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Lemtingi mūsų pasirinkimai
Hana ir Keitė susidraugavo penktoje klasėje, kai Hana užvožė berniukui, bandžiusiam žvilgtelėti Keitei po sijonu. Nuo to laiko jos artimos lyg seserys, nors jų gyvenimai susiklostė nevienodai.
Keitė su vyru Deividu sukūrė šeimą ir džiaugiasi augindami dvi žavias dukreles. O štai Hana su sutuoktiniu Benu jau ne vienus metus mėgina susilaukti kūdikio. Žinia, kad ji tikriausiai niekada netaps mama, sudaužo Hanai širdį. Matydama, kaip draugė kankinasi, Keitė ryžtasi padaryti ypatingą paslaugą – išnešioti jai kūdikį.
Dvi šeimos, kupinos atgimusios vilties, jaudulio ir dėkingumo, pradeda lemtingų sprendimų kupiną kelionę tėvystės link…
Įžvalgi ir stulbinamai atvira knyga. Tai jaudinantis pasakojimas apie dvi moteris, tvirtą draugystę, nelengvus pasirinkimus ir pavojų, į kurį esame priversti žengti siekdami savo svajonių.
Keitė su vyru Deividu sukūrė šeimą ir džiaugiasi augindami dvi žavias dukreles. O štai Hana su sutuoktiniu Benu jau ne vienus metus mėgina susilaukti kūdikio. Žinia, kad ji tikriausiai niekada netaps mama, sudaužo Hanai širdį. Matydama, kaip draugė kankinasi, Keitė ryžtasi padaryti ypatingą paslaugą – išnešioti jai kūdikį.
Dvi šeimos, kupinos atgimusios vilties, jaudulio ir dėkingumo, pradeda lemtingų sprendimų kupiną kelionę tėvystės link…
Įžvalgi ir stulbinamai atvira knyga. Tai jaudinantis pasakojimas apie dvi moteris, tvirtą draugystę, nelengvus pasirinkimus ir pavojų, į kurį esame priversti žengti siekdami savo svajonių.
352 pages, Hardcover
First published July 12, 2016
307 people are currently reading
12266 people want to read
About the author
Karma Brown
15 books1,340 followersKARMA BROWN is a Canadian award-winning journalist, speaker, and the #1 bestselling author of six novels, including RECIPE FOR A PERFECT WIFE. She has also written the non-fiction bestseller THE 4% FIX, and has co-authored two holiday rom-coms under the pen name Maggie Knox. In addition to her books, Karma's writing has appeared in publications such as Redbook, SELF, and Chatelaine. Karma lives just outside Toronto with her husband, daughter, and a labradoodle named Fred. She released a holiday rom com in 2026 (THE CHRISTMAS CURE) under the pen name Kristine Winters, and her horror debut, MOTHER IS WATCHING publishes March 17, 2026.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 891 reviews
April 3, 2017
Before you even sit down and read the first page, do yourself a favor and grab a box of tissues. Trust me, you're going to need it. From the author’s earnest opening note to the final few words, this is an incredibly sad journey. One that left me tear-stained and emotionally wrecked.
What if having a baby was the only thing that you’ve wanted for the last 6 years? What if your only hope of having that baby rested in your best friend using one of her eggs and her uterus? Would you still go through with it?
It sound so easy, right? She has the baby, hands it over and everyone is blissfully happy. All is right in the world. But wait, there's so much more to it than that. So many things that you might not even contemplate initially. And believe me, this book will make you ponder those things.
The most powerful part of the story for me was Kate and Hannah’s friendship. Twenty-five years in the making, these two have been friends since the 5th grade! Can you imagine? For Kate it’s almost a no-brainer to do this selfless thing, she just wants to see Hannah happy.
There’s no doubt, Hannah let her desire for a baby cloud her judgement. She was totally irrational, selfish and sometimes even a bit harsh. There were times I honestly couldn’t stand her. I wanted to high-five Ben every time he tried to talk some sense in to her, but then I realized, it’s easy to sit back and say I would see things more clearly than Hannah, but would I really? Constantly having to stare your husband’s disappointment in the face or feeling like your own body is somehow failing you, sounds like emotional torture.
There were a few times Hannah’s actions made me question if she really did love Kate as much as she claimed to though. Is the desire to be a mother a valid excuse for any of it? I’m still not quite sure.
I liked Karma Brown’s first book, Come Away with Me, but I think this one was a tad bit better. It had more of an emotional impact and even if my eyes are totally red and puffy today, it was so worth it.
*ARC provided by Harlequin and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
What if having a baby was the only thing that you’ve wanted for the last 6 years? What if your only hope of having that baby rested in your best friend using one of her eggs and her uterus? Would you still go through with it?
It sound so easy, right? She has the baby, hands it over and everyone is blissfully happy. All is right in the world. But wait, there's so much more to it than that. So many things that you might not even contemplate initially. And believe me, this book will make you ponder those things.
The most powerful part of the story for me was Kate and Hannah’s friendship. Twenty-five years in the making, these two have been friends since the 5th grade! Can you imagine? For Kate it’s almost a no-brainer to do this selfless thing, she just wants to see Hannah happy.
There’s no doubt, Hannah let her desire for a baby cloud her judgement. She was totally irrational, selfish and sometimes even a bit harsh. There were times I honestly couldn’t stand her. I wanted to high-five Ben every time he tried to talk some sense in to her, but then I realized, it’s easy to sit back and say I would see things more clearly than Hannah, but would I really? Constantly having to stare your husband’s disappointment in the face or feeling like your own body is somehow failing you, sounds like emotional torture.
There were a few times Hannah’s actions made me question if she really did love Kate as much as she claimed to though. Is the desire to be a mother a valid excuse for any of it? I’m still not quite sure.
I liked Karma Brown’s first book, Come Away with Me, but I think this one was a tad bit better. It had more of an emotional impact and even if my eyes are totally red and puffy today, it was so worth it.
*ARC provided by Harlequin and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
April 28, 2017
The Choices We Make is my first book by Karma Brown and as I was warned by my Goodreads friends it was a sad and an emotional read that I was prepared for. Even though I didn't need a box of Kleenex as I was reading I did find it sad and instead of my normal cup of tea I finished reading this one with a glass of wine.
The story is told through Hannah and Kate’s perspective who have been friends since 5th grade and have been there for each other ever since. Hannah is unable to have children and when she and her husband have exhausted their options, Kate offers a selflessness option. The story not only explores relationships between friends but also between husband and wife, mother and child under distressing circumstances. I found the characters were not always likeable and at times I was angry at them and sad by the things they said and did. I found it to be believable and it reminded me that we don't always behave our best when our loved ones are at risk. The story also explores grief and we see how grief can affect the choices we make.
I loved all the relationships and I felt for all the characters in this unforgettable story making this an emotional read for me with a satisfying ending.
All of Norma’s & my reviews can be found on our Sister Blog:
http://www.twogirlslostinacouleereadi...
The story is told through Hannah and Kate’s perspective who have been friends since 5th grade and have been there for each other ever since. Hannah is unable to have children and when she and her husband have exhausted their options, Kate offers a selflessness option. The story not only explores relationships between friends but also between husband and wife, mother and child under distressing circumstances. I found the characters were not always likeable and at times I was angry at them and sad by the things they said and did. I found it to be believable and it reminded me that we don't always behave our best when our loved ones are at risk. The story also explores grief and we see how grief can affect the choices we make.
I loved all the relationships and I felt for all the characters in this unforgettable story making this an emotional read for me with a satisfying ending.
All of Norma’s & my reviews can be found on our Sister Blog:
http://www.twogirlslostinacouleereadi...
May 26, 2017
Update: I was finally able to finish this absolutely heartbreaking novel!
THE CHOICES WE MAKE by KARMA BROWN was recommended to me by a few of my close Goodreads friends after finishing IN THIS MOMENT and I was warned to have a box of Kleenex handy as it was going to be a sad and emotional read. Well I needed that box of Kleenex!
I can usually hold back my emotions fairly well while reading a book but I wasn't able to control my tears with this one. I was just hoping hubby wouldn't wake up and ask me why I was crying. This was such a good book!
THE CHOICES WE MAKE by KARMA BROWN is an unforgettable and powerful story about love, friendship, loss, motherhood, and how grief can ultimately affect the choices we make.
KARMA BROWN delivers a touching and heart-wrenching story here that is told through Hannah and Kate’s perspective who have been best friends since fifth grade and have been there for each other ever since. Hannah is unable to get pregnant and when she and her husband have lost all hope, Kate offers them an alternative option.
I really liked all the characters and their relationships and I really felt like I was feeling their pain, hopelessness, grief, and their excitement, happiness, and gratefulness. I also found it to be an honest and believable portrayal of how one might react or behave if put in a similar situation, that of Hannah’s and/or Kate’s.
To sum it all up it was an emotional, steady-paced, and a quick read with a satisfying ending. Would recommend!!
Earlier comments:
DNF.......because I got bumped on Overdrive before I could!
I am so bummed! I did not finish this book before I was locked out of reading it late last night on Overdrive! I guess I shouldn't have waited for the last day to read this! Now I have to wait until the book comes available to me again!
THE CHOICES WE MAKE by KARMA BROWN was recommended to me by a few of my close Goodreads friends after finishing IN THIS MOMENT and I was warned to have a box of Kleenex handy as it was going to be a sad and emotional read. Well I needed that box of Kleenex!
I can usually hold back my emotions fairly well while reading a book but I wasn't able to control my tears with this one. I was just hoping hubby wouldn't wake up and ask me why I was crying. This was such a good book!
THE CHOICES WE MAKE by KARMA BROWN is an unforgettable and powerful story about love, friendship, loss, motherhood, and how grief can ultimately affect the choices we make.
KARMA BROWN delivers a touching and heart-wrenching story here that is told through Hannah and Kate’s perspective who have been best friends since fifth grade and have been there for each other ever since. Hannah is unable to get pregnant and when she and her husband have lost all hope, Kate offers them an alternative option.
I really liked all the characters and their relationships and I really felt like I was feeling their pain, hopelessness, grief, and their excitement, happiness, and gratefulness. I also found it to be an honest and believable portrayal of how one might react or behave if put in a similar situation, that of Hannah’s and/or Kate’s.
To sum it all up it was an emotional, steady-paced, and a quick read with a satisfying ending. Would recommend!!
Earlier comments:
DNF.......because I got bumped on Overdrive before I could!
I am so bummed! I did not finish this book before I was locked out of reading it late last night on Overdrive! I guess I shouldn't have waited for the last day to read this! Now I have to wait until the book comes available to me again!
February 16, 2016
The Choices We Make is a beautiful written, heart-wrenching novel about friendship and motherhood. Hannah and Kate are best friends who will do anything for each other, and when Hannah and her husband are unable to conceive, Kate is ready to do whatever it takes to help them create a family. A true testament to the power of family and friendship, made even more moving by the fact that certain elements of the novel are based on events in the author's life. Be sure to have plenty of tissues on hand; you will need them. After falling in love with Karma Brown's debut, I knew I had to read The Choices We Make, and was fortunate enough to get my hands on an early copy.
September 15, 2021
Tokios skaudžios istorijos jau seniai nesu skaičiusi.. Tai knyga, kurią perskaičius dar ilgai laikiau ją rankose. Gal tai ir nėra pats nuostabiausias kūrinys kuriam duoti 5⭐, bet ji man bus įsimintina ir nepamirštama. Sukrėtė iki sielos gelmių. Knygą skaičiau kelionėje, oro uoste tarp žmonių, todėl vis tramdziau ašaras. Tikiu, jog dauguma nesupras to stipraus, beprotiško noro tapti tėvais, mama, ypač kai nesigauna.. visas tas laviravimas knygoje, pasirinkimai ir akimirkos, užima kvapą. Labai jaučiau visą tą moters skausmą dėl negalėjimo pastoti, visas tas pavydas ir skausmas matant laimingas šeimas.. tai nepakeliama. Nieko keisto kad kovojo 'dantimis ir nagais' už kūdikį net tokioje siaubingoje situacijoje.
🖋️ "Pasaulis laužo kiekvieną, bet paskui dauguma tampa tik stipresni lūžio vietoje." Ernestas Hemingvėjus
🖋️ Išmokau atsakinėti į skaudų, nejautrų, nors ir nepiktybiškai užduodamą klausimą: Na, tai kada turėsite vaikų? Priešingai nei anksčiau, nebeatsakau entuziastingu: Stengiamės! Dabar tiesiog tarsteliu: Tikiuosi, greitai.
🖋️...galbūt tą kartą, kai sušnibždėjai: Meldžiu, padėk, aš nenoriu būti motina - visatai pasirodė, kad prašai to visiems laikams.
🖋️ "Pasaulis laužo kiekvieną, bet paskui dauguma tampa tik stipresni lūžio vietoje." Ernestas Hemingvėjus
🖋️ Išmokau atsakinėti į skaudų, nejautrų, nors ir nepiktybiškai užduodamą klausimą: Na, tai kada turėsite vaikų? Priešingai nei anksčiau, nebeatsakau entuziastingu: Stengiamės! Dabar tiesiog tarsteliu: Tikiuosi, greitai.
🖋️...galbūt tą kartą, kai sušnibždėjai: Meldžiu, padėk, aš nenoriu būti motina - visatai pasirodė, kad prašai to visiems laikams.
July 4, 2020
Dar viena Karmos Brown knyga. Neseniai skaičiau jos "Eime su manimi", kuri man labai patiko. Autorė ir vėl bandė kabinti jautrią temą - šį sykį istorija apie dvi neišskiriamas drauges, Haną ir Keitę.⠀
⠀
Abiejų moterų likimai skirtingi. Keitė - mylima žmona ir laiminga dviejų vaikų mama. Hana, kartu su vyru ilgą laiką trokšta susilaukti vaikelio, tačiau panašu, kad jų svajonei nelemta išsipildyti. Matydama, kaip draugė kankinasi, Keitė ryžtasi neįtikėtinam dalykui - pasiūlo tapti surogratine motina ir išnešioti jai kūdikį. Taip prasideda jų sunki, daug jėgų pareikalausianti ir priversianti priimti sunkius sprendimus, kelionė.⠀
⠀
Ką jau ką, bet rašyti tokio tipo knygas, autorė moka. Žaviuosi jos sugebėjimu, tokias sunkias ir skaudžias temas, pasakoti taip lengvai ir įtaigiai. Šį kartą istorija, pačiai autorei, labai artima ir išjausta. Ji, sužinojusi apie savo onkologinę ligą, pradėjo galvoti apie šeimos pagausėjimą, bet dėl sveikatos problemų, to padaryti nepavyko. Jai padėti pasisiūlė sesuo ir išnešiojo jai dukrytę. ⠀
⠀
Skaityti tokias knygas nėra lengva. Nori to, ar ne, statai save į veikėjų vietą ir mąstai, ką tokiu atveju darytum tu? Aukotumeisi? Galėtum atiduoti devynis mėnesius po širdimi nešiotą vaiką? Kokius sprendimus priimtum, būdamas jų kailyje? O jų, tiek Hanai, tiek Keitei ir jų antrosioms pusėms, priimti teko daug. Ir tokių sunkių, kad skaitant skrandis vartėsi kūliais, pagalvojus, kokį skausmą realybėje, jie sukeltų. ⠀
⠀
Užvertus paskutinį puslapį, dar ilgai lieki kartu su šia istorija ir liūdesiu, kuriuo tiesiog persmelkta visas šis kūrinys. Vietomis to tragizmo, buvo šiek tiek per daug. Liūdna ir skaudi istorija, vietomis panašėjo į melodramą. Nepaisant to, man patiko. Dėl vilties, dėl autorės nešamos žinutės. Skaitant ne kartą norėjosi mesti ją į šoną, nulėkti apkabinti savo vaikus ir dėkoti likimui (?), kad juos turiu ❤⠀
⠀
Jei neskaitėt, rekomenduoju. Tik servetėlių pasiruoškit, nes tikiu, kad gali prireikti.⠀
⠀
Abiejų moterų likimai skirtingi. Keitė - mylima žmona ir laiminga dviejų vaikų mama. Hana, kartu su vyru ilgą laiką trokšta susilaukti vaikelio, tačiau panašu, kad jų svajonei nelemta išsipildyti. Matydama, kaip draugė kankinasi, Keitė ryžtasi neįtikėtinam dalykui - pasiūlo tapti surogratine motina ir išnešioti jai kūdikį. Taip prasideda jų sunki, daug jėgų pareikalausianti ir priversianti priimti sunkius sprendimus, kelionė.⠀
⠀
Ką jau ką, bet rašyti tokio tipo knygas, autorė moka. Žaviuosi jos sugebėjimu, tokias sunkias ir skaudžias temas, pasakoti taip lengvai ir įtaigiai. Šį kartą istorija, pačiai autorei, labai artima ir išjausta. Ji, sužinojusi apie savo onkologinę ligą, pradėjo galvoti apie šeimos pagausėjimą, bet dėl sveikatos problemų, to padaryti nepavyko. Jai padėti pasisiūlė sesuo ir išnešiojo jai dukrytę. ⠀
⠀
Skaityti tokias knygas nėra lengva. Nori to, ar ne, statai save į veikėjų vietą ir mąstai, ką tokiu atveju darytum tu? Aukotumeisi? Galėtum atiduoti devynis mėnesius po širdimi nešiotą vaiką? Kokius sprendimus priimtum, būdamas jų kailyje? O jų, tiek Hanai, tiek Keitei ir jų antrosioms pusėms, priimti teko daug. Ir tokių sunkių, kad skaitant skrandis vartėsi kūliais, pagalvojus, kokį skausmą realybėje, jie sukeltų. ⠀
⠀
Užvertus paskutinį puslapį, dar ilgai lieki kartu su šia istorija ir liūdesiu, kuriuo tiesiog persmelkta visas šis kūrinys. Vietomis to tragizmo, buvo šiek tiek per daug. Liūdna ir skaudi istorija, vietomis panašėjo į melodramą. Nepaisant to, man patiko. Dėl vilties, dėl autorės nešamos žinutės. Skaitant ne kartą norėjosi mesti ją į šoną, nulėkti apkabinti savo vaikus ir dėkoti likimui (?), kad juos turiu ❤⠀
⠀
Jei neskaitėt, rekomenduoju. Tik servetėlių pasiruoškit, nes tikiu, kad gali prireikti.⠀
May 27, 2017
Canadian author Karma Brown returns following her bestselling debut Come Away With Me with her second unforgettable poignant story THE CHOICES WE MAKE —the powerful bonds of friendship, motherhood, and the risks we take for those we love.
To further enhance your reading experience, please take note of this Author's Journey to Motherhood Redbook post. (also a note from the author included in the book). Even though this is not her story; her experience, personal connection, and passion --reflected throughout the pages. Commend her for her courage, to tell this story.
From love and loss, you will need some Kleenex handy!
Hannah and Kate have been linked at the hip since fifth grade, BFFs for forever and promises made. (cute story here). As close as any sisters could possibly be, they are now adults and both married in their mid-thirties.
Hannah, and husband Ben have been trying to conceive for years. All avenues exhausted. From treatments, and expensive fertility shots--failed. Hannah and her husband's relationship is strained from all the efforts.
Kate and David are parents to two healthy young daughters. Kate and Hannah had envisioned having children together. Kate's heart breaks for her friend, and she is her biggest supporter.
From endless fertility tests and the final straw with the news from the doctor, there is no hope left. Hannah begins looking into surrogacy, in secret. Ben wants them to consider adoption since their last embryo did not work. Hannah does not want someone's else child. She is afraid the mother would back out, at at the last minute and more heartbreak. Hannah is desperate. Things have a habit of spinning out of control, with desperation.
Hannah is obsessed with becoming a mother. It is all she can think about. She is envious of other mothers. Even a possible surrogacy effort gets shut down due to discrimination--she is depressed and grieving for her loss.
Kate’s heart breaks for her best friend. She has an idea. She gets checked out by the doctor and runs it by her husband, David--which was totally against the idea of her carrying Hannah’s baby. Essentially she would be using her own eggs with Bens. Then she would hand it over to Hannah and Ben. How does David feel about this? Will Kate be too close to the situation to hand over the baby?
Finally, David wants Kate to be happy, so he agrees and Hannah and Ben are delighted. However, being close friends there are many lines which could spell disaster. The legalities, moral ramifications, health risks, and the psychological aspects involved. Are they willing to take the chance?
When all seems to be going well, a tragedy occurs, protesters, attorneys, media, and friendships threatened. Everyone is taking sides. Families are devastated. Ethical and moral lines are crossed, a friendship tested, and the intensity heats up.
Kate suffers a devastating aneurysm— and ends up in a coma. Hannah and Ben know their baby is at great risk if delivered so early — something Kate’s husband, David, is pushing for, as he believes removing the stress of the pregnancy could give Kate’s brain a chance to heal.
What follows is an emotionally charged story about two mothers — one desperate to protect her unborn child, the other on the brink of death — and the impact those struggles have on their families and friendships.
From contemporary, domestic suspense, chick-lit, family drama, psychological, and emotional - a heartfelt story of the fragile ties of motherhood, family, and friendship.
An ideal choice for book clubs and further discussions. When reading you will have your own strong feelings, when it appears as though Kate is doing all the giving, and Hannah is being selfish and self-centered, not taking into consideration her friendship and love for her friend. My favorite character was Kate!
How much is one friend willing to sacrifice for another person? At the same time, on the other end of the spectrum, the powerful bond of a mother’s fierce love for her child. A husband and two children are put in a difficult situation. A position I would never want to find myself in. Heartbreaking yet hopeful.
Compelling and thought-provoking! The risks some take to find their dreams. Brown definitely knows how to get up close and personal—delicate human dynamics crossing all boundaries, sprinkled with heartfelt beautiful prose.
Also purchased the audio after reading the book. Narrated by Cassandra Campbell and Jorjeana Marie (OMG my two favorite narrators on one audio--think I am heaven). Perfect voices for Kate and Hannah.
For fans of Diane Chamberlain, Jodi Picoult, Nicholas Sparks, T. Greenwood, Sarah Pekkanen, and Rochelle Weinstein, and those who enjoy life's complexities.
After reading, the advanced reading copy, immediately purchased the audiobook, Come Away With Me. As an added bonus, performed by a favorite narrator: Jorjeana Marie!
Look for In This Moment Coming May 30, 2017!
A special thank you to MIRA and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
JDCMustReadBooks
To further enhance your reading experience, please take note of this Author's Journey to Motherhood Redbook post. (also a note from the author included in the book). Even though this is not her story; her experience, personal connection, and passion --reflected throughout the pages. Commend her for her courage, to tell this story.
From love and loss, you will need some Kleenex handy!
Hannah and Kate have been linked at the hip since fifth grade, BFFs for forever and promises made. (cute story here). As close as any sisters could possibly be, they are now adults and both married in their mid-thirties.
Hannah, and husband Ben have been trying to conceive for years. All avenues exhausted. From treatments, and expensive fertility shots--failed. Hannah and her husband's relationship is strained from all the efforts.
Kate and David are parents to two healthy young daughters. Kate and Hannah had envisioned having children together. Kate's heart breaks for her friend, and she is her biggest supporter.
From endless fertility tests and the final straw with the news from the doctor, there is no hope left. Hannah begins looking into surrogacy, in secret. Ben wants them to consider adoption since their last embryo did not work. Hannah does not want someone's else child. She is afraid the mother would back out, at at the last minute and more heartbreak. Hannah is desperate. Things have a habit of spinning out of control, with desperation.
Hannah is obsessed with becoming a mother. It is all she can think about. She is envious of other mothers. Even a possible surrogacy effort gets shut down due to discrimination--she is depressed and grieving for her loss.
Kate’s heart breaks for her best friend. She has an idea. She gets checked out by the doctor and runs it by her husband, David--which was totally against the idea of her carrying Hannah’s baby. Essentially she would be using her own eggs with Bens. Then she would hand it over to Hannah and Ben. How does David feel about this? Will Kate be too close to the situation to hand over the baby?
Finally, David wants Kate to be happy, so he agrees and Hannah and Ben are delighted. However, being close friends there are many lines which could spell disaster. The legalities, moral ramifications, health risks, and the psychological aspects involved. Are they willing to take the chance?
When all seems to be going well, a tragedy occurs, protesters, attorneys, media, and friendships threatened. Everyone is taking sides. Families are devastated. Ethical and moral lines are crossed, a friendship tested, and the intensity heats up.
Kate suffers a devastating aneurysm— and ends up in a coma. Hannah and Ben know their baby is at great risk if delivered so early — something Kate’s husband, David, is pushing for, as he believes removing the stress of the pregnancy could give Kate’s brain a chance to heal.
What follows is an emotionally charged story about two mothers — one desperate to protect her unborn child, the other on the brink of death — and the impact those struggles have on their families and friendships.
From contemporary, domestic suspense, chick-lit, family drama, psychological, and emotional - a heartfelt story of the fragile ties of motherhood, family, and friendship.
An ideal choice for book clubs and further discussions. When reading you will have your own strong feelings, when it appears as though Kate is doing all the giving, and Hannah is being selfish and self-centered, not taking into consideration her friendship and love for her friend. My favorite character was Kate!
How much is one friend willing to sacrifice for another person? At the same time, on the other end of the spectrum, the powerful bond of a mother’s fierce love for her child. A husband and two children are put in a difficult situation. A position I would never want to find myself in. Heartbreaking yet hopeful.
Compelling and thought-provoking! The risks some take to find their dreams. Brown definitely knows how to get up close and personal—delicate human dynamics crossing all boundaries, sprinkled with heartfelt beautiful prose.
Also purchased the audio after reading the book. Narrated by Cassandra Campbell and Jorjeana Marie (OMG my two favorite narrators on one audio--think I am heaven). Perfect voices for Kate and Hannah.
For fans of Diane Chamberlain, Jodi Picoult, Nicholas Sparks, T. Greenwood, Sarah Pekkanen, and Rochelle Weinstein, and those who enjoy life's complexities.
After reading, the advanced reading copy, immediately purchased the audiobook, Come Away With Me. As an added bonus, performed by a favorite narrator: Jorjeana Marie!
Look for In This Moment Coming May 30, 2017!
A special thank you to MIRA and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
JDCMustReadBooks
May 4, 2017
This was the first book I read by Ms. Brown, and WOW! From the very first page, to the last page, it kept me wanting more. I had a very hard time putting this book down. This book is perfect for book clubs and would certainly rouse some great discussion. I give this book a 5/5!
July 20, 2020
Four and a half stars.
Hannah and Kate have been best friends since fifth grade and the first day Kate appears at their school. Their husbands Ben and David have since become friends too. But Kate has something Hannah can’t help feeling envious of. Kate and David have two daughters, Ava and Josie, whereas Hannah and Ben have been battling for years to even have one child. They have been through IVF and all to no avail. Just as they start to explore other ideas like adoption and surrogacy, Kate comes up with a plan built out of love for her friend. Suddenly Hannah has hope that things will work out after all and she will finally have a baby of her own. There are issues to work through but nothing that can’t be resolved. Until tragedy strikes.
This is a beautiful exploration of friendship and the lengths one person will go to for another. Once I started to read this book it compelled me to keep reading. I had to know what happened. Yes, I admit not all worked out as I would have liked but it is I feel a very honest portrayal of how people could respond. For when tragedy strikes, suddenly it brings out the worst in most of those involved in the situation. Some of the behaviour made me so angry. But then before we become too judgemental of how these friends handle things, we can never know how we would respond given a similar situation. This is a book that certainly involves the emotions. If you can get through it without anger and tears, you’re built of stronger stuff than me. I certainly went through my share of tissues.
I didn’t read the author’s note at the beginning until after I had read the book, but it explains a lot of why the emotions of the characters feel so real. Alternating mostly between Hannah and Kate’s points of view the reader gets a very clear picture of how each one is feeling. I also liked the conversation with the author at the end about her inspiration and motivation for writing this book. My first book by this author I would definitely be keen to read another.
If you want a story that will tug at the heart strings and totally involve you, this is it. I simply had to keep reading till I reached the end. An emotional, honest story that captured me and held me throughout. An involving and recommended read.
Hannah and Kate have been best friends since fifth grade and the first day Kate appears at their school. Their husbands Ben and David have since become friends too. But Kate has something Hannah can’t help feeling envious of. Kate and David have two daughters, Ava and Josie, whereas Hannah and Ben have been battling for years to even have one child. They have been through IVF and all to no avail. Just as they start to explore other ideas like adoption and surrogacy, Kate comes up with a plan built out of love for her friend. Suddenly Hannah has hope that things will work out after all and she will finally have a baby of her own. There are issues to work through but nothing that can’t be resolved. Until tragedy strikes.
This is a beautiful exploration of friendship and the lengths one person will go to for another. Once I started to read this book it compelled me to keep reading. I had to know what happened. Yes, I admit not all worked out as I would have liked but it is I feel a very honest portrayal of how people could respond. For when tragedy strikes, suddenly it brings out the worst in most of those involved in the situation. Some of the behaviour made me so angry. But then before we become too judgemental of how these friends handle things, we can never know how we would respond given a similar situation. This is a book that certainly involves the emotions. If you can get through it without anger and tears, you’re built of stronger stuff than me. I certainly went through my share of tissues.
I didn’t read the author’s note at the beginning until after I had read the book, but it explains a lot of why the emotions of the characters feel so real. Alternating mostly between Hannah and Kate’s points of view the reader gets a very clear picture of how each one is feeling. I also liked the conversation with the author at the end about her inspiration and motivation for writing this book. My first book by this author I would definitely be keen to read another.
If you want a story that will tug at the heart strings and totally involve you, this is it. I simply had to keep reading till I reached the end. An emotional, honest story that captured me and held me throughout. An involving and recommended read.
April 30, 2017
Thanks to the reviews of my Goodreads friends Brenda and Melissa, I knew that this was going to be my next read. Oh what an emotional contemporary fiction this book turned out to be. I haven't cried this hard since reading KA Hancock's "Dancing On Broken Glass. " Knowing that this was a very personal story to the author just added to that layer of emotion.
Alternately told through the eyes of best friends, Kate and Hannah, The Choices We Make, is the kind of book that I just couldn't stop reading. The relationship between the two women and their relationships with their husbands were absolutely beautiful. Like other reviewers, I felt so many different emotions during the last half of the book, including frustration.
If I had one little quibble regarding the story, it was that I would wish for a book to come along that wasn't so negative on adoption as a parenting choice. I have friends that were adopted and acquaintances that have been foster parents that have also adopted and maybe it is through them that I notice how slanted our perception can be on adoption. My two cents on the matter!
Ironically, I had requested this book on NetGalley in 2016 and been refused, but this was definitely a book worth waiting for!
Alternately told through the eyes of best friends, Kate and Hannah, The Choices We Make, is the kind of book that I just couldn't stop reading. The relationship between the two women and their relationships with their husbands were absolutely beautiful. Like other reviewers, I felt so many different emotions during the last half of the book, including frustration.
If I had one little quibble regarding the story, it was that I would wish for a book to come along that wasn't so negative on adoption as a parenting choice. I have friends that were adopted and acquaintances that have been foster parents that have also adopted and maybe it is through them that I notice how slanted our perception can be on adoption. My two cents on the matter!
Ironically, I had requested this book on NetGalley in 2016 and been refused, but this was definitely a book worth waiting for!
July 31, 2016
I knew right away I was going to like this book. There's something about the author's style that makes you feel as though you are living in the pages. That you personally know the characters.
Kate and Hannah have been best friends since they were kids. Both marrried, Kate has 2 girls, and Hannah is struggling to have a baby. Kate wants to help, and give the gift of motherhood to her closest friend.
I couldn't wait to get home to read, and turn the pages on this emotional book. I've already recommended it to my daughter and sister, telling them it made me cry for the last several chapters, the true mark of a good story!!
Kate and Hannah have been best friends since they were kids. Both marrried, Kate has 2 girls, and Hannah is struggling to have a baby. Kate wants to help, and give the gift of motherhood to her closest friend.
I couldn't wait to get home to read, and turn the pages on this emotional book. I've already recommended it to my daughter and sister, telling them it made me cry for the last several chapters, the true mark of a good story!!
July 25, 2016
How much are your friendships worth to you? How much are you willing to give to your best friend to stop her agony and pain? Two lifelong best friends share the greatest gift anyone could give to another in Karma Brown’s emotionally charged The Choices We Make.
Kate has been blessed with children, a loving husband and her best friend, Hannah. Hannah craves the joy of parenthood with Ben, but having exhausted every avenue, she is left devastated and broken. Kate took her love and friendship to the limits and beyond when she made the decision to be a surrogate mother for Hannah. This is their story, a story of grief, loss, determination and the ultimate gift of love.
There was no way for me to prepare for the effect Karma Brown’s writing would have on me. I went from emotionally drained to elated to fearful to unpleasantly numb, not sure what was appropriate to feel until I took an honest look at the message behind this tale. I ended up grateful for the opportunity to read something as powerful and heartfelt as The Choices We Make.
Ms. Brown has brought a contemporary issue to life and colored it beautiful, real and one of the most amazing books I have read lately. The entertainment value is in the message, the depths of the relationships between the characters and the pure love that they all shared. I’m not sure how many tissues I went through, but Ms. Brown’s writing was worth every tear. This is a diamond just waiting to sparkle on your bookshelf. This is the book you give as a gift to a best friend, it will say all you cannot express.
I received this copy from Harlequin Mira in exchange for my honest review.
Publisher: MIRA (July 12, 2016)
Publication Date: July 12, 2016
ISBN-10: 0778318931
ISBN-13: 978-0778318934
Genre: Women's Fiction
Number of Pages: 336
Available from: Barnes & Noble | Amazon
For Reviews & More: http://tometender.blogspot.com
Kate has been blessed with children, a loving husband and her best friend, Hannah. Hannah craves the joy of parenthood with Ben, but having exhausted every avenue, she is left devastated and broken. Kate took her love and friendship to the limits and beyond when she made the decision to be a surrogate mother for Hannah. This is their story, a story of grief, loss, determination and the ultimate gift of love.
There was no way for me to prepare for the effect Karma Brown’s writing would have on me. I went from emotionally drained to elated to fearful to unpleasantly numb, not sure what was appropriate to feel until I took an honest look at the message behind this tale. I ended up grateful for the opportunity to read something as powerful and heartfelt as The Choices We Make.
Ms. Brown has brought a contemporary issue to life and colored it beautiful, real and one of the most amazing books I have read lately. The entertainment value is in the message, the depths of the relationships between the characters and the pure love that they all shared. I’m not sure how many tissues I went through, but Ms. Brown’s writing was worth every tear. This is a diamond just waiting to sparkle on your bookshelf. This is the book you give as a gift to a best friend, it will say all you cannot express.
I received this copy from Harlequin Mira in exchange for my honest review.
Publisher: MIRA (July 12, 2016)
Publication Date: July 12, 2016
ISBN-10: 0778318931
ISBN-13: 978-0778318934
Genre: Women's Fiction
Number of Pages: 336
Available from: Barnes & Noble | Amazon
For Reviews & More: http://tometender.blogspot.com
July 14, 2016
The Choices We Make, by Karma Brown, is a beautiful and heart breaking story of friendship, love, loss and the choices we make.
A tale of two mothers, one extraordinary friendship and the risks we take to make our dreams come true.
The story extends into surrogacy and the moral, as well as legal, issues involved allowing this account to be refreshingly honest.
The author takes us on such an incredibly emotional journey that I couldn't put this book down.
Ms. Brown is an exceptional storyteller and I look forward to more of her work in the future.
Thank you to Net Galley for an ARC of this novel.
A tale of two mothers, one extraordinary friendship and the risks we take to make our dreams come true.
The story extends into surrogacy and the moral, as well as legal, issues involved allowing this account to be refreshingly honest.
The author takes us on such an incredibly emotional journey that I couldn't put this book down.
Ms. Brown is an exceptional storyteller and I look forward to more of her work in the future.
Thank you to Net Galley for an ARC of this novel.
July 2, 2016
Review to come!
November 8, 2016
Another heart-wrenching, emotional read by Karma Brown. I'm emotionally exhausted after finishing this book. Excellent novel! I highly recommend!
April 19, 2017
I'm baffled this book has gotten so many good reviews because I was severely disappointed in it.
Spoilers ahead.
I will say I thought it was decent until Kate fell into a coma, but after that point I began to really hate it. I was shocked and even angry at how Hannah handled the situation, and how she treated her supposed "best friend." I acknowledge how tricky a situation like this would be, and how extremely difficult it would be to know what the hell to do. And because I've never been confronted with anything like this, I can't know for sure how I'd react. But it really rubbed me the wrong way to see how Hannah seemed to regard Kate as nothing more than a than a human incubator, and I was SO put off by her behavior. She was callous and insensitive; she didn't seem to care at all for Kate's well-being, or the grief of Kate's husband. In fact, I feel she's one of the most selfish and infuriating characters I've ever come across in a book. As far as the writing goes, I thought it average at best; definitely not what I'd call great or memorable.
Spoilers ahead.
I will say I thought it was decent until Kate fell into a coma, but after that point I began to really hate it. I was shocked and even angry at how Hannah handled the situation, and how she treated her supposed "best friend." I acknowledge how tricky a situation like this would be, and how extremely difficult it would be to know what the hell to do. And because I've never been confronted with anything like this, I can't know for sure how I'd react. But it really rubbed me the wrong way to see how Hannah seemed to regard Kate as nothing more than a than a human incubator, and I was SO put off by her behavior. She was callous and insensitive; she didn't seem to care at all for Kate's well-being, or the grief of Kate's husband. In fact, I feel she's one of the most selfish and infuriating characters I've ever come across in a book. As far as the writing goes, I thought it average at best; definitely not what I'd call great or memorable.
October 11, 2016
So, so good. I couldn't put this book down. But the cover? Really? At no point does anyone sit and stare out at the water.
January 2, 2021
Jautri iki sielos gelmių. Pabaigoj turėjau vis sustoti ir apsiraminti, nes nebegalėjau nulaikyti ašarų. Ta kančia, kurią patiri, kai negali susilaukti vaikų, kaltė, nusivylimas, pyktis.. Viskas šioje knygoje buvo taip tikra. Kokius kryžiaus žygius reikia praeiti, kiek visko iškęsti norint tapti tėvais. Dabar belieka čiupti vyno taurę ir aprimti.
December 25, 2018
4.5/5
The Choices We Make by Karma Brown is a beautiful, heart-warming and very memorable read about friendships, husband-wife relationships and the unpredictability of life.
This book is one of those books that always stays with the reader. I believe Contemporary Women's Fiction as a genre has lots of potential and when the books in this genre are paired with excellent writing, a strong and unyielding plotline and powerful and believable characters, they transform into magic. This book had all these things and so much more. I loved the dialogues in this book a lot because they were good and as a result, each and every conversation felt real. For me, this was the strongest aspect fo this book.
The second best thing about this book was the writing - clean, crisp and clear. As a result, the book felt like a very easy and quick read (something that I always appreciate.) The writing had a very smooth air about it and flowed beautifully complementing this beautiful story. The pacing was spot-on and the tension perfect.
I was totally blown away when the main turning point of the story came; I was left gasping for breath, literally. I did not expect it and it totally broke my heart. It took me a while to digest what actually happened and all the while I kept wishing for it to somehow get undone, but then when it did not, I found myself struggling to grasp what was actually happening just like the characters in the novel. I mean, one thing you know you love a character and then the next thing you know something very bad has happened to them and you totally did not see it coming (I'm remembering Ned Stark's execution in the first book itself... god! it still hurts!)
After having read a lot of books you come to a point where hardly anything surprises you. But this book made me feel emotions I forgot having felt for a long time. This book made me feel like a first time reader who got involved in a book so much that even after having finished the book I am not able to forget the characters.
I'm cutting back 1/2 a star because the author left me sleepless for a couple of nights with such a tragic ending (I hate you for it, Karma Brown, but I love you for writing this book!) I'm sure as hell reading other books by the author. And I'd recommend it to all the readers who have a hunger for really good stories but won't mind reading about issues related to surrogacy or pregnancy.
The Choices We Make by Karma Brown is a beautiful, heart-warming and very memorable read about friendships, husband-wife relationships and the unpredictability of life.
This book is one of those books that always stays with the reader. I believe Contemporary Women's Fiction as a genre has lots of potential and when the books in this genre are paired with excellent writing, a strong and unyielding plotline and powerful and believable characters, they transform into magic. This book had all these things and so much more. I loved the dialogues in this book a lot because they were good and as a result, each and every conversation felt real. For me, this was the strongest aspect fo this book.
The second best thing about this book was the writing - clean, crisp and clear. As a result, the book felt like a very easy and quick read (something that I always appreciate.) The writing had a very smooth air about it and flowed beautifully complementing this beautiful story. The pacing was spot-on and the tension perfect.
I was totally blown away when the main turning point of the story came; I was left gasping for breath, literally. I did not expect it and it totally broke my heart. It took me a while to digest what actually happened and all the while I kept wishing for it to somehow get undone, but then when it did not, I found myself struggling to grasp what was actually happening just like the characters in the novel. I mean, one thing you know you love a character and then the next thing you know something very bad has happened to them and you totally did not see it coming (I'm remembering Ned Stark's execution in the first book itself... god! it still hurts!)
After having read a lot of books you come to a point where hardly anything surprises you. But this book made me feel emotions I forgot having felt for a long time. This book made me feel like a first time reader who got involved in a book so much that even after having finished the book I am not able to forget the characters.
I'm cutting back 1/2 a star because the author left me sleepless for a couple of nights with such a tragic ending (I hate you for it, Karma Brown, but I love you for writing this book!) I'm sure as hell reading other books by the author. And I'd recommend it to all the readers who have a hunger for really good stories but won't mind reading about issues related to surrogacy or pregnancy.
September 15, 2021
Nevaisingumas. Būtent ši tema mane ir patraukė. Manau, kad vis daugiau reikia kalbėti šia tema, nes dauguma net nesusmąstome, kaip jaučiasi tokios poros ar vienas iš poros narių, jeigu būtent jo sveikatos sutrikimas trukdo susilaukti palikuonių.
Hana ir Keitė draugės nuo mokyklos. O dabar draugauja ir šeimomis: Keitė ir Deividas augina dvi nuostabias dukras, o štai Hanos ir Beno šeimai nesiseka. Hana tiesiog apsėsta motinystės... Ir tai nors kiek stereotipiškas charakteris, bet gana taikliai parinktas. Keitė ryžtasi padėti draugei - išnešioti kūdikį. O kas vyksta toliau, tiesiog virpina širdį.
Rašytoja tiesiog priverčia susimąstyti - ar priimtina surogatinė motinystė. Mano pažiūros labai liberalios - manau, kad tinkamos visos priemonės, jeigu pora taip nusprendžia. Vieniems priimtinas įsivaikinimas, kitiems - norisi vaiko su bendra genetine informacija. Ar pati ryžčiausi taip susilaukti vaiko - ne. O ar pati būčiau surogatinė motina - manau, kad taip, bet tik neatlygintinai.
Na, o sugrįžtant prie paties romano, tai tikrai nubraukiau ašarą beskaitydama. Keliose vietose, ypač link pabaigos. Vėlgi, rašytoja meistriškai rinko palaikymo komandą dvems pusėms ir nejučia pasijutau besprenžianti, kam pritarti, o kam prieštarauti. Tikrai jautrus kūrinys skaityti tiems, kas ieško jautrios istorijos.
Hana ir Keitė draugės nuo mokyklos. O dabar draugauja ir šeimomis: Keitė ir Deividas augina dvi nuostabias dukras, o štai Hanos ir Beno šeimai nesiseka. Hana tiesiog apsėsta motinystės... Ir tai nors kiek stereotipiškas charakteris, bet gana taikliai parinktas. Keitė ryžtasi padėti draugei - išnešioti kūdikį. O kas vyksta toliau, tiesiog virpina širdį.
Rašytoja tiesiog priverčia susimąstyti - ar priimtina surogatinė motinystė. Mano pažiūros labai liberalios - manau, kad tinkamos visos priemonės, jeigu pora taip nusprendžia. Vieniems priimtinas įsivaikinimas, kitiems - norisi vaiko su bendra genetine informacija. Ar pati ryžčiausi taip susilaukti vaiko - ne. O ar pati būčiau surogatinė motina - manau, kad taip, bet tik neatlygintinai.
Na, o sugrįžtant prie paties romano, tai tikrai nubraukiau ašarą beskaitydama. Keliose vietose, ypač link pabaigos. Vėlgi, rašytoja meistriškai rinko palaikymo komandą dvems pusėms ir nejučia pasijutau besprenžianti, kam pritarti, o kam prieštarauti. Tikrai jautrus kūrinys skaityti tiems, kas ieško jautrios istorijos.
July 11, 2016
http://www.chicklitcentral.com/2016/0...
There's also a giveaway through 7/17/16
There's also a giveaway through 7/17/16
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July 6, 2023Šios knygos ilgai laukiau bibliotekos eilėje. Ir nors teko skaityti, kad Karmos tekstai itin liūdni ir virkdantys, šio romano tema man buvo labai artima, tad be baimės stovėjau eilėje ir tikėjausi kuo greičiau gauti savo knygą. Kokia knygos tema? Sudėtingas vaikelio laukimas, sudėtingas pastojimas, nusivylimas ir bandymas neprarsti pačios savęs. Savo pėdom šituos kelius myniau, tad maniau, kad tiesiog negaliu praleisti šios knygos. Tiek iš smalsumo ar rasiu puslapiuose savų emocijų, tiek iš savotiško džiaugsmo, kad apie tai rašo populiariųjų tekstų autoriai.
Būtų keista, jei knyga būtų parašyta tiesiog šiaip. Be jokių asmeninių išgyvenimų. Neklydau taip manydama. Karma Brown su vyru apie vaikelius pradėjo galvoti kai jai buvo diagnozuota sunki onkologinė liga. Tačiau daktarai jai pasakė, jog natūraliai pastoti būti sunku, ką jau kalbėti apie kūdikėlio išnešiojimą. Tačiau noras būti mama po tokių žodžių niekur nedingo. Karma išbandė milijonus būdų, pramynė galybę kelių, tačiau viskas stovėjo vietoje. Liko vienintelė išeitis – surogatinė motinystė. Ir Karmos vaikelį išnešiojo jos sesuo. Man ašaros kaupiasi pagalvojus kiek ši šeima patyrė ir kokia stiprybė slypi šių seserų genuose. Apie šią kelionę autorė pasakoja knygos pratarmėje, tačiau įspėja, jog romanas nėra autobiografinis.
Hanos ir Keitės draugystė siekia mokyklos laikus. Jau tada susitikusios mergaitės nebesiskyrė, o su metais ryšys tik stiprėjo. Vėliau, susidraugavo ir jų vyrai, tad ketveriukė tapo kone šeima. Tačiau pilnos laimės viena iš porų patirti negali. Keitė ir Deividas augina dvi nuostabias dukteris, o Hana ir Benas vaikų susilaukti stengiasi jau eilė metų. Supratę, kad natūraliai to padaryti nepavyks, jie ėmėsi visų medicinos siūlomų būdų, tačiau ir jie porai nepadeda. Hana siaubingai išgyvena. Jos noras tapti motina yra karštesnis už karštą. Ji nebepakelia nusivylimų, bandymų, ją erzina gatvėje sutiktos nėščiosios, jos neviltis perauga į pyktį, satykiai su vyru šlyja... Ji tiesiog negali susitaikyti su siunčimu išbandymu, mintimis, jog jos svajonė niekada netaps realybe. Keitė myli Haną labiau nei tikrą seserį ir draugės kančia jai lygiai tokia pat karti. Jai pastoti visad buvo lengva, vaikelisu išnešiojo be jokių problemų. Ji ryžtasi išnešioti ir Hanos vaiką. Tapti surogatine motina. Ir nors jos vyras iš pradžių prieštarauja, Keitė imasi ko sugalvojusi. Tačiau šis nėštumas neatneš vien laimės. Tai taps milžinišku išbandymu draugystei ir žmogiškumui.
Knygos pradžia ir Hanos emocijos man buvo labai labai artimos. O kai knygoje jauti savus išgyvenimus, ramiai skaityti tiesiog neįmanoma. Iš šono stebėdama veikėjos neviltį jaučiausi ir nejaukiai, ir liūdėjau, ir pykau. Autorė visai neblogai (gal kiek hiperbolizuotai) perteikė nevilties ir bejėgiškumo kankinamo žmogaus emocijas dorojantis su nevaisingumu. Tačiau knygai įsivažiavus man pritrūko papratso rimtesnio gilinimosi į situaciją, emocijas. Viskas buvo taip sudramatinta, taip netikroviška, kad ėmiau raukytis. Tikrai tikėjausi gilesnių išgyvenimų, o įvykiai ir jų seka priminė LABAI dramatiško, per pietus rodomo serialo seriją. Žinoma, aš vertinu kalbėdama iš savo tribūnos, savo kailiu patyriau Hanos frustraciją, gal dėl to man norėjosi to gylio ir rimtumo, o ne netikėtumų ir siekio sugraudinti. Situaciją ir taip graudi, veikėjų likimai ir taip margi, nereikėjo visko čia dar labiau sumelodramatinti. Ieškantiems emocionalaus, graudaus romano ši knyga turėtų patikti. Tačiau kas nori autentiškesnio, realistiškesnio pakapstymo sudėtingose šeimos santykių temose, rekomenduočiau peržvelgti Picoult knygų sąrašą.
Būtų keista, jei knyga būtų parašyta tiesiog šiaip. Be jokių asmeninių išgyvenimų. Neklydau taip manydama. Karma Brown su vyru apie vaikelius pradėjo galvoti kai jai buvo diagnozuota sunki onkologinė liga. Tačiau daktarai jai pasakė, jog natūraliai pastoti būti sunku, ką jau kalbėti apie kūdikėlio išnešiojimą. Tačiau noras būti mama po tokių žodžių niekur nedingo. Karma išbandė milijonus būdų, pramynė galybę kelių, tačiau viskas stovėjo vietoje. Liko vienintelė išeitis – surogatinė motinystė. Ir Karmos vaikelį išnešiojo jos sesuo. Man ašaros kaupiasi pagalvojus kiek ši šeima patyrė ir kokia stiprybė slypi šių seserų genuose. Apie šią kelionę autorė pasakoja knygos pratarmėje, tačiau įspėja, jog romanas nėra autobiografinis.
Hanos ir Keitės draugystė siekia mokyklos laikus. Jau tada susitikusios mergaitės nebesiskyrė, o su metais ryšys tik stiprėjo. Vėliau, susidraugavo ir jų vyrai, tad ketveriukė tapo kone šeima. Tačiau pilnos laimės viena iš porų patirti negali. Keitė ir Deividas augina dvi nuostabias dukteris, o Hana ir Benas vaikų susilaukti stengiasi jau eilė metų. Supratę, kad natūraliai to padaryti nepavyks, jie ėmėsi visų medicinos siūlomų būdų, tačiau ir jie porai nepadeda. Hana siaubingai išgyvena. Jos noras tapti motina yra karštesnis už karštą. Ji nebepakelia nusivylimų, bandymų, ją erzina gatvėje sutiktos nėščiosios, jos neviltis perauga į pyktį, satykiai su vyru šlyja... Ji tiesiog negali susitaikyti su siunčimu išbandymu, mintimis, jog jos svajonė niekada netaps realybe. Keitė myli Haną labiau nei tikrą seserį ir draugės kančia jai lygiai tokia pat karti. Jai pastoti visad buvo lengva, vaikelisu išnešiojo be jokių problemų. Ji ryžtasi išnešioti ir Hanos vaiką. Tapti surogatine motina. Ir nors jos vyras iš pradžių prieštarauja, Keitė imasi ko sugalvojusi. Tačiau šis nėštumas neatneš vien laimės. Tai taps milžinišku išbandymu draugystei ir žmogiškumui.
Knygos pradžia ir Hanos emocijos man buvo labai labai artimos. O kai knygoje jauti savus išgyvenimus, ramiai skaityti tiesiog neįmanoma. Iš šono stebėdama veikėjos neviltį jaučiausi ir nejaukiai, ir liūdėjau, ir pykau. Autorė visai neblogai (gal kiek hiperbolizuotai) perteikė nevilties ir bejėgiškumo kankinamo žmogaus emocijas dorojantis su nevaisingumu. Tačiau knygai įsivažiavus man pritrūko papratso rimtesnio gilinimosi į situaciją, emocijas. Viskas buvo taip sudramatinta, taip netikroviška, kad ėmiau raukytis. Tikrai tikėjausi gilesnių išgyvenimų, o įvykiai ir jų seka priminė LABAI dramatiško, per pietus rodomo serialo seriją. Žinoma, aš vertinu kalbėdama iš savo tribūnos, savo kailiu patyriau Hanos frustraciją, gal dėl to man norėjosi to gylio ir rimtumo, o ne netikėtumų ir siekio sugraudinti. Situaciją ir taip graudi, veikėjų likimai ir taip margi, nereikėjo visko čia dar labiau sumelodramatinti. Ieškantiems emocionalaus, graudaus romano ši knyga turėtų patikti. Tačiau kas nori autentiškesnio, realistiškesnio pakapstymo sudėtingose šeimos santykių temose, rekomenduočiau peržvelgti Picoult knygų sąrašą.
March 12, 2019
Džiaugiuosi, jog vis dėlto nusprendžiau perskaityti būtent šią Brown knygą. Ji man labai patiko. Ir mane palietė.. ❤️
Istorija pasakoja apie dvi geriausias drauges - Haną ir Keitę. Jos pažįstamos nuo mokyklos laikų ir yra neišskiriamos lyg seserys.
Keitė su vyru Deividu augina dvi žavias dukreles, tačiau to paties negalima pasakyti apie Haną.. Ji su savo vyru Benu jau šešerius metus bando susilaukti atžalų deja - nesėkmingai.
Matydama draugės begalinį skausmą, Keitė pasiryžta - išnešioti jai kūdikį
Haną šią žinią priima, kaip didžiausią dovaną, tuo metu net nenumanydama, kaip tai paveiks abiejų šeimų likimus..
Galiu pasakyti, jog mane ši knyga sukrėtė.. Sukėlė visą puokštę emocijų. Skaitydama šią knygą džiaugiausi, juokiausi, pykau, verkiau..
Labai įžvalgi, atvira bei jautri knyga.Apie besąlygišką moterų draugystę, norą ir negalėjimą susilaukti vaikų, bei ryžtą bet kokia kaina jų susilaukti...
Man labai patiko ši istorija, nes dalis jos yra tikra, su panašia situacija teko susidurti pačiai autorei, tik jos vaikeliui surogatine motina tapo jos pačios sesuo.
Labai labai rekomenduoju ją, kuomet norisi kažko tikro, skaudaus, bet tuo pačiu nepaprasto.
Istorija pasakoja apie dvi geriausias drauges - Haną ir Keitę. Jos pažįstamos nuo mokyklos laikų ir yra neišskiriamos lyg seserys.
Keitė su vyru Deividu augina dvi žavias dukreles, tačiau to paties negalima pasakyti apie Haną.. Ji su savo vyru Benu jau šešerius metus bando susilaukti atžalų deja - nesėkmingai.
Matydama draugės begalinį skausmą, Keitė pasiryžta - išnešioti jai kūdikį
Haną šią žinią priima, kaip didžiausią dovaną, tuo metu net nenumanydama, kaip tai paveiks abiejų šeimų likimus..
Galiu pasakyti, jog mane ši knyga sukrėtė.. Sukėlė visą puokštę emocijų. Skaitydama šią knygą džiaugiausi, juokiausi, pykau, verkiau..
Labai įžvalgi, atvira bei jautri knyga.Apie besąlygišką moterų draugystę, norą ir negalėjimą susilaukti vaikų, bei ryžtą bet kokia kaina jų susilaukti...
Man labai patiko ši istorija, nes dalis jos yra tikra, su panašia situacija teko susidurti pačiai autorei, tik jos vaikeliui surogatine motina tapo jos pačios sesuo.
Labai labai rekomenduoju ją, kuomet norisi kažko tikro, skaudaus, bet tuo pačiu nepaprasto.
October 19, 2021
Pirmà kartà skaičiau šios rašytojos knygà ir galiu pasakyti, kad ji man labai labai patiko, tikrai❤️ jautri be galo, paliesta tikrai artima ir skaudi tema, nes jei ne mes patys negalime susilaukt vaikù, tai kažkas artimoj aplinkoj tikrai dėl to stipriai kankinasi.
Hana ir Keitė geriausios draugės nuo vaikystės, jos artimos, visada viskà darė kartu, niekas jù neišskyrė, nors gyvenimai susiklostė visiškai skirtingai. Keitė su mylimu vyru sukūrė šeimà, turi dvi nuostabias dukreles, o Hana, nors taip pat turi mylinti vyra, bet kad ir kiek pastangù idėjè, niekaip negali susilaukti išsvajoto kūdikio, paskutinis jù šansas įsivaikinti arba išbandyti surogatinè motinystè, nei tam, nei kitam žingsniui juodu iki galo taip ir nesirįžta, stabdo vienas kità, kol galiausiai Keitė nebegalėdama matyti draugės kančiù, pasisiūlo išnešioti jiems kūdikį. Rodos, viskas nusprèsta, leliukas sėkmingai auga draugės pilvely, beliko keli menesiai ir nepasiekiama svajonė taps tikrove. Tik ar ir likimas nusprendė taip pat kaip dvi draugės, ar jis pametės kelià pilnà duobiù ir protu sunkiai suvokiamù sprendimù?!
Sako svetimo skausmo nebūna, bet bent jau šiek tiek priartėti prie jo tikrai įmanoma paėmus į rankas šià knyga❤️
Hana ir Keitė geriausios draugės nuo vaikystės, jos artimos, visada viskà darė kartu, niekas jù neišskyrė, nors gyvenimai susiklostė visiškai skirtingai. Keitė su mylimu vyru sukūrė šeimà, turi dvi nuostabias dukreles, o Hana, nors taip pat turi mylinti vyra, bet kad ir kiek pastangù idėjè, niekaip negali susilaukti išsvajoto kūdikio, paskutinis jù šansas įsivaikinti arba išbandyti surogatinè motinystè, nei tam, nei kitam žingsniui juodu iki galo taip ir nesirįžta, stabdo vienas kità, kol galiausiai Keitė nebegalėdama matyti draugės kančiù, pasisiūlo išnešioti jiems kūdikį. Rodos, viskas nusprèsta, leliukas sėkmingai auga draugės pilvely, beliko keli menesiai ir nepasiekiama svajonė taps tikrove. Tik ar ir likimas nusprendė taip pat kaip dvi draugės, ar jis pametės kelià pilnà duobiù ir protu sunkiai suvokiamù sprendimù?!
Sako svetimo skausmo nebūna, bet bent jau šiek tiek priartėti prie jo tikrai įmanoma paėmus į rankas šià knyga❤️
August 19, 2016
Review
So do you like books that completely tear you apart (and kind of maybe put you a little back together) emotionally? Do you like to try and put yourself into a situation in the book and see what you would do? Do you like to cry (a lot)? If you answered yes to any or all of these questions I think The Choices We Make will definitely be a book for you.
The story focuses on two couples - Kate and David and Hannah and Ben - who are friends. Kate and Hannah have been best friends since childhood and are still just as close. While Kate and David have two daughters, Hannah and Ben have been struggling for years to have a child. When both couples embark on a way to help them have a child, the unthinkable happens that can tear them all apart.
Hannah and Kate's friendship is such a strong one that you can tell is built over many years. They really do come across almost as sisters. It makes sense that Kate, who is a great friend and determined for her friend, would want to help her through this in any way she can - even if it seems extreme. However, as one can imagine, their friendship gets more complicated through this time.
The complex relationships don't stop just at Hannah and Kate but through all members of the couples. This is especially true as everything progresses and the tragedy alluded to in the blurb happens. I was definitely having my own thoughts on what was right or wrong in the situation and who I felt was being selfish or not understanding to the others involved. Still, I have no idea what I would do depending on whose perspective I would be in. I really could see all sides and the motivations behind their actions but it doesn't mean I thought they were appropriate or right.
During everything going on I couldn't stop feeling bad for literally everyone involved. And then things happened. And then the tears. More Tears. Then some happy tears. Then happy and sad tears mixed all together. I was a mess is what I am saying. Regardless I thought the ending was done well and wrapped it up as best as it could have been.
I literally couldn't put this one down. I was in love with the characters, even if they annoyed me at the time, and had to know what would happen to them all. If you want to be destroyed by a book pick this one up and don't forget to grab the box of tissues along with it. Trust me you'll need them!This review was originally posted on Rebel Mommy Book Blog
So do you like books that completely tear you apart (and kind of maybe put you a little back together) emotionally? Do you like to try and put yourself into a situation in the book and see what you would do? Do you like to cry (a lot)? If you answered yes to any or all of these questions I think The Choices We Make will definitely be a book for you.
The story focuses on two couples - Kate and David and Hannah and Ben - who are friends. Kate and Hannah have been best friends since childhood and are still just as close. While Kate and David have two daughters, Hannah and Ben have been struggling for years to have a child. When both couples embark on a way to help them have a child, the unthinkable happens that can tear them all apart.
Hannah and Kate's friendship is such a strong one that you can tell is built over many years. They really do come across almost as sisters. It makes sense that Kate, who is a great friend and determined for her friend, would want to help her through this in any way she can - even if it seems extreme. However, as one can imagine, their friendship gets more complicated through this time.
The complex relationships don't stop just at Hannah and Kate but through all members of the couples. This is especially true as everything progresses and the tragedy alluded to in the blurb happens. I was definitely having my own thoughts on what was right or wrong in the situation and who I felt was being selfish or not understanding to the others involved. Still, I have no idea what I would do depending on whose perspective I would be in. I really could see all sides and the motivations behind their actions but it doesn't mean I thought they were appropriate or right.
During everything going on I couldn't stop feeling bad for literally everyone involved. And then things happened. And then the tears. More Tears. Then some happy tears. Then happy and sad tears mixed all together. I was a mess is what I am saying. Regardless I thought the ending was done well and wrapped it up as best as it could have been.
I literally couldn't put this one down. I was in love with the characters, even if they annoyed me at the time, and had to know what would happen to them all. If you want to be destroyed by a book pick this one up and don't forget to grab the box of tissues along with it. Trust me you'll need them!This review was originally posted on Rebel Mommy Book Blog
July 14, 2016
4.5 stars. The Choices We Make by Karma Brown is a deeply moving, enriching story. At the end of the book in the questions about her and her writing she says she often writes about what scares her. She is drawn to exploring tragedy in life and the courage that people draw on to rebound from it.
She writes this firstly from her own experience of being unable to become pregnant because of illness and the offer that her own sister made that changed her life. So she brings a reality to this story from a deep experiencing and knowing.
However from there she obviously says... what if? And believe me she comes up with a scenario that that puts every character and you the reader through an emotional wringer. No doubt herself as well. The tone for the story is set at the very beginning when we are alerted to an emergency - and then we back track in time some months to what has gone before.
This is a book that explores grief and loss and the see-sawing extremes this can lead to. It also explores motherhood, parenthood and deep friendship. It looks at what happens when severe stress is put on relationships - and what part love plays when others do not act in ways we had hoped. However ultimately it is also a story of healing and hope. The two times I felt the tears welling were in such moments and both times involved two men.
This is a book that would be excellent for book club reading, there would be so much to talk about. Mostly though it is a book that explores emotions, and those too are good to talk about. After all it helps to read about what scares us as well.
She writes this firstly from her own experience of being unable to become pregnant because of illness and the offer that her own sister made that changed her life. So she brings a reality to this story from a deep experiencing and knowing.
However from there she obviously says... what if? And believe me she comes up with a scenario that that puts every character and you the reader through an emotional wringer. No doubt herself as well. The tone for the story is set at the very beginning when we are alerted to an emergency - and then we back track in time some months to what has gone before.
This is a book that explores grief and loss and the see-sawing extremes this can lead to. It also explores motherhood, parenthood and deep friendship. It looks at what happens when severe stress is put on relationships - and what part love plays when others do not act in ways we had hoped. However ultimately it is also a story of healing and hope. The two times I felt the tears welling were in such moments and both times involved two men.
This is a book that would be excellent for book club reading, there would be so much to talk about. Mostly though it is a book that explores emotions, and those too are good to talk about. After all it helps to read about what scares us as well.
April 19, 2017
WOW! Another fabulous book by Karma Brown. I could not put this book down and I did not want it to end. Fantastic writing and a great story line!!
I loved this as much as I did her other one, Come Away with Me, which I also loved.
I loved this as much as I did her other one, Come Away with Me, which I also loved.
April 9, 2020
Istorija pasakoja apie dvi geriausias drauges Haną ir Keitę, kurios susidraugavo penktoje klasėje ir tapo neišskiriamos. Kartu išgyveno pirmąsias meiles, studijas, santuokas, Keitės džiaugsmą susilaukus dviejų žavių dukrelių ir Hanos skausmą negalint susilaukti taip norimo kūdikio. Tai, kad Hana negali susilaukti kūdikio daužo jai širdį, o tai matydama Keitė ryžtasi padaryti ypatingą paslaugą - išnešioti jai kūdikį. Taip prasideda visa lemtingų pasirinkimų kelionė.
Imdama šią knygą į rankas žinojau, kad manęs laukia emocijų bomba, nes būtent taip buvo ir su “Eime su manimi”, tačiau negalvojau, kad ta bomba mane taip paveiks. Galbūt prie visko prisidėjo tas faktas, kad autorei ir pačiai teko panašus kelias norint susilaukti vaikelio? Knygoje aprašyta dviejų moterų kelionė ir draugystė stulbino, tačiau nuo pat pradžių buvo aišku, kad čia viskas nebus vien rožėmis klota. Neklydau, tačiau nenuspėjau to, kaip viskas pasisuks.
Pykau ant kai kurių veikėjų, nesupratau kodėl jie vienaip ar kitaip elgiasi, kitus palaikiau, bet labiausiai tai liūdėjau. Ši knyga yra tiesiog persunkta liūdesio. Liūdesio negalint susilaukti vaikų, liūdesio norint padėti, liūdesio kai nutinka kažkas blogo ir reikia priimti tam tikrus sprendimus. Liūdesio, kai tenka elgtis egoistiškai, nors tai tave drasko iš vidaus. Visos knygoje perteiktos emocijos pasirodė labai tikros, jos mane užliūliavo ir nešė per knygos puslapius.
Tiek skaitant, tiek jau pabaigus vis galvoju kaip elgčiausi aš būdama tiek viena, tiek kita knygos veikėja? Ką pasirinkčiau? Ar pasitikėčiau draugyste ir galvočiau, kad teisiniai dokumentai nereikalingi? Ar pasiryžčiau apskritai tokiam dalykui?
Rekomenduoju šią knygą ieškantiems emocijų bangos, skaudžios, tikroviškos istorijos apie santuoką, draugystę, nevaisingumo problemas bei ilgų svarstymų apie tai, kaip pasielgtumėt Jūs. Tai jau antroji skaityta šios autorės knyga. Pirmoji, kurią skaičiau buvo “Eime su manimi”, ji man labai patiko, tačiau ši - mane sužavėjo labiau, nes pasirodė tikresnė.
November 12, 2017
“The choices we make” is a huge winner and one of the most moving and emotional books I’ve ever read.
Kate and Hannah have been best friends since grade school. Both now married, their lives have taken different paths but their friendship hasn’t wavered and they have always been there for each other no matter what life throws at them.
But there is one area where they differ. While Kate very easily became pregnant and now had two daughters with her husband David, Hannah is unable to have what she wants the most in life; to be a mother.
I remember when my husband and I first decided to have children. I remember how devastated I was when it took us three months with our first. Only three months, but it felt heartbreaking. I can’t imagine that roller coaster for three years; to come so close so often and then have that dream yanked away. Karma Brown expertly tells a very real tale of an all consuming struggle of trying to achieve motherhood through many avenues without success. Going through Hannah’s disappointment and devastation was so emotional; there are a lot of Kleenex moments in this novel.
Then when it seems like the journey to parenthood will never be a reality for Hannah and Ben, Kate selflessly offers the most precious gift to Hannah. She will be a surrogate and carry a baby for Hannah and Ben using her eggs. How rare is it to find a friendship so exceptional that one would offer such a gift with no expectation or desire for anything in return. And after some misgivings about Kate’s crazy idea, it didn’t seem so crazy anymore and maybe it would be the answer.
But once all that was worked through, I started to cringe a little. We all want the happily ever after and it sounded like the perfect solution. But I kept waiting for the other shoe to drop. While the execution itself was simple, there’s so much more involved. They signed contracts at the urge of the fertility clinic that they thought they’d never need. After all, they were the best of friends; everything would be fine and they’d figure it all out. Until things didn’t go quite as planned.
The book was narrated for the most part by Hannah and Kate so we heard the story by both and got the viewpoint of both friends. I did not want to put this book down, I was hooked from the beginning. And at times, I was so torn on what was right and I tried to put myself there and think about what I would do and how I would react. It wasn’t a matter of who was right and who was wrong; everyone was doing what they thought was right, fueled by emotion but what was best? And who can live with whatever decisions are made without being overcome by feelings of guilt? Would their friendships survive?
So many relationships were explored here other than just the friendship of Kate and Hannah. There were also issues of sisterly conflict, absent fathers, marital relationships in the background of this captivating story. When I was finished I just had to sit a while and absorb it all in, so powerfully emotional and had an ending I didn’t expect.
This is the first book I have read of Karma Brown, but definitely not my last. This is one of my favourites this year.
Kate and Hannah have been best friends since grade school. Both now married, their lives have taken different paths but their friendship hasn’t wavered and they have always been there for each other no matter what life throws at them.
But there is one area where they differ. While Kate very easily became pregnant and now had two daughters with her husband David, Hannah is unable to have what she wants the most in life; to be a mother.
I remember when my husband and I first decided to have children. I remember how devastated I was when it took us three months with our first. Only three months, but it felt heartbreaking. I can’t imagine that roller coaster for three years; to come so close so often and then have that dream yanked away. Karma Brown expertly tells a very real tale of an all consuming struggle of trying to achieve motherhood through many avenues without success. Going through Hannah’s disappointment and devastation was so emotional; there are a lot of Kleenex moments in this novel.
Then when it seems like the journey to parenthood will never be a reality for Hannah and Ben, Kate selflessly offers the most precious gift to Hannah. She will be a surrogate and carry a baby for Hannah and Ben using her eggs. How rare is it to find a friendship so exceptional that one would offer such a gift with no expectation or desire for anything in return. And after some misgivings about Kate’s crazy idea, it didn’t seem so crazy anymore and maybe it would be the answer.
But once all that was worked through, I started to cringe a little. We all want the happily ever after and it sounded like the perfect solution. But I kept waiting for the other shoe to drop. While the execution itself was simple, there’s so much more involved. They signed contracts at the urge of the fertility clinic that they thought they’d never need. After all, they were the best of friends; everything would be fine and they’d figure it all out. Until things didn’t go quite as planned.
The book was narrated for the most part by Hannah and Kate so we heard the story by both and got the viewpoint of both friends. I did not want to put this book down, I was hooked from the beginning. And at times, I was so torn on what was right and I tried to put myself there and think about what I would do and how I would react. It wasn’t a matter of who was right and who was wrong; everyone was doing what they thought was right, fueled by emotion but what was best? And who can live with whatever decisions are made without being overcome by feelings of guilt? Would their friendships survive?
So many relationships were explored here other than just the friendship of Kate and Hannah. There were also issues of sisterly conflict, absent fathers, marital relationships in the background of this captivating story. When I was finished I just had to sit a while and absorb it all in, so powerfully emotional and had an ending I didn’t expect.
This is the first book I have read of Karma Brown, but definitely not my last. This is one of my favourites this year.
July 13, 2016
THE CHOICES WE MAKE by Karma Brown is a story full of love, but it’s not in the typical romance novel format. I think it’s better described as women’s fiction with family development at a crossroads. There are two couples in love, but this book is more about friendship as well as how life swirls out of control, forcing love and hate to intersect.
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Hannah and Ben have been trying to get pregnant for years. Nothing seems to work and the pregnancy tests have been stacking up in a disappointing pile. Kate and David have two beautiful children. This means that being best friends with Hannah and Ben is emotionally difficult when they find out their latest try for a baby will be their last. Kate has also recently experienced a devastating loss. Can their shared sorrow and life-long friendship withstand the obvious solution? Will their friendship bear this trial?
Right before I reached the middle of the book, I laughed at Hannah and Kate’s apparent friendship. Up until that point, the story was angst ridden and sometimes sad. Feeling this couple’s need to have a child, no matter what it takes to make that happen, was emotionally gripping. The humor at that moment was needed because the turmoil that ensues is a women’s worst nightmare. Even though this book is sad at times, I didn’t weep. I sensed what would happen in the end so I wasn’t surprised. I was more pleased with the conclusion than I had imagined I would be, so the middle portion of the story incensed my anger and inquiring emotion, hoping the characters would get a clue. They did this to my satisfaction, but it wasn’t without my faith in them wavering at times. Be prepared for a groundswell of emotion as this book covers more than any of us wish to endure as well as the many layers of love that we hope to retain.
THE CHOICES WE MAKE eloquently portrays family and friendship, where sometimes the lines between them seem to blur.
Review by Dorine, courtesy of Romance Junkies and The Zest Quest. Digital ARC provided by the publisher through NetGalley for an honest review.
For more book reviews, plus travel, garden and food topics with photos, visit The Zest Quest, my pursuit of a zestful life.
Hannah and Ben have been trying to get pregnant for years. Nothing seems to work and the pregnancy tests have been stacking up in a disappointing pile. Kate and David have two beautiful children. This means that being best friends with Hannah and Ben is emotionally difficult when they find out their latest try for a baby will be their last. Kate has also recently experienced a devastating loss. Can their shared sorrow and life-long friendship withstand the obvious solution? Will their friendship bear this trial?
Right before I reached the middle of the book, I laughed at Hannah and Kate’s apparent friendship. Up until that point, the story was angst ridden and sometimes sad. Feeling this couple’s need to have a child, no matter what it takes to make that happen, was emotionally gripping. The humor at that moment was needed because the turmoil that ensues is a women’s worst nightmare. Even though this book is sad at times, I didn’t weep. I sensed what would happen in the end so I wasn’t surprised. I was more pleased with the conclusion than I had imagined I would be, so the middle portion of the story incensed my anger and inquiring emotion, hoping the characters would get a clue. They did this to my satisfaction, but it wasn’t without my faith in them wavering at times. Be prepared for a groundswell of emotion as this book covers more than any of us wish to endure as well as the many layers of love that we hope to retain.
THE CHOICES WE MAKE eloquently portrays family and friendship, where sometimes the lines between them seem to blur.
Review by Dorine, courtesy of Romance Junkies and The Zest Quest. Digital ARC provided by the publisher through NetGalley for an honest review.
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