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A review by aahrobot
The Surrogate Mother by Freida McFadden
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
First of all, let me just say that some of the dialogue was CRINGE. I will gladly share some of my favorite/cringe lines:
"My mother has the diabetes." - If you listen to the audiobook, this is said in such a monotone voice, and I could not stop laughing.
"She's stacked!" - This was in reference to a pregnant woman's breast, said by another woman.
"Why would she dye her hair black?!" - Girl, you're kidding me, right? Why do you care? Let people dye their hair!
Secondly, there was a small continuity error. In one chapter, the husband whistles because he's happy or whatever. A few chapters later, he is whistling again and the FMC is all, "My husband NEVER whistles!!" Like, come on. Anyway, this was mostly enjoyable. I always listen to these when I'm at work and I caught myself walking around going, 'No way!' to some of the twists. I even was cheering for the main character - I don't think I have ever actually liked any of the main characters in Freida's books (so far).
I am still not a fan of the whole, 'I am so average, but my husband is so HOT AND IRRESITIBLE!' trope that every single book seems to have. Can we just let woman be stunning without the constant downplay either on themselves or hating other women for how they look? Crazy behavior.
I will say, I am super grateful for one thing in this book:The husband doesn't suck!
As per usual, I thought I had the twist figured out, and I wasn't totally wrong, but I wasn't totally right either. Again, I found myself shocked by some of the twists and reveals which was nice; I feel like I haven't been surprised in a while. This book was good and I finished it in just a matter of days. I would put it in my top 5 favorite Freida books for now. I still have about 9-10 more to read! On to the next one!
"My mother has the diabetes." - If you listen to the audiobook, this is said in such a monotone voice, and I could not stop laughing.
"She's stacked!" - This was in reference to a pregnant woman's breast, said by another woman.
"Why would she dye her hair black?!" - Girl, you're kidding me, right? Why do you care? Let people dye their hair!
Secondly, there was a small continuity error. In one chapter, the husband whistles because he's happy or whatever. A few chapters later, he is whistling again and the FMC is all, "My husband NEVER whistles!!" Like, come on. Anyway, this was mostly enjoyable. I always listen to these when I'm at work and I caught myself walking around going, 'No way!' to some of the twists. I even was cheering for the main character - I don't think I have ever actually liked any of the main characters in Freida's books (so far).
I am still not a fan of the whole, 'I am so average, but my husband is so HOT AND IRRESITIBLE!' trope that every single book seems to have. Can we just let woman be stunning without the constant downplay either on themselves or hating other women for how they look? Crazy behavior.
I will say, I am super grateful for one thing in this book:
As per usual, I thought I had the twist figured out, and I wasn't totally wrong, but I wasn't totally right either. Again, I found myself shocked by some of the twists and reveals which was nice; I feel like I haven't been surprised in a while. This book was good and I finished it in just a matter of days. I would put it in my top 5 favorite Freida books for now. I still have about 9-10 more to read! On to the next one!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infertility, Miscarriage, Violence, Pregnancy, Gaslighting
Moderate: Drug use, Mental illness, Suicide attempt, Murder, Alcohol
Minor: Vomit