The Two Week Wait

by Lucy J. Lewis

For the last two decades, Jane has been trying for a baby. She knows all about surviving the agonising two-week wait between ovulation and test. Increasingly desperate, Jane opens her laptop, clicks, TWW New Thread , and types. Anyone else starting their two-week wait? Shall we wait it out together? Four women respond to Jane s message online; all strangers, all embarking on the same emotional two-week journey. All wanting just one thing. A baby. This fast-paced, light-hearted read explores the heartache of infertility through the bittersweet stories of five women; Mandi is young and eager. She needs all the help she can get. Becks already has one child and is stuck in the hellish limbo of secondary infertility. Instagram sensation, Star, is living and selling a false dream, online and off. Finally, feisty Fern, is scheduling a pregnancy in between film shoots. Five women, five stories, waiting to find out if it s their turn for a baby. Love, heartache, shattered dreams and broken relationships. The two-week wait pushes them all to their limits.

Genres: Contemporary

317 pages, Paperback

Published January 1, 2021

Reviews

[human · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to Netgalley and The Book Guild for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

(actual rating: 3.5/5)

'The Two Week Wait' follows a group of women as they embark on their personal journeys in order to attempt to conceive. Emotions run high, and as the waiting period draws to a close, each is closer to happiness - or heartbreak.

Having never before read a book about the struggle of fertility issues, I was quite intriguied at the concept of this book and jumped at the opportunity to read it, and for that I'm really glad. Disappointingly enough, fertility issues don't show up in media that often (at least in my experience), and reading this book was extremely eye-opening for me regarding the issue and emotions surrounding it.

The book itself is actually a fairly quick read. It doesn't feel too dragged out, though it can be a bit repetitive at times. Much of the story is actually told through the TWW chat room that the women share, making for an insightful book that never feels forced.

Some of the characters I liked, while I others I was more ambivalent towards. In particular, one of the women, Starr, made me take a double take at me screen when some of her actions were revealed. On the other hand, there was Mandi. While I did like her as a character, I felt that her character was based on some stereotypes that weren't necessarily true - and could potentially be harmful. That being said, all of the characters felt like different characters (rather than just melding into one big personality) and were reasonably well fleshed-out.

It was interesting to read about the daily life and struggles of each of these women, and the book as a whole really brought to light this specific situation which many people go through, and which I hadn't given much thought to prior to reading this book.

Overall, this book was a tasteful blend of fact and fiction, while also bringing awareness to an issue that is often not given much spotlight. I'd recommend this book to others who are looking for a story told from multiple perspectives without blurring the narratives from which the story is told, or the relatively bittersweet stories of these women and all that they go through in the span of two weeks.

[Becs · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Two Week Wait tells the story of five women, via a chat room, sharing their stories of the anxious two week run up to their possible positive pregnancy tests following fertility treatment.

It should be heralded for its ability to capture the nuances of fertility struggles, from vastly different angles, evidencing that not all fertility experiences are the same or in fact for the same reasons (but even with the same reason the experience and outcome can vary greatly). Each woman showcases some of the more common worries, concerns and relationship dilemmas that such women might find themselves in and Lucy Lewis does a fantastic job of compelling the reader to listen to them.

I found the chat room dialogue most compelling actually, because I think we can all admit that the first place we look when we worry is online. It just felt very raw and even the emotional outbursts felt so real. The larger sections of writing though outside of the chat room were less interesting for me, feeling, somewhat ironically, quite disjointed and blocky comparatively.

I think this is a nice book and I'm sure it will be a genuine education for anyone who hasn't been through fertility treatment or struggled to have a baby themselves.

ARC provided from the publishers in exchange for an honest review.

[Federica · Rating 3 out of 5]

Five women, coming from very different backgrounds, meet on line in a forum chat during their two week wait, that is those 14 days of the month during which you don't know whether you've conceived or not and you can only wait to test.
I really liked the outline of the book, part prose, part forum posts, it made the reading very easy, entertaining and quick, even though a bit ripetitive.
The theme of infertility is treated lightly, with a right amount of humour.
It was good to follow these women, so different, in age, background and motivation, during their 14 days journey, getting to know each other and getting to understand each other's motivation, doubts, hopes and struggles.
I also liked the ending and would like to know, from someone who has read the book, who your guess is on in the last post :-)

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Rachel · Rating 2 out of 5]

*2.5*

I'm not an own voices reviewer. TW// Infertility, endo, polycystic ovary syndrome (POS)

I enjoyed the writing style of this book and think the formatting worked well for the storytelling. With the mix between the forum chat between the five ladies, as well as the individual perspectives. It really allowed you to get to know each character. The amount of characters could get confusing at times but I think the author did well in allowing each of the five main characters to have their own distinct way of talking within the forum to make it easier to follow along.

However the writing style for me is the only positive outcome for this book for me. Although I am not an own voices reviewer, I have heard from some (not all) that it isn't an accurate representation of what a TWW is like and the author had dramatised it a lot. Overall, the general plot of the book was over the top for me and it was very bitchy at times. The partners in this story was very unsupportive and I understand that is sometimes the case but I found that 4 out of the 5 partners being this way which I do think is unrealistic and only done to make the story more dramatic.

Overall I didn't love this book sadly. I thought it had real potential but the execution fell short.

[Katelyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you @netgalley for the ARC. This is a story of infertility where a group of women finding solace on an online forum during their "two week wait". I liked how all the characters bonded since they were all going through it together. Each of the characters came from different backgrounds and had a different life but all wanted one thing, to have a baby. I was real rooting for the characters by the end. Overall would recommend.

[Melissa Smith · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you netgalley and the publisher for this ARC.

The Two Week Wait is the story of five women during the two week waiting period go find out if they're pregnant who talk on a forum. They're all widely different characters but have the waiting period in common.

I really did enjoy this book because l couldn't wait to find out who was pregnant. My favorite person in the book was Star and her yogi perspective. I'd really love to know her story after the book.

Most of the book was done in a "forum chat" so it was a quick read. I would love to read more of this authors book!

[India · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a really fun and enjoyable read! It is about 5 women, all strangers, who all enter the "two week wait" at the same time. They meet in an online forum and share their feelings and experiences.

The book has a mixture of third person storytelling from each character's POV and also the "chats" from their online forum.

In short, the author has captured a snapshot into what it might be like for different people expecting a baby - from different ages, cultural background, etc.

The author has really cleverly captured what it is to have an online presence here! In the third person storytelling we see one side of the character, and via the forum chats we see how they want to present themselves.

I really enjoy reading books about pregnancy, expecting pregnancy, maternity etc., since it makes me reminisce about my own experience.


SPOILERS AHEAD!
The characters.
My favourite character was Jane, she was the most endearing and I really wanted a win from her.
Becks - I found really hard to get along with, but she was huge driver in the story. I just thought it was fundamentally wrong that she thought having a second baby was the answer to all her problems - that is ENORMOUS pressure to put on a child - but I guess a lot of people DO do this?! I did feel sorry for her being trapped in what I interpreted as quite a dysfunctional marriage (also her "friends" were just AWFUL). I really respected her for her intention on leaving her husband and for standing up for herself!
Star - I found really annoying initially. She seemed quite patronising in the chats, and also a bit stupid - she wanted to build a better relationship with her mum and HER solution was to pregnant alone by sleeping around, rather than just chatting to her mum in response to the countless times she said "her door was always open". I'm glad she turned around and did something sensible (inspired by Becks).
Fern - a totally different point of view, which was quite refreshing to see. Nice that she had a really nice husband, and also that she managed to work through some emotional trauma towards self discovery.
Mandi - I really liked Mandi but felt so sorry for her - her husband (AND his family) was a dick, and she totally did the right thing for leaving him in the end. It's so sad that women do live under these cultural pressures where they are undervalued and blamed for things that aren't their fault!

I powered through this book, it was just addictive, and OBVIOUSLY I wanted to know their test results.

