The In-Between

Unforgettable Encounters During Life's Final Moments

By: Hadley Vlahos R.N.

Narrated by: Hadley Vlahos R.N.

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • Passionate advocate for end-of-life care and TikTok star Hadley Vlahos shares moving stories of joy, wisdom, and redemption from her patients’ final moments in this “brilliant” (Zibby Owens, Good Morning America) memoir.

“This extraordinary book helps dispel fear around death and dying—revealing it to be a natural part of our soul’s evolution.”—Laura Lynne Jackson, New York Times bestselling author of Signs and The Light Between Us

Talking about death and dying is considered taboo in polite company, and even in the medical field. Our ideas about dying are confusing at best: Will our memories flash before our eyes? Regrets consume our thoughts? Does a bright light appear at the end of a tunnel? For most people, it will be a slower process, one eased with preparedness, good humor, and a bit of faith. At the forefront of changing attitudes around palliative care is hospice nurse Hadley Vlahos, who shows that end-of-life care can teach us just as much about how to live as it does about how we die.

Vlahos was raised in a strict religious household, but began questioning her beliefs in high school after the sudden death of a friend. When she got pregnant at nineteen, she was shunned by her community and enrolled herself in nursing school to be able to support herself and her baby. But nursing soon became more than a job: when she focused on palliative care and hospice work, it became a calling.

In The In-Between, Vlahos recounts the most impactful experiences she’s had with the people she’s worked with—from the woman who never once questioned her faith until she was close to death, to the older man seeing visions of his late daughter, to the young patient who laments that she spent too much of her short life worrying about what others thought of her—while also sharing her own fascinating journey.

Written with profound insight, humility, and respect, The In-Between is a heartrending memoir that shows how caring for others can transform a life while also offering wisdom and comfort for those dealing with loss and providing inspiration for how to live now.

©2023 Hadley Vlahos (P)2023 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

“Tender and transformative . . . The great surprise of The In-Between is that it makes dying feel like a peaceful, dynamic, and nourishing event that can potentially transform the lives of those who are left behind. Readers will cheer on Hadley Vlahos and, like me, be forever grateful that she wrote this book.”—Christie Tate, New York Times bestselling author of Group

“Vlahos’s compassionate, beautifully written book contains profound wisdom. It is for anyone with an open heart who loves a good story and anyone who fears but would like to better understand hospice and the end of life.”—Katy Butler, New York Times bestselling author of The Art of Dying Well

“Gentle and moving, The In-Between takes readers where few think they would want to go: deep into the world of hospice nursing. The combined beauty, faith, and compassion found in each patient’s death is meaningful and sublime.”—Theresa Brown, RN, New York Times bestselling author of The Shift

Wow

I listened to this the whole day. I cried a lot, having been through a personal loss I was captivated by her experience. Nurse Hadley, you are an angel, this was amazing.

Beautifully written

This book is beautifully written. I can't put it down. Poignant, personal, intimate and beautiful

Perfection!

Couldn’t stop listening! Hadley’s experiences are so moving and weave beautifully with her personal story. Well written and delivered beautifully with her charming southern accent. You’ll laugh, cry- a lot, and view end of life care differently after listening. Tears are still streaming down my face. I pray we’re all blessed to have a Hadley in our lives when the time comes. Like the author, this book is an absolute treasure!

Thought Provoking

This book explores the experiences of a young hospice nurse and the lessons she learns from 12 of her patients. For being a book centered around death it provides deep feelings of inspiration and challenges one to think deeply about their own experiences and views.

Healing and so heartwarming and breaking

This book helped me so much. Religion is hard in a person. This helped me with so many unanswered questions about Heaven and organized religion as whole. I’m so thankful for this book!

Love it

I loved your TikTok’s and was so excited about this book and read this on my journey to my best friend thank you for sharing your experiences it has already changed my life

Fantastic book

It was like Hadley was in the room sharing her stories. Thank you for being with our loved ones when we need you the most. You are an angel on earth.

A must read for anyone grieving

Such a comforting and eye opening collection of stories. Hadley’s understanding of life’s end is heartbreaking and beautiful book.

Hopefully there is more to come!

I preordered this. Overall very good, hopefully the writer will do more of these books!

I needed this!

I needed to hear/read this book. I found comfort and learned a few lessons along the way. 🙌🏽🤍