Having read and enjoyed Louise Jensen's previous books - The Surrogate doesn't disappoint. Another great standalone psychological thriller.

This would have been a four star book but for the ending which caused me to literally roll my eyes. Don’t get me wrong – it was a surprise and I love when the ending is not obvious. But so many unlikely coincidences occurred that it lacked all credibility, and it left me feeling annoyed.

That said, I would not be put off reading another book by this author.

3 stars. This was one wild and crazy ride – wow!

This book definitely had a big shock factor for me. The author, Louise Jensen, kept the twists, secrets and surprises coming right up until the end. I enjoyed the suspense and anticipation of wondering what would happen next and to see how things would all end.

I found the majority of this story to be quite far-fetched which prevented me from truly connecting with the book. With that being said, the book was written in such an intriguing and suspenseful way that I was able to set aside my “believability police” radar and simply enjoy this shocking and twisty story.

The characters were interesting even though not fully believable and realistic. I was curious to see how things would play out for each person. It was a quick, easy and entertaining psychological thriller.

I had the pleasure of reading this along with my Traveling Sisters Norma, Brenda, Kaceey, Holly B, Susanne, Berit, Mary Beth and Jennifer. We had some interesting discussions on this one.

A big thank you to NetGalley, Bookouture and Louise Jensen for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review!

I am a sucker for anything written by Louise Jensen. I find her books so perfectly bingeable. I knew that her newest novel, The Surrogate, would be published soon but I promised my fiancé that I would not pick up another new novel until after our wedding was over.

Well, all was going well until the reviews for this one started rolling in. I couldn’t resist. I had to get my hands on this book.

#sorrynotsorry

I devoured Jensen’s newest psychological thriller in a single afternoon and Bookouture was correct when they marketed this as “a book with a shocking twist”. All of my assumptions about the plot were completely off base; Jensen truly did end up shocking me within the final pages and revelation of the book.

The novel opens with the introduction of Kat and her husband, Nick, who are dealing with fertility issues. They want nothing more than to have a baby of their own; however, after several adoptions fall through and Kat’s childhood friend, Lisa, coming back into their lives, they begin to consider surrogacy. Lisa has been a surrogate before. There is a history there. Kat trusts Lisa, and, Nick wants to make Kat happy. As the process moves forward, and Lisa becomes pregnant, Kat discovers that maybe Lisa’s intentions are not as pure as she thought.

Jensen created some seriously infuriating characters within these pages and I hated them all which such a passion; I take this as a sign of phenomenal writing. If I am swearing at the pages and shaking my head in disgust, then she absolutely has me hooked! I went back and forth between sympathizing with characters to judging them to wanting to give them a lecture. Dysfunction was out in full force with this crew and I loved every second.

My only complaint about this novel (and it was small) was that I did find some parts in the plot to be a little bit redundant and dragged out. However, this was made up for at the end of the novel when everything came to light. I did love that.

Overall, a great read that one would absolutely need a few hours set aside to begin. Trust me, once you pick this one up you will not be able to put it down. Clear your schedule folks!

The desperation to be a mother. What lengths would someone go to fulfill that dream?

Kat and her husband Nick are ready to complete their family with a baby. Unable to conceive, they turn to the obvious alternative...adoption.
When Kat runs into her childhood friend Lisa, she shares the difficulties they’ve been struggling with to start a family. Without any hesitation, Lisa offers a solution to their problem...surrogacy. With Lisa as the surrogate. This was Kat’s closest friend who she’d been estranged from for the past 10 years. Surely it’s just written in the stars that they would run into each other? There couldn’t possibly be another reason that Lisa just showed up with this generous offer after all this time?

“We always get what we deserve”

Wow, this thriller was as twisty as a corkscrew. I couldn’t imagine how all the pieces were going to come together. Yet the last 20% was an explosion of mayhem, and the hits just kept coming one after another like aftershocks in an earthquake.

