Cleo Dang Would Rather Be Dead by Mai Nguyen: Book Review

Cleo Dang Would Rather Be Dead is the latest release from Canadian author Mai Nguyen. Expected to be released on April 14, 2026, it explores a woman’s grief after losing a child. Cleo and Paloma are best friends and do everything together, including getting pregnant. Paloma comes home with a baby, while Cleo doesn’t. How will this impact their relationship?

I want to thank Atria Books and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of Cleo Dang Would Rather Be Dead. However, all opinions expressed here are solely mine.

Synopsis from Goodreads

All Cleo Dang has ever wanted was to be a mother. The day she discovers she’s pregnant is the happiest of her life, especially when she learns that her best friend, Paloma, is also expecting. It’s a wonderful surprise, and together, they enjoy their pregnancies. But when they both go to the hospital in labor, something goes very, very wrong. Paloma comes home with a baby. Cleo does not.

Now, a grieving Cleo must navigate life after losing her baby. She alienates herself from the world, especially her best friend, who is living the life she so desperately wanted. Forced to quit her demanding job as an actuary, Cleo manages to find a job at a funeral home where she meets a revolving door of bereaved locals and discovers the power of confronting grief.

My Opinions

Cleo Dang Would Rather Be Dead is a look at one woman’s loss and grief. It’s a look at how she processes the world around her and strives to survive. Is this book for everyone? No, but that doesn’t mean people shouldn’t read it.

I debated adding Cleo Dang Would Rather Be Dead to my TBR due to its subject matter. Twenty-six years ago, I was a young woman, excited to be madly in love and shocked to find out I was pregnant. Unfortunately, only a few days later, I lost the baby. It destroyed me and left me questioning so much. A couple of years later, when I found myself pregnant again, I was a mess until I got to hold my baby in my arms. As discussed in the book, this kind of loss never really leaves you; it just hurts a little less each day.

Setting my concerns aside, I decided to give Nguyen’s sophomore novel a read. And I’m glad I did. While reading it, you can feel she cares for Cleo and those around her. In the pages of this book, you will find sadness and sorrow. There’s no way around that. You may also question Cleo’s actions. But as you read, you find yourself understanding her actions.

My biggest issue with the book is one of the side characters, Dr. Posey. It’s scary to think there are doctors like that in the world. One willing to push medication onto their patients without really listening to their concerns. One willing to let patients medicate without restraint. Don’t get me wrong, I know doctors like that do exist. But I found myself screaming at her to stop, and actually to look at the woman in front of her.

Overall, I believe everyone can relate to Cleo Dang and her pain, even if you’ve never lost a child. While it may not be an easy read, it is one that everyone can benefit from.

Are you looking for some more books to read? Check out my bookish lists, book reviews, and monthly reading wrap-ups.