My book club chose this book. I found myself reading it within weeks of my husband's sudden and unexpected passing. And it helped. The solid writing and strong characters let me get to know people going through something similar. At times, I felt as if I were actually part of the group. I learned a lot, including the importance of community support and the different perspectives and needs different people have.

The ending of the book was, I think, a bit "Hallmark-ish". But overall, I found it was gentle, supportive and always provided a bit of hope. And good for Hazzley for having a "fling" at 70 years old! ( )

Grief is a powerful emotion. It can almost immobilize a person and it can pop up in the most unexpected times. Obviously different people handle grief differently but it's probably fair to say that it will disrupt our way of life for a substantial period of time. In this novel Frances Itani takes a disparate group of people who have all lost a significant person from their lives.

The first person we meet is Hazzley. Her husband died three years ago and she still hasn't moved on with her life. She puts up a notice in the local grocery store inviting others to come to a meeting at a coffee shop to discuss grief. Gwen is also a widow but more recently than Hazzley. Chiyo is a middle-aged fitness instructor who lived with her mother who recently died. Addie has a close friend with terminal cancer who is still alive although she doesn't tell the group that her friend is still alive. Tom is the only male. He runs an antique shop and he came to the meeting hoping that there would be cake because he is missing that since his wife died. After the first meeting the group agrees to keep getting together every week. They all find that they are getting something out of the meetings (even if there is no cake). In fact, Tom talks one of his customers, Allam, a Syrian refugee whose wife died during the war in Syria, into coming to the group. In subtle ways each person is taking steps to proceed with the remainder of their life. Gwen buys new bedroom furniture. Hazzley finally gets rid of the boxes and boxes of empty bottles left by her husband who was an alcoholic. Allam is drawn to Gwen and they start to spend more time together. After her friend dies Addie accepts an invitation to join her ex-husband at a conference to see if there is any future for their marriage. Chiyo joins a soup kitchen as a volunteer and spends more time with her boyfriend. And The Company, as they have styled themselves, agree that they will continue to meet monthly.

I am a major Fan (with a capital F) of Frances Itani. I have read all her novels (this is the sixth) and two books of short stories. I sure hope she has more books in her although she just turned 80 and her husband of more than half a century died last year so she might be forgiven if she takes retirement. I find it interesting that she wrote this book, which is about grief, before her husband died. ( )