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Susan’s award-winning memoir is about the loss of her son to an accidental overdose and moving through grief with the loving support of her two Golden Retrievers.
“…You will cry with her, not only because her story is heartbreaking, but because you see yourself in her words…”
Life After Kevin is heartfelt, fascinating, well written, and easy to read. You will cry with her, not only because her story is heartbreaking, but because you see yourself in her words. She’s beautifully balanced the retelling of her own experiences while simultaneously inviting the reader to explore two topics not usually discussed in grief, the effects of stigma over how a person dies and how comfort can often be found in what we cannot explain with logic, such as signs from across the veil or the unconditional love from our dogs. You will love this book. Susan’s writing style is direct and honest and in the back of the book she’s included questions to help readers gain insight into their own experiences with grief, stigma, signs, and the relationship they have with the dogs in their lives. Read this book and learn from it. I did. –Jonathan C. Chase, American Kennel Club licensed judge
“…This beautiful and important book will help guide those lost in grief to a place of peace…”
Susan captures in intimate detail, the life, death, and precise after life communication from her beloved son Kevin. This beautiful and important book will help guide those lost in grief to a place of peace. Her courageous journey inspires readers to know they can make it through the fire. It is a MUST read. -Tina Powers, Medium and Author of Reporting For The Other Side
“…Susan also explores an essential topic in the book; the stigma and silence attached to a child’s transition by overdose, with grace and compassion…”
Susan Lynch’s new book, Life After Kevin: A Mother’s Search for Peace and the Golden Retrievers that Led the Way, is a poignant memoir about the tragic passing of her beautiful son Kevin. Through this book, Susan shows how the tenderhearted Goldens that she trains helped her move forward and heal. Susan also explores an essential topic in the book; the stigma and silence attached to a child’s transition by overdose, with grace and compassion. It is a joy to read about the interaction they share even 5 years after Kevin’s transition. Our kids in spirit are not gone. They are still right here and walk beside us, holding our hands and leading us towards healing. Thank you, Susan and Kevin, for this uplifting book that proves that love never dies. –Elizabeth Boisson, President, and Co-Founder of Helping Parents Heal
THIS MEMOIR WILL MAKE YOU QUESTION
Grief & Spirituality
How do our loved ones in Spirit keep a connection with us?
What would a continued relationship with deceased loved ones look like?
How does the stigma around the way someone dies impact their loved ones?
Canine Companionship
What do our pets offer us in our darkest moments?
What lessons can be learned from beings who have no words at all?
Transformation & Self-Growth
How can you find meaning in your life after suffering a tragic loss?
What does healing after a loss look like?
“…From the opening passages, Susan grabs our attention, hangs on to it tightly, and never lets go, taking us along on an emotional, complicated, powerful, and ultimately uplifting journey…”
Much like a white-water rafting trip Susan takes with her family early on in this book, her story about love, loss, grief and healing takes us on a surprising ride. From the opening passages, Susan grabs our attention, hangs on to it tightly, and never lets go, taking us along on an emotional, complicated, powerful, and ultimately uplifting journey following the death of her son, Kevin. Susan’s journey and the steps along the way will resonate with anyone who has grieved the loss of a loved one, whether human or canine, or with anyone who seeks messages from those they have lost. There’s something here for everyone, but most will certainly leave with hope, and just maybe with their eyes and minds open a little wider. -Sabrina
“…you’ll have a difficult time putting this book down. Susan’s skillfully written true story drew me in and held onto my heart….”
If you’re looking for a soul-bearing emotional read, you’ll have a difficult time putting this book down. Susan’s skillfully written true story drew me in and held onto my heart. It’s an incredibly brave examination of her struggle to come to terms with her innermost fears surrounding her son’s death. Her hopeful and insightful search for meaning after loss will have you crying, laughing and looking inward. -Patricia
“…I want my friends and family to read Life After Kevin. Not that I want sympathy, but rather, acknowledgment. I want them to ‘get me.’…”
Having lost an adult child, myself to an accidental overdose, I know only too well the struggle and determination needed to process the loss and return to some semblance of ‘normal.’ I want my friends and family to read Life After Kevin. Not that I want sympathy, but rather, acknowledgment. I want them to ‘get me.’ Susan’s book is honest and sincere. It invokes questions about grief, healing, spirituality, and sadly, the stigma over the cause of death. –Deb
HOW IT BEGINS…
Life After Kevin opens with the last family trip I took with my husband and sons before Kevin died. A handful of months later, on my way home from the Golden Retriever Club of America’s National Specialty, I get the call that will change my life forever.
WHERE IT LEADS…
Dog training and shows come to a stop and my Golden Retrievers, Manny and Tripp take the lead and show me ways to engage with my grief, find grace, and keep going. While I anxiously await the toxicology results, I’m trying to find my way forward. Up against a world that no longer makes any sense, and one that believes there are “bad ways to die,” I constantly reevaluate who I am and what serves me, including my beliefs about whether my relationship with my son actually does have to end.
HONEST, HELPFUL, and HEALING
Life After Kevin will offer comfort, support, and hope to grieving families who are suffering the loss of children (especially those from overdose), while also illustrating the beautiful depth and bond between people and their pets on the path to healing.
THIS BOOK IS FOR:
- People experiencing grief
- Parents who have experienced child loss
- Those touched directly or indirectly by overdose
- Those who want to gain insight into friends and family struggling with loss
- Grief workers and support groups
- Dog lovers and pet professionals
THIS MEMOIR PROMISES TO:
- Shed light on the widespread stigma of overdose and its impact on our grief
- Invite readers to consider how relationships with their deceased loved ones may continue to exist beyond the physical space
- Assert the precious role dogs can have in grief work and healing
- Illustrate how grief can be used as a conduit to serve the greater good which in turn helps us heal
“…Susan is a wonderful storyteller and shares her heart with her readers…”
I thoroughly enjoyed reading Life After Kevin: A Mother’s Search for Peace and the Golden Retrievers that Led the Way. I know it will be helpful to many who find themselves on a grief journey. Susan is a wonderful storyteller and shares her heart with her readers. Anyone who has lived through the passing of a child/children will understand the experiences and emotions Susan describes. The death of a loved one changes our life forever and Susan offers hope through her story. Realizing that we continue a relationship beyond the veil changes everything and Susan shares her transformation and her new relationship with Kevin. -Irene Vouvalides, Vice President, Helping Parents Heal
“…The details were so beautifully woven in with the love of her dogs…”
Susan has written so courageously about her journey after the tragic loss of her son Kevin. The details were so beautifully woven in with the love of her dogs and how she learned to accept and live on. This book will help others who have gone through this as well! -Katie
“…I was left feeling assured that no matter what happens, we can find a connection to our loved ones even after they have passed on...“
Life After Kevin is an incredibly powerful, heartfelt, and spiritual memoir. Lynch’s love for her son and the Golden Retrievers that led her way to peace shines through every page. Anyone who has lost a loved one will find some part of this book that resonates with them. After reading Lynch’s beautiful tribute to her son, I was left feeling assured that no matter what happens, we can find a connection to our loved ones even after they have passed on. -Paula
Book photos can be found here.