A Space in the Heart should be read by every member of the world's most unlucky club. Larry Carlat succeeds not only because he's a fantastic, plain-speaking writer who delivers his hard-earned wisdom in an accessible way, but because he does so without a hint of lecture, therapy-speak, or overpromise. His beautiful book reveals that even after suffering the greatest loss, there are ways to live a rewarding life despite--and even in a way propelled by--the space in your heart.

When my daughter recently asked me how my generation learned to handle life's punches, I responded flippantly that we'd find a sad song, listen to it on repeat for a week, and that usually did the trick. A Space in the Heart hits the exact same way. Larry Carlat walks through his loss with the honesty, vulnerability, and humility of a master lyricist, turning his deeply personal journey into our shared story of becoming Extraordinary Parents--from the moment everything turns black to the moment we discover we may just be able to enjoy the rest of our lives after all. Also: Wow. I loved it!

Rarely does a book elicit emotions the way A Space in the Heart does. Having gone through the death of my son and having read a lot of advice and personal histories on grieving, this book spoke to me more than any other. It felt like Larry was inside my head and heart. If you know anyone who has experienced this particular type of loss, his book will help strengthen your empathy and understand what otherwise seems beyond understanding.

Larry Carlat does an impeccable job of telling the heartbreaking story of his beloved son's battle with alcohol, drugs and mental illness, a story that ends in the horror of suicide. He does an equally compelling job of showing there is a way back from what feels like an endless nightmare and pain almost too great to bear. In a no-nonsense way, Carlat walks the griever down the long road that ultimately can lead a broken parent to once again find hope and joy in life.

As someone whose son died by suicide, I've read many books focused on grief and A Space in the Heart is the one I'd recommend most. It's an honest and accurate portrayal of what so many parents feel in mourning their child while validating our thoughts and emotions along the way. Larry Carlat is the perfect narrator, eloquently communicating the universal heartache that parents feel.

Larry Carlat guides you from the abyss of grief to a mountain top where you can reclaim joy. There's no easy way to tell a story when it comes to the death of your child. Suicide makes it a double whammy. Society is often silent when it comes to a life taken by your child's own hand, but Larry is changing that with A Space in the Heart. Bereaved parents can find solace here as he provides the tools to emerge from the darkness fully transformed.

OMG! This book is beautiful! Larry Carlat is a gorgeous writer and his book is overflowing with love on every page. It made me cry; it made me laugh; it made me remember. A Space in the Heart is filled with hope, kindness and practical advice for anyone dealing with any type of loss.

A Space in the Heart serves as a compassionate guide through the depths of grief, offering wisdom and solace like an old friend. Carlat extends a gentle hand through the pages to guide the reader while allowing them ample space to grieve in their own way. Through empowering dialogue and profound insights, Carlat gives voice to the reader's journey, facilitating a truly transformative experience.

Larry Carlat's A Space in the Heart is a sensitive guidebook for grieving parents.... Intimate, warm, and conversational in tone yet searing in its honesty, the book moves from the devastating phone call that every parent dreads through the descent into grief and desolation and into gradual healing. Carlat's realization, about a year after his son's death, that he could let go of his pain without letting go of his son is a luminous, hopeful moment. A companion for a difficult, transformative life passage, the book addresses the mind traps to which grieving parents often fall prey: self-blame, ceaseless rumination on what they 'could have done' to prevent their child's death, and the belief that holding on to grief is evidence of the depth of their love for their child. It suggests ways to foster healing, including reframing painful thoughts, treating oneself with kindness and compassion, creative expression, and building resilience by facing one's fears. The book's suggestions for comforting the grieving are both uncomplicated and kind: attentive listening and a warm hug. The self-help companion A Space in the Heart shows that while there is no 'getting over' the loss of a child, it is still possible, with time, to fill the heart's emptiness with love and light.