Posts

Dire’s Club by Kimberly Packard- Review by Shadel Ayerbe

/0 Comments/in /by

Dire's ClubDire’s Club by Kimberly Packard
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Dire’s Club by Kimberly Packard is a women fiction and adventure book.

Death is difficult not only for those left behind but also for those who are dying. The regret of unfulfilled lives weighs heavily on the terminally sick. That’s where Dire’s Club comes in: a specialist travel agency that takes a select group of dying individuals on one last journey so they may be free of shame, be more than a diagnosis, and confront life…and death. Charlotte Claybrooke has created a thriving second career counseling others through sorrow, but the tenth anniversary of her own heartbreaking tragedy has sent her on a quest to discover life among the dead.

Jimmy Dire’s job was to stare death in the face. With a loving hug, a nice word, and a grin, he responded. The terminally sick were given one more bucket-list experience by Dire’s Club before passing away, but death was costly. Bills were piling up, much like Jimmy’s falsehoods. It’ll only be a matter of time until he has to deal with a new kind of death. This group of strangers facing mortality together includes a rock superstar, a telenovela star, a grandma fulfilling her lifelong ambition, and a young software prodigy. However, their relationship is destroyed when tragedy strikes. Lies and deception emerge, causing the death to band together in order to save someone’s life.

I loved this story and the concept of it as well. I loved every page of it. Every chapter was exciting. This is the first book of this author and I can’t wait to read more.

View all my reviews

Dire’s Club by Kimberly Packard – Review by Kristy Harmon

/0 Comments/in /by

Dire's ClubDire’s Club by Kimberly Packard
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is my first time reading anything by Kimberly Packard. The cover is what drew me in and I needed to know the story. I am so glad I chose to read this amazing book. The writing style is amazing and the story is even better. I definitely recommend this book.

View all my reviews

Dire’s Club by Kimberly Packard – Review by Sunday Barnaby

/0 Comments/in /by

Dire's ClubDire’s Club by Kimberly Packard
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Dire’s Club by Kimberly Packard
Five Star

Dire’s Club is an emotionally gut wrenching story that will have you reaching for the tissue box one minute and smiling the next. The characters are amazing and well written. The topic of death is not an easy one, but this author really expressed it well. The story flowed and was an emotional refreshing for me. This is the first book I have read by Ms Packard, but definitely won’t be the last.

Review by @sunbarn
View all my reviews

Dire’s Club by Kimberly Packard – Review by Helani Kihe

/0 Comments/in /by

Dire's ClubDire’s Club by Kimberly Packard
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Dire’s Club definitely wasn’t usually the kind of book I’d find myself reading but the synopsis pulled me in.
Kimberly Packard did an amazing job breathing life into each of the characters. While reading I felt like I personally knew each of them. I felt like I had become a part of the Dier’s Club. All of my emotions were invested in each character.
Dire’s Club made me feel every emotion with each turn of the page.

View all my reviews

Dire’s Club by Kimberly Packard – Review by Robin Rankin

/0 Comments/in /by

Dire's ClubDire’s Club by Kimberly Packard
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Dire’s Club by Kimberly Packard

This is a book I was on the fence about since it is so differentfrom my normal read,  but decided to give it a try since I have read other books by Ms. Packard which I enjoyed and I’m so glad I did.

This book touched me in a way I was not expecting at all.  I never thought I could connect to characters I knew going in that were dying but I was able to connect with each of them even if it was in a small way.

This book was beautifully written about a subject that doesn’t get written about or discussed often.

Keep an open mind about this going in and I think you will be pleasantly surprised.

View all my reviews

Dire’s Club by Kimberly Packard – Review by Robin Rankin

/0 Comments/in /by

Dire's ClubDire’s Club by Kimberly Packard
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Dire’s Club by Kimberly Packard

This is a book I was on the fence about since it is so differentfrom my normal read,  but decided to give it a try since I have read other books by Ms. Packard which I enjoyed and I’m so glad I did.

This book touched me in a way I was not expecting at all.  I never thought I could connect to characters I knew going in that were dying but I was able to connect with each of them even if it was in a small way.

This book was beautifully written about a subject that doesn’t get written about or discussed often.

Keep an open mind about this going in and I think you will be pleasantly surprised.

View all my reviews

Dire’s Club by Kimberly Packard – Review by Carly Vogler

/0 Comments/in /by

Dire's ClubDire’s Club by Kimberly Packard
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Dire’s Club by Kimberly Packard is an amazing book! As someone who loved to read the Me Before You series, this book left me in awe. I was intrigued by the synopsis, and the story did not disappoint. I lost both parents in my teens, and was afraid I would find this book as too much of a depressing point. Ha, fooled me. This tale of death is nothing short of a great story packed with adventure, and some AMAZING quotes.

If you were facing death, wouldn’t you want one last chance to do something to crazy. After you are diagnosed with something terminal, your life is over. You see nothing but medications and doctors visits in your future. Sadly, that’s all that is in your future. Dire’s club is trying to change that. It’s allowing people to step away from their diagnosis and take a ride on the wild side, and really live out their one final request.

When you know everyone is going to die, you would think it would make the story hard to get into,
but that is just not the case. Add this to your must read list, you won’t regret it.

View all my reviews

Dire’s Club by Kimberly Packard – Review by Candida Hopper

/0 Comments/in /by

Dire's ClubDire’s Club by Kimberly Packard
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Dire’s Club
By Kimberly Packard

I fell in love with this book, the characters and their stories. I became completely enthralled in each of the characters and their triumphs and struggles as they try to find their own peace in dying. I found this book to be original, emotional and engaging. I couldn’t put it down once I dove in. There are some unexpected twists and turns. The author wrote an exceptional story. Although there are a diverse set of characters they are bonded to each other through this experience. I loved this book and it is a must read.

View all my reviews

Dire’s Club by Kimberly Packard – Review by Stephanie Nicole

/0 Comments/in /by

Dire's ClubDire’s Club by Kimberly Packard
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Dire’s Club was definitely an interesting read for me, at first glance I was very drawn to this book by its beautiful cover, and it’s intriguing synopsis. But upon delving into the story I was so enamored with the emotions, characters, and the life ending problems that they face. While to some people this book might be depressing, it does have a sense of magic to it with these people fulfilling their last wishes, and the bonds the lay form in between. It really makes one wonder what you would do in their situation, so if your looking for a book full of emotion, and wonderful characters then I highly recommend Dire’s Club.

View all my reviews

Dire’s Club by Kimberly Packard – Review by Lisa Helmick

/0 Comments/in /by

Dire's ClubDire’s Club by Kimberly Packard
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

A Surprising story! It wasn’t what I expected at all. Sure there is sadness but there is overwhelming honesty, joy and relief. The story flowed along as I became entangled in these strangers lives. The characters are all easy to enjoy. Did I have a favorite? Probably Levi. He seems so happy go lucky and the friendship he and Charlotte grew was undeniable. Lourdes came in a close second. She is an honest woman with incredible strength.

The friendships this group made are probably the most joyful and honest since their diagnosis. This is a thought provoking and heartfelt story. I am thankful the author wrote this interesting take on life and death.

View all my reviews

Dire’s Club by Kimberly Packard – Review by Tausha Treadway

/0 Comments/in /by

Dire's ClubDire’s Club by Kimberly Packard
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Dire’s Club by Kimberly Packard. This was one of the most unusual stories I’ve read. Its so moving and emotional but brings a whole new light on death. Its the whole premise of having one last adventure before you die. This book takes you on a ride with a group of people going on the last adventure they will ever have. This tale will make you think about how you would want to spend your last days and who you want to spend it with. Its a story of adventure, death, friendship and making memories. On a subject that could be very morbid and sad its not at all. It will make you cry in some place and make you emotional in others but it brings a new focus to death and one that’s not all doom and gloom. This book really made me think about my life and death and made me reflect on some choices I have made and some I will make in the future! The motto I took away was to live life to the fullest and make memories!

View all my reviews

Dire’s Club by Kimberly Packard – Review by Karen Pearman

/0 Comments/in /by

Dire's ClubDire’s Club by Kimberly Packard
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Once again, I found myself reading a book by a new author and was not disappointed. Although I cried. A lot! And not because it is a sad book although it does tackle a lot of sad issues. But more so because I also started thinking about the life I would want to live if knowing I was faced with only a short amount of time to live. As in, my own bucket list and what I could accomplish without ever looking back on life and regretting it. It made me think about how I could live my life and be happy knowing I had a terminal illness. And what I found was that just as these characters learned to do, I learned to celebrate my own life journey and be happy with who and what I was and have. I highly recommend that everyone read this book because it will make you think and wish that there was such an adventure around us.

View all my reviews

Dire’s Club by Kimberly Packard – Review by Kaitlynn Taylor

/0 Comments/in /by

Dire's ClubDire’s Club by Kimberly Packard
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Dire’s Club by Kimberly Packard

5-stars

This is an absolute must read! Dire’s Club by Kimberly Packard is one of my new favorites! It’s at the top of my list for this year!

