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Pinky Swear
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Expected 24 Feb 26From Danielle Girard, the USA TODAY bestselling author who “effortlessly ratchets up the tension” (J.T. Ellison, New York Times bestselling author), comes a pulse-pounding thriller about a young woman whose surrogate disappears just days before the baby’s due date, leading to a frantic search that uncovers dark truths and the power of a mother’s love.
Lexi thought she knew everything about Mara Vannatta. Best friends since middle school, they drifted apart after a tragedy derailed their senior year. But when Mara shows up on Lexi’s doorstep sixteen years later fleeing an abusive husband, Lexi takes her in without question. Lexi’s own marriage has been strained by her desire to have a baby, and when Mara offers to become her surrogate, their friendship feels stronger than ever.
But four days before the due date, Mara disappears.
Lexi is shocked but certain there must be something wrong—Mara would never willingly leave with her unborn child. Or would she? As she embarks on a perilous cross-country hunt for the truth, Lexi is forced to reconsider a friendship she thought she knew—and what really happened that terrible night their senior year. How many secrets lie in their shared past, waiting to be uncovered? And just how far will Lexi go to bring her child safely home?
Lexi thought she knew everything about Mara Vannatta. Best friends since middle school, they drifted apart after a tragedy derailed their senior year. But when Mara shows up on Lexi’s doorstep sixteen years later fleeing an abusive husband, Lexi takes her in without question. Lexi’s own marriage has been strained by her desire to have a baby, and when Mara offers to become her surrogate, their friendship feels stronger than ever.
But four days before the due date, Mara disappears.
Lexi is shocked but certain there must be something wrong—Mara would never willingly leave with her unborn child. Or would she? As she embarks on a perilous cross-country hunt for the truth, Lexi is forced to reconsider a friendship she thought she knew—and what really happened that terrible night their senior year. How many secrets lie in their shared past, waiting to be uncovered? And just how far will Lexi go to bring her child safely home?
288 pages, Hardcover
Expected publication February 24, 2026
9993 people want to read
About the author
Danielle Girard
21 books1,089 followersDanielle Girard is the USA Today and Amazon #1 bestselling author of sixteen novels, including the Annabelle Schwartzman Series, Chasing Darkness, and The Rookie Club series.
Her books have won the Barry Award, the Romantic Times Reviewers’ Choice Award, and White Out was in the top 100 bestselling e-books of 2020. In addition, two of her titles have been optioned for screen. Her next thriller, Pinky Swear, will be out from the Emily Bestler Imprint of Atria books February 24, 2026.
Danielle is also the creator and host of the Killer Women Podcast where she interviews the women who write today’s best crime fiction. A graduate of Cornell University, Danielle received her MFA in Creative Writing at Queens University of Charlotte, North Carolina. When she’s not traveling, Danielle lives in the mountains of Montana.
Her books have won the Barry Award, the Romantic Times Reviewers’ Choice Award, and White Out was in the top 100 bestselling e-books of 2020. In addition, two of her titles have been optioned for screen. Her next thriller, Pinky Swear, will be out from the Emily Bestler Imprint of Atria books February 24, 2026.
Danielle is also the creator and host of the Killer Women Podcast where she interviews the women who write today’s best crime fiction. A graduate of Cornell University, Danielle received her MFA in Creative Writing at Queens University of Charlotte, North Carolina. When she’s not traveling, Danielle lives in the mountains of Montana.
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January 30, 2026🥺💔A best friend turned surrogate that goes missing🥺💔!!!!!!!!
December 25, 2025
A white-knuckle ride of explosive dark secrets, Pinky Swear was as gripping and tense as it was thought-provoking in the extreme. You see, between the character-driven deep dive into the bonds of friendship and the emotionally resonant look at motherhood, it had all of the hallmarks of a poignant tear-jerking read. At the same time, it was the definition of a high-stakes game of cat-and-mouse as Lexie raced to find her best friend before the very worst happened. Along the way, I was delighted at the found family vibe and strong character development. A one-sitting read that I quite literally couldn’t put down, I was absolutely mesmerized be this bingeable tale of how far one will go for friends, family, and one’s own child. Lifting a car to save your daughter or son? That’s nothing compared to the events of this novel. Bravo, Ms. Girard!
All said and done, despite a climax that felt distinctly over-the-top in a very Grey’s Anatomy way, I was beyond absorbed by the twisty, heart-stopping plot from beginning to end. Told via dual timelines and dual POVs, I was easily sucked in by the mysterious long-buried secrets within this tight-knit group of friends. What was most stunning of all, though, was how well I got to know them all despite only really meeting Lexie “in person.” Through a story that managed to show instead of tell, these characters worked themselves into my heart all while the adrenaline-soaked scenes hit fast and hard. The best part of all, though? That I didn’t know who to trust the entire time I was reading. After all, with both epic cliffhangers and breathtaking twists, it was all I could do to hold on for dear life as I waited for the truth to be revealed. Rating of 4.5 stars.
SYNOPSIS:
Lexi thought she knew everything about Mara Vannatta. Best friends since middle school, they drifted apart after a tragedy derailed their senior year. But when Mara shows up on Lexi’s doorstep sixteen years later fleeing an abusive husband, Lexi takes her in without question. Lexi’s own marriage has been strained by her desire to have a baby, and when Mara offers to become her surrogate, their friendship feels stronger than ever.
But four days before the due date, Mara disappears.
Lexi is shocked but certain there must be something wrong—Mara would never willingly leave with her unborn child. Or would she? As she embarks on a perilous cross-country hunt for the truth, Lexi is forced to reconsider a friendship she thought she knew—and what really happened that terrible night their senior year. How many secrets lie in their shared past, waiting to be uncovered? And just how far will Lexi go to bring her child safely home?
Thank you to Danielle Girard, Atria Books, and Book Around for my complimentary copy and including me in the traveling ARC program. All opinions are my own.
PUB DATE: February 24, 2026
Content warning: knife violence, infertility, pregnancy, missing person, anxiety, rape, blood, mention of: domestic abuse, school shooting, abortion, gun violence
All said and done, despite a climax that felt distinctly over-the-top in a very Grey’s Anatomy way, I was beyond absorbed by the twisty, heart-stopping plot from beginning to end. Told via dual timelines and dual POVs, I was easily sucked in by the mysterious long-buried secrets within this tight-knit group of friends. What was most stunning of all, though, was how well I got to know them all despite only really meeting Lexie “in person.” Through a story that managed to show instead of tell, these characters worked themselves into my heart all while the adrenaline-soaked scenes hit fast and hard. The best part of all, though? That I didn’t know who to trust the entire time I was reading. After all, with both epic cliffhangers and breathtaking twists, it was all I could do to hold on for dear life as I waited for the truth to be revealed. Rating of 4.5 stars.
SYNOPSIS:
Lexi thought she knew everything about Mara Vannatta. Best friends since middle school, they drifted apart after a tragedy derailed their senior year. But when Mara shows up on Lexi’s doorstep sixteen years later fleeing an abusive husband, Lexi takes her in without question. Lexi’s own marriage has been strained by her desire to have a baby, and when Mara offers to become her surrogate, their friendship feels stronger than ever.
But four days before the due date, Mara disappears.
Lexi is shocked but certain there must be something wrong—Mara would never willingly leave with her unborn child. Or would she? As she embarks on a perilous cross-country hunt for the truth, Lexi is forced to reconsider a friendship she thought she knew—and what really happened that terrible night their senior year. How many secrets lie in their shared past, waiting to be uncovered? And just how far will Lexi go to bring her child safely home?
Thank you to Danielle Girard, Atria Books, and Book Around for my complimentary copy and including me in the traveling ARC program. All opinions are my own.
