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Enormous Wings
From the beloved New York Times bestselling author Laurie Frankel, an exuberant and timely new novel
At seventy-seven, Pepper Mills is too old to be a stranger in a strange land. She didn’t choose the Vista View Retirement Community of Austin, Texas—that would be her three grown children—but when she grudgingly moves in, she not only makes new friends, she falls in love. Then the exhaustion, vomiting, and confusion start. Her children and grandchildren worry it’s cancer, dementia, a stroke. But a raft of tests later, the news is even more shocking: she’s pregnant.
Once word gets out, everyone wants a piece of her: the press and the paparazzi, activists and medical researchers, all descending on Vista View as Pepper tries to determine her next move. Soon Pepper has some hard decisions to make—and some she’s not allowed to make.
Enormous Wings is an urgent novel about female agency and bodily autonomy, morality and mortality. It’s about what happens when you don’t get to choose. It’s about motherhood and family, sex and love and friendship, and how those bedrocks—even so late in the day—can still change, and then change everything.
At seventy-seven, Pepper Mills is too old to be a stranger in a strange land. She didn’t choose the Vista View Retirement Community of Austin, Texas—that would be her three grown children—but when she grudgingly moves in, she not only makes new friends, she falls in love. Then the exhaustion, vomiting, and confusion start. Her children and grandchildren worry it’s cancer, dementia, a stroke. But a raft of tests later, the news is even more shocking: she’s pregnant.
Once word gets out, everyone wants a piece of her: the press and the paparazzi, activists and medical researchers, all descending on Vista View as Pepper tries to determine her next move. Soon Pepper has some hard decisions to make—and some she’s not allowed to make.
Enormous Wings is an urgent novel about female agency and bodily autonomy, morality and mortality. It’s about what happens when you don’t get to choose. It’s about motherhood and family, sex and love and friendship, and how those bedrocks—even so late in the day—can still change, and then change everything.
304 pages, Hardcover
First published May 5, 2026
About the author
Laurie Frankel
22 books4,068 followersLaurie Frankel is the bestselling author of six (!) novels (she can't believe it either): ENORMOUS WINGS, coming 5/5/26, as well as FAMILY FAMILY, ONE TWO THREE, THIS IS HOW IT ALWAYS IS, GOODBYE FOR NOW, and THE ATLAS OF LOVE. She lives with her family on a very steep hill in Seattle, but she's an east coaster at heart. She is also a baseball fan, a soup maker, a theater lover, a yoga practicer, a comma expert, and a huge reader (just like you).
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,235 reviews
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
⭐️ 4 ⭐️ 77 YEARS OLD & PREGNANT, what's the first thing that comes to your mind?
The oldest I've seen a woman pregnant in my career was a 66 years old woman who naturally delivered twin boys, while the youngest was a case of rape at 13 years old. Two different females, two different stories... one that stemmed from deep love, desire and want of being a mother and multiple failed IVFs over 20 year span while the other an unfathomable case of unforseen molestation by an older boy at school. Do pregnancies happen at 77? Yes they do. Are they common? No they are not. Pregnancies in septuagenarians are extremely rare and only possible via IVF. They are an anomaly which is also accompanied by high medical risk. Such pregnancies require intensive monitoring through out the entire gestation as there are significant health risks for both the mother and the fetus. Aside from all the medical issues that can arise, being over 50 and pregnant comes with a preset ton of ethical issues, one of them being reproductive autonomy which is highly explored in Enormous Wings. Let's get into it!
Quick summary: Pepper Mills is our 77 year old who moves into a retirement community of Austin, Texas where she not only makes new friends but also finds love. That love comes with a surprise of her lifetime-she is pregnant! Yes, pregnant at 77 years old, you heard that right! The word gets out and now she's the talk of the town. The paparazzi, the activists, the researchers, the journalists, the whole world now wants to know when, why, how. They all want a piece of her & Pepper has no room to breathe. She's forced to confront difficult choices about bodily autonomy, motherhood and life in post Roe v Wade world. The kick? She's living in state of Texas where abortion is illegal at all stages of pregnancy, with very narrow exceptions. As the world debates her bodily choices, this novel asks big uncomfortable questions about reproductive rights, aging, 'geriatric' sexual activity, choices. Read this if you want to find out how it all ends--it's good, it's really freaking good.
Enormous Wings is a can of worms. I don't know how to appropriately format this review but my mind was (and still is) buzzing with so many thoughts after I finished it. Laurie Frankel took an ordinary family and created a very unconventional situation, mixed it with snarky commentary and sense of humor and gave it wings. Perhaps not 100% belivable but 100% will ruffle your feathers. It's an eye opener about current state of affairs, not just political but also about the unspoken things such as intercourse in your later stages of life. Sexuality in 70-90's is frequently overlooked, never addressed and often shrouded in societal taboos and misconceptions. Its an "ew, gross" topic for most people and I completely understand that one doesn't think about their grandma or grandpa getting it on, however--sexuality is still part of a healthy, fulfilling life and should be addressed and normalized instead of looked down on.
Pregnancy and abortion are always at each other's throats. Its such a broad topic that is always at the center of legal, ethical and social controversy. Who am I to say what one decides is wrong or right? Pepper Mills is a grown woman and she decided for herself her own outcome. Regardless of our laws, religions and political divisions, autonomy is the basic human right and should not be conditional.
This book would be perfect for book clubs and tackles several topics in such a moving, emotional way. It might be absurd but it highlights parts of our lives that are sometimes overlooked or overly displayed. It's rich with personality, funk and humor where appropriate. It's not judgmental or one-sided. It's imaginative and heartfelt and it's great for all ages.
Narator: Becky Ann Baker
Narration time: Roughly 9 hours 50 min.
Speed: 1.25x
Many thanks to NetGalley, Macmillan Audio and the author, Laurie Frankel for an early ALC.
Publication date: May 5, 2026
The oldest I've seen a woman pregnant in my career was a 66 years old woman who naturally delivered twin boys, while the youngest was a case of rape at 13 years old. Two different females, two different stories... one that stemmed from deep love, desire and want of being a mother and multiple failed IVFs over 20 year span while the other an unfathomable case of unforseen molestation by an older boy at school. Do pregnancies happen at 77? Yes they do. Are they common? No they are not. Pregnancies in septuagenarians are extremely rare and only possible via IVF. They are an anomaly which is also accompanied by high medical risk. Such pregnancies require intensive monitoring through out the entire gestation as there are significant health risks for both the mother and the fetus. Aside from all the medical issues that can arise, being over 50 and pregnant comes with a preset ton of ethical issues, one of them being reproductive autonomy which is highly explored in Enormous Wings. Let's get into it!
Quick summary: Pepper Mills is our 77 year old who moves into a retirement community of Austin, Texas where she not only makes new friends but also finds love. That love comes with a surprise of her lifetime-she is pregnant! Yes, pregnant at 77 years old, you heard that right! The word gets out and now she's the talk of the town. The paparazzi, the activists, the researchers, the journalists, the whole world now wants to know when, why, how. They all want a piece of her & Pepper has no room to breathe. She's forced to confront difficult choices about bodily autonomy, motherhood and life in post Roe v Wade world. The kick? She's living in state of Texas where abortion is illegal at all stages of pregnancy, with very narrow exceptions. As the world debates her bodily choices, this novel asks big uncomfortable questions about reproductive rights, aging, 'geriatric' sexual activity, choices. Read this if you want to find out how it all ends--it's good, it's really freaking good.
Enormous Wings is a can of worms. I don't know how to appropriately format this review but my mind was (and still is) buzzing with so many thoughts after I finished it. Laurie Frankel took an ordinary family and created a very unconventional situation, mixed it with snarky commentary and sense of humor and gave it wings. Perhaps not 100% belivable but 100% will ruffle your feathers. It's an eye opener about current state of affairs, not just political but also about the unspoken things such as intercourse in your later stages of life. Sexuality in 70-90's is frequently overlooked, never addressed and often shrouded in societal taboos and misconceptions. Its an "ew, gross" topic for most people and I completely understand that one doesn't think about their grandma or grandpa getting it on, however--sexuality is still part of a healthy, fulfilling life and should be addressed and normalized instead of looked down on.
Pregnancy and abortion are always at each other's throats. Its such a broad topic that is always at the center of legal, ethical and social controversy. Who am I to say what one decides is wrong or right? Pepper Mills is a grown woman and she decided for herself her own outcome. Regardless of our laws, religions and political divisions, autonomy is the basic human right and should not be conditional.
This book would be perfect for book clubs and tackles several topics in such a moving, emotional way. It might be absurd but it highlights parts of our lives that are sometimes overlooked or overly displayed. It's rich with personality, funk and humor where appropriate. It's not judgmental or one-sided. It's imaginative and heartfelt and it's great for all ages.
Narator: Becky Ann Baker
Narration time: Roughly 9 hours 50 min.
Speed: 1.25x
Many thanks to NetGalley, Macmillan Audio and the author, Laurie Frankel for an early ALC.
Publication date: May 5, 2026
May 30, 2026
“I find that book clubs are like garlic sauces: I like them, but they do not agree with me.”
This is Pepper talking, our narrator and protagonist. She is 77-years-old with a sharp sense of humor, a realistic view of the world, and a firmly established way of life. Until…
Pepper has an unfortunate fender bender, which leads her family to orchestrate the inevitable next chapter for her — moving her into the Vista View Retirement Community, a continuing care facility in Austin, Texas.
What initially feels like the unfortunate ending of life as she knows it slowly turns into something entirely different: wondrous, unexpected new beginnings. Though Pepper certainly doesn’t see it that way at first.
There is a lot for Pepper to reckon with. Giving up her 100-year-old house and the independence of her comfortable solitude feels like a loss she isn’t sure she can overcome.
Even if she is technically in the independent-living section, is this really how she imagined the final stretch of her life?
And then, life happens.
Moth, her charming next-door neighbor originally from England, steadily works his way into her orbit. Suddenly, Pepper’s solitude doesn’t feel quite so solitary anymore.
Including one intimate moment with Moth.
Leading to…Pepper feeling a bit off.
And this is where I went delightfully, hilariously nuts.
I kid you not, just days before discovering this book, I had the strangest dream. There I was, at my current stage of life (very post-menopause), trying to decide whether I would breastfeed or bottle-feed newborn twins I had somehow just given birth to. Never mind that I underwent an emergency hysterectomy at 36. Never mind that I am happily retired, married, and have grandchildren in their teens and twenties. When I woke up, I was completely flummoxed.
So, when this book arrived from my local library and I began reading, I suddenly found myself wondering how I could somehow relate to Pepper’s impossible dilemma.
Because surely, at 77, that couldn’t actually happen…could it?
As Pepper settles into new friendships, a different rhythm of life, and unexpected intimacy with Moth, she assumes these strange physical feelings must simply be age catching up with her. So, she goes in for tests.
Perhaps the results belong to someone else? That seems rational enough.
Except the tests keep returning with the same answer.
So now what?
In this delightfully unconventional septuagenarian rom-com — if we can even call it that — older people standing near what they assumed was the end of life suddenly find themselves facing an entirely different possibility. Thrust into an uncomfortable spotlight, they must wrestle with difficult decisions, public scrutiny, and the question of whether life can still surprise them with new purpose.
This story is humorous, heartfelt, sweet, and wonderfully human. But it is also willing to engage with larger, deeply personal issues — especially in a post-Roe world where women’s reproductive rights have dramatically shifted.
“Yes, to fighting when fighting is necessary. Yes, to helping those who need help and those you can help. Yes, to being brave. Yes, to telling your own…story. Yes, to …an unlikely, much-heralded, astonishing ineffable, miraculous life.”
Yes, to Bob. (No spoilers from me.)
Mostly, though, this is a lovely, page-turning adventure for those of us who sometimes wonder whether we are too old for reinvention, joy, intimacy, or unexpected change — and a reminder that life may still have surprises waiting for us yet.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5 stars
This is Pepper talking, our narrator and protagonist. She is 77-years-old with a sharp sense of humor, a realistic view of the world, and a firmly established way of life. Until…
Pepper has an unfortunate fender bender, which leads her family to orchestrate the inevitable next chapter for her — moving her into the Vista View Retirement Community, a continuing care facility in Austin, Texas.
What initially feels like the unfortunate ending of life as she knows it slowly turns into something entirely different: wondrous, unexpected new beginnings. Though Pepper certainly doesn’t see it that way at first.
There is a lot for Pepper to reckon with. Giving up her 100-year-old house and the independence of her comfortable solitude feels like a loss she isn’t sure she can overcome.
Even if she is technically in the independent-living section, is this really how she imagined the final stretch of her life?
And then, life happens.
Moth, her charming next-door neighbor originally from England, steadily works his way into her orbit. Suddenly, Pepper’s solitude doesn’t feel quite so solitary anymore.
Including one intimate moment with Moth.
Leading to…Pepper feeling a bit off.
And this is where I went delightfully, hilariously nuts.
I kid you not, just days before discovering this book, I had the strangest dream. There I was, at my current stage of life (very post-menopause), trying to decide whether I would breastfeed or bottle-feed newborn twins I had somehow just given birth to. Never mind that I underwent an emergency hysterectomy at 36. Never mind that I am happily retired, married, and have grandchildren in their teens and twenties. When I woke up, I was completely flummoxed.
So, when this book arrived from my local library and I began reading, I suddenly found myself wondering how I could somehow relate to Pepper’s impossible dilemma.
Because surely, at 77, that couldn’t actually happen…could it?
As Pepper settles into new friendships, a different rhythm of life, and unexpected intimacy with Moth, she assumes these strange physical feelings must simply be age catching up with her. So, she goes in for tests.
Perhaps the results belong to someone else? That seems rational enough.
Except the tests keep returning with the same answer.
So now what?
In this delightfully unconventional septuagenarian rom-com — if we can even call it that — older people standing near what they assumed was the end of life suddenly find themselves facing an entirely different possibility. Thrust into an uncomfortable spotlight, they must wrestle with difficult decisions, public scrutiny, and the question of whether life can still surprise them with new purpose.
This story is humorous, heartfelt, sweet, and wonderfully human. But it is also willing to engage with larger, deeply personal issues — especially in a post-Roe world where women’s reproductive rights have dramatically shifted.
“Yes, to fighting when fighting is necessary. Yes, to helping those who need help and those you can help. Yes, to being brave. Yes, to telling your own…story. Yes, to …an unlikely, much-heralded, astonishing ineffable, miraculous life.”
Yes, to Bob. (No spoilers from me.)
Mostly, though, this is a lovely, page-turning adventure for those of us who sometimes wonder whether we are too old for reinvention, joy, intimacy, or unexpected change — and a reminder that life may still have surprises waiting for us yet.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5 stars
May 26, 2026
New York Times bestselling author Laurie Frankel is known for writing intimate family dramas and threading them with urgent social questions.
Her new novel is no exception, blending wry humor, a tender late‑in-life romance, and a poignant critique of how restrictive laws strip agency from the most vulnerable — particularly those without the resources to navigate legal loopholes.
Enormous Wings begins with a minor fender bender and ends with a beloved grandmother fighting for the right to her own body in a world that's decided she’s too old to matter.
After a car accident costs her her license, 77‑year‑old Pepper Mills is forced into a retirement home in Austin, Texas, where she finds unexpected romance with her new neighbor.
Ah, welcome to Vista View Retirement Community, where “there’s no statute of limitations on sex.”
But when Pepper discovers she is pregnant, a medical miracle quickly becomes a legal nightmare.
Enormous Wings is a sharp, warm, and deeply moving blend of social commentary and domestic drama, asking what it means to choose your own life when the world insists on choosing for you.
Frankel’s wry, intelligent prose seamlessly shifts from laugh‑out‑loud observations about retirement home life to politically sharp critiques of state legislation without ever losing its warmth.
Readers who love fiercely smart, sardonic female narrators like Elizabeth Strout's Olive Kitteridge or Fredrik Backman's Britt-Marie will enjoy Pepper and her Vista View friends.
Likewise, book clubs looking for a novel that sparks passionate discussion about autonomy and family will have ample food for thought within these 300+ pages.
In fact, I'll leave you with a couple of questions to ponder...
• Is a “miracle” still a miracle when it endangers the person experiencing it?
• Does love mean protecting someone from danger or standing beside them as they face it?
Hmmm. 🤔
October 28, 2025
Thank you to Henry Holt & Co. and NetGalley for providing an advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. The book will be published on May 5th, 2025.
I wanted to like this book — Laurie Frankel is a fun and sharp writer and I loved Family, Family. She excels at writing families who are faced with every permutation of reproductive drama — unwanted pregnancies, adoptions, abortions, you name it — and who deal with them in an abundance of creative ways. This book’s discombobulating surprise? Pepper Mills — a 77-year old woman recently shunted to an old age home by her well-meaning but (in her opinion) overly controlling children — finds herself … pregnant! A bizarre situation by any standard but in this case, she also happens to live in Texas — home of some of the most “innovative” no-abortions-allowed legislation. (To be fair, we do get an explanation later in the book that does make this pregnancy more plausible than it first appears).
I loved the humor which is wry, supported by a fair amount of carefully launched sarcasm, and reminiscent of the Jewish family I always wished I lived in. I also loved the discussions, the ethical (and bizarre) questions, and every single one of the primary characters including a great set of “oldies” at the Home, and the myriad children and grandchildren who all add their personal (and multi-generational) slant to the events. I really loved the many one liners that had me laughing out loud — this woman can write! And how can you not love Pepper? Her thoughts, irritations, and love for each individual she connected with are coupled with her absolute insistence on good grammar! I’m not actually very good with grammar myself, but I really appreciate those who are.
My only complaint — and it was big enough to warrant my dropping the rating a point — is that the book was too long and spent much of that excess length on a long pro-choice / anti-Texan rant lecture. I am, and always have been, pro-choice, and I think the recent anti-abortion laws in Texas are wrong in so many ways — but I still resent the incredibly heavy handed depiction of people in Texas (including doctors) who are two dimensionally mean and manipulative with their only goal appearing to be keeping women under control. It’s a long-standing technique in the world of fiction to make the bad guys really, obviously, Bad. It makes it easier to hate them and side with the author’s idea of the “good” people. But in our era of extreme polarization and encouraged hate, I’m pretty sick of it. I’m sure I’m overreacting here, but it really spoiled the book for me. Too much pounding of the message, even though the message was well-established from the first pages and anyone who was reading this probably already in agreement.
So — fun to read if you can ignore the stereotyped baddies and skim a bit at the end…
I wanted to like this book — Laurie Frankel is a fun and sharp writer and I loved Family, Family. She excels at writing families who are faced with every permutation of reproductive drama — unwanted pregnancies, adoptions, abortions, you name it — and who deal with them in an abundance of creative ways. This book’s discombobulating surprise? Pepper Mills — a 77-year old woman recently shunted to an old age home by her well-meaning but (in her opinion) overly controlling children — finds herself … pregnant! A bizarre situation by any standard but in this case, she also happens to live in Texas — home of some of the most “innovative” no-abortions-allowed legislation. (To be fair, we do get an explanation later in the book that does make this pregnancy more plausible than it first appears).
