Live Your Life: My Story of Loving and Losing Nick Cordero
- Downloads：2822
- Type：Epub+TxT+PDF+Mobi
- Create Date：2021-05-24 23:31:03
- Update Date：2025-09-07
- Status：finish
- Author：Amanda Kloots
- ISBN：B08KQBH5JV
- Environment：PC/Android/iPhone/iPad/Kindle
Reviews
Margaret
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I usually do book reviews as pros and cons， but that doesn’t feel appropriate with this book。 I followed Amanda Kloots’s story in real time on Instagram and wanted to read this book as soon as it was announced。For me， the most powerful part of this book is how it tells a piece of history that isn’t really history yet （as I read it in May 2021）—it’s one family’s experience of a history we are still living。 Because of its topic， some readers may not be ready to read this book—it might feel too soo I usually do book reviews as pros and cons， but that doesn’t feel appropriate with this book。 I followed Amanda Kloots’s story in real time on Instagram and wanted to read this book as soon as it was announced。For me， the most powerful part of this book is how it tells a piece of history that isn’t really history yet （as I read it in May 2021）—it’s one family’s experience of a history we are still living。 Because of its topic， some readers may not be ready to read this book—it might feel too soon， and they might need more distance from the pandemic。 Others might find comfort and hope in reading it at a time when we have vaccines。One of my favorite things about this book is that so much of it is about families and friends/found families （“quaran-teams”）。 The sibling relationships in the book were lovely， and this book feels like an extension of the time the authors spent together supporting each other。 This book is very much Amanda’s story， and I look forward to reading the memoir Anna is currently working on to learn more about her。 Thank you to NetGalley and Harper for the opportunity to read this book！ 。。。more
Cassie’s Reviews
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I followed Amanda on Instagram after hearing about her husband Nick’s battle with covid， I prayed that he would beat it and was so heartbroken to hear of his passing。 Amanda showed so much strength and hope， I loved seeing everyone coming together singing for Nick to wake up。 I knew going into the book that I would cry， but Amanda and her sister Anna did an amazing job bringing Nick to life and showing everyone what an amazing person he was。 From flashbacks to how they met and their love story w I followed Amanda on Instagram after hearing about her husband Nick’s battle with covid， I prayed that he would beat it and was so heartbroken to hear of his passing。 Amanda showed so much strength and hope， I loved seeing everyone coming together singing for Nick to wake up。 I knew going into the book that I would cry， but Amanda and her sister Anna did an amazing job bringing Nick to life and showing everyone what an amazing person he was。 From flashbacks to how they met and their love story we get a glimpse into their life before Covid。 While many people argued and said Covid was a hoax Amanda showed the world that a perfectly healthy 41 year old with no pre-existing conditions could catch it。 In the book she shows the ups and downs that he faced daily and how her heart would drop when the phone would ring and it would be the hospital。 Her family came to show support and help in any way possible， her brother and then her sister it brought them closer and little Elvis was there to bring a smile to their faces in the darkest times 。 The many times they told her that Nick wasn’t going to make it so she would frantically beg them to let her see him， to the times she was told he had a good night and was doing better。 This book was so beautifully written she wasn’t afraid to be open and address that this was a time of unknown， she was raw and she admits she had times she broke down and prayed and begged God to save him， but she also informs us that it’s ok to ask for help and even in the darkest times there were moments of light， Elvis smiling and cuddling with her， people bringing flowers or food or the times the neighborhood sang Nick’s song。 I cannot count the times I cried while I read this book， but this book was also a celebration of Nick’s life and I admire Amanda for being so open and sharing their story with us！ Five Stars。 。。。more
Hannah Brasier
