old tommyrot features, trust me. There's only so much I can take !!
And it easily gets 5* on the story itself but deserves 10 as there's NOT.ONE.MISTAKE !! And anyone that knows me or has read any of my reviews know that if there was one I'd hone into it like a guided missile.....trust me, there are none.
If I had one criticism it's that he went with American spellings and this version is badged as the UK edition, he's a Brit and it's set here.
And I downloaded this as a freebie. Trust me, this book is about as perfect as they come. No, I don't know the author, he's not paid me in sexual favours or otherwise. It's just a terrific story beautifully presented so I'm more than happy to shout it from the rooftops. I'm no fan of children but Ella is lovely and some of her little sayings were terrific. I especially liked her final line of the book. I had a chuckle at what we learned of Bernard and I also really liked that Gas by Edward Hopper print he mentioned. I Googled it.
Stuart Robertson, you did good. More than good and I'll be more than happy to pay for the next one.
And it easily gets 5* on the story itself but deserves 10 as there's NOT.ONE.MISTAKE !! And anyone that knows me or has read any of my reviews know that if there was one I'd hone into it like a guided missile.....trust me, there are none.
If I had one criticism it's that he went with American spellings and this version is badged as the UK edition, he's a Brit and it's set here.
And I downloaded this as a freebie. Trust me, this book is about as perfect as they come. No, I don't know the author, he's not paid me in sexual favours or otherwise. It's just a terrific story beautifully presented so I'm more than happy to shout it from the rooftops. I'm no fan of children but Ella is lovely and some of her little sayings were terrific. I especially liked her final line of the book. I had a chuckle at what we learned of Bernard and I also really liked that Gas by Edward Hopper print he mentioned. I Googled it.
Stuart Robertson, you did good. More than good and I'll be more than happy to pay for the next one.
May 28, 2016
My book club monthly pick. What a bitter sweet story this was!.
If you have lost somebody close (as I have) then this could be a difficult book to read as it makes you to explore ideas about death, loss, grief the afterlife and analyse the feelings of all involved making it very tear jerking at times.
However the innocence of one of the main characters and the need to know the others personal stories made me race through it. The tale however moves itself quickly with the twists and turns you can't see coming.
An enjoyable read.
If you have lost somebody close (as I have) then this could be a difficult book to read as it makes you to explore ideas about death, loss, grief the afterlife and analyse the feelings of all involved making it very tear jerking at times.
However the innocence of one of the main characters and the need to know the others personal stories made me race through it. The tale however moves itself quickly with the twists and turns you can't see coming.
An enjoyable read.
March 29, 2017
Produktdetails
Einband
Taschenbuch
Seitenzahl
432
Erscheinungsdatum
09.01.2017
Sprache
Deutsch
ISBN
978-3-95967-073-9
Verlag
HarperCollins
Will hat seiner kleinen Tochter Ella geschworen, immer für sie da zu sein. Und er tut alles dafür, um sein Versprechen zu halten. Bis zu dem Tag, an dem er tödlich verunglückt. Aber selbst der Tod kann das Band zwischen Vater und Tochter nicht zerreißen. Will erhält eine letzte Chance, um Ella Lebewohl zu sagen. Doch wie kann er den Menschen ziehen lassen, dem sein Herz gehört?
„Herzzerreißend gut, mit vielen Momenten, die einen zum Lachen bringen“ – The Sun
Portrait
S.D. Robertson kündigte seinen Job als Redakteur, um seiner wahren Leidenschaft nachzugehen und Schriftsteller zu werden.
Außerdem war er u.a. bereits als Animateur, Handelsvertreter und Mobilfunktechniker tätig und lebte in Frankreich, Holland und Australien. Mittlerweile ist der Autor mit seiner Familie in der Nähe von Manchester zu Hause.
Meine Meinung:
Ich bin durch das schöne Cover und den interessant klingenden Titel auf das Buch aufmerksam geworden. Erfreulicherweise wurde mir dieses zu Rezensionszwecken vom Verlag zur Verfügung gestellt.
