When I chose to read this book, I had no idea what I was getting myself into. The author was new to me and this was her first novel, but the blurb drew me in and I agreed to read this title and provide my honest and unbiased opinion.
Death by Roses is one of those stories that is likely to have a lasting impression on its readers. It certainly did so for me. There are times when you see a title for a book and you are at a lost as to how it fits in with the story. Well, this story left no doubt in my mind as the title fitted the story perfectly.
This story had me laughing and crying at intervals, has I followed the characters on their journey of self-discovery. My favourite characters were Mae Rose McElroy and Mary Lee Broadmoor aka ‘Scary Mary”. She was given that nickname due to her penchant for writing horror stories. They were both determined women who were not afraid to speak their minds and would stop at nothing to achieve their desired goals. They started out being unlikable, but by the end of the story I could not help but love them both. I enjoyed watching them after much introspection, tried to right their wrongs which at times were humorous yet poignant.
I enjoyed the author’s exploration of life after death and her unique concept of heaven. The story resonated with me, having experienced the loss of loved ones. It was a stark reminder of how precious life is and should not be wasted. It made me realise that life is too short to be harbouring unforgiveness in our hearts. We should try to be kind and forgiving to our loved ones as we never know when they will suddenly be taken away from us.
Verdict
This was a beautiful story of love, forgiveness, and healing. It kept me hooked until the very end. To be honest, I didn’t want it to end. If you enjoy stories with quirky characters that will not only make you laugh, but cry as well and touch your heart in a profound way, then you will enjoy "Death by Roses".
FAVOURITE QUOTES
“And it could have been so different. It would have been so easy if only I’d realized while she was living that I loved Mae Rose and that she often loved me with such a force that I couldn’t stand it. I can argue that Mae Rose was hard to live with, and I don’t think anyone here would disagree. She could see everything that was wrong, which she was quick to point out but only so that it could be made right. What I know now is that Mae Rose was full of love with a large dose of humanness thrown in. If I’d loved her then the way I know I do now, if I’d known then what I do now . . . ”
“That’s all I want to say except that if any of you here feel about your marriages the way I felt about mine, let me just say that if one of you dies, regret will become a constant companion to whoever is left behind. Every day you will think of what you could have done to make it different. That’s all. Do whatever it is you think you’ll do someday now— right now. Don’t question it, and don’t reason it away, because in the end, it’s what you didn’t do that you could have that will haunt you, and what you did do that you wish you hadn’t that will break your heart. And, just so we all remember, love itself doesn’t cost anything at all.”