i have a few issues with this one that I just can't get over! the husband using infertility issues has his justification for cheating is the biggest one that just irks me and for this story to have a nice and neat ending also felt wrong given how complex the topics that were touched on during this story.

Diane Barnes' "All We Could Still Have" attempts to tackle the emotionally charged topic of infertility and its strain on relationships, but its resolution left me with conflicted feelings. While the characters' struggles felt authentic, the portrayal of the husband using his wife's fertility issues as justification for infidelity was deeply troubling.

The narrative seemed to gloss over the gravity of his betrayal, diminishing the emotional devastation often experienced by the wronged party in such situations. The fact that the couple's eventual reconciliation hinged on the wife conceiving painted an unsettling picture, implying that her value was intrinsically tied to her ability to bear children.

Barnes' writing is commendable in its rawness and vulnerability, but the neatly wrapped ending felt like a disservice to the complex realities many couples face on their parenthood journeys. For a topic so fraught with emotional landmines, a more nuanced exploration of forgiveness and healing may have elevated the story.

While the book aimed to resonate with readers grappling with similar experiences, its oversimplified resolution may leave some feeling shortchanged or invalidated in their battles with infertility's heartbreaks.

This is such an incredible book and I felt like I went on an emotional journey along with the characters. Diane's writing eases you into the story and before you know it, you're invested in the outcome and can't put this novel down. There may be a few triggers for some, but they are handled with sensitivity and the ending brings everything to a lovely conclusion that will leave you smiling.

I received an electronic ARC from Lake Union Publishing through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.

I appreciated the beginning of this novel. about Nikki and Kyle’s marriage, and their struggles with infertility and IVF. However, the story became about family secrets. In my opinion, it became repetitive and drawn out. The ending seemed rushed.

Very interesting read! The book pulled me in from the start and I wanted to see how it ended. Try it and see if this book is for you!

I wish I had known the major plot point here before requesting this as an eARC. Alas, I have only recently found out what is at the core of this novel; thanks to other reviewers. Unfortunately this novel features a husband who uses the woman’s fertility issues as an excuse to cheat on her. Does she make mistakes, yes, but none so awful as infidelity.
As a childless woman myself I know what it’s like to be in conflict with a partner who wants children, or doesn’t admit it until the relationship has fallen apart anyways. I also know what it’s like to be with a partner who knew from the beginning, and completely supports my no children fate. I chose not to pursue surgery that would have been needed to try. Mostly because I was told I could likely conceive but not carry to term. That was a different kind of heartbreak I didn’t want to experience over and over again.

Due to learning about the ultimate crux of this novel that regarding the couple’s relationship I have chosen to set this book aside. I do not need to read something that will enrage me and/or disappoint me in its handling of a very sensitive topic.

My apologies to the author and publisher that I will not be reading the eARC I was provided. I truly believe it’s in the best interest for me and is better if I am not posting a truly enraged review because of my personal connection with the topic.

Nikki and Kyle's journey with infertility is at the center of All We Could Still Have by Diane Barnes. Their story is not an easy one and yet readers will relate to their struggles and their relationship.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All We Could Still Have is available now.

I Just finished All We could still have by Diane Barnes and here are my musings.

Nikki is desperate to become a mother, so desperate she doesn’t see the harm in putting her and her husband, Kyle, into debt they can never claw their way out of because having kids is priceless. Round after round of failed IVF doesn’t seem to phase her but Kyle is ready to pull the plug.

Not listening to anything he has to say, Nikki pulls money out of her retirement then lies about it. The betrayal sends Kyle over the edge and he walks away from their once happy and secure marriage.

Nikki has two choices, a life without Kyle or one where she forges a path ahead in a marriage that will be without a child of her very own.

TRIGGER WARNING. I rarely do this but as a mother myself, I feel anyone who is sensitive to relationship issues surrounding IVF failures, should do their homework before reading this book. Having said that, this book handles the topic with real care and attention to detail.

As you would expect from a book like this, the pace was very slow but it built a really strong narrative around Nikki which made the book very powerful and I love a good HEA story. The writing was much better than I was expecting which was a huge plus.

I am not a fan of Nikki and having an MC I am not fond of, makes it hard for me to connect with a book, but I actually found this was better for this book, I felt like I was watching it from a disconnected place which gave me a new and exciting perspective for the book. It was really sad and it made me have all the feels!!

It isn’t my normal read but I actually really enjoyed it.

4 stars

Thank you @netgalley and #lakeunionpublishing for my gifted copy

#allwecouldstillhave #dianebarnes #womensfiction #bookreview #bookblogger #bookstagram #bookishcommunity #readersofig #booksbooksbooks

WOW.......this book was great! As it started I truly despised Nikki, which speaks to good writing to evoke such a response to a character. No matter how I tried I couldn't summon sympathy for her. But as the book went on I felt that she was amazingly human...I could get behind her and see her conflicts and acts. I couldn't put this book down, I didn't know where it was going and I was so invested in the outcomes. I was so happy that the dog went with Dana - that it wasn't a happily ever after there. And I was happy that Kyle and Nikki didn't magically have another baby after Gianna - that again the trope of happily ever after and perfect weren't the case. I loved that Nikki learned to be happy and thankful for the hand she was dealt. Definitely going to look for other books from this author. Thanks for the opportunity to read this!

All We Could Still Have by Diane Barnes is a feel good kind of story that instills hope and optimism to its readers. I believe it’s my first time reading this author and I loved her writing style. It was so easy to read as the writing just flowed and I fell in love with the story and the characters. It was all so very lifelike that I could imagine all the characters and what they were feeling. The main characters, Nikki and Kyle Sebastian, have a beautiful marriage, they are very much in love but the one thing they desperately want is children which they can’t seem to have. This story tells how going through IVF can put a strain on relationships and how people sometimes do things they wouldn’t normally do. It also depicts how family secrets can have an impact on people and why sacrifices sometimes are made for the wellbeing of others. It’s a very realistic story and one I enjoyed very much. I’m feeling torn between giving it a 4 or 5 star rating so I’m going to say it’s a 4.5 for me. It’s surely a book I’d recommend and I’d love to read more by this author in the future. I’d like to thank NetGalley for the arc to read and review and I’d love it if the author decided to write a sequel to the story so we the readers could see what the future holds for Kyle, Nikki and Gianna.

This book was a good read. It did take me a bit to get pulled in but ultimately the struggles the couple had during the use of IVF and the journey they endured had me engaged. This is a story of compassion and love.

"All We Could Still Have" is a book about love, betrayal, forgiveness and secrets. It's a heart wrenching and heart warming book all in one. The story is written so well that it's an easy page turner and keeps you wanting more and more. The characters, feelings and situations in this book are portrayed in a way that made me feel so connected to the story and characters, even though realistically I can't relate to them! A gem of a book that is a must read!

Good premise, generally good characters and well written. I liked most of the characters, which is unusual for me and I particularly appreciated the small town setting but I struggled to engage fully with the main female character but that’s possibly because I’ve never been in her situation. I did guess the denouement early on but was enjoying the book enough to read on.

This is a fictional story that deals with vwry sensitive unspoken issues of the rollacoster of repetitive failed ivf and the effects it has on the relationship and the individuals and the people around them. It tackles a painful reality and then tougher issues of affairs. Its an emotion read as you relate to rhe relationship ateuggles and see both points of views. The affair angle at times seemed ott and the outcome seemed to be too unrealistic in tge real world. I t fid make me feel happy though. I loved the cgarsctet devekopment vut it was slow paced to starg with which made ne steyggke to fet into the story but when i dud i absolutely loved it
Id recommend this for anyone who wants a reality check on the world. Thank you netgallery and publisher and author for a solid 5 star read.

Three and a half stars rounded up to 4 for a thoughtful and enjoyable book about how the desire for a child can rock a couple’s happy marriage. This novel illustrates the lengths that people go to conceive a baby, leading to lies and betrayals on both their parts.

Married for 9 years, Kyle and Nikki have failed again in the last round of IVF. They have gone into debt to pay for the treatments, ultimately unsuccessful, and Nikki cashes in her retirement account to fund another without telling her husband. And this leads to what ultimately happens.

Suffice it to say that the fallout makes for an interesting tale. This novel has all the components of a good “Women’s Literature” piece, which includes lovely scenery, an adorable dog, and plenty of secrets. You will sail right through it, unable to stop reading to see what happens.

Thanks to Lake Union Publishers, NetGalley and the author for the opportunity to read this book pre-publication.

To say that this qualifies as "chick lit" is an understatement. It says a lot about the author's writing quality that I stuck with the book until the end despite accurately predicting how it would end. Overall it isn't a terrible book, but I wouldn't consciously choose it again.

A couple do everything they can to have a baby, including multiple rounds of IVF. But can their marriage survive the stress? Wow, what an emotional journey this book was. I wasn't expecting the ending and was pleased with the way the book wrapped up. I'm excited to read more by Diane Barnes.

I kept picking this up and putting it down. It wasn't grabbing me like I expected it to. I knew I had to finish because for me DNF is not an option and I am SO very glad I did. Don't get me wrong, it was a good story, I just couldn't figure out what hook it would have that would make it a GREAT story. That hook came for me about 60% in and after that I could not put the book down. This is a difficult story for many to read and there are a few triggers involved. Infertility and other things (that don't bother me in the least and were the "hook" I needed to fully immerse myself in the story). I would definitely read more from this author.

This is not your typical IVF story, it is much better. There are many twists and turns, some I saw coming, some I did not. They felt realistic and happened naturally.

The characters were relatable and I was rooting for each of them to end up happy - whatever that was suppose to look like for them. They each made mistakes and had to deal with the repercussions, then figure out where to go from there.

The ending was good. It made me go look to see what else Diane Barnes wrote. I am interested in reading more of her books.

At the heart of this story is second chances and what defines a family and motherhood!

A very fast paced book that will have you questioning whether Nikki and Kyle can forgive each other and have the family they always hoped they would.