M rating 3/5 Stars

I have never read a pregnancy story from a males point of view and it was quite refreshing and interesting to read. You can’t help but to root for Ben throughout the story. He tries his very best and has his heart in the right place. I will I did see how this was going to end as in the beginning there was a scene that kind of gives it away. Overall, it’s an enjoyable read about finding yourself and has a great representation of the found family trope.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC!

3.5/5 stars.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for sending me an advanced digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!

Unexpecting is about Ben, an openly gay sixteen-year-old boy, who just found out that his experiment over the summer to make sure he really is gay, resulted in his best friend Maxie getting pregnant. Ben's biological father died when he was really young and he is currently on his third stepfather, resulting in abandonment and daddy issues. Ben's two previous step-fathers would act fatherly toward him while they were married to his mom but then never stayed in touch with him after the divorce, leaving him feeling inadequate and like he isn't enough for a father figure to stick around for him.

One day, Maxie hands him papers at school for him to sign to give up parental rights since her parents have decided that she is going to give up the baby for adoption. Ben doesn't want his child to feel the way he did growing up, unwanted and unloved by his father/father figures, so he decides that he is going to fight Maxie's parents because he wants to raise the child.

At the end of the book, he realizes that the best thing for his child is to go to a loving and capable home that is not his, so him and Maxie give their baby to Ben's boss and her wife.

This book was very strange at times and I felt like things were happening just to put more stress on Ben and to make his life fall apart more. For example, Ben's mom makes him get a job and secures one more him at her ex-husband's restaurant where he will be working with his ex-stepbrother, Gio, who he has had a crush on since their parents divorce. At one point Ben and Gio are talking and Gio mentions how he always hoped that his dad and Ben's mom would get back together since he still has a relationship with Ben's mom. Ben makes a remark about how he shouldn't give up hope because his mom never keeps her husbands for long. Yes, this was not a nice thing to say but he said it because that is how he feels due to having father-figures constantly introduced and then ripped away from him. Gio gets so angry at him, like so angry. And I was just sitting there reading it confused because obviously Ben is under a lot of stress and it was a shitty thing to say, but I feel like Gio's reaction was just to make Ben feel even worse about himself.

Also, at a later point in the book, Gio kisses Ben and then later confesses he has feeling for him. Ben gets overwhelmed, and even thought he likes Gio, tells him that he doesn't have time for dating right now. Gio gets really annoyed and upset at this, which really annoyed and upset me. Gio has watched Ben have multiple breakdowns about the situation he is in and barely have time to sleep, let alone date. All of these times Gio got upset at Ben felt out of character for him and felt like they only happened to make Ben feel even more stressed out.

Another example is Mo's reaction to the pregnancy. Maxie and Ben have a mutual friend, Mo, that completes their friend group. Neither Ben or Maxie tell Mo about the pregnancy since they haven't told anyone outside of their family, Gio only knows because he accidentally overheard Ben talking to Maxie and her parents about it. One day, the news about her pregnancy gets out and when Mo confronts Ben about it, he is irrationally angry. He started saying things like they always tell each other stuff, and how he fells betrayed........ I need you to be so for real right now. Two of his best friends are experiencing teenage pregnancy, but somehow it is about him.....okay.....After this, Mo and Ben stop talking for months, further isolating Ben.

Ben was not a very likable character. From the start, his whole motivation for keeping the baby is that he doesn't want his child to grow up the way he did, feeling unwanted. This is a totally wrong motivation for having a child and Ben doesn't think about how his decision will affect anyone else, not his mom, not Maxie, and not even himself. His mom is trying to stress how big of a deal a child is to him and he's always saying that he knows, but he obviously doesn't. He is selfish and childish, which makes sense because he is a child and at sixteen you're basically supposed to be selfish. He does not change at all by the end of the book, except by finally deciding to give up the baby and learning to feel empathy toward Maxie specifically and no one else.

At one point in the book, he gets an acceptance letter to a summer academy that would be really good for his academic career and to put on college applications. But when his mom points out that his child is due in May and that he can't just go to an academy for weeks at a time, he gets so upset and thinks to himself that she "can't take this away from him". Literally what are you even saying right now. Also, he doesn't even have his driver's license until the last five percent of the book. You don't have your driver's license but you are going to raise a child?

I think that the premise of this book is very interesting, having a gay teen boy all of a sudden have to grapple with getting a girl pregnant, but I think the execution was okay. I think this book would have been better if it was from Maxie's perspective instead, or even if it was dual POV between Ben and Maxie. Maxie was barely a side character and wasn't given much depth, which I feel like was a missed opportunity.

Unexpecting is Juno.....if Juno was WAYYYYY nerdier. This book combines so many tropes I love (queer, unexpected pregnancy, coming of age, semi disfunctional but loving mom, and the list goes on!) There were good moments, but I'm not sure I loved it.

This is the story of a gay nerdy science experiment gone wrong, which sounds insensitive but also exactly like what happened. He really is gay. And she really is pregnant. He is totally a teenage boy, not winning at communication. It's really different and interesting to see teen pregnancy through the view of a dad of an involved parent duo. I liked hearing his thought process and seeing his eventual growth. I think he is Neuro divergent for sure! There are funny moments, heartfelt moments and oh so many nerdy moments.

Ben is a sweet kid and his perspective was unique and interesting. His revolving door of stepdad definitley set up some interesting internal conflict for him!! We also get to see him form relationships, struggle and ultimately (spoiler) succeed

I will say, there is a LOT of robotics and discussion about college/school/nerd priorities. The balance of robotics to storyline in the beginning leans way too far towards robotics and overall, it's too technical about robotics and the situation and not enough conversation or story driven for me. I like the basis of the story and there were good moments, overall I found it okay.

I loved this book, it was a captivating story, that not only endeared you to characters but helped you truly understand them and the hard decisions we make as people.

This book made me cry and gave me undeniably good hopeful feelings at the end. If you are looking for a book that gets you in the feels this is the one for you. I felt all the feelings while reading it (in a good way). I loved the way we got to see all the characters grow and how they all approached the same situations differently and similarly.

Watching Ben’s growth throughout the story is at times frustrating but overall rewarding. You get to see him look past his need for order and concrete things, and really explore his emotional side. You get to see him understand what Maxie is going through and even learn how to trust that a father figure is going to be there for him.

Overall, I thought this was a beautiful story. Every character was well developed and multilayered. The story was poignant and beautiful while being accessible and relatable. I’d highly recommend giving this a read!!

I won't lie, I didn't love this. I just couldn't stand Ben, and felt like he had zero understanding of the gravity of the situation he was in. He read as a high school freshman, and I think that was a bit off putting for me. The plot idea is really unique, but I'd also add that the ending was pretty predictable by the halfway point.

4.5 stars. What a fun and emotionally thrilling book! I was so glad to be in the narrator's mind the whole time and experiencing an unexpected pregnancy from his point of view. I know it's been done before, but it really feels like Jen Bailey gets what it's like to be a teenager and knows how to show the absurd and utter chaos it is to be a teenager in the 2020s.

Didn't love the super technical jargon during the robotics tournament and thought the introduction to the couple was a little dramatic, but overall, I think this would make a fantastic mini series. I want everyone to love Ben, Roger, Gio, Maxie, and Mo like I managed to in a quick 24 hour period. Love love love. Can't wait to tell people to get this one when it comes out.

Thanks to Wednesday Books for the advanced copy, but special thanks to Austin Adams at St. Martin's Publishing Group for emailing me directly and inviting me to read this. It was so special!

This started out so well. The characters are interesting and engaging, the premise an intriguing one - a slightly different twist on the typical teen pregnancy topic.

Midway through however, the resolution became very predictable, and I felt the ends were tied up a little too neatly.

Still, it was well written, the dialogue is believable, the characterization was well done. It was simply that midway through the book, I knew exactly how the story was going to end, and it did.

Rating is 4 stars because I don't think it is deserving of 3, but admittedly it's not quite 4. I would put it at about a 3.5 rating.

