This was a very sensitively written and emotional read. Cate found out at the age of sixteen that she was unable to have children. She is registered with an adoption agency and is delighted, after having one failed adoption, to receive a telephone call to say that there is another baby for her. She celebrates with her family who are delighted for her. Her hopes are dashed yet again when she goes to collect the baby only to be told that the mother has changed her mind. Cate is absolutely devastated and goes home and shuts herself away not telling anyone what has happened. She hears a knock at her door and is amazed to find an abandoned baby there with a note asking her to take him in and forgive the mother. Cate’s first thought is to ring the police but she decides to pretend that he is the baby that she was supposed to adopt and will keep him. But when she has to take him to hospital when he is unwell she is confronted by Jade, the baby’s mother, who now wants him back. The book is told from Cate and Jade’s pointe of view and I could sympathise with both women. A very engrossing read and I book that I could not put down.
Thanks to Netgalley and Bookouture for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book.

Such an emotional read, I was so engrossed in the story that felt like it was me in the book and in some ways it almost could be. I couldn't putt this book down. Highly recommend

"The Baby Left Behind" by Jen Craven is a poignant and emotionally charged novel that delves into the complexities of motherhood, sacrifice, and the bonds that tie us together. From the very first page, Craven hooks readers with a heart-wrenching premise that sets the stage for a captivating journey of self-discovery and redemption.

Cate, the protagonist, is a compelling and relatable character whose struggles with infertility and the sudden arrival of a baby on her doorstep tug at the heartstrings. Craven's portrayal of Cate's emotional turmoil is both raw and authentic, drawing readers into her world as she grapples with the difficult decisions that lie ahead.

The plot unfolds at a steady pace, with twists and turns that keep readers guessing until the very end. Craven skillfully navigates themes of love, loss, and the search for identity, weaving together a narrative that is as thought-provoking as it is engaging.

What sets "The Baby Left Behind" apart is its exploration of the meaning of family and the lengths to which a person will go to protect those they love. As Cate uncovers the truth behind the baby's arrival, she is forced to confront her own beliefs about motherhood and the true nature of parental love.

While some aspects of the plot may stretch credibility, Craven's heartfelt prose and compassionate storytelling make it easy to suspend disbelief and become fully immersed in the story. Fans of Jodi Picoult and Jojo Moyes will find much to love in this moving tale of love, loss, and the power of redemption.

In conclusion, "The Baby Left Behind" is a touching and beautifully written novel that will stay with readers long after they turn the final page. Jen Craven has crafted a story that is both heartrending and hopeful, reminding us of the strength of the human spirit in the face of adversity.

I was so engrossed in the story that felt like it was me in the book and in some ways it almost could be. It definitely got the water works going and I think I went through 2 boxes of tissues. Such a emotional read for me.

This book is all about motherhood and the lengths mothers will go to. Told by 2 women, Cate - who desperately wants a baby and is going through the process of trying to adopt, and the birth mother . This was an emotional thriller that just kept coming. It has short chapters which Im a fan of to keep the story flowing. The characters were realistic and the ending was unpredictable. Another discovery of a new author. I cant wait to read more of her books.

The Baby Left Behind tugged at my heartstrings.

Cate desperately wants a child of her own, but has a medical condition that makes it an impossibility. I don't want to give spoilers, but when Cate finds herself with a baby you know how things are bound to turn out.
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I did find the story quite slow in places, and I definitely wanted to give a couple of the characters a shake at times. However, the story was interesting and I did want to keep reading to the conclusion.

Thank you to net galley and the publishers for my copy of this book

This book really makes you think 'what would I do?' It makes you question why Cara did what she did and why she didn't come clean. And in fairness, after the losses Cara has suffered, you can understand why she did what she did. It's really clever. You kind of root for both women - both mothers - but for different reasons. Very clever, I enjoyed it alot

**A huge Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, and Jen Craven for the opportunity to review an ARC of this book**

Wow. As a mother myself, this story really tugged at my heart strings, and made me feel all the feelings.

You feel so bad for Cate at every turn. I definitely did not expect the ending to turn out like that.

Gripping, heart wrenching, a story that sticks with you long after the book is over.

5 stars!

The Baby Left Behind by Jen Craven

Published: September 20, 2023
Bookouture
Genre: Women’s Psychological Fiction
Pages: 316
KKECReads Rating: 4/5
I received a copy of this book for free, and I leave my review voluntarily.

Jen Craven is the author of upmarket women's fiction, where one decision changes everything. The author of two historical fiction novels, "Best Years of your Life" is her debut contemporary work. She writes from northwestern Pennsylvania, where she lives with her family.

“The thing about crystal, though, is that it’s easy to break.”

This was a heavy one. The storyline is told in parts, which I enjoyed. I liked the characters and how things moved along.

I liked Cate. She felt like an authentic woman who was struggling with infertility. She had done everything “right” and yet something she wanted so badly, a child, couldn’t happen.

I liked Jada as well. She has been through it, but she was trying and I appreciate that. There were some issues I had with her character, like not knowing about the safe haven laws while working at a medical office.

Overall this was a great read. The pacing was well done and the plot moved along smoothly. And things worked out in a way that was unexpected, but not the worst. The element of hope is strong within this story, and I loved that.

Cate Connally is a single woman who wants to be a mother more than anything. She has a physical condition, little known Mayer-Rotkitansky-Kuster-Hauser Syndrome, when a female is born without a uterus, so is unable to carry and give birth to a child. She has registered with an agency to adopt, but after two near adoptions fall through, she has just about given up. When a newborn is left on her doorstep, she can't call the police, she finally has her heart's desire. Of course things never go the way you hope when you are living a lie, and when her baby boy is sick, her life is upended again. What will she do?

The Baby Left Behind is a book that had my emotions all over the place. Being a mother, I can't fathom what it is like to want to have a child do desperately, and not be able to carry your own, nor be successful trying to adopt. Cate is at her wit's end. My heart broke for her. She really tried to do what was best within her parameters. Of course as in the adoption situations, she lives on tenterhooks wondering if the real mother will turn up and want her baby back. I don't want to give this story away, so will say no more. I was sad, happy, angry, and frustrated at times while reading this one. I rooted for Cate at times, then others wanted her to make different decisions. The characters were well drawn and I was able to relate to them, which is why my emotions were the way they were. The story lagged at times, but I was pulled in from the start to the finish. I had mixed feelings about the ending, but it was real and left me feeling for these characters. I am still thinking about them. This is a book is about motherhood and adoption, but it also has themes of addiction, friendship, family relationships and unconditional love. This is one I recommend you read with tissue nearby.

Amazing. Hooked me from the start. I haven’t read anything by this author before but definitely will read other books written. This book is about a woman who has a medical condition that she can’t have biological children. She wants to adopt. She gets a call from the adoption agency and gets very excited but the next morning she gets a call that the birth mother changed her mind. Cate is devastated. She cries herself to sleep and suddenly she hears baby crying. Thought she has lost her mind. But she goes to open her door and realizes that the is a baby left at her door with a note. What is she going to do? Huge thank you to netgalley for giving me this arc. All opinions are my own.

If you want a book that pulls at your heart strings then look no further.

I didn’t expect the outcome at all.

Great book.

Thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for the chance to read this book.

Some possible triggers in this book are fertility issues, substance abuse, and rape.

The Baby Left Behind by Jen Craven is one of those stories that grips you because it's full of heartache, pure love, and the balance of right and wrong.
Cate has longed to become a mother her whole life. Heartbreakingly, she has a rare medical condition, which means this will never happen, so she turns to adoption. After not one but two almost there attempts, she is shattered yet again.
It's at this point that she finds a newborn on her doorstep with a note that says, "Take him. Please forgive me. " Cate is then put in a position where she knows she should do the right thing and call the authorities, but her broken heart is calling to her to keep the baby as her own.
It's not until he becomes sick at a couple of months old that it all falls down around her and the babies birth mother comes back on the scene.

There is a lot of drama in the story, and it's easy to sit back and say who is wrong or right, but it's such a complex story of love for the baby.
It is a well written story that is totally unputdownable!

4 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thank you to Jen Craven, Bookouture and NetGalley for the ARC of The Baby Left Behind in exchange for my honest review.

Cate was born without a uterus meaning she cannot have children of her own. All she wants is a baby and after two failed adoptions she’s completely crushed. When a baby shows up on her doorstep she’s overwhelmed with every emotion. The right thing to do is call the police, but how can she call the police knowing they’ll take this baby boy from her.

Cate doesn’t know who dropped the baby on her front porch or why they did it, but she took him in and loved him as if he was her own. Lying to her family & friends eats her alive because she knows she did wrong by not calling the police.

Jada left baby Nicholas on her bed surrounded by pillows to go get high on heroin and didn’t feed him for over 12 hours. It was then that she knew she wasn’t fit to be a mother. She knew just who the right person was, who would love him and wanted nothing more in life than to have a baby. So she drove 30 minutes to Cate’s house and left Nicholas on her front porch.

When Cate finds out Jada is “Henry’s” mother she’s left to make some tough decisions. Cate & Jada both make poor decisions but one thing is certain, they both love him.

The “court” chapters in this book go to show you how unfair the courts can be and I truly believe that offenses when it comes to children should be enforced more than they are in the real world.

"The Baby Left Behind" by Jen Craven deserves a solid five stars! If you're a fan of Jodi Picoult's writing style, you're in for a treat with this book. It's filled with moral dilemmas that make you ponder, "What would I do?"

Normally, I steer clear of books involving babies or children, but I'm so glad I made an exception for this one. Jen Craven handled the subject matter with grace and sensitivity.

I'm eagerly looking forward to reading more from Jen in the future. She's definitely earned a spot on my auto-buy list.

The story of Cate and the baby left on her doorstep is both heartwarming and heart-wrenching. It tugs at your emotions as you follow Cate's journey to motherhood, despite her medical condition. When she finds the baby outside her door, you can't help but feel her instant love and connection.

As the plot unfolds, you'll be hooked, wondering about the baby's true origins and the difficult decisions Cate must make to protect him. It's a gripping tale that keeps you turning the pages.

In "The Baby Left Behind," Jen Craven weaves a captivating story that will stay with you long after you've finished reading. Don't miss out on this compelling and thought-provoking read.

The Baby Left Behind is a gripping saga that will keep you up reading. This book was sad, happy, and so well written. Cate has always wanted to be a mother but she can never have children. Jada is a recovering addict who is not ready to be a mother. Jada leaves her baby on Cate’s doorstep and sets forth a series of gut wrenching events.
This was a heart tugging read. I do have to say that my sympathies lied with Cate. I won't give away the ending but it tied up the story nicely. Many thanks to the author, Bookouture and NetGalley for a complimentary copy of the book. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

This was not what I was expecting. It was an emotional novel about what it is to be a family and a mother. I really felt for both Jada and Cate and while I was sure I knew where this one was heading; it was the process of getting there that was so gripping. The two couldn’t be more different but had one little boy in common.

I liked that this delved into both women’s family and friends and had a slew of supporting characters. I am not sure what I would have done in either woman’s shoes, but it would be an interesting book club book as there are so many things to discuss. Cate’s condition and desire for a baby. Jada not knowing she was pregnant and her decisions. And all the decisions both women make over this little boy. Was justice served? Was the right outcome decided?

I read this in a day and wanted to know how this one would end. Seriously if you want a book that isn’t a thriller, but keeps you guessing and gives you a lot to think about, this is the book you need to be reading.

Cate wants a baby more than anything in life, but due to a medical condition she is unable to conceive. After two failed adoptions, a baby in a car seat turns up on a cold winter night with a note tucked inside the blanket:
'Take Him. Please forgive me.'

Seeing the infant Cate wonders if this is the miracle she was waiting for. She contemplates between calling the police or taking the baby in to care for him. A day becomes two and her world is turned upside down when she inevitably comes face to face with the birth mother who realises she has made a terrible mistake. But Cate will not give up without a fight.

This is a story that will resonate with every woman who is a mother and who wants to be a mother. I was absolutely gutted after reading this story and realised how important our family and friends' support and love is.

Moral dilemma forms the crux of the story. Who should raise and love this child? The mother who gave birth and then abandoned the child or the one who took him in, kept him safe, cared and nurtured him?

I loved how the book ended with a massive jump in time and makes us hope for the best for the two women. The story was slow and drawn out at times but I was still immersed in the lives of these characters. Overall, a thought provoking read, one which will make for a great book club discussion.

Thank you @bookouture for having me on the #booksontour and @netgalley for a digital ARC to read and review.

From the stunning front cover, the first page to the last, you will be hooked, and on the edge of your seat in suspense with Jen Craven's latest, THE BABY LEFT BEHIND! I loved this book!

An INTENSE, emotional, thought-provoking, riveting page-turner of two women suffering significant tragedy and trauma—and in desperation, doing unspeakable things. There are no do-overs. When their lives collide, it is EXPLOSIVE!

THE BABY LEFT BEHIND is also a moving exploration into the complex mother-daughter relationships between two families and different walks of life. Both daughters gain insight and wisdom from their misfortunes.

Cate Connelly is 40 and single. She has always wanted to be a mother. She wants nothing more. She has dreamed of this since she was a child. Unfortunately, she has a birth defect, which keeps her from ever carrying a baby.

She has a great job, works remotely as a digital creator for a Chicago company, and owns her own Cape Code home in Ohio. She comes from a great family, well off with a loving but sometimes controlling mom, wonderful dad, and sister married with two sons. Cate has always thought she never measured up. She has had her share of men and does not need a husband to adopt a baby. The baby comes first.

We learn in the opening from one year earlier that Cate's life stopped when the pregnant mom changed her mind about the adoption right after the baby was delivered. Hadley backed out. Cate was devastated. It was a girl, and she was there at the birth. The nursery was all ready. She was so close. She lost her dream. Can she go through this again?

Cate also has a best friend since childhood, Ryan (loved him). He is gay; they are besties and spend a lot of time together. He is always supportive.

A year later, she gets a call from the adoption agency. This time, it is a boy, and the mother just gave birth. The entire family is excited, as well as Ryan. Cate is almost too worried to get excited. They assure her nothing can go wrong.

However, she gets the call the morning she is about to leave to pick up her new baby boy. It is terrible news. Again, the mother changed her mind. No baby. It was so close. She is devastated and let down once again. How can all these women have babies? She wants more than anything to be a mother. She does not tell her family or anyone yet of the terrible news. She cannot see their pity once again.

She needs to be alone with the news and shuts out everyone. She spends all morning crying alone when she hears a baby crying. She thinks she is dreaming or imagining the sounds. After further investigation, it is a baby! A baby in a car seat with a diaper bag in the cold winter of early January! It looks like a newborn with dark skin and dark hair no more than a week old.

She sees no one and brings him in. He is crying. Then she finds the note. Take him. Please forgive me. A sparrow is also illustrated in the corner, flying off. Who left the baby at her door? Why her? What does this mean? How did they know she would be home, and what is the connection?

Cate is frantic to get the baby inside, change his diapers, and give him formula in the bag. She still has the nursery for the babies, which did not happen twice. She knows she needs to call 911 immediately, but he will be turned over to foster care. She wants one night with him. To pretend this is her baby. Her gift. But she is already in love with this bundle of joy, and one day turns into another until two months pass. Maybe this was meant to be; she justifies it because the note tells her to do so. It is not like she stole him. Someone gave him to her.

Then, her family drops by, and he is still there. Frantic, she lies and tells her family, Ryan, and the neighbors that this is the baby she adopted. (or allows them to assume). Her lie has gone too far. There is no turning back. But then she knows she will need a birth certificate, health insurance, and a pediatrician. How will she be able to pull this off? She has no records. She names the baby after her dad, Henry. She makes a mistake that will cost her more than she knows. She risks it all.

Then Henry gets sick, running a fever, and takes him to the hospital. How will she explain things? Everything changes when she steps out in the hallway with the baby to take a call.

From here on out, it is non-stop suspense to figure out the mystery, with so many plot twists and turns. You cannot imagine how this will turn out in a court of law.

Told from POVs of Cate and Jade. Jade is the other woman, and —to refrain from spoilers, you will have to read the book to see how these two women's lives collide! Jade's story is just as compelling. It is best to go into it blind because you do not want to miss the element of surprise.

Grab the tissues: Part tear-jerker, as it may make you angry. A celebration of mothers, this story tugs at the heartstrings… a beautiful, thought-provoking, heartwrenching novel of courage and love in the face of trauma and tragedy.

Some may not like the trial outcome, but I loved the ending. It was perfect. THE BABY LEFT BEHIND is a bittersweet, emotionally intense drama of domestic suspense—recommended for readers who appreciate motherhood stories by Sally Hepworth, Jodi Picoult, and Emma Robinson.

The novel has so much emotional depth, and I enjoyed the symbolism of the sparrow. There are highly charged topics of motherhood, pregnancy, addiction, drugs, abuse, adoption, family dynamics, abandonment, abuse, estrangement, secrets, lies, and deception. It also explores the deepest longing for family and how good people can do bad things when desperate.

A poignant and breathtaking novel, prime for book clubs and further discussions. Discussion questions included. This would make a great movie. Full of heart, humor, family, and friendship.

My first book by the author, and I am highly impressed! Jen Craven is on my top author list to watch, and I enjoy her writing style—I look forward to reading more. Bookouture certainly has cranked out some winning talent this week! I have gotten no sleep as there was no way to stop reading until all was revealed—read in two sitting—yes, is that good!

Thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley for introducing me to this talented author and for a gifted ARC for an honest review.

Blog Review posted @
JudithDCollins.com
@JudithDCollins | #JDCMustReadBooks
Pub Date: Sept 20, 2023
My Rating: 5 Stars +
Sept 2023 Must-Read Books

I want to give this book 4.5 stars because it had me utterly hooked from the very beginning like few books have in the past. This book was gut wrenching and so incredibly well written. I took half a star because the conversations between the two women and their respective mothers was soooo cheesy I couldn’t help but roll my eyes. Although I am happy with the ending overall, I almost felt like in court, the author was highlighting the rich vs poor narrative a little too much and it did annoy me a little.

Overall, this was an AMAZING book and I cannot wait to read more by this author!