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Remembering Elysha: Grief, Fatherhood, and the Life That Continues
A memoir of devastating honesty, warmth, and unexpected grace about raising children while learning how to live with what love leaves behind.
On a family holiday meant to create lasting memories, everything changes in an instant.
When a sudden medical crisis strikes in New York, Paul Folino-Gallo finds himself in a hospital room facing the unimaginable. His sons Giorgio, eight, and Valentino, six, still believe their mother will be coming home.
In the space between one breath and the next, Paul realises he will have to tell them she isn’t.
In the days and months that follow, he must learn how to raise two boys in a world permanently altered by absence.
Life, however, continues in small and sometimes surprising ways. School lunches are packed, soccer games are played, and burnt dinners are immortalised in six-year-old Valentino’s ‘Sad Dad’ drawings. Eight-year-old Giorgio begins asking the kinds of questions children are never meant to ask … where does love go when someone dies?
Family traditions continue even when the heart of the family is gone. Two boys grieve in different ways, and a father learns to honour both. Slowly, they discover that grief does not move in a straight line. It changes shape, making space for joy and sorrow to exist in the same breath.
Through these months runs a quieter reflection on the men who came before him, and the ways families learn, generation by generation, to carry grief.
Remembering Elysha offers no false comfort and no easy answers. This is grief told truthfully — the longing, the dark humour, the absurd moments, and the quiet reality that life continues alongside loss. A reminder that the bonds of family, forged in both joy and sorrow, can hold us together even when everything else changes.
‘We carry you with us, not as a burden but as the greatest privilege.’
On a family holiday meant to create lasting memories, everything changes in an instant.
When a sudden medical crisis strikes in New York, Paul Folino-Gallo finds himself in a hospital room facing the unimaginable. His sons Giorgio, eight, and Valentino, six, still believe their mother will be coming home.
In the space between one breath and the next, Paul realises he will have to tell them she isn’t.
In the days and months that follow, he must learn how to raise two boys in a world permanently altered by absence.
Life, however, continues in small and sometimes surprising ways. School lunches are packed, soccer games are played, and burnt dinners are immortalised in six-year-old Valentino’s ‘Sad Dad’ drawings. Eight-year-old Giorgio begins asking the kinds of questions children are never meant to ask … where does love go when someone dies?
Family traditions continue even when the heart of the family is gone. Two boys grieve in different ways, and a father learns to honour both. Slowly, they discover that grief does not move in a straight line. It changes shape, making space for joy and sorrow to exist in the same breath.
Through these months runs a quieter reflection on the men who came before him, and the ways families learn, generation by generation, to carry grief.
Remembering Elysha offers no false comfort and no easy answers. This is grief told truthfully — the longing, the dark humour, the absurd moments, and the quiet reality that life continues alongside loss. A reminder that the bonds of family, forged in both joy and sorrow, can hold us together even when everything else changes.
‘We carry you with us, not as a burden but as the greatest privilege.’
506 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 1, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
October 25, 2026
Remembering Elysha by Paul Folino Gallo @paul_folino_gallo
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ and a half
I've been sitting on this review for a while, unable to put into words how raw, honest, beautiful and heartbreaking this book is. This story touches the soul.
On a family holiday to New York, Paul's wife Elysha, passes away unexpectedly. Paul and his two young sons (and mother) are left navigating how to return to Australia and their lives back at home, without their beautiful mother and wife.
Paul explains grief, second to none, like 'living life underwater' where everything feels so much harder. Paul's beautiful children, Giorgio and Valentino's conversations and processing of grief was heart warming, heavy and reflective. This book explores grief, how unfair life is, hope, resilience, and finding a new rhythm when a piece of your heart is gone.
I raced through this book, unable to put it down, it completely captivated and engrossed my heart and mind. The pace was perfect and the words are so beautifully written. I highly recommend this book.
R.I.P Elysha, what a pleasure to get to lnow you through your boys.
"A memoir of devastating honesty, warmth, and unexpected grace about raising children while learning how to live with what love leaves behind.
When a sudden medical crisis strikes in New York, Paul Folino-Gallo finds himself in a hospital room facing the unimaginable. His sons Giorgio, eight, and Valentino, six, still believe their mother will be coming home.
In the space between one breath and the next, Paul realises he will have to tell them she isn’t.
