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The Solo Honeymoon: A Brief Beautiful True Love Story
A romantic, life-affirming memoir about a young woman’s solo honeymoon to Europe after her fiancé’s sudden death weeks before their wedding, and the community of hope and wonder she built along the way
When Laura and Devon sat down to plan their honeymoon, Castellina in Chianti, Italy, was the obvious destination. Four months later, Laura found herself standing in a secret spot at the edge of the village watching the sunset. It would have been perfect, if Devon had been there with her. But Laura’s fiancé, the love of her life, had died in her arms a month before their wedding.
The Solo Honeymoon follows Laura as she faces her fears and heartbreak by going alone on the honeymoon she had planned with Devon. From screaming from the mountaintops in Ireland to wandering the busy streets of London to dining on the French Riviera and watching the sun set over Castellina, Laura travels across Europe to find solid ground. Along the way, listeners learn her unique love story and come to know Devon and what made their relationship so special.
The result is a beautiful exploration of what it means to choose life in the face of unimaginable pain. The Solo Honeymoon shines a light on the joy of love, the depths of grief, and all the beauty there is in the world.
When Laura and Devon sat down to plan their honeymoon, Castellina in Chianti, Italy, was the obvious destination. Four months later, Laura found herself standing in a secret spot at the edge of the village watching the sunset. It would have been perfect, if Devon had been there with her. But Laura’s fiancé, the love of her life, had died in her arms a month before their wedding.
The Solo Honeymoon follows Laura as she faces her fears and heartbreak by going alone on the honeymoon she had planned with Devon. From screaming from the mountaintops in Ireland to wandering the busy streets of London to dining on the French Riviera and watching the sun set over Castellina, Laura travels across Europe to find solid ground. Along the way, listeners learn her unique love story and come to know Devon and what made their relationship so special.
The result is a beautiful exploration of what it means to choose life in the face of unimaginable pain. The Solo Honeymoon shines a light on the joy of love, the depths of grief, and all the beauty there is in the world.
256 pages, Hardcover
First published July 14, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 58 reviews
July 16, 2026
When forever became goodbye...
Where do I even begin?
Laura, I am so incredibly proud of you for writing this book. I know putting these words on paper couldn't have been easy, but you did it. It takes so much courage to share a story that comes from such a deep place of love and loss. I know Devon would be beyond proud of you.
This book captures the joy of loving someone so deeply, while also honoring the heartbreak of missing them. It's a reminder that even after someone is gone, their love and the memories they leave behind never fade.
I had the pleasure of working across from Devon when he was at Curtis Dawe, and we instantly clicked. Every time I'd glance out his office window from my desk, he'd grin and say, "What are you looking at, Shawn?" I'd always reply, "Nothing, Larry." (That was his nickname—and it's still saved that way in my phone to this day.)
Devon was one of the most genuine people I've ever met. He cared deeply about everyone around him and always had a story that could make you laugh, no matter what kind of day you were having.
He was truly a joy to be around, and his absence is still felt by so many. He is deeply loved, deeply missed, and never forgotten. ❤️
Where do I even begin?
Laura, I am so incredibly proud of you for writing this book. I know putting these words on paper couldn't have been easy, but you did it. It takes so much courage to share a story that comes from such a deep place of love and loss. I know Devon would be beyond proud of you.
This book captures the joy of loving someone so deeply, while also honoring the heartbreak of missing them. It's a reminder that even after someone is gone, their love and the memories they leave behind never fade.
I had the pleasure of working across from Devon when he was at Curtis Dawe, and we instantly clicked. Every time I'd glance out his office window from my desk, he'd grin and say, "What are you looking at, Shawn?" I'd always reply, "Nothing, Larry." (That was his nickname—and it's still saved that way in my phone to this day.)
Devon was one of the most genuine people I've ever met. He cared deeply about everyone around him and always had a story that could make you laugh, no matter what kind of day you were having.
He was truly a joy to be around, and his absence is still felt by so many. He is deeply loved, deeply missed, and never forgotten. ❤️
July 15, 2026
Im so beyond proud of Laura. This book was such a perfect depiction of Dev and such a vulnerable explanation of grief. UGH I’m just speechless!!!!! I love their love.
February 22, 2026
After her fiancé’s sudden death, Laura sets off alone to discover what makes life worth living after tragic loss.
What worked:
The descriptions of the places she visits are beautifully vivid. Laura is a likeable narrator - even writing this review, I’m afraid to hurt her feelings. Several chapters near the end are powerfully written and genuinely moved me. Without getting too specific to avoid spoilers, I deeply related to her anger when her wedding day came and went, and I was especially inspired by her interaction with the woman from Toronto. Throughout the book, there was an overall touching message of the importance of family support as one endures life after loss.
What didn’t work for me:
I so wanted to love this book. I was drawn in by the pretty cover and inspirational title, and the idea of a solo honeymoon felt tragically romantic. However, I spent most of the reading experience wondering what the purpose of this book actually was.
Some of the quips and commentary mirror the voiceovers from the author’s TikToks, so if you’re familiar with her online story, parts can feel repetitive. At times, it felt less like a memoir and more like the story of how someone became TikTok famous. It’s endearing to read about her online community, but much of this content might have worked just as well staying there.
Laura seems to walk on eggshells when writing about her family and friends. She goes above and beyond to compliment and toast them directly in the pages. It sometimes feels like the book is written with their reactions in mind rather than the reader’s. As a result, it lacks the brutal honesty that makes memoirs compelling. Or perhaps she is simply too kind to say anything negative about the people in her life.
