shirleytupperfreeman's review against another edition

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A young high-achieving couple found themselves changing life trajectories in an instant while enroute to Hawaii for a 'babymoon.' Allison Pataki is a best-selling historical novelist. Her husband Dave was about to start his last year of residency as an orthopedic surgeon when he suffered an extremely rare, and complicated, stroke while on the airplane. Medical folks on the plane, an emergency landing in Fargo, a long recovery at Rush Hospital in Chicago after being stabilized, a determined spirit, lots of love and grace and a bit of luck conspired to work toward Dave's continuing recovery. For the first year, Allison wrote him a letter each day since his short term memory was shot. Her writing helped him remember and helped her survive. As the title suggests, this is an inspiring story of finding beauty in the broken places.

hmbb99's review against another edition

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4.0

An emotional heartbreaking story of love and perseverance, this book shows you the strength of love during a rough time. I can only imagine the anxiety and stress Allison was under, this memoir makes you feel just a little of what it must have been like. To know that she has gone through this and has made herself stronger, can give each of us some hope that we can survive our fears.

rochelleweinstein's review against another edition

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5.0

I read this book in one three-hour sitting. I'm speechless. Allison Pataki is a brilliant and gifted writer. This story, though heartbreaking, was beautiful, inspiring, and left me with so much to think about. Thank you for sharing your journey with all of us.

beachbookbabe's review against another edition

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challenging emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring reflective sad medium-paced

4.0

illidia316's review against another edition

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4.0

My eyes aren’t leaking. I promise. That’s just some drool coming out of my tear ducts.

Seriously, though. This memoir is so beautifully written, and I’m so glad that the author chose to share her family’s journey.

caslater83's review against another edition

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4.0

Beautiful story.

This had to be a hard book to write. I'm sure that it might have been somewhat therapeutic too. It is indeed a life-changing experience to go through such a trial as a major stroke. But faith, friends, and family have clearly helped Dave and Alli move forward out of the darkness and into the light.

While it was a good read, it's just not something I would like to read again.

kshea1's review against another edition

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4.0

4 STARS

This memoir is a testament to the power of marriage vows and even more to the courage it takes to live by them when the going gets tough.

amfox's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful informative inspiring reflective fast-paced

5.0

cook_memorial_public_library's review against another edition

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4.0

A 2018 staff favorite recommended by Becky. Check our catalog: https://encore.cooklib.org/iii/encore/search/C__Sbeauty%20in%20the%20broken%20places%20pataki__Orightresult__U?lang=eng&suite=gold

katiereads13's review against another edition

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emotional reflective sad

3.0