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I was familiar with both Amanda Kloots （from taking online fitness classes with her） and Nick Cordero （as a Broadway fan， I was familiar with him from shows that he had been in） prior to his hospitalization， and I followed their story throughout the time that Nick was sick。 I always admired Amanda's positivity and ability to be optimistic despite the circumstances， and I was so drawn to their story and family。 I found this book to be a great read， and it expanded so much on Amanda and Nick's sto I was familiar with both Amanda Kloots （from taking online fitness classes with her） and Nick Cordero （as a Broadway fan， I was familiar with him from shows that he had been in） prior to his hospitalization， and I followed their story throughout the time that Nick was sick。 I always admired Amanda's positivity and ability to be optimistic despite the circumstances， and I was so drawn to their story and family。 I found this book to be a great read， and it expanded so much on Amanda and Nick's story and how Amanda survived during this difficult time。 She has an amazing outlook on life， and it was incredible to see all of the little signs and things that she noticed from Nick。 I really enjoyed reading this， and I would definitely recommend it！ 。。。more
booklifelisa
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This book has been on my radar for quite a while now。 In the early months of COVID， Amanda Kloots started sharing her husband Nick's story on Instagram。 Nick was a young and healthy father and husband who was fighting a severe case of COVID-19 in the hospital。 With seemingly infinite optimism， Amanda took to Instagram each day to sing his song "Live Your Life" with her followers， hoping and praying for Nick to wake up and recover。 It seemed like the world was following their story， hoping for Ni This book has been on my radar for quite a while now。 In the early months of COVID， Amanda Kloots started sharing her husband Nick's story on Instagram。 Nick was a young and healthy father and husband who was fighting a severe case of COVID-19 in the hospital。 With seemingly infinite optimism， Amanda took to Instagram each day to sing his song "Live Your Life" with her followers， hoping and praying for Nick to wake up and recover。 It seemed like the world was following their story， hoping for Nick to recover and mourning when he passed away。This book， written by Amanda and her sister， Anna， is a beautiful love story to Nick and a stunning testament of a mother and family's love。 This is the first book I've read that really dealt with or addressed COVID in any way。 It is raw and real and brings you right back to those early weeks and months that were full of unknowns。 But， it also reminds you of the hope that could fill those days and bright patches that we all held on to - relying on one another for strength， communities uniting to support one another，， the essential workers who kept us all going。 I don't know where Amanda found the strength to share this intimate story of her fight for her husband and optimism and hope for her and her son's future， but I'm glad she did。 I read it with my heart in my throat and tears in my eyes and sorrow for everything that's been lost this past year。 I didn't know if I'd be ready to read a book about COVID， since it is still such an ever present part of life， but this was the perfect reminder to recognize the joy in everyday life， hug our loved ones close， and never take a day for granted。 。。。more
Mischenko
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Live Your Life: My Story of Loving and Losing Nick Cordero is Amanda Kloots' reflection on the life she shared with her late husband， Nick Cordero。 In this memoir， she shares details about when they met， married， and eventually went on to have their beautiful son， Elvis。 After moving to L。A。 in late 2019 to follow Nick’s dream and further his career， he contracted a mysterious illness with unrelenting fatigue。 It affected him for days until he progressed into a more serious condition which would Live Your Life: My Story of Loving and Losing Nick Cordero is Amanda Kloots' reflection on the life she shared with her late husband， Nick Cordero。 In this memoir， she shares details about when they met， married， and eventually went on to have their beautiful son， Elvis。 After moving to L。A。 in late 2019 to follow Nick’s dream and further his career， he contracted a mysterious illness with unrelenting fatigue。 It affected him for days until he progressed into a more serious condition which would eventually be diagnosed as Covid-19。 In an instant， Amanda and Nick’s lives were turned upside down。 Nick was only 41， and in perfect health， which led everyone to believe that he would pull out of it without complications。 He fought a hard battle while Amanda raced to chronicle his story with the world on social media。 People from around the world began to pray and sing for Nick and the family。 Amanda was determined to do everything she could to help Nick fight his illness， and with the help of their families， that’s exactly what she did。 I learned about Nick and Amanda through media not long after she began sharing their story。 It was something I connected with straight away， and I began praying for them。 There wasn’t a day that went by that I didn’t think of them。 It was such a hopeless feeling to have， but Amanda’s positivity was intoxicating。 They were all tenacious fighters。 During such an early and uncertain time in the pandemic， everyone seemed to be in the same learn and go approach。 We were all dealing with an infodemic of too much information—some accurate and some not—which made everything more confusing。 