Out On a Limb (Out #1) by Hannah Bonam-Young

“You can’t change anything by hiding it. You’ll just look back on memories and realise you tried to erase yourself. And how sad that would be.”

Boy did this book fit this prompt perfectly, Out On a Limb is cosy AF!!

So I’m going to start this off by mentioning the fact that I strongly dislike any and all pregnancy tropes! I picked this up without reading the synopsis, which doesn’t explicably say it’s a pregnancy trope but it is strongly implied. I found out it was PT after reading the ‘author’s note’, this would usually be where I’d tap out but the author’s note was kind of beautiful and intriguing and she promised that ‘this book is a lot more than a one-night stand turned baby’ and I think she pulled it off.

One of the things I really appreciated about this book was the lack of drama, don’t get me wrong, I do love me some drama in my romance, but this was a sweet story about two fairly well adjusted people falling in love, and when their demons did pop up they managed to work their way through it. There was of course still some miscommunication and yearning, but these things felt a lot lower stakes than is sometimes the case, and I think given that these two were about to have a child together, that was really important. One of the reasons I hate this trope is that the characters often behave atrociously, and that is not very reassuring in regards to their future with the added stressor of a new born. Out On a Limb did a great job of focusing on Win and Bo’s relationship development, while learning to accept their limitations due to their physical disabilities, all while preparing for parenthood.

The ‘author’s note’ by Hannah Bonam-Young also notes that, like Win, she was born with a limb difference, and wrote this book after having a child of her own. She is therefore perfectly placed to write a book about two people with different disabilities starting on the journey to parenthood, and even me, a childfree by choice person, appreciated that insight.

That brings me to Win’s friends, Sarah in particular. Sarah is a childfree by choice queen, she is also incredibly supportive, and is ready to take Win’s back at any time. Their friendship was even more beautiful than Win and Bo’s relationship development and that was really freakin’ cute! Sarah, like myself, was all ready to rock the shit out of being the cool aunt, a title I still carry after 18 years and a ball of nieces and nephews, and one I hope to continue to carry for years to come. I’m bringing two of my nieces to Paris next year, that’s bound to ensure I keep the title for a few more years with those two at least! 😀

So this was just a very feel good read, with two somewhat well adjusted parents to be figuring shit out. I wish more pregnancy tropes had characters like this. This was my first Hannah Bonam-Young but it won’t be my last.

“There’s no guarantee for any of us. We just have to do the best with the time we’ve got.”

Oh and a quick note, the bonus chapter ‘Bo and Win’s Wedding Day’ was adorable and legit made me cry!

Synopsis:

Winnifred “Win” McNulty has always been wildly independent. Not one to be coddled for her limb difference, Win has spent most of her life trying to prove that she can do it all on her own. And, with some minor adjustments, she’s done just fine. That is until she has a one-night stand with the incredibly charming Bo, a perfect stranger. And that one night changes everything. While Bo is surprisingly elated to step up to the plate, Win finds herself unsure of whether she can handle this new challenge on her own or if she’ll need a helping hand. Together, Win and Bo decide to get to know one another as friends and nothing more. But, as they both should know by now, life rarely goes according to plan.