You know I didn't have HELLP, so I know very little about it. but it would make sense that, just like with PE, your chance of recurrence is higher than the chances of a woman who hasn't had it developing it for the first time.
I loved the What to Expect books the first time around! But I have to say that because they cover such a wide range of issues, they probably know very little about hypertensive disorders (just like they know very little about multiples and multiple pregnancies!). I read the Expecting book religiously last pregnancy, but this time I kind of see it as a downer, really. It's probably like what Mindy said about them covering their backsides -they feel they have to cover every issue, so the info isn't as great. Like someone who knows a little about everything, but is an expert in nothing! Hope that makes sense

Again, they are VERY handy books to have - especially the First Year. But I found the Le Leche League books to be much more encouraging.