Matt Logelin writes a courageous and searingly honest memoir about the first year of his life following the birth of his daughter and the death of his wife.
Matt and Liz Logelin were high school sweethearts. After years of long-distance dating, the pair finally settled together in Los Angeles, and they had it all: a perfect marriage, a gorgeous new home, and a baby girl on the way. Liz's pregnancy was rocky, but they welcomed Madeline, beautiful and healthy, into the world. Just twenty-seven hours later, Liz suffered a pulmonary embolism and died instantly, without ever holding the daughter whose arrival she had so eagerly awaited.
Though confronted with devastating grief and the responsibilities of a new and single father, Matt did not surrender to devastation; he chose to keep moving forward-to make a life for Maddy.
In this memoir, Matt shares bittersweet and often humorous anecdotes of his courtship and marriage to Liz; of relying on his newborn daughter for the support that she unknowingly provided; and of the extraordinary online community of strangers who have become his friends. In honoring Liz's legacy, heartache has become solace.
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"Matt's voice, love, and sadness poor through the pages of this book. I actually listened to the audio book and I'd highly recommend doing so. It's read by Matt and it makes it that more impactful. There's no doubt left in anyone's mind that Maddy saved his life and continues to fill him with hope and love. If you're looking for a lovey dovey tear jerking book then you're looking in the wrong place. This book was meant for Maddy in Matt's way. Don't judge that. Matt gives the facts, says the f word around 150 times, and I expect I would too if I'd lost my spouse and was left with a premie."
— Tracy (4 out of 5 stars)
“Two Kisses for Maddy is less a conscious piece of writing than a spontaneous eruption from the heart. It will make you cry but not only out of sadness. Some of your tears will be for the beauty of love and its miraculous power to heal even the deepest wounds.”
— John Grogan, New York Times bestselling author of Marley & Me“No one wants to read a depressing book. But how can you possibly call depressing what is so filled with love and life and the unstoppable message of how lucky we are to have what we have. Read this book and put your life back in perspective.”
— Brad Meltzer, New York Times bestselling author of Heroes for My Sons“In Matthew Logelin’s honest and poignant story, we learn a great many lessons about the fragility of life, and about the strength we all can summon to move forward. With two kisses and an open heart, he shows how love can sustain us.”
— Jeffrey Zaslow, New York Times bestselling coauthor of The Last Lecture“Almost unparalleled as a raw and unapologetic portrait of grief, Two Kisses for Maddy is a stunning testimony of the kind of love—fated, magnificent—that inspires novels. So vivid, so powerful and pitch-perfect, is his evocation of his beloved Liz that I could hear her laughter and see her face for days after putting the book down.”
— Claire Fontaine, national bestselling author of Come Back“Heartbreaking, raw, moving and uplifting at the same time.”
— Hollywood Reporter“A tender memoir that combines the deep sadness of loss with the joys of parenthood even under incredibly trying circumstances.”
— Kirkus Reviews" I loved this book. I have followed Matt's blog for a little while now so I already knew the story but it is a wonderful book and I definitely cried a few times while reading it. "
— Suzanne, 2/14/2014" A great read, especially for new Dads...... "
— Ron, 2/9/2014" This book was raw and moving. I can't imagine the pain of the loss with the happiness of the gift. The book will be re-released in paperback with new photos and a new essay in the next few weeks. I will definitely buy my own copy, especially since 7% of the sale goes to the Liz Logelin Foundation. "
— Alexandra, 2/5/2014" This was a sad book. "
— Janna, 1/19/2014" An emotional journey as a man copes with the loss of his wife 27 hours after the birth of their daughter. "
— Debra, 1/12/2014" I was already familiar with their story......but really enjoyed the book. His writing is very real and fresh. Recommend. "
— Casey, 1/9/2014" Wow....I really liked this book. Sad story of survival. What made it so real was his language, loved that he cursed made it real. "
— Janet, 1/7/2014" The language in this memoir is a bit much. Suprising since he wrote it for his daughter.It's a quick easy read that makes you have the "ugly" cry. After reading, you will feel very thankful for your own family. "
— Maury, 12/29/2013" Hands down, one of my favorite memoirs!!!!! "
— Maggie, 12/28/2013" Great book, I have read his blog from very early on and still learned a lot more about this family. Beautiful love story intertwined with his experience going on after all he knew came to an end. "
