When You're Ready

A Love Story

By: Kareem Rosser

Narrated by: Kareem Rosser

This unforgettable and “beautifully written” (The Seattle Times) memoir explores first love, unthinkable loss, and the toll of grief.

Kareem Rosser and Lee Lee Jones were young, beautiful, and deeply in love. Their love was a real-world romance that felt like a fairy tale: Kareem was raised in the Bottom—one of the most impoverished neighborhoods in Philadelphia—while Lee Lee was raised in the wealth of the Pennsylvania suburbs. The world was at their feet, a lifetime of joy and adventure ahead of them. But their love story was interrupted by a devastating accident, which almost cost Lee Lee her life, and destroyed every plan and dream that Lee Lee and Kareem had made together.

In the months and years that follow, while Lee Lee struggles to heal, Kareem is crippled by ambiguous grief, for the woman that he loves and for the future he imagined for them both. In the space between debilitating depression and bursts of anxiety, he’s forced to finally face his demons: his tumultuous childhood, his latent mental health issues, the murders of his older brother and his best friend, and a life constantly lived in the grip of panic and fear.

“Relatable, powerful, and transformative” (Booklist, starred review), When You’re Ready is a narrative that honors love in all its forms: first love, parental love, renewed love, and, most importantly, self-love. With notes on unresolved loss and second chances, it’s a story that will grab you by the heartstrings and uplift your soul.

Amazing story

Hearing Kareem narrate this incredible story was very moving and so sad. His honestly in sharing the pain and trauma of loosing so much gripped my heart. The Jones family, allowing this story to be told, have granted an intimate look into the world they inhabit and the world they are living in taking care of a disabled child.

Excellent story of people I know!!

Such a heartwarming story of people finding true love and learning how to keep it.

True Love is Never Static

Very talented young author sharing personal tragedy and triumph in a way we can all relate to. I’m glad I listened to his narration as I could feel the emotion more profoundly. Highly recommend this to everyone.

A true life love story touching on every aspect of human emotion

Grab your issue box and be prepared to be ah inspired. The writing is beautiful, raw, relatable and leaves you feeling hopeful. I think everyone can find parts of this story relatable whether it’s your first love, heartbreak, loss, or hope; I know people will find strength from the writing. The author reads the story making it all more meaningful. Thank your for sharing your beautiful story Kareem.

Raw and honest. A must read!

A raw, honest and brave story of love, loss and emotional growth. Kareem writes and speaks with courage and wisdom beyond his young age.