alifromkc1907's review against another edition
4.0
More reviews at http://alisbooklife.wix.com/freeyourread
When these junior-high-sweethearts embark on a back-and-forth journey of lost and found, they entertwine their lives with one another forever, until forever becomes too much to handle.
Goodreads readers ranked this book a 3.86 and I'd recommend it if you're into:
adoption
young love
hidden message
semi-factual story line
Pros: The book in general takes you on the journey of three things - 1) love as a whole, in all its opportunities; by family, by romance, by parenthood, by being selfless. Love is a key-theme, but it's done in a way that you don't feel like you're reading erotica or watching soft-core porn. It's done tastefully, but the passion is still felt for another person.
We're taken on a journey of (2) adoption, which as an adopted kid who wondered about her biological family for so long, I was brought back to this path, and if you aren't adopted, this does a good job of giving you the wonder and curiousity that everyone involved in the adoption process sees, feels, and expresses.
I was most surprised by the hidden message; almost like a Disney movie aims to teach young children a message of kindness or love or whatever else Disney tries to do. For me, the message was that we're only as sick as our secrets - and this book is built on secerts and lies (maybe omissions is a better choice-word, but when it boils down, they're practically the same thing) - and these secrets and lies are the core of what propels this story because we're always wondering when someone will drop the ball and own up to their life.
This book was a simple read - I wasn't challenged by the author's writing style, nor was the language used difficult to use. But, it wasn't required in this book. I was able to turn page-after-page because what I found was curious about where we were headed on this family's journey (and you didn't really get an idea of how things would end until the last, 30 pages or so). It's definitely one I would remember, and if not for the 'cons,' this could've been a 5-star read.
Cons: For a NY Times Best Selling Author, I was HIGHLY disappointed with the number of spelling errors and random phrases that made zero sense. It's frustrating that this will stand out in the future.
When these junior-high-sweethearts embark on a back-and-forth journey of lost and found, they entertwine their lives with one another forever, until forever becomes too much to handle.
Goodreads readers ranked this book a 3.86 and I'd recommend it if you're into:
adoption
young love
hidden message
semi-factual story line
Pros: The book in general takes you on the journey of three things - 1) love as a whole, in all its opportunities; by family, by romance, by parenthood, by being selfless. Love is a key-theme, but it's done in a way that you don't feel like you're reading erotica or watching soft-core porn. It's done tastefully, but the passion is still felt for another person.
We're taken on a journey of (2) adoption, which as an adopted kid who wondered about her biological family for so long, I was brought back to this path, and if you aren't adopted, this does a good job of giving you the wonder and curiousity that everyone involved in the adoption process sees, feels, and expresses.
I was most surprised by the hidden message; almost like a Disney movie aims to teach young children a message of kindness or love or whatever else Disney tries to do. For me, the message was that we're only as sick as our secrets - and this book is built on secerts and lies (maybe omissions is a better choice-word, but when it boils down, they're practically the same thing) - and these secrets and lies are the core of what propels this story because we're always wondering when someone will drop the ball and own up to their life.
This book was a simple read - I wasn't challenged by the author's writing style, nor was the language used difficult to use. But, it wasn't required in this book. I was able to turn page-after-page because what I found was curious about where we were headed on this family's journey (and you didn't really get an idea of how things would end until the last, 30 pages or so). It's definitely one I would remember, and if not for the 'cons,' this could've been a 5-star read.
Cons: For a NY Times Best Selling Author, I was HIGHLY disappointed with the number of spelling errors and random phrases that made zero sense. It's frustrating that this will stand out in the future.
cupcakegirly's review against another edition
4.0
Review to come but I started this book in tears and have now ended it in tears. <3
http://www.yabookscentral.com/yafiction/15045-and-then-i-found-you
http://www.yabookscentral.com/yafiction/15045-and-then-i-found-you
sarahbelwv's review against another edition
2.0
I don't normally read library books with a pencil in my hand, but I made an exception for this horribly written/edited book.
booksenvogue's review against another edition
3.0
*Read*
Thoughts:
Bring on the romance!
Family, choices of regret & that one who got away...
A heart wrenching emotional ride that will make you want to cherish those you love and make your heart just a little bigger for receiving any unexpected additions.
Thoughts:
Bring on the romance!
Family, choices of regret & that one who got away...
A heart wrenching emotional ride that will make you want to cherish those you love and make your heart just a little bigger for receiving any unexpected additions.
amandanan's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 stars. I knew where the story would end but it was an enjoyable quick read.
shelleyann01's review against another edition
1.0
I hate when books like this end everything neatly tied up in a big bow. How utterly unbelievable this book was. I disliked every character in this book. Horrid!
unabridgedchick's review against another edition
2.0
One of the things book blogging has done has introduced me genres I rarely read, and sometimes that has blown my mind. Sometimes, it affirms a genre isn't my thing, like this read.
It took me some time to get into the story especially as I was initially put off by our heroine. A successful 30-something woman, Kate Vaughn is angsting away her adult life due to her Very Big Secret. She's the kind of heroine who sees an engagement ring and loses it -- and not in the screams-of-joy way. (I was reminded a bit of Siddalee from The Divine Secrets of Ya Ya Sisterhood.)
Flashing back to various chapters in her past, we learn that Kate has been torn between two loves: that of Jack, her childhood sweetheart, and her social work via an outdoors program in Arizona. When Jack finally moves on, Kate makes a move on him, and surprising no one, ends up pregnant. Kate gives up her child, but carries the burden of that, combined with her lingering hurt over her failed relationship. Thirteen years later, she's still stuck, despite her dream boyfriend, concerned family and friends, and vibrant life.
I can't say why some flawed characters resonate with me while others don't, but sadly, in this case, I hated our broken heroine. In fact, I only read this book in small chunks as I was so frustrated with Kate I lost a lot of sympathy for her. I will admit, too, that this book is predicated on two plots I hate: based on the author's family and adults who have sex without being responsible enough to use birth control.
Still, Henry writes warmly and sympathetically about Kate; later, Henry splits the story between Kate and the daughter she adopted out. And Henry doesn't go for the easy out -- I was surprised and pleased that Henry allowed some 'ouch' to linger, rather than making everything shiny and easy at the end. It was a deeply human conclusion.
While I wasn't wild about our heroine, I was moved by the plight -- or blessing -- of a parent being contacted by a child adopted out to a family. Inspired by, no doubt, the author's real life experience, Kate's daughter finds her via Facebook. Confronted with the child who has been such a huge part of her adult life, Kate has to make peace once more with her choices.
For those who like women's fiction that's slightly tear-jerk-y, that's very heteronormative, and kind of has traditional values, I think this might be your book. If you like Sarah McCoy, Emily Jeanne Miller, Camille Noe Pagán, I think you'll enjoy Patti Callahan Henry.
It took me some time to get into the story especially as I was initially put off by our heroine. A successful 30-something woman, Kate Vaughn is angsting away her adult life due to her Very Big Secret. She's the kind of heroine who sees an engagement ring and loses it -- and not in the screams-of-joy way. (I was reminded a bit of Siddalee from The Divine Secrets of Ya Ya Sisterhood.)
Flashing back to various chapters in her past, we learn that Kate has been torn between two loves: that of Jack, her childhood sweetheart, and her social work via an outdoors program in Arizona. When Jack finally moves on, Kate makes a move on him, and surprising no one, ends up pregnant. Kate gives up her child, but carries the burden of that, combined with her lingering hurt over her failed relationship. Thirteen years later, she's still stuck, despite her dream boyfriend, concerned family and friends, and vibrant life.
I can't say why some flawed characters resonate with me while others don't, but sadly, in this case, I hated our broken heroine. In fact, I only read this book in small chunks as I was so frustrated with Kate I lost a lot of sympathy for her. I will admit, too, that this book is predicated on two plots I hate: based on the author's family and adults who have sex without being responsible enough to use birth control.
Still, Henry writes warmly and sympathetically about Kate; later, Henry splits the story between Kate and the daughter she adopted out. And Henry doesn't go for the easy out -- I was surprised and pleased that Henry allowed some 'ouch' to linger, rather than making everything shiny and easy at the end. It was a deeply human conclusion.
While I wasn't wild about our heroine, I was moved by the plight -- or blessing -- of a parent being contacted by a child adopted out to a family. Inspired by, no doubt, the author's real life experience, Kate's daughter finds her via Facebook. Confronted with the child who has been such a huge part of her adult life, Kate has to make peace once more with her choices.
For those who like women's fiction that's slightly tear-jerk-y, that's very heteronormative, and kind of has traditional values, I think this might be your book. If you like Sarah McCoy, Emily Jeanne Miller, Camille Noe Pagán, I think you'll enjoy Patti Callahan Henry.