Love lay down beside me and wept was a well-told memoir. The writing was lovely and kept me interested. I'd read more from this author

Love lay down beside me and wept is an incredible memoir about depression, suicide, infertility, and miscarriage. Despite the dark themes and the few moments of relief throughout the book, I couldn't put it down. Though the story is devastating, it's beautifully told, written in matter of fact style, gut wrenching yet at times funny, and at times I forgot I was reading a memoir as it felt like a novel.

I would recommend this to anyone, however this is far from a light read, so if you pick it up make sure you're in the right headspace to do so. I won't forget this one in a hurry.

Helen Murray Taylor's "love lay down beside me and we wept" is a truly moving poetry collection. Taylor explores themes of love, loss, and grief with striking vulnerability and precise language. It's a collection that shows the raw edges of human emotion.

“The help when it comes might not steer you to dry land but it might be the lifejacket that lets you turn on your back and float, the thing that lets you rest awhile, that keeps you afloat a little bit longer. Survival isn’t always about kicking against the waves. Tomorrow the tide might turn and wash you ashore.”

TW: miscarriage. suicidal ideation, depression

This is an incredibly raw memoir where Murray Taylor tells a first hand account of her life becoming overtaken with a fight against a deep depression and the loss of a will to live. There are so many moments that may resonate with readers, and highlight the very real threat of succumbing to overwhelm when under constant pressure from multiple sources, including but not limited to a need to avoid failure, the overwhelming urge to join motherhood and the guilt of disappointing loved ones.

“I was incensed. Beside myself with rage. And livid that he had done nothing to deserve my fury. Except, of course, connive to tether me to life.”

Murray Taylor is consistent to the end. She doesn’t promise it will get better and you can return to the person you were before everything. Instead she talks about how to find your new normal, and the sources of light that may exist around you. Throughout the entire story, she is very honest about her struggles, putting pen to paper to express thoughts many wouldn’t dare to speak out loud or admit to for fear of how this my be received.

“I let hope into my life and it all but destroyed me.”

I admired the bravery to admit that things simply weren’t okay for a long time. There are so many things I would like to say about this story that I simply don’t have the same skill as the author to articulate, but I felt a strong empathy for her and her capacity to recount such difficulties. I would read again.

Thank you NetGalley for the Arc.

This book is challenging, but told with humour, charm and care. The author talks of her experience battling extreme depression and suicidal thoughts in a raw, unflinching and touching memoir. The story is not easy to tell nor read, and like so often happens in real life, there isn’t always a clear cut happy ending.

I think for me what the book was missing was an arc. You had a start, you had a middle but the end didn’t really strike me as following in the same vein. This isn’t a book about overcoming depression and suicidal thoughts, but when you are reading an entire book about the topic it seemed to gloss over the things that made life liveable again without developing it or giving much time to it.

Going from being sectioned to being out and seemingly ok is not a linear progress and I doubt the journey is done for the author but there seemed to be a jump from one end to the other.
Overall this did not retract from my overall reading experience. I thought the author had a good tone with her storytelling and did a good job telling an incredibly important story about what it is like on the inside – especially from someone with good scientific knowledge and backing.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️☆ (4/5)
A collection that aches in the best possible way. Helen Murray Taylor writes with startling clarity about loss, intimacy, and longing. The language is minimal but deeply expressive, and each piece leaves space for reflection. This is a beautiful and meditative read for those who gravitate toward lyrical writing and quiet depth.

A heart-wrenching and poignant account of Helen’s battles with mental illness through her life. So beautifully written, and painfully honest - the guilt, the shame, the frustration at knowing you “should” be achieving and thriving and getting on with things but you can’t, the anger at yourself and everyone else trying to rescue you - it’s all there, on display. Helen describes in great detail how raw and exhausting mental ill health is, and how even sometimes despite everything that’s happened, there isn’t a miraculous moment where suddenly everything is okay again. Life is hard and for some people, it takes a lot of work to even function, and Helen illustrates this excellently.

Thank you to Net Galley for providing me with a free ARC to be able to read this.

It sounds like Love Lay Down Beside Me and We Wept by Helen Murray Taylor is an incredibly powerful and emotional memoir, deeply rooted in the author's personal struggles. While I wasn't able to finish the book, I truly admire its raw honesty and the vulnerability Helen shares in chronicling her journey through such a difficult time. The way she weaves together moments of comedy, comradeship, and the profound impact of love is truly remarkable. The book offers a glimpse into the resilience of the human spirit and will undoubtedly resonate with many who seek understanding or comfort in their own experiences with mental health. It’s clear that this memoir will leave a lasting impression on readers who can connect with its message.

Thanks to Unbound and NetGalley for an advance copy of this. Love lay down beside me and we wept is an honest and real look at mental health that explores raw emotions and struggles. It’s an important read that I’m still processing, that was beautifully written and will hopefully help and inspire others.

These kind of books, I don't review them as a book as such, in terms of format or characters etc. instead I review it in terms of how it made me feel.

I liked that we didn't go straight into the depression side of this story. It has a few chapters of introduction, getting to know Helen as a person and a partner and a doctor, before we get to know her as a mental health patient. And normally I like my books to get right into the action, but I think this was important in order to feel some sort of compassion for her.

I have had my fair share of mental health issues and have not hidden from the fact I took an overdose last year, and so some bits were definitely a bit close to home. But I struggle to put into words how I feel at times, and so I enjoyed reading Helen's words on it. It was comforting in a way. I mean, I wish no-one has to experience these things, but hearing that someone else has makes you feel a little less alone.

She hasn't hidden anything. It's very raw and honest, and some bits are difficult to read. But it is an important read, especially when trying to navigate the stresses of a highly important job.

It's a sad look at how overachieving can impact your whole life. That anything other than top of the class success makes you a failure. But #it's the opposite in my view. Failing, admitting you can't do something, putting your health before anything else, that's not failing, that's bravery and success in a different form.

It is quite worrying the quantity of doctors and medical staff who end up having severe mental health issues. We often think that doctors are immune to health issues like this, because they're the ones we rely on to make us better.

I actually contacted Helen once I'd finished this to explain to her just how much it meant to me, and I sent her the final paragraph of this review:

As someone who thinks of suicide fairly regularly, and even attempted it, I think this book is a godsend. It is beautiful, tragic, sad, and heart wrenching - but it's beautiful and raw and honest and like a love story, and not to sound corny but it is a life saver. Anyone who has ever had those kind of thoughts, I'm not saying this book will stop you having them, but it'll make sure you know you're not alone, and sometimes that's all we need, to know there's someone with you.

**Thank you to Netgalley and unbound for the ARC in exchange for an honest review**

I loved this book! As someone who has struggled with depression and is familiar with psychiatric hospitals I was a little bit unsure how this book would affect me but I needn't have worried. This was a beautifully poignant, raw and open look at a battle with suicidal ideation and depression!
Helen Murray Taylor did a great job, despite the memory fog, of describing the situations she ended up in.
Moving and wonderful, I laughed and cried along with the author.
Would recommend this book!

I loved the flow of the poems, how quick and easy they were to read. With some of them, I wanted to sing them. This author has carefully constructed meaning and depth in their poems. You can tell the author is passionate about growth, solitude, embracing change. It was a really nice change of pace from my usual adult books as well as other books. It's interesting how the author alludes to more meaning in some poems compared to others. This author knows her stuff! Compliments all around.

Raw portrayal of one woman's lifelong strive for success, a happy marriage, a family of her own, and the mental unraveling that nearly ended it all.

Helen Murray Taylor's memoir almost reads like a narrative because she takes a no-holds-barred, self-deprecating approach to her life story. She speaks of jarring traumatic events with painful detail and provides readers with a rare glimpse into the inside workings of mental asylums.

Above all, her memoir speaks volumes about the love of family, friends, and a partner who is committed even in the most challenging and confusing times. Though not an easy read by any measure, this is highly impactful and worth the read.

Thank you, NetGalley and Unbound, for the opportunity to read an advanced reader's copy in exchange for my honest review.

This compelling memoir offers a raw and deeply emotional exploration of mental health, taking readers on a gripping journey through the author's life. The author courageously reveals personal experiences and the challenges faced along the way, providing insight into how these struggles have profoundly affected her well-being.

Throughout the memoir, the narrative delves into complex topics such as anxiety and depression, as well as the pressure of societal expectations. These issues are presented with unflinching honesty, making some sections particularly challenging to read yet poignantly relatable for many. The author does not shy away from discussing the darker moments, which enhances the authenticity of their story.

Amidst the heavy themes, the author's vulnerability and openness shine brightly, offering a source of inspiration for anyone grappling with similar issues. Her ability to articulate these experiences comforts those who may feel isolated in their struggles.

In reflection, I feel an immense sense of gratitude for having read this memoir. It sheds light on the complexities of mental health and emphasizes the remarkable strength it takes to confront and navigate such challenges. The valuable insights offered in the book encourage empathy and understanding, making it a significant read for anyone interested in the nuances of mental health and personal resilience.

A wonderful book dealing with content and issues of severe depression and suicide. A very moving book and ultimately positive. It is beautifully written and I would love to read more from this author. Dear Author thank you for sharing and writing this book. Thank you to #netgalley and the publisher for an ARC.

A beautifully written memoir portraying one woman’s experiences of mental illness and her journey moving through life and its complex challenges.
Throughout the book I was touched and awed by the constancy and willingness of the author’s husband and sister who stood by her and actively supported the healing process,

I found the perspective and tone a bit clinical, a bit remote and removed—as if the author was writing about events that happened to someone else and then was relaying that to the audience. Therefore I unfortunately didn’t quite form a connection with the author, despite the personal and vulnerable, visceral feelings and events described.

Despite the distance, the book was interesting and carried the reader along, and I empathized for the author in her struggles.

Thanks to NetGalley, the Author Helen Murray Taylor, and Publisher Unbound for access to an ARC. All opinions are my own.

❤️ Hear yourself👂

"It wasn't until I said it out loud that I realised how the plan had been coalescing in my mind."

- love lay down beside me and we wept by Helen Murray Taylor


The instant I saw this title and that cover on @netgalley, I knew I wanted to read this. I was kindly given access to an eARC by Netgalley and publishers, @unbounders. Thank you to @drtaylorhelen_m too. ❤️

This is an unyielding account of what it feels like when it seems your brain and nervous system start working against you.

The impression I get of Helen from this book is that she is ambitious, articulate and academically gifted. She's warm and funny. Her voice is authentic and unpretentious (but still writerly) from the start. To be honest, she sounds like someone I would be friends with and I was (and am) completely invested in wanting to know she would be OK.

Helen runs the full gamut of emotions in this book. She gets rightfully angry, but never resentful. She is well supported but also, because of the nature of mental health treatment facilities, has to cope with an awful lot by herself too. When having difficulties with mental health, it can be easy to berate yourself for being weak, but what is most evident throughout this book is Helen's unquestionable strength. She endures much adversity and yet she persists. And persists.

I don't want to give anything away, but the book also underlined for me how important it is to trust your instincts, listen to what your body is telling you, and tune out what you think society expects you to do. In publishing this book, Helen is keen to encourage conversations about mental illness. I think, broadly, we are moving in the right direction in terms of being able to talk about mental health, but there's still much more work to be done. This book adds another eloquent and powerful voice to the conversation. ❤️

It will be published in April 2025.


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Massive thanks to the publisher for my early copy. I’ve read many memoirs that discuss mental health but that delve as deep as this book on the experiences of being sectioned under the Mental Health Act in the UK. I found the beginning of this memoir slightly slow going but raced through the second half. I loved Helen’s narrative voice and writing style, which managed to be both upfront in relaying the reality of the situation and the intimate feelings being experienced.

I applaud the author for sharing her mental health struggles. Unfortunately, I just couldn’t get into this book. I kept trying to come back to it, but it was a DNF at 38% for me.

Thank you NetGalley, the author and publisher for this arc. This is a brave and emotional memoir on living with depression. It felt like the author was putting into words some of the very same feelings I have