This was one of the better Frieda books I have read lately. Kind of a far fetched plot, and some of it was a little predictable. Disappointed in the ending though, kind of felt like an easy way out to be honest.

Freida McFadden does it again.

She is a master at suspense and will keep you guessing page after page.

Every book she writes is different from all her other books and it’s refreshing to know you will be reading another suspense novel by her but not close to the story lines in her other books.

Love this author and can’t wait for what’s next.

Abby is a woman who has it all, a great job, handsome husband, and money but she can't have a baby. When her chance of motherhood slips through her fingers her assistant offers to have the baby for her. At first all is well but then things start to fall apart, to the point of Abby being charge with murder. Can she stop her assistant before its to late? The Surrogate Mother is another fun and thrilling book by the queen Frieda McFadden. This is a rerelease from the famous author and one you shouldn't miss out on! This book had me invested and guessing until the end. The characters were great and the whole idea for the book was top notch. One you shouldn't miss out on. 4 stars!! Thank you Netgalley for the ARC of this fun story!!

Thank you NetGalley and Publisher for allowing me to read and review this book.

I very much enjoyed this book. The writing was great and the characters were well developed. I hope to read more from this author in the future.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ — Twisty, fast-paced, and deliciously bingeable

The Surrogate Mother delivers exactly what I’ve come to expect from Freida McFadden: short, punchy chapters that pull you in and refuse to let go until the final reveal. The premise is instantly gripping, and while I thought I had it all figured out, the plot kept taking turns that had me second-guessing everything.

The pacing is relentless in the best way—perfect for a one-sitting read—and the tension builds steadily until the satisfying ending. I especially enjoyed how McFadden plays with the reader’s trust, planting just enough doubt in every character.

It’s not without a few slightly over-the-top moments, but that’s part of the fun. If you love domestic thrillers with unreliable narrators, shocking twists, and an addictive “just one more chapter” quality, this one is a must-read.

Thank you NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

What a fun, twisted little book. If you are familiar with Frieda McFadden’s work you know exactly what to expect going into this. It was a quick-paced, easy read with very predictable twists, but it was remarkably enjoyable. I read this in one sitting just like I’ve done with nearly all her books.

I hated every single character and loved reading about them making dumb choices and being completely oblivious. I recommend McFadden’s book typically for people who are new to thrillers or simply want something fun and this one will be no different.

Thank you NetGalley for the free E-Book in exchange for an honest review.

Well, by now I have read 11 books by McFadden. I originally loved the unexpected twists but by now they’re getting predictable. A majority of them include naive characters and infidelity plot lines. I found The Surrogate Mother to be quite similar to The Tenant and The Boyfriend and even Do Not Disturb. I could guess the twist from the moment our main antagonist was introduced. I honestly wish the implied twist was the true plot twist. I was really excited for this one to be released so I’m quite sad I didn’t enjoy it.

#IndigoEmployee

The Surrogate Mother by Freida McFadden if an excellent thriller. What happens is shocking and totally unexpected. This book is hard to put down.

This is a reprint of Frieda McFadden's book The surrogate mother, as this was previously published but this time we have a bit of a facelift.

Overall a pretty typically and earlier versions of Frieda's writing there were still twists and turns an definitely some thrills but we have a more evident cliffhanger in this one.

Overlly I am glad that her writing has gotten better and the cliffhangers are a bit less obvious.

Thank you NetGalley for the eARC of this reprint.

I love a good Frieda McFadden book, but this one really annoyed me. The plot was completely silly and very predictable. I could tell early on where the story was going, but I couldn't stop reading, even though I was growing more frustrated. I had many questions about the story that I had to finish it. I gave it 3 stars because, despite my annoyance, I loved the short, fast-paced chapters and the totally crazy ride.

Thank you to NetGallery and to Poisoned Pen Press for my copy.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the arc.

Freida McFadden is starting to become one of my favorite authors. The was a fun and quick read that held my attention from the very first page.

classic freida with the propulsive who done it! i felt anxious as I read trying to guess what was happening. this made me feel a bit crazy. a great read!

