What do you think?
Rate this book
Friend Request
Heartbreaking, inspiring, and totally true—this e-original short non-fiction story sets the stage for New York Times bestselling author Patti Callahan Henry's novel And Then I Found You.
Patti Callahan is one of three sisters, a member of a close-knit Irish American family. Yet as happy and boisterous as they appear to be, the Callahans have long harbored a heartache. Some twenty years ago, Patti's younger sister, Barbi, placed her infant daughter for adoption. The whole family respected Barbi's decision and admired her fortitude. Still, they couldn't help but wonder: What ever became of the beautiful baby who had been placed with a chosen, but anonymous family? On April 20th, 2010, Facebook gave them the answer they'd been looking for. It was a life-changing moment—one that inspired Patti to write this unforgettable true story.
Advance praise for Patti Callahan Henry's And Then I Found You:
"[It] will surprise you, provoke you, and rearrange your heart." —Jacquelyn Mitchard
"Henry at her best, brimming with heart and compassionate wisdom." —Joshilyn Jackson
"The most soulful book Patti Callahan has ever written."—Dorothea Benton Frank
"Explores the labyrinth of a woman's heart—mother, daughter, sister, friend, lover. Moving and beautifully written."—Mary Alice Monroe
Patti Callahan is one of three sisters, a member of a close-knit Irish American family. Yet as happy and boisterous as they appear to be, the Callahans have long harbored a heartache. Some twenty years ago, Patti's younger sister, Barbi, placed her infant daughter for adoption. The whole family respected Barbi's decision and admired her fortitude. Still, they couldn't help but wonder: What ever became of the beautiful baby who had been placed with a chosen, but anonymous family? On April 20th, 2010, Facebook gave them the answer they'd been looking for. It was a life-changing moment—one that inspired Patti to write this unforgettable true story.
Advance praise for Patti Callahan Henry's And Then I Found You:
"[It] will surprise you, provoke you, and rearrange your heart." —Jacquelyn Mitchard
"Henry at her best, brimming with heart and compassionate wisdom." —Joshilyn Jackson
"The most soulful book Patti Callahan has ever written."—Dorothea Benton Frank
"Explores the labyrinth of a woman's heart—mother, daughter, sister, friend, lover. Moving and beautifully written."—Mary Alice Monroe
22 pages, ebook
First published March 5, 2013
19 people are currently reading
1310 people want to read
About the author
Patti Callahan Henry
34 books6,725 followersPatti Callahan Henry is a New York Times, Globe and Mail, and USA Today bestselling author of sixteen novels, including her newest, The Secret Book of Flora Lea. She’s also a podcast host of original content for her novels, Surviving Savannah and Becoming Mrs. Lewis.
She is the recipient of The Christy Award “Book of the Year”; The Harper Lee Distinguished Writer of the Year and the Alabama Library Association Book of the Year for Becoming Mrs. Lewis. She is the co-host and co-creator of the popular weekly online Friends and Fiction live web show and podcast. Patti also was a contributor to the monthly life lesson essay column for Parade Magazine. She’s published in numerous anthologies, articles, and short story collections, including an Audible Original about Florence Nightingale, titled Wild Swan narrated by the Tony Award winner, Cynthia Erivo.
A full-time author, mother of three, and grandmother of two, she lives in Mountain Brook, Alabama with her husband, Pat Henry.
She is the recipient of The Christy Award “Book of the Year”; The Harper Lee Distinguished Writer of the Year and the Alabama Library Association Book of the Year for Becoming Mrs. Lewis. She is the co-host and co-creator of the popular weekly online Friends and Fiction live web show and podcast. Patti also was a contributor to the monthly life lesson essay column for Parade Magazine. She’s published in numerous anthologies, articles, and short story collections, including an Audible Original about Florence Nightingale, titled Wild Swan narrated by the Tony Award winner, Cynthia Erivo.
A full-time author, mother of three, and grandmother of two, she lives in Mountain Brook, Alabama with her husband, Pat Henry.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
October 3, 2015
I will read anything that Patti Callahan Henry has written and although I have already read "and then I found you", I was interested in the real life version that inspired that novel as well.
What a wonderful story. To give up a child must be the most unselfish yet heartbreaking thing a woman can do. And to always wonder year after year if you made the right decision. What is the child like? Do they look like me? Are they happy? Are the parents good to them? What a relief it must be to have an answer to those questions. And what a unusual but somewhat miraculous way it all came about.
What a wonderful story. To give up a child must be the most unselfish yet heartbreaking thing a woman can do. And to always wonder year after year if you made the right decision. What is the child like? Do they look like me? Are they happy? Are the parents good to them? What a relief it must be to have an answer to those questions. And what a unusual but somewhat miraculous way it all came about.
March 18, 2013
Have read all Patti Callahan’s books and they never disappoint as she is a very talented author. This short e-book is a true story written with her sister, Barbi to set the stage for the NY Times bestselling author Patti Callahan Henry’s upcoming novel “And Then I Found You” (April 2013). I have pre-ordered the Nook Book coming out in April and look forward to reading.
Having lived in the Atlanta area (Midtown, Buckhead, Vinings) for many years, and North Georgia in a log cabin at Big Canoe, always enjoy settings in this area. Incredible how small the world is today with social media –how easy to locate and connect with lost family and loved ones. This is a special story of three sisters, as Barbi (Patti’s younger sister) made a courageous choice and offered her daughter up for adoption. Twenty years later her daughter finds her mother and family thru Facebook and a friend request which created an answer to many prayers. An inspiring story as Barbi is writing her adoption reunion memoir-a must read!
Having lived in the Atlanta area (Midtown, Buckhead, Vinings) for many years, and North Georgia in a log cabin at Big Canoe, always enjoy settings in this area. Incredible how small the world is today with social media –how easy to locate and connect with lost family and loved ones. This is a special story of three sisters, as Barbi (Patti’s younger sister) made a courageous choice and offered her daughter up for adoption. Twenty years later her daughter finds her mother and family thru Facebook and a friend request which created an answer to many prayers. An inspiring story as Barbi is writing her adoption reunion memoir-a must read!
March 3, 2018
Beautifully written
Although short with just 35 pages this true novella tells a heartwarming true story of how one birth mother finds her daughter almost 21 years later through a Facebook friend request. So amazing how fate dares to make dreams come true.
Although short with just 35 pages this true novella tells a heartwarming true story of how one birth mother finds her daughter almost 21 years later through a Facebook friend request. So amazing how fate dares to make dreams come true.
December 6, 2017
An evening read. True account of finding ones family on Facebook
February 18, 2018
Quick short story
October 26, 2024
20 χρόνια πριν έδωσε το νεογέννητο μωράκι της για υιοθεσία. Τώρα δέχεται ένα αίτημα φιλίας που ανατρέπει τη ζωή της. Γλυκό, όμορφο, τρυφερό!
February 18, 2017
Choices
A very special read for anyone that has found themselves challenged with choices to make. I applaud you for your courage and the choice that you made!
A very special read for anyone that has found themselves challenged with choices to make. I applaud you for your courage and the choice that you made!
November 22, 2016
I enjoyed this true story of the author's biological niece who has reached out to the mother who placed her for adoption when she was born. I had a cousin who was placed for adoption at birth and his mother (my aunt) never had any other children. One of his adult children tracked down my aunt and her son actually took care of her in her old age! He also attended a couple family reunions and we were so happy to welcome him into our family. He had wonderful adoptive parents and he thanked my aunt for making the sacrifice to give him such a good life. So this is a subject that is dear to me and I loved this story that once again affirms that we can't have too many people to love or to be loved by.
March 7, 2013
I read And Then I Found You and was thrilled to find out that Patti and her sister, Barbi, had made this ebook about the happenings that led up to the writing of the book. What a beautiful and touching experience. As a mother to an adopted daughter, I know that there will come a day in my life that my daughter has questions about her birth mother and may want to find her as well. Reading And Then I Found You and Friend Request helped me to see the beautiful reunions that can be had in such circumstances. Thank you for an amazing book and a novella to give us insight into the happenings prior to the writing of And Then I Found You. Absolutely beautiful!!!
March 10, 2013
Patti (with an assist from her sister Barbi) has written a wonderful (back)story sharing the true life events that sparked the plot for her upcoming novel AND THEN I FOUND YOU. You will not be able to read this without feeling goosebumps or shedding a tear. Really looking forward to reading the novel.
August 2, 2014
Men, listen up! Women are not that mysterious . Please read on or all of these books and you will understand so much more. Patty Henry really knows how to reach any reader.
She understands other women and her books all resonate with me, with us. She is my #1 author and I am always looking forward for her latest book.
Simply phenomenal writer. Period,
She understands other women and her books all resonate with me, with us. She is my #1 author and I am always looking forward for her latest book.
Simply phenomenal writer. Period,
March 9, 2013
Left me wanting to read both upcoming books.
April 1, 2013
Actual Rating: ***1/2
March 14, 2013
99cent eRead.... Interesting teaser that will lead you in to wanting to read two other books: one that will be mostly fiction and one that will be autobiographic
June 23, 2013
Nice lead in to And Then I Found You: A Novel
June 13, 2013
awesome true story!
June 21, 2013
Informative and short.
November 24, 2013
This was a neat little story but when they say short story they mean short story. I read it in like 30 minutes.
September 7, 2015
"Story is a way to find grace in the chaos."
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews