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judithdcollins's review
5.0
A special thank you to the author and publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Bette Lee Crosby spins her most poignant story yet, with her fourth installment of the charming Memory House Collection, BABY GIRL —based on a true story, an inspiring journey of a troubled young lady we met briefly in an earlier book through Ophelia.
A young mother, with little options, and a series of poor choices---faced with an overwhelming amount of adversity, finds life is not always easy. Good and bad, right or wrong. Can something good come from our mistakes?
Wise lessons learned. Cheryl learns a person’s worth is not judged by the amount of money they make or the things they own; worth can only be measured by the value they have passed along to others. When life is more than just surviving.
Cheryl Ann Ferguson chooses many wrong roads with many memories and regrets. Some good, some bad. She takes us on her journey --how it began twenty some years earlier. Expectations can give us false hopes. When they are not met, we are disappointed.
A young girl grew up in a household with a loving father and a bitter mom. After her father died, she was left with her mom. She was not supportive, or encouraging in any way. Cheryl was smart, working hard to save for college. Her mom refused; forcing her hand, basically saying she had to stay home and pay room and board.
From this point on, her life is a series of difficult choices.
She chose to leave with her high school sweetheart, Ryan. The first boy who paid attention to her. An infatuation. Cheryl managed to get a job working at a newspaper and slowly began working her way up the ladder. They worked together building a life. However, Ryan on the other hand kept waiting for the perfect timing (according to him—on his terms) for marriage and a family. He was more concerned about investments, boats, cars, material possessions, and money. He did not want the responsibility. No babies.
When Cheryl finds herself pregnant, he made her choose. Him or the baby. She could not have an abortion, and decided to give the baby up for adoption. She was too young to try and make it on her own. She did not have the confidence. It was the hardest thing she had ever done. It was her Baby Girl. She will never forget this decision.
In the process through the adoption agency and the adoptive parents, she meet Ophelia and her special dandelion tea. A friend for life. A wise woman. However, down the road, she has problems getting pregnant when Ryan is ready. They grow apart, she is devastated. She expected him to be different; however, he was still the same selfish person he was in the past.
From heartaches and sacrifices, love, loss, and betrayal---finding your true self. A mothers love. Rediscovery. Motherhood. A heartwarming, and inspiring story –readers will love Cheryl Ann, Ophelia, and Margaret. A good example to never give up—you never know what is waiting around the corner.
As always, Bette is a true Southern storyteller, delving into the emotions, relationships and human dynamics—the cracks which break us, and ultimately make us stronger. A remarkable story, an incredible journey--for women and mothers of all ages --characters which linger long after the book ends. Ideal for Mother’s Day.
Bette has a rare talent and a special gift---highly recommend all her books. Baby Girl can serve as a standalone; however, you will want to read the previous books in the series to explore Ophelia’s life—she is one special lady.
Having read the other books in the series, Baby Girl is my favorite- A winner! Bette, you make us South Floridians proud.
JDCMustReadBooks
Bette Lee Crosby spins her most poignant story yet, with her fourth installment of the charming Memory House Collection, BABY GIRL —based on a true story, an inspiring journey of a troubled young lady we met briefly in an earlier book through Ophelia.
A young mother, with little options, and a series of poor choices---faced with an overwhelming amount of adversity, finds life is not always easy. Good and bad, right or wrong. Can something good come from our mistakes?
Wise lessons learned. Cheryl learns a person’s worth is not judged by the amount of money they make or the things they own; worth can only be measured by the value they have passed along to others. When life is more than just surviving.
Cheryl Ann Ferguson chooses many wrong roads with many memories and regrets. Some good, some bad. She takes us on her journey --how it began twenty some years earlier. Expectations can give us false hopes. When they are not met, we are disappointed.
A young girl grew up in a household with a loving father and a bitter mom. After her father died, she was left with her mom. She was not supportive, or encouraging in any way. Cheryl was smart, working hard to save for college. Her mom refused; forcing her hand, basically saying she had to stay home and pay room and board.
From this point on, her life is a series of difficult choices.
She chose to leave with her high school sweetheart, Ryan. The first boy who paid attention to her. An infatuation. Cheryl managed to get a job working at a newspaper and slowly began working her way up the ladder. They worked together building a life. However, Ryan on the other hand kept waiting for the perfect timing (according to him—on his terms) for marriage and a family. He was more concerned about investments, boats, cars, material possessions, and money. He did not want the responsibility. No babies.
When Cheryl finds herself pregnant, he made her choose. Him or the baby. She could not have an abortion, and decided to give the baby up for adoption. She was too young to try and make it on her own. She did not have the confidence. It was the hardest thing she had ever done. It was her Baby Girl. She will never forget this decision.
In the process through the adoption agency and the adoptive parents, she meet Ophelia and her special dandelion tea. A friend for life. A wise woman. However, down the road, she has problems getting pregnant when Ryan is ready. They grow apart, she is devastated. She expected him to be different; however, he was still the same selfish person he was in the past.
From heartaches and sacrifices, love, loss, and betrayal---finding your true self. A mothers love. Rediscovery. Motherhood. A heartwarming, and inspiring story –readers will love Cheryl Ann, Ophelia, and Margaret. A good example to never give up—you never know what is waiting around the corner.
As always, Bette is a true Southern storyteller, delving into the emotions, relationships and human dynamics—the cracks which break us, and ultimately make us stronger. A remarkable story, an incredible journey--for women and mothers of all ages --characters which linger long after the book ends. Ideal for Mother’s Day.
Bette has a rare talent and a special gift---highly recommend all her books. Baby Girl can serve as a standalone; however, you will want to read the previous books in the series to explore Ophelia’s life—she is one special lady.
Having read the other books in the series, Baby Girl is my favorite- A winner! Bette, you make us South Floridians proud.
JDCMustReadBooks
reneek84's review
4.0
Another great read by Bette Lee Crosby. I find her books hard to put down once I start. I would highly recommend her books.
susanthebookbag's review
5.0
Bette has written another beautiful, emotional story. I fall in love with every book and character she creates. The amazing Ophelia is once again handing out her love, wisdom, and dandelion tea to the people who need her support and advice. A trip back to Memory House is always a wonderful thing.
Cheryl Ann has had her share of ups and downs, love and heartache. Her biggest heartache was having to give up her baby girl, all for love. I can't even imagine!
'She was forever, permanently and irrevocably, gone from my life, but I knew even then she would never be gone from my heart.'
Cheryl Ann goes through a lot in her life and comes out a strong, independent woman, no thanks to the men in her life. It was tough watching her live through the tough times. I felt like she was a friend that I couldn't help, she just needed to figure it out on her own. I was sad right along with her but also felt the love that she found in her friends.
'"When a person gives you nothing but misery,” she said, “then it’s time to move on and find happiness."'
Baby Girl is another wonderful story in the Memory House series. All of the stories are warm, beautifully written glimpses into the lives of the people that Bette has created. I love every visit I get to take back to Memory House.
Cheryl Ann has had her share of ups and downs, love and heartache. Her biggest heartache was having to give up her baby girl, all for love. I can't even imagine!
'She was forever, permanently and irrevocably, gone from my life, but I knew even then she would never be gone from my heart.'
Cheryl Ann goes through a lot in her life and comes out a strong, independent woman, no thanks to the men in her life. It was tough watching her live through the tough times. I felt like she was a friend that I couldn't help, she just needed to figure it out on her own. I was sad right along with her but also felt the love that she found in her friends.
'"When a person gives you nothing but misery,” she said, “then it’s time to move on and find happiness."'
Baby Girl is another wonderful story in the Memory House series. All of the stories are warm, beautifully written glimpses into the lives of the people that Bette has created. I love every visit I get to take back to Memory House.
hugbandit7's review
5.0
This continuation of the Memory House series is a bit of a deviation and really only has 1 character from the previous books and that is Ophelia. Just a heads up in case you were expecting more!
That said, this was a great story in terms of how Cheryl acts and reacts to what life throws at her from her time as a young girl to someone in her late 30's.
This could be anyone's story and I think many will be able to relate - whether they gave up a child or adopted a child or have blended families.
I truly enjoy Bette's writing and it was hard for me to put this book down as I was wrapped up in the characters, the story and the emotions that each person felt at different times in the book. It was interesting to watch the choices Cheryl would make in her life in regards to men, work and her children.
That said, this was a great story in terms of how Cheryl acts and reacts to what life throws at her from her time as a young girl to someone in her late 30's.
This could be anyone's story and I think many will be able to relate - whether they gave up a child or adopted a child or have blended families.
I truly enjoy Bette's writing and it was hard for me to put this book down as I was wrapped up in the characters, the story and the emotions that each person felt at different times in the book. It was interesting to watch the choices Cheryl would make in her life in regards to men, work and her children.
reneek84's review against another edition
4.0
Another great read by Bette Lee Crosby. I find her books hard to put down once I start. I would highly recommend her books.
lsmoore43's review
5.0
This book pulled me in from the very beginning and held me all the way through. It was such an emotional story with a wonderful and very happy ending.
Cheryl Ann went through a lot, from having a very cold mother to her first love. She had her Baby Girl and very selflessly gave her up for adoption to a wonderful couple who could not have children. It was a very emotional part and was very emotional for Cheryl Ann also. It took her a long time before she had another child and she thought she was being punished for giving up her Baby Girl. When she finally did have another baby she was determined to raise her and love her unconditionally as she still did her Baby Girl.
She met a wonderful man through Ophelia and finally finds her happiness. Her own happy ever after. Her children had the dad they needed and the mother who treasured them always.
This book is very emotional so you better have plenty of Kleenex handy. I sure cried through a lot of it. Even the happy parts made me cry, but happy tears. Cheryl Ann had friends who were there for her no matter what and the man of her dreams. Things always happen for a reason and in this story you will learn that. It was possibly my very favorite book by this wonderful author.
It has to be given 5 stars but if I could it would get way more. It's the best book of this year for me. I LOVED it. Her mother reminded me of mine in a lot of ways but I was so happy when Cheryl Ann got away from her and did get her own happiness. She certainly deserved it. The ending is perfect. The whole story is perfect. Just be warned, you will need the Kleenex!
Cheryl Ann went through a lot, from having a very cold mother to her first love. She had her Baby Girl and very selflessly gave her up for adoption to a wonderful couple who could not have children. It was a very emotional part and was very emotional for Cheryl Ann also. It took her a long time before she had another child and she thought she was being punished for giving up her Baby Girl. When she finally did have another baby she was determined to raise her and love her unconditionally as she still did her Baby Girl.
She met a wonderful man through Ophelia and finally finds her happiness. Her own happy ever after. Her children had the dad they needed and the mother who treasured them always.
This book is very emotional so you better have plenty of Kleenex handy. I sure cried through a lot of it. Even the happy parts made me cry, but happy tears. Cheryl Ann had friends who were there for her no matter what and the man of her dreams. Things always happen for a reason and in this story you will learn that. It was possibly my very favorite book by this wonderful author.
It has to be given 5 stars but if I could it would get way more. It's the best book of this year for me. I LOVED it. Her mother reminded me of mine in a lot of ways but I was so happy when Cheryl Ann got away from her and did get her own happiness. She certainly deserved it. The ending is perfect. The whole story is perfect. Just be warned, you will need the Kleenex!
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