I loved the humor which is wry, supported by a fair amount of carefully launched sarcasm, and reminiscent of the Jewish family I always wished I lived in. I also loved the discussions, the ethical (and bizarre) questions, and every single one of the primary characters including a great set of “oldies” at the Home, and the myriad children and grandchildren who all add their personal (and multi-generational) slant to the events. I really loved the many one liners that had me laughing out loud — this woman can write! And how can you not love Pepper? Her thoughts, irritations, and love for each individual she connected with are coupled with her absolute insistence on good grammar! I’m not actually very good with grammar myself, but I really appreciate those who are.
My only complaint — and it was big enough to warrant my dropping the rating a point — is that the book was too long and spent much of that excess length on a long pro-choice / anti-Texan rant lecture. I am, and always have been, pro-choice, and I think the recent anti-abortion laws in Texas are wrong in so many ways — but I still resent the incredibly heavy handed depiction of people in Texas (including doctors) who are two dimensionally mean and manipulative with their only goal appearing to be keeping women under control. It’s a long-standing technique in the world of fiction to make the bad guys really, obviously, Bad. It makes it easier to hate them and side with the author’s idea of the “good” people. But in our era of extreme polarization and encouraged hate, I’m pretty sick of it. I’m sure I’m overreacting here, but it really spoiled the book for me. Too much pounding of the message, even though the message was well-established from the first pages and anyone who was reading this probably already in agreement.
So — fun to read if you can ignore the stereotyped baddies and skim a bit at the end…
February 22, 2026
ADVANCE REVIEW COPY – RELEASE DATE: MAY 5, 2026
The unfortunately-named Pepper Mills, seventy-seven years old, has just been admitted to the sprawling Vista View nursing home in suburban Austin, Texas. There she meets Moth (a strange derivative of “Timothy”) a dashing Brit just next door. A car wash here, a sweet little dance there, and before you know it, they’re in love. One thing leads to another, which means they’re more “active” (ahem) then ever before. But then, the unthinkable occurs: Pepper, a mother three times over, a grandmother four times over…is pregnant. Cue the world losing its freaking mind.
Here’s your warning: if you have intractable views about abortion, you should stop reading. No one needs another comment war.
But if you’re truly open-minded, or at least accepting of life’s possibilities, you’ll find this story inspiring, hopeful, funny, and vastly intelligent. Never before has the topic of new life been explored with such exceptionally thought-out feelings and thoughts. It’s not angry, or preachy, and there’s no agenda that I could find. No, Frankel has just laid out what happens to the septuagenarian in a certain situation in a certain place with certain people around. Joining her on the journey was a pleasure.
Maybe it’s because Pepper is my kind of protagonist. She’s a retired English teacher who can’t help correcting people’s grammar (see my profile pic). The story’s told from her first-person perspective, and Frankel absolutely nailed her voice. She’s dry, witty, and extremely erudite. I thought I was snarky, but I just handed my crown to her. She peppered (yes, I used that word) her language with hilarious jokes or observations or puns, and more than once I laughed out loud.
And yet, you can see the depth of her love. Her kids pretty much forced her into that home, and her powers of snark won’t let her let them forget it. But her monologues are…uh, sprinkled?...with admirations and descriptions of their attributes. Her relationship with Lola, her troubled granddaughter, got me right in the heart: the love was unconditional.
Thus, it’s my opinion that the plot was developed by Pepper’s own development. The turning point is, of course, her pregnancy. And no one’s surprised by the maelstrom that follows: fame, infamy, zealots from both ends of the issue, agents and producers and pharmaceutical reps clamoring for something (which leads to profit). There are even arrests and violence (but not much). But how it’s digested, and how we see it, is exactly how I’d expect Pepper would experience it. She’s a cool character but stands up for her family and friends when it comes down to it.
Pepper also delivers a wonderful paragraph or two of her philosophy just as she’s dealing with the craziness. I’d imagine her having a gift for self-expression, and I wasn’t disappointed.
And here’s the thing: the thoughts she has are all related to the wonder of life, the power of love, the right everyone has to their own lives. She does it without judgment or politics or religion or self-righteousness, just the way I like it. I highlighted a few areas that I’d like to keep for myself. Those quotes, probably things Frankel believes (and expresses beautifully through her MC) are worth the price of the novel.
Superbly contemplative, deeply human, and subtly hilarious, Frankel’s new novel is a triumph for anyone who just wants to live, truly live.
Thank you to Henry Holt Publishers and NetGalley for a complimentary advance copy in exchange for an honest review. Enormous Wings will be released May 5, 2026.
The unfortunately-named Pepper Mills, seventy-seven years old, has just been admitted to the sprawling Vista View nursing home in suburban Austin, Texas. There she meets Moth (a strange derivative of “Timothy”) a dashing Brit just next door. A car wash here, a sweet little dance there, and before you know it, they’re in love. One thing leads to another, which means they’re more “active” (ahem) then ever before. But then, the unthinkable occurs: Pepper, a mother three times over, a grandmother four times over…is pregnant. Cue the world losing its freaking mind.
Here’s your warning: if you have intractable views about abortion, you should stop reading. No one needs another comment war.
But if you’re truly open-minded, or at least accepting of life’s possibilities, you’ll find this story inspiring, hopeful, funny, and vastly intelligent. Never before has the topic of new life been explored with such exceptionally thought-out feelings and thoughts. It’s not angry, or preachy, and there’s no agenda that I could find. No, Frankel has just laid out what happens to the septuagenarian in a certain situation in a certain place with certain people around. Joining her on the journey was a pleasure.
Maybe it’s because Pepper is my kind of protagonist. She’s a retired English teacher who can’t help correcting people’s grammar (see my profile pic). The story’s told from her first-person perspective, and Frankel absolutely nailed her voice. She’s dry, witty, and extremely erudite. I thought I was snarky, but I just handed my crown to her. She peppered (yes, I used that word) her language with hilarious jokes or observations or puns, and more than once I laughed out loud.
And yet, you can see the depth of her love. Her kids pretty much forced her into that home, and her powers of snark won’t let her let them forget it. But her monologues are…uh, sprinkled?...with admirations and descriptions of their attributes. Her relationship with Lola, her troubled granddaughter, got me right in the heart: the love was unconditional.
Thus, it’s my opinion that the plot was developed by Pepper’s own development. The turning point is, of course, her pregnancy. And no one’s surprised by the maelstrom that follows: fame, infamy, zealots from both ends of the issue, agents and producers and pharmaceutical reps clamoring for something (which leads to profit). There are even arrests and violence (but not much). But how it’s digested, and how we see it, is exactly how I’d expect Pepper would experience it. She’s a cool character but stands up for her family and friends when it comes down to it.
Pepper also delivers a wonderful paragraph or two of her philosophy just as she’s dealing with the craziness. I’d imagine her having a gift for self-expression, and I wasn’t disappointed.
And here’s the thing: the thoughts she has are all related to the wonder of life, the power of love, the right everyone has to their own lives. She does it without judgment or politics or religion or self-righteousness, just the way I like it. I highlighted a few areas that I’d like to keep for myself. Those quotes, probably things Frankel believes (and expresses beautifully through her MC) are worth the price of the novel.
Superbly contemplative, deeply human, and subtly hilarious, Frankel’s new novel is a triumph for anyone who just wants to live, truly live.
Thank you to Henry Holt Publishers and NetGalley for a complimentary advance copy in exchange for an honest review. Enormous Wings will be released May 5, 2026.
May 9, 2026
I picked this up expecting something quirky, strange and slightly magical: a 77-year-old woman discovering she’s pregnant. That premise feels like it could go in so many interesting directions: absurdist comedy, magical realism, reflections on aging and womanhood, even something dark and surreal.
Instead, the novel felt less like a story and more like an extended essay on abortion rights.
On finishing it I immediately went to the description of the book and realized I didn’t read it all the way to the end. If I had I would have read that it was an extended essay on abortion rights. So my bad.
I don’t object to fiction having political or social themes. Some of my favorite books do. But the best ones trust the reader enough to let those themes emerge naturally through character, atmosphere and plot. Here, the message was the whole point that the story became predictable very early on.
It feels like someone somewhere said “I bet you they would make a 77 year old carry a baby to term even if it was very dangerous to her health”. And then the book was written.
Then the writing was like one of those Netflix movies where every emotion, motivation and theme has to be narrated out loud because the writers assume the audience is half-paying attention while scrolling on their phones.
Nothing is allowed to breathe. Characters constantly explain themselves, the themes are announced instead of uncovered, and every emotion is labeled. The result is that there’s very little room for interpretation or surprise.
I wanted a novel. What I got was a very clear point of view wrapped in a novel-shaped package banging me over the head with explanations of laws and procedures in different states and exactly what people do about them.
This reminded me of Mad Honey. Totally unnecessary and completely condescending to think we need that much hand holding.
Instead, the novel felt less like a story and more like an extended essay on abortion rights.
On finishing it I immediately went to the description of the book and realized I didn’t read it all the way to the end. If I had I would have read that it was an extended essay on abortion rights. So my bad.
I don’t object to fiction having political or social themes. Some of my favorite books do. But the best ones trust the reader enough to let those themes emerge naturally through character, atmosphere and plot. Here, the message was the whole point that the story became predictable very early on.
It feels like someone somewhere said “I bet you they would make a 77 year old carry a baby to term even if it was very dangerous to her health”. And then the book was written.
