This was a book primarily about grief and family. Obviously, I expected it to be sad and that the characters would spiral down. Schmidt writes well and has a good voice. I liked the use of poetry for emotional effect, for about the first half of the book. 

That was the point where I began to wonder when the wallowing in the characters' grief would end. I've read such books before, but they were all much shorter. It was a bit like watching Leaving Las Vegas. Brilliant but too depressing. As a reader, while I want to relate and be reminded of the negative elements of life, you also need at least a 60-40 ratio of uplift or comedy to balance the story. 

I was especially concerned about the neglected sheep and was very angry that some had to die. Animal abuse is definitely an anger trigger for me. 

She did manage to build that crescendo of grief, finally, which I was expecting to end with tragedy. Instead, I felt emotionally manipulated to tear a little when the characters all got along perfectly at the end, which was far too happy clappy for my liking. This is, of course, likely my own grumpy old lady view and I am certain most people would fall in love with this book.