Thursday, September 15, 2011

Review: Pregnant Pause by Han Nolan

Pregnant Pause
by Han Nolan
Publication Date: September 19th, 2011
Publisher: Harcourt Children's Books
Pages: 352
ISBN: 9780152065706

Where to Buy:
Amazon | The Book Depository
Nobody gets away with telling Eleanor Crowe what to do. But as a pregnant sixteen-year-old, her options are limited: move to Kenya with her missionary parents or marry the baby’s father and work at his family’s summer camp for overweight kids.

Despite her initial reluctance to help out, Elly is surprised that she actually enjoys working with the campers. But a tragedy on the very day her baby is born starts a series of events that overwhelms Elly with unexpected emotions and difficult choices. Somehow, she must turn her usual obstinance in a direction that can ensure a future for herself—and for the new life she has created. (Goodreads)
I really enjoyed reading Pregnant Pause. I didn’t think that I would, because it deals with Teen Pregnancy. With all the sensationalism going on with the subject lately, I just thought I would hate it. I couldn’t be more wrong. I really loved this book!

The main character, Eleanor, is a total brat. She does whatever she has to do to defy her parents. (I remember doing the same thing at that age.) Once she finds out she’s pregnant, her life is completely turned upside down. Her parents are leaving to go overseas, so the only choices she has is to go with them, (which she really doesn’t want to do.), or to marry the baby’s daddy and live and work at his family’s summer camp. In the beginning she thinks that is what she wants, but once it actually happens, she wishes it hadn’t.

It took a while for her to grow on me, but I really liked Elly. Yes, she made some bad choices, but I think overall, all she wanted was for her parents to be there for her. She believed that they cared more about the children overseas than they did about her. I really enjoyed following her on this journey, and seeing her attitude completely turn around. She really cared about the kids that she worked with, and she loved her boyfriend/husband, Lam, even when he was a total jerk and was never around.

Almost the entire last half of the book had me in tears. I can’t imagine going through what Elly went through. It was heartbreaking. I’m glad she was such a strong character though; she fought as hard as she could for what she thought was right. I love that about Elly, she grows into such a strong woman.

This story shows that life doesn’t always turn out the way you think it will. Life is HARD. People change, sometimes in the blink of an eye. And sometimes, you just have to deal with life on your own.

Overall, I loved this book. It’s a really great read, and I can’t wait for the book to be released so I can add it to my collection.

Happy Reading!

12 comments:

  1. Oh, I really want to read this one now. It sounds like an emotional read. Adding to my wishlist.

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  2. I hadn't heard of this book before, but the story sounds pretty compelling and intense, based on what you describe about the last parts.

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  3. This book really surprised me too; Elly was kind of annoying but her voice was distinct and I really grew to care about her over the course of the book.

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  4. This was a fantastic review.This book is new to me and if I hadn't read your review first I would have passed over it. As a Childbirth Educator I simply cannot stomach books that glorify teen pregnancy or do not treat it seriously enough. You have me convinced though - I will be adding this to my TBR list!

    Bonnie @ HandsAndHome

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  5. I don't read teen pregnancy books either, but I have to admit that I'm intrigued by this one thanks to your review. I'll have to look into it when it's released. Thanks for bringing it to my attention!

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  6. I don't think I've *ever* read a teen pregnancy book. TV shows like 16 and Pregnant (or whatever) that totally glorify teen pregnancy has me totally avoiding the subject altogether. However, your review makes this book sounds really good so I'd love to break out of my box a bit and give this a try when it is released =)

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  7. Get married at 16? That seems like a horrible option. I think I have to read this because I am quite curious about how this plays out.

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  8. I am so glad to see someone else review this book! I read it an eGalley of this so long ago, but it was such a heartfelt book and I'm so happy to see it's getting some love!

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  9. Wow, your review totally made me want to read this, even though it's not my typical fare. Her decisions sound so heartbreaking -- some incredibly hard choices to make so young.
    Mary @ BookSwarm

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  10. This sounds so good. It sounds a little sad, and that it has a good message in it. I love books with really great, strong main characters and this seems to have exactly that.

    I adore reading your reviews, they're always so great!

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  11. I'm curious as to what all goes down in this one...especially in the last half. I do enjoy books that are very real and show that life can be very difficult. Great review!

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  12. I bought this book after reading your review, and wow it was so good! The end was so sad, so many people manipulated her.

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Thanks for stopping by! :)