Scrambled or Sunny-Side Up?: Living Your Best Life after Losing Your Greatest Love

by Loren Ridinger, Serena Williams (foreword)

Billion-Dollar Visionary to Heartbroken Loren Ridinger’s Untold Story of Love, Loss, and Finding Strength to Thrive Again

Scrambled or Sunny-Side Up? Living Your Best Life After Losing Your Greatest Love shares Loren Ridinger’s life story—one that began with her husband JR Ridinger’s bold vision to change the world through the power of the Internet. Alongside JR, she helped pioneer Market America, empowering thousands of entrepreneurs to succeed on their own terms using the power of online shopping. However, Loren’s journey took a heartbreaking turn with JR’s sudden passing after thirty-six years of partnership and marriage, leaving her to navigate overwhelming grief while trying to maintain the legacy they built together. In this book, Loren reveals how she found the strength to move through grief and start living fully by embracing each day—no matter what life served up next. This is more than just a memoir; it is a guide to turning loss into a powerful force for growth, and a reminder that within the dash lies the potential to create a life of meaning and impact.

Genres: Self Help, Memoir, Audiobook, Biography

208 pages, Hardcover

Published February 11, 2025

Reviews

[BookBelow · Rating 5 out of 5]

By capturing life's most challenging and emotional moments in her own words, Loren Ridinger has crafted a story that will touch every reader's heart in Scrambled or Sunny-Side Up?. This book is not just a love story but also a poignant portrayal of life, grief, and new beginnings that will deeply move its readers.

The book begins with Loren and her husband JR's love story, tracing their journey from meeting their "prince charming" to facing life's ups and downs after marriage. Loren's memories not only reflect the unbreakable bond between her and JR but also show how their relationship grew stronger through life’s struggles, both big and small.

Loren's words are so vivid that you feel as though you are part of her life while reading. JR's sudden death turned her world upside down, and this book beautifully reveals her journey of grief, self-discovery, and courage.

This book is not just about grief; it is about finding the courage to live a new life despite immense pain. Through her experiences, Loren teaches that grief is a journey requiring time and patience.

Chapters such as "My Love Letter, His Love Letter" and "Carrying the Flame" inspire readers to appreciate the depth of relationships and the purpose of life. Each chapter delivers a new lesson.

Loren's story demonstrates that the power of love endures even after death. It reminds us that, no matter how difficult the circumstances, the memories of our loved ones and the lessons they leave behind can give us the strength to move forward.

The most inspiring part of the book is when Loren stands alone on stage, speaking to thousands of people. This moment shows that even grief has the power to lead and inspire others.

Loren's writing style is honest and deeply emotional. Her expression of grief and sorrow connects readers to her story. Many moments in the book may bring tears to your eyes, while others offer peace and solace.

Scrambled or Sunny-Side Up? is not just a book that prompts deep reflection on life. It also teaches readers how to move forward in the face of life’s challenges. As such, it serves as a guide for anyone who has lost a loved one.

If you’re looking for a book that will touch you emotionally and inspire you to view life from a new perspective, Scrambled or Sunny-Side Up? is a must-read. It will remind you that, no matter how tough the circumstances, hope, and love can light the way forward.

[Literary Titan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loren Ridinger, a lifelong entrepreneur and philanthropist, is best known for co-founding Market America and SHOP.COM alongside her husband, JR Ridinger. Their story began when Loren met JR at just 18 years old, drawn into his magnetic energy and shared vision. From that moment, they built a partnership anchored in love, trust, and unwavering encouragement. JR’s ambition gave birth to Market America and SHOP.COM, a groundbreaking global e-commerce platform designed to empower entrepreneurs and offer consumers a smarter way to shop.

In Scrambled or Sunny-Side Up, Ridinger offers a deeply personal reflection on their extraordinary relationship, their journey as business partners, and her struggle to navigate the world after JR’s sudden death in August 2022. Raw and unfiltered, the memoir captures life both before and after his passing. Ridinger candidly shares her regrets—moments left unsaid, sentiments unspoken—while urging readers to embrace life and love fully, never assuming tomorrow is guaranteed.

Ridinger's narrative walks a delicate line between relatability and privilege. She speaks earnestly about her pain and healing, yet the luxurious backdrop of private yachts and multimillion-dollar homes may feel distant to the average reader. Still, the universal emotions of love, grief, and uncertainty transcend the material world. These are feelings we all know—loss that shakes us, love that defines us, and the struggle to rediscover ourselves in the aftermath. While some readers may find Ridinger's lifestyle detached from their own realities, her vulnerability resonates. She does not shy away from questions of identity, purpose, and healing. Her journey—marked by profound sorrow and the search for meaning without her partner—offers inspiration for anyone who has loved, lost, and struggled to move forward.

