i would read about a paperclip if this wonderful woman put her pen to it. if you dont know who this author is just go and look her up. please. you will find a woman we both need to protect at all costs and also just sit down and admire. ive followed her and her work with tears, thankyou's and awe for a while. what she has done in her years is just, just. well im not the author my words wont touch to a smidgen of the words this woman needs putting to her name and all she is. this book when i saw it, then saw her name. i let out a laugh. a knowing life. of course only our Valerie could write this book and do it so justly. and who it would just roll of her beautiful brain to do such a book.
go and seriously look at the avenues, the places she has helped, the places she has set up. you will come back and read this book with a whole new place for it in your heart and a smile on your face.
now, to the book. im biased to the author. but i also wouldn't just say something was ok if it was rubbish. some people arent born to be authors even if they are incredible humans. but i needn't of worried. Valerie was clearly showered with the born to be incredible water when she arrived on earth. because this book held everything i could have wished for going in. Charlene, the place she built. oh please can i come? can i come to stay, live or work there. pleaaaase. the way we get to see this place, Charlene herself and just the whole feel about it just feels like its always meant to have been. and when guest arrive it just gets better.
things arent easy for these guests, nor with what they sometimes reflect or face in their stay. some are more hopeful but some of course are broken. and some swing between both. but this place keeps them in its arms. and shows time and time again that they are people who are worthy. it shows them courage. it shows them their hurts are real and warranted. and also how their ability to live fully can and will come no matter the age, past or body they have.
this book gives you kind and compassionate like a thread all the way through. it doesn't shy from the hardship, it doesn't gloss over the pain and even anger of what our characters can face. but it never wavers on its almost protective strength for these characters too. and somehow that weaves itself through the whole book so it feels like you can have hope and can believe too.
a stunning read by a stunning woman. i now just want to have more books from her!

I love this beautiful book and the representation it has for people with disabilities and various health issues and that there is a place for everyone in this world. Beautiful message. As someone who deals with health issues on a regular basis I felt seen