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.