This is quite the rollercoaster of emotions. From page one you are thrown into a teen who just wants to do the right thing. Though the whole book you are feeling the emotions of trying to be a person you don't know you want to be.
The ending felt like it was earned and I really loved that the author didn't force a normally happily ever after.

ARC: Gifted from publisher on NetGalley. Thank you!!
As I delved into this book, my affection for Ben as a character grew stronger. Witnessing his unwavering determination to fight for his desires, despite the moments of discomfort I felt, left me truly inspired. Maxie was written almost as a side character and I would have liked to see more into her character with more development. Overall, the ending was a super nice conclusion with a few happy moments. I am not a crier for books, but this one pulls on those heart strings. The writing was super easy to follow as well as the pacing felt just right. If you are looking for a good coming of age story with sacrifices, this is for you!

It’s always happens when it’s the first time. This was a cute read. I do enjoy when middle grade / YA do have a nice executed plot and characters. The story was nice, the characters developed nicely throughout. I really felt for Ben when he was so blindly pushed aside in the beginning. But highly recommend this for the younger crowd.

Ben is starting his Junior year of high school and while his home life is challenging at times he is happy with his life on the robotics team and focusing on his future. But when an experiment at science camp over the summer ends up with some unexpected consequences, his straightforward life takes some wild turns. When he learns he is an expecting father it takes everyone by surprise, especially since he recently came out to his family as gay. But his best friend, the expectant mother, wants to put the baby up for adoption and having never had a consistent father figure in his life, that’s the opposite of what Ben wants. Among the challenges of junior year and robotics Ben finds himself juggling a part time job, parenting classes, and a legal fight for custody. With each new challenge Ben finds himself learning what it means to be a parent and how the right decision isn’t always the one you want.

Wow. I wasn’t sure what to expect when I started this book, but I really enjoyed it. Ben was such a great, well developed character and the story moved quickly and smoothly. The description of Juno meets Heartstopper seems spot on and I haven’t gotten around to watching Heartstopper yet. I loved the cast of characters, especially Gio and the front-of-house manager Monica. You don’t see a lot of stories told from the teen fathers point of view and it‘s a really great, unique perspective. I love how Ben was encouraged to learn and try to see the point of view of Maxi, the teen mom, especially with the challenge of what appears to be neurodivergence. I haven’t read a lot from a neurodivergent perspective, but have enjoyed everything I’ve read so far, it really helps open your eyes to other people’s learning styles. I applaud Jen Bailey on tackling such a difficult subject and can’t wait to see what she comes out with in the future.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author via Netgalley, Wednesday Books, and St. Martins Press in exchange for an honest review

Ben Morrison is a junior in high school, a strong student, a member of the robotics club with dreams of MIT and also gay. You’d think with Ben being interested in guys he wouldn’t have to worry about the whole teenage pregnancy thing, well you’d be wrong. An experiment gone wrong with his best friend leaves Ben with a major decision that could affect his whole future.

I wasn’t sure what to expect when I first picked up this book and at the beginning I didn’t fully connect with the books. At first it seemed like a typical high school pregnancy story and there wasn’t much to it. The more I read of this book though, the more I fell in love with it. It just kept getting better and I loved all of the feelings it brought out and the aspects of life it explored. I originally thought o wasn’t going to like this book or connect with the characters but that was completely wrong. I found myself infested in the story and, even though I could guess how it was going to end about half way through, I still couldn’t put it down. This was a great YA book with a lot of different things explored, high school pregnancy, friendship, family drama and a little bit of romance. I’m glad I kept with the book and I loved the ending!

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book!

Jen Bailey you've done it again. excellent read.

Thanks to NetGalley / Edelweiss and the publisher for providing me with an eARC of this book in exchange for a review.

I got an ARC of this book.

This book was a lot more than I was expecting. I was expecting something like the sitcom Babydaddy. You know the feel good adventures of a single dad trying to make things work, but them going comically wrong. The baby is clearly ok, but the adults are losing it. That level of silly. Instead I got a super intense book about what makes a family.

