"Things We Do For Love" by Vered Neta is a profoundly moving and emotionally resonant exploration of family, forgiveness, and the transformative power of love. With a narrative that delves deep into the complexities of human relationships, Neta crafts a compelling and thought-provoking story that will tug at the heartstrings of readers.

At the center of the narrative is Daisy Bach, a therapist who has made the firm decision not to have children, shaped by her traumatic experiences with her controlling and overbearing mother, Verity. However, when Daisy reaches the age of forty-five, she is confronted with the possibility of motherhood, a decision that is further complicated by her mother's diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease. This unexpected twist sets the stage for a poignant exploration of the intricacies of family dynamics and the emotional toll of caregiving.

Neta's portrayal of Daisy's struggle to care for her ailing parents while also navigating the challenges of conceiving is both heartrending and authentic. The author expertly captures the emotional rollercoaster that Daisy embarks upon, as she confronts her own past and the deep-seated resentment she holds towards Verity. Daisy's journey is a testament to the author's ability to create complex and relatable characters who grapple with their inner demons while striving for personal growth.

The themes of forgiveness and reconciliation are at the heart of the novel, as Daisy is forced to confront her own biases and preconceived notions about motherhood and family. Neta's exploration of these themes is both nuanced and thought-provoking, offering readers a profound meditation on the power of empathy and understanding.

The narrative is beautifully crafted, with Neta's prose flowing effortlessly and evocatively. The pacing of the story is well-balanced, allowing readers to become fully immersed in Daisy's world and the emotional challenges she faces. The author's keen attention to detail and vivid descriptions bring the characters and settings to life, making it easy for readers to connect with the story on a visceral level.

"Things We Do For Love" is a novel that explores the depths of human emotion with sensitivity and insight. Vered Neta's storytelling is a testament to her ability to create a narrative that is not only engaging but also thought-provoking and emotionally resonant. This book is a compelling exploration of the complexities of family, forgiveness, and the enduring power of love. It is a must-read for anyone who appreciates literature that touches the heart and soul, leaving a lasting impression long after the final page is turned.

Things We Do For Love by Vered Neta is a beautiful contemporary novel about a family.
Families are made up of all sorts. No one model fits all. The family in the novel consists of octogenarian parents, three daughters and their partners and a granddaughter. The novel is told from alternating points of view.

We see the devastating diagnosis of Alzheimer’s as a strong woman loses herself bit by bit. “A ray of light enters the black hole of her memory.” As time passes, she reverts to a child-like state.

Old age is cruel. We witness a life struck down by a stroke but determined to carry on.

The three daughters grew up in the family home. Their lives echo down the hallways. “Ghosts from the past still occupy the room.” Memories are within the very fabric of the building. Their familiar relationship functions the same at fifty as at fifteen. There is the organized one, the quiet one and the one striving for motherhood. We see the difficulties of balancing their lives with taking care of elderly parents. All three still have the ability to rub each other up the wrong way.

We follow a character who has been so busy behaving in the way others want her to – wife, daughter, mother – that at sixty as the roles are diminishing, she feels adrift, wondering who she really is.
Many characters within the novel define themselves in relationship to others but need to know deep down, just who they really are.
This is a very beautiful novel exploring complex relationships within a family. I loved it. There are some difficult topics, sensitively portrayed. In the end, we can say that within this family, love wins.

I definitely wasn’t prepared for this book. I don’t think I was expecting quite how emotional it would make me while reading it. It broke my heart more than once and shattered it into tiny little pieces, what time are glad to say that the story put my heart back together again by the end and left me feeling better for it.

Vered Neta manages to portray a real representation of true family relationships, imperfect argumentative, and how people experiencing the same parenting can come out with different points of view and experience it completely differently. I liked the highlight on forgiveness, find ourselves and the search for fulfilment.

I truly found this to be completely captivating, even when it was destroying me , it was thought provoking and a really interesting exploration of family connections and that to look to the future, you have to deal with the past. A truly wonderful read.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.