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A Special Love
When Robert Adler and Meredith Conrad fall in love, all that is left for them to do is prepare to live a fairy-tale life. With the blessing of their second child, a son named Michael, everything they have always dreamed of begins to become a reality. But his autism diagnosis is something they never anticipated. The struggle they face after the diagnosis puts a strain on their family that begins to tear them apart. Years later, Michael begins high school, and the true love his older sister Ann Marie finds there helps bring her insight and appreciation of Michael’s unique gifts and identity. It might be just what is needed to put their family back together.
202 pages, Paperback
First published February 24, 2014
2 people are currently reading
151 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
March 13, 2016
“The autistic mind is not the wave at the surface of the ocean, but the whole world that exists below.”
To sum this up, this book was about a young couple who met accidentally in the party when they were in college, developed love and finally made a family. At first their family looked so normal: happy parents with a cute daughter. But not until their second child—Michael was born. Michael was suffering from autism. So this book was about how a family with an autistic son struggles to make their family united with all the ups and downs they faced.
The story divided into 4 parts: A Father Story, A Mother Story, A Sister Story and A Family Story. All of them told in 3rd person POV from different perspectives.
Although this book was pretty short, I really loved the concept of this book. A very, very touching and heartwarming story. It also teaches us very good life lessons.
The biggest BUT though, I didn't like the writing. It was so juvenile. It's like it was written by a 13 years old.
Even the amateur fanfics on Wattpad were written much better than this...
What a shame. This could have been much better!
To sum this up, this book was about a young couple who met accidentally in the party when they were in college, developed love and finally made a family. At first their family looked so normal: happy parents with a cute daughter. But not until their second child—Michael was born. Michael was suffering from autism. So this book was about how a family with an autistic son struggles to make their family united with all the ups and downs they faced.
The story divided into 4 parts: A Father Story, A Mother Story, A Sister Story and A Family Story. All of them told in 3rd person POV from different perspectives.
Although this book was pretty short, I really loved the concept of this book. A very, very touching and heartwarming story. It also teaches us very good life lessons.
The biggest BUT though, I didn't like the writing. It was so juvenile. It's like it was written by a 13 years old.
Even the amateur fanfics on Wattpad were written much better than this...
What a shame. This could have been much better!
ditched-dnf
May 23, 2017This was one of the first Goodreads giveaways I won. I hadn't even started blogging yet. I tried to read it when I first received it, but it was too ploddy and slow. A couple of months ago I culled some books to take to the library for their used book sale, and wanted to give it one more try, but it was just too dry and slow for my tastes. It seems like a lot of other readers liked it though.
March 29, 2014
Book Review originally published here: http://www.iheartreading.net/book-tou...
In A Special Love, Robert Adler falls for Meredith Conrad the first moment he lays eyes upon her, at a college party. The two start a quick, dazzling romance and soon end up living together, and having a baby, Ann Marie. A while later comes their second baby, Michael. After Michael is diagnosed with autism, everything they dreamed of, and wished for their family, crumbles apart. Even going out at dinner, like during Meredith’s birthday party, is difficult when Michael goes along. But they love their son, and want to do the best for him. Unfortunately that means putting themselves last, and their relationship begins to suffer from it as well.
When Michael starts to attend high school, the same school his older sister, Ann Marie attends, Ann Marie struggles with her brother’s presence as well. She loves him dearly, but Michael needs special attention and care she can’t always give him. But Kevin, a boy she’s interested in, gives her a whole new perspective on her relationship with her brother, and on her brother’s unique gifts, that make him stand out from the rest of humanity, and make him special.
A Special Love was a heartwarming story. First, we get a few chapters from Robert’s POV, then from Meredith’s, and eventually the story ends up focussing mostly on Ann Marie and Michael. Their relationship as siblings was great. They had their up and downs, but it’s clear they both love each other very much, and would go through fire to protect each other. Then there’s Ann Marie’s growing love for Kevin, and everything he represents – hope, family, commitment. Kevin was truly an amazing guy, one of a kind.
