“An immensely entertaining [and] moving” ( Atlanta Journal-Constitution ) work of women’s fiction, this emotionally rich debut novel follows a young woman with terminal breast cancer who embarks on an extraordinary—and heartbreakingly human—mission to secure her husband’s future after she’s gone. At twenty-seven, Daisy thought she had beaten breast cancer for good. On the eve of celebrating four years cancer-free with her husband, Jack, she receives devastating news: the cancer is back, and this time it’s aggressive stage four. With only months left to live, Daisy is forced to confront her mortality—but her greatest fear isn’t dying. It’s leaving behind the man she loves, a brilliant but endearingly helpless husband who has always relied on her. Unable to rest until she knows Jack will be okay, Daisy decides she must do the unthinkable: find him another wife. With determination, humor, and aching vulnerability, she searches coffee shops, parks, and online dating sites for the woman who might one day take her place. But as Daisy’s plan grows more real, so does the emotional cost, forcing her to question whether ensuring her husband’s happiness means sacrificing her own. Tender, funny, and profoundly heartfelt, this novel explores love, marriage, mortality, and the impossible choices we make when time runs out. It’s a powerful meditation on what it means to love selflessly—and when to finally choose yourself. "Colleen Oakley takes on the big three--life, death,and love--and delivers a jewel. Before I Go absolutely glows with humor, wit, and compassion. I adore Oakley’s fresh voice and could hardly bear for the book to end." -- Lynn Cullen, author of the national bestseller MRS. POE "In Before I Go, Oakley address the oft-asked question: if you only had six months to live, what would you do? In her deft hands, what could easily turn maudlin becomes a funny and insightful journey with Daisy, and the love of her life, Jack. If you loved JoJo Moyes' Me Before You, this book is for you." -- Catherine McKenzie, bestselling author of HIDDEN and FORGOTTEN "What would you do if you knew you were dying? This emotional debut and its gutsy heroine will have you laughing through tears and staying up late until you’ve reached the final, fully satisfying page.” -- Jennie Shortridge, author of LOVE WATER MEMORY “Brilliant in its simplicity, beautiful in its sentiment, heartbreaking in its honesty, Colleen Oakley’s Before I Go takes on one of life’s ultimate cruelties, death before one's time, and makes us believe.” -- Susan Crandall, author of WHISTLING PAST THE GRAVEYARD “BEFORE I GO is a big-hearted tale, with a fresh take on a woman grappling with the inevitable. The characters are approachable, full of wit and humor and--above all else--touching sincerity.” -- Suzanne Ridell, author of THE OTHER TYPIST "Oakley expertly tugs at the heartstrings with well-rounded characters and a liberal dose of gallows humor." ― Publishers Weekly "Highly recommended for laugh-out-loud fans and the tearjerker set." —Library Journal ― Library Journal "This emotional novel will make readers laugh through their tears." ― Kirkus Reviews “Oakley has produced an affecting work that, while avoiding maudlin sentimentality, makes the reader care about Daisy and her determination to live while dying.” ― Booklist “Author Oakley has set herself a tricky balancing act here, blending a comic sensibility with the depth and poignancy her subject requires. She pulls it off.” ― People “An impressive feat…an immensely entertaining, moving and believable read.” ― Atlanta Journal-Constitution "Emotional, insightful novel." ― In Touch Magazine "Oakley knocks it out of the park in her treatment of a very sensitive subject…pleasurable, thought-provoking reading." ― Athens Banner-Herald “Colleen Oakley’s debut deftly balances sorrow with laughs and compassion.” ― US Weekly Colleen Oakley is an Atlanta-based writer and author of several novels including Before I Go, Close Enough to Touch, The Mostly True Story of Tanner & Louise, and Jane and Dan at the End of the World . Her articles, essays, and interviews have been featured in The New York Times, Ladies’ Home Journal, Marie Claire, Women’s Health, Redbook, Parade , and Martha Stewart Weddings . Before she was a freelance writer, Colleen was editor in chief of Women’s Health & Fitness and senior editor at Marie Claire . Before I Go one THE KALE IS gone. I’m standing in front of the open refrigerator, allowing the cool air to escape around my bare thighs. I’ve pushed aside the stacks of Tupperware containing leftovers of dinners that we’ll never eat. I’ve searched the crisper, even digging beneath the wilted celery (does anybody ever use an entire bag of celery before it goes rubbery?). There was some type of slime that had accrued on the bottom of the drawer. I added cleaning it out to my mental list of duties. I even pulled all the organic milk and juice cartons