A Memoir for Women in Every Season

What Remains After Life Breaks Open

A River Runs Through Us is an honest, unhurried memoir about loss, faith, family, and the quiet strength that carries us forward.

For every woman who has ever weathered heartbreak, held on through uncertainty, and wondered what comes next—this story is for you.

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What Readers Are Saying

  • Encouraging Read ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

    Through one woman's journey through the travails of life, this book is a gentle encouragement to let go of all the emotional junk from the past that causes us to feel like we are drowning. Letting go of irrational fears that have plagued since childhood, forgiving one's younger self, persevering through life's difficulties, and finding peace is portrayed through the author's willingness to be incredibly vulnerable in the often painful memories of being less than perfect. Through her authenticity, the author demonstrates that healing is not only possible, but leads to strength.

    —Pamela Jo, Amazon Review May 17, 2026

  • A Beautiful Memoir ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

    A River Runs Through Us is a beautiful memoir of one woman’s life. It made me laugh. It made me cry. Michelle put her heart and soul into this and I hope you enjoy it as much as I do. I believe this book is going to change lives.

    —J. Reini, Amazon Review June 28, 2026

  • A great book about being real - love it! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

    I picked this up to read a few chapters and couldn't put it down. Finished it over a relaxing day off while sitting on our deck. Michelle courageously opens her heart to invite you to experience all that her heart experienced and to meet God there. Since I'm in a similar life stage, I can so relate to much of her story. Too many books today are all about becoming a better human doing. This is a book about being. Being real. God invites us to enter into His rest, and I found this book to be like that. An invitation to enter God's rest. He's got us. He's faithful.

    —Todd S. Olsen, Amazon Review May 18, 2026

Meet Michelle

Michelle Thooft is an author and English instructor who lives in northern Minnesota with her husband and two cats. She has five grown children. Her writing draws deeply on her personal experiences, faith, and American values.

She has written six books, including A River Runs Through Us: What Remains After Life Breaks Open and its companion journal, Write the River.

Her writing is deeply personal and often explores the intersections of family, faith, loss, and love. Michelle inspires readers to embrace their story and create something beautiful.

[Read more about Michelle →]

A River Runs Through Us by Michelle Thooft — memoir hardcover and paperback

What Remains After Life Breaks Open

A memoir in vignettes — honest, unhurried, and close to the bone. If you've carried shame about who you were as a mother, a daughter, or a woman, this book will sit beside you in it. Available in paperback and hardcover.

A River Runs Through Us:

Buy Your Copy on Amazon Here
Write the River companion journal by Michelle Thooft — paperback and PDF

Write the River: A Companion Journal

A guided journal that invites you into your own story — one honest scene at a time. Using memoir-style prompts and a simple framework of forgiveness and truth, this journal is healing work disguised as writing. Available in paperback and as an instant PDF download.

Buy Your Physical Journal on Amazon Here
Buy A Digital Copy Directly from Michelle

The Bundle: Memoir + Journal

The complete experience. Read Michelle's story, then write your own. Perfect for individual healing work or as a women's small group study — everything your group needs, no prep required. Order the complete set here— hardcover memoir + journal, personally signed.

Buy Your Signed Copy + Journal Bundle Here