— Clare, 12/3/2013" I really liked this book. It was a very touching story, although the language was a little much at times. "
— Christin, 11/30/2013" I wasn't expecting to like it as much as I did-I read it in 2 sittings. I keep finding myself thinking about it- another one of those books that make you think "what if." "
— Stacey, 2/5/2013" Loved it. You can tell just how much he loves his wife and daughter in his book. Although I do follow his blog I still loved the book. "
— Kerri, 2/4/2013" Though I've been a reader of his blog for years, there was a lot to Matt, Liz and Maddy's story that I didn't know. It's beautifully written, funny, touching and heartbreaking. "
— Meg, 12/20/2012" This book will make you cry for sure. It is a very touching and emotional book....but worth the read. "
— Rae, 9/26/2012" This was just a heartbreaking story, I read it in a few days. I only wish he wouldn't have swore so much (and crossing my fingers he doesn't use that kind of language around Maddy. "
— Jeannie, 7/18/2012" Straight from his heart to the page, and I'm terribly sorry for his tragedy. The language was way too rough for me, though. "
— Pamela, 5/9/2012" One of the saddest books ever. It feels weird to rate someone's nightmare. "
— Desiree, 4/21/2012" There is a touching story behind this book, but the constant profanity made it impossible to tolerate. "
— Carol, 2/7/2012" A quick, moving read. I've followed Matt Logelin's blog since Maddy was born, so some of the material was familiar, but the book format added a lot to previous blog entries. A recommended read - just have tissues nearby! "
— Michele, 11/1/2011" Excellent book of love and heartbreak. So honest and raw. Great tribute to his wife and daughter. "
— Nan, 8/18/2011" A quick, moving read. I've followed Matt Logelin's blog since Maddy was born, so some of the material was familiar, but the book format added a lot to previous blog entries. A recommended read - just have tissues nearby! "
— Michele, 5/23/2011" didn't make me cry as much as reading the blog every day at work did. still good. maddy is a perfect doppelganger of her mother, appearance-wise. eerie. "
— Meagan, 5/20/2011" Sad & heartbreaking book, but well written, made me want to learn more about the author. Be prepared for offensive language. "
— Wendy, 5/18/2011" I wasn't expecting to like it as much as I did-I read it in 2 sittings. I keep finding myself thinking about it- another one of those books that make you think "what if." "
— Stacey, 5/16/2011" Absolutely one of the best written books I've read in a long time. One that will stay with me forever. My heart was aching the entire time I read the book...not only for Matt as he grieves but also for Maddy who will never know her mother. Tears will definitely be shed as you read this book! "
— Rachel, 5/16/2011" Wonderful memoir from a blog that I follow. I bought the book at a signing, and I read it within 3 days. Very hard to put down. And tissues are a must. "
— Delenn, 5/16/2011" LOVE Matt and this book!!!!!!!! I followed the blog all along and read the book in about 2 days. "
— Laurenmcc, 5/14/2011" This book choked me up more than once. It would have been a sad story if it were fiction, but sadder knowing that it was someone's reality. Good read. "
— Becky, 5/13/2011" What a truly amazing man! I don't think I had a dry eye on a single page of this book. Matt is a great writer and Maddy is so lucky to have him as a daddy. "
— Michelle, 5/12/2011" This was a great book. Although he used the f word alot. But from reading his blog he does it on there to and I expected as much. "
— Kara, 5/12/2011" I was already familiar with their story......but really enjoyed the book. His writing is very real and fresh. Recommend. "
— Casey, 5/12/2011" Liked the story, but not the language! "
— Keri, 5/11/2011" A sad and bittersweet story about live and death in the span of two days. "
— Lorraine, 5/11/2011" Could I cry any harder? Writing style is irrelevant here. This true story is heartbreaking, but still hopeful. I recommend it if you need an intense, long cry. "
— Karla, 5/11/2011" Beautiful story of love and loss but mostly love. "
— Leia, 5/10/2011Born and raised in Minnesota, Matt Logelin moved to Southern California after finishing his master’s degree in sociology to be with the love of his life, Liz. The two married in 2005, and Liz tragically passed away in March 2008 after the birth of their first daughter, Madeline. A former project manager at Yahoo!, Matt left his job in October 2009 to focus on raising his daughter and on writing his first book, Two Kisses for Maddy. The two live in Los Angeles today, where they enjoy hiking, shopping for records, and eating cupcakes. They travel often to see as much of the world as possible and have visited six different countries together so far.