My Mother’s Gift by Steffanie Edward is the story of a family finding a new way, a family coming together and drifting apart, of past arguments and joys forgotten. And while there are some very sad and heart-breaking scenes, the story overall feels more like a love story between a mother and daughter.

Erica returns to St Lucia to visit her mom every year, but this year it’s a lot different. Ione’s Alzheimer’s has progressed quickly, and she doesn’t even seem to be the same person most of the time. There are wonderfully sweet moments for mother and daughter to share that quickly deteriorate into manic episodes of violence and rage. Author Steffanie Edward did an amazing job showing how this disease can tear families apart. She artfully showed the real trauma experienced by both Erica and Ione.

The family that lives in St Lucia didn’t always agree with Erica’s decisions, and sometimes I didn’t either. But they all shared one common goal – doing what was best for Ione. Did they make the right decision in the long run? Maybe. It’s hard to say, and the book makes sure that this is very clear. You never know what the best choice at the end will be, you can only choose what your heart is leading you to.

There’s life outside of being a carer for Alzheimer’s too, and this was something Erica had to learn, and her family helped her learn it. Being able to lean on and depend the people around her was such a blessing.

There were a couple of inconsistencies that jumped out at me. For example, a time when she drank wine at night, then complained about being tired after her third rum and coke from the night before. But they were pretty minor. There’s life outside of Alzheimer’s too, and this was something Erica had to learn, and her family helped her learn it.

**I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book**