After the tragic passing of his wife Melitta from cervical cancer, Carter embarks on a 4,314 mile journey of self-discovery, driven by the goal to spread awareness and raise funding for a preventable disease that has taken so many lives. "I realised that vaccination plus screening could eliminate cervical cancer within twenty to thirty years," Carter writes. As he spends a year walking the coasts of England and Wales, he learns valuable life lessons along the way, such as listening to and empathizing with the people and the world around him, through his host families and friends who periodically meet up with him, all while advocating for preventative screenings and the HPV immunization to prevent cervical cancer.

Carter shares his story in a personable, familiar manner that will immediately draw readers in. Highlighting not only his own love story and grieving process, Carter also shares life lessons he received from the Airbnb owners he met during his year-long trek—and the insights he gleaned from friends, family, and colleagues who chose to join him on his walk. "I realized that the journey would help me learn about myself as well as honouring Melitta's life," Carter explains. Throughout his pilgrimage and campaign—titled "3500 to End It"—Carter is plagued by the question of what he ultimately wants to learn from his quest. In the end he finds one simple answer...and it is the question: "What can we do for those we love?"

A moving memoir on dealing with grief, soaking in wisdom from the people in your life, and spreading awareness about cervical cancer, From Grief to Love is an emotive narrative that shows how "lives can change in a moment.” Carter sets seemingly impossible goals in this triumphant tale, and overcomes the most tragic of circumstances, making his writing both inspiring and endearing.

Takeaway: Touching memoir of grief and the healing power of new experiences.

Comparable Titles: Jonathan Santlofer’s The Widower’s Notebook, Becky Livingston’s The Suitcase and the Jar.

Production grades
Cover: A
Design and typography: A
Illustrations: N/A
Editing: A
Marketing copy: A