Be My Baby

by Zoë Barnes

Lorna has everything she's ever wanted. And then one day, her beloved husband Ed dies - leaving her widowed and pregnant at 29. Eighteen months later, Lorna misses Ed as much as ever, but knows she must get out and make a new life for herself and her kids. When her mum and dad suddenly find themselves desperate for somewhere to live, what could be more natural than for them to come and live with Lorna? It'll be a great opportunity for her to go back to her job as a midwife, while they get to know their grandchildren. But that's before the mishaps, the arguments over childcare, or the rows that break out when Lorna announces that she's met a hunky doctor and is ready to start dating again.

Genres: Chick Lit, Romance, Fiction

352 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2005

About the author

Did you know ...?
Zoë was born near Liverpool, but is a real mixed bag! Her mum is Manx and her dad is from Yorkshire. She now lives in Cheltenham, where her novels are set.
She is also a French translator, and translates novels by Christian Jacq (author of the Ramses series) under the pen-name of Sue Dyson.
She was named 'Secretary of the Year' in 1987, although she wasn't actually working as a secretary at the time!
When not writing or translating, she works as a singer.
At the moment she has three cats: Domino, Pizza and Jupiter. Unfortunately, Jupiter's favourite foods are Sellotape and glue, and he enjoys chewing the corners off library books.
The only animals she really doesn't like are cockroaches. And it's not their fault they're creepy.
She loves chocolate, but it makes her ill. Sadly, green vegetables are perfectly safe. There is no justice.
There is no such thing as a Javanese Yellow Skunk. But there ought to be.

Zoë died on October 30th 2009 after taking an overdose.

Reviews

[Rebecca]

ahhh, i love being in another country! i didn't remember this book at all and it isn't even listed on amazon! (found the recap on the AKL library system.) girl's husband dies young and she is left with two kids to raise herself. her parents move in with her while she goes back to the work force. quariky friend who was enjoyable to read. mayham ensues. girl goes out with "hunky" doctor at her job but turns out he is an asshole. she ends up with her dead husbands best friend, which isn't as creepy as it sounds, for once!

[Cláudia · Rating 3 out of 5]

I had read 2 books from Zoe Barnes a long time ago, I remembered I liked them but I just "forgot" to try it again in the recent years. Then I bought this book (3 years ago :oS) and finally started it now, and still like her!
It's not really chick lit as it is a little more serious, but it has a strong independent woman that will inevitabily end up with "prince charming" but it deals with lots of serious and real life problems without stopping being funny and entertaining.
I'll definitly continue reading her books.

[Rachel Brand · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a sweet book, sad in places but a nice, easy read. I didn't really see the point in the pregnant-teenage-girl subplot, though - it just annoyed me. A lot of chick-lit authors seem to only be able to incorporate teenage girls into their storylines if they involve sex (see Judy Astley) and I resent this!

[Imogen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have a feeling I've read this before... but I can't quite remember what happens. So onwards I plough!

[Kassandra Patti · Rating 1 out of 5]

Booring book

[Annenz · Rating 2 out of 5]

Definitely a chick-lit worth reading!!

[Fez · Rating 2 out of 5]

Easy read even though I kinda wanted to shake some sense into Lorna simply because she was so damn oblivious to everything! Otherwise though not bad

[Sue · Rating 3 out of 5]

A sweet, enjoyable story.

[Lesley Book Lover · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have read this book before, but as my daughter left hers here recently, I decided to read it again. A bit of a weepy, with happy moments too, beautifully written, thoroughly enjoyable.

[Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

I actually read most of this book in the early phase of labour. It was perfect for the situation: light but well written with interesting characters. And lots of babies :-)

[Ashima Paliwal · Rating 3 out of 5]

A feel good light read.

[Zoe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sort of an obvious ending, but a good enough chick lit.