This was so beautiful and moving! Showing ups and downs of relationships when a couple is trying to get pregnant and going through IVF. I was tearing up by the end of the book and now I need a cup of tea to calm down.
The art is really simple but fits the story so well. It allows you to stay focused on the story and doesn't distract the reader.

Review copy provided by the publisher and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

this was a gorgeous read, but it broke my heart. it's obviously an account of IVF and the associated struggles: how worries about fertility and the treatment itself affect people, and the resultant toll it can take, not just physically, but mentally and emotionally. The illustration was lovely and, I thought, fitting for what was happening. I particularly noted the use of colours and shading and sometimes I ended up grasping at my chest.

This was heartfelt and honest and, I think, an incredibly brave thing to put out in the world. It's beautiful, too. It seems gauche to say I enjoyed it, but I did nonetheless. It's incredible.

You really feel the struggle and anxiety of wanting to have a child, but not being able to through traditional means. At some point it stops being about you and your partner, but about timetables and injections, and mounting debt. This couple shed serious light on what it's like to have issues with fertility and go through IVF treatment. Not something I'd wish on anyone, but glad it's an option for those looking to have biological children.

A beautifully illustrated, heart-wrenching graphic novel that explores a couple's journey through infertility and the IVF process. I loved the representation of how different the experiences of IVF can be for different couples, and the pressures from family due to infertility still being somewhat of a taboo, with even well-intentioned advice/comments often increasing the strain on those going through it. The artstyle is beautiful, I like the simple use of colour and the character style. I immediately connected with the main characters and could empathise with their struggle, while still being frustrated when they didn't communicate. I definitely reccomend this book!

An original graphic novel based on the IVF stories of its husband-and-wife authors and the 1-in-50 couples around the world like them. Conrad and Joanne met in their final year of university and have been virtually inseparable since then. For a while, it felt like they had all the time in the world. Yet now, when they are finally ready to have kids, they find that getting pregnant isn’t always so easy.
This graphic novel hit home very hard for me. As someone who is on their own infertility journey, it is so nice to see our stories taking centre stage for a change. Not only was it beautifully illustrated the whole way through with a wonderful colour scheme, it was full of emotion on every page and captured the journey perfectly.
It was great to see how they dealt with what they were going through and alongside showing the hurt that couples feel when having to experience infertility, there was a lot of support from their family and friends when the conversations came up; which may have been their personal experience but I know that it is not always the case which is why so many people don’t talk about it, but it was good to see they had that.
I was pleased to see that they showed both parties in the relationship were having issues but I would have liked to have seen more on what they were and a bit more on the guy’s side, as it is so rarely discussed so I feel that it would have raised more awareness on it.
As glad as I am that they were successful and they had a happy ending, it would have been admirable to show it not being successful and bring more awareness to the statistics that IVF doesn’t always work.
Overall, I loved this and I am so happy to see more stories that show the hard journey that is infertility. If you are lucky enough to not experience infertility personally, this would be an eye opener to some of the processes that we have to go through and infertility itself. I hope more people read things like this to realise that trying to start a family isn’t as easy as we were told at school, and there is actually so much more to be learnt about the reproductive organs and fertility.
TW: infertility, IVF, grief, mental health.
4/5
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for gifting me a copy in exchange for an honest review.

Two Week Wait: An IVF Story is a graphic novel about a couple, Conrad and Joanne, who met at university, fell in love and were inseperable ever since. As they grow comfortably in love, marriage, careers, and financial stability, they are ready to embark into another adventure together: parenthood!

What comes naturally for other people and their own family and friends is proven to be difficult for them. It turns out that the act of baby-making doesn't really make babies! Coming to term with their infertility, they decided that they need help in conceiving and started on their IVF journey. The story of Conrad and Jo take readers are on a ride through IVF processes with the whole package of medical, financial and emotional parts of it.
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This book is a raw, emotional and factual story of an IVF journey and it was written by a couple who went through the ordeal themselves. It feels very personal. I could connect with the first part of the story- you know, the coupling, being-in-love, usual married couple parts up til the deciding to get pregnant part. While I can't confess to deeply relate to IVF part of the story, I feel Conrad and Jo's pain because since I was a little girl, being a mom is one of the important things I want to be when I grow up. To imagine that being out of reach is heart-wrenching for me.

The illustrations are in hues of grey, black, orange and white - it's simple. To me it represents the sombre mood of going through infertility. While I wish there were more of Conrad and Jo's pregnancy journey, I understand that that will shift the focus on the real subject here; the IVF journey. Deeply moving, severely emotional, thoroughly factual, it's a must read for anyone age 21 and above. Even if you can't relate to it, it might remind you to have empathy for couples who are yet to be parents. Maybe they are trying, or maybe kids are not in their plan so we should just zip it 🤐

Thank you @netgalley for an eARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Novela gráfica sobre la travesía de una pareja que intenta la fecundación in vitro. Un tema del que no sé nada, sinceramente.

Me gustó este acercamiento al tema porque me dio una idea general de qué significa optar por este tratamiento: desde el estrés que supone para la pareja esperar hasta la cuestión económica porque sí debe costar un ojo de la cara. Qué gacho que exista tanta presión todavía a la cuestión de tener hijos, en serio. Ya sabía que la adopcion no iba a ser su opción, pero creo que es una alternativa muy válida.

Las transiciones entre escenas me parecieron abruptas en ocasiones, pero bueno, es mucho para pocas páginas. En general una novela gráfica interesante sobre un tema al que usualmente no me acercaría.

Two-Week Wait is an emotional book about a couple's journey through IVF. The husband-wife author duo has based it on their personal experience and research into other couples struggling with pregnancy. And their research shows.

This is a beautifully illustrated book that depicts a very personal and emotional story. The E-book does not give it justice and it will be beautiful as a hardback. Very well written and illustrated.

This is a first for me by the author and one I enjoyed and would read more of their work. The book cover is eye-catching and appealing and would spark my interest if in a bookshop. Thank you very much to the author, publisher and Netgalley for this ARC.

Two-Week Wait is a graphic novel discussing the IVF journey of a couple who are struggling to fall pregnant.
It raises the awareness of money, health issues which may arise (e.g. obstructed fallopian tube) and the emotional toll IVF can have on a person and a relationship.

Being someone who hasn't had direct contact with the IVF process (and probably isn't well informed either) nor do I know anyone personally who has been through the process, this graphic novel gave me a good run down of an experience that a couple might have on this journey.

Although it does discuss some serious issues, I didn't feel as though I was emotionally impacted by this book as much as I would have liked.
The writing was straight to the point and sometimes predictable. I guessed the ending.
I think this graphic novel could have benefitted from more detail and a longer plot to 'flesh' out the characters (it's not often I say that either, usually books are too long).

However, as a whole, the book was enjoyable and flowed well. I loved the learning aspects, raising awareness about this topic for couples going through this journey or those who may not know much about it at all. I definitely think this would help some feel acceptance and inclusion, knowing others are going through the same situation. The illustrations are also well crafted and complimented the book well.

An honest portrayal of a couple going through IVF when they realise they are having problems as they try to have children. As well as outlining the process that they go through, which the graphic novel format allows for a realistic portrayal, particularly of the medical interventions. There is a good exploration of the various emotions that they go through, the ups and downs, the endless advice, most of it unhelpful, that they receive, none of which really affects the outcome. There is also some reflection on the impact of their relationship and how they open up to each other, which is also important to show. The books doesn't cover things in depth but is a believable overview of the challenges that this couple face. The drawings are presented in a lovely accessible style, good use of colour and adding warmth to the story. Recommended for anyone wanting to support someone going through IVF and wishing to understand more about the practical and emotional implications

With thanks to netgalley for an arc in exchange for a review.

Two-Week Wait is a graphic novel about a couple's struggle with IVF. I thought it was a very relatable story for many today. The story flowed easily over several months of this couple's life and the various doctor appointments and struggles a couple will go through. This may be a hard read for those experiencing troubles with IVF, but may be good for their family members to help understand their situation.

ARC provided from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

“They met in the final year of university and were virtually inseparable from then on. For a while it felt like they had all the time in the world… in this place, they felt the most settled. They felt almost ready… but a year later, they were still trying.”



Two-Week Wait: an IVF Story is a graphic novel by Luke and Kelly Jackson, about a couple named Joanne and Conrad struggling with fertility. Their journey is emotional, personal, as well as expensive. After every successful ‘implantation’ the couple must wait two weeks to see if the pregnancy takes. With the help of modern medicine, friends and family, Joanne and Conrad navigate the sensitivities of becoming parents.

Nonfiction for me appears in its most shining format as a graphic novel. I love being able to both feel and see what Joanne and Conrad were experiencing at home in their relationship, numerous doctors appointments, and in other aspects of their personal lives. The story is based on the experience of the husband and wife author duo which i think made the story even more visceral. I had very little understanding of the IVF process and also learned a lot about it within this graphic novel.

Mara Wild’s illustration and coloring of this piece were very beautiful. The muted pastels were complementary to the writing. Although I’m not sure of the intention, I liked that the blues and pinks reminded me of nurseries.

I think that this graphic novel is suited for many readers and would be comforting to couples that are going through IVF or considering it as an option in growing their family.

Thank you to NetGalley as well as Scribe UK for the chance to read and review this work.

When I went through IVF a few years ago I wish someone had handed me this book. The pain and trauma associated with infertility is just something no one talks ago and I raced through this graphic novel to learn their story. I'm so glad it had a happy ending.

I hope they will create a follow up book about pregnancy abd parenthood after IVF. Even when it is successful there are so many feelings of guilt and fear. Infertility never leaves you.

“An original graphic novel based on the IVF stories of its husband-and-wife authors and the 1-in-50 couples around the world like them.”
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This was the first graphic novel that I have ever read for myself and it was a good one. It was short (only about 160 pages), sweet, and to the point. Don’t let the amount of pages and the genre fool you though, because throughout this novel we witnessed a lot. Below is a list of a few topics that we learned more about.

1) Medical diagnosis
2) Failed transfers
3) Familial support
4) Financial impact of IVF
5) Relationship strains

Thank you to Scribe UK, NetGalley, and the author Luke and Kelly Jackson, for the eARC.
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Overall: ⭐️⭐️⭐️✨(3.5)/5

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing this book in exchange for an honest review.

I love reading stories about the start of a family, and in this case, I enjoyed it as well.

A fictional account of IVF based on the combined experiences of multiple IVF couples interviewed by the authors. The story is sympathetically told and the muted color palette helps enhance the sense of wistful longing present throughout the story. I have no personal experience of IVF but have friends who have gone through the process and the themes addressed seem accurate according to my understanding and observations.

Ugh. This book hits so close to home.

Conrad and Jo are not able to conceive on their own and begin the daunting process of I.V.F. This graphic novel is a hauntingly personal story of their journey. Upsetting, frustrating, and heartwarming, this graphic novel educates as well as inspires.

A resounding 5/5 stars.

IVF treatment for fertility challenges isn't what I first think of when I think "graphic novel," but Two-Week Wait manages to bring a meaningful, realistic human drama to the sketched pages of this entertaining, endearing read. Readers will root for the characters, will recognize the awkwardness of those around them trying to figure out what to say and what not to say, and will remain hopeful throughout the story, waiting on pins and needles, just like the characters, to discover the final resolution to the Two-Week Wait.

This is an amazing graphic novel which explains the seldom discussed topic of IVF. The format allows you to truly understand what happens on the way to the happy successful stories you hear of IVF as not all stories end like that. I really felt for the protagonists and was truly immersed in their experience.

This graphic novel was a beautiful, melancholy but ultimately joyful portrayal of the ups and downs of IVF for a couple trying to conceive. The muted colour palette - mainly blue and peach throughout - gave the story a dreamlike quality with shapes flowing into each other in an art style I thoroughly enjoyed. It was heart-breaking to see the couple try IVF, have their hopes raised only to find that the embryo hadn't taken. I also got an insight into the strain of trying to get pregnant must have on a couple in this position, not just emotionally but financially too since the treatment is not cheap and is not guaranteed to work. There were funny moments amidst the sadness though like when the husband went to give his sperm donation, the nerves he felt going into a room with "naughty magazines" before settling into the rhythm of it after a few visits.

While I really enjoyed the story overall I did find a few niggles - on some of the panels I wasn't always clear what order the speech bubbles should be read in and had to go over it a couple of times. The transitions between scenes were sometimes a little clunky and it wasn't always clear how much time had passed or how we got from one scenario to the next. These minor issues aside, I thought Two-Week Wait was a sensitive portrayal of something which must be so difficult for the families that go through it.

As more and more people choose to delay starting a family, IVF and similar treatments are only going to become more commonplace and it's important that we normalise the process so we can better support friends and family members who choose to go down this route. I think Two-Week Wait would be a valuable read for anyone trying to conceive or anyone who has been through the IVF process if only to feel less alone. I, personally, have never tried IVF and don't intend to but I believe that reading Luke & Kelly Jackson's book has left me better placed to understand and support anyone who has.