The Only Way Out Is Up

by Bailey Noble

The Only Way Out Is Up is an emotional rollercoaster of first love, loss and grief. At fifteen years old, Bailey and Tim gave each other the first flames of love they ever felt. Life pulled them in many different directions, but their bond remained unbroken. Eleven years into their relationship, Bailey received a text from Tim's sister that changed everything. This memoir weaves together Tim's unexpected accident, Bailey's fight to bring him out of a coma and the magical life experiences they shared. A true story that reaches through time and space as two soulmates learn to communicate with each other in their new reality. A great reminder that love doesn't die with the physical body, it simply transforms and endures. A beautifully written memoir, The Only Way Out Is Up, is to be cherished and shared.

118 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 22, 2020

Reviews

[Nate · Rating 5 out of 5]

Let me preface this review by saying this was perhaps the most bizarre reading experience of my life so far, but not because the book is weird in any way. It isn’t. As a memoir of love and loss, the latter is very painfully present and the former is conveyed in every word on every page. The timeline occasionally jumps around as moments bring back fresh memories to the narrator, Bailey Noble, but it certainly isn’t hard to follow. The writing is straight-forward and lacks any showboating. In fact, if given to a reader without a cover and title page, the content and style might lead her/him to believe it’s something by Nicholas Sparks or Jodi Picoult.

No, what made this bizarre was the fact that I was reading this memoir and knew the exact subjects. I went to school with Bailey and Tim; I grew up with Tim and his shenanigans and ADHD-fueled antics; I had even been slightly jealous that Tim had something in Bailey that I wouldn’t have until 4 years after he passed. I was present at his memorial service, and yeah, Bailey, it was the single worst high school reunion ever.

Some memoirs suffer from poor characterization because the author knows the subjects and sees them as flesh and blood and so doesn’t feel obligated to give them traits for the reader. I can’t honestly say whether Bailey does this. I don’t think so. I laughed out loud several times when Bailey included details I hadn’t recalled in years (like how Tim and Tyler’s roughhousing was often mistaken for one trying to kill the other, but it really was just them passing time, having fun), or moments when I could clearly see his face and his elastic expressions and think, That is so Tim. She certainly shows how beautiful of a soul Tim was in his too-short life, and I know I will reread passages of this when I miss him. (And by the way, Bailey, the ugly-ass lye burn—he told me it was inspired by Fight Club, the big goof; it was supposed to be in the shape of a kiss. Smh.)

I grew up with Tim and his family, and I have memories of my own I am not willing to share as bravely as Bailey does in this book. I never looked at Tim through Bailey’s eyes and never wanted to, but it is clear through her book that those eyes looked with and saw nothing but LOVE.

[Emma · Rating 5 out of 5]

what a beautiful story of love and loss. when i chose this book i liked the title and stories of love and loss but i didn’t even realize it was a memoir until a few chapters in, and bailey’s words hit so much harder. shed many tears, but for a deeply profound and lovely story.

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

A breathtakingly beautiful tribute to first love and a lifelong connection. I read this book in one sitting!

[Susan Losapio · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read this in an afternoon! Bailey Noble has a gift for writing about and sharing the rawness of her inner self. Bring a box of tissues!

[Elizabeth]

I purchased this book because I know the authors family and much of it is set in my home community. I read it in one sitting because it is a breathtakingly beautiful tribute to a remarkable relationship. The story is compelling.

I see a movie coming.....