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Solo Mum by Choice
When dating failed. Motherhood didn’t.
An intimate and fiercely honest memoir about one woman’s journey to motherhood – without a partner, but with unwavering determination.
After a string of failed relationships, Lorena Otes stumbles upon the growing community of women choosing to have children on their own. What follows is a deeply personal ride through IVF heartbreaks, medical mayhem, and the navigation of life as a solo parent – told with warmth, grit, and sharp self-awareness.
Both tender and laugh-out-loud, Solo Mum by Choice is a love story between a woman and the child she refuses to give up on.
An intimate and fiercely honest memoir about one woman’s journey to motherhood – without a partner, but with unwavering determination.
After a string of failed relationships, Lorena Otes stumbles upon the growing community of women choosing to have children on their own. What follows is a deeply personal ride through IVF heartbreaks, medical mayhem, and the navigation of life as a solo parent – told with warmth, grit, and sharp self-awareness.
Both tender and laugh-out-loud, Solo Mum by Choice is a love story between a woman and the child she refuses to give up on.
- GenresMemoir
326 pages, Paperback
First published May 16, 2026
About the author
Lorena Otes
2 books11 followersBorn and bred on Sydney’s Northern beaches, Lorena Otes is a mother, author and dance teacher. Her deeply personal memoir, Solo Mum by Choice (Hawkeye Publishing), tells of her journey to and through a unique but exponentially growing version of solo motherhood through the lens of her own experience. It placed runner-up in the Hawkeye Publishing Manuscript Development Prize 2024.
She has written for Feels Blind Literary, The Brussels Review, Mamamia Online, and Bounty Parents. Her humour articles have appeared in Witcraft Magazine, Defenestration Literary Humour Magazine, Scalar Comet, and Little Old Lady Comedy.
Lorena is a flash-fiction-writing tragic. Her stories have longlisted in the Australian Writers’ Centre’s Furious Fiction competition, the Not Quite Write Prize, The Letter Review, and she received Highly Commended in the Writers Victoria’s Best of Times Short Story competition 2024.
Lorena is a classical and contemporary dance teacher by profession, Bonnie Tyler fan, avid reader, motorbike enthusiast, and proud solo mum by choice to her fabulous, dinosaur-loving six-year-old daughter.
She has written for Feels Blind Literary, The Brussels Review, Mamamia Online, and Bounty Parents. Her humour articles have appeared in Witcraft Magazine, Defenestration Literary Humour Magazine, Scalar Comet, and Little Old Lady Comedy.
Lorena is a flash-fiction-writing tragic. Her stories have longlisted in the Australian Writers’ Centre’s Furious Fiction competition, the Not Quite Write Prize, The Letter Review, and she received Highly Commended in the Writers Victoria’s Best of Times Short Story competition 2024.
Lorena is a classical and contemporary dance teacher by profession, Bonnie Tyler fan, avid reader, motorbike enthusiast, and proud solo mum by choice to her fabulous, dinosaur-loving six-year-old daughter.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 69 reviews
June 10, 2026
Arc review copy
✨✨ As if not already juggling enough, Lorena smashes this story to life, from conception to fruition and EVERYTHING that came before. A soul led journey to motherhood ✨✨
Meeting lovely Lorena ‘Lollylegs’ Otes last year, her unmatchable energy and story drew me in immediately. I’d hoped to come full circle at launch time, but I couldn’t make it unfortunately!
Immediately Lorena acknowledges not everyone will agree. Family dynamics, separation, ‘old lady pee’ gave me pause. Some caused my own stirring, as they should. Openly advocating for herself while sharing the immeasurable gamut of blocks and prejudices. That intense awareness of criticism felt like it created a constant hyper vigilance which must have been tough.
Driven and constantly on the pulse, often at the expense of her own wellbeing, this is laid bare with searing honesty, threaded with intensity and detail.
13 rounds of IVF sounds like a spoiler, but it’s not. The voice is direct, relatable and entirely her own. Fully immersed in the solo mum by choice world, this is deeply personal storytelling. What she builds, her little trio with kitty included, feels nothing short of miraculous, a continual sucker punch of events.
That same energy runs through all of it, from following Bonnie Tyler across Europe to growing her baby. It’s entertaining, honest and comprehensive. Women on this path will gain so much. Oh, one last thing, I love that grandpa edited! Lorena’s folks are 💗💗💗💗💗
Thank you to Hawkeye Publishing and Lorena ~ please forgive my late review ~ motherhood!!!!
✨✨ As if not already juggling enough, Lorena smashes this story to life, from conception to fruition and EVERYTHING that came before. A soul led journey to motherhood ✨✨
Meeting lovely Lorena ‘Lollylegs’ Otes last year, her unmatchable energy and story drew me in immediately. I’d hoped to come full circle at launch time, but I couldn’t make it unfortunately!
Immediately Lorena acknowledges not everyone will agree. Family dynamics, separation, ‘old lady pee’ gave me pause. Some caused my own stirring, as they should. Openly advocating for herself while sharing the immeasurable gamut of blocks and prejudices. That intense awareness of criticism felt like it created a constant hyper vigilance which must have been tough.
Driven and constantly on the pulse, often at the expense of her own wellbeing, this is laid bare with searing honesty, threaded with intensity and detail.
13 rounds of IVF sounds like a spoiler, but it’s not. The voice is direct, relatable and entirely her own. Fully immersed in the solo mum by choice world, this is deeply personal storytelling. What she builds, her little trio with kitty included, feels nothing short of miraculous, a continual sucker punch of events.
That same energy runs through all of it, from following Bonnie Tyler across Europe to growing her baby. It’s entertaining, honest and comprehensive. Women on this path will gain so much. Oh, one last thing, I love that grandpa edited! Lorena’s folks are 💗💗💗💗💗
Thank you to Hawkeye Publishing and Lorena ~ please forgive my late review ~ motherhood!!!!
June 4, 2026
Very readable, moving, inspiring, relatable, funny at times. An extremely helpful book for anyone considering solo motherhood.
May 16, 2026
We had the pleasure of reading a very recent release, courtesy of a gift from the author, @lorenaotes.
Solo Mum By Choice is a memoir that explores Lorena’s difficult journey to becoming a mum. After a relationship with a complete loser (we’ve all been there, no judgement), Lorena sets out on the path of using donor sperm to become a mum. As an IVF mum myself, I really felt the ups and downs with her, from the injections to the complete loss of dignity, the testing, the heartbreak, and then having to get up and do it all again. However, I cannot imagine what it would be like to do it without a partner. Lorena, you’re a legend, and Tyler is one lucky girl.
An easy read that feels like a comfy chat with your friend. It’s out now from @hawkeyepublishing.
Solo Mum By Choice is a memoir that explores Lorena’s difficult journey to becoming a mum. After a relationship with a complete loser (we’ve all been there, no judgement), Lorena sets out on the path of using donor sperm to become a mum. As an IVF mum myself, I really felt the ups and downs with her, from the injections to the complete loss of dignity, the testing, the heartbreak, and then having to get up and do it all again. However, I cannot imagine what it would be like to do it without a partner. Lorena, you’re a legend, and Tyler is one lucky girl.
An easy read that feels like a comfy chat with your friend. It’s out now from @hawkeyepublishing.
May 9, 2026
I know three solo mums by choice and admire how they manage motherhood on their own and their love for their children. I was keen to read Lorena’s experiences of becoming a solo mum as I enjoy hearing the story behind other people’s lives. I loved getting to know Lorena and learning about her love for Bonnie Tyler, Fonzi the cat, motorbikes and dance. As well as hearing about her dating life and why she decided to become a solo mum by choice.
She then takes you on a warts and all look at her kidney over 8 years which included 13 rounds of IVF, 57 egg retrievals, 18 embryos and 6 negative pregnancy tests before finally becoming pregnant with her daughter Tyler. You felt part of the whole process and cheered her on as she had successful egg retrievals and felt heartbreak as the embryos did not stick. I loved how supportive her parents were of her journey, even if they didn’t quite under the motivations at times. I enjoyed her thoughts on using donor eggs, using different alternatives therapies and parenting. It was interesting to see the reactions she got to her pregnancy, the red tape involved, including how difficult it was to register a birth without a father’s name and the stigma her little family has had at times. I enjoyed learning more about the IVF process and genetic testing. Lorena’s writing was honest, funny and real. I loved her bittersweet and thought provoking memoir and hope that like other diverse family groups, solo mums by choice find more acceptance and less stigma.
