Stella Rose is the story of two women's emotional journey. One (Abby) lost a best friend, the other (Oliva) lost her mom. While the novel does center around Stella's death we also see how it is a catalyst for how Abby and Oliva (our main characters) process her death through the five stages of grief, but also jump starts a self-exploration process.

At first, it is very hard for Abby and Oliva to accept her death. Oliva is a angst ridden teen trying to fight through her sadness and Abby is mourning a friend while also taking on the new role of a mother. The stress of the new living situation and Stella's death ends up causing a rift in their relationship. They both try to sort out their own feelings among dealing with their own personal drama.

I thought a really nice touch to the story, was the monthly gift and letter that came from Stella Rose. In these letters she expresses her regrets, her relationship with Abby and Oliva, and dealing with her illness. The letters lay out the timeline of the novel and we get to see how both women grow individually and in their relationship as the months and seasons pass by.

By the end of the novel, Abby and Oliva have a mother daughter relationship. Events and obstacles are thrown at them in order to test, but ultimately strengthen their relationship. They also become more confident about what they want in life and really start pursuing what they love in life. ( )

To be honest, I started reading this book without knowing anything about it. I borrowed it from someone who knows the author, and read it based on that alone without having any idea of what kind of novel it was. After only a few pages I discovered that it was a heartfelt story about friendship and love that dealt with the loss of a loved one to cancer - not a book that I would typically read. However, after starting to read it I felt that, even though it wasn't what I would normally read, I couldn't put it down. It follows the main character through a year of her life after the death of her best friend, in which she not only has to work through her grief and discover who she is without the support of her friend, but she also has to take over guardianship of her friend's daughter, a high schooler who is struggling through life after losing her mother. Throughout the book Stella Rose sends messages to them, and gifts, to help them find their way in her absence. I found myself interested in their situation, hoping for the best for them, and cringing as they made mistakes both with each other and in their own separate lives.

"Finally. The pain, the anguish and the struggle are over.
Well, your pain, anguish and struggle are over. Me? I'm looking over a cliff, and pain, anguish, and struggle roil below amid jagged rocks of grief.

And you know how I hate heights."

Stella Rose starts with the above paragraphs. So sad, but that is what happens when your best friend dies of cancer at such a young age, leaving behind a teenage daughter. Stella Rose has asked that Abby raise her daughter Olivia. Abby is not sure she is up to the task, she misses her friend terribly as does Olivia. Stella Rose was a very organized woman, planned everything in her last year. What she did was pretty cool though, she prepared a years worth of monthly little gifts and letters for Abby and Olivia to open up together. Each present and letter has a meaning behind it. I think that is a pretty interesting idea, I think it helps Abby and Olivia handle the loss and grief. It doesn't make it any easier of course, but they are able to cope better.

Life does go on for the two of them, there are struggles of course but it is not easy taking over the care of a child that is not your own and a teenager at that. Teenagers can definitely be a handful, and Abby and Olivia grow close in spite of differences and disagreements. Abby has inner dialogues with Stella Rose and through these the reader learns what kind of person Stella Rose was and how she was able to prepare Abby for what was to come.

Abby starts dating and actually has two men vying for her, she struggles with her feelings for each man, Olivia spends a lot time with her friends and time goes on for the two of them and soon the year is over. Are they done grieving? Probably not but they have learned that life does go on and you need to focus on what is important. Stella Rose was a very wise woman.

When I first started reading the book, because it started out at the very beginning of the grief process, I thought it was going to be kind of maudlin, but it was not. I found myself liking both characters a lot. Hoping through the whole book that they would be able to come in touch with their feelings and emotions. They both find that letting go is something that they can do and Stella Rose will always be with them both. I really loved this book. At times a tear jerker but uplifting at the same time. A definite must read! ( )

Raising a child isn't easy, but imagine if the child wasn't your own? That's the scenario that Abby is faced with when her best friend, Stella Rose, passes away and she is left to raise her friend's teenage daughter, Olivia. What follows is a fantastic story of grief, love, relationships and how navigating those waters may prove rockier--and more rewarding--than you might imagine.

I stayed up late two nights in a row to see what would happen to Abby and Olivia! It's a bit outside of my normal type of read, but I'm so glad I had the chance to dig into this story. Stella Rose is a stellar (pun intended) debut novel, full of wonderful touches of the familiar in the time and place, the uncomfortable side of relationships and romantic tension that feels truly believable. I can't wait to see what Ms. Hetrick will come out with next! ( )

First let me say this: wonderful job Miss Hetrick! Your first Novel? I was really impressed. I love the characters and their personalities. The story itself was so riveting and emotional. I am a greatly emotional person, so I connected right away. It made me feel everything from happiness, anger to sadness. It was like I was there. I am very pleased and wish you the best! I would recommend this to all of my friends. Thank you for sharing with me! ( )