Friend Request

by Patti Callahan Henry

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 upcoming novel And Then I Found You (April 2013).

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 HENRY is The New York Times bestselling author of eight novels. She lives with her husband and three children in Mountain Brook, Alabama. Visit patticallahanhenry.com.

BARBI CALLAHAN BURRIS is a UNC — Chapel Hill graduate, twenty-five year Delta flight attendant, and a blessed birth mother who lives with her husband and two spirited boys in Atlanta, Georgia where she is writing her adoption reunion memoir.

 

Genres: Nonfiction, Adoption, Short Stories, Memoir, Chick Lit, Biography

36 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 5, 2013

About the author

Patti 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.
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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.
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A full-time author, mother of three, and grandmother of two, she lives in Mountain Brook, Alabama with her husband, Pat Henry.

Reviews

[Maggie61 · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Judy Collins · Rating 4 out of 5]

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!

[Debbie · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

[Mike · Rating 3 out of 5]

An evening read. True account of finding ones family on Facebook

[Cheryl · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quick short story

[Μαρία · Rating 3 out of 5]

20 χρόνια πριν έδωσε το νεογέννητο μωράκι της για υιοθεσία. Τώρα δέχεται ένα αίτημα φιλίας που ανατρέπει τη ζωή της. Γλυκό, όμορφο, τρυφερό!

[Kay Webster · Rating 5 out of 5]

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!

[Marcia · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Marlene · Rating 5 out of 5]

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!!!

[Carmen Slaughter · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

[Summer Fowler · Rating 5 out of 5]

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,

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Left me wanting to read both upcoming books.

[Marcia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Actual Rating: ***1/2

[Sally · Rating 4 out of 5]

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

[Marcia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice lead in to And Then I Found You: A Novel

[Anne London · Rating 5 out of 5]

awesome true story!

[Heather · Rating 3 out of 5]

Informative and short.

[Kelli · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a neat little story but when they say short story they mean short story. I read it in like 30 minutes.

[Steph · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Story is a way to find grace in the chaos."