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Heads or Tails
“Take my baby.”
Hillary can’t believe the words her best friend Margot just uttered. Deeply committed to her devoutly childless marriage, Hillary doesn’t know the first thing about infants – and has zero interest in learning. But Margot’s post-partum depression has reached a dangerous peak. With the baby a sperm donor production and Margot’s mother Jean suffering from Parkinson’s, there’s no one else. And for reasons nobody knows, Hillary owes both Margot and Jean.
Suddenly, Hillary is forced to bring the baby from Manhattan to San Francisco, where she works as general contractor for the city’s hottest restoration company. Right away, the baby’s arrival exposes hairline cracks in Hillary’s marriage to Jesse and stirs up latent resentment towards her parents, who’d been too overcome with grief to ever parent her properly. Before long, Hillary finds herself doing all kinds of things she vowed never to do, including things with her handsome and mysterious neighbor Abe. And then the question arises: should this arrangement become permanent?
Fans of Jodi Picoult, Emily Giffin and Jennifer Weiner will be drawn to the fresh premise of HEADS OR TAILS, a story that explores themes of friendship and loyalty and what happens when your core identity is challenged. Perfect for book clubs, the Kindle edition concludes with questions for discussion.
The gripping second novel from the author of Cheer: A Novel, HEADS OR TAILS will stay with you long after you’ve read the final page.
Hillary can’t believe the words her best friend Margot just uttered. Deeply committed to her devoutly childless marriage, Hillary doesn’t know the first thing about infants – and has zero interest in learning. But Margot’s post-partum depression has reached a dangerous peak. With the baby a sperm donor production and Margot’s mother Jean suffering from Parkinson’s, there’s no one else. And for reasons nobody knows, Hillary owes both Margot and Jean.
Suddenly, Hillary is forced to bring the baby from Manhattan to San Francisco, where she works as general contractor for the city’s hottest restoration company. Right away, the baby’s arrival exposes hairline cracks in Hillary’s marriage to Jesse and stirs up latent resentment towards her parents, who’d been too overcome with grief to ever parent her properly. Before long, Hillary finds herself doing all kinds of things she vowed never to do, including things with her handsome and mysterious neighbor Abe. And then the question arises: should this arrangement become permanent?
Fans of Jodi Picoult, Emily Giffin and Jennifer Weiner will be drawn to the fresh premise of HEADS OR TAILS, a story that explores themes of friendship and loyalty and what happens when your core identity is challenged. Perfect for book clubs, the Kindle edition concludes with questions for discussion.
The gripping second novel from the author of Cheer: A Novel, HEADS OR TAILS will stay with you long after you’ve read the final page.
230 pages, ebook
First published May 31, 2015
82 people are currently reading
600 people want to read
About the author
Leslie A. Gordon
3 books61 followersErin Gordon is a Bay Area native who graduated from UC Berkeley and Loyola Law School. After practicing law for three years, she earned a master’s in journalism at Stanford University and worked several years as a newspaper beat reporter covering law firms. Erin then spent more than 20 years as a freelance legal affairs journalist, all the while dreaming of becoming a novelist.
When not writing, Gordon enjoys knitting, going for long walks in San Francisco, doing yoga, and spending time in Lake Tahoe.
Gordon lives in San Francisco with her family. She loves hearing from readers -- visit her website at ErinGordonAuthor.com.
When not writing, Gordon enjoys knitting, going for long walks in San Francisco, doing yoga, and spending time in Lake Tahoe.
Gordon lives in San Francisco with her family. She loves hearing from readers -- visit her website at ErinGordonAuthor.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 82 reviews
September 25, 2015
Favorite Quotes:
“At some point, we reach a place in life when we’re sure there will be no more surprises. The time is different for everyone, but the feeling – a settling, a resignation – is the same. We know everyone we’re going to know. We may encounter new clients or neighbors, the kinds of people who come and go, the kind that don’t last. But eventually, we come to understand that the old flame is not going to return decades later, and that no one truly revolutionary is going to cross our paths. Our people are our people.”
“I was essentially raised by default by an African-American woman from Alabama. Virginia was our live-in housekeeper and, truth be told, my primary care-giver, even though that wasn’t part of her job description. While she was hired to keep house and prepare meals, she obviously had had some effect on me from the earliest days. This was evidenced by my first complete sentence: “Lawdhammercy Jesus, I done lost my shoe.”
“Secretly, I was convinced that Rebecca became a therapist so she could legitimately tell people what to do.”
My Review:
Against her better judgement and knowing full well that it would greatly upset her husband, Hillary agrees to take on total childcare of her best friend’s baby, due to dire circumstances. This causes considerable strain and upheaval on her household, marriage, employment, and finances. While thrust into the unfamiliar tasks of caring for an infant, she filters through memories of her own childhood as well as working through her feelings toward her cold and distant parents. Caring for the child proved to be a life-altering experience for her, not just due to the energy and physical tasks involved, but in the emotional connections made, remembered, and now better understood. Self and family revelations shook her foundation and significant insights were gained into her past, which fostered change in her present and required her to restructure her long held beliefs and assumptions. Heads or Tails is thoughtfully written with sparkles of wry humor. The story is insightful as well as entertaining.
“At some point, we reach a place in life when we’re sure there will be no more surprises. The time is different for everyone, but the feeling – a settling, a resignation – is the same. We know everyone we’re going to know. We may encounter new clients or neighbors, the kinds of people who come and go, the kind that don’t last. But eventually, we come to understand that the old flame is not going to return decades later, and that no one truly revolutionary is going to cross our paths. Our people are our people.”
“I was essentially raised by default by an African-American woman from Alabama. Virginia was our live-in housekeeper and, truth be told, my primary care-giver, even though that wasn’t part of her job description. While she was hired to keep house and prepare meals, she obviously had had some effect on me from the earliest days. This was evidenced by my first complete sentence: “Lawdhammercy Jesus, I done lost my shoe.”
“Secretly, I was convinced that Rebecca became a therapist so she could legitimately tell people what to do.”
My Review:
Against her better judgement and knowing full well that it would greatly upset her husband, Hillary agrees to take on total childcare of her best friend’s baby, due to dire circumstances. This causes considerable strain and upheaval on her household, marriage, employment, and finances. While thrust into the unfamiliar tasks of caring for an infant, she filters through memories of her own childhood as well as working through her feelings toward her cold and distant parents. Caring for the child proved to be a life-altering experience for her, not just due to the energy and physical tasks involved, but in the emotional connections made, remembered, and now better understood. Self and family revelations shook her foundation and significant insights were gained into her past, which fostered change in her present and required her to restructure her long held beliefs and assumptions. Heads or Tails is thoughtfully written with sparkles of wry humor. The story is insightful as well as entertaining.
July 31, 2015
Heads or Tails is a easy read, yet covers a not so easy topic. Post partum depression is not something that is talked about often. Leslie A. Gordon took this topic and gave it the attention it needs while still being considerate and understanding to those who suffer from it. It cannot be easy to want a baby and then once you have one not be able to care for it as it deserves. Then to have to choose who can take care of the baby for you, it has to be shattering.
While I did not know a lot of about Margot and her history, I love the friendship between Hillary and Margot. To know that you can trust a person who has always she does not want children to raise and care for your child while you heal is definitely what I would call trust. I had to laugh, numerous times, at how clueless Hillary was concerning Gretchen. But I was also impressed with how quickly she figured out what had to be done and how to get it done. She was inventive in some of her fixes but always kept Gretchen safe and healthy. I could tell she was falling in love with Gretchen long before she realized it herself.
Jesse was my biggest worry. As Hillary’s husband it was important that he supported Hillary and Gretchen. I was worried that he would walk away from them leaving them to flounder. Yet, he turned into something I was not expecting. The way he changed made me thing about what their future could be.
There is more to this story, including Abe’s storyline, but you really need to read the book to find out about him. I recommend checking out this book right away. It is not a long book, just the right amount of pages to tell the entire story .
**Thank you Leslie A. Gordon for sharing a copy with me. This review is my thoughts. I was not reimbursed in any way for my review.
While I did not know a lot of about Margot and her history, I love the friendship between Hillary and Margot. To know that you can trust a person who has always she does not want children to raise and care for your child while you heal is definitely what I would call trust. I had to laugh, numerous times, at how clueless Hillary was concerning Gretchen. But I was also impressed with how quickly she figured out what had to be done and how to get it done. She was inventive in some of her fixes but always kept Gretchen safe and healthy. I could tell she was falling in love with Gretchen long before she realized it herself.
