Demanding law careers, a Manhattan apartment, and a baby on the way:  life is good for Q and Tom…or is it?

Meet Quincy (Q), a British woman married to Tom, an American, lawyers in the fast lane who get thrown a curve ball when Q is told towards the end of her pregnancy that she has low amniotic fluid and needs to be on strict bed rest for the remainder of her pregnancy.  Bed Rest, by Sarah Bilston, is Q’s journal, her daily (and sometimes hourly) updates on life from a couch.

A colorful cast of characters works its way into Q’s life: an elderly Greek neighbor and her easy-on-the-eyes grandson; a coworker with stories of dating a married man and dressing up in a red bustier; Alison and Jeanie, Q’s sisters; and Q’s mother.  Q keeps herself busy by agreeing to help Mrs. Gianopoulou save the building across the street; when she finds out that Tom’s firm is representing the landlords, she decides to keep on helping without letting Tom know what she’s doing. 

As a matter of fact, Tom and Q aren’t talking about much, as Tom is working 18-20 hours a day and things are less than congenial between the two of them.  Tom spends most of the book dashing in and out of the apartment, dropping off food for Q but spending precious little time actually being with his wife.  What’s keeping him away? Is it the baby?  Their relationship?  His career? 

The details in Bed Rest felt real – the stir-crazy feelings one has when confined to one’s home day after day, month after month; the fear an expectant mother feels when she hasn’t felt her baby move in nearly an hour, even after eating something sugary; and the journaling about everything and nothing.  While being on a bed rest is the basis for the journal, Q’s writings are about much more than just her pregnancy, and consequently more than just mothers and mothers-to-be will find this an entertaining story. 

Will the building across the street be demolished without fair compensation to its elderly tenants?  Will Brianna and her married man find a future together?  Will Tom make partner at his firm?  Will Q return to her job after the baby is born?  Will the baby be OK?  Will Q and Tom stay together?  All of these questions come up during the course of the novel, and most of them are answered.  Bilston’s book is an easy read, and the journal format keeps it moving along in a fun and touching way.