I give it 4.5 stars, but rounded up to 5 for the audiobook narration. The voice actors truly created distinct personalities for the main characters. <i>In the Family Way</i>, an antiquated term used to refer to pregnancy, aptly describes the unifying factor that is the heart of the trials and tribulations of this novel’s main characters. Set during the 1960s in suburban America (which seems to be a theme this publishing season 🤔,) we are invited to see the ways in which pregnancy and women’s rights were regarded at that time. It is eye opening to see all the ways that women’s bodies and lives were restricted by laws and societal ideals. It’s frightening to see how closely those archaic, misguided beliefs are resurfacing into today’s society.

I am loving the recent historical fiction books set in the 1960s that focus on women's rights (or lack thereof), the challenges of motherhood, unwanted pregnancies and female friendship. This newest from Laney Katz Becker (a new to me author) focuses on a group of suburban women and their ups and downs with marriage, pregnancy and infertility. Fantastic on audio and highly recommended for fans of The book club for troublesome women. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early audio copy in exchange for my honest review!

CW: rape, abortion, infertility, adoption, unwanted pregnancy