Martha Lockhart,
Dartmouth, MA
​
“I read the first half of Loving Our Way Home before I went to bed and the rest when I woke up the next morning. One may be sure it holds the reader’s attention. Really well written, I especially admire the way he balanced the beauty and joy of love with the violence and chaos of the tempest of life. O’Hara deserves congratulations for surviving, but also for becoming a shaman and writing it down. I cried when I read the description of his interaction with Coretta Scott King. From the cruelty of his fourth-grade teacher to the warm confirmation of that moment moved me. O’Hara is a hero, and his book is healing for readers. O’Hara’s life work is devoted to making learning and life better. I am grateful that he is brave enough to tell his story.”
​
Robert Young,
Cheshire, Connecticut
"What a beautifully written, moving, and thought-provoking account of O'Hara's life. I feel honored to have read it."
​
Angela Friend Waltrip
Gloucester, Virginia
“O’Hara’s memoir is hard to put down. Brilliantly constructed, it resonates with me as I am sure it will many others. With the fallout of layer upon layer of destructive behaviors and emotional damage associated with being raised by parents of addiction, I truly appreciated and commend how O’Hara presents his parents as human beings who were flawed, as we all are, and yet he has the intellect to not cast blame or become paralyzed in victim syndrome. Rather he shares his compassion and understanding for the circumstances for which they found themselves. O’Hara’s innocence as a young child and the prejudice he endured both as a child and an adult, accompanied with bullying was horrendous. His recollection of those events is so well written I could feel his emotion and hurt. Inspirational and beautifully written, I am likewise inspired by it on so many levels, more than I can find the words to adequately express. Thus, if anyone were to suggest, “this is a gay memoir,” I would be inclined to say they lack depth, they are very, very shallow. Rather, it’s a brilliant work of love, hate, struggle, abuse, relationships, family dynamics, empathy, shelter, forgiveness, protection, joy, tenacity, peace, oh my, many others, so familiar, so relatable. I feel a strong connectedness with his journey, with so many fertile layers that are full of depth that unfold O’Hara’s experiences, layer by layer. It was an amazing experience to hitch a ride with him through his life journey.
I felt welcomed and eager to take this ride with him.
O’Hara should be proud of himself, I certainly am.
Truly, it’s an amazing work! Bravo, bravo!”
Barbara Hruska, PhD.
Amherst, MA
"I read O'Hara's 310 page memoir in three sittings- it was riveting."
Lynne Edington
Charleston, West Virginia
“O’Hara’s memoir is an amazing and eye-opening read! Poignant, funny, terrifying, but mostly a triumph. No matter what, there was always light. I think that’s my main take away. A ray of sunshine, a glimmer of light and hope shone through his writing. And the title is perfect! I was again reminded that we never know what our fellow travelers are experiencing, so kindness so kindness should be our default in any interactions. I know I fall short of that, so reminders are always helpful. It is beautifully written. More than a story of survival, it’s a story of redemption, love, caring, and of a life well-lived with more to come!”
Stacy Ludwig,
Tampa, Florida
"Extremely powerful is Hunter O'Hara's storytelling. I am so drawn in by his every word. His unraveling journey comes fully alive in my head space. I see every word. I feel every scene and each of his pivotal moments. Couldn't wait to keep going with the rest. It was as if I were traveling with him, feeling all of his experiences, feeling him.
Mindi Richards Stewart
Orgas, West Virginia
Confessions of a One Percenter: An Interview With a Black Dagger, author
​
"This memoir immediately drew me into Hunter O’Hara’s life. Many times, his words were so beautifully descriptive, it touched me so deeply that I had to take a moment to compose myself.
It is so well written I could feel a child’s pain, as he witnessed and was victim to violence, the betrayal of an authority figure who encouraged others to bully him, and his absolute terror when racism attacked his sister and her family. I could empathize with the teenager struggling to understand and hide his sexuality due to prejudice. I hurt withhim as he struggled with gender identity.
Finally, I felt my heart soar as he healed and fought to bring awareness and healing to the world through his love of music and teaching. This book will bring you to tears and restore your sense of hope in humanity."
To receive updates on the publishing of
Dr O'Hara's upcoming book please send him your request to : hunterohara@gmail.com
Ivy Landsman-Slevin,
Long Beach, New York
"Hunter O'Hara is an incredible writer. I was so involved and felt every bit of his memoir, savored every word. I know the feeling of danger in a home and his story brought tears to my eyes. What’s that Yiddish word? Verklempt? I am thoroughly transformed.
O'Hara's courage and ability to express himself, from the inside out, with color and clarity- is breathtaking. I am so moved. His courage has given me strength, understanding, and a new perspective for my own life journey. Anyone who is "real" will relate to his story. I’m honored to have read this. Indeed, it is a must read, for the world, for young people, for parents, for anyone who has a heart. Bravo. God bless his family and all who you touch in the world. This work is stunning."
Jo Trowkes,
Charleston, WV
"I finished O'Hara's beautifully written coming-of-age, conquering-adversity life. I congratulate him on coming through it all with such grace and understanding. O'Hara must have been a wonderfully impactful teacher."
Ellen Kowalski
Williams Lake, British Columbia
"Just a few pages in, I knew I wanted to read this book without any interruptions. It has probably been thirty years since I stayed up all night reading a book. To say that I appreciated O'Hara's story is an understatement. It touched me deeply as I related to his personal experiences. I found this memoir to be healing."
​
Mary Watson McCoy,
Saint Albans, WV