Sometimes your entire world can change in the blink of an eye. That's how it is for Carver Briggs. One minute, he's at work, waiting for his three best friends - Eli, Blake, and Mars - to come pick him up. He's impatient, so he sends off a quick text: "Where are you guys? Text me back." The driver of the car, Mars, was in the process of texting Carver back when a semi pulled out in front of the car carrying Carver's friends. All three were killed instantly. Carver blames himself, as do several family members of his deceased friends, particularly Eli's twin sister and Mars's intimidating father (who also happens to be a powerful local judge). Some do not blame Carver, like Eli's girlfriend and Blake's grandmother. Either way, Carver is wracked with grief and guilt. He begins to experience panic attacks following the funerals and eventually requires therapy. To help sooth both his own grief and that of Blake's grandmother, Nana Betsy, Carver starts helping out around Nana Betsy's house. It is Nana Betsy who comes up with an idea that she thinks might help both of them find closure: a goodbye day. 

Nana Betsy never got to say goodbye to Blake and neither did Carver. Her idea of a "goodbye day" is to spend a day with Carver doing the things that she and Blake would have done if they'd had one more day together. It proves to be an effective way of providing the much sought-after closure Carver and Betsy needed. Then, however, Carver discovers that a criminal investigation into his role in the accident is taking place. Now, Carver has to add legal problems to his already-lengthy list of seemingly insurmountable problems. 

It probably comes as no surprise to readers that more "goodbye days" might be in store for Carver. I mean, the title of the book kind of gives it away. Readers also won't be surprised that this is a very, very sad book. They might be surprised, however, to find that there are moments throughout that are funny or heartwarming. It's not all doom and gloom, but keep the tissues nearby. I can't say I particularly enjoyed reading this book and I'm not sure anyone could convince me to reread it; there were far too many aspects of Carver's life that hit a little too close to home and triggered my own anxiety. Nevertheless, this is a very real, very nuanced examination of grief and guilt that may help other readers with their own experiences.