A thought-provoking & poignant story as Rikki deals with all the regrets she has in life and the short time in which she has to live in order to rectify them.It was interesting reading from the various characters' perspectives, although the "teen" voices sounded just like the "adult" voices. Overall, a story that leads the reader through a tough journey that ultimately has a satisfactory end. WOW! you need a whole box of kleenex for this one. This story is close to my heart.My close friend is coming up on her first year anniversary of her mother's passing as a result of a brain tumor. She recently asked me how you know for sure if she really is feeling her mother near... 329 almost broke my heart, but is what I'm going to give her to read when Rikki is telling her children how much she loves them and how she will always be there watching over them in the arms of our Heavenly Father. Even though this is what we have been taught all our lives as LDS members, we are truly testing our faith when trials come at us of this magnitude especially when life is so fragile and uncertain.When a mother is on her dying and doesn't have anyone to take her two children when she is gone, she turns to the last place on the list...home. Home where her ward family enfold her and her special children in their warmth and hearts.This mother, Rickii didn't always choose the right when she ran from Utah and Dante, her fiancee because he chose a mission instead of her at 19, but when she was looking for someone to step in to raise her children she comes back to the one place she felt accepted and loved. She had a loving mother, but an emotionally abusive father and spend alot of her childhood with her best friend Dante. Now Dante, is married with a family of his own and happens to be the Bishop of her old family home ward. She is hoping that when Dante and Becca his wife get to know James and kyle that they will love them as she does, but their upbringing and hard external appearance don't exactly make them fit in to the LDS culture. With time Becca learns to get over her insecurities where Rickii is concerned and accept her as a friend only to find out time is slipping away. Sad story with great ending that pulls at your heart strings.
What do You think about Before I Say Good-Bye (2000)?
I really enjoyed this book. Sad, but warming in the aspect of the gospel and how right it is.
—Books1999
I little too predictable, but I like the development of the characters and their relationships
—Claire
A little soap boxy and quite predictable. Decent story
—Weeman2004
A serious book but full of introspection and hope.
—jhzo
