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All the Little Ways
Victoria and Liz barely breathe the same air, but they collide headfirst when they meet in a group for expectant mothers and find common ground against all odds.
Victoria, forty-three, is confident, poised, and powerful, on the fast track to major career success in finance. Having kids is not in the plan. She had avoided love for decades—and hadn’t been too keen on female friendship either—when she fell for Ace, a dashing man twenty years her senior.
Liz, thirty-two, lives a fairly unstable life, trying to make her situationship work and navigate a job on a vile reality dating show. She’s desperately wanted to experience motherhood for her entire life, but anxiety and insecurity have landed her with a laundry list of failed romances. It’s an accident—ish—when she gets pregnant with her emotionally elusive boyfriend Preston’s baby just shy of a year into dating.
When Liz and Victoria meet in a parenting class, they both feel out of place amongst these pregnant women who seem to have it all figured out. They roll their eyes at the classic sign-off peppering the new mommy group TIA (thanks in advance!). Alienated from these other women and due within a week of each other, Victoria and Liz’s bond becomes a lifeline as they navigate their pregnancies and relationships. They grapple with impending motherhood together and lean on each other to navigate important decisions about family, career, and love. It’s the first successful female friendship in Victoria’s life and the first time Liz has felt so connected to an older, wiser confidante. Maybe, just maybe, it will all be okay.
But as they grow more secure in their futures with each other’s support, the friends confront a shocking turn of events that will change the course of both their lives. Victoria and Liz then must reckon with their relationships, their impending journeys of motherhood, and the strength of their own bond in this unforgettable work of women’s fiction.
Victoria, forty-three, is confident, poised, and powerful, on the fast track to major career success in finance. Having kids is not in the plan. She had avoided love for decades—and hadn’t been too keen on female friendship either—when she fell for Ace, a dashing man twenty years her senior.
Liz, thirty-two, lives a fairly unstable life, trying to make her situationship work and navigate a job on a vile reality dating show. She’s desperately wanted to experience motherhood for her entire life, but anxiety and insecurity have landed her with a laundry list of failed romances. It’s an accident—ish—when she gets pregnant with her emotionally elusive boyfriend Preston’s baby just shy of a year into dating.
When Liz and Victoria meet in a parenting class, they both feel out of place amongst these pregnant women who seem to have it all figured out. They roll their eyes at the classic sign-off peppering the new mommy group TIA (thanks in advance!). Alienated from these other women and due within a week of each other, Victoria and Liz’s bond becomes a lifeline as they navigate their pregnancies and relationships. They grapple with impending motherhood together and lean on each other to navigate important decisions about family, career, and love. It’s the first successful female friendship in Victoria’s life and the first time Liz has felt so connected to an older, wiser confidante. Maybe, just maybe, it will all be okay.
But as they grow more secure in their futures with each other’s support, the friends confront a shocking turn of events that will change the course of both their lives. Victoria and Liz then must reckon with their relationships, their impending journeys of motherhood, and the strength of their own bond in this unforgettable work of women’s fiction.
320 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 9, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 92 reviews
March 26, 2026
Wowza. This was a fantastic book. I loved loved each of the female characters, and their stories weaving together so flawlessly but also realistically. Ahh this was such a comforting read.
Following our two main female leads, Victoria, a very career focused, tell it like it is woman, and Liz, an unexpected mom to be, finding both her footing in this world & navigating the unexpected, this is a story that captivates its reader immediately. Victoria and Liz are expecting and due around the same time, thus begins their friendship in none other than the boutique version of Babies R Us. They navigate life crises, major changes, and of course their pregnancies together. Many a curve ball, and secrets test their friendship, but watching them navigate this season together is such a beautiful reminder of how important community is especially in motherhood. I would highly recommend this book and I’m so thankful I had the chance to read it before its upcoming release in June.
Themes:
🤰🏼: journey through pregnancies
👯♀️: strong female friendships
☕️: hidden family secrets
🫶🏼: emotional & heartfelt
💄: women empowerment
Following our two main female leads, Victoria, a very career focused, tell it like it is woman, and Liz, an unexpected mom to be, finding both her footing in this world & navigating the unexpected, this is a story that captivates its reader immediately. Victoria and Liz are expecting and due around the same time, thus begins their friendship in none other than the boutique version of Babies R Us. They navigate life crises, major changes, and of course their pregnancies together. Many a curve ball, and secrets test their friendship, but watching them navigate this season together is such a beautiful reminder of how important community is especially in motherhood. I would highly recommend this book and I’m so thankful I had the chance to read it before its upcoming release in June.
Themes:
🤰🏼: journey through pregnancies
👯♀️: strong female friendships
☕️: hidden family secrets
🫶🏼: emotional & heartfelt
💄: women empowerment
June 13, 2026
This book completely surprised me in the best possible way.
Victoria is a 43-year-old career woman who finds herself unexpectedly pregnant with her husband Ace. Liz, a 32-year-old editor working on a messy reality dating show, is also navigating an unexpected pregnancy with her partner Preston. When the two women meet in a parenting class, they seem like an unlikely pair, but they quickly form a friendship that becomes one of the emotional anchors of the novel.
I loved the balance between the friendship story and the motherhood story. Lakos captures the uncertainty, joy, fear, and vulnerability that accompany major life transitions, while also exploring the power of female friendship. The relationship between Victoria and Liz felt authentic and deeply earned.
About halfway through the book, there is a shocking development that genuinely caught me off guard. I won’t spoil anything, but it was one of those moments that made me put the book down and simply stare into space for a minute.
The characterization here is exceptional. Watching these women grow from the beginning of their pregnancies through the newborn stage was incredibly rewarding, and every emotional beat landed for me. Liz’s journey was especially moving, and a conversation near the end of the novel between Liz and her mother left me emotional.
Laura Lakos’s background as a television writer shines through in the dialogue. Conversations feel natural and engaging, and the pacing kept me invested from beginning to end.
Fans of Kristy Woodson Harvey and Meg Mitchell Moore should absolutely pick this one up. It’s thoughtful, heartfelt, beautifully written, and would make an excellent book club selection thanks to its rich themes of friendship, motherhood, family, and identity.
A wonderful debut and a new author I’ll definitely be watching.
Thank you to Gallery Books for sending me a finished copy of All the Little Ways by Laura Lakos.
Victoria is a 43-year-old career woman who finds herself unexpectedly pregnant with her husband Ace. Liz, a 32-year-old editor working on a messy reality dating show, is also navigating an unexpected pregnancy with her partner Preston. When the two women meet in a parenting class, they seem like an unlikely pair, but they quickly form a friendship that becomes one of the emotional anchors of the novel.
I loved the balance between the friendship story and the motherhood story. Lakos captures the uncertainty, joy, fear, and vulnerability that accompany major life transitions, while also exploring the power of female friendship. The relationship between Victoria and Liz felt authentic and deeply earned.
About halfway through the book, there is a shocking development that genuinely caught me off guard. I won’t spoil anything, but it was one of those moments that made me put the book down and simply stare into space for a minute.
