Book Review: This Changes Everything by Tyler Merritt

Okay y’all, let me just start by saying this—I had never heard of Tyler Merritt before. Like, not at all. And I don’t know if that’s a good thing or a bad thing, but what I do know is… maybe it was a blessing in disguise because stumbling on this book felt like uncovering a secret gem just waiting for me at Barnes & Noble.

So here’s the scene: I’m browsing, not looking for anything in particular, and this book catches my eye because the cover says Tyler Merritt manages to create laughter around topics like racism, cancer, death, and dying. My brain immediately went, Excuse me? How? I flip to the back cover and see people raving about how hard they laughed—laughed until they cried. Now you know I had to test that out. I opened the first couple pages right there in the store… and listen. When I tell you I legit laughed out loud in Barnes & Noble—like, people turned around and stared at me—I’m not exaggerating. That was the moment I knew I had to buy it.

Tyler Merritt, author This Changes Everything

And let me tell you: BEST. DECISION. EVER. This is hands down one of the best books I’ve read in years. It’s not just funny—it’s smart, it’s heartfelt, and it’s so real. Tyler Merritt, a Black author I had somehow completely missed until now, has this incredible way of talking about life, death, food (his ode to biscuits is everything), movies, music, and family in a way that hits home. Like truly home.

One of the most hilarious parts—and I have to share this because I’m still laughing—comes after he’s recovering from surgery. He’s trying to pull himself together in his hospital bed because, as he says, the doctors and residents are “Grey’s Anatomy beautiful.” Then the head doctor comes in and asks the most un-glamorous question possible: “Have you farted today?” And Tyler’s response? “Da-fuq.” I hollered. Like screamed. Tears rolling down my face, wheezing in my living room. You can see it happening, right? That’s the brilliance of his storytelling.

The wild part is, throughout most of the book, I thought Tyler was gay (not that it mattered) because of how he talked about certain things—but then at the end, boom, girlfriend reveal. It just added another layer to this whole ride of a book.

What surprised me most was how well he balanced humor with the heavy stuff. Talking about racism, cancer, grief—it could’ve been dark and heavy, but instead it was human. It reminded me that laughter and pain exist side by side, and both are part of living fully.

And here’s the kicker: while reading, he mentions his first book. Y’all… I didn’t even know there was a first book! But you better believe I’ll be getting it and giving you another review soon.

The writing was so good I didn’t want it to end. I found myself slowing down, rationing out pages like it was the last slice of sweet potato pie. And then, in the final chapter, Tyler says one day he’d like to meet his readers and hear their stories. Tyler, if you ever read this—yes please. Let’s make that happen.

So here’s my bottom line: If you haven’t read This Changes Everything, stop what you’re doing and go—no, RUN—to get this book. And if you’ve already read it, tell me: which part had you laughing until you cried? Because for me, it was that post-surgery fart scene.