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I mostly read fiction, but this is a true-life account I was excited to get my hands on. With the movie coming out soon, I wanted to find out what the hype was all about. In short, it went far beyond anything I could have expected. I flew from cover to cover in less than 48 hours, totally transfixed, not wanting to put it down. If the movie is half as good as what I just read, it will be well worth watching.
More than just a record of surviving everything life can throw at a family, this is a testimony to God’s grace and His power to bring change to the most impossible of circumstances. If your life feels conflicted, hopeless, or just plain stuck, what is in these pages will prove to you that nothing is beyond the power of God show up in your life and make a difference like nothing else could. Not that everything is magically fixed, but He offers peace and new beginnings.
This is definitely one story I will never forget.
It is true that the book is always better than the movie. So definitely go see the movie, but do not forget about this book. It is one I cannot recommend enough.
*I received a complimentary copy of this ebook courtesy of Thomas Nelson Publishing through NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

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The Unbreakable Boy is a memoir about Austin LeRette, an Autistic child with Osteogenesis Imperfecta. That said, the memoir is not Austin's. The book is authored by his father and, as promised in the title, is about "A Father's Fear, a Son's Courage, and a Story of Unconditional Love". Many of the readers who had a negative view of the book spoke of how the book was all about Scott (the father). I would say it focused on Scott and Austin equally.
As an Autistic adult, I had a different reason to read this book than many others. I wanted to know what life was like for my parents and brother; how did they view me and my outlook on the world. I will say that reading Austin's letter at the beginning of the book threw me for a loop. I told my mother that I felt for him. I am at a point in my life where I know my Autism makes my life harder but I wouldn't want to experience life without Autism. This is because I know that I am who I am because of how my brain works. I hope Austin can get to a place where he is at peace with his diagnosis.
I also picked up this book in the midst of a crisis of faith. Although I am Jewish, I understand that faith is universal. This book gave me a lot to mull over in my head in the coming days and weeks.
I loved this book. Overall, it was very well written. It was also a fairly quick read. I was happy to see that it was a father's journey to acceptance of his son's Autism but it wasn't "inspo-porn". One thing that I hope to educate the author on is that Autism Speaks is a hate group looking to cure Autism. If he has truly found peace and acceptance of his son, there are better organizations to point readers to.
This book is an enthusiastic Read It!

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Tenderly raw and honest with so much emotional upheaval that I didn't know how to feel. It's about resilience and dealing the best hand with the cards you are dealt. I don't have any of the same issues but I do have my own medical and rare disease illnesses. So I understand how hard it is and the strength it takes to carry on and succeed beyond expectations. People who have been through things are the strongest, wisest and kindness characters. The book is brilliant!!

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I really enjoyed this book! I was excited to get an ARC copy to read before the movie version comes out. I loved the story of this father and how he navigates his faith, family relationships, and struggles

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As a parent, it is difficult to think of another book that is this moving - simultaneously heart-wrenching and heartwarming. I’ll be honest, I don’t know why God allows so much suffering in a sweet little baby. Yet this story affirms the joy possible in every life, even really difficult ones. I LOVE that the book starts with Austin’s words. The rest is from his dad’s perspective, describing what he has learned from being Austin’s father. I admire Scott LeRette’s courage in being so staggeringly honest. He discusses his family’s challenges as well as his journey away from selfishness and toward sobriety and faith. Reading this book will, I believe and hope, make me a better parent and a better person.

Thank you to NetGalley and Nelson Books for the free eARC. I post this review with my honest opinions. This review is posted on Goodreads (see link), and will be posted on Amazon and Instagram within a week of the book’s publication.

Content notes: child endangerment, injuries to a child, suicidal thoughts, admittance to a psych ward

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I love to read books like this. Unfortunately,, too many make promises they don't deliver on. This is one book that does, so much so that I will probably read it several times,. This one restores some of my faith in humanity. Austin and his family and winners to be sure. Do they have a fan club I can join?

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