Mine is so much more than a story about a woman’s struggles with infertility. It’s a story of love, ambition, education, career, marriage, devastation, and fulfillment, all told in 314 compulsively readable pages. When Sophie Tucker and Tucker (Tõnis) Mägi decide to marry and start a family, they live in Rye, New York. Tucker inherits land in Tallinn, Estonia and they quickly decide to move there so that Tucker, a developer, can take advantage of this quickly developing country, freed from Soviet domination. However, on their honeymoon in Monaco, Sophie is offered a scholarship to the University of the Riviera and starts work on her MBA.
Tucker returns to Estonia and their limited contact limits the baby project. At forty, Sophie is convinced she will get pregnant naturally, so she concentrates on her studies and, although challenged by a younger woman, graduates as valedictorian. She returns to Tallinn but is unable to find a job. When she’s offered a desirable position in London, she moves there and deals with another competitive woman and an amorous boss.
This happens against the backdrop of fertility tests, hormone shots, disappointment, and ultimate joy.
What an amazing story! Sophie is a modern, driven woman with a successful career. She has delayed having a baby assuming she would be as successful with pregnancy as she was with finance. Marlene Hauser has delivered the story of everywoman. It is a must read. 5 stars.
Thank you to NetGalley, The Book Guild and Marlene Hauser for this ARC.