Laura and Devon share a quirky, somewhat nerdy love story. Both seem exceptionally nice. Unfortunately, two very nice, cookie-cutter people falling in love doesn’t always translate into a gripping narrative. I smiled for them, but I didn’t feel deeply invested in their relationship. The one moment of betrayal and conflict is glossed over, lacking detail and emotional weight. I kept waiting to feel something - but aside from the final stretch (around the last 15%), I mostly felt disengaged. Even the honeymoon explorations felt anticlimactic.
This story clearly means a great deal to Laura, and I respect the vulnerability it took to share it. There are moments of genuine beauty here, but they aren’t enough to carry the whole. For a story rooted in devastating loss and self-discovery, I expected to feel more. Instead, I finished it wondering why it needed to be a book at all. Two stars.
Thank you to the publisher for the ARC.
What worked:
The descriptions of the places she visits are beautifully vivid. Laura is a likeable narrator - even writing this review, I’m afraid to hurt her feelings. Several chapters near the end are powerfully written and genuinely moved me. Without getting too specific to avoid spoilers, I deeply related to her anger when her wedding day came and went, and I was especially inspired by her interaction with the woman from Toronto. Throughout the book, there was an overall touching message of the importance of family support as one endures life after loss.
What didn’t work for me:
I so wanted to love this book. I was drawn in by the pretty cover and inspirational title, and the idea of a solo honeymoon felt tragically romantic. However, I spent most of the reading experience wondering what the purpose of this book actually was.
Some of the quips and commentary mirror the voiceovers from the author’s TikToks, so if you’re familiar with her online story, parts can feel repetitive. At times, it felt less like a memoir and more like the story of how someone became TikTok famous. It’s endearing to read about her online community, but much of this content might have worked just as well staying there.
Laura seems to walk on eggshells when writing about her family and friends. She goes above and beyond to compliment and toast them directly in the pages. It sometimes feels like the book is written with their reactions in mind rather than the reader’s. As a result, it lacks the brutal honesty that makes memoirs compelling. Or perhaps she is simply too kind to say anything negative about the people in her life.
Laura and Devon share a quirky, somewhat nerdy love story. Both seem exceptionally nice. Unfortunately, two very nice, cookie-cutter people falling in love doesn’t always translate into a gripping narrative. I smiled for them, but I didn’t feel deeply invested in their relationship. The one moment of betrayal and conflict is glossed over, lacking detail and emotional weight. I kept waiting to feel something - but aside from the final stretch (around the last 15%), I mostly felt disengaged. Even the honeymoon explorations felt anticlimactic.
This story clearly means a great deal to Laura, and I respect the vulnerability it took to share it. There are moments of genuine beauty here, but they aren’t enough to carry the whole. For a story rooted in devastating loss and self-discovery, I expected to feel more. Instead, I finished it wondering why it needed to be a book at all. Two stars.
Thank you to the publisher for the ARC.
July 15, 2026
Wow I have not binged a book this fast in a long time. Real and raw and beautiful and heart breaking. Laura is clearly an incredibly strong woman
July 23, 2026
I hadn’t heard of Laura’s tiktoks - I saw the cover at Indigo and the logline captured me. I wasn’t prepared to become so in love with their love story I read it in one sitting.
A beautiful reminder that all we truly have in this life is time and we hope to spend as much of it as we can with those we love 💕
A beautiful reminder that all we truly have in this life is time and we hope to spend as much of it as we can with those we love 💕
July 14, 2026
⭐️4.5
“The hardest part about grief, is the guilt and the feeling that you are forgetting them if you are living your life”.
Thank you Random House Canada for the gifted ARC. I will admit, when I first saw this book, I judged it by its cover and title. I thought it was a cheesy romance about someone who breaks up with their fiancé, decides to go on the honeymoon anyway, and finds true love. But I was so, so wrong. This is a heartbreaking true story of how the author decided to pick herself up after an unexpected and unimaginable tragedy, to go on her honeymoon by herself, to see if life was still worth living. I really admire Laura Murphy for her courage to write this memoir.
The narration is raw and heartfelt. You can feel the author’s pain in her words. As someone who is currently working through grief, this felt even more emotional and difficult to read. A lot of things she said in the book ring true. I love how the author did not just focus on the loss of her beloved fiancé but really tells us about Devon; who he was as a person, what his likes and dislikes were, his odd habits and how they were both perfect for each other. She takes us through some of her favourite memories of their time together. At its core, this is not just a memoir about tragedy, but also a celebration of a life.
If you like memoirs and can handle raw, emotional content, give this one a read. It is truly inspirational. In the end, I feel like I also knew Devon.
“The hardest part about grief, is the guilt and the feeling that you are forgetting them if you are living your life”.
Thank you Random House Canada for the gifted ARC. I will admit, when I first saw this book, I judged it by its cover and title. I thought it was a cheesy romance about someone who breaks up with their fiancé, decides to go on the honeymoon anyway, and finds true love. But I was so, so wrong. This is a heartbreaking true story of how the author decided to pick herself up after an unexpected and unimaginable tragedy, to go on her honeymoon by herself, to see if life was still worth living. I really admire Laura Murphy for her courage to write this memoir.
The narration is raw and heartfelt. You can feel the author’s pain in her words. As someone who is currently working through grief, this felt even more emotional and difficult to read. A lot of things she said in the book ring true. I love how the author did not just focus on the loss of her beloved fiancé but really tells us about Devon; who he was as a person, what his likes and dislikes were, his odd habits and how they were both perfect for each other. She takes us through some of her favourite memories of their time together. At its core, this is not just a memoir about tragedy, but also a celebration of a life.
If you like memoirs and can handle raw, emotional content, give this one a read. It is truly inspirational. In the end, I feel like I also knew Devon.
July 16, 2026
I don't have TikTok/social media so I didn't know of the author or her story when I started this book. It's definitely an emotional audiobook.
August 1, 2026
I don’t know where to begin. I honestly just want to thank Laura for writing this book and letting us into something so personal. It felt like such a privilege to read. It was beautifully written and captured Dev so perfectly.
I always admired how much Devon loved Laura. He truly wore his heart on his sleeve and made it so obvious to everyone around him. But reading this book and getting to see how much Laura loved him back.. wow. What they shared was so special, and you can feel that on every single page.
Don’t get me wrong, this book is absolutely heartbreaking, because losing Devon is heartbreaking. But somehow, through all the tears, I found myself smiling just as much. Laughing at Devon’s jokes, his nicknames for everyone and all the little moments they shared made it feel like he was right there. I can hear him now saying “sandwiches for days!” when he was given turkey dinner leftovers.
So thank you, little old Laura Murphy from Corner Brook, Newfoundland (anything but the most regular woman!!) for sharing your heart with all of us. Devon would be so unbelievably proud of you, and I think so many of us are grateful that you found the strength to tell yours and Dev’s story. UGH love you both!
I always admired how much Devon loved Laura. He truly wore his heart on his sleeve and made it so obvious to everyone around him. But reading this book and getting to see how much Laura loved him back.. wow. What they shared was so special, and you can feel that on every single page.
Don’t get me wrong, this book is absolutely heartbreaking, because losing Devon is heartbreaking. But somehow, through all the tears, I found myself smiling just as much. Laughing at Devon’s jokes, his nicknames for everyone and all the little moments they shared made it feel like he was right there. I can hear him now saying “sandwiches for days!” when he was given turkey dinner leftovers.
So thank you, little old Laura Murphy from Corner Brook, Newfoundland (anything but the most regular woman!!) for sharing your heart with all of us. Devon would be so unbelievably proud of you, and I think so many of us are grateful that you found the strength to tell yours and Dev’s story. UGH love you both!
2026
July 14, 2026There are some books that simply cannot be rated, and The Solo Honeymoon is one of them. How do you put a number on love, grief, memories, and the courage to keep living after unimaginable loss? I read the blurb, but nothing could have prepared me for what I experienced. This didn’t feel like a memoir. It felt like Laura was sitting beside me, sharing her heart. Through her words, I came to know Devon so deeply that I mourned someone I’d never met. I adored the openness of their family and the quiet reminder that sometimes love is simply being there for someone through grief. The beautiful descriptions of Atlantic Canada, London, Ireland, Bath, France, and Italy made me feel like I was travelling alongside Laura, and I even added a few places to my own travel list. More than anything, this memoir is a celebration of Devon’s life, Laura’s love, and the strength it takes to choose life again. Thank you, Laura, for sharing something so deeply personal with the world. And if you decide to read this book, do it with care, an open heart, and one small piece of advice: don’t check Laura’s TikTok until you’ve finished. Trust me, it’s worth the wait.
July 8, 2026
I was deeply moved by Laura Murphy's story. I appreciated her honesty and vulnerability as she shared not only what happened, but also her thoughts, emotions, and the most difficult parts of her journey. She didn't only show the beautiful moments, she also let us see the pain, the uncertainty, and the grief. She made me feel so many emotions while telling the story of a beautiful love that ended far too soon.
Part of the reason this book resonated so deeply with me is that I have a fiancé myself. I found myself relating to Laura in many ways, her personality, her outlook on life, and even her interests. It made her story feel even more personal. I also found her incredibly brave and inspiring for choosing to take the honeymoon on her own and for sharing such an intimate part of her life with readers.
It's difficult to review a book based on someone's real-life experience because who are we to judge another person's story? What I can say is that this book is both inspiring and thought-provoking. It reminds us that life is precious and meant to be lived. We shouldn't constantly postpone the things that matter most or take our loved ones for granted. Instead, we should try to embrace the present moment, appreciate the little things, be grateful for the people who support us, and make time for the experiences that bring us joy.
Part of the reason this book resonated so deeply with me is that I have a fiancé myself. I found myself relating to Laura in many ways, her personality, her outlook on life, and even her interests. It made her story feel even more personal. I also found her incredibly brave and inspiring for choosing to take the honeymoon on her own and for sharing such an intimate part of her life with readers.
It's difficult to review a book based on someone's real-life experience because who are we to judge another person's story? What I can say is that this book is both inspiring and thought-provoking. It reminds us that life is precious and meant to be lived. We shouldn't constantly postpone the things that matter most or take our loved ones for granted. Instead, we should try to embrace the present moment, appreciate the little things, be grateful for the people who support us, and make time for the experiences that bring us joy.
July 20, 2026
Its so hard to put a number on someone's personal experience, espically when it is of this nature.
My best friend experienced a similar tragedy, she lost her person unexpectedly. That was 5 years ago and while she seems to be doing better, there are days when she still struggles. Reading Laura's book helped me to better understand what she is and has gone through. Though I know I will never be able to relate, it brought me some sort of peace? If you can call it that.
Laura did what many would never be able to do. Trying to find beauty, purpose and so much more on her darkest of days.
May we all experience a love such as this. Laura, thank you for writing this book and for being vulnerable enough to share some of your darkest days with us.
My best friend experienced a similar tragedy, she lost her person unexpectedly. That was 5 years ago and while she seems to be doing better, there are days when she still struggles. Reading Laura's book helped me to better understand what she is and has gone through. Though I know I will never be able to relate, it brought me some sort of peace? If you can call it that.
Laura did what many would never be able to do. Trying to find beauty, purpose and so much more on her darkest of days.
May we all experience a love such as this. Laura, thank you for writing this book and for being vulnerable enough to share some of your darkest days with us.
July 29, 2026
This was raw, beautiful, devastating, and somehow was still sprinkled with moments of humour. Whether Laura believes it or not, she’s funny (and one hell of a storyteller).
The first thing I saw was the chapter starting with a picture of glasses, just like the shape of Devon’s. My heart was swelling before I even read a single word.
Obviously when you know the people, you can put a voice and mannerisms to the conversations being had. It’s true - Dev had nicknames for everyone, was always enthused, and made everyone feel welcome and wanted. The whole book made me smile and cut through my heart at the same time.
Seeing Laura say she finally felt maybe a little brave made me feel proud. The proposal story made me roar with laughter. And I cried a lot. This was reaaaaal special to read - Laura thank you for sharing with us 💘
The first thing I saw was the chapter starting with a picture of glasses, just like the shape of Devon’s. My heart was swelling before I even read a single word.
Obviously when you know the people, you can put a voice and mannerisms to the conversations being had. It’s true - Dev had nicknames for everyone, was always enthused, and made everyone feel welcome and wanted. The whole book made me smile and cut through my heart at the same time.
Seeing Laura say she finally felt maybe a little brave made me feel proud. The proposal story made me roar with laughter. And I cried a lot. This was reaaaaal special to read - Laura thank you for sharing with us 💘
July 19, 2026
Sweet love story. I followed Laura’s journey a little as I live in NL and know Devon’s family a little as well. I think it is so strong of her to write about her journey….everyone deals with life differently….
July 26, 2026
heartbreakingly beautiful
June 25, 2026
I really dislike rating memoirs because they are personal experiences to the author, and who am I to judge their life and their experiences? But for the purpose of rating and reviewing for the NetGalley Arc I received, I’m rating this 3 stars. To start, I have to give so much love and heart to the author. It is my biggest fear to lose my husband and I can’t even fathom what life would look like without him. I feel so much for the author and wish her all the best. This was such an honest and raw memoir, and one that has so much vulnerability and inspiration behind it. But the inspiration is for who? What I struggle with, even though this was beautiful in its own right, is what I was supposed to gain from reading this. Maybe this was another way for the author to process her grief out loud with the readers. And I do see the appeal to those who have suffered from grief, and in this, maybe finding solidarity or hope when the world seems dark after loss. And while I’ve suffered from great loss in the last few years, there wasn’t much that I gained from this particular account, besides the privilege of getting to know Devon and what a great and whole presence he was in Laura’s life. I say this with great gentleness because I DO feel this could shed some light for some who are in the midst of grief. It was just my personal experience that I didn’t gain much from this myself. I want to thank the author for sharing her story and for being vulnerable with readers in the midst of this tragedy. I wish her all the best and hope this will shed some light and inspiration for many who pick this up.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an eARC of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an eARC of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.
July 20, 2026
Initially, I had a hard time connecting with the author, and I’m sure part of that comes from a generational gap. We all process grief differently, but people in my demographic tend to handle it in more private, interpersonal ways. When we’re sad, happy, or simply need connection, we call, text, or email close friends and family. We meet up, talk, cry, hug, and keep talking. I would never share those emotions on social media for the entire world to see.
That said, I genuinely admire the courage it took to go on a Solo Honeymoon and to share that experience so openly. And I truly wish her the strength to hang in there, keep traveling, and continue creating new memories.
That said, I genuinely admire the courage it took to go on a Solo Honeymoon and to share that experience so openly. And I truly wish her the strength to hang in there, keep traveling, and continue creating new memories.
August 1, 2026
I feel like memoirs and creative nonfiction writing can get such a bad reputation from fiction readers, but let me just say: a vivid, sweeping memoir is just as good (if not better) than some fiction books. Yeah. I said it!!!
The Solo Honeymoon by Laura Murphy with Bret Witter is a prime example of this!
Laura’s life is finally falling into place: she’s getting married to her dream groom and has planned her dream honeymoon. But when her fiancé Devon passes away in her arms a month before her wedding, it all comes crashing down.
So, while grieving Devon, Laura decides to go on a solo honeymoon, facing her fears and heartbreak head-on.
Yes, this book was as beautiful and heartbreaking as you can imagine. I loved how I got to know both Laura as a person on the honeymoon, but also her life-changing, once-in-a-lifetime love with Devon. I know that in nonfiction writing it can be easy to sometimes be vague or want to protect yourself or the people that you’re writing about, and I respect and am in awe of how much of herself Laura laid bare for the reader. Her grief certainly isn’t linear, and this trip isn’t the magical fix-it-all, but I thought that her experience on her honeymoon was raw and honest. And this honesty makes the memoir relatable (and really what makes any good memoir good) because everyone more or less has experienced pain and heartbreak and had to persevere (even if our situation is definitely not as unique as Laura’s).
Murphy has an engaging, conversational writing style that makes the pages fly by. She balances self-reflection with lighthearted moments, so the memoir never feels weighed down by its heavier themes. There are plenty of funny observations and travel anecdotes mixed in with more vulnerable passages, creating a story that’s both entertaining and emotionally resonant. But trust me, this book is still plenty heartbreaking.
The travel itself is also a highlight. In a few of my English seminars this past year, my class and I discussed how a travel quest is kind of the perfect setting for an essay (and in this case, for a memoir). Our story sets out before Laura goes on her trip, then during the trip where we witness her change, and then at the end, her quest is done. The travel element keeps things fresh (new potential for scenes and activities for her to write about). Obviously, this travel quest is literal, but this can also apply to smaller things that the writer sets out to do. Anyway, I think that the travel quest element is really why this book works so well.
