Bumped (Bumped #1) by Megan McCafferty - MMC GBR - Starting August 25th 2016

[Sarah Elizabeth]

When a virus makes everyone over the age of eighteen infertile, would-be parents pay teen girls to conceive and give birth to their children, making teens the most prized members of society. Girls sport fake baby bumps and the school cafeteria stocks folic-acid-infused food.

Sixteen-year-old identical twins Melody and Harmony were separated at birth and have never met until the day Harmony shows up on Melody’s doorstep. Up to now, the twins have followed completely opposite paths. Melody has scored an enviable conception contract with a couple called the Jaydens. While they are searching for the perfect partner for Melody to bump with, she is fighting her attraction to her best friend, Zen, who is way too short for the job.

Harmony has spent her whole life in Goodside, a religious community, preparing to be a wife and mother. She believes her calling is to convince Melody that pregging for profit is a sin. But Harmony has secrets of her own that she is running from.

When Melody is finally matched with the world-famous, genetically flawless Jondoe, both girls’ lives are changed forever. A case of mistaken identity takes them on a journey neither could have ever imagined, one that makes Melody and Harmony realize they have so much more than just DNA in common.

From New York Times bestselling author Megan McCafferty comes a strikingly original look at friendship, love, and sisterhood—in a future that is eerily believable.

[Sarah Elizabeth]

Bumped (Bumped #1) by Megan McCafferty will be our 8th GBR for August 2016.

Please read at your own pace, and hide any spoilers ☺ You are welcome to join at any time during the month ☺

Happy Reading Everybody!

[Sarah Elizabeth]

Pre-Reading Questions -

Anybody got any thoughts on this one before we start?

Has anyone read anything similar to this before?

Anybody read anything else by this author previously?

[Jackie]

This sounds really interesting.

[Karen]

This was out ages ago - haven't heard of it, and it sounds good.

[PNJ]

I'll read this one and have never read anything by this author.

[[deleted user]]

I just got it today from the library. I can't wait for the next month to start!!!

[[deleted user]]

Joining :) I got this one already, I love my library they always come through.

[Jackie]

Your library sounds amazing.

[Heather]

Starting today just got it on ebook from my library!

[Heather]

I've heard tons of awesome things about this author but, I haven't read anything by her yet.

[Brooke]

This will be a re read for me, been about 2yrs, but i remember liking it!

[Megan]

First (view spoiler)[Very strange so far. It this is set in the future, why don't people use the medical advancements we have today (in vitro, artificial insemination, etc.) instead of having teens, and in some cases tweens, get pregnant in the original way? It's just so odd. I have a feeling that Zen likes Melody, but will get together with Harmony. (hide spoiler)]

[Megan]

Second (view spoiler)[So Harmony's married...I wonder what made her leave. The book is really annoying me, I hate all the slang...such weird and different words for something only set 19 years after it was published. (hide spoiler)]

[Megan]

Third (view spoiler)[Jondoe is so into himself...though he does seem somewhat sweet and caring. However, I'm getting more annoyed with this book the more I read. Why hasn't the reason why a medical intervention isn't possible been given, if there is one. (hide spoiler)]

[Megan]

Finished (view spoiler)[The last part of the book was the best, but I'm not sure if it was just because the end was in sight and I could be done or because I actually enjoyed it a little bit (but hardly at all). I have to say this book was a real disappointment. (hide spoiler)]

[Carrie]

Did this on audio and didn't make note where I was at to make specific comments as to where I was in the book but my thoughts....

Starting out... (view spoiler)[ First, I found the idea behind this intriguing as now teen pregnancy is looked at as such a problem in society but in this book they want the teens to start giving birth as soon as they are able. (hide spoiler)]

[Carrie]

The girls meeting (view spoiler)[ I don't know how extremely unsettling it would be to open up a door and basically see yourself standing there. Seemed the characters seemed to take it better than I would. (hide spoiler)]

[Carrie]

(view spoiler)[ I had to wonder in this one why the girls shared similar musical names if they had different parents and never knew one another too. Most parents give their children a new name when they adopt a baby... a bit odd. (hide spoiler)]

(view spoiler)[ Not really a big fan of the religious aspect of this one, just don't like someone pushing others so hard to conform to their beliefs. (hide spoiler)]

[Carrie]

Megan wrote: "Third [spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[ I was simply annoyed with the name "Jondoe" for the longest time. LOL Glad it was explained a bit there. And yes I was hoping for more with the world building as to how things became this way and why there's no medical hope. (hide spoiler)]

[Carrie]

Megan wrote: "Finished [spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[ Probably because the end was in sight. I expected more out of the world than what I ended up with. I went in really excited and came out with the only thing really this seemed to be was call things by weird names and toss in teen drama. (hide spoiler)]

[Karen]

Just read opening chapter-not entirely sure. Sounds good though so I'll see what happens.

[Sarah Elizabeth]

35% (view spoiler)[ I can't believe she thinks its her duty to save this Jondoe person now! Melody will be so embarrassed and annoyed at her! (hide spoiler)]

40% (view spoiler)[ interesting that they have drugs to stop the girls getting attached to the babies. (hide spoiler)]

[Sarah Elizabeth]

51% (view spoiler)[ so she's already married?! (hide spoiler)]

[Sarah Elizabeth]

the end (view spoiler)[ I was surprised that Harmony had sex with Jondoe, and I felt quite sorry for Ram when she said that she wanted him to raise the baby! (hide spoiler)]

[Xiamera]

Chapter 3 (view spoiler)[ It feels like the author has thrown me off the deep end. Using weird words and the chapters feel abrupt. At least the version I'm reading. (hide spoiler)]

[Xiamera]

Chapter 5 (view spoiler)[ Ram is too literal lol. Could've named him Fertile and be done with it. (hide spoiler)]

[Xiamera]

Chapter 10 (view spoiler)[ So basically, Goodside is just like Otherside: placing emphasis on "bumping" as soon as possible. (hide spoiler)]

[Xiamera]

Chapter 23 (view spoiler)[ I am failing to understand any part of Harmony's so-called plan. Doesn't she know how important this deal is to Melody? She shouldn't impose her will on others, I don't think that's very Christian-like. She omitted to tell Melody about the call and that's the same as lying. (hide spoiler)]

[Xiamera]

Chapter 37(view spoiler)[ I'm wondering if Ram might be gay. (hide spoiler)]

[Xiamera]

Chapter 49 (view spoiler)[This hypocrite just had sex with a dude that she has known less than 24 hrs. (hide spoiler)]

[Xiamera]

Finished: (view spoiler)[Thank the Lord, it's over. This book made me irrationally angry in the latter half of the book. I liked none of the characters, well maybe Zen a teensy bit, and I can't fathom why or how this is a series. (hide spoiler)]

[Sharon]

First: (view spoiler)[ The premise is interesting. However, I think the execution of the story is lacking in a lot of ways. I am not that impressed with the world building and the characters do annoy me at times. Also, whatthe heck is up with all of the slang and made up terms? I find that very annoying. So far, I am not that impressed. (hide spoiler)]

[Sarah Elizabeth]

Xiamera wrote: "Chapter 49 [spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[ I found that really odd too, it totally didn't fit with her beliefs! (hide spoiler)]

[Sarah Elizabeth]

Sharon wrote: "First: [spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[ the slang was a bit weird. (hide spoiler)]

[Sharon]

Second: (view spoiler)[ I find this book a bit confusing. Also, part 2 seems to have a different tone and feel than part 1. Is that weird for anyone else or just me? So...Harmony is married? And she thinks it is her Christian duty to save Jondoe? I am wondering if she thinks that saving him will atone for some of her sins. I am not liking the characters at all and the world building is really lacking. (hide spoiler)]

[Sharon]

Third: (view spoiler)[ Guess the cat is out of the bag. I wonder what Melody will do to Harmony. I can't believe Harmony. She is not a Christian, she is a hypocrite. I mean she pretended to be her twin sister. What kind of a Christian does that? Also, I'm sorry but she is already married. She should not be asking another guy to "take her." (hide spoiler)]

[Sarah Elizabeth]

Sharon wrote: "Third: [spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[ harmony's actions weren't very good at all, especially considering that she's already married! (hide spoiler)]

[Sharon]

Rebirth: (view spoiler)[ Wow...she went running back to her husband with some other man's baby? That's absolute stupidity. She broke so many commandments and vows. I don't think I would forgive her that easily. Sorry...I am very frustrated. (hide spoiler)]

[Sharon]

Ending Thoughts: (view spoiler)[ This was a meh read. I had issues throughout the book. I really wanted to like the book, but it was not meant for me. The characters were not as relatable as I thought. The world was not as interesting as I had thought. Overall, the story was not that interesting. I give this a 2/5 rating. (hide spoiler)]

[Katrina G]

Chapter 2
(view spoiler)[ I feel like Harmony is going to be a very annoying character. (hide spoiler)]

[Karen]

13%-is anyone else finding the new vocabulary confusing?

[Karen]

25%-the process is described in a way that is feeling quite unpleasant. Keen to see how Melody and Harmony's relationship develops.

[Karen]

43%-the similarities between the two sisters are becoming more apparent. Wonder if Harmony will tell the truth?

[Karen]

66%-that answers my previous question! Jondoe isn't what I expected.

[Karen]

88%-starting to think I can see strands of things being set up for no2. Really find the novel's attitude to pregnancy rather worrying.

[Katrina G]

End of first
(view spoiler)[ So far I was right about Harmony being an annoying character. But I don't really care to much for Melody either. They both have different attitudes that I don't really like. I'm still trying to figure Zen out. I;m not sure how I feel about him so far (hide spoiler)]

[Katrina G]

Sharon wrote: "First: [spoilers removed]"

I completely agree with you. The new slang makes this a bit harder to read, as it causes me to stumble through sentences sometimes.

[Karen]

Finished. Reviews suggest the second part is better, but I don't think it's for me.

[Katrina G]

End of second
(view spoiler)[ So Harmony is actually already married? And what the hell is she doing pretending to be Melody? I've never been so annoyed with a character in my life! (hide spoiler)]