The last 30% had me crying the whole time. I had not great relationships with my step-parents. I have a terrible relationship with my mother. I can understand where the MC is coming from. He is so afraid of being left and not being wanted again. I might not have been left, but it was clear I was unwanted. Those feelings hit hard. Add in I just became a step-dad to two boys. I got so worried that they felt anything like the MC did about step-parents. I texted the Oldest and reminded him that I was there for him, that even if the relationship with his parent ended I wasn't going anywhere unless he asked me to leave. It was a long emotional text out of nowhere. It was weird, but at least he doesn't have to wonder. I don't want him to ever doubt that he is wanted and cared about. (The Youngest and I don't talk, because he isn't a talker, but I will find a way to awkwardly let him know that I am not going anywhere either, don't worry. He is not safe from my weirdness either). So the MC's feelings around his biodad and his step-dads and just families in general is really complex and full of pain that felt so real and close to home. It was amazing to see a boy allowed to feel hurt and unwanted, even though I wish he didn't have to.

The idea that doing the right thing isn't always easy comes across so clear in this book. Right doesn't mean easy, right doesn't mean it is what you want either. Sometimes doing what you want is the wrong choice. Sometimes you feel like you are being punished for doing what you think is right. Right choices aren't always easy, but sometimes the good that comes from them is much better for everyone. I do wish there was an epilogue of a few years down the line. I have a perfect chapter in mind, but I don't want to spoil the ending.

My only issue with this book was the vagina=girl=eww that kept happening. Testing he was gay by sleeping with a woman. How did the gay kid get hard for a woman? It all felt like "eww vaginas" over and over again quietly, since no one ever said it out loud. There is so much of that in the gay male community, but it was also coming from the straight people all around the MC. It was annoying. I can see why it was added, but I am just so tired of it. Be a trans guy for five seconds in a cis gay space and the plot will never be interesting or tolerable again. Thankfully that was really quick and not a big focus, despite the pregnancy being a central plot.

I was so invested in this unique storyline. It follows Benjamin Morrison who is going into his junior year of high school. He loved science and was a part of the robotics club with his two best friends.

Benjamin is gay, but plot twist he is now an expecting father. The girl who is pregnant is his best friend and her and her parents want to put the child up for adoption.

They begin to go through the whole adoption process, interviewing potential parents. Benjamin refuses to let that happen. He wants to raise the child and is willing to be a single father. He does whatever it takes, from getting a job to taking parent classes.

I really loved the way everything turned out. This will definitely make you feel a variety of emotions. This was a great book.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press Wednesday books for an eARC in exchange for my honest review.

This is a novel about family and what it means to be a parent. The author takes on an unusual premise: a sixteen-year old boy, who has recently come out as gay, has to deal with adult issues when he unintentionally gets his best friend, Maxie, pregnant. Ben, the book's protagonist, decides that while Maxie wants to put the baby up for adoption, he wants custody of the baby, in large part because he himself has grown up as the child of a single parent and has experienced what it feels like to have a parent "leave." Complications, of course, ensue.

In fact, the sheer number of complications is overwhelming--poor Ben! He suffers from panic attacks, he is trying to balance schoolwork, parenting classes, a job at restaurant that involves one disaster after another, feelings for his former step-brother; a complicated relationship with his new stepfather whom he fears may also leave him, a competitive robotics team that is threatened with being disbanded, bullying at school when his fellow students find out about the pregnancy, conflicts with the mother's parents, alienating his other best friend, and the normal teenage stresses: trying to get his driver's license, prestigious internships, and the SATs;

The book's strength is the focus on family and the best interests of the baby. While Ben is certainly admirable in his focus, he seems to have some undiagnosed anxiety disorder and is probably somewhere "on the spectrum" but the author oddly leaves untreated these factors that clearly underlie much of his interactions with others. And why does he "squeak" all the time? To me this is a symptom of lazy writing. Without giving due credit to his cognitive issues, the author creates a character who can often come across as annoying.

There is nice development of the secondary characters, particularly Ben's mother and Roger, his latest step-father who teaches him the meaning of family. The resolution is a bit pat--and you can see it coming long before the end. The potential love interest is more of a wiser big brother (he's only a year older)--which makes the romance a bit awkward. Ben comes across as younger than his sixteen/seventeen year old self. Characters occasionally talk like self-help textbooks.

These are mostly minor flaws because the story's arc moves briskly, I never lost interest in Ben's story, and the author generates "all the feels" in the last quarter of the book.

