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Baby Love
"Jacqueline Wilson understands the complex interpersonal relationships of teenagers so well and writes with an unparalleled realness and rawness. I loved this book. It was heartbreaking but warm, unflinching yet somehow cosy. Nobody writes like Jacqueline Wilson. Long may she reign! I couldn't get the characters out of my head." - Holly BourneA heartbreaking, compelling and timely story for older readers about teen pregnancy and its consequences, family trouble and unlikely friendships, set in 1960. When Laura meets a French exchange student, Leon, she is flattered by his interest in her. She's never had any sort of boyfriend before. One night, Leon walks Laura home - and her life will never be the same again. Things start to change for Laura - first her moods, and then her body. Laura isn't prepared for what she learns next - and doesn't even know how it could have happened.When her family learns her secret, they are horrified. Sent away to save them from shame, Laura meets girls just like herself, whose families have given up on them - and they become a family for each other at the most difficult time in all their lives.An emotional and moving tale for fans of Dear Nobody and Juno.Not suitable for younger readers.
496 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2022
73 people are currently reading
2140 people want to read
About the author
Jacqueline Wilson
399 books5,696 followersJacqueline Wilson was born in Bath in 1945, but spent most of her childhood in Kingston-on-Thames. She always wanted to be a writer and wrote her first ‘novel’ when she was nine, filling in countless Woolworths’ exercise books as she grew up. As a teenager she started work for a magazine publishing company and then went on to work as a journalist on Jackie magazine (which she was told was named after her!) before turning to writing novels full-time.
One of Jacqueline’s most successful and enduring creations has been the famous Tracy Beaker, who first appeared in 1991 in The Story of Tracy Beaker. This was also the first of her books to be illustrated by Nick Sharratt. Since then Jacqueline has been on countless awards shortlists and has gone on to win many awards. The Illustrated Mum won the Guardian Children’s Fiction Award, the 1999 Children’s Book of the Year at the British Book Awards and was also shortlisted for the 1999 Whitbread Children’s Book Award.
Double Act won the prestigious Smarties Medal and the Children’s Book Award as well as being highly commended for the Carnegie Medal. The Story of Tracy Beaker won the 2002 Blue Peter People’s Choice Award.
Jacqueline is one of the nation’s favourite authors, and her books are loved and cherished by young readers not only in the UK but all over the world. She has sold millions of books and in the UK alone the total now stands at over 35 million!
In 2002 Jacqueline was awarded the OBE for services to literacy in schools and from 2005 to 2007 she was the Children’s Laureate. In 2008 she became Dame Jacqueline Wilson.
One of Jacqueline’s most successful and enduring creations has been the famous Tracy Beaker, who first appeared in 1991 in The Story of Tracy Beaker. This was also the first of her books to be illustrated by Nick Sharratt. Since then Jacqueline has been on countless awards shortlists and has gone on to win many awards. The Illustrated Mum won the Guardian Children’s Fiction Award, the 1999 Children’s Book of the Year at the British Book Awards and was also shortlisted for the 1999 Whitbread Children’s Book Award.
Double Act won the prestigious Smarties Medal and the Children’s Book Award as well as being highly commended for the Carnegie Medal. The Story of Tracy Beaker won the 2002 Blue Peter People’s Choice Award.
Jacqueline is one of the nation’s favourite authors, and her books are loved and cherished by young readers not only in the UK but all over the world. She has sold millions of books and in the UK alone the total now stands at over 35 million!
In 2002 Jacqueline was awarded the OBE for services to literacy in schools and from 2005 to 2007 she was the Children’s Laureate. In 2008 she became Dame Jacqueline Wilson.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 446 reviews
February 17, 2022
I’ve always been an avid reader of Jacqueline Wilson ever since I was young. I have so many positive memories of reading her books as a child (and even rereading them as an adult) and I’m so excited to read a book set for young adults and one of a more adult and sensitive subject too.
I knew it would be well written and sensitively tackled as Jacqueline Wilson so often does and I knew it would be handled well. There are trigger warnings with this, which the author well prepares the reader for and it was a brilliant book.
I’m finding it so hard to find the right words for this review as it was just a truly stunning, beautifully written, heartwarming, heart-wrenching, amazing and perfect beyond measure. Never did I think upon reading this book that I would be so connected, invested and intensely engrossed as I was when I picked it up. It was just amazing.
Set in the 1960’s, Jacqueline Wilson transports you back in time, to the days of Elvis and the ‘swinging sixties’. We see a different side of this era, following Laura along her path of childhood to early motherhood. The authors writing perfectly encapsulated the innocence and young nature of the main character, Laura, expertly writing her character and capturing the confusion, whirlwind and uncertainty that was being a young, unmarried, pregnant girl in these times.
It was such an easy book to get into, pick up and read. Watching Laura and her friend Nina navigate to teenage hood and become interested in sex, boys and ‘growing up’ (well, in Nina’s case anyway), and I honestly can’t believe how quickly I eagerly devoured this book. I truly felt I was there and was so heartily routing for Laura, I had no idea if this was going to be a tragedy or not but can safely say my heart soared and was full by the end of reading this book.
In efforts to stop this book review from turning into an essay, I’ll leave it there with a take home message. Honestly such a beautiful book and one I would whole heartedly recommend to all.
Thank you to the author and publishers via NetGalley for this book in return for my honest thoughts and review.
I knew it would be well written and sensitively tackled as Jacqueline Wilson so often does and I knew it would be handled well. There are trigger warnings with this, which the author well prepares the reader for and it was a brilliant book.
I’m finding it so hard to find the right words for this review as it was just a truly stunning, beautifully written, heartwarming, heart-wrenching, amazing and perfect beyond measure. Never did I think upon reading this book that I would be so connected, invested and intensely engrossed as I was when I picked it up. It was just amazing.
Set in the 1960’s, Jacqueline Wilson transports you back in time, to the days of Elvis and the ‘swinging sixties’. We see a different side of this era, following Laura along her path of childhood to early motherhood. The authors writing perfectly encapsulated the innocence and young nature of the main character, Laura, expertly writing her character and capturing the confusion, whirlwind and uncertainty that was being a young, unmarried, pregnant girl in these times.
It was such an easy book to get into, pick up and read. Watching Laura and her friend Nina navigate to teenage hood and become interested in sex, boys and ‘growing up’ (well, in Nina’s case anyway), and I honestly can’t believe how quickly I eagerly devoured this book. I truly felt I was there and was so heartily routing for Laura, I had no idea if this was going to be a tragedy or not but can safely say my heart soared and was full by the end of reading this book.
In efforts to stop this book review from turning into an essay, I’ll leave it there with a take home message. Honestly such a beautiful book and one I would whole heartedly recommend to all.
Thank you to the author and publishers via NetGalley for this book in return for my honest thoughts and review.
March 20, 2022
The ending was a little bit too twee and happy ever after compared to what the reality would surely have been like, but I really enjoyed this look at a pregnant teenagers experience of a mother and baby home in 1959.
March 26, 2022
so comforting to read jacqueline wilson! this was v good but the ending was a lil rushed for me - i wanted more about her being a mum!
p.s. boo hiss to goodreads for not having this on their system properly
p.s. boo hiss to goodreads for not having this on their system properly
May 9, 2023
All hail Queen Jacqueline Wilson
April 15, 2022
I haven’t read a Jacqueline Wilson book in a few years and it was lovely to read one targeted at older readers. I found her writing to be just as engaging and well-paced as I did when I was a teenager, which surprised me. But I guess this just means she’s just an astounding writer no matter her audience.
Set in 1960, Laura is a poor teenager who lives in a shantytown. She develops a friendship with another girl at school who is much well off than her but isn’t awful about it. Laura becomes a bit infatuated with the girl and her family and you can never blame her, considering her own family, who are lovely but poor and always working (she has no siblings). The girl's family welcomes her and they spend a lot of time during the summer together.
One day, whilst out with her friend at the lido, Laura meets Leon and although she isn’t that interested in him, she does let him walk her home after a tiff with her friend. Leon ends up having sex with Laura, it’s a blurred line of consent as we realise Laura doesn’t actually know what is happening and is therefore never able to say yes or no. This a few months down the line leads to Laura discovering she is pregnant and as the blurb states, it ends up with her being sent away. Maybe it’s because it’s in England (or maybe because it’s a Jacqueline Wilson novel), she isn’t sentenced to a life of gloom in this home for expectant mothers, it’s certainly not the best but it isn’t the tales from those horrible Irish nuns convent. Laura comes across all sorts of girls here and they all share their tales and deal with the harsh opinions of older women and the realities of what having a baby this young can mean.
I enjoyed the story, I thought it was well-paced and one thing I’m extremely happy about is the time we got to spend with Laura before she finds out she is pregnant, as we really get to know her. There is so much time dedicated to the time she spends by herself, her thoughts, her time with her best friend, her crush on her best friend's brother and the different outings they have and just generally Laura changing. I thought Laura was a lot younger than she was (she is fourteen) because her thoughts about things and behaviours seem childish. It horrified me to think that no one had ever spoken to her about sex, even getting her period was a very short-lived conversation. Laura’s life really illustrates the dangers of not explaining things to your child in an age-appropriate manner (her parents didn’t explain anything) but expecting them to be “chaste”. Wilson did an excellent job of framing Laura to the reader, so when the encounter with Leon happens, you truly believe she had no idea of what had just occurred. She felt shame around it but couldn’t figure out what had happened and therefore couldn’t talk to anyone about it. Once her parents find out, it’s her mum that’s the leading party in talking about the shame she has brought upon the family. Her dad is no better, but he actively avoids her. The doctor who examines her also imprints more shame on Laura.
I found the time Laura spent in the house of expectant mothers okay, it felt a bit like reading about boarding school but also dealing with the realities of parents who had shamed them and boys who had let them down. Laura herself does grow as a character when she thinks about the expectation placed on her vs Leon, but that is briefly stated and then never mentioned again really. The book ends up focusing on the bond between mothers and babies, and whilst I didn’t fully believe that Laura had the capacity for some of the realisations she had, I do think that could just be my scepticism. She lived in a place where there wasn’t much hope and perhaps, she developed much more than I’ve given her grace for. The ending was sweet and surprisingly something I saw coming. However, it was good for Laura and I think Wilson did a great job of showing other not so great endings for other women in the book for us to believe that Laura’s could be one of the good ones.
This book also ended by talking about the topic of consent and adoption, in partnership with two relevant charities. They talk about it in the context of the book and it ends with website and phone numbers for support. I do remember books having relevant numbers and websites for difficult topics they addressed, but it was great to see them talking about what was in the book and discussing that specific case.
A lovely read overall and this really makes me want to dive into some of my old Wilson favourites!
*ARC from Netgalley
Set in 1960, Laura is a poor teenager who lives in a shantytown. She develops a friendship with another girl at school who is much well off than her but isn’t awful about it. Laura becomes a bit infatuated with the girl and her family and you can never blame her, considering her own family, who are lovely but poor and always working (she has no siblings). The girl's family welcomes her and they spend a lot of time during the summer together.
One day, whilst out with her friend at the lido, Laura meets Leon and although she isn’t that interested in him, she does let him walk her home after a tiff with her friend. Leon ends up having sex with Laura, it’s a blurred line of consent as we realise Laura doesn’t actually know what is happening and is therefore never able to say yes or no. This a few months down the line leads to Laura discovering she is pregnant and as the blurb states, it ends up with her being sent away. Maybe it’s because it’s in England (or maybe because it’s a Jacqueline Wilson novel), she isn’t sentenced to a life of gloom in this home for expectant mothers, it’s certainly not the best but it isn’t the tales from those horrible Irish nuns convent. Laura comes across all sorts of girls here and they all share their tales and deal with the harsh opinions of older women and the realities of what having a baby this young can mean.
I enjoyed the story, I thought it was well-paced and one thing I’m extremely happy about is the time we got to spend with Laura before she finds out she is pregnant, as we really get to know her. There is so much time dedicated to the time she spends by herself, her thoughts, her time with her best friend, her crush on her best friend's brother and the different outings they have and just generally Laura changing. I thought Laura was a lot younger than she was (she is fourteen) because her thoughts about things and behaviours seem childish. It horrified me to think that no one had ever spoken to her about sex, even getting her period was a very short-lived conversation. Laura’s life really illustrates the dangers of not explaining things to your child in an age-appropriate manner (her parents didn’t explain anything) but expecting them to be “chaste”. Wilson did an excellent job of framing Laura to the reader, so when the encounter with Leon happens, you truly believe she had no idea of what had just occurred. She felt shame around it but couldn’t figure out what had happened and therefore couldn’t talk to anyone about it. Once her parents find out, it’s her mum that’s the leading party in talking about the shame she has brought upon the family. Her dad is no better, but he actively avoids her. The doctor who examines her also imprints more shame on Laura.
