This story sounded so interesting and I was really looking forward to reading it especially as I saw that it was inspired by true events which I love. Unfortunately I didn’t finish the book as I didn’t connect with the writing or the story as much as I’d hoped to. This is why I hadn’t posted a review for it. Thanks

Mari is fifteen and when she found out that she was pregnant, she soon grows to love her baby. In him, she sees a chance for a family member who will always love her and never leave her. But when she finds out that her son has a heart condition, it all gets even more complicated.

Mari was a child who truly acted that way throughout the novel. I understand this novel was supposed to focus on a child who didn't receive love, but she was truly a baby giving birth to a baby. It was a really disappointing when the synopsis sounded so good. It was truly just poor writing and was an unfortunate read.

Unfortunately this book wasn't for me and I did not finish it. Thank you for the opportunity :)

This book was just not my cup of tea and I was not able to finish it. Thank you for this opportunity, though!

This book is written by a pediatric cardiologist and is based on a true story. It is raw, realistic and very sad. The characters are not likable and their situations are lamentable. It is, however, for the most part, an excellent story. Fifteen year old Mari Pujols is pregnant and she learns that her baby has a serious heart defect. Her family and the baby's father want her to have an abortion. At her school, girls being pregnant is not unusual, girls having abortions isn't unusual, girls having babies isn't unusual, however, a girl who has an abortion because her baby has a heart defect is unusual and a girl who has a baby with a heart defect is unusual. The story is heart wrenching and I think that people will enjoy it.

This was an interesting read, not light or quick, the spanish slang took some getting used to and it death with a heavy subject matter. I found it well written and it kept my attention, I read it over a weekend!

And so begins the story of 15-year-old Mari Pujols. She believes the baby she is carrying will love her unconditionally and never leave. Not like her mother who took off when she was only eight years old and not like her father who is in prison. It is Mari's hope that this baby will care for her, unlike her abuela. That the baby will stick around more than her on-again-off-again boyfriend. The baby will grow into a little human loyal to her as her two best friends. But doctors discover that the fetus has a birth defect called hypoplastic left heart syndrome: half of the baby's heart is missing. Now Mari is forced to make a life-altering decision.

All while reading I kept thinking this story is so realistic. Somewhere, sometime there is a young teenage girl going through this heartbreaking struggle with little to no support. It wasn't until toward the end of the book that I learned Water in May is based on true events. Oh, this makes it an even more special debut. I haven't felt this much sympathy for a fictional character in a long time.

Be warned that Water in May will cause waterworks in your eyes. Also, there is a lot of Spanish language and Dominican slang that may stunt reading; use the glossary at end of the book. I recommend it to teenage moms, younger-than-usual abuelas and young adults. Hopefully it will help families understand small blessings.

Happy Early Pub Day, Ismée Amiel Williams! Water in May will be available Tuesday, September 12.

LiteraryMarie

Wow, this book was unique, I mean one is to read about being young and pregnant and trust me, I have read several books which, each of them was so vivid and moving, however, Water in May stands out because the baby to be has complications. I think in the genre, of YA books it's good to see these early pregnancy novels coming back, closing paranormal craze of writing and being more down to earth, although I like those too.

Mari Pajols is longing to have her baby thus she will have someone who will always with her and will love her... Growing up with her grandma hasn't been easy, she has absent parents whom she doesn't remember at all, but she knows her dad loves her. although he's in jail, but he sometimes answers her letters. Mari longs to have love in her world, she is not understood not at home, not in school, and her boyfriend's mother is the most evil person. Sounds something familiar?

I would write a spoiler, but I wont, that's the whole point of reading..just to let you know - this book has heavy content, Spanish in every other sentence and the slang! Oh, as a reader I got to know all Mari's grammar and punctuation errors. I also found this pregnancy sad, because there are pregnancies who are carried at the very young age and they do have these gene issues, something not right during the pregnancy..as a woman in general, I think it is something completely heartbreaking for both parents and does not matter the age, although being more mature we have more stability and we see more than a 15 year old who seeks love.

I was most fascinated by the medical surgery staff roles, completely surprising and down to earth attitude, especially when one is 15 years old...

I generally enjoyed this book. It was very emotional and I could not even imagine having to deal with such heavy decisions as the main character, Mari, had to deal with.
Unfortunately, the book contained a lot of Spanish/Dominican language, including slang, and did not include translations until the end, which made it mildly difficult to read and fully get into. I know that this is written from the p.o.v. of a fifteen year old girl, but the language and grammar, in general, was difficult to get past as well.
All in all, it was an enjoyable, quick read.

When Mari finds herself pregnant, with Bertie's baby, she is supported by her friends as they navigate teenage life and school still.

Her friends, Yaz, Teri and Heavenly accompany her to her twenty one week scan, excited together and find themselves meeting Dr Love, a young good looking doctor.

Then they get told that the healthy baby boy is actually going to need surgery as he will be born with only half a heart.

Bertie and Mari argue and he leaves, Mari gets support from her friends and grandma or abuela, over the situation she and her baby face at first u til she has to move in with her friends secretly. Then she finds out her baby, Angelo is struggling to breathe as his condition worsens the closer to the end of her pregnancy she gets.

The worst happens, at 36 weeks Mari's waters break, perhaps not helped by the stress caused due to an assault attempt which leaves her shocked and distressed.

But just how will Angelo fare coming into life and facing major surgeries straight away?

So emotional, I can't imagine how a young teen would feel dealing with all of this happening but its captured well in here. Anyone with as much support and love around her despite arguments etc is lucky and we know Angelo will be loved by them all even though I read the last part of the book with bated breath over his condition. You don't want to miss out on experiencing this teens pregnancy and the courage and hope she keeps and grows against all Angelo's odds of survival.

Many thanks to the publishers for allowing me to review this book for them!