Kat is desperate for a baby - desperate enough to try almost anything. Devastated by the falling-through of two attempts at overseas adoption, when her old friend Lisa turns up and offers to be a surrogate - claiming to have done it before - Kat and husband Nick jump at the chance. But Kat and Lisa's friendship ended years ago in tragic circumstances, and all is not plain sailing with the pregnancy. What's Lisa's real agenda, and will Kat ever get the baby she craves?

It's apparent from the outset that Lisa is not exactly on the level - that's not a spoiler, since it's immediately obvious to anyone with eyes (except Kat, seemingly, who is blinded by desperation and hope). Louise Jensen does a good job of ratcheting up the tension and sense of foreboding. It's clear that all is not as it seems, but despite hints and foreshadowing it's not till near the end that the reader realises what is really going on.

While I could certainly relate to Kat's feelings and desire to be a mother, I did feel a certain suspension of disbelief was required as regards quite how quickly she and Nick jumped into the surrogacy arrangement - this would be a huge decision for anyone to make. However the story would not have worked otherwise.

An easy and addictive read which is recommended for fans of this genre,

Wow, what a fantastic book. I loved Louise's book The Gift, so was keen to read her latest offering. Kat and Nick are desperate to have a baby. After two failed overseas adoption attempts they are ready to give up, that's when Lisa - a childhood friend of Kat's reappears in their lives. She tells them that she has been a surrogate before and offers to do the same for them. Kat is over the moon and they get the process going quite quickly. Lisa falls pregnant almost immediately, but all is not what it seems. She constantly asks for more money, finds reasons why Kat can't come to her ultrasound appointments, and other things make Kat wonder if it is all real or not. Meanwhile Nick has become very distant and there is money being withdrawn from their account on a regular basis. All this and random phonecalls, family issues, secrets, suspicious neighbours make for a very engaging book to read. There are secrets and lies with all the characters and all is not what it seems building up to an explosive climax. I couldn't put this book down and would recommend to readers of psychological thrillers. 5 Stars from me.

From the opening page I was completely hooked and I just knew The Surrogate was going to be an impressive read! There was a chilling element throughout, I couldn’t quite decide what was going on and whether anybody was actually being truthful to Kat! A huge question for me: were Lisa’s intentions right, was she really there to help Kat and did they really bump into each other by coincidence or was it all a setup?! Something else I really couldn’t decide on was whether Nick was up to something behind Kat’s back or whether he really was where he said he was? Pretty much every element of the story was a huge mystery and I utterly devoured it!!

The author did a superb job of shaping the book in a certain way to make you doubt every character but want to trust them at the same time because I think every reader just wanted Kat to get her longed-for baby. To be honest I did think at one point that Kat was really cracking up and the awful things that were happening to her, she was just imagining!

The tension of the story built with every page I turned and I truly believed I’d got it all sussed out and knew exactly what was coming, WOW how I was so wrong!!! The ending of this book is probably the most shocking, explosive and astounding ending I have EVER read! I breathlessly dropped my Kindle on my bed after reading the final page and just thought, how the heck did that happen, wtf!!!

This is one thousand percent a MUST READ for any bookworm and if you let this book slip from your pile you are seriously missing out on the book of the year!!

Louise Jensen has quickly climbed my list of favorite authors. If she writes a book, I'll read it! I spent most of my time reading this one with my brow furrowed, trying to figure out who I could trust. In this book everyone, and I mean EVERYONE seems a little fishy. I thought I knew exactly where it was headed, but no. I was wrong about pretty much everything. My armchair detective skills have failed me! This story required some suspension of disbelief and I didn't really relate much with the characters, but it still kept me turning pages.

Kat is desperate to be a mother, but after fertility struggles and two failed adoptions, she's starting to wonder if it'll ever happen for her. Husband Nick wants a little one to care for too, but struggles watching his wife have her heart broken over and over again while dealing with his own disappointment. A ray of light appears just when they need it... Kat's old friend Lisa. She's been a surrogate before, and would be willing to give birth again... especially if it was for Kat. Incredibly good timing, right?

Kat and Lisa have a troubled history that only unfurls as the story goes on, mostly through flashbacks. Something tore their once unbreakable friendship apart once, and that something must have been very bad... but then why is Lisa willing to give Kat this unbelievable gift?

Kat has always had a touch of anxiety she blames on her past, but as months pass and she begins to experience some tension with Nick and worry about Lisa and her pregnancy, she begins to feel paranoid. Was that someone outside peeking through the window? Is someone watching her, making sure she'll never get what she desires the most?

Despite having my hackles up the whole time, prepared for some insanity, this book managed to surprise me multiple times in the end, and I love that!

I received a copy of this book from Net Galley and Bookouture, thank you! My review is honest and unbiased.

After reading The Sister and loving it I couldn't wait to read what Louise had in store for us next. OMG this lady sure knows how to write a psychological thriller this book is absolutely mindblowing in fact it will blow your socks off it is one hell of a masterpiece. I cannot begin to tell you how much I loved it.



In this story we meet Kat and Nat who are desperate to have a baby after trying everything. Then by chance Kat’s childhood friend gives them one last chance to have there dream.

The Surrogate is beautifully written with stunning atmospheric descriptions where I could actually smell the food and feel the weather.

With chapters woven together telling a story of now and what happened in the past. Louise has written one extremely well crafted story that will take you through a rollercoaster of emotions. I felt like the characters all had something to hide I just didn't know who to trust. It will certainly keep you guessing until the very end. There I was thinking I had it all worked out...how wrong was I!

The tension build up is out of this world. One minute I am on tenterhooks then the next I am crying It’s not very often that I cry reading a story but oh my days this story is so powerful you will not believe it until you read it. Louise has totally excelled herself with this cracking read. I cannot wait for the world to read it. If you loved The Sister you will love this even more.

This is a must read which I cannot recommend enough and deserves 10 gold stars! This has got to be the best book I have read this year.

Thank you to Kim Nash at Bookouture for inviting me to take part in the epic tour.

WOW! An addictive, suspenseful, twisty turn, thrilling, fast paced amazing! Another fantastic book by Louse that I was really sad to have finished.

This isn't the genre of book I read these days but I was in the mood for a Thriller.

I enjoyed this book but it wasn't my favourite thriller I have read so far. I liked that it kept me guessing and the ending was just not what i was expecting .

I give this 3 out of 5

Another brilliant book from Louise Jensen. This was one of my books that I had refrained from reading earlier as I wanted it as one of my holiday reads, and what a fantastic read! So pleased I was reading it on the sunbed as I could not put it down. The book opens with two bodies, but who they are is not revealed until the final chapter and you will still be guessing. This book is centred upon Kat, who is desperate for a baby, probably more so than Nick, her husband. Their only solution seems to be adoption, but this falls through. Then Kat, bumps into her old friend Lisa, who offers to be a surrogate. This is only the start of things as Lisa and Kat have a secret past and all this and more is revealed in so many twists and turns it will leave you breathless! Nick and his friend, Richard also share a secret from the past and both these secrets combine in the final explosive chapters. This book stays in your thoughts well after finishing and is certainly not one to be missed. I can't wait for the next offering from Louise. Thanks to Netgalley and Bookouture for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book.

I really enjoyed The Surrogate. It’s a tense, gritty thriller that will draw you in from the very first page and before you know it, an hour will have passed as you keep turning the pages.

Kat and her husband Nick have tried everything to become parents but will a chance encounter with Kat’s childhood friend Lisa help them achieve their dream? Kat and Lisa both have their secrets and is there more to Lisa than meets the eye?

There are so many layers to this book, each character seems to have their own deception and secrets and these slowly unfold throughout the book. Couple with some fabulous twists and turns this really is a book to fall into and not come up for air until you reach the end.

I would give this book 4.5 stars and look forward to reading more from this author.

Thank you to NetGalley, Bookouture and the author for the chance to review.

Louise Jensen is on a roll! Three hits in a row—quite the accomplishment. Her passion shines through. The author’s previous two books reached #1 in the UK and abroad (if you have not heard).

The thriller queen returns following The Gift on my Top Books of 2016 and The Sister (2016) with her latest THE SURROGATE — her best yet!

NOTE to readers: PS. I continue to say, "I am going to keep my reviews short." That way I can write many more reviews. Right? However, when I get started they seem to go on and on. If you do not feel like reading them; my feelings will not be hurt. Just take my advice, and buy the book. Judge for yourself. I think you will find, there is much to be discussed. The good ones always are. If you spend time reading a book, why not spend just as much time writing a review?

Talk about "unreliable" narrator (s) ! These guys are pros. The author keeps you guessing until the final explosive conclusion with one last jab . . . and turns the knife a little more. A killer twist.

If you think this is the same ordinary surrogate story? The surrogate tries to keep the baby. Wife disappointed. Husband runs off with the surrogate. . . . "No, think again." Much more complex and multi-layered.

The reader does not know which character they can trust. The characters do not trust one another.

Complex with a Capital “C”. Each character has a secret past and as the novel progresses, skeletons come out of the closet— one by one .... Unraveling. You gasp and say, "WTH?"

This book is high anxiety and happened to be reading it in the middle of a hurricane, which only accelerated the intensity. The author creates clever twists (her master signature style) and keeps you on your toes.

Guilt, loyalty, revenge, love, trust, betrayal, and hate.

An array of emotions. Who is the real guilty party, or is it a combination of people? One wrong action and turn— causes a domino effect. Do you really know your friends and your spouse?

“So many lives ruined. What was one more?”

“If you prick us, do we not bleed? If you tickle us, do we not laugh. If you poison us, do we not die? And if you wrong us, shall we not revenge?” — William Shakespeare


As the book opens there is a reporter. There are two bodies. A double murder?

Meet Kat and Nick. From then to now.

Overall they seem like a nice ordinary couple. Charity work. They have been married for eight years. Stroke Support. A charity Nick set up with his best friend Richard after Richard's grandmother had a stroke.

Kate had been a temp and this is how they met. They are set financially. She still works for them, while Richard is busy with his law firm and Nick has a property development company.

Kate wants a baby. Let me correct myself. She is "obsessed" with having a baby. She wants to be a mother. She is getting desperate and running out of patience.

Nick, her husband says he wants one too, but you get a strong feeling, not with the same level of enthusiasm and burning desire, as his wife. Maybe just wants his wife to be happy. She, after all, cannot have children. He can.

Their many attempts have been unsuccessful. From doctors, tests, to adoption agencies. Each time they get close, something falls through at the last minute.

Enter Lisa.

Lisa comes back into Kate’s life after a long absence. A childhood friend. They were BFFs. What happened to separate the two? Is she a friend harboring a grudge, perhaps?

Can Kate trust her? Was this encounter planned or a by chance meeting? Fate? The two were great friends growing up but had a major falling out. We do not know in the earlier part of the book. A mystery. We know there was a car accident that rocked their small town and Kate ran away, leaving Lisa to deal with questions.

One thing Kat knows for sure. It is approaching the 10th anniversary of Jake, her ex-boyfriend’s death. Has fate brought the once best friends back together? Good or bad?

Mistakes were made.

“We learn that Kate is a keeper of secrets. A guardian of the truth.” . . . You mustn’t tell Kate.”

Lisa seems to have been the third wheel in their teen relationship. Very jealous of the relationship Kate had with Jake. Is there more to this story? You better believe it.

Lisa never wanted to be a mother. Kate is dying to be a mother. Lisa said she has been a surrogate previously, and it went well, leaving a seed planted in Kate’s mind. Is she genuine, or not?

Later an adoption falls through once again and Kate wonders, what if? Could this really work? Is surrogacy the answer? In the past, she never thought about this option, but Lisa? The person she has known her entire life. This could be a miracle.

You know when you are desperate, you are not thinking clearly and weighing all the options. Desire clouds our thinking.

However, from here on out, nothing is simple. What a roller coaster wild crazy ride. The psychological elements are slow burning to sizzling!

Each reader will have theories about the murders. They will change throughout the book. Lisa is hiding her past. Kate is hiding her past. Now, Nick is definitely hiding his past. (Nick’s is a doozy).

You do not expect this haunting tragedy. This poor guy cannot catch a break. However, in the present, he seems to have it together (to Kate, anyway). Kind of removed. Something is going on with him and he says work issues.

Kate is heartbroken about a past love. There was a car accident. She came from a very strict family, especially her dad. She lost her shot at motherhood, and love in one fatal night. Does she want revenge? She has never told Nick about her secrets. He has not shared his.

You are dying to know, what happened!

As a reader, you are also unsure about Lisa. Kate suspects something is not quite right with Lisa. She agrees to be a surrogate, but at times she appears to be hiding something. Kate is suspicious. She could ruin her life.

Throw Richard in the mix. He is an attorney and best friend of Nick’s from childhood. Kate gets the feeling Richard does not like her. He always handles their adoption affairs. Can we trust him? Is he sabotaging their chances?

Kate soon realizes maybe her husband is not so keen on the idea of their upcoming baby. He seems withdrawn and she suspects he may be having an affair. Has she pushed him away with her overwhelming obsession?

Lisa is acting strangely. Is Kate paranoid because she cannot control her own life? She is at the mercy of Lisa. The picture-perfect life she had planned seems to be falling apart.

Who is lying?

“Our version of the truth is pliable, we mold our reality to mask our lies, and sometimes it sounds so plausible we even convince ourselves.”

As the intense suspense builds all three characters’ lives finally intersect. Except wait a minute. It is not over until the fat lady sings. Just when you think it will end a certain way, BAM . . . an evil twist.

The Butterfly Effect: The butterfly effect is a concept that states "small causes can have larger effects".

If you have seen the movie The Butterfly: (2004) American psychological thriller supernatural fiction film starring, Ashton Kutcher.

“The title refers to the butterfly effect, a popular hypothetical example of chaos theory which illustrates how small initial differences may lead to large unforeseen consequences over time.”

When you finish reading you will be speculating how different things could have been, if . . . These two are different in many ways but reminds me strongly of-Harlan Coben’s, mini-series, The Five (which I binge-watched this weekend on Netflix on my Kindle). Loved! Top-Notch. One mistake. Again, the butterfly effect. The Sinner is another example (loved this book and mini-series).

People carry guilt their entire lives over certain things. However, we learn down the road there may have been other things, and persons and circumstances at play, which changed the course.

Mind-boggling. However, this person may go through their entire life and never know how each small thing contributed to the tragedy, as well. This is where mysteries and missing persons go, unsolved and very intriguing.

You've got to love books like this. I know I do. Heart-pounding. Enthralling! There are so many what-ifs. This is a prime example, as in the movie referenced and this book. Things we do in our teens, or as children. Small things lead to large unforeseen consequences. We live with them our entire lives. They will haunt, consume, and change the course of more than one life.

You want to reach out to our children, (my grandchildren). Be mindful of the small things. They can turn into large things. One wrong move can lead to disaster.

A cautionary tale. This husband and wife both are troubled and damaged souls. However, they both keep their hidden secrets from one another. Could someone be a hero in the end? Redemption?

Louise, you sure do know how to write a twisty complex tale with juicy dark secrets. When looking at the three main characters, not sure which one I am more shocked about. There are a few close ties here for vote for "most damaged." I mean, seriously.

Plus, we could hold an entire psychological discussion dissecting Kate’s dad and mom.

No matter what surrogate stories you have read in the past, I can pretty much say, you will find NONE, like this one. It takes you by surprise. Grabs you.

Who is the real monster? Read, and discover.

Shocking. Spine-tingling. A top psychological thriller. There is so much good stuff here. Ideal for book clubs and further discussions.

Jensen is quickly becoming my top UK author. This book needs to be compared, rightly so to The Girl on the Train and then some. Top books of the year list. 5 Stars +++

Other things about the author (in addition to her fabulous storytelling), which provides her books an added edge. I love learning the inspiration behind the book. She is very good about doing this at the end of her books, as well as wonderful thought-provoking book club questions.

THE SURROGATE is definitely movie-worthy, or a mini-series. Congrats, another hit under your belt. Don’t stop now.

Readers, If you loved Coben’s The Five, you will certainly enjoy The Surrogate. Ideal for fans of B.A. Paris, Wendy Walker, and Mary Kubica.

A special thank you to Bookouture and NetGalley for an early reading copy. (great cover, as well). Also purchased audiobook narrated by Alex Tregear (currently listening) —an entertaining performance.

JDCMustReadBooks

Have you ever had the butterfly effect where your stomach flutters with anticipation well The Surrogate by Louise Jenson provides this in bucket loads.

The Surrogate is the third psychological thriller written by Louise Jensen and it certainly doesn’t disappoint, the opening chapter hints at a couple who have been murdered, but who are they and where will it takes us?

The only way is to turn the page and read on……..

The book revolves around Kat a young woman married to Nick who want nothing more than to complete their family, have a baby of their own, but they have been unsuccessful and the options they have left are adoption. Opportunities have arisen for Kat several times to adopt but each time her hearts desire is ripped away when the babies are placed with other families.

The rawness of the heartache shown in Kats insatiable desire to become a mother at any cost, literally drips from the pages.

A miracle seems to befall them when an old friend of Kats appears and offers to be a surrogate for Kat and Nick. at what cost. Kat and Lisa have not spoken in years there are secrets between them, unspoken words, but the lure of being a mother is too much for Kat. The secrets, the lies take their toll and the cracks appear in Kats marriage, Kat becomes paranoid about her husband, his best friend and is Lisa what she appears.

The past is catching up…. 

Louise has played the hand of past and present in the plot magically and it served to intrigue and enthral the more pages I turned, I couldn’t get enough. I had butterflies in my stomach which fluttered and leapt with each page turn, driving me further through the chapters delving deeper into the twists, sending chills through my mind, till the final explosive chapters.

I have no doubts that The Surrogate will be a success, its still fresh in my mind after a few days and I’m still mulling over the OMG moments, you wont see what’s coming fulfilling my thoughts on what is a great book.

Thank you to Bookouture, Louise Jensen and NetGalley for an advanced copy of The Surrogate in exchange for an honest review.

I just popped my Louise Jensen cherry and am now eager to read her other books!

The Surrogate is a story packed with secrets and lies, it's a really addictive page turner with fabulously written, flawed characters and many twists and turns. I couldn't guess the ending, will you??

Many thanks to Netgalley and Bookouture for this wonderful psychological read.
4.5 stars

A head spinner of a book. This was a fantastic read. Written in the then and now the story weaves together old friends, lovers, family, deceit and secrets. So many characters with a possible dark side. The ending was a stunner - didn't see any of that coming!

I loved The Sister, I loved The Gift but I was absolutely blown away by the sheet brilliance of The Surrogate! Louise Jensen has gone from strength to strength with plotting her twisted storylines so that here she gives us a psychological thriller of first class distinction that grabbed me from the very page and refused to let go of me! I must issue a warning though! Do not read on train journeys! If my train hasn’t actually ended in Crewe, goodness knows where I would have ended up!

My key requirement for a book to be a particularly great read for me is that it surprises me. Thankfully, The Surrogate did what many books try and fail to do…….It shocked the hell out of me! In fact, the surprises started very early on for me when the flashbacks didn’t take me down quite the path that I was expecting to follow. Told in the style of “Then” and “Now” this is the story of Kat and her husband Nick and the difficulties they face to start the family they are so desperate for. Enter an old school friend of Kat’s who offers to become a surrogate for them. Now this was where things got VERY interesting indeed! Because there was obviously a catastrophic event in the girls past that meant all may not be as straightforward with Lisa’s offer as we would like to think! As we flashback to the past, there were several surprises for me and I was never allowed to rest on my laurels for very long but had to keep working hard on my theories as to what was happening beneath the surface of these relationships.

Louise Jensen got into the mindset of the woman unable to conceive here with a breathtaking insight into the frailty of mind and overwhelming need to become a mother. That need often becomes an obsession, a totally blinkered view to that impending finishing line of motherhood. And when that end is in sight, all obstacles need to be cleared, no matter how high, as the alternative is almost impossible to imagine. Louise Jensen perfectly conveys that feeling of bereavement that a woman (and ofcourse her partner) can feel at the finality of their situation. They are actually grieving and not just because of never becoming parents but for the lifelong list of “the firsts”-no first steps, no first day of school, no little birds to fly the nest, no grandchildren……..The emotions run so high when it comes to fertility and often the urge to become a mother can make women overlook the niggles that something clearly isn’t quite right, the feeling of which slowly creeps up upon the characters here in The Surrogate.

When the end finally came, every hypothesis I had indulged in completely dissipated leaving me quite dumbfounded followed then by a dazed admiration for the sheer quality of that shocking denouement. Now THAT is how to leave your reader crying out for more! This is definitely my favourite of all Louise Jensen’s books so far and I will be highly recommending it-loudly and proudly! And any book that manages to get references to my favourite musical West Side Story popping up throughout the narrative deserves a place in my top reads of the year!

Ever wanted something so bad you would do anything to get it?

I wanted bookcases so I nagged and nagged until the apartment was finally filled with books houses.

But what Kat wants is a baby. You can’t buy them on Amazon (yet) or make your choice among IKEA baby shelves.

The heart of The Surrogate is motherhood. What it takes, what happens when you’re denied it, when you get cast to be the woman, not the mother. But it is also so much more than that.

Louise Jensen dives so deep into the psyche of a woman whose desire runs deeply into her veins. For personal reasons, this book stirred emotions I did not know I felt, did not know existed, did not know could hurt so bad.
When I read a story, I want them to be realistic, I like to relate, I enjoy to fear, I appreciate the familiarity of the emotions, I relish in living through the pages, I take pleasure in discovering feelings and having my thoughts and beliefs questioned. The Surrogate did all of this and gave me more than I thought I expected.

Oh, I knew I was in for a good read. I fell in love with Louise Jensen’s style with her debut The Sister and I am delighted to let you know the peculiar and atmospheric, absolutely claustrophobic writing is once again au rendez-vous. I dare you to take a look at the beginning and then tear yourself away easily! I know I was unable to. Not that I actually wanted to, haha!

This book is about a life, a regular couple life. Except that life is anything but regular if you scratch the surface, something neither party has ever done. And this tiny life sucks you in and traps you into the pages. I remember talking with friends about how reading was for escapism and they did not understand my fascination for stories about people, about things that could happen to any of us. Well, reading about it makes me feel alive. Alive and kicking, just like a baby. Alive, kicking, breathing, and discovering the world through the eyes of a writer who knows better than me how to express all those different experiences and feelings we get to encounter along the years.

Kat is a typical Jensen character. I was on her side from the start, it was us against the world. Unreliable at times, scared, loved, loving, hoping, Kat let me in on her journey through motherhood. But not only. Because how do you build a future when your past still hunts you?

Every character is built with their strength, their flaws, their suspicions, their inner sanctum and the author let doors appear, one after the other, until you get to know those people so well you could swear they are part of you. Because there’s something to learn from all of them, because the bad guys are not always the ones we think, because the good guys are capable of the worst, because nothing is black and white and all is gray. The perfect gray Louise Jensen paints in her books.

I discovered the power of a past/present narration thanks to Louise Jensen more than a year ago. Gosh, this woman knows where to put her pawns and make them move at the right time for you to feel that undercurrent of unease, to see the light reflect on a silver thread of web slowly forming to create a masterpiece in which every word, every movement, every comma comes together and wraps you up. The Surrogate smothers you until you feel each twitch in your bone, each of the characters’ feelings in your own heart, each of the plot lines unfold to finally set you free.

Except I’ll never be free from this story. I do not want to. I want to cherish the tension. I want to dwell on past mistakes. I want to sing the playlist. I want to ponder over how strong friendships can be. I want to know what it takes to be a mother, and not forget how difficult it can be to become one.

On top of all those emotions, you can find the very issue of surrogacy and the controversy around it. Each country has rules about it and this book definitely raises the question of adoption, the use of surrogates, the needs of childless parents, and the hope of orphans to find a home. A sensible writing and real research only make Kat and her husband Nick’s journey more realistic and painful, Louise Jensen having captured the essence of human beings and their desire for a life to love more than their own. She beautifully describes how those difficult times take a toll on the body and mind of any couple. The Surrogate feels like a testimony of millions of story, familiar and relatable, plunged in a twisted and taut ocean that ends up washing everything away, only leaving the reader soaked in emotions and drenched in feelings.

The tension gradually showed its face and I held my breath for so long I thought I’d forgotten how to breathe and… When I thought I’d reached the ending after so many threads that had left me transfixed, speechless, and hurt, for all that had happened, had not, would not, I was again blown away by another layer of this impossibly intricate and absolutely nailed emotional plot.

The Surrogate is this publishing season’s must-read – a riveting tale of love, given; awaited; hoped for; and poison, dark; impossible to escape. Louise Jensen doesn’t disappoint with her addictive and soul-whispering writing!

Louise Jensen has become one of my favorite authors. Her previous titles, The Sister and The Gift were both brilliant. In my opinion, The Surrogate is her best book… I have a feeling that I will say the same thing about her next book. Honestly though, her books just keep getting better.

In this story, Kat desperately wants to be a mom. After failed adoption attempts, she decided to try out surrogacy especially when an old friend offered to be the surrogate. It sounds straight forward right? That is what I thought. I read the first chapters with a feeling of foreboding. I kept waiting for something to go wrong. I knew that something would but just didn’t know what and when. However, all my assumptions were dead wrong. There was absolutely nothing that was straightforward in this book. I couldn’t have predicted the twists and turns that came as the story progressed.

The story is narrated through dual timelines and narratives. The then is not only narrated by one person but by two. I kept wondering why the author used two narrators until the connection became apparent. Have you ever shouted at a book? I remember the exact moment when the realization dawned on me and the connection became clear. I was shouting, heart racing, furiously turning pages in disbelief mixed with anticipation. It was a brilliant twist.

Louise Jensen kept the twists coming up to the last page and the ending was so chilling that I had to check and confirm that all my doors and windows were locked before I could sleep. This book has everything that makes a perfect thriller. It has a set of unlikable yet addictive characters. The twists are unpredictable and I just loved how everything came together in an explosive conclusion. The prologue had already set the tone for the book but I couldn’t have guessed the ending. I had to get to the final chapter to understand what the prologue was all about.

The Surrogate by Louise Jensen is a must read for all fans of this genre. If you enjoy a good, thrilling, memorable book with lots of twists, you definitely have to read this one. If you haven’t read of the author’s previous titles, you are missing out on a great reading experience and you should definitely rectify that. Highly recommended!

Louise Jensen has already shown her talent to write intriguing books with her debut – The Sister so when this came out I knew I had to dive back into that creative mind of hers to see what she’d come up with next.
Using the familiar backdrop of infertility and wanting a baby, she shows the heart wrenching journey,

emotional turmoil and deep decision making that goes into this process. When someone offers you the chance of a lifetime, a lifeline to the very dream you felt crumbling before you how could you not take it? Jensen uses this to offer a up a thriller that will have you feeling sorrow, anger, and that tingling of suspense at wondering what could possibly go wrong now?

Jensen winds so many questions and confusion into her story you start to wonder who can you trust, who is lying or is anything what it seems? You’re going to feel on edge through a great portion of it. I felt like I had to push myself a bit in the middle as I had trouble caring about Lisa and Kat for a while which sucked because they are the story. Eventually the story ramps right back up again and provides one heck of an ending!

The ending alone made reading this worth it and proved yet again why Jensen is so great. Even if you think you know what will happen there are so many twists and turns that smug sureness is going to turn into awe.

This is my first read by Louise Jensen, but will definitely not be my last. I was hooked right from the start. As Kat’s personality is developing thru the paragraphs, you start to see small cracks in her oh-so-innocent demeanor. She seems to suffer from agoraphobia and drops casual hints that certain mental issues should be expected after what she’s endured. When Lisa reenters Kat’s life it all seems just a little too perfect. As they reminisce, you realize the two were so very close, inseparable even, during school. Kat was madly in love with Lisa’s twin brother, Jake. So what happened to him? And if they were so close, why have they been estranged for years? And what’s the deal with Nick, Kat’s husband? Is he truly a dedicated husband or will we learn he’s a wolf in sheep’s clothing? His childhood is shown in bits and pieces before the curtain is dropped back again, just enough for you to feel a bit nervous about his potential and intents. His friend Richard is an attorney working to gain an adoption for Kat and Nick, but he seems to have his own agenda. One would almost think he’s sabotaging their efforts instead of looking out for their best interests.
I spent a lot of time trying to figure out the plot of this book as I turned each page. I was wrong on each twist and turn. I absolutely love reading books like this that challenge me and my thinking.
I highly recommend this book for anyone wanting an escape from your currently cluttered brain. As you read this, all your other pesky thoughts will take a back seat while you try to stay ahead of what’s unfolding. Good luck with that!
My thanks go to the Publisher and NetGalley for the chance to read this book.