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kdahlo's review
1.0
This book wasn't exactly terrible, but I did find it to be a trite, shallow treatment of some important topics, and it included some tropes that I think are really harmful (major spoiler) The portrayal of adoption seemed very, very stereotyped to me, and the transition from tight family drama to thriller part way through the book was jarring. There were elements of the writing and characterization that I liked, but I was disappointed by so many decisions in this book. Cannot recommend it at all.
Spoiler
if you are dealing with infertility, and go through a character arc of some kind, pregnancy is the reward you reap! This is such a common trope and I think it's just wildly disrespectful. It's like having character development lead to the elimination of a disability. Just, ugh.deanab's review
4.0
Thank you Simon & Schuster for the ARC of this very intriguing story of a couple desperate to have a child and a young woman who feels her only option is to give up her child. I found each of these characters very likable and was rooting for all of them. The author told this story in such a way that I did not want to put it down and just had to know what was going to happen next. I would definitely recommend this one that will be published on 4/6/2021.
kyliejpierce's review
4.0
Book was good. Had a few good plot twists and I was glad to get resolution at the end of the book.
ktpie85's review
2.0
In the spirit of full disclosure I read about 60% of this book, saw where it was going and then I read the final two chapters.
This book was a bad stereotype all around. The baby crazed infertile woman, the young from the wrong side of the tracks mother, her mother who was “ain’t no one gonna raise my grandbaby”.
If the event of adoption wasn’t so deeply misunderstood to so many, I might be able to read this story as a total work of fiction and leave it at that. But adoption is so nuanced and there are so many moving parts and so many choices that both the birth mother and the intended family have that I feel like this book gives a world of misinformation and bad stereotypes to what adoption actually is.
I couldn’t get behind it.
This book was a bad stereotype all around. The baby crazed infertile woman, the young from the wrong side of the tracks mother, her mother who was “ain’t no one gonna raise my grandbaby”.
If the event of adoption wasn’t so deeply misunderstood to so many, I might be able to read this story as a total work of fiction and leave it at that. But adoption is so nuanced and there are so many moving parts and so many choices that both the birth mother and the intended family have that I feel like this book gives a world of misinformation and bad stereotypes to what adoption actually is.
I couldn’t get behind it.
vodaas's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
rmarcin's review against another edition
3.0
Jon and Gail have been trying for years to have a child, but without success. They finally are chosen by a young girl, Carli, to be the parents to her baby. Prior to Carli signing the final commitment papers, Carli's mother pressures her to reclaim the child. Jon and Gail turn to desperate measures to try to keep the baby girl, Maya. This whole book was tragic, with a small glimmer of hope at the end. I despised Marla, Carli's mother, and her language was a bit over the top, but not surprising.
This was hard to read because I have many friends who have successfully adopted children and have given the children a wonderful life. Carli had many obstacles ahead of her if she was to raise the child on her own.
This was hard to read because I have many friends who have successfully adopted children and have given the children a wonderful life. Carli had many obstacles ahead of her if she was to raise the child on her own.
staystitchy's review
4.0
Thank you to Simon and Schuster for this ARC. This book will be published 4/6/2021.
This story takes you on a heck of a ride. It’s full of emotional turmoil and darkness. If the first half moved along at a faster pace I would have really loved the second half more. It was kind of jarring when things start to pick up because the pace changed so drastically, but I was very excited when it did pick up. This book’s rhythm reminds me of Pretty Things by Janelle Brown, almost half novel half thriller.
This is a good book and it feels like it’s an important story. I probably would have enjoyed it more if I could relate to it and for that reason I think most people will love this book.
This story takes you on a heck of a ride. It’s full of emotional turmoil and darkness. If the first half moved along at a faster pace I would have really loved the second half more. It was kind of jarring when things start to pick up because the pace changed so drastically, but I was very excited when it did pick up. This book’s rhythm reminds me of Pretty Things by Janelle Brown, almost half novel half thriller.
This is a good book and it feels like it’s an important story. I probably would have enjoyed it more if I could relate to it and for that reason I think most people will love this book.
onewoman_bookclub's review
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Thank you NetGalley for the e-ARC!
Considering the mixed reviews, I did enjoy this one more than I was expecting. It's a heavy look at infertility issues and the ways the adoption process can go wrong. I definitely found it compelling enough to finish it, and I enjoyed the multiple POV. I agree with others who have said this book is clearly written by a man, and I wonder why the author felt compelled to tell this specific story, when the vast majority of voices in this book belong to fictional women. Gail, in particular, came off as shrewd and controlling to me, and there were a lot of stereotypical personalities in this book that didn't always seem fair.
Also, the husband of this book...woof. On multiple occasions, during moments of high stress, the male MC said "I sure wish I had my banjo." Thoughts and prayers, Gail.
All in all, I thought this was an interesting look at adoption, but I think a lot of the issues could've been fixed had a female author tackled this story instead.
Considering the mixed reviews, I did enjoy this one more than I was expecting. It's a heavy look at infertility issues and the ways the adoption process can go wrong. I definitely found it compelling enough to finish it, and I enjoyed the multiple POV. I agree with others who have said this book is clearly written by a man, and I wonder why the author felt compelled to tell this specific story, when the vast majority of voices in this book belong to fictional women. Gail, in particular, came off as shrewd and controlling to me, and there were a lot of stereotypical personalities in this book that didn't always seem fair.
Also, the husband of this book...woof. On multiple occasions, during moments of high stress, the male MC said "I sure wish I had my banjo." Thoughts and prayers, Gail.
All in all, I thought this was an interesting look at adoption, but I think a lot of the issues could've been fixed had a female author tackled this story instead.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infertility
tinatswe's review against another edition
5.0
Loved this ! This book is worth a read. Such complex characters: horrible and traumatised villains alongside people you’re rooting for. I was on my toes from the very first chap aged. The ending was perfect. 10/10
Absolutely no notes. Just art.
Absolutely no notes. Just art.