Dead Mom Warning: A Reader’s Guide to Grief on the Page
If you’re also grieving the loss of your mom, I’m so sorry. It’s the worst, genuinely. There’s no sugarcoating it. When you’re carrying fresh grief around like an overstuffed tote bag, even a random plot twist in a book can feel like someone just dropped a brick inside.
That’s why I want to talk about the concept of a “dead mom warning.”
What Is a “Dead Mom Warning”?
Think of it like a trigger warning, but hyper-specific. My friend Kezia and I have been sending each other “Dead Dad Warnings” on books and movies for years—it’s incredibly nice to know ahead of time when grief is about to sneak-attack you. (For example: she never had to suffer through the beautiful agony that was Big Fish because I already did.)
Sometimes, the warning means you’ll steer clear because you can’t take one more heartbreak this week. Other times, it’s like the opposite pole of a magnet—it pulls you closer. Because sometimes you want to wallow in the sorrow, cry it out, feel less alone.
Why It Matters Right Now
Since my mom died in June, I’ve been especially tender. Books have always been my lifeline, and grief has a way of making you desperate for stories that match your insides. But it would have been nice to know what I was walking into! I didn’t need to be blindsided by a surprise funeral chapter while sipping coffee at the café.
So here’s my little list of “Grief Lies Ahead” reads. Maybe you’ll want to avoid them for now, maybe you’ll want to bookmark them for later. Either way, consider this your warning.
4 Books That Held My Hand Through Loss
Say You’ll Remember Me by Abby Jimenez, narrated by Christine Lakin and Matt Lanter
This one was my baptism by fire. Not only is there a dead mom, but also a character with dementia. I cracked it open right after my mom died. Normally I would have run the other way—but I trust Abby Jimenez completely. She walked me right into the mire and somehow, it was worth it. It made the others on this list feel possible too.
The Bodyguard by Katherine Center, narrated by Patti Murin
Katherine Center doesn’t shy away from weaving loss into her love stories. This book reminded me that even in the middle of grief, there can be laughter, longing, and swoony moments that make your heart ache in a good way.
Promise Me Sunshine by Cara Bastone, narrated by Alex Finke
The grief here is heavy, even though it’s not about a mom. Bastone captures the rawness of love and loss in ways that made me feel seen. It’s one of those books where you find yourself nodding along, muttering, “Yes, exactly.”
Hello Stranger by Katherine Center, narrated by Patti Murin
Another Center novel, because sometimes you need a double-dose. This one touches grief differently but still offers that bittersweet balance of loss and hope. For me, it was a reminder that grief doesn’t cancel out joy—they coexist, sometimes in the very same chapter.
If you’re grieving, know this: you don’t have to be ambushed by fictional dead moms while you’re already mourning your real one. Stories can hurt, but they can also heal. Sometimes both at once.
So consider this your official Grief Lies Ahead Guide. Bookmark it. Share it with a friend. And most of all, give yourself permission to choose what your heart can handle right now.
Because grief is already heavy enough—you deserve the mercy of knowing what’s coming.
