Who's Your Daddy, Baby? by Lisa Pell

Lori Pomay and her husband, now both in their late 40's, are working on in vitro fertilization. In the midst of her medical testing and screening, she discovers that she cannot be the biological daughter of the man she has always called "Dad." Lori begins a quest by interviews with family members, friends, friends of her late mother and friends of friends to find her biological father. In an unconventional twist, she posts details about her quest on Facebook and enlists the help of many others to try to identify the man who was her biological father.

One of the most clever novels I have read in recent years, Who's Your Daddy, Baby? is entertaining and endearing. The characters are real, well developed and have extraordinary personalities. From the backwoods of the Appalachians comes an amazing story that parallels author Lisa Pell's own four year search for her biological father.

The Quest

In Who's Your Daddy, Baby?, Lori Pomay finds herself empassioned by a mission - to find her biological father nearly a half century after her mother's pregnancy. Lori and her husband are trying to conceive a child through in vitro fertilization and as the medical testing begins for that process, she learns that there is no practical way her Dad was actually her biological father. In some ways, she is crushed to learn the truth, but it ends up being a surprise to all concerned, even her dad.

So armed with very little information other than stories and some letters left behind by her late mother, Lori begins a quest to find her biological dad. She finds herself interviewing her mother's friends and family members, only to discover that there might have been ten to twelve young men who were possible candidates. By following leads, reading old letters and high school yearbooks, talking to relatives of these men and by getting some to consent to DNA testing, she gradually rules out potential paternity candidates. And along the way, she learns a lot about her family, her mother and the times and places of her youth.

I found Who's Your Daddy, Baby? to be pretty captivating. The premise of the book is timely, in part because so many people find themselves searching for their roots and particularly trying to find a biological parent, whether due to adoption or, as in this case, an unwed pregnancy. And author Lisa Pell adds an interesting dimension to the search process in Who's Your Daddy, Baby? - posting progress on the search on Facebook and seeking those who can help through social media.

Lisa Pell has an incredible gift as a writer in developing characters. You could almost see and hear the colorful folks from Lori's past in the Appalachian mountains as they share their stories and insights with her. The gradually appearing complex character that was Lori's mother was particularly impressive. She developed from a mother who was close to her daughters into a sympathetic character mixed up in the social scenes of the 1950's. Having the strength to carry a secret to her death that might have hurt many, including her immediate and extended family and her boyfriend's reputation, showed an element of character that was well developed through the story.

After reading Who's Your Daddy, Baby?, I would recommend it for anyone who is searching for a biological parent. Searching children will get a sense of the challenge ahead, some of the tools that are available to people who seek, and some perhaps unintentional advice about dealing with the emotions that surface as a result of the search. And while the book is funny and some of the elements may be a little exaggerated for effect, the messages are clear.

Lisa Pell suggests that searching children who read the book should carefully consider the risks and rewards associated with a search and remember that such a process can create personal, emotional challenges for many involved. Sometimes there are unpleasant revelations that shake the foundations of families and personal reputations. She also reminds the searchers that people with whom they speak may be wary of being scammed, and that they should be prepared for resistence. There are even some poignant episodes in the book where the wariness proved to be a roadblock.

If you are looking for a comfortable and entertaining novel for your reading list, Who's Your Daddy, Baby? is an excellent choice. It is light enough to be plesant reading but deep enough to be memorable. The characters are endearing and the writing is exceptional. And particularly if you have an interest in genealogy or finding a lost biological parent, Who's Your Daddy, Baby? can be even a bit more - it can be enlightening as to the journey that lies ahead.

I recommend Who's Your Daddy, Baby? for anyone who likes a light mystery and who feels the tug from prior generations to learn more about them and their lives and stories.

Disclosure: A review copy was provided by the publisher. For more information, please see our Ethics Policy.