Though I had high hopes for this book when I started it, I honestly felt like it kind of dragged on. I do appreciate how I gained a new perspective of what it’s like for families of astronauts (and military families). I also appreciate Stacey’s mentions of God and her faith, writing several times how it was God that got her through the experience of having her husband in space (as well as other challenges she has faced in life).
*I received a free digital copy from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review

I really loved this book! It was light and informative as well as emotional and infinitely relatable. As mothers we are all in a club. So despite Stacey's husband's commute being a little longer than most her struggles are something reflected in all families.

Who will enjoy this book? Moms, space lovers, anyone who likes to peek into a life they don't live, and people of faith. Stacey's faith is Christianity but this is not an evangelical book. She does reference that which helped her cope and uplifted her in this very trying time. I believe anyone of faith will relate. Anyone who knows they are not traveling life alone and knows that it takes more than just relying on yourself to find personal and family success will relate. One of the biggest take aways is the emphasis on the family as a team.

Overall, The Astronaut's Wife, was a beautiful book. As a mom and a woman (and Houstonian) it was a great read!

This book was not what I expected. I thought it would be a cool behind-the-scenes look into astronaut family life. Well, it was that...but so much more. Stacey Morgan took snippets of their life and circled back around to make them applicable to anyone. For those who are going through transitions, who have seasons of single parenting, who have to do some hard things and make sacrifices, and what hit me the most....when you're searching for "your people" when it doesn't come naturally...this book covers all of that and then some. It encouraged me, made me tear up, and in the end it inspired me to take some "calculated risks" in life. That's what Stacey and her husband, Drew, have done through every phase of their life journey. You see, I used to be more of an adventurer...a calculated risk-taker. I've lived overseas, traveled to different parts of the world, met new people, and even met my husband on a blind date. Lately, with the world shifting around us, fears escalating about so many things...it's easy to forget how to find the joy in life. This book reminded me of that. To not just take chances and do more, but to have hope. Our efforts to live a fulfilling life may look different now, we have scars, but we can't let it stop us from going out there and keep at it. I loved this book and definitely recommend it!



**I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley in order to share my honest opinion, which I did.**

Although the first half of the book was intriguing and I thoroughly enjoyed reading it, the second half I found to be a tad boring

This was a solid book. I enjoyed the first half the most because it was more about the space program and the actual process for being launched into space. The last half of the book got more personal. Overall a good read.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for giving me the opportunity to read this fabulous book.
In The Astronaut's Wife, Stacey shares the steps of choosing hope in the face of fear, without it reading like a "self help" book. Instead, it is real life, and I could relate to it, which may sound strange, since most of our spouses do not don astronaut suits and go off to outer space! , Her candid writing and sharing of her personal journey gives us insight on how o prepare for any adventure our families may encounter. She is witty and honest. I laughed as she shared in brutal honesty that prior to Drew becoming an astronaut, everything she knew about space she learned from Tom Hanks! I love how candid she was in her writing about her children and what the experience was like for them. What I loved most was how she embraced new things - fun things, going outside her own comfort zone. It was so inspirational. Her faith in God is clear and strong, without being or feeling "preachy". I felt heartfelt gratitude for Drew and his service to country and the space program, for all his "brothers" he has served with, for Stacey the kids and all families who make great sacrifices. I loved this book!

What does it take to support a husband in space, be a mom to four children, a daughter, a daughter-in-law, hold a responsible job and be a great friend to those around her and those who are former neighbors and associates? Stacey Morgan, a West Point graduate herself, has to draw upon all her resources to keep her family and self sane while her surgeon astronaut circles the earth for nine months. Yes, it means relaxing the rules of the house but also maintaining one’s self through rest and fun. She is one of those persuasive persons who is a great team player but knows how to develop the kinds of relationships that knows when to relax and allows others to take over for her when she is overwhelmed, This gal takes on the biggest challenges and deals with them with unpredictable moments of witticism. Her faith is an anchor in her life. This is a thoroughly enjoyable read. Thanks to NetGalley and Tyndale House Publishers for providing an ARC; this is my honest review.

This was such a good book and I'm surprised how much it surpassed my expectations and just how much it challenged my assumptions on military wives.

Morgan is a great storyteller, weaving lessons about dealing with change, hardship, and other events in our lives together with the journey of her husband and family when he heads off to space as an astronaut. I feel like I learned so much about how astronauts head off to space and how those left behind deal with it, that was a great part of the book.

