The Life You Longed For    by Maribeth Fischer Order:  USA  Can Touchstone, 2008 (2007) Hardcover, Softcover, e-Book    Reviewed by Lori Waddington Thirty-seven-year-old Grace Connolly is married and has three children. Grace's youngest son, three-year-old Jack, has been diagnosed with a rare but fatal disease. Because Jack's disease 'produces an array of misleading symptoms,' Grace reads as much as she can to stay informed. In addition, since Grace's husband works full-time, Grace is always the one who takes Jack to his doctors' appointments and stays by Jack's bedside whenever he is hospitalized. When Grace is accused of Munchausen by Proxy, 'a real disorder where mothers sicken children to get attention,' Jack is removed from Grace's care. As Grace fights to clear her name, Jack's health takes a turn for the worse. Despite her very difficult circumstances, I found it hard to like Grace. I also felt that the subplot of her affair with an old high school flame did not add to the story. That being said, The Life You Longed For will elicit sympathy from any parent whose child has ever been seriously ill. Note: Opinions expressed in reviews and articles on this site are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of BookLoons. Find more Contemporary books on our Shelves or in our book Reviews