Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book. I have chosen to write this honest review voluntarily and it reflects my personal opinion.
This is the first book I've read by this author, and I think her portrayal of thoughts and emotions of her characters was realistic, well-written and interesting. The story of events in their lives made compelling reading, clearly demonstrating reactions that were understandable and yet ... many 'oh, how could (he / she) do that?' moments. I was completely absorbed in the story and characters and didn't want it to end which has to be the sign of a good book!

This was a very non-traditional women's fiction read. I really connected with both of the female MCs. I did feel like the male MC took me out of the story, but also understand the importance of his perspective. I liked that there wasn't a happy ending. I feel like a lot of women could connect with these two moms and their fierce love for their role as a mother.

This book shocked me in the best way! They say never judge a book by its over, and this is the perfect example why. It looks like a clean, simple story but this one was deeper in such a great way. I loved so many things about this one.

Book Review:
Title: The New Person
Author: Loretta Nyhan
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️/3 stars

Nora, Owen, and Roxy are all on the up and down journey of a surrogacy pregnancy.

For years, Nora and Owen Finnegan have been trying to start a family of their own with no luck. After multiple miscarriages and one surrogate backing out, they are pretty much ready to give up their dream of being parents. Then they meet Roxy Novak.

Roxy needs money desperately to pay for a lawyer who will help her fight to retain custody of her son, Arrow. When she learns about being a surrogate, she's in! Now, to have a successful pregnancy.

This book was slow in some parts and maybe feels like it didn't have the best ending? I just felt like some things were left unresolved? When the book ended, I just didn't feel like it was final. Just my honest thoughts! This book has triggers for miscarriages and unsuccessful surrogacy journeys, just an FYI!

Published: November 29th, 2022

Thank you, @netgalley and @lakeunionauthors, for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Loretta Nyhan does not shy away from complex topics in The New Person. Dealing with a looming custody battle, single mom Roxy pursues gestational surrogacy as a means of keeping her family together. This book is about families - and all of their complexities. It might be a hard book topically for some, so take care dear readers.

Many thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for sharing this book with me. All thoughts are my own.

Title: The New Person
Author: Loretta Nyhan
Genre: Contemporary Fiction
Rating: 2.75
Pub Date: November 29, 2022

I received a complimentary eARC from Lake Union Publishing via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. #Gifted #Ad

T H R E E • W O R D S

Refreshing • Hopeful • Quick

📖 S Y N O P S I S

Single mother Roxy Novak works days at a dentist’s office and delivers food at night, making the best life she can for herself and her son, Aero. When her wealthy ex-husband decides to ask for full custody, telling her Aero will be better off living with him and his Instagram-famous new wife, Roxy is stunned and scared. How can she possibly get the money to fight back?

Meanwhile, Nora and Owen Finnegan have been trying to have a child for years without success. After their latest surrogate suffers a miscarriage, they start the search again—and find Roxy, who sees a chance to salvage her own dreams of family by fulfilling theirs.

But family is never simple, and neither are dreams. Nora, Owen, and Roxy hope that their surrogacy journey will lead them to what they want most in the world. All three will get more than they expected.

💭 T H O U G H T S

I'd previously enjoyed and connected with Digging In by this author, so when I saw she had something new I added it to my to-read list without really knowing anything about it, besides what the cover tells me and that I would be getting a story with emotional depth. I'm not exactly sure what to say about this book. In some ways I enjoyed it, yet in other ways it just didn't work for me.

What I liked:
• the blended family trope. This book explores a variety of ways that make a family and I honestly think that is its strength. The family dynamics were interesting to read and gave a new light to how they can work.
• the multiple POVs. I both liked and disliked this aspect of the book. It enlightened me on how different people experience the pain of miscarriage and how they process it. However...

What I didn't like:
• the multiple POVs. I kept getting a bit confused when the perspective would change
• Nora. Her character was just really unlikeable. I didn't care for how she treated her husband or Roxy, and she came across as a bit of a 'poor me' mentality.

Although the story is quite short, it certainly isn't light and carries quite a bit of emotional depth, but in a lighter way, if that makes any sense. It's certainly not a story that will stick with me, and it's quite possible it tried to do too much in such a short amount of pages. With that said, I will still consider this author in the future because I like her writing style.

📚 R E C O M M E N D • T O
• fans of the blended family trope

⚠️ CW: divorce, infertility, pregnancy, miscarriage, medical content, grief, classism

I thought this would be something I'd enjoy but I just found it to be too much. I really couldn't get into the plot and I couldn't find the characters relatable. Unfortunately, this was not the book for me.

Loretta Nyhan, has graced readers with a touching and hopeful novel that delves into the complexities of loss, connection, and the unconventional paths to creating a family. In a world where love takes many forms, Nyhan crafts a story that reminds us that family is not just about blood but also the bonds we create through empathy, resilience, and the willingness to support one another.

At the heart of the story is Roxy Novak, a determined single mother who works tirelessly to provide a good life for her beloved son, Aero. Her world is turned upside down when her wealthy ex-husband threatens to take Aero away, claiming it would be in the child's best interest. Roxy is thrust into an uphill battle for custody, one she fears she cannot afford to fight. This emotional journey taps into the deep fears and insecurities of many parents and touches the core of our protective instincts.

In parallel, we meet Nora and Owen Finnegan, a couple struggling to conceive a child of their own after years of heart-wrenching disappointments. When their latest surrogate experiences a devastating miscarriage, they embark on a fresh quest for a surrogate mother, which leads them to Roxy. What unfolds is a unique connection, a lifeline of hope for all three individuals, each carrying their own dreams of family.

