Liv's Alone: Amateur Adventures in Solo Motherhood

by Liv Thorne

When Liv Thorne was in her twenties, and single, she would joke to friends that if Mr Right didn't come along she'd have to take matters into her own hands and have a child on her own. When she was still single in her thirties, it stopped being a joke and she started researching sperm banks and fertility clinics.

Liv's Alone is an honest and hopeful memoir that captures the joy and the challenge that is parenting alone by choice. From dismantling the fairy tale story that we're fed from a young age and grieving the life you thought you were going to have, to buying sperm from Denmark and bringing a baby into the world.

Guiding readers through the highs and lows with warmth, humour and understanding, Liv wants her book to be a little beacon of optimism for women who are in the same position she was in; late 30s, single and longing for a baby. This is Liv & Herb's story, but hopefully a version of it will be yours.

Genres: Parenting, Audiobook, Autobiography, Nonfiction

320 pages, Hardcover

First published August 19, 2021

Reviews

[Beth Dewis · Rating 4 out of 5]

this book was not for my demographic at all but why did i enjoy it so much

[Lisa Petzold · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this. And love her Instagram!

[Lucy Allison · Rating 5 out of 5]

Once again the Goodreads review box is not my therapist but Liv's story made me feel slightly less like a giant fool for considering this way of becoming a parent. It's definitely true that she had a relatively easy ride compared to a lot of solo parents in terms of actually getting pregnant but I think she owns that and handles the ways that she's privileged really well. I also really appreciated that her acknowledgement of the reasons she doesn't have/want a partner - they are similar to mine and I'm glad she chose an pathway that felt right for her instead of trying to "fix" herself. Also very accessibly written, making a complex topic easy to understand!

[Catherine · Rating 5 out of 5]

So raw and honest. So needed. Like listening to a friend tell me a story! Huge fan of Liv’s and very grateful for her tale.

[howsoonisnow · Rating 2 out of 5]

Quite forgettable, really. Goes through Thorne's journey towards solo motherhood, in a simple conversationalist way. Delves a lot into Thorne's childhood, which didn't feel relevant to the SMBC story at hand. Not enough (next to nothing) on her dating history, which would be more relevant. Self-deprecating and honest about the tears and fears, but neither insightful, nor evocative. Provides lists of hot tips for women planning to embark on the SMBC journey, most of which are quite banal. Overall, I can hardly remember what I've read, it was that pedestrian. A much stronger candidate is Alexandra Collier's "Inconceivable".

[Mia Lucas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read this book and ABSOLUTELY loved it. It is so enjoyable and informative about Liv’s journey.
I laughed and cried. I’d recommend the book to anyone and screenshot a lot of excellent advice for my sister who is expecting her first baby soon. It’s honestly a great read and I inhaled it so quickly.
I think it would inspire/support a lot of people hoping to do the same and for everyone else it can give us a glimpse of some the challenges along the way. It’s just a really great book and gives so much perspective along the way.
A 10/10 from me!

[Kerry · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5/3 - It would have benefited from more editing - it’s too long. A nice story of a very nice, very privileged white woman who didn’t struggle with fertility and didn’t go through IVF - which isn’t often heard of. Despite this (and congrats to the author) it wasn’t really what I was expecting or as it’s made out to be in the marketing - ie. details about the donor process. Also nothing grates on me more in books where the author says dear reader, dear reader. I think it would have made a better audio book or radio show / podcast as it’s conversational in style.

[Lyndsay Owens · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful insight into solo parenthood through a donor. Liv is like a long lost friend. Who I cried and cried with, lots of laughter too. I love her frank honesty and can relate to her experience of childhood grief that impacted her ability to let people in. I can identify with that terrible yearning for motherhood. It’s also a no hold back view on the highs & lows of being a single mother in lockdown. Overall a Bloody brilliant read. I hope for more to come!

[Jemma Bond · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve followed Liv on Instagram since just before the birth of Herb. She’s always a breath of fresh air and her book was no different. As someone who has longed to be a mother, I could identify with so much of what she wrote and her love for Herb, Elvis and her family shines out from every page. I’d recommend this book to anyone who is ttc, contemplating fertility treatment or solo motherhood - and I’d recommend it to family members to help support their loved ones.

[D.S. S Frazer · Rating 5 out of 5]

A bloody brilliant read

I had searched to find an SMBC story I could relate to as an already single mum embarking on a SMBC journey there were many relatable elements wrapped in humour that had me spit my tea. I especially loved that Liv didn't leave the story at the baby's birth then everyone lived happily, she extended it to include the now what, brutal realities of singledom parenting sprinkled with hope and joy. Overall I highly recommend this book.

[Megan Mckee · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m a solo mum currently 21 weeks pregnant with my first baby. I’ve just lived through my own fertility journey so I could resonate so much with Liv’s story, but there were also so many differences which made it a great read. Really grateful to Liv for sharing her story so candidly as the representation and celebration of solo mum and donor conceived families is important.

[Rachael Mills · Rating 3 out of 5]

The second book I've read about being a solo mother and this one definitely provided a more balanced view of the positives and negatives! Again, this is particularly relevant to middle-class, white women who are in general good health.

[Daisy Shepherdson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautifully written and thought provoking. Liv certainly isn’t alone. I wish we were friends!

[Rebecca Jones · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

[Kate McElroy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Liv is an example of how to build the life you crave on your own terms. Inspirational.

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this! As someone who has/is considering solo motherhood via donor conception, this was an honest, funny (LOL type) and truly helpful read.

[Eszter Szabo · Rating 5 out of 5]

The one book I will recommend to anyone thinking of having a child, pregnant or is a new parent, solo or not! A fantastic read.

[Caro Harper · Rating 4 out of 5]

5 out of 12 for 2022: enjoyed this. It's an easy, entertaining read and I admire Liv for going solo in becoming a mum.

[Alicia · Rating 5 out of 5]

So brutally honest but the honesty felt like a warm hug, validating all my emotions about parenting. Deeply moving!

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. It was so raw, honest and filled with love.

[Ann-Marie Ryan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it. Flew through it. Liv’s way of writing was lovely, felt like I had spent a few days with a friend. I laughed, I cried, I was inspired. So good 😊

[Rebecca Lobb · Rating 3 out of 5]

Laugh out loud and honest! Easy read but super interesting.

[Zoe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very insightful true story

[Sarahmarsh85 . · Rating 2 out of 5]

It’s all a bit melodramatic and wallowing in self pity, especially given there are so many women whose fertility journeys and lives are vastly more difficult. And an overuse of the word “bloody” - it will only add extra punch if you use it sparsely. Trying too hard to be funny.