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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!
gillygab's review
4.0
** I received an ARC of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. **
Hatty leaves her home in the Ozarks to study journalism abroad in the small country of Toulene. She has aspirations of becoming an investigative reporter, but lands an internship at a tabloid. She accidentally runs into the Prince, John Meinrad, at a bar, and it isn't long before fate has them head over heels for each other.
First comes love, then comes marriage, then comes the baby in the baby carriage. Except, it doesn't for John and Hatty. It's not for lack of trying. Their struggle to conceive is heart-wrenching.
The writing is strong and clever, and Hatty is very easy to sympathize with. However, I couldn't get past how much she willingly gives up to be with John. I understand they're in love, but the sacrifice is very one-sided. In order to "be allowed" to marry John, Hatty must abandon her internship, the research she has conducted for what was to be her first big story, her degree (they won't even let her graduate!), and her U.S. citizenship. She does it with hardly any fuss. Hatty is so strong in her struggle with infertility, willing to go to great lengths to be a mother. Where was that passion for her career and education? I almost abandoned the book after Part One because I was so pissed at Hatty for how quickly she caved to the royal demands.
The latter half of the book is worth it though. It is touching and emotional, and even brought a few tears as I read. Hatty seems to grow stronger as she faces increasing pressure from the monarchy to produce an heir, and even blackmails the King when he threatens to have her marriage to John annulled. In her desperation to conceive, she seems to find herself, and it's beautiful to see.
If you are looking for a whirlwind, fairytale romance, this is definitely not the book for you. Yes, our heroine gets her prince, but it's not the flippant happy ending you might expect. It's so much more.
Hatty leaves her home in the Ozarks to study journalism abroad in the small country of Toulene. She has aspirations of becoming an investigative reporter, but lands an internship at a tabloid. She accidentally runs into the Prince, John Meinrad, at a bar, and it isn't long before fate has them head over heels for each other.
First comes love, then comes marriage, then comes the baby in the baby carriage. Except, it doesn't for John and Hatty. It's not for lack of trying. Their struggle to conceive is heart-wrenching.
The writing is strong and clever, and Hatty is very easy to sympathize with. However, I couldn't get past how much she willingly gives up to be with John. I understand they're in love, but the sacrifice is very one-sided. In order to "be allowed" to marry John, Hatty must abandon her internship, the research she has conducted for what was to be her first big story, her degree (they won't even let her graduate!), and her U.S. citizenship. She does it with hardly any fuss. Hatty is so strong in her struggle with infertility, willing to go to great lengths to be a mother. Where was that passion for her career and education? I almost abandoned the book after Part One because I was so pissed at Hatty for how quickly she caved to the royal demands.
The latter half of the book is worth it though. It is touching and emotional, and even brought a few tears as I read. Hatty seems to grow stronger as she faces increasing pressure from the monarchy to produce an heir, and even blackmails the King when he threatens to have her marriage to John annulled. In her desperation to conceive, she seems to find herself, and it's beautiful to see.
If you are looking for a whirlwind, fairytale romance, this is definitely not the book for you. Yes, our heroine gets her prince, but it's not the flippant happy ending you might expect. It's so much more.
samanthabryant's review
5.0
"First comes love, then comes marriage, then comes Hatty with the baby carriage." That's how it's supposed to go, right? So, what about when it doesn't? There's love, there's marriage, but there's no baby, despite the wanting and trying. And what if the husband is a crown prince?
Inconceivable! balances a light, romantic feel with the grittier realities of a couple in crisis over fertility. Since the groom in this story is a crown prince, the pressure is even more intense than for more ordinary folk. Wren's main character, Hatty, is now one of my favorite fictional people. Throughout the book, she felt very real in her reactions first to a courtship with a prince and the impact that had on her career and future plans, then with her struggles to become a mother. I was in suspense throughout, worried about what might happen next, what additional roadblocks and obstacles Hatty and John would have to overcome.
I loved reading a romantic story about royals that didn't end at the wedding, showing us that there's more to love than falling in it. There's also staying in it, even when troubles come. For better and for worse.
Inconceivable! balances a light, romantic feel with the grittier realities of a couple in crisis over fertility. Since the groom in this story is a crown prince, the pressure is even more intense than for more ordinary folk. Wren's main character, Hatty, is now one of my favorite fictional people. Throughout the book, she felt very real in her reactions first to a courtship with a prince and the impact that had on her career and future plans, then with her struggles to become a mother. I was in suspense throughout, worried about what might happen next, what additional roadblocks and obstacles Hatty and John would have to overcome.
I loved reading a romantic story about royals that didn't end at the wedding, showing us that there's more to love than falling in it. There's also staying in it, even when troubles come. For better and for worse.
booksymama's review
4.0
This book was sent to me by the author for an honest review
YAY A BOOK ABOUT ROYALS! So I never read a book like this. And I’m not sure if it was just I was in the mood for this, but from the moment I picked this book up, I COULD NOT put it down! I envisioned John is such a way that just kept me so engaged with this book that it got to a point where I was shushing my boyfriend when he even TRIED to start a sentence while I had this book in my hands. It was very much glued to me for the days it took me to read this.
I loved the transition from the light and fluffy and romantic walk through of John courting Hatty and their romance and love growing and into their marriage and the stress and difficulties of infertility. I’ve never really thought of this subject being a main focal plot point for a book, I’ve never read anything remotely close to the severity of this topic. Well, I have but I haven’t felt the weight of a topic like this that I’ve never dealt with hands on before. It was impressive how I felt the weight of Hatty’s grief on myself throughout her difficult times.
I’m glad that Wren gave Hatty and James a nice ending. I’m glad that there was a solution and happiness in the end. I think it was all wrapped up in a lovely little package and I’m super happy with this book as a whole. NOT TO MENTION THE ABSOLUTE GORGEOUS COVER! OMG. I couldn’t get over the beauty of the cover.
But as previously noted in other reviews, a contemporary/romance book I get through with ease, and read eagerly is an A++ in my book. So a round of applause for Tegan Wren on a wonderful and amazing job on this book. Can’t wait to read anything else you write!
YAY A BOOK ABOUT ROYALS! So I never read a book like this. And I’m not sure if it was just I was in the mood for this, but from the moment I picked this book up, I COULD NOT put it down! I envisioned John is such a way that just kept me so engaged with this book that it got to a point where I was shushing my boyfriend when he even TRIED to start a sentence while I had this book in my hands. It was very much glued to me for the days it took me to read this.
I loved the transition from the light and fluffy and romantic walk through of John courting Hatty and their romance and love growing and into their marriage and the stress and difficulties of infertility. I’ve never really thought of this subject being a main focal plot point for a book, I’ve never read anything remotely close to the severity of this topic. Well, I have but I haven’t felt the weight of a topic like this that I’ve never dealt with hands on before. It was impressive how I felt the weight of Hatty’s grief on myself throughout her difficult times.
I’m glad that Wren gave Hatty and James a nice ending. I’m glad that there was a solution and happiness in the end. I think it was all wrapped up in a lovely little package and I’m super happy with this book as a whole. NOT TO MENTION THE ABSOLUTE GORGEOUS COVER! OMG. I couldn’t get over the beauty of the cover.
But as previously noted in other reviews, a contemporary/romance book I get through with ease, and read eagerly is an A++ in my book. So a round of applause for Tegan Wren on a wonderful and amazing job on this book. Can’t wait to read anything else you write!
sillynicole's review
4.0
Tender and Very Real
What starts as an overly sweet Cinderella story, becomes a very real and personal story of couple's struggles to conceive. For this royal couple the stakes are much higher than most because of their need to produce an heir but their personal fears, heartbreak, and desires for a child are universal to all who have struggled with infertility. So many of my own experiences and feelings were mirrored in Harry's and it gave me a fresh look at how my husband probably felt in looking at John. Well done.
What starts as an overly sweet Cinderella story, becomes a very real and personal story of couple's struggles to conceive. For this royal couple the stakes are much higher than most because of their need to produce an heir but their personal fears, heartbreak, and desires for a child are universal to all who have struggled with infertility. So many of my own experiences and feelings were mirrored in Harry's and it gave me a fresh look at how my husband probably felt in looking at John. Well done.
jenmiller253's review
3.0
I put off reading this for a long time since infertility is a sensitive topic for me. I finally decided to read it and I am glad I did but the story is somewhere between a 2 and 3 stars for me.
emarleene's review
4.0
Inconceivable! tells the story of Hatty, an American journalist student currently working in a small nation in Europe. Here she meets John, who turns out to be the prince of Toulene and also the future heir. From this moment we follow Hatty in what can only be described as a quite interesting love story.
I think the story quickly develops the main characters and they are easy to follow and they feel real. Hatty also has a lot of wit and independence about her that makes it a fun read. For the most part I also find the dialog to be realistic, but there are a few part where I feel like it doesn’t read right, especially in arguments where someone can be really mean and then say “sorry” and get a “of course I forgive you” as an answer and then everything is peachy keen again. Somehow things like that puts me off a bit, arguments and other emotional conversations usually don’t end with and “ok” and then all is forgotten. One can obviously say things like that, but then I would have liked to see more of the characters inner thoughts and feelings afterwards so that I (as a reader) also can get some closure.
As I wrote before, the characters were well developed and I liked following their journey in this story, but I would have liked to see a little more consistency in some of the characters. Some of them seemed to change a lot without any reason and that sort of put me off a little bit. First in this list is John, who started out as a fun guy that seemed to do what he wanted and wasn’t afraid to go against his family, but as soon as he officially started dating Hatty he turned into a strict and boring guy who at times was sort of rude. The same goes for his family (granny and his father) who started out as rather nice people and then seemed totally heartless and cruel. I do get where they are coming from, but perhaps it would have been better to have them be kind of strict and rude from the start considering the direction they went.
The best part for me was the last half of the book when the couple actually was starting to struggle with their infertility, and I think Tegan Wren did a great job describing the feelings and the stress that infertility brings. I do however think she could have used even more time for this part of the book and made it even more in-depth in a way and still keep that light-hearted tone of the story. I did feel like it was rushed and I really wish it would have been more of the struggles and the emotions that this problems brings.
I do like this book and I can recommend it to anyone who likes to read romance novels. I do, however, feel the need to point out that I do not think the description of the book fully portrays the inside. Reading the back makes me think that this will be a story mostly focused on infertility and this couples struggles with this and how a “scandal” like this can affect a royal family. When reading the book, this storyline is more secondary than anticipated and the novel focuses more on their initial romance. It takes a lot more than halfway through before this child issue is even brought up. Definitely not a bad thing, but since the initial information about the book told a different story I was slightly disappointed and I found the first half to be very slow to get through. I would personally have preferred getting into this story at a later state, maybe right before the marriage proposal and then spend a lot more time developing the emotions the characters go through in all this.
But, that last issue put aside, I really think you should read this book. Tegan Wren has done an amazing job with this novel and I give the book 3.5 stars out of 5.
I think the story quickly develops the main characters and they are easy to follow and they feel real. Hatty also has a lot of wit and independence about her that makes it a fun read. For the most part I also find the dialog to be realistic, but there are a few part where I feel like it doesn’t read right, especially in arguments where someone can be really mean and then say “sorry” and get a “of course I forgive you” as an answer and then everything is peachy keen again. Somehow things like that puts me off a bit, arguments and other emotional conversations usually don’t end with and “ok” and then all is forgotten. One can obviously say things like that, but then I would have liked to see more of the characters inner thoughts and feelings afterwards so that I (as a reader) also can get some closure.
As I wrote before, the characters were well developed and I liked following their journey in this story, but I would have liked to see a little more consistency in some of the characters. Some of them seemed to change a lot without any reason and that sort of put me off a little bit. First in this list is John, who started out as a fun guy that seemed to do what he wanted and wasn’t afraid to go against his family, but as soon as he officially started dating Hatty he turned into a strict and boring guy who at times was sort of rude. The same goes for his family (granny and his father) who started out as rather nice people and then seemed totally heartless and cruel. I do get where they are coming from, but perhaps it would have been better to have them be kind of strict and rude from the start considering the direction they went.
The best part for me was the last half of the book when the couple actually was starting to struggle with their infertility, and I think Tegan Wren did a great job describing the feelings and the stress that infertility brings. I do however think she could have used even more time for this part of the book and made it even more in-depth in a way and still keep that light-hearted tone of the story. I did feel like it was rushed and I really wish it would have been more of the struggles and the emotions that this problems brings.
I do like this book and I can recommend it to anyone who likes to read romance novels. I do, however, feel the need to point out that I do not think the description of the book fully portrays the inside. Reading the back makes me think that this will be a story mostly focused on infertility and this couples struggles with this and how a “scandal” like this can affect a royal family. When reading the book, this storyline is more secondary than anticipated and the novel focuses more on their initial romance. It takes a lot more than halfway through before this child issue is even brought up. Definitely not a bad thing, but since the initial information about the book told a different story I was slightly disappointed and I found the first half to be very slow to get through. I would personally have preferred getting into this story at a later state, maybe right before the marriage proposal and then spend a lot more time developing the emotions the characters go through in all this.
But, that last issue put aside, I really think you should read this book. Tegan Wren has done an amazing job with this novel and I give the book 3.5 stars out of 5.
kilbourneknight's review
5.0
First, I have to say that I’ve know Tegan Wren as a Twitter-friend since before we both had our books accepted for publication. I’ve waited very (im)patiently for the release of INCONCEIVABLE—I loved the concept of this book from when Tegan first began pitching it, and couldn’t wait to dive in. Ok, yeah, I’m a guy reading a romance novel. I love a good story, I love good writing, and INCONCEIVABLE has both.
INCONCEIVABLE is not, as might be thought (at least in the circles in which I hang out) a reference to The Princess Bride. It is instead a modern-day fairy tale centering on the high-profile, whirlwind romance between commoner Hatty, an American finishing her journalism degree in a small European kingdom adjacent to France and Belgium, and John, her prince charming (and sometimes prince annoying). But these fairy-tale characters, as portrayed by Tegan Wren, are very human: subject to highs and lows, to love, lust and jealousies, and to the foibles, petty grievances and wonderfully intimate shared moments of a couple in love. INCONCEIVABLE is also an examination of the uses and abuses of power by both individuals and the media; our obsession with celebrity; and the problems inherent in modern-day relationships. Finally, and overarching, is the theme of infertility.
I’m not giving away any secrets to reveal that the royal marriage, when it finally occurs, is haunted by the specter of infertility, with its accompanying feelings of inadequacy, fear, despair, frustration, and anger. I’ve been there—my wife and I went through this many years ago—and Ms. Wren gives an excruciatingly accurate picture of what a couple endures when faced with this issue. The poking and prodding, the innumerable tests, the trying and trying and trying—which can sound fun at first, but soon can turn into a dismal and fruitless chore—and the hard choices that have to be made, all are shown in brilliant detail.
There is a lot going in between the covers of INCONCEIVABLE, and Wren juggles the balls deftly. But in the end, this is a story of two people in love—how they get there, how they deal with that love and its consequences, how they grow in it, and ultimately the choices they are forced to make. It can be a hard read—especially for anyone who has experienced infertility—but INCONCEIVABLE is well worth it. Well done, Tegan Wren.
INCONCEIVABLE is not, as might be thought (at least in the circles in which I hang out) a reference to The Princess Bride. It is instead a modern-day fairy tale centering on the high-profile, whirlwind romance between commoner Hatty, an American finishing her journalism degree in a small European kingdom adjacent to France and Belgium, and John, her prince charming (and sometimes prince annoying). But these fairy-tale characters, as portrayed by Tegan Wren, are very human: subject to highs and lows, to love, lust and jealousies, and to the foibles, petty grievances and wonderfully intimate shared moments of a couple in love. INCONCEIVABLE is also an examination of the uses and abuses of power by both individuals and the media; our obsession with celebrity; and the problems inherent in modern-day relationships. Finally, and overarching, is the theme of infertility.
I’m not giving away any secrets to reveal that the royal marriage, when it finally occurs, is haunted by the specter of infertility, with its accompanying feelings of inadequacy, fear, despair, frustration, and anger. I’ve been there—my wife and I went through this many years ago—and Ms. Wren gives an excruciatingly accurate picture of what a couple endures when faced with this issue. The poking and prodding, the innumerable tests, the trying and trying and trying—which can sound fun at first, but soon can turn into a dismal and fruitless chore—and the hard choices that have to be made, all are shown in brilliant detail.
There is a lot going in between the covers of INCONCEIVABLE, and Wren juggles the balls deftly. But in the end, this is a story of two people in love—how they get there, how they deal with that love and its consequences, how they grow in it, and ultimately the choices they are forced to make. It can be a hard read—especially for anyone who has experienced infertility—but INCONCEIVABLE is well worth it. Well done, Tegan Wren.
habibaaibrahim's review
5.0
Can this book be considered as soft and delicate? I felt like handling it with care. It had so much feelings and emotions on the inside. It felt like entering a garden, full of blooming flowers in sunlight with soft breeze caressing my face.
Yup, thats me swooning.
“That song’s about someone who’s alone. But that’s not you. You’re too lovely to be lonely.”
Hatty was soft yet so strong. She had so much power stored inside. And I loved how she never backed down! She chased her dreams and she didn't let anyone underestimate her. I admired her strength. Despite all of the problems she passed through, she held her head high. She kept on searching for solutions, moving forward and passing obstacles.
The love she had for John was like a fairytale.
“That was the highlight of your year?” I knew he was teasing me. “I met you, didn’t I?”
John was a true prince. Sophisticated and elegant. But with all the boyish charm he had, and I loved seeing bits of his flirty side.
How he approached Hatty and proposed was a whirlwind. I hated how he dealt with some stuff, but he tried to make everyone happy. And when it finally came to choosing ,he chose right. He chose Hatty and he put everything and everyone aside. Respect! He supported Hatty in his own way, however, I didn't like it.
Libraries are magical. I could spend hours surrounded by books. It’s like hanging out with your closest friends.”
The side characters were fun. They didn't add much, but still they brought happiness to the book.
I can never imagine anyone going through all the heartache and pain both Hatty and John went through, yet they came stronger than ever. I felt like applauding them when the book ended.
All the feels.
When he kisses me, it feels like home. Does that make sense?
No woman wants to feel like incapable of pleasing her husband and giving herself the one wish she wants, being a mother.
After all , it wasn't inconceivable , they managed to have the family they wanted. One way or another, they succeeded.
Yup, thats me swooning.
“That song’s about someone who’s alone. But that’s not you. You’re too lovely to be lonely.”
Hatty was soft yet so strong. She had so much power stored inside. And I loved how she never backed down! She chased her dreams and she didn't let anyone underestimate her. I admired her strength. Despite all of the problems she passed through, she held her head high. She kept on searching for solutions, moving forward and passing obstacles.
The love she had for John was like a fairytale.
“That was the highlight of your year?” I knew he was teasing me. “I met you, didn’t I?”
John was a true prince. Sophisticated and elegant. But with all the boyish charm he had, and I loved seeing bits of his flirty side.
How he approached Hatty and proposed was a whirlwind. I hated how he dealt with some stuff, but he tried to make everyone happy. And when it finally came to choosing ,he chose right. He chose Hatty and he put everything and everyone aside. Respect! He supported Hatty in his own way, however, I didn't like it.
Libraries are magical. I could spend hours surrounded by books. It’s like hanging out with your closest friends.”
The side characters were fun. They didn't add much, but still they brought happiness to the book.
I can never imagine anyone going through all the heartache and pain both Hatty and John went through, yet they came stronger than ever. I felt like applauding them when the book ended.
All the feels.
When he kisses me, it feels like home. Does that make sense?
No woman wants to feel like incapable of pleasing her husband and giving herself the one wish she wants, being a mother.
After all , it wasn't inconceivable , they managed to have the family they wanted. One way or another, they succeeded.
hstone's review
5.0
I was fortunate to read an early copy of this book, and was blown away by its charming characters and powerful heart.
If I could use only one word to describe INCONCEIVABLE, it would be genuine. From the strong personalities of its leads—both are individuals who improve one another rather than simply being absorbed into one another—to an unflinching portrayal of infertility in the young couple’s life, this novel offers beautiful notes of realism without totally overpowering the fantasy of a royal romance.
Some have talked about the tonal change in the back half of the book. For me, I thought it was spot on and refreshingly different from many romance novels out there. Having Hatty and John struggle with something that does afflict many young couples but is not often talked about in fiction enhanced the overall narrative for me, in addition to making the beginning feel a little bittersweet in hindsight.
In life, as in fiction, we never know where we're headed until we arrive, yet we often keep a death grip on ideas of how our happily ever after should look like. INCONCEIVABLE does a great job of exploring how such preconceptions of ourselves can get in the way of true happiness, and how a love that is real and adaptive can ultimately free us from whatever hole life's tried to shove us into.
I highly, highly recommend it.
If I could use only one word to describe INCONCEIVABLE, it would be genuine. From the strong personalities of its leads—both are individuals who improve one another rather than simply being absorbed into one another—to an unflinching portrayal of infertility in the young couple’s life, this novel offers beautiful notes of realism without totally overpowering the fantasy of a royal romance.
Some have talked about the tonal change in the back half of the book. For me, I thought it was spot on and refreshingly different from many romance novels out there. Having Hatty and John struggle with something that does afflict many young couples but is not often talked about in fiction enhanced the overall narrative for me, in addition to making the beginning feel a little bittersweet in hindsight.
In life, as in fiction, we never know where we're headed until we arrive, yet we often keep a death grip on ideas of how our happily ever after should look like. INCONCEIVABLE does a great job of exploring how such preconceptions of ourselves can get in the way of true happiness, and how a love that is real and adaptive can ultimately free us from whatever hole life's tried to shove us into.
I highly, highly recommend it.
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