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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.
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!
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.
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.
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.
Jan T. (Leona Valley, CA)
Happiness
Wonderful memoir. Page turning account of a family through a very difficult medical challenge. Read this is one sitting. The choices which must be made when children are in trouble is gut wrenching. The fact that this is a true story makes it even more gripping. Well written and heartfelt. I would recommend this to everyone!
Sherri G. (Pasadena, CA)
This will make you happy!
This is the true story of Brian and Heather. Brian is a writer who lives in NYC in an organized, consistent almost regimented lifestyle. Heather lives in NYC maintaining a very good life, a bit unorganized until she becomes pregnant and moves back to CA to be with her mom since Brian doesn't want kids. Ms. Harpham is a very good writer. She is funny and thinks Big Sur, Ca is the most beautiful place on the planet, as do I, so I consider her very intelligent as well as a fantastic word person. It's their adventure as they maneuver through a medical nightmare and manage to remain sane and funny simultaneously. Oh so good, you will want to read it twice.
Sue J. (Brookfield, WI)
Excellent Read
Happiness was a book that was hard to put down. Heather Harpham's memoir grabbed you from the first couple pages till the very end. Her writing style was so honest and insightful into relationships and the highs and lows of everyday life. Her daughter's bone marrow transplant, and how hard it is on the entire family, was so lovingly told. I highly recommend this book!