I was touched by her personal stories about skydiving, running a marathon, dealing with the events of 9/11, dealing with deployment, moving homes and states, and being there for others and letting others be there for her. As well as ending during the pandemic, this book was very relatable in the way it's taken so much from so many. I was in tears when she described the celebration organised by friends to celebrate the return of her husband.

As for cons, I did want to mention 2 things that did feel a little grating at times. But this is coming from a non-American, non-religious person, so take it with a grain of salt otherwise. At times, this book did fall into a very American pro-military vibe, which I don't gel with, but it was to be expected with the background of the author and her husband. And it was also very Christian, quoting Bible verses literally in every chapter. I totally appreciate this is a memoir and this is a huge part of her life, but it did take me out of her stories at time. If you're a Christian, you might really connect with this book though!

Generally, a big recommend from me!

⭐️⭐️⭐️/5 stars
The Astronaut’s Wife is the story of a wife and mother whose husband goes from an Army soldier to an Astronaut and embarks on a 9 month space journey.

This gave an accounting of her experience as she juggles family and managing expectations. Such a good book and interesting point of view.

Thank you NetGalley and Tyndale House Publishers for the arc for an honest review.

Many of us have spouses who travel frequently for work. This can bring challenges for the stay-at-home family member. Author Stacey Morgan is married to a man whose work schedule is“out of this world”. Literally. Her husband is a NASA astronaut.
Her debut book is about how she strives to create the best life for her husband, family, and herself. In other words, “What she learned in the year her husband went to outer space.”

Author Morgan is an accomplished woman. She met her husband while attending West Point. The author shares her experiences through the years, and particularly focuses on the 9 months that her husband was away from home at the International Space Station. How do you keep your home, family and faith going when facing such a challenge? Well, you look to God to discover what is important in life.

Ms. Morgan tells us, “have fun, feel free, take risks, lean on others. Don’t do life solo.” Ms. Morgan jumped out of a plane when she was 40, and took roller skating lessons with her kids. She comes across as a driven, high-achieving person, who strives to do her best in all areas of life. She is also funny, creative, positive and caring. One of my favorite chapters is titled, “Cereal for Dinner.” (Done that!)

Her faith, fun, and love for her husband and family shines through this book. Highly recommend. Thanks to NetGalley and Tyndall House Publishers for an advance digital review copy. This is my honest review.

A compelling non-fiction book about the wife of American NASA astronaut Drew Morgan. Stacey Morgan tells her story about how she copes with her husband leaving her. The book is an easy read and offers many insights into the life of an astronaut.

With her husband gone, Stacey was on her own for nine months. She couldn't just reach her husband for help. From this difficult period, she gives lessons in the book for surviving long periods of stress and anxiety. You will read and re-read this book.

This book is suitable for every lover of non-fiction, but especially for those who are interested in NASA and space.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy from the publisher through NetGalley. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions are my own.

Review of Advance Reader Copy

On 20 July 2019, fifty years after Neil Armstrong’s historic one small step onto the surface of the moon, astronaut Drew Morgan donned his spacesuit and headed off for a nine-month mission aboard the International Space Station.

Stacey Morgan kissed him good-bye and watched as the Soyuz rocket carried the love of her life off into space.

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Told with honesty, humor, and eloquence, the astronaut’s wife recounts family history, the ups and downs of being a military family, and the unsettledness and difficulty of adjusting to the demands of astronaut training.

Here is a glimpse into NASA life that few readers will ever experience, yet the opportunity to see the program through the eyes of the astronaut’s family is an unexpected bonus for those who hold a strong interest in the space program. Both inspiring and compelling, Stacey’s story reveals the inner strength and resolve necessary for survival in stressful and difficult situations.

What are the hard parts? Deep and abiding loneliness, the worry that always sits in the back of the mind, the long separations. What makes it work? Friends, support, a sense of humor, and strong faith in God as each challenge is met. Lessons learned that are meaningful for everyone.

Filled with encouraging words, hard-won wisdom, and joy, the lessons are relevant to every reader.

Highly recommended.

I received a free copy of this eBook from Tyndale House Publishers, Tyndale Momentum and NetGalley
#TheAstronautsWife #NetGalley

Wow! What a delightful read! Light-hearted, candid, and encouraging — the author details her family’s experience with her husband living on the International Space Station. She shares how they stayed connected, what life was like at home with kids, and the simultaneous difficulty and excitement of it all. Being in a former military family, I enjoyed her stories of their past military experiences and how what she learned then helped her when her husband accepted the job at NASA. Fantastic read for those of us who will never experience anything like this!

I have been fascinated with science and space since I was little and even went to Space Camp with my dad as a child. I heard Stacey Morgan on the podcast That Sounds Fun hosted by Annie F. Downs (who also wrote the forward to this book) and immediately fell in love with Stacey Morgan and her story. I really enjoyed not only the tales in this book of being an astronaut wife, but also just of being a woman of God and mother. She gives countless amounts of wisdom in this book about friendship, faith, perseverance and reliance on others. A great read!

"Paul isn't sanctioning reckless, dangerous behavior that could harm others. He's encouraging a posture of courage, wanting us to be unafraid to take risks in order to live full lives and step onto the path God has for us....God wants a people unafraid to jump into the deep end of life, fueled by his bold love and tenacious faith. God uses people willing to embrace risk and takes them on daring adventures. I don't want to be left out."

I received an eARC of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.

In her debut book, Stacey Morgan does more than share about being an astronaut's wife -- she speaks to the importance of community, the joy found in trying new things, and the power of choosing hope through changing circumstances. While she does take the reader behind-the-scenes into part of her family's NASA experience, The Astronaut's Wife is about much more than that. Relatable, interesting, and a book that kept me turning the pages.

Having heard her podcast with Annie Downs, I knew I would love this book. It has an even more special place in my heart because of a personal connection to Kazakhstan. I loved hearing the vulnerability of the stories but also how God has used their experiences to connect with what has happened in the last two years. I really enjoyed this book and while the topics weren’t new, the way they connected to this families story in different ways changed the way I understood them.

Thank you Net galley and the publisher for allowing me to read and review this amazing book.

This is the memoir of a Christian family, who like so many others of us are faced challenges we never foresaw. Stacey Morgan’s situation was a bit unique but still relatable as she demonstrates how reliance on the Lord and his words in the Bible can sustain and comfort us.
One day Stacey’s husband and Army doctor, Drew, comes home and nonchalantly states… I’m going to apply to be an astronaut. The chances of an army doctor being picked was slim, but guess what?

On July 20, 2019, Stacey Morgan kissed her husband goodbye before he donned his space suit and headed to his waiting Soyuz rocket. With an overwhelming mix of pride, excitement, and terror, Stacey and their four children held hands and watched the rocket ignite and lift off for a nine-month mission aboard the International Space Station. This was not in Florida, they were in Kazakhstan.

This is the story of the astronaut's wife. The love of her life is now orbiting the Earth,and she is on Earth running a home and raising her family per normal. No nothing was normal. The risks were greater, the loneliness was deeper, and the stress was more intense. It was an incredibly challenging time, a time when she learned rich lessons about preparing for any mission or adventure life throws at you. I can’t imagine doing this without having God to turn to. She had to rediscover her fun side when shed been trapped in survival mode for a long period. She had to learn to trust God's strength when she felt she was hitting the wall.
This memoir is not exciting or Earth shattering but it is filled with behind-the-scenes glimpses into a side of space flight that most of us will never experience,
The Book has humor, poignanancy, and meaningful exploration of living life to the fullest-no matter with what is thrown at you.

THE ASTRONAUT’S WIFE by STACEY MORGAN is a real winner! Not only are we introduced into the exciting world of the brave men and women who are part of the space programme, but we are taken into Stacey’s very real experience as an astronaut’s wife, who spends nine months as single parent to her four children while her husband orbits the earth. To add extra stress, Covid 19 and strict lockdown happened towards the end of her husband Drew’s time in space. The story is told with humour and enthusiasm for life as Stacey chooses hope over fear and holds on to her strong faith in God. I like her scripture references together with her insights into life in general, especially as far as the abnormality of being without human interaction and the importance of working at friendships is concerned.
I cannot recommend this well written, exciting and inspirational book highly enough.
I was given a free copy of the book by NetGalley from Tyndale House Publishers. The opinions in this review are completely my own.

Marvelous story of Stacey Morgan's life living with a husband who is military and an astronaut.
Very few people can really understand the hectic and lonely life that the spouse has. Very well paced and thought provoking.

Good read!

What a book. Super interesting book about a family and an astronaut dad. I enjoyed reading about home life and the astronaut life. Moms bit of wisdom was wonderful , as well.
Thanks to author, publisher and Netgalley for the chance to read this book. While I got the book for free, it had no bearing on the rating I gave it.