The Girl on the Bathroom Floor: Held Together When Everything is Falling Apart

by Amber Emily Smith

The Girl on the Bathroom Floor is a raw and unflinching look at the moments most never share, the ones behind closed doors, on the bathroom floor, in your car, or hidden in the closet—where pain, fear, and grief seem to hit hardest. It's also a promise that, even there, you are still tenderly held by a God who grieves with you and offers you hope through suffering even when everything else is falling apart.

Amber Smith, wife of former country music artist, Granger Smith invites you into the most vulnerable spaces of her life, behind the closed doors where she wrestled with the traumatic and heartbreaking death of their three-year-old son, River. Amber opens the door to the unseen pain and the relentless ache following his death, the countless tears shed in private, along with the soul altering aftermath of a life forever changed.

But even before River's tragic passing, Amber was no stranger to tears on the bathroom floor. From the pressures of motherhood, family members experiencing addiction, broken relationships, and feelings of helplessness while watching loved ones suffer, Amber explores what to do when faced with all the types of pain that can drive you to your knees. For the one who wants

discover where God is in a world of hurt;navigate private pain with grace and grit;find hope and joy in the midst of suffering; anduncover the power of faith through the darkest of times 

Amber offers her story of despair but not defeat, to illustrate how grief does not have to separate you from hope or joy. In fact, it can lead you to it. This book aims to serve as a compass for those feeling unseen and undone, pointing towards the true source of profound healing, our Savior Jesus. The Girl on the Bathroom Floor sheds light on the dark shadows of hurt so many endure, offering hope through your season of sorrow.

Genres: Christian, Grief, Nonfiction, Memoir, Christian Non Fiction, Biography Memoir, Faith

240 pages, Hardcover

Published October 14, 2025

Reviews

[Quanisha · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m not one for religion heavy books, but everyone should read this! 😭🤧

[Melissa (Nissa_the.bookworm) · Rating 4 out of 5]

• 𝐖𝐇𝐀𝐓 𝐈𝐓’𝐒 𝐀𝐁𝐎𝐔𝐓

Amber Smith, wife of former country music artist, Granger Smith invites you into the most vulnerable spaces of her life, behind the closed doors where she wrestled with the traumatic and heartbreaking death of their three-year-old son, River. Amber opens the door to the unseen pain and the relentless ache following his death, the countless tears shed in private, along with the soul altering aftermath of a life forever changed.

But even before River’s tragic passing, Amber was no stranger to tears on the bathroom floor. From the pressures of motherhood, family members experiencing addiction, broken relationships, and feelings of helplessness while watching loved ones suffer, Amber explores what to do when faced with all the types of pain that can drive you to your knees. For the one who wants to:
• discover where God is in a world of hurt;
• navigate private pain with grace and grit;
• find hope and joy in the midst of suffering; and
• uncover the power of faith through the darkest of times

Amber offers her story of despair but not defeat, to illustrate how grief does not have to separate you from hope or joy. In fact, it can lead you to it. This book aims to serve as a compass for those feeling unseen and undone, pointing towards the true source of profound healing, our Savior Jesus. The Girl on the Bathroom Floor sheds light on the dark shadows of hurt so many endure, offering hope through your season of sorrow.

• 𝐌𝐘 𝐓𝐇𝐎𝐔𝐆𝐇𝐓𝐒

This is a great tool for anyone who is on their own journey to walk with the Lord. Even though this is mainly about Amber’s personal journey, she gives a lot of helpful advice that everyone can use. I haven’t experienced the awfulness of losing a child, but I know people that have, and will be recommending this book to them.

[Jaymie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have been eagerly awaiting this book since Amber first mentioned she was writing it. With gut-wrenching and raw honesty, Amber Smith weaves horrific tragedy together with grief and hope. I remember watching The Smiths online throughout their grieving journey when River passed away, but this felt like I was walking alongside them as it happened. I cried, I laughed, I smiled, and most importantly, I closed the book with a better idea of how to navigate future suffering for myself and those I love.

I especially appreciated how Amber didn't shy away from talking about the hard questions that people might have about God and tragedy as well as moments that were hard for her/her family that people may not have realized. The Scripture, stories, and quotes that she shared that touched her in her own journey were so powerful. I feel like I highlighted half of the book. 🙈 I was so thankful to receive an early ARC copy, and I look forward to my pre-ordered physical copy arriving on release day so that I can read it again, reference it in the future, and pass it along to loved ones. Well done, Amber! I am so thankful for your vulnerability and beautiful heart for the Lord. May this book bless many and fall into the hands of those who need to hear its message.

[Amber Ward (fablesandflights) · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️What a beautifully written testimony of God’s healing power and grace. Amber reminds us that Jesus is the only true source of our joy. When the unimaginable happens, where do you turn? How do you move forward? She shows us such strength and encouragement through her story and reminds us to always choose kindness. What a blessing! I Love the Smiths ❤️
Thank you for the ARC!!

[Brittnee · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read her husband's book "Like a River" in 2023 and I'm so glad I got to read her book.

This book touches on:
-Grief and Suffering
-Going through her loss (child loss)
-Walking with others through their losses and grief
-Finding hope and strength through the Lord

[Gloria · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’ll be very honest, this one is partly on me. I don’t typically read Christian or faith-centered books, and had I paid closer attention to that aspect before requesting it, I might not have picked it up. That said, I’m actually glad I did, because this book carries an incredible amount of heart.

At its core, this is a raw, deeply personal story of loss, grief, and resilience. The author shares experiences that no parent should ever have to endure, carrying a child for nine months only to later face unimaginable loss. What stood out to me most was the profound self-sacrifice described: choosing organ donation so that other children could live. That kind of strength and compassion deserves recognition on so many levels.

Beyond the grief itself, the book also touches on something painfully real, the cruelty of public opinion. The internet can be an ugly place, full of people who believe they’re entitled to details or judgments about someone else’s trauma. Watching the author navigate her own guilt, her marriage, her children, and the weight of outside voices was heartbreaking. The beginning of the book especially affected me. Even though I don’t have children myself, I’ve watched friends walk through miscarriages and loss, and I know how deeply it can change a person. Reading her story brought all of that into sharp focus.

As the book moved closer to the middle and the end, it leaned more heavily into Christian faith and religious themes. There is absolutely nothing wrong with that, it simply isn’t something I personally gravitate toward in my reading. Because of that, I don’t feel it’s fair for me to critique that portion of the book too deeply, as it’s more about personal preference than quality.

Overall, this book is powerful in how unfiltered and honest it is. It puts things into perspective, this is one person’s story, one family’s trauma, and yet it represents so many unseen struggles happening around us every day. For that reason alone, it’s an important and meaningful read.

I’m giving this 4 stars. Not because the story falls short, this is someone’s real life, and you can’t truly rate lived pain, but because of my own reading preferences when it comes to the religious focus later in the book. If you enjoy faith-based memoirs rooted in real, painful, and resilient experiences, this is absolutely one to pick up.

Thank you Netgalley and W Publishing for my copy.

[Laura and Literature · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars rounded up.

Every parent’s worst nightmare- the author recounts the loss of her 3 year old son by drowning in their family pool.

She takes us down her road of healing and turning to the Lord.

This was a heartbreaking story and I definitely shed quite some tears.

I can’t imagine what it would take to be able to share this story so publicly and my critiques are minor. I felt some parts of the story were repetitive and a few parts of the theological side were confusing.

[Stacy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I honestly love a good audiobook for listening to while walking and getting work done. This is definitely a book you want to enjoy as an audio version in my opinion. I stumbled across the Smiths on YouTube literally on the video they posted about losing their son River. I’ve followed them ever since then.

The Girl on The Bathroom Floor is recorded by Amber, the author! I found the book heavy at times due to the subject of the loss of their son but really enjoyed hearing her share how she walked thru it all. I’ve seen and watched so much of it through their YouTube channel but this is a very raw version of what Amber saw and how she felt during those events. She often gets emotional and yet brings so much hope and encouragement through this very real story of walking out losing a child to drowning and the shame and guilt that comes with it.

For me personally, I not walking through loss currently but have been there in years past. I’ve never lost a child so it’s hard to say that it’s the same because it’s not. One point that really convicted me was hearing her say we think and say “God is good…all the time.” And she says she had a good life and a good husband and a happy life. But God is still good when life isn’t perfect or easy. He’s a good God in the hard stuff but we tend to think he’s only good when life is going our way. That’s was a big take away for me! Truth I needed to be reminded of!

I enjoyed her testimony and how real and honest she is sharing all the details leaving nothing out. This a worthy read or in my case listen! I’ve read Granger Smith’s book “Like A River” as well but honestly I connected so much more to Amber as a mom and wife.

This book was provided fed by NetGalley and the publisher for my honest opinion and review. Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC!

