Claire and Ben are the perfect couple. But behind the glossy façade, they’ve been desperately trying – and failing – to have a baby for years. Now, the stress and feelings of loss are taking their toll on their marriage. Claire’s ready to give up hope and get on with her life, but Ben is not. And then Ben’s best friend, Romily, offers to conceive via artificial insemination and carry the baby for them.
Romily acts in good faith, believing it will be easy to be a surrogate. She’s already a single mother, and has no desire for any more children. Except that being pregnant with Ben’s child stirs up all sorts of emotions in her, including one she’s kept hidden for a very long time: Ben’s the only man she’s ever loved.
Two mothers—and one baby who belongs to both of them, and which only one of them can keep.
My thoughts on the plot:
When I read the plot of this book I was intrigued to read it right away. It seemed like such a beautiful, but at the same time super sad story. I don't know anyone who has ever used a surrogate, so it was a topic that I knew little about, and that was also something that made it interesting. I love young adult books, but once in a while it is nice to read more adult books, with topics that can actually happen in real life.
My thoughts on the characters:
I think this is almost the first book where I have actually really liked all the characters. No one was annoying at all, they just seemed like really, genuinely good people. I had no problems understanding why they said or did certain things.
Romily has got to be the best friend anyone can have. She is ready to be a surrogate for her best friend, and the love of her life, even though she knows the child will never be hers. She could definitely have been more egoistic in this situation, which I think most people would have been. But she chooses to put someone else's needs and wants in front of her own.
But Romily was not the only non selfish person in this book. The same can be said about Claire. All the things she had to go through, but still be able to remain unselfish and nice is inspiring. I felt so bad for her so many times throughout this book. The way it must feel to not be able to have a baby, and then let someone else carry it for you..tough. And when she found out that Romily is in love with her husband..OMG my heart just broke for her. The hopelessness she must have felt.
Romilys daughter, Posie, was such a lovely little creature with a big imagination and a great heart.
The male characters in the book, Ben and Jarvis, were also great guys.
All in all I found myself wanting all the characters to have a happy ending, even though I saw that that wouldn't be so easy.
All in all:
This was a very beautiful and devastating book at the same time. I found it to be a little bit slow in the beginning, but towards the end it really had me hooked. I couldn't wait to see how it all would end, and who if any, would get their happy ending.
I enjoyed getting a view into a surrogate situation. It really is a beautiful thing, but there is also so many things that can go wrong, and so many people who can get their feelings hurt. It's not something anyone can take lightly.
It is not the best adult book I have read, but I would still recommend it to others because it was really enjoyable, especially towards the end.
A great book, but because of a little slow start I gave it:
…
Elin
