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Meant to Be: Embracing my Plan B and finding a different path to family
What happens when life doesn’t turn out as you expect?When Lisa Faulkner learned that she wouldn’t have biological children, her plans and expectations for her life were derailed. But, in the months and years that followed, she discovered that there was more than one way to build a family – and that there is a lot of joy to be found in life’s unexpected detours.In a raw and inspiring story of one woman’s journey through motherhood, family life and self-discovery, Lisa explores the many forms that family can take, and discovers the power of embracing your Plan B. For anyone who has ever found themselves facing the unexpected in life – whether that’s infertility, adoption, grief or any other personal challenge – this is an uplifting and honest account of finding love in unexpected places, and building your life on your own terms.
248 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 27, 2019
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
May 23, 2020
I listened to this on audio. This was such an emotional book. I felt like this book was written about me. Everything I heard was exactly what I went through. The treatments up to IVF were the same, even the parts about friends saying ‘I know someone in your position who did X,Y,Z’ and I would go off in search of herbal remedies, reflexology, ... anything with a last string of hope attached.
Exactly the same as Lisa; I did not share everything I went through during my IVF journey, which is now a blur, as I could not cope with the scrutiny or expectation of IVF, so my husband and I kept the burden to ourselves. My story is identical to Lisa’s up to where Lisa said she nearly did not continue with adoption. That is where I bowed out as I could not carry on. I did not have access to the internet as this was not available at the time so I could not carry out research as easy as it is today. The things that I utterly relate to are that she always felt on the outside and that the grief never leaves you ... two things I will always have to live with. This book is good for anyone who has been through this, or, equally, for those who haven’t, to gain an understanding of this difficult journey.
Exactly the same as Lisa; I did not share everything I went through during my IVF journey, which is now a blur, as I could not cope with the scrutiny or expectation of IVF, so my husband and I kept the burden to ourselves. My story is identical to Lisa’s up to where Lisa said she nearly did not continue with adoption. That is where I bowed out as I could not carry on. I did not have access to the internet as this was not available at the time so I could not carry out research as easy as it is today. The things that I utterly relate to are that she always felt on the outside and that the grief never leaves you ... two things I will always have to live with. This book is good for anyone who has been through this, or, equally, for those who haven’t, to gain an understanding of this difficult journey.
July 21, 2019
From the moment I heard Lisa talking to Chris Evans on Virgin Radio, I knew I needed to read this book.
The journey Lisa and Chris, her husband at the time, take through this book is a bittersweet story of the ups and downs of trying for a baby and it not going the way others take for granted.
A poignant insight to the world of IVF, surrogacy, fostering and adoption. I found myself drawn to it all given that I can relate to the very early stages of Lisa’s desire to want a baby. The book really hit home that not all is lost if things don’t go to plan, there are other avenues and that is the most important piece of information I have taken away from this inspiring journey to motherhood.
“A snowflake never falls in the wrong place” Zen Proverb
The journey Lisa and Chris, her husband at the time, take through this book is a bittersweet story of the ups and downs of trying for a baby and it not going the way others take for granted.
A poignant insight to the world of IVF, surrogacy, fostering and adoption. I found myself drawn to it all given that I can relate to the very early stages of Lisa’s desire to want a baby. The book really hit home that not all is lost if things don’t go to plan, there are other avenues and that is the most important piece of information I have taken away from this inspiring journey to motherhood.
“A snowflake never falls in the wrong place” Zen Proverb
July 15, 2019
Fantastic audio book, read by the author Lisa Faulkner.
A great insight into fertility issues, baby loss and adoption.
A very warm and frank telling of the many years Lisa and her now ex husband and their infertility story.
I warmed to Lisa and felt empathy for her pretty much straight away. It covers some really powerful topics such as miscarriage and the struggles of those who are trying to have a family.
From the adoption side, Lisa was open and honest about her journey and her feelings.
Icing on the cake... There's recipes at the end of each chapter :)
A great insight into fertility issues, baby loss and adoption.
A very warm and frank telling of the many years Lisa and her now ex husband and their infertility story.
I warmed to Lisa and felt empathy for her pretty much straight away. It covers some really powerful topics such as miscarriage and the struggles of those who are trying to have a family.
From the adoption side, Lisa was open and honest about her journey and her feelings.
Icing on the cake... There's recipes at the end of each chapter :)
January 21, 2020
this was a well written heart warming story, proving families come in all shapes and sizes no matter how they became to be. i loved following this journey and learning a thing or two along the way . great read for a heart warming hug .
July 13, 2019
Excellent book for anyone thinking about adoption and asking themselves whether they are right for it. This will help you start to ask the hard questions and work out whether emotionally you are ready.
August 28, 2019
I loved this book. So easy to read and found Lisa’s honesty overwhelming. An emotional read all the way through. Couldn’t put it down!
September 29, 2019
Wonderful read, honest, raw and very warm, this is the story of Lisa's road to motherhood and it is beautifully written, really enjoyed it
April 10, 2022
Ive had this book on my tbr list for a while, as I knew I needed to be in the right place mentally to be able to read it and to have the time to reflect. This book is about Lisa’s quest to be a mum and pretty much reflects my personal experience too ( just the surrogacy consideration was different). I cried through a lot of this book, not for sadness of what was not to be but of the grief I felt at the time and wasn’t able to express. Lisa’s words are beautiful and so many sentences could only be truly understood by those who have gone through the same journey. For example, my IVF attempts are also strangely missing detailed memory. I had 3 attempts but like Lisa I only have fleeting memories, I think it was all too sad and hidden away. All the experiences are so well written and I’ve found this to be a very therapeutic and uplifting book as I too parent plus. A truly brilliant memoir.
December 13, 2020
As someone who has gone through 5 rounds of IVF and had two miscarriages, this book resonated deeply with me. It is such an honest, raw and emotional story.
I think Lisa is brave to write about everything she went through so openly and I am very grateful that she has.
I would recommend this book to anyone who is experiencing infertility as it will remind you that you are not alone in your feelings, even on those darker days. I would also recommend you share it with your friends/family (or, buy them a copy I should say...) as it may just help them to understand a fraction more.
I think Lisa is brave to write about everything she went through so openly and I am very grateful that she has.
I would recommend this book to anyone who is experiencing infertility as it will remind you that you are not alone in your feelings, even on those darker days. I would also recommend you share it with your friends/family (or, buy them a copy I should say...) as it may just help them to understand a fraction more.
December 1, 2020
A very personal account
I admire Lisa’s complete honesty in writing this book, such a personal account of her experience. I would recommend this to anyone struggling with infertility &/or those considering adoption. Thank you Lisa for sharing your journey. A great reminder that our paths may be different to those intended, but we can still get to the destination.
I admire Lisa’s complete honesty in writing this book, such a personal account of her experience. I would recommend this to anyone struggling with infertility &/or those considering adoption. Thank you Lisa for sharing your journey. A great reminder that our paths may be different to those intended, but we can still get to the destination.
April 13, 2020
I really loved this book - it made me smile and it made me cry. If was such a raw and honest story of Lisa’s journey into motherhood - both the ups and the downs. With a few recipes thrown in. Would definitely recommend particularly to those thinking about or on the adoption journey.
July 21, 2020
Wow, just wow
As someone who is about to start the journey to adoption, this was an incredible read. So real, raw and honest, so much passion and love pouring out from every page. Thank you Lisa for sharing this very personal journey with us, it's been so very very helpful ❤️
As someone who is about to start the journey to adoption, this was an incredible read. So real, raw and honest, so much passion and love pouring out from every page. Thank you Lisa for sharing this very personal journey with us, it's been so very very helpful ❤️
September 12, 2020
Beautiful
A wonderful heartfelt book on a personal journey to motherhood. So relatable had me laughing and crying as I remembered my journey. And full of inspiration as I'm only early into placement.
A wonderful heartfelt book on a personal journey to motherhood. So relatable had me laughing and crying as I remembered my journey. And full of inspiration as I'm only early into placement.
March 14, 2020
4.5 stars
July 18, 2020
A very well read, well written book about Lisa’s journey through IVF and adoption.
August 10, 2020
Found the book hard to get into even though it was the authors own journey. Was unable to finish the book
January 6, 2021
Insightful, heartfelt and emotional read. A topic we should all encourage open conversation about.
February 12, 2020
Great book for those on a fertility or adoption journey - clearly written from the heart. I love the focus on early permanence and think this will resonate with anyone thinking about adoption.
October 6, 2019
Beautifully written, honest and endearing account of love, loss, heartache and fulfillment. Highly recommend to anyone experiencing fertility problems, baby loss, grief or people who plan to adopt a child.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews