Early Daze

by Jennifer Gilby Roberts

Early Daze is an honest but humourous British drama about the ups, downs and roundabouts that come when your baby is born too soon.

~~~~

Life has always gone smoothly for Jess, but then she got pregnant and it wasn’t just her breakfast that started going down the pan. And now her baby has “fallen out” before she’s even started anti-natal classes.

Suddenly, she's sucked into the bubble of the Neonatal Unit, where tensions run high and the real world feels very far away. She has a new home, new routines, new friends and even a new crush - and sleep deprivation, stress and separation are threatening to tear her neat little world apart.

When it's time for Jess to leave, what will she be going home to? And who will she be going home with?

Genres: Contemporary, Romance, Fiction, Family

176 pages, Paperback

First published March 28, 2014

About the author

Jennifer Gilby Roberts has a degree in physics and a postgraduate certificate in computing, so writing fiction was inevitable really. She was born and grew up in Surrey/Greater London, but now lives in Richmond, North Yorkshire with her husband, small daughter, two middle-aged cats and a lot of dust bunnies. She also has a grown-up step-daughter and a large extended family (by marriage).

Her job right now is taking care of her younger daughter (who was born three months premature, but is doing just fine now), but previously she worked many thrilling jobs in administration, including one in an insurance claims office (wholly unrelated to the one in 'The Dr Pepper Prophecies'...).

She's written two novels, both in the chick-lit genre, four novellas and a variety of short stories.

Reviews

[Maxine (Booklover Catlady) · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an absolutely beautiful book to read, it has everything, some sad moments, some poignant moments, some REALLY funny moments, and all in all it's just a very entertaining book. You don't have to think to hard reading it, you just have to enjoy it. Wonderful!

Jess has just given birth to her very premature baby, she's a new mum and it's her first baby and it's pretty scary seeing your little tiny weeny one in special care in the hospital. She has hormones raging, fears of what is ahead, concerns for her baby and wondering if she really can do this or not. I felt for her.

This book weaves in the funniest moments and lines, I was literally laughing out loud for much of it. I love a book that can do that, especially when it's a book that also has really beautiful moments in it too. A fine balance was achieved by Jennifer Gilby Roberts in pulling this book together. Bloody good job if you ask me.

The book is set mostly in the hospital, where Jess is staying in a special hospital apartment to be near her baby, she is engaged to Ryan, the father of the bubba and he comes to visit when he can. Jess builds up some strong relationships in the novel with other mothers, and one father (Ben) who are also being there for their little weeny premmie babies.

Jess is learning about all things motherhood and it's a touch overwhelming at the best of times, it's also very, very funny. This moment when Jess is tackling the breast pump at the hospital for the first time had me in stitches.

I hold my hands in a pair of funnel-and-bottle contraptions. They bear a striking resemblance to a couple of air horns. If they make a similar noise, I may have to call the whole thing off.

*Giggles* *Snort* *Guffaw*

Jess is having doubts while going through all this about her relationship with Ryan, he really gets on her nerves an awful lot. She makes friends with Ben, who is the only father staying in the hospital, abandoned by the mother of his baby headed for single dad world. Jess gets confused feelings and starts to wonder if she fancies Ben, and if so what about Ryan? I mean they are so different. Is the grass greener on the other side?

We're passing through the doorway, and I'm just about to ask if fancies grabbing some tea after the ride, when I hear, 'Jess!' I start. It's Ryan. He eyes Ben. 'Hi, I'm Ryan,' he says. 'Jess's fiance.' I don't know why he doesn't just pee against my leg.

Pee against his leg! Hilarious.

See? Just some great lines in this book. It's a serious matter taking care of your new premmie baby and learning everything from scratch and if you don't like babies or books around babies and mums you may want to skip this one, but actually I hope you don't because it's a really entertaining and good book.

I also get talked into trying a contraceptive implant. To be honest, I assumed that I would still be using the standard new mother method of contraception (i.e. a kitchen knife), but by this point I am feeling pretty much normal. So I'm booked to have it fitted.

Jess and her friends in the baby care unit share much together, the book is warm, funny, delightful and a total surprise read for me. I absolutely loved it. Every word. Read it in one sitting. I don't read a lot of chick-lit but when I do I liked it be like this. Good!

Can I just share one more of my funniest snorting moments from the book with you? Yeah? Okay.

I go into the kitchen. He's actually set the table. There's a candle on it and everything. Admittedly, it's a novelty one that he got on holiday in the shape of a penis, but I suppose it's the thought that counts.

Seriously? Good plot, great characters, well written, enjoyable. Highly recommended to anyone. A book that I will remember fondly with the odd giggle thrown in.

I was given a copy of this book to read from the author, Jennifer Gilby Roberts in exchange for an honest review, thank you Jennifer for the opportunity to read and review your book.

[ReadAlongWithSue ★⋆. ࿐࿔catching up · Rating 3 out of 5]

Jess little daughter is born early, very early, much too early and ends up in the neo natal unit.

We follow Jess as she learns all the emotions of becoming a Mom, not only that, she had a lot more weeks to go, so motherhood has come too early! She also has to bond with her baby via holes in a cot with a little baby who she cannot touch because of her delicate skin. The emotions that surround all of this are immense in her.

There are plenty of fun parts though especially when she is excreting some milk for the baby, of course the first parts are just dribble and have to be sucked up in a little syringe. When she asked her partner to help, he's reaction was truly a man!!!

Jess Mother I thought was very mean when she said that it was something that Jess has done to bring on the baby too early. Not a nice thing to say and we find Jess justifying herself to her Mom and giving her the statistics of babies who are born early.

This is not a doom and gloom book, its quite uplifing, but full of emotions along the way.

I would like to thank the author Jennifer Gilby Roberts for allowing me to read this book.

Thank you.

[BestChickLit.com · Rating 4 out of 5]

JGR has never let me down. Her writing reminds me a little of Marian Keyes – witty and easy to read but packing a serious punch of poignancy and a bittersweet nature.

Jess has led an exceedingly sheltered life and has developed some very straight-laced and, shall we say, conservative views. That is until she suffers a horrendous pregnancy that leads to a scarily premature baby.

Suddenly Jess is living in a world of doubt. Will her baby survive? Was it her fault? When will the surge of motherly love hit her? Is she a bad mother? Why are all the other mothers on the Neonatal Unit so weird and how come she’d never noticed her daughter’s father is so annoying and unsuitable before?

Struggling to find herself in amongst the fear and flurry of hormones, Jess has to use all her strength and resourcefulness to be there for her tiny daughter.

Early Daze is as short as Jess’ premature daughter and I zipped right through it and howled for more at the end. Not being a mother myself, I’d never before quite grasped how desperate life must be for mummies of premature babies. It’s opened my mind to how heroic these women are and given me a lot of warmth and laughter along the way.

review by Nikki Mason on behalf of BestChickLit.com

[Jo-Anne · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received a complementary copy in exchange for an honest review.

We start out meeting Jess in the Neonatal Intensive Care unit where she has just delivered a very premature baby. Much of the story takes place here while we learn what is involved with helping the baby survive. I have great respect for authors who do their research before writing fictional work and it was obvious that this was very well researched. She even went into some hormonal changes that happen when a woman has a baby and how it affected Jess's relationship with her partner.

I liked Jess and that she was a strong, capable woman handling the mess that life threw at her. The secondary characters were great additions to this story. I was surprised at Ben's character and how he was such a dedicated dad when we first met him but found out that the birth of his son was a life changer for him. It was nice to see Jess 'adopted' by friends of friends and how they helped her when she least expected it.

This line was so funny that I laughed for several minutes.

He eyes Ben. "Hi, I'm Ryan," he says. "Jess's fiance."

I don't know why he doesn't just pee against my leg.

[Queen Spades · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have read some books by this author in the past, such as After Wimbledon, Wedding Hells, and The Dr. Pepper Prophecies. I dived into Early Daze, not quite knowing what to expect.

The rhythm of development between Samantha the baby and Jess the mom was very touching and tugged at my heart. Jessstruggled with how to feel, not just because of being a mom but dealing with the challenges of not having “the perfect baby.” Outside pressures from family to friends are eye openers to the type of prejudices one can experience if baby or lifestyle doesn’t follow a certain standard.

Yet, with such tough issues being brought to the forefront, there was a type of dry humor in each chapter that made Jess and the other mothers in the unit easy to identify with. I enjoyed watching Jess grow into her own person and for her to appreciate who and what was in front of her, instead of always reaching for more or what she perceived as greener pastures.

For a contemporary mix of humor while dealing with emotional, true-to-life topics, Early Daze is a work I would definitely recommend.

[Becky Monson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This might have been a tough read for me, having been there myself. At first I blubbered like a baby, but then as the book settled into Jess's situation and the things that she was going through, the book took off for me and I loved it. Like, really loved it. It has sat with me for days after and I might even have to read it again.

Although a bit of a departure from her other books (this book had a more serious tone, although Jennifer's wit still shines through), this was another great read from Jennifer Gilby Roberts!

[Puscas Mircea · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was beautifully written , it was a pleasure to read it . The characters are likeable , the story is kinda short but refreshing . It's relaxing , a perfect read for the weekend .

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you Jennifer for putting on paper your NICU adventure. Your words resonated so well for me as I am also the mum of a little girl born 3 months early. I bought your book and then postponed the reading until I felt ready to go back through it and I'm so happy you wrote it. Like you said in the book, you aren't the only mum going through that. Reading you was like living it again but with someone else who understand and that wasn't scary after all. I'm also planning of writing about my story, I will let you know if this happens. Laura

[Mary Martin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Informative story about a baby born prematurely and how the parents cope with life in the NICU. jessica’s emotions were all over the place, anxious, happy, fearful, guilt-ridden.

[Andi Houtsch · Rating 5 out of 5]

Early Daze reads much like a memoir although from Roberts’ explanation (found included on the Amazon.com purchase page for the book) it isn’t meant to be. Although partially based on personal experience, this is not Roberts’ story of her daughter premature birth but an attempt to share the most important aspects of her experiences in order to bring light to what is ordinarily a rarely discussed topic.
They say that easy writing makes for hard reading, and hard writing makes for easy reading. This book, short though it may be, reads with incredible ease which tells me the book came from a place of hard writing, of divesting the soul of every easy and every difficult, uncomfortable, emotionally painful moment that comes with delivering a child into the world prematurely.
I connected right away with the main character, Jess. While my son (now in his pre-teens) came into this world somewhat late (it must be in my genetic makeup because no one in my family ever shows up on time for anything), I related to a lot of Jess’s emotional turmoil, particularly over breast feeding. The emotions attached to this natural act are complex even if you are able to breast feed. I was not; my son was either just that lazy that he wasn’t interested in having to work at getting mom’s milk or I wasn’t producing enough or I couldn’t get the hang of getting him to latch on, so like Jess I ended up having to pump around the clock until, also like our main character, I eventually chose to stop altogether and resorted to formula.
Jess’s emotional turmoil is resounding and Roberts’ portrayal of her plight brought me right back in memory to my son’s early days. And when I say it brought me back what I really mean is that Roberts’ writing seemed to reach deep into my mental archives to bring those experiences directly for the forefront of my brain. I relived the first few months of my son’s life while simultaneously reading about Jess’s and couldn’t help but relate to almost everything she went through.
I also enjoyed Jess’s development progression over the course of the story. Events of this magnitude and importance can and do usually serve to broaden our horizons and help us realize where we’ve been and how much we must change in order to prepare for what lies down the road of life. Coming from a sheltered life in a small village, Jess is confronted with realities she never expected the early birth of her child to show her. Roberts’ secondary characters play an excellent role in aiding Jess on a variety of levels, helping her to cope with her new situation as well as providing her with a growing awareness of her faults and where she can improve and move beyond the unintentional narrow-mindedness her sheltered existence has given her.
This was a wonderful read – elucidating and engaging, full of characters easily identified with, perfect for mothers of all kinds. What praise Roberts’ has earned for her writing style and candid sharing of personal experiences (even if they were tweaked to give us amazing fiction) is well deserved and hard earned. I give Early Daze the highest rating possible.

[Bev Walkling · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was given an e-copy of this book by the author in exchange for an honest review.
My back-ground includes many years as a registered nurse and pre-natal instructor. I am also a Granny and my first grandchild came early, though not quite as early as the baby in this book!

The author started the book in such a way that you jump right into Jess’s experience and are right there as it is happening. I was a little surprised at her early description of hand expressing milk while I asking her partner to use a syringe to capture the milk. This didn’t sound very realistic to me as most hospitals have electric pumps handy but my daughter told me that she had express by hand initially into a small bowl and then they used a syringe to capture the small amounts of colostrum produced. Aside from this one little bit of information, everything rang very true for me and made me believe that the author must have gone through a similar experience of delivering early. Her description of the emotions Jess was going through seemed spot on and the family issues described aren’t unlike some that I have heard of from past clients. Jess’s story is told with humour even midst her confusion, difficulty “falling in love” with her daughter, and insecurity in her relationship to the bay’s father. Note - this story is set in the UK and so some of the experiences Jess had might have differed from what happens in North America.

As well as being the story of Jess, her birth and immediate post-partum experiences, this book is the story of how women support each other in such times and how a small town girl (Jess) who hasn’t been exposed to very many viewpoints other than the Catholic one she was raised in, can really have their eyes opened and outlook broadened through the people they come into contact with.

A very enjoyable read, I would recommend this to anyone who has gone through childbirth and lived to tell about it. 4.5 stars.

[Elaine · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a book that I really enjoyed reading. It is set in a neo-natal unit and centres around Jess, whose daughter Samantha was born at six months and is being cared for in the unit. We follow Samantha’s progress from the time she is one week old and it makes very moving reading. I felt myself welling up a few times. Told from Jess’s viewpoint and with such detail about the care the hospital provides, at times it is almost like reading a memoir rather than a fictional story. I really like Jess’s voice, which feels so natural and normal. Her reactions and thoughts just seem to ring true – she is worried and scared yet at the same time angry that she is in the position she is in, on top of which she has the normal worries and emotions that a new first time parent goes through.

Jess is staying in hospital accommodation and we meet the other parents who are in the same position as they all bond and help each other through. The author really brings across the fact that real life for them has stopped and they are almost cocooned in another world. I loved the character of Gwen and if I had ever been in Jess’s position I would have wanted a Gwen by my side – funny, down to earth and full of sense.

It is a very readable story that is witty and quite light hearted at times, yet never trivialises what the parents and babies are going through. There were a couple of things I wasn’t sure about. I didn’t take to Amelia (Jess’s sister) at all. Even when I found out more about her right at the end of the story, I just couldn’t warm to her and, for me, she took something away from the story. I think it was probably too late by then for me to change my mind about her. Similarly, I had doubts about Ben (parent at the unit) which I couldn’t resolve because by the time everything about him was explained, it was just too late for me. That having been said, this is a really enjoyable read.

[Kathryn Laceby · Rating 4 out of 5]

Originally reviewed at Novel Escapes

I was engrossed by this novel by Jennifer Gilby Roberts and have firmly put her on my list of my favourite authors. I’ve now read three of her novels and they have all had a new feel. I appreciate that she’s not got a formulated book format and is branching out in her subject matter. While each novel I’ve read is told in the first person I also found each voice to be unique.

Early Daze was emotional, funny and sometimes shocking. There were moments when I was on the edge with worry about the characters and other moments I was relieved to be with them.

What appealed to me the most about Early Daze was perhaps the supporting characters who bring Jess’ tale to life. Jess’ voice is sweet and thoughtful as well as being petrified- but the ladies who rally around her and give her strength to push through are women we would all wish to have in our corner. I liked the diary-feel of the novel and while it sometimes felt one-sided in the thought process I think Roberts did an excellent job of giving the other parents living near the NICU personalities of their own. I was intrigued by father Ben’s role in the plot and very glad he ended up where he did, I was hoping Roberts would avoid the cliché of the new man…

While the subject matter was more serious than her other novels I still felt that Roberts put warmth and honestly into Jess’ role as a new mother- you can’t help but want her to pull through and that baby Samantha will be released from hospital as soon as possible. There is a natural progression of their bond as Samantha gets bigger (which was virtually non-existent at her birth due to her very early arrival). While I’ve never experienced the fear of such an early birth myself I felt that the writing was genuine and the feelings expressed were true.


Thank you to the author for our review copy. All opinions are our own.

[Pete · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jess falls pregnant. Although the father is her fiancé, it’s not as planned event. Then to top it all off, her baby arrives three months early. The novel focuses on her time spent attached to the Neonatal Intensive Care unit at her local hospital where her baby was being cared for.

What I like about women’s fiction, in general, is that the stories often tackle complicated and deeply emotional subjects. I found this to be the case with Early Daze. Only after I’d finished the novel (in two sittings—fast for me) did I realize that the author had first-hand experience of giving birth prematurely. For sure, her intimate knowledge of the workings of an NICU added to a tale that grabbed onto me from the first page.

Early Daze is not a memoir but a work of fiction, and better for it because it gives the author a broader canvass and allows her license to explore some of the “what if” moments that I’m sure she pondered when she was actually going through the trauma.

Ms. Roberts is one heck of a writer--crisp, clear sentences, deeply expressed raw emotion, believable dialogue; all lightened by a smattering of the strange humor that always accompanies human tragedy.

Jess and the other women with babies on the NICU form a loose support group, all struggling to come to terms with the possibility that their babies might not survive. These characters were multi-faceted. They handled the stress in different ways that seemed very real to me.

Pivoting around the fulcrum of her preterm daughter, Jess, her mother, her sister, and her fiancé shift and change and develop as they face up to the sudden chaos of being tossed a premature curve ball that no one was prepared for.

Highly recommended.

Disclaimer: This review was originally written for "Books and Pals" book blog. I may have received a free review copy.

[Anna · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ah it was really…interesting book even though normally I wouldn’t have read book like this. It started slow, at first it was little boring but it picks up after 6-7 chapter. It started right after the moment when baby’s “popped out”. Most of story is happening in Neonatal Intensive Care and after all the talking about what baby looks like, how much she weights, talks about breast pumping, breast infections and other horrifying thing that comes after having baby, I don’t really want to have one anytime soon. Book felt strange for me maybe because I’m not ready for kid and I don’t really plan to have one in near future. There was humor in the book but sometimes it felt little bitter. But I really laugh when they were talking about baby’s second name.

The writing style is quite good, easy. I really liked how author showed us that having problems in relationship after having baby doesn’t mean that you don’t love each other anymore. And having problems and postnatal depression isn’t end of the world.

Characters are well developed. Main character Jess is really likable. She is strong, caring and nice (even if sometimes she doesn’t feels that way about herself). We see how she grows during the book, how she changes her way of thinking. Ben is most interesting character of all. He seems so mature and responsible, taking care of his son, planning to be single dad. But at the same time he slept with married woman and conceived his son in the bathroom of the club. Well he isn’t perfect but I think he will be a damn good father. He changes his lifestyle for his sons sake. Gwen was the best character for me. I really admired her. I’d like to have friend like her.

All in all the book was sweet read. And I learnt a lot about newborns and afterpregnancy.

[Christie72 (Devilishly Delicious Book Reviews) · Rating 4 out of 5]

~I was given a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.~

Early Daze by Jennifer Gilby Roberts was a raw, honest look at the realities of giving birth to a baby prematurely. Although it was a heavier read than her other books, I really enjoyed it.

Jess finds her life turned upside down when she gives birth to her daughter, Samantha, prematurely...at 6 months. She is away from her fiancé and surrounded by strangers who are going through what she is. She finds herself becoming closer with this supportive group of strangers, especially a sexy father. She feels at odds with her fiancé, mother, and especially her judgmental sister. How will this change her and her relationship with her family and especially her fiancé?

I wasn't sure how I would like Jess in the beginning, but I ended up loving her. She has an incredible sense of humor throughout this time of fear and uncertainty. Her emotions and feelings were raw and honest. I could relate somewhat to what she was going through. While my younger son was not premature, he and I both experienced complications. When you aren't able to hold your baby at first, you do question yourself as Jess did about bonding. I think every mother no matter what her birth experience was should read this. It's a frank and honest look at childbirth and afterwards when the real "labor" begins. I was a fan of Jennifer before, but I am a bigger fan of her now.

[Celia Kennedy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Early Daze touches on many plot lines, gently, but powerfully. This books focus is primarily on Jess, a young woman who has given birth to her daughter Samantha, prematurely - at the line where surviving outside the womb is barely possible. Ms. Roberts does a brilliant job at keeping the pace of the book moving, while expressing the painfully slow progress Samantha makes.

While her daughter is in the NICU (Natal Intensive Care Unit), Jess meets other parents whose children face similar struggles. They form a bond and support each other through progress and setbacks. In scattered moments, those which exist between trying to understand medical treatment and keeping the rest of their life moving, these ordinary people expose their individuality, broadening Jess's horizons. In times of complete anger and confusion, regret and despair, Jess awakens from a young woman with limited vision, to one who realizes that one must leap into whatever life gives in order to live completely.

A truly well crafted book that touches the heart. (Really 4.5 stars)

[Rachelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nobody wants to imagine the horror that is a difficult pregnancy resulting in delivering the baby at five months. Unfortunately, that’s the reality for many women each day, and Jennifer Gilby Roberts does a stunning job sharing that reality with readers.
Jess is a young, unmarried mother who has just given birth to her daughter Samantha. Because Samantha is in the NICU (Neonatal Intensive Care Unit), Jess takes up residency in the hospital-owned flats designated for out-of-town parents whose babies are in the NICU. While there she develops friendships with two other mothers and a father, all of who come from a different world than Jess. Between breast pumping every two hours to dealing with hormones and infections, Jess is pushed outside her comfort zone. The characters Roberts created are likeable and realistic; I want to be friends with Gwen and tell off Amelia.
This book is about lose and gain, struggle and triumph, family values and opening your mind to something bigger.

[Angie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I got this book from the author to do an honest review, for being what the topic is about it was a very light read. The tone of the book felt as if Jess was at a very long sleep over. Amelia her sister actually stood in the hospital room after Jess gave birth to Samantha and blamed Jess for "the baby falling out early". Jess was not asking questions about all the things her new baby was going through. Most parents would want to know everything. Speaking of parents Samantha's father Ryan just left Jess up at the hospital to deal with everything only showing up a few times. Basically the main topics were that she hated to breastfeed and she was lonely so she almost threw her future away with Ryan. The plot was not strong enough for me. I understand the book was to be about how Jess handled having a preemie baby. It just was not for me.

[Cat · Rating 3 out of 5]

Early Daze is a thoroughly enjoyable read from start to finish. It tells the story of a young woman whose daughter was born prematurely and the tribulations faced throughout the first months of Samantha's fragile life. As Jess struggles to manage her feelings about her sudden and shocking introduction to motherhood, she begins to question her beliefs and attitudes about how she and others live their lives. Sharing the challenges of having a preemie, Jess and the other NICU parents form a bond that can only be described as one of solidarity.

There are several laugh-out-loud moments in this novella, and I sincerely hope JGR will continue to share with us the story of Jess and her young family in a sequel.

[Jill · Rating 3 out of 5]

Early Daze tells the story of Jess Jackson, who finds herself suddenly with a preemie baby. This is a light-hearted look at some of the challenges she faces--from learning to live a "normal" life, to dealing with guilt/criticism from others. As a new mother, I can definitely relate to some of the problems she encountered, and it made me chuckle to realize that I was blindsided by the new-mom learning curve, too! The book is a pleasant read with not much conflict nor a deep plot, but made me feel like there was someone nearby who understood things I had gone through. I would call this more of a novella than a novel, but it was a pleasant way to spend a short few hours. Thanks, GoodReads, for the giveaway as well as the opportunity to explore a new author!

[Elizabeth Ray · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was one of the early proofreaders of this book. This is an honest review.

I think this was my favorite Jennifer Gilby Roberts' book. It was more serious than her other books. I really liked who she ended up with in the end. It was unpredictable and sweet. I liked how the experience of being in the hospital really changed the main character. I felt like it was written the way a harried, first-time mother would write it. I really heard "her voice." It was her true thoughts and feelings- more like a diary than "prettied up" for a book. The main character was sweet, honest, and had a good heart. I would definitely recommend this book!

[Shim · Rating 3 out of 5]

The big positive aspects of this book will have to be in depth of premature babies and the care they need. I constantly felt the writer knew what she was talking about and had fully researched.
However it's not a book that I will read again, though this book may appeal to many, it's not for me. There was not enough drama in the book. Neither was there enough characteristics of other characters described.
overall not a bad book, but it felt more like a documentary or a dairy of someone who has been through this, rather than a book

[Jenn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Received this book in the giveaway however I was pregnant at the time and couldn't bring myself to read it. especially after having a preemie with my first pregnancy.

Loved the book!!! Couldn't put it down. Found myself reliving my experience because it was so well written and described the emotions perfectly. this book hit them all; sadness, shock, happiness and moments of laughter. the main character was so easy to like and empathize with. so glad I won this in the giveaways and was able to experience this gem

[Angie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was given a copy of this book to proof read and I feel so fortunate to have been able to do so. This book is amazing!!! I absolutely loved it and can't wait to read other books of Jennifer Gilby Roberts. The book deals with the premature birth of a baby and how everyone deals with it. Having never dealt with this I still felt emotionally vested in what was going on. I loved the characters in the book and was extremely happy with how it ended!! Read this if you get the chance!!!

[Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a quick, fun read on a serious subject...preemies. I was a proofreader for this book, and have to say how much I enjoyed it. I found myself forgetting to look for errors because I got caught up in the story. Of course since my 1st grandchild was born just 2 months ago, this was a touching subject for me as a mom, a grandmother, and a woman. Early Daze also helps you find a little humor in a not so funny situation. Good job Jennifer!

[Malin · Rating 4 out of 5]

We follow a mother on an emotional journey in the NICU when her baby is born three months premature, how she struggles with all his feelings, all the ups and downs and a family that is not too supportive when she needs them most.

This book gave me great insight on how it really is and how parents feel and deal with what happens in the meantime their little children fighting for their lives.

I was given a free copy from the author for an honest review.

[T.B. Markinson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first book I’ve ready by Jennifer Gilby Roberts and it won’t be the last. At first I wasn’t sure if I would take to the book since I’ve never had children. Yet, the honest and raw writing pulled me in. And even though the subject is serious she sprinkles in enough humor to lighten it up some.

[Julie Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

Was lucky enough to proofread this book. What a great read it is. Well researched material of premature babies. Many Lol moments & a couple of sad ones. Well done Jennifer will definitely recommend this book.

[Ms Anja · Rating 5 out of 5]

"This was supposed to be easy, you know. I thought I'd be cooing away over you. But we're not supposed to be able to see each other yet."

Those few words got me hooked. And I'm glad they did.