The Solo Honeymoon

by Laura Murphy, Unknown Author

Hardcover

Reviews

[Jillian Ball]

Praise to Laura Murphy for writing such a beautifully honest, raw, and emotional memoir.

I don't usually reach for non-fiction, but after seeing Laura's TikToks about her solo honeymoon and then spotting The Solo Honeymoon in a bookstore, I knew I had to read it.

I'll admit, I was worried it would be too heartbreaking to get through—especially after reading the dedication. (IYKYK) But Laura tells her story with such grace that while this is undeniably a book about grief, it's even more a story about love.

Her love for Devon shines through every page. You can feel it in every memory, every adventure, and every emotion she shares. It's a beautiful reminder that love doesn't end when someone is gone.

This is a quick read that you simply will not want to put down. It feels less like reading a memoir and more like sitting across from your best friend over coffee, listening as she shares the greatest love story of her life.

If you're looking for an emotional, heartfelt memoir about love, loss, healing, and resilience, I can't recommend The Solo Honeymoon enough.

[Hayley Howell]

Beautifully honest, and an emotional yet joyful story of living with grief - thank you Laura for sharing your love story with all of us 🤍

[Latisha Tilley]

This story is heartbreakingly beautiful. I listened to Laura tell her story and I was moved in very way possible. She not only talked about her grief of losing her fiancé, Devon, but about who he was as a person, their love and everything surrounding them that made them, them. She also shared her journey about going on her honeymoon alone only months after Devon died. This was everything I thought it would be and more. As also being from Newfoundland, I loved how she included things about the province and the ways of life and how she grew up. I will recommend this book always.

[Olivia]

What can I even say? This was so heartbreakingly beautiful. It is evident that Laura and Devon’s relationship is full of love. Laura is a pillar of strength and she should be so proud. It is clear that Devon has so many people who love and care about him, and that he always returned that same love and care.

I don’t even know Laura and Devon but I know from reading this that they are two beautiful people. Thank you, Laura, for sharing your story and giving us a glimpse into your life with Devon and how you now, so unfairly, have to navigate life without him.

Such a beautiful memoir. 💛

[Jess Lando]

Thank you for filling such an important literary gap. Losing a partner at a young age, before marriage and the life you thought you would build together is an incredibly isolating experience. For a long time, I couldn’t find a single book that spoke to this kind of loss.

Beautifully written ❤️

[Mary Yeung]

I don't rate memoirs because it just doesn't feel right to give someone's story a rating, especially when it deals with loss and grief and healing.

It made me sad knowing what happened to Laura's fiance. Life's fragile and we really should cherish those around us. We just never know...
But what had me sobbing was "I love you still." I am tearing up just thinking about it.

Thank you, Laura, for showing us glimpses of Devon. He deserves to have his story told and yes, grief doesn't have a timeline but you are strong and you are brave. Just thank you for writing this book even though it was difficult to do so.

[Melissa]

Loved the raw, honest emotion the author captured in portraying her grief. I tend to gravitate toward books that explore grief and the complexities of navigating life after loss, and The Solo Honeymoon did not disappoint. The vulnerability and authenticity throughout the story made it incredibly moving—I found myself in tears multiple times (which, to be fair, isn’t exactly hard to do 😉). A beautiful, heartbreaking, and deeply human read.

[Leah]

Is it wrong to describe this book as lovely? I felt so empathetic for the author and following along on her solo honeymoon was a window into how devastating grief can be. From one booklover to another, write more!

[Mckayla Katharine]

Started off great but then I didn’t cry.

[Maria C]

I went to school with Devon for several years. I wouldn’t necessarily say we knew each other well, but as Laura captured so perfectly, Devon made everyone feel like a close friend. The way she described his relationship with the ladies in the office took me right back to being a shy kid on the basketball court. At first, I was confused as to why this guy I didn’t know was cheering for me, but I quickly found myself looking forward to seeing him. I knew that even if I missed every shot, which I often did, Devon was going to say, “Great game, Clift!” and really mean it.

This book made me reflect on a lot of things: Newfoundland, relationships, and career choices, but especially my teenage years. Like Devon, I also had a hard time at that age, but where Devon chose to be everyone’s cheerleader and best buddy, I doubled down on black eyeliner and ignoring my Mom. I wish I had handled those years the way Devon did, with kindness and gratitude.

Looking back as an adult, there were signs he was struggling, small chinks in the armor, but he was such a bright light that they were hard to see. I was so struck by the way Laura illustrated those emotions. This is due, I’m sure, not only to her beautiful writing but also to the absolute trust they seem to have shared in their relationship. You can’t convey someone else’s experience like that without really knowing every part of them.

It was so heartwarming to learn that Devon ended up with everything he deserved, and gut-wrenching to see how quickly it was taken away. Thank you so much to Laura for sharing her story.

[Victoria Cuadrado]

Such a beautiful and honest story. What Laura did takes a different kind of courage, walking through the trip you dreamed up as two people, now as one. She’s is a strong, resilient woman who lost the love of her life and still found a way to live their dream without him.

[Tori Carter]

This is genuinely one of the best books I’ve ever read. It is so vulnerable and raw, I feel privileged to have been able to take in a few of the moments the author shared about her story. Truly incredible.

[Emily]

Raw, beautiful, profound and honest. A glimpse into grief and the heartbreak of losing someone too soon. Best book I’ve read all year.