Wow. I am speechless after reading this book. I couldn't express it enough how heart warming the story felt. It made my heart swell and cry at the same time. Bittersweet tears. Because I may have preferred another ending to this story, but I accepted the wariness and felt good in it somehow. And in the end I learned to love it as well.
"This love story is never going to be “normal,” but I think that’s exactly why it’s got potential. We both know how cruel life can be, and we’re both learning that you can’t let the hard stuff keep you from living."
This is a story of Caroline, about how a mother struggles life with her child with developmental condition, how she survives her life falling apart, how she picked up the pieces, how she learned to love herself again and how she learned to accept life.
"There’s this image I used to have of family coming together in moments of need, holding on to one another, being strong and resilient for each other. No one tells you how divisive crisis really is. How you’re forced to take on roles that you never intended, thus becoming someone you never wanted to be. I never wanted to be the mother of a child with special needs. I never wanted to be a failure as a wife. I am both."
Though the subject matter is quite heavy, there was a lighthearted feeling all throughout the book. Tate may have been a good influence in that. He is a beautiful character inside out. He brought life to the pain of the story. The readers will definitely fall in love with him and Lily. Oh Lily. She may not normal, but her attitude in acceptance is highly enviable. A child like her can only give the purest of love and acceptance.
"In the depths of my soul, I know that Lily’s disability is not my fault. As a woman, I’m built to grow life in my womb. When I was finally able to conceive without miscarrying, I almost died in childbirth. For the longest time I felt no greater failure than that of my pregnancy. I didn’t know if I’d ever get over it; I’m still learning."
This line from the book hit me right in the core of what I'm struggling with in my personal life. The words really did get to me. These are beautiful words that will pinch at your heart.
Another thing I loved about the book is how the chapter titles were so apt to the situation. See, I have a thing for books that have song title chapters.
This book is highly recommended to those parents with struggles like Caroline. This book will inspire you and move you. This book is truly worth it. After this book, I will definitely read the other books of this author which have been sitting idly on my reader.
"I don’t know what the next few months are going to look like. I’m not going to have a lot of time for much of a life, but the time I do have I’d like to spend with the one person who’s actually made me forget about the fact that mine is falling apart.”
