Love You Hard

A Memoir of Marriage, Brain Injury, and Reinventing Love

By: Abby Maslin

Narrated by: Abby Maslin

Abby Maslin shares an inspiring story of resilience and commitment in a deeply affecting new memoir. After her husband suffered a traumatic brain injury, the couple worked together as he recovered—and they learned to love again.

When Abby Maslin's husband, TC, didn't make it home on August 18, 2012, she knew something was terribly wrong. Her fears were confirmed when she learned that her husband had been beaten by three men and left for dead mere blocks from home, all for his cell phone and debit card.

The days and months that followed were a grueling test of faith. As TC recovered from a severe traumatic brain injury that left him unable to speak and walk, Abby faced the challenge of caring for—and loving—a husband who now resembled a stranger.

Love You Hard is the raw, unflinchingly honest story of a young love left broken, and the resilience required to mend a life and remake a marriage. Told from the caregiver's perspective, this book is a daring exploration of true love: what it means to love beyond language, beyond abilities, and into the place that reveals who we really are.

At the heart of Abby and TC's unique and captivating story are the universal truths that bind us all. This is a tale of living and loving wholeheartedly, learning to heal after profound grief, and choosing joy in the wake of tragedy.

Critic reviews

“A moving and valuable meditation on the nature of mature love—love that is hard, and gloriously so.”
—Kelly Corrigan, New York Times bestselling author of The Middle Place and Tell Me More

“Inspiring, touching, and beautifully written, Abby Maslin’s memoir is a testament to love, resilience, and choosing joy during the toughest times.”
—Maria Shriver, award-winning journalist and author of I’ve Been Thinking…

"Written with the grace of a novel and the power of personal experience, this moving book is filled with humor, insight, and enormous love. Maslin's touching story brings both tears and joy and offers the inspiring hope that there is always a way forward."
—Janice Kaplan, New York Times bestselling author of The Gratitude Diaries

“A beautifully articulated and searingly honest memoir about so much more than one tragedy. Abby Maslin’s keen eye and unflinching introspection brilliantly illuminate the big and small moments that came with getting through her husband’s traumatic brain injury. If I had written a follow-up to my book about our family’s journey with TBI, it would share so many moments with Abby’s amazing exploration of resilience, marriage, family and understanding the gift of every single day.”
—Lee Woodruff, #1 New York Times bestselling author of In an Instant

"Abby Maslin gives a harrowing account of how a fulfilling life and marriage can be upended in an instant … Love You Hard serves as a reminder that the most challenging aspects of relationships are also the most rewarding ones."
—Lauren Marks, author of A Stitch of Time

a must read.

for every caregiver and family member with TBI. she writes what you are thinking. love.

Inspirational story about staying together when life gets tough

TC worked hard to get better after his brain injury, he set goals and didn’t give up. His wife was honest about the challenges through the years and the ups and downs of life after tragedy hit. Very inspirational that they worked hard to fall back in love and didn’t give up on the marriage.

The Maslin Family

I have known Abby and her family since we were kids. We traveled to Mexico for a month with our parents when we were in grade school. Family friends, not close friends. She has always been a kind and magnificent human being. After listening to Love You Hard I was literally speechless. I wanted to give her, her family and all her friends one massive hug. I am so thankful you felt comfortable sharing your story with the World. I know many people will learn a lot from your words. I wish you and your family all the love!

Outstanding story about love, growth, life, & self

Narrated by the author Abby the story is captivating and heartbreaking at the same time as she recounts her husband’s traumatic brain injury and it’s life altering impact.

Wonderfully frank book, narrated beautifully

This book was a bit harrowing to listen to, but Abby Maslin writes beautifully and unsentimentally about learning how to live again after her husband's brain injury. This was an inspiring and wonderful book!