Sacha T. Y. Fortuné

An informative guide and roadmap with practical advice for expectant UK mothers

This was my fifty-fourth book I chose via the Reedsy Discovery program, for which I am the single approved reviewer for this new book. This review also appears on Reedsy.

If you’re interested in becoming a Reedsy reviewer (and have the chance to get paid “tips” to review books!) check it out here.

The Premise

This guide aims to be a cohesive roadmap for expectant UK mothers, with checklists and tips along with practical guidance and reassurance to successfully transition out—and also back into—the workplace. Presented in a simple, easy to follow format, this book is the perfect companion to inspire and empower all working women about to embark on this life-changing journey.

The Pros & Cons

This is an informative guide and roadmap with practical advice for expectant UK mothers.

First, we begin with some key facts: UK law provides 52 weeks statutory leave, and the ability to start from as early as 11 weeks before the baby’s due date. However, only the two weeks after the baby’s birth are mandatory. As such, women have a choice with regard to maternity leave — some return after the first six months (ordinary leave), others the full 52 weeks (additional leave), and many choose a non-standard timeframe that suits their needs. However, the reduced rate of pay during this period may be a motivating factor for a mother to return to work earlier than the full timeframe available.

Job security should be guaranteed (the same job with the same terms and conditions) after the first 26 weeks of “ordinary leave”; while if you return in the longer “additional leave” period, your employer should also provide job security but the role and responsibilities may be adjusted (though not less favourable). If you are unable to claim Maternity Pay if you haven’t been at the company long enough, or if you are self-employed, the government steps in.

Indeed, as the author’s tip notes:

“Job security for a full year in the UK is extremely generous and a rare opportunity.”

There are also additional employment rights that you are guaranteed during your maternity leave, and discrimination upon your return is unlawful. However, despite protections in place, many women do face unfair treatment — and it is important to ensure to document any of this in writing to protect yourself.

The book is easy to read and laid out clearly, with reference checklists and bullet-point lists that catch the eye. There were also many tips that didn’t seem focused on childbearing/childcare only but just general advice for saving, budgeting, and planning; physical and emotional self-care; and even self-development and career tips. I also appreciated that there is some research and wider context provided, as well as the links provided to online tools to help with the practical planning for bringing a child into the world. Notably, while actual “having” a baby is free (via the NHS) or very low cost in comparison to other countries, the UK has one of the highest costs in the world for nursery childcare — though, thankfully, there are government initiatives to offset some of these costs.

Conclusion

Overall this was an informative and easy-to-read guide, and the writing style is engaging and personable. With the varied aspects it covers, it felt like the author gathered her own multifaceted experience to share with others. While I enjoyed this style, other readers should be advised that this would not be a go-to reference guide if you are looking for something formal with primary research or a cohesive unique thesis; rather, this touches on many aspects and points you to other sources of information — it is, as outlined, a “practical guide”. I can see this being a great gift to give any expectant mom.

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An informative and insightful look at those who challenge the “status quo” script of life by actively choosing to be childfree

This was my fifty-third book I chose via the Reedsy Discovery program, for which I am the single approved reviewer for this new book. This review also appears on Reedsy.

If you’re interested in becoming a Reedsy reviewer (and have the chance to get paid “tips” to review books!) check it out here.

The Premise

Dr. Jay is childfree and the founder of Live, Learn, Plan, and Childfree Wealth, a life and financial planning firm specialising in helping childfree Individuals. This book compiles portraits of 26 childfree individuals he interviewed, and explains many common terms about the childfree community.

The Pros & Cons

This was an informative and insightful look at those who challenge the “status quo” by choosing to be childfree.

The author demonstrates that there is no one singular reason but a myriad of reasons. Some have chosen this because of trauma in their past with families, considerations for finances, mental and physical health issues, other obligations to care for elderly or disabled family members, other relationships with children that they appreciate but prefer not to have responsibility for parenting, and much more.

The vignettes are interspersed with the author’s analysis as he discusses terms such as: FIRE (Financial Independence, Retire Early) where the goal is retirement; FILE (Financial Independence, Live Early) which is more of a “dimmer” switch for work rather than the “off” switch of FIRE; the LAT movement (Living Apart Together) for modern [and often childfree] relationships; and “The Gardener & The Rose” analogy, whereby a couple takes turns allowing their partner to follow his/her dreams.

