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mckaylacpaez1's review
3.0
This started out so promising for me. I could really connect to Cate wanting a family of her own so bad, but then the ending really went off the rails. I did enjoy the differing POVs though. Cate’s personality was very fun to read and I’m glad she got her happy ending. Overall, 3/5 ⭐️ thank you Netgalley, Bookouture and Jen Craven for my eARC in exchange for an honest review.
michellefre's review
4.0
I want to give this book 4.5 stars because it had me utterly hooked from the very beginning like few books have in the past. This book was gut wrenching and so incredibly well written. I took half a star because the conversations between the two women and their respective mothers was soooo cheesy I couldn’t help but roll my eyes. Although I am happy with the ending overall, I almost felt like in court, the author was highlighting the rich vs poor narrative a little too much and it did annoy me a little.
Overall, this was an AMAZING book and I cannot wait to read more by this author!
Overall, this was an AMAZING book and I cannot wait to read more by this author!
asimonette33's review
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
judithdcollins's review
5.0
From the stunning front cover, the first page to the last, you will be hooked and on the edge of your seat in suspense with Jen Craven's latest, THE BABY LEFT BEHIND! I loved this book!
An INTENSE, emotional, thought-provoking, riveting page-turner of two women suffering significant tragedy and trauma—and in desperation, doing unspeakable things. There are no do-overs. When their lives collide, it is EXPLOSIVE!
THE BABY LEFT BEHIND is also a moving exploration into the complex mother-daughter relationships between two families and different walks of life. Both daughters gain insight and wisdom from their misfortunes.
Cate Connelly is 40 and single. She has always wanted to be a mother. She wants nothing more. She has dreamed of this since she was a child. Unfortunately, she has a birth defect, which keeps her from ever carrying a baby.
She has a great job, works remotely as a digital creator for a Chicago company, and owns her own Cape Code home in Ohio. She comes from a great family, well off with a loving but sometimes controlling mom, wonderful dad, and sister married with two sons. Cate has always thought she never measured up. She has had her share of men and does not need a husband to adopt a baby. The baby comes first.
We learn in the opening from one year earlier that Cate's life stopped when the pregnant mom changed her mind about the adoption right after the baby was delivered. Hadley backed out. Cate was devastated. It was a girl, and she was there at the birth. The nursery was all ready. She was so close. She lost her dream. Can she go through this again?
Cate also has a best friend since childhood, Ryan (loved him). He is gay; they are besties and spend a lot of time together. He is always supportive.
A year later, she gets a call from the adoption agency. This time, it is a boy, and the mother just gave birth. The entire family is excited, as well as Ryan. Cate is almost too worried to get excited. They assure her nothing can go wrong.
However, she gets the call the morning she is about to leave to pick up her new baby boy. It is terrible news. Again, the mother changed her mind. No baby. It was so close. She is devastated and let down once again. How can all these women have babies? She wants more than anything to be a mother. She does not tell her family or anyone yet of the terrible news. She cannot see their pity once again.
She needs to be alone with the news and shuts out everyone. She spends all morning crying alone when she hears a baby crying. She thinks she is dreaming or imagining the sounds. After further investigation, it is a baby! A baby in a car seat with a diaper bag in the cold winter of early January! It looks like a newborn with dark skin and dark hair no more than a week old.
She sees no one and brings him in. He is crying. Then she finds the note. Take him. Please forgive me. A sparrow is also illustrated in the corner flying off. Who left the baby at her door? Why her? What does this mean? How did they know she would be home, and what is the connection?
Cate is frantic to get the baby inside, change his diapers, and give him formula in the bag. She still has the nursery for the babies, which did not happen twice. She knows she needs to call 911 immediately, but he will be turned over to foster care. She wants one night with him. To pretend this is her baby. Her gift. But she is already in love with this bundle of joy, and one day turns into another until two months pass. Maybe this was meant to be; she justifies it because the note tells her to do so. It is not like she stole him. Someone gave him to her.
Then, her family drops by, and he is still there. Frantic, she lies and tells her family, Ryan, and the neighbors that this is the baby she adopted. (or allows them to assume). Her lie has gone too far. There is no turning back. But then she knows she will need a birth certificate, health insurance, and a pediatrician. How will she be able to pull this off? She has no records. She names the baby after her dad, Henry. She makes a mistake that will cost her more than she knows. She risks it all.
Then Henry gets sick, running a fever, and takes him to the hospital. How will she explain things? Everything changes when she steps out in the hallway with the baby to take a call.
From here on out, it is non-stop suspense to figure out the mystery, with so many plot twists and turns. You cannot imagine how this will turn out in a court of law.
Told from POVs of Cate and Jade. Jade is the other woman, and —to refrain from spoilers, you will have to read the book to see how these two women's lives collide! Jade's story is just as compelling. It is best to go into it blind because you do not want to miss the element of surprise.
Grab the tissues: Part tear-jerker, as it may make you angry. A celebration of mothers, this story tugs at the heartstrings… a beautiful, thought-provoking, heartwrenching novel of courage and love in the face of trauma and tragedy.
Some may not like the trial outcome, but I loved the ending. It was perfect. THE BABY LEFT BEHIND is a bittersweet, emotionally intense drama of domestic suspense—recommended for readers who appreciate motherhood stories by Sally Hepworth, Jodi Picoult, and Emma Robinson.
The novel has so much emotional depth, and I enjoyed the symbolism of the sparrow. There are highly charged topics of motherhood, pregnancy, addiction, drugs, abuse, adoption, family dynamics, abandonment, abuse, estrangement, secrets, lies, and deception. It also explores the deepest longing for family and how good people can do bad things when desperate.
A poignant and breathtaking novel, prime for book clubs and further discussions. Discussion questions included. This would make a great movie. Full of heart, humor, family, and friendship.
My first book by the author, and I am highly impressed! Jen Craven is on my top author list to watch, and I enjoy her writing style—I look forward to reading more. Bookouture certainly has cranked out some winning talent this week! I have gotten no sleep as there was no way to stop reading until all was revealed—read in two sitting—yes, is that good!
Thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley for introducing me to this talented author and for a gifted ARC for an honest review.
Blog Review posted @
JudithDCollins.com
@JudithDCollins | #JDCMustReadBooks
Pub Date: Sept 20, 2023
My Rating: 5 Stars +
Sept 2023 Must-Read Books
An INTENSE, emotional, thought-provoking, riveting page-turner of two women suffering significant tragedy and trauma—and in desperation, doing unspeakable things. There are no do-overs. When their lives collide, it is EXPLOSIVE!
THE BABY LEFT BEHIND is also a moving exploration into the complex mother-daughter relationships between two families and different walks of life. Both daughters gain insight and wisdom from their misfortunes.
Cate Connelly is 40 and single. She has always wanted to be a mother. She wants nothing more. She has dreamed of this since she was a child. Unfortunately, she has a birth defect, which keeps her from ever carrying a baby.
She has a great job, works remotely as a digital creator for a Chicago company, and owns her own Cape Code home in Ohio. She comes from a great family, well off with a loving but sometimes controlling mom, wonderful dad, and sister married with two sons. Cate has always thought she never measured up. She has had her share of men and does not need a husband to adopt a baby. The baby comes first.
We learn in the opening from one year earlier that Cate's life stopped when the pregnant mom changed her mind about the adoption right after the baby was delivered. Hadley backed out. Cate was devastated. It was a girl, and she was there at the birth. The nursery was all ready. She was so close. She lost her dream. Can she go through this again?
Cate also has a best friend since childhood, Ryan (loved him). He is gay; they are besties and spend a lot of time together. He is always supportive.
A year later, she gets a call from the adoption agency. This time, it is a boy, and the mother just gave birth. The entire family is excited, as well as Ryan. Cate is almost too worried to get excited. They assure her nothing can go wrong.
However, she gets the call the morning she is about to leave to pick up her new baby boy. It is terrible news. Again, the mother changed her mind. No baby. It was so close. She is devastated and let down once again. How can all these women have babies? She wants more than anything to be a mother. She does not tell her family or anyone yet of the terrible news. She cannot see their pity once again.
She needs to be alone with the news and shuts out everyone. She spends all morning crying alone when she hears a baby crying. She thinks she is dreaming or imagining the sounds. After further investigation, it is a baby! A baby in a car seat with a diaper bag in the cold winter of early January! It looks like a newborn with dark skin and dark hair no more than a week old.
She sees no one and brings him in. He is crying. Then she finds the note. Take him. Please forgive me. A sparrow is also illustrated in the corner flying off. Who left the baby at her door? Why her? What does this mean? How did they know she would be home, and what is the connection?
Cate is frantic to get the baby inside, change his diapers, and give him formula in the bag. She still has the nursery for the babies, which did not happen twice. She knows she needs to call 911 immediately, but he will be turned over to foster care. She wants one night with him. To pretend this is her baby. Her gift. But she is already in love with this bundle of joy, and one day turns into another until two months pass. Maybe this was meant to be; she justifies it because the note tells her to do so. It is not like she stole him. Someone gave him to her.
Then, her family drops by, and he is still there. Frantic, she lies and tells her family, Ryan, and the neighbors that this is the baby she adopted. (or allows them to assume). Her lie has gone too far. There is no turning back. But then she knows she will need a birth certificate, health insurance, and a pediatrician. How will she be able to pull this off? She has no records. She names the baby after her dad, Henry. She makes a mistake that will cost her more than she knows. She risks it all.
Then Henry gets sick, running a fever, and takes him to the hospital. How will she explain things? Everything changes when she steps out in the hallway with the baby to take a call.
From here on out, it is non-stop suspense to figure out the mystery, with so many plot twists and turns. You cannot imagine how this will turn out in a court of law.
Told from POVs of Cate and Jade. Jade is the other woman, and —to refrain from spoilers, you will have to read the book to see how these two women's lives collide! Jade's story is just as compelling. It is best to go into it blind because you do not want to miss the element of surprise.