[JosLovesToRead · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Girl on the Bathroom Floor is a raw and moving exploration of grief and loss. The author lays herself bare in her tragedy, sharing her pain with courage and vulnerability. She weaves her faith in God into her journey — in a real, questioning, clinging-for-hope kind of way. Reading it felt like being trusted with someone’s most fragile moments.

I also highly recommend the audiobook, read by the author herself. Hearing her voice break as she tells her story makes it even more personal and heartbreaking — it feels like she’s sitting right beside you, trusting you with her pain.

I believe anyone who is grieving, hurting, or trying to make sense of loss could find comfort, strength, and understanding in these pages.

[Lakeisha Heeringa · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must-read book!

Life was never guaranteed to be without hardships. We’ve all been through valleys of grief, some just a brief season, and others where we collapse on the bathroom floor, unable to go on. So when the devastating news comes, what will you do?

Amber Smith had the picture perfect life. Her husband was a rising country music star, they had their dream home in Texas, and their family of three children was complete. But in 2019, a picturesque summer evening turned into a nightmare when her three-year-old son, River, drowned in their backyard pool. Grief dragged her and her family down into the deepest, darkest valley. But it was in that valley, on the bathroom floor, that she learned she was not alone. Jesus was there, carrying her through the grief, and showing her purpose through the pain.

Pros: Someone once asked me when I uttered the phrase “good grief” if I thought grief was good. I said yes. If you have never grieved, then you have never loved. But while grieving is a normal part of life, sometimes it can turn into quicksand. Through her grief journey, Amber unpacks the good, the bad, and the ugly of grief, illuminating the dark paths grief can lead to and pointing to the only true comfort in the valley. Grief can drive you away from God if you’re not careful, but when you turn to Him and rest in His comfort and peace, your grief can be turned into something good.

Cons: Yes, this book is a memoir, but it is primarily a book on grief and trusting God through it all. If you manage your expectations, you won’t be disappointed.
Bring Kleenex. A whole box.

Bottom Line: Whether you’re grieving now or later, this book offers a peek into one of the deepest valleys and shows you who is there through it all.

I read an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Lovemybooks2020 Cindy Ward · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful, deeply moving, inspiring… a must read for anyone suffering in this world.

[McKenna Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book Review/Feature⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thank you to the author @amberemilysmith, @wpublishing and @TLCBookTours for the #gifted audiobook and book.

Wow. This book absolutely wrecked me—in the most beautiful, soul-stirring way. 💔 Amber Smith shares her journey through unimaginable grief after losing her three-year-old son, River. Through raw honesty and unshakable faith, she invites readers into her most vulnerable moments and shows what it means to find light, hope, and healing when life feels shattered.

I knew I had to listen to this audiobook when I found out it was read by Amber herself. There’s something so powerful about hearing an author’s story in their own voice—it adds a layer of authenticity and emotion that words on a page can’t quite capture.

One part that truly stayed with me was when a therapist asked Granger, “Who do you want to be for your family?” He said, “A rock.” The therapist replied, “But who does the rock lean on? Be a tree—strong and rooted, but able to sway and bend.” 🌳 That analogy will stick with me forever.

Another incredibly powerful moment was when Amber said, “My worst day was River’s best.” She was speaking about River’s reunion with Jesus—and it stopped me in my tracks. The way she describes that moment, with faith and love intertwined with unimaginable pain, is one of the most moving parts of the book. I loved seeing how her faith deepened and became a source of healing through her grief.

If you’re walking through grief, faith, or healing—or love someone who is—this memoir is a must-read.

[Danielle Faucher · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow wow wow. What to write for such a beautiful book? It’s hard to find the words, so I am grateful Amber was able to string so many beautiful words and truths together. I recently started following the Smith family and love their heart and faith for the Lord! I listened to Granger’s book earlier this year and was also shook by it. I have not read any books about grief and I was so grateful he shared his story. So when I heard Amber was writing a book from her perspective I was ecstatic!! As a woman I had so many questions to how she handled everything as a wife, mother, and more importantly a godly woman. I am so grateful for this book. I was in a good place when I started it and was not expecting a ‘girl on the bathroom floor’ moment but I caught myself having those moments whilst I was reading this book. That’s just how life is. We can’t avoid pain and sufferings, it’s inevitable, so it’s important we learn how to lean on the Lord through it and run to the light. This is a book I know I’m going to go back to throughout seasons of my life. I loved listening to Amber read it, the whole book was so encouraging. Thank you Amber 🤍 thank you God, all glory to you.

