The Bump by Sidney Karger

Two men expecting a baby via surrogate go on the road trip of a lifetime in this hilarious and poignant novel by Sidney Karger, author of Best Men.

Wyatt Wallace is a practical, super organized director of TV commercials. Biz Petterelli is a child-actor-turned-magazine-writer who thrives on spontaneity. Though polar opposites, they are fully committed to their relationship and their life in Brooklyn with their dog, Matilda. They’re also about to have a baby together.

And they’re freaking out.

They’ve both dreamed of becoming parents, but now that it’s happening, they’re doubting everything. Their baby is due in a few weeks and instead of flying to California just before the birth as planned, Biz has a better idea. They could use one last hurrah, along with some serious “us-time” to mend the issues they’ve been having lately—before they get tied down by fatherhood and its impending responsibilities. So the daddies-to-be load up their 1992 Volkswagen Cabriolet and embark on an epic cross-country babymoon. They attempt to recharge at the beach in Provincetown, stumble through their impromptu baby shower in Chicago, and endure a Star Wars -themed wedding in Colorado before heading west for the baby.

But when they take several unexpected detours, old wounds are reopened and secrets spill out that could change their relationship for better or for worse, forcing the couple to reexamine the meaning of family while building their own. After all, what’s a road trip without a few bumps along the way?

Published by Berkley
on May 21, 2024

Review:

Pride month is off to a great start! I thought this book was going to focus more on two new dads road-tripping with their new baby, but instead, it’s about them road-tripping to be there for the birth of their baby. Even though it wasn’t what I initially thought it would be, I still found the book to be a delightful romp through the ups and downs of impending parenthood, showcasing the hilarious and heartwarming journey of two men who have always wanted to be parents, but are suddenly doubting all of their decisions.

From the get-go, the reader is immediately drawn into the quirky world of Wyatt, the buttoned-up, by the books commerical director, and Biz, the free-spirited former child actor turned writer who would rather stab himself in the eye than be held to a definitive itinerary. The two couldn’t be more different if they tried, but their love for each other shines through despite their differences. The two men aren’t yet married, but they’ve always wanted a baby, and their journey has been filled with ups and downs. But now it’s time. The baby is due to be born in a few weeks, so the two men decide to go on a road trip from New York to California to be there for the birth. They decide they’ll make stops at gay party destinations along the way as a sort of final hurrah before they settle into parenthood.

As the couple sets off on their cross-country babymoon in their trusty old Volkswagen Cabriolet, the stage is set for a series of hilarious and heartwarming misadventures. From comical mishaps at the beach in Provincetown to unexpected detours to their parent’s homes, the journey is a rollercoaster ride of laughter and tears. The book skillfully weaves these challenges into the narrative, testing the couple’s relationship and forcing them to confront their fears and insecurities about parenthood.

I loved the story and these characters so much. Karger’s writing is sharp and witty, filled with sly humor and clever observations about the joys and struggles of impending parenthood and saying goodbye to the freedom that comes with being without children. The dialogue between Wyatt and Biz crackles with energy, capturing the essence of a couple on the verge of a significant life change and the highs and lows that come with it.

The side characters are all excellent. I loved the complex relationship Wyatt shared with his mother, and I absolutely loved Biz’s big Italian family. There’s a heartfelt exploration of family between these pages, both the one we’re born into and the one we create for ourselves. As Wyatt and Biz navigate the twists and turns of their babymoon, they are forced to confront their pasts, fears, and hopes for the future, leading to moments of genuine emotion and self-discovery.

Ultimately, The Bump is a charming and uplifting story that celebrates the messiness and beauty of family, reminding us that love and laughter can conquer even the bumpiest of roads. With its wonderful characters, witty dialogue, and heartfelt message, this book will surely delight readers of all ages and leave them with a warm and fuzzy feeling long after the last page is turned. Trust me, you don’t want to miss this journey.