E-ARC attained from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. This review is of my own opinion.

An emotional and angsty book marketed for YA readers. Really good, but it was a bit predictable early on. That could be because I'm no longer a young adult haha. I felt like the ending was a bit rushed but that could also be because I knew how it would end.

So overall, this is prefect for someone who actively reads YA books. The LGTBIA+ rep was good, the diversity was good, the mental health aspects were portrayed well and the romance wasn't overwhelming.

Thank you, Bailey and Netgalley.

Holy crap, I didn't see any aspect of this coming!! The story was so real, so raw. I loved the characters, and I really identified with his mom. She did her best. I appreciate this book, and I look forward to giving it to my queer kids to read.

Wow I did not expect this book to hit me in the feels as much as it did. The end had me staying up way too late and crying, watching as these two teenagers had to make some of the most difficult decisions of their lives and having to give up a piece of them. I'll blame it on the pregnancy hormones ;)
Truly, this book was unexpected. The journey Ben goes through as he's working through the trauma of not growing up with a father and having men come in and out of his life while facing an incredibly hard decision about his own baby on the way. I loved watching his character growth and the relationship building, especially with his stepfather, Roger.
It felt kind of like a reverse perspective of Juno (without the creepy potential adoptive father in the picture) and so often we read or hear stories about the woman's perspective in a pregnancy. I loved following Ben's story instead and seeing how even the potential to become a father affected everything around him and really helped him grow and mature. A solid YA read that I would absolutely recommend.

I was really hoping to enjoy this book more than I did but I really just could not get into it. I'm sure it's the perfect book for someone, just not me.

Overall this was not what I was expecting at all. It definitely was an interesting read. I think this has potential but I didn’t love it as much as I had expected to. Overall was a good book and I’m glad I had the chance to read it.

This book had a really interesting plot even if you'd think unexpected teen pregnancy is not that rare. But this books shows a gay kid of 16 getting his bff pregnant and it shows the story from his POV. His decision to being a single father, his journey to grow and become father material for when the baby comes. He is a teenager and not always made wise decisions, but as I said, he is young, has come across a very life changing situation, you can't expect him to be all knowing and smart all the time, right? The story had its ups and downs, but it was overall very enjoyable, emotional and sweet.

Jen Bailey’s Unexpecting is a poignant and emotionally resonant contemporary novel that delves into the complexities of identity, parenthood, and the search for belonging. With its heartfelt portrayal of a young gay man navigating unexpected fatherhood, the novel offers a compelling exploration of self-discovery and resilience.

The story follows Benjamin Morrison, a high school junior whose life takes a dramatic turn after a science camp experiment leads to an unexpected pregnancy. Faced with the daunting prospect of becoming a single father, Ben must confront not only his own uncertainties but also the reactions of those around him. His journey is marked by a blend of emotional weight and hopeful moments as he grapples with the challenges of balancing school, friendships, and impending parenthood.

Bailey’s character development is a standout feature of the novel. Ben is depicted with a depth that captures his internal struggles and growth throughout the story. His relationship with his family, particularly his mother, and his evolving connections with friends and a new love interest provide a nuanced portrayal of his experiences. The emotional intensity of Ben’s journey is handled with sensitivity, offering readers a genuine look into his struggles and triumphs.

The book’s exploration of diverse experiences, including LGBTQIA+ identity and neurodivergence, adds a valuable layer of representation. The cast of characters is diverse and reflective of a range of perspectives, though the depth of this diversity varies. The focus on character flaws and personal growth enriches the narrative, although some secondary characters might benefit from more development.

While the emotional and reflective tones of the novel are well-executed, the pacing can occasionally feel uneven. The medium-paced narrative provides ample space for character exploration, but some readers might find certain plot developments and conflicts to be predictable. The balance between Ben’s personal growth and the external challenges he faces is engaging, though it sometimes leans heavily on familiar themes.

Very very very good book! Have been recommending this to every i know since i’ve read it. READ IT READ IT READ IT. I love the characters and writing.

This book was a realistic look at modern high school life and complexity in all of its diversity. This story could have easily become unrealistic or sappy but it didn’t. The writing was impeccable for a YA title and it read simply and quickly while dealing with such difficult topics. It was not over the top. It was just right. I thoroughly enjoyed this and think quite a few high school students will relate to the many themes present in this book

Sixteen-year-old Ben Morrison finds himself facing unexpected challenges when he discovers he's gay and soon to become a father.

Ben and his friend Maxie embark on a scientific experiment to explore Ben's sexuality, but their plans take a surprising turn when Maxie becomes pregnant despite their precautions. While Maxie's parents push for adoption, Ben grapples with his own desire to raise the child, fueled by his complex family history and a longing for connection. As Ben navigates the demands of school, robotics competitions, and impending fatherhood, he finds support from his mother and stepfather, who stand by him in his quest for custody. Amidst the chaos, Ben must confront his own doubts and uncertainties about parenthood.

While the novel could delve deeper into its characters and themes, it offers a poignant exploration of family dynamics and the complexities of teenage pregnancy. With a diverse supporting cast, readers will find themselves rooting for Ben and Maxie as they confront life-altering decisions. This story is an original take on the teen pregnancy narrative, with a touching queer subplot at its heart, and will resonate with readers seeking a heartfelt and thought-provoking read.

This was definitely a fall feels book for me. Something about the writing style, and the storyline. And the setting. I enjoyed this a lot. Fall books are always fun reads, and this one didn't disappoint on enjoyment.

A beautifully, messy, REAL look at found family and a complicated YA teen pregnancy situation where two friends end up having sex as a summer camp experiment of sorts and one ends up pregnant while the other reaffirms, he is indeed, gay.

What follows is an at times painful story of trying to find the courage to do what's right, be a good friend, make hard sacrifices, step up as a soon to be parent and embrace new relationships - romantic and paternal. I absolutely loved this book and wish I hadn't waited so long to finally pick it up.

HIGHLY recommended for fans of the movie Juno or the book Concrete rose by Angie Thomas. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital copy in exchange for my honest review. I wish this book was available on audio but maybe one day it will be soon.

I really enjoyed this one from the very first page! It was engaging and consistently interested me! I'm really looking forward to future books by the author, and I can't wait to reread this one once I pick up a print copy!

Definitely an interesting read - I don't think I've ever read anything with a premise quite like this one. Ultimately, though, it just fell kind of flat for me. I didn't like how Maxie was handled - she's the baby's mother, and she doesn't get to have much of a say in things. Ben didn't really seem to think of her as someone he cared about, just as the girl carrying his baby, and that didn't really sit well with me. Ben generally just read pretty immature - which makes sense, as he's a teenager, but made a lot of his decisions feel frustrating.

This book pretty much takes juno and says what if we made it gay? This follows a gay teen who ends up trying one time just to be sure they are and ends up with a pregnancy, They now have to naviage their teenage life as a potential father and being pregnant in high school.

I throughly enjoyed this book Unexpected by Jen Bailey.

It’s a story about a boy who decided to have sex with his best friend just to see if he is really gay. At the same time the best friend is wanting to do this for a social experiment. Not knowing that decision would have consequences Maxie reveals she is pregnant and wants to give the baby up for adoption. Where Ben wants to take custody of the baby and raise the baby.

I really enjoyed how this story moved. I really enjoyed that it was from Ben’s point of view. So good.

Thank you Netgalley and Wednesday books for providing a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Not a concept I've seen before. While teen pregnancy books are nothing new, I hadn't seen one where the MC was the father before.

i got this as an arc to honestly review last year (thank you netgalley) and uhh i don’t know what to say. i was excited because the premise was fun . little did i know. almost dnfed it but i braved through it. honestly. what is this. from the get go telling this poor girl he wanted the baby??? ew and then trying to romanticize it too? overall the romance was meh the writing was not awful but the story was bad.

An emotional book about family and love that will leave you thinking. Overall this was a thought provoking story of teen pregnancy. This was an unexpected story I was happy to read.

Thank you to Wednesday Books and NetGalley for an ARC of this book.

This book was not exactly what I expected, but there were still parts I found enjoyable. I found that it took awhile for the plot to pick up, and once it did, it was a little predictable. I had a difficult time connecting with Ben because he seemed to lack a lot of common sense for someone so smart. I also struggled with the absolute disregard for Maxie throughout the book. Why is no one asking her what she wants? I enjoyed the development between Ben and Roger, The ending was cute, but I felt like it wrapped things up a little too easily. 3.5 starts