Member Reviews
If you enjoy stories about being a woman in your 30s, navigating adulthood, dealing with expectations about family, babies, and just success in general, then this is the book for you.
I loved the ending and it left me hopeful for the future.
A bright novel set in the modern world of dating.
Dee Jensen has no sooner been dumped than she finds out that if she ever wants to have children, she needs to start right now. With little hope of finding herself in a relationship any time soon, she discovers platonic co-parenting where two people create and share parenting responsibilities without having a sexual relationship themselves. The more she thinks about it, the more she considers it may be her only option and when she broaches the idea with Andy, a new acquaintance, he doesn't run for the hills. Might this be her chance at being a mother?
This is a delightfully different read, with much food for thought. Emma Hughes opens up a world which few of us consider. It's only now, in the 21st century, that women are aware of their diminishing fertility and this is a light, entertaining story with serious undertones. My interest was kept from beginning to the very end with this well-written tale, and I'll certainly look out for more from this author. Recommended, 4*.
My thanks to the publisher for my copy via NetGalley; this is - as always - my honest, original and unbiased review.
This was a quick weekend read. I really appreciated that this wasn't a standard fluffy chick lit type of book, there were some extremely serious topics dealt with, fertility issues, abortion and the impact your parents have on you. I liked that it was the side of women over 30 that you don't often see talked about so openly.
I expected to enjoy this a bit more from the blurb, but did expect something a bit more light hearted! What I struggled with was the main plot point of the book, the speed at which they both agreed to do something after two very brief interactions and a text message. I had to reread the pages before in case I'd missed a more detailed conversation that they'd had.
I really enjoyed the writing style, all the characters were fleshed out and I could picture them all really easily. And I love a flash forward/epilogue at the end of a book, rather than trying to cram a few months of chapters when there's no need!
Despite my low rating I'm would definitely read more from the same author, I think I just didn't gel with this particular book.
A reasonably good book about navigating adulthood, the decision of when is a good time to have a baby and what would you do if that decision suddenly spirals out of your control. The book has likeable characters, one of whom is told that she’s entering into very early menopause which catapults her into suddenly taking stock of where her life is at and the sudden urgency and removal of choices.
The book is candidly yet sensitively written with plenty of food for thought including the opposite scenarios of unplanned and unwanted pregnancy and how that can also be life altering and the awkwardness of when those two worlds collide between friends.
A fun, easy, weekend read that I really enjoyed. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced copy of the book.
An absoluteley wonderful read. It was heartwarming and I loved all the characters, It was so very witty and touching a times. A real page turner and certainly makes you stop and think.
An easy read but one that lacked depth for me. Dee wants a child but isn’t in a relationship. Roo is in a relationship but can’t conceive, and Minnie is happy as she is. Dee has a mum and stepmom and an estranged father who didn’t really seem to fit well into the story.
A nice easy holiday read.
Dee is mid thirties and is thinking of her fertility and as she hasn`t a long time partner she thinks of co-parenting when she meets Andy who wants the same things. Dee is supported by her two best friends,
I loved all the characters and the friendship they have through thick and thin. it was an easy read with difficult issues handled well.
Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the ARC
I got quite involved in this book. The characters were so relatable and the ending was good too. Very enjoyable and I look forward to reading another book by this author.
Enjoyable and extremely relatable read!
Easy to read and the characters are well written without being clichéd.
Touches on some important issues in a woman’s life and gives insight in to them.
Good holiday read!
When Dee receives unexpected news about her fertility, she has some big decisions to make. Her friend Roo is desperate for a baby whilst her other friend Minnie is desperate not to. When Dee meets Andy, a possible platonic co-parent, she has to act fast.
Funny and heart-warming, It’s Complicated is a story of pivoting when things don’t go to plan. With the help of friends and family, Dee navigates a new world where she has to finally put herself first. I really loved the characters in this book and enjoyed the balance between the sensitivity of the topic of fertility with Dee’s current haphazard lifestyle. I would recommend for a feel good read.
This was quite involving, I was sucked right into this from the page one. Loved how relatable the characters were. Ending was good too. Overall, i I really enjoyed it
The story had depth on several levels and felt complete and left no loose ends. I think these characters will stay with me for a long time as they really came alive on the page and their struggles seemed so realistic it felt like I experienced them with them.
The story focuses more on Dee’s friendships and the romantic drama comes a bit secondhand. In my opinion, this doesn’t matter, as I really enjoyed seeing Dee seek help from her friends and family to deal with her troubles and didn’t run right to the next guy. The relationship evolved in a natural way that didn’t feel rushed, and Dee came to see the bigger picture.
If you like steamy romance, this might not be for you, but if you like a story about being a woman in your thirties, dealing with expectations about motherhood and family, friendships, and success in life, this might be the book for you.
I really enjoyed this book, it delves into complicated topics and shows light on some modern day challenges that people face when raising families the story was witty and fun whilst being able to tell a story.
My pros were that;
- The book is well-written and engaging.
- The characters are relatable and well-developed.
- The plot is funny and heartwarming.
My Cons were that;
- At times the book was a bit slow.
- Some of the plot points were predictable.
However overall, It's Complicated is a heartwarming and funny read that I would recommend to anyone looking for a good romantic comedy. In addition to that, I really liked the way that Emma Hughes handled the topic of platonic co-parenting. It's a topic that is often taboo, however, Hughes handled it with sensitivity and humour.
I also liked the way that Hughes explored the different ways that people define family. For Dee, family is not just about blood relations. It's about the people who love and support you. I think that It's Complicated is a great book for anyone who is looking for a heartwarming and funny read. It's a book that will make you laugh, cry, and think.
Wow! This book was correctly titled because everything seemed to be complicated, but it was a fantastic story all about relationships that go wrong or go right or just fizzle out altogether, wonderfully written and with fabulous characters
This was such a hard hitting, yet beautiful story. I loved the characters, their friendships and lives. And the great way such hard subjects were approached, to make it into a really lovely story. Excellent. Thank you to netgalley, the author and publisher for an e-arc in exchange for an honest review.
Female friendship, fertility issues and finding your way -all dealt with in a sweet and funny way with good characters. Light but enjoyable.
In "It's Complicated," Emma Hughes takes readers on a heart-warming and joyful journey through the complexities of modern relationships and the desire for motherhood. Dee Jensen finds herself facing a ticking biological clock while navigating the uncertain territory of her love life. When the idea of platonic co-parenting arises, Dee suggests it to Andy, a chef she recently met, and the unexpected twist begins.
Hughes infuses the story with humour and authenticity, capturing the doubts, fears, and hopes that Dee grapples with along the way. The exploration of platonic co-parenting adds an intriguing layer to the narrative, raising questions about the nature of love, family, and unconventional paths to parenthood.
As Dee embarks on this unconventional journey, readers are taken on an emotional rollercoaster as she contemplates her desires, confronts her fears, and ultimately discovers what truly matters to her. With vividly drawn characters and relatable situations, Hughes invites readers to reflect on their own dreams, aspirations, and the complexity of love and relationships.
"It's Complicated" is a delightful and thought-provoking tale that blends humour, warmth, and genuine emotion. Emma Hughes' storytelling shines as she tackles the complexities of modern life and the choices we face in pursuit of happiness. This heart-warming story reminds us that life's most fulfilling journeys are often the ones that take us by surprise and lead us to unexpected destinations.
I like that this book deals with fertility and motherhood but unfortunately I did not really enjoy this one that much. I've read so many amazing books in this genre in the last few months that I just cannot say that this was great. It was just okay to me.