Adoption-net was recently sent a book, by an American writer, called Follow Your Heart. One of our readers has read the book and written the following review:

Follow your heart by Lori Paris

The first novel of the University of Santa Barbara graduate is an accomplished and insightful look into the world of adoption - in an age where teenage pregnancies and single mothers were unspoken horrors.

It is a story of heartbreak, love and a desire to know the truth, as the main protagonist, Sara Martin, bids to gain an inner peace.
Sara, an intelligent college graduate loses both her parents at the age of eight, shot dead in a bungled robbery attempt in Los Angeles.

Taken in by her aunt, Irene, she manages to recover thanks to love and affection bestowed upon her. But tragedy is to strike again for Sara, and reveal further heartache.

Shortly after her college graduation Sara's aunt dies suddenly, and it is then that she discovers who she thought were her birth parents, had adopted her when she was a baby, unable to have children of their own.

In a letter left by her aunt Sara is devastated by the revelation, but with the support of boyfriend Sam, and a private investigator Dennis, they set out to trace her real family.

Along the way Sara is forced to make several brave decisions which will alter the lives for many, as she seek to find her identity.

Follow your heart is a well-researched and written look at 1960s adoption in America. And is a thought-provoking, if at times a little cheesy, look at the world of reunited families, which certainly brings home the importance of family and the security they bring.