This book was an inspiring read. It’s aimed at young adults, but adults will probably enjoy it as well. The topic matter is definitely interesting for both age group. The book isn’t about romance, or even about true love, although it plays a big part. At its core, this book is about family, and about the love family members share for each other. Truly inspiring.
In A Special Love, Robert Adler falls for Meredith Conrad the first moment he lays eyes upon her, at a college party. The two start a quick, dazzling romance and soon end up living together, and having a baby, Ann Marie. A while later comes their second baby, Michael. After Michael is diagnosed with autism, everything they dreamed of, and wished for their family, crumbles apart. Even going out at dinner, like during Meredith’s birthday party, is difficult when Michael goes along. But they love their son, and want to do the best for him. Unfortunately that means putting themselves last, and their relationship begins to suffer from it as well.
When Michael starts to attend high school, the same school his older sister, Ann Marie attends, Ann Marie struggles with her brother’s presence as well. She loves him dearly, but Michael needs special attention and care she can’t always give him. But Kevin, a boy she’s interested in, gives her a whole new perspective on her relationship with her brother, and on her brother’s unique gifts, that make him stand out from the rest of humanity, and make him special.
A Special Love was a heartwarming story. First, we get a few chapters from Robert’s POV, then from Meredith’s, and eventually the story ends up focussing mostly on Ann Marie and Michael. Their relationship as siblings was great. They had their up and downs, but it’s clear they both love each other very much, and would go through fire to protect each other. Then there’s Ann Marie’s growing love for Kevin, and everything he represents – hope, family, commitment. Kevin was truly an amazing guy, one of a kind.
This book was an inspiring read. It’s aimed at young adults, but adults will probably enjoy it as well. The topic matter is definitely interesting for both age group. The book isn’t about romance, or even about true love, although it plays a big part. At its core, this book is about family, and about the love family members share for each other. Truly inspiring.
February 22, 2015
Love :)
It was a short and sweet story! Anyone who wants to read a little heart tug needs to read this.
It was a short and sweet story! Anyone who wants to read a little heart tug needs to read this.
March 17, 2022
Очень понравилась книга. Раскачанная история вызывает столько разных эмоций, я плакала и смеялась, переживала и гордилась вместе с главными героями. Приятно было со стороны посмотреть на жизнь семьи, воспитывающей ребёнка с РАС. Многое откликнулось в самом сердце. Читается очень легко, на одном дыхании.
March 26, 2014
Review by Beth
Krissy Bells’ novel certainly covers all bases when it comes to describing live with a child with autism. It begins with two short stories which seem to introduce the family from the perspective of David and Meredith, Michael’s parents. Each of their stories begins with joy and ends with grief, neither of them accepting their position as parents to a child with autism and this is a really sad introduction to Michael, not that he is aware.
The longest section of the novel is ‘A Sister’s Story’ and this is where we see Michael come into his own, under the gaze of his elder sister Ann Marie. For the most part Ann has tried to ignore Michael, helping him when she can but mainly trying to pretend he’s not there and getting on with her life at school. Kevin changes that and it’s wonderful how Bells ties Michael’s return to the family and the family’s acceptance of him as also a coming of age experience for Ann who grows up, falls in love and this love includes an appreciation and enjoyment of time with her brother.
Kevin is the catalyst which makes this novel work and some ways it’s sad because the family couldn’t see how great Michael was themselves but they soon realise and it’s really wonderful as the novel develops.
Bells’ characters aren’t particularly deep or well developed, aside from Michael who is obviously focal. His quirks and characteristics are extremely believable and having worked with people with autism I definitely felt like I could understand his point of view.
Bells’ has clearly spent a great deal of time and effort putting together this candid picture of coming to terms with an autism diagnosis and it’s just a shame that Michael had to wait so long to get his family back.
Krissy Bells’ novel certainly covers all bases when it comes to describing live with a child with autism. It begins with two short stories which seem to introduce the family from the perspective of David and Meredith, Michael’s parents. Each of their stories begins with joy and ends with grief, neither of them accepting their position as parents to a child with autism and this is a really sad introduction to Michael, not that he is aware.
The longest section of the novel is ‘A Sister’s Story’ and this is where we see Michael come into his own, under the gaze of his elder sister Ann Marie. For the most part Ann has tried to ignore Michael, helping him when she can but mainly trying to pretend he’s not there and getting on with her life at school. Kevin changes that and it’s wonderful how Bells ties Michael’s return to the family and the family’s acceptance of him as also a coming of age experience for Ann who grows up, falls in love and this love includes an appreciation and enjoyment of time with her brother.
Kevin is the catalyst which makes this novel work and some ways it’s sad because the family couldn’t see how great Michael was themselves but they soon realise and it’s really wonderful as the novel develops.
Bells’ characters aren’t particularly deep or well developed, aside from Michael who is obviously focal. His quirks and characteristics are extremely believable and having worked with people with autism I definitely felt like I could understand his point of view.
Bells’ has clearly spent a great deal of time and effort putting together this candid picture of coming to terms with an autism diagnosis and it’s just a shame that Michael had to wait so long to get his family back.
May 1, 2014
A Special Love was offered to me by the author to review and I am so glad I said yes. I am a little sad I took so long to read it. It was one of those memorable books that “sticks to your insides” and stays with you.
Likes:
Autism is one of the most misunderstood conditions with children. The spectrum is so large that it is hard to diagnosis and has such an awful stigma with this. I love the message in A Special Love and how Krissy really gave you an inside view of the family dynamics.
The story was intriguing and well-paced. The beginning from the parents perspective almost sounded like a documentary / biography but once you got into Ann Marie’s POV, it was much more like a YA novel.
Ann Marie was amazing, she was strong, smart, but yet weak and fragile at the same time. I really feel like this is a great description of all my favorite “heroines.” They are not perfect and that makes them human.
Michael was so much fun, his love of water was so interesting. I really enjoyed all the things we learned in the book without even trying!
Not trying to give anything way, but there is definitely a boy crush in this book! So many feels, he is amazing!
Gripes:
The book did lack that big story, climax, plot situation. It definitely could have been flushed out and more background, family-building given. It was short and sweet, but I definitely wanted more.
For more reviews visit
A Flurry of Ponderings
Likes:
Autism is one of the most misunderstood conditions with children. The spectrum is so large that it is hard to diagnosis and has such an awful stigma with this. I love the message in A Special Love and how Krissy really gave you an inside view of the family dynamics.
The story was intriguing and well-paced. The beginning from the parents perspective almost sounded like a documentary / biography but once you got into Ann Marie’s POV, it was much more like a YA novel.
Ann Marie was amazing, she was strong, smart, but yet weak and fragile at the same time. I really feel like this is a great description of all my favorite “heroines.” They are not perfect and that makes them human.
Michael was so much fun, his love of water was so interesting. I really enjoyed all the things we learned in the book without even trying!
Not trying to give anything way, but there is definitely a boy crush in this book! So many feels, he is amazing!
Gripes:
The book did lack that big story, climax, plot situation. It definitely could have been flushed out and more background, family-building given. It was short and sweet, but I definitely wanted more.
For more reviews visit
A Flurry of Ponderings
May 3, 2014
This story was wonderful and touching. I work with children with Autism and Ausburgers as well as many other disabilities. I'm a subsitiute teacher as well as a director of an after school program. I have to learn how to work with children like Michael everyday and it's always different. I loved seeing the family point of view for this book. I makes you realize just how difficult that it can be and how it can take a toll on the family members who have to struggle with it. But as Kevin told Ann Marie, "He's a single yellow leaf on a tree full of green leaves". It's absolutely true and a unique way to look at it. I truely appreciated reading this book and was so glad that I had the pleasure to do so. I highly recommend this to anyone who wants to read about a family who is able to overcome all the obstacules that were thrown their way.
March 27, 2014
Very rare when a book captures your interest on page 1 and keeps your full interest till the last page. Lovely story told from several different aspects. It is funny, it is sad and it is romance all in one as well as educational to a family's struggle with Autism.
March 18, 2014
Great read on how a family learns to handle the unexpected - a child with autism. Krissy Bells knows this topic!
May 6, 2015
A wonderful life story!!
June 17, 2014
Started out kinda slow, but then it picks up a bit. Very sweet story.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews