Life, Sideways

by Michaela Greene

Vicky Blumenfeld has it all: the husband of her dreams, a great job at his pediatric dental practice where she’s the envy of all the patients’ moms, a great set of friends and plenty of money in the bank. The only thing she doesn’t have is kids. And she’s okay with that. Until her husband delivers an ultimatum: either she gives him kids or a she gives him a divorce.

Realizing they want different things out of life, Vicky reluctantly packs her bags, throwing her perfect life and marriage away because she can’t ever see herself as a mother. But a few weeks later, she finds herself in a family way. With her life turned upside down by a couple of lines on a pregnancy test, Vicky has to make a choice—one that will change her life forever no matter what she decides.

Life, Sideways is a book about the journey of life and how unexpected speedbumps along the road can look an awful lot like baby bumps. Fans of Emily Giffin’s Baby Proof will enjoy this thought-provoking look at the issue of childlessness and the complicated decisions modern women face.

230 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2015

About the author

Michaela Greene is a veteran of the dating scene in New York City. Her outlook has been shaped by a large, lovingly dysfunctional, Jewish family, which explains her sense of humor and tendency to make sure everyone has had enough to eat. She loves romance, good friends, and great food – subjects which feature prominently in her writing.

Connect with Michaela at www.michaelagreene.com or via e-mail at michaela.a.greene@gmail.com

Reviews

[Carmen S. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Too many tears

I enjoy the story but I felt as though men are allowed to cry, it made for an unrealistic situation..
I think it would have been better if the men in the story would have been devastatingly upset but not to the point of tears.

[Gail · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sad and good

One of the blessings in life are children. But, what if you don't want children and you find yourself pregnant? What do you do? That's what the woman in this story has to decide. Very tough decision. Touching and very sad and joyful at the same time.

[Samantha Stinnett · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoyed it, loved the fact that the main character stuck to her belief in herself knowing what was right for her and not just following what was expected of her by everyone else. The only disappointment I had was the marriage ending how it did without any trying to working out that felt a little unrealistic if they loved each other so much and every other aspect of their life was so perfect. I was also a little disappointed in how fast her ex seemed to move on and claim he was in love when at every opportunity he tried to get chummy with his wife, that made me feel like there was more to the story then was being told. I understand that everyone wants different thing but I also believe that people can work through those difference without compromising who they are and I felt that. Would have given it a more realistic feeling, then after that if they decided to separate it would be believable. I also couldn't understand the hole she left her husband when it was his decision for a divorce because he wasn't getting what he wanted..... these areas felt male bias. For a woman to have wrote it i felt it was prejudice in favor of male importance ideals.

[Katherine C Heinz · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Good Book

I really enjoyed the story, it's a lighthearted read with interesting characters. The nuts and bolts, however, leave something to be desired. I was constantly adding and subtracting commas and the word "saliva" is used way too many times.

[Carol Kidd · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good book

If you want a good book to read, then this is the book. It was funny in spots, it was sad in spots. It has a little craziness in it too. But altogether it was worth the read.

[Kat · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sideways, alright

Vicky had the perfect life, or so she thought. When faced with the one thing she didn't want, she made some tough decisions, and gained the life she should have had to begin with, along with a cat named Ex.

[Cheryl L. Massena · Rating 5 out of 5]

Growth

A beautiful story about growth as an adult facing a multitude of crises. Reading it left me in tears and feeling good.

[Tracey Doerrer · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was different.