I received Full Term by Ellie Rose McKee in exchange for an honest review. I have given this book three out of five stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️

It would be best to check out the trigger warnings for this book before diving into it as there are a fair few.

This book was short and raw, I thought due to the topics that this story raises awareness for; it was very moving and emotional. However, I didn’t feel very connected to the characters due to the length of the book. Despite this reason, I’m really glad everything that I questioned whilst reading this story got answered by the end of the book.

This was a beautifully done story, I really felt like this was a great read for young adult. It was a great portrait of a teen mom.

This book was really good. I thought it gave an accurate portrayal of young-motherhood, and of the lengths people will go to in order to escape unsafe home lives.

I loved the fact this covers teen pregnancy, I think it should be covered more in YA books, it covers the reality very well, we watch Mya deal with this, learn, cope alone and raising a child, whilst having family complications and an abusive home life. It’s interesting, also quite upsetting , but hopeful and positive. An enjoyable read, but I think needs more work and it could be great.

Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for a free copy for an honest opinion

This was such a great read. It’s one of those books that hooks you right from the beginning. I really enjoyed watching Mya grow and find herself as she experiences being alone for the first time and having a new baby all while dealing with threats from her stepfather. The ending was the sweetest HEA and wrapped up the story quite nicely.

Unfortunately, this book didn't do it for me. I think for me to enjoy it more, it needed chunking out a little on the original romance, the abusive home life, or the start of the pregnancy. I found I wasn't able to form an attachment to our characters with their present day problems, because I didn't care enough about what put them there. All personal preference of course, but this short novella sadly didn't tug on my heartstrings the way I wanted it to.

Teen pregnancy I think is underrepresented in many young adult books, where you should find it most as it is a teen issue. It's good to see it explored and it is what drew me to this book.

While it was interesting but I found the strong themes in this novel upsetting.

I didn’t really enjoy this book and I will not be reaching for the rest of the series.

Mya’s story was one of trauma, loneliness, and discovery. This teen’s need to care for her child while dealing with family difficulties by herself set a tone of vulnerability and emotional pain. I felt protective of Mya, simply because it appeared like she had no one but herself and her child to keep her sane and focused. This story makes the reader empathetic to teens facing family issues out alone in a seemingly cold world. Thank you to NetGalley and Elowen Press for this ARC copy.
#NetGalley

I was lucky enough to be a beta reader for this book and see it grow into what this book is today, and back then it was a great book, but now it’s even better as I feel the characters and style of the writer have developed since that first reading years ago now.

What I truly love about the writing in this book is the humanity that shines through the pages. I know when I read some of the parts of this book that I can imagine some of these conversations happening as they spill out on the page. The relationship between Mya and Richard for example is just so good, and I love the way they are written within this book.

The characters Mya lives with at the unit she is housed in are also people I can imagine myself knowing and really reflect a diverse and interesting range of people - Ellie makes great and well rounded characters throughout and I loved reading this book for them - some of them deserve their own stories, as Ellie gives them background and their arc that makes for a great read (Lynne especially imho).

I loved reading this in its final format and seeing it be published. McKee is a talented writer who creates authentic and interesting characters with a plot that makes you laugh, cry and keeps you on your edge of your seat. I can’t wait to read more of this series and from this author.

5*

(Thanks to Elowen Press/Netgalley for the ARC to review!).

This was an entertaining book with some very said parts. The main character was likable and her situation made me feel for her. I would read the other books in the trilogy.

I liked this book more than I thought I would. Although parts of the story were predictable given the topic, the characters were enjoyable. I would read the rest of the trilogy. I enjoyed the journey I went on with the main character.