Jesse was my biggest worry. As Hillary’s husband it was important that he supported Hillary and Gretchen. I was worried that he would walk away from them leaving them to flounder. Yet, he turned into something I was not expecting. The way he changed made me thing about what their future could be.
There is more to this story, including Abe’s storyline, but you really need to read the book to find out about him. I recommend checking out this book right away. It is not a long book, just the right amount of pages to tell the entire story .
**Thank you Leslie A. Gordon for sharing a copy with me. This review is my thoughts. I was not reimbursed in any way for my review.
June 3, 2022
Great Read
I really enjoyed this book. Right from the beginning it had me hooked . A book that you just have to keep reading. It kept my interest through each chapter. A good storyline that gets you thinking what you would do in the same situation. Loved it.
I really enjoyed this book. Right from the beginning it had me hooked . A book that you just have to keep reading. It kept my interest through each chapter. A good storyline that gets you thinking what you would do in the same situation. Loved it.
May 31, 2015
Readers, I hope you like my latest book. I'm very excited about it and would love your feedback!
March 21, 2020
I liked the story of this book. It was maybe a little too much in the head of the central character for me, but I was motivated to see what happened next!
November 19, 2017
I really enjoyed this book. Hillary's best friend Margot has postpartum depression and Margot's mum has Parkinson's so cannot take care of Gretchen (Margot's baby). Margot says the only way she will go to the live-in treatment centre (where she is unable to take her baby) is if Hillary takes her baby and looks after her until she is better. The only problem is, Hillary is in no way mothering or wants anything to do with children! Read this book and join Hillary and her partner Jesse on their journey looking after the baby. A wonderful read.
November 9, 2017
Hard to put down
I loved this book for so many reasons: it was beautifully written, with no boring or lagging sections of the story. I loved how this wasn't a story about a woman not being complete without a child, but a self-discovery that didn't exclude the possibility. I loved how I was drawn in and immersed in the story and I won't soon forget it.
I loved this book for so many reasons: it was beautifully written, with no boring or lagging sections of the story. I loved how this wasn't a story about a woman not being complete without a child, but a self-discovery that didn't exclude the possibility. I loved how I was drawn in and immersed in the story and I won't soon forget it.
Read
September 14, 2015In HEADS OR TAILS, Hillary’s best friend Margot has had the baby she always wanted and Hillary thinks everything is going well for her. However, it’s not until Margot’s mother, Jean, calls that Hillary finds out Margot has crippling postpartum depression. When Hillary flies out to New York to visit, Margot begs Hillary to take Gretchen back with her to San Francisco. This is something Hillary and Jesse, her husband, had never wanted. Gretchen’s arrival puts strain on Hillary and Jesse’s relationship as they had enjoyed their status as deliberate non-parents. HEADS OR TAILS tackles a very serious topic – postpartum depression – in a way which is touching, compassionate, and shows a deep understanding of the condition. I absolutely loved the characters and how they dealt with the challenges they faced. It was both comical and sweet watching Hillary and Jesse learn to be parents. HEADS OR TAILS is a tender and charming tale.
August 6, 2015
Captivating read - loved it!
The setup is unusual - our heroine "Hilly" is healthy, with a business and career that feeds her passion and creativity, and a good husband who really does want her to be happy. When her best friend needs her help, Hilly hesitates only a little. What follows is a charming imaginative love story - on so many levels.
Author Leslie Gordon is a very strong writer, making the reader feel like she's actually climbing up and down the hills of San Francisco, rallying back and forth between confidence and panic. She's handled an unusual situation with tenderness, respect, and humor. I also loved her descriptions of both present - and past - people in Hilly's life, especially Virginia.
If you're looking for a book that feels like real life, but without the heart-wrenching sadness found on many booklists, this is a perfect read.
The setup is unusual - our heroine "Hilly" is healthy, with a business and career that feeds her passion and creativity, and a good husband who really does want her to be happy. When her best friend needs her help, Hilly hesitates only a little. What follows is a charming imaginative love story - on so many levels.
