Family Planning [Mass Market Paperback]

Elizabeth Letts (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 7, 2006

A nurse practitioner at El Centro, a not-for-profit women's health center in rural Pennsylvania, Charlotte Hopper has found peace in her carefully constructed life-until her old college friend moves next door, resurrecting a secret so devastating that Charlotte's husband leaves rather than face the past. And after a heartbreaking discovery is made on the grounds behind the clinic, the women of El Centro must contend with being in the media spotlight-and being suspected of a terrible crime. Caught in a whirlwind of tragedies both large and small, Charlotte will learn just how much of herself she can give-and how much she must keep.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

In her busy sophomore novel, Letts starts with a nurse practitioner in rural Londondale, Penn. finding a dead baby in a dumpster, and from there takes off in a dozen different directions. Nurse Charlotte Hopper's discovery, outside the women's health center where she works, instigates a highly publicized search for the killer, investigations into the clinic's viability, a slew of protestors without much to say other than they're "against dead babies," and a litany of other madcap fallout. Charlotte herself struggles to serve her disadvantaged clientele while handling a potential corporate buyout, a deserting husband, news crews and an old acquaintance with a sinister past. And still there's more: suicide, flooding and an emergency childbirth among them. The cast of supporting characters are alternately sweet or villainous, and most of the women are down on their luck, but Letts' second novel is ultimately a feel-good tale of family, motherhood and the sanctity of babies.
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About the Author

Elizabeth Letts is a practicing certified nurse-midwife who trained at Yale University School of Nursing. A former competitive equestrian rider, she also served as a Peace Corps volunteer in Morocco.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 18 and up
  
• Mass Market Paperback: 283 pages
• Publisher: NAL Trade (March 7, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0451217594
• ISBN-13: 978-0451217592
• Product Dimensions: 7.9 x 5.3 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #300,359 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Elizabeth Letts is the award-winning author of two novels, QUALITY OF CARE and FAMILY PLANNING, and one children's book, THE BUTTER MAN. QUALITY OF CARE was a Literary Guild, Doubleday Book Club, and Books-A-Million Book Club selection. An equestrian from childhood, Letts represented California as a junior equestrian, and was runner-up in the California Horse and Rider of the Year competition. She currently lives with her husband and four children in Baltimore, Maryland.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Another fantastic book by Elizabeth Letts!, February 19, 2006

By 

book_junkie35 (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Family Planning (Mass Market Paperback)

Family Planning is a novel that sucks you in right from the first pages. Letts has filled the book wth a well-drawn cast of quirky characters whom you'll wish you could hang out with. The story is heartwrenching, suspenseful, and beautifully written. I can't wait for the next one!

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great story, March 31, 2006

By 

A reader - See all my reviews

This review is from: Family Planning (Mass Market Paperback)

I really enjoyed this book. I thought the quality of writing was great. So much attention was paid to each of the characters that I could picture each of them. The women in the clinic were my favorites. You could feel the camaraderie between them. I highly recommend this book.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Strong Female Characters, March 27, 2006

By 

M. Lynne - See all my reviews

This review is from: Family Planning (Mass Market Paperback)

What I love about Elizabeth Letts is how strong her female characters are, how supportive and understanding. While the suspenseful story draws you in, it's the characters and their tolerance for one another that stays with you long after you reach the last page. I can't wait to see what this talented author does next!