I appreciate the way the story is crafted and the device of the letter being written, as well as the

twists at the end.

Also the portrayal of hospice and Queenie’s experiences offered an earnest glimpse into a stage of life that is not so often written about, particularly not from the first person. But the overarching focus

(Queenie being in love with Harold Fry for so very, very long)

was a bit much; I would have appreciated a more varied story of her life that didn’t seem to entirely revolve around

those unrequited feelings

.

If you look at the content warnings I have listed then you may wonder how on earth this book could also have a descriptor of “hopeful” and yet somehow the extreme nature of the subject matter is dealt with in such a way that the main thread all the way through is hope. This is the companion book to The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry told over the same period of time through a different character. It is full of unexpected turns which make it a brilliant story without making it feel unbelievable. It is an emotional read with some passages that bring you to your knees but the majority being somehow comforting. I was very sad to finish this book in part because of the happenings but also because I now miss reading it. This story will stay with me for a long time.