What’s Worth Keeping, Kaya McLaren 5*.

 (Warning: This book has graphic depictions of cancer and recovery, as well as first responder ptsd)

What’s Worth Keeping, Kaya McLaren

 

This is a beautiful book in so many ways.  Kaya McLaren clearly speaks from experience as she describes her character, Amy's, journey through diagnosis, treatment and recovery from breast cancer.  Poor Amy has it bad enough with just that, but when she discovers divorce papers completed by her husband Paul, she needs to leave her family and return to nature to find a way back to herself.  She revisits National Parks and Monuments from her childhood and lets the majesty of those sacred places help her heal.

 

In the meantime, Paul, who has never recovered from the PTSD of being a first responder at the Murrah Building bombing in Oklahoma City, must find his way out of the nightmares, reliving tragedy at every turn.  On top of that, Amy and Paul have an 18-year-old daughter on the brink of her own future who punishes her parents for their "shortcomings." 

 

The settings of this novel, the national parks and Great Aunt Rae's outfitting operation in New Mexico are breathtaking, and the author renders them perfectly. The story of each of the characters, told in alternating chapters give a uniquely personal insight into the emotions and physical challenges each of them face and the author is able to resolve the issues in a way that feels hopeful. 

 

Aside from being a wonderful story, I would recommend this book to anyone close to someone facing any of these crises…cancer, PTSD recovery and teenagers whose parents must deal with normal life amid near tragedy.  An emotional journey not often told well. Brava Kaya McLaren.

This book was provided to me by the publisher, via NetGalley.