PUB DATE: February 24, 2026
Content warning: knife violence, infertility, pregnancy, missing person, anxiety, rape, blood, mention of: domestic abuse, school shooting, abortion, gun violence
June 30, 2025
When childhood best friends reunite under desperate circumstances, promises are tested—and loyalties fractured. In PINKY SWEAR, Girard delivers a daring, twist-laden plot that barrels toward an electric, heart-stopping climax with chilling precision. Girard outdid herself with this one, a white-knuckle tale of friendship, betrayal, and the true meaning of family.
January 15, 2026
How many secrets can a friendship endure?
After drifting apart after a tragic event, best friends since middle school, Lexi and Mara, are reunited sixteen years later under desperate circumstances. Through a series of unfortunate events, Lexi offers to carry a baby for Mara. But when Lexi disappears four days before she’s supposed to deliver, Lexi goes on what becomes a dangerous search for her friend and her baby.
This was a fun and original story!
Thank you Netgalley, Atria Books, and the author for this eARC in exchange for my honest review. This book will be available for purchase on February 24, 2026
After drifting apart after a tragic event, best friends since middle school, Lexi and Mara, are reunited sixteen years later under desperate circumstances. Through a series of unfortunate events, Lexi offers to carry a baby for Mara. But when Lexi disappears four days before she’s supposed to deliver, Lexi goes on what becomes a dangerous search for her friend and her baby.
This was a fun and original story!
Thank you Netgalley, Atria Books, and the author for this eARC in exchange for my honest review. This book will be available for purchase on February 24, 2026
August 13, 2025
I am willing to suspend a lot of belief when it comes to my thriller summer 2k25 however, I can't suspend it all!!!
Unfortunately, the plot of this, the characters, the relationships were either too out there, or too unbelievable to make sense of. I did want to find out what happened, so I did read until the end however it was all kinda...whatever; too silly and not in a fun way.
Thank you to the publishers for the arc.
Unfortunately, the plot of this, the characters, the relationships were either too out there, or too unbelievable to make sense of. I did want to find out what happened, so I did read until the end however it was all kinda...whatever; too silly and not in a fun way.
Thank you to the publishers for the arc.
August 24, 2025
Read this if you enjoy: domestic thrillers and past/present timelines - This was such an original concept and was a quick read with a lot of suspense, I felt like a lot was going on and the pacing was off (slow start with a very fast finish)
October 11, 2025
This book had me hooked from the start!
Very eerie and suspenseful with plot twists I didn’t see coming. I enjoyed the dual timelines as well as the characters!
A great quick read 😁
Very eerie and suspenseful with plot twists I didn’t see coming. I enjoyed the dual timelines as well as the characters!
A great quick read 😁
October 29, 2025
If you think you know your best friend, think again—Pinky Swear proves that some promises are meant to be broken. Pinky Swear was a thrilling blend of suspense and emotion that had me racing through the pages. The twists and intense domestic drama pulled me in right away, making it nearly impossible to put down.
This domestic thriller centered on estranged childhood friends Lexi and Mara. When Mara fled an abusive marriage and reappeared in Lexi’s life, she offered to be a surrogate for the child Lexi longed for. But just days before the baby was due, Mara disappeared, sending Lexi on a desperate search. As she hunted for her missing friend and unborn child, long-buried secrets from their shared past resurface, forcing Lexi to question how well she ever really knew Mara.
This was my first time reading Danielle Girard, and she delivered a fast-paced, emotionally charged thriller that seamlessly wove together past and present. Her taut, urgent writing captured the themes of friendship, motherhood, and betrayal, while building an atmosphere of unease that made even everyday moments feel tense and dangerous.
The strength of Pinky Swear lied within its emotional pull and suspenseful pacing. I liked how Girard explored friendship, motherhood, and buried secrets in a way that kept me invested, and the dual timelines added depth to the story. On the downside, some parts felt a little confusing with the shifts between past and present, and a few of the twists stretched believability. Still, the tension and emotional stakes made it an engaging read all together.
