Love My Way — Grief, Love, and Finding Yourself Again

This book wrecked me in the best possible way.

I started Love My Way during Sophie's nap on a Tuesday, thinking I'd get through a chapter or two. Three hours later, I was still in the rocking chair, phone on silent, praying she'd stay asleep because I physically could not stop listening. That hasn't happened since... honestly, I can't remember when.

The Setup That Hooked Me Before School Pickup

Emerson Hart is dealing with grief. Real, messy, complicated grief. And the premise—she's the love of his life, but he's not her only love—sounds like it could go soap opera real fast. It doesn't. Kate Sterritt keeps everything grounded in something that feels achingly real. The emotional weight of loss, trauma, and trying to figure out who you are after everything falls apart? She nails it.

I'll be honest, I went in expecting something lighter. The cover, the title, the romance label—I thought this would be my standard comfort read. Instead I got something that made me actually feel things, which is both a compliment and a warning. I ugly-cried at school pickup. Worth it though.

Two Voices, Two Perspectives (Mostly)

The dual narration with Shiromi Arserio and Tom Bromhead works really well here. Getting both perspectives in audio form adds a layer that I don't think I would've gotten from just reading it. Arserio especially—she conveys Emerson's emotional intensity in a way that had me completely invested. I felt so connected to this character, which is saying something when you're listening while simultaneously making a grocery list in your head.

One small thing: Arserio occasionally loses the Australian accent. It's not constant, and honestly, if you're not paying close attention (hello, 47 pauses to referee sibling disputes), you might not even notice. But when the story's set in Sydney and the author clearly writes from that world, those little slips pull you out for a second. Tom Bromhead stays more consistent, and his sections provide a nice contrast.

At 8 and a half hours, this is the perfect length for my life right now. I finished it in about a week of nap times and car sessions. Not so long that I forgot who everyone was between listening sessions, not so short that it felt rushed.

Fair Warning: This One Goes Deep

Content heads up for anyone who needs it—this deals with grief, trauma, and loss in ways that aren't just background noise. It's central to who Emerson is and what she's working through. If you're in a season where you need pure escapism, this might hit harder than you want. But if you're ready for something with actual emotional substance? This delivers.

The "rebirth" element—Emerson finding herself again—is what kept me going through the heavier parts. It's not a quick fix or a magic healing-through-love situation. It's messier and more realistic than that. Which I appreciated, even when it made me want to hug a fictional character.

Who's Going to Love This (And Who Should Maybe Wait)

If you want a romance that's more than just chemistry and banter—if you want characters who feel like real people dealing with real stuff—this is your book. My book club would love this (if I ever have time for book club again). It's the kind of story that sparks actual conversation. Us, Again gave me that same "we need to talk about this" feeling—messy relationships, real emotional stakes, the whole thing.

Skip this one if you need something you can half-listen to while wrangling three kids through Target. It requires more attention than my usual fare. But for car time, nap time, or any moment where you can actually focus? Perfect.

I listened at my usual 1.25x and it worked fine. The emotional beats still landed, and neither narrator felt rushed.

Garage-Sitting Approved (Bring Tissues)

Survived 47 pauses and still made sense. Made me feel things I wasn't expecting to feel. Not groundbreaking in the sense of reinventing the genre, but sometimes you don't need that. Sometimes you need a story that reminds you people can break apart and put themselves back together in new ways.

Satisfying ending—exactly what I needed after all that emotional investment. I sat in my garage for an extra ten minutes just to finish it properly, and I regret nothing.