What do you think?
Rate this book
Heartstrong
'If not with you, then for you.'
'It was a perfect Wednesday morning when Alex 'Chumpy' Pullin kissed his partner, Ellidy, goodbye to go spearfishing. Most days Ellidy would go to the beach too, but that day she didn't. Later, there was a knock at the door. A man had been found unconscious on the ocean floor. It was Chumpy.
From that moment, Ellidy's world stopped. There was deep grief, disbelief and then the gradual realisation that this was real. Life was forever changed. Ellidy's partner of eight years, a World Champion snowboarder, a man of energy and music, was gone. And so was the life they had built together and the dream of the child they had been trying for. In the hours that followed a suggestion was made, did Ellidy want to harvest Chumpy's sperm and try for the baby they both wanted so deeply? There was a ticking clock and the need to speak to family and friends. They had thirty-six hours before it would be too late. Family, friends, lawyers and doctors helped to give Ellidy the chance to keep a small part of Chumpy alive.
Sorrow meant it took Ellidy a number of months to be strong enough to start IVF. The first round didn't work. But the second did.
This powerful memoir will share Chumpy, Ellidy and their daughter, Minnie's, story.
Heartstrong is an unforgettable book about love, joy, loss, grief, hope and finding a way to keep going in the darkest of times.
'It was a perfect Wednesday morning when Alex 'Chumpy' Pullin kissed his partner, Ellidy, goodbye to go spearfishing. Most days Ellidy would go to the beach too, but that day she didn't. Later, there was a knock at the door. A man had been found unconscious on the ocean floor. It was Chumpy.
From that moment, Ellidy's world stopped. There was deep grief, disbelief and then the gradual realisation that this was real. Life was forever changed. Ellidy's partner of eight years, a World Champion snowboarder, a man of energy and music, was gone. And so was the life they had built together and the dream of the child they had been trying for. In the hours that followed a suggestion was made, did Ellidy want to harvest Chumpy's sperm and try for the baby they both wanted so deeply? There was a ticking clock and the need to speak to family and friends. They had thirty-six hours before it would be too late. Family, friends, lawyers and doctors helped to give Ellidy the chance to keep a small part of Chumpy alive.
Sorrow meant it took Ellidy a number of months to be strong enough to start IVF. The first round didn't work. But the second did.
This powerful memoir will share Chumpy, Ellidy and their daughter, Minnie's, story.
Heartstrong is an unforgettable book about love, joy, loss, grief, hope and finding a way to keep going in the darkest of times.
336 pages, Paperback
First published September 28, 2022
360 people are currently reading
3569 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 - 30 of 546 reviews
September 12, 2022
“A flame that burns twice as bright, burns half as long“
————————————————————————
A powerful, moving memoir about love, loss and this one precious life.
Wow! I don’t have the words to explain how I’m feeling in this review. Today I was going through the books on my tbr and I received this review copy from @hachette last week, and it was high up on my reading list and today I though oh stuff it I’ll just read the first few pages and I’ll get to the rest of the book at some stage.
Nope. I started and finished this book in one sitting I was captivated by this incredible memoir that shared the story of Ellidy, Minnie and ofcourse the story of Alex ‘Chumpy’ Pullin in life and in death, I’ve never felt this before about someone I’ve never met but I’m in awe of the human he was and the lives he touched and just the way he lived his life.
Heartstrong is just such an unforgettable book about love, joy, loss, grief, hope and finding a way to keep going in the darkest of times. (Literally every emotion and feeling you could think of was in here)
It blew my mind how much he’s still here and making sure El knows it. (The van playing his music 🥹😲)
This story has truly truly touched my soul and I don’t think I’ll be forgetting what I’ve read any time soon. Life is so so short and you just never know how much one decision truly will impact not only your life but everyone else’s lives around you.
To Ellidy & Minnie - Thank you for sharing your life / story with the rest of us. The strength that you have is truly INCREDIBLE, I know it can’t always be easy but I truly believe your story will help so many people in all different walks of life. I’m so sorry for all of the loss that has followed you in the last few years but I’m truly grateful you are both here.
“If not with you, then for you.”
Brb while I go and keep sobbing and reevaluating my life (in the best way possible)🥹💗
March 10, 2023
Heartfelt story, yes. Well written book, no. It was repetitive and the back and forth timeline was frustrating. The author and her partner have quite a following of people who wanted to know their story and I imagine this to be the reason for the high ratings. I do want to start following her story on social media but as for the book, not a 'good read' at all....
May 30, 2023
I am a VERY slow reader but this story had my heart hooked from the get go, I finished it in 2 days. So beautifully written, capturing the incredible life of an outstanding human being. What a journey and life they lead together, along with their families and one in a million friends. This book genuinely inspires me to change my outlook on life and continue to be grateful everyday. Could not recommend this higher.
October 26, 2022
Did not finish. I am truly sorry for her loss but I could not sympathise with her. She (they) come from a different world. A world of privilege. I wish she would’ve just owned that instead of trying to tell me her upbringing/past was as bad as mine. The writing was also pretty poor. Maybe one day I’ll finish this book and I’ll change my mind. But for now all I can say is that I am truly sorry for her and her family’s loss and leave it, now, at that.
January 2, 2023
This did not work for me at all. I get that the story is tragic but felt that it was poorly written and really gave me almost no insight or feeling for both the author and Chumpy Pullin. Towards the end of the book, there was a letter that the author's mum had written where she talks about what a passionate environmentalist he was..it was the first time I felt that anything was added that was not along the line of what a "good bloke/life of the wedding" he was an individual. I felt that it was simplistic and overly drawn out. I wish her every success in bringing up her young girl but this was an ordeal for me
March 16, 2025
A beautifully written heartbreaking and informative story. It is a true story definitely worth reading
January 9, 2025
Lots of tears but a good easy read. Reads like your having a convo with a friend
April 29, 2024
4.5
Beautiful
Beautiful
September 27, 2022
I have been anticipating the release of 'Heartstrong' for some time as I've been a long-time follower of Ellidy & a listener of her podcast 'Darling Shine'
I don't think I have ever cried so much while reading a book, and my heart broke with every page of reading how unfair and heartbreaking the loss that Ellidy and Chumpy's family have been through.
I used to think that everything happens for a reason, but I have known a lot of people that have gone through really horrible things and losing their lives young over the past 2-3 years, so my mind shift has definitely changed to sometimes really shit things just happen to the best of people which just breaks my heart. A quote that really stuck with me from this book was 'a flame that burns twice as bright, burns half as long'.
I think it is just so apparent that Chumpy was an incredible and other-wordly human being that touched so many lives and has left an incredible legacy.
One of my favourite parts of this story was when Chumpy's dad Chris wrote a few chapters on Chumpy's upbringing and their life as a family. It is just so clear that they are such a beautiful family and I think it was really special that they shared some intimate family memories - I feel honored to have read them. I can't imagine from Ellidy's perspective how it would have felt from losing the love of her life and beginning her pregancy journey alone. I have so much respect for her for sharing her story which I'm sure will help so many people - Grief & IVF are no joke, especially paired together.
A few people have said to me that they're really excited to read this book but feel a put off or scared because they know it will make them sad. All I can say is that, yes, it made me sad and I cried (a lot), but it's not the sort of sadness that leaves you feeling empty without purpose. I felt so much love and hope as well, and Minnie, Ellidy's daughter, is such a beautiful example of a rainbow after a storm.
This story is so, so special and I know that this story will stay with me for a long time. Thank you to Hachette for my gifted copy!
I don't think I have ever cried so much while reading a book, and my heart broke with every page of reading how unfair and heartbreaking the loss that Ellidy and Chumpy's family have been through.
I used to think that everything happens for a reason, but I have known a lot of people that have gone through really horrible things and losing their lives young over the past 2-3 years, so my mind shift has definitely changed to sometimes really shit things just happen to the best of people which just breaks my heart. A quote that really stuck with me from this book was 'a flame that burns twice as bright, burns half as long'.
I think it is just so apparent that Chumpy was an incredible and other-wordly human being that touched so many lives and has left an incredible legacy.
One of my favourite parts of this story was when Chumpy's dad Chris wrote a few chapters on Chumpy's upbringing and their life as a family. It is just so clear that they are such a beautiful family and I think it was really special that they shared some intimate family memories - I feel honored to have read them. I can't imagine from Ellidy's perspective how it would have felt from losing the love of her life and beginning her pregancy journey alone. I have so much respect for her for sharing her story which I'm sure will help so many people - Grief & IVF are no joke, especially paired together.
A few people have said to me that they're really excited to read this book but feel a put off or scared because they know it will make them sad. All I can say is that, yes, it made me sad and I cried (a lot), but it's not the sort of sadness that leaves you feeling empty without purpose. I felt so much love and hope as well, and Minnie, Ellidy's daughter, is such a beautiful example of a rainbow after a storm.
This story is so, so special and I know that this story will stay with me for a long time. Thank you to Hachette for my gifted copy!
February 20, 2023
I knew very little about Ellidy and even less about Chumpy prior to reading this book. I anticipated a few tears and about halfway through I patted myself on the back for doing so well. Ha! It was then they started.
“I was determined to show that hope trumps pain”.
This book is full of both and so much more as well. Life. Death. Everything in-between and afterwards. Your heart and soul will run the full gauntlet of emotions by reading this book. You’ll lose a little bit of yourself to it. It’s an incredibly moving read and I dare you to not feel something while reading this.
I really am grateful to my bookstagram pal Kerissa for recommending this book. Even if my head and my heart still hurt from it. I probably wouldn’t have plucked this off the bookshelf of my own volition and now I can appreciate what the term “book hangover” really means. Special mention also to bookstagram buddy Bianca for her #RAOK in kindly forwarding her copy to me.
I wish this beautiful little family all the stars in the sky 💛
“I was determined to show that hope trumps pain”.
This book is full of both and so much more as well. Life. Death. Everything in-between and afterwards. Your heart and soul will run the full gauntlet of emotions by reading this book. You’ll lose a little bit of yourself to it. It’s an incredibly moving read and I dare you to not feel something while reading this.
I really am grateful to my bookstagram pal Kerissa for recommending this book. Even if my head and my heart still hurt from it. I probably wouldn’t have plucked this off the bookshelf of my own volition and now I can appreciate what the term “book hangover” really means. Special mention also to bookstagram buddy Bianca for her #RAOK in kindly forwarding her copy to me.
I wish this beautiful little family all the stars in the sky 💛
September 29, 2022
Thank you Hachette Australia for sending me a copy of this book for review.
This was such a beautiful, heartbreaking memoir that touched my heart and my soul. I cried with you. I felt your frustrations with the what ifs? I felt the love between you two. Im so glad you have a part of him in your daughter Minnie and wish you both the very best . Thank you for sharing your story, your podcasts . Your grief book will help others.
This was such a beautiful, heartbreaking memoir that touched my heart and my soul. I cried with you. I felt your frustrations with the what ifs? I felt the love between you two. Im so glad you have a part of him in your daughter Minnie and wish you both the very best . Thank you for sharing your story, your podcasts . Your grief book will help others.
September 23, 2023
It’s hard to review a memoir given they’re so personal and conveyed how the author felt best. Although it’s a tragic story, it felt poorly written also the constant back and forth timeline was confusing. It’s clear Alex and Ellidy have an incredible support network and were close with some big names but the name dropping got a bit much by the end of the book
January 19, 2023
Read it in 4 hours. Sobbed 😭
February 7, 2025
This was so great (heartbreaking) but great!! Bit more about their relationship than it was re the posthumous sperm retrieval process - but what a devastating story about two people very much in love. Would recommend
November 6, 2023
Finished the book in 4 days!! (Huge for me, new reader here 👋🏻)
June 17, 2024
Bloody hell if you want a tear jerker this is the book to read. Also if you don’t follow Ellidy Pullin and know her story I would highly recommend. Catch me listening to her podcast over the next wee while!!
