Ninety-Nine Fire Hoops

A Memoir

By: Allison Hong Merrill

Narrated by: Kathleen Li

Allison Hong is not your typical 15-year-old Taiwanese girl. Unwilling to bend to the conditioning of her Chinese culture, which demands that women submit to men’s will, she disobeys her father’s demand to stay in their faith tradition, Buddhism, and instead joins the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Then, six years later, she drops out of college to serve a mission—a decision for which her father disowns her.

After serving her mission in Taiwan, 22-year-old Allison marries her Chinese-speaking American boyfriend, Cameron Chastain. But 16 months later, Allison returns home to their Texas apartment and is shocked to discover that, in her two-hour absence, Cameron has taken all the money, moved out, and filed for divorce. Desperate for love and acceptance, Allison moves to Utah and enlists in an imaginary, unforgiving dating war against the bachelorettes at Brigham Young University, where the rules don’t make sense—and winning isn’t what she thought it would be.

©2021 She Writes Press (P)2022 Allison Hong Merrill

"Captivating Storytelling, great memoir"

Allison Merrill's 'Ninety Nine Fire Hoops' is a remarkable memoir that embodies the essence of challenges and resilience. Through her captivating storytelling, Merrill takes readers on a deeply personal journey, sharing her experiences of overcoming life's most formidable fire hoops. Her insights and reflections offer invaluable life lessons that inspire readers to persevere through their own challenges, reinforcing the idea that giving up is never an option.

Great storyline and storytelling from a very complex and challenging life.

I loved the happy ending and all that she had to overcome to get there.

Love really does change everything

From a young girl who experienced abuse, neglect and the pressures of a culturally male dominated society, to a self assured, confident and determined woman who changed the course of her life, this story will have you crying that humans can be so awful to each other and then celebrating the goodness of God and the strength of the human spirit.

I enjoyed following the author’s story of overcoming and reinventing herself to the person she wanted to become, the person that God knew she could become, despite numerous soul crushing obstacles.

This story was insightful in highlighting the differences between female roles in traditional Chinese and Western culture.

Mostly this story resonated with me because it showcased the power of LOVE: self love, the love of friends and strangers, familial love, the true, deep love of a faithful spouse , loving (through forgiveness) those who’ve hurt us and most importantly the love of God and His Son.

Difficult but meaningful book

Loved this journey difficult but real and good. She has great insights and reflections that can strengthen others.

Heart-wrenching and inspiring

Great narration takes you deep into a powerful and inspiring memoir. I highly recommend it!