Due to the timing of this book entering my life, I did not finish reading it once Aunt Fran's cancer reared its ugly head again.
Up to that point, I enjoyed Delilah's story. She is an eighteen year old kid with an absent father, a mother who died years ago, and an Aunt who took her in and cares deeply for her. But how long will that care be around...
Del volunteers at a suicide hotline and has history herself of attempting suicide.
I hope to return to this book once the crisis in my own life passes. ( )

One of the saddest books I have ever read. This one will make you ugly cry, especially if you have ever watched a loved one leave this world. Jacobus handles the topic of death with honesty and grace. This is a beautifully written story about addiction, mental health, hospice care, love, and dying with dignity. The characters in this book will draw you in emotionally and you will not be able to put the book down. The realistic portrayal of being there for someone in the end is powerful and compelling. A must read for all ages. ( )

A deeply introspective story about dying, grief, mental illness, and suicide. In the summer between high school and college, Del is in a safer, more stable place than just a short while ago. Her mother’s death and her father’s distance, along with her own demons, pushed her to contemplate suicide. Her actions were caught in time and with therapy and unconditional love from her Aunt Fran, Del has turned a corner.

Now, though, Aunt Fran has been diagnosed with terminal cancer. As Del tends to Fran’s needs, the potential for that slippery slope to smack Del back down again is dangerously near. But, Fran needs her. So, Del relies on friends, co-workers, therapists, and hospice workers to see the beginning of the end for Fran as a process.

The Coldest Winter I Ever Spent is a realistic and gut-wrenching story of love and loss. Its truth and honesty is brutal, yet affirming.

I give it 4 1/2 stars.

Thank you to LibraryThing Early Reviewers, CarolRhoda Lab, Lerner Publishing, Megan Ciskowski, and Ann Jacobus for this ARC. ( )

*reviewed from uncorrected ARC via early reviewers program*

teen/adult fiction - 18 y.o. recovering alcoholic tries to prepare for college, get closer to her boy crush, and counsel suicidal callers while taking care of her aunt who is unexpectedly diagnosed with terminal cancer. (TW/CW: severe anxiety about crowds and tunnels, alcohol and substance abuse temptations, suicidal thoughts and actions, terminal illness. No language/sex, but some awkward kissing situations.)

Intense, compulsive reading - this book dealt with the heaviest subject matters that I've read about in a long time, but I couldn't put it down. The characters were well developed with distinct personalities and issues of their own, and I loved the realistic awkwardness between Del and Nick (also I loved that Nick was learning to navigate his own disability). More, please~ ( )

Author's guest post at my blog:
https://bookfare.blogspot.com/2022/12/foodfic-please-welcome-ann-jacobus.html