Widowish

A Memoir

By: Melissa Gould

Narrated by: Rachel Botchan

Length: 7 hrs and 5 mins

Publisher's summary

Melissa Gould’s hopeful memoir of grieving outside the box and the surprising nature of love.

When Melissa Gould’s husband, Joel, was unexpectedly hospitalized, she could not imagine how her life was about to change. Overwhelmed with uncertainty as Joel’s condition tragically worsened, she offered him the only thing she could: her love and devotion. Her dedication didn’t end with his death.

Left to resume life without her beloved husband and raise their young daughter on her own, Melissa soon realized that her and Joel’s love lived on. Melissa found she didn’t fit the typical mold of widowhood or meet the expectations of mourning. She didn’t look like a widow or act like a widow, but she felt like one. Melissa was widowish.

Melissa’s personal journey through grief and beyond includes unlikely inspiration from an evangelical preacher, the calming presence of some Real Housewives, and the unexpected attention of a charming musician.

A modern take on loss, Widowish illuminates the twists of fate that break our world, the determination that keeps us moving forward, and the surprises in life we never see coming.

©2021 Melissa Gould (P)2020 Brilliance Publishing, Inc., all rights reserved.

Liked the story

But I really didn’t like the reader. If it was a different reader I’m sure it would have made a big difference.

I Can Relate!

I too am a widow, now in my fifth month without my husband. I am well beyond my forties but I can relate to the emotions of the writer. I shall never forget my husband, and the strange thing is that I love him more each day! Hold to memories, I say, but at the same time not to be engulfed in them in a way that will interfere with progression. I know my husband would not want me to be a lifelong mourner any more than I would have wanted it for him. Time has been my best friend, and I believe that each day is getting better and better. Yes, I talk to him from time to time, I cry sometimes, but I still feel his presence. Each morning I touch his pillow and say "Good morning!" to him. People have memories of him as a super kind person to everyone he met. That helps to hear it, and it brings tears to my eyes, especially when I look into theirs and know it is a sentiment from their hearts.

Melisa’s Is ok.

Melissa’x journey from a normal to the end where she realizes life after her husband’s death, she can accept
That her life will never be the same but she can remember and miss him and get back to her life.

I LIKED THIS!!

I enjoyed listening to this story of a young(ish) woman with her teenage daughter who suddenly and tragically loses her beloved husband. A well written very sad, but also sometimes humorous, account of the initial loss and then all her struggles and difficulties as she grapples with how to navigate her life afterwards. Good book!! Enjoyed it much more than I thought I would….☺️

This was an emotionally reassuring read!

Being a young widow myself in my 30’s with children, I really identified with all of the emotions and self doubt as the author! I had started this book and when it became very real emotionally, I did have to take a break from this book, but I did come back to it a few months later and felt so glad that I did! It was awesome to hear someone verbalize some of the same feelings, thoughts, and fears that I have had to and still deal with being in a very similar situation! 🥰🥰

She had me until The Other Joel

Very compelling memoir, artfully narrated. Unfortunately, when she started singing the praises of a con man like Joel Osteen, she lost me big time.

A must-read for young widows

The memoir is a well documented journey of an early 40-year old woman with a 13-year old daughter.

Grief and living on as a 40 yr old

A widow's caring story of living with spouse's illness and young death. qol, grieving.

Well done touching story of widowhood

Great story, serious reality. The book had me tearing up a lot. The details of her husband’s death was so sad, but necessary to understand what she went through. As a widower, it really touches home for me. There are so many people who lose their spouses at a young age. I love her courage in producing this wonderful book.

A Memoir that reads like fiction.

I was hesitant to read this due to the title and what my expectations were for the books subject matter, I was wrong. This was a lovely piece of literary that reads like a fiction story. I loved the pace of the book and the timeline, I wanted to know what was going to happen next. It wasn’t bogged down in medical jargon or a long drawn out goodbye. The love for the author and her husband read like a modern day love story; not to schmaltzy with the right amount of profound love and partnership. I would love to know how the story continues with Melissa and Marcos, the relationship with her daughter, Sophie and her dealing with the loss of her Dad as she matures. It was a real understanding of the grief someone deals with after someone they love dies. Would make a great movie.