Book Stop Corner

Expecting by Ann Lewis Hamilton

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Rita Rudner, an American comedian, writer and actress, has been quoted as saying:

"Life is tough enough without having someone kick you from the inside. "

Ann Lewis Hamilton, an American author, has penned down a life-changing story of a husband and a wife when they took the road to being parents for the first time in her debut novel, Expecting . This is a no extra-ordinary tale of a young couple's plight, but yet so deeply moving with a slight flicker of humor in the air!

I can't thank enough to the author, Ann Lewis Hamilton, for sending over me a copy of her novel, in return for an honest and unbiased review.

Laurie and Alan- a not so quite young couple, but have finally decided to become parents. In the beginning everything turned out to be beautiful and positive, even they decorated their baby's room. But suddenly, Laurie has a miscarriage and things overturn not only in their household but also between their marriage. The thin string of hope that held together Laurie and Alan's marriage started to fall apart, when Laurie has a miscarriage for the second time. When all the doors of expectations close upon their faces, Laurie and Alan choose to go for artificial insemination in a fertility treatment center. And from their very first moment in that fertility clinic, things started to look positive for one more time. And Laurie and Alan's joys knew no bound, when Laurie finally became pregnant. But the news, of Laurie being inseminated by Donor #296's Sperm instead of Alan's, from her doctor shatters their dream and Alan falls more out of his marriage. Who is this Donor #296? Laurie's heart goes out for the baby conceived mistakenly, and eventually Alan started to feel more like a stranger in his own house and life. Read this book to uncover the mystery behind Donor #296's identity? And also what becomes of Laurie and Alan’s marriage?


As I said already that this tale is not something very unusual, instead we have read so many stories like this, but what makes this book stands out from the rest is the confusion that it creates between a loving couple's lives when they become pregnant for the first time. The book is hilariously written, with a quite fast pace, the book stands out to be a quick-read on your boring-no-plans-yet weekend. Some ROFL moments make the book funny and witty and thoroughly captivating read for those who want to enjoy the drama over conceiving a baby. The characters sounds real and interesting and the author have crafted them with enough depth in their characteristics. There is also another key character apart from Laurie and Alan, who makes a mark on your heart- Jack, a 21year old college student who is still on the verge of graduating and finding himself a job instead he is wasting away his time in earning money, stealing from fraternity, and dating two chicks at a time and is a quiet popular guy considering his exotic ethnicity! But what relation does he have with this couple is the real mystery to find out about in this book.

The mystery that made me crack up was brilliant unfolded by the author and the she developed the story quite skillfully from that moment. I feel in love with Hamilton's writing style- so articulate in nature and sometimes, it made me feel like the whole drama is unrolling right in front of my eyes. It's quite evident from the author's style of writing is that she has the power to enchant her readers. The only con of the book is that the readers would have love to see the bonding between the baby and Alan, who is seen to remain confused till the very end. The climax remains bit unclear and messy from Alan’s POV.

Do grab this book which is bound to turn your gloomy heart into a joyful one.



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