I wish to thank NetGalley and Crown Publishing for this compelling, fast-paced, provocative psychological thriller. Two desperate women become involved with a shady agency which matches women longing for a baby with a surrogate. 3.5 stars

Libby is unable to become pregnant and is obsessed with having a child to love. Her husband does not approve of hiring a surrogate but would agree to an adoption. Libby refuses this option and proceeds in obtaining a surrogate by way of an agency operating outside the law.

Anna has been laid off from her work as a waitress and is living in a cold, run-down mobile home. She is very worried about how she will support herself. She answers an ad in the local paper offering generous payment to young, healthy women. On meeting and being interviewed by the agency, she learns that she will be well paid if she agrees to give birth and relinquish the baby.

Since the agency is operating illegally, what recourse does she have if she breaks the agreement and decides to keep the baby? There is a shady employee determined to enforce the agreement when surrogates refuse to give up their babies. How does Libby, the prospective and heartbroken mother react on learning she will not receive the baby she has eagerly hoped for, prepared for, and dreamed about? All documents had been signed by her and fees paid.

As the two women become more desperate and emotionally unhinged, they both make some irrational and bad decisions. I was unable to sympathize or connect with either woman in their plights. I came to feel that the baby boy might be better off without either woman as his mother.

Three years later, Libby is a devoted single mother to her son she calls Ethan. She is on her way to becoming a successful published writer. She is on holiday at a luxurious southern resort with her boy. Anna has tracked her down through the internet and is determined to get her son back through any means necessary. She snatches Ethan. When confronted by the police and hotel security she claims Ethan is her son. They are in a dangerous position. (Not a spoiler since this scene is laid out at the beginning of the book.)

Can there possibly be a happy ending for anyone? This gives an enthralling insight through the hearts and minds of two troubled women. This book would be a quick, popular summer read and should provoke interesting book club discussions.