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OLDER FICTION
Bailey, Jen

Unexpecting

304 pp. | St. Martin's/Wednesday | August, 2023 | Trade ISBN 9781250780942 $20.00 | Ebook ISBN 9781250780959 $11.99
(2) YA This unconventional teen-pregnancy tale follows sixteen-year-old Ben, who had sex with his friend Maxie "as a scientific test." He wanted to confirm that he was gay; she was participating in "some kind of TikTok social experiment thing. " Now Maxie is pregnant. Influenced by her parents, she plans to pursue adoption. But Ben wants to keep the baby himself; he hopes to provide his child with the stable male presence he didn't have (his mother recently married her third husband since Ben's father died). Ben gets a job and prioritizes Maxie's doctor's appointments over his beloved robotics club. But is he really prepared for fatherhood? Ben's desire to do the right thing is endearing, although his naiveté in identifying what that means is both exasperating and comical (why wouldn't Maxie want to hear his opinions about prenatal meal planning?). Luckily, Ben has a supportive network to lean on, including his mom; his new stepfather (whom he is learning to trust); and Gio, his crush. They guide Ben to consider what it means to be a good parent and what's really best for his and Maxie's baby. The (convenient) answer leads to a moving conclusion in which Ben displays his newfound emotional maturity and relationship skills--the romance with Gio is a highlight--and finds peace with the decision he and Maxie make. "I know without any doubt...that I've made the right choice. This is right. This is family."
Reviewer: Rachel L. Kerns | Horn Book Magazine Issue: September, 2023

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