Life After You, the book based on the blog, is one of Richard and Judy’s Autumn Book Club picks 2015. Read more and hear podcast interview with Richard and Judy here
Reviews for Life After You:
“[Life After You is] raw, riveting and beautifully written…much recommended.” – BBC’s Andrew Marr.
“The story brims with charm, courage and wit…at times hysterical; heartbreaking at others, this is a wonderful book that has you cheering on its very likeable, funny and talented heroine as she moves from despair to a kind of hope.” (Deidre O’Brien, Sunday Mirror Book Club Choice)
“Lucie’s memoir, which started life as a very personal blog, is a raw howl of disbelief at the speed with which a baby-making quickie could turn to life-shattering tragedy. Life After You is, despite everything, a story of survival and, cautiously, recovery. A wrenchingly funny read.” (Jane Shilling, Daily Mail)
Published by Virgin Books. Available at all good bookshops, with extra content at WHSmith, and here
Read about it:
http://www.thebookseller.com/news/brownlee-buy-virgin.html
http://belleabouttown.com/belle-living/relationships/me-after-you-lucie-brownlees-story/
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/home/you/article-2679265/The-weird-world-early-widowhood.html
Wife After Death 
I have found you whilst aimlessly and somewhat desperately googling “how to deal with grief”. I lost my boyfriend and absolute soulmate a week ago today, suddenly and unexpectedly in his sleep. He was, and I guess will always remain, 34. Reading your blog has reminded and reassured me that I don’t have to feel solemn and look sad all of the time, I want to talk to him the way I always did, not in some hushed tone on slow mode. I want to laugh again, it feels like a lifetime ago since we laughed, yet it was only a few hours before he died. Thank you for your words, I’m only a week in but I’m glad I found you early, x
Hi Yicin. I am just so sorry to hear about the sudden death of your soulmate. I understand completely what you are going through right now. A week in, I too recall desperately searching online for ‘ways to deal with grief’ – the weight of it felt unbearable, I wanted an answer to it, to stop lurching between disbelief and pain. I am so glad you have found some comfort in the blog. I started writing it after about 14 months, so some of the stuff might be a bit far down the line for you yet, but hopefully it might provide some evidence that things will get a little easier. I send you strength, courage and much love for the days and months ahead. Xx
Hi Lucie,
I picked up a copy of your book ‘Me After You’ in my local library in Dublin (Sorry for doing you out of royalties- but I’ll spread the word).
I thought I’d let you know I’m riveted-I can’t put it down (went to gym this morning but spent the first hour there reading ‘Me After you’ instead of working out).
My wife and soulmate, Cushla, died in 2008 and since then I’ve read a lot of books in this genre (widowhood, loss etc). Your book is easily the best- heartfelt with great writing.
You seem to be a natural.
Actually I’ve just finished my own book ‘The Unknown Mystic’ ( “an extraordinary account of the life and spiritual journey of Cushla (1957-2008)” and am just about to send off to publishers.
I’d love your opinion on my cover letter? (if you send me your email I’ll send by return).
Anyway, hope your book is made into movie (I’ll be first in line in Dublin when it gets here),
Kind Regards,
Pat Shaughnessy
087 6773722
PS My website below is just my company one
Hi there Pat – firstly, so sorry to hear about the loss of Cushla. I’m so pleased you found some comfort in the book, thanks so much for taking the time to comment. Glad also to hear that you too have found comfort in writing following your loss. Re sending it to a publisher, I would advise sending it to an agent first – not sure how it works in Ireland but over here most publishers won’t look at an unsolicited manuscript. If you want to contact me via the ‘contact’ page of my luciebrownlee.com site, I’d be happy to have an e-chat! Once again, thanks for taking the time to comment. All love, Lucie x
Lucie, what an amazing blog….I lost my husband a month ago after 3 months in a coma …He had a stroke this summer from asthma attack….W have a 7 year old son, who is turning 8 in 2 weeks. I am inspired by this blog I found googling “overcoming grief” ….I share so many similarities and it helps me to know that it does get a little easier, based on your story. I want to be strong for my little boy….I will be purchasing your book an amazon as well.
All the best,
Isabella
Hi Isabella, god I’m so sorry for your loss – and the story behind it – Im so pleased you’re finding some comfort in the blog. You are not alone, and I can promise it does get easier – though the road is long, with many twists and turns. Sending you much love and strength. Lucie x
In about 4 weeks, I will be a 2-years-along widow. Absolutely love your commentary. I am in the planning stages (and clearing house for) home repairs. Unbelievable how much sadness… and happiness… starts flying thru the air when selling, giving away, throwing away, or just reorganizing a lifetime worth of ‘stuff’. I am in a *very* good place most days, but still feel that chain of grief making the steps so sluggish and painful at times.
Thank you for sharing, and helping. God bless on your continuing journey into parts unknown!
Hi there Kathy. Thanks for the lovely comment – I’m pleased the blog makes sense to you. I still haven’t got rid of a lot of Mark’s belongings – seems too sad, too final – and I’m at four years! I find that I too am in a good place most of the time, but sometimes I think of him and what has happened and it almost feels hard to breathe. But we must keep going…Good luck to you on your journey too – nice to know we have friends who understand along the way. X
My hubby died 5 years ago. At the time my youngest had just turned 2, my oldest wasn’t quite 4 and I was 7 months pregnant with our 3rd. Giving birth to my daughter knowing she’ll never meet her Daddy was the hardest thing I ever had to do. 5 years on, despite a house full of noises with 3 very lively kids, I’ve just seriously hit the wall of loneliness and it is solid!! Think I’ll have to read your book. Thanks for the blog. x
Catherine, sounds like a similar timescale to me- for what timescales are worth. I really feel for you. Three kids in the house I’m sure must be great comfort, but must be difficult when you are trying to rebuild yourself. Sending love and solidarity. X