[Jodie Fawcett · Rating 2 out of 5]

So firstly I feel awful giving the two stars. Let me clarify the stars are not based on the authors ability as a writer and there will be people out there who will massively enjoy this book. I know this book will be the writer’s pride and joy and it pains me to say something negative. Normally I would say nothing for that reason. However, this book was marketed massively at people with infertility- everywhere I looked I had adverts for it. Some adverts even claiming it would help me with my own TWW’s.
I preordered and waited excitedly to read a book where I knew my voice would be heard through characters. I even recommended it to a fellow ‘support group friend’.
This book DOES NOT represent people struggling with infertility. And for that reason I feel I need to write a review, I struggle to believe the author has her own experience with infertility due to the amount of cliches throughout. I was borderline offended at the character suffering the same illness as me. As someone who has had 5 years of TTC. 3 heartbreaking rounds of IVF as well as numerous operations - one which became life threatening. This book felt like it made a mockery of the pain that comes with this when a character has been ‘trying’ for 6 months.
Above anything I couldn’t like any of the characters due to their incessant bickering on the support group. Let me tell you I have met many women and people I now would class as friends through support groups and the ttc community on Instagram and these women are the most supportive, strongest women I know. Not touchy, hormonal and self absorbed as the characters would suggest.
Their tww felt longer than my own trying to get through it.
This review is harsh. I hurt knowing if the author reads this how hurt she will no doubt feel but for the women in my community who may pick this up to help them as I did I had to be honest.
There were odd moments I related to.
For someone not going through fertility issues maybe it would give a superficial insight and I’m sure many women would enjoy and rate much higher than myself. And for the author who I know will have put her all into this book I hope they do.

[Katy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Jane has been desperate to have a baby for what feels like forever – twenty years to be exact. Her and her husband Keith have spent most of their married life wishing for their own children; while enduring heartache, expensive rounds of IVF, BFNs (big fat negatives) and countless TWWs, the acronym for the agonising two week wait between ovulation and the start of a woman’s period. Monday 1st of February, after a lunch with her sister Annie and her children, Jane gets ready to begin another agonising two week wait to see if she will be welcoming any of her own. She signs in, for the twentieth time, to a TWW forum and creates a new chat. “The big wait starts today, anyone fancy sitting it out with me?”, she asks.

The replies come in from four other women, all at different stages of their lives and fertility journeys. Becks, already a mum to one-year-old Hunter; Fern, a determined, glass-door-smashing career woman, who has her doubts on how a child will impact her career; twenty-one-year-old Mandi, who is married to a much older man and is desperate to become a mother, if only in part to appease her pushy mother-in-law; and Star, or Stacey as she’s known to her parents, an Insta-influencer, who is looking to do motherhood on her own. The reader is invited along with the five women as they support each other through their closed forum, discussing insensitive partners, old wife’s tales, and their infertility struggles on the fourteen torturous days that stand between them and potential motherhood.

I finished this little gem of a book very quickly and it was an enjoyable read. I think the author tackled a very sensitive subject with the right amount of tact that kept this book light and hopeful, while carefully considering how the subject of infertility can affect lots of women and their partners. I thoroughly enjoyed that the author included switching POVs from a wide range of characters and that we got to delve deep into the lives of very different women on their fertility journeys. It was nice to read how the experiences of the women varied and I think it will help tackle stereotypes for other readers and show how anyone can face fertility struggles, regardless of their age. I do think the topic of fertility remains very taboo and it wasn’t something I was too familiar with before reading this book. I haven’t ever read a book on this topic before, and this really sets this book apart from others, and I believe it will be an interesting read to women from all walks of life as a result of the diverse perspectives covered.

While I enjoyed this book, there were aspects which I enjoyed less. I did like the switching between the message board format, and the prose as this helped us learn more about the characters, however, I do feel like some characters received more exposure throughout the story. I know it’s completely natural to have favourite characters, but I found myself wanting to know more about some more than others, and I think the style of the novel prevented us from learning more. I also know that the book was focused on the experiences of the women and less so on their partners, despite touching on the idea throughout the novel that the two week wait affects men too, but I found some of the partners to be one-dimensional characters. It appeared that they were either good, or bad, and there wasn’t much space for development of these men beyond how they fitted in to what their partner shared about them in the forum.

