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Love & Leukemia: The Inspiring True Story of Lars Sundberg
This true love story follows Lars and Amanda, two twenty-somethings who fall deeply in love, with big plans for their future together, only to have the rug pulled out from beneath them when Lars is diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia at age 24. They must learn to adapt to "medical life", putting their hopes and dreams on pause, navigating side effects and difficult emotions, and missing out on the beauty of every day moments that some may take for granted. With a compassionate support system of family, friends, and community, and the added benefit of an optimistic and humorous personality, Lars is able to keep his head above water--but not without a constant shifting of the tides, as cancer refuses to loosen its grip on his body. Read on to learn of the resilience of a couple who weren't willing to allow cancer to destroy the life they envisioned, and the community of people that held them up and loved them every step of the way.
"Cancer is so limited… It cannot cripple love, it cannot shatter hope,
it cannot corrode faith, it cannot destroy peace, it cannot kill friendship,
it cannot suppress memories, it cannot silence courage, it cannot invade the soul,
it cannot steal eternal life; it cannot conquer the spirit."
—“What Cancer Cannot Do”, Author Unknown
"Cancer is so limited… It cannot cripple love, it cannot shatter hope,
it cannot corrode faith, it cannot destroy peace, it cannot kill friendship,
it cannot suppress memories, it cannot silence courage, it cannot invade the soul,
it cannot steal eternal life; it cannot conquer the spirit."
—“What Cancer Cannot Do”, Author Unknown
482 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 28, 2024
28 people are currently reading
210 people want to read
About the author
Amanda Sundberg Halvorson
1 book1 followerAmanda has been passionate about writing since age 8, crafting many short stories, poems, novellas, and screen plays. While Amanda's first foray into publishing is a memoir (dedicated to her late husband, Lars), she has many fiction books in the works, aiming for the traditional publishing route for these works.
Amanda lives in rural northwestern Minnesota, with her husband, Justin, and four children, Blaise, Sophie, Indigo, and Kellen. In addition to writing, she also enjoys music, fitness, the outdoors, cooking, and baking.
Amanda lives in rural northwestern Minnesota, with her husband, Justin, and four children, Blaise, Sophie, Indigo, and Kellen. In addition to writing, she also enjoys music, fitness, the outdoors, cooking, and baking.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
May 13, 2025
It took me a long time to finish only because my childhood best friend of 11 years passed away of Leukemia at 22 back in 2021. I felt I was reliving her 15 month battle again while reading this. It was a HARD HARD HARD read for me . But so beautiful and I’m so Happy Mandy Kept her promises and sought out Lar’s wishes😭🥹❤️🩹 My heart will never be the same. Thank you for reminding me of how beautiful my bestfriend and Lar’s lives were.
June 2, 2025
Very Well Written
Having lived in the area where the book is set for my entire life, the narrative about the support systems of families and communities rings so true.
Also, the writing within the medical discussion, which could have gotten very technical and murky, was explained clearly and distinctly.
This is an excellent book about a tough topic.
Having lived in the area where the book is set for my entire life, the narrative about the support systems of families and communities rings so true.
Also, the writing within the medical discussion, which could have gotten very technical and murky, was explained clearly and distinctly.
This is an excellent book about a tough topic.
January 2, 2025
So good!
A story that will both warm your heart and shatter it in the most bittersweet way. Amanda's writing feels like the comforting embrace of an old friend. Grab some tissues and get ready to be completely absorbed in this book; I simply couldn't put it down.
A story that will both warm your heart and shatter it in the most bittersweet way. Amanda's writing feels like the comforting embrace of an old friend. Grab some tissues and get ready to be completely absorbed in this book; I simply couldn't put it down.
February 20, 2026
A true depiction of the unthinkable
My partner had ALL. He survived his transplant but I could relate to the journey Amanda described with Lars. It was an emotional read for me but is a reminder that life in about love and grief.
My partner had ALL. He survived his transplant but I could relate to the journey Amanda described with Lars. It was an emotional read for me but is a reminder that life in about love and grief.
December 31, 2024
The most beautiful, heart wrenching story of Lars’ life and journey through cancer, and his and Amanda’s love story. The tears were real while reading this.
January 11, 2025
True love & tears
I am a distant cousin to Lars and this book was so well written. You felt like you were along for his journey, shared his pain, smiled at his triumphs, and shed many tears with him. I hope this book can bring encouragement to those going through similar struggles and to remember to keep your family close through happiness and heartbreak.
I am a distant cousin to Lars and this book was so well written. You felt like you were along for his journey, shared his pain, smiled at his triumphs, and shed many tears with him. I hope this book can bring encouragement to those going through similar struggles and to remember to keep your family close through happiness and heartbreak.
February 5, 2025
So, so good. I could not put this book down. It moved me to tears at the end and is such a beautiful reminder of the gift of life.
July 7, 2025
Very Inspiring
This book would appeal to any person with a heart whether or not they have endured the cancer journey of themself or a loved one.
This book would appeal to any person with a heart whether or not they have endured the cancer journey of themself or a loved one.
July 31, 2025
Such a good book! the author does a great job detailing everything that Lars went through.
May 2, 2025
Very Powerful
This book is not about an easy subject -- as the title easily suggests. Leukemia can STILL be a devastating disease despite the fact that nowadays, remission and a normal life are often the reality for many! Still, it's a battle just like any serious illness is. And that battle impacts not just the patient but also the family, friends, co-workers, medical team and even one's pets. It's not for the faint-hearted.
I found this book especially powerful because Lars and Amanda were so young, had just begun their relationship and were at the beginning of a bright and successful future. They were getting jobs, Amanda was planning for further education in preparation for a teaching career, they met each others families and were very much in love. And then leukemia struck, making everything quite chaotic as Lars went through intense treatment with side effects that made him feel sick and fatigued as they traveled back and forth, dealing with hospitalizations along the way and time away from jobs, their new home and families. But Lars' cancer goes into remission fairly easily. Amanda and Lars plan their wedding and life goes on. Or does it? I won't spoil the story for you but wow, this young couple display a strength and dedication to each other beyond their years!
Readers will find the book engrossing -- it draws you in so get comfortable and plan to settle in a while! It is well written and easy to follow. And everyone seems so personable and supportive you feel like you have spent time with friends by the time you reach the book's end. And sometimes, endings can also be another beginning...
This book is not about an easy subject -- as the title easily suggests. Leukemia can STILL be a devastating disease despite the fact that nowadays, remission and a normal life are often the reality for many! Still, it's a battle just like any serious illness is. And that battle impacts not just the patient but also the family, friends, co-workers, medical team and even one's pets. It's not for the faint-hearted.
I found this book especially powerful because Lars and Amanda were so young, had just begun their relationship and were at the beginning of a bright and successful future. They were getting jobs, Amanda was planning for further education in preparation for a teaching career, they met each others families and were very much in love. And then leukemia struck, making everything quite chaotic as Lars went through intense treatment with side effects that made him feel sick and fatigued as they traveled back and forth, dealing with hospitalizations along the way and time away from jobs, their new home and families. But Lars' cancer goes into remission fairly easily. Amanda and Lars plan their wedding and life goes on. Or does it? I won't spoil the story for you but wow, this young couple display a strength and dedication to each other beyond their years!
Readers will find the book engrossing -- it draws you in so get comfortable and plan to settle in a while! It is well written and easy to follow. And everyone seems so personable and supportive you feel like you have spent time with friends by the time you reach the book's end. And sometimes, endings can also be another beginning...
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews