This story follows multiple different lives, spanning different years. It was tied nicely together and I didn't get confused about what was happening!

There were parts of this book that did make me angry, but that's because of the realistic portrayals of humans. No one in this story was perfect—no one in this world is. They all had their flaws, they all had their own issues.

I enjoyed reading this. I've not read any of Lynne Hugo's other works, but I plan on reading them after this!

Thank you Netgalley, Lynne Hugo and Amphorae Publishing Group for an arc, in exchange for an honest review!

MOTHERS OF FATE is the latest outstanding novel by Lynne Hugo. It is a moving and thought-provoking story of how the lives of several people are impacted by the complexities of adoption and its emotional aftermath. The characters are members of four different families whose lives become intertwined in unusual ways. Deana Wilkes was forced to give up her baby in a closed adoption after the death of the baby’s father, a married man, and her own disabling injury in a traumatic accident. Thirty years later, she seeks help from attorney Monica Connell to find her child. For many reasons, Monica is empathetic to Deana’s plight and wants to help, but Monica’s wife, Angela, issues an ultimatum that could threaten their marriage and their own adopted child’s life. Daniel, the son given up by Deana, was adopted as a baby, but had a troubled childhood, despite everything his adopted parents, Brian and Jennie, did for him. When he graduated high school, Daniel left home and never returned, breaking Brian and Jennie’s hearts. All these years later, the lives of all these characters are brought together in unexpected ways. The story is told from several characters’ points of view and alternate between the past and present. It delves into difficult questions of what defines a mother, a family and many other complex themes with compassion and honesty. I was totally immersed in this story and know that it will stay on my mind for a long time to come. Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the chance to read and review an early copy.

UGH, why is everyone so fucking dramatic. Yes it's realistic and good job, Lynne Hugo, but WTH. It bothers me BECAUSE it is realistic. Because there are shitty and awful people like these characters out there. WTF. The book is good, alright, in itself, but I do kinda wish I hadn't read it, just because I could care to know less about these people existing on earth. (Although it wasn’t an eye-opener or anything.) It's disgusting. Everyone of them. Everyone who thought they knew the best about a grown-ass, 30 year old man. That man in question wasn't any better of a person, perhaps he deserved that treatment, but UGH, how I hate that behavior of people. Assumption. Just fucking ask. Stop assuming. ASK, goddamn.

~

The writing style is really good; I ate it it all in 2 days, and that's quick af for me. To be fair, I did almost speed-read this because the writing style invited me to (and I was low-key invested) and there wasn't any fantasy/new terms I needed to remember – the good part about realistic slice of life is that I can 'skim' parts without feeling like I missed anything important.
Not an insult to the writing skill, quite the opposite.

Getting everyones perspective and a chapter of their POV was really interesting. I could relate to a lot of them and in some moments felt like I was reading a snippet from my diary. But other times it was just so … UGH.
Human, I guess.

But please, world, do better. So that writers get to write better (slice of life) stories.

Women's fiction aka ChickLit never was my favorite genre, really, and I don't ever want it to be. (Not that men's fiction isn't any better. I'm off the binary in literature, too.) However, I can totally see getting 'addicted' to that sort of subgenre/type of books/stories. Reading this felt like scrolling through social media. Except that I couldn't directly comment on their stupidity – well, I did comment through the note function, but I meant directly to their faces. Or profiles. Instead, I was only able to see other people's comments and their arguments, back and forth. Odd feeling, totally toxic, but kinda addictive.

I mainly picked it up because of the LGBTQIA+ tag, and because the title with the aesthetically pleasing cover sounded/looked like mystically cozy womanhood (witch-coven-like).
There’s a main lesbian relationship with marriage and parenthood (and biracial rep), so that’s nice, but the womanhood part wasn’t very healthy. Not necessarily toxic, just ... realistic. Too much sometimes.
However, the lesbian relationship … oof. Apart from Deana, they had it the worst, in my opinion. So incredibly heteronormative – okay, it plays in 2013-2014 and they met in the early 2000s – and mostly shoved to the sides. No real development, until, suddenly, at the end. Felt like Lynne Hugo didn’t entirely knew what to do with them. Just have the relationship in for label representation. Which is better than nothing, but felt like a checklist sometimes.
Or did she want for the reader to see same-sex couples are barely any different to cis-het ones? Good job, if that’s the case.

On a positive note, adoption wasn’t only highlighted for humans, but also animals/pets. It was mentioned twice, I think, that adopting pets is better than buying them from a breeder. So that's cool. (Unfortunately, later on, a different family was going to the zoo, so, uh …)
And there's no racism. (Surprisingly, but I ain't complaining.)

~

Thank you to Blank Slate Press on Netgalley for an eARC.

-Ayxan Solongo, 18.04.25

WOW! Lynne Hugo, the Author of “Mothers of Fate” has written a memorable and thought-provoking novel. I still am reflecting on Lynne Hugo’s novel and highly recommend this to others. The Author asks the question, “Does fate direct our lives, or do our own choices?

In this well written novel, the Genres are : Family Saga Fiction, LGBTQ + Genre Fiction, Domestic Fiction, Women’s Fiction, and Fiction. There is also an edgy feel and suspense. The timeline spans over 30 years, and the author vividly describes the characteristics of the times, and the dramatic, complex and complicated characters. An important subject is adoption, and women’s unequal rights in the workplace and at home.

At present, Deana Wilkes, handicapped as a result of an accident, seeks counsel from Monica Connell, an attorney, regarding the son she gave up for adoption thirty years ago. At the time of the accident, the baby’s father was killed. He was also married with children to someone else. Deana felt forced to give up the baby.

Monica Connell, is married to Angela. Monica is ambivalent and torn in taking this case because Angela was adopted and has traumatic memories. When Monica first passed the bar and became an attorney, the work environment didn’t provide equal choices for women, and Monica has harbored secrets from that time. If she takes this case, it can cause marital problems for her.

The adoptive parents of Daniel have tried to give him a good life, and yet Daniel is searching for his identity and self-worth. Now, he is an Iraq War Veteran and truck driver searching for something.

Lynne Hugo discusses the importance of choices, forgiveness, women’s equality, the importance of family, love and hope. I highly recommend this amazing novel.

There is so much to love about Lynne Hugo’s writing - the power of her story-telling, her gift of evocative imagery and her beautiful facility with her craft make Mothers of Fate a compelling read. The writer has deftly woven a complex story of families who have grappled with their unique life issues. The reader will cringe at an attorney who exerts his power over one character subtly at first and later overtly which results in long-term implications for how the character approaches her partner. The author examines the question of whether the decisions made are the result of choice or were the characters’ decisions fated, thus beyond their control. The theme of adoption as contrasted in two very different family settings is treated with honesty and great sensitivity.

I had trouble getting invested in this book- it is not the sort of thing I normally read (I gravitate towards fantasy and romance). I don't think the title/cover really communicates the content of the book very clearly and could lead some readers to expect the story to contain significant fantasy elements.

If you love multiple POVs, are interested in stories about adoption/family, complex/flawed characters, and enjoy contemporary settings, you are likely to enjoy this book! I especially think this story would resonate with those who have experience with adoption.

Grateful to @lynnehugoauthor @getredprbooks & @amphoraepublishing for the advanced copy!

This novel delves into a wide range of complex themes, including fertility struggles, adoption, workplace harassment, infidelity, death, biological parent grief, and the struggles of adopted children. All while questioning - does fate really guide us?

I found it absolutely fascinating to see the complexities of all the characters lives and how they revolved around one person who was adopted. Each carrying their own version of tragic stories and hardships that lead them to where they are. I thoroughly enjoyed the flashbacks and getting the full picture of past and present - it really connected me to the emotions that were portrayed.

Not everyone's situation is cookie cutter, nor will everyone's situation ever be the same. However I think this is a great one to pick up to see the complexities these themes can have on people's lives. I very much enjoyed it.

It was confusing to follow multiple POVs and I had trouble remembering what character this was or what just happened. I hope to give this book another go later, but I tried a few separate occasions to pick it up and try again, and it was just more puzzling, honestly.
I don't know if it's me or the book, but I didn't finish.
2 stars.

Review of Mothers of Fate: 4 stars
I received an advance reader copy of Mothers of Fate by Lynne Hugo and found it to be a great book. She tells the story of lives intertwined among four families each having a connection to a single boy who grows into a man by the end of the story.

