Lost Without You

Written in the first person, this memoir opens at a kitchen table in California as evening light fades. The author, now middle-aged, is trying to find words for the three decades he lived through and the grief that followed their end. He had hoped his life with his wife would last indefinitely and had never intended to turn it into a story.

In July 2019, Vinnie Jones lost Tanya, his wife of many years, after she had spent six years fighting cancer. Together they had shared 27 years and built a family. Her death came as a profound shock to everyone who knew them, and Vinnie struggled to find his footing afterwards.

He recounts the 25 years of their marriage through affectionate, vivid anecdotes, and sets down plainly what grief has been like, from its darkest days to moments of happiness. The result is candid and moving, with humour and hope woven through the sorrow. Above all, the book honours Tanya's life and her kindness and generosity, and it hopes to encourage others facing similar loss to seek the support they need.