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Secret Storms: A Mother and Daughter, Lost then Found
An Indie Reader Discovery Award and National Indie Excellence Book Award Winner.
A pregnant, upper class nineteen-year-old Philadelphia Main Line debutante is confined, against her will, to a state mental hospital. She spends her pregnancy surrounded by the mentally challenged and the criminally insane. On April 19, 1964, she gives birth to a child, whom she is forced to give up for adoption.
A loving middle-class couple adopts a month-old little girl from Catholic Charities. She is adored and cherished from the very beginning. It is as though she is dropped into the first chapter of a fairy tale-- but we all know how fairy tales go.
This is the story of a mother and daughter. Of what it is to give up a child and what it is to be given up. Of what it is to be a family, and to never lose hope-- because anything is possible. In this award-winning memoir, Julie Mannix von Zerneck and Kathy Hatfield recount the stories of their lives. Written in two distinct and deeply expressive voices, their stories seamlessly meld together in a breathtaking ending.
"The book is beautifully written and...compelling, to the extent that readers might feel they are sitting with the authors, listening to them tell their tale...more like a novel than a memoir."
-ForeWord Reviews
“Shining through both narratives is goodness and the power of the human spirit. A dually narrated, uplifting tale on overcoming profound adversity.”
-Kirkus Reviews
“A heartbreaking but ultimately life-affirming mother-daughter story that defies fiction. Every plot twist, every emotion touches a chord, even for those of us who have not had to endure such a brutal separation. Read it and weep—and then finally rejoice. An ode to the enduring power of family ties.”
-Elizabeth Forsythe Hailey, author of A Woman of Independent Means
“In my writers' workshops, the greatest gospel I can preach is the obvious one—to tell the truth, whatever form it takes. This amazing mother-daughter writing team exemplifies the concept to the max. The plot is Dickensian, rife with villains and struggle, the revealing of it, breathtaking in its simplicity and heartbreaking in its courage. What a story.”
-Ernest Thompson, Academy Award-winning writer of On Golden Pond
“What an extraordinary and compelling story, all the more so because it’s true—and told so beautifully by its two heroines.”
-Alice Maltin, producer & Leonard Maltin, film critic and correspondent for Entertainment Tonight
“This story will break your heart, bring on tears of joy, and make you believe in the healing power of love, forgiveness, and family.”
-Meredith Rollins, Executive Editor, Redbook Magazine
“This is an uplifting story of hope and personal courage that is sure to resonate with most readers.”
-Monsters and Critics
A pregnant, upper class nineteen-year-old Philadelphia Main Line debutante is confined, against her will, to a state mental hospital. She spends her pregnancy surrounded by the mentally challenged and the criminally insane. On April 19, 1964, she gives birth to a child, whom she is forced to give up for adoption.
A loving middle-class couple adopts a month-old little girl from Catholic Charities. She is adored and cherished from the very beginning. It is as though she is dropped into the first chapter of a fairy tale-- but we all know how fairy tales go.
This is the story of a mother and daughter. Of what it is to give up a child and what it is to be given up. Of what it is to be a family, and to never lose hope-- because anything is possible. In this award-winning memoir, Julie Mannix von Zerneck and Kathy Hatfield recount the stories of their lives. Written in two distinct and deeply expressive voices, their stories seamlessly meld together in a breathtaking ending.
"The book is beautifully written and...compelling, to the extent that readers might feel they are sitting with the authors, listening to them tell their tale...more like a novel than a memoir."
-ForeWord Reviews
“Shining through both narratives is goodness and the power of the human spirit. A dually narrated, uplifting tale on overcoming profound adversity.”
-Kirkus Reviews
“A heartbreaking but ultimately life-affirming mother-daughter story that defies fiction. Every plot twist, every emotion touches a chord, even for those of us who have not had to endure such a brutal separation. Read it and weep—and then finally rejoice. An ode to the enduring power of family ties.”
-Elizabeth Forsythe Hailey, author of A Woman of Independent Means
“In my writers' workshops, the greatest gospel I can preach is the obvious one—to tell the truth, whatever form it takes. This amazing mother-daughter writing team exemplifies the concept to the max. The plot is Dickensian, rife with villains and struggle, the revealing of it, breathtaking in its simplicity and heartbreaking in its courage. What a story.”
-Ernest Thompson, Academy Award-winning writer of On Golden Pond
“What an extraordinary and compelling story, all the more so because it’s true—and told so beautifully by its two heroines.”
-Alice Maltin, producer & Leonard Maltin, film critic and correspondent for Entertainment Tonight
“This story will break your heart, bring on tears of joy, and make you believe in the healing power of love, forgiveness, and family.”
-Meredith Rollins, Executive Editor, Redbook Magazine
“This is an uplifting story of hope and personal courage that is sure to resonate with most readers.”
-Monsters and Critics
- GenresAdoptionNonfictionMemoir
309 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2013
100 people are currently reading
261 people want to read
About the author
Julie Mannix von Zerneck
2 books10 followersJulie Mannix von Zerneck was born in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania. She traveled with her parents, living in Paris, on the isle of Capri and in several boarding schools around the world, before settling down at Sunny Hill Farm at the age of nine. There, she lived with a menagerie of animals, including a cheetah and eagle and her very own baby spider monkey. After attending the Neighborhood Playhouse in NYC, she became an actress on Broadway, had running roles in three soap operas and guest starred on many TV series. She is married to the TV producer, Frank von Zerneck. They, along with two of their children, Danielle and Francis, were the owners of Portrait of a Bookstore for twenty-six wonderful years. Julie is a lifelong antiques collector.
"Secret Storms", co-authored with Kathy Hatfield, is her first book.
"Secret Storms", co-authored with Kathy Hatfield, is her first book.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
April 1, 2013
Secret Storms
Julie Mannix Von Zerneck and Kathy Hatfield
Hear the voice of young woman whose fears are real, whose freedoms have been taken from her and whose only crime was that she loved someone and wound up pregnant. Julie’s voice comes through loud and clear from page one where she describes her living nightmare. Forced to leave the private hospital where she was receiving good care, her parents decided to place her in a state mental hospital for the insane. Why? Because she dared to embarrass them, want to keep her child and not have an abortion and make sure she was hidden away until her child was born. Even worse she would be forced to place her daughter up for adoption her parental rights completely gone. As you take the journey along with Julie and hear her voice as she relates her first encounter with the other inmates you might say you understand the fear she had, the unhappiness within her heart and the reasons why she reverted into herself.
November 22, 1963 is a day that no one will ever forget. Lee Harvey Oswald killed JFK and the entire world mourned. But, strangely enough so did the patients in this mental hospital along with the staff. Even stranger how the patients were able to react normally at times and then go off with behaviors indicative of those in a mental institution. They seemed at times transfixed or mesmerized by the newscasts and the media hype related to Kennedy’s death. When it ended so did they in many ways. But, when the final shovel covered his grave and the news media and hype died down the end result would be more than just frightening to Julie who knew she was in the wrong place, did not belong in this hospital but whose voice was more than just silenced. As Julie tells her story and relates what brought her to this hospital she flashes back in time to when she was born, her life with her parents who spent more time traveling and concerned with their careers than with her, and then to her fears, hopes and dreams for getting out of this hospital. From the first words and the start of this book you can feel the emotions, the sadness, the urgency in the author’s voice when sharing her story. She also includes short paragraphs leading up to the birth of her daughter, explaining to the reader the child’s growth within her mother before she is born.
But, Julie describes her life living in the state mental hospital, dealing with the other patients, befriending a girl named Theresa, wishing she would not harm herself, protected by someone she called Mafia Whore and many others that would impact her life and her memory. Reverting to the past we meet the nuns of Sacred Heart in the many different places that she went to school. But, one woman named Mother Hunter would remain in her heart and mind forever, as she was her designated Nun who nurtured her and took care of her. Moving to a new home with her parents she missed the nuns but loved the new house. But, you can hear her voice and understand that within the happy times the loneliness prevailed as her parents spent more time writing books, creating their own lives and enjoying the accolades they received.
Julie received love from her brother and the one constant in her life her Aunt Aimee. There are others and many other times that she shares in part One of this memoir which ends with the birth of her daughter and some amazing and heart felt photos allowing readers to get to know her family more closely.
