Dr. Kari G. Borgmann’s One Year Gives Voice to Grief, Reinvention, and the Unspoken Strength of Starting Over

 

Grief rarely follows a straight line, and healing is seldom graceful. In her emotionally resonant debut novel, One Year, Dr. Kari G. Borgmann captures this truth with unflinching honesty, offering readers a story that reflects the quiet, complicated reality of loss—and the unexpected possibility of renewal.

One Year tells the story of a woman whose life collapses when her husband of thirty-eight years dies suddenly. With her children living far away and her carefully ordered existence gone, she finds herself suspended between who she was and who she might become. When a short-term work opportunity takes her to Iowa, she encounters a man who has deliberately closed himself off from love for fifteen years. Their meeting is not planned, not simple, and not free of consequences.

Rather than centering on romance alone, One Year explores the emotional aftermath of long-term partnership, the loneliness that follows profound loss, and the courage required to imagine a future that was never part of the plan. The novel delves into trauma, family dynamics, personal boundaries, and the deeply human fear of vulnerability after heartbreak.

“This story came from the question many people never say out loud,” Borgmann explains. “What happens when the life you prepared for ends—and you’re still here?”

Written for mature readers, One Year resonates particularly with women over 40, professionals, retirees, and individuals navigating major life transitions. It also offers valuable emotional insight for men interested in understanding trauma recovery, emotional isolation, and the complexity of human connection later in life. The book’s inclusive emotional landscape has also found interest within the LGBTQ+ community, thanks to its emphasis on identity, authenticity, and chosen family.

What sets One Year apart is its refusal to soften the realities of grief. The protagonist is not portrayed as inspirational or resilient by default. She struggles, missteps, speaks sharply when she should remain silent, and stays quiet when she should speak up. Yet through these imperfections, she slowly reclaims her voice.

That voice—direct, sometimes biting, often painfully honest—is one of the novel’s defining strengths. Borgmann’s writing balances emotional depth with moments of stark humor and insight, reflecting how real people cope when life becomes overwhelming. As one memorable line from the book puts it:

“Marriage is like a house—the damn thing is always falling apart. Fix it right, and it will last a lifetime.”

The novel’s emotional authenticity is shaped by Borgmann’s extensive professional background. With decades of experience in accounting, counseling, and higher education, and advanced studies in pastoral counseling, she brings a nuanced understanding of trauma, communication, and long-term relationships to her storytelling. While the book is fiction, its emotional truths feel deeply grounded in lived experience.

At the center of One Year is the idea of agency—particularly for women who have spent much of their lives prioritizing others. The book speaks to readers who have silenced themselves to maintain peace, stability, or predictability, and who now face the daunting task of redefining themselves on their own terms.

Readers will also connect strongly with the novel’s emphasis on communication as the foundation of healing. Rather than presenting love as a solution to grief, One Year frames honest conversation, self-awareness, and boundaries as essential tools for survival and growth.

As the first installment in a planned series, One Year sets the emotional foundation for a larger narrative arc. Book Two is expected in early 2026, continuing the exploration of healing, connection, and the long-term consequences of the choices made during a single transformative year.

For readers seeking a story that reflects real emotional struggle—without clichés, platitudes, or unrealistic resolutions—One Year offers something rare: permission to grieve honestly and hope carefully.

About the Author

Dr. Kari G. Borgmann is an accountant, counselor, educator, and writer based in St. Louis, Missouri. She holds multiple advanced degrees and is currently pursuing studies in divinity and pastoral counseling. One Year is her debut novel and the first book in an upcoming series.

Contact:

Author: Kari Borgmann
Email: kari_borgmann@yahoo.com
Website: https://www.kariborgmann.com/
Amazon: ONE YEAR: Volume I