The premise of this book is so original and very interesting. It is so well written.
The book was very entertaining but also thought provoking.
The author has created such an amazing book. A must read

Brilliant. This was a well written book that I greatly enjoyed and already plan to recommend. Believable characters and an inticing setting. Some parts were perhaps a little lengthy, but maybe because I was impatient to reach the novels conclusion! Thank you Netgalley for the chance to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

The cover of The Book of Hannah by Ellen Grossman caught my eye; when I read the description I was hooked. As a woman near to Hannah's age with a history of infertility I was especially intrigued by the idea. Unlike our title character though, I knew/know the cause, PCOS. Also, unlike Hannah, we did neither went for expensive tests or IVF nor were we fortunate enough to adopt although we did look into it. We did not have the financial means for such ventures. BUT, and this is a big BUT, after hearing for approximately 12 years that our chances were increasingly shrinking (and then over) in regards to any chance of having a baby and that scientific means would not be able to help, guess what? After many years and many prayers, even after being put on birth control pills to lessen the severity of PCOS symptoms, I too, felt different. Like Hannah, I too thought with my family history of cancer, that something was wrong. Unlike Hannah, I shared that info with my husband and he is the one who suggested I take a home pregnancy test. It never occurred to me, even though I was the one praying and begging God for a baby. Well the rest is history as they say. We missed the first trimester completely by not knowing we were pregnant (I know, I was actually the one carrying the baby but he was the one "carrying" me) and our baby was born one month early. We only got the joy of being pregnant for 5 glorious months but they were glorious. Our miracle baby was going to be born. He wasn't going to let infertility, birth control pills, age, anything stop him. Every day I am amazed by him and I can't wait to see how else he changes the world.

But back to Hannah, I often wonder what it would be like to be pregnant again, even at this later stage of my life. Before I had encountered this book, I regularly thought, hoped that I would experience another surprise pregnancy. I wonder how would my husband react, our son, our families. Would I be able to do it physically, emotionally, mentally. Could I keep up with a young child? One that I was responsible for 24 hours a day, 7 days a week? I'd like to believe yes, it would look different but yes. After all, we were the "elder parents" of each classroom our son was in anyways. Many thought he was our last child in a line of children or that we were raising a grandchild (!), They were right, he is our last child but be is also our first. He is our miracle.

The Book of Hannah is intriguing and thoughtful. It is probably a great book club selection because it raises so many questions. Well maybe it raises too many "hot-button" questions, it may be too provocative, it may cause too much dissension in the ranks. Some things should not be discussed in public and I think this book raises issues about which that many people feel very strongly and are very unlikely to change their minds.

I think Mrs. Gelerman covered pretty much all aspects and points of view in her storytelling. That can't have been easy but it was done with finesse. This is a quick read. I liked how the book was formatted - very clever. It is thought-provoking and will stay with me for a very long time. It also sharpened my wish for another baby but, alas ...

This was a well written, unique story. I thoroughly enjoyed reading the book in an afternoon. It is very thought provoking.
Many thanks to Warren Publishing and to NetGalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

This book was a light fun read but the ending was kind of abrupt! It would have been nice to have an epilogue or a bit more of Hannah after the birth of the baby

Pregnant after 50! Before even reading the book, I couldn't help but say to myself, "What were you thinking?" I really enjoyed reading Hanna's story and the tribulations of being pregnant at such an advanced age. I have worked in healthcare for many years and have encountered real life stories of women experiencing late in life pregnancies (although not quite this late). It is certainly a challenge for older moms. I thought this was an original concept for a novel. Thank you to NetGalley for the advance copy.

A true delight to read and experience. Well written and uniquely thought through. Telling us the story of an older woman faced with extraordinary circumstances. Thought provoking and entertaining a true gem to read.

PLEASE GOD DO NOT LET THIS HAPPEN TO ME!!!!!!!!!

This is literally my worst nightmare but the book was funny and touching.... I love the way Hannah's relationship with Natasha grew - I can hope that this can happen with my daughter and me as we both grow up...

My favorite was that even though Hannah was deeply religious in her beliefs, she was still pro-choice and didn't force her way of thinking on anyone.....

Would love a follow up!

I was given an advance reader copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. I’m writing this review voluntarily.

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I’ll be the first to admit that, as a woman who has absolutely no interest in ever being a mother, this book was probably not written for me. That being said, though, the premise interested me, and I decided to give it a try.

Hannah Murrow has always wanted to be a mother. Ever since she was little, she took care of her little brother, then baby dolls, and then as a babysitter to other people’s children. Finally, the time came when she was ready to have a child of her own.

Unfortunately, fate had other plans, and she and her husband Ryan found it impossible to conceive, even with medical intervention.

Not ready to give up on her dream of motherhood, Hannah and Ryan adopt a little girl from Russia, named Natasha (nicknamed Natty, which she no longer likes now that she’s an adult).

One day, though, Hannah wakes up feeling strange. After doing some research, she goes to her gynecologist, believing she’s starting menopause at best, or has ovarian cancer, at worst. What she finds out, however, is that, long after she had given up trying to conceive, she’s pregnant.

Hannah is over the moon, but no one else seems to share her excitement, and she can’t for the life of her understand why.

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While I was reading, I found myself agreeing with the other characters. Hannah’s decision to go through with the pregnancy is selfish, putting both herself and the baby at serious risk of complications.

What’s more, certain phrases Hannah used made me rather angry. At one point, she tells Ryan that now she can be a real mother, and he snaps back that she already is a real mother, to Natty. Hannah is horrified by her choice of words, but later, when she reveals the pregnancy to Natty, it’s clear that Natty already knows how Hannah feels, and is understandably hurt about it.

With no help from her soon-to-be estranged husband, Hannah goes rogue, and with the encouragement of Natty and her boyfriend, takes to the internet, becoming a blogging sensation, complete with merchandise, a new dye job, and new clothes.

Despite knowing that there’s a very high chance that her baby will develop with some form of abnormality, she refuses many of the genetic tests that would tell her of any of these conditions, saying that she doesn’t want to risk the pregnancy by doing the test. At this point, I started really losing patience with her. It’s one thing to be cautious, but she’s becoming obsessed with her pregnancy. Her entire life revolves around it, and I’m reminded uncomfortable of Gollum. “My Precious.”

I found that this wasn’t the story of a woman struggling through a high-risk pregnancy. It was a woman using a high-risk pregnancy for fame.

The concept of being pregnant at age 54 is likely a nightmare scenario for most of us, but not for Hannah, who has longed to give birth to a child for years. In parts, very funny, but also an emotional read as Hannah deals with the relationships with her husband, parents and adopted daughter. A very good read!

This was a fun easy read.. the characters were easy to relate to,... and I could empathize with Hannah and all the struggles and emotions she went through.

What did I just read?
Hannah Murrow is thrilled to announce that she's expecting! But being pregnant for the first time at 55 isn't what she expected at all!

Hannah's disappointed that no one—not her husband, eager for retirement; not her longtime friends from her infertility support group; and least of all her moody, difficult adopted daughter Natty—seems to share her excitement. That all changes when Natty and her boyfriend turn Hannah's improbable pregnancy into a marketing opportunity, and Hannah into an unlikely social media celebrity. In the process, Hannah reconsiders what it means to be a mother, both to the child she's expecting and to the one she has already raised.

I loved this book. I am 62 and of course, I was delighted to get an advance copy to review. Sure, I did judge the cover as well. Beautiful.
It is a real story with real characters you connect with. A serious subject , taken lightly, but with some sadness, One great book that left me feeling satisfied. 10 stars.

This is such a good book. Very hard to put down! At the age of 54, having infertility issues all of her adult life, Hannah now learns she pregnant with her first baby. Her issues seem insurmountable. Is this cause for celebration? This book would be a great read for a book club!

Wow! This was definitely a crazy yet entertaining topic!
Being 54 and pregnant for the very first time?
Would it be a miracle or a nightmare? I know what I would declare!
I will say, that although this is the major theme of this story, there is so much more inside the pages of this novel.
The family dynamics, with Hannah's 61 year old husband who desperately wants to wind down in his career and makes this known to his wife.
Adopted daughter, Natty who proves to be a wonderful, caring woman, despite many underlying issues with Hannah; both past and present.
There is family sadness, hurt and love as well. Can this pregnancy survive? You need to find out!
This is light and a very quick read to enjoy!

Hannah is 54 and pregnant. Being 55 myself, I had to read this book. I couldn’t imagine how someone my age would handle a pregnancy. This book is an easy to read tale of how Hannah handles a wildly unexpected pregnancy and unanticipated reactions from her family and friends, especially her husband and daughter Natasha. This book is as much about the relationships between mothers and daughters as it is about a pregnancy. If you enjoy reading about strong women, mother/daughter relationships, and highly unexpected life changes, you will enjoy this book. Although it tackles some tough subjects, the book is written in a lighter style as Hannah takes on a tough situation with grace, humor, and ingenuity. I especially loved the role played by the younger people in her life.