Gayle Roper is the award-winning author of more than 40 books and has been a Christy finalist three times. Gayle enjoys speaking at women's events across the nation and loves sharing the powerful truths of Scripture with humor and practicality. She lives with her husband in southeastern Pennsylvania where she enjoys reading, gardening, and her family.
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5.0 out of 5 starsThis book was an absolute joy to read
Reviewed in the United States on 26 November 2016
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This book was an absolute joy to read, as devastated as I still am over the loss of my own beloved husband, I found such solace from this book. I wanted to keep reading it and reading it, was sad when I was nearing the end. Gayle writes with such a powerful depth of feelings - I felt that she was describing my own feelings of loss on so many levels. And - she chose just the right Scripture passages after each chapter. Of all the books I have been reading about widowhood, this is by far the absolute best. She loved her Chuck like I loved & still love my dear own husband, the pain & desolation and emptiness from losing your soul mate cannot be imagined by anyone who has not also suffered such a loss. It's truly a feeling like you have been sawn in two, the worst pain of my existence. I will start reading this book again & again - thank you Gayle for saying what we widows have been through, you truly know that terrible emptiness, sorrow and heartache. Maybe someday - my husband & I will meet up with you & Chuck & have a good long talk in Heaven, where we do not ever have to be separated again, thanks to our blessed Savior, Jesus Christ.
Reviewed in the United States on 22 September 2017
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I have only been a widow for one month. I needed a book to read to help me cope with this very delicate situation that I am in. As I read the book, just about every phrase was true and relevant. I would mentally substitute our names in place of the author's so it was like I was writing the book myself and experiencing the grief and loneliness and hope first hand. The book doesn't lecture the reader. It made me immersed and hopeful. I will read this book over and over, pondering over each page of reality.
3.0 out of 5 starsVery religious with scripture but a worthwhile read
Reviewed in the United States on 2 May 2018
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This was a nice book of a widow's journey. I could identify with a lot of what the author wrote about and appreciated her perspective on many things. I found the biblical references a bit distracting and ended up skipping them as I am not religious. I understand that people like to include their relationship with God as it provides them comfort and I am fine reading about that but didn't understand the scripture references and for me, they just took up space and didn't provide value. It is nice to hear about how people incorporated God and faith into their journey even though my views are different but it feels a bit preachy and space filling when scripture is added. I am sure there is an audience which embraces that aspect, which is who this book was written for. If you are simply looking for a book on the grieving process and not interested in the religious part this may not be the best fit for you, but if you are a person of faith who embraces that you will really enjoy it. Otherwise the book was well written and relevant to someone grieving.