She then takes you on a warts and all look at her kidney over 8 years which included 13 rounds of IVF, 57 egg retrievals, 18 embryos and 6 negative pregnancy tests before finally becoming pregnant with her daughter Tyler. You felt part of the whole process and cheered her on as she had successful egg retrievals and felt heartbreak as the embryos did not stick. I loved how supportive her parents were of her journey, even if they didn’t quite under the motivations at times. I enjoyed her thoughts on using donor eggs, using different alternatives therapies and parenting. It was interesting to see the reactions she got to her pregnancy, the red tape involved, including how difficult it was to register a birth without a father’s name and the stigma her little family has had at times. I enjoyed learning more about the IVF process and genetic testing. Lorena’s writing was honest, funny and real. I loved her bittersweet and thought provoking memoir and hope that like other diverse family groups, solo mums by choice find more acceptance and less stigma.
June 15, 2026
We are so thrilled to see and read more books like this!
❤️ Solo Mum By Choice by @lorenaotes ❤️
Solo Mum By Choice is a memoir sharing the journey to motherhood through IVF, as a single woman in her 40s. The journey is long, heartbreaking but ultimately worthwhile with a beautiful baby after 6 challenging years of 13 rounds of IVF.
We applaud Lorena for her bravery in sharing this story and the honest sincerity in this book. Topics like IVF, infertility, pregnancy and infant loss are often relegated to the taboo and "we don't talk about those things." When you're in the thick of it, you can feel so isolated and like you're the only one. Whilst we haven't had IVF yet, we could definitely relate to feelings and situations Lorena expressed in this book. Its a pain like no other.
It's hard to recommend this book in ways. We wholeheartedly believe its a wonderfully insightful book, full of heart, hope and determination. However we also know this can be a triggering topic for some. We definitely had some teary moments that hit a little too close to home. So definitely protect your mental health but please give it a chance if you can.
The more these topics are discussed and share. The more we can shift the narrative from taboo to commonplace. All families need to feel supported and loved.
❤️ Solo Mum By Choice by @lorenaotes ❤️
Solo Mum By Choice is a memoir sharing the journey to motherhood through IVF, as a single woman in her 40s. The journey is long, heartbreaking but ultimately worthwhile with a beautiful baby after 6 challenging years of 13 rounds of IVF.
We applaud Lorena for her bravery in sharing this story and the honest sincerity in this book. Topics like IVF, infertility, pregnancy and infant loss are often relegated to the taboo and "we don't talk about those things." When you're in the thick of it, you can feel so isolated and like you're the only one. Whilst we haven't had IVF yet, we could definitely relate to feelings and situations Lorena expressed in this book. Its a pain like no other.
It's hard to recommend this book in ways. We wholeheartedly believe its a wonderfully insightful book, full of heart, hope and determination. However we also know this can be a triggering topic for some. We definitely had some teary moments that hit a little too close to home. So definitely protect your mental health but please give it a chance if you can.
The more these topics are discussed and share. The more we can shift the narrative from taboo to commonplace. All families need to feel supported and loved.
June 10, 2026
Exceptionally well-written, especially in the sense that the subject is so very personal, covering numerous aspects distressing to the author — yet she manages to tell her story with a light and very human touch. The more serious parts of the story are counterbalanced by many instances of levity and wry humour which I didn't expect to find in a book dealing with the much heavier matter of choosing to become a Solo Mum By Choice as the title indicates. The factual content goes into the matter in considerable depth, making this memoir able to celebrate an important dual achievement: that of telling a deeply personal story that contains valuable, clear information for anyone else contemplating this path to motherhood. Also, there is none of the empty waffle that afflicts so many other stories of this specific genre. The author is to be commanded for her determination, despite countless setbacks and obstacles. I found it an unexpectedly thrilling story, well worth reading in its own right — even by those who may not be directly involved in this quest.
June 3, 2026
What a read! An emotional and honest account of a woman navigating her life and making brave choices. I laughed and cried reading Lorena Otes account of becoming a solo mum by choice, from navigating IVF to relatable parenting highs and lows. I believe this is an important story for anyone on an IVF journey but more than that it’s about women backing themselves and not giving up.
June 3, 2026
What an incredible story of strength and tenacity! You’ll feel like you can achieve anything after you read this book. Get to it!
May 19, 2026
I couldn't put this book down. It feels like I'm sitting at the bar with Lorena margarita in hand as she tells me her story. We are deep belly gut laughing a lot and also at times with a little watery eyes. It's so uplifting and really an honest heroic account of her journey to have her baby! As a solo mum by choice I completely relate and feel seen. If you're considering being a solo mum this is the perfect book to read but also if you have nothing to do with having a baby you'll find it entertaining and you'll learn about the fertility assisted process. Thank you Lorena!
June 10, 2026
Lorena Otes always dreamed of becoming a mother. This is her Personal Memoir of her journey to becoming a Single Mother By Choice and the very difficult yet rewarding experience she went through to become a mother.
This was a Stunning Debut that I had the Pleasure of reading!!
Insightful, Honest, and Profound, I was Immersed by the Storyline and Appreciated the Author's Strength and Vulnerability in getting this special story out to the world.
As a mother myself, I Commended and Venerated the Choice of becoming a single mother which is an Empowering Choice and a Journey that I could never have imagined. I am so thankful that this is a path that is available and which Provides Wonderful Resources and Community Support.
The Narrative blended perfectly with Humour and Compassion to provide a truly Inspiring message of Hope and Determination along with Establishing a Comprehensive Understanding and guide to the Decision Making Process Financial Planning and Reproductive Processes needed to achieve the desired outcome.
Highly recommended!!
Thank you @hawkeyepublishing for the copy to review #solomumbychoice #singlemumbychoice #singlemotherbychoice
This was a Stunning Debut that I had the Pleasure of reading!!
Insightful, Honest, and Profound, I was Immersed by the Storyline and Appreciated the Author's Strength and Vulnerability in getting this special story out to the world.
As a mother myself, I Commended and Venerated the Choice of becoming a single mother which is an Empowering Choice and a Journey that I could never have imagined. I am so thankful that this is a path that is available and which Provides Wonderful Resources and Community Support.
The Narrative blended perfectly with Humour and Compassion to provide a truly Inspiring message of Hope and Determination along with Establishing a Comprehensive Understanding and guide to the Decision Making Process Financial Planning and Reproductive Processes needed to achieve the desired outcome.
Highly recommended!!
Thank you @hawkeyepublishing for the copy to review #solomumbychoice #singlemumbychoice #singlemotherbychoice
June 14, 2026
The debut memoir from Lorena Otes, Solo Mum By Choice was a thoughtful, honest and heartwarming tale of Lorena’s desire to be a mother and the, at times, harrowing experience of achieving that.
I laughed, cried and found myself on the edge of my seat as I cheered Lorena on to realising her dream of becoming a mum and going it alone. The devastation of multiple failed rounds of IVF and the toll these took on her mental health, body and finances was so rawly portrayed that I could not help but be incredibly invested.
Lorena’s humour made this book such an engaging read and stopped it from becoming too devastating. The light and the dark were balanced perfectly as we ran the full gamut of emotions. I really appreciated that we were taken through the process of what IVF entails as Lorena experienced it. So many parts that I had never thought of like the travel and waiting for phone calls, having your hopes raised only to have them dashed again.
This is a memoir that tells it like it is but also has us laughing at some of the more absurd moments. It’s a wonderful book with a joyful ending, that I recommend to all lovers of memoir.
I laughed, cried and found myself on the edge of my seat as I cheered Lorena on to realising her dream of becoming a mum and going it alone. The devastation of multiple failed rounds of IVF and the toll these took on her mental health, body and finances was so rawly portrayed that I could not help but be incredibly invested.
Lorena’s humour made this book such an engaging read and stopped it from becoming too devastating. The light and the dark were balanced perfectly as we ran the full gamut of emotions. I really appreciated that we were taken through the process of what IVF entails as Lorena experienced it. So many parts that I had never thought of like the travel and waiting for phone calls, having your hopes raised only to have them dashed again.
This is a memoir that tells it like it is but also has us laughing at some of the more absurd moments. It’s a wonderful book with a joyful ending, that I recommend to all lovers of memoir.
