I never went to an antenatal group and it was a choice I made deliberately. I felt no fear at all when I thought about the day I would give birth. I was calm and I did not want to hear any horror stories. Maybe I was hiding my head in the sand, but it worked for me. I guess it also helped that I had a pregnancy I wish for everybody and I was somehow convinced giving birth would also be like a walk in the park. I had not prepared my case either because I had a tour planned in the hospital and they were going to provide me with a list of all the things I should bring. But... my son decided that enough was enough and came 3 weeks early. Conclusion: I had not packed anything yet and I certainly did not have time to start worrying. I was home alone, of course, when the contractions started and me, waiting for an ambulance to take me to the hospital, only gave me time to pick up my purse, a pen and a booklet with word puzzles.... :)

I do understand that people feel the need to go to this group and they can make friends for life there too. That's a choice everybody is free to make. 

Having a loving partner who has your back during and after the pregnancy is a joy, but when you cannot count on them and they only add to your problems, maybe sometimes it's better to do it alone and prevent the extra stress.

Getting pregnant is a big thing. You are responsible for a new human being and it brings worries but also a lot of joy and love. 

I enjoyed this story a lot. I liked the way pregnancy and babies brings people together and can be the foundation of a solid friendship even between people who would normally not bond at all. These women found a support group within a support gourp and they will be tied forever together through their little ones. 

Babies are wonderful little wizzards. They can fix wilting relationship between lovers and family and solidify them for ever. 5 stars

Thank you

Seven months pregnant, Mel is dumped by her partner and left stranded outside her first antenatal class. And so the expectant mother believes that she is about to face parenthood alone. Instead, Mel finds herself introduced to the world of pain relief and labour positions with a group of women who quickly become valuable friends in the terrifying new world of motherhood...

I really enjoyed reading the different perspectives. The Antenatal Group was a light quick read. The ending felt a little forced to me but I enjoyed the book overall.

Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for this book in exchange for my honest review.

A refreshingly real honest portrayal of what life can be life after giving birth and being a new parent. I enjoyed this book and think it woukd be very helpful to many woman who are sure it's just them who are feeling this. A great read

The Antenatal Group is a sweet quick read that any mother will quickly relate to. I enjoyed the different personalities, all though many had big issues that were treated with quick descriptions.

I found two instances of mistakes, where the mother was talking about the wrong child, which was distracting.

Overall, a nice read.

Than you to Net Galley for the ARC for an honest review.

I could so relate to the women in this story. All of them! At some point I must have felt every emotion these characters went through, apart from Mel.with her boyfriend and Erin. Erin's story was so sad it made me cry.

I think this novel should be compulsory reading for those people who believe their lives will go on exactly as they did before having a baby. IT WON'T and this book tells it how it is, piles and all.

A brilliant story which every mum will relate to.

In The Antenatal Group, Amy Bratley tells the story of a group of women brought together in last weeks of their pregnancies -- and that is the sole unifying link between them: they are all about to give birth. From free-spirited to uptight successful, the women are as different in ages, backgrounds, and expectations as they can be and yet, in Bratley's deft hands, each woman becomes as real as anyone you know. Their lives intertwine as they support and cheer one another on through the challenges, joys, and exhaustion of giving birth and taking care of an infant. I treasured the opportunity to spend time with this group in a gripping, life-affirming, and wonderfully written story. Thanks to the publisher, the writer, and NetGalley for making this delightful read possible in exchange for my unbiased review.

I really enjoyed the stories of these 5 women who meet in prenatal class. Great storyline. Couldn't put it down and read it in a day.

Many thanks to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for my ARC. All opinions are my own.

This was a nice quick easy read. Likeable characters but pretty predictable. Defiantly worth a read.

Five women who, at first glance seem to have little in common, form a supportive group whilst attending The Antenatal Group. Although they all come from different walks of life, with different lifestyles they are all due to become mothers around the same time.

I liked reading about their different worlds (although having two of the dads with names beginning with'l' confused me occasionally!) All in all it was a light enjoyable read, thanks to Netgalley & the publisher for letting me read & review this book.

I loved this book and would recommend it to anyone!
The book followed the stories of the members of an antenatal group but what stories ! The reader becomes very attached to all the characters and becomes invested in their journeys.
A easy read, thoroughly enjoyable!
Thank you to Netgalley, Bookoutre, and Amy Bratley for letting me read this book in exchange for an honest review

Despite the fact I do not have my own children, I felt that The Antenatel Group was a very relatable and inclusive read that was thoroughly enjoyable. I enjoyed the building of friendships between the women, though they all had different personalities and the fact they were having babies was the only thing they had in common, it didn't prevent the from creating a strong and supportive bond. I enjoyed the fact there were multiple storylines all threaded together, connected by this group. A well written story that is fun, realistic and engaging.

I really enjoyed this book. It starts at the entrance to an antenatal group, and takes you through a wonderful journey of first impressions, birth, newborn babies, friendships and self discovery. So much of this book resonated with me around the importance of the right friendships at the right time in your life, and I really liked the way the characters developed in line with these friendships. Great book!!

I really enjoyed this book. A great relatable story of four women thrown together at antenatal class. And the only thing they have in common is that they are having a baby. Great to read when you are expecting. A fun read

This was a fun light hearted book, just as chick lit should be. The characters held my interest, I definitely recommend this book.

Thank you Netgalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Author's best

I have read 3 Amy Miller/Bratley books this month, after reading several of her wartime romances. They were all good, but this one is great! I found the characters very compelling and it was obvious that the book was written a bit from experience. I learned a bit about having babies, while becoming very engaged with the various characters' stories. Highly highly recommended.

Thank you to the publisher and netgalley for the loan of a time-constrained e-arc. I am under no obligations and this review is my own opinion. Which is: read this book!

Reviewed on Amazon.com under both listings (listings for the 2 last names of the author); subject to amazon review posting policy

I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. Thank you NetGalley.

Sorry for the delay in my review, life has gotten in the way.

this was a light, easy read.. not my normal genre/story type.. but it held my interest easily. easy to relate to characters and storyline.

This was a fun and light read, which is what chick lit should be! The plot and characters were engaging, but it wasn't a heavy read and was perfect after a long day at work in a middle school!

I didn’t enjoy this book at all. The story or plot didn’t go anywhere and it was so predictable. There just didn’t seem to any time invested in making the characters likeable or in developing them.

This was an easy to read story with some very lovable characters. A group of women meet at an antenatal group. All very different from one another and all with difficulties in their lives.

The story of a group of women all attending the same antenatal glass. Some are in a relationship, others are single, but their pregnancies bring them together. A lovely story of friendship when you are pulled together based on circumstances.