Author Leslie Gordon is a very strong writer, making the reader feel like she's actually climbing up and down the hills of San Francisco, rallying back and forth between confidence and panic. She's handled an unusual situation with tenderness, respect, and humor. I also loved her descriptions of both present - and past - people in Hilly's life, especially Virginia.
If you're looking for a book that feels like real life, but without the heart-wrenching sadness found on many booklists, this is a perfect read.
October 9, 2015
I really liked this book a lot. It was truly insightful about a number of things... First of all, it showed a clear yet optimistic picture of post partem depression. Secondly, it took a good look at how a good marriage can get stale, a tipping point that can lead in a number of different directions. But most importantly, it was a wonderful picture of how children change one. I have long said that folks without children never know what they are missing and this is a good illustration of that. Even in the first sleep deprived, learning the ropes two months, Gigi managed to turn Hil and Jesse upside down in ways they never imagined. And it only gets better over the years. A nice story with some teeth to it. Plus one of the characters is a golden!!!
June 1, 2015
Leslie Gordon has done it again with this second novel. I absolutely loved Heads or Tails from the moment I picked it up. I loved the storyline, the characters, the locale, everything. This book was far from predictable. I couldn't wait to get to the end to see where it would go. The characters were well developed and complex. I was often wondering, am I supposed to like this person or hate them? I love when a character leaves me guessing like that.
I couldn't put it down, because I needed to know what happens, but I was so sad when it was over. And that to me, is the definition of the perfect read! Go read Heads or Tails, and then if you haven't already, go read Cheer!
I couldn't put it down, because I needed to know what happens, but I was so sad when it was over. And that to me, is the definition of the perfect read! Go read Heads or Tails, and then if you haven't already, go read Cheer!
October 27, 2015
Fell in love with this story right from the very beginning. Yes, the basic premise of the book has been done many times before, but this was a fresh twist on it that kept me wondering what would happen next. It's funny what types of things can change people's mind and preconceived notions and there was a fair bit of that in this book.
The characters were likable, which means a lot to me as far as whether I'll enjoy a book or not. If you like light-hearted reads that aren't filled with graphic sex and violence, you'll enjoy this. It was a quick, fun read that left me feeling good and with a smile on my face.
The characters were likable, which means a lot to me as far as whether I'll enjoy a book or not. If you like light-hearted reads that aren't filled with graphic sex and violence, you'll enjoy this. It was a quick, fun read that left me feeling good and with a smile on my face.
June 6, 2016
Great quick read about a couple who think they have their lives all figured out, yet find out they don't. I liked how the story unfolded really getting to know the main character. You follow her through self discovery and see her heart and mind open to a new mindset for the future. Great reality check of pre and post baby life! Also touches on the difficulty some mothers have with post partum depression. It didn't sugar coat it. Even though a little predictable, I was satisfied and happy with the conclusion of the story since I was rooting for it and hoping I was right. Author did a good job with a nice writing style that was enjoyable to read.
June 3, 2015
I loved this book. I read it in two days.
As a parent, you consider all the people in your life and wonder who would be best suited to take over guardianship of your kids if you die. As someone who has been fingered as potential guardian, you silently pray that the responsibility doesn't actually fall to you. While the situation in this book is slightly different, it did make me think about how I'd react in Hillary's shoes, in the beginning and in the end. We all have grand plans for our lives, but despite those plans, sometimes the universe sees things differently.
As a parent, you consider all the people in your life and wonder who would be best suited to take over guardianship of your kids if you die. As someone who has been fingered as potential guardian, you silently pray that the responsibility doesn't actually fall to you. While the situation in this book is slightly different, it did make me think about how I'd react in Hillary's shoes, in the beginning and in the end. We all have grand plans for our lives, but despite those plans, sometimes the universe sees things differently.
August 25, 2015
Excellent book. Believable story. I've had two friends who had post-partum psychosis, a serious malady that can put mother and child in extreme jeopardy and at the very least have a profound negative effect on bonding, especially when there is no one to fill that position. This book did an excellent job of dealing with the issue. It also showed how the child's needs can be met by some one other than the biological mother and in turn how that relationship can impact on the substitute caretakers.
October 4, 2015
Liked this book about a young married women who doesnt want kids, who is asked by her best friend's sick mothers to take he friends baby while ER friend gets treatment for post partum depression, this is totally out of her element and her husband, but at first they survive, then management then come to love the baby, a story of evolution of a partnership and revealing to grow to a point she never expected. Not contrived, but a change as the couple finds they weren't as set in their minds as they thought they were. Charming and well-drawn story,
August 30, 2015
Thoughtful & Insightful
I found out by having children myself that parenthood changes us from being self-centered to other-centered, but this author brings out the nuances of that change that I could not have formulated myself. It is a brilliantly captivating novel. I wish I inherently had the wisdom it provides to aid me in this journey through life, but I'll settle for reading the book and hoping some of it will trickle into my brain.
I found out by having children myself that parenthood changes us from being self-centered to other-centered, but this author brings out the nuances of that change that I could not have formulated myself. It is a brilliantly captivating novel. I wish I inherently had the wisdom it provides to aid me in this journey through life, but I'll settle for reading the book and hoping some of it will trickle into my brain.
August 30, 2015
Just When you think you know yourself
You feel the apprehension Hilary has at the beginning of the book. The forced situation, with no where else to turn. I loved this story. It shows we rise above our own limitations and surprise even ourselves sometimes.
I have already recommended this book to friends and I know they will enjoy it too.
You feel the apprehension Hilary has at the beginning of the book. The forced situation, with no where else to turn. I loved this story. It shows we rise above our own limitations and surprise even ourselves sometimes.
I have already recommended this book to friends and I know they will enjoy it too.
October 3, 2015
A pull of emotions best describes this book. There were times I had to stop as I was caught up in the story and worried about the outcome. It left me remembering all those sweet baby moments when my boys were babies. Of course those not so easy times have been erased by time. I listed this book with a smile and hope in my heart.
August 24, 2015
I liked it for a summer read. Not great literature but funny, informative- at times and easy to read in a day or two. I liked the lesson of we can and do change no matter what we think we know about ourselves-IF we are open to it!
August 26, 2015
Heartwarming read
Having children is such a blessing, and one of my hardest jobs! This story points out you can't make the decision through other's lives as parents, and we aren't our parents! We can become and evolve into the parent our child needs.
Having children is such a blessing, and one of my hardest jobs! This story points out you can't make the decision through other's lives as parents, and we aren't our parents! We can become and evolve into the parent our child needs.
November 3, 2015
I absolutely adored this book, I love the fact that Hillary & Jesse had decided that they did not want children, yet they were willing to take in GiGi for Margot, and the way in which GiGi affects their lives in such a short period of time, I love it!
September 19, 2015
Gordon really captures the complex emotions of her characters. The heart of friendship. The pain of loss. The bond of family.
How easily life choices can change one's direction. A very thoughtful read that I would heartily recommend to a friend for a relaxing read.
How easily life choices can change one's direction. A very thoughtful read that I would heartily recommend to a friend for a relaxing read.
October 19, 2015
We are here to love
This book is very pleasant and filled with new discoveries for hilly the main character. I really loved how hilly reflects and makes peace with aspects of her past as she goes along.
This book is very pleasant and filled with new discoveries for hilly the main character. I really loved how hilly reflects and makes peace with aspects of her past as she goes along.
December 21, 2015
Clever premise and reasonable character development (except for Hillary's relationship with Abe , which didn't work for me and didn't seem necessary); well-written, overall. A nice, easy, feel-good read.
January 4, 2016
A look at post partum depression
Hilly has to come to the rescue of Margot and her baby when Margot suffers from post partum depression. An examination of maternal instinct and family relationships.
Hilly has to come to the rescue of Margot and her baby when Margot suffers from post partum depression. An examination of maternal instinct and family relationships.
May 1, 2016
A very insightful read about what people perceive about their own abilities
A very insightful read about what people perceive about their own abilities to do what is right for themselves and those that they love
A very insightful read about what people perceive about their own abilities to do what is right for themselves and those that they love
June 7, 2015
Another great novel by this author! Perfect summer read. Gripping story that kept me up late reading.
She is good at getting me wrapped up in a story. The characters felt so real!
She is good at getting me wrapped up in a story. The characters felt so real!
August 24, 2015
Surprise of a good story. Author nails the continual changes and role expectations in marital relationships. Lots of good layers are presented and explored.
August 26, 2015
4.2 stars
Displaying 1 - 30 of 82 reviews