Praise
I came into this book completely open minded and was taken by complete surprise at the vivid world the author created that tells a story of grief and neurodivergence.
Some of the most beautiful descriptions really had me empathising throughout and has me thinking of how to manage the big emotions as a fellow late diagnosed neurodivergent.
I read this book in one sitting, enraptured throughout and spent some time after just sat in my chair, digesting the feelings it gave me.
Worth a read for sure!
I picked this up because I was a beta reader for Katie-jo's book "Rest for the Weary".
I love that book; obviously, it wasn't fiction, so I wasn't sure what this would be like.
I'm still not sure how I would categorise this book by genre; it's unlike anything I've ever read. I read the whole book in one night. I could not put it down. My daughter is now reading it too. As someone who has walked through this type of grief, I felt so seen. I'm telling everyone about this book. It is an absolute must-read. If I could give it 10 stars, I would.
This is a truly unique book that I read in one sitting - I couldn't put it down. The author skilfully weaves two stories into one, using an Inuit oral traditional story as a metaphor for a woman dealing with heartbreak and self discovery, through a lens of late diagnosed autism. I haven't read anything like it before and found it incredibly moving. Highly recommended!
This was such a beautiful read. It’s written so gently and kindly, and so many of the observations about autistic burnout felt exactly like me. At points I just sat there in tears because I felt so seen and understood.
Instead of making me feel “broken” or like I should just try harder, it made me feel loved, accepted and allowed to rest. That meant a lot.
I also really appreciated the Christian perspective woven through the book. It felt comforting and full of grace rather than judgement.
I’m very glad I found this book.
This is a compassionate and encouraging book that explains autistic burnout with clarity and grace. It combines practical guidance with biblical encouragement in a way that feels supportive rather than judgmental. A valuable read for autistic Christians as well as family members church leaders and anyone wanting a better understanding of this experience.
Peaceful Parenting with PDA by Katie-Jo Gracie is an exceptional and much needed resource for families navigating pathological demand avoidance. What sets this book apart is its rare combination of deeply practical strategies and a thoughtful, theologically grounded perspective on parenting.
Gracie writes with clarity, compassion, and real-life understanding, offering approaches that feel both achievable and respectful of a child’s unique needs. The emphasis on creating a “sanctuary” is not just a metapho, it’s a tangible, actionable framework that parents can begin building immediately.
For Christian families in particular, this book is a standout. It honours Scripture in a way that feels authentic and integrated rather than forced, providing encouragement and guidance rooted in solid theology. That balance of faith and practicality is incredibly hard to find in parenting literature, especially in the context of PDA.
This is a book I would wholeheartedly recommend to any parent seeking not only effective tools, but also hope, reassurance, and a deeper sense of purpose in their parenting journey.
I picked this up because I loved To The Moon and Back and have been counting down to this release, and honestly, it was so worth the wait.
This author just has a way of blending myth and magic with real, grounded emotion, and it works so well here. The story pulled me in straight away, and I ended up completely invested in both timelines.
What I really appreciated was how naturally it brings in awareness and advocacy for non-speaking people. It’s handled with so much care and honesty—it never feels heavy-handed, just real and important.
Such a beautiful, emotional read. Definitely one that sticks with you.
Read this book in one sitting, couldn’t put it down as I wanted to see what happens next.
It is so cleverly written alternating from the view of the child, the parents and the grandparents and will be such a help to anyone trying to get the help they need and are legally entitled to for their neurodivergent child. There is also a helpful list of organisations that can help you navigate your way through the SEND system at the end of the book. However it is not just useful for neurodivergent families it is an excellent tool to help others (especially teachers) understand these children and help them reach their full potential.