What do you think?
Rate this book
Love Brought Me Back: A Journey of Loss and Gain
In This Luminous Memoir, Legendary Singer And Actress Natalie Cole Tells A Remarkable Story Of Life-Threatening Illness And Recovery, And The Story Of A Death That Brought New Life.
In 2009 Natalie Cole was on dialysis, her kidneys failing. Without a kidney transplant, her future was uncertain. Throughout Natalie’s illness one of her biggest supporters was her beloved sister Cooke. But then Cooke herself became ill, with cancer. Astonishingly, as Cooke lay dying in a hospital, Natalie received a call that a kidney was available, but the surgery had to be performed immediately. Natalie couldn’t leave her sister’s side—but neither could she refuse the kidney that would save her own life.
This is a story of sisters, Natalie and Cooke, but also of the sisters who made the transplant possible, Patty and Jessica. It was Jessica’s death that gave new life to Natalie, even as Natalie experienced the devastating loss of Cooke. Patty, too, suffered her own terrible loss, but when she met Natalie, she found that her sister’s spirit still lived. Through the gift of life, Natalie and Patty became sisters in spirit.
Love Brought Me Back is a story of loss and recovery, sorrow and joy, success and despair—and, finally, success again. It will touch you as few memoirs ever have.
In 2009 Natalie Cole was on dialysis, her kidneys failing. Without a kidney transplant, her future was uncertain. Throughout Natalie’s illness one of her biggest supporters was her beloved sister Cooke. But then Cooke herself became ill, with cancer. Astonishingly, as Cooke lay dying in a hospital, Natalie received a call that a kidney was available, but the surgery had to be performed immediately. Natalie couldn’t leave her sister’s side—but neither could she refuse the kidney that would save her own life.
This is a story of sisters, Natalie and Cooke, but also of the sisters who made the transplant possible, Patty and Jessica. It was Jessica’s death that gave new life to Natalie, even as Natalie experienced the devastating loss of Cooke. Patty, too, suffered her own terrible loss, but when she met Natalie, she found that her sister’s spirit still lived. Through the gift of life, Natalie and Patty became sisters in spirit.
Love Brought Me Back is a story of loss and recovery, sorrow and joy, success and despair—and, finally, success again. It will touch you as few memoirs ever have.
176 pages, Hardcover
First published October 27, 2010
About the author
Natalie Cole
28 books3 followersNatalie Maria Cole was an American singer, songwriter, and performer. The daughter of Nat King Cole, Natalie rose to musical success in the mid-1970s. In 1987 she had success with her album Everlasting, and her cover of Bruce Springsteen's "Pink Cadillac". In the 1990s, she re-recorded standards by her father, resulting in her biggest success, Unforgettable... with Love, which sold over seven million copies and also won Cole numerous Grammy Awards. She sold over 30 million records worldwide.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
November 8, 2012
I am still reading this book, but it is very interesting considering I also have to face an organ transplant at some time in the future. My situation is a bit different from hers, but her story is very inspirational.
November 3, 2011
A true story of survival, faith and love. Natalie Cole is one hell of a woman, every time life hit her in the face with lemons she turned it into sweet lemon-aid. Never forgetting there is someone out there worst off than she was,
June 24, 2013
It was great to see the old photos and hear the old stories about Nat King Cole's family, and the impact that he left on his children as they got older. Natalie Cole is a very strong woman,... more than I knew.
May 29, 2018
This is a very quick read. Natalie Cole writes about getting sick with Hepatitis C. Her sister Cooke who was always supportive of Natalie who also became sick. It also focuses on two other sisters who they never knew but became a part of their lives when Natalie needed a new kidney. the Sister if Jessica also writes of their lives and how the loss of her sister saved Natalie's life. a nice honest read.
May 29, 2017
Great story...it was truth. She didn't sugarcoat her "stuff" and the choices that led her down certain paths. I appreciated to how open she was about her mother, yet she managed to stay respectful. You knew that it was not about bashing her mom, but at the same time keeping it real. I so enjoyed her story and upon completion felt like she was someone that I knew personally. R.I.P.
July 16, 2017
An autobiography of this celebrity's journey of loss and gain with a kidney transplant in 2009
see this and more than a hundred other organ donation/transplant related books - many with my personal reviews - at http://www.trioweb.org/resources/book...
see this and more than a hundred other organ donation/transplant related books - many with my personal reviews - at http://www.trioweb.org/resources/book...
December 18, 2018
Amazing testimony of God's goodness! I love how she shares the space with her donor's family to share their side of the organ donation.
February 23, 2022
Amazing quick read!
August 15, 2022
Natalie Cole wrote about only 2yrs of her life. She spoke volumes.
March 22, 2012
This book is very short, and will most likely take you about 2 to 3 hrs to read, if that, and I must say, I felt every emotion Natalie Cole was experiencing. What a beautiful story of 4 sisters (Natalie and Cooke) and (Patty and Jessica). The journey these 4 incredible women took was amazing. I so understand what she means by Loss and Gain. I lost a sibling and I know how painful that can be, especially when you're close to them.