Thanks Wednesday Books and Netgalley for this eARC, these opinions are my own. I really enjoyed this book! Ben is sixteen and just told his parents he was gay a few months ago, now he has to tell them that he is going to have a child. That’s not the only thing he has to say though because he wants to keep the baby! But raising a child isn’t easy will Ben be able to handle the pressures? And how does his long time crush Gio fit in? I loved Ben! I liked how he thought and felt about things and while, as a reader, I recognized that things were more complicated I still loved Ben’s journey! He’s well intentioned and sweet though aloof at times. I also enjoyed Maxie and her feelings on their situation! The book is full of well intentioned sweet characters! I can’t recommend this book enough! Can’t wait to read it again!

When I read the blurb for this new queer YA story I was immediately intrigued. “Juno meets Heartstopper in this poignant and emotional story about found family, what it means to be a parent, and falling in love.” That definitely sounded like something that would be right up my alley. And I really did enjoy this adorable story about a teen pregnancy with a twist, but not quite as much as I’d hoped for.

The story follows sixteen-year-old science geek Ben Morris shortly after he (1) has come out as gay and (2) has received the surprise of his life when an experiment at science camp has had completely unexpected consequences: a baby. When the mother in question, Ben’s best friend Maxie, wants to give the baby up for adoption, Ben tries to fight for his rights and to prepare himself for fatherhood as a single dad. Starting junior year, Ben struggles with the weight of this decision alongside the financial problems for his beloved robotics club, the challenge to keep up with school and friends, and not the least a budding romance.

Unexpecting had such a huge potential to tell a unique story and show the side of a teen pregnancy from the young dad’s view, especially with the added twist that he’d already come out as gay. And while some of these aspects were explored in a great way and the story all in all was a heartwarming and sweet portrait of an awkward and anxious yet strong and brave teenage boy facing the biggest and most scary thing in his life, I still feel like it could have been so much more.

My main issue was the plot premise itself. Firstly, about the actual act of conceiving. I mean, I could understand how the act itself happened as an experiment between two science geeks, where one wanted to make sure he was gay and one wanted to dissect virginity as a social construct, but not how the broken condom wasn’t even mentioned until halfway in the book. For a long time, it seemed like they’d been reckless enough to not even use a condom, which made no sense at all for these two characters. Especially since they weren’t drunk and it wasn’t in the spur of the moment or any other circumstances that could explain it. And even after the revelation that they had used a condom, but it had broken, it would have been better to make it into a bigger deal for the credibility of the story. Ben and Maxie should have been worried when it happened and after, at least addressing the possibility she could get pregnant before she just handed the adoption papers to Ben. Secondly, I also had issues with how quickly Ben came to the conclusion to keep the baby and how he still acted kind of childish and worried mostly about the job schedule to have time for the robotics team. He should at least have come to realize that raising a baby gives you no time for extracurricular activities whatsoever. I also really think that before coming to the conclusion to become a dad at sixteen he also should have had some doubts about giving up college or questioning how to make it work. It took until half of the book until he finally realized that raising a child has some real consequences and that he wouldn’t be able to go to MIT or the robotics summer camp as planned. And that was only because his mother told him so, not because he figured it out himself.

For the most part of the book, I felt a lot like Maxie when she confronted Ben about why he wanted to keep the baby. “Ben, I don’t get why you’re pushing this. Why would you let this disrupt your life, your plans, when you don’t have to.” and all Ben had to say was “You wouldn’t understand.” No, of course she wouldn’t, since I as a reader truly couldn’t understand it either.

Because of this, and because of the way Ben not once considered how Maxie was dealing with everything and offering his support, but just focusing on himself, he felt very childish and whiny and nowhere ready to be a parent. I also never understood the rationale for treating his other best friend, Mo, the way he did.

But on the other hand, I’m also glad that the author allowed Ben to completely be himself, not shying away from his flaws and less likable traits. His character development in the end was also truly great, and the decision he eventually made in the end was so wholesome. So a bit of mixed feelings for Ben as a main character, but eventually he made his way into my heart.

Some of the other main characters were truly amazing from the very beginning though. Like Ben’s mother who right away took Ben’s side even though she realized the hardship it would bring, and Roger, Ben’s supportive step dad. And of course Gio, Ben’s love interest. Gio was my absolute favorite, such a sweetheart, and so wise, empathic and caring. I really rooted for him right from the start, even though I didn’t fully understand what he saw in Ben and therefore never felt fully invested in their romance.