Overall, Pinky Swear was a gripping, emotionally charged thriller that blended suspense with heartfelt themes of friendship and motherhood. Danielle Girard’s taut writing balanced urgency with depth, pulling me into the twists and emotional stakes from start to finish. I’d highly recommend this to anyone who loves fast-paced domestic thrillers packed with secrets, drama, and plenty of surprises.
Once again, thanks to Net Galley and Atria Books for an ARC in return for my review.
This domestic thriller centered on estranged childhood friends Lexi and Mara. When Mara fled an abusive marriage and reappeared in Lexi’s life, she offered to be a surrogate for the child Lexi longed for. But just days before the baby was due, Mara disappeared, sending Lexi on a desperate search. As she hunted for her missing friend and unborn child, long-buried secrets from their shared past resurface, forcing Lexi to question how well she ever really knew Mara.
This was my first time reading Danielle Girard, and she delivered a fast-paced, emotionally charged thriller that seamlessly wove together past and present. Her taut, urgent writing captured the themes of friendship, motherhood, and betrayal, while building an atmosphere of unease that made even everyday moments feel tense and dangerous.
The strength of Pinky Swear lied within its emotional pull and suspenseful pacing. I liked how Girard explored friendship, motherhood, and buried secrets in a way that kept me invested, and the dual timelines added depth to the story. On the downside, some parts felt a little confusing with the shifts between past and present, and a few of the twists stretched believability. Still, the tension and emotional stakes made it an engaging read all together.
Overall, Pinky Swear was a gripping, emotionally charged thriller that blended suspense with heartfelt themes of friendship and motherhood. Danielle Girard’s taut writing balanced urgency with depth, pulling me into the twists and emotional stakes from start to finish. I’d highly recommend this to anyone who loves fast-paced domestic thrillers packed with secrets, drama, and plenty of surprises.
Once again, thanks to Net Galley and Atria Books for an ARC in return for my review.
September 29, 2025
hi what the heck happened this entire book 👀 every chapter had me questioning everything I knew about these characters (and not in a fun way) and how the living HECK mara managed to get herself deeper into trouble…
I loved the original concept of childhood best friends lexi, mara, and cate telling their stories through journal entries, mixed with present day POV lexi in her journey to track down mara once again… and again, I really want to know what the heck these characters were thinking…
usually in thrillers, I’m all for suspending a bit of disbelief, but this one required way too much of that. everything that absolutely could have gone wrong in the girls’ childhood did, and don’t even get me started about mara’s adult life 🙄 at this point, drama was being created just for funsies
I did really love the secondary characters that lexi met on her quest to locate mara!! I would read a separate story about daemon and torrence’s adventures for sure!!
overall, a bingeable unique thriller that lost a few points to the anticlimactic ending, predictable twists, and pacing issues… thank you to atria books for the advanced copy!
rating: 3 stars
wine pairing: virginia sauvignon blanc
I loved the original concept of childhood best friends lexi, mara, and cate telling their stories through journal entries, mixed with present day POV lexi in her journey to track down mara once again… and again, I really want to know what the heck these characters were thinking…
usually in thrillers, I’m all for suspending a bit of disbelief, but this one required way too much of that. everything that absolutely could have gone wrong in the girls’ childhood did, and don’t even get me started about mara’s adult life 🙄 at this point, drama was being created just for funsies
I did really love the secondary characters that lexi met on her quest to locate mara!! I would read a separate story about daemon and torrence’s adventures for sure!!
overall, a bingeable unique thriller that lost a few points to the anticlimactic ending, predictable twists, and pacing issues… thank you to atria books for the advanced copy!
rating: 3 stars
wine pairing: virginia sauvignon blanc
January 26, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley, Atria Books, and author for an advanced copy of this novel!
Lexi is a prospective mom to a baby that her best friend, Mara, is carrying for her. Just days before the due date, Mara goes missing.
Throughout this book, readers experience the story through Lexi's POV and various timelines throughout her life. That was one of my biggest gripes about it. The timeline jumping back and forth felt choppy, forced, and unnecessary in parts. The timeline was very cheesy with journal entries that lacked connection we should've felt with the trio friend group.
There were some really great points made about motherhood and infertility that were just so poorly timed. It seemed like the outline was made for this book and the hints, red herrings, and possible clues were not stacked in a proper manner.
I thought the premise was very interesting and parts of the plot were good. However, similar to other reviews, I felt that the characters fell flat and the writing wasn't the greatest.
Lexi is a prospective mom to a baby that her best friend, Mara, is carrying for her. Just days before the due date, Mara goes missing.
Throughout this book, readers experience the story through Lexi's POV and various timelines throughout her life. That was one of my biggest gripes about it. The timeline jumping back and forth felt choppy, forced, and unnecessary in parts. The timeline was very cheesy with journal entries that lacked connection we should've felt with the trio friend group.
There were some really great points made about motherhood and infertility that were just so poorly timed. It seemed like the outline was made for this book and the hints, red herrings, and possible clues were not stacked in a proper manner.
I thought the premise was very interesting and parts of the plot were good. However, similar to other reviews, I felt that the characters fell flat and the writing wasn't the greatest.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Lexi is ecstatic to finally have a baby of her own when her childhood best friend agrees to be her surrogate. Mara showed up on Lexi’s doorstep just months before and later agreeing to carry her baby. Prior, Lexi and Mara had not spoke to one another since they were 18. At 18 years old, there had been 3 of them: Lexi, Mara, and Cate, before Cate passed away. Now just days before Mara’s due date, she disappears and Lexi realizes she may not have known her longtime friend at all.
Such a great premise, I was super excited to get this ARC from NetGalley. I just couldn’t help be so bewildered at how dumb the characters were. Lexi, how do you ask a friend you haven’t seen in YEARS carry your baby and not have any formal written agreement about it? How do you ditch your entire loving family because of this? As for Mara, regardless of the entire novel I do not like her and think she’s a liar regardless of what she admitted to. I thought this plot and its twists were pretty far fetched. It ultimately just annoyed me.
Such a great premise, I was super excited to get this ARC from NetGalley. I just couldn’t help be so bewildered at how dumb the characters were. Lexi, how do you ask a friend you haven’t seen in YEARS carry your baby and not have any formal written agreement about it? How do you ditch your entire loving family because of this? As for Mara, regardless of the entire novel I do not like her and think she’s a liar regardless of what she admitted to. I thought this plot and its twists were pretty far fetched. It ultimately just annoyed me.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Author
4.2
Senior year, secrets, frantic…
Childhood friends Lexi and Mara haven’t seen each other for 16 years. When Mara shows up at Lexi’s house, Lexi takes her in. Unable to have her own baby, Mara agrees to be a surrogate for Lexi.
Days before the due date, Mara disappears. Lexi goes in a “Tom and Jerry” type hunt. What will Lexi discover? Will she find her in the remaining four days before the due date? Is Mara playing with her as prey?
Appearances can be deceiving with more to the situation than meets the eye. Lexi must look “beyond the surface to understand the full picture “
AVAILABLE Feb 24, 2026
THOUGHTS:
*Pretty sure I’m a first time reader of this author. My 2nd time in a traveling arc program. It’s fun, if you get the chance! I liked reading the post-it comments of the others. Thank you for including me!
*Dramatic, over-the-top ending.
*Twisty plot. Like a roller coaster ride. An all but the kitchen sink kind of plot!
*CHARACTERS - IMO:
Mara - A train wreck / Annoying
Lexi - too accepting
Maxwell - a cad
Henry - a good guy (who just doesn’t want any more kids)
* An emotional tale of female friendship, betrayal, and motherhood.