June 23, 2026
Lorena's story is quite remarkable, showing the sheer tenacity of one woman to be a mother, despite the odds seemingly against her. Her writing is filled with warmth and depth, and truly vulnerable; as a reader I felt a range of emotions for her and with her. Having had the pleasure of meeting Lorena, these qualities show through in real life. I found her writing style human, engaging, raw, and easy to read- I devoured the second half on a 6.5 hour flight and it kept me entertained. Her book is likely to provide insight, hope, and comfort to any woman who has wanted a child and turns to IVF- and the ending to her story was not one I predicted.
June 20, 2026
Thank you Lorena for gifting me a copy of your memoir. It’s certainly is a story of determination, one that all solo mums by choice know a thing or two about after venturing on their own journeys. Thank you for putting your journey out into the world, especially for those considering embarking on a similar path. I would have loved having your story in my ears (just a vote here for an audio format) back when I was in the considering phase and sitting with the complexity of fertility and adjustment to solo mum life.
June 4, 2026
Wonderful and real. Beautifully written. This isn't just for those going down the solo parenting path. It's a really gritty account of determination and persistence where you'll be jumping up and down in your loungeroom, cheering Lorena on. She's a real battler! I can't wait to see what this talented and brave author comes up with next!
Easy five stars, and poised for more.
Easy five stars, and poised for more.
June 1, 2026
A must read, whether you’re a mum or not. Beautifully written, open and vulnerable, and empowering.
June 4, 2026
Love the humour without trivialising the raw emotion of the story. A great read and insight into modern-day motherhood.
June 8, 2026
Lorena tells her story with honesty and vulnerability that I found myself completely invested in her journey from the very first page. A beautifully written book.
June 9, 2026
I haven't read the book yet, will start reading the ebook soon, I have a good feeling about it.
June 10, 2026
Stunning read leaving me with tears of joy. That last sentence!!! You'll have to read it to find out, and i highly recommend you do :)
June 10, 2026
Congratulations Lorena!!!
June 11, 2026
As a person who naturally gravitates to understanding someone's inner world, not just their story, this book filled my cup. Lorena is a person who embraces all parts of herself, courageously sharing her raw emotions while critically reflecting on her personal biases and how they intersect with her endeavour to become a mother.
I particularly appreciated the way she practices reflexivity throughout the book, continually returning to what matters in her life. Her responses to setbacks often transform into moments of clarity, resolve and gratitude. For me, the honesty and humour woven throughout Lorena's experience made the story especially engaging. However, I suspect this book will resonate deeply with anyone considering IVF as a pathway to parenthood.
I particularly appreciated the way she practices reflexivity throughout the book, continually returning to what matters in her life. Her responses to setbacks often transform into moments of clarity, resolve and gratitude. For me, the honesty and humour woven throughout Lorena's experience made the story especially engaging. However, I suspect this book will resonate deeply with anyone considering IVF as a pathway to parenthood.
June 1, 2026
Inspiring and beautifully told - highly recommend for anyone considering this journey or wanting to understand a loved one contemplating it 💖
June 14, 2026
This was a beautifully written book about Lorena’s journey to becoming a solo mother. At times it was heartbreaking, but it also included humour and hope. It would be a wonderful read for anyone going through a similar experience. I learnt a great deal and didn’t realise how complicated the process could be. Lorena is a great writer, and I look forward to reading her future books.
May 17, 2026
adore lorena ♥️
June 14, 2026
What a refreshingly real and honest account of the hardships and ultimately, the miracle of becoming a mother. Laughter, tears and everything in between. Although it focuses on solo mums, it speaks to all mothers and those who ever wished to become a mother. A beautiful read. Hard to put down.
June 8, 2026
Solo Mum by choice
✍️ @lorenaotes
📚 @hawkeyepublishing
5 🌟
I felt like while reading this, I was on my sofa sipping margaritas while Lorena told me about her journey of becoming a Mum -SOLO. I laughed, l cried and was so in awe of this woman's story. Where she kept chasing her ultimate dream, no matter the obstacles, to have her perfect outcome..her daughter, Tyler and the loving little family they both deserved.
MOTHER & DAUGHTER 💕
It's:
Persistence
Memoir
Courage
Bravery
Societal judgements
Highs and lows
Financial struggles
The power of what is possible if you never give up
Vulnerability
Longing
Strength
Fertility options
Honest
Funny with LOL moments
Raw
Real
Thought provoking
Sacrifices
Losses
Disappointments
Moments of hope
Difficult and confronting decisions
Determination
Going to forever find a home in your heart and stay with you
A MUST READ!
When dating failed. Motherhood didn't.
Solo Mum by Choice is an intimate, funny, and fiercely honest memoir about one woman's journey to motherhood-without a partner, but with unwavering determination.
After a string of failed relationships, Lorena Otes stumbles upon the growing community of women choosing to have children on their own. What follows is a deeply personal ride through IVF heartbreaks, bizarre alternative therapies, and medical mayhem-told with warmth, grit, and sharp self-awareness.
Both tender and laugh-out-loud, Solo Mum by Choice is a love story between a woman and the child she refuses to give up on.
Thank you so much @lorenaotes @hawkeyepublishing for this beautiful and cherished bookmail. Such an honour to read. I feel any one who reads this would agree, Lorena and Tyler have now many forever found families from reading this. It's just pure heart. Oh gosh, tears again. I think I will just quietly hug this book as everyone deserves a happy ever after, especially you Lorena 💖 and you did. 🥺
❓️ Premeptive text, Solo Mum by choice...
Solo Mum by choice, was a heartfelt read to finish the month of May with. HIGHLY RECOMMEND ❤️
✍️ @lorenaotes
📚 @hawkeyepublishing
5 🌟
I felt like while reading this, I was on my sofa sipping margaritas while Lorena told me about her journey of becoming a Mum -SOLO. I laughed, l cried and was so in awe of this woman's story. Where she kept chasing her ultimate dream, no matter the obstacles, to have her perfect outcome..her daughter, Tyler and the loving little family they both deserved.
MOTHER & DAUGHTER 💕
It's:
Persistence
Memoir
Courage
Bravery
Societal judgements
Highs and lows
Financial struggles
The power of what is possible if you never give up
Vulnerability
Longing
Strength
Fertility options
Honest
Funny with LOL moments
Raw
Real
Thought provoking
Sacrifices
Losses
Disappointments
Moments of hope
Difficult and confronting decisions
Determination
Going to forever find a home in your heart and stay with you
A MUST READ!
When dating failed. Motherhood didn't.
Solo Mum by Choice is an intimate, funny, and fiercely honest memoir about one woman's journey to motherhood-without a partner, but with unwavering determination.
After a string of failed relationships, Lorena Otes stumbles upon the growing community of women choosing to have children on their own. What follows is a deeply personal ride through IVF heartbreaks, bizarre alternative therapies, and medical mayhem-told with warmth, grit, and sharp self-awareness.
Both tender and laugh-out-loud, Solo Mum by Choice is a love story between a woman and the child she refuses to give up on.
Thank you so much @lorenaotes @hawkeyepublishing for this beautiful and cherished bookmail. Such an honour to read. I feel any one who reads this would agree, Lorena and Tyler have now many forever found families from reading this. It's just pure heart. Oh gosh, tears again. I think I will just quietly hug this book as everyone deserves a happy ever after, especially you Lorena 💖 and you did. 🥺
❓️ Premeptive text, Solo Mum by choice...
Solo Mum by choice, was a heartfelt read to finish the month of May with. HIGHLY RECOMMEND ❤️
May 29, 2026
💬 “Having a partner is great, and possibly the ideal we think we want, but having rock-solid friendships and a caring, supportive family: give me those any day.”
In this memoir, Lorena shares her journey of becoming a mum, doing it all solo, purely by choice. It is told with transparency, openness, honesty, humour and no fluff - the publisher said it right with, “this book will change lives”.
I feel like I got to know Lorena quite intimately through these pages and her storytelling felt familiar and comfortable, as if we were sitting on a couch together with a coffee and she was telling her story.
I myself started an IVF journey with my first partner when I was only 23 and I certainly could understand Lorena’s feelings and some of what she went through and boy do I admire her determination and never give up attitude, she had so much love and longed to become a mum, that she let nothing stop her – 13 rounds of IVF later and her dream finally came true <3
Lorena’s tells all from finding a donor, egg retrievals, egg donations, the injections and medications that she had to take, alternative therapies, all of the money she spent, the sacrifices she made, the losses and disappointments and the moments of hope along the way too.
Her supportive parents filled my heart with happiness, they very much reminded me of my own folks and I giggled at Lorena’s ultrasound story – my Miss B was also quite the groover and Lorena, I’ll have you know, that I love hearing a birth story lol.
Thank-you for sharing your story ❤️
Thank-you Lorena and @hawkeyepublishing for and advanced readers copy of this book, in exchange for an honest review – I will certainly be adding a copy to my personal library.
In this memoir, Lorena shares her journey of becoming a mum, doing it all solo, purely by choice. It is told with transparency, openness, honesty, humour and no fluff - the publisher said it right with, “this book will change lives”.
I feel like I got to know Lorena quite intimately through these pages and her storytelling felt familiar and comfortable, as if we were sitting on a couch together with a coffee and she was telling her story.
I myself started an IVF journey with my first partner when I was only 23 and I certainly could understand Lorena’s feelings and some of what she went through and boy do I admire her determination and never give up attitude, she had so much love and longed to become a mum, that she let nothing stop her – 13 rounds of IVF later and her dream finally came true <3
Lorena’s tells all from finding a donor, egg retrievals, egg donations, the injections and medications that she had to take, alternative therapies, all of the money she spent, the sacrifices she made, the losses and disappointments and the moments of hope along the way too.
Her supportive parents filled my heart with happiness, they very much reminded me of my own folks and I giggled at Lorena’s ultrasound story – my Miss B was also quite the groover and Lorena, I’ll have you know, that I love hearing a birth story lol.
Thank-you for sharing your story ❤️
Thank-you Lorena and @hawkeyepublishing for and advanced readers copy of this book, in exchange for an honest review – I will certainly be adding a copy to my personal library.
Review of advance copy received from Author
There are few topics as emotional as fertility. The desire to procreate is one of the most primal urges we can experience and while some women choose not to have children or are content to live with infertility, others pursue every avenue to make their dream of parenthood a reality. As a GP, I see an increasing number of women exploring novel ways to overcome fertility issues, turning to reproductive technology to support their desire to have a baby.
Otes’ book is not only a personal journey about longing to become a mother, but a frank and at times confronting look at the technologies used to make parenthood possible for those who are infertile due to medical and/or social reasons. In the glossy photos advertising fertility services, it is easy to overlook the physical, psychological, and financial challenges faced by those needing reproductive assistance.
Otes does not hold back when describing in detail each step of her own difficult fertility journey. Finding herself single in her late thirties she opts to use a sperm donor to make her dream of having a baby come true. As a reader we experience every complication, failure, and disappointment she endures, while in the background we hear the relentless ticking of her biological clock. We learn about the impacts of hormonal manipulation on the body, the psychological challenges of difficult decisions after failed cycles and the huge cost of every treatment. Despite this, here is much joy along the way, with unwavering support from friends and family and Otes’ relentless belief that her dream will come true.
Otes’ book is not only a personal journey about longing to become a mother, but a frank and at times confronting look at the technologies used to make parenthood possible for those who are infertile due to medical and/or social reasons. In the glossy photos advertising fertility services, it is easy to overlook the physical, psychological, and financial challenges faced by those needing reproductive assistance.
Otes does not hold back when describing in detail each step of her own difficult fertility journey. Finding herself single in her late thirties she opts to use a sperm donor to make her dream of having a baby come true. As a reader we experience every complication, failure, and disappointment she endures, while in the background we hear the relentless ticking of her biological clock. We learn about the impacts of hormonal manipulation on the body, the psychological challenges of difficult decisions after failed cycles and the huge cost of every treatment. Despite this, here is much joy along the way, with unwavering support from friends and family and Otes’ relentless belief that her dream will come true.
August 19, 2026
A motherhood memoir like no other!
Thank you to @lorenaotes for providing me with a copy of #SoloMumByChoice it opened my eyes in unexpectedly amazing ways!
💗
When dating failed. Motherhood didn’t.
After a string of failed relationships, Lorena Otes decides to have a child on her own. What follows is a testing IVF journey that is told with warmth, grit, and sharp self-awareness.
💗
This book grabbed me from the title! Motherhood stories are my favourite reads and this one is the most unique!
As someone who underwent fertility treatment to conceive both of my kids, I had some idea of how difficult IVF can be. But Lorena’s story is just unfathomable! My heart hurt for her every time she received bad news, every time her dream of becoming a mother felt impossible. And the years ticked by, unbelievably, so many years passed while Lorena remained determined. Her character is admirable to say the least. And she is definitely worthy of motherhood. I’m sure she’s the best mum!
It was a pleasure to read this story. And I thank Lorena for capturing the pull and desire, the heartbreak, and ultimately the triumph, that is short lived, because then when we get what we want we realise, motherhood doesn’t come with a manual, but we all find our way. That’s the beauty of this story.
Motherhood is for everyone and so is this book.
P.S. If you’d like to know more about Lorena and how she wrote her memoir, stay tuned for my chat with her on Kelly’s Writerly Q&A Podcast, live on Aug 20th!
Thank you to @lorenaotes for providing me with a copy of #SoloMumByChoice it opened my eyes in unexpectedly amazing ways!
💗
When dating failed. Motherhood didn’t.
After a string of failed relationships, Lorena Otes decides to have a child on her own. What follows is a testing IVF journey that is told with warmth, grit, and sharp self-awareness.
💗
This book grabbed me from the title! Motherhood stories are my favourite reads and this one is the most unique!
As someone who underwent fertility treatment to conceive both of my kids, I had some idea of how difficult IVF can be. But Lorena’s story is just unfathomable! My heart hurt for her every time she received bad news, every time her dream of becoming a mother felt impossible. And the years ticked by, unbelievably, so many years passed while Lorena remained determined. Her character is admirable to say the least. And she is definitely worthy of motherhood. I’m sure she’s the best mum!
It was a pleasure to read this story. And I thank Lorena for capturing the pull and desire, the heartbreak, and ultimately the triumph, that is short lived, because then when we get what we want we realise, motherhood doesn’t come with a manual, but we all find our way. That’s the beauty of this story.
Motherhood is for everyone and so is this book.
P.S. If you’d like to know more about Lorena and how she wrote her memoir, stay tuned for my chat with her on Kelly’s Writerly Q&A Podcast, live on Aug 20th!
June 11, 2026
I was fortunate enough to witness some of this journey firsthand, and even more special, to find myself woven into the pages of this remarkable book. From the very first chapter, I was completely captivated and genuinely couldn’t put it down.
Lorena has an extraordinary gift for storytelling. She shares the deeply personal and often challenging path to becoming a Solo Mum By Choice with honesty, courage, warmth and humour. One moment I was laughing out loud, the next I was wiping away tears. Her writing feels like sitting across from a dear friend over coffee, listening to her tell the most important story of her life.
What makes this book so special is that it is far more than a memoir. It is a testament to resilience, determination and the power of believing in yourself when the odds seem stacked against you. Lorena’s vulnerability is matched by her strength, and her ability to find humour and lightness amidst heartbreak and uncertainty makes this an incredibly compelling read.
Whether you are considering solo motherhood, navigating fertility treatment, or simply love an inspiring true story, this book has something for everyone. It is beautifully written, deeply moving and refreshingly authentic. I finished it feeling inspired, proud of my friend, and grateful that she chose to share her story with the world.
A truly brilliant book and one of the most engaging and uplifting memoirs I have read in years.
Lorena has an extraordinary gift for storytelling. She shares the deeply personal and often challenging path to becoming a Solo Mum By Choice with honesty, courage, warmth and humour. One moment I was laughing out loud, the next I was wiping away tears. Her writing feels like sitting across from a dear friend over coffee, listening to her tell the most important story of her life.
What makes this book so special is that it is far more than a memoir. It is a testament to resilience, determination and the power of believing in yourself when the odds seem stacked against you. Lorena’s vulnerability is matched by her strength, and her ability to find humour and lightness amidst heartbreak and uncertainty makes this an incredibly compelling read.
Whether you are considering solo motherhood, navigating fertility treatment, or simply love an inspiring true story, this book has something for everyone. It is beautifully written, deeply moving and refreshingly authentic. I finished it feeling inspired, proud of my friend, and grateful that she chose to share her story with the world.
A truly brilliant book and one of the most engaging and uplifting memoirs I have read in years.
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