Unexpecting by Jen Bailey | Book Review

July 1, 2023

While books about teenage pregnancy are not quite my go to, books with fall on the cover absolutely are. And so, I picked up Unexpecting by Jen Bailey. I have to admit, the comparison to Heartstopper also sold me a bit. There were a few expectations I had going into this book that turned out completely wrong. For one, I was under the impression based on the summary that Ben was a trans man who was pregnant and deciding to keep the baby. As it turns out, Ben is a cis gay boy who got his friend Maxie pregnant. 

Unexpecting by Jen Bailey is about how Ben gets Maxie pregnant at summer camp and Maxie ends up keeping the pregnancy.

Unexpecting is about how Ben gets Maxie pregnant at summer camp and Maxie ends up keeping the pregnancy. Maxie and her family want to give the baby up for adoption. Ben wants to retain custody of the baby and raise the baby as a single father — with the help of his family. Frankly, Ben gets a dose of reality as to the sacrifices he may have to make — less time for robotics club, MIT, having to get a job, and more. Still, he remains determined due to some issues that he hasn’t really worked through. Oh and also, Ben ends up working at a restaurant with his ex step brother Gio who he carries a bit of a torch for. 

I will admit I was ambivalent through a lot of this book. I did not love all the characters and thought Ben was kind of self absorbed. But then I remembered this is about teenagers and he is growing and learning and that’s okay. The ending had me all weepy because I am a sap. I liked the solution it came to. Also big fan of the development of the character of Roger who is Ben’s latest step dad. While this may not be my new favorite book, it’s a solid 3.5 star read and well paced.

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April (Books&Wine)

April is in her 30s and created Good Books And Good Wine. She works for a non-profit. April always has a book on hand. In her free time she can be found binge watching The Office with her husband and toddler, spending way too much time on Pinterest or exploring her neighborhood.
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About April (Books&Wine)

April is in her 30s and created Good Books And Good Wine. She works for a non-profit. April always has a book on hand. In her free time she can be found binge watching The Office with her husband and toddler, spending way too much time on Pinterest or exploring her neighborhood.