I was so captivated by this storyline as it had me questioning everything, not in a dramatic mysterious way but more in a re-evaluating my life way. The concept behind Dire’s Club really intrigued me, how come we wait until the last possible moment to do the things in life we desperately want to do? This storyline puts everything into perspective and I’m so grateful that I read this book!

If you are looking for a one of a kind read look no further this is the book for you! This is a book that should be read by all!!

View all my reviews

Dire’s Club by Kimberly Packard – Review by Lorrene Huisman

/0 Comments/in /by

Dire's ClubDire’s Club by Kimberly Packard
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I picked up this book, with an idea of my head of what the book would flow through with and the main concept of the book, and I will admit, in a good way, I could not be more wrong! This wonderful novel brought so much different levels of emotions as well as connections, it was such a moving as well as touching book, I never read anything like it before, and I am so happy I got to read this!

The book and its contents with the characters was beyond beautiful. It was like watching a sunset on a nice beach with a breeze, knowing that could be your last sunset you ever see perhaps. You take it all in for what it is, and defiantly for what it is worth! That is what these characters were to me All were different in their own special way. They were none of the same except for one reason only, and that was that they were t be gone soon enough due to a illness that was terminal.

Dire’s Club itself gave them all one final request to live out. No matter how big or extreme it was going to happen for each of them. I thought that was really remarkable. I bonded so much with these characters, I laughed with them, I smiled with them, and I certainly cried with them. Reading of their hopes, what they wished would happen, and defiantly their fears, really moved me. It was hard at scenes to take in what certain ones said, so much pain in love in their words, you felt everything! I just wanted to reach into the book at a few parts and hug them and give them comfort in the best way that I know.

The book gave me some new views on life to defiantly think about. Death perhaps isn’t the end of all we know, perhaps its a different path for us all. That’s my opinion I have taken back from this book. It taught me death does not have to be scary, just accepted. As well, never stop trying to live your life, we are here for a short time, lets make the most of it! The story was beautiful I cried a lot with this novel, no regrets!

The author has a special way with words and wrote this wonderful story. I really fell deep into my emotions with this one. It touched my soul and heart in ways that can never be truly expressed. It was amazing and perfect in every way. I defiantly will b telling everyone to read it. Don’t wait to read it, read it now, it really will give you a different prescriptive to think about, and wonder about as well. Its touching in more ways than one. I really had a good experience reading this book, and I wish I got to read this book sooner. It is one not to be missed. Truly recommend with all of my heart and soul for you to read this!

View all my reviews

Dire’s Club by Kimberly Packard – Review by Angela Renee Diaz

/0 Comments/in /by

Dire's ClubDire’s Club by Kimberly Packard
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This was an unusual story. At the same time it’s fascinating. If I was in the position of this diers, I would more than likely do an adventure as well. I was intrigued reading this book. I loved that Jimmy can make people’s dream a reality.

View all my reviews

Dire’s Club by Kimberly Packard – Review by Heather Lovelace

/0 Comments/in /by

Dire's ClubDire’s Club by Kimberly Packard
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I was intrigued by the synopsis of the book and captivated by the stunning cover. And once I dove in – wow. I’m pretty much at a loss for words. If you are looking for a deep storyline filled with emotion, this is your book. The relationships and personalities discovered throughout were just enthralling. I can’t wait to read this book again.

Reviewed by @heatherlovelace
View all my reviews

Dire’s Club by Kimberly Packard–Reviewed by Jerricka Brown

/0 Comments/in /by

Dire's ClubDire’s Club by Kimberly Packard
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This book was amazingly beautiful. The way it handles a sensitive topic was great. The characters are written so great that it makes you fall in love with them. I felt a real connection to this book. I couldn’t put it down. This was one of the realest books I’ve read in a long time.

View all my reviews

Dire’s Club by Kimberly Packard – Review by Erica Fish

/0 Comments/in /by

Dire's ClubDire’s Club by Kimberly Packard
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

In this book, Kimberly Packard has you look at death in a unique way. She has pulled in me from the very first page until the last page. In this story, the dying goes to a travel agency that gives them one last adventure. The adventure frees the dying from feeling guilty because they are dying. We meet Charlotte Claybrooke. She is a life coach who assists people with their guilt. She sets out on a journey to find life among the dying. Then there is Jimmy Dire, He is the man who gives the terminally ill their last adventure. He is a shady man. He has a problem with lying and his bills were adding up. Something has happened to his last adventure. Will his last group of adventurers gets what they paid for or will they stay together or will they be ripped apart? How’s Charlotte’s journey and where does it lead to? I highly recommend this book for a great journey.

View all my reviews

Dire’s Club by Kimberly Packard – Review by Kerry Carr

/0 Comments/in /by

Dire's ClubDire’s Club by Kimberly Packard
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Well where to start with this book. This book has had me in tears of sadness and tears of joy. It is a moving story about a group of people who are brought together because they are dying and are living their one final wish. The characters range from old to young and they each have a story to tell.
One of the characters Charlotte isn’t dying at least not from a illness like the rest of them. Charlotte has an illness that is not talked about much and often goes unseen behind smiles and great acting. After losing the love of her life Charlotte has suffered with depression  and has found no way to get herself out of its grips.

This story is really eye opening in the sense that although it is a story about people who are dying it is also a story about life and how you should live everyday like your last so when your time comes you have no regrets.

Every person including the man running the show Jimmy Dire, all have secrets that get reveled throughout this story. Its definately a book you won’t be able to put down as you take these journeys with each character.

View all my reviews

Dire’s Club by Kimberly Packard – Review by Kristy Nelson

/0 Comments/in /by

Dire's ClubDire’s Club by Kimberly Packard
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is my book by this author, and I was blown away! Given the subject matter it should be a sad book, but it’s sort of uplifting and thoughtful. Definitely makes you reflect on your own outlook on life. It was extremely well written. All of the characters were very multi dimensional and authentic. I would absolutely recommend this book, even if it’s not your typical genre!

View all my reviews

Dire’s Club by Kimberly Packard – Review by Kerry Baker

/0 Comments/in /by

Dire's ClubDire’s Club by Kimberly Packard
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Dire’s Club by Kimberly Packard is such a unique and interesting book that really pulled me in from the start. I loved the concept of the final bucket list trip and how the author has gone about creating that idea. I thought that all the characters were so well written. They each had their part to play and fit the book so well.
This is still a relatively new author for me and I really enjoyed how this book is completely different to the other books of hers that I have read. I think this one has to be my favourite book so far and it one I would highly recommend.

View all my reviews

Dire’s Club by Kimberly Packard – Review by Shelly Kittell

/0 Comments/in /by

Dire's ClubDire’s Club by Kimberly Packard
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Losing someone you love can cause spirit-crushing grief such as Charlotte, the main character, feels. She lost her fiancé, Jason, ten years ago to a car accident. She is still experiencing such depression and grief from this that she is finding it hard to move on. Dire’s Club is an organization that gives terminal patients their chance to get their last wish done. Charlotte decides she is going to join this group and in the process she meets some extraordinary people that make such impressions on her that her life is forever changed: Lourdes, Levi, Dylan, Celeste, Jimmy and Darla. What an AMAZING book! All the feelings can be felt in this book. You will go on many adventures with the Dire’s Club and feel their emotions as they all deal with their feelings over dying and read what happens when some lies and fraud are exposed. Probably the BEST book of 2021 that I have read so far. It’s like explaining the grief cycle in an easier way. I definitely recommend this one.

View all my reviews

Dire’s Club by Kimberly Packard – Review by Angela Hayes

/0 Comments/in /by

Dire's ClubDire’s Club by Kimberly Packard
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

 

5 Stars

 

“Live like your life depends on it.”

Dire’s Club by Kimberly Packard is such an original and quite compelling read. I have loved all her previous books- and even though this story is quite different from the rest, I enjoyed it just as much, if not more, than her other works. This is a story about facing death, a topic that could be quite heavy and depressing. But this story manages to make this otherwise depressing topic take a more inspiring, moving, and beautiful tone that really made me sit up and take notice.
It is an adventure- where we follow a group of people as they embark on an experience of a lifetime while fulfilling a ‘bucket list’ wish and embracing ‘life’ to the fullest before death comes knocking.
This is all about friendships, secrets, adventure, emotion, facing your mortality, making you think, inspiring, terminal illness, mental illness- all with some unexpected twists and surprising developments that turn up the intrigue to maximum.
The story really made me evaluate my own life and take stock of what I would like to tick off my list before I ‘go’…
This book might seem like it is about mortality, death and dying- but I feel it is more about life- really embracing life, enjoying your life, and “living like your life depends on it”…
A really beautiful and memorable story that I won’t soon forget!

Thank you, Kimberly Packard!

