⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Heartbreaking Stars

Oh my goodness this book certainly hits you right in the feels!

This is all about the story of Richard and Karina, they were married for a while, but it all kind of went pear-shaped and they split a few years ago, they have a daughter between them, Grace, who is currently at University, and doesn't really have much to do with her father.

Richard is a pianist, a really famous concert pianist, he has played all over the world, and has many fans and admirers, Richard loves this, he loves that fact that people love him, he is quite an arrogant man.

Karina is also a pianist, she prefers Jazz, she gave up her dream as a performer to support Richard in his dream.
The thing is, Richard took advantage of this, while he was away playing with the orchestra, Karina was looking after their new baby, Richard however was looking after his own needs with other women!

Karina couldn't take it anymore, and rightly left him!

Richard is unfortunately diagnosed with ALS, he tries his best to cope with it on his own for a while, but after a strange twist of fate and a wrong number dialled, Karina ends up being his carer.

This book pulls no punches in relation to this awful disease, it starts from the twitching in the muscles, and takes us through every terrible thing that can happen after diagnosis, like the wheelchair, or the fact that your body locks itself, or that you can't swallow, or that you have the option of recording your own voice and "banking" it, because after a while you won't be able to talk / eat / chew anymore.

A big shout out also has to go for the guys who help care for people diagnosed with ALS, they are angels in a time of hell for the person with this awful disease, their time and patience with these people is remarkable.

You may know a little about ALS, like seeing Stephen Hawkins, or you took part in the ice Bucket challenge to raise money for it.

You may have first hand experience of this silent killer, I luckily for one have not, but i sure do send my hugs & prayers to anyone that has.

Not everyone is like Stephen Hawkins, in fact ALS will probably kill within 3 years, it is a devastating disease, and i hope one day that we find a cure, because currently there is NOTHING!

I didn't realise that [a:Lisa Genova|978484|Lisa Genova|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1410537635p2/978484.jpg] was a neuroscientist, but after reading [b:Still Alice|2153405|Still Alice|Lisa Genova|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1236089972s/2153405.jpg|2158906] & this book, it kind of makes sense, she knows exactly what she is talking about, and pulls no punches and rightly makes no apologies for it.

It broke my heart, but i am am so glad i read it

Prepare yourself for this one, it's a tough read