Sandra

Wow, this book takes one to so many places! While the main character, Autumn, tries to "find herself" after going through a very emotional trauma in her life, she tries to escape from all the people who love her and all the memories which are wearing her down. During this time, the author takes us to different geographical places and also many emotional places. The story covers many of the issues that we all will face in our life at some time or other. You will enjoy reading this book. It is well worth the read. Here are two quotes from the book: "Maybe where we are doesn't have a whole lot to do with general contentment, you know? Maybe it's more about how we choose to look at the things in our lives. Maybe I could get everything I've ever thought I wanted and at the end of the day it won't have made that much difference. Maybe there are things back home that could have done for you what all these experiences have done. Maybe there are things back home for me too." "Farfar's words come to mind --as long as there is life, there is hope. As long as there is hope, life." We all deal with trauma in our lives in different ways, and I think readers will truly enjoy reading what Autumn went through as she dealt with her trauma and eventually found "life" once again.

I have read this book three times now. When I read it as first, I was anxious to read it once more to see how it affected me on the second reading. Even on the third reading, it brought me to tears. At first I really didn't like the main character, Jennifer, and sometimes I just wanted to slap her. As I got further into the book I started to understand her more, and now I want to follow her life story and see how she "grows" once she learns not to judge herself by the reactions and/or thoughts of others in her life. If you are a woman or man who has ever had self-esteem issues, you often may feel that the author has gone inside your head and is reading your thoughts. Although this is a fiction book, it is also a self-help book and I feel the author has captured so many of the emotional turmoils which can pull us down in life and prevent us from accomplishing the goals that we set for ourselves, but she has also shown us that we can improve our self-image and be happy with ourselves. I am looking forward to reading further books in this series and learning more about the progress in Jennifer's life, and in the lives of her family and friends.

'By What We Love' is a book that I LOVE. It is full of things to think about, contemplate, ruminate, discuss and perhaps even dream about, and especially if you have worked in the Business World. Also, if you are a workaholic or are married to, or a partner of, a workaholic, this is a MUST READ for you. I love how the author develops her characters and their families to the point where the reader feels that they are sitting in their living rooms or hanging out in the local cafe with them. The books in this series are all stand-alone books and can each be enjoyed totally on their own, but I like how each book in the series provides more interesting details on the life of the main characters from the previous books, and it all works seamlessly together as Jennifer, Autumn, Tracey, and Eloise all hang out together often with Sheila, Allison, Rajeev, Moses, Jakob, etc. Well-done, Charlene Carr! You stimulate my brain as you introduce your characters. You give me things to make me smile and things to make me tear up. You bring back memories and stimulate new thoughts.

Absolutely loved this book. Infertility problems and concerns are not talked about enough today, and this book explores so much, and in such a brilliant way. Your heart will ache, but you will love it, and it will leave you smiling for days to come.