Mum's Monday: I Heart Forever by Lindsey Kelk

I have been waiting for this book since I read in a previous book from the ‘I Heart’ series that Angela didn’t want to see an ex-girlfriend of Alex have a baby with him. This book is the seventh and the latest in the series. After reading the prologue, and knowing Angela to be, shall we say, disorganised and chaotic to say the least. You just know that this latest edition will be a fun-filled rollercoaster of a read. Let Alex go off travelling and let chapter one begin.

It seems strange to bring up ‘I want to propose’ conversation in the middle of a very important work meeting. This book is certainly keeping up with what is happening with magazines in modern times. It also gives an insight into what happens to bands when their popularity waivers. The last six books were about Angela and Alex life being on the up and up, now true to form as in most cases we see the beginnings of a new chapter in their lives.

After a bad day it seems Angela’s day has got worse, a neighbours washing machine doesn’t help and I am not sure what’s going to happen next.  I am glad she is ok and found the piece of chocolate bar, but maybe she should tidy up before a bath.

It is unfortunate to have uncertainty at work, however nice Angela is, she is still in charge. It is good to see try and protect her team, but you as I see, you can’t escape bad news in the long run and all the worry will be on Angela’s shoulders, I really feel sorry for her.

So things have progressed in Jenny’s life, Mason has a giant credit card bill to look forward to and there is a big event to plan. Jenny and Angela are good at planning things, right, let the fun begin.

When planning a cruise, it is worth noting you will be on a ship on the ocean, if you don’t like the thought of it there could be a problem.

I like how Cici helps Angela find out why she isn’t able to stomach olives at this present time.

I loved the little chat Angela had with her baby in her stomach in chapter seven. It is heart-warming to read that she will be a great mum without losing her sense of self in the process.

In chapter eight we see the normality of being pregnant, a scan, but what makes this more interesting is when Angela realises she is going to be a mommy as opposed to a mummy. Basically an English woman having a baby in America high-lighting this is well thought out, and makes for not your usual worries and concerns.

And asking about taking a baby to a pub in America shows forward thinking. It looks like Angela has a whole new set of laws she needs to learn as well as the usual literature you learn during pregnancy. This makes for an amusing yet heart-warming read.

The bike spin session where you go to find your inner spirit, and where Jenny finds out more than she could ever imagine. I felt it was inevitable but good that Angela was looking out for the baby.

I love Jenny’s solution to Angela’s builder worries, it is sweet and I agree getting a mattress protector is a must.

It turns out Angela’s mum has a lot to learn about Thanks giving.

Just when you think a night of celebration has been well done by Cici, Angela the editor of the magazine turns up in costume. Sadly, this shows two things, one is Cici out to sabotage Gloss or did Angela forget the conversation due to the term ‘Baby Brain’ and two the ups and downs of the work life balance when you are pregnant.

I hope Jenny does see that being in love with someone means more than a pricy wedding. I like the idea of a small elegant as they say ‘Small is beautiful’ wedding. However, Jenny with her big hair and former flat mate with big ideas, Jenny may take some convincing. Although she may see, I hope, what she had when he leaves. That I hope also, is the deciding factor. Now all Jenny has to do is find her phone and Mason, good.

Alex is back, there is a lot to catch up on. One thing he finds out rather quickly which is lucky or unlucky when Angela firsts mistakes him for a burglar.

I love that Angela is being the bigger person when it comes to Cici. It is nice that Angela can see the good and the talents in Cici.

This book, makes me question, ‘Can you really be friends with the head of a company, and how far can that friendship stretch?’

This book high-lights not only the expense of having a baby, with all the gadgets that are available, but be careful what you wear when your parents turn up to surprise you, but the surprise was on them, and saved a phone call.

I like the prospective of not ‘Good or bad change’ just ‘Easy or difficult change’. Change keeps things fresh but it is how you cope with it counts for a lot.

The bachelorette party went well despite a sleeping bride to be and a not so aimed soft shoe.

Having a baby can be expensive and a scary time, no less for Alex and Angela, I did wonder how a baby would affect their lives and what I thought is true. Sadly, the added stress with Angela’s work and Alex’s band less popular, more stress than I ever thought is piled on top. This is sad and reality for some people.

Angela is on the up and so is her jean size and her lactose intolerance, although that is just a clever excuse after a meeting with Joe her boss.

It is good to see that this book not only high-lights how a woman feels during pregnancy, it shows how it can affect father’s to be as well. With all the focus on the mum to be, Dads are sometimes forgotten and they have their own issues to deal with, like supporting his soon to be new family. Sadly, all this coming out at Jenny’s wedding rehearsal dinner doesn’t go down well with the ‘Bride to be’. It would have been nice to read more about Jenny’s wedding but I could tell it was lovely.

The part that made me laugh was when Joe finds out Angela is pregnant. With all the noticeable symptoms, Delia figured it out and Joe didn’t, so it is amusing to read Angela say that Delia picked a great person to run a women’s magazine. I think she means you need to be a woman or tap into a women’s psyche to put in a magazine what women would want to read.

The twist at the end was surprising and I am glad we find out the gender of the baby.