The Widow Chose Red? is a deeply personal memoir chronicling the life of Rachel Kerr Schneider, from her whirlwind romance with John Schneider through decades of marriage, parenting, and professional shifts, culminating in John’s heartbreaking battle with ALS. Told through a lens of faith and fierce devotion, the book walks readers through the joys of new beginnings, the messiness of real relationships, and the crushing weight of terminal illness, all while clinging to the hope and grace found in God.

The writing is conversational, often funny, and incredibly raw. Rachel doesn’t hide behind platitudes. She’s honest when things are hard, she laughs when they’re absurd, and she leans into her faith with a kind of vulnerability that feels both courageous and familiar. The structure, split into sections of life stages, reflects how grief and growth aren’t linear. I loved how she wove in reflections after each major chunk of the story. It gave me space to breathe and think alongside her.

There were times when I felt gutted by the emotional weight of it all. Watching John’s health decline through Rachel’s eyes was both beautiful and brutal. Her love for him doesn’t flinch. It holds steady through every stage of ALS, even when things got messy and uncertain. But this isn’t just a moving book; it’s a book about showing up. It’s about surviving with grace when life doesn’t let you plan ahead. I admired how Rachel let us see the struggle to stay spiritually grounded when everything feels unfair. And somehow, even in the grief, she writes with humor.

The Widow Chose Red? is a love letter to John, to her sons, and to the God who walked through every minute of it with her. If you’ve ever cared for someone who’s sick, if you’ve wondered where God is in your pain, or if you just want to feel less alone in your own tough season, you’ll find something in Rachel’s story. I’d recommend it to caregivers, to women figuring out who they are after loss, and to anyone trying to make peace with the messiness of life. You don’t need to be religious to connect with her heart.

Pages: 224 | ISBN : 978-1966561101