I don’t want to give away any spoilers, but if you enjoy a good family drama, are interested in the topic of adoption, or are looking for books with lesbian representation, this book is for you. The chapters are filled with longing, sadness, hope, and love in many forms. The ending is sweet, and while it’s not entirely a happily ever after it’s definitely a hopeful ending that ties up all the threads of the story.

The characters were well developed and engaging. You have babies who are adorable, troubled teens, good dads and moms, as well as dads and moms with troubling characteristics. Characters in the book have experienced adoption from every angle - good and bad adoptions, being adoptive parents or adopted children, working as social workers or lawyers on adoption cases, etc. there are three marriages in focus and it was interesting to see the dynamics therein. There’s also a pronounced theme of workplace dynamics around sexual harassment of women in the workplace for two of the characters. However, nothing was very graphic.

Lynne Hugo’s Mothers of Fate is a deeply moving and thought-provoking novel that explores the complexities of adoption, love, and the enduring impact of our choices. With her signature empathy and insight, Hugo crafts a story that is as emotionally resonant as it is compelling, raising profound questions about fate, self-determination, and the sacrifices that love demands.

The novel follows three women and a young man whose lives are intricately connected by adoption and its aftermath. Deana Wilkes, who has needed braces to walk since a disabling accident, seeks out attorney Monica Connell to help her find the son she was forced to relinquish in a closed adoption thirty years ago. Deana’s quest is driven by a desire to make amends and finally meet her child, but Monica’s wife, Angela, who was also adopted, believes that closed adoptions should remain closed unless the adoptee initiates contact. This fundamental disagreement creates a wedge between Monica and Angela, threatening their own family and their adopted baby.

Meanwhile, Deana’s son, Daniel, an Iraq war veteran and long-distance truck driver, grapples with his own confusion and the possibility of love with Suzanne, a woman who challenges him to confront his past. As their stories intertwine, each character must navigate the complexities of their relationships and the lingering psychological wounds that shape their lives.

Hugo’s writing is both poignant and insightful, capturing the emotional depth and moral complexity of her characters with grace and authenticity. The novel’s exploration of themes like fate, choice, and the power dynamics in relationships is both timely and timeless. Deana, Monica, Angela, and Daniel are richly drawn, their struggles and growth making them relatable and compelling.

The pacing is deliberate yet engaging, allowing readers to fully immerse themselves in the characters’ journeys. Hugo’s prose is elegant and evocative, capturing the nuances of human emotion and the intricacies of familial bonds with precision.

Mothers of Fate is a story of love, sacrifice, and the enduring impact of our choices. It’s a tale that will resonate with readers long after they’ve turned the last page, encouraging them to reflect on the forces that shape their own lives.

I love the writing of Lynne Hugo - her ability to present more than one side of an emotional situation, and put the reader is multiple pairs of shoes makes her books so readable.

This latest book is no exception, as it presents current day dilemmas, the fact that nothing is simple about adoption for anyone, and pays attention to the emotional impact on all parties. Having grown up in the era where young women were “strongly encouraged” to put their babies up for closed adoption, and having a couple of those adoptions in the family, I can attest to the accuracy of those presented in this story.

Recommended.

This was a character driven novel about choices and how it affects not only you but the people around you. I liked that we got to see different sides and perspectives of adoption. The multiple POVs and timelines really pulled the whole story together. The characters had great depth and it was a fast read. I enjoy this author’s writing style and all the books have all been thought provoking reads for me.

Thank you @getredprbooks @lynnehugoauthor @amphoraepublishing @netgalley for the gifted copy.

I was excited for a chance to read and review “Mothers of Fate” by Lynne Hugo.

Deanna had a baby with her boss. Unable to support the baby on her own, she gives him up for adoption. Flash forward to the present, she wants to meet her child. Because the adoption was closed, she seeks advice from an attorney, Monica who, with her wife, have adopted a child. The reader also gets to meet Deanna’s son, Daniel, and his parents both at the time of the adoption as well as in the present.

The story weaves through these multiple storylines and time periods, which Hugo masterfully weaves together. I like how the author shares the different perspective of adoption in an entertaining and memorable way.

My oldest nephew is adopted and hence, the subject matter of this novel rang poignantly true for me.

I really want to go through and read Hugo’s backlist.

Four out of five stars.

Thanks to Lynne Hugo, the publisher and the author for a chance to read and review this novel.

