"This book is perfect. It's truly perfect in every way. It finds the right words to express what you feel, and has the right words to comfort and be able to breathe. Most importantly, it makes you feel ok, and that you are not losing your mind, even in those moments when grief overwhelms you and your pain is more than you can handle. I have read a lot about grief since my mom died Christmas 2016. More recently, I came home from work on April 8, 2021 to find my partner dead. This book is the best one I've read, because it actually helps. I'm not crazy for wearing his shirts or mom's necklaces. It's OK to have normal dishtowels and special ones (mom's), which I treat more carefully, and a million other little things that I do or I keep and treasure for the most benign reasons. This book is important. This book helps. This book should be given to everyone, who has lost someone recently. This book can give people, who feel they don't want to continue a life without the person they lost, moments to catch a breath, thing to do to process the grief, permission to feel their feelings, something that soothes and calms and the sense that it will become bearable with time. Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with a free review copy, and to Paula Becker for writing this book, which has made a difference in my life. That's priceless beyond what my words can express." —Katarina O.
"This book was great. Like the title, it’s a book of self care for those who are grieving. Excerpts are short and are easy to read through. This book reminds those to breathe, process, and just take care of you during an extremely difficult time. I did wish the book was a bit longer, but as the author explains, it’s the perfect length for those who are still in the early stages of grief (as well as those who have been grieving for some time). I’m happy that this book exists (and will be published in a few months), because I’ve never seen a book like it for those who are grieving. I wish I had this book when my mom passed away last year.
Thank you so much Net Galley for this arc!" —Alexis W.
"This is a beautiful book with simple advice for grieving folks that reads almost like a poetry book. It's illustrated with gorgeous deep blue watercolors and some other watercolor images. I really loved the blue pages (similar to the cover) and felt that they added greatly to the sparse but helpful words. I am grieving more people than I can list and my husband is still really feeling the loss of both of his parents last fall. The advice here won't magically make the pain go away but it is helpful and loving. Its very short nature is also good for those of us who don't have the time or emotional energy to read a big long treatise on grief and just want some comfort. Well recommended.
I read a temporary digital ARC of this book for review." —Alicia Bayer
"This book is a gem for all who've lost a loved one and want to be reassured that the things they do, feel are normal. This book actually helps with processing and to continue living with grief, because let's be honest it never really goes away completely. It explains how the things that made us think we were crazy, like keeping the most questionable items of loved ones, or wearing their clothes are completely fine.
A lot of grief-process books focus on how one should get over grief. This book let's you live through it and helps with how not feel bad about needing a break, a breath or to let loose. It doesn't give the science blah-blah or delve into the history of life, death and the such. It focuses on the now, you and your feelings. It was also the perfect length, I often find that self-help books want to have it all. Contain every information and tips possible instead of focusing on the important things. Out of all the books I've read on the subject, I would recommend this the most so far." —Judit Béres
“Becker’s authentic sharing of her own experience offers readers suggested instruction rarely given but frequently sought after. This book will go a long way to help others who struggle with the death of a loved one feel less alone.”—Laura Takacs, LICSW, MPH, Clinical Director,Grief Services, Virginia Mason Medical Center
“There’s no map for grief, but . . . Paula Becker’s suggestions light a path to navigate the early days of intense grief and heartbreak.”
—Jana DeCristofaro, LCSW, Community Response Program Coordinator, The Dougy Center for Grieving Children and Families
