Book Reviews

Thank you to all the kind people who have reviewed my book over the years. These are some of my favorite reviews. 

“Any book with a foreword featuring some salty language immediately sets the tone for an honest, raw, and transparent read—and Karen Bonifiglio’s writing is refreshingly frank and heartfelt. Whoever Dies First Wins is a poignant account of navigating loss with vulnerability, courage, and Bonofiglio’s signature sense of humor, which had me smiling almost as often as I shed tears of empathy. Karen invites us into an incredibly personal and heartbreaking chapter of her life. Her book is a raw and sincere account of what it’s like to navigate the messiness of grief. Through it all, she lets us know there’s no perfect way to handle this—her girlfriend-style advice is pertinent and helpful while the author respects and honors that each reader will have their path through grief. Her advice is practical and compassionate but never prescriptive. She offers wisdom but leaves room for us to ‘take what works and leave the rest.’ As a medium myself, I found myself nodding along with the spiritual aspects of the book. Karen shares these moments of illumination without exaggeration or unnecessary emphasis—just clear and simple truths. While this is, at its core, a book about loss, it is also about finding your courage and continuing to live fully, even in the face of unbearable heartache. Bonofiglio addresses these deep topics without ever straying into being sappy or preachy. This book is like having a kind, funny, wise friend on speed dial. I wholeheartedly recommend Whoever Dies First Wins to anyone dealing with any grief, as well as those curious about how our loved ones might stay connected with us after they pass.”
– Beverly M. 

“Karen has put into words what I haven’t been able to when I lost my husband. Her book has inspired me to stay positive. I even highlighted words that hit my heart, so I can go back and read them again.Thank you Karen for expressing what I couldn’t and helping me to understand what I am feeling is real. I’m forever grateful.”
– Laurie C.

“A heartfelt and gut wrenching account of the loss of Karen’s husband, Father, Mother, and Sister all within a short span of time. Her raw emotion and sense of humor make this book relatable to anyone experiencing the loss of a friend or family member. Karen shares her personal journey of dealing with an all encompassing grief that nearly broke her. Through spiritual guidance and the love of family and friends, Karen’s life has taken a dramatic turn for the better. I laughed and cried all the way through the book and came away with some tools to help navigate the losses I’ve suffered in my own life. This is a great guidebook and a reminder that life is short and every day is truly a gift.”
– Ann B

“I am about ½ way through this book and have already decided I will need to re-read it. There is so much information and I don’t want to pass over anything. I can’t even imagine what the author went through. It sounds like pure hell! I would say the author is a very strong women to go through all this and come out on the other side and then to even write a book about it. Blows me away! I witnessed both my parents passing and that was horrible for me. In reading this book I realized that I have not totally grieved over it. There are things that come up that I push aside because I don’t want to think about or to remember those days. I would say this is exactly the book you need if you’ve gone through a recent loss and even if it’s been years since your loss. My thoughts on spirituality are pretty much the same as the authors but there is still so much to learn. I am glad I picked this book up and I hope you will treat yourself to reading it too. Blessings to all on your journey.”
– Deb

“This is a beautifully written book about love, life, and healing. Karen shares with us the joys of her beautiful marriage, and the pains and devastation of the loss of her husband and soulmate. We can all relate how painful this loss can be, but Karen expresses this difficulty in her book in a very sensitive and loving way. A must-read for anyone experiencing this grief and finding spiritual answers. Life is a journey with many ups and downs along the way, and Karen does a great job, expressing her story of survival and offers much wisdom and love in surviving this ordeal.”
– Mah Jongg Lady

“The author of this book truly poured her soul of anguish and grief into this book. I cried many times. A must-read for those who have experienced that kind of heartache.”
– Kerri R.