This is one of those books that become part of your daily life while you read it. The characterisation is wonderfully diverse, the dialogue is so engaging. I thoroughly enjoyed and was completely absorbed in the lives of Lily and Rose as they went from drama to drama. I love when I learn something about how life was for women in the past and. I’m grateful that I was given the opportunity to read the book and write a review. My thanks to the author, to the publishers and to Netgalley for allowing me this chance. I wholeheartedly recommend it.

This story illustrates what life was like for women and girls in the 1960s in America, through the stories of four friends. Lily was one of the main characters and was happily married to a doctor. I liked the way that Lily realised that she wanted more from her life than keeping house and caring for her children and how she grew in confidence. The attitude towards unmarried mothers, how women were treated as second class citizens, needing a man’s approval for renting a flat or bank account, all crop up in the women’s stories. There maybe some trigger points for some people, especially concerning domestic violence, abortion and miscarriage. However, these are all parts of the story and looking at events from a different viewpoint. I did appreciate the last chapter set in 1986 where the reader was able to catch up on what happened to the families. This was a thought provoking read, seeing how far progression in some areas had come but perhaps not in all. I received a copy and have voluntarily reviewed it. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Brilliant and thought provoking. Sense of time and place exceptional. Characterisation excellent. Will be recommending to all.

A fabulous read - and an education into how things used to be!

Sixties America; the era where women get married, become homemakers, raise children and require their husbands permission for almost everything. Each Tuesday, a group of neighbours meet up to play cards and share things they can't - or won't - share with their spouses. Doctor's wife, Lily Berg, has a 'perfect' life and when she finds out she is pregnant with her second child she accepts advice from Becca and takes in a young pregnant teen from a nearby mother and baby home to help her; Becca, in turn, confides that her fourth pregnancy has come as a shock and that they really cannot afford another baby - she has enough on her hands with the three she has. Betsy, the pregnant teen, has never met anyone Jewish before and has had to agree never to contact her baby's adoptive parents ever again. These women's lives intertwine with confidences at a time when the world is beginning to change for them . . .

I loved this! It's a great reminder of how far women have come in the 'battle of the sexes' and yet, in 2025, we're having to fight for our position in the world yet again. This is a terrific story, written with understanding from so many points of view and I thoroughly enjoyed everything about it. A wonderful conclusion just added to my happiness. Most definitely a novel I'm more than happy to recommend and, as such, easily merits all five sparkling stars!

My thanks to the publisher for my copy via NetGalley.

This book expertly and thoughtfully shows the impact that becoming pregnant has on women in different stages of life, with different wants and values. It's so refreshing to see motherhood explored holistically and without any indication that one feeling/reaction is more 'right' than any other. All of the women in this ensemble book are strong, loving, kind and fierce, and don't necessarily fit into any stereotype of who will want to be a mother or who will be fulfilled by parenthood.
Although the book is set in 1965 and has brilliant period references (it all felt a lot like the vibe I got from the women in Mad Men!), it will totally resonate with women today and their friendship groups. The themes and characters could be picked up and dropped into the 80s, 90s or today, and it would still make sense. The characters' authenticity and interactions with each other and their families make them universal and make for an engrossing read that pulls you in.
I went through the full range of emotions whilst reading this - it made me angry to the point of screaming and plotting terrible paybacks for people, it made me laugh and made my heart hurt. Mostly, it made me want to spend time with my female friends and share how thankful we are that we have (in the most part) more choices than our sisters from the 60s. These girls paved the way for us though, and that's why I think this book is a celebration of the quiet strength we hold within us.

This is a well written and well researched book about a group of women in the 1960s which charters their stories of marriage, friendship, pregnancy, loss and abuse. There is real poignancy about the way women were treated if they got pregnant outside marriage and how men could have such control over their wives. The author does write with warmth and it is an accessible story. Absolutely thought provoking and engaging- to be recommended.

Set in suburban Ohio in the mid-1960s, this is the poignant story of a group of women who meet regularly to play canasta where they share the small details of their daily lives and gossip about what’s going on in their community. However, scratch beneath the surface and each of the women are facing their own problems which will have devastating consequences in a world which offers women little independence or freedom. Marriage and motherhood is seen as the pinnacle of success but as Lily, Rose, Becca, Sarah and fifteeen year old Betsy discover pregnancy comes with consequences and sometimes painful decisions need to be made.

Reproductive health is a thread which runs through the story binding each of the characters together in such a unique way and as each of their personal challenges are revealed so a common sisterhood is forged and strengthened. Each character resonated, their individual stories both heartbreaking and uplifting, each expressing an emotional commitment in a powerful story about strong women who did what they had to do regardless of the consequences.

Impeccably researched, In the Family Way is a story about women, for women and acts as a timely reminder of how far we have come in terms of being in control of our reproductive health and yet it also reiterates that marriage, pregnancy, abortion, domestic abuse, rape and divorce are as relevant today as they were then, and that women are just as vulnerable when choices are taken away from them, or even denied them. The story had such an emotional and powerful impact on me that the story lingers long after the last page is turned.

This book is set in the 1960s in the United States. It is about a group of young women who meet once a week to play canasta. Bit by bit their stories are revealed. They are all married and all but one of them are housewives as expected at that time.
The story centres around babies - women who conceive easily and women who don’t. Women who wonder if there could be more to life. Some don’t want babies. There are unmarried mothers who are treated so differently in the 1960s.
The most shocking bit for me is the abuse one woman received from her husband and how hard it was for her to have any rights. Illegal and dangerous abortions come into the story of these courageous women who change their lives as revealed in the second part of the book seen partly through the eyes of the daughter of one of these women.
At the end of the book, the author talks about the issues she has addressed. There is hope but some of these issues have not been totally resolved in the USA and in other parts of the world.
Very well written with empathetic characters. Recommended.

Wow. What a book. I absolutely loved it. My first time reading @laneykatzbecker and I wasn’t disappointed.
Set in 1960’s America, a beautifully written story about pregnancy, motherhood, family life and changing times.. It’s so captivating I was totally hooked from start to finish, I was pulled right into the story. I couldn’t put it down. It’s so powerful, poignant, atmospheric and full of history and heart.
I laughed. I cried. A rollercoaster of emotions throughout. Hard themes like teenage pregnancy, abortion, miscarriage, rape and domestic abuse are covered. The writing style is full of empathy and so intimate.
The short chapters alternate between different POV’s from Betzy, Lily and Rose making it easy to read and follow. I loved the characters which are well drawn, relatable and feel so real. You get to care about them. .The women are strong, brave, intelligent and fierce. I loved the friendships between them and how they supported each other.
I learned so much from reading this book and it will stay with me for a long time. I liked the authors notes at the end of the historical facts.
Highly recommend. It’s well worth the read. Definitely one of my favourite reads of 2025 so far. I look forward to reading more from this author.
With thanks to #NetGallery #HQ @hqstories for an arc of #InTheFamilyWay in exchange for a honest review.
Book publishes 3 June 2025.

This is a flashback to life in the USA in the 60s, where women are still beholden to their men folk. It includes references to pregnancy, domestic abuse but also the power of friendship.
I am (slightly) too young to fully remember the 60s, I'm also sure that the UK where I live was slightly less chauvinistic - but then again as a man I'm less exposed to its affect. It should be taken as a grim reminder that we should never go back to those days. The story shows what happened to young, unwed mothers to be, and also how people aren't always what they seem to be from the outside. Perhaps this should be compulsory reading for all as a reminder of those times, but is an enjoyable book in its own right.
I received an advance copy of this book from the publisher through Netgalley, however this did not influence my review of the book.

I really loved this book and feel it gave a real insight into life for women in the 60s. I loved the length of the chapters because it meant I could pick them up and read in between doing stuff! I was so glad Rose didn’t go back to Marty but reading the law from those times was crazy. I also enjoyed the story being told from different viewpoints - that’s not a great love of mine but I found it easy to remember who twas who in this case!! All in all a great read

Thanks to the Publisher and Netgalley for an early review copy.

I enjoyed reading this book.

When ladies were pregnant in America, in 1965 but not married, they were sent away so that others weren’t aware of them being pregnant.

For Betsy, it was lucky for her that a family invited her to stay with them to help with the housework and the couple were expecting their second child were able to help Betsy.

Her sister, Rose was there too and the pair had some lovely times together.

The story was an insight into what women faced years ago. It does cover topics such as abuse, rape, abortion and miscarriage.

I highly recommend this book.

A very thought provoking read about American women in the 1960’s and the the way pregnancy was viewed and sadly sometimes dealt with
Emotive and unshying of history and the fact women were often treated shockingly
There is all aspects of pregnancy covered inc abortion and it really made me stop and think and realise,hopefully,how far things had progressed
Female friendship and its importance is also a big theme

A group of women getting through life together during the times when they had little to no rights even on their own bodies. Lily takes in a pregnant teenager to help out until she's ready to give birth and it starts a change in both their lives.

Wow what a powerful and thought provoking book this was. There are a few triggers in this, miscarriage, abortion and domestic violence so be aware. They are handled in the way of the times this book is written about. Although fiction there is a lot of truth in this and its terrible to think what women went through in those times. The plot is well written and told through a mix of characters mostly Lily, Rose and Betsy. I enjoyed seeing their takes on different things. The ending was so brilliant and brought the story to a full circle almost, finishing any doubts and loose ends about the characters. A really though provoking read.

A lovely story of friendship and family in the most surprising circumstances. What goes on behind closed doors is often hidden from us all and it takes guts to admit things aren't as rosy as they seem.

An emotional and evocative foray into the lifestyle of American women in the 1960s. It demo the inequalities faced in their society and through the individual storylines covers a range of emotional topics and highlights the bonds found in female friendship

This brilliant book made me very glad I was not a young woman in the 1960s. A group of neighbours meet to play a regular game of cards, each with their own worries and problems. Their kindness to each other is very touching, and I liked the way the story jumped 20 years at the end. It should provide a lot for discussion at book clubs, and hopefully make some people think about the situation in some American states regarding women’s rights over their own bodies.

This was the first novel I’ve read by this author, and I really enjoyed it. It was an interesting and well written story that gave some interesting insights into the lives of pregnant women in 60’s America. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the advance reader copy.

This is a really well written book about the taboos surrounding pregnancy in the 1960s. Women were expected to leave their jobs as soon as they married and pregnancy should follow soon after. Those unfortunate to get pregnant outside marriage were often shipped off to unwed mother’s homes and then sent to act as helpers to local mothers.
The novel charts a group of women, all married and some with children as they deal with the narrow expectations of society. There is much happening behind closed doors that they are able to disclose to even their closest friends. When a very young pregnant girl comes to stay with one of the women, a chain of events is set in motion that will change them all.
This is a detailed and beautifully written novel about a time in the not so distant past when women had very different life expectations. Much food for thought and much to be grateful for.

Billed as "For fans of Lessons in Chemistry or The Help", "In The Family Way" is a moving and thoughtful look at motherhood, what it is to be a woman and what secrets lie behind closed doors.

Set in 1960s suburban America, we are introduced to a group of women who are carving out their path in life bound by the strictures of patriarchal society. They are all well realised and are brave, compassionate, foolish and flawed all at the same time.

Whilst the tone of the writing is generally light-hearted don't let it fool you, this story deals with difficult topics including domestic violence, sexual assault, underage pregnancy and abortion. It doesn't shy away from the facts and the reality of life for many women during this period so some readers may struggle during the middle third because of that (I know I certainly did). But, as I found, it is worth sticking through those sections as the final third is a wonderful wrap up for all of our characters.

This is a thought provoking, insightful and well written story that draws you in and doesn't let go and comes highly recommended.