What an outstanding read. At the end of the book, Natalie says something that really touched me dearly. She says something to the effect, "you think you're in control of your life. You're not!" Her faith in God is profound, and I feel everything she was saying. I'm so glad she's still with us after her painful illness of Hepititus C. This is a Great Read, not just good! Brought me to tears. Very moving!
What an outstanding read. At the end of the book, Natalie says something that really touched me dearly. She says something to the effect, "you think you're in control of your life. You're not!" Her faith in God is profound, and I feel everything she was saying. I'm so glad she's still with us after her painful illness of Hepititus C. This is a Great Read, not just good! Brought me to tears. Very moving!
December 29, 2010
I love Natalie Cole's music, but never really thought anything other past that. There are numerous reasons I loved this book. First, the book is really well written. Second, the story is extremely heart-warming and heart-breaking at the same time. I loved the fact that the story of Natalie's health-problems and subsequent kidney transplant incorporated the story from the donor and her family. So often when we see books come out of Hollywood they are very self-centered and ego dominated. This was anything but. The best part of the book, Natalie's life lessons in chapter 22. How very true they are! A classy book from a classy woman!!!
September 30, 2011
In this book you will find two life stories. One of the stories focuses around a very brief glimpse of Natalie Cole’s childhood memories, her turbulent adult years, and the events leading up to her organ transplant. The second story evolves around the brief life of the organ donor (Jessica) from whom Natalie received her organ transplant. Natalie pays tribute to both her family and to her organ donor. The two stories are gracefully intertwined and Natalie avows her beliefs as a Christian throughout the book.
This is a quick read and a dedicated reader can read this in only one day.
This is a quick read and a dedicated reader can read this in only one day.
June 22, 2013
This is a short but powerful read. I knew nothing about Natalie Cole and her career or the ups & downs of her life. But I saw her interviewed when her book came out and was attracted to the way she gave the glory to God in regards to her near-death experience. This story is compelling as two lives--that of Natalie and that of a (then) stranger Patty--were interwoven in a way that is nothing short of miraculous. The story is told by both of them and is completely inspirational.
Read
December 23, 2010Very touching. It took me almost to the end of the book to realize that I was reading two diffrent stories. (Please don't ask. lol) Anyway. It just shows the miracle working power of God and how nothing is done by accident. Nothing in this life is just by change. These two lives were meant to cross. God is so amazing. This was a great read an would be a great Christmas present.
February 21, 2011
I was impressed by Natalie's honesty. She was an open book (no pun intended) about her life and that of her family's which I found very fascinating. It takes a brave person to share their mistakes in life in such broad fashion. It's written in such an uncomplicated style that I could really connect with her feelings and the message that she has for all of us about the purpose of life.
March 12, 2013
Natalie Cole is open and honest about her addiction, her recovery and her loss in this account of her receiving her transplant. The account of the reaction of the donor's family was both touching and real. I love how Natalie embraced the family and shared in their grief even though she was grieving herself.
January 13, 2011
Wasn't sure what to think, but this book was really good. Such an awesome story and two stories mingled together. It was less about Natalie Cole and more about learning how to live your life and the things that matter most in life. Very good and quick read.
April 20, 2013
Very beautiful and easy on the eyes memoir to read. It's courageous, classy, full of charisma, charming in fact, and oh yes, weaved into Jessica's story made Natalie's experience as inspirational as it was inseparable!
March 1, 2016
I've always loved Natalie Cole's voice, and it just goes to show that we all walk through things that will push our resolve to the ends. She came through beautifully and reading this book was timely with her death shortly after I finished it.
January 13, 2016
I enjoyed this book. Read in two days. Her journey was more touching to me since her passing. Since she received her kidney she accomplished so much until her death. She shared inspirational messages in the last chapter. A good read for all.
January 28, 2011
Excellent book. Organ transplant. four sisters....true story
April 30, 2011
Wow! What a touching narrative. Love her music but appreciate it more now.
August 4, 2011
I stayed up all night reading this book [with breaks] & finished it...I would give it a 5/5 because it was wonderfully written..And very touching.
August 11, 2011
I have loved her singing ever since I can remember, so it was interesting to find out more about the circumstances surrounding her kidney transplant.
February 13, 2015
Honest & beautiful! Trust God to see you through the dark times & comfort you! His light shines through you! Thanks for sharing Natalie!
January 25, 2016
This was another memoir of someone we just lost. She lived through addiction, her recovery and receiving a transplant. I read her other book - Angel on My Shoulder. She will be very much missed!
Read
May 13, 2016In fairness, I did not rate this book because u didn't read it. It came out of the gate "churchy". I tried to skip ahead...still churchy. I will stick to enjoying her music.
September 19, 2014
An Amazing, Heartfelt, Excellent Read!
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews