This book is amazing! When I looked at it in the bookstore, I thought, "This looks frivolous but I must buy it." Then I stayed up late into the night reading the whole thing.

It's the true story of a woman named Alice. She was 44 years old, infertile, and even if she could conceive a child she would not be able to carry it to term because of a deformed uterus. But all that is OK, because she has a child by adoption and an adoring boyfriend, and she is happy with her family and her life. Then she starts to feel tired and sick and her abdomen feels swollen. Her gynecologist examines her and tells her it is early menopause. Do you see where this story is going? Even if you do, you will never be able to predict the incredible things that happen next. You may not agree with all of Alice's decisions, but you will be riveted by her incredible story and you will root for her. It was like a thriller in that I couldn't put it down; I had to know what would happen next. ( )

A finished review for, What I thought I Knew", by Alice Eve Cohen. It was a predominate humorous read. I went right through the book. I couldn't put it down. It was considered a memoir but also I thought it was like a confusing aspirating time span diary of a special celebration but not a celebrating event in a forty-four year old woman's life.

I was always reading in a fast pace because that is how the main character Alice presented and told her story of early middle life crisis that th..." ( )

I started reading this book not sure if I’d like it or not. I didn’t know if the author wrote it in a way I would enjoy, because of the sensitive subject. And for the first few pages I still wasn’t sure. But before long, I was hooked. I didn’t want to put it down and read it in two sittings. I would have read it in one if I hadn’t had to stop and do things that had to be done.

The writing is terrific, as is the story. And it’s a true story. One that I can’t imagine going through. It is at times happy, and others very deeply sad. It’s full of confusion, worries and very hard decisions. And a lot of happiness and love. The author is very funny at times too.

Alice Eve Cohen holds nothing back in this book. She shares her thoughts and feelings through this time with an openness that surprised and touched me. I felt like I was listening to a friend talk.

I’ve seen a few negative reviews, saying that the author was self centered and only thinking about herself. I didn’t get that from the book at all. She was devastated that she didn’t know she was pregnant for the first 6 months and so she had been drinking etc. Because of that, her baby was subjected to things that weren’t at all good for him/her, and didn’t get the care needed, like vitamins. She also was told the baby would more than likely have a few devastating health disabilities, due to her age and her own medical conditions. That was the reason she had the thoughts she did. But, she still did whatever the doctors told her to do for the safety of her unborn child.

This book was so good. Really really good. The best memoir I’ve ever read.

If you haven’t read this book, go get a copy. It’s a quick read that is packed with a very emotional story. ( )

A very moving, well written book! ( )

good book to read in an evening! ( )