What Came First

by Carol Snow

First comes love, then comes marriage, then . . . things can get a little complicated. Vanessa wants just one thing for her twenty-ninth birthday: an engagement ring from her longtime boyfriend, Eric. But when the ring turns out to be a mix CD and Eric turns out to be a guy who doesn't want to get married or have children, Vanessa considers a new path to having a family.

When Wendy and her husband, Darren, couldn't have children the old- fashioned way, a sperm donor seemed like the perfect solution. She never imagined she'd have out-of-control twins who'd drive her to cookie binges and scrapbooking while Darren escaped into the virtual world of computer games.

Single and career-driven, Laura didn't need a man to have a baby - at least not one that she ever met. Thanks to an anonymous donor, she shares her life with her adored eight-year-old son, Ian. She'll do anything for Ian - even fill their backyard with a bunch of noisy chickens. But the one thing Ian really wants is something Laura's never been able to give him: a sibling.

Now, to grant Ian's wish, Laura starts a search that will not only change her life but Vanessa's and Wendy's as well...

Genres: Chick Lit, Fiction, Romance, Relationships, Contemporary, Womens Fiction, Family

360 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 2011

About the author

Called “an author to watch” by Booklist, Carol Snow is an American author of contemporary women’s fiction and young adult literature. After graduating from Brown University with a degree in psychology, she spent many years writing literary short stories before accepting that she couldn't go more than a few hundred words without cracking a joke. She eventually turned her attention to crafting humorous, heartfelt stories with a wider commercial appeal, and In 2006, Berkley/Penguin published her first novel, Been There, Done That, which Publisher's Weekly called “humorous, wise . . . romance with a bit of social commentary.” Since then, she has written four more books for adults, Getting Warmer (2007), Here Today, Gone to Maui (2009), Just Like Me, Only Better (2010), and the upcoming What Came First (2011), about which Laura Fitzgerald, bestselling author of Veil of Roses, said, “Carol Snow mixes her trademark humor with tenderness and understanding in this good-mom/bad-mom tale of unexpected twists and turns.” Carol has also written two young adult books for HarperCollins, Switch (2008), an ALA Quick Pick for Reluctant Readers, and Snap (2009). Foreign rights to her books have sold to publishers in Germany, Norway, and Romania.

Carol Snow grew up in New Jersey. Much of her childhood was spent immersed in books; the rest was focused on avoiding dodgeball. In addition to her psychology degree from Brown University, she holds an M.A.T. in English from Boston College. Before getting her first book published, she had the typical (for a writer) assortment of odd jobs: tour guide, tutor, chambermaid, waitress. She worked for a T-shirt company, a child services agency, and a vanity press. She even had a short stint in local politics. Her campaign brochures were really pretty, with flawless punctuation.

Since leaving New Jersey, Carol has lived all over the place: Rhode Island, London, Massachusetts, New York, Connecticut, Utah, Arizona, and, now, Southern California, where she shares a cat-fur-coated house with her husband and their two children.

Reviews

[İlkim · Rating 3 out of 5]

Bir Kristan Higgins çıkmasını bekledim ama değil. Sıkılmadan okudum ama sonu tatmin etmedi. Bir de şimdiki zaman ile çevrilmiş... Gerçekten inanılmaz göze batıyor.

[Natashia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ever hit that point in a novel where you can't read fast enough, but you wouldn't dare skip a single word? Then when it's finally over, you close the cover, take a deep breath... and scream "NO NO NO!!! It can't end there? What happens next? But but but...I loved them all so much." And then you sob silent tears of goodbye to the friends you loved and promise to revisit them sometime soon. Of course, this is only after you've convinced every person in your life to read the book to. This is the type of love that must be shared. It's a rare occurrence that I read something so wonderful that it leaves my bookshelf to circulate among friends and family. This one will. It's a very good thing I won an autographed copy, or I fear I may never get it back, and I simply couldn't have that.

[Wanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having a baby is huge deal. And some women struggle to get pregnant and when they can't conceive naturally. They'll go through the extreme to have a baby. Now a days, there are so many options you can choose from to have a baby. Well that's what this book was about. This is the first book I've read that was based on artificial insemination. It's about three women that eventually end up in each others lives through sperm donation. All in need of one thing. A baby.

Each character touched me in their own ways. And I'll explain how as I introduce them to you.

The first character I'll talk about is Laura. She's a very successful lawyer whose totally in love with her son. Laura is a mom of an I believe an 8 yr old. Now her son is at a stage were he's asking her for a sibling. And she wants nothing more than to grant him his wish however the donor she used to conceive her son has not made any more donations to the bank.
Now here's where I relate with Laura. My son is 10 years old and he keeps begging me to give him a sibling. He asks for a baby sister. And it breaks my heart, because unlike Laura, I have no desire to have another baby. Maybe if I felt that I was emotionally or financially ready, I would probably consider it. Because like Laura, she fears her son would stay alone if something were to happen to her. And so do I. So you can see how Laura's story touched me. But Laura's ready to make it happen and she'll jump through whatever loops she gotta jump through to make it happen.

Motherhood is not a Baby Gap Ad.


Now let's talk about Wendy. Wendy's a married woman with twin toddlers. She has her hands full, husband and two toddlers. And like Laura, she conceived her children through artificial insemination. But it seems she feels like she got the short end of the stick. She loves her twins. But they are extremely hyper and disobedient. They drain Wendy's energy and easily becomes overwhelmed.
Now here's where I connect with Wendy. When my son was a baby and even now at times, he was/is extremely hyper. And as a child whenever he had one of his temper tantrums or went through defiance stage, there was nothing anyone can say to calm me down. Just like Wendy, I cried and at times cried right along with my son as she did with her twins. Motherhood was a blessing but at times it felt like a nightmare when you couldn't get a grip on things. It hurts me to say that, but I know I'm not the only one. So I know how Wendy felt, when she just couldn't take it anymore and just lost her cool. But the sad thing with Wendy was, her husband instead of helping, he'd rather sit in front of a computer and play SIMS. Having toddlers with behavioral issues and a non-compliance husband can lead any woman to a mental breakdown.

And lastly you have Vanessa, she was highly anticipating an engagement ring for her 29th birthday, but instead she received a mix CD. She wanted nothing more than to marry the man she loves and begin having a family. But he had different plans. He didn't want to get married or have any kids. Right there, would have been the perfect time to get out of the relationship. However, like many women, she stayed because she loves him and she thought she can change his ways. But one phone call changed everything in their relationship. The link that connects them all together. What she will do? How she touched me, you may ask? I, like Vanessa have stayed in a relationship just because I loved the person, even when their dreams weren't the same as mine. But luckily, I got out before I got in too deep.

I really really enjoyed this book. Once, I started reading I couldn't put it down. Carol did her job as an author to entertain and she did her job to research everything in the topic of sperm donation. She gave each character a great story. She made it believable. And that is why I was hooked the moment I started reading. I connected quickly with her characters and I loved that about her book. This is definitely a 5/5 stars and a Good Choice for Reading. For more information on the author you can visit her website here.

[Wendy Hines · Rating 4 out of 5]

Laura Cahill wanted a baby badly but didn't want a man, so she went to a clinic for an anonymous donor and is impeccably happy with her son, Ian. She gives Ian whatever he wants; toys, electronics and even chickens. But Ian wants a sibling and Laura wants the same donor again so the children will look alike and have a bond. The problem is there is no more sperm on ice and she's creeping close to forty. She hires a private investigator to find the father of her son and plans on asking him for a favor.

Vanessa has been waiting for years for her live-in boyfriend Eric to ask her to marry him. All of their friends are married and she doesn't understand why he won't ask. She's twenty-nine and she really wants a baby. Eric is determined not to have kids, so when Vanessa tells him she is shopping around for a donor, he tells her he is totally fine with that. It will be her child but he'll support her decision.

Wendy and Dan waited several years after they married before they decided to have a child. But when they started trying, it never happened. They went to several specialists and eventually found out that Dan couldn't sire any children. Instead of adopting, Wendy acquired an anonymous donor. They had twins, but life isn't as grand as they thought it would be. The twins are hyperactive and destructive. Dan spends his time off playing The Sims and leaves the squalling kids to Wendy, who just wants to run away.

When Laura locates Ian's donor, it brings all three women together in a manner they never seemed possible. Carol Snow never fails to deliver, keeping the emotions dancing in this compelling and delightful tale. The characters are relatable and modern, all on different paths in life but Snow merges them together with zest and wit. Charming, page-turning and engrossing, What Came First is a must read!

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Three women have one thing in common, wanting children.

Vanessa is about to turn twenty-nine, and the only thing she wants is her boyfriend Eric, to propose. But what does Eric wind up giving Vanessa for her birthday? A mix CD, and news that he does not want to get married or have children. She starts to research alternative avenues to have children.

Laura didn’t want a man, but did want children. So she goes to a sperm bank. and is extremely grateful to the anonymous donor, who has helped bring her son, Ian, into her life. She loves her son with all her heart, will give him almost anything. But she can’t give him the one thing he wants the most…a sibling.

After Wendy and Darren have exhausted all the ways to conceive together, they end up turning to a sperm donor. Five years later, with two hyperactive and uncontrollable twins, life isn’t as magnificent as they thought it would be. The only “me” time Wendy has is attending her once a week scrap-booking group, while Darren is always on the computer playing video games, leaving the “taking care of the kids” all to Wendy. To say Wendy wants to scream and pull her hair out is an understatement.

Due to one shocking phone call, these women will cross paths with each other, and their lives will change.

I was captivated by this book just after the first few pages. This was my first time reading a book centered on women having children from a sperm donor, so from this stand point, it was quite interesting and intriguing. Carol’s writing hooks you deep into the character’s minds, thoughts and darkest secrets, leaving you hanging on to the edge of your seat wanting more. Even though the majority of the plot is centered around how these women’s lives are intertwined, the reader does get to learn other facets of each character. I really enjoyed this. I love how determined each of the women are, and in this aspect I can relate to them. Because wanting to be a mommy is at the top of my “want” list, I totally relate to the yearning to have children.

I have only critique, that being I wish Carol focused more on the other two women, and not so much on the relationship between Laura and Eric. At times it made the story feel a little off balance.

I recommend this book to anyone looking for a fun, light-hearted read, but at the same time, one that makes you think, and realize that life isn’t always as it seems. Sometimes we think other people have the perfect life, but you don’t know what happens behind closed doors. If you enjoy Women’s Contemporary Fiction, “What Came First” has to be on your list. Carol Snow’s other books are definitely on my to-read-list.

[Liralen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked this. I wasn't entirely sure what to expect -- it was a giveaway and looked like, effectively, a light, fun read --but my (admittedly vague) expectations, such as they were, were pretty accurate. Not quite a beach read but definitely an easy vacation read; chick lit; not going on my favourite-books-ever shelf (erm, if I had such a shelf) but something that I can in good conscience suggest that someone else read.

Paradoxically, I don't love any of the characters but I do love that they aren't all lovable. (Clear as mud?) Flawed characters -- the ones who do dumb things and regret it, who make mistakes, who are sometimes petty and, more importantly, are intended to be seen as such in that moment -- are so much more interesting than characters who are never in the wrong. It makes them frustrating sometimes, yes, but also more believable, more accessible.

What I really appreciated, though, was that it wasn't all rainbows and happy endings. I mean, it's mainstream fiction, so of course there's some degree of resolution and wrapping things up, but the characters don't all end up with plus signs on pee sticks and engagement rings and angelic children. My kind of a happy ending -- when there are good signs for the future but that future hasn't been wrapped up and handed to the characters with a giant bow.

I received a free copy of this book via a Goodreads giveaway.

[Brie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked the premise but the ending was rushed and really didn’t answer any of my questions. i wish each character had gotten one or two more chapters to just wrap things up

[Carol · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great page turner. The author knows how to draw you into this story and not let you go. I found myself reading it during commericals of my favorite TV shows and skipping others so I could read this book.

Carol Snow, author of 'What Came first' keeps three storylines going with alternating chapters that sometimes intertwine. She knows how to make the characters seem real and how to make you care about them.

There are three main women characters, Laura, Vanessa and Wendy.

Laura is a sucessful laywer who lives with her son, Ian, some chickens and Maine Coone in Fullerton, California. She has given up on dating, not having that much success with it. So she had Ian via a donor. She is so pleased with Ian who she adores that she wants to have another and for that she needs to find the original donor.

Vanessa, a dental receptionist lives with Eric, who currently works at a chain store at the checkout. Vanessa has been waiting and waiting for Eric to propose. She wants to start a family. She lives in Redondo Beach and enjoys getting together with the other women workers at the office.

Wendy lives with her husband,Darren, and twins, Harrison and Sydney in North Scottsdale, Arizona in a cookie cutter neighborhood. Her children have been in the "terrible twos" since the day that they were born. She is hiding a secret from her husband is eats to calm herself down.

What ties these three women together? Why is there a baby chick in the stocking on the cover? Why do women want children?

I really enoyed this book and want to read more of Carol Snow.

I recommend this book to all women, with or without children. It is a great read.

Although I received this book as a giveaway from GoodReads, that in no way influenced the content of my review.

[Pat · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a Goodreads Giveaway.
I totally enjoyed this novel of humor, love, and some sadness thrown in. We meet Vanessa. Laura, and Wendy. All from different walks of life. Laura, after a difficult divorce, decided she wanted to be a single Mom, no attachments except to her child. She is a hard working attorney, and felt she could raise a child quite comfortably. She has a sweet intelligent, and very loving 8 year old son Ian. The sub plot about the chickens is great, funny and heartwarming. Wendy and her husband after years of trying to have children, decide to seek help from a fertility Dr. The resulting twins have rocked her world. There is no such thing as a normal day in the Winder house. Finally Vanessa. She's living with a man, who loves her, but doesn't want children or marriage. All that Vanessa wants, and is dreaming about. She feels inferior because she never completed college, and works as a receptionist in a Dentist's office. Eric, her partner, went to one year of Med school, dropped out for his musical talent, which he feels he failed at too. Now works at Costco!
I couldn't figure out HOW Ms Snow was going to pull these women and there stories together, but oh, does she. I read the novel in a day, I couldn't put it down. I now have to seek out her other books!!! It's a wonderful story, and I highly recommend it.

[gille · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was really disappointed with this book. I didn't like ANY of the characters. I was bored. Usually when I read any books in the chick lit genre I plow through them in a matter of 1-3 days, but this took me a week because I was undermotivated to pick it up.

What Came First is the story of three women, their lives connected by one man. Laura is a single mother who has an 8 year old son from a sperm donor. Wendy has twins also from a sperm donor, though she is married. Vanessa has a boyfriend, Eric, who might want to marry her but probably not. The story follows these women, each chapter told through one of their perspectives.

Nothing in this story made me particularly joyful or sad. I was not moved even a little. Sometimes I could empathize with Vanessa, especially toward the end, but the other women were very annoying. Wendy was a model of the type of mother I never want to me. Laura seems very selfish. Ugh.

I do not recommend this book. I'm giving it two stars only because it held my attention enough to finish it.

[Patricia Mansker · Rating 5 out of 5]

I won this book from Goodreads (which is the reason I enter the contests..it introduces me to new authors I might not have read otherwise) and received it yesterday. Yes, this book is that good! I started reading it and couldn't put it down. I loved the pacing and the characters, she made them real and lovable/hate-able in turn. The book itself moves fast, and it's an interesting idea..what if a sperm donor's client decide to find him? I really enjoyed this book, and will be buying her others as soon as I can. Thanks Goodreads!

[Erika · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a good read! I've read all of Carol Snow's adult novels, and each is so different. This fifth one, also, was a completely different type of novel than the other four.

You know a book is well-written when you identify with all 3 of the main characters.

Kept with me in-hand until the last word was read. Very enjoyable and well-done.

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a fun story! A mother tries to track down the sperm donor who fertilized her egg that resulted in her son. In the process she involves another mother who received this guy’s sperm and his girlfriend. Lots of laugh-aloud places. It’s just such a joy to read Carol Snow.

[Kat · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked it

[Patti · Rating 4 out of 5]

my only complaint is that the ending left me unsatisfied- I wanted to know exactly what happened in everyone's life

[Maggie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought this book was pretty good.

[Janet · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute story of 2 women who used a sperm donor & of the sperm donor himself & his troubles with his girlfriend (who only wants what he gave to other women).

[Barb · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book! 3 different ladies and how they are connected! Great story

[Mona Gish · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolute loved this book. Want to read more from this author.

[Liz Wood · Rating 3 out of 5]

Meh….

[Bev · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked most of this book but I didn't love it. Vanessa really annoyed me - I did think Eric treated her badly and I could understand why she was upset but she was just so whiny all the time. Also since when did you have to wait 10 minutes for an opk? Yes, it says to look at it within 10 minutes but if doesn't take the entire 10 minutes for the line to show up so she wouldn't have been hanging out in the toilet for ages every day.

[Gina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Goodreads Description- First comes love, then comes marriage, then . . . things can get a little complicated.

Vanessa wants just one thing for her twenty-ninth birthday: an engagement ring from her longtime boyfriend, Eric. But when the ring turns out to be a mix CD and Eric turns out to be a guy who doesn't want to get married or have children, Vanessa considers a new path to having a family.

When Wendy and her husband, Darren, couldn't have children the old- fashioned way, a sperm donor seemed like the perfect solution. She never imagined she'd have out-of-control twins who'd drive her to cookie binges and scrapbooking while Darren escaped into the virtual world of computer games.

Single and career-driven, Laura didn't need a man to have a baby - at least not one that she ever met. Thanks to an anonymous donor, she shares her life with her adored eight-year-old son, Ian. She'll do anything for Ian - even fill their backyard with a bunch of noisy chickens. But the one thing Ian really wants is something Laura's never been able to give him: a sibling.

Now, to grant Ian's wish, Laura starts a search that will not only change her life but Vanessa's and Wendy's as well.

I was completely surprised how much I liked this book. I found it by accident while browsing the library shelves. As a matter of fact, I had never even heard of Carol Snow, the author. The novel tells the story of three different women. Laura a single mom and lawyer who devotes her life to her only son Ian. Wendy is married and couldn't get pregnant due to her husband's low sperm count used donor sperm to get pregnant with twins, Harrison and Sydney. Vanessa a single woman dating a guy who couldn't be less committed to a relationship even though Vanessa desperately wants to be married with children. It is told from their varying points of view, living out lives that have been touched in some way by a certain sperm donor. The three women are very different, and the author did a great job giving each woman a voice all her own. And unlike a lot of books switching narrators, I think I was equally invested in all three women, so there never really was a case where I wanted to skip over one to get back to another.

One thing I was bothered by with this book was the cavalier attitude these woman took to their sperm donor. While they acknowledged that he had signed a form absolving him of any further contact with a resulting child--and guaranteeing him his anonymity--they had no qualms about first tracking him down, then contacting him, and even asking him for quite a large favor. (well Laura did, anyway. Also, she was probably my least favorite, since she projected a little too much of the perfect-mom bit that I found hard to take) I understand the desire to get answers for your child (or, in Laura's case, something more), but I can't see how nearly harassing the donor is acceptable.

It was also interesting to see the difference between Laura's and Wendy's parenting styles. Laura's son Ian seems to be the perfect kid...intellectual, musical, athletic...he has it all. While Wendy's children are absolutely off the wall! There were times in the book when I wanted to shake both of them regarding their parenting style. Laura seemed like a helicopter parent while Wendy relied on bribery and yelling which never seems to really help the situation.

The story was well told, even if there were quite a bit of fluff added. However, I expect some of that in chick lit. Each of the three women were complete characters, and as I said earlier, it didn't matter to me what woman I was reading about. I was equally involved with each character's story. Because of the fact that the characters ignored the donor's rights and because I don't think they would have been really able to find out that much information about him in the first place after 9 years I had to knock of some points because of this totally unrealistic part of the plot. I would say that this is really more of a 4.5 star book for me but since I can't do that here I went with 4 stars because this part was too unrealistic to ignore.

Having said all that, I do plan on looking into other novels by Snow and hope they are as good as this one. 4 stars!

[Danielle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Three women and one goal…children. Unfortunately for Laura, Vanessa and Wendy life isn’t always simple and getting pregnant doesn’t always happen the way you’d imagine. One single with a successful career, another in a relationship that’s going nowhere and the last in a marriage that’s lost it’s flame but each has a dream of a family filled with children and love. On their paths each discovers that they might be more connected than they ever thought possible to complete strangers who may one day be classified as “family”.

Carol Snow definitely knows how to tell a compelling and entertaining story! What Came First was such an original concept that I could help but be sucked in. The only bad thing about it being so original is that I don’t want to give away too much and ruin the story for everyone. Two of the three, Laura and Wendy, had to have a sperm donor to get pregnant and then Vanessa had a boyfriend who didn’t want to get married or have children. Lets just say I wasn’t completely shocked by how these three women were connected, but the way Snow got there was what intrigued me.

As for the actual characters, I really enjoyed all of them except for the Vanessa-Eric relationship, but I’ll get to that. Laura and her son Ian, who she conceived by using a sperm donor, only want a sibling for him but need to track down their original donor. Wendy and her husband Darren having two completely annoying little terrors they conceived by using a sperm donor as well. Though Laura and Wendy were on completely different ends of the spectrum, one a lawyer the other a stay at home mom, they still connected through their shared struggles and made it an interesting dynamic. As for Vanessa, I really wanted to scream at her throughout most of the book. Who stays with a guy who is so aloof and floundering? He flat out does not want children and yet though she wants them desperately she still stays with him. To be honest, all of the characters at one point or another really drove me crazy with their choices but discovering how they would end up and the way they were connected was too much of a pull to not love the story.

From infertility to the lack of a willing partner What Came First by Carol Snow covers nearly every aspect facing women wanting children today. Told from the viewpoints of three very different women you get a look into these situations first hand and discover things aren’t always as simple as they seem from the outside. With the exception of an annoying character trait or two (but who among us doesn’t have one of those?) I loved everything about What Came First. This was an original story that shows life isn’t as easy as it seems, but however you travel on your journey things seem to have a way of working themselves out.

Originally reviewed & copyrighted on my site, Chick Lit Reviews.

[Meg · Rating 4 out of 5]

Carol Snow’s What Came First follows Laura, Vanessa and Wendy as they grapple with issues both familiar and foreign to many mothers. Laura and her bright, kind-hearted son, Ian, love their lives in suburban California. Born after Laura’s visit to a sperm bank nearly a decade before, the two-unit family would like nothing more than to welcome a third . . . but Laura, perpetually single, isn’t sure how to make that happen. Posting on a website designed to link families who may have conceived children from the same sperm donor, she eventually “meets” Wendy — a harried mother of twins.

Wendy’s son and daughter have major behavioral issues, a problem that drives her to seek out potential biological siblings to compare notes on her kids’ temper tantrums. After Wendy and Carol exchange notes and start their own research into their children’s DNA, they eventually find an answer to some of their questions — which leads them to Vanessa, a twenty-something trying to get a diamond from her live-in boyfriend. Ready to start a family of her own, Vanessa waits desperately for an engagement ring . . . but Eric seems no closer to committing than he did when they met.

All three women have trials, difficulties; no one’s life is perfect. And that’s what I loved about Snow’s novel dealing with fertility, motherhood, what it means to be a family — and what I always appreciate about her warm, rich and true-to-life characters. I probably related best to Laura, a type-A go-getter who can’t accept her family won’t grow. Her desire to have another baby seemed enviable rather than desperate, and I definitely felt her frustration and pain.

Where the story began and where it ended were completely different than I expected, and I love that What Came First surprised me from beginning to end. Though often light-hearted and very witty, Snow’s novel also raised questions about how families are formed and how love develops. In Wendy’s case, especially, I could see how difficult conceiving children who were not biologically “his” was for her husband, and these troubles were something I’d never considered before. I love a good slice of women’s fiction that also makes me think!

Fans of Snow will appreciate her take on love, relationships and moving forward. If you’ve never devoured a Carol Snow novel, you’re missing out — and What Came First is a great, feel-good place to start.

[Bonnigene Cloud · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a fun read by Carol Snow about some rather serious emotional topics.

The book follows three women, Wendy, Laura and Vanessa as they strive to make sense out of their marital situations, children, and future. The book addresses the difficult world of sperm donations and artificial insemination through Laura and Wendy's stories.

Laura is a single mother who chose to have a child after getting divorced from a man that didn't want to have children. She finds herself striving to be a great single mother and a successful lawyer. The only problem that she is faced with is that she wants another child. However, she wants to find the original sperm donor she used so that her children will be genetic matches and feel more of a kinship. With her growing infertility due to her age and difficulties with the original donor's home situation she stives to find acceptance and balance in her life.

Wendy is a married woman who used artificial insemination to concieve her twins who are totally opposite of Laura's beautiful son, eventhough they are genetically related. They are high spirited to say the least. Wendy strives to find out what can make her husband feel more connected to their children while trying to find the answer to what will make her children calmer.

Vanessa has a different situation in that she is trying to discover where her relationship stands. She is the sperm donors girlfriend. She works hard and always finds herself in difficult situations. She somehow manages to mess up when she least wants to. Vanessa doesn't want her boyfriend to donate anymore sperm. She wants to have him all to herself. Further more she loves him and wants to be married and start on a family of her own.

This book captures the difficulties and success of each of these women, allowing the reader to follow in their lives and feel their emotions.

[Jojo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Laura, Vanessa, and Wendy want a little more out of life. In their search, their paths eventually collide and bring change, for better or for worse.

I love the sense of humor in the book and the characters are very fun to read about (my favorite is the trip to "Hooters"). Everyone was portrayed realistically. They all have flaws that easily mess up their relationships but try to work past it. One thing that I especially liked was Snow's skilled use of viewpoints. When Laura and Wendy met, for example, we are essentially viewing it from both points of view. Not only was she able to keep it from being confusing, Snow also brought out the humor in the situation. Because each character has a distinct personality, you always know who is saying what.

I'm being completely honest when I say that I found almost nothing bad with this book. For the sake of presenting both sides, I will say that the story is predictable. You can guess who will end up with who in the end. Also, I found this more funny than anything but some might not like this: Vanessa overreacts a lot. It's like she and Wendy are having a crying contest to see who can shed the most tears. Wendy has an excuse because she has two terrifying children but I'm not so sure about Vanessa.


Won in GoodReads First Reads giveaway in return for an honest review
Pros: fast-paced, funny and realistic characters, character development, good story
Cons?: you can usually guess what happens, Vanessa cries a lot

I think everyone and anyone should read this book, especially future/potential mothers. The book shows the ups and downs of motherhood and leaves a strong message to readers to appreciate what they have and to remember what's most important.

[Christa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I came across this book completely by accident--I was searching the library for a book called Snow, but this one popped up because of the author's name. I hadn't heard of it, but after reading the summary, it seemed like a harmlessly entertaining choice.

I was completely surprised how much I liked this book. It tells the story of three different women, told from their varying points of view, living out lives that have been touched in some way by a certain sperm donor. The three women are very different, and the author did a great job giving each woman a voice all her own. And unlike a lot of books switching narrators, I think I was equally invested in all three women, so there never really was a case where I wanted to skip over one to get back to another.

One thing I was bothered by with this book was the cavalier attitude these woman took to their sperm donor. While they acknowledged that he had signed a form absolving him of any further contact with a resulting child--and guaranteeing him his anonymity--they had no qualms about first tracking him down, then contacting him, and even asking him for quite a large favor. (well Laura did, anyway. Also, she was probably my least favorite, since she projected a little too much of the perfect-mom bit that I found hard to take) I understand the desire to get answers for your child (or, in Laura's case, something more), but I can't see how nearly harassing the donor is acceptable.

So the not-so-realistic parts made me knock off a star, but it was really more like a 4.5. Give this a go if you're looking for a quick, engaging read that's just a bit fluffy, but still makes you question some important things--say, the role of donors in assisted reproductive technology--at the same time.

[Nina · Rating 3 out of 5]

I won this book in a GoodReads First Read giveaway.

What Came First tells the story about three very different women whose lives become connected. The one thing that all three of them share is the desire to have children, and the inability to have them the "traditional way." The author develops three characters with different, believable personalities and situations.

Laura is a career-driven, independent woman who decides she doesn't need a husband and has a son via sperm donor. Wendy and her husband are unable to conceive, so she uses a donor and gives birth to a set of rambunctious twins, but her husband feels like they aren't his children. Vanessa wants the traditional husband and children, but her boyfriend isn't interested in that life.

The book is an easy, engaging read. It's chick lit and doesn't present any earth shattering perspectives about relationships or parenting, but I did appreciate the fact that the situations of the characters were relatable and not cookie-cutter. The writing is contemporary, with many references to things like World of Warcraft and Twilight, which makes it seem like it's meant to be read now but not necessarily ten years down the line.

When reading books like this, it helps a lot if the problems that the central characters are struggling with are things that the reader cares about. Unfortunately, in this case, I don't care that much about having babies, and I'm already surrounded by people who care a lot about having babies. So a bit of a subject miss for me. However, I am interested to read some of Carol Snow's other books because she knows how to tell a good story.

[Chantal · Rating 4 out of 5]

What Came First by Carol Snow is an adult fiction that includes everything from engagements to kids to insane jealous girlfriends. It’s a very entertaining read that had me simultaneously wanting and dreading to have children. Seriously, this book played with my head.

The story follows three women. Vanessa, who is 29 and whose only wish is to receive an engagement ring from her longtime boyfriend, Eric so they can get married, settle down and start a family. Eric, on the other hand doesn’t think that’s the kind of life he wants to have.

Wendy and her husband, Darren have two children; twins who were conceived with the help of a sperm donor since they couldn’t have children the old fashion way. However, Wendy never imagined herself having two out of control kids while her husband does nothing more than play computer games all day.

Then there’s Laura, a career-driven woman who desperately wanted a child and knew she could have one with or without the help of a man. Her son, Ian was also born thanks to the help of a sperm donor. She’ll do anything for Ian, give him anything he wants. What he wants is a sibling.

Having no children, I didn’t feel I was able to identify with these women. Though I could try to imagine what my reaction would be in their position, I know it’s easier said than done. But even though I haven’t lived anything remotely close to their situation, I still enjoyed the book and seeing the comparison between the three women and their thought process.

I would consider this a great summer read. It’s light and very easy to read. It’ll make you giggle, frown and even think a little. It might also leave you wanting pet chickens.

[Eve · Rating 3 out of 5]

Two firsts for me on this one: 1. first book from this author and 2. first rating where I can't decide between 3 or 4 so I have to write to review first in order to decide exactly how I feel.

Vanessa wants just one thing for her twenty-ninth birthday: an engagement ring from her longtime boyfriend, Eric. When Wendy and her husband, Darren, couldn't have children the old- fashioned way, a sperm donor seemed like the perfect solution. Single and career-driven, Laura didn't need a man to have a baby - at least not one that she ever met...

Three different stories all fall into one, step by step. I loved many parts from this book, I disliked only a few. If that's the case, why not 5? I'm looking for something more dramatic in the stories and this one didn't not have a dramatic twist or ending. And while we're on the ending, why finish the book that way? I can guess how it ends but I want to be 100% sure, not only to guess.

Anyway, Carol Snow is great in telling stories and writing so I'm definitely looking forward for something else to read from her. I guess I still cannot decide so I'll give this book 3,5 overall rating and rate it with 4 cause I don't want to lower its rating:)