All the Little Ways

by Laura Lekkos

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.

Genres: Fiction, Literary Fiction

Kindle Edition

Expected publication June 9, 2026

Reviews

[she.readseverything · Rating 4 out of 5]

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

[Ellen Ross · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Tanya · Rating 3 out of 5]

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.

[Jenny · Rating 4 out of 5]

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!

[Wendy Remez · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

[Rae | The Finer Things Club CA · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

[itsallaboutbooksandmacarons · Rating 3 out of 5]

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.

[BHK · Rating 4 out of 5]

I went into All the Little Ways expecting something light, but it ended up being way deeper than I thought. The story really pulls you in through Victoria and Liz, who are total opposites but somehow feel so real together. I loved how their friendship developed…it starts a little awkward and slowly becomes something meaningful and honestly kind of beautiful. The writing felt super natural and easy to get lost in, and I found myself flying through it without even realizing. And when the twist hits, it genuinely made me rethink everything I’d read. It’s emotional, relatable, and definitely one of those books that lingers after you finish.

[Rae Bradshaw · Rating 5 out of 5]

All the Little Ways by Laura Lekkos is a tender, beautifully woven exploration of the quiet rituals that shape our lives and relationships. With lyrical prose and vivid imagery, Lekkos invites readers into a world where the smallest gestures—a shared cup of coffee, a handwritten note, a spontaneous dance in the kitchen—carry profound emotional weight. The narrative unfolds with warmth and introspection, celebrating the everyday magic of human connection. It’s a heartfelt reminder that love often resides not in grand declarations, but in the gentle, consistent ways we show up for one another.

[Amy Voelker · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an honest, believable story of female friendship. Well written debut. Liz and Victoria meet early in their pregnancies and become friends. Both had previously struggled to connect with other women but they clicked over prenatal anxieties. As their pregnancies progress so does their friendship and I loved seeing it evolve despite some pretty big challenges. This was an entertaining way for me to pass a 3 hour flight. I will definitely recommend this one. Thanks to Netgalley for the advance copy.

[Bella Boo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you so much for the giveaway!

I love the cover art so much! This book is perfect for expecting mothers or future mothers. It's also just a nice read for anyone. Plus this book has gotten me out of a reading slump. Highly recommend this book to my friends and family! :)

~Loved this book and loved the story! Great writing! Omg the plot twist I never saw coming!!!!!

[Sara · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a free DRC of this book through Netgalley and the publisher. This book is about pregnancy, female friendship and relationships of all kinds. Who are we and what are we willing to forgive. Most of the people in this book are able to grow and adjust as if they are all in counseling which I find a bit suspect, but it's still a sweet book about people coming together.

[Lisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a book about motherhood, friendship, family, and chosen family. It took a while for me to get into. I saw the twists coming. It also felt like I missed something with Liz and Victoria. If I didn't have a Kindle, I'd go back to see if I was just reading too quickly, or if they really became best friends overnight.

Thank you to NetGalley and Gallery Books for the ARC.

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a very sweet story about finding your path, forgiving old hurts, and discovering true friendship and love. Liz and Victoria meet at a maternity store and become fast friends. At Victoria’s baby shower, some family drama threatens to tear them apart. But God or fate brings them back together where they find healing, strength, and love.

[Jodi Schulz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to the publisher and to NetGalley for the ARC. I loved loved loved this. It was such a fantastic read about friendship, family, love, and growing up. The writing was also great. I could not put it down.

[Tess · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a sweet book about an unexpected friendship, pregnancy, and with a twist that truly made me gasp. I loved it!

[Bri · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars! The way this book sucked me in!!

[Rich Gresham · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was really good