When You're Ready: A Love Story

by Kareem Rosser

An unforgettable and heartrending love story that will break your heart and piece it back together.

Kareem Rosser and Lee Lee Jones were young, beautiful, and deeply in love. Their love was a real-world romance that felt like a fairy Kareem was raised in the Bottom—one of the most impoverished neighborhoods in Philadelphia—while Lee Lee was raised in the wealth of the Pennsylvania suburbs. They met and fell in love in the world of Kareem, a nationally ranked polo player and Lee Lee, a legacy equestrian. The world was at their feet, a lifetime of joy and adventure ahead of them. But their love story is interrupted by a devastating accident, which almost costs Lee Lee her life, and destroys every plan and dream that Lee Lee and Kareem had made together.

In the months and years that follow, while Lee Lee struggles to heal, Kareem is crippled by ambiguous grief, for the woman that he loves and for the future he imagined for them both. He feels buried alive. In the space between debilitating grief and bursts of anxiety, he’s forced to finally face his his tumultuous childhood, his latent mental health issues, the murders of his older brother and his best friend, and a life constantly lived in the grip of panic and fear.

Honest and captivating, When You’re Ready is a narrative that honors love in all its first love, parental love, renewed love, and, most importantly, self-love. With notes on unresolved loss and second chances, it’s a story that will grab you by the heartstrings and uplift your soul.

Genres: Memoir, Nonfiction, Audiobook, Romance

352 pages, Hardcover

Published February 11, 2025

Reviews

[Anna Dewhurst · Rating 3 out of 5]

Overall a very interesting story of his life and difficulties. The audiobook was difficult to listen to in places, the style of reading didn’t convey the tone and emotion as it could have. I think reading it myself might have resulted in a better review.

[Shelby (allthebooksalltheways) · Rating 5 out of 5]

WHEN YOU'RE READY by Kareem Rosser

Thank you @_simonelement & @simon.audio for my #gifted copies.

Part memoir, part love story, When You're Ready is a deeply personal and heartbreaking story of love, loss, and resilience. At its core, it's a book about two people from vastly different worlds brought together by their shared passion for horses—only to have their future shattered by an unimaginable tragedy.

Rosser’s writing is raw and honest, pulling you into his grief, his memories, and his fight for the woman he loves. The way he explores love in all its forms—romantic, familial, and self-love—makes this a poignant, deeply introspective memoir. When You're Ready will shatter your heart, then piece it back together.

🎧 I read this by pairing my print copy with the audiobook, which is beautifully narrated by the author. Hearing his story in his own voice really elevated my reading experience. 💗

📌 Available now!

[kimi ✰ · Rating 4 out of 5]

if you want your heart ripped out of your chest, put back, and ripped out a few more times, this is the book for you.

Kareem Rosser’s second memoir delves into the story of his relationship with fellow equestrian Lee Lee Jones. As with most relationships, theirs faced mountains and valleys — but most relationships don’t experience a traumatic brain injury. Reading about Lee Lee’s injury through Kareem’s eyes truly makes their love palpable, even to those of us who have never met them.

Getting the chance to step into another person’s life — one that I could never even begin to imagine — and being welcomed into not only their story but also their thought processes behind the whole experience is such a special thing. This is a beautiful story about love, loss, mental health, addiction, family, and so much more, all carried on the shoulders of a 20-something year old man who is just trying to live a normal life.


Thank you to Simon & Schuster for this advanced copy of When You’re Ready in exchange for an honest review. Pick up a copy of the book when it comes out February 4, 2025

[Natalie Park · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars. Thank you to Net Galley and Simon Element for the ARC in exchange for my honest review. I had read the author's first book and saw that he had a second coming out. It was a very touching story about a part of his life that wasn't shared in the first book, probably has he was still going through it. This story deals with a traumatic incident that happens to his girlfriend which affects both their futures and forces the author to deal with a certain type of loss, grief and dilemma of how to move forward. The writing is from the heart and a compelling story.

[Brooke Schneider · Rating 5 out of 5]

Raw, heartbreaking, yet a testament to the trials of life and the unexpected.

