At the height of her life, Lauren Park was diagnosed with a terminal illness called IPF (idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis). She’s married to Joshua, the love of her life, a man who loves her just as deeply. While she’s devastated with her prognosis, she’s more concerned about leaving Josh alone. He’s focused everything around her and Lauren is worried he won’t do well on his own. So, she decides that she’ll reach out from the “great beyond” by leaving him letters, each with a request that will help shift him out of his stages of grief, delivered over the course of the year following her death.
I don’t even know how to express the range of emotions I experienced during Josh’s journey from the depth of despair to someplace lighter. It’s a beautiful, moving story told in such a way that I could never catch my breath. Lauren narrates her story going backwards in time. Josh shares his going forward from Lauren’s funeral. The structure is beyond brilliant for its timing and pacing, both of them providing context at just the right moments, all the while capturing the essence of grief in its unfiltered and raw form. I found myself identifying with Josh in various moments and gaining insights from Lauren as she faced her mortality.
There’s a particular point in the story where I cried the ugly tears but more often I was filled with the hope and anticipation of the promise of Lauren’s next letter. The narrators performances were beyond outstanding as they became Josh and Lauren, so much so that I was convinced they were the characters. You should listen to the book if the audiobook is an available option. I was unprepared to love this story knowing that it was focused on death and grief; that alone makes it exceptional. I’ll never forget it, Lauren or Josh. The ending left me in a wonderful space, which lived up to that initial promise of hope and light.
Book Info
- Release Date: June 8, 2021
- Narrators: Dion Graham & Xe Sands
- Audio Length: 13 hours, 37 minutes
- Publisher: Recorded Books
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(Thanks to Recorded Books for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.)
Blue Mood Café 
I tend to stay away from books that make me cry – fab review thou!
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Thanks, Jules💜 A lot of these were happy tears! The ugly cry came at one moment only. It’s just so much more beautiful than I’d anticipated.
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This sounds like it belongs on my list. Thanks!
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I think so, Angela💜 It’s a complex and cleverly written story.
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Oh my! This sounds like a very emotional story.
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Cathy, it was definitely emotional, but the kind that teaches you something while making you feel.
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That’s a ‘good’ emotional 🙂
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This does sound like quite the tear filled read. Wonderful review, Jonetta!
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Thank you, Marialyce💜 It was just the loveliest reading experience.
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Amazing review Jo, I definitely want to read this one over the summer. I have been waiting for my library to get this audiobook, but not yet. I think I will reactivate Scribd, as I know they have it.
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Thank you, Carla💜 It’s worth the wait. You may also reach out to Recorded Books on NetGalley and request it from them.
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Thanks for the suggestion Jo, I will do that.
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Wonderful review Jo! I’m definitely adding this Goodreads and Scribd if it’s goes on there!
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Thank you, Nicki💜 You will love this story!
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Excellent review, Jonetta! I tend to stay away from books that make me cry, but you have written a compelling review. Will add it to my TBR.
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Thank you, Debjani💜 They were the most satisfying of tears for much of the book. Lauren is a very happy and joyous character.
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This sounds too sad for me. I’m sure it is a great emotional journey.
Anne – Books of My Heart
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Oh, it begins sad but evolves into something really special fairly quickly. It’s also very funny with lots of laugh-out-loud moments.
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Well I love XE Sands. So that would help.
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She was absolutely outstanding as Lauren, giving her so much personality and verve, not portraying her as a dying woman but someone very much still full of life.
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Kristan Higgins is a great author, but I think it might be a bit too heartbreaking for me right now. I’ll definitely pick the audiobook version. Great review, Jonetta!💜
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Thanks, Toni💜 I put it off for the same reason but then I couldn’t wait any longer because, well, it’s Kristan Higgins! It was not the somber story I thought it would be. It’s been three days and I’m still smiling when I reflect upon the story.
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Fabulous review Jonetta! Loved this one too! I was worried it would be too sad…but it was so beautifully written💖📚
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Thank you, Kaceey💜 I wasn’t expecting it to be so lovely.
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I watched a movie with this same concept of letters from the deceased spouse and bawled my eyes out. This sounds really good when I’m in the right mood.
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I tried to wait until I was in the mood but couldn’t because I love Higgins stories. I’m glad I didn’t wait because the fun, hopeful and beautiful moments far outweighed the ugly cry ones😏 Just jump right in!
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