This Beating Heart

Barnett's novel explores the emotional complexities of grief and disappointment, forcing Christina to reevaluate her plans and consider a different, happier version of her future.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 288 pages
Publication date: 08 June 2023
Publisher: Orion Publishing Co

Barnett's well-crafted backlist is renowned for its emotional depth, and this novel is no exception. Drawing from Christina's profound grief, it implores us to approach happiness with a more creative mindset, particularly when it comes to the forms our families can take.

At the age of forty-three, Christina Lennox believed her future was set in stone: marriage to Ed, the birth of children, and a cozy home of their own. However, this is not the future she envisioned: her marriage has dissolved under the strain of five rounds of IVF and two miscarriages. Overwhelmed by grief and disappointment, Ed has moved to San Francisco, leaving Christina's dream of becoming a mother hanging by a thread. Her sole hope lies in persuading him to allow her to proceed with one final round of IVF, using the last frozen embryo they have stored at the clinic.

But when Ed drops a shocking revelation that jeopardizes everything Christina has worked tirelessly for, she is compelled to recalibrate her plans: is this the end of her dream, or an opportunity to explore a different, perhaps happier, version of her future?

As Christina navigates this unexpected turn of events, she grapples with the weight of her emotions and the uncertainty of her future. She questions the traditional notions of happiness and family and explores new possibilities that she never thought possible. Through her journey, she discovers the strength and resilience within herself and learns to embrace the unexpected twists and turns that life can bring.

"The Last Frozen Embryo" is a poignant and thought-provoking novel that delves into the complexities of love, loss, and the pursuit of motherhood. It reminds us that life is full of surprises and that our dreams may not always unfold as we expect, but it also offers hope and inspiration for those who are willing to adapt and embrace the unknown.

Weight: 260g
Dimension: 129 x 198 x 24 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781474617192