Scrambled or Sunny-Side Up is more than a memoir. It’s a call to live intentionally, to love deeply, and to value every fleeting moment. Ridinger's story is a reminder that even in unimaginable loss, there is hope, resilience, and the power to carry on. Whether you’ve experienced a loss as seismic as Loren Ridinger's or simply grappled with change, her reflections will touch your heart and encourage you to live without regrets.

[Andrew · Rating 5 out of 5]

In Scrambled or Sunny-Side Up, Loren Ridinger opened up about falling in love with her husband and begins the book with a letter. They met when she was 18 years old. She explained how she was enchanted with his laugh and she knew she wanted to be a part of his life. He became an architect, engineer, and CEO for Market America. She wishes he would have gotten to read her letter but he suddenly died.


It started around the time he gotten blood work completed they were a little unusual but he had no symptoms. They took a trip to Dubrovnik and he struggled climbing stone stairs because his knee was hurting. It became stiff. One this trip, he was quieter and he was staring off more into space looking at the water. Then a few days later they were on a boat ride. They discovered him on the floor not breathing. They stated later that it was a pulmonary embolism from his knee. She admitted that she wasn’t by his side when he died and she felt guilty. She didn’t get to say goodbye. She struggled with knowing what to eat for breakfast should she have scrambled eggs or sunny side up. She was in a mental battle and she didn’t know how she would ever move forward. She shared how she wanted shut out the world and sink into her loneliness. She opened up about how she realized that she would have to step her leadership game and embrace her new role in the company. She will help readers to deal with her grief and understand the different emotions they will face.


I would recommend this book to anyone who is struggling with grief and they are wanting to find some sort of relief. This book was very helpful in dealing with grief and how to regain back your life after a loss. Her story was interesting in learning about how they fell in love and began their business and changed the internet.

[chantel nouseforaname · Rating 2 out of 5]

I honestly had no idea who this woman was. I only saw that it was a friend/recommendation of Serena Williams, whom I love, so I decided to check it out. Honestly, I hope it was cathartic for the writer, because it seemed vapid as fuck and a little doe-eyed and ridiculous. I’m sorry to this woman. I’m sorry for her loss, but I also feel like ma’am, please. We were not all born yesterday and there’s so much that could be read between the lines in this book—too much. I don’t even know if this should have been written the way that it read and the way that it came across on the real.

I felt like overall this book was written for the author’s friends as a: I’m still standing and the company is still standing type of testimony. I did not find the author relatable at all. Not that I have to find every author relatable, but there was just a sense of vapidness here that was really pervasive. It was superficial and honestly that’s how her relationship to her husband felt, as heartfelt as she was trying to make it seem. Maybe it was the 20 year age gap when she met the dude when she was a teen?.. and he was a grown man. I mean, I don’t even know these people and I ain’t trying to do sis dirty like this, so I’m going to end this review here… but it just felt dry and weird, and also sorry for your loss.

[Maria McLellan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome job loren

Knowing Loren and Jr since 2000, I already knew their love for each other and exactly what they built together with market America!! She is a true real leader and person. I list my husband this past April at 65 years too early. Cried a few times knowing them and they were everything to each other as we were. Ty for the encouragement and love thru grief!! I totally get it.

[Daphne C · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really wanted to like this one, but I didn't. I didn't know that the author was somewhat famous when I had picked up the book, and this book was full of unnecessary name-dropping of other famous people, that it took away from the story itself. I'm only giving it a 3* because there was a small section that made me tear a little. Otherwise, I didn't love the book and how it was written and would not recommend it.

[Wanda DeMello · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think it was a great read! I have been following Loren for a while now and think her story is incredible! It’s sad what happened to her husband JR but I think this book does a good job of telling how to cope with grief and what to do to come back and be stronger from it! Was a good read I highly recommend it! 😃

[Mary]

Nope. Made it through 4 chapters and the author was complaining that they had to rent a yacht because theirs was undergoing repairs. Plus, when heartbroken, she just let everyone else carry on with her business. I want to be empathetic to the heartbreak of loss, but this just felt out of touch with us normal folks.

[H Freeman · Rating 1 out of 5]

I mean, I am sorry your husband died, but honey you are worth 300 million dollars. Your life is NOT hard.

Thank you, next.

[Audrey Donegan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was lucky enough to receive an advanced copy and, wow! Powerful and poignant! Highly recommend.

[Christine Garofalo Washeleski · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book had a good message, but it was a little slow.