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By: Karma Brown

ISBN: 9780778318934

Publisher: MIRA

Publication Date: 7/12/2016 

Format: Paperback 

My Rating: 5 Stars

Featured Weekend Read

A special thank you to MIRA and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Canadian author Karma Brown returns following her bestselling debut Come Away With Me with her second unforgettable poignant story THE CHOICES WE MAKE -powerful bonds of friendship, motherhood, and the risks we take for those we love.

To further enhance your reading experience, please take note of this Author's Journey to Motherhood Redbook post. (also a note from the author included in the book). Even though this is not her story; her experience, personal connection, and passion --reflected throughout the pages. Commend her for her courage, to tell this story.

From love and loss, you will need some Kleenex handy!

Hannah and Kate have been linked at the hip since fifth grade, BFFs for forever and promises made. (cute story here). As close as any sisters could possibly be, they are now adults and both married in their mid-thirties.

Hannah, and husband Ben have been trying to conceive for years. All avenues exhausted. From treatments, and expensive fertility shots--failed. Hannah and her husband's relationship is strained from all the efforts.

Kate and David are parents to two healthy young daughters. Kate and Hannah had envisioned having children together. Kate's heart breaks for her friend, and she is her biggest supporter.

From endless fertility tests and the final straw with the news from the doctor, there is no hope left. Hannah begins looking into surrogacy, in secret. Ben wants them to consider adoption, since their last embryo did not work. Hannah does not want someone's else child. She is afraid the mother would back out, at at the last minute and more heart break. Hannah is desperate. Things have a habit of spinning out of control, with desperation.

Hannah is obsessed with becoming a mother. It is all she can think about. She is envious of other mothers. Even a possible surrogacy effort gets shut down due to discrimination--she is depressed and grieving for her loss.

Kate’s heart breaks for her best friend. She has an idea. She gets checked out by the doctor, and runs it by her husband, David--which was totally against the idea of her carrying Hannah’s baby. Essentially she would be using her own eggs with Bens. Then she would hand it over to Hannah and Ben. How does David feel about this? Will Kate be too close to the situation to hand over the baby?

Finally, David wants Kate to be happy, so he agrees and Hannah and Ben are delighted. However, being close friends there are many lines which could spell disaster. The legalities, moral ramifications, health risks, and the psychological aspects involved. Are they willing to take the chance?

When all seems to be going well, a tragedy occurs, protesters, attorneys, media, and friendships threatened. Everyone is taking sides. Families are devastated. Ethical and moral lines are crossed, friendship tested, and the intensity heats up.

Kate suffers a devastating aneurysm— and ends up in a coma. Hannah and Ben know their baby is at great risk if delivered so early — something Kate’s husband, David, is pushing for, as he believes removing the stress of the pregnancy could give Kate’s brain a chance to heal.

What follows is an emotionally charged story about two mothers — one desperate to protect her unborn child, the other on the brink of death — and the impact those struggles have on their families and friendships.

From contemporary, domestic suspense, chick-lit, family drama, psychological, and emotional - a heartfelt story of the fragile ties of motherhood, family and friendship.

An ideal choice for book clubs and further discussions. When reading you will have your own strong feelings, when it appears as though Kate is doing all the giving, and Hannah is being selfish and self-centered, not taking into consideration her friendship and love for her friend. My favorite character was Kate!

How much is one friend willing to sacrifice for another person? At the same time, on the other end of the spectrum, the powerful bond of a mother’s fierce love for her child. A husband and two children are put in a difficult situation. A position I would never want to find myself in. Heartbreaking yet hopeful.

Compelling and thought-provoking! The risks some take to find their dreams. Brown definitely knows how to get up close and personal—delicate human dynamics crossing all boundaries, sprinkled with her heartfelt beautiful prose.

For fans of Diane Chamberlain, Jodi Picout, Nicholas Sparks, T. Greenwood, Sarah Pekkanen, and Rochelle Weinstin, and those who enjoy life's complexities.

After reading, the advanced reading copy, immediately purchased the audiobook, Come Away With Me. As an added bonus, performed by one of my all- time favorite narrators:Jorjeana Marie!

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