In the days and months that follow, he must learn how to raise two boys in a world permanently altered by absence.
Life, however, continues in small and sometimes surprising ways. School lunches are packed, soccer games are played, and burnt dinners are immortalised in six-year-old Valentino’s ‘Sad Dad’ drawings. Eight-year-old Giorgio begins asking the kinds of questions.Family traditions continue even when the heart of the family is gone. Two boys grieve in different ways, and a father learns to honour both."
#aussieauthorappreciation #aussiebookreviewer #aussiebookreviews #aussiebookstagram #booklover❤️
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ and a half
I've been sitting on this review for a while, unable to put into words how raw, honest, beautiful and heartbreaking this book is. This story touches the soul.
On a family holiday to New York, Paul's wife Elysha, passes away unexpectedly. Paul and his two young sons (and mother) are left navigating how to return to Australia and their lives back at home, without their beautiful mother and wife.
Paul explains grief, second to none, like 'living life underwater' where everything feels so much harder. Paul's beautiful children, Giorgio and Valentino's conversations and processing of grief was heart warming, heavy and reflective. This book explores grief, how unfair life is, hope, resilience, and finding a new rhythm when a piece of your heart is gone.
I raced through this book, unable to put it down, it completely captivated and engrossed my heart and mind. The pace was perfect and the words are so beautifully written. I highly recommend this book.
R.I.P Elysha, what a pleasure to get to lnow you through your boys.
"A memoir of devastating honesty, warmth, and unexpected grace about raising children while learning how to live with what love leaves behind.
When a sudden medical crisis strikes in New York, Paul Folino-Gallo finds himself in a hospital room facing the unimaginable. His sons Giorgio, eight, and Valentino, six, still believe their mother will be coming home.
In the space between one breath and the next, Paul realises he will have to tell them she isn’t.
In the days and months that follow, he must learn how to raise two boys in a world permanently altered by absence.
Life, however, continues in small and sometimes surprising ways. School lunches are packed, soccer games are played, and burnt dinners are immortalised in six-year-old Valentino’s ‘Sad Dad’ drawings. Eight-year-old Giorgio begins asking the kinds of questions.Family traditions continue even when the heart of the family is gone. Two boys grieve in different ways, and a father learns to honour both."
#aussieauthorappreciation #aussiebookreviewer #aussiebookreviews #aussiebookstagram #booklover❤️
September 25, 2026
Paul Fellino Gallo was given permission by his two sons. Georgio and Valentino, to share their remembrances of their lives with their mother, Elysha, in writing this memoir. Paul has gone back to his first meeting with Elysha and from there on he writes of getting to know each other, falling in love and marrying, and the births of their two beautiful boys.
Being the mother of two boys - now men, of course - myself, I was invested in Paul’s story from the start. He obviously loved being a father, and he and Elysha shared parenting even though they both had busy, successful careers; but Elysha was the beating heart of the family, caring meticulously for her two adoring sons, and loving and being loved by Paul.
The little family had wonderful holidays together, and in January of 2024 they arrived in America preparing to once again have two wonderful weeks in the frosty cold of New York City before leaving for another two weeks in the warm sunshine of Hawaii. This holiday, however, was to change their lives in a way none of them could have imagined.
This memoir is not written as a fairy story though, and Paul moves backwards and forwards in time to show that he and Elysha had inevitable rocky moments. It is straight from the heart, as seen through Paul’s eyes and I hope it will help him and his sons to read it now and, probably more importantly, into the future.
Being the mother of two boys - now men, of course - myself, I was invested in Paul’s story from the start. He obviously loved being a father, and he and Elysha shared parenting even though they both had busy, successful careers; but Elysha was the beating heart of the family, caring meticulously for her two adoring sons, and loving and being loved by Paul.
The little family had wonderful holidays together, and in January of 2024 they arrived in America preparing to once again have two wonderful weeks in the frosty cold of New York City before leaving for another two weeks in the warm sunshine of Hawaii. This holiday, however, was to change their lives in a way none of them could have imagined.
This memoir is not written as a fairy story though, and Paul moves backwards and forwards in time to show that he and Elysha had inevitable rocky moments. It is straight from the heart, as seen through Paul’s eyes and I hope it will help him and his sons to read it now and, probably more importantly, into the future.
September 10, 2026
Remembering Elysha is Paul's story of losing his wife, Elysha, completely unexpectedly while on holiday in New York, and how he and their two boys navigate life and grief after loss. It's a book about love, loss, resilience, parenting and trying to make sense of something unimaginable.
Paul has such a beautiful way with words… raw, honest and incredibly real. There were so many moments I felt like I was holding my breath, completely immersed.
I loved reading their love story, the everyday moments, how he's teaching his boys about emotion and vulnerability and his own personal growth in understanding what matters most.
It's heartbreaking, but also incredibly beautiful. A reminder that our world can change in an instant, and that grief and life can happen at the same time.
Paul has such a beautiful way with words… raw, honest and incredibly real. There were so many moments I felt like I was holding my breath, completely immersed.
I loved reading their love story, the everyday moments, how he's teaching his boys about emotion and vulnerability and his own personal growth in understanding what matters most.
It's heartbreaking, but also incredibly beautiful. A reminder that our world can change in an instant, and that grief and life can happen at the same time.
October 15, 2026
Reviewing a memoir I feel is different to a normal book review as this is someone's real life. I felt honoured to read and learn about Elysha, her life and family. Paul her Husband writes beautifully his observations, honesty, warmth, heartache and love make it a heartfelt read. I felt connected to the family and as an observer I gained so much from this read. As a Mother I was reminded that those rituals that we cherish are important to the family unit, it is important to make that time. I also was reminded that small moments matter - take the time to look around, communicate and engage with each other. I realise we all grieve in different ways - there is no right or wrong way and children are different again.
Paul's very personal memoir is from when the family was in New York on holidays and Elysha starts to feel unwell - she is urgently rushed to hospital and all are hoping she will return home soon - that is not the case. Paul is faced with now being a solo parent and telling his boys their Mother will not be coming home. This book is so real and raw in places and the honesty of the boys as they navigate their new normal is so heartbreaking at times. I feel I have a better understanding of grief now after reading this memoir and will aim to be a better friend for my friends navigating this path. This memoir is not just about grief it is about love, family bonds, strength, Fatherhood, being gentle on ourselves after living through unimaginable loss. It is finding a way to balance life - Valentino called it "Like sweet and sour sauce" - Paul says "Exactly like that. The sour part is how much we miss her, but the sweet part is remembering how lucky we were to have her."
I did reach out to Paul and said this is a memoir that will stay with me - moments I won't take for granted. This book is a reflection of the love Paul and the boys had for Elysha but also the love she had for Paul and the boys - this is all journalled for the boys to have forever. Elysha shines through in this book - her traditions and rituals the boys still have with them today really warmed my heart.
Thank you for sending me this book to read and review Paul - it will stay with me always.
Paul's very personal memoir is from when the family was in New York on holidays and Elysha starts to feel unwell - she is urgently rushed to hospital and all are hoping she will return home soon - that is not the case. Paul is faced with now being a solo parent and telling his boys their Mother will not be coming home. This book is so real and raw in places and the honesty of the boys as they navigate their new normal is so heartbreaking at times. I feel I have a better understanding of grief now after reading this memoir and will aim to be a better friend for my friends navigating this path. This memoir is not just about grief it is about love, family bonds, strength, Fatherhood, being gentle on ourselves after living through unimaginable loss. It is finding a way to balance life - Valentino called it "Like sweet and sour sauce" - Paul says "Exactly like that. The sour part is how much we miss her, but the sweet part is remembering how lucky we were to have her."
I did reach out to Paul and said this is a memoir that will stay with me - moments I won't take for granted. This book is a reflection of the love Paul and the boys had for Elysha but also the love she had for Paul and the boys - this is all journalled for the boys to have forever. Elysha shines through in this book - her traditions and rituals the boys still have with them today really warmed my heart.
Thank you for sending me this book to read and review Paul - it will stay with me always.
August 31, 2026
Remembering Elysha is a poignant memoir exploring grief by her husband Paul. Exploring the first year after her unexpected death Paul explores the impact of grief on their new family unit and his job as barrister. I loved getting to know Elysha, hearing about their relationship and then new family. It was lovely to see her through the eyes of someone who loved and she seems like someone I’d love to be friends with. The chapters of their trip to New York, her illness, death and then the journey home and repatriating her body were heartbreaking.
It was interesting to see how grief impacted his role as barrister and how instead of making him soft made him more human. I enjoyed his thoughts on theology and hearing of his tattoo to honour Elysha. I really connected with his comments on whilst trying to prepare for anniversaries and first it was often the small things that blindsided him and his sons. Paul writing was raw, reflective and so well thought through.
I enjoyed his thoughts as they begins to adjust to a new life with a new family unit. It was interesting to see how his two sons reacted differently. With older son Giorgio, being much wiser than his eight years and stepping up whilst younger son Valentino expressed himself through words and art. I did find myself giggling a few times as Paul described Valentino’s sad dad art and could imagine the picture of sad dad crying of spaghetti bolagnaise and then dominating family meetings with his arguments for chocolate cereal instead of discussing chores divisions. I loved how he managed to work on keeping things consistent whilst placing boundaries against well meaning adults and difficult family members to protect his ones.
All of them displayed such strength, resilience and adaption. A beautiful, sweet and sour memoir that left me with a big ball of sadness in my stomach.
It was interesting to see how grief impacted his role as barrister and how instead of making him soft made him more human. I enjoyed his thoughts on theology and hearing of his tattoo to honour Elysha. I really connected with his comments on whilst trying to prepare for anniversaries and first it was often the small things that blindsided him and his sons. Paul writing was raw, reflective and so well thought through.
I enjoyed his thoughts as they begins to adjust to a new life with a new family unit. It was interesting to see how his two sons reacted differently. With older son Giorgio, being much wiser than his eight years and stepping up whilst younger son Valentino expressed himself through words and art. I did find myself giggling a few times as Paul described Valentino’s sad dad art and could imagine the picture of sad dad crying of spaghetti bolagnaise and then dominating family meetings with his arguments for chocolate cereal instead of discussing chores divisions. I loved how he managed to work on keeping things consistent whilst placing boundaries against well meaning adults and difficult family members to protect his ones.
All of them displayed such strength, resilience and adaption. A beautiful, sweet and sour memoir that left me with a big ball of sadness in my stomach.
September 8, 2026
Remembering Elysha is a beautiful and deeply moving book. The prose is clear and direct, offering a vivid and unflinching glimpse into grief and fatherhood. The pacing is exceptional; at times it had my heart pounding, while at others I found myself laughing through tears. Paul Folino Gallo gives readers a raw and vulnerable insight into his grief, challenging me to reflect on my own relationships, beliefs, and priorities in life. It is a rare privilege to be invited into such an intimate and honest account of loss and resilience. I would highly recommend this book to everyone for the reflection it invites, and learning it offers.
Thank you for the ARC!
Thank you for the ARC!
October 22, 2026
A beautiful love story brought to a sudden end by the loss of Paul’s wife during a family holiday.
How do you go on without the person you promised ‘Always’? How do you move forward? How do you raise two boys as a solo parent, while also working as a barrister?
“In daily life, we maintain illusions of permanence, operating as if our time were unlimited and our relationships indefinitely available for repair.”
What stood out to me was how Paul helps his two young boys navigate grief by giving them space to express their emotions in their own unique ways. In doing so, they are developing emotional intelligence - an especially important skill for boys. Masculinity traditionally teaches men to contain their emotions, but Paul is teaching the boys about real connection.
“Our grief was not something to be managed, but to be spoken and shared.”
Remembering Elysha is a deeply moving, heartfelt memoir about loss, grief, and solo parenting. It is both heartbreaking and hopeful, filled with poignant insights and moments of humour.
5 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
How do you go on without the person you promised ‘Always’? How do you move forward? How do you raise two boys as a solo parent, while also working as a barrister?
“In daily life, we maintain illusions of permanence, operating as if our time were unlimited and our relationships indefinitely available for repair.”
What stood out to me was how Paul helps his two young boys navigate grief by giving them space to express their emotions in their own unique ways. In doing so, they are developing emotional intelligence - an especially important skill for boys. Masculinity traditionally teaches men to contain their emotions, but Paul is teaching the boys about real connection.
“Our grief was not something to be managed, but to be spoken and shared.”
Remembering Elysha is a deeply moving, heartfelt memoir about loss, grief, and solo parenting. It is both heartbreaking and hopeful, filled with poignant insights and moments of humour.
5 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
September 16, 2026
Beautifully written tearjerker. Honest, warm, raw, life at its best and worst.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews