Surrogate

Powerful and beautiful in its prose and vivid characterisation. Surrogate which is a topical psychological drama is a genuis of a novel.

I'm finding it difficult to portray just how impactful this book is. From it's introductory slow build up, the tension builds and a sense of panic and foreboding engulfs your emotions.

A beautifully told story of what it means to grow older as a female and of self identity, marriage and purpose. It brought me to tears on more than one occasion.

I devoured this book and highly recommend it.
Everyone will be talking about it soon

Gripping! Not at all what I expected but a fantastic and well written psychological drama on a fascinating subject,

If you want to start the year with a book that will have you stuck to seat from beginning to end this is the one for you.

I was totally engrossed from the very start. One of the most captivating stories I think I have ever read.

As a mother myself I have often questioned the strength it must take to be a surrogate. Could I give the most precious gift willingly and so unselfishly?

It was fascinating to examine how the relationships within the story were impacted, whether between husband/wife, mother/daughter or sister/sister, each one was brilliantly written and each and every raw emotion was felt.

The character execution in this book was spot on. Every single character was strong and brought something to the novel, definitely no filler characters needed here. I loved the way the author was able to portray the good, the bad and the ugly in everyone's traits.

Susan Spindler has so expertly covered an emotional charged, sensitive topic with upmost authenticity, it has sat with me for days after finishing. She has so obviously researched to its highest level and that is evidently clear in her writing.

Loved, loved, loved it!

Huge thank you to netgalley and Little Brown Book Group UK for the ARC.

I really enjoyed this book. It wouldn’t be something that I would normally read as I’m more of a thriller/mystery fan, but I’m glad I requested an advanced copy.
The plot is well written and the characters are believable. A good read.

Ruth Furnival has a highly successful career as a television executive, lives in a beautiful London home with Adam, her lawyer husband, and has two grown up daughters. Sounds perfect right? However, at 54 years old Ruth finds herself feeling dissatisfied.

Lauren, Ruth’s eldest daughter, has had multiple rounds of IVF, and after her latest miscarriage she is told that the only way she will ever have her own child is through surrogacy. However, surrogacy laws in the UK can be complicated, which leads to Lauren unsure about letting a stranger carrying her baby. When Ruth realises that it is possible that she can reverse the menopause and carry Lauren’s baby, Lauren and her husband, whilst reluctant at first, agree out of desperation.

However, not is all as simple as it seems.

Surrogate is an extremely powerful read. It touches upon such a delicate topic yet Susan Spindler portrays it perfectly; delicately but authentically as she shows all the realities, which need to be considered and the emotional turmoil it can cause to all involved. Aside from surrogacy and infertility other themes in the novel include relationships, identity and self-purpose.

The characterisation in this book was spot on. Every character had something to bring to the novel and I found it interesting to understand the impact of the surrogacy on each of their personalities. Sometimes when reading you like and dislike certain characters- with this book I liked and disliked them all during different times- as the author managed to bring out the worst and best in all of them, which showed the rollercoaster of emotions and feelings each of them faced.

I really enjoyed the pace of this book. There were lots of twists and turns and things which you don’t expect to happen. It was a topic which a lot of people may shy away from and therefore very much if anything similar to this before and overall found it a very powerful and emotionally charged read.


Thank you to NetGalley and Little Brown Books for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

A story of a mother’s love and sense of duty turning into an obsession while becoming the surrogate for her daughter is the original concept behind this thriller. Highly recommended!

I absolutely enjoyed this book. It must. have taken a lot of research to get all of the characters feelings seem so real and true. When Ruth's daughter cannot have a baby she offers to be her surrogate. Even allowing for the fact that it is her grandchild the emotional devastation she goes through is heart rending. Although the feelings of her daughter are not explored quite as much they are none the less just as strong. Add into that secrets and a past that affects the present and the future and you have a great read. So although surrogacy is probably one of the most altruistic things you can do for someone, especially your family it does not come without difficulties - It is interesting how the medical side of things are done to take a 53 year old out of menopause into a state where her body can carry a child. A highly recommended read

Another great thriller that smashes the surface of a so-called perfect life. Would you want your mum to carry your baby for you? That's the option Lauren has when she's told the only way she and her husband can have have their own baby is through surrogacy. When her mother, Ruth aged 54, offers Lauren agrees seeing it as her only hope. But nothing is as simple as it seems when long-buried secrets from the past resurface ...

I loved this book and was hooked until the end. It made me glad I don't have children!!

Fantastic read. I have been completely unable to put this one down. I cannot wait to read more by this author.
Full review to follow on publication.

The surrogate is such a totally immersive, engaging read you really don’t want to put it down!
Tense, emotional and captivating! The real depth of a mother’s love for her daughter and the drastic measures she is prepared to take to the detriment of her health and her marriage to ensure her daughter can be a mum, such a selfless act but one wrought with obstacles, emotion and angst.Told brilliantly and very informative re the process of reversing menopause, surrogacy, legal aspects etc, loved everything about this read!
Thank you netgalley for this early read.

Susan Spindler's debut is a gripping and compelling read that poses so many questions for the reader. It looks at fertility issues and the menopause with such empathy but still brings these issues starkly to light. It brought up so many issues for me- how I feel about surrogacy and would I do this for a family member ? Spindler masterfully portrays the family dynamics in such a believable way that I really felt that I was there having to make their choices. This is a stunning read that I would highly recommend, one of those rare books that left me completely bereft when I'd finished it.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher.

A cautionary tale of mothers and daughters, matriarchy and fertility, creativity and purpose, power and control. A family drama that reads like a thriller.