Good Grief: A True Story of Love, Loss and New Life

by Sue Borrows LaRue

This is an inspirational testimony of how God demonstrates His grace in human tragedy. Suzie Borrows battled for her husband’s life, praying for a miracle. Hers is a story of love, loss and new life; a story of holding on to God’s promises in faith; a story of talking to the Lord about everything and seeing Him answer prayer in unexpected and unimagined ways. This is the story of a woman laying her faith on the Word of God and believing Him for the literal truth of His Word; speaking His Word back to Him and humbly reminding Him of those promises. His answers to her heartfelt cries were provided through undeniable revelations which exceeded her dreams. Through His many mercies to Suzie, God’s purpose gradually became her purpose.

As human beings we may all enjoy blessings, such as family, health and prosperity, but we will also likely suffer loss, hardship and grief. Suzie’s discovery of the ultimate power of God and His Word, along with her growing understanding of how much He truly loves us, transformed her life. Come along with her and experience the miraculous hand of God in the midst of her circumstances. He is no respecter of persons and wants you to know His love in a tangible way as well. Your faith will be ignited, just as Suzie’s was as she walked hand in hand with the Lord.

216 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 13, 2019

Reviews

[Erin · Rating 4 out of 5]

My Thoughts on Good Grief:
First, I love that the author is from Ireland. It’s where my family is from and was just a fun thing to note.

On a serious note, this book really made me think, and pray. I cannot imagine what it would be like to become a widow and turn that pain and heartache into joy for others and help. This is a wonderful book and I would recommend churches have it on their shelves.

This book would also be helpful for anyone who has experienced a loss close to them that they need to grieve. The author is very open and candid in how she processed through her grief and I feel this will be a great tool for helping others work through their grief as well.

I have voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from Celebrate Lit. All views expressed are only my honest opinion. I was not required to write a positive review nor was I compensated in any other way. All opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC regulations.

[Nyla Kay · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good Grief, A True Story of Love, Loss, and New Life by author Sue Borrows LaRue is a true story book on death and grief. It is the author’s journey through the battle of caring for an ill husband and ultimately losing him. It will be a comfort to many grieving the loss of a spouse or loved one.

Author LaRue has a pleasant writing that is calming. She is very open about her experiences and how her faith kept her going. Scripture is given throughout the book to assist others going through this same thing. It helped her and she wants to help others.

I would recommend this for anyone that is grieving the loss of a loved one. The authenticity, scripture, message of hope, and love of Jesus from this book radiate like a warm hug. It receives a 5 out of 5 stars from me. Celebrate Lit provided a copy but these are my honest words.

[Jennifer J. · Rating 4 out of 5]

A heartfelt and remarkably thorough account of love, loss and carrying on in deep and firm faith. This intimate and uplifting look at grief and the very real process of grieving is encouraging and hope-giving. Offering many ideas and realities as unique as the widow facing them is especially important. The author does a fine job of lovingly and carefully sharing her insights and those of the many women she’s mentored in her widows group. Filled with powerful Scripture and amazing God-incidences, Good Grief is a memorable and inspiring book.

Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy of this book. A favorable review was not required, no compensation was received, and all views expressed are my own.

[Tammy Roberts · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent

This is a very good book. Has you crying and laughing. A journey of heartbreak and grief and never giving up on God. I have lost faith so many times on this grief journey. I needed to read this. Thank you.

[Anne Rightler · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good Grief by Sue Borrows LaRue is a wonderfully sad but victorious memoir of her journey through grief as she faced her husband's diagnosis of brain cancer and his death a year later. The book is written candidly with all of her emotions and reactions out in the open--there is a genuineness to her story that draws the reader in. The book is easy to read as the author shares from her heart just like she might share with a friend over lunch. I love how she openly shared about her relationship with Jesus and how the relationship grew as she journeyed through the sorrow and grief of the death of her beloved husband. The author uses the Scriptures throughout the book, relating it to her situations and feelings and it reminds the reader of the power of God's Word in the hard times. It was encouraging to see how God was able to bring beauty out of the ashes as the author was obedient to His Word and sought after His will for her life. She shared experiences where God met specific needs and how He spoke into her life through friends and family. Although I am not a widow, I have walked a journey of grief with my mom for the five years of her dementia before her death. Good Grief resonated with me and the emotions and reactions I went through during that time. It is a book that would be helpful for people who need to be encouraged not to view the death of a loved one as the end of life for those left behind. But to see that it can become a time of renewal and lead to a new normal and perhaps even to a path of ministry to others. I was given a copy of the book by a friend and was not required to write a review. The opinions are my own.

[Deana Dick · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is one that I didn't really want to read. I have not experienced the death of a spouse like the author; however I have experienced the loss of my brother last March. So many people have said kind things to me, prayed for me and even sent cards. Have I gotten past his death? No and I probably never will. What I did find in this book was honesty and pain. The author shares the devastating journey with her husband as he became so ill he couldn't care for himself. Caregivers are a jewel to have and I admired how the author stepped up and took care of her husband. There were days when it overwhelmed her, but she always turned to God for strength.

We don't know why things happen, but God will comfort us in our darkest days. There are many scriptures throughout the book that are very helpful and I looked each one up. I understood how at times she wanted to give up after her husband passed away. It is hard to be the one left behind to continue a life without your loved one. The book is geared mostly to the loss of a spouse but I found it to be useful to me as well.

What I liked about the book was the process the author takes readers through in grieving and shows how there is joy in the midst of sorrow. I could feel her hope and determination to see what God had in store for her. He has a plan for each of us and through the author's journey He showed her what His plan was for her.

I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit. The review is my own opinion.

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought this book was just really relatable, down to earth, and yet mostly Biblically centered around the process that is grief. In America, we barely are able to take time off work when we lose a loved one, and we push that grief away many times rather than living it , having others support us, and finding our meaning and purpose again in Christ. This memoir brought our author's own experience with this in becoming a widow, stepping into new roles, and remarrying. I can't say I agree totally on theology, but I feel like the overall premise of grief in relation to the Scripture was right. This book may bring up old wounds or fresh wounds for all of us, but this is a great resource, inspiration, and comfort for those grieving. Check it out!


I received a complimentary copy of this book, and all opinions given are entirely my own.

[Patti Pierce · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good Grief illustrates how sometimes God can answer prayers in a different way than what we want. Grief is something that everyone processes differently. This book does an excellent job of presenting how sometimes answers to prayers come in unexpected ways that bring unimaginable results.

It is important to keep living after the loss of a loved one. This book is a memoir of how Suzie dealt with the death of her husband, took on new roles, and eventually remarried. This book is an excellent book for anyone facing grief. So check out this book for yourself.

I received a copy of this book for my fair and honest review.

[Debbie]

Good Grief" by Sue Borrows LaRue is a very honest and heart touching memoir of her husband's diagnosis of brian cancer. It is hard to read books like these because of my own parent's death and struggle with cancer. But, at the same time, these books shows that I am not alone with my sorrows and at lets me know that healing will come from the hurt. This book has moments that makes you want to cry and moments that makes you laugh.

I was given a contemporary copy by the author and Celebrate Lit. These opinions are my own.

[Emma Filbrun · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't necessarily enjoy reading a book about death or widowhood, but this was very good. I found it an inspirational account of how God worked in a woman's life over the time of her husband's death and the years afterward. Read this book to be inspired by how God can care for you even if you are alone!
I received a free copy of this book from Celebrate Lit, and these are my honest thoughts about it.