Christine Bauer's memoir 'Those Three Words: A birthmother's story of choice, chance, and motherhood' will be released for Mother’s Day. 'Those Three Words’ takes a deep dive into the emotions of facing an unplanned pregnancy at the tender age of 18.
Those Three Words takes readers along on Christine’s journey of weighing options, agonizing over a decision, and ultimately deciding to let another family adopt and raise her baby. Christine’s story highlights the beauty of motherhood and adoption, but also shows how placing a child for adoption affected the rest of her life, especially when she became the mother of two boys.
Those Three Words touches on the controversial topics of abortion and adoption, birth control, and women’s rights. This story will resonate with millions of readers because women know and understand the joy and pain of pregnancy and motherhood, love and loss, and the power of family and parental love.
Semi Finalist
Assessment:
Plot: Bauer’s story progresses at a rapid pace, from the moment of her positive pregnancy test to the necessity to make a quick decision on keeping and raising a child. The book is perfectly constructed and a compelling read.
Prose: Bauer’s prose is free of errors, and her strong narrative voice enhances and lends authenticity to the story. Bauer broaches serious and often-overlooked subjects in a thoughtful way, including adoption, abortion, suicide, and terminal illness.
Originality: Bauer’s story is an emotional tale that will have readers glued to the page. Bauer infuses a very serious and beautiful story with humor, warmth, and wisdom.
Character Development: Bauer’s characters are emotionally complex and her descriptions of their fears and desires truly encapsulate what family members must have been feeling during difficult periods.
Blurb: A simultaneously heartwarming and heartbreaking tale about time and love lost, rediscovered, and strengthened.
Date Submitted: August 22, 2018
“Bauer deftly addresses one of the most wrenching and emotional decisions one might confront: how to respond to an unexpected pregnancy. With candor and grace she leads readers on a thought-provoking journey filled with unexpected twists and turns. I couldn’t put it down.”
“On its surface, Christine Bauer’s Those Three Words is an engrossing memoir detailing a young birthmother’s hard path toward fulfillment and happiness. But even stronger currents race deeper down, about the difficulty of acceptance, the power of family, and the nature of love. Reading it is a moving and unforgettable experience.”
“As a young girl, I was proud to be adopted. I was chosen. Then, after giving birth to my first child, I paused and was overcome with grief. How could any loving woman give up a baby? Chrisy’s book helped me understand the love, agony, and courage needed to be a birth mother, to do what’s right for yourself, and for the helpless human you’ve brought into the world.”
