What do you think?
Rate this book
Everyone Needs a Larry: Love with a Twist of Cancer
Meet Jenn and Larry, an ordinary couple who met on Match.com and dreamed of a life together with children, fun, and travel. Then Jenn noticed a lump under her arm. Within a week, she was diagnosed with stage IV triple-negative breast cancer. Life as they knew it would never be the same.
Told from both the patient and caregiver perspectives, Everyone Needs a Larry is a he-said-she-said quirky, romantic, and humorous survival story that shares the lessons, mistakes, and joys of a couple fumbling their way through cancer, love, and marriage.
Whether you face the challenge of cancer or another adversity, Jenn and Larry demonstrate how our scariest times have the possibility to become our greatest chapters. Their journey towards health will illustrate how
Turn a hardship into a lesson of appreciation through love, gratitude, and a positive mindset.Maintain humor even in the grimmest hours.Cultivate patience while you’re a patient . . . and a caregiver.Trust your instincts—even if they’re sometimes wrong—and learn as you go.Become a better person through embracing and walking through discomfort.Navigate the ins and outs of going through a cancer diagnosis.Develop more awareness on how thoughts create reality and learn how to choose the thoughts you wish to believe.Hi. I’m Jenn, the patient. After the initial shock of my diagnosis, I decided to believe that my cancer was a blessing—coming to cleanse me, teach me something, give me fresh, healthy hair, brand new perky boobs, and send me on my way. I’d become a brand-new me to start the second half of my life with my husband, Larry. That’s what I wanted to happen, at least.
Hi. I’m Larry, the caregiver. I was far from thinking I would have to care for my beautiful wife so soon. I mean, we were still in our honeymoon stage. But we both had to figure out how to be a patient and a caregiver. We made it through the adventure pretty well—enough to write a book about it! Hopefully our experience will guide you to the finish line feeling better than ever before. We will share our mistakes an—
Wait, don’t tell them about all the stupid stuff you did, like running over my mom’s foot. Twice. Tell them that we figured out how mindset can make or break the outcomes. Tell them that we chose to believe cancer was helping us, not hurting us, and we took the ride towards health. Let them know that we are stronger from it all! And we want to help others do the same––
Okay . . . but I want to make sure they know it isn’t a sappy, sad cancer story, but an entertaining, funny romance full of caregiving tips from yours truly. I want this book to entertain, inform, motivate, and support everyone through their cancer journey or other adversity. They’ll find surgery notes, chemo prayers, gratitude lessons, health insurance tips, and family drama . . . It’s all there.
Our success led me to think we unlocked some universal infinite wisdom that could help everyone turn their negative diagnosis into a positive capacity for healing. We even started companies because of it—Zero Negative and The Best You Management. We hope that our memoir will spread a little more love, and awareness into a very serious situation. And in times of trouble, Everyone Needs a Larry, so here’s to yours!
Just say we are like When Harry Met Sally–&nda
Told from both the patient and caregiver perspectives, Everyone Needs a Larry is a he-said-she-said quirky, romantic, and humorous survival story that shares the lessons, mistakes, and joys of a couple fumbling their way through cancer, love, and marriage.
Whether you face the challenge of cancer or another adversity, Jenn and Larry demonstrate how our scariest times have the possibility to become our greatest chapters. Their journey towards health will illustrate how
Turn a hardship into a lesson of appreciation through love, gratitude, and a positive mindset.Maintain humor even in the grimmest hours.Cultivate patience while you’re a patient . . . and a caregiver.Trust your instincts—even if they’re sometimes wrong—and learn as you go.Become a better person through embracing and walking through discomfort.Navigate the ins and outs of going through a cancer diagnosis.Develop more awareness on how thoughts create reality and learn how to choose the thoughts you wish to believe.Hi. I’m Jenn, the patient. After the initial shock of my diagnosis, I decided to believe that my cancer was a blessing—coming to cleanse me, teach me something, give me fresh, healthy hair, brand new perky boobs, and send me on my way. I’d become a brand-new me to start the second half of my life with my husband, Larry. That’s what I wanted to happen, at least.
Hi. I’m Larry, the caregiver. I was far from thinking I would have to care for my beautiful wife so soon. I mean, we were still in our honeymoon stage. But we both had to figure out how to be a patient and a caregiver. We made it through the adventure pretty well—enough to write a book about it! Hopefully our experience will guide you to the finish line feeling better than ever before. We will share our mistakes an—
Wait, don’t tell them about all the stupid stuff you did, like running over my mom’s foot. Twice. Tell them that we figured out how mindset can make or break the outcomes. Tell them that we chose to believe cancer was helping us, not hurting us, and we took the ride towards health. Let them know that we are stronger from it all! And we want to help others do the same––
Okay . . . but I want to make sure they know it isn’t a sappy, sad cancer story, but an entertaining, funny romance full of caregiving tips from yours truly. I want this book to entertain, inform, motivate, and support everyone through their cancer journey or other adversity. They’ll find surgery notes, chemo prayers, gratitude lessons, health insurance tips, and family drama . . . It’s all there.
Our success led me to think we unlocked some universal infinite wisdom that could help everyone turn their negative diagnosis into a positive capacity for healing. We even started companies because of it—Zero Negative and The Best You Management. We hope that our memoir will spread a little more love, and awareness into a very serious situation. And in times of trouble, Everyone Needs a Larry, so here’s to yours!
Just say we are like When Harry Met Sally–&nda
273 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 19, 2022
56 people are currently reading
19 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
April 6, 2026
Everyone Needs a Larry: Love with a Twist of Cancer by Jennifer Greenhut Tollin and Larry Tollin is a refreshingly honest, deeply human, and unexpectedly uplifting memoir that transforms one of life’s most devastating challenges into a story of resilience, humor, and enduring love.