I have read most of Lynne Hugo's books and she just keeps getting better. Her new book is a story about adoption and how it effects the birth mothers, the adoptive mothers and most importantly the child that has been adopted.

Deanna is an older handicapped woman who fell in love with her boss years before and then had his baby. Due to a catastrophic event, he never knew that she was pregnant and when she realized that she couldn't support her son on her own, she reluctantly gave him up for adoption. Now 30 years later, she wants to meet her son. It was a closed adoption so she went to a lawyer to get help finding him. Monica works by herself due to issues with the firm she worked with when she got of school. She and her wife, Angela, a social worker, have recently adopted a young girl. Angela had been abandoned as a child and lived in a series of foster homes. She believes that closed adoptions should remain closed and urges Monica not to take Deanna's case but Monica feels very strongly about it and decides to help Deanna even though it causes a huge disruption in her marriage. This is the basic part of the story but there is so much more -- all of these characters have a lot of baggage in their pasts that is impeding their current lives.

The story hops back and forth between several people and several time lines. We get Deanna's story of her love affair and the birth and adoption of her son in the early 80s, Monica's background at the law firm she worked at, Angela's problems with her birth family, the early years of Daniel's adoption told by Daniel and his adoptive parents both in the past and present. The story is told in alternating chapters by all of these people. With some authors, it could have been very confusing to jump time periods and different people telling their story but Lynne Hugo does a fantastic writing job of melding all of the characters together so that there is no confusion and the story flows smoothly.

This is an emotional character-driven story with characters who want to make the right decisions in their lives without hurting others. The characters are all dealing with past mistakes and trying to move forward without sacrificing the people that they love. This is a fantastic story with characters I won't soon forget.

This book delves into the intricate dynamics of adoption, examining its impact on all those involved. The story is both intellectually stimulating and emotional.
Hugo doesn’t shy away from the complexities of love, loss, and the painful choices that often define our lives. The characters are well defined, each grappling with their own scars, yet united by their shared desire to understand the forces that have shaped their fates.
Whilst this story strays from what I usually read, I found the book enjoyable and would recommend Hugo’s work to others.

This is the first book I have read by this author. This story follows a couple on their emotional journey to adopt.
Story about the emotions and feelings people have about adopting, being coerced to giving up a child for adoption. Told in several viewpoints, by those that adopt and a person that was adopted.

Thank you NetGalley and Amphorae Publishing Group for the opportunity to read this for a thought provoking book.

Got a chance to read this book before its release and considering how much I loved the previous work of hers, this one just disappointed me. The story started of interesting, however, the characters were extremely bland that as I kept reading, I couldn't even remember what the name of the character was from whose Pov I was reading.

I tried to pick up the book twice, however, to no avail and each time I couldn't read more than 2 pages as I couldn't even remember what I last read about it, no matter how hard I tried to remember I did not have a clue.

So, for me this book wasn't the best word that Lynne Hugo has ever written.

I have read and enjoyed books by this author before and this one did not disappoint. Monica, a lawyer, takes on the case of Deanna, a mother who feels like she was coerced into putting her son up for adoption more than thirty years ago. This book takes on adoption and the different feelings it engenders in people. Monica, the lawyer, is married to Angie and they have adopted their child. Angie, herself was adopted and has made a career of placing foster children. Told in several viewpoints, including Daniels and the people that adopted him, this book was thought provoking for me. I am still wondering about the ethics of some of it. I found it very easy to switch between viewpoints. I am appreciative of the complementary copy provided by NetGalley and Blank Slate Press. This review is my own words and opinion. It was not coerced in any way.

This is a deeply moving novel that explores the intricate bonds of family, the strength of maternal love, and the resilience of the human spirit. Hugo's storytelling is evocative and rich, drawing readers into the lives of the characters with sensitivity and depth. The novel delves into the complexities of motherhood, sacrifice, and the impact of past decisions on the present. The characters are authentically crafted, each with their own struggles and triumphs, making their journeys resonate on a profound level. Hugo's prose is lyrical and poignant, adding an extra layer of emotional resonance to the narrative.

This was a really good book! I liked the way it was written, I liked the themes of family, love, fear, and growth. It was a deep book with lots of emotion. I think it was well written and I enjoyed it!!

Thank you to NetGalley, to the author, and to the publisher for this complimentary ARC in exchange for my honest review!!!