As a raging volcano can take aim at the unsuspecting people and land devastated in its wake, or a cyclone or tornado that destroys everything in sight, so the secret storms raged within Julie each time she could not express her inner most thoughts and feelings to those in charge of the state mental hospital causing her to become somewhat like the rest. Sadly we learn more about her stay at the mental hospital and meeting Frank the father of her child. Their courtship unique, her first job a breath of fresh air and the end result would be tragic in some respects. Learning the many roles she undertook, working at the Westbury Music Theater and making lifelong friends Julie’s story is both heart wrenching and heartwarming leading up to the birth of Aimee which will bring more than must a few tears to the eyes of readers. Next, we meet Kathy, her daughter and learn about her parents, her arrival in this world and her early life. Adopted right after Julie gave birth she never knew for a very long time that she was adopted. Not until her adopted mother passed away and her father remarried would she learn the truth.
Life with her stepmother started out smoothly but the end result would be four years of abuse at the hand of this woman. Blinded by her and not really seeing what she was doing to his children, he went as far to adopt hers and what the stark truth came out and Kathy learned that she was adopted things changed drastically and her life became a nightmare. But, not everything stayed the same and when Gloria finally leaves things change, their lives are relatively normal and now she wants to know more about her birth mother. But, finding her was no easy task and trying to convince her brothers as to her reasoning harder. You see, they were adopted too. Imagine how she felt when her stepsister for whatever reason tells her she was adopted.
The storms raged within Julie at times, her frustrations rise and then her life changes as she decides to give up acting and becomes the owner of a bookstore. Imagine having a role in General Hospital, Secret Storms and The Doctors. Imagine being in plays on the Broadway stage. Her husband Frank was now making films all over the world, they were traveling to many places all over the world but what comes through are her innermost thoughts as she justifies her feelings, her reasons for what she does and how she feels and the fact that no one expects anything from her at times. No matter how successful Julie became or has become her depression shined through at times and impacted her life.
Both authors have different voices that are presented yet both have been through many hard times but maybe not in the same way. Yet if you think about it they were both cheated out of knowing the other for such a long time. One a mother whose child was literally taken or ripped out of her hands and the other not knowing she even existed until someone accidentally on purpose blurted out the truth. Following Julie and Part Three: the pictures of Patty McCormack who I know is a great actress, Julie and Frank are priceless.
Then, Kathy meets Bryan Hatfield and her life takes on a new meaning. But before the calm comes more of a storm as her life would change even more. Her father lost his job, they lost their home and she would move on to live on her own. Life was hard for her and taking care of herself even more difficult but marriage a blessing. Then, things would change as the information needed to reunite her or unite her with Julie just might come and what she learns about her birth parents quite compelling. How they connect and what she learns I think I will leave that to the reader to learn as some mysteries you need to solve on your own. Read the letter that Kathy writes to Julie and I guarantee you will need more than just a few tissues. Heartfelt, heartwarming and definitely the start of something special for both mother, daughter and of course father.
Imagine the meeting and imagine getting to know each other. Read this outstanding memoir and learn what happens when a miracle occurs, someone answers their prayers and 46 years apart melt away and their lives become one. Brothers and sisters meeting for the first time. Grandchildren meeting uncles and aunts and two women who would never be apart again. An epilogue that is quite compelling and a young girl whose visions about herself changed as she entered the world as the daughter of a well-known executive producer. The ending you have to read for yourself and where they are and how their lives intertwine will allow readers to know that some storms that rage really hard often die down when you least expect it and the sun comes out. Check out the photos at the end and make sure you read the book. This is one outstanding memoir. Can you hear the voices of Julie and Kathy? I can. Once they were apart and now they are often heard together.
Fran Lewis: reviewer
Julie Mannix Von Zerneck and Kathy Hatfield
Hear the voice of young woman whose fears are real, whose freedoms have been taken from her and whose only crime was that she loved someone and wound up pregnant. Julie’s voice comes through loud and clear from page one where she describes her living nightmare. Forced to leave the private hospital where she was receiving good care, her parents decided to place her in a state mental hospital for the insane. Why? Because she dared to embarrass them, want to keep her child and not have an abortion and make sure she was hidden away until her child was born. Even worse she would be forced to place her daughter up for adoption her parental rights completely gone. As you take the journey along with Julie and hear her voice as she relates her first encounter with the other inmates you might say you understand the fear she had, the unhappiness within her heart and the reasons why she reverted into herself.