Such a good book! Ben’s life is thrown upside down when he finds out one night experimenting turns into him becoming a father. Now he has to deal with everyone talking about how a gay guy got a girl pregnant, while also working to make sure he is the best dad he can be. Through the pregnancy Ben learns more than just how to take care of a child, he learns what it means to be a parent, even if that picture isn’t what he always thought it would be. I really enjoyed this story and think you should keep it on your radar for it’s August 22nd release date!

Thank you NetGalley and Wednesday Books for providing me with an ARC.

I picked up Unexpecting because of the premise - a gay boy gets someone pregnant? Consider my curiosity piqued. But what this book made me realize is that I think I've grown past my YA days. The writing read a little to YA for me and I just found that the characters were too immature (and borderline insufferable, sometimes) for me, which I shouldn't fault them for. They're high schoolers! They're meant to be like that. Unfortunately, that detracted from the experience for me.

I wasn't a fan of Ben or his circle of friends. Though, I did like that the book highlighted that teen pregnancy is not easy at all instead of glorifying it. All in all, a good book for those who enjoy YA and appreciate an emotional ending. But it's not for others.

I gave this book 3.5 stars. I struggled with it - I found myself frustrated with Ben a lot. I tried to keep in mind he is 16 years old but I felt the way he was written he acted much younger. This was very well written for the most part - there were a few times where I couldn't tell if we were on the same day or if we moved on to the next day and I was left confused.

Overall, I think the message in this book is really important - I just don't think I was the correct demographic for it. I loved the expecting father POV in the book - most teen pregnancy stories have a POV of the mother. I also loved the all the diverse characters and the LGBQT representation.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange fir my honest opinion.
3.5 stars
This was a sweet book about a boy who gets his best friend pregnant after sleeping with her to confirm to himself that he is gay. He initially wants to keep the baby but agrees to help interview prospective adoptive parents. He ultimately makes a decision to put the baby’s needs first.

There is also a little bit of romance but it’s a minor storyline.

4/5 ⭐️
I’m struggling to figure out what to say about this book because my emotions were extreme while reading it. But I really enjoyed this book. First off, it made me feel nostalgic, bringing me back to like early high school when teen pregnancies were strangely the big thing to make movies and tv shows and reality shows about. But I liked that this had a more modern twist of it being told in the baby daddy’s pov and not only that, but he’s gay. It also took a different angle I think than any of those other movies & shows did. It showed what you might be giving up if you choose to become a parent, and how tough this decision is. It showed how as high schoolers, you are sitting at a fork in the road that lead to wildly different paths. Neither one is the wrong choice, but it’s not an easy one to make.
I understand how some other reviewers weren’t a fan of the main character, because of how stubbornly he wanted to keep the baby and raise it himself. But I understood what was motivating him and liked seeing how he was blind to the reality of this choice. In part, I think it is because as the dude, he doesn’t really experience this change as the girl does. It’s still abstract to him. But thankfully we saw some pretty great people in his life who helped him navigate his final decision. I personally loved Gio and Roger the most. Like the emotional intelligence Gio had was impressive and appreciated.
Overall, this story was great. I definitely would recommend this to anyone, but especially teens. And as I was reading it, I just kept imagining it would make a great teen movie on Netflix. So yeah, I definitely recommend checking this book out.
Thank you to Wednesday Publishing & NetGalley for providing an advance reader copy of this book for my honest review.

Unexpecting is a book that caught my attention right away with its description. I liked the idea of a teenager questioning himself and wondering where he fits in. IF he fits in. IF he has a certain label. Having the added addition of being 16 and pregnant makes for one heck of a story with an (unsaid) neurodivergent, science loving teenager that thinks of things very matter of factly.

Ben and his friends go to a summer science camp and an experiment between him and his good friend Maxie goes a bit upside down. With Ben coming out gay, it's a surprise that he now finds out he is going to be a father. While his mother and her husband are surprised, they also are super supportive of him and any decisions he decides to make. They have his back.

While I liked the premise and really enjoyed Ben and his mom, the beginning felt a little too YA for me. I just couldn't connect with the writing style and had a few guesses at how the storyline would go. But as the story progressed I think I was more committed and invested to the story and where it was going to go. I liked Ben and his steadfast desire to be a present father for his unborn child. The way he went about things wasn't always the best, but the support he had from his mother and ex step-brother, Gio as well as someone he didn't think was there for him made me like where the story was going to go. Although I did guess the outcome rather early on, I did get a bit emotional toward the end and loved the message of found family and finding love in unexpected places.

Overall, this was a pleasant YA story that does not glorify teenage pregnancy, but rather puts in the work at what it entails. And the group of people Ben has around him that supports him no matter what was a joy to see. While this book wasn't exactly for me, I did like parts of it and think there is definitely an audience for this YA LGBTQ+ book. 3+ stars

Unexpecting by Jen Bailey is an emotional rollercoaster that beautifully captures the essence of found family, parenthood, and the transformative power of love. This poignant story blends the heartwarming elements of Juno with the touching vulnerability of Heartstopper, leaving readers with a profound sense of hope and admiration.

At the center of the narrative is Benjamin Morrison, a high school junior whose life takes an unexpected turn following an experiment at science camp. Suddenly faced with the daunting reality of impending parenthood, Ben's world is upended, and he must navigate the complex terrain of teenage fatherhood. What makes this tale all the more compelling is the backdrop of Ben's journey of self-discovery, as he comes to terms with his own identity as a gay young man.

Jen Bailey crafts Benjamin's character with such depth and authenticity that I can't help but empathize with his struggles and triumphs. Despite the challenges that come his way, Ben remains resolute in his decision to raise the baby as a single father, and his determination to fight for his rights is truly inspiring.

The emotional weight of Ben's choices becomes palpable as the story progresses. The toll it takes on him is evident in the toll on his relationships, academics, and friendships. Yet, amid the turmoil, a renewed friendship with a boy from his past offers a glimmer of hope and support, reminding us of the power of genuine connections during challenging times.

Throughout the novel, Bailey captures the intricate complexities of parenthood, particularly when faced with difficult decisions. Ben's internal struggle, shaped by the absence of a father figure in his own life, adds an extra layer of poignancy to the story. The fear of repeating the void he experienced is a haunting reminder of the sacrifices and strength it takes to be a parent.

As we witness Ben's journey, we are reminded of the importance of resilience, love, and the courage to make difficult choices for the greater good. The book is an emotional whirlwind, expertly tugging at heartstrings and evoking profound introspection.

Unexpecting shines light upon the enduring nature of familial bonds and the resilience of the human spirit. Jen Bailey's prose is exquisite, carrying readers through the highs and lows of Benjamin's story with grace and sensitivity. This novel explores the strength of the human heart, a celebration of love in all its forms, and a reminder that even in the face of adversity, hope and redemption can blossom.

In the end, Unexpecting is a heartwarming and positive ode to the complexities of life, love, and parenthood. It leaves readers with a profound appreciation for the power of family, both the ones we are born into and the ones we create, and a renewed sense of belief in the strength that resides within us all. This book is a must-read for anyone seeking a captivating and deeply emotional story that will stay with them long after the final page is turned.

Before Benjamin came out, he wanted to make sure he was really gay, and his best friend Maxie wanted to lose her virginity, so they had sex. Some time later, they must deal with the consequences—Maxie is pregnant. But while her parents won't accept an abortion, Ben, who lost his father as a baby, doesn't want to give his child to adoption. Can he, however, give up his ambitions of passing to a good university to work to have enough to raise a child by himself?

I won't lie, I didn't like all aspects of this book. So I'd say it's more of a 3.5 rounded up. Ben was unbelievably naive about how his future would be raising a child for someone who is supposed to be smart, and his friendship with Maxie was hard to buy, as it fell through much before Ben showed that he was willing to fight her family in court for the child. A little of Ben's drama didn't feel natural and deserved a little more development, it's what I mean.

But to compensate, the book focuses elsewhere, on points you don't always see stories about teenage pregnancy cover. Ben's mother trying to make he see the level of responsibility that he'll have even before the baby is born is the best part. Also, the meaning of family. The side characters were all charming (I mean, almost all), I loved them.

We've also got a budding romance with the boy, Gio, who works at the place Ben needs to start work to save money. Gio is very cute, I'm in love with him, especially. Even if the point of the book isn't romance, it's also worth it.


Honest review based on an ARC provided by Netgalley. Many thanks to the publisher for this opportunity.

Bailey certainly takes a unique approach to teen pregnancy in this debut novel. Ben has recently come out as gay when he finds out one of his best girl friends, Maxie, is pregnant - with Ben's baby. Not only that, Ben is determined to be a father and raise the baby, despite Maxie's decision to give the baby up for adoption. This could have been a really great exploration of a sensitive subject, but I was incredibly turned off by Ben's character, Maxie's complete lack of any agency or personality, and a cringe-inducing borderline incestuous love interest for Ben in the eleventh hour. While it may be realistic for a teenager to be self-absorbed and selfish, I really don't want to read about it for an entire novel. I pride myself on never DNFing ARCs, so here I am. Ben is a little shit. He is selfish, entitled, self-absorbed, a horrible friend, and less than appreciative of his incredibly supportive family. Maxie was never anything but a baby vessel in this book and in Ben's eyes, and despite the focus of the novel being Ben and his experience, I think a little more care could have been taken with Maxie's one-dimensional character. The ending, which was clearly telegraphed the moment a certain scene appeared mid-book, was way too tidy and convenient, and the one good outcome was Ben finally got himself in therapy, which he desperately needed. Thank you to NetGalley, St. Martin's Press, and Wednesday Books for a digital review copy.

I loved the cover of this book which is what originally caught my attention. This was definitely a quick YA read. I found the storyline somewhat predictable in regards to an unexpected teen pregnancy. I did however appreciate the different perspectives that were represented and how the overall situation impacted each person differently. The relationship that was built between Ben and his stepdad was a breath of fresh air as most times that relationship is portrayed as difficult/turbulent. I do felt like the book just ended, I think it would have been beneficial to have like a follow up of 6 months or a year later to tie all the loose ends up.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC, this is a voluntary honest review.

⭐️⭐️⭐️

𝙅𝙪𝙣𝙤 𝙢𝙚𝙚𝙩𝙨 𝙃𝙚𝙖𝙧𝙩𝙨𝙩𝙤𝙥𝙥𝙚𝙧 𝙞𝙣 𝙖 𝙥𝙤𝙞𝙜𝙣𝙖𝙣𝙩 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙚𝙢𝙤𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣𝙖𝙡 𝙨𝙩𝙤𝙧𝙮 𝙖𝙗𝙤𝙪𝙩 𝙛𝙤𝙪𝙣𝙙 𝙛𝙖𝙢𝙞𝙡𝙮, 𝙬𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙞𝙩 𝙢𝙚𝙖𝙣𝙨 𝙩𝙤 𝙗𝙚 𝙖 𝙥𝙖𝙧𝙚𝙣𝙩, 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙛𝙖𝙡𝙡𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙞𝙣 𝙡𝙤𝙫𝙚.

I honestly struggle with my rating on this book, while I completely respect the concept, I just didn’t really find it impactful - maybe it was just that I wasn't too attached to the characters…

Ben finds out his best friend Maxie is pregnant with his baby… he’s gay and wanted to experiment with Maxie, but neither of the two was expecting the outcome.

There’s a huge theme around teenage parenthood, which I really did find enjoyable. I think it’s so important for more books to discuss such themes. I also loved the found family between the characters to be so impactful.

I also did enjoy the diversity of the characters and LGBTQ+ representation throughout the book.

It does at times feel too juvenile, but again, it is a Young Adult story so it’s meant to be written that way. I just really struggled at times to connect with the story. The characters, especially Ben, sometimes had thoughts that just didn’t make sense.

While I do think the majority of the book is a coming-of-age trope, there is a small romance aspect I didn’t really feel attached to. I did find the ending to be rushed and there were also a few miscommunication moments I didn’t love.

Overall, I understand what the purpose of this story was. I liked it for what it was, I just didn’t feel too attached to the characters. I do still think it’s a great story and will resonate with an audience out there.

Thank you so much NetGalley and Wednesday Books for the review copy in exchange for my honest review!

•𝗧𝗪/𝗖𝗪: Pregnancy, Homophobia, Panic Attacks/Disorders, Death Of A Parent