Then the writing was like one of those Netflix movies where every emotion, motivation and theme has to be narrated out loud because the writers assume the audience is half-paying attention while scrolling on their phones.
Nothing is allowed to breathe. Characters constantly explain themselves, the themes are announced instead of uncovered, and every emotion is labeled. The result is that there’s very little room for interpretation or surprise.
I wanted a novel. What I got was a very clear point of view wrapped in a novel-shaped package banging me over the head with explanations of laws and procedures in different states and exactly what people do about them.
This reminded me of Mad Honey. Totally unnecessary and completely condescending to think we need that much hand holding.
August 15, 2025
The immensely talented Laurie Frankel has truly outdone herself with ENORMOUS WINGS! I cannot think of a better title for this deep, extraordinary novel - it is big and bold, thoughtful and wise. It is a powerful story of found family, female agency, growing old and staying young. Frankel’s cast of fierce, unforgettable characters and poignant observations on life and love broke my heart wide open, but kept me smiling to the last page.
January 27, 2026
I know Laurie Frankel is a great author because she makes me really like a kind of book I typically don’t really like.
I’m fairly allergic to anything even a bit sentimental, and her books are pretty, well… sweet, I guess! And ultimately full of faith in humans! — or at least, in many humans! And, they are often Issues Books in that they explore a topical area that can be largely summed up by one grand, capital-lettered noun, such as Adoption or the Environment — sort of like a contemporary adult litfic version of one of those Very Special Episodes they used to have on shows like Beverly Hills, 90210, if you’re old enough to remember. (This IS a book concerning aging, after all.) Frankel’s books are often about extended families dealing with said Capitalized Subject Matter in essentially realistic, if rather extreme ways. All of this could easily become maudlin and slushy — yet Frankel’s novels never get mawkish like that.
The thing about Frankel is, she’s really freaking funny. The dialogue in her novels, especially between friends and family members, is fully akin to Gilmore Girls, or a Nora Ephron screenplay. Likewise, her characters are delightful, and this book provides an opportunity to fully flaunt her special talent for creating both older and younger characters in particular. (Some people think her kids and teens are “too smart”; respectfully, I work with young people, and I think she gets them just right.) And Frankel really puts the “character” back in character: as mentioned, she has a knack for keeping things tethered and real while pushing limits in offering idiosyncratic characters who advertise the essential wonder of our uniqueness as humans. You’d need the highest-caliber cast of best character actors to portray the people in this novel. (I especially enjoyed being immersed in the believable perspective of protagonist Pepper, and was constantly trying to cast her Hollywood analogue in my head, but could never quite come up with the right fit. But, probably Meryl.)
Finally, the advantage of writing a novel about Birth and Aging is that it ends up being a pretty expansive consideration of Life and Death and all the Choices, Woes, and Joys in between, and it thus cannot be boiled down to one “afterschool special”-style big buzzword topic. Frankel successfully ferries us on a journey through this vast terrain with thoughtfulness, reflection, and her characteristic lightness and humor. Few authors can pull off something this Serious and Deep yet Quirky, Surprising, and Entertaining.
I recommend this strong next entry in the canon of an original, imaginative, and witty writer. Enormous Wings (a relevant allusion to the short story by Gabriel Garcia Marquez) is slated for publication on May 5, 2026. My thanks to the author, NetGalley, and Henry Holt & Company for the ARC!
I’m fairly allergic to anything even a bit sentimental, and her books are pretty, well… sweet, I guess! And ultimately full of faith in humans! — or at least, in many humans! And, they are often Issues Books in that they explore a topical area that can be largely summed up by one grand, capital-lettered noun, such as Adoption or the Environment — sort of like a contemporary adult litfic version of one of those Very Special Episodes they used to have on shows like Beverly Hills, 90210, if you’re old enough to remember. (This IS a book concerning aging, after all.) Frankel’s books are often about extended families dealing with said Capitalized Subject Matter in essentially realistic, if rather extreme ways. All of this could easily become maudlin and slushy — yet Frankel’s novels never get mawkish like that.
The thing about Frankel is, she’s really freaking funny. The dialogue in her novels, especially between friends and family members, is fully akin to Gilmore Girls, or a Nora Ephron screenplay. Likewise, her characters are delightful, and this book provides an opportunity to fully flaunt her special talent for creating both older and younger characters in particular. (Some people think her kids and teens are “too smart”; respectfully, I work with young people, and I think she gets them just right.) And Frankel really puts the “character” back in character: as mentioned, she has a knack for keeping things tethered and real while pushing limits in offering idiosyncratic characters who advertise the essential wonder of our uniqueness as humans. You’d need the highest-caliber cast of best character actors to portray the people in this novel. (I especially enjoyed being immersed in the believable perspective of protagonist Pepper, and was constantly trying to cast her Hollywood analogue in my head, but could never quite come up with the right fit. But, probably Meryl.)
Finally, the advantage of writing a novel about Birth and Aging is that it ends up being a pretty expansive consideration of Life and Death and all the Choices, Woes, and Joys in between, and it thus cannot be boiled down to one “afterschool special”-style big buzzword topic. Frankel successfully ferries us on a journey through this vast terrain with thoughtfulness, reflection, and her characteristic lightness and humor. Few authors can pull off something this Serious and Deep yet Quirky, Surprising, and Entertaining.
I recommend this strong next entry in the canon of an original, imaginative, and witty writer. Enormous Wings (a relevant allusion to the short story by Gabriel Garcia Marquez) is slated for publication on May 5, 2026. My thanks to the author, NetGalley, and Henry Holt & Company for the ARC!
May 14, 2026
What to expect when you're unexpectedly expecting at seventy-seven.
I'll admit it: I was almost put off by the premise of Enormous Wings. A seventy-seven-year-old woman discovering she's pregnant does sound, on paper, like the sort of idea that could go spectacularly wrong. Happily though, Laurie Frankel knows exactly what she's doing.
Yes, the novel offers a medical explanation for Pepper Mills's late-in-life pregnancy, but the pregnancy itself is not really the point. This is not some wink-wink oddity built around shock value. It is, instead, a sharp, humane, and unexpectedly moving story about bodily autonomy, aging, dignity, and what happens when the world decides it knows better than you do.
Pepper is the beating heart of the novel: witty, dry, stubborn, and gloriously unwilling to be managed. Recently relocated to a retirement community by her well-meaning adult children, she is already navigating the slow erosion of independence that can come with age. Her pregnancy simply turns that private struggle into a public spectacle. Suddenly everyone has an opinion, naturally, and very few of those opinions belong to the person actually living inside the body in question. Imagine that.
I also loved Pepper's circle of friends and the family she has built around herself. The novel understands that kinship is not always biological, and that companionship, loyalty, and chosen family can become even more vital later in life.
What Frankel does so well is balance warmth and humor with genuine fury. Enormous Wings is funny, often delightfully so, but it is also deeply engaged with larger and often infuriating realities - especially in a post-a href="https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roe_v._...Roe world where reproductive rights, medical authority, and personal agency remain battlegrounds. The questions Pepper faces may be heightened by unlikely circumstance, but the loss of control over one's own life is painfully familiar.
The audiobook, narrated by Becky Ann Baker, is a real treat. She captures Pepper's wit, warmth, and zest for life beautifully, giving her a voice that feels utterly authentic. Her performance adds even more charm and emotional texture to the story.
Overall, Enormous Wings is original, often funny, sometimes infuriating, incredibly timely, and far more grounded than its premise might suggest. A novel with heart, bite, and brains, it manages to be both entertaining and quietly radical.
Many thanks to Macmillan Audio for providing me with an ALC via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.
"Enormous Wings" was published on May 5, 2026, and is available now.
I'll admit it: I was almost put off by the premise of Enormous Wings. A seventy-seven-year-old woman discovering she's pregnant does sound, on paper, like the sort of idea that could go spectacularly wrong. Happily though, Laurie Frankel knows exactly what she's doing.
Yes, the novel offers a medical explanation for Pepper Mills's late-in-life pregnancy, but the pregnancy itself is not really the point. This is not some wink-wink oddity built around shock value. It is, instead, a sharp, humane, and unexpectedly moving story about bodily autonomy, aging, dignity, and what happens when the world decides it knows better than you do.
Pepper is the beating heart of the novel: witty, dry, stubborn, and gloriously unwilling to be managed. Recently relocated to a retirement community by her well-meaning adult children, she is already navigating the slow erosion of independence that can come with age. Her pregnancy simply turns that private struggle into a public spectacle. Suddenly everyone has an opinion, naturally, and very few of those opinions belong to the person actually living inside the body in question. Imagine that.
I also loved Pepper's circle of friends and the family she has built around herself. The novel understands that kinship is not always biological, and that companionship, loyalty, and chosen family can become even more vital later in life.
What Frankel does so well is balance warmth and humor with genuine fury. Enormous Wings is funny, often delightfully so, but it is also deeply engaged with larger and often infuriating realities - especially in a post-a href="https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roe_v._...Roe world where reproductive rights, medical authority, and personal agency remain battlegrounds. The questions Pepper faces may be heightened by unlikely circumstance, but the loss of control over one's own life is painfully familiar.
The audiobook, narrated by Becky Ann Baker, is a real treat. She captures Pepper's wit, warmth, and zest for life beautifully, giving her a voice that feels utterly authentic. Her performance adds even more charm and emotional texture to the story.
Overall, Enormous Wings is original, often funny, sometimes infuriating, incredibly timely, and far more grounded than its premise might suggest. A novel with heart, bite, and brains, it manages to be both entertaining and quietly radical.
Many thanks to Macmillan Audio for providing me with an ALC via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.
