In the Family Way

"In the Family Way bursts with the complexity, drama, and warmth of Call the Midwife, but set at the canasta and kitchen tables of 1960s suburban America. This timely, timeless novel captures not only the reproductive horrors of that era but also political awakening and a kind of nostalgic hope: it's a changing world, and Roe, behind us now, was glimmering on the horizon then. Laney Katz Becker so beautifully reveals that where there are women's hardships, there is consolation to be found, then and still, in each other's company and care."--Catherine Newman, New York Times bestselling author of Sandwich Set in the 1960s before Roe, a poignant and powerful novel in the vein of Lessons in Chemistry and Big Little Lies, about the friendship between a group of suburban housewives who help one another navigate through their personal challenges, marriages, and their pregnancies--both wanted and unwanted. In 1965 America, women can't have their own bank accounts, credit cards, or sign their own leases; divorce is scandalous and difficult; and abortion is illegal. Every week, a group of suburban housewives meet for their Tuesday canasta game. As cards are drawn and discarded, the women share advice and confidences. When prim and proper Lily Berg, a doctor's wife, discovers she's pregnant with their second child, she follows her friend Becca's suggestion and takes in Betsy, a pregnant teen from the local home for unwed mothers. Betsy, who's never met anyone Jewish before, is to live with the Bergs for six months, help with babysitting and housekeeping, have her own baby, and agree never to contact the family again. But things quickly get complicated. Lily, who's opened her home to the teenager, never planned on opening her heart, yet that's exactly what happens. Meanwhile, Becca is pregnant with her fourth, and comes up with a scheme to get a legal, therapeutic abortion, and Lily's sister, Rose, discovers the man she married isn't who he purported to be, and turns to Lily and her husband for help. Moving and atmospheric, full of history and heart, In the Family Way is a timely novel that captures the experiences of women on the cusp of liberation as they struggle with their own complex feelings about being wives, mothers, and women with their own dreams and ambitions.

About the Author :
Laney Katz Becker is an award-winning author, writer, and a former literary agent. Her books include the debut novel Dear Stranger, Dearest Friend, and the nonfiction anthology Three Times Chai, a collection of rabbis' favorite stories. When she's not writing, Laney enjoys drawing, sewing, reading, long walks, and canasta. She is a graduate of Northwestern University, raised her two children in Westchester County, New York, and currently lives on the east coast of Florida with her husband and their Havanese. You can reach Laney through her website at laneykatzbecker.net

Review :
"Brightly polished . . . . The characters are charming and likable, and readers should enjoy spending time with them . . . . Historical novel with a feminist bent and heart to spare." - Kirkus Reviews "Becker shines an illuminating light on the state of women's lives and rights before Roe v. Wade, particularly surrounding issues of unwanted and unplanned pregnancy and divorce. It's an intriguing and relevant time capsule." - Publishers Weekly "A nec-es-sary and mov-ing reminder of the evo-lu-tion of women's rights in the US. It high-lights the impor-tance of edu-ca-tion and com-mu-ni-ty in fos-ter-ing women's empowerment. . . . Per-fect for book clubs, this nos-tal-gic and sat-is-fy-ing read will appeal to women of all ages." - Jewish Book Council "[A] nec­es­sary and mov­ing reminder of the evo­lu­tion of women's rights in the US. It high­lights the impor­tance of edu­ca­tion and com­mu­ni­ty in fos­ter­ing women's empowerment . . . Per­fect for book clubs, this nos­tal­gic and sat­is­fy­ing read will appeal to women of all ages." - Jewish Book Council "In the Family Way bursts with the complexity, drama, and warmth of Call the Midwife, but set at the canasta and kitchen tables of 1960s suburban America. This timely, timeless novel captures not only the reproductive horrors of that era but also political awakening and a kind of nostalgic hope: it's a changing world, and Roe, behind us now, was glimmering on the horizon then. Laney Katz Becker so beautifully reveals that where there are women's hardships, there is consolation to be found, then and still, in each other's company and care." - Catherine Newman, New York Times bestselling author of Sandwich "Becker's latest is chock full of eye-opening reminders of how far women have come since the days when subversive texts like The Feminine Mystique were passed around like contraband. Set in the 1960s, the novel features a delightful cast of characters that you can't help but fall in love with, and the book's themes of female autonomy and reproductive freedom are just as potent today, if not more so. A powerful tale, well told." - Fiona Davis, New York Times bestselling author of The Stolen Queen "The history of 'housewives'--everything that goes on behind the Welcome! mat--comes alive in Laney Katz Becker's powerful novel, In the Family Way, a poignant, rich, deeply textured tale of women, friendship, and struggles amid 1960s suburbia on the precipice of change. The novel is both an inspiring and gut-wrenching page-turner filled with suburban angst--what we see and what we don't . . . . If you love books about resilience, the power of friendship, and second chances--run, don't walk, grab this one!" - Lisa Barr, New York Times bestselling author of Woman on Fire and The Goddess of Warsaw "A poignant, rich, deeply textured tale of women, friendship, and struggles amid 1960s suburbia on the precipice of change." - Lisa Barr, New York Times bestselling author of Woman on Fire and The Goddess of Warsaw "Delightful and inspiring. . . . It sends an important warning shot about how restrictions on women's lives might return, and, indeed, have." - Meg Waite Clayton, New York Times bestselling author of Typewriter Beach "This warm tale of friendship has a wonderful cast of characters that you will root for. An uplifting read." - Platinum Magazine