First published 2005
Rachel's world shifts when she learns her grandfather has little time left. At fifteen, she has never been particularly close to him, but his terminal diagnosis changes everything. She begins spending more time with him, listening to his stories and discovering parts of his life she never knew existed. Their conversations reveal a complex man behind the distant figure she thought she knew. As his condition worsens, Rachel finds herself caught between grief for what she's losing and gratitude for what she's gaining. Each visit brings new understanding but also the painful reminder that their time together is running out. Through these final months, Rachel experiences the complicated mix of love and loss that comes with truly knowing someone just as you must say goodbye. The relationship transforms both of them, giving Rachel insights about family, mortality, and the precious nature of human connection.
Genres: fiction, literary-fiction, contemporary, family-drama
Vibes: emotional, intimate, thought-provoking
Tropes: found-family, second-chance
344 pages · Paperback · Thorndike Pr
Content warnings: death, terminal-illness