All things marriage encapsulated into one wonderfully evocative story!

The book is about Nikki and Kyle who had been trying to have a baby for quite sometimes through the IVF program. They had endured several failed rounds of IVF and all they gain was just a hefty sum of debt and a lot of emotional distress which caused them to have a different view on whether they would try for one more round or not. Nikki was quite adamant that they should try one more time and was convinced that it would work (despite the doctor saying it unusual), but Kyle thought that it was enough and that the of them was enough. But one wrong move from Nikki caused her to lose Kyle's trust and drove him toward the edge. Nikki was now faced with two opposing choices. To mend her relationship with Kyle or to keep holding on to her dream of having a baby.

Now, what I like from the book is how relatable it is to what is happening in real life, especially to those who have been trying really hard and have sacrificed so much to conceive a baby of their own. I like how it also touches other obstacles that may happen in a marriage couple; how the problem they face during their marriage is not just one, but multiple at a time. It's well-portrayed in the way the main couple struggled on a lot of things all at once while simultaneously holding themselves together for the sake of each other and eventually it all just burst, and they left with nothing but themselves to hold on to.

As for the character, I found Nikki to be a little bit childish and immature on some parts mainly when she was stubbornly obsessed with the idea that she clung on desperately and when she held grudges toward one of the characters in the book. It really annoyed me at first, but gradually I kind of get why she acted the way she was. But still, for a grown-up woman, the portrayal is quite childish (especially in the beginning). But her character development, I'll say, is overall well-written. And yet at the same note, I like it. I know that somebody have such characters and they get themselves well-represented in this book.

As for the plot, the book doesn't necessarily contain a refreshing plot that will leave the readers gripping the edge of their seat, but it's still a page-turner one, in a way. I know that there will be some drama with all the not-so subtle hints the author threw here and there throughout the story, and I pick up all the hints immediately. If you're into casual drama that may just happen in real life, this book is definitely for you.

Gut-wrenching and heart warming. An unjudging and candid perspective on infertility and the havoc it brings into our lives...

The topic infertility of infertility is terrifying, especially since most women spend their young, fertile years trying their best to avoid pregnancy - much like Nikki, our MC. In my experience, when you decide you want a baby, it's like a switch is activated inside every cell and you want a baby with all your body, mind and soul. The way this obsession is portrayed is so disturbingly accurate .

For Nikki, her body refused to do what it's supposed to, but she and Kyle, her husband, tried their best to have a baby, even when it meant losing their financial stability, their hope and, ultimately, themselves in the process.

My favorite part about this novel is how real Nikki and her emotions are. The author doesn't shy away from showing her most ugly, destructive thoughts, but she does so without judgment. Even when she's hurtful towards others, you feel that it's not because of who she is, but because of the amount of hurt she's carrying.

I love that she reconnected with her sister and aunt, with her best friend and with Hank, but ultimately, she became a new version of herself, the one who went through the whole ordeal and kept moving forward. Ever since the first paragraph, I felt the urge to climb between the pages and give Nikki a hug. And Kyle too. And Deeogee.

5 stars, hands down - first book from Diane Barnes, but surely not my last.

Huge thanks to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for this ARC.

Die Geschichte von Nikki und Kyle beschreibt, wie sich ein Ehepaar über den zunächst gemeinsam verfolgten Wunsch nach einem Kind über eine IVF entzweien kann, wenn alle Versuche fehlschlagen. Lügen und falsche Entscheidungen führen dazu, dass beide sich trennen. Dieses Buch habe ich sehr gerne gelesen, auch wenn die weiteren Abläufe teilweise schon recht leicht vorhersehbar waren, was der Story an sich jedoch nicht geschadet hat. Es zeigt sich, wie schnell sich zwei eigentlich glückliche Menschen verlieren können, wenn sie nicht mehr einer Meinung sind.

Nikki & Kyle are going through IVF hoping to go from a couple to a family of 3 or more. The novel touches on the very emotional issue of infertility. Nikki becomes obsessed partly due to the hormones with wanting to try again but the choices fracture their once-stable union. Now burdened with suspicion, resentment, and further grief, their little family is falling apart.

The secret past between family and friends only opens up suspicion and reveals how things could possibly lead to an unexpected future.

An overall great read with a lot to think about as you can become so emotionally involved with how to handle so much of life’s disappointments and reality.

Family, affairs, grief, financial strain, separation, love and trust.

Great story with a good twist.

Makes us realize that we should be happy with what we have in life.

Thank you to NetGalley, Lake Union Publishing and the author for the ARC of this book to read and review.

This is an engaging story of how crushing hope can send you spiraling and how living with the disappointment of dreams that just won’t come to life can exhaust you, mess you up and cause good people to make big mistakes. Totally relatable!

I wasn’t surprised by the unfolding of the plot … however, I found it well written and had no trouble investing myself in each character and their journey, cheering for them to overcome and cross that happily-ever-after finish line.

Side note: The sister. Ugh. I did not find her to be good people. Her selfishness with the puppy. Double ugh. And what’s with that stubbornness about the DOG’s name … give it up already. Triple ugh.

Why this book was messy emotional yet completely satisfying 🫶 ...
● flawed, real & raw MCs
● hopes crushed & mistakes made
● family secrets revealed
● can forgiveness be found?
● can devastating mistakes be redeemed?
● can happiness rise from ashes?

This was my first Diane Barnes book and I will be returning for more!

Thank you for the advanced readers copy of this book.

I feel I should start my review by saying I am probably not the target audience of this novel, so please bare that in mind.
As a woman who is childless by choice, I couldn’t emphasise with the FMC but when I read the blurb, I was hoping to feel moved by her story overall.

However, I struggled to connect with the FMC and her choices throughout. Without giving spoilers, I felt she made decisions that were hugely misjudged, no matter her desperation and struggled to sympathise with her because of this.

I do wonder whether a reader who sits more in line with what I imagine is the target audience for this book would enjoy it more but sadly, it wasn’t my favourite.

A heart warming, sad story but beautifully written with good characters. Not my usual type of read but did enjoy it for a change.

Thank you to Netgalley and Lake Union Publishing for this ARC.

Thank you to NetGalley for lending me an ARC of “All We Could Still Have” by Diane Barnes.

I unfortunately had to DNF this book at 48%. I tried hard to sympathize with the FMC as she was going through her infertility issues. I really did as a product of IVF. I made it 48% into the book and decided to DNF. I couldn’t connect with the FMC while she lied to her husband about her attempts for 3rd transfer and cashing her retirement while they are not financially stable. I believe they needed more samples from him so that would be a little tough. I read through other reviews to try to get me to incentivize me, but this book just isn’t for me.

All We Could Still Have is a beautiful well written story. Haven gone through IVF myself, I thought the author Diane Barnes portrayed the devastated, hormonal, desperate and heartbroken Nikki perfectly. I cried pretty much all through the book as memories were woken of a difficult time. The other family twists intertwined and kept the story moving really well. A wonderful heartfelt ending. I couldn't put the book down as I wanted to know where the story was going. A highly recommended read that will take you on an emotional journey of love, heartbreak, betrayal and forgiveness.
I would like to thank Lake Union Publishers, NetGalley and the author for the opportunity to read this complimentary copy for an honest review. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

All We Could Still Have is a beautiful well written story. Haven gone through IVF myself, I thought the author Diane Barnes portrayed the devastated, hormonal, desperate and heartbroken Nikki perfectly. I cried pretty much all through the book as memories were woken of a difficult time. The other family twists intertwined and kept the story moving really well. A wonderful heartfelt ending. I couldn't put the book down as I wanted to know where the story was going. A highly recommended read that will take you on an emotional journey of love, heartbreak, betrayal and forgiveness.
I would like to thank Lake Union Publishers, NetGalley and the author for the opportunity to read this complimentary copy for an honest review. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Book Title: All We Could Still Have
Author: Diane Barnes
Publisher: Lake Union Publishers
Genre: Women’s Fiction
Pub Date: November 21, 2023
My Rating: 4 Stars
Pages 281

Nikki and Kyle Sebastian have been married for seven years are a happy loving couple and would like to start a family. Unfortunately Nikki had a miscarriage and they have not been unsuccessful with having a baby even when they turn to IVF. The cost of IVF is very expensive and has put a strain on their finances as well as their marriage.
Nikki is really desperate to be a mother but Kyle has said enough is enough.

However, this has resulted in a betrayal if each other’s trust. Nikki tells Kyle that she got a bonus and could they try one more time with IVF. He agrees.
Truth : Kyle finds out that Nikki did not get a bonus but took money out of their 401K to use. Needless to say he is upset and moves out to calm down,

The story includes several flashbacks to how they met as well as the romantic way Kyle proposed. There is no doubt that I am pulling for them. Additionally, my husband and I experience the trauma of not being successful with having children but adopted two amazing daughters.
This story has another flashback with something that happened a long time ago that may
help in Nikki and Kyle’s relationship or may not!

This was a quick unputdownable story for me!

Want to thank NetGalley and Lake Union Publishers Books for granted me this early eGalley.
Publishing Release Date scheduled for November 21, 2023.

I enjoyed reading the story. It felt a little too predictable in places if I'm honest, but it did keep me engaged to the end. I didn't feel there was as much depth to it as there could have been but still an enjoyable read.

Diane Barnes' All We Could Still Have was such a heartwarming delight! Following the story of protagonist Nikki, whose longing to become a mother has her making a desperate (and ill-advised) decision in the first quarter of the book, All We Could Still Have manages to avoid all the tropes and predictable cliches that, if I'm being honest, expected from it, based on the first pages. Instead, at every turn, the reader gets a refreshing new take on what it means to do the work necessary in a marriage, what it means to be a mother, sister, and daughter, and how, in the end, nothing is simple when it comes to family.

If, like me, you feel frustrated by Nikki at the start, keep going! You won't be sorry!

Thank you Netgalley for the ARC of this book. I enjoyed this book. I have experienced fertility issues and this one hit very close to home. The story was beautifully written as were the characters. Highly recommend

A great holiday read - predictable but still endearing.
The characters were not hugely likeable but the story was engaging enough to keep me interested.

The twist was obvious from the start but it didn’t matter, great beach book.

I really enjoyed this book. It was well written and felt real and raw. A sensitive subject which was well written about. Having children myself I could relate to Nikki. Lessons on acceptance and forgiveness which I really liked. Thank you for allowing me to read early.

Thank you, Lake Union Publishing and NetGalley, for the ARC!

Kyle and Nikki have been married for seven years. After several failed attempts to conceive, their seemingly perfect marriage is thrown into havoc. In the upheaval of their marriage, they both made missteps that’ll change their lives forever.

I found this while scrolling through the titles on NetGalley. The author has my cousin’s name so that drew my attention. This was a pretty good read. The themes explored were family, grief, loss, sisterhood, and infertility. The characters were very well written, and the writer did a great job with the character development. Even though I don’t share Nikki’s experience, it was very relatable. There were several instances I wanted to hug her.

This was my first read by this author, and she didn’t disappoint. I’ll check out her other books!

Thank you Diane Barnes, Lake Union Publishing and NetGalley for allowing me to read this book early.

Spoiler free synopsis:
Nikki Sebastian desperately wants a baby. She hand her husband have been trying for years, with several rounds of IVF, to no success. That's when Nikki makes a decision that ends up affecting her and Kyle's relationship, leading to a dramatic change in their life.

Dislikes:
I found Nikki to be incredibly annoying in the first 1/3 of the book. However, I've never gone through fertility issues or felt that my life is incomplete without a child, so maybe I just can't relate to how she is in the beginning of the book. That being said, I do think the author should get credit for writing a character that manages to annoy me! Furthermore, I found the book a little predictable at times. The "twist" near the end didn't shock me at all, as I'd already predicted it. That being said, I do believe there are certain formulas that will always appeal to specific readers, and this might be one of them.

Likes:
Throughout the book, there are flashbacks sprinkled in, and I think those are written in very well. The transitions between present and past are smooth, and not confusing in the slightest. The friends and family drama is balanced with Nikki's story and her growth as a character - and she does grow and change throughout the course of the book, which I like. And I want the puppy!

Final thoughts:
This book was okay. It might appeal more to someone who can relate more to what Nikki is going through than I could, but all in all it didn't have any boring parts that I wanted to skip past, the chapters are short and quick to read, and the ending is sweet, connecting Nikki's past to her future.

The subject of this book is a difficult one. As someone who has undergone IVF, eventually being successful, it brought back many memories. I felt that the infertility was sensitively portrayed thinking back to my personal experiences. No one can possibly understand how you would feel if you are in the terrible situations portrayed in the story unless you have had some personal experience but I felt it was a really good read.