I appreciated that it featured a wide range of persons — some with partners, some without; different levels of wealth; some who were dating someone with kids (but they themselves remain childfree with no obligations); those from different racial and cultural backgrounds; those who had positive family relationships and/or came from big families as well as those who were only children; and so on.

Some pertinent quotes were:

“What a lot of guys would want and expect from a woman was also just a massive turn-off. They were just like, my dad worked four jobs, and my mom stayed at home taking care of 12 kids. And I’m like, no, no, no.” – Alison

“I think it’s freedom for me. Freedom, autonomy. It’s on a macro level, like this evening. If I want to go do a thing, I can just go and do a thing. It doesn’t matter what the thing is.” – Matt

“I can quit a job that I don’t like. I can quit a career that I hate. I’m not reliant on that money for someone else whom you can’t get rid of. The wealth is in the freedom.” – Autumn

In some cases, the very idea of choosing NOT to have children wasn’t an option until someone else introduced it to them, and they eventually found online communities that were supportive to those who live this type of lifestyle. Notably, the wider society is exclusionary or judgmental towards the childfree community. For instance, women often struggle to find doctors willing to do sterilisation; some employers afford more benefits or time off for parents rather than the childfree staff; and families also lean heavier on financial and other support from their childfree members.

The format and layout were easy to read, and I liked the use of direct quotes as it felt like I was having a conversation with someone. Admittedly, it does get quite repetitive (and the author acknowledges that), with many themes emerging such as a correlation — or causation? — due to growing up in poverty. Many interviewees also expressed huge relief about being childfree during the Covid-19 pandemic, as children could have been even more detrimental to their emotional and financial wellbeing.

Despite the many backgrounds, beliefs and opinions, my greatest takeaway is simply: “Being childfree allows us to stretch, learn, and reinvent ourselves.”

And, in the words of one of the interviewees, who knew that her very existence compromised her mom’s trajectory in life:

“You might have a kid and regret it too.” – Amelia

Conclusion

Though I myself recently became a parent, I chose this route extremely carefully and only because I fulfilled certain conditions prior (education, relationship, career, and financial goals, etc.). I fully support my friends who have chosen to be childfree, and I chose this book to gain more insight into their community. I can see it being a catalyst to changing someone’s life, if they happen upon this book at just the right time and get pointed in the direction whereby they suddenly realise: “Wait, I don’t HAVE to have children!” It is a brave move for many, who will likely always be judged by friends, families, employers, medical professionals, and even random strangers with insensitive remarks. Choosing to be childfree is a revolution in itself, and I thank the author for providing a voice to this community.

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A collection of short stories that touch on mental health issues — each with a twist

This was my fifty-first book I chose via the Reedsy Discovery program, for which I am the single approved reviewer for this new book. This review also appears on Reedsy.

If you’re interested in becoming a Reedsy reviewer (and have the chance to get paid “tips” to review books!) check it out here.

The Premise

This collection of fictional short stories focuses on women, and is centred around the theme of mental health. Issues include post-traumatic stress disorder, dissociative identity disorder (or multiple personality disorder), prolonged grief disorder, insecurity, depression, and dementia.

The Pros & Cons

This was a collection of short stories that touch on mental health issues — each with a dark or poignant twist.

In the opening story “For Jesse“, we meet a young woman focused on enacting revenge for the murder of her friend. This was my favourite story, and the reason I chose the book (as it was the preview). I loved the style of writing that sets the reader in the scene with the character, the way her mind rolls back and forth between her friend’s death and her mother’s suffering, and her determination in conquering the monster — which was both literal and figurative.

“The Gift” deals with a young woman’s dissociative personality disorder that leads her to commit heinous acts under the guise — and protection — of her ‘guardian angel’, her alter ego that emerges as a response to abuse she suffered as a child. Though this was well-written with a good balance of coldheartedness and angst, I was hoping for a more original surprise or twist.

In “Delicious“, a teenage girl struggles with insecurity about her self-image and her sexuality after a homeless stranger flirts with her. I loved this story as well, as the dialogue with her aunt was heartwarming and brought the story to life. This one will resonate with many young women who often feel unsettled by the ‘male gaze’, which though thought to be innocuous when a comment is made in passing, it has a much deeper impact on one’s psyche.

In “Things, Remembered”, a young woman swirls into depression due to grief, but her twin sister comes to her rescue. Though I liked the message, as it ends on a somewhat ‘happy’ note, I felt it would have benefitted from being shorter and less detailed and repetitive, so as to retain more power by being succinct.

“Fixing Brandy” was expertly crafted to showcase a mother’s eternal regret that results in a psychotic break on her daughter’s birthday, and I really enjoyed this as well. The style shifts as the mother ricochets between what is real and not real in front of her, and the writer does a great job of reflecting this.

Finally, in “Home”, a bus ride takes a woman on a journey of memories that mesh together the past and present. As she feels strangely out of place with things she notices, as well as the behaviour of others, we soon realise that something is wrong with her perception. I enjoyed this as well, and was glad to see this as the closing bookend of the collection, as its warmth counterbalances the intensity of the opening bookend.

In terms of the collection as a whole, the stories work well together due to the unifying theme of mental health, and there is a distinctive flair in each. Some of them feature characters of colour, and I was excited to see this representation interwoven so effortlessly and beautifully — particularly in the dialogue in “Delicious” and references to historical markers (segregation) in “Home”.

The medium of short stories is constrictive in terms of what you can really do with character development, but the author did quite a lot despite that limitation, as we meet a lot of great characters in this collection that I would love to have kept on reading about! For instance, I felt like “Delicious” could have been a great basis to build a YA novel.

Conclusion

Overall, this was an enjoyable read — short and swift, but packing a powerful punch. I appreciated that each of these stories was engaging on its own merit, as well as forming part of a larger whole that addresses such an important topic: mental health. However with such a great theme to explore, I did wish at times for a bit more shock value or a darker twist in some stories to make it more memorable. Nevertheless, I think the writer has a lot of talent, and I would love to see what she can do with a longer collection — or even better: a novel-length’s worth — to fully bloom. I look forward to reading more of her work.

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A heartfelt and insightful memoir about love, family, and the tides of cancer

This was my fiftieth book I chose via the Reedsy Discovery program, for which I am the single approved reviewer for this new book. This review also appears on Reedsy.

If you’re interested in becoming a Reedsy reviewer (and have the chance to get paid “tips” to review books!) check it out here.

The Premise

The author, cancer nurse Janice Post-White, recounts her experience as the mother of a child with cancer. Diagnosed with leukaemia at age four, Brennan is now an adult and survivor, but his battle with cancer left an indelible imprint on his mother, who never feels safe and “free” from cancer. Interspersed with Brennan’s childhood drawings and family photos, Janice tries to make sense of her experience through this memoir.

The Pros & Cons

This was a heartfelt and insightful memoir about love, family, and the tides of cancer.

The author’s expertise as a cancer nurse ultimately fails her when her own son is diagnosed with leukaemia. Her upbringing was shaped by her mother’s emotionally stunted responses and her father’s stoicism — typical of that era — which influenced her own psyche, and she bottled up her feelings:

[…] this history of buried emotions, unexpressed grief, and learned self-sufficiency […] accompanied me into the hospital when Brennan was diagnosed. Logically, I understood. Emotionally, under stress, I regressed.

Though her family all loved and supported each other, as Brennan’s mother she bore the bulk of the burden of responsibility on her own shoulders, always having to put on a brave face for everyone else, even her husband who withdrew into his own thoughts rather than sharing his fears with her:

We inhabited our own emotional orbits and just kept marching along. It was a time of getting through. The road map directed our actions but advised very little. I knew how to lead the army into battle, but I had no idea what to do with the effects, my responses and feelings.

As Brennan’s treatment progressed, she saw the light in him fade. Still, his drawings and conversations with her showed maturity beyond his years as he found his own ways to process what was happening with him:

I’d never imagined that I would lament the absence of his fiercely independent and tempestuous attitude. As I watched him, I pleaded with myself to find something, anything, in this boy that I recognized and loved. […] Chemotherapy was saving my son, but I felt I was losing him.

As she struggled to ensure Brennan’s protocols were followed despite his resistance, her own health suffered both physically as well as mentally, but there was little respite. Her workload seldom abated, and her health worsened. Nevertheless, she took on the mantle of leading a “cancer family” and tried to make their lives as normal as possible, with family vacations, sports, and activities scattered around hospital visits.

Fortunately, Brennan survived — but the shadow of doubt is always there. She was always acutely aware of his other “cancer peers” who relapsed and eventually died, and there were even instances of unexpected non-cancer-related deaths that rattled her even more. To this day, she still dreams of Brennan’s death.

This was a powerful and difficult read, as the author’s frankness and insightful honesty is gripping from beginning to end. The language and style of writing are engaging and thoughtfully executed, and it also includes a significant amount of research. I can see how this memoir was not only part of her own healing process, but also a roadmap for other parents or children that may be in the same situation.

Conclusion

I loved and enjoyed this journey that this memoir took me on, and it was truly moving. I am amazed at the trials she endured, and that she was able to manage a successful career despite her own family issues she was dealing with at the time. What also resonated with me were the moments that she took pause and said “Enough”, focusing on herself and her family for a short time to maintain that balance. At times raw, at times painful, overall this message is one of triumph and courage. I thank the author for sharing her story, and look forward to more of her writing.

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An emotional journey into the halcyon days of youth, and the crushing regret of past love and loss

This was my forty-ninth book I chose via the Reedsy Discovery program, for which I am the single approved reviewer for this new book. This review also appears on Reedsy.

If you’re interested in becoming a Reedsy reviewer (and have the chance to get paid “tips” to review books!) check it out here.

The Premise

Margaret and her husband Tom have lived for decades with the ghost of the woman they once both loved — Tom’s former girlfriend and Mags’ best friend, Susan. Susan suffered with “disease of the mind” in the 1970s, when shock therapy was a common treatment. Its legacy and the memory of Susan remain, though she is long gone. When her brother arrives with fresh news forty years later, the memories all come flooding back to them both — and most importantly, the guilt they both feel about being responsible for her death.

The Pros & Cons

This was an emotional journey into the halcyon days of youth, and the crushing regret of past love and loss.

This novel was unique and beautifully done. Told in alternating parts by Tom and his wife Margaret, the tale slowly unravels to reveal the shocking events of the past that led to the death of the person they both dearly loved, and the ghost that hovered over their marriage for the past forty years: Susan.

Part manic pixie dream girl, part free-love-era sex bombshell, Susan was the glue that held their little group together — until she died, and they never could quite recreate love in their own relationship formed from the ashes of her memory. They both felt responsible for her death — both the direct incident, as well as ignoring or glossing over the warning signs prior to it. Despite the decades they’ve been married, the daughter they raised, the family they built — Susan was always hovering on the peripheries, preventing them from ever attaining real happiness or true love and meaningful communication with each other.

I loved the way the past is uncovered layer by layer as we experience the “Susan effect” through both their eyes: Tom as a lover, and Margaret as her best friend. Ricocheting between child-like sweetness to vicious diatribes, Susan’s tragically exuberant personality leaps off the pages, propelling the reader to keep going to find out her story.

The prose is excellent and takes you on a journey through its lyrical words, fleshing out the pain and unbearable loss of someone who was the very fabric of their lives. Each character was gloriously imperfect in their own way, and the descriptive power of the writing paints them each perfectly, even the side characters like their other family members that only flit across the pages for a few moments.

There were truly shocking moments as the reader grapples to combine the past and the present, empathising with their pain and regret of the actions in their youth, yet at the same time critical of their deplorable actions as we wait for that moment of impending doom, as we already know what is about to happen to Susan.

To advise other readers, I should mention there were a few moments when I had to re-read as I got a bit lost between the character jumps (as they are not labelled), and the style of writing veers to the poetic which at times may be dense for some readers, but I truly enjoyed this style and only wish more writers took such care to treat words as their craft.

Conclusion

Overall, this was a novel that will stay with me. It feels like a text that can be dissected and explored for literary purposes, as there were many deep, profound issues it dealt with — love, loss, grief, mental illness, drug abuse, assault, communication, parenthood, marriage, and so much more. With so much bubbling below its surface, it was an enriching experience from beginning to end — deep, emotional, and moving. I would recommend to other readers, and I look forward to more of this writer’s work.

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A horrifically true memoir of the evil that lives within the “ties that bind” a family

This was my forty-eighth book I chose via the Reedsy Discovery program, for which I am the single approved reviewer for this new book. This review also appears on Reedsy.

If you’re interested in becoming a Reedsy reviewer (and have the chance to get paid “tips” to review books!) check it out here.

The Premise

This true story is the author’s memoir of her life, primarily aspects between 1967 and 1971, before women had reproductive rights — her attack by a serial murderer, physical abuse in her family home that led to a coma, a beating by a rapist, a gang-rape attempt, and molestation under the influence of a date-rape drug. Later in life, she realised that these incidents were not random — they were intentional, and callously executed by the people closest to her whom she trusted. Through it all, her faith in God helped her to survive and find forgiveness.

The Pros & Cons

This was a horrifically true memoir of the evil that lives within the “ties that bind” a family.

I read this in one night, and I am still in shock days later — and absolutely horrified that it was a true story.

Told in a matter-of-fact tone that highlights events rather than emotions, we nevertheless feel every emotion that Jackie goes through. She was always treated as an outcast within her family because she was an “unplanned mistake” although her parents were married and already had a daughter. They had had an agreement with her grandmother not to have any more children at that time, and so her grandmother doted on her sister but ignored her completely.

The root of her family’s discontent towards Jackie seemed to be her ambition, as she was hardworking and focused her energy on developing a career rather than simply settling to be just a wife and mother. Jackie made major strides in the tech world, even presenting at Oracle’s national convention alongside Steve Jobs and Larry Ellison; she was also recognised as the “mother of pet invention” for the safety product she developed for dogs, and she was granted four patents, among other noteworthy accomplishments.

This ambition seemed to irritate everyone around her. The abuse began as a very young child, and ranged from neglect — her father choosing to save her sister’s life rather than try to save her — to outright disregard: her brother’s attack that hit her between the eyes almost killed her, but no one even noticed she was in a coma, and even later they did not seem concerned for her health or her education that was adversely impacted.

There were also deeply engrained layers of emotional abuse, with her mother even openly admitting to favouritism:

“I just love her more than I love you. I can’t help it.”

“Your sister and brother are weak, so we must take care of them. You’re strong, so we don’t need to do anything for you. You go out and get everything you want before we even know you want it.”

Alongside her experiences, the developing sociopolitical changes in women’s reproductive rights and workplace discrimination policies shape Jackie’s life, and we clearly see the ways these can drastically affect someone. From the employer who tried to fire her because she was trying to get pregnant (but couldn’t when she actually did get pregnant), to the horrific actions of her family members to conspire to get her pregnant via a rapist — these shocking real-life recounts leave an indelible impression on the reader.

Another heart-wrenching moment was her mother’s financial abuse of her, literally robbing her when they shared ownership of a home that Jackie helped her parents to buy — out of the goodness of her heart, despite how badly she had always been treated!

Throughout all of this, it was Jackie’s faith that kept her going and striving to succeed, after having had an enlightening experience as a teenager. Thankfully, in her darkest moment, she was saved:

“So you want to kill yourself? Why would you want to do that? You’re one of the good guys. If you want to kill anyone, you should kill one of the bad guys.”

…And thankfully, she didn’t kill or take out her anger on the “bad guys” (who deserved so badly to suffer!) but she survived to tell the tale, and to use her experiences to uplift others.

Conclusion

I am honoured to have gotten the chance to read the memoir of this amazing woman. I admit at times that I felt the narrator was unreliable, but only because I simply couldn’t believe the horror she faced from those closest to her who were supposed to love and protect her. I feel forever changed by this story, and so blessed to have chosen this to read. I would love to learn more about the author and all that she has contributed to the world despite it all, and I look forward to reading anything else she writes.

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A mystery/thriller coming-of-age story with a sprinkle of the supernatural

This was my forty-seventh book I chose via the Reedsy Discovery program, for which I am the single approved reviewer for this new book. This review also appears on Reedsy.

If you’re interested in becoming a Reedsy reviewer (and have the chance to get paid “tips” to review books!) check it out here.

The Premise

After waking up from a coma, Carmela learns from her father that her newlywed husband Dylan was killed, and someone is after her — but she can’t remember any of this. She is taken to a small town in Nevada by her father, where he tells her to wait and hide out while he “figures things out” as this is the only way to protect her. With no friends or contact with the outside world, and a mobile phone that only has her father’s number on it, Carmela struggles with her faith in her father — whom she has always obeyed. Should she listen to him, as she usually does — or is it time that she strikes out on her own and risk endangerment?

The Pros & Cons

This was a mystery/thriller coming-of-age story with a sprinkle of the supernatural.

Our heroine Carmela’s life has been fairly simple up to the point we meet her — a “good girl” who has done everything she was told. The problem is that now her dad is telling her to just “sit still” and wait for further instructions from him — and with little information, it is a mental battle for her as she isn’t sure who to trust.

Caught between two worlds — her past, where her closest friends think she is still in a coma — and her new life where she hesitates to get too attached, Carmela finds herself at a crossroads where she has to force herself to become an adult in more ways than one. She has always trusted her father, but now he is behaving oddly and she begins to question everything she always believed — even her own love for her recently-deceased husband.

I loved the premise of the story and was quickly drawn in by Carmela’s story, as it is one that will resonate with many young women. Our fathers are often our heroes, and if we never have reason to doubt, would we follow them blindly over a cliff? I also really liked the inclusion of the supernatural, which was naturally blended into the story without making it totally about these elements — a kind of “magical realism” effect. This was lovely to read, as it is unusual to have an action/thriller that also has fantasy elements casually thrown in! The supernatural powers of her friends made it an interesting read, particularly when Carmela learns (quite humorously!) of her own special skill. The dialogue of their banter is great, and the dashes of romance and drama liven up what might have otherwise been a grittier read. These were all nicely done and I could see myself reading an entire series of this just to see the stories of the other girls!

Though I enjoyed the novel and read it quickly, I did wish it explained more of the plot. For me, it wasn’t enough to just have “elements” of crime that we learn took place in the background — for this genre, there needed to be more story development in the foreground, or an original shocking twist to blow me away. Also, though I absolutely loved all the friendships with her flatmates and Carmela’s developing relationship with a new guy, I was also aching for a bit more on the “action” side of things — it does happen, but the biggest action scene comes and goes so quickly! Nevertheless this is a great, swift read that will titillate readers who like an easy-to-follow thriller with a gutsy girl lead.

Conclusion

Overall I quite enjoyed the story, particularly the original aspects with the interweaving of the supernatural. Though it fell short for me a bit personally in some ways, I would still recommend to other readers — however, I think it would be most suitable for younger readers (teenage girls especially) as it is focuses more on Carmela’s journey to adulthood rather than leaning heavily into the action/thriller aspects. It was a nice balance of multiple genres that made for a pleasing ride. This was a new author for me, and I look forward to reading more of her work.

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A heartfelt family drama about grief, loss, forgiveness, and finding the strength to survive and thrive

This was my forty-sixth book I chose via the Reedsy Discovery program, for which I am the single approved reviewer for this new book. This review also appears on Reedsy.

If you’re interested in becoming a Reedsy reviewer (and have the chance to get paid “tips” to review books!) check it out here.

The Premise

Grieving the loss of his disabled sister, Raymond’s thoughts wander back to one of the first (and few) persons who really knew and loved her — his first love, Dorothy. Now a retired cop, he passes his time befriending his new neighbour, a young mother of twin babies, who does not seem to have much support from their father: the shifty, suspicious “BMW man” who travels frequently and seems to have a short temper.

Raymond is no stranger to violence — nor was Dorothy. They had formed a bond as adolescents as each suffered through abuse in their families. Raymond decides to reach out to his old friend and first love. Though decades have passed, they still have a lot in common when they reconnect. Now divorced, Dorothy has a strained relationship with her teenage children who chose to live with their father. In the face of tragedy, can their rekindled bond heal them both?

The Pros & Cons

This was a heartfelt family drama about grief, loss, forgiveness, and finding the strength to survive and thrive.

It is a story of second chance romance, but so much more — there are mystery/thriller elements, as well as heart-wrenching abuse in the childhood trauma of each of the two main characters. Both characters are fully developed, and we get to see each of their lives’ journeys after they separated as children: the slow crumble of Dorothy’s marriage as the wayward children eventually built a wedge between her and her husband, and Raymond’s former relationship that ended in tragedy, as well as his allegiance to his disabled sister until her death.

I loved how they took their time to find each other again, each carrying their own baggage, and I appreciated the friendships they each had — particularly Raymond, who began helping his neighbour Joanne as he felt inexplicably drawn into her fraught relationship with her partner. All the relationships were beautifully described and you can feel the emotion in each separate story, as well as the elation when Raymond and Dorothy do finally reconnect and find that there are still deep feelings there — and maybe there is still even a spark.

Though I enjoyed the novel, this is a very slow-burn of a story — it’s worth it to get all the way there, but it is not for readers without patience! Also, it did take me some time to get used to the storytelling style that mixes Raymond in first person and then Dorothy in third person (it may have worked better for me with both first person, or both third person) but this may be my own pet peeve! Nevertheless the writing was excellent, and I’m glad I kept on reading to finally understand all the connections between the characters. However, there are two main threads that weave Raymond’s and Dorothy’s stories together, and I wished that one of the main points in the last chapter was revealed in the “present” timeline rather than referred to in the past tense — this was a disappointment as I’d been waiting to see it happen!

Conclusion

Nevertheless, overall this was an enjoyable story that will lift your spirits, and I would recommend for readers who appreciate authors similar to Nicholas Sparks. It takes you on an emotional journey as you get to know these characters, all of whom feel very real — their pain, their anguish, their failures in life, and yet their indomitable spirit to build a family with each other out of the ashes of dysfunction. The lasting message here is that it is never too late to find happiness — and that happiness lies in the people you love, above all else. I look forward to more by this author.

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A valuable resource for those looking to break into the real estate industry

This was my forty-fifth book I chose via the Reedsy Discovery program, for which I am the single approved reviewer for this new book. This review also appears on Reedsy.

If you’re interested in becoming a Reedsy reviewer (and have the chance to get paid “tips” to review books!) check it out here.

The Premise

Real estate guru with over 20 years’ experience, Anthony Rosado, shares his expertise in this book, giving a blueprint to equip prospective buyers with confidence, knowledge, and the required skills to be successful. He clarifies terms to become familiar with upon approaching the industry, and advises on the mistakes to avoid, providing a three-step guide to closing your first wholesale deal, and other crucial strategies.

The Pros & Cons

This was a valuable resource for those looking to break into the real estate industry.

The format is engaging, and concepts were explained for a layman, with the inclusion of many terms known in the industry. There is a lot of practical advice provided, for example sample percentages to work with:

You should set aside 5%-10% for expenses like taxes, attorney fees, appraisal fees, and other administrative tasks that are necessary to the successful completion of the project. The renovations should make up roughly 20%-35% of the budget, the marketing budget should be between 1%-3%, and the property should make up the rest of the budget.

He advises on the importance of due diligence: making sure all legal documents are in order, all of the taxes have been taken into consideration, and more. One important note is to “figure out who you are selling to and add value to the property accordingly” — avoid additions like swimming pools, wine cellars, tennis courts, and garages as these increase renovation costs but don’t offer a proportionate return on investment.

I also liked the nature of storytelling in the author’s voice, as it felt like a honest conversation rather than “reading a book” at times, for instance:

Finding the right house is like solving a Rubik’s cube. All of the colors have to be on the right sides for it to be complete. If even one square is in the wrong place, the whole deal could go sour.

There were some aspects that felt like a bit too much “common sense” — for example: don’t send mail to vacant properties, don’t approach people who own higher-end properties if you are not interested in investing in this type of property, and many more that were obvious. But for the most part, this guide will be an excellent starting point as it offers advice that may be entirely new if someone has never invested in property before.

Conclusion

I myself have invested in real estate already. Thus, I may not be the intended audience, but I still found that there is a wealth of information here. I appreciate how clear and detailed the explanations were, and I would recommend this as a starting point for new investors, but they will need to do much further research.

For me, the intention of this book was not to “give all the answers” but to point you to what your questions should be — and THAT is invaluable. As the author mentions, there is a “Rubik’s cube” to unravel in the field of real estate investing, and you will be doing yourself a disservice if you enter that minefield entirely unprepared.

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A moving, inspirational memoir about overcoming the odds to become a champion for disability rights

This was my forty-fourth book I chose via the Reedsy Discovery program, for which I am the single approved reviewer for this new book. This review also appears on Reedsy.

If you’re interested in becoming a Reedsy reviewer (and have the chance to get paid “tips” to review books!) check it out here.

The Premise

As a child, Amraj “AJ” Rai endured bullying from both students and teachers, and among his community as a UK Punjabi Sikh, they believe that no one will ever “give their daughter” to a “cripple”. His therapist Sonia becomes the catalyst of change for him — as he recounts his experience, reflecting on aspects of his life, she helps him to analyse his own responses to the challenges he faces.

When he takes on a volunteer role at a charity that provides support for disabled people, he is skeptical at first, having had bad experiences with these types of jobs for “vegetables” (lower-functioning disabled people) in the past. However, this soon becomes his calling.

As the years go by and AJ rises in his profession, even entering the realm of politics, we are given an intimate portrait of the trials and tribulations he faces while navigating a world not designed for disabled people. This semi-autobiographical book weaves in the co-author Amo’s own experience: a triumphant story of rising above all to build a life of meaning and purpose.

The Pros

This was a moving, inspirational memoir about overcoming the odds to become a champion for disability rights.

In AJ’s case, being doubted by others is what spurs his determination. Upon seeing the “activities” he is expected to do, he shouts:

“Is this all you think I’m capable of? You want me to come here each day and stare at the walls? Just you wait and watch. I’ll prove to you I’m going to be someone special and not what you think I should be.”

As his aimless youth of pain and anger evolves into a life of purpose as a disability-centre CEO and politician, AJ maintains a tenuous link to his therapist Sonia. She is always the one to point out his foibles that are not related to his disability: his self-absorption, his negativity, his anger, and his hesitancy to trust and accept love and friendship from others. I loved this aspect in particular — too often, we are presented with “saintly” images of leaders, particularly those with disabilities, when this is far from the case; they too are human.

As he terms it, his background as a Sikh with a disability in the Asian community makes him “highly visible and incredibly invisible at the same time”, but his role at the charity finally gains him the respect he craves. His accolades are, however, coupled by his mental health issues, which evolve as time goes by and his innate “sensitivity” has to come face-to-face with the real world. AJ hides his struggles, not wanting them to become an additional barrier; his physical weakness is already enough of a “strike” against him.

There were many conversations/themes that really hit home. For instance, AJ points out that we don’t worry about disability until it affects us directly, even though it will surely affect us all at some stage in life; and that mental health issues abound all around us: sometimes the “loudest one in the pub” may actually be the one who is most at risk. Another theme that is prominent is that of the “strong male”. In the words of his friend Tan:

“We’re conditioned as men not to talk about how we’re feeling when we’re hurt. After a while, it just builds up and we continue to suffer in silence. Our pain manifests in drinking, drugs, or other vices.”

I especially appreciated the way that AJ’s depression — even at times when his life seems to be going well — is portrayed. We tend to assume that bad events lead to depression, but it is evident that depression is its own beast:

“It’s mine, a part of me. I own it but every now and then it owns me.”

Conclusion

This was a beautiful story that was well written and engaging. I am glad that I chose it, and it was an excellent read that I would highly recommend to others from all backgrounds — particularly if they live with a disability, but the lack of this should not deter any reader!

Overall, the most important message here is one of triumph, of overcoming the odds and never letting anyone set limits on what you can and can’t do. Another line that resonated with me is that perhaps we are not all meant to be happy; discontent is the root of much-needed transition and evolution, or as AJ/Amo aptly terms it:

“Those of us who are depressed live to change the world.”

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