"The Gathering Place is poignant and thrilling. There were gasp-out-loud moments and times that made me nod in agreement. Stevens’ writing is beautiful. I was constantly taken with the imagery of her words. For instance, my heart felt like warm melted gold. I had a deeper understanding of what trauma looks and feels like to a baby and was encouraged in my own healing journey after reading this timeless memoir. You won’t be able to put it down!" (Rebecca Autumn Sansom, creator of the documentary Reckoning with the Primal Wound)

"The Gathering Place brings you to the center of your heart after first bringing you into the center of the mayhem grief causes to the body and the mind. Emma Stevens has done the hard work - she even broke into a building in order to find pieces of her story - and in doing so and on taking us with her on her journey, we get to benefit from her dedication to the truth, and we learn the repercussions of being adopted and the years and years of work it can take to finally find yourself. And we are inspired: If Emma can find peace and joy, so can we." (Anne Heffron, writing coach and author of You Don’t Look Adopted) 

"Why should an adult who had been adopted as an infant be kept in the dark about their origins? Emma Stevens resorts to breaking and entering, tracking down leads like a bloodhound, and getting to the bottom of who she truly is in this powerfully written and compelling autobiography. Emma Stevens has worked hard to not only find out where she came from, but also to heal from the wounds and bewilderment caused by separation. Her beautifully written narrative is a testament to her tenacious and resilient spirit, and an inspiration to adoptees and others seeking answers to the all-important question of life: Who Am I?" (Diane Shifflett, adoptee)