Because this was a longer travel quest, there could’ve been the potential for Laura’s story to get repetitive, but each scene feels intentional and doesn’t get bogged down in flowery descriptions. And while she speaks a lot to her love with Devon, she doesn’t completely focus on the past and instead discovers the beauty still in life.
The Solo Honeymoon is deeply sincere and moving. I think if you love memoirs, you will love this book. If you don’t love memoirs, you should get over that because you, too, will love this book.
Thank you so so much to the lovely people at Dutton for this eARC via NetGalley! I’m honored to have read this beautiful memoir. Please read it!
The Solo Honeymoon by Laura Murphy with Bret Witter is a prime example of this!
Laura’s life is finally falling into place: she’s getting married to her dream groom and has planned her dream honeymoon. But when her fiancé Devon passes away in her arms a month before her wedding, it all comes crashing down.
So, while grieving Devon, Laura decides to go on a solo honeymoon, facing her fears and heartbreak head-on.
Yes, this book was as beautiful and heartbreaking as you can imagine. I loved how I got to know both Laura as a person on the honeymoon, but also her life-changing, once-in-a-lifetime love with Devon. I know that in nonfiction writing it can be easy to sometimes be vague or want to protect yourself or the people that you’re writing about, and I respect and am in awe of how much of herself Laura laid bare for the reader. Her grief certainly isn’t linear, and this trip isn’t the magical fix-it-all, but I thought that her experience on her honeymoon was raw and honest. And this honesty makes the memoir relatable (and really what makes any good memoir good) because everyone more or less has experienced pain and heartbreak and had to persevere (even if our situation is definitely not as unique as Laura’s).
Murphy has an engaging, conversational writing style that makes the pages fly by. She balances self-reflection with lighthearted moments, so the memoir never feels weighed down by its heavier themes. There are plenty of funny observations and travel anecdotes mixed in with more vulnerable passages, creating a story that’s both entertaining and emotionally resonant. But trust me, this book is still plenty heartbreaking.
The travel itself is also a highlight. In a few of my English seminars this past year, my class and I discussed how a travel quest is kind of the perfect setting for an essay (and in this case, for a memoir). Our story sets out before Laura goes on her trip, then during the trip where we witness her change, and then at the end, her quest is done. The travel element keeps things fresh (new potential for scenes and activities for her to write about). Obviously, this travel quest is literal, but this can also apply to smaller things that the writer sets out to do. Anyway, I think that the travel quest element is really why this book works so well.
Because this was a longer travel quest, there could’ve been the potential for Laura’s story to get repetitive, but each scene feels intentional and doesn’t get bogged down in flowery descriptions. And while she speaks a lot to her love with Devon, she doesn’t completely focus on the past and instead discovers the beauty still in life.
The Solo Honeymoon is deeply sincere and moving. I think if you love memoirs, you will love this book. If you don’t love memoirs, you should get over that because you, too, will love this book.
Thank you so so much to the lovely people at Dutton for this eARC via NetGalley! I’m honored to have read this beautiful memoir. Please read it!
July 25, 2026
With thanks to NetGalley for the preview of this new memoir.
Newfoundland lawyer Laura Murphy lost her fiancé Devon suddenly, weeks before they were to be married. This is her account of how she began to work through overwhelming grief and loss with the aid of both her family and friends and a social media community on TikTok that provided her with support and encouragement (alongside ample criticism and mockery, at times, she mentions).
She decides to go ahead with their planned honeymoon to Europe on her own while documenting her journey. Several family members join her for portions of the trip, and she meets people--including other young widows--who share their own experiences of bereavement.
There are some deeply poignant moments, as well as some very funny ones: this is a memoir that leans heavily on anecdote. Stories about family, community, and place portray Newfoundland, both urban and rural, in wonderfully evocative ways.
Many of the narrator's recollections are followed by brief reflections: "Time. It's precious. So precious." A second author is credited, and perhaps that's why this account occasionally feels a bit pat, but there are also places where the author's voice comes through more clearly. At one point fairly early in their relationship, she learned that her fiancé had been concealing secrets about himself. As they confront this issue, there are powerful revelations about shame and fear. But the episode ends with "You never really know anyone, do you?", shying away, it felt to me, from the more insightful analysis that the narrator was beginning to share.
Elsewhere, she describes herself as fundamentally a private person, and she worries about how grief can be packaged and consumed. I would have liked more discussion of this tension, particularly in light of the narrator's gentle critique of how her social media presence encourages viewers to believe they know her and have a right to pass judgment on her choices; I'm worried I'm doing the same here, in reviewing the memoir.
There's a rushed quality to some of the reflections, and that's perhaps because so little time has passed between the narrator's loss and her attempt to make sense of it for readers. The narrator also seems acutely conscious of family members and friends as potential readers, and that can be daunting.
Through all of these challenges, however, the narrator sustains extraordinary courage and grace, including in dealing with the public responses to her personal tragedy.
Newfoundland lawyer Laura Murphy lost her fiancé Devon suddenly, weeks before they were to be married. This is her account of how she began to work through overwhelming grief and loss with the aid of both her family and friends and a social media community on TikTok that provided her with support and encouragement (alongside ample criticism and mockery, at times, she mentions).
She decides to go ahead with their planned honeymoon to Europe on her own while documenting her journey. Several family members join her for portions of the trip, and she meets people--including other young widows--who share their own experiences of bereavement.
There are some deeply poignant moments, as well as some very funny ones: this is a memoir that leans heavily on anecdote. Stories about family, community, and place portray Newfoundland, both urban and rural, in wonderfully evocative ways.
