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caitrod_tx's review
3.0
⭐️⭐️⭐️/5 stars
Thank you to NetGalley and Wednesday Books for providing this Advanced Reader Copy (ARC).
Disclaimer: I was provided an ARC of this book in exchange for my unpaid review. All opinions are my own.
The premise of this story intrigued me! When teenagers Ben and Maxie end up expecting a baby after a social/science experiment gone wrong, the two are caught up in a whirlwind of drama, emotions, and expectations. After all, Ben is gay, so how did this happen? Ben is determined to keep the baby, but it seems like everyone wants him to reconsider. Maxie’s parents are hell bent on giving it up for adoption. No one ever even asks Maxie what she wants. What’s the best thing for the all of them…especially the baby?
I liked this book. It was a quick read, and it was done well. They do touch on some difficult topics, but it doesn’t go into them too heavily. Ben, the MC, and his friends come off as extremely sweet and smart, by also very immature, which may have been purposeful by the author (?). They are 16, so I guess that’s to be expected. The book does a good job showcasing exactly the types of sacrifices that parents must make for children, especially teen parents. I did love how much Ben’s mom and stepdad supported him, and their dialogue scenes were some of my favorite of the book. I also liked how this pregnancy story is told from a male perspective, which is not something we see often. I did realize what the outcome of the book would be fairly early, so there’s no big reveal or surprise if that is something you are looking for. Overall, it’s a cute book, and I would recommend it to anyone who is not affected by the potential triggers listed below.
Read this if you like:
-YA books
-queer books
-books with awesome parents
-a little bit of romance
-bittersweet endings
⚠️ CW (list may not be exhaustive): teen pregnancy, homophobic language, infertility, adoption, pregnancy complications
Thank you to NetGalley and Wednesday Books for providing this Advanced Reader Copy (ARC).
Disclaimer: I was provided an ARC of this book in exchange for my unpaid review. All opinions are my own.
The premise of this story intrigued me! When teenagers Ben and Maxie end up expecting a baby after a social/science experiment gone wrong, the two are caught up in a whirlwind of drama, emotions, and expectations. After all, Ben is gay, so how did this happen? Ben is determined to keep the baby, but it seems like everyone wants him to reconsider. Maxie’s parents are hell bent on giving it up for adoption. No one ever even asks Maxie what she wants. What’s the best thing for the all of them…especially the baby?
I liked this book. It was a quick read, and it was done well. They do touch on some difficult topics, but it doesn’t go into them too heavily. Ben, the MC, and his friends come off as extremely sweet and smart, by also very immature, which may have been purposeful by the author (?). They are 16, so I guess that’s to be expected. The book does a good job showcasing exactly the types of sacrifices that parents must make for children, especially teen parents. I did love how much Ben’s mom and stepdad supported him, and their dialogue scenes were some of my favorite of the book. I also liked how this pregnancy story is told from a male perspective, which is not something we see often. I did realize what the outcome of the book would be fairly early, so there’s no big reveal or surprise if that is something you are looking for. Overall, it’s a cute book, and I would recommend it to anyone who is not affected by the potential triggers listed below.
Read this if you like:
-YA books
-queer books
-books with awesome parents
-a little bit of romance
-bittersweet endings
⚠️ CW (list may not be exhaustive): teen pregnancy, homophobic language, infertility, adoption, pregnancy complications
crystaldbudy's review
4.0
Thank you to NetGalley and Wednesday Books for this digital arc in exchange for my honest review.
I wasn't sure what to expect from this book, but the cover and description immediately caught my attention. The first quarter of the book felt as though it dragged a bit, but after that, I was sucked in and couldn't stop reading it.
For starters, I would just like to say that for a guidance counselor, Eliza is terrible at realizing that her son needs mass amounts of therapy. My goodness. That poor boy. But it was nice to watch Ben's growth from the beginning of the book to the end of it. I'm not sure if the author intended him to be written neurodivergent but I caught more than one hint at it, particularly in regard to some of his anxieties as well as some of his issues with social cues.
This book was a unique perspective. We don't typically get to see stories like this from the father's point of view. I quite enjoyed that. But even as I felt for Ben and everything he was going through, my heart also broke for Maxie. Because her parents, particularly her father, were quite awful to her especially in the beginning (making her deliver the papers at school to punish her; how terrible), and her feelings and desires were completely swept under the rug like she didn't even matter.
I see some people remarking about how selfish Ben is, but...he's a 16-year-old boy who has never had a stable father figure in his life. Of course he's worried about his own future child feeling abandoned. Is it logical? No. But again, he's a 16-year-old boy with abandonment issues of his own that he's never worked through. Yes, that isn't a good reason to raise a baby as a teenager, but that's the point of the story, yes? He starts off wanting to do this but realizes that in order to be a good father, he needs to do what's best for the child and not for him. And in the end, he realizes this and makes the best decision for the child.
Two of my favorite characters in this book were Roger and Gio. Roger, because of how he stepped up for Ben; Gio, because when Ben felt like everyone else was against him and not listening, Gio was just there for him.
My only real complaint was how obvious the ending was in regard to Monica and Lisa. I would have liked it if that part had not been made so glaringly obvious about halfway through. But that didn't detract anything from the story for me. I still enjoyed it even though I knew how it was going to end. Because the journey of how they all got there was a nice one to follow.
All in all, I quite enjoyed it, and I would recommend it to a friend.
I wasn't sure what to expect from this book, but the cover and description immediately caught my attention. The first quarter of the book felt as though it dragged a bit, but after that, I was sucked in and couldn't stop reading it.
For starters, I would just like to say that for a guidance counselor, Eliza is terrible at realizing that her son needs mass amounts of therapy. My goodness. That poor boy. But it was nice to watch Ben's growth from the beginning of the book to the end of it. I'm not sure if the author intended him to be written neurodivergent but I caught more than one hint at it, particularly in regard to some of his anxieties as well as some of his issues with social cues.
This book was a unique perspective. We don't typically get to see stories like this from the father's point of view. I quite enjoyed that. But even as I felt for Ben and everything he was going through, my heart also broke for Maxie. Because her parents, particularly her father, were quite awful to her especially in the beginning (making her deliver the papers at school to punish her; how terrible), and her feelings and desires were completely swept under the rug like she didn't even matter.
I see some people remarking about how selfish Ben is, but...he's a 16-year-old boy who has never had a stable father figure in his life. Of course he's worried about his own future child feeling abandoned. Is it logical? No. But again, he's a 16-year-old boy with abandonment issues of his own that he's never worked through. Yes, that isn't a good reason to raise a baby as a teenager, but that's the point of the story, yes? He starts off wanting to do this but realizes that in order to be a good father, he needs to do what's best for the child and not for him. And in the end, he realizes this and makes the best decision for the child.
Two of my favorite characters in this book were Roger and Gio. Roger, because of how he stepped up for Ben; Gio, because when Ben felt like everyone else was against him and not listening, Gio was just there for him.
My only real complaint was how obvious the ending was in regard to Monica and Lisa. I would have liked it if that part had not been made so glaringly obvious about halfway through. But that didn't detract anything from the story for me. I still enjoyed it even though I knew how it was going to end. Because the journey of how they all got there was a nice one to follow.
All in all, I quite enjoyed it, and I would recommend it to a friend.
morganpoptart's review
3.0
Jen Bailey’s Unexpecting is a poignant and emotionally resonant contemporary novel that delves into the complexities of identity, parenthood, and the search for belonging. With its heartfelt portrayal of a young gay man navigating unexpected fatherhood, the novel offers a compelling exploration of self-discovery and resilience.
The story follows Benjamin Morrison, a high school junior whose life takes a dramatic turn after a science camp experiment leads to an unexpected pregnancy. Faced with the daunting prospect of becoming a single father, Ben must confront not only his own uncertainties but also the reactions of those around him. His journey is marked by a blend of emotional weight and hopeful moments as he grapples with the challenges of balancing school, friendships, and impending parenthood.
Bailey’s character development is a standout feature of the novel. Ben is depicted with a depth that captures his internal struggles and growth throughout the story. His relationship with his family, particularly his mother, and his evolving connections with friends and a new love interest provide a nuanced portrayal of his experiences. The emotional intensity of Ben’s journey is handled with sensitivity, offering readers a genuine look into his struggles and triumphs.
The book’s exploration of diverse experiences, including LGBTQIA+ identity and neurodivergence, adds a valuable layer of representation. The cast of characters is diverse and reflective of a range of perspectives, though the depth of this diversity varies. The focus on character flaws and personal growth enriches the narrative, although some secondary characters might benefit from more development.
While the emotional and reflective tones of the novel are well-executed, the pacing can occasionally feel uneven. The medium-paced narrative provides ample space for character exploration, but some readers might find certain plot developments and conflicts to be predictable. The balance between Ben’s personal growth and the external challenges he faces is engaging, though it sometimes leans heavily on familiar themes.
tia_flds's review
4.0
We love queer voices, teen pregnancy, and all the classic drama of being a teen in highschool. These characters brought me back to the anxiety of nothing is going your way and the constant fear of having too much on your plate that comes as a highschooler. However the issues here more were parent vs kid, and I thought that was hard to read. The parents of Maxie (pregnant friend) treated Ben (impregnator but gay friend) so horribly it was hard to read and I’m sure this is true for many people out there who end up in a teen pregnancy situation.
Some interpersonal relationships I would have liked to see develop, I hope there is a follow up novel in the works because there is SO much left hanging! I want to know more! Loved this book will definitely be recommending to my YA crowd. 4.25 stars!
Some interpersonal relationships I would have liked to see develop, I hope there is a follow up novel in the works because there is SO much left hanging! I want to know more! Loved this book will definitely be recommending to my YA crowd. 4.25 stars!
monarchsandmyths's review
thank you to Wednesday Books for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review!
This is one of those books that really looks at the essence of being young and having absolutely no idea what’s going on. I have mixed feelings about some of the elements that come into play along the way, but I think it truly achieves the feat of watching the main character learn and grow, even if it’s not quite to the level you might want. I will admit, the romance angle was maybe a touch more questionable than I might have personally wanted it to be, but it’s honestly not a major element that has that much of an impact on the book anyway. What I ended up enjoying most was the overall development of relationships within the book. UNEXPECTING is a solid debut and worth picking up if you like queer contemporary YA.
As with many YA books, the main character is somewhat frustrating. He’s somewhat unaware of the reality of the world around him, but I also can’t fully fault a 16 year old for that. What this book does well with that is develop a 16 year old who’s just gotten a girl pregnant to a 17 year old who has fully realised and is dealing with those consequences (and the wins too). That growth comes not in spite of, but because of the relationships that grow along the way (I love a good parental relationship developing on both sides). There are some relationships that I think could have benefitted from more on-page growth, but I appreciate what was there.
None of my problems with the book were major, the easiest to point out are things that I’ve mentioned already. In some ways this book never fully clicked with me, not in a bad way, just in a ‘I’m out of high school, have never been a gay guy, and have no interest in engineering’ way. But I think it’s an interesting book nonetheless and definitely delivers on what it seems to promise in its summary.
This is one of those books that really looks at the essence of being young and having absolutely no idea what’s going on. I have mixed feelings about some of the elements that come into play along the way, but I think it truly achieves the feat of watching the main character learn and grow, even if it’s not quite to the level you might want. I will admit, the romance angle was maybe a touch more questionable than I might have personally wanted it to be, but it’s honestly not a major element that has that much of an impact on the book anyway. What I ended up enjoying most was the overall development of relationships within the book. UNEXPECTING is a solid debut and worth picking up if you like queer contemporary YA.
As with many YA books, the main character is somewhat frustrating. He’s somewhat unaware of the reality of the world around him, but I also can’t fully fault a 16 year old for that. What this book does well with that is develop a 16 year old who’s just gotten a girl pregnant to a 17 year old who has fully realised and is dealing with those consequences (and the wins too). That growth comes not in spite of, but because of the relationships that grow along the way (I love a good parental relationship developing on both sides). There are some relationships that I think could have benefitted from more on-page growth, but I appreciate what was there.
None of my problems with the book were major, the easiest to point out are things that I’ve mentioned already. In some ways this book never fully clicked with me, not in a bad way, just in a ‘I’m out of high school, have never been a gay guy, and have no interest in engineering’ way. But I think it’s an interesting book nonetheless and definitely delivers on what it seems to promise in its summary.
rollinsad's review
challenging
emotional
hopeful
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
kvreadsandrecs's review
5.0
4.5 stars. What a fun and emotionally thrilling book! I was so glad to be in the narrator's mind the whole time and experiencing an unexpected pregnancy from his point of view. I know it's been done before, but it really feels like Jen Bailey gets what it's like to be a teenager and knows how to show the absurd and utter chaos it is to be a teenager in the 2020s.
Didn't love the super technical jargon during the robotics tournament and thought the introduction to the couple was a little dramatic, but overall, I think this would make a fantastic mini series. I want everyone to love Ben, Roger, Gio, Maxie, and Mo like I managed to in a quick 24 hour period. Love love love. Can't wait to tell people to get this one when it comes out.
Thanks to Wednesday Books for the advanced copy, but special thanks to Austin Adams at St. Martin's Publishing Group for emailing me directly and inviting me to read this. It was so special!
Didn't love the super technical jargon during the robotics tournament and thought the introduction to the couple was a little dramatic, but overall, I think this would make a fantastic mini series. I want everyone to love Ben, Roger, Gio, Maxie, and Mo like I managed to in a quick 24 hour period. Love love love. Can't wait to tell people to get this one when it comes out.
Thanks to Wednesday Books for the advanced copy, but special thanks to Austin Adams at St. Martin's Publishing Group for emailing me directly and inviting me to read this. It was so special!
kelkelkelhart's review
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.0
cscivally's review
4.0
First ten pages in and there was a plot twist and it kept going from there. I genuinely gasped out loud a few different times throughout the book and laughed at some points too. I couldn't anticipate what was coming next throughout the book and I think that made it even better. I think this is a highly recommended book especially if you want something a little quicker and not heavy.