Out On a Limb by Hannah Bonam-Young
Out On a Limb by Hannah Bonam-Young
I have taken some time before I wrote this review because this book hit me so hard, in all the right ways and I needed to do it justice. I first need to thank the author, Hannah Bonam-Young for writing this incredibly intimate look into some of her inner thoughts about having a disability. Although slightly different, I also was born without my right hand and so many of the thoughts and difficult situations mentioned felt as if it from was my own memories. I found myself crying in relief a few different times because I felt so seen and heard, that someone else had similar thoughts and emotions about growing up without a right hand. Let me share two of my favorite quotes;
"You can’t change anything by hiding it (hand). You’ll just look back on memories and realize you tried to erase yourself. And how sad that would be."
"I didn’t want to achieve despite myself. I didn’t want to defy anything. I just wanted to feel ordinary. To not overcompensate every day. I wanted to be bad at things and have people laugh at me because that’s life. I didn’t want pity.”
Although the FMC, Win, is in her twenties and started to accept herself and her hand in certain ways, she is now navigating becoming a mother and the new challenges that will bring. Not just in the fact that having children is difficult and takes a lot of work, but she has to do many things one-handed. You constantly hear how you'll "have your hands full" or you'll "need an extra set of hands" when it comes to children. As a mom myself with only one hand, hearing those comments was daunting to me and I felt Win's panic through the pages. It took me too long to find baby items that truly had a one-handed/one-button release system where you didn't then need to use both hands to fully maneuver a handle on an infant carrier or tray on a highchair.
Back to the book - I don't usually enjoy the accidental pregnancy trope, but I felt it worked in this book with the way things progressed and how it wasn't thrown in for added stakes to thrust the couple together.
Win and Bo really help each other in the support they show and acceptance of each other, not just with the pregnancy. They were both so wonderful to each other and had such kind hearts towards others that it made for many heartwarming moments. There is no annoying third act break-up or huge miscommunication, and although it takes some time for each of them to accept their feelings they talk throughout the book. It was wonderful and refreshing and definitely necessary given the fact they are looking to co-parent.
I could keep gushing about this book, but I'll leave with the fact I was initially listening to this book and bought a physical copy almost immediately. I was that hooked and in love and wish I could read it again for the first time.
Synopsis: Winnifred "Win" McNulty has always been wildly independent. Not one to be coddled for her limb difference, Win has spent most of her life trying to prove that she can do it all on her own. And, with some minor adjustments, she's done just fine. That is until she has a one-night stand with the incredibly charming Bo, a perfect stranger. And that one night changes everything. While Bo is surprisingly elated to step up to the plate, Win finds herself unsure of whether she can handle this new challenge on her own or if she’ll need a helping hand. Together, Win and Bo decide to get to know one another as friends and nothing more. But, as they both should know by now, life rarely goes according to plan.