[Alyssa Shay · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow this memoir was so heart wrenching but also so beautiful. I wanted to cry for 90% of it. The strength and hope Amber has and talks about through the entire book was so incredible. I can’t imagine having to relive the worst day of your life over and over and then to have the strength to open up about it with the thought of this helps one other person it was all worth it. I loved this book start to finish and I am in awe of her strength and story telling for someone who is not an author but just wants to bring hope to others and keep her little boy’s memory alive and talked about. I can’t say enough how much I loved this book as sad as it was.

🎧: audiobook.

[Christine Kennedy · Rating 5 out of 5]

God is brilliant, wonderful and can save anyone! He used the smiths to provide so much joy & hope in a world that lacks it. I think Amber for being willing to tell her story. This book finds me in the middle of my own pain & suffering with glimpses of hope & seeing the meaning of all the pain! Whether you’re walking through a gut wrenching seasons or you can’t even begin to imagine it, Amber’s story will touch your heart and remind you God is in control, always and forever!

[Amber Hughes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Parts of Amber’s story felt like echoes of my own. Grief rolls in and out like tides. Even when you think you’ve lost everything — your sense of control, your spark — you haven’t lost your capacity for light.

Amber and Granger Smith radiate faith and compassion through their words and their journey.

Favorite quote: “God didn’t break you, He created you for a purpose.

[Stacie Ange · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is part memoir, part spiritual encouragement. This mother’s story of loss and love with the drowning of her son was powerful. I love that the audiobook was read by the author. My heart was moved greatly by her story. Her resilience and reliance on her faith deeply challenged my own. I’m really thankful to have read this book. It was quite timely for me.

“What happens to a man is less important than what happens within him.”

[Krista · Rating 5 out of 5]

I first of all read her husband’s book: Like a River.
I recommend both! They write so real about their feelings and they are open about their grief with losing their son through drowning. This book moved me to tears.
I liked her thoughts of staying in the Word and not leaving room for the enemy in your life!

[Kate Wunderink · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is raw and emotional but also so encouraging as you’re walking through a season of suffering. I remember when precious River died and was heartbroken for this family. Thank you for taking the time to recount those tragic moments and for all your encouragement to us

[Christina Brandsma · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gut-wrenching. Encouraging. Hopeful.

I hadn’t heard of this family before, but the story is powerful. My pain is not at all similar, but I’m encouraged nonetheless by God’s faithfulness on the facedown days. I resonated with the pain so much and was glad I read it.

[Alli Dahl · Rating 5 out of 5]

HEAVY. But good. If you haven’t read her husbands book, Like a River, it’s also very heavy but good as well

[Katelyn Wait · Rating 5 out of 5]

Chapters 8, 11 and 16 were my favorite

[Hannah · Rating 5 out of 5]

This beautiful book completely broke me and put me back together.

I received this book in audiobook format as an ARC.

I knew Amber, Granger, and River’s story. When everything happened I lived just a few miles away in Liberty Hill, TX. My heart broke for them and continued to break when I read all the horrible comments people would leave on their posts. Losing a child is my worst fear.

This book covers so much more than losing someone. It can apply to so so so many situations. Loss of career, marriage struggles, divorce, loss of self, chronic illness, the list goes on and on.

In 2020, after having my youngest son, I was diagnosed with an autoimmune condition and since then I’ve collected a few others. My life went from minimal medication (just for bipolar) to tons of medications, appointments, tons of uncertain, frustration, pain, and resolve.

I’ve been that girl on the bathroom floor. When my mom died, when I’d been cheated on in past relationships, when my marriage ended, when I realized my life would be different from chronic illness.

I struggled with my relationship with god. I honestly didn’t have one until 2018/2019. I was told, “he only gives you what you can handle” from a young age by people who meant well, but didn’t understand what the bible actually said.

Amber’s book touched on so many feelings I’d experienced and helped me feel validated in some of the feelings. It teaches you to give yourself grace, not to define your life by the hardships, and how to allow others in when you’re self conscious in needing help.

I think this gift would make an excellent gift to anyone, especially if they are going through a season of loss or struggle. A season wandering the valley looking for the light.

It took me a little longer than normal to finish it, because it is a heavy heavy subject, but it was absolutely worth the read.

#TheGirlontheBathroomFloor #NetGalley

[Jessica Buse · Rating 5 out of 5]

Exactly what my heart needed. Highly recommend.

