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Guess What? I Love You
When indie musician Mike Maimone meets legendary publicist Howard Bragman, neither expects a once-in-a-lifetime love story to unfold. Despite their perceived differences, they quickly build a world together based on music, humor, hard-won wisdom, and the unexpected tenderness that comes from finding your forever person just when you'd given up looking.
But when Howard is diagnosed with cancer on the eve of Mike's proposal, the life they had been envisioning together changes overnight. What follows is both devastating and luminous—a final chapter marked by brutal honesty, fierce devotion, and moments of grace that arrive exactly when they're needed most.
Guess What? I Love You is Mike's memoir of the great love of his life and the tragedy of losing it too soon. He has also produced an album of the same name. As he channels his grief into words and music—guided by beautiful and inexplicable synchronicities—readers witness a transformation from heartbreak toward healing.
The result is both a portrait of love and a testament to resilience: a deeply intimate yet universal story celebrating love's power to endure.
PRAISE:
"A memoir that speaks true to the overwhelming grief of a cherished time cut short, and to the joy of a richly remembered relationship."
Get it.
— Kirkus Reviews
"An honest, moving account of love, loss and the radical act of staying open to possibility."
— Los Angeles Magazine
"A heartfelt, poignant memoir... Readers looking for real-life examples of enduring, mature love standing firm against all challenges will fully enjoy Guess What? I Love You."
— BlueInk Review ★ Starred Review
"The book is a masterclass in emotional precision. It is an essential read for anyone navigating grief, proving that love's spectrum remains vast even in the face of loss."
— The Fight Magazine
"Maimone's beautifully written, deeply moving memoir will stir the soul of anyone who reads it. This story captures all the joy, wonders and heartaches of finding a new love, only to end tragically. The heart of this book is the very moving private relationship of two men whose lives come together through the magic of love, in an extraordinary way that neither one thought was possible, showing us all that love can last a lifetime - even through death."
— THOMAS MAIER, New York Times bestselling author of Masters of Sex
"Utilizing slices of charm and entertainment, this beautifully crafted piece demonstrates that love, in its purest form, lives beyond time and space and continues to grow stronger with the dawning of each new day!"
— JAMES VAN PRAAGH, #1 New York Times bestselling spiritual medium
But when Howard is diagnosed with cancer on the eve of Mike's proposal, the life they had been envisioning together changes overnight. What follows is both devastating and luminous—a final chapter marked by brutal honesty, fierce devotion, and moments of grace that arrive exactly when they're needed most.
Guess What? I Love You is Mike's memoir of the great love of his life and the tragedy of losing it too soon. He has also produced an album of the same name. As he channels his grief into words and music—guided by beautiful and inexplicable synchronicities—readers witness a transformation from heartbreak toward healing.
The result is both a portrait of love and a testament to resilience: a deeply intimate yet universal story celebrating love's power to endure.
PRAISE:
"A memoir that speaks true to the overwhelming grief of a cherished time cut short, and to the joy of a richly remembered relationship."
Get it.
— Kirkus Reviews
"An honest, moving account of love, loss and the radical act of staying open to possibility."
— Los Angeles Magazine
"A heartfelt, poignant memoir... Readers looking for real-life examples of enduring, mature love standing firm against all challenges will fully enjoy Guess What? I Love You."
— BlueInk Review ★ Starred Review
"The book is a masterclass in emotional precision. It is an essential read for anyone navigating grief, proving that love's spectrum remains vast even in the face of loss."
— The Fight Magazine
"Maimone's beautifully written, deeply moving memoir will stir the soul of anyone who reads it. This story captures all the joy, wonders and heartaches of finding a new love, only to end tragically. The heart of this book is the very moving private relationship of two men whose lives come together through the magic of love, in an extraordinary way that neither one thought was possible, showing us all that love can last a lifetime - even through death."
— THOMAS MAIER, New York Times bestselling author of Masters of Sex
"Utilizing slices of charm and entertainment, this beautifully crafted piece demonstrates that love, in its purest form, lives beyond time and space and continues to grow stronger with the dawning of each new day!"
— JAMES VAN PRAAGH, #1 New York Times bestselling spiritual medium
286 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 10, 2026
About the author
Mike Maimone
1 book6 followersMike Maimone is a singer-songwriter, pianist, producer, and author. After earning a business degree from the University of Notre Dame, he briefly worked as an accountant before leaving the corporate world to pursue music full-time. He has written and published more than two hundred songs, many heard on TV, in movies, and on the radio. In addition to being a prolific recording artist, Maimone has averaged over 100 tour dates per year since 2005. He has played festivals such as Lollapalooza, headlined legendary venues like the Metro and the Troubador, performed with Stevie Wonder, and toured in support of OK Go, Plain White T's, Blues Traveler, and more. His fifteenth album serves as a companion piece to his first book, "Guess What? I Love You."
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
May 26, 2026
“Guess What? I Love You is a deeply intimate, emotionally devastating, and profoundly life-affirming memoir that explores love, illness, grief, creativity, and human connection with remarkable honesty and tenderness. Mike Maimone transforms the story of his relationship with legendary publicist Howard Bragman into something far greater than a memoir of loss alone it becomes a celebration of vulnerability, companionship, resilience, and the extraordinary beauty of finding real love when it is least expected. The emotional openness throughout the book creates a reading experience that feels heartbreakingly personal while also universally human.”
“What stood out most was the emotional authenticity behind every stage of Mike and Howard’s relationship. Their connection feels vibrant, imperfect, joyful, funny, deeply romantic, and profoundly real from the very beginning, which makes the devastating turn following Howard’s diagnosis all the more emotionally powerful. The memoir captures not only the pain of anticipatory grief and loss, but also the strange grace, tenderness, and emotional clarity that can emerge in the face of mortality. I was especially moved by the way music becomes intertwined with mourning, memory, and healing throughout the narrative, giving the story an added emotional texture that lingers long after the final pages. Mike’s willingness to document the contradictions of grief the love, anger, disbelief, longing, beauty, numbness, humor, and persistence of hope gives the memoir extraordinary emotional depth. The prose itself feels vulnerable, compassionate, and deeply sincere, never manipulating emotion but instead allowing it to unfold naturally through lived experience. Beautifully written and profoundly moving, Guess What? I Love You is the kind of memoir that reminds readers how transformative love can be, even when time is painfully short.”
“What stood out most was the emotional authenticity behind every stage of Mike and Howard’s relationship. Their connection feels vibrant, imperfect, joyful, funny, deeply romantic, and profoundly real from the very beginning, which makes the devastating turn following Howard’s diagnosis all the more emotionally powerful. The memoir captures not only the pain of anticipatory grief and loss, but also the strange grace, tenderness, and emotional clarity that can emerge in the face of mortality. I was especially moved by the way music becomes intertwined with mourning, memory, and healing throughout the narrative, giving the story an added emotional texture that lingers long after the final pages. Mike’s willingness to document the contradictions of grief the love, anger, disbelief, longing, beauty, numbness, humor, and persistence of hope gives the memoir extraordinary emotional depth. The prose itself feels vulnerable, compassionate, and deeply sincere, never manipulating emotion but instead allowing it to unfold naturally through lived experience. Beautifully written and profoundly moving, Guess What? I Love You is the kind of memoir that reminds readers how transformative love can be, even when time is painfully short.”
March 8, 2026
Guess What? I Love You by Mike Maimone is a deeply moving memoir about love, loss, and the enduring power of connection. Through heartfelt storytelling, Maimone reflects on his relationship with legendary publicist Howard Bragman and the life they built together during a time that would ultimately become both transformative and heartbreaking.
The story begins when Maimone, an indie musician, meets Bragman, a well known figure in the world of public relations and entertainment. Despite their different backgrounds and life experiences, the two quickly form a powerful bond built on humor, creativity, and a shared appreciation for life’s unexpected turns. Their relationship grows into a deeply meaningful partnership, one filled with plans for the future and the joy of discovering love when they least expected it.
However, their journey takes a sudden and devastating turn when Bragman is diagnosed with cancer just as Maimone prepares to propose. What follows is an intimate account of facing illness, navigating grief, and holding onto love even as circumstances become increasingly difficult.
One of the most compelling aspects of the memoir is how Maimone channels his emotions into both writing and music. The book is closely connected to his album of the same name, allowing readers to experience the story not only through words but also through the creative expression that helped him process his loss.
Overall, Guess What? I Love You is a heartfelt and honest memoir that explores the profound impact of love and the resilience required to move forward after loss. Mike Maimone’s story reminds readers that even when life’s most meaningful relationships are cut short, the love shared within them continues to resonate long after.
The story begins when Maimone, an indie musician, meets Bragman, a well known figure in the world of public relations and entertainment. Despite their different backgrounds and life experiences, the two quickly form a powerful bond built on humor, creativity, and a shared appreciation for life’s unexpected turns. Their relationship grows into a deeply meaningful partnership, one filled with plans for the future and the joy of discovering love when they least expected it.
However, their journey takes a sudden and devastating turn when Bragman is diagnosed with cancer just as Maimone prepares to propose. What follows is an intimate account of facing illness, navigating grief, and holding onto love even as circumstances become increasingly difficult.
One of the most compelling aspects of the memoir is how Maimone channels his emotions into both writing and music. The book is closely connected to his album of the same name, allowing readers to experience the story not only through words but also through the creative expression that helped him process his loss.
Overall, Guess What? I Love You is a heartfelt and honest memoir that explores the profound impact of love and the resilience required to move forward after loss. Mike Maimone’s story reminds readers that even when life’s most meaningful relationships are cut short, the love shared within them continues to resonate long after.
February 24, 2026
Guess What? I Love You is a luminous and devastating memoir about finding profound love when it’s least expected and losing it far too soon.
When indie musician Mike Maimone meets legendary publicist Howard Bragman, what begins as an unlikely pairing becomes a deeply rooted partnership built on humor, music, wisdom, and emotional honesty. Their relationship unfolds with maturity and tenderness, offering readers a portrait of enduring love between two men who had already lived full lives before finding each other.
The emotional pivot of the memoir Howard’s cancer diagnosis on the eve of Mike’s proposal transforms the narrative from romantic discovery to anticipatory grief. Yet what distinguishes this book is not tragedy alone, but grace. Maimone writes with raw vulnerability, chronicling caregiving, devotion, and the strange synchronicities that guided him through loss.
The companion album of the same name adds a multidimensional layer to the storytelling, turning grief into artistic expression. The memoir becomes more than remembrance; it becomes testimony to resilience.
Endorsed by publications including Kirkus Reviews and Los Angeles Magazine, and praised by authors such as Thomas Maier and James Van Praagh, the book stands as both deeply intimate and universally resonant. It speaks to LGBTQ+ love, late in life partnership, caregiving, music as healing, and the radical act of staying emotionally open even after loss.
At 284 pages, Guess What? I Love You is not simply a memoir of grief it is a declaration that love, once fully realized, never truly disappears.
When indie musician Mike Maimone meets legendary publicist Howard Bragman, what begins as an unlikely pairing becomes a deeply rooted partnership built on humor, music, wisdom, and emotional honesty. Their relationship unfolds with maturity and tenderness, offering readers a portrait of enduring love between two men who had already lived full lives before finding each other.
The emotional pivot of the memoir Howard’s cancer diagnosis on the eve of Mike’s proposal transforms the narrative from romantic discovery to anticipatory grief. Yet what distinguishes this book is not tragedy alone, but grace. Maimone writes with raw vulnerability, chronicling caregiving, devotion, and the strange synchronicities that guided him through loss.
The companion album of the same name adds a multidimensional layer to the storytelling, turning grief into artistic expression. The memoir becomes more than remembrance; it becomes testimony to resilience.
Endorsed by publications including Kirkus Reviews and Los Angeles Magazine, and praised by authors such as Thomas Maier and James Van Praagh, the book stands as both deeply intimate and universally resonant. It speaks to LGBTQ+ love, late in life partnership, caregiving, music as healing, and the radical act of staying emotionally open even after loss.
At 284 pages, Guess What? I Love You is not simply a memoir of grief it is a declaration that love, once fully realized, never truly disappears.
February 14, 2026
I first discovered Mike's music by happy accident on Instagram and TikTok a couple of years ago. He describes himself as 'genre-fluid' and never has a truer word been spoken: from American roots and blues, through alt-country to ballads and even, in his previous incarnation as the band Mutts, a power-trio, Mike's music continues to develop in constantly interesting ways.
However, this is his first book.
A companion piece to his new album of the same name, 'Guess What? I Love You' tells of the love story between Mike and Howard Bragman, a love story tragically cut short by Howard's passing from cancer.
OK, first things first and full disclosure - I really enjoyed this. Mike's prose, like his music, is very direct and uncluttered. He is not trying to awe you with complex sentence structures or astonish you with his clever use of metaphor, he is trying to engage and move you with simple, immediate, appropriate and emotional language. And he succeeds wonderfully with that intent.
All but the hardest hearted with find themselves with damp eyes as Mike describes the depth of his feelings for Howard and I am not ashamed to say that I found myself openly weeping as he outlines Howard's rapid decline and passing.
But, I feel I must emphasise, it is not all sadness and tears. Mike details their relationship from the very start to the deep connection they both felt and he does so with humour, kindness and a self-aware and self-deprecating honesty that is both rare to see and most refreshing.
Despite having been a fan of his music for a couple of years now, I must admit that I came to this book with a degree of trepidation - would the power of his lyrics be translated to his prose writing? I need not have worried.
Genuinely profound in places, 'Guess What? I Love You' is a charming, moving and astoundingly honest tale of two people who find in each other the love and connection they have been searching for. It is a bittersweet triumph for an artist not normally associated with books, and I look forward to where this new-found talent takes him.
However, this is his first book.
A companion piece to his new album of the same name, 'Guess What? I Love You' tells of the love story between Mike and Howard Bragman, a love story tragically cut short by Howard's passing from cancer.
OK, first things first and full disclosure - I really enjoyed this. Mike's prose, like his music, is very direct and uncluttered. He is not trying to awe you with complex sentence structures or astonish you with his clever use of metaphor, he is trying to engage and move you with simple, immediate, appropriate and emotional language. And he succeeds wonderfully with that intent.
All but the hardest hearted with find themselves with damp eyes as Mike describes the depth of his feelings for Howard and I am not ashamed to say that I found myself openly weeping as he outlines Howard's rapid decline and passing.
But, I feel I must emphasise, it is not all sadness and tears. Mike details their relationship from the very start to the deep connection they both felt and he does so with humour, kindness and a self-aware and self-deprecating honesty that is both rare to see and most refreshing.
Despite having been a fan of his music for a couple of years now, I must admit that I came to this book with a degree of trepidation - would the power of his lyrics be translated to his prose writing? I need not have worried.
Genuinely profound in places, 'Guess What? I Love You' is a charming, moving and astoundingly honest tale of two people who find in each other the love and connection they have been searching for. It is a bittersweet triumph for an artist not normally associated with books, and I look forward to where this new-found talent takes him.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 25, 2026
Guess What? I Love You is a deeply emotional and beautifully human memoir that captures the fragile, transformative power of love in the face of unimaginable loss. Mike Maimone tells a story that feels intensely personal while also resonating on a universal level, exploring not only romance and grief, but vulnerability, devotion, healing, and the courage to remain emotionally open after heartbreak.
What makes the memoir especially compelling is the authenticity of the relationship at its center. The connection between Mike and Howard feels genuine, mature, and profoundly lived-in, shaped not by fantasy but by tenderness, humor, shared wisdom, and emotional honesty. That sincerity gives the book extraordinary emotional weight, particularly as their love story is interrupted by illness and the painful reality of limited time.
The memoir also stands out because it does not approach grief as a purely dark or hopeless experience. Instead, it acknowledges the devastation of loss while still making space for beauty, synchronicity, music, memory, and emotional transformation. The inclusion of Mike’s artistic process and companion album adds another dimension to the story, making the memoir feel not only reflective but creatively alive.
What ultimately makes Guess What? I Love You so powerful is its emotional precision. The book speaks to anyone who has loved deeply, lost painfully, or searched for meaning after life changes unexpectedly. It is both heartbreaking and hopeful—a reminder that love can continue shaping who we are long after someone is gone.
What makes the memoir especially compelling is the authenticity of the relationship at its center. The connection between Mike and Howard feels genuine, mature, and profoundly lived-in, shaped not by fantasy but by tenderness, humor, shared wisdom, and emotional honesty. That sincerity gives the book extraordinary emotional weight, particularly as their love story is interrupted by illness and the painful reality of limited time.
The memoir also stands out because it does not approach grief as a purely dark or hopeless experience. Instead, it acknowledges the devastation of loss while still making space for beauty, synchronicity, music, memory, and emotional transformation. The inclusion of Mike’s artistic process and companion album adds another dimension to the story, making the memoir feel not only reflective but creatively alive.
What ultimately makes Guess What? I Love You so powerful is its emotional precision. The book speaks to anyone who has loved deeply, lost painfully, or searched for meaning after life changes unexpectedly. It is both heartbreaking and hopeful—a reminder that love can continue shaping who we are long after someone is gone.
May 26, 2026
Guess What? I Love You by Mike Maimone is a deeply intimate memoir that explores love, grief, caregiving, and emotional resilience through the author’s relationship with legendary publicist Howard Bragman.
One of the memoir’s greatest strengths is its emotional honesty. Rather than romanticizing illness or grief, the narrative embraces vulnerability and complexity, allowing readers to experience both the joy of unexpected love and the devastation of profound loss with remarkable authenticity.
Another standout quality is the balance between heartbreak and hope. Even as the memoir confronts mortality and anticipatory grief, it also emphasizes tenderness, humor, companionship, and the transformative power of emotional connection.
The integration of music and synchronicity into the healing process also adds a compelling creative dimension to the memoir. By channeling grief into artistic expression, the book becomes not only a personal remembrance but also a reflection on how art can help navigate loss and preserve love.
Heartfelt, emotionally resonant, and beautifully reflective, Guess What? I Love You will strongly connect with readers of memoir, LGBTQ+ life writing, grief narratives, and stories centered on enduring love and personal healing.
One of the memoir’s greatest strengths is its emotional honesty. Rather than romanticizing illness or grief, the narrative embraces vulnerability and complexity, allowing readers to experience both the joy of unexpected love and the devastation of profound loss with remarkable authenticity.
Another standout quality is the balance between heartbreak and hope. Even as the memoir confronts mortality and anticipatory grief, it also emphasizes tenderness, humor, companionship, and the transformative power of emotional connection.
The integration of music and synchronicity into the healing process also adds a compelling creative dimension to the memoir. By channeling grief into artistic expression, the book becomes not only a personal remembrance but also a reflection on how art can help navigate loss and preserve love.
Heartfelt, emotionally resonant, and beautifully reflective, Guess What? I Love You will strongly connect with readers of memoir, LGBTQ+ life writing, grief narratives, and stories centered on enduring love and personal healing.
February 27, 2026
I was a bit apprehensive going into this as a straight girl and wasn't sure it was geared for all. All that nonsense quickly melted away. How this is Maimone's first book is beyond me, so well written and he took the time to explain things which is more than appreciated as who does not want to come out of a book without knowledge? The story was pretty much in order of events, and easy to follow along. I enjoyed getting to know Mike & Howard, they really had that special love story that remains. I even scored an autographed copy! All in all, this was a beautiful story, so much vulnerability, I could never share all that, that takes guts. Oh, do not forget, there is soundtrack that goes along with the book, Moon River and The Best are my favorites!! PS-what happened to Nacho & Curtis though? PSS-the book cover is Gorgeous. Please Mike, write another masterpiece soon! Thank you for sharing your magical love with us!
May 6, 2026
What stayed with me is how the memoir refuses to separate love from its ending, allowing joy and grief to exist in the same sentence rather than in sequence. In Guess What I Love You, Mike Maimone structures the narrative through memory and reflection, where moments of connection with Howard Bragman are revisited with an awareness of what is coming but never reduced by it.
The interplay between music and writing becomes a quiet framework, with the act of creating serving as a way to process rather than resolve loss. There is also a recurring sense of synchronicity that threads through the memoir, not as explanation but as a way of holding meaning when logic falls short.
This will resonate most with readers who are open to nonlinear grief and to stories that do not move cleanly from heartbreak to healing.
By the end, love feels less like something interrupted and more like something that continues to take shape, even after it has changed form.
The interplay between music and writing becomes a quiet framework, with the act of creating serving as a way to process rather than resolve loss. There is also a recurring sense of synchronicity that threads through the memoir, not as explanation but as a way of holding meaning when logic falls short.
This will resonate most with readers who are open to nonlinear grief and to stories that do not move cleanly from heartbreak to healing.
By the end, love feels less like something interrupted and more like something that continues to take shape, even after it has changed form.
February 22, 2026
I discovered Mike Maimone on social media. Clips of his music began showing up in my feeds, probably because I tend to view videos by gay musicians. Mike was very different, with a gravelly Dr. John kind of voice and a distinctive blues/jazz/ballad fusion style. With all those slashes, you can probably say he transcends styles. I began following him and learned more about where he is in his life. He is a widower, having lost his husband and soul mate from an aggressive form of leukemia less than a year after they met. However, in that time, they both discovered they had found true love. This book is Mike’s memoir of their relationship.
Come visit my blog for the full review…
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Come visit my blog for the full review…
https://itstartedwiththehugos.blogspo...
April 25, 2026
The book was very hard to read for me, honestly, and I don’t mean that it’s bad, but rather, the pain of reading the pages was just too intense for me (I’m an emotional person, so it just gets to a point where I just feel too much sometimes, it’s nothing new), that I had to step away for a few minutes before continuing on reading the next because I was sobbing uncontrollably. That said, it’s a very heartfelt memoir and I just wanted to say, again, thank you for sharing this. I will treasure this, you and Howard in my heart forever.
March 3, 2026
This book is a loving tribute to a husband, exploring a full arc of their relationship. The book drew out emotions I didn’t know I had. There is a lot of specificity that translates to the general. And there are a lot of truths regarding gay courtship and commitment. I’m glad I went on this journey.
March 6, 2026
Mike has an amazing ability to be an incredibly vulnerable,approachable, and funny writer. The loss of a husband or spouse must be unfathomable. His ability to tell his side of the story to honor the amazing man that was Howard his husband is touching and memorable. Hit all the emotional buttons for me. Great job, Mike! What can’t you do?
February 20, 2026
A very real and heartwarming tribute to that one special person in your life that comes along but then is gone. Mike bears his heart and soul about his relationship in this book and the album (with the same title) and songs (many videos on YouTube) he created are not to be missed.
March 19, 2026
I've grown to be a big fan of Maimone over the last year, first at hearing his music and then learning his story and tragedy. This audiobook is a snapshot of a life lived in such a short time but a meaningful experience. I had such a hard time keeping my eyes dry the last half of this.
May 31, 2026
Cute, quick, fun and easy read by a fun musician I follow on IG.
April 5, 2026
Immerse yourself into a one of a kind experience…
The book cover grabs your curiosity like a magnet. One you start to read, you can’t let go. You will have to pause to catch your breath. The story goes directly to the heart and emotions of the reader. It’s a constant feedback of those little details about life and love that need to be shared. You will feel empathy with the author. At the end, you will wish to be his friend. I enjoyed this book immensely because much of its story has parallels with my life. Buy a copy and prepare yourself to read it again and again. Thank you Mr. Mike Maimone. Hugs!
The book cover grabs your curiosity like a magnet. One you start to read, you can’t let go. You will have to pause to catch your breath. The story goes directly to the heart and emotions of the reader. It’s a constant feedback of those little details about life and love that need to be shared. You will feel empathy with the author. At the end, you will wish to be his friend. I enjoyed this book immensely because much of its story has parallels with my life. Buy a copy and prepare yourself to read it again and again. Thank you Mr. Mike Maimone. Hugs!
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews