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susanthebookbag's review
5.0
First of all, I have to say that I fell in love with this cover: the colors, the silhouettes, the old newsprint, the clock tower. There was just so much there and I had to find out what it was all about. Yes, I admit it, the cover drew me in. And then I discovered the wonderful story inside.
The story starts with Hatty and John, a prince no less, meeting in a karaoke bar. Hatty is a reporter and this could be her big break, reporting on the royals. As she and John get closer, the reporting part of her life gets harder. That part of the story was fun to read, watching as Hatty starts to get to know John better and as she realizes that there is so much that has to be 'off the record'.
While Hatty is getting a tour of the royal home, they stop in to look at the family library. I love the following line since I am a library lover and have worked in one for many years. It warms my heart when authors acknowledge the importance of libraries and the passion some of us have for them.
'Libraries are magical. I could spend hours surrounded by books. It's like hanging out with your closest friends.'
Prince John and Hatty also take a tour of the cathedral, another one of my favorite parts of the story. Tegan writes so very well when she is describing the beauty of the building, that I felt like I was there with them. I love it when the author's words can transport me to another place.
I have to admit that it took me a long time to warm up to Prince John. I had a hard time trusting him and I did not want to see Hatty get hurt. The royal family and their traditions are very strong, maybe too strong to allow Hatty and John to find the happiness they are seeking. I felt like he had his own agenda most of the times and maybe he wasn't as sincere as he made himself out to be.
The author also deals with the very serious topic of infertility, which probably affects a lot more people than we know. Hatty and John go through so much as they try to conceive the Baby King. Infertility is not something that I have had to deal with so this was a very eye-opening and educating part of the story for me. Tegan handles the topic very well and gives us great insight since she and her husband have gone through this themselves.
Inconceivable! is a wonderful, entertaining, heart-breaking but heart-warming, beautiful debut novel by an author I will be watching. I can't wait to read whatever comes next from Tegan Wren.
The story starts with Hatty and John, a prince no less, meeting in a karaoke bar. Hatty is a reporter and this could be her big break, reporting on the royals. As she and John get closer, the reporting part of her life gets harder. That part of the story was fun to read, watching as Hatty starts to get to know John better and as she realizes that there is so much that has to be 'off the record'.
While Hatty is getting a tour of the royal home, they stop in to look at the family library. I love the following line since I am a library lover and have worked in one for many years. It warms my heart when authors acknowledge the importance of libraries and the passion some of us have for them.
'Libraries are magical. I could spend hours surrounded by books. It's like hanging out with your closest friends.'
Prince John and Hatty also take a tour of the cathedral, another one of my favorite parts of the story. Tegan writes so very well when she is describing the beauty of the building, that I felt like I was there with them. I love it when the author's words can transport me to another place.
I have to admit that it took me a long time to warm up to Prince John. I had a hard time trusting him and I did not want to see Hatty get hurt. The royal family and their traditions are very strong, maybe too strong to allow Hatty and John to find the happiness they are seeking. I felt like he had his own agenda most of the times and maybe he wasn't as sincere as he made himself out to be.
The author also deals with the very serious topic of infertility, which probably affects a lot more people than we know. Hatty and John go through so much as they try to conceive the Baby King. Infertility is not something that I have had to deal with so this was a very eye-opening and educating part of the story for me. Tegan handles the topic very well and gives us great insight since she and her husband have gone through this themselves.
Inconceivable! is a wonderful, entertaining, heart-breaking but heart-warming, beautiful debut novel by an author I will be watching. I can't wait to read whatever comes next from Tegan Wren.
georgilvsbooks's review
5.0
What a beautiful, endearing read.
John and Hatty are great characters, very likeable. Plenty of funny laugh out moments and plenty of tear jerker moments.
Inconceivable is a very powering story of a women's pain at failing to become pregnant. Her struggles through never ending pregnancy tests with the dreaded 1 line, pressure from others to get pregnant, treatments, procedures, etc.
I understand Hatty... I have health issues. I may have difficulty becoming pregnant, I may not be able to conceive at all. With always being unwell my body is weak and may not be strong enough to carry a child. As a woman it's never easy to deal with such things. This story opens your eyes, and turns a heart breaking situation into something beautiful.
Thank you Tegan for a lovely, beautiful story.
5*****
John and Hatty are great characters, very likeable. Plenty of funny laugh out moments and plenty of tear jerker moments.
Inconceivable is a very powering story of a women's pain at failing to become pregnant. Her struggles through never ending pregnancy tests with the dreaded 1 line, pressure from others to get pregnant, treatments, procedures, etc.
I understand Hatty... I have health issues. I may have difficulty becoming pregnant, I may not be able to conceive at all. With always being unwell my body is weak and may not be strong enough to carry a child. As a woman it's never easy to deal with such things. This story opens your eyes, and turns a heart breaking situation into something beautiful.
Thank you Tegan for a lovely, beautiful story.
5*****
vanessa_issa's review
3.0
I really love the message of this book! Sometimes life is "different than what we imagined for ourselves, but [still] fulfilling and lovely”.
I couldn't relate much to the characters, personally. I've never been in a situation like this, not even through a close friend, so it was difficult for me to fully connect with their emotions and understand exactly what they were thinking. They don't talk much about their feelings... Which is also good in a way, because I like how practical they are. If they have a problem, two pages later they're already discussing a solution, and after two more pages they're already executing the plan. There's no time for drama in this book. I'm glad this story is about people who actually go after what they want, instead of just whining about how unfair life is. The only reason I'm not giving it 5 stars is because the political side of it was a little boring for me. But anyway, I enjoyed it a lot.
The fact that the author has experienced infertility makes it even more special. It may be fictional, but she knew what she was writing about. Tegan Wren, congratulations on everything. I'm sure you'll inspire lots of people around the world. :)
*Many thanks to Curiosity Quills Press for providing an ARC!*
I couldn't relate much to the characters, personally. I've never been in a situation like this, not even through a close friend, so it was difficult for me to fully connect with their emotions and understand exactly what they were thinking. They don't talk much about their feelings... Which is also good in a way, because I like how practical they are. If they have a problem, two pages later they're already discussing a solution, and after two more pages they're already executing the plan. There's no time for drama in this book. I'm glad this story is about people who actually go after what they want, instead of just whining about how unfair life is. The only reason I'm not giving it 5 stars is because the political side of it was a little boring for me. But anyway, I enjoyed it a lot.
The fact that the author has experienced infertility makes it even more special. It may be fictional, but she knew what she was writing about. Tegan Wren, congratulations on everything. I'm sure you'll inspire lots of people around the world. :)
*Many thanks to Curiosity Quills Press for providing an ARC!*
stinamoore1971's review
1.0
This book was just awful. The plot outline was decent & had potential, however, the actual plot lacked depth, emotion & feeling. The book read like a diary & not a very good one. This would have been much better as 2 books, a love story & the first year of marriage. That way, the author could have livened it up with conflict, intrigue & something to make us want to keep reading. Many times the author would hint at things that you thought would provide these aspects common to literature, but then they would just fizzle out, for example, the smelter storyline. It tried to provide drama, but never enough or to resolution.
reading_cat's review
5.0
Originally posted on Book-o-Craze, on a book tour hosted by Tasty Book Tours.
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What a deeply emotional ride this book was!!! And, what strong messages it helps pass to the readers about true love and kindness!
This story follows the footsteps of Hatty, an American Journalist intern who studies abroad, and her life-changing meeting with Prince John.
I've always loved anything that has to do with royal families and such, and so, it wasn't very difficult for me to get really into the story!
This book is divided to three separate parts, following the different life-stages Hatty, John and their relationship go through.
In Part I, Hatty meets Prince John in a Karaoke bar where the attraction between them is fairly apparent! Soon, they start seeing each other and eventually dating, after the signing of official documentation by Hatty, of course! I loved the way their attraction increased gradually, with every passing moment it getting stronger and stronger! The decision of Prince John to not consummate his love with none other than his wife, also added to the sexual intensity between them! There were also some misunderstandings, like it happens in real life couples, something I greatly enjoyed!
The Second Part revolved around their married life, and Hatty's anxiousness to get pregnant! They were loving with each other, trying every night for their heir to be conceived! The intense emotions felt by the heroine were pretty clear and described in a way that makes the readers empathize with her! Some tension started building between the Duchess and the Prince, especially after his younger brother's wife got pregnant and then gave birth herself.
