The Surrogate Mother

The Surrogate Mother is a psychological thriller by Freida McFadden that follows Abby, a woman desperate to become a mother but unable to carry her own child, so she explores the option of using a surrogate. After one painful false start, her dream seems to come true when her personal assistant, Monica, offers to be her surrogate, only for Abby to later discover Monica harbors some dark secrets.

This twisty domestic suspense novel explores the complexities of trust and motherhood as Abby realizes the woman carrying her child is not who she claims to be, and things quickly spiral into something much darker than she ever expected.

Freida McFadden has a way of writing people who feel real - flawed and desperate - and that's what keeps you hooked. I loved most of this book, but wasn't crazy about the ending - it just seemed a bit lackluster and unsatisfying.

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...

1. Some people see Abby as a victim of Monica's manipulation. Others believe Abby ignored warning signs and trusted too easily. Do you feel sorry for Abby's choices, or do you think she contributed to her own problems? Why?

2. Monica hurts others with her actions-she lies, manipulates, and even kills. However, the book suggests she has a difficult past. Does knowing about her background make her more understandable, or are her crimes unforgivable no matter what?

3. Sam is a good guy who genuinely cares about others. However, he has some doubts about Abby and seems to be getting closer to Monica without knowing everything that's going on. Do you think Sam did enough to help Abby, or could his choices have made things tougher for her?

4. Denise was pretty hard on Abby at their job, claiming that women can't "have it all." Some people admire Denise's drive, but others think she should have been more supportive of Abby. What do you think-do you agree with Denise about balancing work and motherhood, or do you think she was off base? How do you see this in real life?

5. Gertie comes across as sweet and innocent at first, but she turns out to be quite sneaky. Do you think it's okay to pretend to be someone else to get what you want, like Gertie did? Have you noticed similar betrayals in other stories or in real life?

6. Abby makes a lot of risky choices because of her desire to be a mother. Do you think her actions are understandable, or do you feel she went too far and ignored warning signs? Which did you like or dislike, and why?

7. The book dives into the ups and downs of surrogacy. Is it a kind, selfless gesture, a commercial arrangement, or something different? What are your thoughts on Abby and Monica's agreement? Whose side do you lean toward?

8. Monica keeps lying to Abby and Sam, but Abby also hides her true feelings and doesn't bother to look into Monica's past. So, who's more to blame when things go wrong-the person who deceives or the one who wants to trust? Did you feel sorry for either character?

9. Abby is having a tough time with infertility, which really affects how she feels about herself and her happiness. Is it fair for society and families to put so much pressure on women to become mothers?

10. The novel talks about trust and how being overly trusting can be risky, but having too many doubts can also hurt relationships. In Abby and Sam's story, do you think it's better to trust people until they show you otherwise, or to be more careful? Would you have handled things differently if you were in their shoes?

11. Monica's motivation comes from her obsession with Abby's husband, Sam, and the life she wants with him. Do you think Monica is a particularly scary villain because her actions, like carrying the baby, bring her so close to Abby's dream family? Or do you feel like her overall goals are just too common considering the complex and risky plan she carries out?

12. Sam often dismisses Abby's concerns as "paranoia," and he only realizes Monica's manipulation at the very end. Do you think this made the story more suspenseful, or did Sam's ignorance make him seem unrealistic or foolish, which affected the emotional depth of his marriage to Abby?

13. Was Abby and Sam's relationship ultimately defined by their mutual desperation for a child, or was their final reunion proof of a deep, underlying love that survived Monica's calculated efforts to destroy it?

14. Sam's sudden declaration of love for Abby at the end feels a bit confusing. Earlier, he dismissed her fears and was too close to Monica. Did the author really show that Sam was manipulated by Monica, or did this quick shift seem like an easy way to wrap up the story and give the original couple a happy ending?

Book Club Talking Points:
The Surrogate Mother is a great book club pick! First it's a psychological thriller with plenty of twists that will prompt discussions about predictability. The choices Abby and Sam make will also spark some differeing view points - especially when it comes to Abby's innocence during a challenging time. The book also touches on themes like surrogacy and motherhood, which are great topics to think and talk about.