Malena Lott The Stork Reality

The Stork Reality

Malena Lott

Making It, Jun 2006, $6.99

ISBN 0843957255

In Dallas Jake and Taylor Montgomery are dinks (double income no kids) as they work hard (he is an attorney and she is an advertising creative director), love sex, and enjoy traveling especially on vacations. Neither of them planned on rugrats when they drew up their five year plan, at least no children until he made partner. However, feeling odd especially when he hums I'm in the Mood for Love" and she is not, Taylor buys the notorious kit only to realize the strip turned pink.

While Taylor adapts to gaining weight and no martinis with chocolate, Jake is beyond himself unable to deal with the nuking of what he once thought his perfect home. Work becomes increasingly difficult for Taylor. As Jake considers leaving his beloved wife on the grounds of mental cruelty, the couple begins to slowly adapt and reassess their values.

THE STORK REALITY is an interesting look at how pregnancy alters, in this case nukes, the lifestyle of couples. The lead couple's adjustment is handled deftly but that also means less conflict once Taylor and especially Jake become accepting. The support cast seems interchangeable one dimensional nice carbs troupe with everyone supportive of the lead pair (kept waiting for a knife in the back from either his or her peers, but that never came). Still, in spite of the mellowing of everyone, fans will enjoy this relationship drama highlighted by a pregnancy torpedoing a lifestyle.

Harriet Klausner