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If Only I'd Listened
IS YOUR GIRLFRIEND PREGNANT?
How ready are you for that?
How would you deal with becoming a parent before
you've left school?
One thing's for sure, you can't unmake babies. A fact that's borne in on Peter Knight and Samantha Smithson, fifth and sixth formers at the South East Comprehensive in Deptford, living at a time when many parents are still of the old
school and pregnancy outside marriage carries a stigma.
Having to face their parents, their school friends, teachers and gossip is only
the beginning. Pete's plans for university are scotched as he must seek
work and accommodation suitable for a young family. And all
the time he still wants to have fun, with ‘friends' quite
happy to tempt him to do it.
As for Samantha, abortion is no easy option. Yet as her health, and
her faith in Peter, goes up and down, she may have
to think the unthinkable.
How ready are you for that?
How would you deal with becoming a parent before
you've left school?
One thing's for sure, you can't unmake babies. A fact that's borne in on Peter Knight and Samantha Smithson, fifth and sixth formers at the South East Comprehensive in Deptford, living at a time when many parents are still of the old
school and pregnancy outside marriage carries a stigma.
Having to face their parents, their school friends, teachers and gossip is only
the beginning. Pete's plans for university are scotched as he must seek
work and accommodation suitable for a young family. And all
the time he still wants to have fun, with ‘friends' quite
happy to tempt him to do it.
As for Samantha, abortion is no easy option. Yet as her health, and
her faith in Peter, goes up and down, she may have
to think the unthinkable.
319 pages, Paperback
Published July 27, 2017
3 people are currently reading
77 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
February 23, 2018
This is a book which will take you back to the 1960’s.
So you need to think about that era as you read it.
Times are so different now on how morals have slid and cliches like “ born on the other side of the blanket” has been thrown away with the babies bath water!
People will say, what does that actually mean?
Today you don’t get looked down on or treated different if you had a child out of wedlock.
Back then you did.
Parents would have course be disappointed if they’re youngster found themselves potentially becoming parents when what they should be concentrating on is getting an education.
This is the case of Peter and Samantha.
Sixth formers. A quickie fumble and Sam finds herself pregnant.
We have all the emotional journey of both immature kids, but I personally thought Peter a bit of a plank. He got on my nerves so many times.
It’s an everyday type of family drama that no matter what era.....happens. Despite acceptance or not, it happens.
An easy read, gentle unfolding of the characters.
Mild.
Not much grit or something you could get your teeth into however it’s subject matter was something we all could sympathise with.
The author was good at her details of the area which added some firm grounding.
The ending wasn’t the greatest.
Not sure why it ended so abrupt, but, maybe the authors planning a book 2. I’m not sure.
If you are looking for an easy read, drama/ family type read. This one may be your choice.
So you need to think about that era as you read it.
Times are so different now on how morals have slid and cliches like “ born on the other side of the blanket” has been thrown away with the babies bath water!
People will say, what does that actually mean?
Today you don’t get looked down on or treated different if you had a child out of wedlock.
Back then you did.
Parents would have course be disappointed if they’re youngster found themselves potentially becoming parents when what they should be concentrating on is getting an education.
This is the case of Peter and Samantha.
Sixth formers. A quickie fumble and Sam finds herself pregnant.
We have all the emotional journey of both immature kids, but I personally thought Peter a bit of a plank. He got on my nerves so many times.
It’s an everyday type of family drama that no matter what era.....happens. Despite acceptance or not, it happens.
An easy read, gentle unfolding of the characters.
Mild.
Not much grit or something you could get your teeth into however it’s subject matter was something we all could sympathise with.
The author was good at her details of the area which added some firm grounding.
The ending wasn’t the greatest.
Not sure why it ended so abrupt, but, maybe the authors planning a book 2. I’m not sure.
If you are looking for an easy read, drama/ family type read. This one may be your choice.
May 1, 2018
This book tackles many issues that cut through to the heart, including teen parenting. The characters of Sam and Pete are multi-layered and much of the writing is raw as it would be in this type of situation when there is little money and support wavers from the soon-to-be-grandparents. The responsibility put on the young couple seems so real, which is a testament to the author's great writing abilities.
April 1, 2018
Being a child of the fifties I knew a little about the ‘good old days’ but not all of it, somethings you just never talked about. This story really gets into the nitty gritty reality of teenage pregnancy before marriage and makes heart breaking reading at times.
Gosh how times have changed! Peter and Sam are still at school when she becomes pregnant, not something that either of them had planned for but there again neither had done anything to stop it. Just buying condoms was a nightmare, having to ask sly for them at the chemist and been handed a package wrapped in brown paper, that was in itself obvious but people pretended they didn’t know what was inside. Yep no-one wanted unplanned pregnancies but buying protection made it seem seedy.
Peter wanted to do the right thing even if is cost him his University place, which meant telling both lots of parents, school, deciding what to do about the pregnancy, finding a job and somewhere to live. That was a pretty tall order. Love hadn’t even come into it and although there were alternatives where young girls ‘caught out’ could go, it wasn’t something they really wanted either.
The story looks at not only the young couple’s plight but how it impacted on their families and friends too. From the police involvement to the shame of sex before marriage and stigma that sounded a young single mum. financial help from government or parent support wasn’t an option either. It made it a tall order for such a young couple trying to do what was expected of them. It seemed at times that there was plenty advice but little help as they were pushed from pillar to post.
Claire Boley captures the helplessness of the plight of the couple that have nowhere to turn. They are still very immature trying to play adults before their time. Both want to do the right thing for the baby but they want to play both sides, going out with mates and other people too. A hard hitting look back into the past.
Gosh how times have changed! Peter and Sam are still at school when she becomes pregnant, not something that either of them had planned for but there again neither had done anything to stop it. Just buying condoms was a nightmare, having to ask sly for them at the chemist and been handed a package wrapped in brown paper, that was in itself obvious but people pretended they didn’t know what was inside. Yep no-one wanted unplanned pregnancies but buying protection made it seem seedy.
Peter wanted to do the right thing even if is cost him his University place, which meant telling both lots of parents, school, deciding what to do about the pregnancy, finding a job and somewhere to live. That was a pretty tall order. Love hadn’t even come into it and although there were alternatives where young girls ‘caught out’ could go, it wasn’t something they really wanted either.
The story looks at not only the young couple’s plight but how it impacted on their families and friends too. From the police involvement to the shame of sex before marriage and stigma that sounded a young single mum. financial help from government or parent support wasn’t an option either. It made it a tall order for such a young couple trying to do what was expected of them. It seemed at times that there was plenty advice but little help as they were pushed from pillar to post.
Claire Boley captures the helplessness of the plight of the couple that have nowhere to turn. They are still very immature trying to play adults before their time. Both want to do the right thing for the baby but they want to play both sides, going out with mates and other people too. A hard hitting look back into the past.
October 8, 2017
A completely different genre read for me. But I like a change. Angst, teens & life what’s not there to read into!
Enjoyable tale that to me is as if someone is relating a life story to you over a cuppa.
Enjoyable tale that to me is as if someone is relating a life story to you over a cuppa.
November 9, 2017
If Only I’d Listened is like having a chat with family and reminiscing about old times. Set in the 60’s it’s very of it’s time and highlights exactly how much the world has changed. The stigma attached to youngsters being in a physical relationship and horror of horrors a teenage pregnancy.
Bright and brainy Pete may have been academically astute but when it comes to teenage boys hormones he was pretty dense. After a quickie in the girls’ school toilets his girlfriend Sam gets pregnant. This story follows the ups and downs of growing up, relationships with parents, studying for A-Levels, finding a job all dominated by the looming baby.
Pete lives in a nice house in a good area, Sam is in a poorer situation and her parents like their alcohol, both sets of parents are extremely disappointed in their kids and that puts even more strain on them. Influenced by his friends, Pete’s personality alters. The loving boy who was destined for university becomes a moody, mouthy lout.
I enjoyed the day to day life descriptions, it was like being transported to my grandma’s house, how they managed their money, the clothing, decor, food etc. Very similar to being a fly on the wall and experiencing a year in the life of these families.
The author obviously knows the location well, the details of the bus routes, roads and park … bizarrely, by sheer coincidence I recognised the ‘hospital’ because I actually worked there at one time!! So because of that I could visualise it all perfectly and it really took me back.
Anyone who enjoys a family saga set in this era will like If Only I’d Listened, it’s an easy, gentle read. I think out of all the characters I liked Pete’s mum and dad the most, they tried their best under the circumstances. Sam is just a naive girl and Pete probably a typical boy of the time. At the beginning I quite liked him but as events unfolded his attitude annoyed me. His much used phrase is ‘let me think’ .. maybe if he had thought prior to their actions they wouldn’t have been in the predicament they found themselves in.
Nevertheless it was an education in itself, after investing so much time in the story and the characters it ended a little too abruptly for me … I’m hoping there will be a book two.
I read and reviewed this book honestly and voluntarily.
Bright and brainy Pete may have been academically astute but when it comes to teenage boys hormones he was pretty dense. After a quickie in the girls’ school toilets his girlfriend Sam gets pregnant. This story follows the ups and downs of growing up, relationships with parents, studying for A-Levels, finding a job all dominated by the looming baby.
Pete lives in a nice house in a good area, Sam is in a poorer situation and her parents like their alcohol, both sets of parents are extremely disappointed in their kids and that puts even more strain on them. Influenced by his friends, Pete’s personality alters. The loving boy who was destined for university becomes a moody, mouthy lout.
I enjoyed the day to day life descriptions, it was like being transported to my grandma’s house, how they managed their money, the clothing, decor, food etc. Very similar to being a fly on the wall and experiencing a year in the life of these families.
The author obviously knows the location well, the details of the bus routes, roads and park … bizarrely, by sheer coincidence I recognised the ‘hospital’ because I actually worked there at one time!! So because of that I could visualise it all perfectly and it really took me back.
Anyone who enjoys a family saga set in this era will like If Only I’d Listened, it’s an easy, gentle read. I think out of all the characters I liked Pete’s mum and dad the most, they tried their best under the circumstances. Sam is just a naive girl and Pete probably a typical boy of the time. At the beginning I quite liked him but as events unfolded his attitude annoyed me. His much used phrase is ‘let me think’ .. maybe if he had thought prior to their actions they wouldn’t have been in the predicament they found themselves in.
Nevertheless it was an education in itself, after investing so much time in the story and the characters it ended a little too abruptly for me … I’m hoping there will be a book two.
I read and reviewed this book honestly and voluntarily.
May 30, 2018
this book set in the 60's pete and girfriend sam find out they are going to be parents, their exams are looming and pete needs to do his exams and get a job and place to live for his baby. it was such a difficult period to face in such delemia. really enjoyed it a must read for all genre's to enjoy. the author gets top marks for all her research from me.
September 1, 2018
A great book set in the 1960, the story of Pete and Sam, Sam becomes pregnant while still at school, this was such a great story and easy to read.
May 22, 2018
If Only I'd Listened is a wonderful and thoughtful story set in the 1960's about how Pete and Sam deal with Sam's pregnancy, and what it means for them and their future. The phrase 'If Only I'd Listened' is one I think we can all identify with when we look back at out teenage years. In your teens you think you are invincible, with the world at your feet and a lifetime to enjoy it. Teenage pregnancy is still classed as a bit of a stigma in today's so called modern more accepting society, but in the late 1960's it was very much a taboo subject, and one where you were expected to honour your obligations so the speak.
Pete is an intelligent young man doing his A levels and expected to go to university and get a good job. He is from a respectable middle class family, and not expected to have got himself into this position. The whole book is from Pete's perspective, his thoughts and feelings to his predicament and how he deals with the situation. We do hear Sam's voice, how she is feeling, but through Pete's eyes, how he sees her; I found this to be a fresh and interesting perspective on the situation, which is normally from the girl's perspective.
As a character Pete did annoy me at times, I wanted to give him a slap about his attitude especially to his parents. However, I did admire his intention to stand by Sam and the baby. Without much hesitation he accepted his fate; his having to give up university to get a job to earn money for the baby and a flat. He had maturity in his attitude towards getting the best exam results so he could get a job, this was his soul focus as he knew without a job he couldn't look after Sam and the baby. He did have times of petulance and frustration which he took out mainly on his parents and on Sam. His parents were obviously disappointed in him, they had high hopes for his future, but they stood by him and tried to help inter own way. They couldn't help as much as they would have liked due to finances and this is what frustrated Pete, he was stuck in the middle of his parents and Sam. When reading I had to keep in mind that this was the 1960s where attitudes were different.
As a character Sam is different to Pete. She comes from a lower class background, lives in a tower block with parents who drink a lot and an abusive father. It seems Pete didn't know much about her before getting her pregnant. She is obviously frightened about what is going to happen to her especially as her parents are not supportive. The title If Only I'd Listened refers to Pete's friends telling him not to get involved with a girl like her. Claire Boley writes her characters with great understanding of human emotion that make this such a beautiful book to read.
I really enjoyed this book, the social and economical history shows a patriarchal society, where the father makes the decisions and has to take the responsibility for his family. There were certainly different attitudes to sex and education; men needed sex and a girls education wasn't as important as boys. There are also some funny moments in the book, Pete's first time getting drunk and staying out all night; we've all been there. A wonderful read that has a roller coaster of emotions, and characters who will touch you.
After reading If Only I'd Listened, I found out that there is going to be a sequel to this story, following Pete and Sam's journey.
Pete is an intelligent young man doing his A levels and expected to go to university and get a good job. He is from a respectable middle class family, and not expected to have got himself into this position. The whole book is from Pete's perspective, his thoughts and feelings to his predicament and how he deals with the situation. We do hear Sam's voice, how she is feeling, but through Pete's eyes, how he sees her; I found this to be a fresh and interesting perspective on the situation, which is normally from the girl's perspective.
As a character Pete did annoy me at times, I wanted to give him a slap about his attitude especially to his parents. However, I did admire his intention to stand by Sam and the baby. Without much hesitation he accepted his fate; his having to give up university to get a job to earn money for the baby and a flat. He had maturity in his attitude towards getting the best exam results so he could get a job, this was his soul focus as he knew without a job he couldn't look after Sam and the baby. He did have times of petulance and frustration which he took out mainly on his parents and on Sam. His parents were obviously disappointed in him, they had high hopes for his future, but they stood by him and tried to help inter own way. They couldn't help as much as they would have liked due to finances and this is what frustrated Pete, he was stuck in the middle of his parents and Sam. When reading I had to keep in mind that this was the 1960s where attitudes were different.
As a character Sam is different to Pete. She comes from a lower class background, lives in a tower block with parents who drink a lot and an abusive father. It seems Pete didn't know much about her before getting her pregnant. She is obviously frightened about what is going to happen to her especially as her parents are not supportive. The title If Only I'd Listened refers to Pete's friends telling him not to get involved with a girl like her. Claire Boley writes her characters with great understanding of human emotion that make this such a beautiful book to read.
I really enjoyed this book, the social and economical history shows a patriarchal society, where the father makes the decisions and has to take the responsibility for his family. There were certainly different attitudes to sex and education; men needed sex and a girls education wasn't as important as boys. There are also some funny moments in the book, Pete's first time getting drunk and staying out all night; we've all been there. A wonderful read that has a roller coaster of emotions, and characters who will touch you.
After reading If Only I'd Listened, I found out that there is going to be a sequel to this story, following Pete and Sam's journey.
April 30, 2019
If Only I'd Listened by Claire Boley
About the author starts this novel off then a dedication page.
Story starts with Samantha and her life about when she met Peter and their relationship began.
She had called her mom to tell her about her predicament and now they are in front of her parents getting a talking to about abortion and how could they have sex before school even ended.
They are asked to leave and never come back so head to Peter's house where the family dynamic is the opposite of Sam's house.
Scary, to me, situations when they leave there to go to the callbox so they can find a place for Sam to spend the night...
Not familiar with the England slang but most of it I could understand the content meaning. Tragic events follow them when they are both trying to survive and move into adulthood.
Quite a few characters come into the picture-to help them and to deter them from just having fun and being a teen.
I recall an aunt of mine also had to go to a nun's house to birth her child til the father could care for them during the 1960's in the US. Can't even imagine the obstacles they faced although this story goes into details about that and more.
Kinda didn't like the ending unless there is another book in the series. Ends but you don't know what paths they take from there on-use your imagination I guess.
Enjoyed this new author to me writing style and would like to read more of her works.
I received this review copy from the author and this is my honest opinion.
About the author starts this novel off then a dedication page.
Story starts with Samantha and her life about when she met Peter and their relationship began.
She had called her mom to tell her about her predicament and now they are in front of her parents getting a talking to about abortion and how could they have sex before school even ended.
They are asked to leave and never come back so head to Peter's house where the family dynamic is the opposite of Sam's house.
Scary, to me, situations when they leave there to go to the callbox so they can find a place for Sam to spend the night...
Not familiar with the England slang but most of it I could understand the content meaning. Tragic events follow them when they are both trying to survive and move into adulthood.
Quite a few characters come into the picture-to help them and to deter them from just having fun and being a teen.
I recall an aunt of mine also had to go to a nun's house to birth her child til the father could care for them during the 1960's in the US. Can't even imagine the obstacles they faced although this story goes into details about that and more.
Kinda didn't like the ending unless there is another book in the series. Ends but you don't know what paths they take from there on-use your imagination I guess.
Enjoyed this new author to me writing style and would like to read more of her works.
I received this review copy from the author and this is my honest opinion.
February 25, 2018
this is the first novel by claire boley, i was hooked from page one i couldnt put it down,i am starting to enjoy books that have been written about the old times. it was easy to get into and i really enjoyed it hope to see more from claire
September 26, 2018
Peter
I've not read any books by this author before but will definitely be looking for more I liked reading about the sixties about a normal family who's son got a girl pregnant and the way they handled it a really good read 5STARS .
I've not read any books by this author before but will definitely be looking for more I liked reading about the sixties about a normal family who's son got a girl pregnant and the way they handled it a really good read 5STARS .
July 16, 2018
I've never read a book based in the 60s. It was pretty interesting getting a view of the past. Claire depicted her teen characters very well. Teen pregnancy was definitely frowned upon in those days. I enjoyed the whole story. I was a bit put off on how it ended. Will there be another?
January 14, 2019
Really enjoyed this book. Very easy to read and true to the time...how things have changed!!! Looking forward to Claire’s next novel.
February 9, 2018
I was looking forward to reading this book as it had been recommended to me, but I’m sorry to say I didn’t enjoy it very much. I was a teenager in the 60s, so thought I ought to be able to relate to it, but unfortunately that was not the case. I didn’t find it a very easy read generally as it didn’t seem to flow very well and the end appeared rather abrupt. Such a shame as the subject matter was really interesting. Maybe just not ‘my thing’.
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November 26, 2018LOVELY BOOK
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