Louise Jensen delivers an incredible psychological thriller that will keep you reading late into the night (it sure did for me). Since thrillers are my go-to genre, I like to think I can usually guess most twists along the way. Well...not this time! In fact, I don’t think I got a single one correct in this whole book! Wow! That may be a first for me!

A traveling sister read with Brenda, Norma, Lindsay, Susanne, Holly, Mary Beth, Jennifer and Berit.

Thank you to NetGalley, Bookouture and Louise Jensen

For this review and our full traveling sister review please visit Brenda and Norma's Fantastic Traveling Sister Book Blog http://www.twogirlslostinacouleereading.wordpress.com

You know the saying 'Be careful what you wish for.' Well that comes to mind when reading this novel by Louise Jensen. Kat and Nick are desperate to conceive. They are at the point of giving up but they are given a chance at becoming parents when they run into Kat's old friend Lisa who agrees to be a surrogate. But there are secrets. Secrets which are bubbling to the surface and threaten to stop the family she has always wanted.

I really enjoyed Louise Jensen's writing. The writing was concise and enjoyable enough for me to finish the book. The plot to this story is what drew me to this novel. Surrogacy and Secrets. Happily ever after? Maybe. It was slow building that's for sure with a secret and discovery you may not see coming. I know that I did not. Although I enjoyed this book there felt as if there was something quite missing. There was some good characterization in this book which was the push I need to see this through to the end. The book alternates between 'then' and 'now' of both Kat and her husband Nick which provides context for what happens to both characters. The ending was a big element of surprise. I was very impressed with Louise Jensen's storytelling and I love when I do not see the ending coming. I am curious to read more from Louise Jensen.

Thank you to Netgalley, Louise Jensen and Bookouture for providing an advance reader copy via Netgalley and giving me an opportunity to read this book. All opinions are my own.

I read The Surrogate with eight of my Traveling Sisters and we all mostly enjoyed this one making this a very enjoyable, fun and entertaining reading experience for us.

The Surrogate is a fast-paced, entertaining, intriguing yet far-fetched and twisty story that felt like we were watching a fast-paced train on it’s way to a train wreck. It’s a twisty path with lots of turns that clipped along as the suspense kept building until the twisty carnage that left us gawking in disbelief.

Louise Jensen does an excellent job of leading us all down this suspenseful path of hidden secrets leaving a few clues that had a couple of us taking a different turn than the others and figuring out a twist but quickly joined the rest to the end of this twisty story.

The unbelievability police did show up for this one but quickly suspended their disbelief and enjoyed this just for the fun of it story. We recommend.

Thank you so much to NetGalley, Bookouture, and Louise Jensen for the opportunity to read a copy of this book in exchange for a review.

All of our Traveling Sisters Reviews can be found on our sister blog:
https://twogirlslostinacouleereading....

THE SURROGATE by LOUISE JENSEN is a shocking, twisty, suspenseful, and a highly entertaining psychological thriller novel that had so many twists and turns that felt like I was on the crazy train to nowhere. This book did keep me rolling on down the track in nervous anticipation all the way to the quite surprising and off the rails ending.  The ending was so unexpected that I didn’t even see it coming.

LOUISE JENSEN delivers quite the intriguing story here with so many secrets and twists with chapter ending cliffhangers to make this a quick and easy read. I did have one slight issue that had me questioning the way things wrapped up for one of the characters though as it seemed a little far-fetched but it did not affect my enjoyment or how entertaining this book was for me though.  I actually really enjoy suspending disbelief and that has me questioning a character’s behaviour or actions while I am reading it as long as it is full of surprises and ends up making sense to me in the end then I am able to go with the flow and just enjoy the story for what it is.   

This was a Traveling Sisters group read that I had the pleasure of reading along with Brenda, Kaceey, Lindsay, Holly B, Susanne, Berit, Mary Beth and Jennifer.  We had some fun and interesting discussions trying to figure this one out!

To sum it all up it was an enjoyable, exciting, fast-paced, and an entertaining read with an unexpected and surprising ending.  I don’t think this story was at all predictable.  Would highly recommend!!

Thank you so much to NetGalley, Bookouture, and Louise Jensen for the opportunity to read a copy of this book in exchange for a review.

Amazing story that kep me gussing right up to the end.

You really want a baby, and your friend turns up and offers you the life you want on a plate. You'd be foolish not to accept.... wouldn't you?

Be prepared for an emotional rollercoaster!

Convincing characters. Lots of twists. Well worth reading

3.5 Stars* (rounded down)

Louise Jensen’s “The Surrogate” is a campy mystery that keeps your attention throughout.

Kat is desperate for a baby. She and her husband Nick have tried everything - unfortunately Kat is unable to conceive. After suffering heartache after heartache, Kat and Nick try to adopt, only to fail again - then something crazy happens. Kat runs into her ex-best friend, Lisa and Lisa offers to become their surrogate. The catch? Lisa and Kat have a past. Something bad happened between them 10 years ago, something that made it so that they severed all ties with each other. Something so bad that Kat has never forgiven herself for it and has even kept her past a secret from her husband. As for Lisa? She has secrets of her own.. and is quite shady herself. As the story progresses it’s hard to tell if Lisa can be trusted.

Kat’s life soon gets out of control. Kat begins to think that everyone in her life, including Nick, his best friend Richard, Lisa and her next door neighbor Claire, are against her and we can’t help but think the same thing. Kat’s antics are wild and completely far-fetched - as is the story itself.

There were many-a-time that I rolled my eyes and couldn’t wait to get to the end. I thanked goodness that it was a quick, easy read. The ending was nutso, if I do say so myself. Completely unexpected, and that my friends is why we read mysteries: for the element of surprise, and “The Surrogate’s” ending, took me by surprise and then some. If you aren’t shocked, then you are one heck of a detective!

This was a Traveling Sister Read. It included with Brenda, Norma, Kaceey, Lindsay, Jennifer, Holly, Berit and Mary Beth. We all had a lot of fun reading it together. It was my first read with Berit and Mary Beth. Welcome to the sisterhood ladies, it was a pleasure!

Thank you to NetGalley, Bookouture and Louise Jensen for an ARC of this novel in exchange for an honest review.

Published on NetGalley, Goodreads, Amazon, Twitter and Facebook on 11.10.17.

Never read a Louise Jensen before and was glad Netgally approved this read.
Book was an easy read with nice length chapters but I felt the book was going to be 'too predictable'and that I'd guess whats coming. Fortunately I didn't but at the end of every chapter I found myself saying ' well its obvious that this is going to happen .....'
The author was obviously trying to lead you to think one thing (and how rubbish the book would've been if it was that easy) but it made me frustrated reading the first 50% of the book.
Fortunately there were lots of twists turns lies & deceit but I never really liked any of the characters.
The book was 3.5 stars for me but couldn't justify rounding it up to a 4 but can see lots of people would enjoy the book so would still recommend

The Surrogate is the first book I’ve read by Louise Jensen and indeed won’t be the last.

Kat and Nick are desperate for a child. After being unable to have their own, they turn to adoption. Kat and Nick are devastated after two adoptions fall through and they are at a loss on what else they can do.

Enter Kat’s best friend from high school, Lisa. Lisa offers to be a surrogate for Kat and Nick, and graciously, they accept.

But Kat and Lisa share a long history together, which has separated their friendship for many years. Then, Kat becomes suspicious of Lisa when things start getting weird.

I enjoyed reading The Surrogate. Louise Jensen did an excellent job of bringing the characters to life. The trouble I had was, I’m not sure I liked any of them. While Jake was my favorite, he was a secondary character. I am unsure if this was intentional or not.

The lack of connection with the characters was the only reason I gave it 4-stars. It was a pretty solid story with a twisty ending. Who doesn’t love a twisty ending?

I can’t wait to read more of Louise Jensen’s books. I think she is a fantastic writer with a bright future ahead.

Bravo. 4-stars.

Thank you bookouture and Louise Jensen for allowing me the opportunity to review an advanced copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

Kat and her husband Nick have secrets from each other. These secrets start to become evident as the plot unfolds. They have both told lies and the truth will come out eventually. A really well written book with a lot happening in it. There are a lot of twists and turns and smoke and mirrors in this book. I did not see the ending coming. I am still sitting in shock. Looking forward to the next Louise Jensen book.

The Surrogate: Louise Jensen

Kat and Nick are desperate to become parents, they've even had two failed attempts at adoption. Lisa Kat's friend suddenly comes back into their lives and offers to be a surrogate mother for them. There is however history between them and their families and things do not appear to be all that they seem.

This was one hell of a rollercoaster of a read. Very emotional in places together with the thriller element.

I thoroughly enjoyed it as I have all Ms Jensen's previous books and would highly recommend.

My thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the advance reader copy.

The Surrogate by Louise Jensen
Publisher: Bookouture

Thanks to NetGalley and publisher Bookouture for the ebook ARC of The Surrogate by author Louise Jensen in exchange for an honest review.

Kat and her husband Nick have tried everything to become parents. They are almost at the point of giving up. Then Kat’s childhood friend, Lisa gives them one last chance to achieve their dream. But, Kat and Lisa’s past hides dark secrets.
As dangerous cracks begin to appear in Kat’s picture perfect happily ever after, she realizes that she must face her fear of the past to save her family.
You know that feeling, that when you want something so badly you would almost kill for it? How far will Kat go to get her family of three?

I give this book a rating of 5 stars and I highly recommend it.
Wow, this book was amazing! I didn’t see any of the twists and turns that were coming. Louise did a great job of writing! The characters all came together very well and you got to get to know each of them.

This novel starts at end, then the timeline flits between the past, beginning and the middle.

Kat and Nick have conception problems. When Kat’s childhood friend Lisa offers to be a surrogate for them, it would seem to be the answer to their prayers.

Kat and Lisa have a past that Nick knows nothing about. Is the renewed friendship all it seems to be? Is Lisa all she seems to be? She makes further money demands, and then there are problems with the ultrasound. Is she even pregnant?

Is Kat the true friend that she claims to be though?

In fact, is anything what it seems to be?
This is very hard to write without spoilers but the story is perfectly paced, and the twists and turns seem to come from nowhere. Really thought I had it worked out but I was almost, completely wrong. The characters are selfish, flawed and not what they seem to be. I loved them all (apart from Richard), and read the last quarter of the book with my mouth and eyes WIDE OPEN.

Do yourself a favour, switch off the phone, curl up and ENJOY!

Thank you to Netgalley, and the publishers, for an advance e-copy in return for my honest review.

Louise Jensen is so good at taking what seems like ordinary circumstances and creating an incredible atmosphere of tension and suspense. Her books are impossible to put down.

“The Surrogate” is her latest novel and it’s simply brilliant. Just when you think you’ve got a handle on it - Bam! There’s a twist! I loved it.

The book follows Kat, a young woman who yearns to be a mother, but is unable to conceive herself. After failed adoption attempts, she turns to an old friend to be her Surrogate. But Kat’s past - and the mysterious past of Kay’s husband, Nick - is filled with some dark secrets that may just come out into the light in the process.

This novel is a mix of flashbacks and present-day action. I had no idea how it was all going to come together. I had some theories, but did not guess correctly. I was shocked at the ending! I loved that the twist was great and out of nowhere, but still made sense. It was one of those “Ooooh!” moments.

I also liked Kat. She is a little unstable, so it’s fun to try and see things happening through her eyes, not knowing if she’s a reliable narrator or not. It made for a great, tense atmosphere. Nick was similar. I couldn’t get a h able on him, which kept me guessing throughout the book.

By about the middle of the book, I was turning pages like crazy. I was seriously hooked and couldn’t wait to see how it all worked out.

If you’re a fan of suspense and thrills, get this book, then check out Louise Jensen’s other work. You won’t regret it.

This is an amazing story. So unexpected. Love this author.