Winner: Gold Nautilus Book Award, Death & Dying/Grief & Loss

Expanding on Pauline Boss’s seminal work on ambiguous loss, this book explores the complications and deviations from traditional grief when mourning a loss, but not a death—and offers real solutions for healing.

Grief isn't always the result of something finite, marking a death or complete end. Soul-shattering grief can also be activated by a dramatic shift in an important relationship, such as a divorce or significant breakup, a life-changing medical diagnosis, or a broken connection with an addicted child. How do we grieve people who are still alive, but no longer who they once were to us?

Most people will experience this type of traumatic event over the course of their lifetime, yet the complications of these situations often leave grievers feeling alienated or ashamed. Soulbroken is a guidebook that recognizes this often-misunderstood grief, validates the unique challenges posed by its ambiguity, and champions tools for healing. In it, Stephanie Sarazin presents the ambiguous grief process, offering insights to help readers better understand the nuances of their grief experience when a loved one is not lost to death. With intimate stories of others' path to recovery using Sarazin's advice, this book will help anyone ready to find a way through their own grief, regardless of where they are on their journey.

“A moving read about the emotions you feel when someone betrays your trust or breaks your heart. Combining her personal experience and professional expertise, Stephanie Sarazin paints a clear picture of ambiguous grief and draws a road map toward hope. If you’ve ever experienced the pain of parting with someone who’s still alive, this book will make you feel less alone.” —Adam Grant, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Think Again and Option B