The characterization here is exceptional. Watching these women grow from the beginning of their pregnancies through the newborn stage was incredibly rewarding, and every emotional beat landed for me. Liz’s journey was especially moving, and a conversation near the end of the novel between Liz and her mother left me emotional.
Laura Lakos’s background as a television writer shines through in the dialogue. Conversations feel natural and engaging, and the pacing kept me invested from beginning to end.
Fans of Kristy Woodson Harvey and Meg Mitchell Moore should absolutely pick this one up. It’s thoughtful, heartfelt, beautifully written, and would make an excellent book club selection thanks to its rich themes of friendship, motherhood, family, and identity.
A wonderful debut and a new author I’ll definitely be watching.
Thank you to Gallery Books for sending me a finished copy of All the Little Ways by Laura Lakos.
June 5, 2026
Laura Lekkos’s All the Little Ways is an emotionally rich debut that explores motherhood, friendship, identity, and the unexpected connections that can change the course of a life. Through the perspectives of Victoria and Liz—two women whose paths seemingly should never cross—Lekkos crafts a compelling, character driven story filled with humor, heart, and remarkably astute observations about modern motherhood. What begins as an engaging exploration of pregnancy, relationships, and finding your place quickly develops into something much deeper, examining the many forms family can take and the ways women support one another through life’s biggest transitions.
One of the novel’s greatest strengths is its authenticity. Victoria and Liz are wonderfully imperfect women whose fears, hopes, and insecurities feel genuine and relatable. Their friendship becomes the emotional anchor of the story, and watching it evolve was one of the most rewarding aspects of the book. Leckos balances heavier themes with warmth and humor, creating a nuanced portrayal of motherhood that feels honest rather than idealized. The novel also takes a surprising turn that adds another layer of complexity to the narrative, sparking thoughtful conversations about family, loyalty, and personal choice.
Heartfelt, emotionally mature, and deeply engaging, All the Little Ways is an impressive debut that will resonate with readers who enjoy character focused women’s fiction. With its thoughtful exploration of friendship, found family, and motherhood, it’s the kind of book that lingers long after the final page and would make an excellent pick for book clubs looking for a discussion worthy read.
One of the novel’s greatest strengths is its authenticity. Victoria and Liz are wonderfully imperfect women whose fears, hopes, and insecurities feel genuine and relatable. Their friendship becomes the emotional anchor of the story, and watching it evolve was one of the most rewarding aspects of the book. Leckos balances heavier themes with warmth and humor, creating a nuanced portrayal of motherhood that feels honest rather than idealized. The novel also takes a surprising turn that adds another layer of complexity to the narrative, sparking thoughtful conversations about family, loyalty, and personal choice.
Heartfelt, emotionally mature, and deeply engaging, All the Little Ways is an impressive debut that will resonate with readers who enjoy character focused women’s fiction. With its thoughtful exploration of friendship, found family, and motherhood, it’s the kind of book that lingers long after the final page and would make an excellent pick for book clubs looking for a discussion worthy read.
May 4, 2026
I’m always looking for books that are on the lighter side but are not necessarily romance or thrillers. All the Little Ways, about two women who bond during pregnancy, was exactly that kind of book.
Victoria is 43 and a successful banker married to a man 30 years older than her. Liz is in her early 30s and in a shaky relationship with her boyfriend. When they find themselves in the same class for expectant mothers, they form a bond and a close friendship. They are both anxious about new motherhood due to not having the best relationships with their own parents.
It’s a sweet story and I enjoyed it. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a digital advanced copy in exchange for an honest review. All the Little Ways publishes on June 9th just in time for summer reading season.
Victoria is 43 and a successful banker married to a man 30 years older than her. Liz is in her early 30s and in a shaky relationship with her boyfriend. When they find themselves in the same class for expectant mothers, they form a bond and a close friendship. They are both anxious about new motherhood due to not having the best relationships with their own parents.
It’s a sweet story and I enjoyed it. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a digital advanced copy in exchange for an honest review. All the Little Ways publishes on June 9th just in time for summer reading season.
June 29, 2026
This book is FABULOUS!
Told in 2 POV’s this is the best character driven story of female friendship I have read. It’s also about motherhood, family, and belonging.
It’s funny, sarcastic, deeply human, and emotional.
There is drama, a bomb dropping twist in the middle, wonderfully broken and charming characters, beautiful writing, and it’s just so impressive.
I will insta-read this author’s writing after this brilliant debut.
December 3, 2025
Absolutely loved this book. Victoria and Liz are both so relatable. Loved that both of them were very different from each other but they formed a strong bond. Seeing how they both navigate life, love, careers, and motherhood was fascinating and I feel like what they struggle with is so relevant for me as a woman in today’s world. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
August 8, 2026
Another 3.5…I liked the twist but still felt the characters weren’t the developed. Felt more like reading a screenplay than a novel.
June 21, 2026
Victoria is a forty-three year old high powered mover and shaker in the finance world. She is married to the love of her life and is on top of the world when she discovers that she is pregnant.
Liz, thirty-two, hates her job in reality tv, has a mediocre boyfriend and has had an unstable childhood. Just a year in to dating Chase, she finds out she is "accidentally" pregnant.
Two totally different women from two totally different worlds find their lives intersect and they come to see they need each other in ways they did not expect.
This is a story of found family and I enjoyed it.
3.5 stars rounded up to 4. The reasoning behind this rating is that all the character's problems were resolved. I am all for a happily ever after. But this felt too much by the end. Both of the female main character's problems were all tied up nicely with a bow on top and it felt too unrealistic to be honest.
As always, research trigger warnings before reading. You know you.
I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley and Gallery Books in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Liz, thirty-two, hates her job in reality tv, has a mediocre boyfriend and has had an unstable childhood. Just a year in to dating Chase, she finds out she is "accidentally" pregnant.
Two totally different women from two totally different worlds find their lives intersect and they come to see they need each other in ways they did not expect.
This is a story of found family and I enjoyed it.
3.5 stars rounded up to 4. The reasoning behind this rating is that all the character's problems were resolved. I am all for a happily ever after. But this felt too much by the end. Both of the female main character's problems were all tied up nicely with a bow on top and it felt too unrealistic to be honest.
As always, research trigger warnings before reading. You know you.
I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley and Gallery Books in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
June 29, 2026
Very enjoyable and sweet. A bit overwritten.
September 5, 2026
Liz and Victoria are both pregnant with their first child and meet in a parenting class. Although they are very different women, they form a strong bond throughout their pregnancies.
A major twist threatens to destroy their friendship but the two manage to overcome this disruption. I think the author did a great job highlighting the challenges of pregnancy and motherhood as well as the joy associated with them. The book is very relatable and a book that was a fabulous story about female friendship.
A major twist threatens to destroy their friendship but the two manage to overcome this disruption. I think the author did a great job highlighting the challenges of pregnancy and motherhood as well as the joy associated with them. The book is very relatable and a book that was a fabulous story about female friendship.
June 22, 2026
3.5 stars. A good family drama but too many unbelievable, over the top reactions from the characters. Every time there was some drama, the main characters only saw black or white, there was no nuance whatsoever to their reactions, no consideration of the other person's point of view. I did a lot of eye rolling.
We meet high powered financier Victoria and reality tv producer Liz when they are both newly pregnant. For Victoria, it is a planned pregnancy with her older husband Ace. For Liz it is a surprise pregnancy with her relatively new boyfriend Preston. They meet at a pregnancy class and find that they don't have much in common with the other women so they become unlikely friends. Victoria's life is presented as perfect while Liz is dealing with a hippie mom who never prioritized Liz's needs as a child. Liz also never knew her father who Angela said left them when Liz was small. Liz moves in with Preston but their relationship is more like roommates than lovers. It isn't until Victoria's baby shower that Liz meets Ace and finds out that he is her father. Both women are thrown for a loop. Liz refuses to speak with Victora, blaming her for not telling her the truth while Victoria moves out because she can no longer trust Ace. Their reactions were just so over the top without any consideration for the other side of the story. Eventually Ace reconciles with Victoria and tells Liz that he was in her life until she was four when Angela told him to break off contact. Then Liz has to have an emergency c-section and cannot reach Preston so she calls Victoria and the two women make-up quickly. Baby Charlie is born and she and Preston decide to break up and be co-parents. Victoria has baby Miles and then Ace has a heart attack and barely survives so Liz moves in to help and since she has nowhere to go after her break up with Preston and they all live happily ever after. Not a bad book but a little too trite for my liking
We meet high powered financier Victoria and reality tv producer Liz when they are both newly pregnant. For Victoria, it is a planned pregnancy with her older husband Ace. For Liz it is a surprise pregnancy with her relatively new boyfriend Preston. They meet at a pregnancy class and find that they don't have much in common with the other women so they become unlikely friends. Victoria's life is presented as perfect while Liz is dealing with a hippie mom who never prioritized Liz's needs as a child. Liz also never knew her father who Angela said left them when Liz was small. Liz moves in with Preston but their relationship is more like roommates than lovers. It isn't until Victoria's baby shower that Liz meets Ace and finds out that he is her father. Both women are thrown for a loop. Liz refuses to speak with Victora, blaming her for not telling her the truth while Victoria moves out because she can no longer trust Ace. Their reactions were just so over the top without any consideration for the other side of the story. Eventually Ace reconciles with Victoria and tells Liz that he was in her life until she was four when Angela told him to break off contact. Then Liz has to have an emergency c-section and cannot reach Preston so she calls Victoria and the two women make-up quickly. Baby Charlie is born and she and Preston decide to break up and be co-parents. Victoria has baby Miles and then Ace has a heart attack and barely survives so Liz moves in to help and since she has nowhere to go after her break up with Preston and they all live happily ever after. Not a bad book but a little too trite for my liking
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 17, 2026
Wow this is an amazing book!!!!!!!!!!!! I read alot of books about women and friendship but this one is different from all the rest. One it's about pregnant women who are very different becoming friends, not to mention the huge twist, that can make or break their newfound bond. Very good book and i highly recommend and am excited to see what this new author comes up with next.
June 11, 2026
Two pregnant women who are almost complete opposites form a bond despite their differences. As they try to deal with morning sickness and weight gain, their friendship becomes a major source of comfort and support until a shocking revelation threatens to destroy it forever. Debut author Laura Lekkos celebrates the beauty and complexity of female friendships in her likeable first novel, All the Little Ways.
Victoria knows the world of finance as well as any man, and she regularly outpaces her biggest competitors in her LA firm. In fact, she’s poised to become a major force in her company…until the news of her pregnancy comes out in the most unfortunate of ways. She’s embarrassed about the way everyone found out but also ecstatic that she’s having a baby. She and her husband, Ace, have been head over heels for one another since they first met. It doesn’t matter that Victoria is 43 and her husband is in his sixties. They’re as giddy as a couple of teenagers, especially now that they’re going to be parents.
Liz only dreams about having that kind of confidence…or any confidence at all. In her early 30s, Liz is also pregnant with her first child. Except she’s not sure her boyfriend, Preston, is totally on board with having a baby. Or that he’s even really her boyfriend. The kids today would call what Liz and Preston have a “situationship,” but Liz wants so much more from Preston and life in general. Having a baby and giving it the kind of stability she always wanted seems like a great place to start. Maybe. Possibly.
Through a series of fun coincidences, Liz and Victoria end up in the same prenatal class. At first, it seems like they have nothing in common. Victoria is a high-powered career woman who is always impeccably put together with laser focus on what she wants from life. Liz works in reality TV as an underling, hates her job, and considers it a win if she can find different pants for every day. Yet they’re drawn to each other, and Liz is the first to admit that Victoria’s confidence draws her in like a magnet. When she discovers that Victoria is also funny and kind, along with being way more grounded than the stereotypical LA socialites in their class, Liz immediately wants to be Victoria’s BFF.
Victoria finds Liz’s honesty refreshing, and it’s so much fun to have someone else to gossip with about the other moms. What is with the silly “Thanks in Advance” they keep throwing in the group chat like a tic? It’s annoying, and Victoria and Liz bond over how goofy the other moms are. The fact that they’re due only a week apart seems like another way for their friendship to become cemented. Until a bombshell of information blows everything apart. Suddenly, Victoria doesn’t know if she and Liz can be friends after all. In fact, she’s not sure they should ever see each other again. How can they, when Victoria is now questioning everything in her life?
Author Laura Lekkos plays it safe in this homage to female friendships. The plot is predictable in parts. Readers may see the major twist coming long before Victoria does, given the access to information they have that Victoria doesn’t. However, Lekkos creates an organic way for the twist to occur, keeping it true to her story world and the plot.
Even with the predictability of the book, many of the exchanges between Victoria and Liz are fun and engaging. Victoria is the big sister figure many young women want, and Liz’s uncertainty feels relatable. Although Victoria’s advice can veer into lecturing territory at times, her well-meaning heart makes up for the know-it-all attitude.
The friends carry the majority of the book on their shoulders with secondary characters coming across as stand-ins for well-developed people. Even then, Liz is so earnest and Victoria so open to nurturing a younger sister-type friend that those stock characters may not bother readers so much, the exception being Harper, Victoria’s assistant, who is too excited to use Gen-Z slang. The narration seems determined to include every phrase used by today’s young people to the point of sounding caricaturish, but Lekkos gives Harper her own redemption moment that makes up for it in the end.
The book is a lovely addition to the field of women’s fiction and is a fun summer read. Those looking for a mostly uncomplicated novel about friendship will want to check this out.
Victoria knows the world of finance as well as any man, and she regularly outpaces her biggest competitors in her LA firm. In fact, she’s poised to become a major force in her company…until the news of her pregnancy comes out in the most unfortunate of ways. She’s embarrassed about the way everyone found out but also ecstatic that she’s having a baby. She and her husband, Ace, have been head over heels for one another since they first met. It doesn’t matter that Victoria is 43 and her husband is in his sixties. They’re as giddy as a couple of teenagers, especially now that they’re going to be parents.
Liz only dreams about having that kind of confidence…or any confidence at all. In her early 30s, Liz is also pregnant with her first child. Except she’s not sure her boyfriend, Preston, is totally on board with having a baby. Or that he’s even really her boyfriend. The kids today would call what Liz and Preston have a “situationship,” but Liz wants so much more from Preston and life in general. Having a baby and giving it the kind of stability she always wanted seems like a great place to start. Maybe. Possibly.
Through a series of fun coincidences, Liz and Victoria end up in the same prenatal class. At first, it seems like they have nothing in common. Victoria is a high-powered career woman who is always impeccably put together with laser focus on what she wants from life. Liz works in reality TV as an underling, hates her job, and considers it a win if she can find different pants for every day. Yet they’re drawn to each other, and Liz is the first to admit that Victoria’s confidence draws her in like a magnet. When she discovers that Victoria is also funny and kind, along with being way more grounded than the stereotypical LA socialites in their class, Liz immediately wants to be Victoria’s BFF.
Victoria finds Liz’s honesty refreshing, and it’s so much fun to have someone else to gossip with about the other moms. What is with the silly “Thanks in Advance” they keep throwing in the group chat like a tic? It’s annoying, and Victoria and Liz bond over how goofy the other moms are. The fact that they’re due only a week apart seems like another way for their friendship to become cemented. Until a bombshell of information blows everything apart. Suddenly, Victoria doesn’t know if she and Liz can be friends after all. In fact, she’s not sure they should ever see each other again. How can they, when Victoria is now questioning everything in her life?
Author Laura Lekkos plays it safe in this homage to female friendships. The plot is predictable in parts. Readers may see the major twist coming long before Victoria does, given the access to information they have that Victoria doesn’t. However, Lekkos creates an organic way for the twist to occur, keeping it true to her story world and the plot.
Even with the predictability of the book, many of the exchanges between Victoria and Liz are fun and engaging. Victoria is the big sister figure many young women want, and Liz’s uncertainty feels relatable. Although Victoria’s advice can veer into lecturing territory at times, her well-meaning heart makes up for the know-it-all attitude.
The friends carry the majority of the book on their shoulders with secondary characters coming across as stand-ins for well-developed people. Even then, Liz is so earnest and Victoria so open to nurturing a younger sister-type friend that those stock characters may not bother readers so much, the exception being Harper, Victoria’s assistant, who is too excited to use Gen-Z slang. The narration seems determined to include every phrase used by today’s young people to the point of sounding caricaturish, but Lekkos gives Harper her own redemption moment that makes up for it in the end.
The book is a lovely addition to the field of women’s fiction and is a fun summer read. Those looking for a mostly uncomplicated novel about friendship will want to check this out.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
The description of this book really caught my eye. I'm almost 40, but I don't have kids yet. I'd like to have one, but my sister has two, and she's told me so much about not only being a mom but the mom network. It's crazy how much information is out there and how many people are willing to help, but it also all sounds so overwhelming and like the whole process of having a kid and raising one needs to be streamlined. There's so much noise around the whole thing. This description of two new moms joining a mom group sounded funny and interesting to me, and I'm glad I read the book!
What I like most about the book is the platonic love story. Then, it's how Lekkos shows us two such different ways to have a baby from start to finish. Although Liz and Victoria meet early in their pregnancies, everything about them, their lives, their relationships, and their processes is different, yet they become friends, and I love that. It's also great to see various stories represented. There isn't one right way to go about having a baby from start to finish, and it's nice to see that shown in a novel. I also like the characters and their stories, past and present. There are cliches, but the characters also feel real, like people I could meet some day if I ever went to California. The story is also very much of its time and place, so there will be references most people wouldn't get if they read the book 10 years from now, but that's also what makes the story feel real and relatable.
The news the blurbs mention the characters finding out happens much earlier in the story than I was expecting. I was surprised by the timing though not by what it was in and of itself. In my opinion, it's not really a surprise, but it makes the book interesting, and I like the concept of the twist and the way the story develops from there.
In the end, this book is what you'd expect from chick lit--it's funny, it's moving, and it's also inspiring. It made me think of my sister, and I hope that, one day, we get to be moms together, too. I recommend this book if you enjoy stories about motherhood, pregnancy, friendship, relationships, sisterhood, and interesting twists that make books unexpectedly deep. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this e-copy of the book!
What I like most about the book is the platonic love story. Then, it's how Lekkos shows us two such different ways to have a baby from start to finish. Although Liz and Victoria meet early in their pregnancies, everything about them, their lives, their relationships, and their processes is different, yet they become friends, and I love that. It's also great to see various stories represented. There isn't one right way to go about having a baby from start to finish, and it's nice to see that shown in a novel. I also like the characters and their stories, past and present. There are cliches, but the characters also feel real, like people I could meet some day if I ever went to California. The story is also very much of its time and place, so there will be references most people wouldn't get if they read the book 10 years from now, but that's also what makes the story feel real and relatable.
The news the blurbs mention the characters finding out happens much earlier in the story than I was expecting. I was surprised by the timing though not by what it was in and of itself. In my opinion, it's not really a surprise, but it makes the book interesting, and I like the concept of the twist and the way the story develops from there.
In the end, this book is what you'd expect from chick lit--it's funny, it's moving, and it's also inspiring. It made me think of my sister, and I hope that, one day, we get to be moms together, too. I recommend this book if you enjoy stories about motherhood, pregnancy, friendship, relationships, sisterhood, and interesting twists that make books unexpectedly deep. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this e-copy of the book!
July 21, 2026
Thank you to Gallery Books for the review copy of *All the Little Ways* by Laura Lekkos. And apologies for the late review. My Kindle and laptop have been having competing technology challenges, and unfortunately, reviews get delayed when my devices decide to rebel.
I tend to avoid books centered on pregnancy. It is just a thing for me. Some work for me and some really don't. I was drawn to *All the Little Ways* because it seemed to be about more than pregnancy: identity, unexpected changes, female friendship, and the ways women find and support one another during complicated seasons of life.
Victoria and Liz are very different women who meet while pregnant and due around the same time. Their friendship develops through all of the ordinary moments of pregnancy and the larger changes happening around them. I thought the connection between them felt natural and believable. Their lives and experiences mirror each other in some ways and contrast sharply in others, which gives their relationship more depth.
I really liked both women and enjoyed watching their stories weave together. There are secrets and complications that test their friendship, but the heart of the book is really the relationship between Victoria and Liz and the way they come to understand that they need each other in ways they did not expect.
This is a story about found family and community, especially during a time when life is changing in ways you cannot always control. That was the part of the book that resonated most with me.
Some of the plot was predictable, including a major twist I saw coming, but that didn't entirely take away from my enjoyment. The friendship between the two main characters carried the story for me, and I appreciated the way their relationship developed through small, everyday moments rather than relying on dramatic events to create a connection.
A comforting read about female friendship, unexpected changes, and the people who become important to us in ways we never planned for. I tend to trust Gallery Books when they send me a book that falls outside my usual reading comfort zone, and I'm glad I gave this one a chance.
I tend to avoid books centered on pregnancy. It is just a thing for me. Some work for me and some really don't. I was drawn to *All the Little Ways* because it seemed to be about more than pregnancy: identity, unexpected changes, female friendship, and the ways women find and support one another during complicated seasons of life.
Victoria and Liz are very different women who meet while pregnant and due around the same time. Their friendship develops through all of the ordinary moments of pregnancy and the larger changes happening around them. I thought the connection between them felt natural and believable. Their lives and experiences mirror each other in some ways and contrast sharply in others, which gives their relationship more depth.
I really liked both women and enjoyed watching their stories weave together. There are secrets and complications that test their friendship, but the heart of the book is really the relationship between Victoria and Liz and the way they come to understand that they need each other in ways they did not expect.
This is a story about found family and community, especially during a time when life is changing in ways you cannot always control. That was the part of the book that resonated most with me.
Some of the plot was predictable, including a major twist I saw coming, but that didn't entirely take away from my enjoyment. The friendship between the two main characters carried the story for me, and I appreciated the way their relationship developed through small, everyday moments rather than relying on dramatic events to create a connection.
A comforting read about female friendship, unexpected changes, and the people who become important to us in ways we never planned for. I tend to trust Gallery Books when they send me a book that falls outside my usual reading comfort zone, and I'm glad I gave this one a chance.
June 14, 2026
Friendship, family and impending motherhood
At 43 Victoria is a high-achiever who is on the brink of having it all. She is on the cusp of the promotion for which she has worked so hard (and which she deserves), and is married to an older man who is perfect for her. Liz is a decade younger and not nearly as in control of her life as Victoria is...she hates her job on a reality dating show and is in yet another not quite perfect relationship. Both are pregnant, and neither is completely comfortable with the idea. Victoria never planned to have kids and isn't sure she has the stuff to be a good mother, while Liz's boyfriend has yet to signal a firm commitment and Liz herself is plagued by personal insecurities. The two women meet at an expectant mothers' group and connect over not being the perfect mother-to-be, becoming friends and a support system for one another until a secret from the past disrupts their bond. Can they get past what they've learned connects them beyond their pregnancies?
All the Little Ways is a debut novel that explores women, their friendships, and their insecurities with warmth and humor. Victoria and Liz are both relatable characters with definite flaws, women who have been shaped by their childhoods and their chosen paths in life. Both find in the other a friend who supports without judging and who understands the other's fears and flaws. As the story unfolds, author Laura Lekkos shines a light on balancing work and life, creating a family from those you meet and the complex mess that is adulthood. I found it very easy to read, a light choice for summer months that is a solid 4 ⭐️. It starts off a little slow and the wrap-up a bit too neat, but overall it is a compassionate and humorous look at the challenges and rewards of motherhood. Readers of Emily Henry, Lily King and Jenny Jackson might find this to their taste, as would those looking for a women's fiction book for the summer. My thanks to NetGalley and Gallery Books for allowing me access to the novel in exchange for my honest review.
At 43 Victoria is a high-achiever who is on the brink of having it all. She is on the cusp of the promotion for which she has worked so hard (and which she deserves), and is married to an older man who is perfect for her. Liz is a decade younger and not nearly as in control of her life as Victoria is...she hates her job on a reality dating show and is in yet another not quite perfect relationship. Both are pregnant, and neither is completely comfortable with the idea. Victoria never planned to have kids and isn't sure she has the stuff to be a good mother, while Liz's boyfriend has yet to signal a firm commitment and Liz herself is plagued by personal insecurities. The two women meet at an expectant mothers' group and connect over not being the perfect mother-to-be, becoming friends and a support system for one another until a secret from the past disrupts their bond. Can they get past what they've learned connects them beyond their pregnancies?
All the Little Ways is a debut novel that explores women, their friendships, and their insecurities with warmth and humor. Victoria and Liz are both relatable characters with definite flaws, women who have been shaped by their childhoods and their chosen paths in life. Both find in the other a friend who supports without judging and who understands the other's fears and flaws. As the story unfolds, author Laura Lekkos shines a light on balancing work and life, creating a family from those you meet and the complex mess that is adulthood. I found it very easy to read, a light choice for summer months that is a solid 4 ⭐️. It starts off a little slow and the wrap-up a bit too neat, but overall it is a compassionate and humorous look at the challenges and rewards of motherhood. Readers of Emily Henry, Lily King and Jenny Jackson might find this to their taste, as would those looking for a women's fiction book for the summer. My thanks to NetGalley and Gallery Books for allowing me access to the novel in exchange for my honest review.
June 19, 2026
3.75 stars
Debut, published 2026
This was a lovely debut and a new author I’ll definitely be watching.
All the Little Ways follows Victoria and Liz, two women who are due just days apart but could not seem more different at first glance. Victoria is 43, newly married, successful, controlled, and very used to being in charge. Liz is an editor on a reality dating show, watching her faith in humanity plummet one manufactured love triangle at a time, while her own relationship with Preston feels increasingly uncertain.
They meet in a baby store, both wearing the same look of complete, quiet panic. That shared “I am very much out of my depth here” moment becomes the beginning of an unlikely friendship, and that friendship becomes one of the emotional anchors of the novel.
One of the book’s greatest strengths is its authenticity. Victoria and Liz are wonderfully imperfect women whose fears, hopes, insecurities, and questionable decisions feel genuine and relatable. Pregnancy is not romanticized here. It is inconvenient, uncomfortable, emotional, terrifying, beautiful, and completely life-altering. The first chapter alone is such a good reminder that pregnancy can foil plans, especially for the woman actually living inside the body that is changing.
I also appreciated the way the book looks at motherhood without turning it into one single experience. Liz’s baby blues and uncertainty, especially her struggle to feel instantly connected to her baby, are really sad and tender, while Victoria seems to settle into motherhood in a way that surprises even her. Together, their stories create a nuanced portrayal of motherhood that feels honest rather than idealized.
This is lighter contemporary fiction, but not in a fluffy or forgettable way. It is a quick, accessible read about friendship, motherhood, family, identity, and the little ways people show up for each other when life does not go according to plan.
Fast read. Cute story. Loved the ending.
Debut, published 2026
This was a lovely debut and a new author I’ll definitely be watching.
All the Little Ways follows Victoria and Liz, two women who are due just days apart but could not seem more different at first glance. Victoria is 43, newly married, successful, controlled, and very used to being in charge. Liz is an editor on a reality dating show, watching her faith in humanity plummet one manufactured love triangle at a time, while her own relationship with Preston feels increasingly uncertain.
They meet in a baby store, both wearing the same look of complete, quiet panic. That shared “I am very much out of my depth here” moment becomes the beginning of an unlikely friendship, and that friendship becomes one of the emotional anchors of the novel.
One of the book’s greatest strengths is its authenticity. Victoria and Liz are wonderfully imperfect women whose fears, hopes, insecurities, and questionable decisions feel genuine and relatable. Pregnancy is not romanticized here. It is inconvenient, uncomfortable, emotional, terrifying, beautiful, and completely life-altering. The first chapter alone is such a good reminder that pregnancy can foil plans, especially for the woman actually living inside the body that is changing.
I also appreciated the way the book looks at motherhood without turning it into one single experience. Liz’s baby blues and uncertainty, especially her struggle to feel instantly connected to her baby, are really sad and tender, while Victoria seems to settle into motherhood in a way that surprises even her. Together, their stories create a nuanced portrayal of motherhood that feels honest rather than idealized.
This is lighter contemporary fiction, but not in a fluffy or forgettable way. It is a quick, accessible read about friendship, motherhood, family, identity, and the little ways people show up for each other when life does not go according to plan.
Fast read. Cute story. Loved the ending.
July 6, 2026
The Short of It:
A wholesome exploration of female friendship.
The Rest of It:
Liz and Victoria couldn’t be more different.
Liz is a wayward soul with a good heart, but she can’t quite stick the landing on any one thing. Raised by her hippie, eccentric mother and with no real relationship with her father, she drifts through life somewhat happily, but always with an underlying sense of restlessness.
Victoria is older, driven, and successful. She knows exactly what she wants and isn’t afraid to go after it. She’s effortlessly put together, polished, and shrewd when she needs to be. What could these two possibly have in common?
They’re both expecting their first child and end up in the same parenting class.
Liz quietly observes Victoria, admiring the way she carries herself. After they exchange a few kind words, Liz starts to wonder if Victoria might be the friend she’s been missing.
As they navigate pregnancy and their relationships, it becomes clear that neither woman’s life is as perfect as it appears. Victoria and her husband are forced to confront a serious breach of trust, while Liz realizes that she and her boyfriend, Preston, simply don’t fit the way she always imagined they would. Sure, he’s the baby’s father, but do people really have to stay together just because they share a child?
Both women face challenges throughout their pregnancies. Some are professional, but most are deeply personal. They lean on each other through it all until they don’t. Can two women with such different outlooks truly support each other when their values and choices begin to clash?
This was a very readable novel, but the real magic comes together in the final third of the book. For a debut, I was impressed. I would definitely read Lekkos again.
For more reviews, visit my blog: Book Chatter.
June 9, 2026
***I received an ARC from Net Galley in exchange for my honest review
I absolutely loved this debut novel! It is about two women - Victoria & Liz - who find themselves pregnant at the same time, and both are rather apprehensive about the whole thing. Victoria works in finance and is vying for a Managing Director position when she barfs all over a client and then accidentally announces that she is pregnant. Needless to say, a man got the job instead of her. Liz is an editor for the dating reality show "The Catch" and wishes she could do something that she could actually be proud of. Victoria is married to Nash Winters, while Liz, once she gives him the pregnancy news, moves in with her boyfriend Preston. Neither woman planned on getting pregnant.... well, for the most part, anyway. The first time the two women meet is in a baby store called Mother's Haven, where they are both overwhelmed at the amount of baby items they will need.. Liz thought Victoria was condescending at first, but the second time they met was at the baby class & they went for ice cream afterwards. Neither woman has had a real female friend before, but somehow, despite age & income bracket differences, the two women become fast friends. Then, about midway through the book, there is a twist that I did not see coming. It rocked their friendship, & their relationships with the men in their lives. The question is... is their friendship strong enough to weather this, or will each woman end up having to make a go of it alone? This was so good. I couldn't put it down. I got so invested in their stories, and was rooting for both of the women. I highly recommend this book, and I am looking forward to seeing what else this author has in store for us!
I absolutely loved this debut novel! It is about two women - Victoria & Liz - who find themselves pregnant at the same time, and both are rather apprehensive about the whole thing. Victoria works in finance and is vying for a Managing Director position when she barfs all over a client and then accidentally announces that she is pregnant. Needless to say, a man got the job instead of her. Liz is an editor for the dating reality show "The Catch" and wishes she could do something that she could actually be proud of. Victoria is married to Nash Winters, while Liz, once she gives him the pregnancy news, moves in with her boyfriend Preston. Neither woman planned on getting pregnant.... well, for the most part, anyway. The first time the two women meet is in a baby store called Mother's Haven, where they are both overwhelmed at the amount of baby items they will need.. Liz thought Victoria was condescending at first, but the second time they met was at the baby class & they went for ice cream afterwards. Neither woman has had a real female friend before, but somehow, despite age & income bracket differences, the two women become fast friends. Then, about midway through the book, there is a twist that I did not see coming. It rocked their friendship, & their relationships with the men in their lives. The question is... is their friendship strong enough to weather this, or will each woman end up having to make a go of it alone? This was so good. I couldn't put it down. I got so invested in their stories, and was rooting for both of the women. I highly recommend this book, and I am looking forward to seeing what else this author has in store for us!
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Thank you to Gallery Books for this gifted physical ARC!
This was a really nice read and such a change of pace from what I've been reading recently. This was a great story about friendship, creating boundaries, making positive and good choices for yourself even if they're difficult. It was really uplifting in a lot of ways.
It is centered around two women who become best friends, they're brought together by their pregnancies. Both from two very different circumstances, but they find that they get along so well and they go through this journey of expecting but also living their lives in a career focused way. Victoria is a very confident and stable, "get things done" person and that translates to every aspect of her life. Liz is finding her footing in life, with her job, her relationship and her familial relationships. So they have very different backgrounds but their friendship works so well.
I really enjoyed this read, it had my jaw dropped a couple of times, and I really enjoyed that it showed, not just the excitement, but also the hardships and sacrifices that people make when they have a child. I felt like it was very realistic in showing difficulties and not just a sunshine moment of becoming a mother. Even going as far to show that it's totally natural for people to have doubts or for a maternal feeling to even take time to develop.
I thought it was a good time, also fairly short-only a little over 300 pages, so I would recommend it if you're looking for a good read on friendship and overcoming life's obstacles. This releases June 9th!
*This ARC was given by Gallery Books, all opinions are my own.*
This was a really nice read and such a change of pace from what I've been reading recently. This was a great story about friendship, creating boundaries, making positive and good choices for yourself even if they're difficult. It was really uplifting in a lot of ways.
It is centered around two women who become best friends, they're brought together by their pregnancies. Both from two very different circumstances, but they find that they get along so well and they go through this journey of expecting but also living their lives in a career focused way. Victoria is a very confident and stable, "get things done" person and that translates to every aspect of her life. Liz is finding her footing in life, with her job, her relationship and her familial relationships. So they have very different backgrounds but their friendship works so well.
I really enjoyed this read, it had my jaw dropped a couple of times, and I really enjoyed that it showed, not just the excitement, but also the hardships and sacrifices that people make when they have a child. I felt like it was very realistic in showing difficulties and not just a sunshine moment of becoming a mother. Even going as far to show that it's totally natural for people to have doubts or for a maternal feeling to even take time to develop.
I thought it was a good time, also fairly short-only a little over 300 pages, so I would recommend it if you're looking for a good read on friendship and overcoming life's obstacles. This releases June 9th!
*This ARC was given by Gallery Books, all opinions are my own.*
July 5, 2026
Summer Covers Continue today with 𝑨𝑳𝑳 𝑻𝑯𝑬 𝑳𝑰𝑻𝑻𝑳𝑬 𝑾𝑨𝒀𝑺 𝒃𝒚 𝑳𝒂𝒖𝒓𝒂 𝑳𝒆𝒌𝒌𝒐𝒔, #gifted by @gallerybooks with fun matching packaging and the perfect bookmark/boarding pass!
Much of this story is of the struggles of finding female friendship in adulthood, and one with which I think many of us will relate. While it also weaves in the various ways motherhood can enter our lives, it really hangs on the threads of friendship.
Victoria is 43 and Liz is 32, but these age gaps and various life experiences become less important as the women learn that though they have differences, they have much more than being pregnant in common. They form a bond that is fun, heartwarming, and authentic before a revelation threatens it all.
I did enjoy this story. It felt very real with both women's struggles, but still brought rather fun elements into it to make the story unique and fresh. In all of the pieces that I don't necessarily relate to, I could still identify the deeper longing for community and to be fully known. Though I did think it ended a bit too tidily, it is an encouraging story that leaves a positive feeling in me, which is lovely.
I couldn't help but add the audio through @everand_us and @simon.audio, and the dual narration was a really nice addition. I would easily recommend that format as well!
Much of this story is of the struggles of finding female friendship in adulthood, and one with which I think many of us will relate. While it also weaves in the various ways motherhood can enter our lives, it really hangs on the threads of friendship.
Victoria is 43 and Liz is 32, but these age gaps and various life experiences become less important as the women learn that though they have differences, they have much more than being pregnant in common. They form a bond that is fun, heartwarming, and authentic before a revelation threatens it all.
I did enjoy this story. It felt very real with both women's struggles, but still brought rather fun elements into it to make the story unique and fresh. In all of the pieces that I don't necessarily relate to, I could still identify the deeper longing for community and to be fully known. Though I did think it ended a bit too tidily, it is an encouraging story that leaves a positive feeling in me, which is lovely.
I couldn't help but add the audio through @everand_us and @simon.audio, and the dual narration was a really nice addition. I would easily recommend that format as well!
January 4, 2026
4.25 stars-Victoria and Liz are vastly different. Victoria is gives bad ass b vibes (in my mind Meryl Streep Devil Wears Prada, but in finance not fashion). She’s married to Ace, 20 years her senior, and is pregnant, though that was maybe not her exact plan she planned. Liz is also pregnant with a forgot to take her pills baby. She and her boyfriend decide to move in together after she tells him the night he was planning to break up with her (maybe????) The two meet at a baby store and don’t exactly hit it off at first, but a new mom class brings them together. They become fast friends and have each other’s backs in everything until a huge secret rips them apart. The characters were likable and their friendship felt genuine, however, it did take a bit of the plot to move beyond being a little bit superficial (like almost halfway through). I had book the book down for a bit and came back to it and at that point I was all in, and can see why many reviewers have rated this five stars. It was a good lesson in friendship and how the people we choose are often the ones that we will do anything for. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the arc in exchange for my honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
In Laura Lekkos’ 𝘈𝘭𝘭 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘓𝘪𝘵𝘵𝘭𝘦 𝘞𝘢𝘺𝘴, two women meet in an expecting mothers group and—as book jackets like to say—forge an unlikely friendship. 43-year-old Victoria is a successful wealth management advisor who is married to the older yet charming and handsome Ace. She seemingly has it all, but her blunt, confident personality and her demanding career have made female friendship almost futile. 32-year-old Liz is a reality TV editor who feels unfulfilled by her job as well as by the tenuous relationship between herself and her boyfriend of 11 months, Preston. Her nomadic childhood and her hesitant, anxious nature have kept her connections to other people superficial. Though different in so many ways, Victoria and Liz hit it off and became each other’s support systems during the most significant and emotional events of their lives. The beginning of the book was a bit slow, but eventually the novel found its groove. Ultimately it is a smart, sweet piece of women’s fiction that will appeal to those who love stories about friendship and modern motherhood. 4.25 stars. Thank you to Gallery Books for an advance reader copy in exchange for an honest review.
June 29, 2026
All the Little Ways was an absolutely amazing audiobook! Thanks to Simon Audio for my copy! This came out a few weeks ago and it is a book I'm highly recommending.
All the Little Ways is a debut novel about two expecting mothers as they navigate life, motherhood, relationships, love and female friendship. Victoria and Liz couldn't be any different and their first attempt at friendship showed that, but once they joined a mom's group they started to form a friendship.
Told from both of their points of view, this is a beautifully written story mostly about friendship. I loved seeing their friendship evolve and how they had to learn to communicate with each other. I loved how they both faced the turn of events and both characters emotions throughout felt real, authentic and relatable.
I listened to this driving into work over a few days and didn't want to stop driving! The dual narration was fantastic and both narrators brought this story to life. It's just over 11 hours on audio.
I'm going to be recommending All the Little Ways (especially on audio) as a book to read this summer, especially if you love books about friendship, motherhood and life.
All the Little Ways is a debut novel about two expecting mothers as they navigate life, motherhood, relationships, love and female friendship. Victoria and Liz couldn't be any different and their first attempt at friendship showed that, but once they joined a mom's group they started to form a friendship.
Told from both of their points of view, this is a beautifully written story mostly about friendship. I loved seeing their friendship evolve and how they had to learn to communicate with each other. I loved how they both faced the turn of events and both characters emotions throughout felt real, authentic and relatable.
I listened to this driving into work over a few days and didn't want to stop driving! The dual narration was fantastic and both narrators brought this story to life. It's just over 11 hours on audio.
I'm going to be recommending All the Little Ways (especially on audio) as a book to read this summer, especially if you love books about friendship, motherhood and life.
July 16, 2026
I liked All The Little Ways, but I had some reservations.
The friendship between Liz and Victoria was easily the strongest part of the book. I enjoyed watching two women from different backgrounds find common ground and support each other through such a major life transition. Of the two storylines, Victoria’s was the one that held my attention. She experienced meaningful growth throughout the book and I found myself far more invested in her journey.
That said, the overall story was very predictable. I called the major plot developments early on and there weren’t many surprises along the way.
I usually enjoy books that discuss motherhood, but this one never really got to the heart of it for me. The themes were there, but I wanted a deeper exploration of what these women were going through as they prepared for such a significant change in their lives.
Liz’s inability to communicate was beyond frustrating. More than once I wanted to shake her and tell her to just say what she was thinking.
Even so, Laura Lekkos is clearly a talented writer. The story flowed well and despite my frustrations, I was interested enough to keep turning the pages.
The friendship between Liz and Victoria was easily the strongest part of the book. I enjoyed watching two women from different backgrounds find common ground and support each other through such a major life transition. Of the two storylines, Victoria’s was the one that held my attention. She experienced meaningful growth throughout the book and I found myself far more invested in her journey.
That said, the overall story was very predictable. I called the major plot developments early on and there weren’t many surprises along the way.
I usually enjoy books that discuss motherhood, but this one never really got to the heart of it for me. The themes were there, but I wanted a deeper exploration of what these women were going through as they prepared for such a significant change in their lives.
Liz’s inability to communicate was beyond frustrating. More than once I wanted to shake her and tell her to just say what she was thinking.
Even so, Laura Lekkos is clearly a talented writer. The story flowed well and despite my frustrations, I was interested enough to keep turning the pages.
June 21, 2026
I admit, this was a little out of my normal but I actually enjoyed the story and have been stretching my reading legs, thank you Gallery for this!
I'm not a mom, nor pregnant but I do understand feeling out of place in a space you shouldn't, really eveywhere, Liz and Victoria are feeling that big time, so when they meet at a parenting class they of course drift towards each other, where all the other to be mom's seem to be perfect and have everything together, they think it's crazy.
Then we find out this is more then just a friend you met at class this is a deep friendship, something neither has ever had before ( felt that hard) and become each other's lifeline in the craziest time of their lives, pregnancy and all the changes that come with it, not just the external ones but the struggles of yourself and keeping life moving.
This was so real and heartfelt, definitely recommend for anyone looking for a good story about friendship and finding yourself in world where it's so easy to loose you as a woman, mother and person running your family.
Wow.
I'm not a mom, nor pregnant but I do understand feeling out of place in a space you shouldn't, really eveywhere, Liz and Victoria are feeling that big time, so when they meet at a parenting class they of course drift towards each other, where all the other to be mom's seem to be perfect and have everything together, they think it's crazy.
Then we find out this is more then just a friend you met at class this is a deep friendship, something neither has ever had before ( felt that hard) and become each other's lifeline in the craziest time of their lives, pregnancy and all the changes that come with it, not just the external ones but the struggles of yourself and keeping life moving.
This was so real and heartfelt, definitely recommend for anyone looking for a good story about friendship and finding yourself in world where it's so easy to loose you as a woman, mother and person running your family.
Wow.
Review of advance copy received from Edelweiss+
Wow I wasn't expecting that improbable but entirely plausible twist that elevates this from a lovely novel about two pregnant women to something more. Victoria works in finance, is married to the loving Ace, and intentionally got pregnant even though she doubts she will be a good mother. Liz is an editor on a reality show, involved with Preston, and forgot to take her pill. And she had a challenging childhood thanks to her mother. They meet by chance at a shop for babies and build a friendship with some serious early bumps. You will find yourself pulled into their worlds and then there's the twist that changes everything. No spoilers from me. Both women discover new depths to themselves (beyond the obvious). They're terrific and so is the supporting cast (keep your eye on Harper especially). Yes it's domestic fiction and it's got a huge heart. Thanks to Edelweiss for the ARC. An excellent read.
August 11, 2026
What a beautiful story about female friendship, motherhood, family, and the unexpected ways our lives can become intertwined. Laura Lekkos’s debut is thoughtful, heartfelt, and emotionally rich, with characters who feel wonderfully imperfect and human.
Liz and Victoria are two women at very different points in their lives who meet while pregnant and form an unexpected friendship. Liz, 32, has always wanted to be a mother, while 43 yrs old Victoria never imagined motherhood would be part of her story. As they navigate pregnancy and the changes ahead, their bond grows stronger until a shocking revelation threatens to change everything.
I really enjoyed the way the book portrays friendship between women without making it feel effortless or perfect. Liz and Victoria are very different, but their connection feels genuine, especially as they become a source of support for each other during such a vulnerable time.
The story also does a lovely job of showing the many sides of motherhood the excitement, fear, uncertainty, sacrifices, and the ways becoming a parent can completely reshape your sense of self.
The big family revelation added plenty of drama. I liked seeing the characters confront difficult truths, make imperfect choices, and eventually find their way toward a new understanding of each other.
Overall, this was a heartfelt, warm and compassionate debut. I will definitely read what Laura writes next.
Liz and Victoria are two women at very different points in their lives who meet while pregnant and form an unexpected friendship. Liz, 32, has always wanted to be a mother, while 43 yrs old Victoria never imagined motherhood would be part of her story. As they navigate pregnancy and the changes ahead, their bond grows stronger until a shocking revelation threatens to change everything.
I really enjoyed the way the book portrays friendship between women without making it feel effortless or perfect. Liz and Victoria are very different, but their connection feels genuine, especially as they become a source of support for each other during such a vulnerable time.
The story also does a lovely job of showing the many sides of motherhood the excitement, fear, uncertainty, sacrifices, and the ways becoming a parent can completely reshape your sense of self.
The big family revelation added plenty of drama. I liked seeing the characters confront difficult truths, make imperfect choices, and eventually find their way toward a new understanding of each other.
Overall, this was a heartfelt, warm and compassionate debut. I will definitely read what Laura writes next.
August 24, 2026
It’s been a while since I read a story focused on female friendship, so this book was a refreshing change. Victoria and Liz are at very different stages of life, yet they form a bond in a parenting class. The book explores female friendship and also examines family—both the family you’re born into and the family you choose. Each woman experienced less-than-ideal family dynamics growing up, which left them longing for a reliable, comforting relationship—something I believe ultimately brought them together. There’s a plot twist I kind of saw coming, but it still pushed the story forward and made me more engaged with each woman’s journey. I appreciate how motherhood is a prominent theme and how these women connect through it. Overall, this heartfelt debut is highly recommended for anyone interested in stories about female friendship, family, and motherhood. I’m excited to see what the author writes next.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
The connection between the two women during their pregnancies felt natural and quietly compelling. Their relationship grew through shared moments of uncertainty, anticipation, and small everyday changes, creating a sense of closeness that developed without needing dramatic events. The way their experiences mirrored and sometimes contrasted each other made their bond feel layered and believable.
The story also gave a strong sense of the life surrounding them, shaping their journeys without overwhelming them. Family, routines, and the subtle pressures of daily life formed a backdrop that influenced their thoughts and decisions in meaningful ways. Everything stayed grounded, allowing the focus to remain on how each woman was changed by the experience of pregnancy and by each other’s presence.
The story also gave a strong sense of the life surrounding them, shaping their journeys without overwhelming them. Family, routines, and the subtle pressures of daily life formed a backdrop that influenced their thoughts and decisions in meaningful ways. Everything stayed grounded, allowing the focus to remain on how each woman was changed by the experience of pregnancy and by each other’s presence.
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