[Meg Petty · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book hurt my feelings, in a good way. Vulnerable, raw

[bjneary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kareem Rosser’s 2nd memoir is a mix of heartbreak, love & joy. Kareem’s journey expands as he falls in love with Lee Lee Jones, an equestrian rider, who loves horses & cats & Kareem. I listened to Rosser narrate this must read as he still is crippled by panic attacks, fear & self recrimination. There are also many happy moments as Kareem enters the world after college in a financial analyst job, an apartment in town with a cat & his family dramas. But life still has more sorrow to throw his way, how will Kareem navigate it, will he survive?.A must read/listen Kareem’s words, paragraphs, chapters will take the reader to highs & lows, just as I rooted for Kareem in this book, so I am also asking, when is your next book?

[Antoniette · Rating 5 out of 5]

This coming of age love story is one of many forms of love... platonic love, first love, familial love, adult love, and eventually, self-love. I already know I will find myself thinking about this book years from now, wondering how Rosser and his loved ones are doing. Rosser writes in a way that draws you in and makes you feel like he's sitting beside you personally telling you his story. There's a straightforward ease to his style that I very much appreciate. I only hope this book gets the recognition it deserves.

Thank you NetGalley and Simon Element for allowing me early access to the ARC ebook edition of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

[Jayla · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nothing against the book itself, I just didn't connect to this second memoir as much as the first. I think it was because the stories I enjoyed reading in his first book (getting into riding, growing up in West Philly, etc.) were mostly absent in this one, since that wasn't his focus for this book. The story in this memoir is still worth reading if you're a Rosser fan -- it's heartfelt and sad and I thought he told Lee Lee's story with justice.

[Ariana Yvette · Rating 5 out of 5]

I would rate this 6 stars if I could. Raw and beautifully written. I cried throughout the book and then rejoiced by the end. Highly recommend this book to everyone. I listened to the audiobook and I was captivated the entire time.

[Alex Hlava · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars. An incredible story about healing, both emotionally and physically.

[Eden Woredekal · Rating 5 out of 5]

An absolute must read. I do not recommend listening to Audio Version, on the way to work, as there are very raw and emotional parts and you will need moments to gather yourself.

[Erin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not the love story I was expecting, or one made for the movies, but raw and real and messy, as life is. The audiobook had me choking back tears too many times to count.

[Michal Tetreault · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you so much to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher giving me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review (special thanks to the team at Simon and Schuster for reaching out to me about reading this book. I don't know that I would have found it otherwise and I'm so grateful I got to read this early). It is due to be published February 4, 2025.

This was an incredibly moving, heartbreaking, and beautiful memoir. When You're Ready tells the story of Kareem and Lee Lee's wonderful relationship and all the ways it has changed since they first met at the barn and bonded over a shared love of horses. It really is a fairy tale romance at first. Kareem was from one of the most impoverished parts of Philly and learned to ride horses through a work to ride program at a local barn. Lee Lee was a legacy equestrian who grew up riding and was from a completely different world. They fell in love and thought they had their whole future ahead of them, until Lee Lee is in a riding accident and it changes their lives forever.

This is such an incredible story and I know I'll be thinking about Kareem and Lee Lee's story for a long time. Kareem has a beautiful way of writing that is really poignant and simplistic but never flat or boring. He also wasn't afraid to be brutally honest, even when that meant he had to share his worst mistakes on the page. Kareem is such a strong person that has been through so much in his life and I am beyond grateful that he was able to share his story with us. And that he was able to share Lee Lee's as well. It was so easy to fall in love with Lee Lee just like Kareem did. She is an incredibly inspiring woman and I'm so grateful to have gotten the chance to get to know her, even just through the pages of this book. There are some really lovely photos included in the book too that made the experience that much better.

I would highly recommend that if you are a memoir person or are thinking about trying memoirs, that you pick this one up!

[kathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kareem is from the Bottom in Philly, where it isn’t the easiest place to grow up in. His mom was an addict and his dad wasn’t in the picture. He and his siblings did the best that they could under the circumstances.

One day, Kareem’s older brother introduced him to a horse riding program where it took inner city kids to a horse stable for stability and to learn how to be responsible as they had to take care of the horses. There were all different kinds of kids who went to this spot. Kareem loved being around the horses and he even participated in polo!

One day, he meets a girl named LeeLee, who changes his life completely. LeeLee participates in horse events and their mutual love for horses is what starts the connection between the two. She is the exact opposite of him, but their love for one another grows more and more.

The two have been through ups and downs with their relationship, but their love for each other is always there. The two talk about moving in together, getting married, and having children.