I found the time Laura spent in the house of expectant mothers okay, it felt a bit like reading about boarding school but also dealing with the realities of parents who had shamed them and boys who had let them down. Laura herself does grow as a character when she thinks about the expectation placed on her vs Leon, but that is briefly stated and then never mentioned again really. The book ends up focusing on the bond between mothers and babies, and whilst I didn’t fully believe that Laura had the capacity for some of the realisations she had, I do think that could just be my scepticism. She lived in a place where there wasn’t much hope and perhaps, she developed much more than I’ve given her grace for. The ending was sweet and surprisingly something I saw coming. However, it was good for Laura and I think Wilson did a great job of showing other not so great endings for other women in the book for us to believe that Laura’s could be one of the good ones.
This book also ended by talking about the topic of consent and adoption, in partnership with two relevant charities. They talk about it in the context of the book and it ends with website and phone numbers for support. I do remember books having relevant numbers and websites for difficult topics they addressed, but it was great to see them talking about what was in the book and discussing that specific case.
A lovely read overall and this really makes me want to dive into some of my old Wilson favourites!
*ARC from Netgalley
July 20, 2022
4.5⭐
Heartbreaking and I lost count of how many times I cried. I've been a Jacqueline Wilson fan since my teens and once again, she doesn't hold back in exploring difficult topics and bringing you on an emotional journey.
Set in the 1960s, this compelling YA novel follows Laura, who finds herself pregnant at the age of 14. Even though I often felt angry at how Laura was treated and the stigma that she faced, this book realistically depicts the attitudes towards unwed and teen mothers during a very different time. My heart ached at how one moment Laura is navigating life, family and friendship as an adoloescent and the next she's whisked off to a home.
I was so invested in Laura's story that I couldn't and didn't want to put this book down. I loved all the characters and how even the supporting ones were sufficiently fleshed out. I cried not just for Laura but also for all the other girls. Shame about Nina and Daniel (both of whom I really liked) but at the same time, I couldn't see how Laura and their lives would fit together again after everything.
I wish sexual assault and consent were covered in greater detail with less greyness. Then again, keep in mind that this book is set in the 60s. Nevertheless, Baby Love is a heartwrenching and important read that I highly recommend.
Heartbreaking and I lost count of how many times I cried. I've been a Jacqueline Wilson fan since my teens and once again, she doesn't hold back in exploring difficult topics and bringing you on an emotional journey.
Set in the 1960s, this compelling YA novel follows Laura, who finds herself pregnant at the age of 14. Even though I often felt angry at how Laura was treated and the stigma that she faced, this book realistically depicts the attitudes towards unwed and teen mothers during a very different time. My heart ached at how one moment Laura is navigating life, family and friendship as an adoloescent and the next she's whisked off to a home.
I was so invested in Laura's story that I couldn't and didn't want to put this book down. I loved all the characters and how even the supporting ones were sufficiently fleshed out. I cried not just for Laura but also for all the other girls. Shame about Nina and Daniel (both of whom I really liked) but at the same time, I couldn't see how Laura and their lives would fit together again after everything.
I wish sexual assault and consent were covered in greater detail with less greyness. Then again, keep in mind that this book is set in the 60s. Nevertheless, Baby Love is a heartwrenching and important read that I highly recommend.
May 29, 2022
Jacqueline Wilson is still a masterful story teller. This is set in an era that she was familiar with (her published journals were a great read) and tells the story of how young, unwed mothers were treated by society. Thank goodness times have changed, and we have come a long way since then. Gripping, emotional and the novel also includes a series of help lines if anyone has been affected by incidents in the narrative. Glad there is also an afterword on consent, because it may also empower readers to created firm boundaries to protect themselves and their well being. Recommended.
May 22, 2022
Just gonna preface this by saying that i got this book for free & signed by Jacqueline Wilson herself just to flex on everyone. Met her on Saturday and she is just how she seems in her interviews which is a pleasant surprise i dont think my inner child would ever have healed if she was a bitch.
This book was so nostalgic despite being new out. Jacqueline has not stopped making tweens cry since i stopped reading her books which means she is at least consistant. I read this book in a couple of hours and i did nearly cry but only at a really tragic bit about literal rape so dont read this book if thats a touchy subject.
overall, loved it despite the ending being so unrealistic. keep on writing books to traumatise young girls for many more years thanks jacky xxx
This book was so nostalgic despite being new out. Jacqueline has not stopped making tweens cry since i stopped reading her books which means she is at least consistant. I read this book in a couple of hours and i did nearly cry but only at a really tragic bit about literal rape so dont read this book if thats a touchy subject.
overall, loved it despite the ending being so unrealistic. keep on writing books to traumatise young girls for many more years thanks jacky xxx
September 1, 2022
honestly i kind of just read this for the Jacqueline Wilson primary school vibes and i wasn’t disappointed in that aspect because her writing style has not changed or developed whatsoever. definitely not the best book i’ve ever read (but i wasn’t really expecting it to be).
August 2, 2023
Jacqueline Wilson’s pen is still unmatched
March 24, 2022
Jacqueline Wilson's new book is just as brilliant as her others. Featuring a pregnant teenager named Laura in 1960, Baby Love left me feeling all kinds of things.
As an Irish person, hearing the words "mother and baby home" put a pit in my stomach. But thankfully it seems they were a little better in the UK, with not a nun in sight. I'm sure if anybody tried to write a YA book about a pregnant Irish teenager in 1960 it would very quickly become a horror novel.
I wish we could have found out what happened to all the other girls we encounter at the home, and the ending was a bit unrealistic, but Laura's story is a touching one nevertheless.
As an Irish person, hearing the words "mother and baby home" put a pit in my stomach. But thankfully it seems they were a little better in the UK, with not a nun in sight. I'm sure if anybody tried to write a YA book about a pregnant Irish teenager in 1960 it would very quickly become a horror novel.
I wish we could have found out what happened to all the other girls we encounter at the home, and the ending was a bit unrealistic, but Laura's story is a touching one nevertheless.
August 9, 2023
This book absolutely absorbed me and was read over a few days. Jacqueline Wilson is an incredible author and I read a lot of her books as a child. When I saw she had written something for older readers I was very excited to read it. The story totally involves you and immerses yourself into young Laura's life as she experiences being pregnant in the 1960s. The narrative totally draws you in and the storyline keeps you guessing where life will take Laura and Kathleen. A really thought provoking and emotional read.
February 16, 2023
Ending felt a bit rushed and all too happy. But I don't think there's anything wrong with happy endings, especially in books for younger audiences. I am glad there are authors like Wilson who writes happy endings for troubled children.
April 17, 2023
PSA you should read a book by your favourite childhood author immediately. jacqueline wilson is the GOAT
August 28, 2022
4.5 🌟
I was a massive fan of Jacqueline Wilson growing up but feared rereading some of her old books. I thought that they wouldn't be the same now that I am in my late 20's and maybe my good memories of them should be left untouched.
I also suspected that some of the language and sensitive topics that are addressed in the old books would also be a bit dated.
This book was brilliant in that it showed the judgement and pressures of teenage pregnancy in the 1960's, then cleverly linking back to present date with an article at the end about sexual consent in the present day.
The story gripped me and I thoroughly enjoyed the journey Laura went through without having to think too hard.
Jacqueline Wilson undoubtedly has a talent for writing from the point of view of children/teenagers. She can immediately transport you back to being a teenager and discovering the adult world for the first time.
I was surprised when I so easily slipped back into the world of Jacqueline Wilson at the ripe old age of 29. Highly recommend the books intended for 'older readers' as an adult. Will be looking out for more 📚 🥰
I was a massive fan of Jacqueline Wilson growing up but feared rereading some of her old books. I thought that they wouldn't be the same now that I am in my late 20's and maybe my good memories of them should be left untouched.
I also suspected that some of the language and sensitive topics that are addressed in the old books would also be a bit dated.
This book was brilliant in that it showed the judgement and pressures of teenage pregnancy in the 1960's, then cleverly linking back to present date with an article at the end about sexual consent in the present day.
The story gripped me and I thoroughly enjoyed the journey Laura went through without having to think too hard.
Jacqueline Wilson undoubtedly has a talent for writing from the point of view of children/teenagers. She can immediately transport you back to being a teenager and discovering the adult world for the first time.
I was surprised when I so easily slipped back into the world of Jacqueline Wilson at the ripe old age of 29. Highly recommend the books intended for 'older readers' as an adult. Will be looking out for more 📚 🥰
March 8, 2022
It has been years since I read a Jacqueline Wilson book. Though this deals with heavier topics than the books I read when I was a teenager, it still has that classic Jacqueline Wilson feel.
The second half of the book, when it is revealed the MC is pregnant was heartbreaking. The disgust and judgement piled onto her from relatives and acquaintances made me empathise with anyone who actually had to go through something like this back in the day. The fact that no one really asked her how she got pregnant, and even she couldn’t recognise that she’d been assaulted shows how much things have changed but also in some ways, stayed the same.
This book is aimed at older readers than Jacqueline Wilson’s usual target audience so do beat that in mind.
TW: sexual assault, rape, sexual abuse
Thank you to Netgalley & penguin for providing me with an ARC to review.
The second half of the book, when it is revealed the MC is pregnant was heartbreaking. The disgust and judgement piled onto her from relatives and acquaintances made me empathise with anyone who actually had to go through something like this back in the day. The fact that no one really asked her how she got pregnant, and even she couldn’t recognise that she’d been assaulted shows how much things have changed but also in some ways, stayed the same.
This book is aimed at older readers than Jacqueline Wilson’s usual target audience so do beat that in mind.
TW: sexual assault, rape, sexual abuse
Thank you to Netgalley & penguin for providing me with an ARC to review.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 4, 2022
Jacqueline Wilson never fails at writing the best comfort books, so glad she’s still writing these important stories and representing all types of family situations ❤️
August 14, 2023
she's only gone and done it again lads!
August 26, 2023
poor laura , she would have loved folklore by taylor swift :((
May 6, 2025
total devastation
November 28, 2025
4.5 STARS
I find this one really hard to give a numbered rating for because although I didn't love it, it's really affected me emotionally.
I was so moved by Laura's story, knowing these were the real truths of many young girls 'back in the day'. But also, being a seasoned Jacqueline Wilson reader, there was something immature about the writing that had me really struggling to engage to a 5 star level. Yes, it's written for kids, but does the average kid have the emotional development to feel so genuinely gut wrenching-ly sad like I do at this moment?
Give me this book, written for adults, but still about Laura? I'm sold.
I find this one really hard to give a numbered rating for because although I didn't love it, it's really affected me emotionally.
I was so moved by Laura's story, knowing these were the real truths of many young girls 'back in the day'. But also, being a seasoned Jacqueline Wilson reader, there was something immature about the writing that had me really struggling to engage to a 5 star level. Yes, it's written for kids, but does the average kid have the emotional development to feel so genuinely gut wrenching-ly sad like I do at this moment?
Give me this book, written for adults, but still about Laura? I'm sold.
January 1, 2023
Like many 90s girls, I grew up with Jacqueline Wilson’s books!
However, it’s been years since I’ve picked one up but this book has made me want to read all the books I’ve missed out on since my teens, and it’s one that will appeal to adults too.
Baby Love is set in the not-so-swinging 60s and follows Laura, a conscientious grammar schoolgirl, living in a prefab with her protective and hardworking parents.
Naive Laura is only 14 when she’s sexually assaulted and doesn’t even realise what’s happening, and tries to block it from her memory, until a bump grows and she realises she’s pregnant. Scared she’ll be judged and outcast for life, her mum sends her to a mother and baby home where Laura prepares to give birth and faces some difficult decisions about her future and that of her baby, together or separate as they might be.
As ever Wilson tackles a serious issue with sensitivity and realism. I just wanted to give Laura a huge hug, and knowing that this happened to thousands of young girls is astounding. Laura was judged so much by the adults around her for being “fast” which was heartbreaking as she was taken advantage of and didn’t even know it, she had no one to confide in because she didn’t even have the words for what had happened to her.
I like to think we have come a long way since then but the book reminds us of the ongoing need for quality sex education in schools, the importance of understanding.
Baby Love is carefully written and deals with important topics in a way suitable for young teen readers.
However, it’s been years since I’ve picked one up but this book has made me want to read all the books I’ve missed out on since my teens, and it’s one that will appeal to adults too.
Baby Love is set in the not-so-swinging 60s and follows Laura, a conscientious grammar schoolgirl, living in a prefab with her protective and hardworking parents.
Naive Laura is only 14 when she’s sexually assaulted and doesn’t even realise what’s happening, and tries to block it from her memory, until a bump grows and she realises she’s pregnant. Scared she’ll be judged and outcast for life, her mum sends her to a mother and baby home where Laura prepares to give birth and faces some difficult decisions about her future and that of her baby, together or separate as they might be.
As ever Wilson tackles a serious issue with sensitivity and realism. I just wanted to give Laura a huge hug, and knowing that this happened to thousands of young girls is astounding. Laura was judged so much by the adults around her for being “fast” which was heartbreaking as she was taken advantage of and didn’t even know it, she had no one to confide in because she didn’t even have the words for what had happened to her.
I like to think we have come a long way since then but the book reminds us of the ongoing need for quality sex education in schools, the importance of understanding.
Baby Love is carefully written and deals with important topics in a way suitable for young teen readers.
March 16, 2022
I have loved and adored Jacqueline Wilson for as long as I can remember. She is a huge idol of mine, like many people of my generation!
This book is obviously meant for a younger audience, but this didn't affect my enjoyment at all. The book still had the cosines of Wilson's previous books, but obviously had its darker aspects to it as well.
The only downside to this book was its pacing. I felt that the book ended very abruptly which was a shame because it built so well and we got to know the characters really deeply then it just suddenly ended.
This book felt so very real - it felt more like a memoir than a work of fiction. I sped through this and was disappointed to reach the end.
This book is obviously meant for a younger audience, but this didn't affect my enjoyment at all. The book still had the cosines of Wilson's previous books, but obviously had its darker aspects to it as well.
The only downside to this book was its pacing. I felt that the book ended very abruptly which was a shame because it built so well and we got to know the characters really deeply then it just suddenly ended.
This book felt so very real - it felt more like a memoir than a work of fiction. I sped through this and was disappointed to reach the end.
March 24, 2022
This is a young adult book dealing with teen pregnancy. It was wonderful to return to Jacqueline Wilson’s writing as an adult, and the book is engaging and absorbing even as an older reader. If I’d read this at 15 I’d have been sobbing.
December 26, 2023
When I was a kid I read a lot of books with the same ‘feel’ as this novel, so I thought the nostalgia factor was nice :) The story itself was just ok, it was a very even keeled book without many surprises. Good for a light read, nothing more!
September 8, 2024
Heart-wrenching, yet beautifully written. It’s been several years since I’ve read a Jacqueline Wilson book, but her writing continues to be of the highest standard. Raw, unflinching, with a happy ending for Laura, Baby Love was a delight to read.
March 22, 2023
the ending was extremely unrealistic and quite rushed to be honest
July 7, 2022
have i been in a reading slump? yes but my childhood author has gotten me out of it. when i saw a new jacqueline wilson book in the bookshop i had to get it it was a no brainer so i did. i started reading it this afternoon and when i say it was unputdownable i literally mean that i read for 3 hours straight and finished it. oh wow what does jacquie put in her books to make them that good. the plot was there, historical fiction stunning, friendships and life experiences so real and raw. the basis of this book was certainly jolting but i think very fitting in our modern age. the topic of consent and adoption was tackled wonderfully can we expect anything less and was a gripping story for older readers. a great story with some stunning depth, it reminded me of the show call the midwife and was an unflinchingly hooking tale on the means of motherhood and growing up. a must read for any jacqueline wilson fan.
February 22, 2025
It was nice and nostalgic to read a Jacqueline Wilson.
This was a compelling read, but very sad. I was very moved by the friendships between Laura and some of the girls at Heathcote House. All their stories were heartbreaking.
I will admit the ending was a little “happily ever after” and quite a contrast to the tone of the overall story. I thought the afterword rather rushed too.
Overall, I enjoyed reading Wilson’s YA and it was a nice, quick read.
This was a compelling read, but very sad. I was very moved by the friendships between Laura and some of the girls at Heathcote House. All their stories were heartbreaking.
I will admit the ending was a little “happily ever after” and quite a contrast to the tone of the overall story. I thought the afterword rather rushed too.
Overall, I enjoyed reading Wilson’s YA and it was a nice, quick read.
July 24, 2022
Between 3 and 4 stars, fun read
Displaying 1 - 30 of 446 reviews