July 24, 2024
I did know quite a bit about Ellidy & Chumpy’s story having followed her for years but damn, I’ve never cried from a book so much in my life.
October 20, 2023
reading this felt like talking to a friend. loved loved loved this.
March 13, 2024
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Ellidy is one amazing & strong lady to go through what she’s been through and to still have such a positive outlook on life. Truly an inspiring woman!!
Heart breaking & heart warming all in one, I cried many times throughout of sadness and happiness.
I had heard the story in her podcast Darling Shine but it still shook me just the same if not more 🥺
Hug your people, tell them you love them and never take a day for granted!! You never know what tomorrow will bring❤️
Ellidy is one amazing & strong lady to go through what she’s been through and to still have such a positive outlook on life. Truly an inspiring woman!!
Heart breaking & heart warming all in one, I cried many times throughout of sadness and happiness.
I had heard the story in her podcast Darling Shine but it still shook me just the same if not more 🥺
Hug your people, tell them you love them and never take a day for granted!! You never know what tomorrow will bring❤️
April 30, 2024
All week I hugged Ray so much tighter. Such a tough read, so much crying, the chapters written by his dad broke me. But it served as a reminder to me that life is beautiful and so short.
December 5, 2022
I don’t think I stopped crying the whole way through this book. Incredible.
February 16, 2023
Heart warming and devastating story.
Not very well written.
Not very well written.
June 17, 2025
It’d be wrong to give a memoir of this nature anything less than 5 stars. It’s a privilege to have been let in to the life of Chumpy and Ellidy and be taken through her (and her family’s) many stages of grief when he was taken from this world far too young. As I learnt more about El’s story I kept thinking, how much can one person be put through seriously!!! But wow what a village of amazing family and friends they seem to have had. Such a moving and interesting story of loss, love, sperm retrieval (!!) and finding the silver linings through incredible heartbreak and pain.
January 12, 2023
Incredible!
Ellidy and Alley have done an absolutely phenomenal job with Heartstrong. As many others have said, it truly encapsulates the raw truth about grief, and the journey of losing a loved one, but beyond all else, it is a book filled with hope and light amidst the darkness. Chumpy's legacy truly lives on through this book.
Ellidy and Alley have done an absolutely phenomenal job with Heartstrong. As many others have said, it truly encapsulates the raw truth about grief, and the journey of losing a loved one, but beyond all else, it is a book filled with hope and light amidst the darkness. Chumpy's legacy truly lives on through this book.
February 19, 2023
Beauty & heartbreak on each and every page. A wonderful life so well captured within the book, such a great tribute to Chumpy. What a powerhouse of a woman Ellidy is, and I’m sure Minnie will grow to be too. I look forward to keeping up with the podcast to see where life takes the girls in the future
January 12, 2024
What a heartbreaking and yet informative story, so sad to lose your partner so young. And I had no idea posthumous sperm retrieval was a thing that's possible, such a challenging time, but being able to have that option is amazing.
September 10, 2023
Finished this in under 24 hours, couldn't put it down. So harrowing. Very thought provoking about sperm retrieval. Probably more of an interesting read for people who follow Ellidy on instagram
Read
January 4, 2024Such a heartbreaking story.
Couldn’t even begin to imagine what it would be like to feel this much loss in such a short period of time.
Couldn’t even begin to imagine what it would be like to feel this much loss in such a short period of time.
February 5, 2024
I’ve been wanting to read this for a long time now. It was moving and heartfelt and beautiful. There were lots of tears from me though, and knowing I’m crying about a real story made me even sadder. But recommend!
February 8, 2024
The pages of this book are filled with such raw emotion, it had me sobbing and captured my heart from beginning to end.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 546 reviews