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The Girl with Three Birthdays: An Adopted Daughter's Memoir of Tiaras, Tough Truths, and Tall Tales
Patti Eddington always knew she was adopted, and her beloved parents seemed amenable enough to questions—but she never wanted to hurt them by expressing curiosity, so she didn’t. The story of her mother cutting off and dying her hair when she was a toddler? She thought it was eccentric and funny, nothing more. When she discovered at fifteen that her birthday wasn’t actually her birthday? She believed it when her mother said she’d changed it to protect her from the “nosy old biddies” who might try to discover her identity.
It wasn’t until decades later, when a genealogy test led Patti to her biological family (including an aunt with a shocking story) and the discovery of yet another birthday, that she really began to integrate what she thought she knew about her origins. Determined to know the truth, she finally petitioned a court to unseal records that had been locked up for almost sixty years—and began to put the pieces of her past together, bit by painstaking bit.
Framed by a brief but poignant 1963 “Report of Investigation” based on a caseworker’s one-day visit to Patti’s childhood home, The Girl With Three Birthdays tells the story of an adoptee who always believed she was the answer to a couple’s seventeen-year journey to become parents, until a manila envelope from a rural county court arrived and caused her to question . . . everything.
It wasn’t until decades later, when a genealogy test led Patti to her biological family (including an aunt with a shocking story) and the discovery of yet another birthday, that she really began to integrate what she thought she knew about her origins. Determined to know the truth, she finally petitioned a court to unseal records that had been locked up for almost sixty years—and began to put the pieces of her past together, bit by painstaking bit.
Framed by a brief but poignant 1963 “Report of Investigation” based on a caseworker’s one-day visit to Patti’s childhood home, The Girl With Three Birthdays tells the story of an adoptee who always believed she was the answer to a couple’s seventeen-year journey to become parents, until a manila envelope from a rural county court arrived and caused her to question . . . everything.
- GenresMemoirNonfictionAdoption
240 pages, Paperback
Published May 7, 2024
30 people are currently reading
3512 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 130 reviews
January 3, 2024
I suppose I should start out by saying that, while I don't know the author personally, her husband cleans my greyhound's teeth. I don't feel that this makes me a particularly biased reviewer (even if he is an excellent dog dentist), but do with that information what you will. I'd been seeing mentions of Patti's book on the vet clinic's Facebook page for a while and was super excited to see it pop up on NetGalley.
My tenuous connection to the author aside, however, I'm also an adoptive parent and so I was interested in reading about the experiences of an adoptee who grew up not all that far from where we currently live.
And, well, The Girl with Three Birthdays was an intriguing read. It's a quiet, meandering story, with stories of her childhood and parents' lives intertwined with the details of her adoption. Patti's story is both sweet and a little sad at the same time – it's obvious that she was loved dearly by both of her adoptive parents, but even happy adoption stories are unavoidably filled with some sense of loss.
I'm not really sure how you go about rating and reviewing a memoir as personal as this one, to be honest. I don't feel as if it's my place to judge someone else's personal experiences (except for you, Tucker Max – you totally deserved that one-star review). But I can say that it's well-written and the author and her family sound like wonderful people. Ted was a real jerk, though.
As a Michigander, I recognized lots of the places mentioned in this book, which was an interesting experience. There aren't a whole lot of books – memoirs, fiction, or otherwise – set in West and Mid-Michigan, so that was kind of fun. And, of course, seeing my hound's dentist repeatedly mentioned in a book was a new experience for me!
So, yeah. If you enjoy adoption memoirs, you'll likely enjoy this one. Definitely give it a read.
Many thanks to NetGalley and She Writes Press for providing me with an advance copy of this book to review.
My tenuous connection to the author aside, however, I'm also an adoptive parent and so I was interested in reading about the experiences of an adoptee who grew up not all that far from where we currently live.
And, well, The Girl with Three Birthdays was an intriguing read. It's a quiet, meandering story, with stories of her childhood and parents' lives intertwined with the details of her adoption. Patti's story is both sweet and a little sad at the same time – it's obvious that she was loved dearly by both of her adoptive parents, but even happy adoption stories are unavoidably filled with some sense of loss.
I'm not really sure how you go about rating and reviewing a memoir as personal as this one, to be honest. I don't feel as if it's my place to judge someone else's personal experiences (except for you, Tucker Max – you totally deserved that one-star review). But I can say that it's well-written and the author and her family sound like wonderful people. Ted was a real jerk, though.
As a Michigander, I recognized lots of the places mentioned in this book, which was an interesting experience. There aren't a whole lot of books – memoirs, fiction, or otherwise – set in West and Mid-Michigan, so that was kind of fun. And, of course, seeing my hound's dentist repeatedly mentioned in a book was a new experience for me!
So, yeah. If you enjoy adoption memoirs, you'll likely enjoy this one. Definitely give it a read.
Many thanks to NetGalley and She Writes Press for providing me with an advance copy of this book to review.
June 16, 2025
I feel refreshed after reading this memoir. Patti Eddington is honest, humble, and humorous. I chuckled many times while reading and also got a lump in my throat because there’s so much love here.
This book held my interest because it’s populated by truly lovely and inspiring people. It gives me hope to read about people who treat others well and make a positive change in society.
I recommend this book to anyone who wants to read an interesting and unforgettable true story by someone who makes very unexpected discoveries about her adoption circumstances and accepts it all with warmth, grace, and gratitude.
Thank you Netgalley for a free ARC. I liked the book so much that I bought the audiobook.
This book held my interest because it’s populated by truly lovely and inspiring people. It gives me hope to read about people who treat others well and make a positive change in society.
I recommend this book to anyone who wants to read an interesting and unforgettable true story by someone who makes very unexpected discoveries about her adoption circumstances and accepts it all with warmth, grace, and gratitude.
Thank you Netgalley for a free ARC. I liked the book so much that I bought the audiobook.
October 19, 2023
As an honored first reader, I am humbled by Patti Eddington's journey with truth––seeking it, accepting it, and telling it––in "The Girl with Three Birthdays: An Adopted Daughter's Memoir of Tiaras, Tough Truths, and Tall Tales." A quick read that captivates, inspires, and provokes.
With enchanting details, luminous coloring, and a masterful balance of fact, humor and lush word-smithing, Eddington lures readers into her indelible story and hugs them tight, sharing herself, her most vulnerable self. A nimble, courageous, and entrancing memoir.
Chad V. Broughman, award-winning author of "The Fall of Bellwether"
With enchanting details, luminous coloring, and a masterful balance of fact, humor and lush word-smithing, Eddington lures readers into her indelible story and hugs them tight, sharing herself, her most vulnerable self. A nimble, courageous, and entrancing memoir.
Chad V. Broughman, award-winning author of "The Fall of Bellwether"
January 21, 2024
Eddington grew up knowing that she was adopted but she never knew the details behind why. Was she taken from her mother or did her mother give her up? Her adopted family didn’t really talk about it and because she loved her parents so fiercely, she never asked many questions for fear that she would hurt their feelings. Later in life when she was gifted a DNA test from her own daughter, Eddington discovered a whole new slew of information and, along with it, formed a whole new slew of questions about her life, her identity, and what she thought she knew.
Readers gain a lot of backstory about Eddington’s adoptive parents and, while entertaining to read, I didn’t find it particularly related to what the synopsis of the book says it’s about—her adoption—other than to let readers know that she grew up in a very loving family. I found myself dying to get to the part about her adoption story and the discovery of her third birthday which really didn’t come until about half way through the book.
I would say that the description is slightly misleading because while it is about her adoption and her three birthdays, it is almost more so a love letter to the people that raised her. Not a bad thing but worth mentioning.
Thank you NetGalley for my digital copy. Out 05/07/2024.
Readers gain a lot of backstory about Eddington’s adoptive parents and, while entertaining to read, I didn’t find it particularly related to what the synopsis of the book says it’s about—her adoption—other than to let readers know that she grew up in a very loving family. I found myself dying to get to the part about her adoption story and the discovery of her third birthday which really didn’t come until about half way through the book.
I would say that the description is slightly misleading because while it is about her adoption and her three birthdays, it is almost more so a love letter to the people that raised her. Not a bad thing but worth mentioning.
Thank you NetGalley for my digital copy. Out 05/07/2024.
January 4, 2024
I got a free copy of this amazing book for an honest review. My nieces are adopted. I have always had an interest in adoption. This book is a wonderful read.
The author talks about her life and her families life. It's a book about adoption but so much more. The book talks about the author life, her adopted parents and families life and her biological family. I don't think I have ever read anything from three perspectives. It worked so well
The book is well written. It is easy to read. It is fascinating. I didn't know how the story would end
The book covers almost everything. The book is about adoption, family, health, dying, career, school, youth, covid 19, fertility, illness, religion, and more. There are portions, in the book, that I learned about some historical events that I had not heard of before.
I am so glad I had the opportunity to read this amazing book. Now I need to read more from this author.
September 2, 2023
I was honored to be an early reader of this book. Ms. Eddington takes a wry, humorous look at life as a much loved adoptee. Her tenacious research leads to discovery of a new family and exceptional understanding of her adoptive parents. This book will draw you in and keep you reading as the author unravels her search for truth and tiaras.
December 14, 2023
As an advance reader, I thoroughly enjoyed The Girl with Three Birthdays. Patti Eddington has the gift of storytelling; I found myself laughing out loud, and even shedding a few tears. I highly recommend this memoir.
January 20, 2024
Note: Thank you to NetGalley, She Writes Press, and Patti Eddington for the advanced reader copy of the book. This review will also be posted on NetGalley. What follows is my unbiased review of the book.
As I’ve been reading more and more memoirs by people adopted around the same time I was, I’m finding many common experiences and feelings, even as the stories are different. In the case of author Patti Eddington, her story is one of the reasons I don’t agree with some of the more militant adoption voices out there. Sometimes birthmothers and birthfathers were wronged; they were lied to and told just about anything to get them to sign away their parental rights to the child. In others, you have people who can’t or won’t parent, and what follows is what is in the best interests of the child.
Patti Eddington always knew she was adopted, and her beloved parents seemed amenable enough to questions—but she never wanted to hurt them by expressing curiosity, so she didn’t. The story of her mother cutting off and dying her hair when she was a toddler? She thought it was eccentric and funny, nothing more. When she discovered at fifteen that her birthday wasn’t actually her birthday? She believed it when her mother said she’d changed it to protect her from the “nosy old biddies” who might try to discover her identity.
That description intrigued me. I get upset when trying to learn the truth about peoples’ own history is cast in the light of hurting someone else. Reading the book, it seems no one actually said this to Patti, and her parents were truly supportive, but it’s a burden society places on those who are adopted. However, as the book goes on, it becomes apparent that if Patti had been able to have an honest dialogue with her parents, a lot of hurt and misunderstanding could have been avoided later on.
To read my full review, please go to: https://thoughtsfromthemountaintop.co...
As I’ve been reading more and more memoirs by people adopted around the same time I was, I’m finding many common experiences and feelings, even as the stories are different. In the case of author Patti Eddington, her story is one of the reasons I don’t agree with some of the more militant adoption voices out there. Sometimes birthmothers and birthfathers were wronged; they were lied to and told just about anything to get them to sign away their parental rights to the child. In others, you have people who can’t or won’t parent, and what follows is what is in the best interests of the child.
Patti Eddington always knew she was adopted, and her beloved parents seemed amenable enough to questions—but she never wanted to hurt them by expressing curiosity, so she didn’t. The story of her mother cutting off and dying her hair when she was a toddler? She thought it was eccentric and funny, nothing more. When she discovered at fifteen that her birthday wasn’t actually her birthday? She believed it when her mother said she’d changed it to protect her from the “nosy old biddies” who might try to discover her identity.
That description intrigued me. I get upset when trying to learn the truth about peoples’ own history is cast in the light of hurting someone else. Reading the book, it seems no one actually said this to Patti, and her parents were truly supportive, but it’s a burden society places on those who are adopted. However, as the book goes on, it becomes apparent that if Patti had been able to have an honest dialogue with her parents, a lot of hurt and misunderstanding could have been avoided later on.
To read my full review, please go to: https://thoughtsfromthemountaintop.co...
January 3, 2024
I received a copy of "The Girl With Three Birthdays" from Netgalley. Patti Eddington wrote this memoir. When she was born she was taken from her birth mother. She was adopted as a baby and raised by loving parents. She always knew she was adopted but when she was fifteen she found out she had a different birth date. She has celebrated her birthday on a day in November to find out she had a different birthday. Patti had only been told a tiny part of how she was put up for adoption but because of the court documents are sealed she knew very little.
She grew up in a small town and came to Lansing to begin college. First at Lansing community college than on to MSU. she writes of the jobs she had in Lansing while attending college. On a personal view I enjoyed reading this part since I grew up in the Lansing Mi. area and knew of the area well. so when she said she worked in Frandor at Greens I found that pretty neat since I would have been working at Sears that was also in Frandor at the same time. lol!
Patti went to to describe her life over the years and sharing she took an ancestry. com test that led her to biological relatives. She soon learned more about her biological genes and met some relatives that were still alive. sadly her bio mother and Father and passed. on. She did get to learn more about her roots one was finding out her bio father was Mexican heritage. Since I am an adopted person myself I always find it of interest to read about other people who are adopted and have found their roots. A good read. I would give this a 4.5.
She grew up in a small town and came to Lansing to begin college. First at Lansing community college than on to MSU. she writes of the jobs she had in Lansing while attending college. On a personal view I enjoyed reading this part since I grew up in the Lansing Mi. area and knew of the area well. so when she said she worked in Frandor at Greens I found that pretty neat since I would have been working at Sears that was also in Frandor at the same time. lol!
Patti went to to describe her life over the years and sharing she took an ancestry. com test that led her to biological relatives. She soon learned more about her biological genes and met some relatives that were still alive. sadly her bio mother and Father and passed. on. She did get to learn more about her roots one was finding out her bio father was Mexican heritage. Since I am an adopted person myself I always find it of interest to read about other people who are adopted and have found their roots. A good read. I would give this a 4.5.
April 18, 2024
The Girl with Three Birthdays was an intriguing read! It's a mix of stories from Patti's childhood, her parents and her adoption. There were plenty of laugh out loud moments mixed in with a few tears. I wasn't adopted but I wasn't raised by my biological parents either so it was very easy to understand some of Patti's thoughts and actions. Its hard to rate memoirs but this was a wonderful story about adoption, family, health, dying, school, youth, fertility, religion, and more. It's a book that will capture you and hold you until the very last page! Thank you Book Sparks, Patti Eddington and She Writes Press for sharing this beautiful story with me!
March 28, 2024
In this novelesque memoir, Patti Eddington does a masterful job of piecing together fragments of her mysterious life. The Girl with Three Birthdays begins with conflicting birth records and takes us on Eddington’s roller coaster quest to find her true identity and the meaning of family.
A penetrating account of adoption, tightly-held secrets, and the power of love, told with dogged honesty and heart.
A penetrating account of adoption, tightly-held secrets, and the power of love, told with dogged honesty and heart.
June 2, 2024
A lovely story about a lucky little girl who was found by a quiet man and an unshakable woman.
December 19, 2023
Honored to be an advanced reader of this poignant memoir. Patti leads you on a twisty tale of her upbringing and her discovery of her true roots. All while interjecting humor, sadness, humility and courage. A definite thumbs up!
December 9, 2023
Touching. Funny. Authentic. Patti Eddington brings to life her small-town Michigan childhood in the 1970's and 80's (Love's Baby Soft!). As she unravels the mystery of her birth family, it leads to new discoveries, reaffirming strong family bonds with her adoptive family. Highly recommended. Great read! (ARC - early reader)
December 19, 2023
I was pleased to receive an advanced copy of this book. The title sounds made up but it's 100% true. Imagine living in a small town in the '60s and '70s, an adopted only-child of older parents living an idyllic life. Fast forward a few decades and the gift of a DNA test kit shifts everything you thought you knew. That's what Patti lived and eventually learned. I enjoyed the setting and the time period. I grew up in a small town in those same decades so much of the book brought back memories of that time. Patti writes with humor and frankness about her life in a way that will make you wish you could go back in time and give young Patti a hug. It's ultimately a story that makes you realize she turned out to be exactly the person she was meant to be.
October 29, 2023
Advance reader review:
This tender, honest and illuminating memoir takes us along on author Patti Eddington's sometimes reluctant but ultimately determined and courageous journey to discover the truth of her origins. Vivid and vulnerable, it explores the fundamental mysteries of identity. She writes, "I never saw me. I could not *truly* see me until I understood everything I could possibly understand about my history." Now she does, and so will you.
Patti's story is affirmation of how a loving family can transform a life -- and how sometimes, more love lies waiting to be discovered if one goes looking with courage and an open heart.
(Note: "The Girl with Three Birthday" will be published May 7, 2024 and is available for preorder now on Amazon and Barnes and Noble.
This tender, honest and illuminating memoir takes us along on author Patti Eddington's sometimes reluctant but ultimately determined and courageous journey to discover the truth of her origins. Vivid and vulnerable, it explores the fundamental mysteries of identity. She writes, "I never saw me. I could not *truly* see me until I understood everything I could possibly understand about my history." Now she does, and so will you.
Patti's story is affirmation of how a loving family can transform a life -- and how sometimes, more love lies waiting to be discovered if one goes looking with courage and an open heart.
(Note: "The Girl with Three Birthday" will be published May 7, 2024 and is available for preorder now on Amazon and Barnes and Noble.
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February 28, 2024The premise of this book is so interesting (considering what it means to have a birthday and what the implications can be for not having that piece of information about yourself) and I really wanted to enjoy the experience of reading it, but I found the structure of the book quite confusing. It was hard to keep track of all the threads of storylines and the book, at times, felt structured more like the way you tell a story verbally to someone (with tangents and double backing). Perhaps I'm just not the right reader for this one.
July 19, 2024
I loved this book! Both of my sisters know the author personally, but I have never met her, yet now I really want to! I grew up in the same area (Spring Lake) where she resides, but I moved away several years ago and only just recently moved back to the same area. It was fun reading about places that I know well - even the areas around Michigan State, since I went to school there. Still, the story itself would be amazing even if I wasn’t from the area. It’s a heartfelt story full of love and curiosity. I cried a few times as she described her life events. Highly recommend.
March 13, 2024
I have to begin by saying when I was asked to be an advanced reader of the book I was excited BUT I’m not a big reader. I started out slow and then read more than half the book in one day. Patti takes the reader on a journey giving us vibrant details of her childhood, early adulthood, and present day. Describing along the way how what she knew about her adoption story changed. Patti has opened up her world to so many. It’s an inspiring story that I can’t wait to share with others.
April 7, 2024
This book made me laugh out loud, cry a little, and pray for a good outcome. The author had me guessing and rooting for her. It was unbelievable at times and charming at others. I loved it and wanted to know what was going to happen next throughout the whole book.
February 5, 2024
Honestly, this book just wasn't my favorite. I really wanted to like it, because the author's story was so interesting, but I couldn't get into it because I did not like the style of writing.
January 30, 2024
The truth is stranger than fiction in The Girl with Three Birthdays, An Adopted Daughter's Memoir of Tiaras, Tough Truths, and Tall Tales by Patti Eddington. Patti has known she was adopted for most of her life, and to anyone who asks, she asserts she has no desire to know anything about her biological family. She has been raised by two amazing people in a loving family, and she doesn't need to know any more than that. But over the years, little things begin to add up: finding out the birthday she celebrated isn't her "real" birthday, her parents' overprotectiveness, and her mother's penchant for tall tales all lead Patti to question things. But it's not until she takes a geneology test that she begins unraveling the truth about her birth and adoption.
