Title: A Special Love
Author: Krissy Bells
Genre: YA Contemporary
Age Group: Young Adult
Rating: 4 stars
Purchase: Amazon
Review copy provided by Enchanted Book Promotions in exchange for an honest review.
When Robert Adler and Meredith Conrad fall in love, all that is left for them to do is prepare to live a fairy-tale life. With the blessing of their second child, a son named Michael, everything they have always dreamed of begins to become a reality. But his autism diagnosis is something they never anticipated. The struggle they face after the diagnosis puts a strain on their family that begins to tear them apart. Years later, Michael begins high school, and the true love his older sister Ann Marie finds there helps bring her insight and appreciation of Michael’s unique gifts and identity. It might be just what is needed to put their family back together.
In A Special Love, Robert Adler falls for Meredith Conrad the first moment he lays eyes upon her, at a college party. The two start a quick, dazzling romance and soon end up living together, and having a baby, Ann Marie. A while later comes their second baby, Michael. After Michael is diagnosed with autism, everything they dreamed of, and wished for their family, crumbles apart. Even going out at dinner, like during Meredith’s birthday party, is difficult when Michael goes along. But they love their son, and want to do the best for him. Unfortunately that means putting themselves last, and their relationship begins to suffer from it as well.
When Michael starts to attend high school, the same school his older sister, Ann Marie attends, Ann Marie struggles with her brother’s presence as well. She loves him dearly, but Michael needs special attention and care she can’t always give him. But Kevin, a boy she’s interested in, gives her a whole new perspective on her relationship with her brother, and on her brother’s unique gifts, that make him stand out from the rest of humanity, and make him special.
A Special Love was a heartwarming story. First, we get a few chapters from Robert’s POV, then from Meredith’s, and eventually the story ends up focussing mostly on Ann Marie and Michael. Their relationship as siblings was great. They had their up and downs, but it’s clear they both love each other very much, and would go through fire to protect each other. Then there’s Ann Marie’s growing love for Kevin, and everything he represents – hope, family, commitment. Kevin was truly an amazing guy, one of a kind.
This book was an inspiring read. It’s aimed at young adults, but adults will probably enjoy it as well. The topic matter is definitely interesting for both age group. The book isn’t about romance, or even about true love, although it plays a big part. At its core, this book is about family, and about the love family members share for each other. Truly inspiring.
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