This Changes Everything

A Surprisingly Funny Story About Race, Cancer, Faith, and Other Things We Don't Talk About

By: Tyler Merritt

Narrated by: Tyler Merritt, Jerrie Merritt, David Tieche, Marcus Tan

*NATIONAL BESTSELLER*

A cancer diagnosis caused Tyler Merritt—beloved author of I Take My Coffee Black—to realize that there was no time for anger, unforgiveness, foolishness, or lost friendships. None of us have any time to waste.

When Tyler Merritt was diagnosed with cancer, everything he thought he knew about what mattered in life changed. Though he made it through a highly invasive surgery and thought he was in the clear, Tyler soon realized that the cancer had other plans. It wasn’t a question of if the tumor would come back for an encore, his doctors told him. It was a question of when. The clock was ticking.

This Changes Everything is a humorous and optimistic love letter to this beautiful life. As Tyler counts down the days until his next scan, he begins to understand that none of us have time for anger, for being unforgiving, for foolishness, for letting relationships drift, or for letting friendships to be lost. It’s a clear-eyed reckoning with the reality that our time on this earth is limited and a hopeful vision of how each of us can make the most of the time we have left.

Laced with Tyler’s trademark humor, love of pop culture, and arguably too many musical theater references, This Changes Everything is a story about how wrestling with the idea of death can birth a whole new outlook on life, how we live it, and the urgency that comes when you grasp that time is a precious commodity.

Critic reviews

“A scary, funny, moving and inspiring story from a man who deserves cancer less than almost anyone I know.”—Jimmy Kimmel

“Tyler Merritt approaches cancer, a subject that is scary for all of us to talk about, with grace and humor, just like everything in his life. This whole book feels like one long, wonderful conversation with a friend. Sometimes you have to laugh, and sometimes you have to get real. That’s life. This Changes Everything gives me all the feels. We’re lucky to have Tyler’s voice in the world!”—Trisha Yearwood

“How Tyler has gone and made a book about living with Cancer so funny I’m not sure I’ll ever really understand. What I do know is that I’m better for leaning into his story. Laced with deep heartfelt moments and stories that can only be told by a man who has become comfortable in his own skin, I’d recommend This Changes Everything to anyone who needs a reminder at how beautiful this life truly is.”—Anthony Anderson actor, producer, activist, health advocate, philanthropist

“Tyler Merritt is a national treasure, and This Changes Everything is a thoughtful, beautiful and heartwarming tribute to this wonderful thing called life -- as only Tyler can tell it.”—Joy Reid

“Tyler takes us on an unimaginable journey through his cancer diagnosis, treatment, and life afterwards, with sage wisdom and unparalleled humor. We are reminded of what truly matters in life - forgiveness, gratitude, and the true meaning of optimism. Through his raw and honest storytelling, Tyler gives us a new perspective on our own struggles and triumphs. Prepare to be moved, and forever changed by Tyler's powerful story.”—Heather Locklear

“First of all I recognized all of the musical theater references Tyler that thought he was so sneakily throwing at me! I may have even caught myself singing along to a few. Listen, I just didn’t want This Changes Everything to end. It’s filled with so much love for us the reader. Somehow even after walking through Cancer Tyler’s outlook on this complex life remains uplifting and awe inspiring. Serious at some points and incredibly funny in others, I cannot wait for you all to read this book.”—Kristin Chenoweth, Emmy and Tony-award winning actress and New York Time Bestselling author

“A heart-felt, laugh-out loud book about nearly dying and what it means to really live.”—Actress/Host Yvette Nicole Brown

“I accidentally met Tyler in NYC four days after he found out this surgery was inevitable and fell in love with him because who could help it? I’ve only known this Tyler, the one in these exact pages, and he is as marvelous as you think. This Changes Everything is a love letter to life. This book will help you understand why I introduced him to my kids and gave him my heart.”—Jen Hatmaker, Four-Time NYT Bestselling Author and Tyler’s Girlfriend

Must Read!!!

I found Tyler through Jen Hatmaker and instantly bought his first book which was amazing but I knew for this next book I wanted the audible version. Tyler is the best storyteller! He made me laugh out loud and cry. This is one of the best audio books I have ever read.

Pleasantly Surprised

I thought that the author’s cancer diagnosis was the thing that changed everything. It wasn’t. I’m not sure how he managed it, but each chapter was a lesson in life—the humor in it, as well as the seriousness of it, and also a history lesson, complete with kudos to the actors involved, whether they were real, fictional or animated.

I didn’t read Tyler Merritt’s first book and just stumbled on this one with no idea of who he was or how his audiobook would be. I was so in awe for the first three chapters and then I was totally hooked.

The book was awesome. I loved it. One bit of criticism though. The book would be better off without the dog chapter at the end. Hated it. Take that out please!

Tyler Merritt is truly amazing! I love his little chuckle at the ends of funny lines.

I kept waiting for a whole chapter about meeting Jen Hatmaker. Come on, Tyler!! I knew you met her in NYC, so in the chapter about that trip, I was waiting patiently for the big reveal of that magical meeting. Lordy! It is a good thing I have pre-order her upcoming book, Awake. I bet she will give us the details! Hehe

amazing as always

loved everything about it. made me laugh, cry, smile & made my heart smile.

Remarkable point of view

The passion in the reading was very moving. It kept my interest all the way through