Der Einstieg in das Buch ist mir sehr gut gelungen. Der Schreibstil war sehr flüssig. Gleich der erste Satz hat mich sehr berührt:
"Sterben stand nicht auf dem Zettel, den ich an diesem Nachmittag noch geschrieben hatte."
Dieser Satz hat schon sehr viel ausgesagt.
Den Anfang und das Ende fand ich sehr berührend, den mittleren Teil fand ich doch etwas langatmig. Gut hat mir aber gefallen, dass sich diese Warmherzigkeit durch das ganze Buch hindurch gehalten hat und dass man die Liebe von Will zu seiner Tochter Ella förmlich gespürt hat und umgekehrt natürlich auch. Für ein kleines Mädchen wie Ella ist der Papa ja verständlicherweise alles auf der Welt, er wird vergöttert. Ausserdem hatte Ella ja auch schon ihre Mutter früh verloren, umso wichtiger war der Papa für sie.
Auch seine Gedanken und Sorgen konnte ich sehr gut nachvollziehen, da ich selbst zwei kleine Töchter habe.
Alles in allem ist dies ein sehr schönes Buch über Abschied, Liebe und den Tod. Mir hat nur der Aspekt des Übersinnlichen nicht so gut gefallen, so dass mich das Buch nicht komplett begeistern konnte. Ich kann das Buch aber dennoch jedem empfehlen, der gerne etwas fürs Herz lesen möchte mit einem tollen Schreibstil und einem Hauch an Übersinnlichem. Ich würde das Buch mit 3,5 Sternen bewerten.
Einband
Taschenbuch
Seitenzahl
432
Erscheinungsdatum
09.01.2017
Sprache
Deutsch
ISBN
978-3-95967-073-9
Verlag
HarperCollins
Will hat seiner kleinen Tochter Ella geschworen, immer für sie da zu sein. Und er tut alles dafür, um sein Versprechen zu halten. Bis zu dem Tag, an dem er tödlich verunglückt. Aber selbst der Tod kann das Band zwischen Vater und Tochter nicht zerreißen. Will erhält eine letzte Chance, um Ella Lebewohl zu sagen. Doch wie kann er den Menschen ziehen lassen, dem sein Herz gehört?
„Herzzerreißend gut, mit vielen Momenten, die einen zum Lachen bringen“ – The Sun
Portrait
S.D. Robertson kündigte seinen Job als Redakteur, um seiner wahren Leidenschaft nachzugehen und Schriftsteller zu werden.
Außerdem war er u.a. bereits als Animateur, Handelsvertreter und Mobilfunktechniker tätig und lebte in Frankreich, Holland und Australien. Mittlerweile ist der Autor mit seiner Familie in der Nähe von Manchester zu Hause.
Meine Meinung:
Ich bin durch das schöne Cover und den interessant klingenden Titel auf das Buch aufmerksam geworden. Erfreulicherweise wurde mir dieses zu Rezensionszwecken vom Verlag zur Verfügung gestellt.
Der Einstieg in das Buch ist mir sehr gut gelungen. Der Schreibstil war sehr flüssig. Gleich der erste Satz hat mich sehr berührt:
"Sterben stand nicht auf dem Zettel, den ich an diesem Nachmittag noch geschrieben hatte."
Dieser Satz hat schon sehr viel ausgesagt.
Den Anfang und das Ende fand ich sehr berührend, den mittleren Teil fand ich doch etwas langatmig. Gut hat mir aber gefallen, dass sich diese Warmherzigkeit durch das ganze Buch hindurch gehalten hat und dass man die Liebe von Will zu seiner Tochter Ella förmlich gespürt hat und umgekehrt natürlich auch. Für ein kleines Mädchen wie Ella ist der Papa ja verständlicherweise alles auf der Welt, er wird vergöttert. Ausserdem hatte Ella ja auch schon ihre Mutter früh verloren, umso wichtiger war der Papa für sie.
