When Catriona and James Sinclair decide to have a baby, they find that conception is not as easy as they had hoped. They ultimately undergo in vitro fertilization, and their son, Sebastian, is born. Ortlepp adds severe postpartum depression issues to her tale, and Catriona ends up spending several weeks in an institutionalized setting before she is able to accept her role as Sebastian's mother.
Meanwhile, Diana and Liam Simmons are desperate for children when the find that their joint infertility issues make it impossible for them to have a child. They are thrilled when Diana's gynecologist explains that she can have an "adopted" embryo implanted and have the experience of pregnancy. Using the Sinclair's remaining embryo, Diana becomes pregnant with Noah, and the Simmon's family is complete.
These sensitive topics are very well handled and leave room for hours of debate and discussion, but Ortlepp continues bombarding the reader with additional thought provoking situations that left me rooting for a different character in each chapter. Her style of writing from both family's viewpoints keep us invested in the Sinclairs and the Simmons throughout the book. I hated seeing a chapter end and kept being drawn back to these situations that made me understand even the most heinous of crimes.
I don't want to introduce any "spoilers," so I will end by saying this was an exceptionally well written book that should lead to hours of interesting discussions.
- Beverly
Publisher - Center Street
Date of Publication - July 5, 201