If you don't like sad books don't read this one. It's, for lack of a more eloquent term, full on. Really full on. Cleave isn't at all bashful as he describes the life of the main protagonist. He allows us into her most honest thoughts and feeling, every corner of her life and it isn't always pleasant. Most times it's sad, sometimes shocking, sometimes downright horrifying.
It is however, amongst all the raw human emotion and chaos, and interesting perspective into the "what ifs" of a terrorist attack.
An excellent book, but don't expect to feel cheerful when you put it down at the end.