The premise of this book hooked me immediately. I devoured Inheritance, author Dani Shapiro's memoir about finding out her true paternity through submitting her DNA for analysis, and I figured this would be similarly engrossing. The fact Patti knew she was adopted, and seeing the Report of Investigation of the adoption would be included also piqued my interest.
The Girl with Three Birthdays delivers on its premise: we do, in fact, learn about Patti's three birthdays. As a journalist, Patti does a great job of leaving enticing breadcrumbs at the ends of chapters to spur you on to the next page. When Eddington relates the stories and incidents that didn't add up, or describes meeting and attempting to connect with her biological relatives, the prose is engaging and feels like someone telling you their story face to face. I really enjoyed those moments.
There are some sections where the book seemed to drag, but Eddington weaves them into the story later in ways that made me grateful those seemingly unnecessary details were already in place. The latter section of the book was a treasure trove of moments where she refers back to those moments in ways that made me happy I'd persisted. It's hard to say these areas should be cut because the reader needs the information later in the story, but they could have been sprinkled in better.
Overall, I enjoyed reading The Girl with Three Birthdays and would recommend this book to anyone who loves personal stories about the search for identity and truth. You will especially enjoy it if you're interested in the doors services like Ancestry.com have opened for those with questions about their origins. To see this sort of story rendered from a journalist's perspective is fascinating. The blending of facts and research with memories and half-truths (and, in a few instances, outright lies) make for a uniquely crafted narrative where you don't get all the answers, but, like Patti, you learn enough to be sure of the result.
The premise of this book hooked me immediately. I devoured Inheritance, author Dani Shapiro's memoir about finding out her true paternity through submitting her DNA for analysis, and I figured this would be similarly engrossing. The fact Patti knew she was adopted, and seeing the Report of Investigation of the adoption would be included also piqued my interest.
The Girl with Three Birthdays delivers on its premise: we do, in fact, learn about Patti's three birthdays. As a journalist, Patti does a great job of leaving enticing breadcrumbs at the ends of chapters to spur you on to the next page. When Eddington relates the stories and incidents that didn't add up, or describes meeting and attempting to connect with her biological relatives, the prose is engaging and feels like someone telling you their story face to face. I really enjoyed those moments.
There are some sections where the book seemed to drag, but Eddington weaves them into the story later in ways that made me grateful those seemingly unnecessary details were already in place. The latter section of the book was a treasure trove of moments where she refers back to those moments in ways that made me happy I'd persisted. It's hard to say these areas should be cut because the reader needs the information later in the story, but they could have been sprinkled in better.
Overall, I enjoyed reading The Girl with Three Birthdays and would recommend this book to anyone who loves personal stories about the search for identity and truth. You will especially enjoy it if you're interested in the doors services like Ancestry.com have opened for those with questions about their origins. To see this sort of story rendered from a journalist's perspective is fascinating. The blending of facts and research with memories and half-truths (and, in a few instances, outright lies) make for a uniquely crafted narrative where you don't get all the answers, but, like Patti, you learn enough to be sure of the result.
April 3, 2024
Adopted as a toddler in 1963, Patti Eddington grew up knowing that the parents who'd raised her were not her biological mother and father, but she never felt particularly curious about the woman who gave birth to her, and the tidbits she learned over the years about half-siblings and potential fathers were more irritating and confusing than tantalising. It is only decades later - as a middle aged woman with a daughter of her own - that Patti decides to find out what she can about her origins and how she came to be the daughter of Jim and Millie Eddington.
Eddington's story is undoubtedly a memoir, but it is also part local and social history; it is a fascinating snapshot of small town Michigan in the second half of the twentieth century, a detailed portrait of a couple whose approach to parenting was shaped by growing up during the Depression, and a thoughtful examination of how the practice of adoption has evolved, and the wide-reaching impact it can have on all families involved.
The title (The Girl With Three Birthdays: An Adopted Daughter's Memoir of Tiaras, Tough Truths and Tall Tales) is misleading in this sense, and readers who pick up this book hoping for lurid details, scandal and betrayal will be disappointed. This book, however, is far better: it is enlightening, moving and relatable. I would argue that The Girl With Three Birthdays is chiefly a love letter to Eddington's adored parents. Her feelings for them shine throughout the text - from funny anecdotes to touching stories about their loyalty to their family and the difference they made to their community. Eddington does a remarkable job of bringing her parents to life, and I felt her grief deeply at their passing. She has a real gift for capturing people she knows with humour and warmth; I found her depictions of her long-lost Aunt Eva and beloved godmother Aunt Dorothy truly beautiful, and her words genuinely moved me to tears several times.
Some aspects of Eddington's story are difficult to follow; the timeline jumps backwards and forwards a lot, making it challenging to understand the order in which events happen, e.g. when she was formally adopted, when she reconnected with various members of her biological family. Because of this non-linear timeline, I didn't initially realise that her parents had both passed away by the point at which Eddington begins to establish relationships with some of her biological parents' relatives. On the whole though, I enjoyed the way Eddington wove in stories from her own parents' childhoods as she told her story.
A memorable story, beautifully told. Thank you to NetGalley and She Writes Press for the opportunity to read and review an ARC of this book.
Eddington's story is undoubtedly a memoir, but it is also part local and social history; it is a fascinating snapshot of small town Michigan in the second half of the twentieth century, a detailed portrait of a couple whose approach to parenting was shaped by growing up during the Depression, and a thoughtful examination of how the practice of adoption has evolved, and the wide-reaching impact it can have on all families involved.
The title (The Girl With Three Birthdays: An Adopted Daughter's Memoir of Tiaras, Tough Truths and Tall Tales) is misleading in this sense, and readers who pick up this book hoping for lurid details, scandal and betrayal will be disappointed. This book, however, is far better: it is enlightening, moving and relatable. I would argue that The Girl With Three Birthdays is chiefly a love letter to Eddington's adored parents. Her feelings for them shine throughout the text - from funny anecdotes to touching stories about their loyalty to their family and the difference they made to their community. Eddington does a remarkable job of bringing her parents to life, and I felt her grief deeply at their passing. She has a real gift for capturing people she knows with humour and warmth; I found her depictions of her long-lost Aunt Eva and beloved godmother Aunt Dorothy truly beautiful, and her words genuinely moved me to tears several times.
Some aspects of Eddington's story are difficult to follow; the timeline jumps backwards and forwards a lot, making it challenging to understand the order in which events happen, e.g. when she was formally adopted, when she reconnected with various members of her biological family. Because of this non-linear timeline, I didn't initially realise that her parents had both passed away by the point at which Eddington begins to establish relationships with some of her biological parents' relatives. On the whole though, I enjoyed the way Eddington wove in stories from her own parents' childhoods as she told her story.
A memorable story, beautifully told. Thank you to NetGalley and She Writes Press for the opportunity to read and review an ARC of this book.
May 13, 2025
I received this book as an ARC from NetGalley.
In this memoir, Patti Eddington always knew she was adopted. What she did not know is that she had 3 birthdays, the one she was told, the one on a birth certificate she was given, and her real birthday on her official birth certificate.
Patti never worried about her birth parents, her adoptive parents made her feel loved and wanted. They did everything together. Later in life, when her daughter gave her a genealogy test, Patti starts to uncover the layers of her adoption and seeking out her birth parents. As the layers start being revealed, Patti starts to question everything about herself and her upbringing.
In this memoir, Patti Eddington always knew she was adopted. What she did not know is that she had 3 birthdays, the one she was told, the one on a birth certificate she was given, and her real birthday on her official birth certificate.
Patti never worried about her birth parents, her adoptive parents made her feel loved and wanted. They did everything together. Later in life, when her daughter gave her a genealogy test, Patti starts to uncover the layers of her adoption and seeking out her birth parents. As the layers start being revealed, Patti starts to question everything about herself and her upbringing.
January 26, 2024
Thanks so much to NetGalley for the digital ARC.
I was disappointed in this memoir. I've read quite a few books about genealogy and adoptees and this one seemed right in my wheelhouse from the blurb, but it didn't have enough meat in it. The title is very compelling, I hadn't heard of people with that many birthdays, but the fleshing out of Patti's story didn't engage me enough. I finished it since I wanted to give a review of the entire book.
It's a nice-enough tale of a girl growing up in the 1960s in rural Michigan, but I wanted more. I was looking for a compelling story about her adoption and birth family, but this didn't hold my interest as much as I expected it to. It didn't really have enough revelations about her birth family or her adoptive parents. The writing was competent but there wasn't enough content to keep my interest throughout the book..
I was disappointed in this memoir. I've read quite a few books about genealogy and adoptees and this one seemed right in my wheelhouse from the blurb, but it didn't have enough meat in it. The title is very compelling, I hadn't heard of people with that many birthdays, but the fleshing out of Patti's story didn't engage me enough. I finished it since I wanted to give a review of the entire book.
It's a nice-enough tale of a girl growing up in the 1960s in rural Michigan, but I wanted more. I was looking for a compelling story about her adoption and birth family, but this didn't hold my interest as much as I expected it to. It didn't really have enough revelations about her birth family or her adoptive parents. The writing was competent but there wasn't enough content to keep my interest throughout the book..
June 29, 2024
This deeply felt and beautifully told memoir will take the reader on a revealing journey as the author shares stories from her life and the origin of her life. As Patti met Mary Ann, many mysteries were solved and a heartfelt story was told.
This memoir takes place in small towns across the state of Michigan. I read this book as I was visiting this beautiful state. I related so very well to many of the cultural references, as the author and I are the same age.
I love when books feature relationships and this memoir did that so very well. Not only was I introduced to each character, but I also got to know them on a deeper level.
I sensed a theme of gratitude from this author who wrote with emotional depth, openness and vulnerability. I am grateful that she shared her story.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from BookSparks and She Writes Press. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.
This memoir takes place in small towns across the state of Michigan. I read this book as I was visiting this beautiful state. I related so very well to many of the cultural references, as the author and I are the same age.
I love when books feature relationships and this memoir did that so very well. Not only was I introduced to each character, but I also got to know them on a deeper level.
I sensed a theme of gratitude from this author who wrote with emotional depth, openness and vulnerability. I am grateful that she shared her story.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from BookSparks and She Writes Press. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.
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November 22, 2023I was so enchanted with this book. It was Heartwarming and was excellent in telling a amazing journey of a story of a life that overcame so much. I have recommended this book to others to enjoy and I encourage others to pick a copy up to enjoy the Author's incredible story of her journey of how she traveled it.
April 13, 2024
As one of the author’s early readers I was privileged to be invited upon a journey through “The Girl with Three Birthdays.” Ms. Eddington, with courageous transparency, guides the reader through a story of self-discovery while somehow allowing this outsider to easily relate to her deeply personal story. It kept me engaged through the end-credits and I can wholeheartedly rate it, five tiaras!
January 13, 2024
I'm a huge fan of long lost family and the impact adoption has on both the child and the parents so I was very interested to read Patti's story.
The style was easy to follow and although the timeline was far from linear, that didn't hamper the underlying story, I think it was evidence of how the author's knowledge of her origins impacted on the events of her life.
An interesting memoir which is balanced in its approach,
The style was easy to follow and although the timeline was far from linear, that didn't hamper the underlying story, I think it was evidence of how the author's knowledge of her origins impacted on the events of her life.
An interesting memoir which is balanced in its approach,
January 10, 2024
Her life story has so many twists and turns - A must read!!!
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