Thank you, Lake Union Publishing and NetGalley, for the ARC!

Kyle and Nikki have been married for seven years. After several failed attempts to conceive, their seemingly perfect marriage is thrown into havoc. In the upheaval of their marriage, they both made missteps that’ll change their lives forever.

I found this while scrolling through the titles on NetGalley. The author has my cousin’s name so that drew my attention. This was a pretty good read. The themes explored were family, grief, loss, sisterhood, and infertility. The characters were very well written, and the writer did a great job with the character development. Even though I don’t share Nikki’s experience, it was very relatable. There were several instances I wanted to hug her.

This was my first read by this author, and she didn’t disappoint. I’ll check out her other books!

Thank you Diane Barnes, Lake Union Publishing and NetGalley for allowing me to read this book early.

Spoiler free synopsis:
Nikki Sebastian desperately wants a baby. She hand her husband have been trying for years, with several rounds of IVF, to no success. That's when Nikki makes a decision that ends up affecting her and Kyle's relationship, leading to a dramatic change in their life.

Dislikes:
I found Nikki to be incredibly annoying in the first 1/3 of the book. However, I've never gone through fertility issues or felt that my life is incomplete without a child, so maybe I just can't relate to how she is in the beginning of the book. That being said, I do think the author should get credit for writing a character that manages to annoy me! Furthermore, I found the book a little predictable at times. The "twist" near the end didn't shock me at all, as I'd already predicted it. That being said, I do believe there are certain formulas that will always appeal to specific readers, and this might be one of them.

Likes:
Throughout the book, there are flashbacks sprinkled in, and I think those are written in very well. The transitions between present and past are smooth, and not confusing in the slightest. The friends and family drama is balanced with Nikki's story and her growth as a character - and she does grow and change throughout the course of the book, which I like. And I want the puppy!

Final thoughts:
This book was okay. It might appeal more to someone who can relate more to what Nikki is going through than I could, but all in all it didn't have any boring parts that I wanted to skip past, the chapters are short and quick to read, and the ending is sweet, connecting Nikki's past to her future.

The subject of this book is a difficult one. As someone who has undergone IVF, eventually being successful, it brought back many memories. I felt that the infertility was sensitively portrayed thinking back to my personal experiences. No one can possibly understand how you would feel if you are in the terrible situations portrayed in the story unless you have had some personal experience but I felt it was a really good read.

I absolutely loved this book, and honestly it came at the right time for me.

If you've never been through infertility, I know the MC can come off as annoying but sometimes life doesn't go how we think it's going to go and it breaks our heart and becomes our main focus.

This book is honest, it's raw, and it's real.

I loved it.

I'm not one of those people who thinks a child makes marriage complete, so I strongly disagree with various themes in this book. But I could step into Nikki's shoes and see why she makes the choices she does under subtle pressure from Kyle and society in general. Kyle is no saint, and he is a good representation of manipulative, sly men with whom you're damned if you do and damned if you don't. Their dynamic is extremely toxic, but it makes for a disturbing yet engaging read that'll linger in your memories long after you've turned the last page.

This was a good book. There weren't any surprises for me but how they came to be with still an interesting read.

Nikki and kyle both made huge mistakes in their marriage. It was all so normal, so typical that it didn't surprise me. So many people have trouble getting pregnant but you don't always know all of the steps and measures they take to try to make it happen. I'm glad I never had those issues because if I based it off of Nikki and Kyle. I'm not sure my marriage could have survived all of that.

That said, I would definitely recommend this book but with a trigger warning for anybody who might be sensitive to the topic of infertility, adultery. And the like.

This is an emotional story which follows the hopes, dreams and fears of a husband - Kyle, and wife - Nikki. Kyle and Nikki have reached a crossroads in their marriage when the story opens - they've been trying for a long time to have a baby via IVF, but so far this has proved painfully unsuccessful. A decision needs to be made - should they continue and get into debt, or give up and try to be happy without being parents? As the couple disagrees about the right way forward, their relationship suffers and it seems as if only a miracle will sort it out. Is that miracle on the horizon? You'll have to read the book to find out, and as you do, you'll feel invested in the characters Diane Barnes has created. An absorbing read.

This novel touches upon an emotionally-laden, contemporary issue – infertility.

After failing to conceive “naturally,” Nikki and Kyle Sebastian turned to the medical community for assistance with dismal results – no pregnancy, maxed out credit cards, a debt of $50,000-plus, and a stressed marriage. When the third round of in vitro fertilization fails, Kyle is ready to call it quits, much to the dismay of his wife who is desperate to be a mother. The resulting consequences of betrayal lead to the potential end of their once-happy, stable union. Additionally, a long-held secret threatens to further upend Nikki’s life.

The author addresses the topic of infertility with sensitivity and compassion, illuminating how the dream of having a family impacts a couple as well as their friends and family. While I empathize with the issue, I did not find Nikki to be a sympathetic protagonist. Perhaps it was the effect of multiple hormonal treatments, but her decision-making process seemed flawed and even selfish to the detriment of her marriage. I was appalled at her sister’s uncaring attitude in first foist off a puppy on Nikki who was in crisis and then reclaiming it at her own convenience months later.

Overall, this was an interesting novel that kept me engaged throughout the emotional turmoil of Nikki and Kyle’s relationship as they came to a resolution of their differences. One cautionary note: Because of the nature of the topic, it may trigger some readers who have experienced similar circumstances.

My thanks to the author, the publisher, and NetGalley for the privilege of reviewing this book. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

This review is being posted immediately to my GoodReads account and will be posted on Amazon upon publication.

I’m absolutely blown away. I have nothing but warm feelings toward this book and am so devastated that I have to leave Nikki behind as I’m finished with reading. It’s been a long time since I’ve considered adding a book to my “all time favorite” list, but this one is headed there. Delightful, absolutely delightful and heartwarming. So real, so raw, and just read it!

A brilliant book touching on relationship issues which many couples can probably relate to. An easy, enjoyable read with relatable characters and a carefully woven storyline. Thank you very much for giving me the opportunity to read this book - I will be recommending this to friends. I also think it would make a great Book Club read.

This was a really heart-breaking yet heart-warming story and I didn't see the twists coming. This took me through every emotion and although I can't relate to their struggles I felt a connection to the characters and seeing their disappointment with the IVF and learning to cope through betrayals. I thought the message of this was really sweet and the writing was beautiful with a satisfying ending.

Nikki and Kyle have been trying for a baby for years without success, something I'm sure many readers will resonate with. It's a huge strain on their once solid and happy marriage. Cracks starts to show and then an Indiscretion.
The decisions after that will shape both their lives and that of others.
This was an easy read, a little predictable but didn't take away from the story.

How far would you go to carry and birth your own child? How much into debt would you go to finally hold your own child in your arms? And how many lies could you keep secret to finally make this a reality.

This book really delves into the lives of Nikki and Kyle who have been trying to have a baby and finally resorted to IVF treatment. Many times during their journey I wanted to literally put the book down and not go back to it. The writing is excellent and the characters are all strong but secrets and lies unfortunately form such a large part of this book. I felt so many emotions while reading this book, probably because I have family who have gone through this journey. The consequences of many of the characters and what they emotionally and did to each other could have been really tragic and I often thought "how can they forgive each other for what they have done"?

However by the time I finished the book I realised that forgiveness and understanding is a big part of the message, to me anyway, in this book and even though there were many betrayals throughout the story, working together to mend these betrayals and constant love will eventually win through.

Thanks to Netgalley and Diane Barnes for the opportunity to read and review this book, I do believe I will often reflect on the actions of these characters for quite some time.

All We Could Still Have is an extremely good, intense read as you progress through the struggles of Kyle and Nikki. Years of infertility have threatened their once stable marriage. After years of the financial and emotional hardships of IVF, Kyle refuses to continue the process while Nikki wants to try one more time. Their frustration leads each of them to make bad decisions that affect their marriage and shapes the rest of their lives. This was a great premise with good character development. It turned out to be quite an emotional read and kept me interested until the end. A perfect portrait of two people married to each other and facing a major crisis in their lives. Advance reader copy was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for my honest review.

Years of infertility have damaged Kyle and Nikki Sebastian’s once solid marriage. The financial and emotional costs of IVF have made Kyle refuse to continue this process while Nikki wants to try one more time. Their fatigue and frustration leads each to make a bad decision, decisions which will affect their marriage and the rest of their lives.

All We Still Could Have is a satisfying, emotional read. Diane Barnes makes the reader feel the emotions that lead to Nikki and Kyle’s choices and understand the problems that follow. You’ll want them to find happiness again and hope it isn’t too late. 5 stars.

Thank you to NetGalley, Lake Union Publishing and Diane Barnes for this ARC.

I could feel the main character's heartache through Barnes's writing! I was fully invested in this story. It's well written and a great book about a couple going through IVF and everyone around them having children. Very relatable and raw. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC. Five star book!

A story of a family who has been trying for years to conceive. Filled with insight into their strength and weaknesses. Would recommend this book.
Thank you to Diane Barnes, NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for the arc of this book

This book has my heart. As an IVF nurse, my heart felt for both Nikki and Kyle. I truly felt like I was there with them in the flesh while reading this book. They became friends for the week. The writer’s ability to draw you into their world and give life to these characters is extraordinary. When a book moves me to tears I know it’s a winner, and this book certainly brought the waterworks.

Infertility can take a toll on the best of couples. Niki has been trying to have a baby, but rounds of IVF as she and her husband, Kyle, at odds. The two are trying to juggle their lives, family situations and a big unforeseen problem.
I felt that Niki came across as much too self-centered about the choice of a baby over all else. She didn't hear what Kyle was trying to tell her.
This book is very good, but also intense as you progress through the struggles of this couple.
Thank you to Lake Union Publishing and NetGalley for providing an e-ARC in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.

Niki has been trying to have a baby for but is struggling with unexplained infertility. After rounds of failed IVF, her marriage is starting to show cracks from the stress. At the same time she is trying to manage her career and a tense family situation that is affecting not just her personal life, but also her career. One of these things is enough to drive a wedge in a marriage and they do. As Niki and her husband Kyle struggle to get their marriage back on track, it is rocked by an even bigger surprise.
I found this this book was very real and raw in its descriptions of the desperation and heartbreak of infertility. It was easy to be annoyed with Niki at times, but having suffered through IF, I found it very realistic. I enjoyed the other stories - her career, the restaurant and her family and how they converged. I though this was an excellent book, even if I didn't care very much for the ending. I thought it ended it way to neat of a bow, but I like how she was able bring a somewhat satisfying conclusion to the story.