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There are currently 52 member reviews
for Happiness
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Anna R. (Oak Ridge, TN)
Heart felt
Memoirs are not what I normally read. However, when I read about "Happiness " on First Impressions I decided to go for it. I am so glad I did. From page one to the last sentence, I was hooked. I was cheering for Gracie, and so amazed how Heather was handling what was happening. There was no way I could imagine what that family was going through. I was so glad that the author gave the reader an update on how things turned out and how the family was doing now. This is a wonderful book and I am so impressed that the author wrote the it.
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Barbara O. (Maryland Heights, MO)
Joy and Happiness in the Unexpected.
I loved this book, I loved everything about this book. Life is a crooked little road filled with detours and bumps and great joy, scary paths and sorrow but it's life in all it's messy glory. I loved Heather Harpham's words, I savored them as well as her story. The author's sense of humor is her saving grace, the way to cope and frankly the best way to see anyone through the challenges life often brings. This book would make an excellent book club selection.
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Linda
painful and honest
There are two parallel stories here evoking both emotions above. The ongoing battle of a sick child was recounted in a poignant way with what, I assume to be, a pretty realistic view of how one's mind ping pongs back and forth as it receives each onslaught of difficult news. The highs and lows are presented as mini roller coasters which catapult the reader into what the family's emotions must be going through.
The second tale which parallels the first is the "romance" between the two parents. Brutally honest, it did not sugar coat the mother's indecision or distaste for the father's choices or decisions. It wasn't a happily ever after but rather a well worn path to get to a loving understanding.
I was very touched by this book although I caution parents if they read this...many times I verged on the "there but for the grace of God....". A touching tribute to a parent's love and children's resiliency when they have that love.
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Terrie J. (Eagan, MN)
A great story of love and hope
This was a surprisingly good account of the true story of survival. There was the survival of losing love. There was the survival of moving across the country for family support. There was the survival of a small child born with an illness that took extensive care, hope and positive attitude. Surviving through these events brought back love, new birth and a successful transplant.
This book was so well written. It didn't sugar coat the events with an overly positive attitude. It also wasn't filled with the negativity of the situation.
I really enjoyed this book and thought the author did an outstanding job. I highly recommend it!
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Linda Z. (Melville, NY)
Family Love and Hope
Kudos to Heather Harpham for retelling her story in such a captivating and intriguing way. The author does an amazing job in describing all the people in her life. It was refreshing to see the author's honesty. I feel that it was brave and courageous for the author to share her emotional journey.
The author describes her relationship with the man she falls in love with. They are totally opposite in many ways. When she gets pregnant, I quote , "If I wanted to have children with anyone, it would be with you." He doesn't want children but he does help her financially.
Heather returns to her original home in California and is determined to be a single Mom. She is very alone and frightened, but does have the support of her Mother, family and good friends. Heather gives birth to a little girl. Unfortunately, the baby has a condition that requires transfusions and medical intervention. Heather does keep Brian, the father aware of what is going on from afar.
I like the way Heather discusses the importance of family, friends, and support. Heather meets many people on her journey, who show the importance of love, faith and hope. The author also describes all the emotions that she is forced to face in a positive way.
I would recommend this as a well written, informative and intriguing memoir of love, family, life and hope.
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Gail H. (Tallahassee, FL)
Evolution of a Family
I must admit that when I first began this book, the author's attitude & actions annoyed me quite a bit. She had been dating a man who told her early on in their relationship that he was not interested in having children and a typical family life. After Ms. Harpham became pregnant, she stubbornly clung to the belief that the baby's father, Brian, would change his mind and embrace her idea of the future. However, Gracie was born with a serious blood disorder which endangered her very existence. Gracie herself was the one that pulled her parents together and changed everyone's life. After finishing the first third of the memoir, I couldn't stop thinking of how everything would turn out for this makeshift family. The writer's honesty shone through and her Grace is a girl to cherish.
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Marion C. (Litchfield, NH)
Happiness
Heather Harpham's memoir, Happiness, The Crooked Little Road to Semi-ever After, is a delightful read. Full of loving ways and heartbreak scenes with fear as it happens, Heather brings the reader right into her memoir. I felt as if I was experiencing her feelings alongside her during her good times and the bad times. The pace of the memoir was relaxed, anxious and happy, and at times sad. Heather has a talent for great prose and description that made her memoir real. Happiness, The Crooked Little Road to Semi-ever After is a great read and one I highly recommend.
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