I was given the opportunity to read this book before publication. Mae Claire’s adoption story is complicated and raw. This book gives you a glimpse into her story as a transracially adopted child who grows into adulthood. Her reflections are heartbreaking but she is a woman with courage and resolve.

Mae has written a book that can be read all in one sitting, or in pieces by chapter. It’s a book that you’ll want to read multiple times over. “Don’t create trauma where it doesn’t belong.” It’s an idea that sounds simple, yet it is too often overlooked. Mae speaks her truth – reaching out to adoptive parents with kindness. She reveals that while unicorns don’t exist, with openness, honesty, and listening (rather than invalidating), adoption can have rainbows. But the rainbows aren’t everything – and she doesn’t give you a how-to for reaching that point. Instead, you listen to her truth, her faith, and you start to realize that rainbows can come in many forms, or they may not come at all. She makes space for critical thought – and a beautiful glimpse into the mind of an adoptee.

This book achieves two important goals. #1 Provides a grippingly honest account of the author’s experiences growing up adopted. #2 Provides the reader with insight as to how they (as adoptive parents) can better nurture and honor their child’s experiences as they process their adoption.

Written by an adoptee about her experience growing up without answers about her past and with a controlling adoptive mother who failed her child in many ways, this book touches on points that those who have adopted or are considering adoption need to hear. It isn’t a comfortable read. It won’t make you feel warm and cuddly. But you need to read it.

Most adoptive parents tend to read books by other adoptive parents. This is a real disservice to their children. What we (and anyone interested in adoption, especially transracial adoption) need is to listen to the experiences of adult adoptees. May Claire’s book is a collection of heartfelt poignant essays describing her experiences growing up as a transracial adoption adoptee. A Black woman in a white family. Her writing is searingly honest and has taught me so much about The experience of a transracial adoption day. She offers a lot of factual information as well about adoption and the difficulties that ensue if you do not obtain citizenship for your child. She disabuses us of the belief that adoption is all rainbows and unicorns, the common myth among the adoption world. She has the wisdom that should not be ignored. I highly recommend this book