Many of the narrator's recollections are followed by brief reflections: "Time. It's precious. So precious." A second author is credited, and perhaps that's why this account occasionally feels a bit pat, but there are also places where the author's voice comes through more clearly. At one point fairly early in their relationship, she learned that her fiancé had been concealing secrets about himself. As they confront this issue, there are powerful revelations about shame and fear. But the episode ends with "You never really know anyone, do you?", shying away, it felt to me, from the more insightful analysis that the narrator was beginning to share.
Elsewhere, she describes herself as fundamentally a private person, and she worries about how grief can be packaged and consumed. I would have liked more discussion of this tension, particularly in light of the narrator's gentle critique of how her social media presence encourages viewers to believe they know her and have a right to pass judgment on her choices; I'm worried I'm doing the same here, in reviewing the memoir.
There's a rushed quality to some of the reflections, and that's perhaps because so little time has passed between the narrator's loss and her attempt to make sense of it for readers. The narrator also seems acutely conscious of family members and friends as potential readers, and that can be daunting.
Through all of these challenges, however, the narrator sustains extraordinary courage and grace, including in dealing with the public responses to her personal tragedy.
July 15, 2026
🪽The Solo Honeymoon by Laura Murphy, with Bret Witter🪽
I don’t think I could ever find the words to fully express how this book made me feel 🥺 but I’ll give it a red hot go.
The Solo Honeymoon is an incredibly moving memoir about love, devastating loss, and finding the courage to keep living when your future suddenly looks nothing like you imagined it would. Laura opens her heart to readers with such honesty and vulnerability that it feels like she is speaking directly to your soul.
What touched me most when reading this book was the balance between heartbreak and hope, something I am no stranger to in my own life. Laura doesn’t pretend that healing is easy or linear. Instead, she shows how grief can exist alongside beauty, adventure, kindness, and even moments of happiness. The duality of life that I always talk about. Watching her retrace the honeymoon she and her fiancé Devon had dreamed of together was both deeply emotional and profoundly inspiring.
Her writing is thoughtful, intimate, and full of so much quiet wisdom. There were so many passages that made me pause, reflect, and truly appreciate just how precious life and love are. It definitely made me hug my loved ones just that little bit tighter.
This book is more than a travel memoir or a story about grief. It is a celebration of enduring love, resilience, and choosing to keep saying yes to life, even after experiencing unimaginable loss. Something most of us are trying to do every single day and a reason I highly recommend picking this one up.
Congratulations on publication day, Laura. Thank you for trusting readers with your story. It is truly something special and I feel honoured to have read it 🤍
Thank you so much to @duttonbooks and @laurmurph_ for sending me a copy to review. I am so grateful 🙏🏻
#thesolohoneymoon #lauramurphy #duttonbooks #bookreview
I don’t think I could ever find the words to fully express how this book made me feel 🥺 but I’ll give it a red hot go.
The Solo Honeymoon is an incredibly moving memoir about love, devastating loss, and finding the courage to keep living when your future suddenly looks nothing like you imagined it would. Laura opens her heart to readers with such honesty and vulnerability that it feels like she is speaking directly to your soul.
What touched me most when reading this book was the balance between heartbreak and hope, something I am no stranger to in my own life. Laura doesn’t pretend that healing is easy or linear. Instead, she shows how grief can exist alongside beauty, adventure, kindness, and even moments of happiness. The duality of life that I always talk about. Watching her retrace the honeymoon she and her fiancé Devon had dreamed of together was both deeply emotional and profoundly inspiring.
Her writing is thoughtful, intimate, and full of so much quiet wisdom. There were so many passages that made me pause, reflect, and truly appreciate just how precious life and love are. It definitely made me hug my loved ones just that little bit tighter.
This book is more than a travel memoir or a story about grief. It is a celebration of enduring love, resilience, and choosing to keep saying yes to life, even after experiencing unimaginable loss. Something most of us are trying to do every single day and a reason I highly recommend picking this one up.
Congratulations on publication day, Laura. Thank you for trusting readers with your story. It is truly something special and I feel honoured to have read it 🤍
Thank you so much to @duttonbooks and @laurmurph_ for sending me a copy to review. I am so grateful 🙏🏻
#thesolohoneymoon #lauramurphy #duttonbooks #bookreview
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
The Solo Honeymoon is a memoir from Laura Murphy, who lost her fiancé just weeks before their wedding. In a scenario none of us would want to repeat, he dies in her arms with no prior warning that he was ill (the doctors couldn’t even tell the cause). Naturally, her grief was overwhelming and unbearable. After spending some time deep in depression, she decided to go on her honeymoon trip by herself, and to share her experiences on TikTok. The TikTok postings turned out to be therapy not only for Laura, but for millions of viewers who read and were pulled in to her story.
During her solo honeymoon, Laura spends time with friends and with her fiancé Devon’s relatives in London, Florence, and other beautiful places. She shores up her familial and friendship relationships, and when she moves back to Newfoundland she is able to see her loss in the context of the life that is waiting for her without him. I looked up her TikTok after I finished the book and was surprised to see how young she is. Yes, she talks about her age in the book, but the writing was so thoughtful and mature I genuinely expected someone a bit older. She did have a co-writer (which I think is an excellent idea for someone working through such a raw emotional time), but the voice seemed truly authentic to me.
Laura’s heart is on her sleeve on every page of this book, and at times it is impossible not to descend into grief along with her. But although her grief is omnipresent, she infuses her words with an equally deep sense of beauty, love, and hope. Thank you to Penguin Random House and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this advance copy. All opinions are my own.
During her solo honeymoon, Laura spends time with friends and with her fiancé Devon’s relatives in London, Florence, and other beautiful places. She shores up her familial and friendship relationships, and when she moves back to Newfoundland she is able to see her loss in the context of the life that is waiting for her without him. I looked up her TikTok after I finished the book and was surprised to see how young she is. Yes, she talks about her age in the book, but the writing was so thoughtful and mature I genuinely expected someone a bit older. She did have a co-writer (which I think is an excellent idea for someone working through such a raw emotional time), but the voice seemed truly authentic to me.
