If Only Love: A Memoir of Second Chances
Second Chances: If Only Love is Shelley Saywell’s memoir of a teenage romance rekindled decades later, then shaped by marriage, terminal illness and grief. The listing describes a 304-page account that moves between first love, reunion and loss.
At a glance
- Follows a first love that begins in Japan in 1973 and resumes by email thirty years later.
- Braids memories of teenage romance with a later marriage and the loss of a spouse to terminal cancer.
- Written by Shelley Saywell, whose documentary career is mentioned in the listing.
Reference price: $26.95
Price checked: Nov 13, 2026
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Pros and cons
Pros
- A clearly defined life story spanning first love, reunion, marriage and bereavement.
- The interwoven timeline connects romantic memories with later experiences of grief.
Technical specifications
8 specifications| Publisher | Random House Canada |
|---|---|
| Publication date | Jan. 13 2026 |
| Language | English |
| Print length | 304 pages |
| ISBN-10 | 1039013716 |
| ISBN-13 | 978-1039013711 |
| Weight listed | 405 g |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | 14.4 x 2.18 x 20.93 cm |
What to know before buying
- The subject matter includes terminal cancer, death and grief, which may not suit readers seeking a light romance or memoir.
Who is it for?
A good fit for
- Readers interested in real-life love stories and second chances.
- Those looking for memoirs about bereavement, memory and enduring relationships.
Less suited to
- Readers avoiding stories involving terminal illness, death or grief.
- Readers looking for a purely fictional romance.
Customer reviews on Amazon
- 5 stars
67% 67% - 4 stars
26% 26% - 3 stars
7% 7% - 2 stars
0% 0% - 1 star
0% 0%
Aggregate ratings lean positive, with most ratings in the four- or five-star categories, while a smaller share are three-star. No written customer feedback is supplied, so those figures do not show what readers praised or criticized. The book’s stated themes of reunion and bereavement may matter more to a purchase decision than the rating summary alone.
Frequently asked questions
What story does If Only Love tell?
The listing describes Shelley Saywell’s account of meeting an American boy as a teenager in Japan, reconnecting with him decades later, and building a life together before his terminal cancer diagnosis.
Does the memoir focus only on romance?
No. Its described timeline includes first love and reunion as well as marriage, illness, loss and grief.
How long is the book?
The listing gives a print length of 304 pages.
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