November 22, 1963 is a day that no one will ever forget. Lee Harvey Oswald killed JFK and the entire world mourned. But, strangely enough so did the patients in this mental hospital along with the staff. Even stranger how the patients were able to react normally at times and then go off with behaviors indicative of those in a mental institution. They seemed at times transfixed or mesmerized by the newscasts and the media hype related to Kennedy’s death. When it ended so did they in many ways. But, when the final shovel covered his grave and the news media and hype died down the end result would be more than just frightening to Julie who knew she was in the wrong place, did not belong in this hospital but whose voice was more than just silenced. As Julie tells her story and relates what brought her to this hospital she flashes back in time to when she was born, her life with her parents who spent more time traveling and concerned with their careers than with her, and then to her fears, hopes and dreams for getting out of this hospital. From the first words and the start of this book you can feel the emotions, the sadness, the urgency in the author’s voice when sharing her story. She also includes short paragraphs leading up to the birth of her daughter, explaining to the reader the child’s growth within her mother before she is born.
But, Julie describes her life living in the state mental hospital, dealing with the other patients, befriending a girl named Theresa, wishing she would not harm herself, protected by someone she called Mafia Whore and many others that would impact her life and her memory. Reverting to the past we meet the nuns of Sacred Heart in the many different places that she went to school. But, one woman named Mother Hunter would remain in her heart and mind forever, as she was her designated Nun who nurtured her and took care of her. Moving to a new home with her parents she missed the nuns but loved the new house. But, you can hear her voice and understand that within the happy times the loneliness prevailed as her parents spent more time writing books, creating their own lives and enjoying the accolades they received.
Julie received love from her brother and the one constant in her life her Aunt Aimee. There are others and many other times that she shares in part One of this memoir which ends with the birth of her daughter and some amazing and heart felt photos allowing readers to get to know her family more closely.
As a raging volcano can take aim at the unsuspecting people and land devastated in its wake, or a cyclone or tornado that destroys everything in sight, so the secret storms raged within Julie each time she could not express her inner most thoughts and feelings to those in charge of the state mental hospital causing her to become somewhat like the rest. Sadly we learn more about her stay at the mental hospital and meeting Frank the father of her child. Their courtship unique, her first job a breath of fresh air and the end result would be tragic in some respects. Learning the many roles she undertook, working at the Westbury Music Theater and making lifelong friends Julie’s story is both heart wrenching and heartwarming leading up to the birth of Aimee which will bring more than must a few tears to the eyes of readers. Next, we meet Kathy, her daughter and learn about her parents, her arrival in this world and her early life. Adopted right after Julie gave birth she never knew for a very long time that she was adopted. Not until her adopted mother passed away and her father remarried would she learn the truth.
Life with her stepmother started out smoothly but the end result would be four years of abuse at the hand of this woman. Blinded by her and not really seeing what she was doing to his children, he went as far to adopt hers and what the stark truth came out and Kathy learned that she was adopted things changed drastically and her life became a nightmare. But, not everything stayed the same and when Gloria finally leaves things change, their lives are relatively normal and now she wants to know more about her birth mother. But, finding her was no easy task and trying to convince her brothers as to her reasoning harder. You see, they were adopted too. Imagine how she felt when her stepsister for whatever reason tells her she was adopted.
The storms raged within Julie at times, her frustrations rise and then her life changes as she decides to give up acting and becomes the owner of a bookstore. Imagine having a role in General Hospital, Secret Storms and The Doctors. Imagine being in plays on the Broadway stage. Her husband Frank was now making films all over the world, they were traveling to many places all over the world but what comes through are her innermost thoughts as she justifies her feelings, her reasons for what she does and how she feels and the fact that no one expects anything from her at times. No matter how successful Julie became or has become her depression shined through at times and impacted her life.
Both authors have different voices that are presented yet both have been through many hard times but maybe not in the same way. Yet if you think about it they were both cheated out of knowing the other for such a long time. One a mother whose child was literally taken or ripped out of her hands and the other not knowing she even existed until someone accidentally on purpose blurted out the truth. Following Julie and Part Three: the pictures of Patty McCormack who I know is a great actress, Julie and Frank are priceless.
Then, Kathy meets Bryan Hatfield and her life takes on a new meaning. But before the calm comes more of a storm as her life would change even more. Her father lost his job, they lost their home and she would move on to live on her own. Life was hard for her and taking care of herself even more difficult but marriage a blessing. Then, things would change as the information needed to reunite her or unite her with Julie just might come and what she learns about her birth parents quite compelling. How they connect and what she learns I think I will leave that to the reader to learn as some mysteries you need to solve on your own. Read the letter that Kathy writes to Julie and I guarantee you will need more than just a few tissues. Heartfelt, heartwarming and definitely the start of something special for both mother, daughter and of course father.
Imagine the meeting and imagine getting to know each other. Read this outstanding memoir and learn what happens when a miracle occurs, someone answers their prayers and 46 years apart melt away and their lives become one. Brothers and sisters meeting for the first time. Grandchildren meeting uncles and aunts and two women who would never be apart again. An epilogue that is quite compelling and a young girl whose visions about herself changed as she entered the world as the daughter of a well-known executive producer. The ending you have to read for yourself and where they are and how their lives intertwine will allow readers to know that some storms that rage really hard often die down when you least expect it and the sun comes out. Check out the photos at the end and make sure you read the book. This is one outstanding memoir. Can you hear the voices of Julie and Kathy? I can. Once they were apart and now they are often heard together.
Fran Lewis: reviewer
May 4, 2013
I have heard good things about this book so I wanted to check it out. Well I can tell you that all the comments are true. This book is a great one. I loved the two voices of Julie and Kathy. They really made their story come alive with the alternating voices they lent to this book.
I can not imagine what Julie went though while she was an inpatient at Pennsylvania Institute of Philadelphia. However after reading this book and the friends that Julie made while there, I do have a better insight into places like this. Also my perspective of these places has a better outlook. Then having to give up your child.
I am adopted so I could understand and relate with Kathy. Luckily I have really great parents. Also, I have never had the need or want to seek out my birth parents. I am glad to hear that when Kathy found hers that she had a happy ending. Because both Kathy and Julie lent their voices to this book it really made it more personable. I enjoyed looking at the pictures of the family’s earlier life when Julie and her husband were entertaining with the animals.
I can not imagine what Julie went though while she was an inpatient at Pennsylvania Institute of Philadelphia. However after reading this book and the friends that Julie made while there, I do have a better insight into places like this. Also my perspective of these places has a better outlook. Then having to give up your child.
I am adopted so I could understand and relate with Kathy. Luckily I have really great parents. Also, I have never had the need or want to seek out my birth parents. I am glad to hear that when Kathy found hers that she had a happy ending. Because both Kathy and Julie lent their voices to this book it really made it more personable. I enjoyed looking at the pictures of the family’s earlier life when Julie and her husband were entertaining with the animals.
July 28, 2013
As reviewed by Melissa at Every Free Chance Book Reviews.
Did I enjoy this book: I cried – and not just sniffly, easily hidden tears, either. We’re talking full blown, red-nosed, blood shot eyed weeping. So… I guess that’s a yes. I’m desperately in love with my own son – partly because it was so difficult to get him here – and I’ve found that I now have a squishy spot in my heart for stories about mothers who love their offspring.
But. Enough with the sentimentality. Here’s the low down:
Both women have excellent grammar (and you know how snobby I am about grammar!). Both have exceptionally poignant imagery (it’s like they’re related). Both tell their stories with honesty, humor, and just the right amount of emotion. The writing is superb, and this book is wonderful. Each woman’s story could stand alone, but together… well, together they’ve turned their story into a fairytale.
I’m almost certain that if my mother and I tried to write a book together her half would be about blue teapots and craft projects and my half would be about whiskey and swearing. On the other hand, we both love our kids desperately, and we both love music, and had we lived apart for most of my life, I bet we’d find we have a lot more in common than we think. I could tell the story of my mom and I. It might even be slightly interesting to someone. Von Zerneck and Hatfield’s story, though, gets the first ever five star rating from me. I’m in love (and also, I really think I need a pet monkey)!
