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Reviewed by Zahid Sheikh for Readers' Favorite
Overdue: An Adoptee Finally Finds Her Roots in the Third Third of Life by Tonni Johnston is a heartfelt memoir that traces the author’s long journey to understanding and accepting her identity as an adoptee. The story moves through different stages of Tonni’s life, from her early years trying to make her family laugh and feel close, to moments of confusion after learning she was adopted, and then her eventual search for her biological roots later in life. Along the way, Tonni shares stories about her adoptive family, her feelings of being different, and the emotional push and pull between wanting to belong and needing to know where she came from. Key chapters focus on her first conversations with biological family members, the meeting with her birth mother, and the emotional risks and rewards of finally learning the truth about her origin.
Tonni Johnston’s writing is warm, reflective, and filled with real emotion. The narrative unfolds gently, giving readers time to connect with her experiences, and the pacing allows space for both sorrow and humor. She describes people and places in simple, vivid detail, making her story easy to follow and easy to relate to, even if you’re not an adoptee yourself. The action comes from Tonni’s courage in seeking answers and opening up old wounds for the sake of self-understanding. The individuals—her family, friends, and newfound relatives—are drawn with honesty, showing their flaws and strengths. Themes of identity, belonging, and healing run through the book in a way that’s both moving and uplifting. I felt deeply connected to her search and appreciated how she finds meaning even in the complicated parts of her past. Overdue leaves you feeling grateful for your own story and more open to the journeys of others.