[Bianca]

Amber Smith's memoir, The Girl on the Bathroom Floor, is a compelling read that earns a solid 4 out of 5 stars for its honesty and depth, though it is not without a significant point of confusion regarding the author's spiritual perspective.

Thought I felt there were c​onflicting spiritual narratives, by the end of the book it seemed clearer to me that Amber is a Christian with a good understanding of reformed theology. Unfortunately there were times in the book that was very unclear. For example, a central point of contention and confusion in the book is Smith's treatment of "signs and wonders," "God winks," and numerology. Early in the narrative, she frequently emphasizes and seems to prop up these prophetic-seeming insinuations, often focusing on asking God for specific "signs" to guide her.

​However, a surprising and contradictory element appears later on when the author includes a disclaimer. In this section, she rightly states that seeking signs and communications from the dead is unbiblical and subsequently condemns the practice. This abrupt shift is incredibly puzzling for the reader, especially given the many instances of sign-seeking detailed in the preceding pages. It made me wonder if this disclaimer was perhaps inserted by an editor, as it drastically undercuts a major theme of the book. The inclusion of so many personal examples of sign-seeking, only to later condemn the practice, creates a very confusing and disjointed spiritual message.

​Despite the confusion in the spiritual realm, Smith shines when discussing her personal evolution on the topic of In Vitro Fertilization (IVF). I deeply appreciate her maturity and humility in admitting her views changed over time.
​She doesn't shy away from the fact that she had a baby through IVF. Crucially, she later acknowledges that, armed with her current knowledge, she would not necessarily condone the procedure for someone else. This is a powerful demonstration of personal growth and intellectual honesty. It takes significant courage to admit a change of heart on such an intimate and sensitive subject, especially one you've personally experienced, and this transparency is one of the book's greatest strengths.
​
​The Girl on the Bathroom Floor is a powerful memoir that succeeds due to Smith's candidness about her personal journey and her capacity for growth. While the contradictory sections on seeking spiritual signs can be jarring and confusing, the book is redeemed by her courageous and humble discussion of changing views on IVF. It's a worthy read that offers a raw look into one woman's life and evolving faith.

[Loni · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a mama who has buried two children (a full term daughter born still in 1998 and a 16 year old son in 2004) and having read so many grief books over the last 20+ years, I was not prepared how much this book would hit my heart. Maybe it's because I am coming up on the 21st death anniversary of our son, and as Amber Smith mentioned in the book, "while we may heal physically, the body keeps the score. The body, the heart and mind remember." (Chapter 15) The rawness and realness of Amber sharing her story, brought back memories, yet it helped heal some of those spots too, especially this week for me.

"Trying to be a good mom while navigating my own grief was one of the hardest roles I've played." (Chapter 8) Even 20 years later, I so get this, because I know I failed while navigating through grief and missed things our children were going through. It's a role I'd never wish on anyone.

One of the best "pictures" I read in the book is about how often as wives, we expect our husbands to be the rock (and they even place themselves in this position, not allowing for self-healing), but the question is, "who does the rock lean on?" Amber encourages those trying to be the "rock", to instead think of themselves as being " . . . a tree, strong and rooted but able to sway and bend with the things that come your way" and allow God to be our Rock. (Chapter 11)

I appreciated the honesty of Amber sharing about having another child after losing their son. We went through the same thing, though more of a surprise pregnancy for us. And then as each of my children, passed the age of 16 and for Amber, the age of 3, all the feelings she shared of getting through that age, were there for me too, including the more years in heaven now, than on Earth.

One of the best assurances that she shared with her readers is not the years that are gone without her child, but instead, these years that are past, are that much closer to being reunited with her child and she says, "I have more time with him ahead of me than I ever did behind me and even more importantly I am five years closer to meeting my Savior face to face . . . " (Chapter 19)

If you have gone through a loss, especially the loss of a child, whether it was this year, last year or 20 years ago, you may find this book to help heal some of those raw spots in your heart and just know, you are not alone. I highly recommend reading this book and/or gifting it to a bereaved mom or dad.

[Tara Breuer · Rating 5 out of 5]

This beautifully written book is the journey the author took in finding God and Jesus in her life. The circumstances surrounding why are tragic (I won't sugar coat it for you), and it is explained in depth. I feel like everything is needed to really understand the path, how it formed, how they get their in the first place and where it lead the author, including struggling to see how good came from the tragedy.

I am not much for religious books but this on fell into my lap to read. It is so beautifully written with nothing left out. This is not going to paint some rosy picture, it will paint the truth for how Amber moved forward, found God and moves forward every day. I can see how this may be a great book for someone struggling who may already have God and Jesus in their lives but needs a little more of a push, or guidance to know that there is another side and getting through is possible when tragedy strikes your life. There is a lot of reference to God and Jesus and quoting of the scripture.

This is an amazing read and I assure you, you will cry and you will be amazed at the kindness of others. I highly recommend this book to anyone struggling, and not just the loss of a loved one but divorce, addictions, anything that is or has destroyed your life from the way you wish it to be. The author also makes clear that this book is for everyone who is struggling, this is a welcoming book for anyone.

I read part of the hard-covered book and I was able to listen to much of the audio book as my library picked it up after I placed a request for the book *big thank you to the library*. The audiobook is very well done, the authors read the book and she has a lovely reading voice and is an excellent reader (she could absolutely be an audiobook reader!). This is well written for a audio version and I can highly suggest either reading or listening are equally excellent options. Have tissues handy.

[Mamawattto4 Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Audiobook Review: The Girl on the Bathroom Floor by Amber Emily Smith

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

The Girl on the Bathroom Floor is one of those books that reaches deep into your heart and refuses to let go. It’s a powerful story about grief, healing, and finding hope again through faith. As a bereaved mother myself, this story hit incredibly close to home. Amber Emily Smith captures the raw, messy, and sacred parts of grief with such honesty and grace—it felt like she was speaking directly to my soul.

Listening to the audiobook made the experience even more emotional. Amber narrated this herself and it brought so much tenderness and vulnerability to the story, allowing me to really feel every word. I found myself crying, nodding, and sometimes just sitting in silence, letting it all sink in. I’ve followed her families story since River’s passing cause as she said in the book there is comfort in knowing others have been through the loss of a child. It’s the stupidest club on earth!

This isn’t an easy listen, but it’s a beautiful one. It reminded me that even in the darkest moments, we are never truly alone, and that finding Jesus in the midst of loss can bring a kind of peace that defies understanding.

Truly beautiful, heartfelt, and full of faith—this audiobook will stay with me for a long time.

Thank you NetGalley and W Publishing for the audio ARC but more importantly thank you Amber Emily Smith for pouring your soul out 💕

[Karrie Peterson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amber so eloquently writes of how beauty can rise from brokenness. She shines a light for others in pain and through her writing teaches you how you can overcome grief and live in the fullness of peace and joy. You will feel like her best friend…..that you are sitting with her and she is talking with you.

The Girl on the Bathroom Floor is a good reminder that grief and joy can coexist. Like Amber writes, there is no need for them to compete for space in your heart. “Joy can find its way back into our hearts, blooming right alongside the grief.” She is real, raw, transparent and vulnerable. Sharing her feelings about grief and her experiences letting you know that it’s messy and not pretty. But even through the messiness, uncertainty, and pain God can bring new life and joy.

Do you want to be healed? Do you want to be made well? Start here with Amber’s book, you won’t regret it. I promise and pray for you. May the Lord soften your heart, heal your brokenness, and start something fresh in you. Allowing you to believe life after loss, tragedy, or change can be beautiful again.

I 100% recommend this book to anyone seeking information and solutions for grief. We were never promised a life with no pain or tragedy. Unfortunately one day we all will have our moment and this book can prepare you. God does incredible work in dark places. If you let it, this book can be a light in your dark time. 🙏🏻

[Becky of Becky's Bookshelves · Rating 5 out of 5]

Losing a child is devastating. Watching my son Jonathan battle cancer and die inch by inch was the hardest thing I have walked through. But, on top of losing your child you have aftershocks. How do you go on and parent your other children, keep your marriage strong, and relate to friends whose lives are so different from yours now? The Girl on the Bathroom Floor is the book that I wish I would have had five years ago when my son passed to work through these questions.

The author writes with such raw honesty about what it is like to lose a child. She does not gloss over the hard questions like where was God, this is not fair, and how do I get up tomorrow? The author shares her journey, points you to scripture and gives you hope for the future.

I very highly recommend The Girl on the Bathroom Floor: Held Together When Everything is Falling Apart Hardcover by Amber Emily Smith. I consider this one of the best books on grief, hardships, and understanding child loss that I have read. (I have read many)

PS I think this is great book to read if you have a friend who has lost a child. The author shares her story in such a relatable way as she opens up her heart on the pages. It will help you be a better friend.

I was given a complimentary copy and not required to write a positive review.