kgeogheghan's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
The story centers around two lifelong best friends - Ash and Edi. Edi has terminal cancer, and is spending her final days in a hospice close to Ash. I still can't quite grasp choosing to leave your husband and child behind to move to a hospice miles away, closer to your best friend, but each to their own. It's a emotional story of death and bereavement, but I didn't warm to Ash, which made this a difficult read.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC of this book, in exchange for an honest review.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC of this book, in exchange for an honest review.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Terminal illness, Death, and Cancer
megs23's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
informative
inspiring
reflective
relaxing
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual harassment, Cancer, Medical content, Sexual assault, and Terminal illness
flowchelle's review against another edition
emotional
funny
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Excrement, Sexual content, Death, Cancer, Chronic illness, Terminal illness, Infidelity, and Medical content
becca_thegrimreader's review against another edition
emotional
funny
inspiring
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Tugging on my heartstrings this story resonated with me. I was a little wary before starting it as I knew it was set in a hospice, and although it tugged on my heartstrings it had me sobbing and laughing in equal measure.
Edi and Ash have been best friends from infancy through adulthood, they’ve seen each other through every milestone in life and are now facing the toughest one together. Edi is in palliative care and Ash is by her side every day supporting her through her last weeks. Ash reflects on a lifetime of friendship while also struggling through her grief.
Centred around death, this book is inspiringly life affirming filled with love, compassion, and hilarity. Through the daily lives of these characters Newman shows us the beauty and wonderful side of life. The characters are vibrant and lovable, though you may be left questioning some of the decisions Ash makes through the book. From Bella’s unusual statements to Honey’s unbounding love and care for his estranged wife, each character is original and special.
A love letter to friendship, this book will carry a special place in my heart.
Thank you to Netgalley and Random House UK for the copy of this book. My review is honest and unbiased.
Edi and Ash have been best friends from infancy through adulthood, they’ve seen each other through every milestone in life and are now facing the toughest one together. Edi is in palliative care and Ash is by her side every day supporting her through her last weeks. Ash reflects on a lifetime of friendship while also struggling through her grief.
Centred around death, this book is inspiringly life affirming filled with love, compassion, and hilarity. Through the daily lives of these characters Newman shows us the beauty and wonderful side of life. The characters are vibrant and lovable, though you may be left questioning some of the decisions Ash makes through the book. From Bella’s unusual statements to Honey’s unbounding love and care for his estranged wife, each character is original and special.
A love letter to friendship, this book will carry a special place in my heart.
Thank you to Netgalley and Random House UK for the copy of this book. My review is honest and unbiased.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Cancer, Terminal illness, Grief, and Medical content
Moderate: Sexual content
bella_cavicchi's review against another edition
emotional
funny
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I feel like all my reviews of the books I love say the same thing, but I suppose that's just a reflection of the sort of literature I adore: books that are so obviously loving and achingly human (!). WE ALL WANT IMPOSSIBLE THINGS has it all. If you have a friend in your life who you would do anything for, be prepared to tear up.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cancer, Terminal illness, Grief, Medical content, Death, and Death of parent
Moderate: Pregnancy, Infertility, and Infidelity
thatswhatshanread's review against another edition
emotional
funny
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
A beautiful novel steeped in tender, fleeting moments and hilariously mundane plights, then coddled in sadness, laced with sentimental songs. “We All Want Impossible Things” refers to the desire for everyone you love to always be okay, to live forever, to never be in pain. We have a forty-something named Edi in hospice from cancer, her best friend Ash by her side since they were toddlers. They have such a strong friendship that beckons and calls from the pages. Every character was one I’d imagine I’d want there for me as well, if I was in Edi’s unfortunate position. They’re lovable and unapologetic. Newman does an astonishing job at writing about the regular day-to-day of Ash’s life with her teenage daughters and her various sexual exploits and her cats, alongside this heavy overhanging grief of her best friend dying. Everything reads so real that you can’t help but feel like another in the room, waiting for the inevitable or believing in the impossible.
I really loved this story. It was so poignant, so special. For those who connected with Terms of Endearment, The Worst Person in the World, Beginners, 50/50, Little Miss Sunshine, and “In Five Years”.
I really loved this story. It was so poignant, so special. For those who connected with Terms of Endearment, The Worst Person in the World, Beginners, 50/50, Little Miss Sunshine, and “In Five Years”.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Cancer, Death, Medical content, Injury/injury detail, and Terminal illness
Moderate: Drug use, Excrement, Vomit, Alcohol, Cursing, Infidelity, and Sexual content
Minor: Car accident
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