I also HATED how the women were constantly at odds with each other in what was supposed to be a supportive forum. I appreciate that their tensions and hormones were all over the place, but as I really felt for Becks and her experiences of being a stay-at-home mum, with a difficult partner (kudos to the author; Mike was one of the best developed partner characters, I found myself both hating him and wanting him to get better), I despised seeing the women jump on her all the time and diminishing her experiences and feelings, just because she already had a child. It made them come across as very jealous and bitter, and I just can’t see why Becks would have remained in the group. I understand the novel needed some tension, but it just wasn’t a realistic plot point in the manner it was played out, especially when there was tension between the women and their partners, or family members. I also could have read a whole book just about Becks and her story.

To summarise my final thoughts, this was not a book I thought would appeal to me. I am a single, career-focused, twenty-four-year-old with not a smidgen of maternal instinct (maybe I’ll be a Fern in ten years’ time), but I did find myself enjoying it. As I said earlier, I do think it would appeal to a range of women but would err on the side of caution suggesting it to those who may be struggling with infertility. I did find it hopeful and light, but I appreciate that I cannot speak for women experiencing the heartache of longing for a child but seemingly being unable to conceive one.

A huge thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy of this book in return for an honest review.

[Sheri · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lucy J Lewis’s novel follows five women as they suffer the agonising “two week wait” to find out if they are pregnant, sharing their experiences on an online fertility discussion forum.

Having experienced fertility “issues”, I’m no stranger to the horrors of the two week wait, although it’s all thankfully a number of years in the past now. I’ve also done my share of posting on online forums on the subject, and in fact had the idea at one point of writing a novel based on the forum chat. Well, it turns out that’s what Lucy J Lewis has done (though it’s not entirely forum chat). It was interesting and nostalgic, kind of, to be reminded of the jargon – TTC, BFP, and the rest, and the endless and usually fruitless symptom-spotting, and definitely brought back some memories, not necessarily good ones!

The writing feels a fraction heavy handed at times and there’s rather too much information dumping towards the beginning. Within a few lines of meeting Fern, for instance, we’ve learned that she has a Rolex (that’s in the first sentence), a Smythson notebook and a Fendi bag. Ok, we get it, she’s rich. Once the story settles down, though, I did enjoy it (and the brand-dropping thankfully ceases).

There are a lot of characters – I was expecting three, maybe four, so by the time it got to 5 I was wondering how on earth I was going to keep track of them all. In fact it wasn’t difficult, as Jane, Becks, Fern, Mandi and Star (who’s an “Instagram influencer” - I’m afraid I did roll my eyes at that) are very different, varying widely in age, situation and general attitude, from twenty-year TTC veteran Jane, to Fern who is not even sure she wants a baby. I didn’t hugely identify with any of them, but that’s not a problem, and I did appreciate the diversity.

I think women who have had or are having difficulty conceiving will definitely relate to a lot in this story - the author clearly writes from experience and it all rings true. (Online fertility forums clearly haven’t changed much, as I recognised everything here.)

The focus is very much on the women’s pregnancy aspirations, although relationships - good and bad - also get a look in (and certain people’s behaviour had me fuming at times.) Fern seems to be the only one, though, with a job she actually cares about, and apart from the fact that she works in TV we didn’t really learn anything about it. (By the way, I hadn’t realised anyone still used the surely outdated term “career woman”! Who ever heard of a career man?) On reflection, I think Fern was probably my favourite of the five women.

An enjoyable read which will resonate with many. And I do want to know who the little nameless bit at the end refers to!... my money’s on Fern... Do let me know, Lucy, if you read this!

[Kacie Bulpitt · Rating 3 out of 5]

First off, this book has really good intentions and the storyline is really great focusing on 5 women who are all having fertility issues, a very upsetting topic. I really liked the way the author wrote this book with a simple and easy writing style and this shows by me finishing it the same day I started, I liked how there were inserts of the ‘TWW’ forum that were put between days of the two weeks period as well as having inserts of diary entries from each person.

