What do readers think of Bloom by Kelle Hampton? Write your own review.

I really enjoyed this book - especially the GORGEOUS photography of Kelle's beautiful children! While some of the memoir seems to be just a bit TMI (editing out the skinny-dipping story & endless beer references would have been just fine with me), Kelle writes with authenticity, courage, humor, and love. I was impressed with the incredible people in her support system, and she seems like a person you would want as a friend. There's no question that the world will be better because of Nella - and her Rockstars.

My husband opened the book when it came in the mail and said, "Don't read it. Please, don't read it. You're going to cry for an entire week." And of course, he was correct. I had to stop reading the book several times because I was in hysterics. There were moments when I was reading this book that right next to the author; I was to feeling her heart break and her pain. Ms. Hampton writes honestly and from her heart; she doesn’t hide her emotions, rather she wears them proudly. I found her outlook on life enchanting and something that more people should follow.

With that being said, there are faults in the book. I do enjoy a memoir that makes me feel like I’m sitting in a conversation with the author. However I felt like this was a little too cozy and unpolished. To me a book is supposed to draw you in, make you feel a part of the characters’ lives, but have words that are sharp and polished. I felt that this booked lacked that finesse.

I was so looking forward to reading this book but unfortunately I wasn't wowed by it. The author presents a heart-wrenching story about giving birth to a child with Down Syndrome. Her story kept me interested enough but there was something really missing that I can't put my finger on.

I enjoyed this book. Although I did expect to learn more about the every day experiences the family went through with Nella. I was really impressed with the support that was constantly being given .... very inspiring. I will be periodically checking the blog to see how everyone is doing.

I found this a difficult book to read - didn't enjoy the style in which it was presented. Having worked in the field of special needs children, as well as having such a child in the family, I empathized with the author - I was disappointed in the presentation of her memoir.

Bloom is a memoir about a very difficult time in a family's life. I was hoping to read about the day to day struggles of having a baby with Down's Syndrome, and there was some of that. However, the book was very sappy and melodramatic. I found myself rolling my eyes and wincing when the author used words with capital letters such as Pain, Change or Sadness. It was difficult to finish the book, but I'm glad I did because there was certainly a change in the author towards her daughter and it was very positive. Overall the book was average, but could have been great if it had not been overrun with so many exaggerated emotions instead of just telling the story of how a mother fell in love with her new daughter who was not quite what she had expected.

As I'm sure many people will say, this is an inspiring book. But to me what is inspiring is not how Ms. Hampton handles life as a "special needs" mother, but rather how she handles life period. This may sound hokey, but the way Ms. Hampton embraces life, chooses to create celebrations, and appears to open her heart to one and all, is -- to someone with an innately different personality -- very much like reading about a different culture. And as often happens when I read about other cultures, it leads me to reflect on my own life and choices and, in this case, to make an effort to embrace the outside world more.
Bloom is an easy and quick read. It often reads like an extended blog post, but is nonetheless enjoyable.

Finding beauty in the unexpected is exactly what Kelle Hampton did when her second daughter was born with Down's Syndrome. This memoir shows the love and support of family and friends that Kelle needed as she came to terms with the unexpected. I enjoyed reading of Kelle's passion for life and dealing with it as it shows up. The photography really enhanced the memoir.