I finished this book in one day, but that was mostly because I wanted to get it over with and see what happened. The characters were difficult to like, Abby came across selfish and pretentious and her husband was an idiot at best and an asshole at worst. I know I was “supposed” to be on their side, but I didn’t have anyone to root for. The plot was compelling to a point, but with all the twists being shoved into the last 100 or so pages, things got a little convoluted in the end. Some basic boundary setting and security cameras would’ve solved everything real quick, but we’re not going to talk about that.This book was fast paced and went down easy, but this one was a miss for me.

Thank you to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for the advance copy.

Freida McFadden never disappoints when it comes to delivering twist after twist, and this book is no exception. From the very beginning, I was pulled into Abby’s world, her desperation to become a mother, the eerie tension surrounding her surrogate, and the paranoia that slowly creeps in as the story unfolds. The sense that something is off is constant, and I was second-guessing every character along the way.

One of my favorite things about McFadden’s writing is how flawed and human her protagonists are. Abby is no different. She’s a woman on the edge, making questionable decisions, and surrounded by people who may or may not have her best interests at heart. Her naivety, especially when it comes to Monica, did frustrate me at times. There were red flags everywhere, but that only heightened the suspense.

The book is packed with characters and psychological tension. I felt genuinely uneasy as events spiraled out of control, and the ending left a pit in my stomach in the best way. It’s the kind of story where you pause mid-read just to breathe, and then rush back in to see what happens next.

A dark, twisty, breathless read that reminds you no one is ever quite who they seem. If you enjoy thrillers that make you feel like you're standing on shaky ground the whole time, this one is for you.

My copy of this book was provided by NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for review purposes. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Wow wow wow. Freida does it again. Pure talent this author is. Just when you think you know what’s going on, she turns the vehicle and takes you down another road! Such a great addition to the Freida collection!

I have mixed feelings about this book. It was well written and dealt with tough subjects like infertility and adoption with a very deft hand.
I was rooting for the main character but it felt like all other personalities in the book were deeply unlikable. I was on pins and needles the entire read because it really felt that everyone was out to betray this confused wife. She is working hard to succeed at her career and her dream of having a child, and yet on each page that dream slips further and further away. I did feel Abby was much to naïve when dealing with Monica as her surrogate. From moment one there are red flags and they begin to pile up, yet she continues to trust Monica. THIS WAS FRUSTRATING.
I will say that the author did add a fun twist and the book ending was satisfying. If you are a fan of this author you might like it, but honestly it's not her best book in her collection.

Thank you NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I was drawn in by the premise - a mysterious surrogacy arrangement with secrets bubbling beneath the surface - but unfortunately, The Surrogate Mother just didn't live up to its potential. The characters felt somewhat one-dimensional, naive, and often acted in ways that didn't make sense. (The husband!) The twists were either predictable or too far fetched to feel satisfying. I have enjoyed Freida McFadden in the past, but this one missed its mark for me.
If you like your thrillers where you don't mind suspending alot of disbelief, this might work for you. I just wanted a bit more depth and logic (which took a backseat pretty early on)

Apparently this is a reprint and I haven't read the first version, so I can't speak to the changes between them. That being said, this is typical Freida McFadden fare (in a positive way!) and is a quick, easy thriller. I love a good single white female moment, and while it's easy to see where this story is leading, that didn't stop me from enjoying the ride. Fun!

The moment The Surrogate Mother opens, you’re pulled in. Abby, a successful career woman, has endured years of heartbreaking infertility and failed adoptions — and desperately, she wants a child. When her trusted assistant Monica offers to be a surrogate, it seems like a perfect solution…until everything unravels. Secrets surface, and the trust Abby placed in Monica begins to crumble in unexpected ways. It becomes a high-stakes emotional maze, riveting from page one to the final twist.

From the outset, McFadden hooks you — McFadden’s writing is sleek and powerful; a lean prose built to ratchet up suspense. Chapters end on cliffhangers that practically demand you keep reading.

The Surrogate Mother was a solid 3-star read for me. I liked it more than some of McFadden’s recent books, mostly because the double twist genuinely caught me off guard. It didn’t feel forced either, which made the payoff more satisfying. The pacing was fast, the chapters flew by, and it was easy to sink into. I’ll definitely keep reading her work to see what she surprises me with next.