"Enormous Wings" was published on May 5, 2026, and is available now.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This may be one of the most surprising books I'll read all year, and I mean that in the best way possible.
Abortion or dangerous/unwanted pregnancies are very contentious topics to talk about, and I imagine that authors have to take so much time and care to do so effectively and delicately. Enormous Wings may be the book of our generation to approach this topic as I can't imagine there being a more clever and heartfelt book. Choosing a 77 year old, post menopausal, Jewish, and Texan woman who got pregnant because of a side effect from an experimental breast cancer treatment drug to spearhead women's rights? And nail every single point? Utterly genius.
I thought Enormous Wings was so poignant with the exploration of contradictions surrounding pregnancy, women's health, and abortion. We see Pepper become dehumanized, as both pro-life and pro-choice advocacy groups invade her privacy and space, attempting to exploit Pepper to further their own campaigns. We see the medical system fail to protect Pepper, as doctor's give her inappropriate advice to further their own agendas and beliefs. We see how Texan laws never prioritize Pepper's health and safety, as she navigates her options. We also see as Pepper contemplates her decision with grace, humor, empathy, and "enormous wings". I am a diehard Pepper Mills fan; she is my new hero in every way.
This book was also SO funny! I love Laurie Frankel's writing. I think humor is an underrated approach to difficult topics. The comedic timing is EXCELLENT!
Overall, an incredible read that I will be recommending to everyone I know. Thank you to Net Galley and the publisher for the eARC.
Check out more reviews on my Substack
Abortion or dangerous/unwanted pregnancies are very contentious topics to talk about, and I imagine that authors have to take so much time and care to do so effectively and delicately. Enormous Wings may be the book of our generation to approach this topic as I can't imagine there being a more clever and heartfelt book. Choosing a 77 year old, post menopausal, Jewish, and Texan woman who got pregnant because of a side effect from an experimental breast cancer treatment drug to spearhead women's rights? And nail every single point? Utterly genius.
I thought Enormous Wings was so poignant with the exploration of contradictions surrounding pregnancy, women's health, and abortion. We see Pepper become dehumanized, as both pro-life and pro-choice advocacy groups invade her privacy and space, attempting to exploit Pepper to further their own campaigns. We see the medical system fail to protect Pepper, as doctor's give her inappropriate advice to further their own agendas and beliefs. We see how Texan laws never prioritize Pepper's health and safety, as she navigates her options. We also see as Pepper contemplates her decision with grace, humor, empathy, and "enormous wings". I am a diehard Pepper Mills fan; she is my new hero in every way.
This book was also SO funny! I love Laurie Frankel's writing. I think humor is an underrated approach to difficult topics. The comedic timing is EXCELLENT!
Overall, an incredible read that I will be recommending to everyone I know. Thank you to Net Galley and the publisher for the eARC.
Check out more reviews on my Substack
June 12, 2026
."Old people are fine. Nothing but old people, however, is an unsettling consolidation.".
This line could easily describe my reading choices this year as this novel is the 4th or 5th with a septuagenarian narrator. And, maybe I’m just a little bit unsettled because I always thought of myself as more of a coming-of-age reader than an end-of-life reader. But, this is actually one of the ways Frankel’s novel works so well - it’s both and everything in between.
."It is meaningless and irrelevant and impossible to pinpoint or pin down where life starts or where life starts to end, life and death both being ouroborously indifferent to rhetoric or bombast or what any of us want to believe. ... Life means something different at its edges, all along the borders really.".
So the “everything in between” is very much about our rights to choose our own lives, our own freedom, our own healthcare, what we risk and what we choose. Basically, it’s about how we choose to live and die. These are deep questions and volatile issues that Frankel handles with humor and sensitivity and within a well told story filled with extremely engaging characters. (All of these things are hallmarks of the three novels of hers that I’ve read.)
And, like her other books, I am cruising through and loving every second until suddenly it gets very heavy handed with the author's message and I start to feel untrusted by the author at best and manipulated at worst.
Still, I really liked this book and I really love septuagenarian Pepper Mills.She’s a wise woman who knows, "That ‘might die’ is just another way of saying ‘still alive’."
April 12, 2026
This is a painful book to review. Laurie Frankel is one of my favorite authors and her books This is How it Always Is and One Two Three are two of the most beautiful books I’ve ever read. Enormous Wings certainly has its charms (a wonderfully witty main character in Pepper Mills) but it basically reads as “this is how Laurie Frankel feels about abortion.” I frankly DGAF how Laurie Frankel feels about abortion but I’m certain for all those that do she could have published a substack or written an op-Ed to inform them, a full length book was certainly not necessary. I also know that Laurie Frankel knows how to write an extremely heartrending, illuminating and beautiful book about a very polarizing social issue because she already did it with This Is How it Always Is. It just makes this book and its snarling cardboard villains even more disappointing. I think a more astute editor might have sent some notes but I guess once you get to a certain level in publishing that doesn’t happen anymore.
I listened to this book on audio and if anything was going to redeem this book it certainly would have been the wry and wonderful narration by Becky Ann Baker (the mom from Freaks and Geeks!) Alas, it didn’t really get there for me but it did make the listening experience a lot more pleasant.
Thank you to Netgalley, Henry Holt and Co. and Macmillan Audio for advanced electronic and listener’s copies of this book.
I listened to this book on audio and if anything was going to redeem this book it certainly would have been the wry and wonderful narration by Becky Ann Baker (the mom from Freaks and Geeks!) Alas, it didn’t really get there for me but it did make the listening experience a lot more pleasant.
Thank you to Netgalley, Henry Holt and Co. and Macmillan Audio for advanced electronic and listener’s copies of this book.
May 12, 2026
For me, this book wins the award for 2026's Biggest Waste of a Potentially Fantastic Plot.
As I read the synopsis ("An 80-year-old woman becomes pregnant") I was intrigued! This book had the potential to be absurdist, comedic, sci-fi, magical/mysterious realism, light horror, or even a thought experiment on modern religion, akin to "Agnes of God."
But no.
This book is one of those books derided as "chick-lit," and which must always Contain a Teaching Moment. In this case, it's abortion rights, and the utter destruction of them post-Dobbs. And to be clear, that's a damn good topic in this moment. But instead of an intelligent, thought-provoking story, this book is the literary equivalent of when parents "sneak" puréed vegetables into their kids' junk food, in an attempt to give them some nutrition. It's as if the author thought to herself, how can I dumb down the state of American abortion healthcare (or lack thereof) into a quirky, fun novel, for an audience that doesn't pay attention to politics?
The result is clichéd, boring, and a slog to read.
And again, all this despite this being a potentially FANTASTIC plot, it's been executed as a big pile o' chick-lit tropes:
1. White female protagonist with a quirky name (Pepper Mills, for god's sake)? Check!
2. Children surrounding protagonist with cardboard-cutout personalities (the workaholic! The slacker! The twins who say quirky things!)? Check!
3. Stereotypical Bad People (a Texas sheriff! an old white guy OBGYN!)? Check!
4. The underlying message that Babies are Perfection, and Love Is All That Matters? Check!
5. Tragic subplots that inject drama (cancer! teen pregnancy!)? Check!
This book is aimed at middle-aged white ladies, who will sip wine while discussing this book with their suburban book clubs, but cannot name 3 members of the US Supreme Court.
As I read the synopsis ("An 80-year-old woman becomes pregnant") I was intrigued! This book had the potential to be absurdist, comedic, sci-fi, magical/mysterious realism, light horror, or even a thought experiment on modern religion, akin to "Agnes of God."
But no.
This book is one of those books derided as "chick-lit," and which must always Contain a Teaching Moment. In this case, it's abortion rights, and the utter destruction of them post-Dobbs. And to be clear, that's a damn good topic in this moment. But instead of an intelligent, thought-provoking story, this book is the literary equivalent of when parents "sneak" puréed vegetables into their kids' junk food, in an attempt to give them some nutrition. It's as if the author thought to herself, how can I dumb down the state of American abortion healthcare (or lack thereof) into a quirky, fun novel, for an audience that doesn't pay attention to politics?
The result is clichéd, boring, and a slog to read.
And again, all this despite this being a potentially FANTASTIC plot, it's been executed as a big pile o' chick-lit tropes:
1. White female protagonist with a quirky name (Pepper Mills, for god's sake)? Check!
2. Children surrounding protagonist with cardboard-cutout personalities (the workaholic! The slacker! The twins who say quirky things!)? Check!
3. Stereotypical Bad People (a Texas sheriff! an old white guy OBGYN!)? Check!
4. The underlying message that Babies are Perfection, and Love Is All That Matters? Check!
5. Tragic subplots that inject drama (cancer! teen pregnancy!)? Check!
This book is aimed at middle-aged white ladies, who will sip wine while discussing this book with their suburban book clubs, but cannot name 3 members of the US Supreme Court.
March 5, 2026
I’ll be honest, I didn’t expect for this to hammer at my heart the way that it did. WHEW.
May 3, 2026
What a crazy story… with so many realistic themes thrown in with so many things that will just utterly fluster you… that you need to just shake your head once in a while to come back to reality!
Pepper Mills is a grown, elderly woman who lost her husband some time ago, and now lives on her own, independently.
She has three grown children who are each established in their own way, plus multiple grandchildren!
One day when she gets into an accident, well… her license gets cut up! 😳😮😳. (That one threw ME over the edge!)
and then, her kids just DECIDE FOR HER that it’s time to pack up and move into a nursing home/ retirement facility!
WHATTTT??????
So, she goes… but she’s NOT happy about it!
But, guess what? She makes friends and starts having fun! Maybe it’s not so bad after all!!
One night they have a Senior Prom.. (Ahem…)… and,she dances with Moth… an elderly British gentleman who lost his wife some years ago. One thing leads to another… and, you get the picture…
A month or so later she wonders if she’s dying! Nauseous. Dizzy. No appetite…
So, she goes to the doctor and guess what? The 70 something year old is pregnant!!!
So yes, put aside your presumptions and normalcy and all, and just go along with the story. It is so worth it!
To see how it all plays out… well, just astonishing!
She lives in Texas… which is a NO Abortion state. and just as they try to figure out and navigate the situation, well.. it all just goes OFF the rails!
This one made me smile on many occasions, and then also had me scratching my head saying what? Why?
But in the end… beautiful, brilliant, sweet and sassy!
#EnormousWings by @LauraFrankel and narrated beautifully by @BeckyAnnBaker.
4 enormous, sweet, beautiful, life-filled, emotional stars for me! 🌟🌟🌟🌟
*** This one has not been released yet, but please keep your eyes 👀 open for it on 5/3/26! ***
Thanks so much to #NetGalley and @MacmillanAudio for an ALC of the audiobook in exchange for an honest review.
You can also find my reviews on: Goodreads,
Instagram: @BookReviews_with_emsr and/or
My Facebook Book Club: Book Reviews With Elaine
Thanks so much for reading! And if you ‘liked’ my review, please share with your friends, & click ‘LIKE’ below… And, let me know YOUR thoughts if you read it!!
And as always, thanks for reading along with me! 📚⭐️📖🩷
Pepper Mills is a grown, elderly woman who lost her husband some time ago, and now lives on her own, independently.
She has three grown children who are each established in their own way, plus multiple grandchildren!
One day when she gets into an accident, well… her license gets cut up! 😳😮😳. (That one threw ME over the edge!)
and then, her kids just DECIDE FOR HER that it’s time to pack up and move into a nursing home/ retirement facility!
WHATTTT??????
So, she goes… but she’s NOT happy about it!
But, guess what? She makes friends and starts having fun! Maybe it’s not so bad after all!!
One night they have a Senior Prom.. (Ahem…)… and,she dances with Moth… an elderly British gentleman who lost his wife some years ago. One thing leads to another… and, you get the picture…
A month or so later she wonders if she’s dying! Nauseous. Dizzy. No appetite…
So, she goes to the doctor and guess what? The 70 something year old is pregnant!!!
So yes, put aside your presumptions and normalcy and all, and just go along with the story. It is so worth it!
To see how it all plays out… well, just astonishing!
She lives in Texas… which is a NO Abortion state. and just as they try to figure out and navigate the situation, well.. it all just goes OFF the rails!
This one made me smile on many occasions, and then also had me scratching my head saying what? Why?
But in the end… beautiful, brilliant, sweet and sassy!
#EnormousWings by @LauraFrankel and narrated beautifully by @BeckyAnnBaker.
4 enormous, sweet, beautiful, life-filled, emotional stars for me! 🌟🌟🌟🌟
*** This one has not been released yet, but please keep your eyes 👀 open for it on 5/3/26! ***
Thanks so much to #NetGalley and @MacmillanAudio for an ALC of the audiobook in exchange for an honest review.
You can also find my reviews on: Goodreads,
Instagram: @BookReviews_with_emsr and/or
My Facebook Book Club: Book Reviews With Elaine
Thanks so much for reading! And if you ‘liked’ my review, please share with your friends, & click ‘LIKE’ below… And, let me know YOUR thoughts if you read it!!
And as always, thanks for reading along with me! 📚⭐️📖🩷
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Laurie Frankel has a gift for telling stories about ordinary families being thrust into unconventional situations and facing the issues with grace. In her upcoming novel, Enormous Wings, we meet a Septigenarian who finds herself pregnant.
Enormous Wings takes a deep dive into ageism, mortality, family, and the unexpected places where love can be found. The story also covers reproductive rights. Enormous Wings takes is inside the life of a woman in an impossible situation who is living in the United States where bodily autonomy is no longer a human right but instead is dictated by the government.
With Laurie Frankel’s signature writing style, Enormous Wings is written with a ton of heart and wit. I adored all the characters but the main character Pepper was so beautifully written and her story will stay with me long after finishing. I also loved how the title of the book came from Gabriel García Márquez's short story, A Very Old Man with Enormous Wings.
This is my fourth read by Laurie Frankel and Enormous Wings solidified my love for her. Along with Enormous Wings, I also highly recommend checking out her prior works, This is How it Always is, Family Family, and One Two Three.
After finishing the book, I listened to the audiobook (yes I loved it that much) which is narrated by Becky Ann Baker who did a fantastic job bringing this story to life. If you decide to pick this one up, I highly recommend the audiobook!
Enormous Wings by Laurie Frankel will be available on May 5. Many thanks to Macmillan Audio for the gifted audiobook and Henry Holt Books for the gifted copy!
Enormous Wings takes a deep dive into ageism, mortality, family, and the unexpected places where love can be found. The story also covers reproductive rights. Enormous Wings takes is inside the life of a woman in an impossible situation who is living in the United States where bodily autonomy is no longer a human right but instead is dictated by the government.
With Laurie Frankel’s signature writing style, Enormous Wings is written with a ton of heart and wit. I adored all the characters but the main character Pepper was so beautifully written and her story will stay with me long after finishing. I also loved how the title of the book came from Gabriel García Márquez's short story, A Very Old Man with Enormous Wings.
This is my fourth read by Laurie Frankel and Enormous Wings solidified my love for her. Along with Enormous Wings, I also highly recommend checking out her prior works, This is How it Always is, Family Family, and One Two Three.
After finishing the book, I listened to the audiobook (yes I loved it that much) which is narrated by Becky Ann Baker who did a fantastic job bringing this story to life. If you decide to pick this one up, I highly recommend the audiobook!
Enormous Wings by Laurie Frankel will be available on May 5. Many thanks to Macmillan Audio for the gifted audiobook and Henry Holt Books for the gifted copy!
February 28, 2026
Loved this. My suggestion: go into this one blind. Don’t read the blurb or too many reviews. I didn’t know anything about it except the author (Laurie Frankel!) and I just love how the plot unfolded for me without knowing where it was going.
Thanks to NetGalley for an opportunity to read this advance reader copy in exchange for an honest review.
Thanks to NetGalley for an opportunity to read this advance reader copy in exchange for an honest review.
May 20, 2026
It was such a pleasure to discover author Laurie Frankel when I read This Is How It Always Is. One of my all-time favourite novels.
Her storytelling is unique, gutsy, down to earth and captivating. In Enormous Wings she tells the story of 77 yr old Pepper Mills (love the name). After a minor incident Pepper's three children decide it is time for her to join the Vista View Retirement Community. She begrudgingly does so and once moved in she makes new friends and falls in love.
Upon feeling unwell Pepper fears the worst and feels her life might be coming to an end until it is discovered that she is pregnant.
As word gets out she quickly becomes famous and everyone wants a piece of her. Yet Pepper has some very difficult decisions to make.
A story of motherhood and family, bodily autonomy, women's rights, morality and so much more.
A one of a kind novel!
Superb narration by Becky Ann Baker.
Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for an advanced copy of this audiobook in exchange for my honest review.
Her storytelling is unique, gutsy, down to earth and captivating. In Enormous Wings she tells the story of 77 yr old Pepper Mills (love the name). After a minor incident Pepper's three children decide it is time for her to join the Vista View Retirement Community. She begrudgingly does so and once moved in she makes new friends and falls in love.
Upon feeling unwell Pepper fears the worst and feels her life might be coming to an end until it is discovered that she is pregnant.
As word gets out she quickly becomes famous and everyone wants a piece of her. Yet Pepper has some very difficult decisions to make.
A story of motherhood and family, bodily autonomy, women's rights, morality and so much more.
A one of a kind novel!
Superb narration by Becky Ann Baker.
Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for an advanced copy of this audiobook in exchange for my honest review.
May 15, 2026
Pepper was a great protagonist as she was easy to like, witty and full of insights on how independent elderly adults are treated by their children and the community at large.
In fact, I enjoyed all the characters of the Vista View Retirement Community.
The story’s big hook is that Pepper ends up pregnant at age of 77, and how all hell breaks loose when word gets to the media.
Although I found the writing easy and entertaining this is not something I will remember for very long but there is enough depth in the subject matter for it to appeal to a wide audience.
This is a character driven novel full of themes such as bodily autonomy, motherhood, family dynamics, medical ethics and little bit of hopeful absurdity.
In fact, I enjoyed all the characters of the Vista View Retirement Community.
The story’s big hook is that Pepper ends up pregnant at age of 77, and how all hell breaks loose when word gets to the media.
Although I found the writing easy and entertaining this is not something I will remember for very long but there is enough depth in the subject matter for it to appeal to a wide audience.
This is a character driven novel full of themes such as bodily autonomy, motherhood, family dynamics, medical ethics and little bit of hopeful absurdity.
April 24, 2026
Ewww, why are we throwing icky stressful politics in my escapist literature??!?
May 30, 2026
I have had the privilege of reading several books by author, Laurie Frankel, and have enjoyed each one for different reasons. Family, Family still remains my favorite. Enormous Wings touched me in a way that no other of Laurie Frankel’s books had, though. Perhaps it was because I am of a similar age to the main character, Pepper Mills, in this book. Although my circumstances are not anything like that of Pepper, I was able to relate with her character and the challenges she was faced with. Enormous Wings took place at the Vista View Retirement Community located in Austin, Texas. Living there was not Pepper’s choice but that of her three children after Pepper was involved in fender bender accident with a local priest. As one grows older, one’s children seem to know what is best for their parents and are not shy in expressing it or acting upon their instincts. That was how Pepper found herself living at the retirement home even if it was not her choice. Enormous Wings explored the themes of relationships both male and female, friendships, death, pregnancy, abortion and family dynamics. I found the theme of abortion so pertinent to the times we are living through today. There were parts that were funny, touching and even sad. I really came to admire and respect Pepper and how she emerged throughout the book. The audiobook was well narrated by Becky Ann Baker. I recommend this book if you enjoy women’s fiction.
Thank you to Macmillan Audio for allowing me to listen to the audiobook of Enormous Wings by Laurie Frankel through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Thank you to Macmillan Audio for allowing me to listen to the audiobook of Enormous Wings by Laurie Frankel through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
May 5, 2026
This is my first book by Laurie Frankel but I am excited to read more. I really appreciated the author's style and wit and how much story she was able to squeeze into a relatively short book.
I think this one will be controversial because the subject of a woman's right to bodily autonomy is such a hot button issue. Still, I think the less you know going in, the more impact this story will have.
(knowing that...read on for my thoughts that have no spoilers you won't find in the blurb)
I absolutely loved the FMC - the unfortunately named Pepper Mills - and her witty, thoughtful commentary on everything from marriage, divorce, aging and parenting to literature and the curious evolution of emojis as language. She will correct your grammar on the fly and without apology. She has a deep and abiding love of Shakespeare, her family and the new friends she has made at the Vista View Retirement Community. Although Pepper didn't feel it was quite necessary for her to be in assisted living, she agreed to it in order to make her children's lives easier and prevent them from worrying about her. (Love the commentary on how we mothers never stop mothering!) Pepper makes friends with several of the residents and they form their own tribe in this new phase of life where they all acknowledge that they are making peace with facing their mortality. When Pepper falls ill, her family fears a recurrence of her breast cancer. When tests determine the 77-year-old Pepper is pregnant, she and her new boyfriend are faced with unwelcome publicity and interference into their lives. Pepper tries to determine how she will proceed with next steps but soon realizes that many choices are not hers to make.
Obviously, this is a book that focuses a lot on the abortion debate, a woman's right to choose, bodily autonomy and the politics surrounding all of it. I think Frankel does a good job of trying to approach it from all angles but there is never any doubt where Pepper stands, even when she is working through the shock of life-changing news. The first third of the book was infused with a lot of humor and highlighted how people of advanced age are still just people. This book is as much about aging as it is about the right to choose. I was touched to hear how the characters were impacted by each small loss of independence and how they dealt with becoming invisible to the world.
Somewhere in the middle, the book meandered a bit for me and I felt like it got away from the wit and humor. This is understandable given the decisions that Pepper had to face. I think it is challenging for any book that deals with contentious topics - particularly anything involving politics or religion - to avoid treading into being heavy-handed or preachy. I understand why it was necessary and I don't disagree but I sort of missed Pepper's levity and wit. It does have a way of coming full circle by the end but it is what hold me back from a higher rating.
I had so many people tell me to do this one on audio and I agree that narrator Becky Ann Baker does a fabulous job of bring Pepper to life. Magical realism is a tricky thing for me - I get so caught up in the realness of the story that it catches me when I have to work to suspend disbelief. If you are interested in thoughtful examinations of aging, motherhood and the moral and ethical ramifications of the abortion debate, I think this one is well worth a read. I am very interested to try some other books from this author. 4 stars
I think this one will be controversial because the subject of a woman's right to bodily autonomy is such a hot button issue. Still, I think the less you know going in, the more impact this story will have.
(knowing that...read on for my thoughts that have no spoilers you won't find in the blurb)
I absolutely loved the FMC - the unfortunately named Pepper Mills - and her witty, thoughtful commentary on everything from marriage, divorce, aging and parenting to literature and the curious evolution of emojis as language. She will correct your grammar on the fly and without apology. She has a deep and abiding love of Shakespeare, her family and the new friends she has made at the Vista View Retirement Community. Although Pepper didn't feel it was quite necessary for her to be in assisted living, she agreed to it in order to make her children's lives easier and prevent them from worrying about her. (Love the commentary on how we mothers never stop mothering!) Pepper makes friends with several of the residents and they form their own tribe in this new phase of life where they all acknowledge that they are making peace with facing their mortality. When Pepper falls ill, her family fears a recurrence of her breast cancer. When tests determine the 77-year-old Pepper is pregnant, she and her new boyfriend are faced with unwelcome publicity and interference into their lives. Pepper tries to determine how she will proceed with next steps but soon realizes that many choices are not hers to make.
Obviously, this is a book that focuses a lot on the abortion debate, a woman's right to choose, bodily autonomy and the politics surrounding all of it. I think Frankel does a good job of trying to approach it from all angles but there is never any doubt where Pepper stands, even when she is working through the shock of life-changing news. The first third of the book was infused with a lot of humor and highlighted how people of advanced age are still just people. This book is as much about aging as it is about the right to choose. I was touched to hear how the characters were impacted by each small loss of independence and how they dealt with becoming invisible to the world.
Somewhere in the middle, the book meandered a bit for me and I felt like it got away from the wit and humor. This is understandable given the decisions that Pepper had to face. I think it is challenging for any book that deals with contentious topics - particularly anything involving politics or religion - to avoid treading into being heavy-handed or preachy. I understand why it was necessary and I don't disagree but I sort of missed Pepper's levity and wit. It does have a way of coming full circle by the end but it is what hold me back from a higher rating.
I had so many people tell me to do this one on audio and I agree that narrator Becky Ann Baker does a fabulous job of bring Pepper to life. Magical realism is a tricky thing for me - I get so caught up in the realness of the story that it catches me when I have to work to suspend disbelief. If you are interested in thoughtful examinations of aging, motherhood and the moral and ethical ramifications of the abortion debate, I think this one is well worth a read. I am very interested to try some other books from this author. 4 stars
May 9, 2026
3.25 stars
Talk about a book with a hook! What a great concept for a novel. You've definitely gotta be willing to suspend disbelief a good bit though.
It's so funny because the entire book so many folks around our main character, Pepper, is telling her the pregnancy is a miracle and meanwhile I was thinking that getting pregnant at 77 would be a literal nightmare. Let’s be so for real here!
Those who know me know I feel strongly about a woman's right to choose. I think this story brings up excellent points about female autonomy or, in many places, the lack thereof. We also get some good discussion on the loss of independence and visibility of the elderly.
I felt this story had a great concept but it was too heavy handed for me a lot of times and came off preachy. I think the points could have been made just as effectively with more subtlety. There were also a lot of
miscommunications (especially with text and emojis) that were meant to convey humor that felt overdone to me.
I would have liked more interiority regarding Pepper's decision to continue the pregnancy because it seemed she made a 180 rather quickly and I didn't fully buy into the reasons given.
The story held my interest for the most part and the subject of bodily autonomy is very relevant but I do prefer the first book I read by this author, This Is How It Always Is. I loved that one!
Talk about a book with a hook! What a great concept for a novel. You've definitely gotta be willing to suspend disbelief a good bit though.
It's so funny because the entire book so many folks around our main character, Pepper, is telling her the pregnancy is a miracle and meanwhile I was thinking that getting pregnant at 77 would be a literal nightmare. Let’s be so for real here!
Those who know me know I feel strongly about a woman's right to choose. I think this story brings up excellent points about female autonomy or, in many places, the lack thereof. We also get some good discussion on the loss of independence and visibility of the elderly.
I felt this story had a great concept but it was too heavy handed for me a lot of times and came off preachy. I think the points could have been made just as effectively with more subtlety. There were also a lot of
miscommunications (especially with text and emojis) that were meant to convey humor that felt overdone to me.
I would have liked more interiority regarding Pepper's decision to continue the pregnancy because it seemed she made a 180 rather quickly and I didn't fully buy into the reasons given.
The story held my interest for the most part and the subject of bodily autonomy is very relevant but I do prefer the first book I read by this author, This Is How It Always Is. I loved that one!
March 29, 2026
ENORMOUS WINGS
By Laurie Frankel
Narrated by Becky Ann Baker
Who Gets to Decide?
3.5 stars rounded up
Take a quirky, and slightly surreal premise, add a good dose of emotional depth and thought-provoking themes, and sprinkle in some sharp humor—you get Enormous Wings.
We meet Pepper Mills, a seventy-seven-year-old who’s just moved into a retirement community in Texas—against her better judgment. Then she falls in love with Moth, and becomes pregnant…crazy, right? You can imagine what happens when her children, grandchildren, doctors, and even the press get ahold of the news. Suddenly, Pepper has a lot of decisions to make—and not all of them are entirely up to her.
Laurie Frankel’s writing is so engaging. She pulls you in right from the start, and even when tackling heavier topics, she does it in a way that feels approachable and easy to connect with. I really appreciated how real and imperfect the characters felt—no one is all right or all wrong, which made the story feel more grounded.
What stood out most to me was that constant push and pull between personal freedom, family pressure, and outside judgment. It gives you a lot to think about.
The audiobook, expertly narrated by Becky Ann Baker, was an excellent companion to the book and really added to the overall experience. She nailed the tone and voices.
If you enjoy character-driven stories with a touch of the unexpected and don’t mind suspending disbelief, this one delivers with themes of family, autonomy, and choice.
Thank you to NetGalley and Henry Holt & Company for the eARC, and to Macmillan Audio for the ALC.
Publishing May 5, 2026
By Laurie Frankel
Narrated by Becky Ann Baker
Who Gets to Decide?
3.5 stars rounded up
Take a quirky, and slightly surreal premise, add a good dose of emotional depth and thought-provoking themes, and sprinkle in some sharp humor—you get Enormous Wings.
We meet Pepper Mills, a seventy-seven-year-old who’s just moved into a retirement community in Texas—against her better judgment. Then she falls in love with Moth, and becomes pregnant…crazy, right? You can imagine what happens when her children, grandchildren, doctors, and even the press get ahold of the news. Suddenly, Pepper has a lot of decisions to make—and not all of them are entirely up to her.
Laurie Frankel’s writing is so engaging. She pulls you in right from the start, and even when tackling heavier topics, she does it in a way that feels approachable and easy to connect with. I really appreciated how real and imperfect the characters felt—no one is all right or all wrong, which made the story feel more grounded.
What stood out most to me was that constant push and pull between personal freedom, family pressure, and outside judgment. It gives you a lot to think about.
The audiobook, expertly narrated by Becky Ann Baker, was an excellent companion to the book and really added to the overall experience. She nailed the tone and voices.
If you enjoy character-driven stories with a touch of the unexpected and don’t mind suspending disbelief, this one delivers with themes of family, autonomy, and choice.
Thank you to NetGalley and Henry Holt & Company for the eARC, and to Macmillan Audio for the ALC.
Publishing May 5, 2026
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Waffling between a 4 and a 5 on this one - I started it and set it down for a long time, for various reasons. But I’m so glad I picked it back up. I should’ve know no one could handle this topic better than Laurie Frankl. ♥️ my thanks to the publisher for a chance to read and review an early copy!
Read
October 7, 2025What a triumph of a novel--wry, intelligent, and wholly original.
May 28, 2026
Ive been looking forward to this one, because I’ve loved all of Laurie Frankel’s books. I’ve found them all to have a lot of heart and humor, while addressing different societal issues.
Pepper Mills is seventy-seven, and ages recently moved into a retirement community… not by choice, but after a small fender bender, her kids were insistent that it was time to make some changes. She has stopped driving, and she’s sold her large beautiful home. It’s smaller, she’s had to get rid of a lot of possessions, and she’s not impressed with the meals in the dining room. On top of that, her ex-husband lives in the same community.
She starts to make some feisty friends, and surprisingly to her, she falls in love with the English gentleman who lives across the hall. His name is Timothy, but he goes by Moth 😂.
She starts feeling tired and decides old age is catching up with her. She’s been feeling nauseous but it must be from the terrible food. Her family and Moth insists she see a doctor and have some tests run. As you’d imagine, everyone is in shock to discover she is pregnant! Once it sinks in, it seems obvious that an abortion is the best thing to do… but she lives in Texas. Texas has a complete abortion ban, unless there is a life threatening medical emergency. She is overwhelmed to discover she has no rights to make a decision about her body and health.
So yes, we’re faced with an important and controversial topic. But the author provides so much humor between these characters, as well as the irony of a woman in a retirement community facing having a baby. We touch on family, motherhood, friendship, romantic love, and agism. This is likely my favorite book by this author.💖
Pepper Mills is seventy-seven, and ages recently moved into a retirement community… not by choice, but after a small fender bender, her kids were insistent that it was time to make some changes. She has stopped driving, and she’s sold her large beautiful home. It’s smaller, she’s had to get rid of a lot of possessions, and she’s not impressed with the meals in the dining room. On top of that, her ex-husband lives in the same community.
She starts to make some feisty friends, and surprisingly to her, she falls in love with the English gentleman who lives across the hall. His name is Timothy, but he goes by Moth 😂.
She starts feeling tired and decides old age is catching up with her. She’s been feeling nauseous but it must be from the terrible food. Her family and Moth insists she see a doctor and have some tests run. As you’d imagine, everyone is in shock to discover she is pregnant! Once it sinks in, it seems obvious that an abortion is the best thing to do… but she lives in Texas. Texas has a complete abortion ban, unless there is a life threatening medical emergency. She is overwhelmed to discover she has no rights to make a decision about her body and health.
So yes, we’re faced with an important and controversial topic. But the author provides so much humor between these characters, as well as the irony of a woman in a retirement community facing having a baby. We touch on family, motherhood, friendship, romantic love, and agism. This is likely my favorite book by this author.💖
May 11, 2026
This was a weird one for me because I was invested enough to keep listening but also annoyed almost the entire time 😅
I went into this blind only knowing it involved a woman in her 70s. What I did not expect was a 77 year old pregnancy storyline. I understand what the author was trying to do with the conversations around bodily autonomy, reproductive rights, aging, public opinion, etc. But 77 was just too much for me. I kept thinking this same exact story could have worked with a woman in her late 50s early 60s and still made all the same points without making me constantly question how any of this was even happening.
I know the author meant this to be contemporary fiction, but the premise was so extreme to me that it started feeling more like speculative fiction or satire at times
I read to escape real life and this book became VERY focused on political/social commentary. No matter what side someone is on, it started feeling less like a story and more like the author trying to push views whenever a situation arose.
Honestly the main reason I kept listening was because I paid for the book and was so confused and irritated by the idea of a woman pushing 80 being pregnant that I needed to know how it ended 😅
That said, the narrator was great and there were parts I enjoyed. I can absolutely see what the author was trying to do here. I just think the premise was too over the top for me to fully buy into.
I honestly did not know how to rate this book. I kept going back and forth while listening to it trying to decide.
I’m very familiar with complex medical situations after being told I'm a medical anomaly by multiple drs throughout my life. I also understand why the author went where she did with this. But even with the explanation given later on, the science still just did not add up for me personally. Prior to becoming disabled I worked as an RN so I get things can happen. Pepper Mills age just made it really hard for me to get fully invested in this book which is why I had to rate this a one star.
I went into this blind only knowing it involved a woman in her 70s. What I did not expect was a 77 year old pregnancy storyline. I understand what the author was trying to do with the conversations around bodily autonomy, reproductive rights, aging, public opinion, etc. But 77 was just too much for me. I kept thinking this same exact story could have worked with a woman in her late 50s early 60s and still made all the same points without making me constantly question how any of this was even happening.
I know the author meant this to be contemporary fiction, but the premise was so extreme to me that it started feeling more like speculative fiction or satire at times
I read to escape real life and this book became VERY focused on political/social commentary. No matter what side someone is on, it started feeling less like a story and more like the author trying to push views whenever a situation arose.
Honestly the main reason I kept listening was because I paid for the book and was so confused and irritated by the idea of a woman pushing 80 being pregnant that I needed to know how it ended 😅
That said, the narrator was great and there were parts I enjoyed. I can absolutely see what the author was trying to do here. I just think the premise was too over the top for me to fully buy into.
I honestly did not know how to rate this book. I kept going back and forth while listening to it trying to decide.
I’m very familiar with complex medical situations after being told I'm a medical anomaly by multiple drs throughout my life. I also understand why the author went where she did with this. But even with the explanation given later on, the science still just did not add up for me personally. Prior to becoming disabled I worked as an RN so I get things can happen. Pepper Mills age just made it really hard for me to get fully invested in this book which is why I had to rate this a one star.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 14, 2026
Surprisingly engrossing story that seems like it will be a light, interesting read but is anything but. This one really digs into relevant topics - the right to choose, the jarring reality of changes so late in life and the interesting reaction of medical community and society.
I was surprised by how quickly I was sucked into the story. Pepper Mills is so easy to get to know and slide right into her life in her retirement community that the twist in the story and the obvious plot came as a complete surprise!
I thought the author did a great job of handling such delicate subjects with sincerity and opens up the ability to read opinions and ideas. I liked how it was handled, the way it was presented and how surprising it all was. Such a great, quick read. I did an audiobook and the narrator really was great! Highly recommend.
A huge thank you to the author and publisher for providing an e-ARC via Netgalley. This does not affect my opinion regarding the book.
I was surprised by how quickly I was sucked into the story. Pepper Mills is so easy to get to know and slide right into her life in her retirement community that the twist in the story and the obvious plot came as a complete surprise!
I thought the author did a great job of handling such delicate subjects with sincerity and opens up the ability to read opinions and ideas. I liked how it was handled, the way it was presented and how surprising it all was. Such a great, quick read. I did an audiobook and the narrator really was great! Highly recommend.
A huge thank you to the author and publisher for providing an e-ARC via Netgalley. This does not affect my opinion regarding the book.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you to the publisher, Henry Holt and Company, and the author, Laurie Frankel, for the privilege to read this advanced copy through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own. There is a spoiler to this review!
It seemed to me that this book started out as a funny, laugh-out-loud book about life in an elderly independent living facility. It didn't take long and the story takes a quick turn to what felt like SciFi! A 77-year-old woman becomes pregnant! It is believed that this phenomena occurs due to drugs used in a clinical drug trial while she was battling breast cancer. The story progresses from "pregnant elderly mother and jailed elderly and new-mother elderly mother." The Book also provides "justification for choosing an abortion." I found the book entertaining until the abortion scenes. Enough said.
It seemed to me that this book started out as a funny, laugh-out-loud book about life in an elderly independent living facility. It didn't take long and the story takes a quick turn to what felt like SciFi! A 77-year-old woman becomes pregnant! It is believed that this phenomena occurs due to drugs used in a clinical drug trial while she was battling breast cancer. The story progresses from "pregnant elderly mother and jailed elderly and new-mother elderly mother." The Book also provides "justification for choosing an abortion." I found the book entertaining until the abortion scenes. Enough said.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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