However, I did struggle to keep up with the amount of characters and information for each of them and it did get confusing at times. Some points I didn’t realise who I was reading about and at the end I was still getting a bit muddled with each of them. I also felt that there was a huge perception on how it is believed that women need men, yet there was so much focus on the other halves being horrible to the women whilst they were going through this two week wait, which is clearly shown that it is incredibly tough and heartbreaking when you just desire one thing and that is for a positive test. Although not all partners were like this and some were incredibly nice and supportive, Keith being one of them. Jane was one of my favourite characters and one I would believe to be most relatable to those reading who are suffering with the same issues.

It does show that there has been a high amount of research put into this book. Overall, this book was an easy read and would recommend to those who want to fly through a book but I would obviously bare in mind the upsetting topics as I imagine it would be a difficult read to those going through the same thing. I would recommend to those who ant to learn more about the topic and understand what it is like for those people having struggles when trying to conceive. As a younger reader I didn’t relate to the topics discussed so I don’t feel I can comment on whether those who are struggling with the same thing would confide in reading this book or whether it would make them feel worse.

[Monika Battista · Rating 2 out of 5]

I would like to preface this review with I have zero concept of what it feels like to want something so badly that my body cannot give me. However, I know several people who have faced this struggle, and my heart hurts for them. Knowing that, I was excited to read the Two Week Wait because I had hoped that I would feel the strength and hope that these women have.

We are introduced to the five main characters at the beginning of the book. I loved how all the characters were in different parts of their lives, from trying for almost 20 years, to people who are just recently married at 19 and are having a child because it's what is required of them. It shed a different light not only on the different struggles of women (endometriosis, fibroids, ruptured fallopian tubes, male infertility, etc.) but also how mental state plays an important role as well. This book was an easy read, and the shift between narrative of each character as well as the dialogue in the forum really helped the book move smoothly.

The biggest issue I have with the book, and the main reason that I have given this two stars, is that I felt the writing was basic, but not in a good way. While the sentences flowed, I felt like the writing either didn't really give a ton of emotion to some characters, while it highlighted a number of negative aspects of other characters. I know the TWW is a very sensitive time, but the transition between the different mental states of the characters didn't seem like character development; it came across as very choppy and superficial. There wasn't anyone I was really really rooting for, and there wasn't a single character that I really loved.

The storyline and concept were beautiful, and I felt could have been done more justice by writing that was more passionate.

[Danielle Kelsey · Rating 4 out of 5]

In The Two Week Wait by Lucy J. Lewis, main character Jane has been trying for a baby for the last 20 years. She knows the disappointment that comes with taking the test and seeing the dreaded BFN (big fat negative) and she is all too familiar with the TWW (two week wait) between ovulation and testing. This time around, she decides to post on a TWW forum "Anyone else starting their two-week wait? Shall we wait it out together?"

Later that day, 4 women (Mandi, Becks, Star, and Fern) respond to Jane's message as they are all embarking on the same TWW in hopes of one thing at the end. A baby. The novel highlights each woman's life as well as their struggles as they go through the TWW in their own different way and discover a deep connection with the other women in the forum that they confide in along the way.

This novel was light-hearted, funny, and a fast-paced read. I really enjoyed the variety of the characters and I felt as though I was hanging out with them as I was reading. As someone who is not TTC (trying to conceive), this novel was informative in a subtle and bittersweet way and really demonstrated the struggle that many women go through to conceive a child. It also elaborates on the social pressure that women feel to bring children into the world and how that pressure can place strain on relationships with family, friends, and partners. I would definitely recommend this novel!

[Minsu Song · Rating 2 out of 5]

I liked the idea of this book, but unfortunately, that was about it.

The characters in this book were largely unlikeable. Or they were dull. I think this book could’ve benefitted from fewer main characters (instead of five, maybe three or four) so that we could really get to know them better. I found that I could have done without Mandi, Becks, or Fern (maybe combining Fern/Mandi into one character? I just felt like they didn’t have much characterization).

I think I would’ve given this book three stars, but there was one thing that I honestly was appalled by (SPOILER ALERT COMING): I could not believe Star told her man that she was on birth control and knowingly TRICKED HIM into having unprotected sex with her. That is literally so toxic, and I almost gave up on the book then and there. The fact that he ended up wanting a baby felt like the author was saying what Star did was even remotely okay, and I couldn’t deal with that.

All in all, not a book I can in good faith recommend, though take that with a grain of salt as I have never been pregnant/tried to get pregnant. Maybe other people who are trying to get pregnant will find some comfort in it, but honestly, I think there are probably better books out there.

Thank you to NetGalley and The Book Guild for the eARC.

[Brittany Rhodes · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Two Week Wait was an inspiring and emotional read about five very different women who are brought together by wanting a baby. Jane, who has been suffering from infertility issues for 20 years starts a forum for those waiting in the dreaded two week wait. Four other women join the forum and together they discuss their emotions, relationships, and fertility issues. As someone who is going through infertility issues, this was a very emotional and relatable read but one that deeply moved me. I loved how each of the characters were all so different but going through the same thing, and I loved learning each of their stories and seeing how the two week wait affected each of them. I also loved that the feelings of their significant others/families were addressed throughout the story as well. I don’t want to give away too much so I’m choosing to keep this review relatively short. I will say though that the book finished with a perfect ending and left me feeling very hopeful and inspired. Thank you to Netgalley and The Book Guild for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Emmie Rose · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Two Week Wait was an incredibly emotional but quick read that deals with a topic that isn't discussed enough in the media. This is a story of five women at different stages in their lives who are all going through the same thing.

Having polycystic ovaries myself I've always known that having children in the future is going to be hard for me and since I was a little girl one of the main things I've ever wanted out of life is children. Whilst I'm not at that stage of my life, this story hit home and left me feeling sad yet hopeful. It was an emotional rollercoaster to go on this journey with these woman and see how each of their lives were affected.

It's hard for me to write this review as there is so much that goes on in this book in terms of the waiting and their own individual lives. I've literally just sat with my mum and discussed the book with her even though she's not even read it because I needed to discuss it!

Lewis writing is beautiful and captivating that I found it so hard to put down. I really recommend giving this book a go,

Thank you to NetGalley and The Book Guild for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Christine Gullo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read this if you:
· have had to endure the dreaded TWW
· need some (realistic) hope in your fertility journey
· know someone who is struggling with infertility and want to understand what they are going through

Synopsis:
The story of five women looking for support on their fertility journey as they embark on the two week wait to find out if they have conceived during their fertile window. The women all vary in age, background, and reasons for wanting children, but they all start off with the same want: a BFP (Big Fat Positive) on their pregnancy test.

My thoughts on the book:
This book was a quick and easy read. Even though there were five main characters with separate lives to keep track of, it was easy to follow each woman’s story throughout the book. The Two Week Wait can be agonizing but I felt as though Lewis brought light to this sensitive subject as well as hope for those on a similar fertility journey to those in the book. I really enjoyed how this was written as a combination of prose as well as forum messages. This book may be triggering for people who are current experiencing issues with infertility.

[Stacey Beddows · Rating 4 out of 5]

For those that don't know, the two week wait is the waiting period from ovulating to pregnancy test and it can be a loooooooooong wait.

I've never cried at a book before... until this one. Without going into too much detail, this hit a spot. I found this so relatable and realistic. It was quick a read and I wish it was longer. I want to know more about the women, their lives and trying to conceive journeys. I felt like it was just getting started when it ended!

Some conditions are briefly discussed such as endometriosis and PCOS. The line of 'if this was a male disease there would be a cure by now' was a particularly favourite! These are conditions that are not widely discussed but are so common and are effecting women every

This book may not be for everyone though. I approached it with caution and was very aware of how I may respond to it. So please be prepared for that.

But I will absolutely be coming back to this book. It has brought me some comfort at a time when I needed it.

⭐ 4/5 stars

[Emily | booksandbedtime · Rating 3 out of 5]

This story follows five woman during their two week wait from ovulation to the point they can take a pregnancy test.

This story brought me back to 4-5 years ago. I had a hard time getting pregnant (and staying pregnant) and that two week waiting period to find out if you’re pregnant is real and emotional.

Lewis did a lovely job putting infertility on paper and showcasing how everybody’s journey to parenthood is different. It was also very real and relatable (online mom-shamers, symptom spotting, stress).

Though I related to this story on so many levels, I had a hard time connecting with the characters. I also wish that if we’re touching a topic such as infertility, that miscarriages were also brought up in this book. Statically speaking the chances are that at least one of these women would have had one.

Overall though, it was an interesting read that I enjoyed and I wish I had this book five years ago.

Thank you to NetGalley and Troubadour Publishing for this Advanced Readers Copy.

[Mariah (bookswithmariah) Cooke · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Two Week Wait follows 5 women and their infertility journey. They meet on a chat forum and stick together during the 14 days that lead up til you can take a pregnancy test.

I loved the layout of this book! It's laid out in the chat format with chapters mixed in via each woman's perspective. The topic of infertility is very hard and deep, but I thought the author did a great job of covering the topic with some humor but still showing how difficult the struggle could be. Each woman comes from a different background, and relationship. As the book went on you were really rooting for each woman and I couldn't wait to find out what their test results would be at the end.

My one compliant with the book is that the women tended to be a little harsh toward each other on the forum. I know they were each going through something so difficult, but sometimes I was like wow I'd never talk to another woman like that.

Thank you NetGalley and Troubador Publishing for letting me read the ARC copy.

[Emma book blogger Fitzgerald · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was drawn to the cover of the book. Loved the colours and was interested in what the story could be about thought it had something to do with pregnancy before reading the blurb. I felt like the story was at bit slow at the beginning but when I was about 30% in the book. I really started to enjoy and there was certain characters I warm to more than others. Really liked Star, Mandie and Jane was unsure on Fern and didn’t really like becks. I found the storyline interesting and how hard it can be on people trying to get pregnant and the two week period they have to wait. It give me insight in how all these women were feeling and how much they wanted baby and what they go through. I had thought what would happen in the end but I was totally wrong and don’t want to give it away. I quite like the ending was different to what I thought . I liked the little twist at the end I hope the author does book 2 because would love to find out what happen to all the characters s couple years later.
Thank you NetGalley for letting me read this book.

[Heather · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have literally read this book in a day! I preordered it as soon as I heard about it and couldn’t wait to get started.

I don’t usually write reviews but feel as no one has yet reviewed it I’ll give it a few words.

I must admit it wasn’t entirely what I expected, personally I feel the book might be more enjoyable for someone who hasn’t been TTC for a long time or who suffers with infertility... As someone who has been trying for nearly 4 years, has done various treatments and suffered two miscarriages I just found some of the characters unrealistic and unrelatable. I won’t give spoilers but unfortunately that’s the way I felt about them.

That being said I did like they way the book was written switching between daily experiences for the individual characters and their lives, to coming together as a five for the forum chats.

I really wanted to love this book, and don’t get me wrong I did enjoy it to some extent, just not as much as I’d hoped to.

[Aimee · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Two Week Wait was a particularly fast read. I really enjoyed the format that vacillated between forum posts, journal entries, and prose.

Initially, I had a tough time liking any of the characters, but as you get to know them, you begin to appreciate them, flaws and all. You root for them, their relationships (or the ending thereof), and get happy/angry on their behalf. There were even some surprises which allowed the characters, even ancillary ones, to have dimension.

There were a few times through where the organization got a little confusing. As though something was left out. I had to go back and re-read to be sure I hadn’t missed something, so that took away from the experience somewhat. I also felt that there was a bit of a bias against women being single moms, which put me off some. That is something that happens more and more and not something that I think needs to be glossed over.

Overall it was an engaging read.

[Lauren Saunders · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was sent a copy of this from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

The two week wait follows 5 women who all want the same thing: to have a baby. But things haven’t been easy for them in that department and they find themselves at the beginning of the two week wait and connecting with eachother through an online forum.

I feel this book tackled struggles with fertility in a really good way and it was unique. I can’t say I’ve ever come across a book about that. The characters are all very different women and you could connect with at least 1 of them.

My only problem with this book was that I didn’t find the characters very likeable. I didn’t find myself rooting for them and didn’t care for what they really had to say. But this is a personal thing and nothing that actually reflects on the book itself.

I thought the book was wonderful and written in such a lovely way. I just feel if I had cared for the characters more I would have felt a lot deeper about this book.

[Nikki · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Two Week Wait by Lucy J Lewis
Publisher: The Book Guild
Genre: General Fiction (Adult) | Women's Fiction
Release Date: 28 January 28, 2021

The Two Week Wait by Lucy J Lewis is a fictionalized account of 5 women struggling with infertility.

As someone who faces infertility and the overwhelming desire for a baby, this book really hit home. Since I have not found a surrogate, I have not had to deal with the TWW yet, but this book gave me an insight into how long and agonizing those two weeks can be.

I found this book interesting, a little overwhelming, the right amount of funny. I love books that highlight the power of women working together and lifting each other up.

I'm so grateful to Lucy J Lewis, The Book Guild, and NetGalley for providing me with a free copy of this ARC ebook in exchange for my honest review.

[Emma · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jane has been trying to get pregnant for twenty long years and this month decides to go through the dreaded two week wait with others going through the same thing. She puts a forum post online and soon four women respond to it saying they are going through the same thing. While all very different women in very different circumstances, the women all connect through their shared experience... will they all get their happy endings?

A fantastic book that is perfect for anyone who has been through that awful two week wait countless times. It gives you hope but even more than this is shows that you aren't alone. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance copy of the book in return for my honest feedback.

[Danielle Eason · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Two Week Wait by Lucy J Lewis

****This ARC was provided by NetGalley for a free and honest review.****

This book follows five women who are trying to conceive. They connect on an online forum one day and decide to go through the two week wait together for support. The writing goes between their chats on the forum to diving deeper into each character’s backstory. The heartbreak, loss, waiting and excitement were all told in great detail. I enjoyed the fast pace of this book. Each woman had their own relationship depicted. The stress and strain fertility issues can place on someone was eye opening. I felt for these women and found myself wanting to know what path each of them were lead down. ~D.

[Nicola “Shortbookthyme” · Rating 3 out of 5]

The concept of 5 woman wanting to become mothers, starting a online chat group to be able to talk with others going through the TWW, was interesting. But, for some reason, I really could not connect to any of the 5 woman doing the TWW. Each one comes from different cultures, ages and hopes....not one of them were relatable to me.
Overall, I enjoyed the story but, did not love it. Maybe I couldn’t relate as I have not gone through fertility issues.
Thank you to NetGallery, the publisher and author for the opportunity to read this book for my honest opinion. All opinions expressed are my own.

[Stephanie | stephonashelf · Rating 3 out of 5]

Five very different women embark on their Two Week Wait, waiting to see if they are pregnant, with support from strangers on an online forum. They remain in constant communication over the course of the next two weeks, and share the intimacies of their journeys with hope of finding community amongst women experiencing what they are going through.

This book was a super easy and fairly enjoyable read! Did I love all the characters? Well no, but I enjoyed the general trajectory of the novel, the drama that unfolds among the group of women, and the conclusion of all their stories! Some of the situations were a little far fetched, but entertaining nonetheless. Note that the main plot line is focused on getting pregnant/infertility, so if those topics are sensitive to you, I would recommend skipping this novel.

Thank you to NetGalley for this eARC in exchange for an honest review ✨.

[Sally Tyrer · Rating 4 out of 5]

The two week wait was an interesting read for me as I’ve never experienced fertility issues so was enlightening to read about the issues other couples experience whilst trying to get pregnant!
A group of women who are trying to get pregnant but are having issues get together in an online forum to provide a support network to each other and in doing so develop a friendship although they are all very different in age, outlook, circumstances etc!
An easy read that makes you appreciate your own fertility.
Thank you net galley for this early read.