Out on a Limb is a contemporary romance featuring a protagonist with limb difference who finds herself unexpectedly pregnant after a one night stand with a handsome amputee.

Winnifred (nicknamed Win) is in a bit of a rut in her life. Since ending a traumatic relationship, she’s kept it casual, and that works for her. Win isn’t interested in letting anyone take care of her, and has built an independent life regardless of her limb difference (she has a less-developed right hand). Win is passionate about accessibility and dreams of creating ways for kids like her to thrive and enjoy sports. While she isn’t close to her mother, a teen single mom, Win has a strong support system in her best friend Sarah, who is more like a sister. Despite her ambitious goals, Win is stagnating, currently working at a café and scraping by financially. That’s when she meets Bo at Sarah’s annual Halloween party, and they hit it off right away.

Bo is handsome, charming and funny, though Win sets expectations right away, making it clear she’s not interested in anything long-term. They engage in some short-term fun the night of the party, and a little while later, Win discovers their not using a condom has led to a long-term responsibility. Despite her surprise, Win knows almost immediately that she wants to continue her pregnancy, and then she has to tell the father. Bo is shocked but delighted, and the two of them decide to figure out how to welcome a child, as friends. Win knows she has to keep her guard up, but that proves more and more difficult as Bo turns out to be sensitive, kind and generous. Win’s instincts are to protect her heart, but that becomes more challenging as they get to know each other and prepare to be parents.

This book made me laugh from the very first chapter! Sometimes, writing grabs me from the beginning, and this absolutely happened here. Win’s dynamic with Sarah and Sarah’s husband is fun and silly, and I loved their banter and sibling vibes. Win is a very real character; she is someone who has had a rough time in relationships, and she’s a bit gun-shy, but she’s not cold. I think a lot of relationship-avoidant characters are written as emotionally unintelligent, but Win is the opposite. She’s funny, sweet and smart, but she needs to be open to relying on others and letting people help her. Everyone in her life, not just Bo, wants to support her, and Win is not good at accepting that. A big part of Win’s journey is healing from past trauma and letting the people who love her provide her with the help she needs.

Bo has also had a difficult few years, recovering from both cancer and a broken engagement. The loss of his leg weighs on him, and Halloween with Win is the first time he is intimate with someone since his cancer recovery. Bo is a fantastic love interest and I was rooting for him from the very start. I loved their banter too; he and Win have insane chemistry. Bo is a lovable, flawed character with his own trials, but he proves himself to be a worthy partner to Win several times over. Bo does a great job actually going the distance to build a future with Win; it’s not just a gesture, he follows through.

I loved Out on a Limb, and you will too. It’s a really fantastic read, and I can’t wait to devour everything else this author has written!