What I Never Expected

by Jennifer Archer

A Women's Fiction Novel About Love and Family

Secrets…how easily they can weave their way through a life…

Director of Nursing Maggie Mahoney imagines a bright future for herself and her brilliant twenty-one-year-old son. While raising Eliot alone, she has built a successful career and a stable family life. But, just when she's ready to rise to the top position in her field and see Eliot off to medical school, his ex gives birth to a baby on her watch, and she fears she'll have to put her dreams on hold.

Maggie violates patient confidentiality rules by telling Eliot he is a father, eliciting a shocking reaction from him and unearthing a secret she buried long ago. Now, with her career jeopardized and Eliot on the verge of upending his life, Maggie has consequences to face…and a decision to make. Will revealing the truth about her past bring her son back to his senses or drive him away?

Genres: Fiction, Chick Lit

310 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 26, 2021

About the author

Jennifer Archer is an award-winning author of eleven novels and three novellas in the young adult, romantic comedy, and women's fiction genres and has co-authored a non-fiction book. Her novels have been nominated for Romance Writers of America’s Rita Award and Romantic Times Bookclub’s Reviewer’s Choice Award. The Texas Library Association selected her debut young adult novel Through Her Eyes for their first Spirit of Texas Reading Program – Middle School and for the TAYSHAS High School reading list. Jennifer also writes and edits for clients through her business, Archer Editing & Writing Services www.archereditingandwriting.com. She lives in Texas with her husband and three dogs.

Amazon: https://amzn.to/2JTyFMP
Facebook: https://bit.ly/2JHgDyw
Twitter: https://bit.ly/2M0q0uG
Instagram: jenniferarcher01

Reviews

[Kim · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars ✨

[Fiona · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sometimes it can take ages to get into a story and other times it takes a second. I don’t know what it is about this book but I slipped very quickly into a place of comfort. The storyline, to me, isn’t anything spectacular. It’s very real-life drama, it’s not all singing, all dancing, all guns blazing drama, and that’s okay. It’s like a cup of hot chocolate and marshmallows on a cold winters morning, or a cool iced drink on a humid summers day. It’s warm, it’s comforting, and it’s exactly the kind of stories I enjoy reading. To be able to take a simpler story and create depth and layers is a skill not every person has. I loved getting to know the characters here, learning with them as the secrets of their past were uncovered. Their responses were realistic, their decisions equally so. Every moment felt like something expected but not in a cliched, predictable way, more “that reaction makes sense”. I leave this story with fond memories, a slight wish for more, and a sense of satisfaction now that it’s over. The only reason I didn’t give it five stars is because despite all of the above it didn’t wow me. The storyline was relatively straightforward, and while that’s not an issue, I feel it’s more of a four star storyline. It would have needed something more, something bigger, to reach that final star.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Paula Colson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Maggie, a single mother who kept her son instead of putting him up for adoption, finds out that her son has fathered a baby. As a hard-working mother, she tries to push her son into becoming a successful adult. Though she was unable to give her infant away, she tries to convince her son that that would be the best route for him and his baby.

[Lynne Spreen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Maggie is forty, a single mother of a college-age son who still lives with her. She's a high-level nurse-administrator in the ob/gyn dept. at a city hospital and her job is her life, even if she hasn't really admitted to herself that she's not all that happy being a paper-pusher. When a girl at the hospital delivers a baby she intends to give up for adoption, Maggie discovers the baby is her son's child, and tells him. Without realizing how hard it's going to be, Elliot secures sole custody. Maggie is torn; she's reliable and solid, but didn't see herself raising a grandchild. Then Elliot learns about the lies his mother told him about his own absentee dad, and bolts. He goes to live with his late father's family. Fired from her hospital job, Maggie will have to decide what to do with the rest of her life. But first she has to decide how to rescue her relationship with her son.

What I liked about this novel: there are some deep moments having to do with loneliness and the empty nest, and the fact you only have one life and what are you going to do with it. I liked how strong Maggie was, and that she was open to growth. The characters were well-drawn, although the romantic subplot seemed almost unnecessary. The dialog was a little choppy--Maggie and Elliot are both difficult people. But all in all, a good read.

[Kelly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Maggie Mahoney grew up in a small town, raised by her grandparents. Her mother dies immediately after she is born and her father is a drunken deadbeat who is known around town as a coward. After overhearing a conversation about what the townsfolk think of her, a teenage Maggie vows to make something of herself and prove she is not like her father.
Despite becoming a single mother at 19, Maggie excels in life and by the time she’s in her 40’s she has made it to the top in her nursing career and her son is well on his way to becoming a doctor. Suddenly, though, everything she’s worked so hard for comes crumbling down at her feet. Maggie struggles to find herself and her purpose again...The End.

This book was just meh to me. I kept waiting for something to happen, for that something “never expected” but it didn’t come. If you’re looking for a mediocre story this book is for you, if you’re looking for something with a little more umph, a little more substance then move along to the next book. When I got to the end I woke up my poor husband by exclaiming “WHAT?!? That’s it??” It’s like Ms. Archer just got tired of writing and said to herself “ok I’ll just end the story here.”

[Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

SPOILED for me by the author's abuse of Almighty GOD's Names. This is blasphemy and is NEVER acceptable. Minus 1 *
That said, the story was otherwise well crafted and poignant. Well worth reading ❣️
I'm looking forward to reading future stories - without Blasphemy, please

[Leslie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Predictable.

[Janell Madison · Rating 5 out of 5]

My Thoughts: What I Never Expected by Jennifer Archer interested me right away because of its beautiful cover. The soft blue feels soothing and the red heart made me feel like this would be a cozy, warm feeling, “pull me in” kind of book. I was not disappointed! Even though there were difficulties for the main characters, the love in this family came off of the pages. Jennifer Archer created characters in her book that are relatable and her storyline feels real. The book kept me busy reading and I’m looking forward to telling you more about single mom, Maggie and her son, Eliot! Five stars!

The Book: What I Never Expected by Jennifer Archer

Maggie is in a fairly new administration job at the local hospital. She’s happy in her job, maybe a little addicted to it, if you ask her son, Eliot. She is well-liked, responsible, and in line for another promotion in a few years. When she hears something about a patient that is in the maternity ward and realizes she knows the young woman, she’s unsure what to do. Liza, who just had the baby, used to date her son, Eliot. As Maggie counts back months, a thought takes root. Maggie knows hospital rules about confidentiality but she heads to the maternity ward anyway. As soon as she sees the baby, she knows she is right. She is looking at her grandson. He looks just like Eliot did when he was a baby.

Even though she knows she shouldn’t, Maggie goes to see Liza in her hospital room. Liza is shocked to see Maggie. She didn’t know about Maggie’s new job and purposely chose this hospital to avoid her finding out about her baby. She has already decided on adoption and doesn’t want anyone to try to change her mind.

Maggie starts thinking about her past. Back to when she was the girl in the hospital room, alone, her baby in the nursery. Her former boyfriend told her to put the baby up for adoption and he had moved on with his life. But, Maggie knew she couldn’t do it. Even though it would be a struggle with no family to help her, she was keeping Eliot. Now, back to reality, Maggie is facing another hard decision. But she knows immediately what is right. She has to tell her son that he is a Dad.

Eliot makes up his mind quickly. He will raise the baby on his own. He and Maggie get to work preparing for the baby boy, Will, to come home. Will is a joy and they immediately fall in love.

As Maggie sees Eliot with Will, she starts to question some of the decisions she made through the years. If she shares the full truth now with Eliot about his Dad, how will he respond? Will he be able to forgive her and can Maggie forgive herself?

I highly recommend this book! To learn more about Jennifer Archer’s books, visit her website. I’m looking forward to reading more of her books!

[Chrissy Francis-Gilbert · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love a good book woven with character secrets and this novel has hidden moments from the past as well as themes of medical secrecy, family drama and controversial decisions.