Tragically, LeeLee gets into an accident with her horse and suffers a severe TBI. Her chances of surviving is low and the doctors don’t know the extent of her injury. Kareem and their families hope for the best.

Will LeeLee recover from her TBI? How does Kareem handle this life changing situation?

This is a beautiful story about love and the different kinds of love that exist. I love love, but I especially loved this one as it was written from a male point of view. I was absolutely gutted for Kareem and LeeLee whenever they had obstacles in their relationship. I absolutely appreciate the author for being real and vulnerable during this process and in this book.

[Zibby Owens · Rating 5 out of 5]

This heart-wrenching memoir chronicles the author's journey through love, loss, and resilience. Growing up in inner-city Philadelphia, Rosser forms an unexpected connection with Lili, a fellow equestrian from a wealthy Pennsylvania background. Despite their different worlds, they forge a deep bond through their shared love of horses. Their story takes a devastating turn when Lili suffers a traumatic brain injury in a riding accident, forever altering the trajectory of their lives and their relationship.

This book is incredibly emotional, authentic, and beautifully written. Rosser's unflinching honesty about his struggles with anxiety, childhood trauma, and the weight of his promise to stay by Lili's side is profoundly moving. What touched me most was how he illustrates that love isn’t static—it transforms. How he grapples with redefining his relationship with Lili while honoring their connection broke my heart and inspired me simultaneously. His personal journey from promising polo player to devoted caregiver to someone finding his own path forward is both devastating and uplifting.

Rosser demonstrates how even the deepest pain can lead to unexpected purpose through his experience at Bryn Mawr Rehab Hospital and by establishing a patient assistance fund for TBI families. This is not a doomsday book; it's an inspiring testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the many ways love can evolve and endure. I’m truly captivated by how accessibly and beautifully Rosser shares his story, making it impossible not to clutch your chest while reading.

To listen to my interview with the author, go to my podcast at: https://zibbymedia.com/blogs/transcri...

[Nacia Jackson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC. I truly appreciate the chance to read this book. It's important to note that this book is scheduled for publication on February 4, 2025. I was deeply moved by this love story and couldn't help but reflect on how young Kareem and Lee Lee were. Young love holds a special kind of magic. My heart goes out to both Kareem and Lee Lee, as the course of their love story was altered by Lee Lee's accident. The photographs included in the book were incredibly touching, capturing Lee Lee's beauty just as Kareem described. I admired Kareem's commitment to therapy and found wisdom in his therapist's advice to "start leaving 10 minutes early". While Kareem stood by Lee Lee's side, he also deserved to live his own life. It was a lot for someone so young to endure.

"When You're Ready" is a story brimming with love, hope, healing, and the courage to move forward in life, knowing that it's perfectly okay to do so. The writing style of this book brought to mind "The Color of Water" by James McBride, one of my all-time favorites. I'm grateful for the opportunity to read this ARC and eagerly anticipate the release next February. It's such a beautiful time to launch this book, especially with Valentine's Day around the corner – the perfect occasion to immerse oneself in a new love story.

[lauren · Rating 5 out of 5]

an emotional journey of unconditional love, loss, and holding onto hope even when life would make it so so easy to just give up.
kareem and lee lee’s love story is raw and deep. their love was not picture perfect but it was a strong and true. learning about kareem’s struggles with relationships, trust, and impermanence due to his upbringing will make your heart ache for him. after lee lee’s accident, the way he describes his pain will rip your heart completely out. how will this man move forward? how would anyone in this situation?
kareem’s story is a reminder that the human experience can be both completely unique yet also quite universal at the same time. you may find yourself reading his thoughts and words and saying “i’ve been there, too” or you may find yourself saying “this is so far from where i’ve been”. either way, you’ll come away feeling like you’ve just sat for an hours long lunch with kareem. he’s shared his innermost thoughts and feelings with you and you’ll pull him in for a very tight hug before parting ways.
his words on love will stay with you for years to come.

thank you to simon element for providing this book for review consideration via netgalley. all opinions are my own.

[Joey Nedland · Rating 3 out of 5]

When You're Ready is Rosser's second memoir, following his relationship with a fellow equestrian named Lee Lee Jones from their early 20s through a traumatic brain injury she suffers while riding. The book is split into three parts: following his backstory (much of which was covered, albeit slightly differently in his *incredible* first book Crossing The Line), following his courtship and relationship with Lee Lee, and his life after her TBI. The middle section here is strongest, but rather than expound on his experience or reflect on what he learns from shifting from boyfriend to caregiver to loving friend/support, it's incredibly dense with dialog. In a memoir, remembered format this to me feels somewhat uncompelling - the conversations are broadly reimagined from their original, and don't keep me immersed in the story.

