The Surrogate Mother Book Review: A Jaw Dropping Psychological Thriller by Freida McFadden
When you hear the word surrogate, you might think of hope, happiness, generosity, or maybe even a miracle. But in The Surrogate Mother, written by Freida McFadden, the meaning is flipped: what begins as hope becomes a terrifying game of trust and deception. I dove into this one expecting a domestic thriller but it also took me on a ride of emotions of anxiety and lots of jaw-dropping moments. This psychological thriller grabbed me from the first chapter, making it hard to put down, and now I am obsessed with all her books.
The Story
Abby has wanted a baby for years. After struggling through infertility treatments and failed adoptions, it finally seems like her chance arrives when her personal assistant Monica volunteers to carry the baby as Abby’s surrogate. At first, the arrangement seems perfect—but then weird things start happening. Monica isn’t exactly who she appears to be, secrets gather like shadows, and Abby is left wondering: who’s really pulling the strings?
However, as the pregnancy advances, Abby begins to notice small and disturbing signs from Monica, prompting her to question her trust, safety, and Monica's intentions.
Themes I Loved.
This book delves deeply into trust, desperation, and human behaviour under pressure. It explores the emotional toll of infertility and the vulnerability that comes with a wish for something deeply desired. Additionally, the topic of mental illness is subtly addressed, highlighting its potential impact on individuals who are not adequately cared for. The book also exposes manipulation, cheating, and untruthfulness, prompting readers to question who they can truly trust in the world today. It raises numerous thought-provoking questions that linger long after reading. Furthermore, the book emphasizes the importance of intuition, suggesting that our gut feelings are often worth listening to.
Surrogacy & Power — The book raises uneasy questions about bodily autonomy, the power dynamic in who pays and who carries, and how much of motherhood is bought, chosen, or given.
Trust & Deception — At its core, this is a story about placing your faith in someone and then questioning every promise they make.
Identity & Longing — Abby’s longing for motherhood is palpable, and Monica’s presence becomes a mirror (and a threat) to that longing.
Thriller Mechanics — Short chapters, cliffhangers, red herrings: McFadden uses the thriller toolkit very effectively.
Writing Style
One thing I appreciated from the author was McFadden’s pacing. The chapters are short and effective, which kept the suspense rolling. Every chapter ended with a cliffhanger, making her readers want to keep reading. Since the story was spoken in first person, Abby’s perspective, we experienced every doubt, every fear, and every thought she encountered with questions she thought of the self-doubt she had.
Final Thoughts
If you enjoy psychological thrillers that explore human emotions, trust, and deception, The Surrogate Mother is a must-read. It’s suspenseful, thought-provoking, and genuinely hard to put down. Did the twists surprise you, or did they feel familiar to you in any way?
Drop a comment below and let’s talk about those red flags you saw in hindsight. If you haven’t read it yet, or are planning to? Tag a friend who loves thrillers and share this post if you found it helpful! Happy reading.
What book do you want to hear about next?
4.7/5 Stars
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