I sympathized with Amanda and put myself in her shoes。 After reading this book in its entirety and learning more about the other struggles she faced， I was literally aghast。 One of the struggles I connected with pertained to the hospital rules due to the fragility of our healthcare system and all the big unknowns。 The thought that your loved one could be sucked into the healthcare system and never be seen again is horrifying。 I’ve dealt with a similar situation in my past although not as extreme。 In Amanda’s case， following the hospital's rules created even more isolation and heartbreak。 What I loved most about this memoir is the way it’s written。 This isn’t just a memoir about Nick’s battle with a virus and the aftermath that came with it， but it’s a reflection of Nick and Amanda’s relationship， their families， and their love for one another。 It’s beautifully written and woven together perfectly with pieces of the past， giving the reader insight into their family lives growing up and how they banded together—bonding all over again during this crisis。 It’s a story of hope， faith， perseverance， gratitude， and resilience in the face of a horrible pandemic。 I have to mention the music and film references and the comical family anecdotes that were included because I loved them。 The power of music and the strength of the family is evident， and it helped pull them all through。 I imagine writing this book was a cathartic process for Amanda and her sister Anna， and it must have been difficult at times。 Overall， this was both a poignant and beautiful read。 I can’t recall the last time a book caused me to be overcome with emotion like this。 The biggest takeaway after reading this book follows the title to one of Nick’s songs and the title of this book， Live Your Life。 Never take for granted a single day; treat each day as a gift， and live each day as if it’s your last。 5*****Publication date: June 15th， 2021。I'd like to thank NetGalley， the publisher， and the authors for sharing this book with me in exchange for my honest review。 。。。more
Books And Briefcase
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Beautiful book - I found myself holding back tears multiple times。 Amanda Kloots is teaching us the power of optimism， perseverance， faith， family， and love。 This book is not just a love story to Nick - it’s Amanda’s own love story of finding her own voice and courage during this heartbreaking ordeal。 Read it - but buy tissues before you do。
Cozy Cat Reviews
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While anyone can sympathize with her story its the story behind the story that does not sit right with me。 I watched their story unfold on social media as did the rest of the world。 It was during these beginning times of covid that perfectly healthy people such as Nick began to die。 His story is certainly tragic as is the tragedy of over 350，000 Americans plus those millions around the world who lost family to covid。 "They must not be forgotten。" I myself lost friends， no pre existing conditions While anyone can sympathize with her story its the story behind the story that does not sit right with me。 I watched their story unfold on social media as did the rest of the world。 It was during these beginning times of covid that perfectly healthy people such as Nick began to die。 His story is certainly tragic as is the tragedy of over 350，000 Americans plus those millions around the world who lost family to covid。 "They must not be forgotten。" I myself lost friends， no pre existing conditions ， healthy people lost to covid 。 It is a terrible tragedy for anyone lost to covid。 While their story grew they were everywhere on all media and news while the others fighting covid and dying were forgotten 。 It seemed a media blitz was put into action and then the donations started rolling in until soon it was blared across media that Amanda had amassed over a million dollars ！ The call for donations continued as did the media that seemed it was orchestrated 。 It did not seem right but somehow she kept managing her media blitz until it grew and grew。 People loved their story and her fight to keep Nick alive 。 People loved to donate to them。 People kept posting and following her to extremes her followers numbers even posted on the news。 They were on the news every day and front and center on every social media outlet daily。I was continually asking， what is going on with this media campaign 。 It does not feel right to me as the daughter of a widow。 I know the realities of losing a spouse 。 Its a private time of great grief。 I understand the grief of losing a spouse certainly and the way he suffered was a terrible shame。 We all feel for them and of course for any child like myself growing up without one parent is a terrible loss for the child。 The loss of a parent can never be replaced in a child's life and I applaud her for being a hands on parent to her child。 While the book seems told honestly that is what sells books is human interest。 There is this second side of her story that does not fit the narrative of the book。 Albeit a sweetly told story of a families terrible tragedy during covid。 。。。more
Camra
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I won an ARC of this book in a Goodreads Giveaway （but I am also planning to purchase it when it's released）。 I don't know how to even begin to review this book， but I want to express just how much I absolutely loved it， so here goes a stream of consciousness review。 First of all， I started following Amanda and Nick's story on Amanda's instagram last year。 I didn't know of her or Nick at the time， but I was so attracted to her positive attitude。 While I was quarantined at home， I followed her jo I won an ARC of this book in a Goodreads Giveaway （but I am also planning to purchase it when it's released）。 I don't know how to even begin to review this book， but I want to express just how much I absolutely loved it， so here goes a stream of consciousness review。 First of all， I started following Amanda and Nick's story on Amanda's instagram last year。 I didn't know of her or Nick at the time， but I was so attracted to her positive attitude。 While I was quarantined at home， I followed her journey。 I watched her instagram updates。 I found myself praying for her， for Nick， and for their family。 Amanda was so open about sharing so much that I felt like I knew her and I was rooting for her every step of the way。 This book is a beautiful tribute to Amanda and Nick's love story and their marriage。 It chronicles the darkest days and Amanda bravely shares every detail from small moments of celebration to having emotional breakdowns。 I cannot imagine what Amanda went through with Nick's hospitalization， but her and her sister Anna do an incredible job of telling their story。 There are parts that made me laugh and parts where I had tears streaming down my face。 I am still in awe of Amanda's positivity and openness with everyone who has followed her story。 My favorite part was at the end where she describes a phone call with Dr。 Ng。 I felt the same way as Dr。 Ng， Amanda has set the tone as positivity。 What she shares in this book and what she shares on Instagram， has helped me set the tone to live a more positive life myself。 I find myself noticing signs， seeing rainbows everywhere， and feeling grateful for being able to move my body every day。 Thank you Amanda and Anna Kloots。 。。。more
Diana N。
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I have to admit that I wasn't sure about this book going in since it surrounds trajedy from Covid-19。 I wasn't sure how I'd feel reading about it while being in the midst of the pandemic still。I was very surprised at how beautifully Amanda （with help from Anna） tells her and Nick's story。 This book really is a celebration of Nick's life and family through the good and hard times。 Be prepared to shed some tears reading this book。 It takes a lot of courage to share such a hard and emotional journe I have to admit that I wasn't sure about this book going in since it surrounds trajedy from Covid-19。 I wasn't sure how I'd feel reading about it while being in the midst of the pandemic still。I was very surprised at how beautifully Amanda （with help from Anna） tells her and Nick's story。 This book really is a celebration of Nick's life and family through the good and hard times。 Be prepared to shed some tears reading this book。 It takes a lot of courage to share such a hard and emotional journey。 。。。more
Stephanie
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I received a copy of this book in exchange for a honest review。 I’ve followed Amanda’s and Nicks story since the early days on Instagram。 I played Live you Life at 3pm。 I checked hourly for updates from her， and I cried when Nick died。However as a reader， this book does fall a little short。 It feels rushed and why I enjoyed the look into their relationship， they tend to come at the wrong time， or feel misplaced in the storyline。 The details given given in the houses they stay in are unnecessary I received a copy of this book in exchange for a honest review。 I’ve followed Amanda’s and Nicks story since the early days on Instagram。 I played Live you Life at 3pm。 I checked hourly for updates from her， and I cried when Nick died。However as a reader， this book does fall a little short。 It feels rushed and why I enjoyed the look into their relationship， they tend to come at the wrong time， or feel misplaced in the storyline。 The details given given in the houses they stay in are unnecessary and the lack of details given in other places in the book are lacking。 This book could have been one of the best memoirs ever written。 I hope it goes through at least one more round of edits。 I have so much respect for Amanda and what she has gone through， I just needed more from this book。 。。。more
Lindsey | bookmeallnightlong
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As someone who followed Amanda’s story in 2020 as it was unfolding， this book takes me right back。 It is a truly remarkable story to see all the Cordero/Kloots family went through and the strength， positivity， and faith Amanda carried through so many dark days of Nick’s illness - I wish I could give this woman a hug。 I’m also astounded of all the little parallels and signs from Nick。 Anyone who doesn’t believe in the effects of COVID needs to read this。 Read with a box of tissues。
Rebecca
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Thank you so much to HarperCollins for the ARC of Live Your Life。 As an actor， I was very excited to read Amanda's book about her and Nick because Nick's death was so personal to the theatre community。 I am so grateful Amanda （along with Anna） shared their story。 So many lives have been lost due to COVID-19。 By sharing their story， Amanda was able to incapsulate what many people in the world have gone through and this book gives voice to loved ones lost and their families。 This story is also a t Thank you so much to HarperCollins for the ARC of Live Your Life。 As an actor， I was very excited to read Amanda's book about her and Nick because Nick's death was so personal to the theatre community。 I am so grateful Amanda （along with Anna） shared their story。 So many lives have been lost due to COVID-19。 By sharing their story， Amanda was able to incapsulate what many people in the world have gone through and this book gives voice to loved ones lost and their families。 This story is also a testament to the power of kindness， love， and the power of family。 Amanda's book reminded me to never be shy in both asking， giving， and receiving help。 So thankful to read this book。 Pub date is 6/1/2021！ 。。。more
Kate
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A slew of Covid books are soon to be published， but this was the only book I wanted to read about it。 Like many Americans in the early days of this pandemic， I followed Nick Cordero's battle with Covid-19。 While people argued whether or not Covid was even a thing， or that it only killed old people， Amanda Kloots， Nick's wife， showed that it could come for a healthy， 41 year old man with no pre-existing conditions。 She shared the ups and downs of his struggle to survive， before he ultimately pass A slew of Covid books are soon to be published， but this was the only book I wanted to read about it。 Like many Americans in the early days of this pandemic， I followed Nick Cordero's battle with Covid-19。 While people argued whether or not Covid was even a thing， or that it only killed old people， Amanda Kloots， Nick's wife， showed that it could come for a healthy， 41 year old man with no pre-existing conditions。 She shared the ups and downs of his struggle to survive， before he ultimately passed。 To the world， Amanda shared her faith and love， her utter belief that Nick would recover and come home to her and their son Elvis。 And for the people who followed Nick's story， that's what we wanted too- a miracle in the midst of so much tragedy。 Kloots book shares the whole story- from the moment Nick got sick to the very end， with flashbacks to their love story。 The visits to the hospital that she couldn't reveal to the public because of the hospital's fear of coverage。 The many times the doctors predicted Nick's demise。 The horrible aftermath of Covid on Nick's body。 Her story is ultimately uplifting- she shares how so many people came together to support her husband and his family， her faith and her connection with her family， and her optimism。 I probably fall more on Nick's side of belief， but it's hard not to find Amanda's faith inspiring （don't worry though， this book isn't try to convert anyone）。 Amanda is never embarrassed to care， to advocate， to share， and her book will take the reader to the hospital bedside， to the family huddles， and to the 3pm singing of Live Your Life。 。。。more
Sarah
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*I received a digital review copy from NetGalley & the publisher*I was one of the those individuals who followed Amanda and Nick's story last year as everything was unfolding and so much was unknown。 It all felt so heartbreaking so reading this felt similar。 It's a tough read but one that can easily be finished in one sitting。 The writing feels like having a deep conversation with a friend which makes it feel more relatable as well as harrowing。 Amanda does a wonderful and tough job at detailing *I received a digital review copy from NetGalley & the publisher*I was one of the those individuals who followed Amanda and Nick's story last year as everything was unfolding and so much was unknown。 It all felt so heartbreaking so reading this felt similar。 It's a tough read but one that can easily be finished in one sitting。 The writing feels like having a deep conversation with a friend which makes it feel more relatable as well as harrowing。 Amanda does a wonderful and tough job at detailing what she and her family went through during her husband's battle and shows us a glimpse at what thousands of others have also gone through。 。。。more
Tina
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