What makes this book stand out immediately is its dual perspective. By allowing both Jenn and Larry to share their voices, the narrative captures the emotional complexity of both patient and caregiver with striking authenticity. Their dynamic is raw, unfiltered, and often humorous in ways that feel genuine rather than forced. It is this balance of vulnerability and lightheartedness that gives the book its unique emotional texture.
Jenn’s outlook, choosing to see her diagnosis as a transformative experience rather than purely a tragedy, adds a powerful layer of perspective that challenges conventional narratives around illness. At the same time, Larry’s candid and often humorous take on caregiving brings relatability and warmth, making the story accessible to a wide audience.
Beyond the personal story, the book offers practical insights into navigating illness, relationships, and mindset. From handling the realities of treatment to maintaining emotional connection, the lessons are presented in a way that feels lived in rather than instructional.
Ultimately, Everyone Needs a Larry is not just about cancer. It is about partnership, perspective, and the ways in which adversity can deepen connection and reshape how we experience life. It is heartfelt without being heavy, insightful without being preachy, and above all, profoundly human.
What makes this book stand out immediately is its dual perspective. By allowing both Jenn and Larry to share their voices, the narrative captures the emotional complexity of both patient and caregiver with striking authenticity. Their dynamic is raw, unfiltered, and often humorous in ways that feel genuine rather than forced. It is this balance of vulnerability and lightheartedness that gives the book its unique emotional texture.
Jenn’s outlook, choosing to see her diagnosis as a transformative experience rather than purely a tragedy, adds a powerful layer of perspective that challenges conventional narratives around illness. At the same time, Larry’s candid and often humorous take on caregiving brings relatability and warmth, making the story accessible to a wide audience.
Beyond the personal story, the book offers practical insights into navigating illness, relationships, and mindset. From handling the realities of treatment to maintaining emotional connection, the lessons are presented in a way that feels lived in rather than instructional.
Ultimately, Everyone Needs a Larry is not just about cancer. It is about partnership, perspective, and the ways in which adversity can deepen connection and reshape how we experience life. It is heartfelt without being heavy, insightful without being preachy, and above all, profoundly human.
March 4, 2026
Everyone Needs a Larry: Love with a Twist of Cancer by Jennifer Greenhut Tollin and Larry Tollin stands out as a cancer memoir that refuses to be defined solely by illness.
What makes the book particularly compelling is its dual narrative structure, allowing readers to experience the journey from both the patient’s and the caregiver’s perspective. Jenn’s voice captures the emotional shock and determination that follows a life-altering diagnosis, while Larry’s perspective reveals the often overlooked challenges of caregiving balancing fear, love, responsibility, and humor in the face of uncertainty.
Despite confronting stage IV triple-negative breast cancer, the memoir consistently weaves humor and lightness into moments that might otherwise feel overwhelming. The couple’s candid storytelling shows how humor becomes a survival tool, allowing them to navigate hospital visits, family tensions, and the unpredictable realities of treatment.
At its heart, the book is less about cancer itself and more about the resilience of partnership. Jenn and Larry illustrate how adversity can deepen connection, reshape priorities, and transform fear into gratitude.
By blending heartfelt reflection with candid humor, Everyone Needs a Larry offers readers both comfort and perspective especially for couples navigating illness together.
What makes the book particularly compelling is its dual narrative structure, allowing readers to experience the journey from both the patient’s and the caregiver’s perspective. Jenn’s voice captures the emotional shock and determination that follows a life-altering diagnosis, while Larry’s perspective reveals the often overlooked challenges of caregiving balancing fear, love, responsibility, and humor in the face of uncertainty.
Despite confronting stage IV triple-negative breast cancer, the memoir consistently weaves humor and lightness into moments that might otherwise feel overwhelming. The couple’s candid storytelling shows how humor becomes a survival tool, allowing them to navigate hospital visits, family tensions, and the unpredictable realities of treatment.
At its heart, the book is less about cancer itself and more about the resilience of partnership. Jenn and Larry illustrate how adversity can deepen connection, reshape priorities, and transform fear into gratitude.
By blending heartfelt reflection with candid humor, Everyone Needs a Larry offers readers both comfort and perspective especially for couples navigating illness together.
July 6, 2022
This book provided such insight and thoughtfulness into a subject matter that is sometimes very difficult to approach - even with the people you're closest to. So much of what Jennifer and Larry wrote about paralleled my experience with battling cancer. I would recommend this book to anyone who is supporting a cancer patient - anyone who has been through cancer - anyone who is facing cancer treatment.
July 23, 2023
So good
One of my former students from nursing school was just diagnosed with breast cancer. I realised, even as a nurse, I do not know much about breast cancer. I read this book to inform myself. It absolutely did that!
A great story with a happy ending. Thank-you for being so open and authentic.
One of my former students from nursing school was just diagnosed with breast cancer. I realised, even as a nurse, I do not know much about breast cancer. I read this book to inform myself. It absolutely did that!
A great story with a happy ending. Thank-you for being so open and authentic.
May 25, 2022
The awesome cover drew me in! And the book…what an amazing journey. If you don’t believe in the power of support and positivity you will after this book!
January 9, 2023
I enjoyed this book. It is a realistic look at how cancer affects the person with cancer and those around them.
April 21, 2024
Great look into a cancer journey
This was a great look into one woman's cancer journey and how it affects those that love that person. The good days and the bad days.
This was a great look into one woman's cancer journey and how it affects those that love that person. The good days and the bad days.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews