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The Weight We Carry
Marissa Raffaelo-Moretta is used to shouldering the burden. As the middle child, she’s played the mediator role for longer than she cares to admit. As a mother, she’s taken on the exhausting task of primary caregiver. And as a daughter and nurse practitioner, she’s spent her adult life being responsible for her parents’ physical and mental health.
When her stubborn and impulsive father, Frank, falls and refuses to stay at rehab, she and her brothers bring him home, and Marissa upends her she temporarily moves into her parents’ house, which takes precious time away from her two sons and jeopardizes her job. Soon, Marissa recognizes that life as they’ve all known it is about to while Frank’s ineffective legs are worrisome, her mother Angie’s memory issues might be a more urgent dilemma.
A heartbreaking and emotional story of the toll that health crises can have on an entire family, The Weight We Carry reminds us of the fine line between reliance and independence, tending and mothering, and love and obligation.
When her stubborn and impulsive father, Frank, falls and refuses to stay at rehab, she and her brothers bring him home, and Marissa upends her she temporarily moves into her parents’ house, which takes precious time away from her two sons and jeopardizes her job. Soon, Marissa recognizes that life as they’ve all known it is about to while Frank’s ineffective legs are worrisome, her mother Angie’s memory issues might be a more urgent dilemma.
A heartbreaking and emotional story of the toll that health crises can have on an entire family, The Weight We Carry reminds us of the fine line between reliance and independence, tending and mothering, and love and obligation.
- GenresContemporaryFiction
289 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 12, 2023
125 people are currently reading
1552 people want to read
About the author
Christina Consolino
6 books161 followersWarm cups of coffee, good books, and long runs outside. If Christina had her way, our days would be filled with nothing but joy. But life usually throws us a few things we’re not quite expecting. And then? It’s how we react that makes the difference . . .
Christina is a scientist turned teacher turned editor and writer who writes mainly about families like yours.
She is the author of three award-winning novels: REWRITE THE STARS, THE WEIGHT WE CARRY, and THE MARRIAGE DEBT, all of which she enjoyed writing.
Be sure to follow Christina on BookBub for the latest on sales at https://www.bookbub.com/authors/chris...
You can find out more about her at https://linktr.ee/cmconsolino
Christina is a scientist turned teacher turned editor and writer who writes mainly about families like yours.
She is the author of three award-winning novels: REWRITE THE STARS, THE WEIGHT WE CARRY, and THE MARRIAGE DEBT, all of which she enjoyed writing.
Be sure to follow Christina on BookBub for the latest on sales at https://www.bookbub.com/authors/chris...
You can find out more about her at https://linktr.ee/cmconsolino
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews
October 29, 2023
This book actually made me feel lighter! Consolino beautifully captures the frustrating, heartbreaking reality of dealing with aging, failing parents, but does so with a story that lifted, rather than burdened me. I fell in love with these relatable, flawed, struggling characters, and appreciated the lovely humor in these pages, too. Anyone trapped in the sandwich generation will feel seen.
December 9, 2023
Christina Consolino covers the tender, difficult subject of aging parents facing health issues in The Weight We Carry. By telling the story from the points of view of three characters, she provides varying perspectives on the gripping family dynamics unfolding throughout the narrative.
Marissa, a wife and mother, is the grown daughter whose life changes as she seeks answers to the health challenges going on with her father and mother. Frank, her father, struggles with acceptance of the reality of his and his wife's health problems. Angie, Marissa's mother, has memory loss. The steps to diagnosis, the search for treatment, and the struggles with caretaking are hard and heartbreaking. Consolina does an excellent job with the dialogue and interactions between family members during some of life's most trying times. At the heart of the story are love, compassion, and care.
In her very honest and revealing author's note, Consolina shares with readers her personal family experiences that inspired this book. These revelations add an extra layer of depth and meaning to the experience of reading this book.
Thank you to the author for a gifted copy of this book. My review is my own.
Marissa, a wife and mother, is the grown daughter whose life changes as she seeks answers to the health challenges going on with her father and mother. Frank, her father, struggles with acceptance of the reality of his and his wife's health problems. Angie, Marissa's mother, has memory loss. The steps to diagnosis, the search for treatment, and the struggles with caretaking are hard and heartbreaking. Consolina does an excellent job with the dialogue and interactions between family members during some of life's most trying times. At the heart of the story are love, compassion, and care.
In her very honest and revealing author's note, Consolina shares with readers her personal family experiences that inspired this book. These revelations add an extra layer of depth and meaning to the experience of reading this book.
Thank you to the author for a gifted copy of this book. My review is my own.
January 9, 2024
I could not put this book down -- not only is it well written, it also resonated with me personally on many levels. I too am a middle child between two brothers. We are also dealing with aging parents and health issues. What makes this book so compelling are the characters and how the author alternates chapters from their various points-of-view. Particularly poignant was reading the chapters from the father's point of view (and separately the mother's). It helped to build empathy in their stories. I highly recommend this book. This book made me think and made me feel -- a great testament to the author's writing.
Thank you to Netgalley and Black Rose Writing for an ARC and I voluntarily left this review.
Thank you to Netgalley and Black Rose Writing for an ARC and I voluntarily left this review.
October 12, 2023
Truth-filled, gritty, and informative, THE WEIGHT WE CARRY is a fictional story based in reality that every person would find enthralling and endearing. Aging parents with health conditions are a part of life for many and this story provides a window into the struggles that face adult children, as well as sustains hope for not only survival but persistence of thriving. This important novel will remain in my heart for a long time as one that sticks in my memory, which, when you read it, will be ironic but I bet will be accurate for you as well.
December 1, 2024
Authentic picture of aging parents and the challenges their sandwich-generation children face
Anyone who has watched a parent's physical and/or mental health decline is sure to identify with Marissa Raffaelo-Moretta—the responsibilities she shoulders, the conversations she spearheads, and the decisions she realizes need to be made—whether she is doing so as daughter, sister, wife, mother, or professional. Consolino's storyline is fiction, but the dialogue and the events that take place during an approximate four-month period of time are realistic—both in heart-warming and heart-breaking ways.
I especially appreciate that, as she did in Rewrite the Stars, Consolino includes a list of related reading and resources in her ending notes. She's a writer with stories to tell but more importantly, she's a writer with a passion to help readers understand complicated health issues.
Anyone who has watched a parent's physical and/or mental health decline is sure to identify with Marissa Raffaelo-Moretta—the responsibilities she shoulders, the conversations she spearheads, and the decisions she realizes need to be made—whether she is doing so as daughter, sister, wife, mother, or professional. Consolino's storyline is fiction, but the dialogue and the events that take place during an approximate four-month period of time are realistic—both in heart-warming and heart-breaking ways.
I especially appreciate that, as she did in Rewrite the Stars, Consolino includes a list of related reading and resources in her ending notes. She's a writer with stories to tell but more importantly, she's a writer with a passion to help readers understand complicated health issues.
February 25, 2024
Almost DNF. Super hard to get through (almost a month to push through 300 pages). Only giving it two stars instead of one because it was sentimental at times. Snooze.
May 8, 2024
2.75
I’m sure if i knew what i was reading, the rating would be much different. But all I knew going in was the title and the cover that was displayed on my Kindle. I was expecting some kind of romance so it was very shocking to find that this book was literary fiction about a family and their experiences with a family member having dementia. While I do find this very important, having lost a family member to Alzheimer’s, it wasn’t for me personally. The story is very much needed and portrayed in a good way, but I feel like there were subplots that were not needed.
I’m sure if i knew what i was reading, the rating would be much different. But all I knew going in was the title and the cover that was displayed on my Kindle. I was expecting some kind of romance so it was very shocking to find that this book was literary fiction about a family and their experiences with a family member having dementia. While I do find this very important, having lost a family member to Alzheimer’s, it wasn’t for me personally. The story is very much needed and portrayed in a good way, but I feel like there were subplots that were not needed.
September 11, 2023
Consolino’s sophomore novel addresses a topic all too familiar to so many of us – aging parents and Alzheimer’s. With sensitivity, thoughtfulness, and grace, the author takes us on a journey of reluctant discovery as Marissa, Gabe, and Nico watch their father Frank fall repeatedly due to unexplained weakness in his legs and their mother Angela become increasingly forgetful.
Told from three viewpoints – the father, Frank; Her (Angela the mother); and Marissa, the daughter on whom most of the care burden falls – The Weight We Carry examines the stages a family goes through to acknowledge, seek a diagnosis, and ultimately accept the devastating effects of dementia. Consolino also chronicles the anger, denial, and grief that accompany the loss of a parent to this dread disease. The sadness of the narrative is relieved by the presence of children who simply see their grandparents as people who love them. Marissa’s husband Will provides unquestioning support as everyone struggles with the increased vigilance needed and the eventual decision to seek more care than family members can provide.
Based on the author’s own experience with her parents’ illnesses, Consolino weaves a story that will touch your heart. Keep the tissues handy!
Told from three viewpoints – the father, Frank; Her (Angela the mother); and Marissa, the daughter on whom most of the care burden falls – The Weight We Carry examines the stages a family goes through to acknowledge, seek a diagnosis, and ultimately accept the devastating effects of dementia. Consolino also chronicles the anger, denial, and grief that accompany the loss of a parent to this dread disease. The sadness of the narrative is relieved by the presence of children who simply see their grandparents as people who love them. Marissa’s husband Will provides unquestioning support as everyone struggles with the increased vigilance needed and the eventual decision to seek more care than family members can provide.
Based on the author’s own experience with her parents’ illnesses, Consolino weaves a story that will touch your heart. Keep the tissues handy!
November 2, 2023
Marissa is the middle child and is the only daughter in the Raffaelo family. Although she is married with two children, she has been very involved in the care of her aging parents and in serving as the link between them and her two brothers.
Even though they are getting older, Marissa’s parents, Frank and Angie, are still living in the family home. Currently, Frank is especially feeling the effects of aging following a stumble event earlier in the year. Angie is still wrapped up in fulfilling the orders for her candy making business and this work consumes all of her time while it conceals the fact she may have some difficulties remembering and understanding things.
The lives of all of the family members changes on the day when Frank decides to climb a ladder to inspect and repair a problematic gutter on their home. Upon descending the ladder Frank’s legs get tangled and he falls to the ground. When Angie doesn’t respond to his calls for help, he manages to call 911 on his cell phone.
At the hospital and in the following days as Frank recovers from the fall, the true extent of Angie’s memory issues come to light. And, as a result, the health issues of Marissa’s parents begin to put a strain not only on Marissa, but also on her family as well as on her job as a pediatric nurse practitioner.
Through the story of the Raffaelo family, Christina Consolino writes of the reality and stresses of those individuals who fall into what is considered the “sandwich generation”. They are children who are taking care of the needs of aging parents while at the same time they are raising their own families.
While tackling the consequences experienced by individuals who must meet the needs and demands of two generations, Consolino also writes about the heartache and upheaval that a diagnosis of Alzheimers disease and/or dementia can bring to a family.
The book’s characters both young and old are convincingly real and the interactions between siblings as well as between parents and children are very realistically portrayed. While they are fictional, these characters face many of the same decisions regarding the health and safety issues of aging parents as do many families today.
Consolino approaches the story from two sides of the caregiving issue as the book demonstrates compassion for both the parents who are losing their independence and for the children who must cope with that same reality. Relationships remain strong when both generations experience the many highs and lows of a family situation that becomes fraught with anguish but also with love. While heartbreaking, this touching story eventually comes to a reassuring and satisfying conclusion.
Even though they are getting older, Marissa’s parents, Frank and Angie, are still living in the family home. Currently, Frank is especially feeling the effects of aging following a stumble event earlier in the year. Angie is still wrapped up in fulfilling the orders for her candy making business and this work consumes all of her time while it conceals the fact she may have some difficulties remembering and understanding things.
The lives of all of the family members changes on the day when Frank decides to climb a ladder to inspect and repair a problematic gutter on their home. Upon descending the ladder Frank’s legs get tangled and he falls to the ground. When Angie doesn’t respond to his calls for help, he manages to call 911 on his cell phone.
At the hospital and in the following days as Frank recovers from the fall, the true extent of Angie’s memory issues come to light. And, as a result, the health issues of Marissa’s parents begin to put a strain not only on Marissa, but also on her family as well as on her job as a pediatric nurse practitioner.
Through the story of the Raffaelo family, Christina Consolino writes of the reality and stresses of those individuals who fall into what is considered the “sandwich generation”. They are children who are taking care of the needs of aging parents while at the same time they are raising their own families.
While tackling the consequences experienced by individuals who must meet the needs and demands of two generations, Consolino also writes about the heartache and upheaval that a diagnosis of Alzheimers disease and/or dementia can bring to a family.
The book’s characters both young and old are convincingly real and the interactions between siblings as well as between parents and children are very realistically portrayed. While they are fictional, these characters face many of the same decisions regarding the health and safety issues of aging parents as do many families today.
Consolino approaches the story from two sides of the caregiving issue as the book demonstrates compassion for both the parents who are losing their independence and for the children who must cope with that same reality. Relationships remain strong when both generations experience the many highs and lows of a family situation that becomes fraught with anguish but also with love. While heartbreaking, this touching story eventually comes to a reassuring and satisfying conclusion.
December 6, 2023
In her poignant second novel, Christina Consolino shines a spotlight on the sneaky early signs of dementia, and more importantly, how often those warnings are missed by loved ones. Alternating among the perspectives of Marissa—a member of the “sandwich” generation, her elderly father Frank, and an older woman referred to simply as “Her,” THE WEIGHT WE CARRY describes the challenges of caring for loved ones who refuse to acknowledge their situation. Each of the three protagonists carries a burden. For Marissa, it's the responsibility for her parents’ well-being; for Frank, it’s an age-old secret about his deceased brother; and for the unnamed woman, it’s an instinctive, frightening knowledge about her own body. With dignity and insight, Consolino explores the possibility of an unconventional happily-ever-after, regardless of age and physical or mental agility. A compelling, timely story that will resonate with readers.
November 6, 2023
As a fellow author who wrote her first book about the sandwich generation, I was very interested to read The Weight We Carry. The one thing I noticed right away was that I felt like part of the family. The stress of caregiving takes a toll on everyone, and Consolino brings that to life with her different character perspectives. I love being able to read the different characters’ minds, so I really enjoyed this about the book. Especially heartbreaking were the chapters labeled “her.”
Consolino so skillfully brought this family story to life that I couldn’t help but think of my own life and challenges with my parents. And that’s exactly why stories like this are so important. Caregiving can be an exhausting and lonely road but with books like The Weight We Carry, we can all feel a little less alone.
Consolino so skillfully brought this family story to life that I couldn’t help but think of my own life and challenges with my parents. And that’s exactly why stories like this are so important. Caregiving can be an exhausting and lonely road but with books like The Weight We Carry, we can all feel a little less alone.
January 18, 2024
Don’t let the title of this book mislead you. The Weight We Carry by author Christina Consolino is an intimate look into one family learning to deal with not only the physical ailments of their elderly parents, but the cruel and unforgiving onset of an Alzheimer’s diagnosis. This is a book that any daughter caring for an elderly parent at the same time she is caring for her own young family will relate to. The story recounts the anger, denial, depression, fear, regrets, and sadness that comes as a family struggles to provide care and the title is an all too accurate description of how the weight of caring for a loved one impacts everyone within the family. It’s a story many of us will experience in one way or another as our parents age and we too carry the weight of being there for those we love. ~ Author Barbara A. Luker
August 5, 2024
While I loved the message of this book after seeing dementia take my grandfather, I was very distracted by all the repetitiveness, the entire kitchen sink of problems, and the need for an editor.
From personal experience, this book was very relatable.
From personal experience, this book was very relatable.
April 10, 2025
In The Weight We Carry Consolino weaves together the perspectives of elderly couple Frank and Angie and their middle child Marissa. Frank finds his body beginning to fail him as Angie grapples with her slippery memory. Marissa tries to help both of them face new realities while also juggling her small children, her job, and relationships with friends, siblings, and her husband. It is a lot to manage and the strain of the situation is palpable. I loved how Consolino articulated the impossibility and frustration of Marrisa's position, while making it clear how much she loved and cared for the people around her. This book is going to help so many women feel seen.
October 7, 2023
This book is a gem.
This book chronicles a family's coming to terms with aging, ailing parents. Christina Consolino not only gives voice to the adult children coping with the reality of aging parents, her writing offers the perspective of the parents coming to terms with their own loss of independence.
I've always struggled with understanding the perspective of the elder generation and Christina made both Frank and Angie relatable and likeable. I appreciate the lessons this book had to teach me.
This book chronicles a family's coming to terms with aging, ailing parents. Christina Consolino not only gives voice to the adult children coping with the reality of aging parents, her writing offers the perspective of the parents coming to terms with their own loss of independence.
I've always struggled with understanding the perspective of the elder generation and Christina made both Frank and Angie relatable and likeable. I appreciate the lessons this book had to teach me.
October 13, 2023
Marissa is a woman caught smack dab in the sandwich generation, trying to care for her young kids while also supporting her aging parents who are now in the middle of a health crisis. Like so many of us, she's a helper by nature, trying to do right by others but putting herself at the bottom of the list. As her parents' situation worsens and more and more pressure ends up on Marissa's shoulders, she's got to make a decision about what she can handle, and what she needs to let go.
This book is a journey of compassion and grace, and I absolutely couldn't put it down!
This book is a journey of compassion and grace, and I absolutely couldn't put it down!
April 6, 2024
This book was so real when it comes to aging parents. I felt the author really got it. That being said I found it difficult to read because it hit so close to home. Marissa
, the only daughter, takes the lead in finding the proper care for her aging parents as she tries to unravel what is really going on with each parent. Underlying all of this is a possible diagnoses of Alzheimer’s in one of the parents and how to deal with it. The sibling brothers do help in their own way, each with their own issues to deal with in regards to their parents. Overall a great book, I think I would have enjoyed more if not dealing with an aging parent myself!
, the only daughter, takes the lead in finding the proper care for her aging parents as she tries to unravel what is really going on with each parent. Underlying all of this is a possible diagnoses of Alzheimer’s in one of the parents and how to deal with it. The sibling brothers do help in their own way, each with their own issues to deal with in regards to their parents. Overall a great book, I think I would have enjoyed more if not dealing with an aging parent myself!
January 2, 2024
Consolino's book is well done. I loved the multiple narrators and the way she moved between them. She captures complicated sibling and family dynamics, the experience of being in the middle place as a parent of young children who is also dealing with aging parents. These characters found their way into my heart and I enjoyed getting to know them - and watching them get to know one another - through these pages. What a delightful read!
April 19, 2025
This story deals with a family navigating through the health issues of their elderly parents. It paints a picture of a what it’s like dealing with the stress and sacrifices a family must overcome in order to care for the illnesses of their loved ones. This story resonated with me on such a personal level. I definitely recommend this book to anyone that is a caregiver for their loved ones dealing with Alzheimers.
November 28, 2025
A Realization of Life
After just losing my 93yr old mom with Dementia this story really hit home. As we age we need to be more aware of concerns with our elderly family.
Although it proves the real love of our parents and their love for their children, it speaks to our mind to step back and realize our concerns are valid. It’s a good story and lesson for all children as we care for others
A very well written story and rings true with so many!
After just losing my 93yr old mom with Dementia this story really hit home. As we age we need to be more aware of concerns with our elderly family.
Although it proves the real love of our parents and their love for their children, it speaks to our mind to step back and realize our concerns are valid. It’s a good story and lesson for all children as we care for others
A very well written story and rings true with so many!
December 26, 2025
This book was heavy, sad, encouraging, and amazingly raw and real. Although my situation with ill and aging parents is different, there are enough universal similarities that this book almost felt like talking with friends going through a similar yet different situation. I was so happy to see the love and support of her husband, a marriage representing true, deep, love and affection even through difficulties.
August 14, 2023
I beta-read this gripping, marvelous multi-generational story. Consolino rocks at creating compelling characters in complicated situations, and then takes them where they don't always want, but where they need to go. A satisfying ending that will resonate with you long after you've finished the book.
February 17, 2025
It takes a village
Though we say it takes a village to raise a child, I believe it takes a village to live a stable, healthy life. For most of us, the characters in The Weight We Carry included, that village starts with our family. This was a tough novel to read, not an easy, upbeat happily ever after, but the complexity of the characters was challenging and interesting.
Though we say it takes a village to raise a child, I believe it takes a village to live a stable, healthy life. For most of us, the characters in The Weight We Carry included, that village starts with our family. This was a tough novel to read, not an easy, upbeat happily ever after, but the complexity of the characters was challenging and interesting.
November 26, 2025
Wonderful
I love the realistic depictions of a family dealing with the early awareness of a family member with dementia. Alzheimer's and its unique unfolding symptoms often create the family dynamics she realistically described. This is a great book for all levels of the sandwich generaration.
I love the realistic depictions of a family dealing with the early awareness of a family member with dementia. Alzheimer's and its unique unfolding symptoms often create the family dynamics she realistically described. This is a great book for all levels of the sandwich generaration.
September 14, 2023
I read an ARC of this poignant yet hopeful novel based on author Christina Consolino’s own experiences. The Weight We Carry explores the struggles of adult daughter Marissa as she deals with the health issues of her aging parents while juggling the demands of her job as a nurse practitioner and roles of wife and mother. I highly recommend this book.
November 26, 2023
This book was poignant and a great story. I really felt the challenges of this family and their experiences made me think about all of the different perspectives and the impact that the changing family dynamics can have on the entire family. Wonderful read!
January 2, 2024
An honest and unflinching portrayal of a family in chaos—a chaos all too familiar to the sandwich generation, those imperfectly juggling children and aging parents and doing the best that they can. A story laced with hope, forgiveness and love.
March 9, 2024
The Weight We Carry is a tenderly moving story about family obligations and love. How much responsibility we are willing to take on for family. Drama and medical filled tale. It certainly brought tears to my eyes.
May 6, 2024
A gently written story of a family resolving issues of the past as they face the future of aging parents and the onset of the mother’s dementia. A realistic story of family dynamics among strong personalities.
December 1, 2025
Sweet story about a family dealing with parents that are having health issues and how it all impacts the dymamics of the family. Marissa is a Nurse Prcticioner and her parents are dealin with challenging health issues.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews