The Kind of Love That Saves You

What a charming little book! At only 225 pages, with large typeface, the story kept me enthralled for one rainy, gray afternoon in February. As the book jacket says, the author possesses a deep understanding of what it means to be human, to be alive. Sarah Strickland and her best friend, Calista have been best friends, almost sisters, since childhood. They share every intimate detail of their lives. Calista married the best friend of Sarah's husband, Gavin. Calista and her husband already have a child, and Sarah wants one, but Gavin is not ready, so a conflict between them is set up, even though they seem to have a great marriage otherwise.Finally, Gavin agrees to start a family and they are both ecstatic when Sarah becomes pregnant. Then tragedy strikes and the bonds of friendship between Sarah and Calista are sorely tested. Although Calista does her best to help Sarah through her devastating loss, they grow further and further apart. Sarah starts a friendship with a new neighbor who coincidentally has suffered a similar loss, and this causes jealousy between Sarah and Calista.The author's ability to explore the depths and heights of human emotion and suffering are impressive. This book will make you laugh and cry and totally empathize with all the characters. I couldn't put the book down until I finished it.

I cannot remember the last time I was so moved by a book. I read this entire book in one afternoon and could not stop thinking about it for days afterward. The way that Amy Yurk describes the profound sense of loss one feels at the sudden death of a spouse is astounding. She describes the loss not only in terms of the huge void that is left when a spouse dies, but also in terms of the small losses that are felt every day when you are forced to come to that realization that you will never be able to talk to, see, or touch your husband ever again. My mother lost her soul mate when my father died suddenly at the age of 45. I know that she experienced many of the things described in this book, such as waking up first thing in the morning and for that split second, thinking everything is ok. The author gave me a deeper understanding of my mother's loss from a woman's perspective, not just a daughter's perspective. I think that this is why the book touched me so deeply. It allowed me to share in Sarah's deep love for her husband and their unborn child, grieve at her loss, and feel her strength as she struggled to begin the healing process. This book is amazing. I highly recommend it.

I read the review for this book and decided that I had to read it. Boy, am I glad I did! After reading it during my lunch hour for a couple of days and really getting into it, I decided to just stay up one night until I finished it. It was worth the sacrifice of being sleep deprived. Ms. Yurk really hit home on every nuance of love, friendship, and, most especially, loss. Having gone through a recent loss, I was truly captivated by how brilliantly and accurately she was able to describe all of the mental choas that goes on when trying to cope. I laughed, I cried, but, ultimately, I was truly inspired and uplifted. I enthusiastically recommend this book!

After losing someone very close to me, this book was given to me by a friend with the hope that it could help me come to terms with my grief. Although it's not a book I might have ordinarily picked up, I was quickly unable to put it down. The fact that someone could write so honestly and true about what it means to lose someone made me feel not so alone. And the thought someday everything might be okay is an incredibly wonderful thing to keep with you. This book is an amazing read without coming off as pandering or trite and I wonder why Oprah hasn't picked it up yet. I highly recommend it to anyone who has ever been put through tragedy of losing someone.

I sat down to read this novel not really knowing what it could possibly be about. As I continued to read, I found I could not possibly put this book down. I read it in one afternoon. It was too close to home, and I have a yearning to speak to this wonderful woman Amy Yurk. I lost my brother a year and a half ago. He was 27. He and his soul mate had just had a beautiful baby boy. They had their future all planned out and were so excited to begin thier long future together. So they thought. One day after their son turned two months old, my brother died suddenly. Like Sarah, I feel much of what she feels about her loss, even though my loss is my brother. I feel that somehow, someone has spoken to me through this wonderful novel. A woman's search for meaning through her tragic loss, while anticipating the long awaited birth of her, and her husband's child. All the while, wondering if she is fit to be a good mother and struggling with life's uncertanties. I highly reccomend this novel to everyone. It gives a new meaning on what life is and how our loved ones continue to live on after their life here on earth is fulfilled.