January 31, 2022
Hord, a former executive at NBCUniversal, shares in her gut-wrenching debut how she found purpose in the aftermath of a life-shattering tragedy. After Hord’s ex-husband murdered their young daughter, Hord was consumed by grief. As she slowly picked up the pieces of her life, she resolved to share her road to recovery with others who have dealt with loss, specifically those who “need a new path even when don’t want one.” To that end, Hord tackles tragedy in three phases: “Before,” “Yet,” and “After.” In “Before,” she encourages readers to nurture hope, acknowledge their strength, and stand by their faith. “Yet” speaks to embracing vulnerability, finding those who will support one’s recovery, and moving forward. The shortest and most affecting section is “After,” in which Hord accepts that she will never be entirely free of her sorrow, but still hopes “to find in my after... something more powerful than my pain and grief.” Hord doesn’t pull punches or offer easy bromides, but instead confronts grief with grace and candor. Readers struggling with loss will find solace in Hord’s courage and guidance. Agent: Cait Hoyt, CAA.
February 1, 2022
In 2017, facing an impending divorce, Hord's husband murdered their seven-year-old daughter Gabrielle. Thoroughly devastated by the event, Hord relied on friendship, faith, and her own determination to endure the loss, and in subsequent years has turned her sorrow into action by writing and speaking about losing her child, by establishing Gabrielle's Wings (a nonprofit dedicated to helping children of color), and now by composing this meditation on navigating the grief and trauma that follow tragedy. The author combines her story and memories of Gabrielle with guidance on how to live with emotional pain without allowing it to overwhelm one. She repeatedly stresses her belief in of the power of "yet," which for Hord means that though humans may suffer horrific losses, one can survive, celebrate those who were lost, and find purpose and joy in the world. Throughout the memoir, she meditates on what it means to continue living in the wake of grief. VERDICT A sensitive memoir on living and finding joy in life following personal loss. Readers needn't be Christian to find value in Hord's advice, but she weaves spirituality throughout the text, which will likely resonate most strongly with readers who share her faith.--Kathleen McCallister
Copyright 2022 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.