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At What Cost

by J. Andersen (Goodreads Author)

4.12 of 5 stars 4.12 · rating details · 42 ratings · 22 reviews

During her junior year, sixteen-year-old Maggie Reynolds expected to shop for prom dresses not maternity clothes. Now, instead of studying for the SATs, she’s reading, What to Expect When You’re Expecting. Maggie’s ‘Mother Dearest’ lives in fear that Maggie will somehow taint the family name, so Maggie can’t turn to her for help. Meanwhile, her father is oblivious to anyth...more

ebook, 225 pages

Published June 13th 2012 by Astraea Press (first published June 2012)

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Mar 22, 2013 Margaret rated it 5 of 5 stars

This story is an insightful and sincere look at teen pregnancy. Maggie epitomizes the average teen girl who gets herself into her predicament shortly after dating Justin, the popular boy at school. With no support from her family, friends or Justin she faces the decision alone of how best to handle the situation. The author really captures your heart as you go along the emotional process of discovering Maggie's pregnant and the fear of what to do and how to tell her parents. There's an honest th...more

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Feb 25, 2013 Judy & Marianne from Long and Short Reviews rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: contemporary, young-adult, non-erotic

Originally posted at: http://www.longandshortreviews.com/bo...

Growing up is never easy but for some, it is much harder than it is for others. Unfortunately for Maggie Reynolds, she has to learn that the hard way. After spending what she thought was the perfect summer with the perfect boyfriend, Maggie learns very quickly that what you think you want isn’t always what you really need. And, sometimes, maybe it isn’t even what you ever really wanted at all.

Anyone that has ever had that one heart-s...more Originally posted at: http://www.longandshortreviews.com/bo...

Growing up is never easy but for some, it is much harder than it is for others. Unfortunately for Maggie Reynolds, she has to learn that the hard way. After spending what she thought was the perfect summer with the perfect boyfriend, Maggie learns very quickly that what you think you want isn’t always what you really need. And, sometimes, maybe it isn’t even what you ever really wanted at all.

Anyone that has ever had that one heart-stopping, panic ridden moment where you think your life is ruined, that you are trapped and there is no way out of the current dilemma, will be able to relate to this book. Maggie’s anxiety about her situation is so well portrayed throughout that it was almost palpable. Getting pregnant as a teenager can be traumatic for anyone. Add to that the fact that Maggie’s family has steadily grown apart over the past few years, and the fact that she feels like nothing she ever does is good enough for her mother, and she feels more alone than ever.

In typical teen fashion, Maggie’s initial reaction to this news (aside from the panic) is to ignore it and hope it’ll just go away. When that doesn’t work, the obvious next step is to make it go away. Ms. Anderson does such an incredible job of describing Maggie’s experience at the abortion clinic that it brought tears to my eyes. The author does an admirable job of writing about such a touchy subject. It feels real and it feels honest. Something I think that any teen reading this will appreciate.

The reaction of Maggie’s family, when they are finally told, is anything but predictable, and once they have a chance to process the news, it’s very touching. Instead of tearing the family apart, it opens their eyes and brings them back together. The topic of the book, and the way it is written, has the potential to make a reader realize what is truly important in life…and what isn’t.

With such a buildup throughout the entire book, I felt like the ending was somewhat anti-climactic. While predictable in terms of giving you what you expect, it also ends rather abruptly. This could be to leave it open to a sequel, or simply to encourage the reader to think about it themselves, but I was left rather unsatisfied.

The lessons to be learned in this book are both in your face and subtle enough that by the end, it can leave you contemplating many different things. From the obvious issues of abortion versus adoption versus teenage motherhood to learning what sort of people to keep in your life. From learning that family is always there no matter what to learning to accept what you truly deserve instead of what you think you deserve, the lessons imparted in this tale are worthy of any teenage or adult reader.

This is a wonderfully written book that taps into the angst of the teenage years combined with the heart-wrenching emotions that can come with an unexpected and unwanted pregnancy. The family is realistically dysfunctional and the characters are sympathetic and well written. A great coming of age tale that I would definitely recommend to any teenage girl.
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Feb 01, 2013 Romancing the Book rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: contemporary, ya

Reviewer: Angie
Source: Atraea Publishing
Angie's review was first posted at Romancing the Book's blog.

Probably what I liked most about this book is that it did not glamorize teenage pregnancy. Instead, it gives a very real and sometimes brutal look into what every young woman must deal with when she finds herself pregnant; lost, scared, alone, and unsure what is the right decision to make. I found certain parts - especially talk about abortion - almost difficult to get through, but completely una...more

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Sep 27, 2012 Tee loves Kyle Jacobson rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2012-must-reads, sep-2012, ya-bound-blog-tours

At What Cost is a MUST READ for all teenage girls. Thank you to YA Bound for allowing me to read this ARC and be a part of this tour. I have to say that teenage pregnancy is such a hot topic right now. With shows like Teen Moms and other reality shows trying to portray the life of a teen mom. I have to say that they do not show everything that it entails and these young girls who get pregnant go through so much and sometimes by themselves because these boys just want to have sex with no commitme...more

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Sep 26, 2012 Marissa rated it 4 of 5 stars

Maggie is a young teen girl in high school and has a boyfriend, Justin, that loves his popularity. As she starts her Junior year, she finds out that she is pregnant, and she honestly at first, does not know what to do, but eventually tells her boyfriend and her family. Now that's done what is she to do? She does have her options, but which one will Maggie choose? Will her boyfriend stay at her side? Will an unexpected friend be with Maggie as she decides what to do?

At What Cost is a very good st...more

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Jul 16, 2012 Darla rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: 5stars, ya, drama, family-relationships, social-issues

At What Cost is the debut novel by J. Andersen that deals with a young girl’s choice whether or not to terminate her unwanted pregnancy. The topic of teen pregnancy is one we are all too familiar with, unfortunately, but often times we only see part of the whole story. At What Cost was a wonderful novel in the sense that we really get an idea of who Maggie is, and just how much she struggles with her choice and her responsibility. She isn’t some dumb girl with no morals who doesn’t care about th...more

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Sep 24, 2012 Henrietta rated it 4 of 5 stars

Written in third-person narration, At What Cost shares a story of a sixteen-year-old, Maggie Reynolds, who finds out that she has become pregnant at the start of her junior year. After a brief stage of denial, she accepts her condition but feels reluctant to share the news with her family. Only her best friend Lauren and her boyfriend Justin know the secret. One day, Justin hands her pamphlets on abortion and suggests that life can pretty much continue to be in the same way if Maggie goes throug...more Written in third-person narration, At What Cost shares a story of a sixteen-year-old, Maggie Reynolds, who finds out that she has become pregnant at the start of her junior year. After a brief stage of denial, she accepts her condition but feels reluctant to share the news with her family. Only her best friend Lauren and her boyfriend Justin know the secret. One day, Justin hands her pamphlets on abortion and suggests that life can pretty much continue to be in the same way if Maggie goes through with the abortion. Since Maggie is afraid that her parents would disown her when they find out about the pregnancy, she believes abortion would be her best choice. But after aunt Rachel finds her vomiting in the bathroom, she and Rachel become closer. With an adult listening to her, Maggie stops keeping everything to herself. She also learns more about Rachel’s past and sees how Rachel is still living with the consequences of her past choices. Instead of seeing abortion as her only option, Maggie starts seeing life as more than just school and teen pregnancy. She begins to realize many things that she hasn’t realized before. She discovers that what’s good for her has nothing to do with what she thought she had, and in the end, she learns that life can be filled with heartwarming options.

At first, I didn’t think I could relate to Maggie. In the beginning, I saw her as a person who complained a lot and never tried to walk in another person’s shoes. Although I still see her as somewhat immature in the end, I like that she has grown up quite a bit and she blossoms to be a better person, a more empathic daughter who cares about her family and a stronger teenager who is more open to own up to the consequences of her choices.

I like that the issue of teen pregnancy is not dealt with lightly here. In addition to seeing what Maggie wrestles with, I like that we get to see how the parents react to the situation. While Justin is selfish and childishly irresponsible, I think his sense of insecurity and stubbornness add a realistic touch to depict the angst of those who want to brag but fail to own up to anything that goes in the opposite direction. I like that the act of responsibility is explored and while teenagers in the junior year are no longer children, their behavior and action reflect a degree of fears that can be felt universally. I think the author does a great job in showing us a story that feels real, with moments of tenderness that offer hope to those who feel dismal about the subject of teen pregnancy.

Although I’d like to know a bit more about what may happen next after what Maggie goes through in the hospital at the end, I enjoy reading the book. At What Cost is a realistic contemporary that offers glimpses into family tension and relationship reconciliation through a situation that reaches the point of no-return. If you like sensible stories that talk about realistic issues, you’ll want to add this title to your read list.

--
This review was originally published on my blog.

A copy of the book was provided by the author for review purposes.(less)

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Oct 07, 2012 Shari rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: ebook-challenge-2012, read-for-tour, read-in-2012, reviewed, ya-contemporary-challenge-2012, ya-reading-challenge-2012

I have to say I was really impressed with Andersen's writing style. Usually I enjoy books that are more dialogue driven and At What Cost doesn't read that way. This book is written in the third person and deals with how Maggie is feeling as she has countless internal struggles trying to decide what she wants to do about her pregnancy. Throughout most of At What Cost Maggie feels very isolated and alone. She avoids everyone for the most part and wishes that her "problem" would just go away.

What...more

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Sep 28, 2012 Becky rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: contemporary, for-review, released-2012

Also available, with giveaway: www.areadersdevotion.blogspot.co.uk

This book was a breeze to read. It wasn’t a shallow cutesy romance but on the other hand it wasn’t a heart wrenching tragic tale that was going to make you burst into tears. It was enjoyable.

‘Sobs shook her body, and Lauren rushed over.
“I’m so sorry,” she said, but Maggie didn’t hear it. The only word resonating in her head had already been said. Pregnant. She was sixteen and pregnant. What was she going to do now?’

This is a boo...more Also available, with giveaway: www.areadersdevotion.blogspot.co.uk

This book was a breeze to read. It wasn’t a shallow cutesy romance but on the other hand it wasn’t a heart wrenching tragic tale that was going to make you burst into tears. It was enjoyable.

‘Sobs shook her body, and Lauren rushed over.
“I’m so sorry,” she said, but Maggie didn’t hear it. The only word resonating in her head had already been said. Pregnant. She was sixteen and pregnant. What was she going to do now?’

This is a book about abortion and the challenging decision some teenage girls have to face. I love that all angles of the debate were covered; the pros and the cons. As someone who doesn’t have very strong opinions on the topic, it felt like a good balance. For someone who hasn’t thought about the issue closely, it is a good book to gain an introduction.

Maggie’s situation is not an easy one. I really felt a connection to her suffering and why it was harder, than others, to tell anyone about it. When I was sixteen, I felt like that my parents would be supportive if I fell pregnant. I am glad that I didn’t. Maggie couldn’t do that. I understood that.

Justin is a classic example of a guy I would not like to encounter. There are jerks but they are obviously jerks. Then there are the guys that act all gentlemanly and gracious until parts of the relationship stop going their way. They have to grow up. They start showing their true selves. These guys are the worst. Justin never seemed like a truly honest guy from the start. I didn’t like him

Fortunately there are people in Maggie’s life that are there for her. She needed Rachel and later on Evan. I would have liked a bit more from Evan. He had the potential there.

What I enjoyed about this story was the debate and discussion of the topic that is abortion. I also liked getting to know the people in Maggie’s life. However I felt the story was too short. When it came to the other aspects of the pregnancy it remained a little flat. Once Maggie made her ultimate decision, the book sort of trickled along with nothing happening much. I thought there were other issues that needed addressing in greater depth but, after the main decision of whether to abort or not, those other decisions didn’t seem important. I was a little disappointed there. The story also ended too quickly and abruptly; was that it?

Overall I did enjoy this book. It is a book about abortion and it covers the topic brilliantly. However I would have liked a bit more depth after the abortion side was finished. (less)

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Oct 07, 2012 Claire rated it 4 of 5 stars

What it's about: Maggie, at only sixteen, finds out she is pregnant. This is the story of how she deals with her situations and the outcomes of her choices.

What I thought: At the tender age of sixteen, Maggie finds out she is pregnant. At What Cost is a surreal look into the world of teenage pregnancy. It is scary, honest and painfully raw, in it's descriptions and the journey Maggie takes. Teenage pregnancy is life-changing and terrifying and Anderson shows us this in great detail. She shows us...more

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Sep 28, 2012 Merin rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: blog-tour, read-in-2012

3.5/5 stars.

This is the second book that takes an indepth look at teen pregnancy that I've read. The first was The First Part Last, which I read for my YA Literature course, and it was told from the teen father's point of view. This book is your more "typical" book, in that it comes from the point of view of the mother, who in this case is sixteen-year-old Maggie. Maggie has a lot to deal with; she and her mother don't get along, her father works long hours and is never home, and she's trying to...more 3.5/5 stars.

This is the second book that takes an indepth look at teen pregnancy that I've read. The first was The First Part Last, which I read for my YA Literature course, and it was told from the teen father's point of view. This book is your more "typical" book, in that it comes from the point of view of the mother, who in this case is sixteen-year-old Maggie. Maggie has a lot to deal with; she and her mother don't get along, her father works long hours and is never home, and she's trying to adjust to being the girlfriend of an extremely popular guy at school, which is thrusting her more into the social spotlight. And then she realizes that she's pregnant, and things quickly change.

First of all, I want to give massive props to the author for portraying what seems like an extremely realistic look at teenage pregnancy. Maggie initially denies the pregnancy, and then once she can't do that any longer, still refuses to tell anyone what she's dealing with, aside from Justin, who is the father. Justin's solution is simple: an abortion. The book then turns into a "should I or shouldn't I" situation, wherein Maggie struggles to figure out what she wants. I'm going to be upfront when I say that Justin is a total jerk, and Maggie's blindness about this sort of infuriated me. But, again, it's completely realistic; so many girls want to think that their boyfriend loves them and will stand by them, etc., even when it's fairly obvious that the opposite is true.

What I really enjoyed about this book was the way Maggie was portrayed. Once she learns she's pregnant, she starts dealing with so many emotions, and the reader gets a front row seat. She is slowly falling apart, and her feelings are so well-written that the reader can easily empathize with her. It was interesting to me to watch her contradictions and uncertainties, and to see what she would decide to do next. The lead up to Maggie's ultimate decision was the strongest part of this book, at least for me.

My biggest complaint was the negative portrayal of one particular topic in this book, which I can't really go into detail about because I'm trying to avoid spoilers. So I'll apologize upfront for sort of beating around the bush and keeping things rather vague. I sort of felt like only the bad aspects of said topic were shown in this book, and while it does tie in to Maggie's feelings and outlook, I don't believe that you can paint everyone with the same brush. Not everyone is going to react the same, and it seemed like that was the message. (Again, sorry for the vagueness; if you're interested in having me just say exactly what I mean, let me know and I can do so in the comments or something.) That being said, I seem to be the only one who thinks this, so your mileage may vary!

All in all, I found At What Cost to be a really solid book about a rather controversial topic. Maggie was solidly drawn, and the description of what she's dealing with and her emotional journey is first-rate. The little bit of a romance going on with Evan also gets two thumbs up, as does the fact that the book is engaging and a very quick read. As a heads up, the ending was a bit abrupt; I couldn't believe the book was finished and thought at first that my Kindle was lying. I personally would be interested in a sequel, as I'd love to see what comes next for Maggie and the others.

A copy of this book was provided by the publisher via YA Bound Blog Tours.(less)

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Oct 30, 2012 Stephanie Parent rated it 5 of 5 stars

“Time flies when you’re pregnant and hiding it.”

For sixteen-year-old Maggie Reynolds, an unexpected pregnancy quickly spirals out of control…and as readers follow Maggie along her journey, we experience all of her emotions, from fear to anxiety, confusion to regret, and even some unexpected hope, right along with her.

I was drawn into At What Cost from the very first pages, as J. Andesen’s clear, fast-paced, evocative third-person narration pulled me right into the story and Maggie’s life. I cou...more “Time flies when you’re pregnant and hiding it.”

For sixteen-year-old Maggie Reynolds, an unexpected pregnancy quickly spirals out of control…and as readers follow Maggie along her journey, we experience all of her emotions, from fear to anxiety, confusion to regret, and even some unexpected hope, right along with her.

I was drawn into At What Cost from the very first pages, as J. Andesen’s clear, fast-paced, evocative third-person narration pulled me right into the story and Maggie’s life. I could easily imagine myself in Maggie’s situation, doing everything I could to deny and hide my condition because I just wasn’t ready to deal with it, but at the same time my worry grew with each day that Maggie kept her pregnancy hidden. The author did a great job of crafting physical, visceral descriptions of Maggie’s anxiety (exacerbated by the symptoms of pregnancy, of course); reading this book, I felt like I was right back in high school myself, nervous stomachache and all!

One of my favorite aspects of the book was the way family relationships and friendships were portrayed. At first, when Maggie seemed unable to find support no matter where she turned, my heart broke for her; however, I was surprised and pleased by the way her friendships and family relationships continue to develop throughout the novel. I especially liked Maggie’s relationship with her aunt, and I appreciate a YA novel that devotes as much time and character development to the adult characters as the teenage ones. After all, adults play a huge role in all teens’ lives, in both positive and negative ways.

I also have to mention that the abortion clinic scenes in this novel were absolutely harrowing; it takes a brave author to tackle this topic in such a gritty, no-holds-barred way. While these sections were hard to read, they were absolutely essential to Maggie’s journey, and if I had ever been faced with a similar decision as a teen, I would have wanted to read an honest account like this one. I appreciated the emphasis the author placed on Maggie making her own decision, and that the author’s note included resources for both pregnant teens and teens dealing with the aftereffects of abortion.

Finally, I have to mention how much I appreciated the book’s open ending. Even though Maggie’s newly strengthened relationships leave us with hope, there’s still a lot of uncertainty in her future, and the book doesn’t sugarcoat that.

Overall, I think the best word to describe At What Cost is real. This is an important book that will speak to both teenage and adult, male and female readers, and I would say in particular that it’s a book every teenage girl should read.
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Apr 07, 2013 Charissa rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2013

YA fiction about a 16-year-old girl who gets pregnant. The story delves into her thoughts as she tries to figure out what to do. Her family life isn’t so good; she dares not tell her parents about her condition for fear of being kicked out onto the streets. She considers abortion, almost gets one. Her aunt discovers her secret and talks her out of it (her aunt understands her as she got pregnant as a teen and did go through with an abortion, which spiraled her down into depression, drugs, etc. a...more

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Sep 25, 2012 Debbie (at) I Heart YA Books rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: blog-tours-books

At What Cost is a beautiful novel that reminded me that no matter how bad or hopeless you think your situation is, something good can always come out of it. I thought J. Andersen did an outstanding job writing Maggie's story. She gives readers the truth and a heart-felt story about a controversial subject. I absolutely adored Maggie's character. She’s strong, real, and really searches within her heart and mind about her situation to find the truth for herself.

I loved when Maggie realized things...more

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Jun 25, 2012 Elizabeth Seckman rated it 5 of 5 stars

This was an excellent read. The subject matter is very serious. The decision to end a pregnancy or have a baby at 16 is way more serious than the "choice" it's made out to be. Ms. Andersen looks at the emotional and psychological ramifications of abortion and teen pregnancy without being preachy or judgmental. And there's a nice little love story woven in too. :)

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Jun 19, 2012 Tracy rated it 5 of 5 stars

This story captivated me from beginning to end! I love to read young adult literature, and this definitely is a great pick! As I read the book, I really felt as though I were there, alongside Maggie, every step of the way. I loved how the story developed. I can't wait for the next story from J. Andersen!

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Dec 10, 2012 Scott Wright rated it 3 of 5 stars

This book was interesting. It wasn't one I would normally pick up. A teenage girl is faced with an unplanned pregnancy and how she handles it. I know many will be upset because the topic of abortion is so polarized. Other will applaud the direction the book takes. In the end one is left without a clear end as to what will happen with the girl. The author gave many great resources in the back to allow you to go and get information on pregnancy, abortion and counseling.

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Nov 13, 2012 Meg Mims rated it 5 of 5 stars

J. Anderson has written an emotional story perfect for young adults, exploring in-depth characters - both major and minor - and the delicate question of choice for a pregnant teen. Anderson deft handling of these issues makes this a powerful read.

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Aug 19, 2012 Brittany rated it 4 of 5 stars

Oh what to say about this book without a spoiler!! When I was first asked to do this book tour, I could not help but want to read the book. I'm glad that I did. The story line was well developed and the characters were easy to relate with. I was impressed with the editing and loved the author's writing style. I would recommend this book to anyone contemplating the topic of the book :)

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Mar 03, 2013 Amy Butcher rated it 3 of 5 stars

Good book I admire the lead girl for standing up for what she believes in.But the book could have had more details and been a stronger a around.Quick read but didn't grab my attention and pull me in.

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Aug 20, 2012 Samantha Morris rated it 5 of 5 stars

I really hope there will be a sequel to this book id really like to see how Maggie life goes from here.

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Apr 04, 2013 Angieleigh rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: ya, bc13, rtb

Actual rating: 4.25 stars

Review will be posted at romancing-the-book.com shortly.

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About J. Andersen

Jessie Andersen lives in a small town in Western New York with her husband and three kids. A former English teacher, she now spends her time writing while the kids are at school and the baby is sleeping. She volunteers at the local library and sings in the church band. You can find information about her books at jandersenbooks.com, and you can follow her blogs at Therabidwriter.blogspot (Personal...more

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