Okay, this book wasn't bad but it wasn't great either. I absolutely did not like any of the characters, they were weak and whiny and Kat was very unreliable. That being said, I do love an unreliable protagonist as you never know what's really going on. The problems I had with the book had more to do with the way the characters behaved rather than the plot or the writing. The characters just never seemed real to me or behaved in any believable way.
The first half of the book was a bit slow but the story did pick up and I really couldn't stop reading. I wanted to find out all of the secrets and I wanted to know how it all tied together. I guessed some of the plot but not all of it. I do love when I get some things wrong, it makes the book better for me. There's nothing worse than predictability in a plot.
I did love the epilogue and the way the story ended. It was a bit unbelievable but it certainly fit with the rest of the story.
All in all, a book worth reading but not one I'd go out of my way to get.

The Surrogate is the third book by this author and the second that I have read, I loved The Sister and didn't think that one could be topped, how wrong I was! I now look forward to reading her second one, The Gift, which I have on my tbr list.

This one tells the story of Kat and Nick, who are desperate for a baby and have explored all the ways possible to have one, sadly things are not going their way and they believe they have exhausted all options available to them until Lisa, a friend of Kat's from her childhood, reappears in her life and offers them a lifeline, but are things everything they seem with Lisa or is she back simply to exact revenge?

I spent much of the time while reading this book, trying to second guess exactly what was going on and was convinced at one point that I had the answer, then another twist came along, hit me squarely between the eyes and put me right back at the beginning again.

This book invades your mind, there are so many secrets and you start off believing everyone is telling the truth and end up trusting nobody. I was drawn into this book from page one, it was a non stop roller coaster ride with more twists than a corkscrew and I did not expect that final twist!

I would like to thank Bookouture for the auto approval, I will post my review on Goodreads now and Amazon on publication day.

41/2 stars

Thanks to Netgalley and Bookouture for my copy.

Kat and Nick are a married couple who are desperate for a child. One adoption from China has fallen through and then they try again for a little girl from a Chinese orphanage.

Kat bumps into Lisa a childhood friend who offers to be their surrogate. It seems the answer to all their problems and a dream come true. Richard, Nick's best friend and lawyer has doubts but Kat has always felt coldness and indifference from him and so forges on with their plan.

Long buried secrets and resentments resurface for Kat and Lisa. However they are not the only one with skeletons in their cupboards and deep secrets that can shatter people's happiness and dreams.

This is a suspenseful novel full of twists and turns and maintains the suspense right through to the end. Very enjoyable and entertaining.

The Surrogate Louise Jensen

Louise Jensen has written some of the most original thrillers I have ever read, and this sits right at the top of the pile.

The story starts with a crime scene in which there are two bodies, and then continues to revolve around a few characters, any of which could be one of those bodies, on the lead up to the crime.

The main character is Kat, a 30-year-old woman who is desperately trying to adopt a child with her Property Developer husband Nick.

Kat has a secret, 10 years ago she was involved in an accident and she has moved away to start a new life.

All is going well until she bumps into an old friend from the past, Lisa.

Lisa has been a surrogate mom before, and persuades Kat and Nick to let her be their surrogate.

What is Lisa up to? Did she really just happen to bump into her old school friend, or was it more by design?

As the story unfolds it becomes clear Nick has his own secrets, and so does his best friend Richard.

Richard happens to be Nicks old business partner, and his solicitor, and is handling the legal side of the surrogacy.

Not one of these people is innocent, any of them could be one of the two victims at the original crime scene; but just as much they could all be the perpetrator of the crime.

This is one of the most complex crime/psychological thrillers I have ever read. At times, I was swayed in favour of all of the main characters, in a sympathetic way. At other times, I hated each one of them. There were times when I was convinced I knew who the victims were and who had killed them, but then I changed my mind; or had it changed for me.

But the end, that comes as quite a shock.

What a great book.

Pages: 374
Publisher: Bookouture
Publishing date: 27th September 2017.

A wild ride from start to finish. I was drawn in from the first sentence and could not wait to see the conclusion! The writing was phenomenal and some of the pop culture references were spot on. A great tale to scare even the bravest of us out of having a surrogate! The plot was twisted and wonderful.
Unfortunately I could oh too clearly see similarities between myself and Kate. If you like thrillers and enjoy the work of s.j. Watson you will love this book. Highly recommend!!

The Surrogate is the best book yet from talented Louise Jensen. I enjoyed The Sister and The Gift very much and Louise's writing is going from strength to strength.

Kat and Nick have been trying to have a baby and all their efforts have failed when a chance encounter with Lisa, a childhood friend of Kat's, brings hope into their lives. Lisa offers to be a surrogate for them and a roller coaster ensues. Everyone is hiding secrets and the ending is a highly unexpected one.

It is difficult to review this novel without giving away the twists and turns which make it such an entertaining read. Fans of Louise's other books will love it and she will no doubt attract many new ones. Many thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for the opportunity to read and review The Surrogate.

4.5 * Kat had a best friend for most of her childhood until something threw them apart. A chance meeting (or is it?) and some heavy disappointments bring Lisa back to the forefront of Kat’s life. Kat is desperate for a baby but can’t conceive herself and so is looking at other ways. Her lifelong friend might just have the perfect solution. If things are too good to be true????This is one of those books where you think you can see where things are going, and then they don’t. Kat is a likeable character with something in her past that is deep seated in her memory and affects her in different ways. A story that has twists and turns along the way with a gripping plot. If you like psychological thrillers then this is a recommended read- to keep you reading and guessing as the true story unfolds. Chapters are “Now” and “Then” so that we get the unfolding of what has gone before. An interesting concept and a brilliant plot.I voluntarily chose to read this ARC and all opinions in this review are my own and completely unbiased

Wow! Louise Jensen never fails to deliver - with each thrilling, twisted, page-turner of a book, her writing only gets better, and more addictive. I absolutely loved this amazing, absolutely unputdownable, original and compelling story. I wanted to keep turning the pages to find out what was going on and I also didn't want it to end - the mark of a great book. Still thinking about the characters. Chilling, mind-bending, satisfying - another brilliant bestseller! Cannot wait for her next!

As I’m not a mother and have no desire to become one, I wasn’t sure whether I would love this book. However, having loved both previous books by Louise Jensen, I was still very much looking forward to read this. I’m pleased to announce that The Surrogate was yet another 5 star read for me.

This story starts with a crime scene where two bodies are found. The story then goes back to what led to that scene. Part way through the book I was sure I’d worked out who those bodies were. Then one of those people changed in my mind. In the end, the only one I had guessed correctly was one of the people I first guessed and then changed my mind about later on.

This twisty mind-boggling psychological thriller had me feeling tense, paranoid, gasping in surprise and trusting less people the further I progressed. I loved how the secrets were gradually revealed, giving this story much more depth and darkness than I guessed it would have at the beginning.

I do love a book that convinces you that you know what’s going to happen, has you feeling so sure of the outcome, but then throws it back in your face… repeatedly! The later part of this book was rather intense. Perhaps not the best book choice to treat my middle of the night insomnia with, as I was so gripped I ended up reading in the night for a whole two hours. In fact, it started getting light outside by the time I finally put the book down and attempted to squeeze in an hour’s sleep before I had to get up again.

The Surrogate is another brilliant book by this talented author. I can’t wait to see what she comes up with next.

A great read and for me the author's best book so far. Definitely didn't see the twists at the end.

Thank you to Netgalley and the Bookouture for the opportunity to read this book as an arc.
Really enjoyed this one! Most, if not all, the characters were hideous with not many redeeming characteristics, which made for a very interesting read!
Kat and Nick are desperate to become parents and jump at the chance when Kat's childhood friend Lisa conveniently appears in their lives and offers to become a surrogate for them. Of course, you realise straight away this is not going to be a straightforward happy family tale!
I thought I had it all figured out almost from the start, but boy was I wrong! More and more layers of the story are uncovered as we find out how the characters are all connected by past events. There were twists that I definitely did not see coming and the end is certainly pretty shocking.
Excellent book, I would highly recommend this.

Excellent book - Great characters and plot. I would highly recommend this book.

This book had me trusting nobody and fearing for Kat's life at one stage. This story is about secrets and not trusting the people around you. I could just not stop reading and I know this is a cliche that you don't want to know about. The whole time whilst reading I kept trying to figure out how the story would end, but I couldn't. I could also not work out what all the secrets was that everyone was keeping. Great writing, great characters. I will definitely pick up a Louse Jensen book in the future.
Thank you to Bookouture via Netgalley for the copy. 4.5 stars from me.

We know something tragic happens. It’s guaranteed from the introduction, but who do those two bodies found dead on the picturesque suburban street where the past and present crashed together like a car accident, warped metal, broken glass, blood, and all belong to exactly?

This book captivated me to say the least. From beginning to end it is a venture through psychological ticks, moments of suspense and fright, and a killer desperation to bring life into the world. Going back to the past and forward to the present in chapters labeled “Now” and “Then” Author Louise Jensen builds a haunting background for characters that we are immediately given the sense don’t have something quite right about them. (I always love that in a story 😏) Is the main character Kat dying to be a mother so badly that she’d kill for it and where is her heart exactly in the present with her husband Nick or the past with her lover Jake?

Are surrogate, Lisa’s, intentions as good as they seem or is she plotting a grand scheme for revenge on her childhood bestie and are her true intentions shown in the side-eyes she gives and chilling and eerie comments she offers ever-so innocently? And how exactly does she know Richard…and Kat’s husband, Nick?

Nick. Is Nick really as good as he seems on the surface or is he taking advantage or Kat’s too-trusting persona and what is his relationship with their neighbor, Clare?

Does Kat have reason to hate her father? Never mind of course she does.

What is Richard hiding about his past and his motives? And how about Lisa’s mother who has secrets and mental burdens of her own…

As I read The Surrogate a dramatic, tragic story of deadly consequences, unrequited love, sinister intentions, and secrets unfolded with such suspense that I had trouble putting down my Kindle to eat, sleep, or do pretty much anything else until the moment I finished it.

Many things make “The Surrogate” such a good read including it’s awesome plot full of twists and turns and I would like to point out two more! First, Louise’s ability to write such visual descriptions so finely tuned that she skillfully puts readers right into her written scenes giving them the sense that they are watching a movie all the while avoiding giving away too much information too quickly. Second, the emotional quality of Louise’s writing that makes you feel connected to the characters and in the end you will find yourself not wanting to let go.

I look forward to reading more material from Author Louise Jensen and give “The Surrogate” 👉 (5 Stars) ✨✨✨✨✨!!

~ The Novel Gent

I really enjoyed this book. I thought the relationships between the characters were well developed. I liked the twist at the ending.

This is my read of the year!!! I'm recommending it to everyone !! Gripped and absorbed from the outset! You will not be disappointed with this read. Totally absorbing.

Oh my goodness, I can just about compose my thoughts now to write my review of this stunning book!!  My daughter is 9 weeks old today so I knew that the book might be one that played on my emotions and boy did it put me through the ringer - I couldn't put it down!!  I needed to know what happened and even though I thought I had guessed there were so many twists and turns it had grabbed me from the first few pages and didn't let me go even after I'd read it, I literally sat after the book had finished and thought back about the plot, it is woven so well, hints are there to throw you and I honestly think its is in my top 5 books of the year so far - I bloody loved it!!!  I am a massive fan of this authors works and this one for me is her best yet, everything about it is spot on from the cover to the books blurb - Louise has absolutely smashed it with this one - no hesitation at all in giving this superb book 5 stars!!!

The Surrogate is Jensen's best yet!

Brilliantly paced, well-rounded characters and twisty. You'll second-guess yourself throughout thinking you've figured things out...

