The Surrogate Mother by Freida McFaddenPublication Date: August 19, 2025
Pages: 320
Add on: Goodreads
Buy the Book: Amazon
Rating: ★★★★
Source: Audible
Genre: Fiction / Thrillers / Psychological
Publisher: Poisoned Pen Press / Sourcebooks
She was promised a miracle. She got more than 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…
REVIEW
Freida McFadden’s The Surrogate Mother wastes no time throwing readers into the emotional chaos of infertility, surrogacy, and the secrets that fester between desperate people. Abby, aching for a child after years of dashed hopes, finally gets her shot at motherhood when her assistant Monica volunteers to be her surrogate. What starts as a gift quickly turns into a nightmare, with Monica’s odd behaviour and shifting motives tightening the psychological screws until it’s almost unbearable.
McFadden excels at making Abby’s longing and vulnerability feel painfully real, while Monica is the kind of antagonist who keeps you guessing and glancing over your shoulder. The story explores what happens when instincts are ignored and trust is put in the wrong hands, all set against the backdrop of the physical and emotional cost of surrogacy. Bodily autonomy, identity, and the steep price of misplaced faith all come into play, making the book more than just a simple thriller.
The writing is brisk and punchy, with short chapters and cliffhangers that turn the book into a late-night binge. McFadden’s use of unreliable narration and subtle hints amps up the tension, even if the dialogue sometimes lands a little too young for the characters. The audiobook adds another layer, with the narrator’s performance dialling up both Abby’s desperation and Monica’s menace, though it makes the dialogue flaws a bit harder to ignore.
What really sets The Surrogate Mother apart is its relentless suspense and the rawness of its emotional stakes. The plot twists come fast, and while not every one lands perfectly, some veer close to melodrama, the constant sense of danger makes it hard to stop reading (or listening). If there’s a gripe, it’s that some character choices feel baffling and a few motivations could use more depth, but McFadden keeps the tension high enough that you’ll want to see it through.
In the end, The Surrogate Mother is a fast, addictive read (or listen) for anyone who loves their thrillers with a side of psychological drama and emotional punch. It’s not flawless, but the suspense and humanity at its core make it a standout in its genre.
Rating: 4 out of 5
