This Changes Everything: When Death No Longer has the Final Say

by Sonya Joy Mack

What if love created memories so strong,
it could break the finality of death?

Sonya Joy Mack is a skeptical, overachiever who longs to fulfill a childhood dream—traveling with her mom, Vicki. This Changes Everything follows the pair’s hilarious adventures involving a “dead leg” in Colorado, salsa dancing in Mexico, and wet skivvies in Florida. Vicki uses her unique bond with Jesus to teach Sonya the beauty of living life with more joy and empowers her daughter to overcome intense heartbreak.

Inspired by true events, This Changes Everything offers humor, hope, and healing to anyone grieving the loss of a loved one. Through the love forged by God and the power of a memory, this unexpected journey reminds us that death no longer has the final say.

250 pages, Paperback

Published December 6, 2022

Reviews

[Maddie Mann · Rating 3 out of 5]

Had high hopes for this book but did not enjoy very much ☹️

[Marcia · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I started reading This Changes Everything, I was sure I’d need boxes & boxes of tissues. Death is devastating no matter your age. Death of your Mom is one of the most heartbreaking things I’ve ever gone through. I wasn’t expecting any laughter but Vicki makes you laugh. Sonya did a fantastic job of depicting the bond between a Mother & Daughter. The bond every Mother & Daughter wants. I’ve always believed in God and had faith he had a plan for me. Sonya’s faith in God is amazing! My faith is stronger knowing if I just stop and listen, he’ll tell me what he wants and what my ‘bigger’ things are. This book would make a great gift to anyone who’s lost a loved and will inspire them to have faith. I have a wall hanging that says, “Those we love don’t go away they walk beside us every day. Unseen. Unheard, but always near. Still loved. Still missed, and very dear.” Sonya’s journeys reaffirm that! In the book Sonya shares this, “Suffering and pain might feel unbearable at times, but they often serve as turning pints in our lives. In the midst of our heartache, it can be difficult to see. But remember, nothing is a coincidence. We have to learn to trust in the Ultimate Planner.” Death does not have the final say! Keep your loved ones memories alive. I can only hope Sonya Joy Mack writes more books. She is a blessing to all. Love. Joy. Faith.

[MaryBeth Eiler · Rating 5 out of 5]

This Changes Everything is the book I didn’t know I needed. A year ago, I lost my last living grandparent just a few weeks prior to giving birth to my first child. I was lucky to have made it to my twenties with all four grandparents, but it became the decade I slowly lost them all. The final lost hit differently. As the one year anniversary of my grandma’s passing approached, I was in the midst of reading this very book and it provided the comfort I needed.

This book helped me see all the ways the legacy of my grandparents lives on. From the hummingbird that visited nearly every day from summer through the fall, to sharing with my daughter and others the significance of her middle name, to telling stories about the treasures found throughout our home that were passed down to me from each of my grandparents, this book helped me to see how their legacy is kept alive.

This is a book I plan to gift to those who have lost a loved one and are navigating grief. The book brought forth laughter and tears—and most importantly HOPE—through its incredible storytelling. You won’t be able to put it down once you pick it up and your heart will thank you for the comforting words and reminders of a God who is always with us.

[Margo · Rating 5 out of 5]

"This Changes Everything" begins with Sonya crawling into bed with her mother. Sonya is 29, and her mother Vicki is seriously ill. The two discuss where they want to go that day .. the mountains, the beach, Disneyland .. and off they go together, still making memories under the most heartbreaking of circumstances.

To read Sonya's book is to fall in love with Sonya's mother. Her spunk, her adventurous spirit, her sense of humor, the way she relentlessly seeks out beauty and joy. Together Vicki and Sonya forge an unbreakable bond that nothing, not time nor space nor death, can break. In doing so, they teach all of us that as long as we hold our loved ones close, they will stay with us, long after they have left this earth.

