Received for Review

NOTE: I haven't reviewed a nonfiction book in a long while. I don't read them hardly any more because I like to escape real life for awhile. That being said, every once in awhile I see one that screams to be read----that was Bloom!

What I Loved: I am not a mom. I have furry children but in the world of parenting I am not sure that counts. I am a friend to many people with kids--some of them struggled with infertility, some of them had it "easy" (not easy but no problems getting pregnant), and last year one of my very best friends had a baby girl with Down Syndrome. So when I saw this book, I just knew I had to read this story. I cried pretty much beginning to end (happy and sad tears). This story was raw, real, and Kelle Hampton didn't try to make herself out to be "the person who handled everything perfectly". She was brutally honest and I am sure it killed her to put that out to the world that she didn't handle the original diagnoses well. She made up for it in leaps and bounds but still to read that heartbreaking passage of the first 24 hours was just sad. I am sure others will be angry during that part but honestly I was just sad for her, her family, Nelly, her friends. However, I truly believe her acknowledgement of those first days is what pushed her the next 11 months to becoming one of the most prolific bloggers that supports Down Syndrome! It will break your heart,you will cry, and then as the book moves past that you will cry for completely different reasons. There is way more happiness than sadness and Kelle had a brilliant way of getting the story all out there.

What I Liked: The family photos were amazing and how lucky to get those candid shots.

Final Thought: Nonfiction is not for everyone but if you are looking for a truly amazing life altering story---this is for you!