Maggie Mahoney is a Director of Nursing at an Oklahoma City hospital and she is raising her son Eliot as a single mother. She has been through a number of difficult relationships, one of which was with Eliot's father Paul. Eliot is twenty-one and about to start medical school when his mother is shocked at work to find Eliot's ex-girlfriend Liza about to give birth to a baby that she suspects is Eliot's.
When Liza insists that Eliot not be told about the child and the plan for adoption, Maggie takes things into her own hands and betrays Liza's confidentiality, costing Maggie her job at the hospital. 

Eliot is a darling of a character and he takes over a central part of the storyline with his determination to right his past, not having had his father to hand and he is presented in the novel as a wonderful new parent. With his mother's help, he takes on his baby son Will and forges on ahead with changed plans that take him away from his mother. Jennifer Archer does a beautiful job at bringing the reader right to the emotional core of the story. I could imagine the baby, its troubles with colic and sleeping and the taut moments of early parenting which Eliot faces, as well as all that is involved with parenting a young man.

There is further romance for Maggie that fits nicely into the story and the feelings of motherhood are strongly presented in this novel. 

I initially picked up this novel as a possible comp title for my own father-daughter relationship with medical thematic overtones, and though it's not wholly comparable, it has been a great and worthwhile read.

Weirdly, I saw this novel's genre noted as ChickLit somewhere, but it's most recognisable as Women's or Domestic Fiction.

[Janet Barclay · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've received several books from BookSirens, and the one I've enjoyed the most was What I Left Behind by Jennifer Archer, so I decided to read another one by the same author. It was an okay read, but I was a little disappointed. The story may have been as good, but it wasn't different enough for my liking.

In both cases, the main character was a middle-aged woman who'd given birth when she was young and single. In "What I Left Behind" she gave the baby up for adoption. In "What I Never Expected" she decided to raise the child on her own. Both books included flashbacks to her earlier life.

There's nothing wrong with any of that, but I feel like the author needs to stretch herself a little more. I also noticed spelling and grammar errors which didn't interfere with the story, but were off-putting none the less.

I did like the characters and the story (as predictable as it was), but in my 60s I've come to understand that it takes more than a good story to make a great book.

A great book makes me think or introduces me to a new place, time, culture, or something else. This didn't do any of that.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Jude Harsomething · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’ve read books by this author before so jumped at the chance of reading another. The synopsis read well and I was intrigued as to where the author would take the story.
Maggie is a single parent, having brought her now teenage son up on her own. As with every family there are secrets and lies which have built up over the years however, once one secret escapes they all start to uncontrollably unravel. Maggie faces a dilemma…tell all before it gets out of control or try and fix it!
This book is a nice, easy read. I found myself willing for something else to happen. The direction it was going was obvious throughout and this isn’t a bad thing at all. It makes for a uncomplicated read, but I can’t quite put my finger on what was missing. 3.5 stars from me.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Salma Morando · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was a good book I liked it. A cute story between a single mother and her son who's a new father at a young age. Navigating their relationship and secrets that could possibly ruin it. It was very relatable either personally or people I know. Although, I feel like the "secret" was a little meehhh. I was expecting it to be a little more dramatic. Or for the shoe to drop somewhere but it never came. The ending was disappointing. I feel like there was a chunk of plot missing. The last chapter jumps to 2 months later and then boom... The End. It left me a little confused. I don't know if the author ran out of things to write or what, but the story definitely needed more. I wanted more from Andrea and Maggie and possibly even Kelly. All in all, it's a cute mother, son book but it's not a book I'll be rereading.

[Diane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my! This book is so full of emotions, here is a family from grandmother, daughter, granddaughter to great grandson all making the same mistake. The decisions made at a young age effect them forever. Maggie and her son need to break the cycle and realize what is driving them. I truly enjoyed this book and couldn’t put it down. There should be a warning label advising you not to start it at night because it is hard to put down. This is the second book I read from this author and I loved both. I received an advanced review copy for free and the views and opinions are my own. I would recommend this book.

[Cherye Elliott · Rating 5 out of 5]

A message from Nanny

I love it when a book falls into my radar out of no where. Must have been a message from Nanny.
Great read. Definitely recommend it.

This passage hit home. Maggie hit the nail on it's head.
"I’ve never been very good at relationships. And I’ve been alone for a long time.” “Maybe too long.” “I’ve made a lot of mistakes with men.”"

I love this part of a love letter.
The longer we’re apart, the harder it is for me to fly without you. Be my wings. Let me be yours. We could lift each other up. Come back to me.

[Dawn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Maggie, an administrator on the maternity ward at a hospital, faces a dilemma when a patient on the floor is none other than Liza, the ex-girlfriend of Maggie's son Eliot. Maggie has to decide between loyalty to her job by keeping Liza's secret or loyalty to her family by telling Eliot.
This book is a simple, pleasant, easy read. Maggie & Eliot are both a bit difficult, so the dialogue between them is sometimes stilted. However seeing the changes in the mother-son relationship through the book makes dealing with that worth it.

[Tom Casey · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an eye opener, real family life at its best. I found this novel to be very well written withgood characters that you can easily imagine while reading.
This story really draws you in, keeping you wondering what's going to happen and willing for the good things to come quick. Definitely put this on your must read list.
I received this book for free and wanted to give an honest review.

[Diane Tryon · Rating 5 out of 5]

OMG. What a finely written novel.

The cast of characters was well written. No confusion with too many characters which I like. Throughout the book I had moments of getting the chills, moments of laughter, moments of a quick little smirky half a smile, and of course some tears. Real life stuff.

[Rachel Rondeau · Rating 5 out of 5]

I literally couldn’t put this book down! I needed to keep reading to see what was next. I finished this book in one day and if I didn’t have kids it would have been only a few hours. This book is definitely a page turner and I can’t wait to read more of Jennifer Archers books they are currently being added to my tbr list!

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars- This was a quick and easy read that I flew through. It was a bit predictable but not necessarily in a bad way. I enjoyed the characters and the author’s writing style. I will likely read more books from this author!

[Jessi Madrid · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was the first time reading a book from this author and I enjoyed it. The characters were fun to meet and read their story. The book was easy to get into, and hard to put down at times. I would recommend this book!

This book was recieved as an ARC in exchange for an honest review!

[Kassie Remick · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a book I was able to jump right into as it caught my attention within the first chapter. The story line was good and eventful and it held my attention. I'm excited to read other books by Jennifer

[Kris MacKenzie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked this nook a lot because it really deals with a single mothers plight after raising her son. She gave it all up for her son. Many cool references to her grandparents and secrets revealed. Quick read!

[Jasmin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another great one by Jennifer Archer! I love the ending in this one, and I loved the relationship the main character had with her grandmother, and how those signs from Nanny were always there to show her the way. I’ll never look at birds the same again, that’s for sure lol. 4.5 stars.

[Lauretta · Rating 5 out of 5]

Heartwarming and Thought Provoking

This is the second book of hers I have read. It is amazing how the author brings everything together and makes me think! Life just doesn’t have to be so complicated. Loved this book!

[Ashleigh Lewis · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was not expecting this. I truly enjoyed the story and the parallels of Maggie and her son Eliot’s young parenthood hardships. I wanted to give it 5 stars but Maggie the pessimist was getting annoying at certain points sabotaging possibilities for herself. Ultimately I loved this book.

[Judy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good .... quick read. Finding love.

[Carol Roe · Rating 5 out of 5]

.

I loved this story. Very emotional I cried a lot. I've ordered your next book. You are very talented. Thanks for a splendid read.

[Jessica Plank · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5/5

[Tina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Slow start but worth the read.

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

Simple and real. This story, overall, seems real with characters responding much like you’d expect in real-life. No candy coating, with the exception of Mark, but the storyline is believable.