Heartbreaking and wonderful
343580
This is a wonderful book, that I couldn't put down. Poor Deo goes through so much and I stayed up late into the night hoping he got a happy ending. But what he did get was so much better, hope.
4458838
This is a wonderful book but be forwarned it is heartwrenchingly difficult at times for any one that has lost an infant, had difficulties with conceiving, or been through the foster/adoption process and lost a child they thought they'd be able keep.  This book ends with both sadness and a joyous HEA.

Sam and Rachel have been married for about 12 years and both are aware their marriage is seriously troubled.  After losing their newborn daughter in a tragic accident and then several attempts at adoption failing, neither can seem to find happiness in life together anymore.  It's just twelve days before Christmas when Rachel opens the door to a social worker who places a baby in her arms. She is baffled, scared and determined not to take her, for not only is there baby Grace but she is accompanied by her four year old brother and eleven year old sister, all in need of a home until their parents can be found.  Rachel is holding onto a thread trying not to slip completely into a deep depression but can she actually turn her back on innocent children in need of a safe and warm place at this time of year?

Sam and Rachel have always dreamed of filling their home with children but Sam no longer thinks he can make Rachel happy so he's making plans to leave after Christmas.  The repeated heartbreak they have both endured is more than either can take.

Reluctantly, they agree to take the three siblings, just until after Christmas.  During those twelve days many events from the past are revealed, Sam and Rachel are forced to deal with events from their past that brought them to this moment in their lives and both have several lessons that must be learned and dealt with if they have any hope of saving their marriage.  In addition, the three children are forced to deal with more grief and sadness than anyone would ever want to see a child endure.

This book is full of sadness and anger, hope and forgiveness, and sadly, the knowledge that sometimes someone must lose everything for someone else to find their dreams come true.  I cried, I even occassionally laughed, but be prepared to have the tissues handy, this one is a real tear jerker, but well worth it.
888850
Wow what a beautifully written, heartbreaking and emotional story this is!!!

Just be aware that this book will suck you in and almost break you by the end of it, but it's such a beautiful sweet pain that the trip and emotional high is so very worth it.

LA Fiore has created a story that is about love, loss and friendship, it touches on some very adverse situations that can and do happen in real life. Her characters are put through so much pain and misery that I was a sobbing mess for a lot of this book but Alexis and Greyson are both such strong and wonderful characters that they can and do survive everything that gets thrown at them.

The writing flowed so well that I just couldn't put this book down, I became enraptured, captivated, I was totally and utterly addicted. I felt every hurt, pain and emotion. This has got to be in my top five ugly cry books ever.

I cannot express how much I loved this book but I also hated it with equal measure. Be sure to read this book with plenty of tissues, chocolate biscuits and lots of cups of hot tea as it will leave you so raw that you will need them to seek comfort in.

One of the best books that I have read so far this year and I highly recommend you put this on your TBR list. It's an amazing read.
4238758
This book started off slow for me, but progressed onto a beautifully, heartbreaking, and wonderful story. I really loved all the character's and how they interacted with each other. This is a great book and would recommend.
4071395
This is a story about starting over, finding yourself, learning about what is important and who really is there for you. It is tragic and heartbreaking but at the same time beautifully told. What a tear jerker as well as very touching. Just when you think it cant get any worse it does. It is a wonderful journey about building relationship with some very touching writing.

The author does a nice job showing the past as well as the present taking you back and forth so you get the full impact. Reny wasn't always like she is today at one time she was very happy then things happened that changed her world and she is as you see her on these pages. She is a character that will suck you in as your heart keeps breaking for her. To see her emotional state just broke my heart.

When Mark walked in things moved very fast for me a little too fast. When you are in the state as Reny is I really think it would take longer for the big change to happen. Libby and Reny had a touching relationship. Each had their own pain and issues to deal with but Libby stuck right with Reny always being there when needed.

It is a heart wrenching story that brings many tears as you walk beside these characters you feel their pain and sorrow. I had no trouble relating to them at each twists and turn. It is a very emotional roller coaster. When the end comes there is a feeling of peace that comes over you making it all worth the ride.
4900999
This is a wonderful, heartbreaking book. I loved the character "Anna" and could really see myself in her shoes, wanting to do exactly what she did in order to try to escape her pain. I really enjoyed this book, even when I was crying. I believe this book will help me to be a better mother, and I can't wait for Brigetta to write more!
4615998
Beautifully heartbreaking story. Words cannot express the emotional wringer that this book puts you through. Yet, it is a journey worth taking. Love abounds in this heartfelt story along with all the other myriad of emotions.
1657104
Beautiful, heartbreaking story.  I couldn't put it down.
2863997
I cried... I cried a few times but I cried happy tears at the end, such a beautiful thought. This book really touched me because I can relate to losing someone to cancer, and not just one person but a few in my family. It was so heartbreaking and painful to watch. I wish there really was a cure.. Anyway this story was brilliant and beautiful. Excellent writing. Beautiful characters, all of them! Truly an amazing read, it will pull at your heartstrings, make you laugh, make you cry, but most of make you smile.
1742933
I'm going to do what Zach doesn't do for the first half of this book; I'm going to be honest. I gave the book 5 stars for the story, not for the writing. It felt a bit forced, and the prose didn't "flow". It was slow to start, but once the plot unfolds the book takes off. I had to put the book down a few times because I was in tears, it's heartbreaking, but it's a beautiful story. Walking besides Zach while he sobers himself up and deals with his "monsters" is difficult. There are parts in the book that are raw and deeply emotional, and that will haunt me for a lifetime. The ending was amazing, and I was a bit sad to put it down. Amazing story, heartbreakingly beautiful. The only two words I can think of to describe this book.
406124
This book is heartbreaking, heartwarming, and just beautiful. It surprised me in places and made me ache and want to hug these girls in so many others. The prose is so very beautiful and it's such a great character study of what could happen to children in a really awful, strange, and messed up situation. This is a story that will resonate and stay with you, but honestly, it's also worth reading for some of the gorgeous descriptions and language alone. Highly recommend!
1418734
While this was a very painful book to listen to/read, it was well worth it by the time the end came near. It is a very profoundly sad at times, and horrifying as well. It is indeed haunting, heartbreaking and compelling. Hosseini is able to take his reader right into the story, and it feels as though one is right there with the characters experiencing it alongside of them. Although this was set in Afghanistan with all the horrors of being a woman there, I believe there is a universality to some of the themes within the story: domestic violence, abuse, helplessness, etc. Hosseini's books have opened up a new culture and experience for me and caused me to have a deep appreciation for Afghani women and their suffering. Even though this is a painful story, there is much beauty within its pages.
2397803
Beautifully written.
This story was fantastic. I just can't say enough good things. The characters were real and profound and heartbreaking.
Buy it. You'll love it.
4907939
This book was heartbreaking but I loved it anyway. I was so engrossed in the story that my stomach was in knots at some points. It was also a great lesson in the political history of Afghanistan over that past 30 years. It's a harsh reminder that these are real people whose lives we're interfering with over in the Middle East and that today's wars are not fought on battlefields but in neighborhoods. People are dying in their literal backyards.
4951795
This was one of the best books I have read in a long time. I try to read whenever I have the spare time (not often) and believe me some of the books I have read lately really irritated me that I had wasted the time. I read this book in 2 days because I just couldn't put it down. I had to know what happened next. It is such a heartbreaking story. I think the author is a very talented writer, but like the other reviews I was upset at the ending. Oh well, it is still worth the read.
769344
*contains semi-spoilers*

First off, if you are someone that cannot stand to read about sexual abuse, this is not the book for you. This book is heartbreaking, but there is also happiness. But at the end when you realize what is going on, your heart will break for Sadie. This is an amazing book and it's hard to read, but I'm so glad I did.

As I was reading this book, I wasn't sure how to form an opinion on Sadie. For most of the book I believed it was about a woman with mental illness, schizophrenic tendencies. I venture to say that there are quite a few extraordinary characters in this book. Alex (aside from Sadie) is by far the most amazing. His love, devotion and patience is just...wow. It comes across realistic as it happened everyday to have a spouse/partner you love so much be constantly on the edge of sanity.

I don't want to give too much of the book away, as The Stranger is such a monumental character in this book. For a woman who has felt alone most her life, Sadie has so many people unknowingly loving her.
1620547
I finished this book hours ago and I'm still emotional. Well, honestly, I've been emotional in general lately and this book shattered whatever was holding things together for me. I cried deeply, both because the story hits you hard and makes you feel what the characters are going through, but also because it hit close to home for me.

It is very well written and much like other reviewers I wanted to reach through the pages and slap some sense into these boys more than once. They are flawed and real. This was way more than your basic gay story.

Have a box of tissues ready.