Mavi, My Dearest: An Extraordinary Journey to Motherhood

About this book

Would you cross a war zone to bring your baby home? They did.As a child, Duygu couldn’t look at a pregnant woman without thinking: how can another person live inside someone? At twenty-nine the fear still has her by the throat, and now it has a name: tokophobia.When her fear takes her first pregnancy at seven weeks, she knows she can’t go through it again.So she and her husband turn to surrogacy in a country where it’s legal: their own embryos, another woman’s womb. It is supposed to be the safe way.Then the pandemic brings everything to a halt, and the embryos end up in Ukraine. Three weeks before the due date, the invasion begins. The woman carrying their baby is sleeping on the floor of an underground parking garage in Kyiv.Their daughter is born in a country at war, and Duygu and her husband find themselves crossing into that war to bring her home.At the airport, a security officer looks at their empty stroller and asks where the baby is.Not here yet.***READERS' TESTIMONIALS"Mavi, My Dearest is one of the most captivating, enlightening, and uplifting books one can read; it highlights the importance of hope and perseverance in the middle of tribulation." Readers' Favorite reviewer"Wow, not what I was expecting (in a good way)! What a harrowing journey of resilience that will tug on your heartstrings. I highly recommend!" Amazon reviewer"It's a ride that'll make you laugh, cry, and maybe even reconsider your own definition of family. If you're looking for a nail-biting read about love, and parenthood, this book is a must-grab. " Goodreads reviewer"A story with a fast pace. Your heart will be on the edge of your seat the entire time. I even felt the parents relief when they finally reached home with their precious baby!!" Goodreads reviewer"It's such an exceptional and heart-touching book that it leaves a lasting impact on you. Moreover, it's a story from today's world. Bravo!" Goodreads reviewer"The anxiety, turmoil and, at times, helplessness is palpable in this book as Duygu and Ahmet journey to get their daughter. They run into just about every hurdle they possibly could, but were persistent and will have quite the story to tell their daughter when she is older!" Goodreads reviewerQUOTES FROM THE BOOK"Even though I wasn't there, I could feel her presence. I whispered, "Forgive me, my love. I can't hold you, but I know you can feel me. I am with you and I love you very much." Despite the melancholy, I was incredibly happy. I had a daughter far away and I knew that one day, I hoped very soon, I would hold her in my arms."***"Our daughter was worth all the hardships we had endured. Even though I hadn't held her yet, I could feel her love. That is what motherhood felt like. Knowing she existed gave me strength no matter where she was. At this moment, the only thing that really mattered in life was my daughter's well-being and health."