Review: Believable story with a strong voice and MC
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 12 20, 2013
Prior to being picked up by Bloomsbury, this book was previously read and reviewed under the title Freshman Forty.Before I jump into a review of this amazing book, I have a confession. While I loved the plot synopsis, a part of me decided to read this book because two of my guiltiest guilty pleasures: 16 and Pregnant and Teen Mom. My sister got me into watching these shows and I just can't help myself. From the train wrecks to the moms who make it look easy . . .Freshman Forty dealt with Laurel from the moment she realized she was definitely pregnant to a month after she has given birth and I think that was the perfect time frame to focus on. It was an easy read but I was really engrossed in Laurel's story and she felt like somebody I could be friends with. Somebody I wanted to comfort during her worst times. Heck, even I was nervous when she would attempt to inform her father; more so when she finally did! When you can connect with a character on such a deep level, that really says a lot!She was such a likable character and I think Duval did an excellent job of making her such. Once finding out she is pregnant, Laurel has a tough decision about what to do: parent, adoption, or abortion. As a reader we see her struggle with these choices and her life situation doesn't make things easier. She's an only child, her mother passed away eight years ago, she and her father are anything but close, and the baby daddy is a summer-time friend.The poor girl is terrified! And who wouldn't be? Right away we're hit with this emotional tug at your heart strings. Her best friend goes to a completely different college and it's so early into her Freshman year that she really hasn't established any true friendships.Obviously, she decides to keep the baby. If she hadn't, there'd be no story, would there? After having decided to keep the baby, she is directed towards recommend doctors and eventually finds one with a low appointment fee, since she is paying out of pocket until she works up the courage to tell her father and use her insurance.Luckily for her, Dr. Adler is a Saint! He admits to knowing her mother in college and part of me wonders if it's why he does what he does for her. Additionally, he directs her toward a support group for young pregnant women. Here she meets Audrey, who quickly becomes a very close friend that Laurel comes to rely on.However, things fall pretty easily into place for Laurel. Not right away, mind you, but very easily and neatly into place. Of course, this is just the pregnancy part of the story and we have yet to see anything post-pregnancy, minus the little snippet at the end.Overall, Laurel has a very strong voice and character. I can see how she has trouble telling her father - I would too at 18 - especially with the bombshells he keeps dropping on her. She was very conflicted the whole novel, which makes the story believable. I like that she has a support system, from Audrey to Dr. Adler to her professor, Dr. Stoker, and even Mike whom she meets at Colman. These characters help her when she needs and, though she occasionally feels alone, she never really is.The ending was slightly cliffhangerish, but I liked it. What I like even more is that seeing as this is book one in a series, there will be a sequel and I will definitely be continuing with Laurel's story.