Auch seine Gedanken und Sorgen konnte ich sehr gut nachvollziehen, da ich selbst zwei kleine Töchter habe.
Alles in allem ist dies ein sehr schönes Buch über Abschied, Liebe und den Tod. Mir hat nur der Aspekt des Übersinnlichen nicht so gut gefallen, so dass mich das Buch nicht komplett begeistern konnte. Ich kann das Buch aber dennoch jedem empfehlen, der gerne etwas fürs Herz lesen möchte mit einem tollen Schreibstil und einem Hauch an Übersinnlichem. Ich würde das Buch mit 3,5 Sternen bewerten.
February 6, 2018
*Bogen er givet til anmeldelse af Harper Collins Nordic* Jeg var meget i tvivl om, hvorvidt denne bog skulle have to eller tre stjerner, men i matematik har jeg lært, at man runder op, så det gjorde jeg også her.
en fin fortælling om en fars dilemma, om at sige farvel til sin datter endnu engang, efter at være blevet dræbt og komme tilbage som ånd. Er det noget han kan gøre mod hende igen, eller vælger han at blive på jorden og følge hende igennem livet.
Bogen indeholdt ikke så meget andet, end det ovenstående om at skulle sige farvel igen eller ej, og det gør bogen meget hård at komme igennem. plottet er meget langsomt fremadskridende og til tider en kende kedeligt. tilgengæld er der en masse gode refleksioner, søde bihistorier og små overraskelses elementer.
en fin fortælling om en fars dilemma, om at sige farvel til sin datter endnu engang, efter at være blevet dræbt og komme tilbage som ånd. Er det noget han kan gøre mod hende igen, eller vælger han at blive på jorden og følge hende igennem livet.
Bogen indeholdt ikke så meget andet, end det ovenstående om at skulle sige farvel igen eller ej, og det gør bogen meget hård at komme igennem. plottet er meget langsomt fremadskridende og til tider en kende kedeligt. tilgengæld er der en masse gode refleksioner, søde bihistorier og små overraskelses elementer.
July 5, 2021
A moving and poignant exploration of grief, bereavement, death and the afterlife. Much easier to read and lighthearted than you would imagine - due to the central characters being a young girl and her recently departed father.
Carefully plotted and eloquently written, the author's choice of words and expression of the myriad emotions around death are perfect. This book is what I needed four years ago when my Grandma died, and the book that I didn't realise I needed now. I was transfixed and touched by the book to such an extent that it was difficult to come back to reality after I read the final page.
I have been irreversibly touched by this foray into the spiritual.
Warning: you may find it helpful to keep tissues close by - I found my eyes involuntarily leaking on occasion.
A truly wonderful read about love, life, death, and all that's in between.
Carefully plotted and eloquently written, the author's choice of words and expression of the myriad emotions around death are perfect. This book is what I needed four years ago when my Grandma died, and the book that I didn't realise I needed now. I was transfixed and touched by the book to such an extent that it was difficult to come back to reality after I read the final page.
I have been irreversibly touched by this foray into the spiritual.
Warning: you may find it helpful to keep tissues close by - I found my eyes involuntarily leaking on occasion.
A truly wonderful read about love, life, death, and all that's in between.
September 30, 2017
Den här boken var lite för sentimental i min smak. Gråtmildheten börjar redan på första sidan, vilket gjorde att jag inte hann fastna för eller bry mig om karaktärerna.
Ett stort "meh".
Ett stort "meh".
October 13, 2018
Read it in one day, such an emotional story - many tears were shed. Definitely worth it though
October 19, 2019
I know it’s about father-daughter, son-parents, brother-sister. About love. But I feel far away from the story and can’t really relate throughout.
January 8, 2020
Such a good read, loved the approach and it did make me cry (and not many books do that!)
March 6, 2025
It was too slow, and it felt non-credible. The characters' experiences did not "gel." There is nothing new here. It's disappointing.
September 16, 2017
Fin roman hvor underholdningen var i top og selv om den måske ikke helt ramte plet hele tiden, så er det en historie der satte nogle tanker i gang.