But all in all, Unexpecting was an entertaining, sweet and heartfelt YA story, with great representation and a unique plot with a fresh take on a teenager’s struggle to learn what matters most in life. So even though it wasn’t quite what I’d hoped for, I am definitely curious to read more of Jen Bailey’s books ahead.

Thank you Wednesday Books for the ARC and the opportunity to read this book! All opinions are my own and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

You know those books that just get better and better as you go along? This is one of those books. The premise was enough to hook me, the plot hit the ground running on page one, the characters completely had me wrapped around their fingers, and the emotional stakes just increased with every page turn. By the 70-80% mark, I was in tears.

Ben is the sweetest kid. He’s 16 and an excellent student, super smart, responsible, a hard worker, but now he’s struggling to make sense of his life now that he’s found out he got his friend pregnant. He’s also gay. So there’s a bit of angst and drama but Ben ends up learning a lot of important lessons with the help of his amazing support system of family and friends.

My heart truly broke for Ben. I wanted him to not have to go through such pain and anguish. I wanted him to be able to enjoy what time he has left being a kid and not have to sacrifice the promising future he’d worked so hard to make possible for himself. And his heart is always in the right place which makes it all the more difficult to watch him struggling to come to terms with what has to be done. I was so proud of him too for listening to all the advice he was given, learning from his mistakes, and realizing that what he wanted wasn’t necessarily the right way to go.

One thing that stood out to me was that you don’t often see a teen pregnancy told from the father’s point of view. Jen Bailey handles this extremely well as it could have easily been a #notallmen / MRA / anti-woman message but it wasn’t (thankfully). In fact, Ben learns that he needs to make more of an effort to understand the baby’s mother’s experience and to ask himself why he’s doing what he’s doing. Part of his journey in this book is centered on him growing up and learning to put others’ needs before his own desires when necessary. I applaud Bailey on the careful and thoughtful way she navigated these tricky topics.

I suspect Ben is neurodivergent, likely on the autism spectrum. He admits to struggling with picking up nuances in conversation, is awkward in social situations, and exhibits rigid thinking, among other things. He even acknowledges knowing his whole life that he’s “different” from everybody else. I appreciate the subtlety Bailey used in conveying these elements of Ben’s character. They were never shown as obstacles or portrayed as negative. Props to the author for handling this aspect of the character so beautifully.

I enjoyed this book SO much. I would absolutely recommend Unexpecting for anyone of any age. It’s categorized as YA and the marketing compares it to Juno (which is a very apt comparison. If you liked Juno, you’re sure to enjoy this) but it’s a story for all ages, relatable and heartfelt, and highlights many important things along the way. It’s a beautiful story and will fill your heart with all the best feelings.

Unexpecting tells the story of teenage geek, Ben. After an experiment at summer camp go awry he finds out he's about to be a father.

I appreciated what this book was trying to do, but the way it went about it fell flat. I think it was amazing that the author wanted to portray the reality of teenage pregnancy and that came across pretty well, but Ben was so unlikeable it was hard to feel anything for him. I also thought the romantic subplot (if you could even call it that?) with Gio was totally unnecessary and took away from the rest of the story. I found most of the characters dull and unrelatable. This book was fine.

I was given this book in exchange for my honest opinion. Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for this ARC.

What a gorgeous novel full of loveable characters and a storyline that I couldn't put down. This one is a must read!

This was a really interesting concept but was very frustrating to read. The main character has this sense of entitlement to a child/control over a fetus that he isn't carrying. At best it's immature and whiny; at worst it's obnoxious. The whole book just feels terribly immature.

I read this straight through in one night. The synopsis had me intrigued and the story kept me reading. You can’t help but to root for Ben. I’ll admit I was hoping it would end differently because there’s a scene early on that pretty much gives away the ending. It’s just a bit too on the nose. Overall, it’s an enjoyable read about finding yourself and what makes a family.

Rep: MM Gay/Bi

Rating: 4.25 stars