5 Star
Abigail Nichols has tried everything from rash-inducing herbal creams to acupuncture in a desperate, last-ditch effort to get pregnant. Wedged into her iPhone schedule among new business pitches and rebranding design meetings is Abby’s ovulation cycle, along with potential opportunities for illicit afternoon quickies. With all of their hopes and savings on the table, Abby and her husband Jack enter the whispered world of fertility clinics. Along with a meddling mother-in-law, competitive pregnancies, and constant obligatory sex, Abby’s baby-track mind conspires to ravage her career, her marriage, and her sanity. One thing she knows for sure: a healthy sense of humor (and the occasional glass of red wine) is the best coping strategy. One thing she wishes she knew: whether it will be enough
Kathryn - 5 Star
In Jen Cumming’s novel I was appreciative of her honesty and liked the outlaying of the procedures and her character’s feelings during the treatments. There was enough of the clinical to really believe she’d gone through the process herself as well as enough of the emotional to feel how raw some of those feelings still were- even in her current position. I particularly liked the frustrations of the trouble she went through in taking time off from work to make it to all of the appointments. It’s hard enough not to feel guilty when you’re visibly pregnant to make all those appointments but when you’re not pregnant yet and have to hide your intentions it’s virtually impossible not to feel guilty and/or feel as if your job is in jeopardy.
While the novel is about Abigail and her husband on their journey to parenthood the author tempered their daily lives with some laughs. I loved Scott and he added levity and gave Abigail an ally at work- everyone should have “a Scott” to back them up. I also thought it a nice touch that Charlie came into play too and I think that was Cumming’s way of showing that there are more people out there, going through the same fertility challenges, than you would ever think.
The novel is set in Toronto so I pictured myself in each process- but it could have been any city: a room full of sleepy women at dawn waiting to get their blood taken and ultrasounds done for days upon days on end- all for one end goal.
My only complaint was that it was too short- not sure what else I thought I needed but I finished it all too quickly!
Thank you to Tryst Books for our review copy. All opinions are our own.
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