This was an interesting read which explores the topic of infertility. The story may be very emotional to some. Well written.
Many thanks to Lake Union Publishing and to Netgalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

Trigger warning: Infertility. This book was not what I expected. It was emotional and full of some many feelings I didn’t think I’d feel. It was well written and gives the reality of the struggle with IVF. The characters are relatable and has you hoping for the best for them. It also gave light to real things couples experience.

All We Could Still Have is the soon to be released novel by Diane Barnes. It is the tale of a happily married couple Nikki and Kyle Sebastian, their friends and family. There is only one thing this loving happily married couple lack – a child to complete their family. Unfortunately, they have been diagnosed with unexplained infertility. Eager for a child they go down the IVF route bearing several failed IVF rounds.

Barnes writing transforms an everyday tale of a new England family living in a small community into an exquisite story that kept me gripped from the word go. When repeated IVF fails they are forced to accept their childlessness. Barnes skilfully explores this couples feelings as they are confronted with this heart breaking issue. As the book drew me into the plot I realised how deeply she had explored the depths of the emotional and financial crisis in this couple’s life. They were after all happily married. Could IVF with its time tabling for sexual activity ruin their relationship? After all they could no longer afford to be spontaneous when undergoing IVF. Wouldn’t their loving relationship see them through this crisis.?

Kyle was adamant – he was not prepared to continue with the IVF. But what about Nikki? Barnes explores her feelings. Throughout the ages a barren woman was shamed and scorned by society. But this was the 21st century. Surely we were progressive these days and extended true love and sympathy towards those who suffered infertility. Was there also a difference in how society judged a woman as opposed to the man in the relationship? How could these issues affect a woman’s perspective regarding this issue? IVF is not cheap, yet Nikki seems prepared to sacrifice everything just for the chance to be a mother. Umm, these are everyday issues that Barnes raises in her novel. I had a lot of sympathy for Nikki and what she was expected to put up with. Was Kyle there with Nikki when she most needed his shoulder to lean on? Did he even realise that he was unwittingly judging her? Was he aware of her feelings? It almost felt like their happy healthy relationship had been superficial.

A once happily married couple stood on the brink of a break up. Yet shouldn’t their happily married and loving healthy relationship be the bulwark that would see them through their crisis. Barnes novel evokes these and many other questions which surge through my mind as the pages turn. I got the sense that bad things happen to good people, its life. Taking it too seriously and letting it ruin the good things one has is foolish. Often in a crisis we fail to see what we have before us and accept the joys that we already have. Is there any point in pining for what one can’t have? This is the premise of Barnes novel. Perspective plays a huge role in this character driven novel.

Nikki who is telling the tale often looks back on past instances of her life. Barnes weaves an exquisite tapestry of all her characters giving the reader an enchanting picture of small town life. There is more than one surprise in the novel. As the pages turn it finally ends in an HEA. Yay! Barnes and Nikki, Kyle and family.

All things marriage encapsulated into one wonderfully evocative story!

The book is about Nikki and Kyle who had been trying to have a baby for quite sometimes through the IVF program. They had endured several failed rounds of IVF and all they gain was just a hefty sum of debt and a lot of emotional distress which caused them to have a different view on whether they would try for one more round or not. Nikki was quite adamant that they should try one more time and was convinced that it would work (despite the doctor saying it unusual), but Kyle thought that it was enough and that the of them was enough. But one wrong move from Nikki caused her to lose Kyle's trust and drove him toward the edge. Nikki was now faced with two opposing choices. To mend her relationship with Kyle or to keep holding on to her dream of having a baby.

Now, what I like from the book is how relatable it is to what is happening in real life, especially to those who have been trying really hard and have sacrificed so much to conceive a baby of their own. I like how it also touches other obstacles that may happen in a marriage couple; how the problem they face during their marriage is not just one, but multiple at a time. It's well-portrayed in the way the main couple struggled on a lot of things all at once while simultaneously holding themselves together for the sake of each other and eventually it all just burst, and they left with nothing but themselves to hold on to.

As for the character, I found Nikki to be a little bit childish and immature on some parts mainly when she was stubbornly obsessed with the idea that she clung on desperately and when she held grudges toward one of the characters in the book. It really annoyed me at first, but gradually I kind of get why she acted the way she was. But still, for a grown-up woman, the portrayal is quite childish (especially in the beginning). But her character development, I'll say, is overall well-written. And yet at the same note, I like it. I know that somebody have such characters and they get themselves well-represented in this book.

As for the plot, the book doesn't necessarily contain a refreshing plot that will leave the readers gripping the edge of their seat, but it's still a page-turner one, in a way. I know that there will be some drama with all the not-so subtle hints the author threw here and there throughout the story, and I pick up all the hints immediately. If you're into casual drama that may just happen in real life, this book is definitely for you.

Gut-wrenching and heart warming. An unjudging and candid perspective on infertility and the havoc it brings into our lives...

The topic infertility of infertility is terrifying, especially since most women spend their young, fertile years trying their best to avoid pregnancy - much like Nikki, our MC. In my experience, when you decide you want a baby, it's like a switch is activated inside every cell and you want a baby with all your body, mind and soul. The way this obsession is portrayed is so disturbingly accurate .

For Nikki, her body refused to do what it's supposed to, but she and Kyle, her husband, tried their best to have a baby, even when it meant losing their financial stability, their hope and, ultimately, themselves in the process.

My favorite part about this novel is how real Nikki and her emotions are. The author doesn't shy away from showing her most ugly, destructive thoughts, but she does so without judgment. Even when she's hurtful towards others, you feel that it's not because of who she is, but because of the amount of hurt she's carrying.

I love that she reconnected with her sister and aunt, with her best friend and with Hank, but ultimately, she became a new version of herself, the one who went through the whole ordeal and kept moving forward. Ever since the first paragraph, I felt the urge to climb between the pages and give Nikki a hug. And Kyle too. And Deeogee.

5 stars, hands down - first book from Diane Barnes, but surely not my last.

Huge thanks to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for this ARC.

Die Geschichte von Nikki und Kyle beschreibt, wie sich ein Ehepaar über den zunächst gemeinsam verfolgten Wunsch nach einem Kind über eine IVF entzweien kann, wenn alle Versuche fehlschlagen. Lügen und falsche Entscheidungen führen dazu, dass beide sich trennen. Dieses Buch habe ich sehr gerne gelesen, auch wenn die weiteren Abläufe teilweise schon recht leicht vorhersehbar waren, was der Story an sich jedoch nicht geschadet hat. Es zeigt sich, wie schnell sich zwei eigentlich glückliche Menschen verlieren können, wenn sie nicht mehr einer Meinung sind.

Nikki & Kyle are going through IVF hoping to go from a couple to a family of 3 or more. The novel touches on the very emotional issue of infertility. Nikki becomes obsessed partly due to the hormones with wanting to try again but the choices fracture their once-stable union. Now burdened with suspicion, resentment, and further grief, their little family is falling apart.

The secret past between family and friends only opens up suspicion and reveals how things could possibly lead to an unexpected future.

An overall great read with a lot to think about as you can become so emotionally involved with how to handle so much of life’s disappointments and reality.

Family, affairs, grief, financial strain, separation, love and trust.

Great story with a good twist.

Makes us realize that we should be happy with what we have in life.

Thank you to NetGalley, Lake Union Publishing and the author for the ARC of this book to read and review.

This is an engaging story of how crushing hope can send you spiraling and how living with the disappointment of dreams that just won’t come to life can exhaust you, mess you up and cause good people to make big mistakes. Totally relatable!

I wasn’t surprised by the unfolding of the plot … however, I found it well written and had no trouble investing myself in each character and their journey, cheering for them to overcome and cross that happily-ever-after finish line.

Side note: The sister. Ugh. I did not find her to be good people. Her selfishness with the puppy. Double ugh. And what’s with that stubbornness about the DOG’s name … give it up already. Triple ugh.

Why this book was messy emotional yet completely satisfying 🫶 ...
● flawed, real & raw MCs
● hopes crushed & mistakes made
● family secrets revealed
● can forgiveness be found?
● can devastating mistakes be redeemed?
● can happiness rise from ashes?

This was my first Diane Barnes book and I will be returning for more!

Thank you for the advanced readers copy of this book.

I feel I should start my review by saying I am probably not the target audience of this novel, so please bare that in mind.
As a woman who is childless by choice, I couldn’t emphasise with the FMC but when I read the blurb, I was hoping to feel moved by her story overall.

However, I struggled to connect with the FMC and her choices throughout. Without giving spoilers, I felt she made decisions that were hugely misjudged, no matter her desperation and struggled to sympathise with her because of this.

I do wonder whether a reader who sits more in line with what I imagine is the target audience for this book would enjoy it more but sadly, it wasn’t my favourite.

A heart warming, sad story but beautifully written with good characters. Not my usual type of read but did enjoy it for a change.

Thank you to Netgalley and Lake Union Publishing for this ARC.

Thank you to NetGalley for lending me an ARC of “All We Could Still Have” by Diane Barnes.

I unfortunately had to DNF this book at 48%. I tried hard to sympathize with the FMC as she was going through her infertility issues. I really did as a product of IVF. I made it 48% into the book and decided to DNF. I couldn’t connect with the FMC while she lied to her husband about her attempts for 3rd transfer and cashing her retirement while they are not financially stable. I believe they needed more samples from him so that would be a little tough. I read through other reviews to try to get me to incentivize me, but this book just isn’t for me.

All We Could Still Have is a beautiful well written story. Haven gone through IVF myself, I thought the author Diane Barnes portrayed the devastated, hormonal, desperate and heartbroken Nikki perfectly. I cried pretty much all through the book as memories were woken of a difficult time. The other family twists intertwined and kept the story moving really well. A wonderful heartfelt ending. I couldn't put the book down as I wanted to know where the story was going. A highly recommended read that will take you on an emotional journey of love, heartbreak, betrayal and forgiveness.
I would like to thank Lake Union Publishers, NetGalley and the author for the opportunity to read this complimentary copy for an honest review. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

All We Could Still Have is a beautiful well written story. Haven gone through IVF myself, I thought the author Diane Barnes portrayed the devastated, hormonal, desperate and heartbroken Nikki perfectly. I cried pretty much all through the book as memories were woken of a difficult time. The other family twists intertwined and kept the story moving really well. A wonderful heartfelt ending. I couldn't put the book down as I wanted to know where the story was going. A highly recommended read that will take you on an emotional journey of love, heartbreak, betrayal and forgiveness.
I would like to thank Lake Union Publishers, NetGalley and the author for the opportunity to read this complimentary copy for an honest review. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Book Title: All We Could Still Have
Author: Diane Barnes
Publisher: Lake Union Publishers
Genre: Women’s Fiction
Pub Date: November 21, 2023
My Rating: 4 Stars
Pages 281

Nikki and Kyle Sebastian have been married for seven years are a happy loving couple and would like to start a family. Unfortunately Nikki had a miscarriage and they have not been unsuccessful with having a baby even when they turn to IVF. The cost of IVF is very expensive and has put a strain on their finances as well as their marriage.
Nikki is really desperate to be a mother but Kyle has said enough is enough.

However, this has resulted in a betrayal if each other’s trust. Nikki tells Kyle that she got a bonus and could they try one more time with IVF. He agrees.
Truth : Kyle finds out that Nikki did not get a bonus but took money out of their 401K to use. Needless to say he is upset and moves out to calm down,

The story includes several flashbacks to how they met as well as the romantic way Kyle proposed. There is no doubt that I am pulling for them. Additionally, my husband and I experience the trauma of not being successful with having children but adopted two amazing daughters.
This story has another flashback with something that happened a long time ago that may
help in Nikki and Kyle’s relationship or may not!

This was a quick unputdownable story for me!

Want to thank NetGalley and Lake Union Publishers Books for granted me this early eGalley.
Publishing Release Date scheduled for November 21, 2023.

I enjoyed reading the story. It felt a little too predictable in places if I'm honest, but it did keep me engaged to the end. I didn't feel there was as much depth to it as there could have been but still an enjoyable read.

Diane Barnes' All We Could Still Have was such a heartwarming delight! Following the story of protagonist Nikki, whose longing to become a mother has her making a desperate (and ill-advised) decision in the first quarter of the book, All We Could Still Have manages to avoid all the tropes and predictable cliches that, if I'm being honest, expected from it, based on the first pages. Instead, at every turn, the reader gets a refreshing new take on what it means to do the work necessary in a marriage, what it means to be a mother, sister, and daughter, and how, in the end, nothing is simple when it comes to family.

If, like me, you feel frustrated by Nikki at the start, keep going! You won't be sorry!

Thank you Netgalley for the ARC of this book. I enjoyed this book. I have experienced fertility issues and this one hit very close to home. The story was beautifully written as were the characters. Highly recommend

A great holiday read - predictable but still endearing.
The characters were not hugely likeable but the story was engaging enough to keep me interested.

The twist was obvious from the start but it didn’t matter, great beach book.

I really enjoyed this book. It was well written and felt real and raw. A sensitive subject which was well written about. Having children myself I could relate to Nikki. Lessons on acceptance and forgiveness which I really liked. Thank you for allowing me to read early.