Many asked me to share my story.
Many said it inspired them.
Many encouraged me to put it into a book.
So here it is — Until the Wheels Fall Off.
My debut memoir is rooted in one simple truth:
"Sometimes we don't get to choose our struggles, but we do get to choose how we show up when they come."
Gary Stephens Jr - Author
BOOK SUMMARY
What happens when your vow of “in sickness and in health” becomes your reality?
How do you keep standing when you’ve fought so hard — and still lose it all?
Can loss, grief, and gratitude truly coexist?
Until the Wheels Fall Off chronicles a 29-year relationship tested by terminal illness, caregiving, loss, and the challenges that followed — revealing how resilience is built over decades, long before life demands it.
Until the Wheel Fall Off will make you cry, get angry, laugh, and feel something real.
This memoir is a reflection on love, loss, and the resilience to keep going—for your loved ones and yourself.
Through his lived experiences, Gary Stephens shares how he faced profound loss — within a span of six months, he went from a house full of life to being the only life left in the house. This memoir also explores what "for better or worse" can look like, offering the emotional reality of caregiving and the pain of betrayal when you need support most.
Through his storytelling, Gary shares his grieving process, showing how it became therapeutic, how reflection turned pain into lessons, and how it ultimately became a guide for perseverance and growth.
Even through loss, what remained was GRATITUDE.
Until the Wheels Fall Off is not just a personal story — it's an invitation for readers to see their own struggles in these pages, to connect their experiences to the lessons shared, and to find the inspiration to keep moving forward through life's hardest challenges.
WHO THIS MEMOIR SERVES
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Couples who want to see what “for better or worse” truly looks like.
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Caregivers balancing compassion and exhaustion.
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Those seeking insight about women’s health.
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Families divided when support is needed most.
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Widows and widowers learning how to live again.
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Anyone navigating life’s challenges and questioning their resilience.
LIMITED EDITION RELEASE
Exclusive First Print Edition
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Created for family, friends, and extended supporters
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Limited first print of 500 individually numbered hardcover copies
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Released ahead of the full 2026 launch (eBook, paperback, hardcover & audiobook)
Collector’s Edition Features
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Custom collector’s box
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Personalized autographed option
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Additional first-edition benefits not available in the 2026 release
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Eligibility for exclusive bonuses tied to this early release
Pricing & Purpose
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$40 plus $4.99 shipping or Local Pickup
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Portion of proceeds supports the Maleka C. Stephens Foundation and the ongoing work and legacy that inspired this book
A Special Thank You
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A heartfelt expression of gratitude to everyone who has supported this journey from the beginning and beyond
WHAT EARLY READERS ARE SHARING
DENISE H.
"Captivating and brilliant storytelling!! This memoir will have you locked in as soon as you begin reading the first chapter. This book had me in tears and there are so many things you can get out of this book. A MUST READ!"
GARY L.
"This book hit me in a way I wasn't ready for. Gary's story felt like listening to a man open his chest and show what real love, loss, and manhood look likes when life stops playing fair. By the time I finished, I wasn't reading his journey, I was reflecting on my own, and grateful for a story that reminded me what strength, loyalty, and commitment truly mean."
SANDRA C.
Gary's memoir touched my soul. Through these pages, I've learned what true commitment, devotion, and being selfless looks like. You keep pushing through and showing up even when it's not easy. I've learned being a man is not linear, Gary shows men can be vulnerable and strong, unsure and still capable of healing and growing at the same time. After reading this memoir, I am forever changed for the better and I know whoever reads this will be also.
NATALIE R.
Until the Wheels Fall Off touched me in ways I didn't expect - leaving me inspired, reflective, and genuinely moved. From the very first page, i felt like Gary pulled me into his world and made it impossible to put the book down. this memoir isn't just powerful, its unforgettable, and will stay with me long after I turned the last page.
AMIR S.
I told Gary that his story was compelling enough to share with the world. He delivered in this memoir on what I have seen up close and personal. He will be showing us all what dedication and commitment looks like.