Baby Girl: A Memory House Novel, Book 4

Cheryl Ann falls in love when Ryan when she is a teenager, living with a mother who never has anything good to say about her. Cheryl's Daddy has died, and Cheryl sees so much of her Daddy in Ryan, that she falls in love. When her mother puts Cheryl out of the house, Cheryl is determined to make her own way in the world, with Ryan by her side. When she becomes pregnant, Ryan isn't ready to get married and have a baby, and Cheryl won't consider abortion. She does, however, decide to give the baby up for adoption to a loving couple she has met. Ryan stays around long enough to see the birth of "Baby Girl," while Cheryl becomes as bitter as her mother always was. After she and Ryan are divorced, Cheryl falls in love again. This time with Nick who loves her, but who decides he is too old to have a family. After Cheryl has his baby, whom she keeps this time, Nick leaves. Cheryl is determined to keep this baby named Violet, and manage by herself. But she does have people in her life to help and guide her through being a single mom. She has her best friend Nicole from work, Ophelia who helped her through the decision to give her Baby Girl away, and her landlady who was always at the ready to babysit. But Cheryl Ann was sure she was the strong one who could do it all by herself. And then there is another baby, Felix. How did that happen? No spoilers here. But it took a few more years for Cheryl to see she didn't have to always be the strong one, didn't have to do it all by herself.

"Tissues Not Included" "Baby Girl" is Book 4 in the Memory House Collection and as Ophelia Browne is the only character from the other books in this series, that has a presence in "Baby Girl". "Baby Girl" is the story of Cheryl Ann Ferguson. Cheryl Ann, as the story opens, is a young woman on the verge of turning 15. On the day the new neighbors move in Cheryl Ann falls in love with the boy next door, or so she thinks. This is a story that pulls at your heartstrings as you read the flow of Cheryl Ann's journey to adulthood. Her journey is sometimes full of happiness and joy, then at others is so traumatic and makes you wonder if this young woman can overcome some of the hardship she suffers. The author, Bette Lee Crosby with her usual style, brings to her fans and other readers a story that you feel very connected to. The character of Cheryl Ann feels so very real to you. "Baby Girl" brought me to tears, made me laugh, smile and the ending was the best! If you have read the other book in this series "Baby Girl" is not a continuation but a new path to travel. For those who haven't read any of the Memory House books this can be read as a stand-a-lone. When I started reading I just could not put the book down and finished it before the end of the day. I am amazed at the talented Bette Lee Crosby and her ability to continue to write warm and touching stories. I always feel so blessed to have spent time within the pages of a Crosby book. I highly recommend "Baby Girl" and all the other titles by this author to anyone who needs a well written story to spend time with.

Bette Lee Crosby is one of my very favorite authors. I've loved all of her books but the Memory House Collection has to be my favorite! And Baby Girl is #4 in that series. And once again, she delivers a heart wrenching, beautifully written story. Her way with words bring the characters to life. You will feel their heart break, joy, sadness, happiness and you too will most likely shed a tear or two. I know I did. This book didn't have as many of the Memory House Collection characters in it but we still had dear sweet Ophelia. Everyone should have an Ophelia in their life, she is such a lovely person with wonderful advice to give. She helps Cheryl Ann through her many hardships in life. If you haven't read any of the books by this author, I definitely would highly recommend any of them. They will touch your heart!