Live Your Life: My Story of Loving and Losing Nick Cordero
- Downloads：6683
- Type：Epub+TxT+PDF+Mobi
- Create Date：2021-07-02 11:31:18
- Update Date：2025-09-06
- Status：finish
- Author：Amanda Kloots
- ISBN：1665097493
- Environment：PC/Android/iPhone/iPad/Kindle
Reviews
Ally
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I knew it was going to make me cry but wow。 A beautifully told story that should be read by everyone， especially those who think covid isn’t a big deal。
Lauren
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This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers。 To view it， click here。 I’ll start by acknowledging that it feels somewhat unfair to review this book， since it’s a widow’s reflection of her husband’s very recent illness and death， but this is a book review site， so here goes。 I started following Amanda and Nick’s story on Instagram last spring。 We were all at home and it was a window into a real human story about COVID。 I was curious about this book as the promos promised that even if I thought I knew the story， I didn’t。 It’s a pretty quick read/listen。 The writing I’ll start by acknowledging that it feels somewhat unfair to review this book， since it’s a widow’s reflection of her husband’s very recent illness and death， but this is a book review site， so here goes。 I started following Amanda and Nick’s story on Instagram last spring。 We were all at home and it was a window into a real human story about COVID。 I was curious about this book as the promos promised that even if I thought I knew the story， I didn’t。 It’s a pretty quick read/listen。 The writing is very narrative and reads like a long diary entry or Instagram post。 It gives a lot of detail about the progression of the illness （and a lot of other things） and feels like a solid draft。 However， I do think this book was too hastily published。 First， it feels like it wasn’t even properly edited。 In addition to errors in the book， there are also some issues with continuity and tone。 There were parts of the book that just landed wrong for me （e。g。， criticizing other families in the ICU for acting sad， talking about how she and her sister pretended she was an influencer to get a brand to loan her a second wedding dress， referring to healthcare professionals who were living the nightmare of working the ICU during COVID as “my cast”， and all the name dropping） and I think some objective professional guidance could have been useful。 Second， this book almost feels incomplete because it feels too soon。 Based on the timing of the release and the content of the book， it must have been written right after the death of the author’s husband （maybe even partially prior to）。 I think parts of the book lack some of the self awareness or reflection that one might have a little bit further away from a traumatic event and I think that would have been a nice addition to the story。 The narrative is a lot like the contemporaneous Instagram posts that were published during the event。 My observations here are somewhat related to my comments on tone， above。 Anyway， I do think this is a valuable story to be told， but I didn’t love the telling。 I acknowledge that the author is still very freshly grieving， so while I have criticisms of the book， I really feel for her。 。。。more
Lexie Hayes
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This is such a heartbreaking story， and I am so glad Amanda decided to share her story。 However， I have a lot of problems with a number of things that she wrote about in the book。 She was repeatedly granted special treatment throughout Nick’s illness， and in the book I really think she neglected to truly acknowledge this—so much so， that i think most of the world that lost loved-ones to COVID may actually be offended to read the book。 She also had a massive social media following that she essent This is such a heartbreaking story， and I am so glad Amanda decided to share her story。 However， I have a lot of problems with a number of things that she wrote about in the book。 She was repeatedly granted special treatment throughout Nick’s illness， and in the book I really think she neglected to truly acknowledge this—so much so， that i think most of the world that lost loved-ones to COVID may actually be offended to read the book。 She also had a massive social media following that she essentially lied to throughout the entire process。 I also found her glossing over the murder of George Floyd and to only comment on how the （in her terms） “riots” affected her day to day to be quite tasteless and another indication of her privilege。 。。。more
Sumner Dalrymple
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I followed Amanda on Instagram during Nick’s hospitalization and her positivity throughout was infectious。 Reading her story and getting a glimpse into what was happening behind the 3 pm Instagram live sessions made her even more of a superhero。 Everyone should strive to be more like Amanda Kloots。 This book is a must read and you won’t be able to put it down。 💗
The Booked Mama
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"Live Your Life" is not just the story of Nick Cordero's fight with Covid-19， it's so much more。 It's love， strength， kindness， loyalty， honesty， hope， community and the most strongly felt genuine positivity。 Amanda Kloots， along with her sister Anna， have written the most touching tribute to the life of Amanda's husband Nick。 The 41 year old， who with no preexisting conditions became gravely ill at the start of the pandemic in March 2020， an otherwise healthy， strong Broadway performer who ever "Live Your Life" is not just the story of Nick Cordero's fight with Covid-19， it's so much more。 It's love， strength， kindness， loyalty， honesty， hope， community and the most strongly felt genuine positivity。 Amanda Kloots， along with her sister Anna， have written the most touching tribute to the life of Amanda's husband Nick。 The 41 year old， who with no preexisting conditions became gravely ill at the start of the pandemic in March 2020， an otherwise healthy， strong Broadway performer who everyone believed would pull through quickly。 The world began following along with Amanda's #wakeupnick campaign on Instagram （@amandakloots） as she built an army of positivity every day at 3:00pm singing and dancing to Nick's song， "Live Your Life"。 Amanda's social media posts were also spreading awareness about this relatively unknown illness - young， healthy people can get severely ill with Covid。 The Kloots family rallied behind Amanda and her infant son， Elvis， dropping everything in their lives to move in and manage day to day life especially her older brother Todd （known as Biggie） and her youngest sister Anna。 In my personal opinion， everyone needs an Anna in their life。 I have followed Anna Kloots on social media for some time now （@annakloots） but after reading this book I have a new found respect and admiration for the person that she is and the love and loyalty she gave her sister。 I can't recommend reading this book enough as the powerful way this family has handled this unimaginable loss is one we should all strive for。 I listened to the audiobook while reading along in my physical copy as I wanted to hear this story told by Amanda herself and in my opinion is the way everyone should experience this story。 "Live Your Life" reminds us all that the power of positivity can move mountains， create community， and helps us all to live our lives each day to the fullest。 。。。more
Morgan Manghera
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This is the most beautiful， heartbreaking， & hopeful story。 It’s a story of love & family & music。 I knew how it ended， but I couldn’t stop listening。 Amanda’s voice was so comforting。 I admire Amanda’s strength， but even more， I admire her vulnerability。 It takes a certain type of strength to show your emotion in this way … & to write & narrate it。 She’s setting an incredible example for women — & everyone， really — to embrace their feelings。 Amanda uses music analogies to describe her experien This is the most beautiful， heartbreaking， & hopeful story。 It’s a story of love & family & music。 I knew how it ended， but I couldn’t stop listening。 Amanda’s voice was so comforting。 I admire Amanda’s strength， but even more， I admire her vulnerability。 It takes a certain type of strength to show your emotion in this way … & to write & narrate it。 She’s setting an incredible example for women — & everyone， really — to embrace their feelings。 Amanda uses music analogies to describe her experience while Nick was in the hospital， to describe Nick’s experience in the hospital。 She told the story in the best way she knew how to — by relating it to music & showbiz & performance。 I love WAITRESS。 I’ve loved it since I randomly came across the movie on TV in 2008。 Even before the musical existed， Nick Cordero was making an impact on my life。 I won’t forget him。 I’ll keep listening to his music。 Like Amanda did with her 3 p。m。 “Live Your Life” army， Nick’s music will live on。 I hope Elvis feels his dad’s love & keeps his music close through his whole life。 I don’t normally rate nonfiction， but this book deserves all of the stars。 。。。more
Jackie Leibowitz
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Oh man， this book broke my heart。 As much as Amanda said we didn’t know the whole story， I truly did not understand how much we didn’t know from the outside。 This book was such a beautiful look into their love story， the saga of Nick’s 95 days in the hospital， and a community that came to the aid of a family who was suffering early on during Covid。 I can’t recommend this book enough for anyone who is a fan， friend， or just wants an insight into one family’s struggle with Covid and how it changed Oh man， this book broke my heart。 As much as Amanda said we didn’t know the whole story， I truly did not understand how much we didn’t know from the outside。 This book was such a beautiful look into their love story， the saga of Nick’s 95 days in the hospital， and a community that came to the aid of a family who was suffering early on during Covid。 I can’t recommend this book enough for anyone who is a fan， friend， or just wants an insight into one family’s struggle with Covid and how it changed everything。 But be prepared with tissues！ 。。。more
Emily Pierce
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It feels somehow wrong to review a book with such first hand sensitive topics from a time that’s still so fresh in all of our memories。 But for sake of explaining my three star review， I’ll go into some detail。 This book is a quick read。 Heart breaking， but quick。 Amanda’s writing isn’t very deep。 At worst it’s elementary。 I read a review that relates it to a journal entry and I would agree。 The editing is also very patchy at best。 There were numerous places where the same event was referenced i It feels somehow wrong to review a book with such first hand sensitive topics from a time that’s still so fresh in all of our memories。 But for sake of explaining my three star review， I’ll go into some detail。 This book is a quick read。 Heart breaking， but quick。 Amanda’s writing isn’t very deep。 At worst it’s elementary。 I read a review that relates it to a journal entry and I would agree。 The editing is also very patchy at best。 There were numerous places where the same event was referenced in a manner that suggests haphazard editing。 I did struggle， as others did， with her level of privilege and her lack of ability to acknowledge it beyond “we were so grateful！” It’s a hard thing to acknowledge your privilege。 But as the book went on it got harder to read about and I got more and more uncomfortable at her lack of true understanding。 On the positives side - this is a heart wrenching tale of a true Covid victim and one that will certainly go down in history。 I still admire Amanda’s energy and enthusiasm and think she is a kind， caring soul at heart。 I wish her only the best in life and hope she comes to a place to more readily understand how lucky she is despite this terrible event in her life。 。。。more
Taylor Griggs
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Read this bc my mom was so into the story and the book was around: an incredibly sad and heart-wrenching story but the amount of privilege and blind spots she had to the fact that 600k+ people had this experience minus all of the gold star treatment she got was quite a turn off。 Also v god heavy。
Terri Lazzari
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What a heartbreaking story of love and loss with a beautiful resounding echo of the love and support that a community can heap upon a genuine lovely person。 I followed Amanda thru out Nick’s illness and passing and began to feel like a friend。 She told this story so beautifully it was impossible to keep reading thru my tears。 She has you laughing and crying along with her on her journey。 I highly recommend this book to everyone， her story and her positivity is just amazing。
Fabiola Fernandez
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One of the best books I've ever read。 Such raw and detailed descriptions about grief and loss， but a great reminder to be positive amidst chaos。 One of the best books I've ever read。 Such raw and detailed descriptions about grief and loss， but a great reminder to be positive amidst chaos。 。。。more
Colleen Hourigan
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*AUDIOBOOK。 I followed Amanda and Nick’s story so closely while it was happening and it felt like such a gift to listen to Amanda read this book about her life with Nick， and the agony of having to lose him over the course of several months due to covid and it’s complications。 It is such a vulnerable telling of what they went through， and such an honest portrayal of what loss looks like。 This book is also an incredible testament to the power of family， community， and positivity in such times。 Th *AUDIOBOOK。 I followed Amanda and Nick’s story so closely while it was happening and it felt like such a gift to listen to Amanda read this book about her life with Nick， and the agony of having to lose him over the course of several months due to covid and it’s complications。 It is such a vulnerable telling of what they went through， and such an honest portrayal of what loss looks like。 This book is also an incredible testament to the power of family， community， and positivity in such times。 The way that Amanda and her family faced these challenges was incredibly inspiring。 。。。more
Vivi
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3。5 stars。 A generous， courageous， and heartfelt recounting of the loss of Nick Cordero as told by his wife Amanda。 This is a story of a celebrity battling covid-19， it is not an everyday story which is why at times it was a little tough to read since I felt like it was marketed as the story of an everyday young family that faced this battle since the family’s celebrity status was not well known prior to Nick’s battle。 The number of resources poured out to this family from teams of private docto 3。5 stars。 A generous， courageous， and heartfelt recounting of the loss of Nick Cordero as told by his wife Amanda。 This is a story of a celebrity battling covid-19， it is not an everyday story which is why at times it was a little tough to read since I felt like it was marketed as the story of an everyday young family that faced this battle since the family’s celebrity status was not well known prior to Nick’s battle。 The number of resources poured out to this family from teams of private doctors to free homes to hospital higher ups being lobbied on their behalf serve as an exceptional example of generosity and support from others - an exception， not the rule。 I could imagine it would be really painful for folks who lost loved ones to covid without this army of celebrity supporters/the reach of influence that their story is surrounded in。Outside of that the book is a beautiful love letter to the ferocity of Amanda’s love for her family， Nick， her son Elvis， her siblings， etc and a beautiful picture of what happens when people band together to care for one another。 I am amazed by her enduring positivity and strength exemplified by her ability to write and publish this emotional book with her sister Anna all before the one year anniversary of Nick’s passing。 From following along on Instagram to reading this now， her bond with her sister Anna and brother Todd who quarantined with her throughout Nick’s hospital stay was my favorite part to read and such a moving testament to the power of familial love。 It was also interesting and valuable to read my first book that details the early COVID-19 pandemic months in such detail - details that I have already started to blur out。 。。。more