Thanks to Bookouture for allowing me to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Louise Jensen's THE SURROGATE is not just about the inability to have a baby. It is about the absolute obsession to have a baby and the results of that obsession. The book tells the story of Nick and Kat, a couple very much in love who have not been able to have a child and who have not been successful in adopting one either. So when a former classmate and friend appears and offers to be a surrogate, Kat thinks that she is a gift from Heaven, or at the very least an answer to prayer. Lisa is the sister of her high school boyfriend who tragically died in an accident, but Kat thinks it is wonderful that she is still willing to help her and Nick start a family. Then, Nick starts staying out all night and Lisa begins asking for more money and doesn't answer the phone when she calls. Kat thinks she may be losing her mind. All she wants is a baby, the one she can't have herself. And she will do anything to have one. The climax of this book is tragic and unbelievable, and the ending is not what one would expect at all. Although it has a slow start and is a little hard to understand at the beginning because of the introduction of so many characters, keep reading! It is well worth it, and the ending is absolutely mind-blowing. The only reason I gave it four stars instead of five is because of the slow start at the beginning, but otherwise, a really good read.

This is no ordinary novel with the theme of surrogacy at its core. This is an unputdownable psychological thriller littered with stomach churning twists. Even when you think the story has ended, then don’t hold your breath because there are even more chilling surprises for you as the novel is wrapped up with a glimpse into the future. It’s a rollercoaster of thrills and spills, red herrings, deceit, buried secrets and more. Expect the unexpected, the ultra unusual and even then you’ll still be tricked. I felt unease deep in the pit of my stomach from the very beginning of the novel right up until the very last few words.
Nick and Kat cannot conceive the child they so desperately want. They decide to adopt a child from abroad, taking the altruistic approach of giving a poor child from a distant country a comfortable and caring home, a good start in life. Alas it turns out that it is not as easy and trouble-free as they thought it would be, even with Nick’s best friend acting on their behalf. Two failed attempts at adoption leave them heartbroken and fatigued, disheartened and reeling. Then as often happens in life, an unexpected and unwanted reunion gives them hope once more when Kat and her childhood friend Lisa are reunited a decade after they both went their separate ways. Lisa has already produced one surrogate daughter and she is prepared to take the surrogacy route once more for Kat. She can see how desperate they are, what a lovely home they have ready prepared for a new baby. She’ll do it in the blink of an eye, Nick and Kat will be parents, a brand new happy family.
If only it were that easy. Both Nick and Kat have been keeping dark and dangerous secrets about their past. So is Lisa. Her motives are not as she leads the expectant couple to believe. The anxiety and pressure of their new pregnancy are exacerbated when Kat notices a shadowy figure hanging around their home and strange deliveries arrive in the porch. Kat cannot seem to separate her sad past from her joyous present and bouts of paranoia threaten their future as a couple. Secrecy, lies and cover-ups threatens their life as a couple let alone as a family. The trouble is that when secrets are confessed they can never again remain hidden. Thus the story continues with even more complications than before, hence the clever and telling chapter headings ‘Then’, ‘Now’ and finally ‘Epilogue’, three separate stories merging in a dynamic and powerful climax.
‘The Surrogate’ is a really addictive cracker of a novel. It is chicane after chicane of action with some amazing characters leading the dialogue and driving the story onwards at a racy pace. I didn’t like many of the main characters as their actions were duplicitous and ambiguous. But then these actions led to a terrific read and I’ll admit to being taken in for a majority of the electrifying storytelling – I’m talking about my opinions with the benefit of hindsight, of course. This story is about revenge, fear, subterfuge and emotionally driven actions; all issues that evoke different opinions and reactions. My abiding question after completing this absorbing novel is ‘Who are the victims in this story? I’ll be pondering that question well into the future.
I would like to thank NetGalley and publisher the wonderful Bookouture, for my copy of this novel, sent to me in return for an honest review. I really loved the novel and am therefore submitting a 4.5* review with the recommendation that this is an unmissable read.