I received a complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
First, I want to point out that if you haven't lost your spouse or someone extremely close to you, you can't understand the pain your heart and soul endure. I haven't had a major death happen to me, but having received news the day is near, I feel myself starting the grieving process and this book has and will be something I can look back on to help me move forward.
New Normal is a story of a young widow learning how to find herself again. Along the way, she learns how to let the past go, lean on the ones she's closest to, and find happiness. Paris tells this story so well; you may believe it's her real experience. Michelle Paris had the thought since there isn't a manual for young widowers, she will write one herself, hoping to help the next person who must face life without their loved one. She proves strength comes from all kinds of places in someone's life and it's okay to be sad and grieve but don't let it keep you from living life.
Emilie found herself stuck in life. She didn't know how to move forward or what to do. Her friends help her get out of her rut by helping her see that it was only chapter one that ended, and she still has so much more to live for. As she starts to let go of her late husband, she wants to feel something other than loneliness and tries dating again. With the help of her gay best friend, longtime college friends, and a new addition to her family, Emilie finds that there was something out there for her and sometimes the only way to see the rainbow at the end is to survive the storm.
To be honest, it took a few pages to get into this. Once I did, it was hard to put down. I felt like I could be a third friend to Emilie and Colin, laughing at his antics while holding her hand for strength. I do believe that if her friend didn't force her to meet Colin, her life wouldn't have changed. Colin turned out to be her guiding light. But if it wasn't for Pudding, she wouldn't have had the chance to start her chapter two.
I enjoyed this book. It was fantastically written with an immersive story. And knowing this is based on her personal experiences makes the feeling so much stronger. When I picked it up, I had a hard time putting it down. I found myself taking it wherever I could. It made me cry and smile. Even if you haven't become a widow or lost someone significant in your life, this book is still one of those treasures you should still read. You never know what a person is going through, and learning how to use compassion toward others is never outdated. Reading this helps you understand that it's ok to feel what you feel, but it should stop you from living your life and moving on. So, yes, I think you should read this. And if Paris writes anything else, you can bet I'll be one of the first ones reading her work.