Part III, finally, was the epitome of love of all kinds! With threats and accusations flying towards Hatty and the couple's inability to conceive, Prince John is called to make up his mind. The Queen and her son have presented him with a dilemma, he will either divorce his wife, or he will have the marriage annulled. What will Prince John final choice be? And, how will that choice effect the couple's lives? The answers to these questions are the strongest messages passed by the author!
All in all, 5 stars for all the deep emotions and powerful messages sent through this story!
Blog ∙ YouTube ∙ Instagram ∙ Facebook ∙ Twitter
What a deeply emotional ride this book was!!! And, what strong messages it helps pass to the readers about true love and kindness!
This story follows the footsteps of Hatty, an American Journalist intern who studies abroad, and her life-changing meeting with Prince John.
I've always loved anything that has to do with royal families and such, and so, it wasn't very difficult for me to get really into the story!
This book is divided to three separate parts, following the different life-stages Hatty, John and their relationship go through.
In Part I, Hatty meets Prince John in a Karaoke bar where the attraction between them is fairly apparent! Soon, they start seeing each other and eventually dating, after the signing of official documentation by Hatty, of course! I loved the way their attraction increased gradually, with every passing moment it getting stronger and stronger! The decision of Prince John to not consummate his love with none other than his wife, also added to the sexual intensity between them! There were also some misunderstandings, like it happens in real life couples, something I greatly enjoyed!
The Second Part revolved around their married life, and Hatty's anxiousness to get pregnant! They were loving with each other, trying every night for their heir to be conceived! The intense emotions felt by the heroine were pretty clear and described in a way that makes the readers empathize with her! Some tension started building between the Duchess and the Prince, especially after his younger brother's wife got pregnant and then gave birth herself.
Part III, finally, was the epitome of love of all kinds! With threats and accusations flying towards Hatty and the couple's inability to conceive, Prince John is called to make up his mind. The Queen and her son have presented him with a dilemma, he will either divorce his wife, or he will have the marriage annulled. What will Prince John final choice be? And, how will that choice effect the couple's lives? The answers to these questions are the strongest messages passed by the author!
All in all, 5 stars for all the deep emotions and powerful messages sent through this story!
maggersann's review
5.0
I went into reading Inconceivable thinking that I would be reading a fun, lighthearted book that would take one sitting to get through. While it had many lighthearted and funny moments, Inconceivable delved much deeper into the politics of monarchy, ethical journalism, and struggling with infertility. Tegan Wren is a debut author, but her writing felt like a seasoned pro. I wanted to stay immersed in her world of Toulene (a fictional English country) and inside Hatty’s head. Wow. I was completely and pleasantly surprised at how much I loved this.
My gut reaction to Hatty’s initial compliance to all of Prince John’s demands regarding their relationship and giving up her journalism career was “nuh uh,” but Hatty learned to stand her ground and fight for what she believed in. Including blackmailing the future king of Toulene into letting she and John stay married. She grew from a passive, love-stricken college student to a strong leader with the power to reform laws with her writing.
While Inconceivable had been pitched as royals who could not conceive an heir, I had no idea how in-depth and heartbreaking reading through the second part of the novel would be. It felt so real and I empathized with Hatty’s character even though I’d never personally gone through what she had. Tegan Wren stated in her acknowledgements that half of the proceeds for this novel would go to charities helping women with infertility. Though I read this book as an advanced reader’s copy, I will be so happy to purchase it in November and help her to support this cause.
My gut reaction to Hatty’s initial compliance to all of Prince John’s demands regarding their relationship and giving up her journalism career was “nuh uh,” but Hatty learned to stand her ground and fight for what she believed in. Including blackmailing the future king of Toulene into letting she and John stay married. She grew from a passive, love-stricken college student to a strong leader with the power to reform laws with her writing.
While Inconceivable had been pitched as royals who could not conceive an heir, I had no idea how in-depth and heartbreaking reading through the second part of the novel would be. It felt so real and I empathized with Hatty’s character even though I’d never personally gone through what she had. Tegan Wren stated in her acknowledgements that half of the proceeds for this novel would go to charities helping women with infertility. Though I read this book as an advanced reader’s copy, I will be so happy to purchase it in November and help her to support this cause.
lashaundaloves's review
3.0
It's been a few weeks since I finished Inconceivable! by Tegan Wren. I loved Hattie, the main character, but it bothered me that she altered her life so much to accommodate John. I tried to put myself in her shoes though, and I admit that if I met Prince Harry and I had the option to marry him or continue my career, I'd probably choose becoming a princess too. (I'm a teacher in America though, so I'd choose many things over my career.) I think my biggest gripe is that it was such a huge focal point of the first half of the novel when it was obvious what the outcome would be--the novel is about them trying to conceive a heir. On that note, I expected more time devoted to the actual topic and the emotional struggle I'd anticipate in that situation. It was hard to connect emotionally with Hattie's struggle when each method or treatment took less than a few pages for them to go through before they moved on to the next. Perhaps the goal isn't to make me feel a certain type of way FOR Hattie, but to simply inform about infertility and the struggle women and couples go through to conceive. If so, mission accomplished. Overall, I did enjoy this novel. Again, I really liked the main character, Hattie. I enjoyed reading their love story unfold. I used to be obsessed with the British royal family as a kid, and I still keep tabs on them, so that made reading this novel's interpretation of them more enjoyable. It was written exactly as I perceive them. Like my favorite royal, Prince Harry, the book's counterpart, Prince Henri, is one of my favorite characters overall. I really don't want to take away from the heart of this novel, which is infertility, and I did learn a lot I didn't know about the process, but Inconceivable! is great as a love story and has a really happy ending.
renee_conoulty's review
4.0
This debut novel from Tegan Wren was easy to read but still had depth. It started out with a chick lit fairytale feel. Ordinary girl meets a prince and falls in love.
That concept may sound inconceivable, but it reminded me of the true story of an Aussie girl who met the Prince of Denmark in a pub in Sydney and she is now a Royal Princess. This story takes a different turn to that of Princess Mary. Princess Mary now has four children, but what if she'd had trouble conceiving.
Inconceivable explores this concept in a well thought out manner. This novel made me stop and think about the issues of infertility and of living a life in the public eye.
I received this book free in exchange for an honest review.
That concept may sound inconceivable, but it reminded me of the true story of an Aussie girl who met the Prince of Denmark in a pub in Sydney and she is now a Royal Princess. This story takes a different turn to that of Princess Mary. Princess Mary now has four children, but what if she'd had trouble conceiving.
Inconceivable explores this concept in a well thought out manner. This novel made me stop and think about the issues of infertility and of living a life in the public eye.
I received this book free in exchange for an honest review.
xatanika's review
2.0
2.5 stars.
I struggled to finish this book. The ending was the best part. The story was nice it just didn't suck me in.
I struggled to finish this book. The ending was the best part. The story was nice it just didn't suck me in.
mishale1's review
4.0
Hatty and John meet in a bar on karaoke night.
Hatty is a journalist intern and John is a prince, the future heir to the thrown.
They fall in love and things get complicated. Hatty is not the kind of girl you'd expect to marry a prince, and depending on who you are in this story that is either a compliment or an insult.
The first sections of the book are about Hatty and John falling in love and getting engaged.
The final chapters are about Hatty not being able to get pregnant.
I'll admit, I wish there was a bit of the middle here. I'd have loved to also read the part of the book when they were happily married before the infertility issues came to a head.
I guess my only "criticism" is that I want more of the story :)
Poor Hatty, I felt sad bad for her for all the terrible pressure she dealt with. A royal not being able to have a baby is a scenario I never thought about. Wow. What a stress that would be!
I loved the ending!
Hatty is a journalist intern and John is a prince, the future heir to the thrown.
They fall in love and things get complicated. Hatty is not the kind of girl you'd expect to marry a prince, and depending on who you are in this story that is either a compliment or an insult.
The first sections of the book are about Hatty and John falling in love and getting engaged.
The final chapters are about Hatty not being able to get pregnant.
I'll admit, I wish there was a bit of the middle here. I'd have loved to also read the part of the book when they were happily married before the infertility issues came to a head.
I guess my only "criticism" is that I want more of the story :)
Poor Hatty, I felt sad bad for her for all the terrible pressure she dealt with. A royal not being able to have a baby is a scenario I never thought about. Wow. What a stress that would be!
I loved the ending!