That's Not How It Happened - by Craig Thomas (Hardcover)

About the Book

"Paige didn't set out to be a stay-at-home mom, but when her husband's screenwriting career took off right before they had a son with Down syndrome, the decision was made for her. Now, with their children nearly grown and unsure what's next, Paige writes a memoir about the challenges of raising a child with a disability. When a major actress-turned-producer shows up at her door eager to make her 'inspiring' story into a movie, she's shocked, excited, and a little terrified"--

Book Synopsis

"Funny and poignant... Craig Thomas is a big-hearted, empathetic writer who knows his characters inside and out." --Tom Perrotta, New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of Mrs. Fletcher and The Leftovers

"Funny, real and moving all at once...[A] wonderful, heartfelt debut." -Lin-Manuel Miranda, Tony-Award Winning creator of Broadway's Hamilton

From the Emmy-nominated co-creator and Executive Producer of How I Met Your Mother, this smart, funny, bighearted novel for fans of Kevin Wilson and Monica Heisey, follows a family turned upside down after Hollywood decides to make a movie version of their lives.

With Audiobook narration by Cobie Smulders and Josh Radnor

Paige didn't set out to be a stay-at-home mom, but when her husband's screenwriting career took off right before they had a son with Down syndrome, the decision was made for her. Now, with their children nearly grown and unsure what's next, Paige writes a memoir about the challenges of raising a child with a disability. When a major actress-turned-producer shows up at her door eager to make her "inspiring" story into a movie, she's shocked, excited, and a little terrified.

This movie just might be the comeback opportunity her husband, Rob, desperately needs. His career has fizzled in recent years. But the movie is going to need a screenwriter, and who better to adapt his wife's memoir than him?... Meanwhile, their son, Emmett, doesn't understand why people think his Down syndrome is the most important thing in his life (that's definitely his girlfriend, Amy)--but he hopes his newfound fame might somehow get him closer to meeting his idol, Eddie Vedder. Their daughter, Darcy, couldn't care less about the whole thing because she's hardly even in their mom's book. The "normal" child who nobody ever worries about is feeling more forgotten than ever as her love life implodes and college decisions loom.

As their lives are chewed up and spit out by the Hollywood machine, triggering old resentments and launching new betrayals, will any of them even recognize the "inspiring" family in this film? Or will this "feel-good" movie be the end of them?

Review Quotes

"A heartfelt dramedy of marriage and the film business...This well-rounded narrative crackles with life." -Publishers Weekly

"That's Not How It Happened is a funny and poignant novel about family and disability and the madness that ensues when real life gets turned into a Hollywood movie. Craig Thomas is a big-hearted, empathetic writer who knows his characters inside and out, and understands that a family's story is a collective project, a chorus that includes everyone's voice." --Tom Perrotta, New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of Mrs. Fletcher and The Leftovers

"That's Not How It Happened is a great portrait of a great family. As hilarious, honest, and empathetic as Craig Thomas himself. By showing us the McConnell family in all their trials, tribulations, and triumphs, he shows us our own." --Stephen Chbosky, New York Times bestselling author of The Perks of Being a Wallflower and director of Nonnas

"Craig Thomas is not only a comedic genius, but all of his work overflows with heart. That has never been more true than this incredibly personal book about finding your voice, and fighting to be the author of your own story. I love Craig and I love this book. You will too."--Jason Segel, Co-creator and star of Apple TV's Shrinking and New York Times bestselling author of Nightmares!

"I love Craig Thomas' writing. It's always funny, real and moving all at once, whether that's for the screen or the wonderful, heartfelt debut novel you're holding right now." -Lin-Manuel Miranda, Tony-Award Winning creator of Broadway's Hamilton

"The kaleidoscopic perspectives bring all the characters into razor sharp focus and--maybe most importantly--show us the different types of love that make a family go. A beautiful, harrowing and very funny book." --Rob Delaney, New York Times bestselling author of A Heart That Works

"Not many people can weave together a Hollywood satire and a family dramedy that also explores disability awareness, but Craig Thomas does all three because OF COURSE HE DOES. Stop reading this quote and read this book." --Rachel Bloom, Co-creator of Crazy Ex-Girlfriend and author of I Want to Be Where the Normal People Are

"Craig Thomas's heart-tugging novel about parenting wonders, family dynamics, and navigating Hollywood is a terrific reminder that truth is always stranger than fiction--and the book is ALWAYS better than the movie. I loved it!" --R. J. Palacio, New York Times bestselling author of Wonder

Earphones Award Winner! "Cobie Smulders delivers an authentic and captivating performance . . . Sharp, genuine writing draws listeners into this exploration of identity, family bonds, and the tension between truth and adaptation. Josh Radnor, Marli Watson, and Kevin Iannucci add nuance and texture, creating a dynamic ensemble that brings the words to life. . . . a thoroughly entertaining and memorable listen . . . absorbing." --Kirkus Reviews (this review refers to the audio edition)

"It's a funny, heartfelt story filled with meta-moments from Thomas' own experiences as a TV writer and a parent of a child with disabilities... Also, the father in the book is a screenwriter, opening the door for sharp commentary on Hollywood and its dubious attempts at on-screen representation." --Variety

"The novel blends sharp satire of Hollywood with a deeply personal look at family, marriage, and raising a child with disabilities." --NPR

"Much honest reckoning and hilarity ensues." --The Christian Science Monitor

"Thomas offers the perfect balance of humor and heart he gave us throughout nine seasons of How I Met Your Mother. This is the feel-good novel of the year." --Debutiful

"[a] poignant novel from the co-creator of TV's How I Met Your Mother." --People

"Craig Thomas delivers a sharp, funny, and heartfelt novel about authorship, celebrity culture, and the complicated bonds of family. What follows is a satirical yet deeply empathetic exploration of parenthood, ambition, and truth in an age of curated personas. Thomas balances laugh-out-loud humor with poignant depictions of love and sacrifice, creating a novel that's as compulsively readable as it is thoughtful. --Wesleyan Magazine