Ellie just wants a boy to love her. The more that she gives of herself, the more she expects and lately she’s been giving a lot to several boys. She hooks up with Josh at a party thinking things will be different with him. Once it’s over Josh leaves her just like all the others except this time Ellie becomes pregnant.

The story is told from four different points of view. Ellie’s denial of her pregnancy, Josh’s horror at getting her pregnant, Ellie’s best friend Corrine who is trying to hold everything together and Caleb who has had a crush on Ellie forever and happens to be Josh’s best friend.

Ellie’s family life has clearly played a huge factor in her need to feel loved. Her family does not communicate at all. Everything is perfect as far as her mother is concerned as long as the dishes are in the sink within three minutes of the family finishing dinner. Ellie finds refuge with Caleb’s mother, who comforts Ellie and offers advice about her pregnancy that does not come with a guilt trip.

Corrine is trying to be supportive but has never understood Ellie’s neediness when it comes to boys. She tries not to judge her friend’s choices but has trouble relating to her since she is much less experienced with boys than Ellie is.

Josh’s family life is not much better than Ellie’s. His father has a drinking problem and his mother works non-stop to avoid the issues at home. He is in complete shock that his first time has resulted in an unwanted pregnancy. While he’s relieved that this is Ellie’s decision and not his, he becomes consumed with how she is and what the baby will be like.

Caleb resents the fact that Josh was with the girl he has dreamed about for years and finds it hard to sympathize with him. At first he is happy that Ellie can confide in him and trust him but as she grows closer to his mother, he finds it hard to deal with. He and Corrine have each other for support but the situation is taking a toll on them as well.

Corrine and Caleb come from stable families that offer support and boundaries and both characters have confidence in who they are. Ellie and Josh come from dysfunctional families where everyone is dealing with their own issues in their own way without communicating. The unique aspect of this book is that it takes a hard look at how one action can affect so many lives in completely different ways. The baby itself isn’t even the main focus of the story. This book is character driven and readers will find themselves unable to put it down because they need to know what each character is feeling as the due date grows closer. The book is realistic in that there’s truly no happy ending for any of these people. They just need to pick up the pieces of their lives and try to move on.

This book contains sex and would be appropriate for grade 9 and up.

© 2010 Amy Ridley

Amy Ridley received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from Boston University.