Laura’s heart is on her sleeve on every page of this book, and at times it is impossible not to descend into grief along with her. But although her grief is omnipresent, she infuses her words with an equally deep sense of beauty, love, and hope. Thank you to Penguin Random House and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this advance copy. All opinions are my own.
July 21, 2026
I first heard about Laura’s story the way I think a lot of people did, through TikTok. At the time, I was also planning my own wedding, and I remember seeing her videos and not being able to imagine the amount of pain and loss she must have been carrying.
But what drew me to Laura’s story wasn’t just the grief. It was the way she talked about learning to keep moving through life while still keeping Devon’s memory alive and bringing him with her in everything she did.
So when I saw she was releasing The Solo Honeymoon, I knew immediately that I had to read it and it did not disappoint.
This book is so incredibly raw and vulnerable. The way Laura tells their story makes you feel like you genuinely get to know their relationship and, in some small way, Devon as a person too. You see the love they shared, the life they were building together, and just how deeply a person can be woven into every part of your life.
I can’t even begin to understand the weight of a loss that significant, but I walked away from this book thinking so much about how precious time really is.
Say I love you. Give the extra kiss, even if you don’t want to ruin your lipstick. Stop worrying so much about what other people think. Take the trip. Make the memories. Love your people loudly and love your life unapologetically.
This book broke my heart, but it also reminded me how lucky we are to love and be loved and to never take an ordinary day with the people we love for granted. 🤍
But what drew me to Laura’s story wasn’t just the grief. It was the way she talked about learning to keep moving through life while still keeping Devon’s memory alive and bringing him with her in everything she did.
So when I saw she was releasing The Solo Honeymoon, I knew immediately that I had to read it and it did not disappoint.
This book is so incredibly raw and vulnerable. The way Laura tells their story makes you feel like you genuinely get to know their relationship and, in some small way, Devon as a person too. You see the love they shared, the life they were building together, and just how deeply a person can be woven into every part of your life.
I can’t even begin to understand the weight of a loss that significant, but I walked away from this book thinking so much about how precious time really is.
Say I love you. Give the extra kiss, even if you don’t want to ruin your lipstick. Stop worrying so much about what other people think. Take the trip. Make the memories. Love your people loudly and love your life unapologetically.
This book broke my heart, but it also reminded me how lucky we are to love and be loved and to never take an ordinary day with the people we love for granted. 🤍
July 30, 2026
Having no prior knowledge of the viral social media story behind The Solo Honeymoon, I came to this book with no expectations. What I found was an honest and deeply personal memoir about navigating an unexpected and painful life event.
Laura Murphy deserves recognition for sharing her experience so openly. The emotions are raw, and the book offers an intimate look at grief, disappointment, resilience, and self-discovery. Whether readers are familiar with the original story or not, there is something universally relatable about trying to move forward when life doesn't go according to plan.
I appreciated the author's perspective and found myself rooting for her throughout the book. While it didn't fully connect with me on an emotional level, I respect the vulnerability it took to tell this story and share such a difficult chapter of her life.
Overall, I'm glad I read it. It's a sincere memoir that will likely resonate with many readers, and I admire the author for turning a painful experience into a story she was willing to share with the world.
Laura Murphy deserves recognition for sharing her experience so openly. The emotions are raw, and the book offers an intimate look at grief, disappointment, resilience, and self-discovery. Whether readers are familiar with the original story or not, there is something universally relatable about trying to move forward when life doesn't go according to plan.
I appreciated the author's perspective and found myself rooting for her throughout the book. While it didn't fully connect with me on an emotional level, I respect the vulnerability it took to tell this story and share such a difficult chapter of her life.
Overall, I'm glad I read it. It's a sincere memoir that will likely resonate with many readers, and I admire the author for turning a painful experience into a story she was willing to share with the world.
July 16, 2026
Thank you Dutton and NetGalley for the advanced copy of The Solo Honeymoon by Laura Murphy.
This memoir of the great love and loss of Laura's life was as informative and profound as it was heart-breaking. I found this to be packed full of strong, consistent voice even through a back and forth timeline.
I first saw Laura on TikTok and followed her story from that very first swipe. When she announced she was writing and publishing a book about her love Devon, I understood immediately how words and the choosing of them is far preferable than spur of the moment videos when it comes to trying to describe any part of the grief she was going through.
This memoir, while extremely sad and tear-jerking, gave me inspirations of hope and auras of love. This isn't a story, it's their life, and it reflects how enamoring, unfair, and sustaining the human experience truly is.
This memoir of the great love and loss of Laura's life was as informative and profound as it was heart-breaking. I found this to be packed full of strong, consistent voice even through a back and forth timeline.
I first saw Laura on TikTok and followed her story from that very first swipe. When she announced she was writing and publishing a book about her love Devon, I understood immediately how words and the choosing of them is far preferable than spur of the moment videos when it comes to trying to describe any part of the grief she was going through.
This memoir, while extremely sad and tear-jerking, gave me inspirations of hope and auras of love. This isn't a story, it's their life, and it reflects how enamoring, unfair, and sustaining the human experience truly is.
July 20, 2026
A beautiful and heartbreaking story of self-discovery and inner strength
When Laura Murphy’s fiancé unexpectedly dies shortly before their wedding, she decides to process her grief by going on the honeymoon they had imagined for themselves. With the support of family and friends—and the encouragement of her millions of TikTok followers—she embarks on a cathartic journey toward emotional healing.
Wonderfully written, this memoir seamlessly transitions between the cherished memories of her “sweet Dev”—acknowledging the couple’s imperfections while celebrating the joy they brought to each other—and her deeply personal quest to reclaim her life, finding hope and purpose after such a profound loss. The Solo Honeymoon is a touching account of the courage it takes to begin again, and a reminder to cherish the moments we have with the ones we love.
When Laura Murphy’s fiancé unexpectedly dies shortly before their wedding, she decides to process her grief by going on the honeymoon they had imagined for themselves. With the support of family and friends—and the encouragement of her millions of TikTok followers—she embarks on a cathartic journey toward emotional healing.
Wonderfully written, this memoir seamlessly transitions between the cherished memories of her “sweet Dev”—acknowledging the couple’s imperfections while celebrating the joy they brought to each other—and her deeply personal quest to reclaim her life, finding hope and purpose after such a profound loss. The Solo Honeymoon is a touching account of the courage it takes to begin again, and a reminder to cherish the moments we have with the ones we love.
July 27, 2026
Heartbreaking. The grief is so real and raw. I’ve noticed when going to funerals of religious people that there is hope of reuniting again, seeing them again, that their presence is still there. It was so devastating to walk through this journey of loss Laura has taken not only because she lost someone she loved deeply at what should have been the beginning of their story but also it felt so profound because she says she will never see him again, he is gone and no longer exists. The loss is so much deeper because you’re not only grieving the life you should have had together but also because believing this life is it, that was your one chance, that small amount of time together was the sum total, it just makes it so final and the grief so much more sad. Such a tragedy and unexpected loss. I hope that she can love again.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
The beautiful memoir written by Laura Murphy is one that is full of grief, mourning and bereavement.
What a cathartic way to express emotion through writing.
If you enjoy reading memoirs full of emotions, this one is for you. There is heartache, and sadness but you can see the growth Laura went through in the month's after her fiancé’s unexpected passing.
I do not star rate non-fiction books, as this is the author's personal story. It is either a yes or no.
For the purpose of Goodreads and StoryGraph:
5 star being yes - a must read
1 star being no - do not read
I suggest you read this book.
Available July 14th!
Thank you to Random House Canada and Laura Murphy for the ARC of The Solo Honeymoon.
What a cathartic way to express emotion through writing.
If you enjoy reading memoirs full of emotions, this one is for you. There is heartache, and sadness but you can see the growth Laura went through in the month's after her fiancé’s unexpected passing.
I do not star rate non-fiction books, as this is the author's personal story. It is either a yes or no.
For the purpose of Goodreads and StoryGraph:
5 star being yes - a must read
1 star being no - do not read
I suggest you read this book.
Available July 14th!
Thank you to Random House Canada and Laura Murphy for the ARC of The Solo Honeymoon.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
A moving and heartfelt memoir of loss, grief, depression and starting over when it feels like the life you thought you'd live is devastatingly over. I never followed viral TikTok Newfoundlander Laura Murphy who became known for her solo honeymoon journey after losing her fiance, Devon, but her story is a tragic tale that was emotionally read by the author. I enjoyed learning about her love for Devon and the ways she tried to move on after his loss. For anyone who has lost a loved one and struggled in the aftermath or fans of books like Eat, pray, love. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital copy and @prhaudio for a complimentary ALC in exchange for my honest review.
Disability rep: rheumatoid arthritis and Celiac's disease
Disability rep: rheumatoid arthritis and Celiac's disease
July 19, 2026
Born and raised in St. John’s, I left when I was 11 for Halifax. When I moved back to Newfoundland for a co-op work term in 2011, I fell into a group of friends who included one of Devon’s “brother-cousins”. While I never met Devon, I heard the name “Devo” more times than I could count. When I heard of his passing two years ago, I was sad for my friends, but when I came across Laura’s tiktoks a couple of months later, I was in captivated by her vulnerability (although after reading this book, I doubt she’d call it that).
It was a privilege to be let in on the intimate details of a love story cut tragically short. To view a story I was on the far periphery of through new eyes. What a moving tribute.
It was a privilege to be let in on the intimate details of a love story cut tragically short. To view a story I was on the far periphery of through new eyes. What a moving tribute.
August 2, 2026
This book tore at every single heart string in my heart I didn’t even know I had. Laura I write this review deep from within my heart; thank you. Thank you for sharing what is one of the most hardest times in your life with the world. Aside from tik tok, I can’t begin to fathom an entire book. I was crying and laughing constantly. Everything felt so raw and real as if you were sitting across the room reading this book to out loud to me. It’s truly the most bitter sweet feeling of pride for me, that I even had to purchase this book but regardless very very well done. I hope you continue great achievements that make you proud, on your path of forever healing and create more, like this book.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Heart breaking.
The author, Laura Murphy's fiancé (who was in his early 30's) died in Laura's arms while they were at work. Laura decided to proceed with her honeymoon.
As the cover of the book says ... a brief beautiful true love story
Laura - wishing you the best.
Many thanks to author Laura Murphy for sharing her story. Thank you to NetGalley and Dutton Publishing for approving my request to read the advance read copy of The Solo Honeymoon in exchange for an honest review.
Approx 256 pages; release date is July 14, 2026.
The author, Laura Murphy's fiancé (who was in his early 30's) died in Laura's arms while they were at work. Laura decided to proceed with her honeymoon.
As the cover of the book says ... a brief beautiful true love story
Laura - wishing you the best.
Many thanks to author Laura Murphy for sharing her story. Thank you to NetGalley and Dutton Publishing for approving my request to read the advance read copy of The Solo Honeymoon in exchange for an honest review.
Approx 256 pages; release date is July 14, 2026.
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