"That Not How it Happened" is a beautiful, hilarious novel about a family struggling with the fallout of Hollywood making a movie about their life raising a child with Down syndrome. Rob is an at-time successful screenwriter who often leaves his wife Paige with the majority of the child care duty. Paige decides to assert her own voice by writing a book about her experiences. Rob, however, tries to wrestle the narrative back when he adapts the book into a movie. And the kids, Emmett and Darcy, are stuck in the middle.

The book is really funny and charming as you'd expect from Craig Thomas, co-creator of How I Met Your Mother. But the superpower Thomas possesses is empathy. The story is told in shifting narrations from the four family members. This device allows Thomas to explore each family member's resentments and frustrations, which their family members are often blind to. The novel reminds us that we are often annoying those closest to us in ways we're not even aware of.

The novel also has a lot of fun mocking the stupid, fear-based decisions Hollywood makes all...the...time. And the heartthrob actor who wants to play a character with Down syndrome simply to grab an Oscar. The story grabs you and the pages fly by. It truly is a funny, moving, spectacular book.

I'd like to thank Netgalley for sending me an e-galley in return for an honest review.

That's Not How It Happened reels you in fast and doesn’t let go.

The book was gripping from the start and had smart, layered storytelling.

If you love character-driven narratives with a twist, this one’s a solid pick.