Raised on Rooftops: Life Lessons from a Roofer's Daughter

by Cari Smith

What if the most powerful lessons in life weren't taught-but lived?



From childhood summers spent hauling shingles and hammering nails, to adult years navigating motherhood, grief, and growth, Raised on Rooftops is a heartfelt memoir that explores how legacy is built-not just through words, but through work, laughter, and love.



Cari Smith, the daughter of a patient and practical small-town roofer, tells deeply relatable stories that span the roles of daughter, wife, and mother. Organized in three sections, the book moves from rooftop projects to dinner table confessions, bedtime routines, and quiet moments of unexpected clarity. Through humor, humility, and hope, Smith captures the beauty in the mundane and the sacred in the everyday.



Perfect for fans of Ann Voskamp, Shannon K. Evans, Jennifer Fulwiler or Jamie Ivey, Raised on Rooftops will resonate with anyone who cherishes family, faith, and storytelling. Includes a free downloadable companion journal, The Rooftop Reflection Journal, to help readers begin capturing their own family legacy.

206 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 9, 2025

Reviews

[Kristen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the way Cari weaves narrative, humor, reflection, and real life into every page of this beautiful memoir. If you’ve ever believed your family was the only one with inside jokes, wild stories, unexpected heartache, or laugh-til-you-cry moments, her storytelling will remind you that you’re in good company.

Raised on Rooftops invites you to laugh, remember, and maybe even heal a few things you didn’t know were still tucked away. Cari’s voice is honest and deeply relatable—you’ll find yourself nodding, tearing up, and recognizing pieces of your own story in hers.

This memoir is the kind that lingers and sparks conversations, and it would make a meaningful gift for anyone you love. I highly recommend it.

[Keith K · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cari Smith’s Raised on Rooftops is a warm, funny, big-hearted memoir from a roofer’s daughter. With sharp wit and honesty, she turns sweaty summers hauling shingles, chaotic family dinners, and life’s harder blows into bite-sized lessons on grit, faith, and love. It is a great read and hard to put down.

[Shelly Piecuch · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book! Cari weaves life lessons and humor into each entry. We move through snippets of her life from youth, young adulthood, marriage and motherhood. Throughout the book there are take aways for each of us. If you like warmth, truth, humor and walking a journey that you able to relate with regardless of your background, this book is for you!

[Roger R. · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was an absolute page-turner! Down-to-earth, relatable, and hard to put down.
I finished it in just one day. The writing is easy to follow, and the real-life stories make it both insightful and enjoyable. I highly recommend it for families, family-owned businesses, and anyone interested in the dynamics of complex family/business relationships. What really resonated with me was how the book highlights the importance of communication and trust in family businesses. It reminded me that success isn’t just about strategy—it’s about relationships and shared values.