Rosser has lived an inarguably eventful life with so much loss, tragedy, and perspective. I think his first book channels that into a compelling narrative with lasting lessons more effectively than does his second book. It's a lot to expect a ~30 year old to have 2 memoirs worth of story to share, and while this is good, my opinion is colored by just how awed I was by his debut.

[Janis · Rating 5 out of 5]

We all have the same 26 letters in the alphabet, but depending on how you string them together, space them, punctuate them, you create words.
Words have extreme power to take symbols on a page and convey a message. This ability has a profound effect on our civilization.
We share knowledge, tell stories, share ideas.
This is the power of written language.
It expands our world.
But sometimes, words do more than tell a story.
In rare cases, they create magic.
When we read them, we are swept away in a deep knowing in our soul that we are witnessing something bigger than ourselves, that no matter who we are, where we come from, or what the story of our life looks like, we are all part of this connected Universe.
Sometimes, the words take on more than just the meaning of the story they are telling. Sometimes, like a well choreographed dance, they become fluid, enchanting, ethereal.
Kareem Rosser is that kind of magician, and his book, "When You're Ready", is a sublime gift that leaves me awestruck.
This is why I read. To get lost, not only in the story, but the magic carpet of words that carry me away to a new world.

[Rhiannon Clark · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to the publisher and the author, Kareem Rosser, for sending me this ARC!

This heartrending, bittersweet story pulled me in from the first page. Kareem Rosser’s writing feels like listening to a good friend, and his vulnerability and honesty made me feel like I was experiencing his story alongside him. Kareem is a collegiate polo champion, but I think who he is as a person is even more impressive. To come out of so much heartbreak and trauma and be so loving and soft is an incredible thing. Kareem and Lee Lee’s story is tragic and inspirational, and it’s presented beautifully and with such care in this memoir.

I’m not one to cry easily, but this book brought me to tears more than once. The ending was especially touching, it took my breath away.

Being loved truly and tenderly is a gift none of us should ever take for granted, and loving deeply despite the risks is worth every moment. I am certain this book will stick with me for a long time, a reminder to keep my heart open and appreciate every moment.

[Christy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm not sure what I was expecting, but this wasn't it. I'm vaguely familiar with Lee Lee's story. I'm a lower level eventer who lives in Maryland and who looks up to the Phillip Duttons of the world l. I remember when the accident happened and have followed the recovery from the periphery. I've never directly met Lee Lee, though she did take pictures of me on my horse at a camp Phillip used to host at his farm every few years, and they are memories I will cherish forever. Every so often, a freak accident like Lee Lee's happens, and it is devastating to our small, close-knit community of horse people.

This story was very well written and heartwarming and heartwrenching, all at the same time. The way Kareem details his love for Lee Lee is absolutely beautiful. I have so much respect for all of the things he went through in his life and how he sought out help and worked through his trauma. I am grateful for mental health professionals like the one in his story who actually help people.

Thanks to NetGalley and Simon and Schuster for the Digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Jaclyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This memoir bills itself as a love story, but don’t let that fool you into thinking it's *just* a love story. I came for the Philly connection and stayed for Rosser’s ability to put his heart and his story on the page. Rosser begins life in a loving family, but they struggle. Life in West Philly makes love feel dangerous. He falls madly in love with a girl from a very different background, but just as they’re starting their adult life together she suffers a traumatic brain injury in a terrible accident. While romantic love makes the cover of this book and Rosser’s dedication to his girlfriend drives much of his story, I appreciated all the other love stories just as much: Rosser’s love for his family, his neighborhood in West Philly, the friends who are there for him in the darkest times, and finally, the love he learns to nurture for himself. I couldn’t put this book down and I can see it being adapted into a tearjerker of a movie.

[Kendall · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kareem’s story is so powerful. It is gut-wrenching, vulnerable, and took me places I did not expect. Kareem is from Bottom—a disadvantaged neighborhood in West Philly. He grew up in what he deemed a broken family. He did not have a relationship with his father, mother was addicted to drugs, older brothers incarcerated. Kareem’s way out? Work to Ride—a program just outside of Philly. Take care of the horses, stables, farm, and then you get to learn to ride horses and get warm meals. Kareem became a skilled polo player. His story entails so much more if that is not interesting enough. He fell in love with a privileged white horse eventer. She has a near-lethal riding accident. It rocks both their worlds. Kareem shares all of his inner thoughts, feelings, and series of events that follows. I was enthralled the entire time. I thank NetGalley and Simon Element for this eArc. It is something I may not have picked up otherwise, but I really enjoyed this.

[Dea · Rating 5 out of 5]

"There is no version of this story where I leave."

Not a love story in the traditional sense but so much more. Kareem Rosser expresses himself eloquently, concisely, and in such a deeply impactful manner.

This memoir covers his difficult upbringing, his first big love, and the many losses along the way. His notes on mental health, anxiety, and his personal journey with therapy are important and enlightening.

"...improvements happened very slowly over months. Years. But, in so many ways, Lee Lee was healing. And in so many ways, I was not."

Every TBI story is unique, and Kareem did a wonderful job telling Lee Lee's story with love, compassion, and brutal honesty. The memoir portrays how love evolves over time but stays with you in many different forms.

Overall, I would highly recommend this book. Thank you, NetGalley and Simon Element, for the opportunity to read an advanced reader's copy in exchange for my honest review.

[Brooke · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don’t know why I read so little non-fiction because almost every time I do I’m amazed. Kareem Rosser grew up in the worst part of Philadelphia, the Bottom. His mother was a drug addict. He lost people to gun violence way too often. But he was saved by a program called Work to Ride, where kids could take care of horses, grooming and mucking stalls, for the opportunity to ride. It was clear early on that he had natural ability when it came to riding. As his talent grew he began playing polo and he was introduced to people that weren’t like those from his background. And he met the love of his life. The two of them, both equestrians, were mapping out their lives together when tragedy struck and their lives were changed forever. This is a memoir about family, grief, happiness, and most of all, love.

[Jennifer ~ TarHeelReader · Rating 5 out of 5]

#WhenYoureReady is the memoir of Kareem and Lee Lee. A young couple deeply in love when a horrible accident occurs, leaving Lee Lee paralyzed. Kareem is by her side throughout her recovery, so much so, friends and family worry about him, his devotion is that strong.

Kareem Rosser’s insights and honesty are unmatched. I think we all want to be loved the way he loves Lee Lee. Along the way, he learns lessons about loving himself, too, and this where my heart ached the most.

There’s so much more to this story than I can get to here, but just know, this story changed me. It’s as painful as it is uplifting.

I received a gifted copy.

Many of my reviews can also be found on my blog: www.jennifertarheelreader.com and instagram: www.instagram.com/tarheelreader

[Chanelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story was beautifully written and expressed. I adored the relationships from Kareem’s family, Lee Lee and her family, Lezlie and the work to ride family, his supervisor at work, his therapist, and Kareem’s friends. He had a wonderful support system. He raised awareness about his mental health struggles, as well as personal struggles he dealt with within his family and living in West Philadelphia or the Bottom. And I cannot even describe the love he had for Lee Lee was truly unconditional. It allowed me to also empathize being in a black man’s shoes and understand the burdens they carry. And if you want to know more go read this book!!!! And then tell someone else to read it.

[Sarah Letts · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! What a heartfelt and amazing story and journey. This book has a disclaimer of being a creative non-fiction and when I tell you I so desire a film to watch this story unfold. Kareem is a dedicated young man who gives his life to keeping his promise. When a bad accident leaves Lee Lee with a TBI and a much different path than they were destined to be on, he had to find a way to still find the value in life. His journey demonstrates trusting people won’t always leave and that families can continue to grow even in ways that you least expect it. Absolutely amazing book and life story.

[Marsha Mims-Word · Rating 5 out of 5]

OMG, Where do I begin. This was an amazing love story that was wrapped in growing up, commitment, family and survival. The author did an incredible job in telling the story of love between Kareem and Lee Lee. To young people from different worlds but find love in each other. Then tragedy hits and what was isn’t anymore and may never be again. How do you move forward when the heart is so overcome with sadness and loss that you are stuck in a place where you can’t feel, breathe or hope. I felt everything written in this story, every hope expressed and every emotion realized. This book is filled with so many beautiful and heart wrenching moments. The release date of February 2025 is a perfect month to share this love story. Thanks NetGalley and Simon Element for the ARC.⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️