That's Not How It Happened: A Novel

by Craig Thomas

“Funny and poignant... Craig Thomas is a big-hearted, empathetic writer who knows his characters inside and out." —Tom Perrotta, New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of Mrs. Fletcher and The Leftovers

“Funny, real and moving all at once...[A] wonderful, heartfelt debut.” –Lin-Manuel Miranda, Tony-Award Winning creator of Broadway’s Hamilton

From the Emmy-nominated co-creator and Executive Producer of How I Met Your Mother, this smart, funny, bighearted novel for fans of Kevin Wilson and Monica Heisey, follows a family turned upside down after Hollywood decides to make a movie version of their lives.

With Audiobook narration by Cobie Smulders and Josh Radnor

Paige didn’t set out to be a stay-at-home mom, but when her husband’s screenwriting career took off right before they had a son with Down syndrome, the decision was made for her. Now, with their children nearly grown and unsure what's next, Paige writes a memoir about the challenges of raising a child with a disability. When a major actress-turned-producer shows up at her door eager to make her “inspiring” story into a movie, she’s shocked, excited, and a little terrified.

This movie just might be the comeback opportunity her husband, Rob, desperately needs. His career has fizzled in recent years. But the movie is going to need a screenwriter, and who better to adapt his wife's memoir than him?... Meanwhile, their son, Emmett, doesn’t understand why people think his Down syndrome is the most important thing in his life (that's definitely his girlfriend, Amy)—but he hopes his newfound fame might somehow get him closer to meeting his idol, Eddie Vedder. Their daughter, Darcy, couldn't care less about the whole thing because she’s hardly even in their mom's book. The “normal” child who nobody ever worries about is feeling more forgotten than ever as her love life implodes and college decisions loom.

As their lives are chewed up and spit out by the Hollywood machine, triggering old resentments and launching new betrayals, will any of them even recognize the "inspiring" family in this film? Or will this "feel-good" movie be the end of them?

Genres: Fiction, Contemporary, Adult Fiction

313 pages, Kindle Edition

Expected publication November 4, 2025

Reviews

[felicia]

Written by the co-creator of How I Met Your Mother. Hmmm, interesting

[Myranda | bookswithmyranda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Paige's life took an unexpected turn when she gave birth to her son, Emmett, who has down syndrome. So, she quits her job and becomes a stay at home mom while her husband, Rob, flies across the county for his flourishing screenwriting career. Years later, after both of her kids are grown, Paige writes a memoir about raising a child who is disabled. When her memoir is picked up to become a movie, Paige's family learns that there is a side to every story.

So I immediately wanted to read this because the writer is the co-creator of How I Met Your Moth (my favorite show, thank you) AND two of the narrators are from the show (Robin and Ted, IYKYK) AND the narrator of Emmett is actually someone with down syndrome. So needless to say, the narration was awesome. I don't normally read contemporary fiction, but this was the exception. This was witty, emotional, and heartfelt. I loved every minute of it and think everyone should read this!

Thank you so much to Harlequin Audio and Harlequin Trade Publishing for the copy!

[sarina!!]

That's Not How It Happened reels you in fast and doesn’t let go.

The book was gripping from the start and had smart, layered storytelling.

If you love character-driven narratives with a twist, this one’s a solid pick.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with this arc!

[Kristi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Once I started reading this book I could not stop and finished in one evening. As a HIMYM fan, I was interested in this book for the connections (Josh Radnor and Cobie Smulders apparently narrate the audio book as well) but stayed for the plot and characters. I really enjoyed this!

[LoveBooks2119 · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you are a fan of How I Met Your Mother then you will LOVE this story AND the narration!!
The book explores each family member’s perspective, revealing their individual experiences of home life. The contrast between Paige’s memoir and the movie script provides an interesting look at how these narratives influence family dynamics.
This story is honest, heartfelt and genuinely funny. I absolutely devoured it and highly recommend the audio version.
I would like to thank the publisher and author for providing a complimentary advanced copy. The opinions expressed in this review are my own.

[Ashley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks to Harlequin Trade Publishing and NetGalley for sharing this ARC!

I’ve always been a huge HIMYM fan (and now HWMYM too), so when I learned that Craig Thomas had written a debut novel I jumped at the chance to dive in. That's Not How It Happened is a charming exploration of the ups and downs that make up family life. In this novel, the McConnell family finds itself at a crossroads when a famous Hollywood producer wants to make a movie verision of their lives. The story unfolds through multiple character perspectives, which keeps the pace lively and engaging. I especially enjoyed seeing each family member’s unique viewpoint on the events as they unfolded.

What stood out most to me about this novel was how authentic it felt - I could easily imagine these situations playing out in real families. Craig doesn’t shy away from tough topics, including the challenges parents and children with disabilities often face. It’s clear he poured his heart into making this story feel both accurate and grounded in real-life experiences. The relationships between the characters are tangled and imperfect, yet in true Craig Thomas fashion, they’re filled with heart. I found myself smiling, tearing up, and caring for these characters as if they were part of my own family.

And a huge bonus, if you are also a HIMYM fan - Josh Radnor and Cobie Smulders narrate the audiobook!

[Kennedy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had such a good time reading this Debut novel by Craig Thomas, none other than the co-creator of How I Met Your Mother!

This is a truly unique story that really doesn’t fit into any single category but explores elements of humor, family drama, and the effects of Hollywood.

One of the main characters of this book, Emmett, has Down syndrome and one theme of the story is how his parents are coping with him becoming an adult and desperately wanting the independence that they are hesitant to give. We get a lot of of Emmett’s perspective here about how he feels about everyone running his life but him.

When Emmett’s mom writes a successful memoir about her story and Hollywood turns their life into a movie, everything starts to unravel into a massive shit show. This book played out in my head like a tv show — I don’t know if this was the author’s intention but I loved it.

This book also sheds light on the very real issues disabled people in America still face to this day, like marriage equality to give an example.

Highly recommend everyone checks this book out. It was funny, heartwarming, intense, frustrating, and entertaining all at once.

[Donna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rob and Paige live in New York now, but they used to live in L.A., back when he was young and had written that movie EVERYONE had seen and loved. The Subway Series was a well-known rom-com and it made them rich. He then worked primarily as a script doctor who fixed bad scripts and saved bad movies as they lived the California good life.This changed drastically when their first child, Emmett was born with Downs Syndrome, and immediately needed lifesaving surgery. Even though Paige dropped her own career to be his protector, she found she couldn't cope without a help-mate or safety net, so she insisted that they move back to New York. Even though Rob felt that this was a bad career move, they came back and soon had another child, Darcy.
As any parent of a developmentally delayed child knows, childhood services and school help immensely while they are young but eventually will disappear as the young adults grow older. With Rob still jet-setting back and forth to L.A. to keep his anemic career going, Paige must be the parent who solves everything. Emmett has aged out-what now? They still have some money saved from Rob's big movie and Paige gets creative. She starts by purchasing an apartment that she turns into a group home so that Emmett and his three friends can have a great place to live. She then buys a storefront and Cafe Everyone becomes the answer to Emmett's employment problem, this coffee shop employs everyone, disabled and temporarily abled alike. Amazingly, both projects are successful and Emmett now has the independence he's been craving-maybe he can take his and his girlfriend's relationship to a higher level now. As for Darcy, she seems to be doing fine in school, she's shooting mini-documentaries and nobody worries much for her. But she does not feel seen or cared for, and her parents don't bother to check.
The inspiration for Subway Series was the actual story of how Paige and Rob met at a Mets game. The movie ended with a kiss shown on the kiss cam, but Paige always wondered what would happen when the happily ever after ended and reality kicked in. Darcy is about to go to college, Emmett is fairly independent and happy, and now she has to reinvent her life without being a full-time parent.
She decides to write a family memoir and calls it Now What? It sells to a small publisher, it doesn't make too much of a splash in the publishing world, so she is shocked to hear from a famous movie star (think Oprah,) who wants to make it into a movie! She has a production company who will buy the rights, and she will star as Paige-it will be a boost to her career and will showcase a woman who has achieved greatness in a small but significant way. Not only that, but Rob will be tapped to write the screenplay of her book...how could Paige say no?
It's not a spoiler to say that reality kicks in fast and things don't go the way they're supposed to, like in the movies. Lots of things happen and not all of them are wonderful, but maybe some of them are. Thomas Craig, screenwriter for How I Met Your Mother, knows the ins and outs of Hollywood and adds them generously into his novel. He is also the father of a child with a rare genetic disease and understands first-hand what that can be like. Craig can mix sadness and happiness together in the same sentence, and makes this book a joy to read. Hooray for Hollywood!

[carley k ♥︎ · Rating 5 out of 5]

As someone who grew up in a 'special needs family', I was deeply moved by That's Not How It Happened. Craig Thomas tells the story of a family navigating the emotional complexities of raising a child with Down syndrome, and he does so with honesty, nuance, and compassion. The narrative unfolds through the perspectives of all four family members: the father, a screenwriter; the mother, a former journalist who paused her career to care for their son; the son, Emmett who has Down syndrome; and the younger, neurotypical daughter, Darcy.
The central plot revolves around the mother’s memoir being adapted into a film, and how that process reopens old wounds and reshapes their relationships. As a sibling of a sister with a rare genetic disorder, I found this story incredibly validating. It’s rare to see the emotional toll on families portrayed so truthfully. Especially the strain it can place on marriages, sibling dynamics, and the constant fear about the future.
Thomas doesn’t gloss over the hard parts. He captures the tension, the love, and the identity struggles that come with being part of this family. I especially appreciated that each character was given their own voice and identity beyond their connection to disability. Too often, families like ours are boxed into narratives of constant positivity or defined solely by the disability itself. This book breaks that mold.
I did feel the story moved a bit quickly, I would’ve loved more background into the family's earlier years, but the multiple POVs helped balance that. Knowing that the author drew from his own life (his son has a rare genetic disorder and underwent heart surgery) made the story even more poignant. My sister also had heart surgery as an infant due to a chromosome disorder, and it was powerful to see how similar our experiences are. It reminded me: we’re not alone.
The audiobook format was a perfect choice. You can hear Thomas’s screenwriting roots in the dialogue and structure, and having Josh Radnor and Cobie Smulders narrate added a layer of familiarity and warmth. I especially appreciated that Emmett’s narrator has Down syndrome, as this theme is also addressed in the book, representation matters.
This book is important. It’s needed. And I hope Craig Thomas continues to explore these themes, maybe even in a nonfiction format. As someone who’s lived this life, I just want to say: thank you.

[Ally · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best audiobooks I’ve listened to.

This book completely snuck up on me in the best way. It’s about a family trying to keep it together when Hollywood wants to make a movie about their lives, but at its core, it’s really about parenting, marriage, work-life balance, disability, and all of the messy, beautiful stuff in between.

We get 4 different POVs. Paige, a former journalist who never planned to be a stay-at-home mom, her husband Rob who always traveling for work, and their two kids, Emmett, who has Down syndrome, and Darcy, who’s quietly drowning and wrestling with being overshadowed. And the audiobook nails it. All four narrators did a fantastic job portraying their characters. As a HIMYM fan, having Josh Radnor and Cobie Smulders narrating together warmed my heart. And Emmett’s parts are actually narrated by someone with Down syndrome, which made the story even more powerful. Representation like that really matters and this is a topic that is touched on in the story.

As creative control, love, and family truths collide, each voice is fighting to be heard.

The book touches on so many important things. Sibling love, sibling resentment, invisible labor, and that generational divide where parents say stuff that might’ve been “normal” in their time but just doesn’t fly now. Often, I see stories like this come off preachy, not this one. It all feels very authentic.

It made me laugh, tear up, and think hard about how we talk about disability, parenting, and whose voices get heard. If you love character-driven stories with a lot of heart and a little humor, this one’s 1000% worth a listen.

Thank you Harlequin Audio & NetGalley for the ALC!

"They often get paid sub-minimum wage, which is just as shitty as it sounds, thanks to a provision in the ironically named Fair Labor Standards Act. Someone like Emmett is most likely to be assigned a mindless, repetitive task, not of their choosing, not tailored to their strengths, and be paid less than a non-disabled person for the same effort. Emmett is a bright, funny, wonderful dude.
Okay, I'm his mother, but he really is. He can do more than our current group thinks he can. He should be engaged, challenged. He should be inspired instead of having to be inspiring. Accepted instead of having to accept less."

[Firetruckmama · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received an eARC of this book from NetGalley and the publisher, for which I thank them.

“That’s Not How it Happened” is by Craig Thomas. I’ve never seen “How I Met Your Mother” so I went into this book blind other than the publisher’s description. I have really mixed feelings about this book. On one hand, I liked that all four voices of the family were used - however for a long time I felt like the voice of the daughter was too similar too that of the mother (yes, it happens that kids (and spouses) start “sounding” like each other over time). It wasn’t until the stories got rolling that I was able to separate the two. I thought that Emmett’s story was the most powerful and moving - I could feel his feelings roll off the page - from his highs to his lows and even his confusion over things. At times this book felt like it was written to be a TV show - which wasn’t surprising based upon the author’s background - but it felt like too much like it was playing out like a show (there’s a LOT of miscommunication in this 300-ish page book). There were a few bits I liked - the rewriting of history to make yourself better (I’ve an extended family member who does that all the time; it’s annoying as heck) and the look at how crazy Hollywood can be. I felt the parents were a bit clueless about their kids, though I guess all parents in some ways are clueless about their adult children’s desires, wants, needs, et al. Would I read this book again? No. Did I find it interesting - yes, but I did find myself wishing that the daughter hadn’t been playing second fiddle to Emmett and the parental conflict (even the “terrible thing” while immediately causing issues, surprisingly wasn’t as bad in the end - why didn’t it go viral?). Overall, a 3.5 read for me - which is an acceptable read.

[Courtney · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an ARC for review.

I was so excited to finally get a copy of this. I'm a huge fan of Craig Thomas and his work on the television show, How I Met Your Mother, and his work on the rewatch podcast, How We Made Your Mother. I heard about this book through the podcast and anxiously awaited my approval!

This story is based on his own life as a screenwriter with a differently abled son. In this novel, the son has Down syndrome. I appreciated the perspectives from all of the characters - the husband, wife, daughter, and son. Each of them are going through their own personal triumphs and struggles. In the beginning, the tension between the husband and wife made me feel sour. The end of the novel was stronger part, in my opinion, when the action picked up and characters came to understandings with each other.

This is a sweet look at a family facing a particular kind of struggle but never letting it get them down. There is humor and a peek at the Hollywood movie-making process, too.

[Ticey Geyer · Rating 4 out of 5]

🎧

[HTP Books]

Humorous Fiction, Siblings, Black Humor, Family Life Fiction