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creeklover's review
lighthearted
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
katieneedsabiggerbookshelf's review
emotional
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Ten years ago, Maggie decided to make the money to go back to school by becoming a surrogate for a gay couple living in NYC. Besides her husband taking issue with it, everything went perfectly and she handed over two beautiful baby boys, one biologically related to each father. Or so they thought. Now the boys have done a DNA test for school and it seems that Kai is biologically Maggie’s son, not theirs.
I cannot even imagine the anxiety that comes with finding out news like this. Do you keep things the way they are? Fight to get back your biological son? I just cant even begin to fathom. I don’t want to get into to many details and spoil anything but my heart just broke for every single one of these characters as they faced something unimaginable.
reyesreadingreview's review
emotional
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
nicetagg_readingslow's review
emotional
hopeful
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
What makes you a family? This is the big question this book asks from one page to the next. Is it DNA, love, characteristics?
Can the modern family even be defined? This book dives deep into surrogacy, biology, DNA, and birth. The reader is immersed into a story that explores the very definition of love and the human experience. Every emotional moment making you feel each characters point of view.
This book is a thought provoking fast paced novel about love, parenthood and what makes you a family. The twists and turns will bring you to a riveting conclusion you couldn’t see coming.
I went into this book thinking I was in for a light hearted family exploration and was pleasantly surprised by a suspenseful drama that made me redefine what makes you a family.
I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a character and plot driven family drama or a book that makes you think.
Can the modern family even be defined? This book dives deep into surrogacy, biology, DNA, and birth. The reader is immersed into a story that explores the very definition of love and the human experience. Every emotional moment making you feel each characters point of view.
This book is a thought provoking fast paced novel about love, parenthood and what makes you a family. The twists and turns will bring you to a riveting conclusion you couldn’t see coming.
I went into this book thinking I was in for a light hearted family exploration and was pleasantly surprised by a suspenseful drama that made me redefine what makes you a family.
I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a character and plot driven family drama or a book that makes you think.
ramblinhamlin's review
4.0
Maggie is a mother of a toddler working at Bed, Bath and Beyond and she dreams of one day becoming a teacher. When she sees an ad to get paid to be surrogate she decides to do it.
The overall concept of the story pulled me in right away. I know several people who have been a surrogate and so I was curious to see how it would be told in story form. I felt like this story started out strong but fizzled for me. I just feel like the story and characters lacked depth. There was some aspects of mental health mentioned which is always nice to see in stories because it makes it more normalized. That being said, I just don't think parts of it were handled well. The ending flat for me. Overall... I was just kind of meh about the whole story. I wish I could say more but it would include a bunch of spoilers.
Thank you BookSparks for the gifted copy in exchange for my honest review.
The overall concept of the story pulled me in right away. I know several people who have been a surrogate and so I was curious to see how it would be told in story form. I felt like this story started out strong but fizzled for me. I just feel like the story and characters lacked depth. There was some aspects of mental health mentioned which is always nice to see in stories because it makes it more normalized. That being said, I just don't think parts of it were handled well. The ending flat for me. Overall... I was just kind of meh about the whole story. I wish I could say more but it would include a bunch of spoilers.
Thank you BookSparks for the gifted copy in exchange for my honest review.
cbthebooktrotter's review
4.0
Publishing date: 9/14/2021
Rating: 4.5 stars
Donovan and Chip have been wanting to have kids of their own since they got married. Maggie has wanted to go back to college for a while now but has no money to do so until she finds an ad to be a surrogate. Maggie was the answer to the couple's prayers and becomes their surrogate, giving them two lovely boys. Ten years later, Donovan has the kids and both him and his husband to do an ancestry DNA test for school, and the results are not what was expected.
This book was a whirlwind of emotions and very captivating. It hooks you from the start with you wanting to understand the situation they are all in and then how it will get solved. The last chapter was my favorite part. The story develops through alternating perspectives from Donovan and Maggie, but the last chapter is of one of the twin boys, and that chapter made my heart full, because it really did summarize what it means to be a family, what is important in a family, and what really was in the best interests of everyone. Absolutely loved the end and how the story wrapped up.
Highly recommend this heartwarming book!
Thank you to the author, publishing company and NetGalley for this electronic review copy in exchange for my honest review!
Rating: 4.5 stars
Donovan and Chip have been wanting to have kids of their own since they got married. Maggie has wanted to go back to college for a while now but has no money to do so until she finds an ad to be a surrogate. Maggie was the answer to the couple's prayers and becomes their surrogate, giving them two lovely boys. Ten years later, Donovan has the kids and both him and his husband to do an ancestry DNA test for school, and the results are not what was expected.
This book was a whirlwind of emotions and very captivating. It hooks you from the start with you wanting to understand the situation they are all in and then how it will get solved. The last chapter was my favorite part. The story develops through alternating perspectives from Donovan and Maggie, but the last chapter is of one of the twin boys, and that chapter made my heart full, because it really did summarize what it means to be a family, what is important in a family, and what really was in the best interests of everyone. Absolutely loved the end and how the story wrapped up.
Highly recommend this heartwarming book!
Thank you to the author, publishing company and NetGalley for this electronic review copy in exchange for my honest review!
louisekf's review
5.0
What makes a family? As soon as I read the premise of this book, I knew I wanted to read it. With a close male family member in a single-sex relationship, this story of two men who want to be dads resonated with me. I was very interested in their “adventure” with surrogacy. And this novel did not disappoint!
Without rehashing the entire plot, the essence is that the surrogacy happens and the men have two sons. Ten years later, they do one of those DNA testing services and find out something puzzling about one of their boys. What happens after that? You’ll have to read the book to find out!
Chapters are told from the point of view of either one of the dads, Donovan, or the surrogate, Maggie. I particularly loved that some events were told from both points of view. I really connected with Donovan. It was a bit harder for me to connect with Maggie but she grew on me near the very end of the book. It was also great to see some Jewish representation without stereotyping.
This book will take you on an emotional roller coaster ride. Highly recommended.
Thank you to NetGalley and Spark Press for the opportunity to read an advance readers copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
Without rehashing the entire plot, the essence is that the surrogacy happens and the men have two sons. Ten years later, they do one of those DNA testing services and find out something puzzling about one of their boys. What happens after that? You’ll have to read the book to find out!
Chapters are told from the point of view of either one of the dads, Donovan, or the surrogate, Maggie. I particularly loved that some events were told from both points of view. I really connected with Donovan. It was a bit harder for me to connect with Maggie but she grew on me near the very end of the book. It was also great to see some Jewish representation without stereotyping.
This book will take you on an emotional roller coaster ride. Highly recommended.
Thank you to NetGalley and Spark Press for the opportunity to read an advance readers copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
danireads1225's review
5.0
One thing I love is a book that gives me all of the feels. This book did just that. It tore my soul, made me cry and made me fall in love with every aspect of it. Dual POV’s are a tricky beast, but the author did a phenomenal job pulling it off. I don’t want to give too much away as I feel this is one of those books you need to go in blindly with, but DO IT! Such a great book!
a_bookish_adventure's review
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0