'A truly helpful, honest, and important trail map for the journey we all eventually must take through grief' - Steve Leder, New York Times bestselling author of The Beauty of What Remains

'An immense amount of knowledge and science around grief and the grieving process' - Colin Campbell, author of Finding the Words

When social worker Lisa Keefauver became a widow in 2011, she was alarmed to discover that even though 100 percent of us experience loss, we're living in a grief illiterate world. In her work as a therapist, and in her search for help in the wake of her own loss, Keefauver began to see how the misguided stories we consume about grief lead to unnecessary suffering.

Responding to the problematic narratives that grief is something to move on from after completing the five stages like some sort of to-do list, Keefauver became a grief activist. Through this book and her hit podcast of the same title, she creates a safe place to be inside the messiness of it all, to discover the full spectrum of grief, and to find the tools that help grievers move forward, not on.

Grief is a Sneaky Bitch is a comprehensive guide-both a manual full of insights and skills and, even more importantly, a thoughtful companion that helps readers feel seen and held.

Keefauver shares her personal and professional wisdom alongside the lessons she's learned from clinicians, authors, poets, and friends. In place of rigid instructions and must-do checklists, Grief is a Sneaky Bitch invites reflection, encourages self-compassion and explores the therapeutic power of humour with, yes, a bit of profanity.

'This must-read companion guide for those who are grieving has captured the heart-break of grief with compassion, insight, and humour. Grief is a Sneaky Bitch is the book we have been missing!" Melissa Gould, author of Widowish: A Memoir

'Grief is a Sneaky Bitch is a candid, direct, and at times humorous exploration of the life-changing tides of loss. Keefauver expertly combines her clinical background and personal experiences to provide us with a compassionate and practical guide for navigating all forms of grief. Whether your loss was long ago or last week, this book will help you find your own way of living with it.' Marisa Renee Lee, author of Grief Is Love: Living with Loss

'When we lose a loved one, Lisa Keefauver reminds us that grief becomes a part of our story. But the good news is that it will never be our whole story. What could be more hopeful than that?' Barbara Becker, author of Heartwood: The Art of Living with the End in Mind

When social worker Lisa Keefauver became a widow in 2011, she was alarmed to discover that even though 100 percent of us experience loss, we're living in a grief illiterate world. In her work as a therapist, and in her search for help in the wake of her own loss, Keefauver began to see how the misguided stories we consume about grief lead to unnecessary suffering. Responding to the problematic narratives that grief is something to move on from after completing the five stages like some sort of to-do list, Keefauver became a grief activist. Through this book and her hit podcast of the same title, she creates a safe place to be inside the messiness of it all, to discover the full spectrum of grief, and to find the tools that help grievers move forward, not on. Grief is a Sneaky Bitch is a comprehensive guide - both a manual full of insights and skills and, even more importantly, a thoughtful companion that helps readers feel seen and held.
Keefauver shares her personal and professional wisdom alongside the lessons she's learned from clinicians, authors, poets, and friends. In place of rigid instructions and must-do checklists, Grief is a Sneaky Bitch invites reflection, encourages self-compassion, and explores the therapeutic power of humour with, yes, a bit of profanity.




Lisa Keefauver is a social worker, grief activist, and founder of Reimagining Grief. She is an adjunct professor of loss and grief at the University of Texas at Austin, an organizational consultant, and a keynote speaker (including at TEDx). In 2019, she created the popular podcast Grief is a Sneaky Bitch.