seb
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i can't really bring myself to rate this， but i will say it was completely and utterly heartbreaking yet beautiful。 Both Amanda and Anna， did an incredible job putting this story together and telling the story of who Nick was and the legacy he leaves behind。 Thank you for sharing it with us， Amanda and the rest of the Kloots and Cordero family。 i can't really bring myself to rate this， but i will say it was completely and utterly heartbreaking yet beautiful。 Both Amanda and Anna， did an incredible job putting this story together and telling the story of who Nick was and the legacy he leaves behind。 Thank you for sharing it with us， Amanda and the rest of the Kloots and Cordero family。 。。。more
Adriana
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Get ready to shed some tears。
Sara
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I'm giving this a 4 star review because I feel for Amanda and her journey。 She has always been such a wonderful outspoken advocate for Nick， her family and those affected by COVID， especially during a time when people were at war with each other about this devastating virus。 She has taken us on a journey that is hard and not always easy to share with the whole world。 I do， however， wish there were more stories about "loving" Nick， as well as the "losing。" I loved the moments we went into their p I'm giving this a 4 star review because I feel for Amanda and her journey。 She has always been such a wonderful outspoken advocate for Nick， her family and those affected by COVID， especially during a time when people were at war with each other about this devastating virus。 She has taken us on a journey that is hard and not always easy to share with the whole world。 I do， however， wish there were more stories about "loving" Nick， as well as the "losing。" I loved the moments we went into their past and we learned about their relationship and it had me wishing there was more。 I also want to add that this is a raw insight into the devastation COVID has caused， and for some it may be too soon to read this， so trigger warning， if you are not there yet。 If you do get there， this is the book to start with。 Despite its few flaws， it is taking us through a personal tragedy around these historic times we are living in。 。。。more
Amanda
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I followed this story in the media and on Instagram。 Yet there was so much to this story I didn’t know。 Amanda’s strength and positivity is something so admirable and wondrous。 Clearly the love and support in her life from friends and family buoys her， but she also has a deep inner light that guides her。 A worthy read about the devastation and heartbreak COVID brought but also the resolve， love and greatness of humanity that it brought too。
Kaithlyn Jerome
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With Great Joy in my heart， I want to give thanks to @doctor_razor_herbs For making me Realize how important Natural herbs can be to mankind， I got cured of My 17 months Herpes 1 and also my 7 months HPV。 These diseases has made life very Hard for me until I learnt about the cure for these certain infections。 I got to know of Herbalist @doctor_razor_herbs After some Research。 I am thankful that I Summoned the courage to reach out to you sir as I am very happy Now to know that I have been cured C With Great Joy in my heart， I want to give thanks to @doctor_razor_herbs For making me Realize how important Natural herbs can be to mankind， I got cured of My 17 months Herpes 1 and also my 7 months HPV。 These diseases has made life very Hard for me until I learnt about the cure for these certain infections。 I got to know of Herbalist @doctor_razor_herbs After some Research。 I am thankful that I Summoned the courage to reach out to you sir as I am very happy Now to know that I have been cured COMPLETELY of both HERPES SIMPLEX VIRUS AND HUMAN PAPILLOMA VIRUS at the same time @doctor_razor_herbs God bless you for me。 Reach Herbalist Razor on his email : drrazorherbalhome@gmail。comWhatsApp or call @doctor_razor_herbs via +2 3 4 9 0 6 5 4 2 0 4 4 2。 。。。more
Kristen
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this one completely exceeded my expectations！
Andie Furber
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Cried my whole damn eyes out
Sravya
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I’ve been following Amanda’s story on Instagram since the beginning。 She was/is always so positive and full of hope， and it was jarring to see the actual details of what was going on with Nick in the hospital。 Their story is so heartbreaking， but Amanda does a beautiful job of telling it and really shows the power of community and kindness。 Yes， she was extremely privileged with all the help and special treatment she received， which she acknowledges multiple times in the book， but I think anyone I’ve been following Amanda’s story on Instagram since the beginning。 She was/is always so positive and full of hope， and it was jarring to see the actual details of what was going on with Nick in the hospital。 Their story is so heartbreaking， but Amanda does a beautiful job of telling it and really shows the power of community and kindness。 Yes， she was extremely privileged with all the help and special treatment she received， which she acknowledges multiple times in the book， but I think anyone in her situation would’ve taken advantage of all those resources too when fighting for someone you love。 I recommend listening to the audiobook， as you can really hear the sadness， frustration， and pain in her voice （which led me to cry several times）。 Amanda truly embodies what it means to find light in a time of darkness。 。。。more
Happyhappyjoye
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What an amazing story of an amazing family！ Amanda Kloots is a one of a kind hero！ I feel like I know her and her positivity through such a tragedy makes me want to be a better human every day！
Dara
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Audiobook， read by the author， which is wonderful to have her own voice and emphasis to tell her own story， I also didn’t find it particularly endearing。 But the story was powerful and such a sad story but loved her overall positivity in such a terrible situation， especially while as a mom to a toddler。
Emily Kennard
，
We could all learn a lot from Amanda Kloots' positive attitude， spirit， and transparency。 Recommend to anyone interested in the behind-the-scenes goings-ons。 Thank you to #NetGalley for the copy。 We could all learn a lot from Amanda Kloots' positive attitude， spirit， and transparency。 Recommend to anyone interested in the behind-the-scenes goings-ons。 Thank you to #NetGalley for the copy。 。。。more
Kristi Kasper
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I followed Amanda’s story on Instagram last spring and I was moved and inspired， of course I had to read the full story。 While her husband’s battle with Covid was heartbreaking and tragic， Amanda managed to handle it with a special kind of courage， spirit and faith that not many people would be able to muster let alone display so beautifully to the world。
Nicole
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Heart wrenching and beautiful！
Cliona
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What upset me the most about the book was the realization how within a world renowned hospital like Cedar Sinai， you can pay for preferential treatment。 Im glad Amanda’s friends funded this but it begs the question of how challenging it must have been for most families who were unable to pay or unaware of the service。 A sad indictment of our health care system。
Amanda
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Oh my goodness。 I devoured this book in just about 24 hours and found myself laughing， smiling and crying throughout。 Amanda's optimism and positivity in the darkest of days has left me inspired and touched on such a deep level。 I was a fan of Waitress and knew of Nick both from his time in that show and also because my parents are fans of Blue Bloods where he's made appearances and felt so honored to read the story of his fight in Amanda and Anna's words。 I truly feel changed having read this b Oh my goodness。 I devoured this book in just about 24 hours and found myself laughing， smiling and crying throughout。 Amanda's optimism and positivity in the darkest of days has left me inspired and touched on such a deep level。 I was a fan of Waitress and knew of Nick both from his time in that show and also because my parents are fans of Blue Bloods where he's made appearances and felt so honored to read the story of his fight in Amanda and Anna's words。 I truly feel changed having read this book。 。。。more
Jessie Olson Damm
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I started following Amanda like many others on Instagram in April 2020。 Reading her story brought me back to that time when life was turned upside down for all of us。 I remember the 3pm Live Your Life song gatherings on IG and looked forward to seeing all the different people from around the country/world during this time。 Like a rally cry that we all wanted to join in on - not just for Nick but for all those Covid patients and their families。 I cried but also laughed reading this book 。。。 I rem I started following Amanda like many others on Instagram in April 2020。 Reading her story brought me back to that time when life was turned upside down for all of us。 I remember the 3pm Live Your Life song gatherings on IG and looked forward to seeing all the different people from around the country/world during this time。 Like a rally cry that we all wanted to join in on - not just for Nick but for all those Covid patients and their families。 I cried but also laughed reading this book 。。。 I remembered the IG story of Biggie's diagram of the sisters and their secrets and reading it again made me smile。 I plan on sharing my copy for anyone who wants inspiration and a reminder of the love of family， friends and community。 。。。more
Zak Boston
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