Would I recommend it: Yes, definitely! My husband decided, based on the title, that this book was for women only, but I’d bet a bottle of scotch he’d be hooked if he read the first few chapters.
Will I read it again: Next time I need a good cry, this is on my top ten list of Things to Read.
(I received a copy of this book for review purposes.)
http://everyfreechance.com/2013/07/re...
Did I enjoy this book: I cried – and not just sniffly, easily hidden tears, either. We’re talking full blown, red-nosed, blood shot eyed weeping. So… I guess that’s a yes. I’m desperately in love with my own son – partly because it was so difficult to get him here – and I’ve found that I now have a squishy spot in my heart for stories about mothers who love their offspring.
But. Enough with the sentimentality. Here’s the low down:
Both women have excellent grammar (and you know how snobby I am about grammar!). Both have exceptionally poignant imagery (it’s like they’re related). Both tell their stories with honesty, humor, and just the right amount of emotion. The writing is superb, and this book is wonderful. Each woman’s story could stand alone, but together… well, together they’ve turned their story into a fairytale.
I’m almost certain that if my mother and I tried to write a book together her half would be about blue teapots and craft projects and my half would be about whiskey and swearing. On the other hand, we both love our kids desperately, and we both love music, and had we lived apart for most of my life, I bet we’d find we have a lot more in common than we think. I could tell the story of my mom and I. It might even be slightly interesting to someone. Von Zerneck and Hatfield’s story, though, gets the first ever five star rating from me. I’m in love (and also, I really think I need a pet monkey)!
Would I recommend it: Yes, definitely! My husband decided, based on the title, that this book was for women only, but I’d bet a bottle of scotch he’d be hooked if he read the first few chapters.
Will I read it again: Next time I need a good cry, this is on my top ten list of Things to Read.
(I received a copy of this book for review purposes.)
http://everyfreechance.com/2013/07/re...
October 25, 2015
“Secret Storms” took me on a journey of happiness and heartbreak. One moment I’d be laughing out loud, the next tears would be flowing. This book was more than a story of a daughter reuniting with her birth mother. Themes of loss, forgiveness and love are woven throughout this book.
We’re given a behind the scenes tour of Julie’s life, a Mainline Philadelphia debutante brought up by upper crust unconventional parents. Her large Pennsylvania home included a menagerie of exotic animals (a tiger, llamas, monkey, snakes and bats) that her parents brought home from their world travels and were allowed to roam freely. While her parents traveled the world writing and film making, Julie was sent to various boarding schools from Capri to Paris.
This is a well written, compelling memoir. While Julie’s story is exciting and entertaining, Kathy’s story is powerful and emotionally stronger. Julie’s account of her mother being at “the top of her game” and “her wheeling and dealing” resulted in her being signed on with General Artist Corporation seemed contrived. Especially since her parents were world-renowned writers and film makers. Understandably, Julie’s account of her life is dramatic, yet it occasionally distracted from her story.
Secret Storms is an emotion-filled memoir that exposes the intricate forces that exist in adoption. Julie and Kathy expose all of their pain and frustration in a beautiful, yet heart-wrenching account of searching for their identities, as well as each other. A must read for anyone touched by the pain and separation of adoption. This is the type of book that you’ll read many times over.
We’re given a behind the scenes tour of Julie’s life, a Mainline Philadelphia debutante brought up by upper crust unconventional parents. Her large Pennsylvania home included a menagerie of exotic animals (a tiger, llamas, monkey, snakes and bats) that her parents brought home from their world travels and were allowed to roam freely. While her parents traveled the world writing and film making, Julie was sent to various boarding schools from Capri to Paris.
This is a well written, compelling memoir. While Julie’s story is exciting and entertaining, Kathy’s story is powerful and emotionally stronger. Julie’s account of her mother being at “the top of her game” and “her wheeling and dealing” resulted in her being signed on with General Artist Corporation seemed contrived. Especially since her parents were world-renowned writers and film makers. Understandably, Julie’s account of her life is dramatic, yet it occasionally distracted from her story.
Secret Storms is an emotion-filled memoir that exposes the intricate forces that exist in adoption. Julie and Kathy expose all of their pain and frustration in a beautiful, yet heart-wrenching account of searching for their identities, as well as each other. A must read for anyone touched by the pain and separation of adoption. This is the type of book that you’ll read many times over.
February 22, 2014
I checked this book out not because I was familiar with who Julie Mannix von Zerneck is or because I am particularly interested in the subject matter. However, once I started the book I read through it so quickly, I loved the prose, the detail, the story. The deep family hurt on both mother and daughter's part. Julie's description of the mental hospitals she was in were dead on and endeared her to me all the more. Fabulous book, though the ending was a bit choppy when compared to the ease of the rest of the book. All in all a wonderful easy (though emotional) read.
August 23, 2013
I met the authors at Book Expo America and was captivated by their story. When I started reading the book, I thought it was a bit melodramatic--but I couldn't put it down. As the stories developed I was delighted and horrified at turns. These two authors have seemingly lived the experiences of ten lifetimes. And because my father was adopted and I have searched for his birth father, I felt a connection to the central conflict of the story. This is a story laden with hooks and pop culture--not usually my kind of book--but it is a very good read.
April 28, 2014
What exciting lives to read about. It's a little hard to follow, as it alternates between two separate narrators. Sometimes, it's hard to keep the details straight.
But it really doesn't matter. This book goes through the entire gamut of emotions, and you really feel for these people. I can't even imagine being in either of their shoes. So much drama, SO much excitement. Read it!
But it really doesn't matter. This book goes through the entire gamut of emotions, and you really feel for these people. I can't even imagine being in either of their shoes. So much drama, SO much excitement. Read it!
July 27, 2014
This is a story of two women's lives,each with such varied experiences of good times and bad times. They are rejoined relatively late in life as birth mother and daughter with such a wonderful result.
July 14, 2013
Very good book. Sad that adoption was the answer back then to not have anyone know your daughter had been pregnant outside of marriage. Better then abortion for sure. This book really captured the pain on both sides and the joy of finding each other
April 13, 2013
Read in a day. Couldn't put it down!
June 18, 2013
This book is written by a mother and daughter and the life they had without each other. It's a true story that grips you from the beginning. Great read!
January 25, 2015
Excellent book. I thought it was a great story and very well written.
April 18, 2015
INCREDIBLE BOOK!!!!! I cannot even begin to describe how much I loved this book. For a memoir, it wasn't always boring and I loved the pictures, which brought the story to life! I cried and screamed and then smiled for a long long time!! This book is incredible and should be read by like EVERYONE!!! So please, go check it out!!!
March 17, 2015
An actress and her husband reconnect with their daughter who was born out of wedlock and adopted by another family.
February 1, 2017
Being from the Malvern/Paoli area, this book is set near my hometown and I had never heard of this family before, but it was fascinating. I looked them up as I read along to get more history of the family. This is a heartbreaking story of adoption. I have a friend who is going through the same thing right now and found both of her biological parents who went on to have more children. It is unfortunate that a pregnancy was so shameful back then and the decisions people made out of fear. If only they could have made those decisions based on love. I am happy that mother and daughter found each other!
January 29, 2018
Unusual
This story of the adoption of a baby girl forcibly taken from her mother while in a mental institution is very unusual. Most people who find their birth parents likely don't have such spectacular birth families. I'm fact, this book made me feel like a downright loser at times. However, the story is unique and will interest those who like reading about adoption and unique family situations. Includes lots of nice photos though they are black and white on Kindle.
This story of the adoption of a baby girl forcibly taken from her mother while in a mental institution is very unusual. Most people who find their birth parents likely don't have such spectacular birth families. I'm fact, this book made me feel like a downright loser at times. However, the story is unique and will interest those who like reading about adoption and unique family situations. Includes lots of nice photos though they are black and white on Kindle.
March 29, 2020
Powerful story.
I was adopted at birth. All arranged before
My arrival, so that I went into hospital w birth mother, left w my parents. My curiosity is
STRONG now as an older adult as to how
others fared as time went on. This book was
Fascinating!! And I will reread to catch all
the nuances I missed in the voice switching. Would love to meet the authors. What a sad
beginning ‐---w powerful, wonderful end.
I was adopted at birth. All arranged before
My arrival, so that I went into hospital w birth mother, left w my parents. My curiosity is
STRONG now as an older adult as to how
others fared as time went on. This book was
Fascinating!! And I will reread to catch all
the nuances I missed in the voice switching. Would love to meet the authors. What a sad
beginning ‐---w powerful, wonderful end.
February 14, 2022
A great story!
I started reading this book and it wasn't making any sense. Then I realized that is was written by two people, so I started over again and it all fell into place. What a great life Julie has. I had never heard of the society that she was born into. It was very interesting.
I started reading this book and it wasn't making any sense. Then I realized that is was written by two people, so I started over again and it all fell into place. What a great life Julie has. I had never heard of the society that she was born into. It was very interesting.
May 27, 2020
I really enjoyed this book. I picked it up on a whim; not knowing anything about either of the authors. But I was easily transferred to their time and their lives. I enjoyed reading about their dreams and memories. Ones they made apart and eventually together. Just a great little in between book.
January 13, 2018
Enjoyed Immensly
I loved the way this story was told. I'm so glad they shared this truly amazing wonderful story. I just can't say enough good things about it. I loved it!!!!
I loved the way this story was told. I'm so glad they shared this truly amazing wonderful story. I just can't say enough good things about it. I loved it!!!!
January 16, 2019
This is a must read for nonfiction lovers. Once I started I could not put it down. It also inspired me to research both families more. I’m excited to share this one with my students.
February 14, 2019
Amazing book
I was so touched by this true story I couldn't put it down O grew to love the characters I highly recommend it
I was so touched by this true story I couldn't put it down O grew to love the characters I highly recommend it
March 16, 2019
A must read book!
February 10, 2021
NF- Memoir
February 21, 2022
I cried, laughed and smiled. A touching story of love.
March 19, 2017
Wonderfully written true story
As an adoptee myself I was touched by the amount of honest recollections of the challenges of adoption. As in my own experience, love and perseverance is rewarded. I could not help but feel joy for mother and daughter.
As an adoptee myself I was touched by the amount of honest recollections of the challenges of adoption. As in my own experience, love and perseverance is rewarded. I could not help but feel joy for mother and daughter.
February 10, 2022
I don't know where to begin with a review for this book because nothing will do it justice. I'm a friend of one of Kathy's daughter's and felt compelled to read the book after I heard the story. I'm thoroughly pleased that I did.
This is a beautiful, harrowing tale of a mother who was forced to give her baby up and finally found her again. Julie was born into an affluent family with an extraordinary childhood that many of us dreamed of having. Her life took a turn when she found herself locked in a psychiatric ward - not crazy, just pregnant. That baby, now known as Kathy, was placed for adoption and ended up with quite the interesting life for herself.
The book switches seamlessly between the lives of both women as they tell their stories. I saw a review mentioning that it was difficult to follow and I disagree - the chapters are labeled clearly with who is speaking (not that it's necessary once you learn their 'voice') and I felt that it all flowed together perfectly.
I cried my way through this book, with a few breaks for laughter along the way. I devoured every word of it.
This is a beautiful, harrowing tale of a mother who was forced to give her baby up and finally found her again. Julie was born into an affluent family with an extraordinary childhood that many of us dreamed of having. Her life took a turn when she found herself locked in a psychiatric ward - not crazy, just pregnant. That baby, now known as Kathy, was placed for adoption and ended up with quite the interesting life for herself.
The book switches seamlessly between the lives of both women as they tell their stories. I saw a review mentioning that it was difficult to follow and I disagree - the chapters are labeled clearly with who is speaking (not that it's necessary once you learn their 'voice') and I felt that it all flowed together perfectly.
I cried my way through this book, with a few breaks for laughter along the way. I devoured every word of it.
April 3, 2016
This book is amazing. Talk about up and down emotions. I had them all. One minute laughing out loud the next I was in tears. The story takes you on a journey and you will not be able to put it down. I highly recommend this book.
September 28, 2023
Loved it!
Great book, wonderful ending (or beginning) . Can't imagine going through what Julie did but to find each other and so easily. I liked the real words of both mom and daughter, the way the book told the story.
Great book, wonderful ending (or beginning) . Can't imagine going through what Julie did but to find each other and so easily. I liked the real words of both mom and daughter, the way the book told the story.
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January 9, 2016I loved this book. I found it especially interesting as I am an adoptive parent.
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