Meg's Melody by Kaylee Baldwin

She paced the small confines of her bathroom as she waited the obligatory two minutes for the result. Yet, part of her sensed the truth. Not only did Austin take her self-esteem and plans for happiness, but he also took her get-out-of-this-marriage-free card.

The plus sign glared at Meg from the white plastic frame of the pregnancy test. The test fell from her hands and clattered into the bathtub as Meg’s back slid against the wall until she reached the floor.

“I’m pregnant,” she said into the quiet.

Meg never imagined she'd end up like this. With nowhere else to turn, she's forced to rely on the family she pushed away, the church she abandoned, and an unexpected friendship to help her find her forgotten melody. Meanwhile Matt is still mourning the loss of his wife. But determined to keep things together for his daughter's sake, he decides starting over in a new place might be just what his family needs.

This touching story combines romance with redemption and real conflict to remind you it's never too late to find joy. Kaylee Baldwin's capable hand renders a sincere, heartfelt story of rediscovery and hope. Perfect for romantics of all ages, this book will captivate your heart and rekindle your belief in the magic of music.

I received this book to review it and I'm glad I got it. Meg's Melody is a good, clean, LDS book with many themes woven throughout. Grief, repentance, forgiveness, finding yourself, love and family are a few themes I found.
Meg's marriage was a sham and she was divorced in less than a year. In the meantime, she has pushed her family and church away from her life. She feels she has to find her path alone, that her family couldn't forgive her. Then she finds out she's pregnant and her lonely, bumpy path just took a sharp turn. She has to learn to trust again, in herself mostly, as new people come into her life. Meg's family loves her and they close ranks around her, giving the support she needs.
The characters and relationships develop through the story. I really enjoyed this book. It wasn't preachy either. It was funny at times, sad, moving and fulfilling.
Good job Ms. Baldwin!


Rating: PG
L: No
S: No
V: No

Page 69 test:
"Mrs. Pierce, this food is excellent," Johnny said Her mom responded by offering him some sweet potatoes.
Johnny looked over at Meg's plate as she took the serving plate from her mom's hands. "You're not on a diet are you? If anything, you look like you could stand to gain a few pounds. I could feel every rib when I tickled you."
Meg stopped chewing her roll, all thoughts of Dr. Wilke's absentee wife gone from her mine. Johnny had to know that she was pregnant. Everyone in this town seemed to know, even though the only people that had heard ht hnews from her own mouth were Tom and Stan.
"I haven't felt well lately," she finally said.
"Do you have that flu that's been going around? You probably get sick more being at the school."
"I don't have the flu. I'll be fine soon."
"Maybe you just need to eat more. Do you wnt some of my turkey?" Johnny angled his fork toward her, and Meg held her breath and pulled away.
"That little one she's carrying must be a real picky eater," Tom offered.
"Little one?" Johnny asked.
The conversation around the table fell silent.
Everyone looked at Meg like she needed to say something, but she took another bite out of her roll. It seemed that the only good use for food these days was to get her out of contributing to uncomfortable conversations.
"You know  Meg is pregnant, right?" Tom asked.
Johnny whipped her head back toward Meg. "You're pregnant?" He looked at her flat stomach.
"I'm only about three months along, and i haven;t been feeling very well, so I'm not showing yet," she explained reluctantly,
"You always seemed so--I don't want to say prude, but--innocent in high school. How did this happen?"
"Do you really need her to explain how it happened?" Tom asked.
"No, thanks," he shot back. "I've got the logistics down."