So chick-lit is really not my genre of choice, but this heartwarming novel blew me away! The novel is a detailed journey, so begins with the romance between Claire and Jasper while alternating between Harper's first inclination to donate eggs in the present. It's a clever opening that creates immediate investment in the main characters and even though you know what's coming, it's enjoyable to read.
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Claire and Jasper are an adorable couple, and I became rather attached to them and their heartbreak So chick-lit is really not my genre of choice, but this heartwarming novel blew me away! Claire and Jasper are an adorable couple, and I became rather attached to them and their heartbreaking journey. Harper was a strong independent woman who probably mentioned that fact one too many times but was well-balanced by her blossoming maternal instinct. Samuel was a jerk, but then he was nice, but then he was a jerk I can't go into too much detail without spoilers so let me just say this is so much bigger than the ethics of 'test tube' babies.
This story really tugged at my cold, crime-fiction-loving heart and kept me hooked the entire time. I was genuinely surprised by how much this book messed with my emotions! A captivating, thoughtful story of an incredibly real journey.
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Unfortunately, this was a roller coaster of emotions for all the wrong reasons for me. The first chapters were so lovey-dovey I wanted to set the book aside entirely. Then things got better and I actually started enjoying the story and connecting with the characters. Then things got weird and all emotional ties I'd had were severed quite abruptly and I could never reestablish them. Based on other reviews it's clear that a lot of people love this book, and I honestly thought I'd be in the same cam Unfortunately, this was a roller coaster of emotions for all the wrong reasons for me.
Based on other reviews it's clear that a lot of people love this book, and I honestly thought I'd be in the same camp. Oct 20, Claire rated it it was amazing Shelves: What an incredible story, the amount of emotions I went through reading this, joy, happiness, disbelief, grief and so much more. To donate an egg to someone so they can have the chance of being a parent, it is something that hits close to home and it is such a beautiful thing, that someone can do that for someone else.
The characters are real and I was completely invested in them throughout this story, though there was one I completely disliked. So many different relationships and personalities What an incredible story, the amount of emotions I went through reading this, joy, happiness, disbelief, grief and so much more.
So many different relationships and personalities that made this story come to life. The hot air ballooning was a great setting and I can't wait to try it for myself, to feel the peace and joy of being up in the sky. A fabulous read once again My thanks to Harlequin Australia and Netgalley for a copy for an honest review. I received an advanced reading copy of this book. I have never read a Rachael Johns novel before. I always thought she was rural romance and it didn't really interest me. I learnt a lot from this book.
Firstly, never assume anything about any author. Secondly, this lady can write! There was a lot going on in The Greatest Gift. First and foremost is the issue of egg donation - not the ones that your chickens lay, but the ones that will allow one woman to become a mother. I won't go in to details on I received an advanced reading copy of this book.
I won't go in to details on the storyline here as you really must read the book. I think it will touch close to home for a lot of women and they will feel their attention pulled in many different directions. There are a number of emotions running rampant throughout this book. They suck you in and pull you along. There is definately sadness within these pages but there is also a lot of love and happiness. I am not sure about anyone else but for a little while there I was really starting to dislike Harper in a big, big way. I understood the emotions and the feelings behind her choices but it was more the way she went about it all that rubbed me up the wrong way.
I guess, not being a mother I wasn't fully understanding. I believe that a book that has you feel such strong emotions towards a character, or a situation is a well crafted piece of work. I am very glad that I gave in and read Rachael's book. It has made me think about life in many different ways. Thumbs up for the writing style, but most of all, for the courageous story she has chosen to share. A wonderful story with many tissue moments The Greatest Gift explores a sensitive issue with depth and compassion.
The Greatest Gift | Book by Philip Van Doren Stern | Official Publisher Page | Simon & Schuster
There are so many twists and turns in this plot to keep me reading until the wee small hours. Oct 06, Sharon Metcalf rated it really liked it Shelves: Usually I've said I know of her work but haven't read any because I'm not really into those outback kind of stories. I haven't felt bad about this attitude. I have so many wonderful books on my TBR that I need to be selective. Recently I read GR friend Bianca' 3. I now see that she has authored in excess of 20 titles and a large number of these are not outback stories. Not only that, but I have no doubt her characters would be likeable, genuine and fully fleshed out regardless of the setting - outback or otherwise.
At the heart of it, The Greatest Gift was about egg donors and their recipients, the emotions, social and moral issues faced by those going through this experience. It tells the stories of Claire and Jasper, and Harper and Samuel. Claire and Jasper are instantly attracted to each other and fall hard and fast. Claire is reluctant to pursue a relationship knowing she is infertile thanks to a childhood illness. They decide their love can overcome all obstacles and are soon blissfully married. Some years down the track they decide to try and create a family and seek out an egg donor. Harper and Samuel are in their thirties, they are both career driven and successful in their chosen fields - Samuel in law and Harper as a radio presenter.
They are united in their decision never to have children. After interviewing an egg donor and the recipient couple Harper feels strongly this is something she would like to do. It's her chance to do something good for others. This decision is not a small one and is one that will have lasting repercussions in the lives of both couples. This story moved me through a range of emotions and I'll freely admit to tears. I also confess I was wrong to dismiss this author's past work without cause and realise it was my loss.
The Greatest Gift was a lovely, light read; one I'd consider chick-lit or womens fiction. I'd recommend this title to those who enjoy books by Jane Green or Susan Lewis or Kristen Hannah and to those who like contemporary Australian fiction. In the meantime there are a couple of books in this authors backlist that are going on my TBR to be read as I happily nestle into my comfort zone with a big slice of humble pie.
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This was a pretty enjoyable read. I liked the topic of egg donation and surrogancy, and I especially liked Claire's story. I found the writing style a bit too flowery in parts as I'm not a big romance reader, so I rolled my eyes a few times, and also found a lot of parts of the book quite predictable, particularly towards the end. Despite this, I was really enjoying the story for the most part and found it a light, easy read that explored some interesting topics.
I was all set to give it a 3. I won't give any spoilers but there are a few endings and stylistic choices that I can't stand in a book, and the epilogue of this one just ruined it for me.
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It just felt like a really cringey way to tie up all the loose ends that maybe didn't even need to be tied up and it just cheapened the narrative a bit for me. Overall I still enjoyed the book, but I absolutely despised those last few pages and they did kind of overshadow a lot of the good parts of the book for me, which is unfortunate. Oct 12, Helen rated it it was amazing. WOW this book has left me speechless it is an amazing story of love, of hope, of giving, MS Johns has written about something that is dear to my heart a story of egg donation so as couples can live a life with children in them to feel that in-built nurturing that happens between a mother and her child while she carries them and allow the father to be such a huge part of the process.
This book should be read with a box of tissues very handy because all of the characters in this story will become WOW this book has left me speechless it is an amazing story of love, of hope, of giving, MS Johns has written about something that is dear to my heart a story of egg donation so as couples can live a life with children in them to feel that in-built nurturing that happens between a mother and her child while she carries them and allow the father to be such a huge part of the process. This book should be read with a box of tissues very handy because all of the characters in this story will become friends and feel like family, well they did for me.
Jasper and Claire have been happily married for 5 years now yes they knew that Claire was unable to have children because of childhood cancer they work together in hot air ballooning and are having the best time but Claire badly wants a child and knows that Jasper will make the best father. So after discussions an add helps them find Harper and the process begins. Oct 22, Janine rated it it was amazing Shelves: It tells the story of two women Claire, who desperately wants to become a mum but because of an illness when she was younger is now infertile, and Harper — a slick city girl and media personality who is,married to Samuel and had decided from the beginning that they did not want children.
Harper interviews a family who are having a baby via egg donation and it gets her mind thinking, why waste those eggs when someone else can use them. Its so hard to give too much away without spoiling the plot, but it does beg the question — what is the definition of being a mum — someone who gives birth or someone who makes having a baby possible. I thought I knew how this book was going to pan out when I started reading it, but I love that Rachael throws a curve ball at the plot and turns it on its head when you least expect it.
Interesting too, that Claire and Jasper are Balloonists — an occupation I knew very little about, but made for an interesting topic in this book as well. The characters in this book and the family connections you learn about with all parties is quite interesting. Thank you so much to Harlequin and Beauty and Lace for the wonderful opportunity to read this book, another best seller for Rachael. This was a beautiful book, well-written and heart wrenching with a moral dilemma that makes you think. Jan 22, Sally rated it really liked it. This book felt like a predictable read for the first third Really enjoyed the ideas and content of what makes a family and what decisions we make based on circumstances and what we will do to help others.
Jan 10, Lisa Mcmaugh rated it it was amazing. What an amazing story. This book made me laugh and cry. I was very happy with the ending. Another awesome book from this amazing author Nov 12, Carolyn rated it it was amazing. Cleverly written by Rachael Johns. The Greatest Gift really is a gift within itself. Full of triumphs and life's little surprises; it'll keep you guessing right up until the end. I enjoyed hearing about hot-air ballooning over the bright blue skies and green hills of the Hunter Valley wine region of NSW and the way the author wrote about radio and the media as Harper, the main character endured many trials and tribulations on her own personal struggle in her own life's journey.
Rachael has tackled a difficult and controversial subject with sensitivity which I admire her for. Oct 05, Joanne rated it it was amazing. Oh wow, what can I say. Rachael Johns has written an outstanding story that pulls on your heart strings.
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This story is about giving the greatest gift!!! Harper Drummond is a successful radio presenter, with her radio show Afternoons with Harper. She is married to Samuel who is a lawyer. Both are committed to their careers and have both decided that their careers are more important to them then having children.
Through Harpers radio show she learns about egg donations and how they help other people Oh wow, what can I say. Through Harpers radio show she learns about egg donations and how they help other people who cannot have a child to be able to finally have one. Harper starts to wonder what her life legacy is going to be. Harper decides she wants to donate her eggs to help another couple to live their dream of having a family. She searches for the right couple and decides on Claire and Jasper. The story continues with Harper donating her eggs to Claire and Jasper.
The characters in this story are so realistic and you can easily relate to them. This story focuses on the issues of fertility, relationships, babies, family and hot air ballooning. Rachael Johns has done her research into these topics. If you are going to read this book you are going to need a box of tissues as well.
There are twists in this book that are going to make you cry but there are is also things that you are not going to expect. This book will hold you captivated from page one until the end. And what an ending it has, one I never expected. This book is going on my top reads for Rachael Johns has written many great books but I must say this definitely goes to the top as one of the best. I would recommend this book to anyone without any hesitation. More reviews are at: Nov 04, Sam Still Reading rated it it was amazing Recommends it for: Recommended to Sam Still Reading by: I feel like I say this with every book she writes, but I will follow her writing to the ends of the earth and back again, no matter the genre.
She is a writer that I get. Her books never fail to impress me in their skill in telling a story, tugging at all of the heartstrings and considering issues in a new light. Of course, The Greatest Gift is no exception! It involv Rachael Johns. She just needs an egg donor. Harper is becoming restless, wanting to do something good like the people she interviews. Why not donate her eggs? Claire and Jasper seem like the perfect couple. Of course, not everything goes to plan. I was truly shocked at some of the twists and turns! Consider yourself warned if you like to read into the night — you WILL be reading longer if you hit one of these crucial points.
Harper and Claire were like chalk and cheese to me, even though they are both good people. Claire is radiant, she practically shines off the page. Harper was a bit more complicated for me. She appeared simple and straightforward on the surface, but she had a lot more issues going on underneath which are gradually revealed as the story goes on.
Her reactions on reflection are perfectly normal, but they kind of shocked me at the time. But as everything that was meant to happen failed, I wanted to know exactly what was going to happen next. It was unpredictable and I loved it — blind twists and turns are definitely my thing. They too are complete opposites except when it comes to determination in completely different fields. Jasper is the dream guy. He can be cranky, self-indulgent and just plain mean.
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As time went on, I wondered what Harper saw in him and wondered if that was enough to sustain a relationship. Apart from characters I could analyse for pages, there are a number of other fascinating parts to The Greatest Gift. Of course, the biggest thing was the moral dilemma that emerged partway through the story — who is wrong? Or is it just shades of grey? The Greatest Gift proves that she can turn her keyboard to any topic and make a story that is both beautiful and heart breaking. Have the tissues handy for this one. Apr 13, Vicki Robe rated it it was amazing.
This book takes you on a rollercoaster of emotions with an important message. This is a must read which takes you on an emotional journey with all its characters entwined lives. Oct 30, Diane rated it it was amazing Shelves: The promise with this story is that once you start you have to read until you finish! I have read some fabulous books by some fantastic authors and The Greatest Gift by Rachael Johns is up there with the best of them!
Thank you Rachael, I loved it and this story in itself is a gift!
Jan 17, Tandy Day rated it it was amazing. I could not put this book down, I just had to finish it!!
This is my favourite book of Rachael Johns that I have read so far, Make sure you have a box of tissues nearby! Mar 13, Jessica HAll rated it it was amazing. There are no discussion topics on this book yet. Books by Rachael Johns. And with deals like unlimited breadsticks and salads and bottomless pasta, giving the gift of Olive Garden is like giving the gift of a never-ending feast. Eric Reid was hit with his 7th 'random' drug test after wearing Kaepernick cleats. Could the Packers lure Nick Saban away from Alabama? Which team is this season's biggest underachiever?
Please enter an email address. Sign up for the For The Win daily email newsletter for the top stories every day. An error has occured Please re-enter your email address. Thanks for signing up! Dennis Rodman gave Post Malone the greatest Christmas gift of all: An Olive Garden gift card.
Way to go, James Conner. NCAAF 11hr ago ESPN asked fans to create absurd bowl game names, and they didn't disappoint Combine the last place you shopped with the last thing you ate and add bowl to the end….