The Surrogate Mother
- Judith D Collins
- Aug 17
- 4 min read
Updated: Aug 20
By: Freida McFadden
Narrator: Alyson Krawchuk
Hollywood Upstairs Press
ISBN: 9781464227301
Publication Date: 08/19/2025
Publisher: Poisoned Pen Press
Format: Paperback
My Rating: 5 Stars (ARC)
She was promised a miracle. She got more then she bargained for.
Abby wants a baby more than anything.
But after years of failed infertility treatments and adoptions that have fallen through, it seems like motherhood is not in her future.
That is, until her personal assistant Monica makes a generous offer to serve as a surrogate. It's an offer that will make all of Abby's dreams come true.
But soon, strange things start happening. And it turns out Monica isn't who she says she is. The woman now carrying Abby's child has an unspeakable secret.
And she will stop at nothing to get what she wants.
#1 New York Times bestselling author Freida McFadden delivers a page turner that will redefine what it means to be in the family way…
My Review
Frieda McFadden, renowned as the queen of thrills, returns with a captivating hardcover and paperback edition of her twisty suspense thriller, THE SURROGATE MOTHER. Accompanying this release is an enticing sneak peek at her highly anticipated upcoming book, THE INTRUDER.
Having purchased and listened to the audiobook version back in 2022, I was thrilled to finally hold the e-book in my hands, savoring both the gripping narrative and the tantalizing teaser that promises even more excitement ahead.
About...
The Prologue opens with a line that seizes your attention from the very first moment:
“In the next twenty-four hours, I will be arrested for first-degree murder.”
From this startling declaration, we embark on a wild rollercoaster ride of emotion and suspense.
Abby’s yearning for motherhood burns brighter than any desire she has ever known. After enduring years filled with the heartache of failed infertility treatments and the disappointment of adoption attempts that didn't bear fruit, she feels the gaping void of a childless existence. Together with her husband, Sam, she brims with anxiety, wondering if the dream of raising a child is slipping ever further from her grasp.
Then, like a glimmer of hope in the shadows, Abby’s assistant, Monica, steps forward with a generous proposition—to become their surrogate. This unexpected offer ignites a spark of optimism, allowing Abby to imagine the possibility of her long-cherished dream finally coming true.
But as the days pass, an unsettling atmosphere unfolds. Strange occurrences begin to plague their lives, revealing that Monica may be hiding dark secrets beneath her seemingly benevolent surface. As she carries their child, the once-trusted ally transforms into a figure shrouded in mystery and menace.
Driven by hidden motives, Monica is determined to possess everything that Abby holds dear. She will stop at nothing to achieve her twisted desires—ultimately setting her sights on taking over Abby’s very life and setting her up for MURDER?
My thoughts...
In the captivating and suspenseful style of Freida McFadden, nothing is ever as it seems. Every character harbors a hidden agenda, and you can be certain that someone will inevitably find themselves ensnared in a web of intrigue and deceit!
The narrative cleverly unfolds, transporting us back in time to a year prior and then zooming into the present, where we delve into Abby's life—her demanding job, her seemingly stable marriage, and her overwhelming yearning to become a mother. Her husband projects an image of normalcy, but Abby is grappling with shadows of guilt that loom ever larger.
The arrival of Monica heralds a turning point, igniting a series of escalating problems. Abby believed she could trust her, but this misjudgment led to heart-wrenching consequences that no one could foresee. Trust is shattered, and with it, Abby finds herself staring into the abyss as Monica now holds the key to her dreams—her baby.
THE SURROGATE MOTHER is a riveting twist on domestic suspense that will grip you, compelling you to turn the pages well into the early hours of the morning.
And don’t miss the tantalizing teaser for the forthcoming novel, The Intruder (set to release on October 7, 2025). Be sure to add this one to your pre-order list—it’s sure to be another rollercoaster ride!
Audiobook...
In addition to the e-book, I also listened to the audiobook years ago, narrated by the talented Alyson Krawchuk, making the characters come alive in this twisty drama.
Recs...
Fans of thought-provoking, suspenseful narratives and complex characters will find THE SURROGATE MOTHER an entertaining read. This novel is particularly appealing to admirers of Kaira Rouda's insightful storytelling and dark humor, Victoria Helen Stone's intricate psychological layers, Liv Constantine's suspenseful twists, and Jenova Rose's emotionally charged prose. Each of these authors brings a unique flair that complements the rich themes explored in this book.
Many thanks to Poisoned Pen Press and NetGalley for providing an advanced reading copy for my honest thoughts.
@JudithDCollins | #JDCMustReadBooks
My Rating: 5 Stars
Pub Date: Aug 19, 2025
About the Author
#1 New York Times, Amazon Charts, USA Today, Washington Post, Wall Street Journal, Sunday Times, and Publisher's Weekly bestselling author Freida McFadden is a physician who has penned multiple bestselling psychological thrillers and medical humor novels. Freida’s work has been selected as one of Amazon Editors’ best books of the year, she is the winner of the International Thriller Writers Award for best paperback, and she is a Goodreads Choice Award winner. Her novels have been translated into 40 languages.
Freida lives with her family and cat in a centuries-old three-story home overlooking the ocean, with staircases that creak and moan with each step, and nobody could hear you if you scream. Unless you scream really loudly, maybe.
For more information about Freida, check out the FAQ! WEBSITE
