Ok this book was not what I was expecting AT ALL! I went in thinking it would be more of a mystery, but within the first few chapters, I found myself in tears. This story took me on an emotional rollercoaster I wasn’t prepared for, but somehow really needed.

Told through a countdown leading to “the funeral,” we follow Maggie, a woman coming to terms with her terminal diagnosis, the same fate her mother faced. But before she reaches this fate she is determined to find the perfect woman to step into her shoes and raise her children after she’s gone. What unfolds is a powerful journey through love, loss, legacy, and resilience. Maggie’s character arc from grief stricken teenager, to rebeling, to small-town mayor is unforgettable. I mean, she was voted “Most Likely to Kill Someone to Get What She Wants” after all.

I usually struggle with male authors writing from a female perspective, but this one absolutely nailed it. The writing is heartfelt, raw, and surprisingly easy to connect with. And January LaVoy’s narration was absolutely heart-wrenching and full of emotion. Just when I thought I had it all figured out *boom* a twist I never saw coming hit me like a ton of bricks. It left me questioning everything and everyone.

This book was heartbreaking, hopeful, and beautifully written. I can't recommend it enough.