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Dear Drew: Creating a Life Bigger Than Grief
A guided healing journey with lessons and tools for self-discovery, transformation, and limitless growth.
Western culture has long struggled with the treatment of trauma, loss, and grief, often wishing to sweep the “ugliness” under the rug. More recently, the phrase “it’s okay to not be okay” has come into vogue, opening up the possibility of showing grief and sadness to the world. While this sentiment is absolutely true and useful in the initial stages of loss, grief, and healing, many people don’t realize that it’s also okay to want to be more than okay. They take on their trauma as their identity—the grieving parent, the injured divorcé, the abused child—and thus limit themselves and their capacity for joy and happiness.
In Dear Creating a Life Bigger Than Grief, Melissa Hull offers readers a provocative alternate We have a choice in how we heal. We can choose to make grief or trauma a point of personal discovery and allow it to open us up to beautiful learnings and a happy, meaningful life. By recognizing the moment of agency—and acting on it—we are empowered to heal, transform, and thrive. This is some of the most difficult emotional work one can ever do but also some of the most rewarding.
Drawing on her experience of losing a child to drowning, Melissa speaks from a place of deep healing from both the loss and her related feelings of guilt. The book’s title references not only Melissa’s son and the letters she wrote him after his death but also a letter from a stranger, Theresa, that saved Melissa’s life and became a touchstone. This book is Melissa’s letter to those who have experienced trauma so severe that they can only trust the voice of someone who has survived similar pain. Readers who pick up Dear Drew know they need a deep healing process so they can begin to believe a better future is possible and then choose to keep moving toward that future every day. Having rebuilt her life using traditional Western therapies as well as alternative approaches, Melissa acts as readers’ witness and guide.
Western culture has long struggled with the treatment of trauma, loss, and grief, often wishing to sweep the “ugliness” under the rug. More recently, the phrase “it’s okay to not be okay” has come into vogue, opening up the possibility of showing grief and sadness to the world. While this sentiment is absolutely true and useful in the initial stages of loss, grief, and healing, many people don’t realize that it’s also okay to want to be more than okay. They take on their trauma as their identity—the grieving parent, the injured divorcé, the abused child—and thus limit themselves and their capacity for joy and happiness.
In Dear Creating a Life Bigger Than Grief, Melissa Hull offers readers a provocative alternate We have a choice in how we heal. We can choose to make grief or trauma a point of personal discovery and allow it to open us up to beautiful learnings and a happy, meaningful life. By recognizing the moment of agency—and acting on it—we are empowered to heal, transform, and thrive. This is some of the most difficult emotional work one can ever do but also some of the most rewarding.
Drawing on her experience of losing a child to drowning, Melissa speaks from a place of deep healing from both the loss and her related feelings of guilt. The book’s title references not only Melissa’s son and the letters she wrote him after his death but also a letter from a stranger, Theresa, that saved Melissa’s life and became a touchstone. This book is Melissa’s letter to those who have experienced trauma so severe that they can only trust the voice of someone who has survived similar pain. Readers who pick up Dear Drew know they need a deep healing process so they can begin to believe a better future is possible and then choose to keep moving toward that future every day. Having rebuilt her life using traditional Western therapies as well as alternative approaches, Melissa acts as readers’ witness and guide.
272 pages, Paperback
Published August 19, 2025
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
August 20, 2025
Melissa Hull offers a profoundly compassionate and courageous exploration of grief, healing, and the human capacity to rise beyond suffering. At its core, this book challenges the prevailing cultural narrative that frames trauma and loss as lifelong identities. Instead, Hull reminds us that while “it’s okay to not be okay,” it is equally okay—indeed, necessary—to want to be more than okay.
In her deeply moving and empowering book, she shares her personal journey through unimaginable loss—the drowning of her young son—and the painful guilt that followed. Writing from raw honesty and hard-won wisdom, and offers hope to anyone struggling with trauma, heartbreak, or despair.
Dear Drew is more than a story of survival. It is a roadmap for transformation. With grace and compassion, Melissa shows how we can honor our grief while also reclaiming our joy, choosing healing over lifelong suffering. Drawing on decades of study in healing arts, coaching, and energy work—as well as traditional therapies—she offers practical tools and powerful insights for moving forward.
In her deeply moving and empowering book, she shares her personal journey through unimaginable loss—the drowning of her young son—and the painful guilt that followed. Writing from raw honesty and hard-won wisdom, and offers hope to anyone struggling with trauma, heartbreak, or despair.
Dear Drew is more than a story of survival. It is a roadmap for transformation. With grace and compassion, Melissa shows how we can honor our grief while also reclaiming our joy, choosing healing over lifelong suffering. Drawing on decades of study in healing arts, coaching, and energy work—as well as traditional therapies—she offers practical tools and powerful insights for moving forward.
March 16, 2026
Dear Drew by Melissa Hull is a deeply moving and heartfelt story about love, grief, and the enduring bond between a mother and her child. Written with honesty and emotional depth, the book invites readers into an intimate journey of remembrance, healing, and reflection.
Hull’s writing is compassionate and sincere, capturing the complicated emotions that come with loss while also illuminating the strength that can grow through it. Her words feel both personal and universal. Readers who have experienced grief or who have loved deeply will find themselves connecting to the vulnerability and courage present throughout the pages.
What makes Dear Drew especially powerful is the way it transforms pain into purpose. Rather than focusing only on sorrow, the book gently reminds us of the resilience of the human spirit and the lasting impact of love.
This is a meaningful and touching read that will resonate with anyone navigating loss, healing, and the profound connections that shape our lives.
Hull’s writing is compassionate and sincere, capturing the complicated emotions that come with loss while also illuminating the strength that can grow through it. Her words feel both personal and universal. Readers who have experienced grief or who have loved deeply will find themselves connecting to the vulnerability and courage present throughout the pages.
What makes Dear Drew especially powerful is the way it transforms pain into purpose. Rather than focusing only on sorrow, the book gently reminds us of the resilience of the human spirit and the lasting impact of love.
This is a meaningful and touching read that will resonate with anyone navigating loss, healing, and the profound connections that shape our lives.
July 14, 2025
Dear Drew is a wonderful resource for anyone dealing with grief and wants to begin the healing process. Melissa Hull believes that healing is a choice and her book provides the reader with helpful tools she has built from her own personal experiences dealing with trauma and grief. Each chapter begins with a heartfelt note to her son Drew followed by personal stories and an action to put into practice. She has spent decades learning how to let go of guilt and sorrow associated with grief and growing into the person she is today. She has so much compassion and knowledge to share with those seeking to move forward.
Many thanks to NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.
Many thanks to NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.
August 12, 2025
I don’t particularly like rating nonfiction but this one deserves 5 stars. For anyone dealing with grief this is a great resource and I felt like I definitely got a lot out of it.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews