And Always One More Time

A Memoir

By: Margaret Mandell

Narrated by: Margaret Mandell

Every year, more than a million women find themselves grappling with the devastating loss of a life partner—a loss that shatters their present and leaves their future in doubt. At 65, Margaret Mandell faces this heart-wrenching reality when she loses her husband of 45 years to a fast-moving disease. The bed is now half-empty, her body betrays her, and laughter seems elusive.

In the depths of longing and haunted by memories, Mandell embarks on a journey of healing through the written word. She begins to write letters to the man she loved in a poignant process of retracing their shared history. But when a tender-hearted college professor steps quietly into her life and listens attentively as Mandell reads her accumulating stack of letters out loud, her world is transformed in profound and unexpected ways.

And Always One More Time is a story that delves deep into the human experience, reminiscent of C.S. Lewis's A Grief Observed in its wisdom and Joyce Carol Oates's A Widow's Story in its suspense. It offers universal truths about love, loss, and resilience, much like Steve Leder's The Beauty of What Remains. With potent and swift-moving words, this book can be devoured in a single sitting. It is a beacon of hope for those navigating the aftermath of the greatest loss.

©2024 Margaret Mandell (P)2024 Margaret Mandell

Critic reviews

"Offering one example after another of appreciating the beauty in life without denying its heartaches, the memoir asks, 'Can you keep loving when the man you love is gone?' and answers with a resounding yes.

"A moving, insightful, and beautifully crafted story of losing one great love and finding another."

-- Kirkus Reviews

Memorable story of love and loss, and love again!

I loved this book! It is written from the heart and likely to touch the hearts of anyone who reads or listens to it. Peggy shares her feelings and experiences so openly -- from the time of her first husband's illness and death, through years of writing him letters after he is gone. She shares some of those letters as well as stories about her her children, and new adventures in her own life. These include becoming a yoga teacher and meeting her current husband, the second “love of her life." Peggy’s book gives me hope that even at my age, a new love might still be possible.

There’s a joyful description of her wedding to her second husband at his 80th birthday celebration which she planned (before she even agreed to marry him!) and finding a new “forever home” together at a Continuing Care Retirement Community.

Anyone who’s ever experienced love and loss will find this book enchanting and enthralling.

A heartwarming story, with deeply personal narration

This is an absolutely incredible and inspiring story. I have known Peggy's (current) husband John for years. I enjoyed hearing her side of their story, and I found the audiobook narration especially beautiful. She brings a passion and vulnerability in her storytelling, which allows the listener to connect on a deeper level. By the end of the book, I felt like I knew Peggy as intimately as John. This book is a warm hug from the author and truly a labor of love.

Unique and Moving Memoir About a Journey of Loss and Love

A heartfelt and eloquently written memoir filled with emotion, vulnerability, and hope.

I appreciated the author’s honest and detailed account of navigating the deep grief of losing a loved one, and the difficult yet inspiring journey of learning to live and love again.

The story is emotional, at times funny, and ultimately uplifting. A touching reminder that even after deep loss, it’s possible to open your heart and find love again.

A touching and relatable memoir

I prefer books read by the author whenever possible. Somehow I connect with them more when they are telling their story. This one is about second chances after the tragic loss of a spouse. How would any of us move on without feeling intensely conflicting emotions? With an open mind and heart, the author shows us just how she has managed to move to a new chapter of life with the support and love of her friends and family without having to sever ties with her late husband. I don't really read memiors, but I really loved this book which, at it's core, is about the fragility of our lives with those we love. It's beautifully told and often quite humourous. I highly recommend it for the moving story and the personal reading.

Beautiful Inspiring Memoir

I loved listening to this book! Through Margaret’s voice, letters, and chapters, we share her deep love, loss and grief. We join her as she learns to function on her own, and then miraculously finds and accepts new love. Margaret realizes that two men can coexist in her heart. Both she and her new love honor her old love.

Margaret’s descriptions of her emotional journey, and some missteps, are particularly moving. We all lie in bed at night replaying past words and actions that we wish we could take back. Margaret bravely reveals hers to the listener. We forgive her human foibles and hope she forgives herself.

We all suffer disappointments and loss. And Always One More Time assures us that we can find happiness again in the future.