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The Day I Found You: A Novel
It took them a lifetime to find each other. But is love enough for two complete strangers to become mother and daughter?
Ariella, a successful psychologist living in an upscale part of Israel, seems to have it all. Yet she’s still missing the one thing she’s always wanted – a child. Devastated after discovering she cannot have children of her own, Ariella is determined to do anything and bravely decides to adopt as a single mother.
Angie, a Ukrainian immigrant, has experienced more at thirteen than any teenager should have. Abandoned by her father and abused by her mother, she learns to trust no one. But after her mother dies in a car accident, Angie is left to fend for herself – a little girl in a foreign world.
On a chance visit to a boarding school for immigrant children, Ariella and Angie meet, and it seems like fate. They can’t believe they may have finally found the person they always needed. Though hesitant, they decide to take a risk on each other. It doesn’t take long before Ariella, an inexperienced mother who isn’t used to sharing her life, and Angie, a traumatized and free-spirited teen, clash. For the two, becoming a family means making enormous sacrifices. Can they find enough courage to let the other in?
Based on a true story, The Day I Found You is a heart-wrenching testimony to the power of resilience, love, and unlikely families, perfect for fans of Lisa Wingate and Kate Hewitt.
Ariella, a successful psychologist living in an upscale part of Israel, seems to have it all. Yet she’s still missing the one thing she’s always wanted – a child. Devastated after discovering she cannot have children of her own, Ariella is determined to do anything and bravely decides to adopt as a single mother.
Angie, a Ukrainian immigrant, has experienced more at thirteen than any teenager should have. Abandoned by her father and abused by her mother, she learns to trust no one. But after her mother dies in a car accident, Angie is left to fend for herself – a little girl in a foreign world.
On a chance visit to a boarding school for immigrant children, Ariella and Angie meet, and it seems like fate. They can’t believe they may have finally found the person they always needed. Though hesitant, they decide to take a risk on each other. It doesn’t take long before Ariella, an inexperienced mother who isn’t used to sharing her life, and Angie, a traumatized and free-spirited teen, clash. For the two, becoming a family means making enormous sacrifices. Can they find enough courage to let the other in?
Based on a true story, The Day I Found You is a heart-wrenching testimony to the power of resilience, love, and unlikely families, perfect for fans of Lisa Wingate and Kate Hewitt.
- GenresBook Club
209 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 22, 2024
215 people are currently reading
37 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
December 9, 2024
A heart-stirring journey of when strangers become family...
"The Day I Found You" is a moving autobiographical story that expertly knits together the parallel journeys of two broken souls: a successful Israeli psychologist wishing for parenthood and a damaged Ukrainian youngster searching for belonging. Friedman's clinical competence is evident in her nuanced depiction of adoption, trauma, and the difficult mechanics of establishing trust between strangers who badly want to be family.
Set in modern Israel, the story avoids traditional adoption narrative tropes, instead providing genuine, honest glimpses into the difficulties of forming familial bonds across cultural and emotional divides. The author's direct experience adds credibility to both perspectives: Ariella's professional ability colliding with her maternal fears, and Angie's survival instincts vying with her need for connection. While some readers may find the pacing deliberate, this technique accurately depicts the slow, often painful process of emotional recovery and family development.
This extremely poignant depiction of an unusual mother-daughter connection reminds us that family bonds can be formed by choice, strength, and unwavering love, even in the face of prior pain. Highly recommended. I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.
"The Day I Found You" is a moving autobiographical story that expertly knits together the parallel journeys of two broken souls: a successful Israeli psychologist wishing for parenthood and a damaged Ukrainian youngster searching for belonging. Friedman's clinical competence is evident in her nuanced depiction of adoption, trauma, and the difficult mechanics of establishing trust between strangers who badly want to be family.
Set in modern Israel, the story avoids traditional adoption narrative tropes, instead providing genuine, honest glimpses into the difficulties of forming familial bonds across cultural and emotional divides. The author's direct experience adds credibility to both perspectives: Ariella's professional ability colliding with her maternal fears, and Angie's survival instincts vying with her need for connection. While some readers may find the pacing deliberate, this technique accurately depicts the slow, often painful process of emotional recovery and family development.
This extremely poignant depiction of an unusual mother-daughter connection reminds us that family bonds can be formed by choice, strength, and unwavering love, even in the face of prior pain. Highly recommended. I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.
May 11, 2025
It was a good story but it dragged on and on. I didn’t realize that the story took place in Israel. I liked that. And I wanted to whoop Angie upside the head. Yes, she turned out to be a good person, but…what a terrible, nasty teenager. Good for Ariella for hanging in there.
January 14, 2025
About a mother and daughter's growing relationship. Before mom adopted her as a teenager. At times the daughter gave her some troubles. Great story!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 17, 2025
Is this truly a novel, or a thinly disguised memoir?
July 27, 2025
Love Conquers All
So touching and complicated but shows the reader how two souls can meet and make life so rewarding for each other..... so much love .....
So touching and complicated but shows the reader how two souls can meet and make life so rewarding for each other..... so much love .....
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews