The Greatest Gift in Aussie Readers

Oct 09, 2017 Brenda rated it it was amazing

Shelves: aussie-authors, net-galley, contemporary-fiction, read-on-kindle, own-read, 2017-release, arc

Harper Drummond and her husband Samuel lived in Sydney and were both career people – when they’d first met, they had both let the other know neither of them wanted children; their busy lifestyles and love for each other was enough. Samuel was an upcoming lawyer looking at becoming a partner in the business, while Harper was a highly successful radio host, interviewing interesting people on a daily basis.

But it was when Harper interviewed a young couple who had been unable to have children, along Harper Drummond and her husband Samuel lived in Sydney and were both career people – when they’d first met, they had both let the other know neither of them wanted children; their busy lifestyles and love for each other was enough. Samuel was an upcoming lawyer looking at becoming a partner in the business, while Harper was a highly successful radio host, interviewing interesting people on a daily basis.

But it was when Harper interviewed a young couple who had been unable to have children, along with another woman who was invested in their future, that Harper’s thoughts changed. She wondered if there wasn’t something more she could do with her life; something to help others who weren’t as fortunate.

When Claire and Jasper met, the attraction was immediate. But Claire fought it, rebuffing Jasper – her inability to have children due to a childhood illness had made her determined never to marry. Jasper’s love for Claire convinced her that nothing was impossible though, so she joined him in the Hunter Valley and began working in the hot air balloon business which had been a part of Jasper’s family for decades.

The discussion about children brought up egg donation – could they do that? Would they qualify? They were excited; ecstatic in fact. It would be the greatest gift from someone – to give them the ability to have a child. But was there anyone out there who would be suitable?

The Greatest Gift by Aussie author Rachael Johns packs an emotional punch which is up there with the very best. A beautiful, inspirational, heartbreaking and moving story, The Greatest Gift deals with motherhood in all its forms and what some will do to become a mother. I loved the characters, especially Claire, and Harper’s sister Willow. Wendy and Joanne were special ladies as well. All in all, The Greatest Gift is a book that can’t be bettered in my opinion. I have no hesitation in recommending it highly, and have firmly lodged this author up with my favourites.

With thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my digital ARC to read and review. (And also to the publisher for granting my wish on NetGalley – I was thrilled!) ...more

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Mar 25, 2018 Tango rated it liked it · review of another edition

A bit slow to start, although the premise was quite interesting. I felt like all the characters were nice (even the ones that turned out not to be) and everyone was good looking, she even used the phrase tall, dark and handsome. I know this is probably a feature of the genre but it hardly reflects real life. From the half way point it got more interesting and started to speed up. The epilogue, however, was ridiculous and unnecessary.

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Oct 12, 2017 Helen rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

WOW this book has left me speechless it is an amazing story of love, of hope, of giving, MS Johns has written about something that is dear to my heart a story of egg donation so as couples can live a life with children in them to feel that in-built nurturing that happens between a mother and her child while she carries them and allow the father to be such a huge part of the process. This book should be read with a box of tissues very handy because all of the characters in this story will become WOW this book has left me speechless it is an amazing story of love, of hope, of giving, MS Johns has written about something that is dear to my heart a story of egg donation so as couples can live a life with children in them to feel that in-built nurturing that happens between a mother and her child while she carries them and allow the father to be such a huge part of the process. This book should be read with a box of tissues very handy because all of the characters in this story will become friends and feel like family, well they did for me.

Harper Drummond is a very popular radio host, journalist interviewing a variety of people about a variety of subjects she is happily married to lawyer Samuel and they both live their lives for work, Harper didn’t have the best childhood or mother so having children is not what she wants in life, but after interviewing a couple that are now happily pregnant with a donor egg Harper decides that she wants to help someone as well she feels that there is something missing in her life and is sure this will make a difference, so starts the process of finding people to help.

Jasper and Claire have been happily married for 5 years now yes they knew that Claire was unable to have children because of childhood cancer they work together in hot air ballooning and are having the best time but Claire badly wants a child and knows that Jasper will make the best father. So after discussions an add helps them find Harper and the process begins.

I don’t want to say too much as I don’t want to give anything away just to let you know that I am still crying writing this review, I don’t think a book has left me this emotional for a long time, it is a moving, touching and Poignant story that is beautifully written, the characters Jasper, Clair, Harper and their families I am sure will come to mean a lot to you as you read this one and can I say that I highly recommend this story. I hope that you will read this one as I did, I savoured every word, and thank you MS Johns you rock I loved it.
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Oct 22, 2017 Janine rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: for-review

Another great book from Rachael Johns, I swear her women’s fiction titles just keep on getting better and the subject she has centred in this book – egg donation – is a controversial one as well.
It tells the story of two women Claire, who desperately wants to become a mum but because of an illness when she was younger is now infertile, and Harper – a slick city girl and media personality who is,married to Samuel and had decided from the beginning that they did not want children. Harper interview ...more

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Oct 22, 2017 Bree T rated it it was amazing

Shelves: arc, australian, women-s-fiction, contemporary, issues, aww2017

Where do I even start with this book? There’s a reason why books by Rachael Johns take up one of the largest sections when my books are arranged by author on the shelves!

At first glance, Harper Drummond and Claire Lombard would have little in common or to draw them together. Harper is a focused career woman, 34 and living and working in Sydney. She works as a radio host, interviewing a wide variety of people – famous people but also interesting people. She does a lot of research and clearly love Where do I even start with this book? There’s a reason why books by Rachael Johns take up one of the largest sections when my books are arranged by author on the shelves!

At first glance, Harper Drummond and Claire Lombard would have little in common or to draw them together. Harper is a focused career woman, 34 and living and working in Sydney. She works as a radio host, interviewing a wide variety of people – famous people but also interesting people. She does a lot of research and clearly loves her job. She’s married to Samuel, a lawyer who works long hours with the aim of obtaining partnership at his firm. Very early on in their relationship, Samuel and Harper agreed that they never wanted children. They were very happy having a life where they were free to work long hours, socialise and not have much in the way of commitments. They’re even too busy for pets, so there’s no way they’d be able to fit a baby into their lives.

Claire on the other hand, has always wanted to be a mother but a childhood illness stole her fertility. Now she knows that in order to live her dream, she’ll need a very precious gift from someone. But in Australia those gifts are hard to find – egg donation and surrogacy for profit are illegal in Australia and anything done must be altruistic. Claire wants to carry and nurture a baby so surrogacy isn’t the best option for her. Instead she needs someone who might be willing to donate a piece of themselves to her so that she might live out her dream of becoming a mother. Harper is struggling with finding a way of leaving her mark, of doing something to make a difference and so these two women are brought together by a desire to change something.

This book is made to be discussed. It would be such a fabulous option for book clubs or groups of friends. There’s just so much in here that is perfect for a bit of spirited debate. I find egg donation and altruistic surrogacy really interesting because I once offered to be a surrogate mother for a friend of mine and I truly believe I would’ve done it, had circumstances played out in a way that would have allowed it. There’s a lot to unpick about the legal rights and what happens if one person suddenly wants to play more of a role than was previously agreed or circumstances change drastically in the case of the people accepting the donation. Rachael Johns really goes about this book meticulously but also with warmth and sympathy towards all the parties involved. When I was reading this I would find myself frequently pausing just to stop and think about things that the book was throwing up – what would I do in that situation? What would my husband think/say/do if I wanted to do something that was happening? How would we go about it? I found it so interesting on so many levels but this book will also tug at your heartstrings. There’s a lot of emotion in the story, all brilliantly told without feeling overly dramatic. This book is a reminder that life can be cruel but also deliver the greatest joy.

I feel as though I say this in every review of a Johns book but with each new novel she really does grow as a storyteller and writer. As she moves more into the women’s fic/life lit genre she is really tackling some powerful issues and examining different parts of society and life experiences. This book is beautifully written, a page turner from the get go but for me it was just definitely the way the book made me think about my own beliefs and the ability I had to so easily put myself in the characters shoes that really made it such a good reading experience. I love a book that can really make me consider my thoughts and opinions on various topics and ones that spark a good conversation. This is a fantastic read – definitely a must for Rachael Johns’ fans and if you haven’t tried her books yet then this one would be an excellent place to start.

**I received a copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review ...more

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May 22, 2020 Nicola Marsh rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: aussie-authors, women-s-fiction, read-in-2020

Not many books make me cry but this one did.

Harper, a radio presenter, is married to Samuel, a successful lawyer. They lead a charmed life in Sydney but don't want kids.

So when a childless couple, Jasper and Claire, want children, Harper donates an egg.

What happens next is an emotional roller coaster of a ride.

Thoroughly enjoyed. ...more

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Oct 20, 2017 Tanya rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

I love Rachael Johns. Like in a "buy her books the minute they are released" kinda way. You know, without bothering to read the blurb, she's just one of those must-buy authors (although admittedly, as I stalk, opps I mean follow, her on Facebook you do kinda know the gist of the story before it's released).

But see, then I had this problem. I desperately wanted to read this book. Once I've read it though, that's it. You don't get that "first read" experience again. So I stupid left it sitting on ...more

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