To Save One

A Story of Best Friends, Shattered Hearts, Unspoken Pain, and the Project That Gave Them Purpose

By: Kimberly Fiese Yule

Narrated by: Laura Sherwood

Find solidarity in loss, friendship, and the fight to bring light into the darkest moments.

“A brave and tender story that speaks to the heart of every teenager, and every parent who loves one.”

When Evy loses her boyfriend to suicide, her life unravels in grief and unanswered questions. With the help of her best friend Henry and her classmate Chloe, who carries her own hidden struggle, Evy channels her pain into The Happy Face Project, a senior film that dares to talk openly about mental health.

What begins as a school project becomes something bigger: a mission to break the silence, to offer hope, and to save at least one life before graduation. Along the way, Evy, Henry, and Chloe discover that healing is found in music, courage, and in standing together when it matters most.

For anyone searching for connection and for every parent or educator who wants to better understand what today’s youth are facing.

A story of heartbreak and resilience, it offers both a mirror for young adult listeners and a conversation starter for families, schools, and communities.

©2025 Kimberly Fiese Yule (P)2026 Kimberly Fiese Yule

sad and brilliant

sad story about overcoming grief, the author did a great job laying the story out, and the narrator was good too.

When Broken Hearts Find a Reason to Keep Beating

In a nutshell this listen is that audiobook that lingers long after it ends. It’s heartfelt, tender, and quietly inspiring—perfect for anyone who has ever felt overwhelmed, unseen, or in need of hope. To Save One is not just a story—it’s a gentle reminder that even in our darkest moments, connection and purpose can lead us back to the light.
To Save One by Kimberly Fiese Yule, beautifully narrated by Laura Sherwood, is a deeply moving story that gently but powerfully explores friendship, grief, and the quiet battles so many carry within.
At its core, this audiobook is about connection the kind that forms between best friends who truly see each other, even when words fall short. The story doesn’t shy away from heavy themes like emotional pain and heartbreak, but instead leans into them with honesty and compassion. It captures that aching reality of “unspoken pain,” where silence often says more than words ever could.
What makes this story so impactful is “the project” a shared purpose that becomes a lifeline for the characters. It’s more than just an activity; it’s healing in motion. As the friends pour themselves into something meaningful, you can feel their slow, fragile transformation. It’s a reminder that sometimes, saving even one person maybe even yourself can give life a renewed sense of purpose.
Laura Sherwood’s narration adds an intimate layer to the experience. Her voice carries the emotional weight of the story with sincerity and warmth, making each moment feel personal, like you’re sitting beside a friend who’s finally opening up. She doesn’t just read the story she feels it, and that emotion reaches the listener in a powerful way.

A Heartbreaking Story That Finds Its Voice in Hope

This audiobook is not an easy listen—but it’s an important one.

From the very beginning, Evy’s grief feels raw and painfully real. The loss of her boyfriend to suicide isn’t softened or rushed past; instead, the story allows space for confusion, anger, and the kind of silence that follows tragedy. As a listener, you’re pulled into that emotional weight, and it lingers in a way that feels honest rather than overwhelming.

What makes this story stand out is how it balances that heaviness with purpose. The “Happy Face Project” could have come across as overly symbolic, but instead it feels grounded—a believable way for teens to try to make sense of something senseless. Through Evy, Henry, and Chloe, the audiobook explores different sides of struggle, reminding you that pain isn’t always visible.

What stayed with me most is how the story handles connection. It doesn’t pretend friendship fixes everything, but it shows how showing up for someone—really showing up—can make a difference. The themes around mental health are handled thoughtfully, without sounding preachy or clinical. This is the kind of audiobook that would resonate strongly with teens, but it’s just as valuable for parents and educators. It opens the door to conversations that are often avoided, and it does so with empathy and care.

Don’t be afraid

This is such an important topic that needs to be discussed more often. Mental health is no joke and it’s so important to have someone to talk to about anything and everything. I’m glad she created something good out of a bad situation.

Turning pain into a mission

This book, To Save One, is a lot to take in. It’s a moving story that takes an uncomfortable look at the kind of loss that feels impossible to come back from. The story centers on Evy, who is trying to pick up the pieces after her boyfriend, Briggs, takes his own life. She’s trapped in that hollow phase of grief—the phase where there are no answers, only a million questions. Her best friend Henry and classmate Chloe are also fighting their own battles with the loss, but they stay by her side while they all try to figure out how to just... exist. The book revolves around The Happy Face Project. A student-produced senior film but turns into a deeply personal advocacy project focused on breaking the silence around mental health and suicide. After Briggs' death, the film becomes their way to fight back against the silence. They use the project to remove the "taboo" surrounding mental health, talking about the dark stuff most people are too scared to mention. They even set a huge goal: to save at least one life before graduation. To me, the whole point was about finding a way to turn all that pain into something positive that could actually help others. While it starts with deep sadness, it ultimately offers a sense of hope. It’s not about just "getting over it," but about finding people to lean on and learning how to rebuild without living within the grief.