Review of Love's Labor Lost

[Pablo Josue Mendia]

[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "Love's Labor Lost" by Ruth Ellen Johnson.]

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5 out of 5 stars

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Love’s Labor Lost: Ten Mothers Share their Journey from Grief to Hope by Ruth Ellen Johnson gives readers ten personal accounts of mothers who experienced loss. Each story shows a mom's love and loss, their suffering, and the importance of their faith in God. Also, each story has a commemorative photograph, different Bible passages that helped the mothers, ways their grief manifested, and the impact of faith and community support.

In the first chapter, Cindy experiences an accident resulting in the loss of her daughter, Amy. Readers will learn why Cindy considered her experience “bittersweet.” The second chapter shows Diana’s journey through her son Michael’s addiction. This chapter explores the complexities of addiction, the importance of boundaries, and the growth of empathy.

The third chapter shows how Leigh Ann raised her daughter Elizabeth, who was diagnosed with a neurological condition at birth. Thanks to Leigh Ann, Elizabeth lived longer than doctors expected, showing us the importance of finding competent medical care. In the next chapter, Jami navigates the loss of her son Gaetano. This story shows us how our other children can help us heal. The next chapter is about Perla, a mother who deals with her son Daniel’s struggle with addiction.

In the sixth chapter, Marci and her husband Bob adopt children and later experience an unexpected loss. This chapter shows us the grief of losing a child after forming an emotional bond. It also enlightens us about the legal system regarding adoptive and biological parents. Then, we learn about Suzy, who reflects on past sins (like extramarital affairs) and their consequences. This story shows us redemption. Then, we read about Susan’s story and how her bright and promising child, Lydia, fell into drugs and self-harm, emphasizing the importance of mental health care.

Moreover, the ninth chapter shows how Judy mourns her son Sam, who died from a mysterious illness despite being treated for Crohn’s Disease. This story also shows us how one can find a different church community and heal from the pain other churchgoers have caused. In the last chapter, Angie faces the death of her daughter Rachel, who struggled with COVID-19. This story shows us the difficulty of caring for loved ones during a global pandemic.

Lastly, Johnson concludes the book with a common occurrence. Many people question God (or their faith) after a tragedy. However, the author's stories try to demonstrate that a loving God exists. These stories also show that we can become better versions of ourselves after tragedies.

I liked that none of the stories were the same. In addition, I liked that not all stories included physical death, giving us a richer perspective on tragedy, grief, and hope. I also liked that this book, despite its religious content, can be read by everyone. Lastly, I liked that the book shares seven books to help those who grieve. The book contains minor grammatical errors, has very little profanity, and is well-edited. I found no criticism or dislike. I rate it 5 out of 5 stars.

Despite the stories centering on the Christian and Catholic faith, I recommend this book for all people struggling with grief. This book may help those mourning their losses cope and learn about people who may have had similar experiences and overcame them.

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Love's Labor Lost
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[Anthony Caleb]

Mothers are blessings in our lives, the pain they face on their own, the love for their family is so much admirable.

[Enkay Favour]

Love’s Labor Lost: Ten Mothers Share their Journey from Grief to Hope by Ruth Ellen Johnson offers a poignant collection of personal stories from mothers navigating profound loss. Each account blends personal struggle with faith and community support, providing a rich tapestry of experiences that offer solace and perspective. While rooted in Christian and Catholic faith, the book’s universal themes of grief and healing make it a compelling read for anyone facing similar challenges.

[Emmanuel olowolayemo]

"Love’s Labor Lost: Ten Mothers Share their Journey from Grief to Hope" by Ruth Ellen Johnson offers ten personal stories from mothers who have endured loss, each illustrating their path from grief to healing through faith. The book features diverse experiences, including loss from accidents, addiction, illness, and pandemics, highlighting the role of faith and community in coping with tragedy. It is accessible to a wide audience and provides additional resources for those grieving, despite its Christian and Catholic perspectives. The book is well-edited and received a 5-star rating for its compassionate and varied accounts of hope and redemption.

[Mradushi Singhal]

I appreciate your detailed review and the insights you shared about the book. While the stories seem deeply moving, the strong focus on religious themes makes me hesitant, as I usually prefer narratives with a more universal approach to grief and healing. It sounds like a powerful read for those who connect with its faith-based perspective, but I'm not sure it's quite what I'm looking for. So I would prefer to skip this book.

[Emmanuel olowolayemo]

"Summary of "Love’s Labor Lost: Ten Mothers Share their Journey from Grief to Hope"

"Love’s Labor Lost" by Ruth Ellen Johnson features ten personal stories of mothers who have experienced loss, each reflecting on their journey from grief to hope. The stories highlight the deep love for their children, the pain of loss, and the critical role of faith and community support in their healing process. Each chapter offers a unique perspective, from dealing with accidents, addiction, and illness, to navigating the complexities of adoption, the legal system, and the impact of past mistakes. The book concludes with a message of faith, suggesting that personal tragedies can lead to spiritual growth and a stronger connection with God.

The reviewer appreciated the diversity of the stories, noting that not all involved physical death, which added depth to the themes of tragedy and hope. The book is seen as accessible to readers of various backgrounds, despite its Christian and Catholic focus, and is highly recommended for anyone dealing with grief. The reviewer gave it a 5 out of 5 stars for its powerful content and the inclusion of resources for those in mourning.

[Emmanuel Chima 3]

Love’s Labor Lost: Ten Mothers Share their Journey from Grief to Hope by Ruth Ellen Johnson. It highlights the diversity of experiences shared by the mothers and the book's focus on faith, hope, and healing. The emphasis on both the emotional journey and the practical aspects of dealing with grief makes it seem like a valuable resource for anyone struggling with loss. I appreciate the mention of its accessibility to a broad audience, regardless of their religious beliefs.

[Nuella Joseph]

"Love's Labor Lost offers a poignant collection of stories from mothers who have navigated profound loss. Ruth Ellen Johnson skillfully blends personal experiences with faith and healing, providing both comfort and insight. Though rooted in Christian and Catholic perspectives, the book's universal themes of grief and hope make it a valuable read for anyone dealing with loss.

[Anthony Caleb]

It's so awesome to read about these kind of book, showing that as a person, one can change sorrows to joy.