Every woman wants a baby– don’t they? Not Claudia. She’s known from day one that she wasn’t the maternal type and when she meets the handsome and like-minded Ben she thought she’d found her soul mate.

But as the years progress and their contemporaries become swamped in a sea of sleepless nights and dirty nappies, Claudia and Ben become embroiled in a battle of wits as Ben’s biological clock begins to tick very loudly and shake the very foundations of their marriage.

It’s not that Claudia has anything against children per se, she adores her nephews and nieces after all, but she cherishes the freedom and independence her current lifestyle brings her– and Ben is going back on their deal to sail through life as a couple.

They’d talked about this before so why is he changing the goal posts now? And not only that but as word spreads of their martial difficulties it becomes clear to Claudia that her innermost family and friends are blaming her for upsetting the apple cart.

They can’t understand her reason for not wanting to become a mother. What could be more fulfilling? Isn’t she just beings selfish? How can she let a good man like Ben slip away?

Two lovers endure a journey of self-discovery in this humorous and entertaining read from Emily Giffin, the author of ‘Something Borrowed’ and ‘Something Blue’.

Set in New York’s Manhattan it’s an excellent read and will appeal to both parents and those who haven’t quite managed to make that life-changing decision yet.
‘Babyproof’ is published by Orien Books and is priced €10.90.

‘DO YOU WANT WHAT I WANT?’ BY DENISE DEEGAN

As someone who couldn’t ‘get into’ any of Denise Deegan’s previous novels, I admit I hesitated slightly before purchasing her latest novel ‘Do you want what I want?’ but I’m glad I gave it a chance because it proved to be money well spent and I’m already looking forward to her next.

This time, in an unusual change of direction from the stereotypical chick-lit story of a thirty something female, we’re introduced instead to Rory, a thirty-something male, a successful neurologist with the world at his feet. He’s living with his girlfriend Louise and life is good but one night everything changes.

Rory swaps shifts with another doctor and is attacked by a deranged youngster, who, not content with robbing him, pierces him with a needle containing potentially contaminated blood.
Rory is forced to confront his own mortality and he reflects on his life, what he’s done with it so far and what he wants to do with the time he may have left.

His relationship with Louise is affected, he can’t take her pity, he can’t sleep, he has recurring nightmares when he does and his professionalism is affected. He finds his confidence has diminished and he’s no longer the esteemed doctor he once was.

Worse that that, his relationship with Louise is falling apart and all because the attack makes him realise that he wants to be a father– and it’s more than clear that Louise doesn’t see the pitter patter of tiny feet appearing any time soon– if at all.

There are many twists and turns in this compelling read by Deegan and readers will find themselves taken on an emotional rollercoaster with Rory as he grapples to come to terms with his life as a possible death sentence hangs over him.

‘Do you want what I want?’ is published by Penguin.