And Always One More Time

A Memoir

By: Margaret Mandell

Narrated by: Margaret Mandell

Every year, more than a million women find themselves grappling with the devastating loss of a life partner—a loss that shatters their present and leaves their future in doubt. At 65, Margaret Mandell faces this heart-wrenching reality when she loses her husband of 45 years to a fast-moving disease. The bed is now half-empty, her body betrays her, and laughter seems elusive.

In the depths of longing and haunted by memories, Mandell embarks on a journey of healing through the written word. She begins to write letters to the man she loved in a poignant process of retracing their shared history. But when a tender-hearted college professor steps quietly into her life and listens attentively as Mandell reads her accumulating stack of letters out loud, her world is transformed in profound and unexpected ways.

And Always One More Time is a story that delves deep into the human experience, reminiscent of C.S. Lewis's A Grief Observed in its wisdom and Joyce Carol Oates's A Widow's Story in its suspense. It offers universal truths about love, loss, and resilience, much like Steve Leder's The Beauty of What Remains. With potent and swift-moving words, this book can be devoured in a single sitting. It is a beacon of hope for those navigating the aftermath of the greatest loss.

©2024 Margaret Mandell (P)2024 Margaret Mandell

Critic reviews

"Offering one example after another of appreciating the beauty in life without denying its heartaches, the memoir asks, 'Can you keep loving when the man you love is gone?' and answers with a resounding yes.

"A moving, insightful, and beautifully crafted story of losing one great love and finding another."

-- Kirkus Reviews

A touching and relatable memoir

I prefer books read by the author whenever possible. Somehow I connect with them more when they are telling their story. This one is about second chances after the tragic loss of a spouse. How would any of us move on without feeling intensely conflicting emotions? With an open mind and heart, the author shows us just how she has managed to move to a new chapter of life with the support and love of her friends and family without having to sever ties with her late husband. I don't really read memiors, but I really loved this book which, at it's core, is about the fragility of our lives with those we love. It's beautifully told and often quite humourous. I highly recommend it for the moving story and the personal reading.

Beautiful Inspiring Memoir

I loved listening to this book! Through Margaret’s voice, letters, and chapters, we share her deep love, loss and grief. We join her as she learns to function on her own, and then miraculously finds and accepts new love. Margaret realizes that two men can coexist in her heart. Both she and her new love honor her old love.

Margaret’s descriptions of her emotional journey, and some missteps, are particularly moving. We all lie in bed at night replaying past words and actions that we wish we could take back. Margaret bravely reveals hers to the listener. We forgive her human foibles and hope she forgives herself.

We all suffer disappointments and loss. And Always One More Time assures us that we can find happiness again in the future.