"[A] complex and sensitive debut…A gripping climax, raising compelling questions about moral responsibility in a 21st-century world."

"An insightfully sensitive presentation of the difficult, impossible, heart breaking and sometimes rewarding challenges of what most soon-to-be parents never allow themselves to consider."

"A sensitively drawn and well-researched first novel about the complexities of women’s lives... Shea doesn’t provide easy answers, but shows us what women faced and face, in fluid, beautiful language."

"Gripping. Heart-wrenching. Thought-provoking. Riveting. Haunting. Unputdownable. ... This is a must read for not only parents in the Down syndrome community, but for all parents, and for anyone who appreciates masterful story-telling. I will not soon forget this book."

"Not often does a novel so seamlessly drive us toward a conclusion on such a sensitive and divided issue...Drenched in realism, [THE UNFINISHED CHILD] shows that in life, there are no clean breaks or flawless endings."

"What I liked best about this novel is that Shea addresses complex, tough issues that people don't like to talk about with compassion and sensitivity."

"This was a very emotionally difficult book for me to read as a parent of a child with Down Syndrome. However, the author gives a heartwrending and honest view of the pain felt from an initial diagnosis of Down Syndrome."

"Wow. I loved this book. Could not get anything else done until I finished the book."

"This was a book I could not put down. The story is so emotional and the characters are believable and sympathetic."

"This is a superb book. Touched the heart strings, makes you think about relationships, choices in life, what could have been & what will be. I read it in 2 days as couldnt put it down. So pleased that this book has been written."

"As a mother of a child with Down syndrome, this was an emotional story to read...but I couldn't put it down. A difficult picture of the harsh realities for people with disabilities who were institutionalized (not so long ago)... and an accurate picture of today's world view of Down syndrome and the ethics behind prenatal testing. A must read."

"This was a very very good read!! It is a book that will move you. I couldn't put it down until I finished it. I wanted to get into the book and talk to the characters ...it involved me to that point. It raises moral issues in their raw state. This should be on Oprah's list."

"I doubt that anyone can read it and not be touched."