December 25, 2017
I'd give this 3.5 stars if my phone would let me! Good book, enjoyable read.
April 18, 2022
I really enjoyed this book. It's eye opening, heart breaking and amazingly written. I recommend reading this book. 😓
February 10, 2016
I wasn't able to fall asleep last night, and decided to read until I became sleepy. It sounded like a good idea at 3am, until I started reading this book! Once I began reading, I knew I would have a sleepless night because I would not be able to put this book down. The opening immediately drew me in, and I had to see how this story played out. I'm trying to decide how much to reveal as I write this because I do not want to give out any spoilers. Unfortunately, I have to reveal one spoiler, in order to write this review.
The story is about Will Curtis, a single father raising his six-year old daughter, Ella. Will's wife Alice died while giving birth to Ella, and he has promised Ella that he would never leave her. Little did he know, but while riding his bike one afternoon, a black SUV would swerve into his path, hitting him head on and killing him. Will watches in horror as the paramedics try to save him, and wishes he could somehow jump back into his body. His thoughts immediately turn to Ella, wondering what will happen to her now that she's lost both parents. He panics, realizing Ella will be waiting for him to pick her up from school, and runs to pick her up. Once he sees her, he begins telling her that he's there, only to have Ella stare right through him because she can't see his spirit. He feels a tap on his shoulder and turns to see a woman that introduces herself as Lizzie. The fact that she can see him has him thinking she's an angel. Lizzie quickly tells him that although she is on the same team as angels, she has a lower rank and is considered to be more of a spirit guide to help him make the transition from life to death. Will doesn't want to leave...he needs time to somehow connect with Ella. Will wants, but more importantly he needs, the time to say goodbye.
This is such a beautifully written story about Will's love for Ella...and his determination to keep his promise to her. He is convinced that there has to be a way to communicate with Ella, and he is not going anywhere until he does. Lizzie agrees to give him time, exactly two months, and at the end of that time, Will has to make a very difficult decision. This story is a tear-jerker, so have a box of Kleenex nearby. However, it is also a story filled with a lot of unexpected twists and turns. I was truly engrossed from the opening sentence until the very last. The author does a brilliant job in describing the emotions involved in this story because you truly feel for the characters. It's rare to find a book that immediately grabs your attention and keeps it throughout the entire story. I would highly recommend reading this book...it is definitely worth it!
I received an advance copy from HarperCollins UK, Avon and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Time to Say Goodbye
The story is about Will Curtis, a single father raising his six-year old daughter, Ella. Will's wife Alice died while giving birth to Ella, and he has promised Ella that he would never leave her. Little did he know, but while riding his bike one afternoon, a black SUV would swerve into his path, hitting him head on and killing him. Will watches in horror as the paramedics try to save him, and wishes he could somehow jump back into his body. His thoughts immediately turn to Ella, wondering what will happen to her now that she's lost both parents. He panics, realizing Ella will be waiting for him to pick her up from school, and runs to pick her up. Once he sees her, he begins telling her that he's there, only to have Ella stare right through him because she can't see his spirit. He feels a tap on his shoulder and turns to see a woman that introduces herself as Lizzie. The fact that she can see him has him thinking she's an angel. Lizzie quickly tells him that although she is on the same team as angels, she has a lower rank and is considered to be more of a spirit guide to help him make the transition from life to death. Will doesn't want to leave...he needs time to somehow connect with Ella. Will wants, but more importantly he needs, the time to say goodbye.
This is such a beautifully written story about Will's love for Ella...and his determination to keep his promise to her. He is convinced that there has to be a way to communicate with Ella, and he is not going anywhere until he does. Lizzie agrees to give him time, exactly two months, and at the end of that time, Will has to make a very difficult decision. This story is a tear-jerker, so have a box of Kleenex nearby. However, it is also a story filled with a lot of unexpected twists and turns. I was truly engrossed from the opening sentence until the very last. The author does a brilliant job in describing the emotions involved in this story because you truly feel for the characters. It's rare to find a book that immediately grabs your attention and keeps it throughout the entire story. I would highly recommend reading this book...it is definitely worth it!
I received an advance copy from HarperCollins UK, Avon and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Time to Say Goodbye
February 13, 2016
Review first posted on my blog 'A Spoonful of Happy Endings': http://spoonfulofhappyendings.blogspo...
*The blurb of the book does not give too much away about the story inside. If you want to read the book without knowing much more about the story, it might be better to not read further, because my review already includes some more info on what happens in the book!*
'Time to Say Goodbye' tells the story of single father Will who would do anything to keep his six-year-old daughter Ella safe. After the death of his wife shortly after she gave birth to Ella, Will has tried to do everything on his own, promising Ella he will always be there for her, no matter what. But this soon turns out to be a promise Will can't possibly keep as he is hit by a car while on his way to pick up Ella from school; an accident Will doesn't survive. Will soon discovers he is now a spirit; he can't be seen by Ella or any other family members and the spirit realm expects him to pass over as soon as possible. But Will can't break his promise to be there for Ella that easily, so he's not quite ready yet to end his time on earth.
This was definitely an emotional read that made me tear up more than once! The plotline of the book reminded me at first of Hannah Beckermann's 'The Dead Wife's Handbook', which I read some time ago, but author S.D. Robertson certainly managed to give the storyline its own touch with twists I did not see coming. It was interesting to, for a change, read a book that's told from a male perspective; I immediately liked Will and his love for his daughter Ella was just heart-warming. I do not want to give too much away about the story, but it was fascinating, held my attention throughout, and quite surprising at times as well.
The author's writing style was well-paced and really easy to fall into. There was something going on at all times and I didn't get bored by the story. There aren't too many characters in the novel, but the ones that are there, mainly Will and his family (particularly his cute daughter Ella, Will's parents and his sister), formed an interesting bunch. The relationship between a father and daughter is at the heart of this novel and it is quite simply a beautiful story. 'Time to Say Goodbye' is an engaging, heartfelt and stunning read; a book that deals with quite a heavy and emotional topic, but in a heart-warming and captivating way.
*The blurb of the book does not give too much away about the story inside. If you want to read the book without knowing much more about the story, it might be better to not read further, because my review already includes some more info on what happens in the book!*
'Time to Say Goodbye' tells the story of single father Will who would do anything to keep his six-year-old daughter Ella safe. After the death of his wife shortly after she gave birth to Ella, Will has tried to do everything on his own, promising Ella he will always be there for her, no matter what. But this soon turns out to be a promise Will can't possibly keep as he is hit by a car while on his way to pick up Ella from school; an accident Will doesn't survive. Will soon discovers he is now a spirit; he can't be seen by Ella or any other family members and the spirit realm expects him to pass over as soon as possible. But Will can't break his promise to be there for Ella that easily, so he's not quite ready yet to end his time on earth.
This was definitely an emotional read that made me tear up more than once! The plotline of the book reminded me at first of Hannah Beckermann's 'The Dead Wife's Handbook', which I read some time ago, but author S.D. Robertson certainly managed to give the storyline its own touch with twists I did not see coming. It was interesting to, for a change, read a book that's told from a male perspective; I immediately liked Will and his love for his daughter Ella was just heart-warming. I do not want to give too much away about the story, but it was fascinating, held my attention throughout, and quite surprising at times as well.
The author's writing style was well-paced and really easy to fall into. There was something going on at all times and I didn't get bored by the story. There aren't too many characters in the novel, but the ones that are there, mainly Will and his family (particularly his cute daughter Ella, Will's parents and his sister), formed an interesting bunch. The relationship between a father and daughter is at the heart of this novel and it is quite simply a beautiful story. 'Time to Say Goodbye' is an engaging, heartfelt and stunning read; a book that deals with quite a heavy and emotional topic, but in a heart-warming and captivating way.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 264 reviews