Review: Bloom by Kelle Hampton

Bloom by Kelle Hampton

Publisher: William Morrow 

Pages: 288 

Format: book 

Buy the Book: Amazon Amazon 

Goodreads:  "Love me. Love me. I'm not what you expected, but oh, please love me. "

That was the most defining moment of my life. That was the beginning of my story.

From the outside looking in, Kelle Hampton had the perfect life: a beautiful two-year-old daughter, a loving husband, a thriving photography career, and great friends. When she learned she was pregnant with her second child, she and her husband, Brett, were ecstatic. Her pregnancy went smoothly and the ultrasounds showed a beautiful, healthy, high-kicking baby girl.

But when her new daughter was placed in her arms in the delivery room, Kelle knew instantly that something was wrong. Nella looked different than her two-year-old sister, Lainey, had at birth. As she watched friends and family celebrate with champagne toasts and endless photographs, a terrified Kelle was certain that Nella had Down syndrome--a fear her pediatrician soon confirmed. Yet gradually Kelle's fear and pain were vanquished by joy, as she embraced the realization that she had been chosen to experience an extraordinary and special gift.


Kritters Thoughts:  A book that started as a blog to keep family updated on their first born child ended up a book about the life changing event of having a second child, and not just a second child, but a second child with Down Syndrome.  Although I may not be a mom and may never become one, I still found lessons in this book with ways to handle difficult ways with grace, courage and surrounded by close friends.  

The main takeaway I took from this book was the need for as Kelle Hampton calls it "The Net."  I have a few close girlfriends and I may not always keep constant communication with them, but if something were to happen, I would fly, drive or walk to be there for whatever they needed.  Spouses and family are fantastic, but sometimes only a girlfriend can sit by your side and make you laugh, cry or think through a tough moment.  So I am going to work hard to reach out to my friends and make calls during the day to day life, so that when something big happens, we know that we are only a phone call or email away from each other.

Rating: definitely a good read, but can't read two in a row

Disclosure of Material Connection:  I received one copy of this book free of charge from TLC Book Tours.  I was not required to write a positive review in exchange for receipt of the book; rather, the opinions expressed in this review are my own.

The tour schedule: 

Tuesday, April 2nd: Book Club Classics!

Wednesday, April 3rd: Tina’s Book Reviews

Thursday, April 4th: Lavish Bookshelf

Monday, April 8th: 5 Minutes for Mom

Tuesday, April 9th: Good Girl Gone Redneck

Wednesday, April 10th: From L.A. to LA

Thursday, April 11th: A Patchwork of Books

Monday, April 15th: The Well-Read Wife

Tuesday, April 16th: Mrs. Q: Book Addict

Wednesday, April 17th: The Betty and Boo Chronicles

Friday, April 19th: Momma Jorje

Saturday, April 20th: Words of His Heart

Saturday, April 20th: Simeon’s Trail

Sunday, April 21st: Unringing the bell

Monday, April 22nd: Kritters Ramblings

Tuesday, April 23rd: Bloggin’ ‘Bout Books

Thursday, April 25th: Suko’s Notebook