Customer Reviews

Happy Beginnings: How I Became My Own Fairy Godmother

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

In the span of three years, Lorena Bathey went through a divorce from her husband after 11 years together, her mother died of ovarian and breast cancer, and her father remarried within a few months of her mother's death; she also faced the prospect of reentering the workforce after more than a decade on the outside.

Happy Beginnings is Bathey's story of picking up the pieces of her life post-marital breakup and fitting them back together to make a whole new picture after much trial and error, including a whirlwind trip to Venice, Florence, and Rome.

Bathey's writing is brutally honest and open, almost uncomfortably so in parts for this reader. Like many, I enjoy playing voyeur from time to time, but sometimes I can feel like I've learned just a bit too much while peeking in the windows.

I thought of Bathey's children often throughout the book, wondering how they would feel when someday they read this tale of, essentially, how mommy got her groove back, especially from my perspective as a child of divorce. But as we all get to the point someday when we realize our parents are people too, hopefully this book will provide the author's children with some insight into their mother as a person, particularly at that point in her life.

Indeed, I admire Bathey for having the courage to put this out there knowing not only her children, but also her ex-husband, family, and friends could read it if they so desired. And I absolutely feel that any woman going through a divorce or difficult breakup could benefit from reading about her experiences and finding her "inner fairy godmother," whether it's to nod along in agreement or simply to clarify their own paths.

In fact, I've already recommended this book to one friend currently in this situation, and I would recommend it again and again.

For this reason, I give Happy Beginnings four stars and encourage you to pick up a copy if you're looking for a little escape into someone else's world, and especially if you're going through a tough personal time.

Ready to laugh, cry, and then laugh some more? Happy Beginnings: How I Became My Own Fairy Godmother is the story of a woman who found her identity in being the perfect wife and mother...until her husband broke up with her by passing her the news on a Post-It Note. As you might guess, there was another woman in the picture, and Lorena was devastated. After the first shocks subsided, Lorena felt prompted to set out on an emotional and spiritual journey through love, loss, and friends to rediscover her own unique identity and value and become the person she always wanted to be.

Lorena's voice is refreshingly original, and she made me laugh throughout the book as she described the perils of dating (including blind dates), retro nights at clubs, and an amazing trip to Italy. Enjoy!