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The One #6
Speed Grieving
From a suddenly widowed but resourceful young mother comes this darkly funny, poignant, and true exploration of love, loss, and starting over—with a plan.
When Allison Ellis’s husband died of an unexpected heart attack, there was no playbook for a thirty-three-year-old widow with a breastfeeding infant. In her grief, she devised a practical strategy: find a new husband within twelve months. What transpired was a year of mourning, manic dating, and breaking hearts across Seattle on a deadline mission to heal her own.
Allison Ellis’s Speed Grieving is part of The One, a collection of seven singularly true love stories of friendship, companionship, marriage, and moving on. Each piece can be read or listened to in a single sitting, with or without company.
52 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 30, 2019
228 people are currently reading
304 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 118 reviews
December 15, 2020
Funny and poignant. A woman deals with raising her 10 month old daughter after her husband dies of a heart attack in front of her. Ellis can spin some sentences and when she starts talking about her ghost husband and him encouraging her in meeting someone new, I just wanted to hug her. The story was definitely funny at times (some of the dates were a hot mess) and then of course at different times things hit her such as realizing that there were no more men in her immediate family circle. I thought the story was great and that Ellis shows she has not forgotten her first husband and how she was able to heal enough to let someone else in.
December 29, 2021
Loved this one. It was sad, funny, hopeful, happy and lots of other emotions you might feel in the grieving process. Great characters and story.
March 8, 2022
3.75 stars
September 21, 2022
It took me a while to get through this story. It felt too sad and cold to take in in one sitting.
The author's monotone reading didn't help much.
On the plus side, it felt genuine and honest - wanting to get through so that you can carry on. But grief doesn't work that way. You have to let it run its course.
The last chapter of the story is a much-needed ray of sunshine. I wish her and her family well.
The author's monotone reading didn't help much.
On the plus side, it felt genuine and honest - wanting to get through so that you can carry on. But grief doesn't work that way. You have to let it run its course.
The last chapter of the story is a much-needed ray of sunshine. I wish her and her family well.
September 15, 2019
I can't imagine the grief of unexpectedly losing a partner, or the challenge of trying to move forward after such a huge loss. Dating is hard enough, much less dating while healing. The title of this book is perfect for this author's story, as she tells her story of dating after the loss of her husband.
January 15, 2021
Easy reading
Such a good read! The author is a great storyteller. Felt like I was watching a movie as I read.
Such a good read! The author is a great storyteller. Felt like I was watching a movie as I read.
January 24, 2021
This is a short memoir by the author, Allison Ellis, about suddenly becoming a widow at a young age, while also being the mom of a baby girl. I found it interesting to read her account of how she tried to speed through the grieving process, and move on to a new husband on a time-schedule. The end of her account was believable.
It is important to say that this is not a story of a “damsel in distress” who is swept off her feet by “prince charming.”
I listened to the audio for about 1/3 of the story, then switched to just reading the e print account. The beginning was narrated in a monotone voice, which fit the situation. After awhile, I just enjoyed reading the words more than listening.
This short, 52 page, account, is part of the Amazon Original Series, free on Prime.
I enjoyed reading it and rate it 4 stars.
It is important to say that this is not a story of a “damsel in distress” who is swept off her feet by “prince charming.”
I listened to the audio for about 1/3 of the story, then switched to just reading the e print account. The beginning was narrated in a monotone voice, which fit the situation. After awhile, I just enjoyed reading the words more than listening.
This short, 52 page, account, is part of the Amazon Original Series, free on Prime.
I enjoyed reading it and rate it 4 stars.
January 20, 2023
Allison's husband Greg passes unexpectedly of a heart attack. She's 33 years old with a breastfeeding infant. Extremely sad she places herself on a timeline to date and remarry. This book makes you aware healing comes with time.
September 16, 2023
I finished it but skipped some parts just to get to the end.
5 Stars: Life-changing book, will read again
4 Stars: Great book, might re-read
3 Stars: Good book, won’t re-read
2 Stars: Ok book, took some effort to finish
1 Star: DNF
5 Stars: Life-changing book, will read again
4 Stars: Great book, might re-read
3 Stars: Good book, won’t re-read
2 Stars: Ok book, took some effort to finish
1 Star: DNF
June 30, 2022
"Moving on, as a concept, is for stupid people, because any sensible person knows grief is a long-term project." - Max Porter
At the age of 33, and a new mother, Allison becomes a widow when her husband passes from a sudden heart attack.
This story recounts her grief process.
Accurately titled - this was speed grieving / speed dating with a deadline (six months to grieve, six months to date, and another year to get married).
The approach she had was definitely different and lost me at some points, but to each their own.
Instead of becoming a total shell of a person, she decided to immediately push through and 'get up and go' / 'move on now or else I never will' mentality. She fanaticized this idea of a Husband 2.0 and that's kind of where it lost me, along with the outrageous amount of speed dating that felt very robotic and void of emotion.
Was a bit confused how she added her thoughts as a 19 year old and how she didn't require a man to make her whole, yet as a widow she *needed* a second husband immediately.
Overall though, the writing was very engrossing and I was easily sucked in to reading.
- kindle unlimited short story
- set in Seattle
- HEA
"Most importantly, I would not identify as a widow. I was merely a married working mother who just happened to be between husbands. It was a delusional strategy, and I knew it and I didn't care."
"People often describe grief as a roller coaster with all its ups and downs, but really it's more like a Ferris wheel: circular in its insidiousness, with no hope of actually moving forward until you get off."
"I'd been oblivious to the possibility that I might still be grieving and therefore lack a solid enough emotional framework from which to forge a new relationship."
At the age of 33, and a new mother, Allison becomes a widow when her husband passes from a sudden heart attack.
This story recounts her grief process.
Accurately titled - this was speed grieving / speed dating with a deadline (six months to grieve, six months to date, and another year to get married).
The approach she had was definitely different and lost me at some points, but to each their own.
Instead of becoming a total shell of a person, she decided to immediately push through and 'get up and go' / 'move on now or else I never will' mentality. She fanaticized this idea of a Husband 2.0 and that's kind of where it lost me, along with the outrageous amount of speed dating that felt very robotic and void of emotion.
Was a bit confused how she added her thoughts as a 19 year old and how she didn't require a man to make her whole, yet as a widow she *needed* a second husband immediately.
Overall though, the writing was very engrossing and I was easily sucked in to reading.
- kindle unlimited short story
- set in Seattle
- HEA
"Most importantly, I would not identify as a widow. I was merely a married working mother who just happened to be between husbands. It was a delusional strategy, and I knew it and I didn't care."
"People often describe grief as a roller coaster with all its ups and downs, but really it's more like a Ferris wheel: circular in its insidiousness, with no hope of actually moving forward until you get off."
"I'd been oblivious to the possibility that I might still be grieving and therefore lack a solid enough emotional framework from which to forge a new relationship."
May 14, 2021
Suddenly Single, Now What Does She Do?
Of the seven installments in "The One" collection, this sixth memoir is by far the longest and the most honestly complete. Allison Ellis takes a provocative approach to her sudden widowhood by setting an aggressive timetable to replace her deceased husband within a year with, as she describes it, "Husband 2.0." Hang on!
Her speed-grieving adventure skillfully creates a heartwrenching tale of her adjustments to being single again, while still mourning her loss and searching for a new husband at the same time. This honest and eye-opening experiential read describes well her misadventures with some humorous insights amid all her hurting, denial, and redefining of self.
Her troubled path of heartache, loneliness, wishful thinking, and struggles punctuate this believable and insightful account. Good information for knowing how to help family and friends experiencing the same tragedy of sudden bereavement.
Adding the reading experience is the author's own narration of Audible's supplement.
Totally relatable and one of the best in this series! I want to read more by this talented author.
Of the seven installments in "The One" collection, this sixth memoir is by far the longest and the most honestly complete. Allison Ellis takes a provocative approach to her sudden widowhood by setting an aggressive timetable to replace her deceased husband within a year with, as she describes it, "Husband 2.0." Hang on!
Her speed-grieving adventure skillfully creates a heartwrenching tale of her adjustments to being single again, while still mourning her loss and searching for a new husband at the same time. This honest and eye-opening experiential read describes well her misadventures with some humorous insights amid all her hurting, denial, and redefining of self.
Her troubled path of heartache, loneliness, wishful thinking, and struggles punctuate this believable and insightful account. Good information for knowing how to help family and friends experiencing the same tragedy of sudden bereavement.
Adding the reading experience is the author's own narration of Audible's supplement.
Totally relatable and one of the best in this series! I want to read more by this talented author.
August 23, 2019
This is a short story in yet another Amazon Collection, The One. The collection seems to focus on love and romance, including love for one's children, pets, as well as romantic partners.
"Speed Grieving" is one of the longer books in this series. I read it over two separate breaks. It focuses on a widow dealing with grief after her husband dies suddenly. She's honest, confused, and strong in her conviction to hurry up and fill the void left by her late husband. We follow her on this journey as she navigates life and several dates, together with laughs and tears. Her traumatic growth is one that many can relate to. Allison Ellis is a skilled writer. I was very surprised by how honestly this story was written.
I always enjoy these Amazon Collections as the stories are short and easily digested over your morning coffee, a lunch break, or (as is often in my case) right before nodding off to bed. You get a short sampling of an authors work, and I have found a few new favorite authors I otherwise wouldn't have found through reading these.
"Speed Grieving" is one of the longer books in this series. I read it over two separate breaks. It focuses on a widow dealing with grief after her husband dies suddenly. She's honest, confused, and strong in her conviction to hurry up and fill the void left by her late husband. We follow her on this journey as she navigates life and several dates, together with laughs and tears. Her traumatic growth is one that many can relate to. Allison Ellis is a skilled writer. I was very surprised by how honestly this story was written.
I always enjoy these Amazon Collections as the stories are short and easily digested over your morning coffee, a lunch break, or (as is often in my case) right before nodding off to bed. You get a short sampling of an authors work, and I have found a few new favorite authors I otherwise wouldn't have found through reading these.
September 11, 2019
Interesting way to grieve the loss of her husband
This is one of the seven stories in Amazon's The One collection. For me it's the final read. Each one is based off off a form of love; friend, online dating, spouse, cheating spouse, pet, and widows.
To me, this was truly a bizarre way to handle the loss of her husband and father our her infant. Almost instantly she's planning on how to find a replacement and shares a rather alarming dating forays. She believed that Gregg, her late husband, was helping to find his replacement, but she didn't fully understand why he meant when he talked about The One and stopped talking with him on her mind.
Interestingly enough, while ninety percent of the book was about her learning to online date, how she spiraled out of control, and found her way back, the ending felt so rushed to me.
I'm glad Ellis was able to finally find happiness in the last way she expected.
This is one of the seven stories in Amazon's The One collection. For me it's the final read. Each one is based off off a form of love; friend, online dating, spouse, cheating spouse, pet, and widows.
To me, this was truly a bizarre way to handle the loss of her husband and father our her infant. Almost instantly she's planning on how to find a replacement and shares a rather alarming dating forays. She believed that Gregg, her late husband, was helping to find his replacement, but she didn't fully understand why he meant when he talked about The One and stopped talking with him on her mind.
Interestingly enough, while ninety percent of the book was about her learning to online date, how she spiraled out of control, and found her way back, the ending felt so rushed to me.
I'm glad Ellis was able to finally find happiness in the last way she expected.
January 26, 2022
Greg Ellis dies suddenly of a heart attack and Allison thinks because she is a thirty-something widow with a breast feeding infant that she needs to quickly deal with her grief and find a new husband. What she manages is a unfortunate year of manic dating and partial mourning in Seattle. However, just when she stops to take care of herself, her daughter, and her home an uncancelled date leads to a real connection.
As a psychological vignette it's fine. The imperfect way she goes about her life is relatable and authentic. But I was not emotional invested. I didn't cry at the start when she has the loss. There is such a detached manner that is kind of the point. Further the happy ending is kind of predictable. Only really good for a one time pass unless you have experienced something similar.
As a psychological vignette it's fine. The imperfect way she goes about her life is relatable and authentic. But I was not emotional invested. I didn't cry at the start when she has the loss. There is such a detached manner that is kind of the point. Further the happy ending is kind of predictable. Only really good for a one time pass unless you have experienced something similar.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 11, 2019
This is a short story in the Amazon (The One) series. Each short story is written by a different author. I liked the thought process of Allison. I think that is how a lot of women do or would think if they were in the same position as her. I also liked how the story showed that the thought process wasn't exactly the way to deal with grief. Everyone wants a short cut, to get on with the healing, but unfortunately, healing takes time. There are no short cuts, no quick methods. Grieving also allows you to discover yourself. I think Allison tried to avoid thinking about herself in that way, but then comes to discover that to move on, she has to. I can relate to the practicality type of thinking she had.
August 9, 2019
The last book (for me) in the Amazon Original Story series The One.
Not weeping, touchy-feely story but a memorable one. The author shares her story about losing her husband while with him one day. She and her 10month old daughter must navigate through life now without an important piece to their puzzle. She immediately begins to look for a husband/father which is the story here...there are surprisingly some laughs and of course some sniffing.
Not weeping, touchy-feely story but a memorable one. The author shares her story about losing her husband while with him one day. She and her 10month old daughter must navigate through life now without an important piece to their puzzle. She immediately begins to look for a husband/father which is the story here...there are surprisingly some laughs and of course some sniffing.
August 10, 2019
What a great sense of Life
This book was just what I needed, when I needed it. Everyone has grieving, in different ways ... That's why I appreciate the author's sense of humor. I enjoyed how she described the incident, and how the stages of grief led her from one spot to another ... Even in humor! If you are now or have ever grieved, or just simply need to think about it... This book was an inspiration.
This book was just what I needed, when I needed it. Everyone has grieving, in different ways ... That's why I appreciate the author's sense of humor. I enjoyed how she described the incident, and how the stages of grief led her from one spot to another ... Even in humor! If you are now or have ever grieved, or just simply need to think about it... This book was an inspiration.
August 19, 2019
If it were not such a serious thing, grief might be hilarious.
Somehow our author makes her grief both poignant and in some moments hilarious. How in the world is one expected to cope when one’s world is suddenly and without warning turned upside down? She makes the point that all of us handles this kind of tragedy in our own way. We all do what we need to do to survive the unexpected and unbelievable realities of our lives.
Somehow our author makes her grief both poignant and in some moments hilarious. How in the world is one expected to cope when one’s world is suddenly and without warning turned upside down? She makes the point that all of us handles this kind of tragedy in our own way. We all do what we need to do to survive the unexpected and unbelievable realities of our lives.
May 20, 2023
Interesting story. I thought it was only an hour and it would be about her speed dating but the whole story Is much longer and it goes into detail about Allison's experience with grief and how she continued to move on. I like how she found someone at the end and again when we're not looking we find someone we find someone - it just happens. Her story of finding love ' any love is interesting and I'm sure others have done the same.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 1, 2020
Daring and authentic
Let’s be honest. I may be a bit biased as I am friends with this author. However she has a magical way with words and telling a story, particularly this one which is based on her own experience. I cannot wait time see what additional work she releases in years to come as the world needs to hear her voice.
Let’s be honest. I may be a bit biased as I am friends with this author. However she has a magical way with words and telling a story, particularly this one which is based on her own experience. I cannot wait time see what additional work she releases in years to come as the world needs to hear her voice.
December 6, 2019
Humorous with a life message
I enjoyed this well written book about the author's experience of grieving after her husband's sudden death. I was expecting funny description of the ups and downs oh, and there was plenty of that. Woven into the story were a lot of observations about the turmoil and chaos of the grieving process.
I enjoyed this well written book about the author's experience of grieving after her husband's sudden death. I was expecting funny description of the ups and downs oh, and there was plenty of that. Woven into the story were a lot of observations about the turmoil and chaos of the grieving process.
January 18, 2020
This was beautiful
I'm so grateful and honored that Allison shared her story with the world. It's a masterpiece in it's own right. It creates its own genre. It's sometimes laugh out loud funny, other times very heartbreaking, and all around quirky, but it's all the time honest...and that is the real gift of this story.
I'm so grateful and honored that Allison shared her story with the world. It's a masterpiece in it's own right. It creates its own genre. It's sometimes laugh out loud funny, other times very heartbreaking, and all around quirky, but it's all the time honest...and that is the real gift of this story.
January 24, 2023
Great Read.
I'm so happy I stopped putting this book off and finally read it. This is a great short easy read.
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It's about a young widowed mother, who decides to start back dating. And as she start back dating, she learned from her past marriage what she didn't want in a husband and also discover herself. worth the read.
I'm so happy I stopped putting this book off and finally read it. This is a great short easy read.
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It's about a young widowed mother, who decides to start back dating. And as she start back dating, she learned from her past marriage what she didn't want in a husband and also discover herself. worth the read.
January 7, 2024
I really liked this one. The author explores how her grief, after suddenly losing her husband in her 30s, wasn’t a linear process. Grief, not matter if you’re grieving a spouse, family member, friend, or even a pet, is rarely linear. I enjoyed how honest she was about the messiness of her life in the months following her loss. It’s rare to be able to look back with that much introspectiveness.
August 31, 2019
Absolutely endearing
I understand all to well the struggles in this story.. I went down almost the same path only difference i my husband and I divorced. Story was written for me.. Just love it
I understand all to well the struggles in this story.. I went down almost the same path only difference i my husband and I divorced. Story was written for me.. Just love it
October 3, 2020
Love The Title!
I didn't know what I was expecting with such an irreverent title...but a happy ending wasn't it. I was thinking more like slow motion multi-car pile-up, which some of the encounters came close to being. See what you think. Enjoy.
I didn't know what I was expecting with such an irreverent title...but a happy ending wasn't it. I was thinking more like slow motion multi-car pile-up, which some of the encounters came close to being. See what you think. Enjoy.
January 16, 2023
A widow on a mission
A sweetly funny story of a young window's search for a new husband. The author takes you through her trials and tribulations of online dating before finding The One.
A sweetly funny story of a young window's search for a new husband. The author takes you through her trials and tribulations of online dating before finding The One.
August 3, 2019
Greive
It made me cry but like her I got to move on. I will remember why she didn't want to lose him
It made me cry but like her I got to move on. I will remember why she didn't want to lose him
August 7, 2019
I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed this. The humor is refreshing. The emotions very real. Quite enjoyable!
January 23, 2020
This was my favorite story from “The One” series. Really well done short read on grief and the eventual acceptance of a new reality. I loved the ending and how it captures the beauty of moving on.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 118 reviews