[Lori · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is an awesome read, and you will not want to put the book down. A remarkable story of undeniable love between a mother and daughter, and the joy they share in everything they do. The adventures and stories had me laughing and in tears. Inspiring reminders of faith and trust in Him, resonated within me. Having a strong relationship with my daughter and a mother with failing health, I could relate to feeling a love and bond so strong between a mother and daughter from both perspectives. What an incredible tribute.

This book has a truly incredible story and I give this book 5 stars. Highly recommend it!

[Carrie Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book poignantly changes the way we all can look at the loss of a loved one. When the pain of staying the same in our grief is greater than the pain of change, this book calls us out of the pit and gives a greater purpose to the pain. After losing my dad in 2021, the first couple pages were challenging to get through, but I'm so glad I kept reading to reap the rewards of Sonya's encouragement and scriptural wisdom throughout the rest of the book. This could make a great gift for anyone who's lost someone they love and/or could be a great Book Club resource!

[Erin Maxon · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book This Changes Everything by Sonya Joy Mack is a book of healing. Through short stories, Sonya reflects on her overwhelming love for her mother in life and in death. She offers timeless insight and peace to all who have suffered loss and grief. So many experience the pain of death and never take time to recognize or imagine the new life that comes from death. The beautiful artwork on the cover captured my eye and gave visual to the journey that unfolds. Through these pages, Sonya walks through her life-halting pain to find a life of deep joy on the other side.

[Jolynn Friesen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book puts a different spin on death and loss of a loved one. Like the title, death doesn't have to have the final say. I've gone through the loss of my mom as well and found myself laughing and crying throughout the well written story of Sonya and her mother in their adventures traveling together and the challenging hard times of she faced during the births of her daughters. Mothers are such cheerleaders and not having their presence in our lives is a great loss, but it doesn't have to be. Thank you Sonya for your honesty and for sharing your story.

[Amanda Parker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow. This book takes you on an emotional journey of laughter, joy, heartache and pain but
through it all there is love, so much love! I felt compelled to read this book as I myself lost a
parent 11 years ago and stil grieve daily so I was drawn to this book from the beginning. Each
chapter has a purpose and shows you that God is with you every step of the way.
To quote a piece of this book that really spoke to me, "There's a hollow feelng in the middle of
my chest that aches when I remember you are gone. I know it's ok because the death of
someone you loved is not something you get over. It is something you survive."
This book proves God is with us and to find JOY in every aspect of our lives! This s a very
heartwarming book that would be a great read for anyone who has lost a loved one or wants to feel that strong, unbreakable mother/daughter bond.

[Andrea Gregory · Rating 5 out of 5]

This Changes Everything truly makes you rethink how to keep your loved one present in your life, even after they are gone. Her mom sounds wonderful, loving and just silly enough to embarrass you, as a mom should. Since reading this book, I've thought of many people in my own life that MUST read this as they grieve the loss of a loved one. I highly recommend this book, but keep the tissues handy.

[Brenda D]

This is the beautiful story of a mother/ daughter relationship and the pain when that mom was taken too soon. This book shares how we can use our grief to find purpose and to take that person with us into the future. If you have experienced grief this is the book for you. This is a book that inspires and gives hope for finding purpose and joy as we learn to move forward without that person.

[Rachel Marie Kang · Rating 5 out of 5]

A daughter's tender tribute to the life and light of her beloved mother; a story that welcomes each of us to make the most of our moments and cherish our memories. Sonya Mack gracefully extends an invitation to see how goodness intermingles with grief—and how this simple shift in perspective changes everything.

[Kelsie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was one of the best books I've ever read. ❤️

[Christine Ray · Rating 5 out of 5]

Exactly what is needing for anyone going through any type of loss. Inspiring message to get you back on your feet and finding joy and happiness again!

[Tyler Granger · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a very important read especially for those who are struggling with grief but for those who hope to turn that trauma into triumph. It's an important read because of the journey of story leaves you in a stronger place and I highly recommend reading this book.