 

Reviewed by @angelahayes

View all my reviews

Dire’s Club by Kimberly Packard – Review by Erica Shoebridge

/0 Comments/in /by

Dire's ClubDire’s Club by Kimberly Packard
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

WOW! This is an amazing read that I thoroughly enjoyed. I expected it to be a tearful book, given the subject matter, but there was so much more laughter and enjoyment that I wasn’t expecting. There are some bittersweet moments for sure, but the love and adventures are what I am taking away from this book. The characters are so real, I feel like I know them. The motley cast of Diers that were thrown together for their trip come from all walks of life, and seeing the way they bonded was inspiring and uplifting. Packard is a fantastic writer, who writes with heart, empathy, and courage. If you are considering reading this book, DO IT!

Reviewed by @ericalorraine
View all my reviews

Dire’s Club by Kimberly Packard – Review by Bobbi Wagner

/0 Comments/in /by

Dire's ClubDire’s Club by Kimberly Packard
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is not my first book by this author but it is one of my favorites by her yet. This is a well written story about dying, one last adventure and how much fun you can have. The characters are connectable and written with a lot of heart. I enjoyed being pulled into the story by them and what they brought to the story. This is an engaging story that I found to be easy to read and entertaining. Dire’s Club is a place where it gives terminally ill people one last adventure. This is a story full of emotion that will tug at your heart in spots. I really enjoyed being pulled in and how the author’s use of details made the story feel realistic. This is worth the pick up for sure. I highly recommend this book.

View all my reviews

Review by @bjwagner

Dire’s Club by Kimberly Packard – Review by Jenni Bishop

/0 Comments/in /by

Dire's ClubDire’s Club by Kimberly Packard
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Dire’s Club by Kimberly Packard is a unique and inspirational heart aching tale of fulling your bucket list before you die. It is about newly formed relationships with unexpected people who become friends through a shared experience. Kimberly has done a great job of giving us something raw and beautiful when you are dealing with mental health and terminal illness. This hauntingly beautiful tale will stick with you long after you have read the last page. It makes you think about your own mortality and just what you would want to do or have done before your own time is up and celebrating life.

I love the line “Everybody dies, the lucky ones have fun doing it.”

 

Reviewed by @jennadb

View all my reviews

Vortex by Kimberly Packard – Review by Robin Rankin

/0 Comments/in /by

VortexVortex by Kimberly Packard
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Vortex by Kimberly Packard grabbed me from the start and still hasn’t let go. If you want romance you will have a little. If you want a story that has multiple layers to it then I highly recommend this book.

Elaina was stupid for doing some of the things she did. I don’t think she realized what she was doing part of the time due to the memories taking over which was extremely dangerous in the middle of a tornado with other people around.

Seth is a really good guy who had one bad thing happen to him at the worse possible time. He’s trying to redeem himself and ends up chasing tornadoes in the middle of the Country.

I loved everything about Elaina’s dog, including his clever name. He would make me smile every time. There were some tears shed, moments of anger, sadness, fear and of course happiness. I don’t understand why people would put themselves in that kind of danger. My husband used to talk about wanting to go storm chasing and even though I would never stop him I wouldn’t encourage it either.

This book was worth every second I spent reading it.

View all my reviews

Vortex by Kimberly Packard – Review by Latosha Cook

/0 Comments/in /by

VortexVortex by Kimberly Packard
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The Vortex by Kimberly Packard is a book to read. You have to keep reading to completely understand it. It is a thrilling book worth reading all the way through. I would love to read more from Kimberly Packard. It was very interesting to read and i loved every minute of it.

View all my reviews

Vortex By Kimberly Packard – Review by Katie Kearney

/0 Comments/in /by

VortexVortex by Kimberly Packard
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Vortex By Kimberly Packard. I was not expecting this story to be so emotional but my emotions were all over the place with this incredible story. The authors way of describing details throughout the story makes for a very lifelike picture in your head. The characters are complex and relatable. I love the female main character she’s got layers to her personality that will have me remembering her and this story for a long time. It’s a well written and paced nicely storyline that definitely takes readers on an adventure. I’m giving this book a five star review and highly recommend it.

View all my reviews

Vortex by Kimberly Packard – Review by Erica Fish

/0 Comments/in /by

VortexVortex by Kimberly Packard
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This book is amazing. I love Kimberly Packard stories and I was excited by the name of this story. Vortex can be several things and can be symbolize many feelings and relationships. Ms. Packard has created an amazing story with vivid details and believable complex characters. This story is a fast paced and nail-biting action. I did not plan on reading this in one sitting but I did. If you are a storm chaser, you will love this story as well. Vortex lives up to its name with a twister in the background of a love story, family, and identity in the mix. The story of Seth and Elaina is one for the books! Will the relationship take a twist in the right direction or will the winds blow the other way? I am hoping that Ms. Packard continues the story into a series.

Reviewed by @firestars0002

View all my reviews