The Surrogate Mother by Freida McFadden review captures the novel’s intense and dizzying turns. I don’t say this lightly: this book messed with my head. From the first few chapters, I found myself questioning everyone—every smile, every kind gesture, every promise. Freida McFadden is a master at that. She takes the most ordinary moments and twists them until you can’t tell which way is up.
By the time I reached the ending, I felt wrung out—but in that strangely satisfying way that only a good psychological thriller can deliver. I closed the book and finally exhaled. I didn’t realize I had been holding my breath for so long.
The Characters – Flawed, Fragile, and Fascinating
What I loved about this story is that no one is just one thing. Every character has layers—some warm and familiar, others cold enough to give you chills.
Abby
Abby’s story felt painfully human to me. She’s successful and strong on the outside, but inside, she’s carrying the heavy weight of infertility and a failed adoption that’s left her raw. Watching her chase her dream of motherhood is like watching someone walk a tightrope in a storm—graceful at times, shaky at others, but always moving forward because the dream means everything.
Sam
Sam, her husband, is logical and level-headed—a math professor who tries to make life fit into neat equations. But as suspicion starts creeping in, that logic wavers. I found myself watching him closely, wondering if he was a rock or a crack in the foundation.
Monica
And then there’s Monica, the surrogate. At first, she seems like a miracle—kind, soft-spoken, almost too good to be true. But piece by piece, her mask starts to slip. She’s the kind of character that makes you sit up a little straighter and read a little faster, because you can’t quite figure out which way she’ll turn.
Themes That Linger
What stays with me most isn’t just the twists—it’s what this book quietly says about the things we hold closest.
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Infertility & Longing: It’s not just about wanting a baby; it’s about the way that want shapes you, hollows you, and drives you to trust people you maybe shouldn’t.
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The Fragility of Trust: The story explores how easy it is to hand over your heart when you’re desperate for hope—and how devastating it is when that hope turns against you.
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Psychological Tension: McFadden doesn’t waste a single word. Every chapter builds pressure, every quiet moment hides a question.
Who Should Read This?
If you devour books like The Housemaid, Verity, or The Last Mrs. Parrish, you’ll want this one on your nightstand. It’s for readers who love:
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Fast-paced psychological suspense
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Unreliable situations and unsteady alliances
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Stories that make you second-guess everyone
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Endings that shake you, then soothe you
A Note on Triggers
This book touches on infertility, pregnancy loss, and the emotional rollercoaster of surrogacy. It’s not gratuitous, but it’s there—raw and real—so if that’s close to your heart, read gently.
My Heartfelt Take
This was one of those books where I truly didn’t know who to trust. I kept bracing for the deepest wound to come from the one person who should have been safest—for her pain around infertility to be magnified by the worst kind of betrayal. And without spoiling a thing, I will say: I was able to unclench my fists by the end. I felt relief—real, bone-deep relief.
That, to me, is what makes McFadden so powerful. She drags you through the dark, makes you doubt everything, and then leaves you with just enough light to breathe again.
Want more mystery and mind games?
Check out my review -> of The Tenant by Freida McFadden for another dose of betrayal and breathless suspense.