Grab the tissues: Part tear-jerker, as it may make you angry. A celebration of mothers, this story tugs at the heartstrings… a beautiful, thought-provoking, heartwrenching novel of courage and love in the face of trauma and tragedy.
Some may not like the trial outcome, but I loved the ending. It was perfect. THE BABY LEFT BEHIND is a bittersweet, emotionally intense drama of domestic suspense—recommended for readers who appreciate motherhood stories by Sally Hepworth, Jodi Picoult, and Emma Robinson.
The novel has so much emotional depth, and I enjoyed the symbolism of the sparrow. There are highly charged topics of motherhood, pregnancy, addiction, drugs, abuse, adoption, family dynamics, abandonment, abuse, estrangement, secrets, lies, and deception. It also explores the deepest longing for family and how good people can do bad things when desperate.
A poignant and breathtaking novel, prime for book clubs and further discussions. Discussion questions included. This would make a great movie. Full of heart, humor, family, and friendship.
My first book by the author, and I am highly impressed! Jen Craven is on my top author list to watch, and I enjoy her writing style—I look forward to reading more. Bookouture certainly has cranked out some winning talent this week! I have gotten no sleep as there was no way to stop reading until all was revealed—read in two sitting—yes, is that good!
Thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley for introducing me to this talented author and for a gifted ARC for an honest review.
Blog Review posted @
JudithDCollins.com
@JudithDCollins | #JDCMustReadBooks
Pub Date: Sept 20, 2023
My Rating: 5 Stars +
Sept 2023 Must-Read Books
jasminegalsreadinglog's review
4.0
The Baby Left Behind by Jen Craven is a book about motherhood. For some, having a baby is their dream. For some, it was not in their plan at all. And for some, it's not possible to have a baby. In this novel, the author has explored the intricacies of motherhood.
Cate has always wanted to be a mother. That's her dream. But she has a medical condition due to which she can not have children. Her attempts at adoption have failed twice. Like a lifeline, though, she finds a baby on her doorstep. She knows what she needs to do, but what does she do? Who is the baby's mother? What happens later? You will have to read to find out.
This book is a fast paced though an intense story and subject. There's so much to unpack in this book. I am still processing it because of the field I work in. The societal portrayal of motherhood is so glorious, but no one wants to see the dark side. I enjoyed reading this book, though I am still on fence with the decision. I am all about second chances and forgiveness, but there are certain things that do not deserve forgiveness in my view.
Thank you, Bookouture, for this book.
CW: Infertility, child abandonment, drug abuse, abduction of a child
Cate has always wanted to be a mother. That's her dream. But she has a medical condition due to which she can not have children. Her attempts at adoption have failed twice. Like a lifeline, though, she finds a baby on her doorstep. She knows what she needs to do, but what does she do? Who is the baby's mother? What happens later? You will have to read to find out.
This book is a fast paced though an intense story and subject. There's so much to unpack in this book. I am still processing it because of the field I work in. The societal portrayal of motherhood is so glorious, but no one wants to see the dark side. I enjoyed reading this book, though I am still on fence with the decision. I am all about second chances and forgiveness, but there are certain things that do not deserve forgiveness in my view.
Thank you, Bookouture, for this book.
CW: Infertility, child abandonment, drug abuse, abduction of a child
fuzzywuzzy's review
4.0
JEN CRAVEN has wrote one heck of a story focusing on a moral dilemma. This book elicited so many emotions from me. The primary one being anger. The way Cate is treated by her family like the underdog and like she’s less than for not having a family of her own was infuriating. The sense of loss she was struggling with even with something she had never been able to have was palpable. All of my sympathy went to Cate and VERY little went to Jada. I don’t want to say too much but I will say this. If you abandon a baby, that’s one decision you have to live with in the form of not being able to get that child back because you changed your mind. Regardless of her circumstances she was not a sympathetic character. She was entitled, not apologetic, and smug. This was definitely one of those books where I wanted to throw it across the room. The author should have a book club after its release to discuss the book so I can air out my frustrations. I was sooooo angry throughout this book! The writing could have been better, but this book made me FEEL so much that I felt it earned five stars. I look forward to reading more from this author! Thank you to BOOKOUTURE and NETGALLEY for this ARC.
emmataylor173's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
abercrombie1986's review against another edition
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
This was not what I was expecting. It was an emotional novel about what it is to be a family and a mother. I really felt for both Jada and Cate and while I was sure I knew where this one was heading; it was the process of getting there that was so gripping. The two couldn’t be more different but had one little boy in common.
I liked that this delved into both women’s family and friends and had a slew of supporting characters. I am not sure what I would have done in either woman’s shoes, but it would be an interesting book club book as there are so many things to discuss. Cate’s condition and desire for a baby. Jada not knowing she was pregnant and her decisions. And all the decisions both women make over this little boy. Was justice served? Was the right outcome decided?
I read this in a day and wanted to know how this one would end. Seriously if you want a book that isn’t a thriller, but keeps you guessing and gives you a lot to think about, this is the book you need to be reading.
nisha_castelino's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0