I received a complimentary copy of this book. I also purchased a copy of this book on my own to pass on. Because it’s just that good, people. Affiliate links may be included. #AnchoredHope
Yesterday was a banner day for my friend Kayla Aimee, as it was the official launch day of her first book, Anchored.
I completely devoured my copy that arrived early, and honestly, the speed with which I read through it surprised me a bit. This is because I was slightly afraid to read it.
You see, Anchored is the story of Kayla’s start to motherhood, when her daughter was born at just 25 weeks gestation. She was a micro-preemie, and she spent 156 days in the NICU before finally getting to come home. It’s a hard story, obviously. And I don’t really do “hard” stories that are about children. I just have a SUPER low tolerance for them and find myself all too quickly dissolved into a pile of mush and heartbroken by proxy. So my coping strategy is to simply avoid reading those sad stories. It’s not brave of me, but it is a way I have found that helps me not fall apart on the daily from all the sadness in the world.
But Kayla tells a tale that feels painful, absolutely, but that is also helpful and even healing for anyone who has gone through something tough (and haven’t we all?). I cried quite a few tears while reading. Some were for baby Scarlette, and some were for Kayla, and some, as it turns out, were for me. It’s quite a gift an author has to have to tell such a story and help you feel part of it at the same time. Kayla does this, and she does it well.
Also? You’ll be very surprised by how often you laugh while reading the book! And not the polite type of pseudo-fake laughing. I’m talking about big belly laughs. Kayla is a riot, and the type of person who is especially prone to having awkward things happen to her, and she shares those moments of the absurd with you because it’s simply part of who she is.
It’s the book I have enjoyed the most in quite a long time. I’m even reading it out loud to my husband now. I hope you will enter my giveaway below for a free copy. But I also hope you will BUY a copy; it would be an AMAZING gift to give to your nearest hospital with a NICU, or to share with a friend. You don’t have to have a preemie, or even be a parent for this story to resonate with you. If you’ve ever turned to God with the question, “WHY?!?!” then you will be able to relate.
Win it!:
One Stuff Parents Need reader will win a copy of Anchored!
Let’s keep this simple: to enter, simply leave a comment, including your email address (so I can contact you!) telling me your favorite book (could be a favorite recent read OR your all-time favorite book!). That’s it!
Contest open to residents of the United States, ages 18 and up. Limit one entry per household, please. Contest ends at 11:59pm EST on July 16th and a winner will be randomly selected from eligible entries received. Winner will have 48 hours to respond to winning notification via email before an alternate winner is selected. Stuff Parents Need is not responsible for prize fulfillment.
Be sure to enter my other current giveaways on the right sidebar of the page.
Leela says
The Stainless Steel Rat.
renee says
A favorite recent read of mine is 20th century Ghosts by Joe Hill.
Sand says
My favorite since childhood is The Secret Garden.
Sue Hull says
My fave books are the Left Behind Series.I love Chicken Soup for the Soul books too. This sounds like a good read. Thank you for the chance 🙂
Francine Anchondo says
Harry potter series.
Jocelyn A. says
I’m not sure that I have a favorite, but do love Jane Austen’s books.
pamela j says
I like reading any books. I haven’t found my all time favorite yet.
susan smoaks says
my favorite book right now is willie nelson’s it’s a long story
Emi says
Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand which is super long but I loved it
etotschinger at yahoo dot com
Tracy Webb says
I still love to read Green Eggs and Ham. My grandkids love it.
Jackie says
One of my favorite books is The Art of Racing in the Rain
Rebecca Peters says
So far this summer the best book I have read was The Lucky one.
xxbeccaannxx@gmail.com
Gail Fernandez says
My favorite book of the last few years is Gone Girl. It was suspenseful and darkly funny.
morris4tax@yahoo.com
Jennifer J says
My all time favorite book is Little Women. I really want to read this book, I have been following Kayla and Scarlette’s story for a while.
Nancy says
My favorite book is Anne of Green Gables.
Dawn S. says
My favorite book is probably Gone Girl – I’ve read it multiple times over the last 2 years!
Samantha Plotkin says
My favorite all-time book is Lord of the Rings!
ssremington@gmail.com
liz l says
Goblet of Fire
Kirsten P. says
I have many favorites, but my favorite classic is “Old Man and the Sea!”
(Kirstenkp@gmail.com)
Gabby Dunai says
Little Women
Gabrielle.Dunai@gmail.com
Lisa says
A child called it (lisamaireavlios@gmail.com)
mirm says
Catch me if you can – excellent read
Thanks.
odessa frey says
My all time favorite book is “To Kill A Mockingbird” By Harper Lee.
mommysap AT gmail DOT com
Holly Mitkowski says
I think my favorite book is Unbearable Lightness by Portia DeRossi! (hmitkowski@gmail.com)
Tara says
All time favorite is the Harry Potter series. I grew up with the characters and love rereading the books yearly. I always find something I missed in the previous readings!
rebecca orr says
I have always loved Little Women. It is one I try to read at least twice a year.
amy says
hi my fav book is the monster at the end of the book with grover. but fav adult book is any nicholas sparks books! lilhottemomma@yahoo.com
Patti Hess says
I have a lot of favorite authors and books but the one book that stood out and helped me was Blade Silver by Melody Carlson! Wonderful book even if it is for young adults
pattifritz2000 at yahoo dot com
Adrien Beatty says
I absolutely loved reading My Sister’s Keeper.
Kristie says
I love “When Bad Things Happen to Good People” by Harold Kushner. kristiedonelson(at)gmail(dot)com Thank you.
Robyn L says
I would have to say one of my favorite book would have to be Journal Of Best Practices by David Finch.
angela saver says
My favorite book is Nicholas Sparks’ “The Wedding.” Great read!
andysavi.mom@gmail.com
Lucy A says
My Favorite book is a book called post secrets! It is filled with secrets from people all over the world.
Heidi Ingalls says
My favorite book is “A Child Called It”. If you don’t mind emotional books that make you tear up, this is a very good recommendation. I couldn’t put it down!
Heidi Ingalls says
Forgot my email! ingallsheidi@yahoo.com
Jessica Peeling says
I love The Picture of Dorian Gray! jessicapeeling@yahoo.com
allyson tice says
the bible is my fave book!! @sunflowerally22@aim.com
Maranda says
My all time favorite book is Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck.
Audra watts says
My all time fave book is Anne of green gables. Watts128 at yahoo dot com
Julie Waldron says
My favorite all time book it “The Wedding” by Nicholas Sparks.
Robin says
I LOVE that Kayla Aimee’s story is being shared far and wide. She stewards it so well with her words. Thank YOU for this giveaway!! xo
Sarah says
My favorite recent nonfiction read is “Searching for Sunday” by Rachel Held Evans. So good! My favorite recent fiction read is “Me Before You” by Jojo Meyes. Loved it!
Daniel M says
don’t have a fav but liked Tales from known space by larry niven
Mary @ Giving Up on Perfect says
No. I can’t do it. Nope. I can’t pick ONE favorite book!!! However, I will say that I’m really looking forward to reading Kayla Aimee’s book! 🙂
Jenny from Mommin' It Up says
My most recent favorite book is “The Wright Brothers” by David McCullough. My all-time fave is “The Lost: A search for 6 of 6 million” be Daniel Mendelsohn. I can’t WAIT to read “Anchored”!!
DJ says
My favorite book is Sense and Sensibility.
Heather D says
Anything by Dean Koontz.
Sunnie says
My favorite when I was a teen was Go Ask Alice.
Tammy Woodall says
My all-time favorite book is by Judith McNaught “Whitney My Love.” Everything Ms. McNaught wrote thereafter, I read each book and loved them all.
Rebekah Gienapp says
One of my favorite recent reads is Walking Across Egypt by Clyde Edgerton.
Anita Yancey says
My all time favorite book is Gone With The Wind. Thanks for having the giveaway.
Gabby Dunai says
One of my favorite books is To Kill a Mockingbird.
beth shepherd says
thank you for the chance. My favorite book is Years by Lavryle Spencer. It was my mom’s and I received it and loved it. Thank you!
James Coyne says
I love reading star trek books
Tanya Cornelison says
I would love to read this book & share it with others. My most recent favorite was Heaven Is For Real.
Jackie says
I’d like to read this. My daughter was born at 26 weeks. She spent 75 days in the hospital. We’re lucky that all went well and she had no major complications. I just read Love May Fail and it was very good.
Sandy Klocinski says
The Garden of Forking Paths by Jorge Luis Borges
Erika says
My boys were born premature and I feel like I could relate to this one. Love a unique, emotional good book! My all time favorite is Gone with the Wind but recently I have loved Outlander and can’t wait to read the rest of the series soon! Thanks for the great review!