Loretta Nyhan's storytelling is poignant and compassionate. As Roxy, Nora, and Owen navigate the surrogacy journey, the novel eloquently portrays the emotional weight of their experiences. Readers are drawn into the complexities of surrogacy and the unforeseen challenges that arise. Nyhan explores the transformative power of connection and how the desire to build a family can bring people from different walks of life together in the most unexpected and profound ways.

Nyhan's characters are brilliantly crafted, each carrying their own burdens and dreams. Readers can't help but root for these characters as they navigate the intricacies of love, loss, and the profound bond that forms when they come together.

This story is about so much more than just the surrogacy. It is about relationships, character flaws, friendships and families. I liked that there was a lot of focus on the fact that the characters still had a lot going on besides the surrogacy. Life still happens. I would recommend this book.

Thank you NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for allowing me to read this ARC for my honest opinion.

This book left me torn. On one hand, the author's smooth writing and authentic dialogues kept me engaged. I particularly enjoyed the rotating perspectives, which made for a seamless reading experience. Roxy, a flawed yet endearing character, stole my heart, and the depiction of motherhood felt incredibly relatable.

However, Nora's selfishness and lack of empathy frustrated me. While I remained invested, the abrupt ending disappointed me, leaving loose ends untied. Nonetheless, I appreciate the author's skillful writing and would cautiously explore their other works, hoping for a more satisfying conclusion.

Oh my goodness I just loved this book. It is absolutely beautiful and so well written. I adored the characters and the story itself was just stunning.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC.

Overall Rating: 4/5

"The New Person" is a deeply moving and thought-provoking read. It delves into the complexities of love, family, and personal challenges, providing a rich tapestry of emotions that will tug at readers' hearts. While a few aspects may have felt slightly disjointed and the ending could have benefited from a more gradual pace, the strength of the character development and the poignant exploration of their struggles make this book a worthwhile read.

Roxy is stunned when her ex wants to fight for custody. Another couple are looking for a surrogate to have there baby. Could this be the answer for them all or will it end up being a nightmare?

Thank you to NetGalley for my ARC. This is my honest review.
Following all of these couples was a good insight into different versions of family. There was a lot of attention to detail when it came to how the book was written. I do like the way this novel was written and I would recommend you read this book. The writing style made me feel like this book was very real because of the problems the characters all face. Most of these problems we encounter in real life.

Whilst reading ‘The New Person’, I switched between digital and audio formats. This review will reflect on both.

This story is emotionally driven and explores the themes of family and parenting. My prior knowledge of surrogacy was minimal prior to beginning the book, so I had very little to compare the facts to. The characters and narrative felt authentic. The audiobook narrative certainly enhances this.

Each character had a unique quality, making this a captivating and enjoyable book. The result was more favourable than expected. It pleasantly surprised me how the plot kept me interested and curious about what would happen next.

'The New Person' is an ideal choice for a book club read. This encourages much contemplation regarding decisions made in life, particularly the notion of action leading to consequence, causing many to contemplate.

I am keen to read more from this author, and future books to come.

This book touches on a few sensitive topics like surrogacy, co-parenting, single parenting and the influencer lifestyle. I liked the character of Roxie but found myself detached from her decisions as it felt like a lot of her decisions were rushed and she was reaping the consequences of them. Overall I would give this book 3 stars.

This was an interesting fictional look on infertility and surrogacy. I found it touching that the husband’s perspective was included. I enjoyed the multiple perspectives and the way everything came together the end. I wish the dialogue and writing were a bit more rich and descriptive, but I still felt this was good and effective writing for such an emotional topic.

I have only read one other novel by Loretta Nyhan, prior to this one, and I remember enjoying it (see my review). So I was definitely interested in checking out her latest, The New Person. Right from the beginning, I was instantly drawn into the plights of Roxy, Nora, and Owen through their alternating narratives.
The main characters were so genuine and flawed, which made them relatable even though I never had the same experiences. I have a hard enough time thinking about my older son going to college in another year or so, which makes it easy to understand why Roxy doesn't want to spend a single day away from her son during the summer, let alone if her ex-husband gets full custody. And while I'm thankful to have never experienced infertility, I know how long the road has been for others I care about, and I can appreciate Nora and Owen's desire to start a family so much that they'll do whatever it takes. I really liked Vinnie and Marla as side characters. They were both quirky in different ways.

I also love that this story takes place in Chicago and the nearby suburbs. At one point, they visited The Enchanted Castle, which was a favorite place to go when I was in high school and a bit beyond. (Like a WAY better version of Chuck E. Cheese.)

The ending felt a bit anticlimactic to me after all that everyone went through, but it did allow for closure.

This was a thoughtful story that is perfect for fans of Camille Pagán. Loretta has a similarly engaging way of drawing readers into a story and I think it would be cool if she and Camille wrote a novel together. (I know Loretta has co-written novels in the past.)

Movie casting suggestions:
Roxy: Margaret Qualley
Nora: Tina Majorino
Owen: Andrew Santino
Gabe: Dacre Montgomery
Livvy: Charlotte McKinney
Vinnie: Jon-Michael Ecker
Aleeza: Sofia Pernas
Marla: Jessica St. Clair

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing a free copy in exchange of an honest review. This book details a single mother desperate to seek money to get her son back and a couple also desperate to conceive their own child. They ended up hiring the single mother, Roxy to be their surrogate. Honestly, it’s a very unique story imo. I didn’t expect to be so engrossed reading this book. It gives an interesting perspective on two women (one expecting and one carrying the baby) and also an expecting father. I actually was hoping it would touch upon the ethics of surrogacy but it’s still a nice read.

Thank you to NetGalley for the eARC.

This book tackles some big topics but seemingly is not super heavy. And as a newer mom, some of it was hard for me to read. But that is my own struggles. I did appreciate a positive ending.