Book Review: Saving Abby

Saving Abby

About the Book:

All children’s book illustrator Claire Turner ever wanted was to be a mother. After six years of trying to conceive, she and her husband, Josh, have finally accepted that she will never be pregnant with a child of their own.

Yet once they give up hope, the couple gets the miracle they’ve been waiting for. For the first few months of her pregnancy, Claire and Josh are living on cloud nine. But when she begins to experience debilitating headaches, blurred vision, and even fainting spells, the soon-to-be mother goes to the doctor and receives a terrifying diagnosis. Since any treatment could put their unborn baby’s life at risk, the Turners must carefully weigh their limited options. And as her symptoms worsen, Claire will have to make an impossible decision: Save her own life, or save her child’s?

USA Today and New York Times bestselling author Steena Holmes brings us an unforgettable story of one woman’s courage and love.

My Comments:

Saving Abby is a compelling read that takes a look at the issue of a pregnancy that threatens the life of the mother.  Even more, it is the story of people.  Claire and Josh are an illustrator and author of a series of children's books about a young boy who has adventures.  The boy has become their baby since their efforts to have one have been unsuccessful.  Their best friends are Abby and Derek.  Abby is Claire's long-time best friend and doctor.  I liked the interaction between the couples and the way that they valued each other and their marriages, even when times got tough.  I loved Claire and Abby's friendship.  

I actually loved the whole book, except the ending.  Actually the ending made me feel cheated.  The whole question through the pregnancy was whether Claire's choice to continue it would mean sacrificing her life for her child's.  The way the ending was written, that question was never answered.  (once  you read the book you'll know what I mean--and I tried to write this to avoid a spoiler).

I also found the medical aspects of the book unbelieveable.  Abby is a small town family doctor who practices with the man who has been Claire's childhood physician.  They are in Canada, so maybe things are different there, but once Claire's problem is diagnosed, the older doctor tells her what he would do if she wasn't pregnant, and that they won't do anything because she is.  At least in the US, what would have happened is that she would have been shipped off to a specialist who would have developed the treatment plan, whether or not Claire chose to continue the pregnancy.

I'd like to thank the publisher for making a review copy available via NetGalley.  Grade:  B+.