Senior year, secrets, frantic…
Childhood friends Lexi and Mara haven’t seen each other for 16 years. When Mara shows up at Lexi’s house, Lexi takes her in. Unable to have her own baby, Mara agrees to be a surrogate for Lexi.
Days before the due date, Mara disappears. Lexi goes in a “Tom and Jerry” type hunt. What will Lexi discover? Will she find her in the remaining four days before the due date? Is Mara playing with her as prey?
Appearances can be deceiving with more to the situation than meets the eye. Lexi must look “beyond the surface to understand the full picture “
AVAILABLE Feb 24, 2026
THOUGHTS:
*Pretty sure I’m a first time reader of this author. My 2nd time in a traveling arc program. It’s fun, if you get the chance! I liked reading the post-it comments of the others. Thank you for including me!
*Dramatic, over-the-top ending.
*Twisty plot. Like a roller coaster ride. An all but the kitchen sink kind of plot!
*CHARACTERS - IMO:
Mara - A train wreck / Annoying
Lexi - too accepting
Maxwell - a cad
Henry - a good guy (who just doesn’t want any more kids)
* An emotional tale of female friendship, betrayal, and motherhood.
January 27, 2026
I honestly went into this book pretty blind and I was so pleasantly surprised by how much I loved it! From chapter one I was hooked and I couldn’t put it down until I was done. I was engaged the entire time and was invested to know how everything played out. There was so many twists that I wasn’t expecting and the ending had me tearing up. I liked the past timeline and seeing how it comes into play with the present. Lexi did frustrate me at times with her choices but I understood her reason behind it all.
Overall, I really enjoyed this book and recommend it to anyone who likes an addicting, twisty thriller that is heartbreaking and heartwarming at the same time!
Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for my ARC in exchange for my honest review!
Overall, I really enjoyed this book and recommend it to anyone who likes an addicting, twisty thriller that is heartbreaking and heartwarming at the same time!
Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for my ARC in exchange for my honest review!
August 27, 2025
Pros: Pinky Swear was suspenseful, heartfelt, and compelling. Girard is an excellent, decisive writer.
Cons: The pacing wasn't quite right and I just wanted a bit more – more story, more character development, and more drawn-out suspense. I think this book would have benefitted from an extra 50-100 pages of fleshing out characters and conflicts.
Thank you to Atria and NetGalley for the ARC!
Cons: The pacing wasn't quite right and I just wanted a bit more – more story, more character development, and more drawn-out suspense. I think this book would have benefitted from an extra 50-100 pages of fleshing out characters and conflicts.
Thank you to Atria and NetGalley for the ARC!
January 20, 2026
I’ll admit this one started off a bit slow but once it got going, it was just so hard to put down.. There is obsession, dark secrets and just complicated friendships.. Overall, the twists and the turns was exactly what I needed..
Thank you NetGalley for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest opinion..
Thank you NetGalley for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest opinion..
October 19, 2025
Lexi’s best friend from childhood shows up on her doorstep out of the blue.. months later, said friend becomes her surrogate. A few days before the baby is due, the friend disappears.
A wild ride for sure! Thanks Netgalley for the advance copy.
A wild ride for sure! Thanks Netgalley for the advance copy.
January 26, 2026
I read this book through a traveling ARC program.
I really enjoyed the pacing and the storytelling the author provided to the reader. I do wish the characters were built out a little bit more, specifically Henry, Lexi’s step children, and all of the secondary characters in the second half of the book. There were also some unexpected twists that I really enjoyed.
I really enjoyed the pacing and the storytelling the author provided to the reader. I do wish the characters were built out a little bit more, specifically Henry, Lexi’s step children, and all of the secondary characters in the second half of the book. There were also some unexpected twists that I really enjoyed.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Read
January 30, 2026
Trigger & Content Warnings
Rape
Domestic abuse mentioned
Anxiety
Infertility & pregnancy
Abortion mentioned
Knife violence
School shooting & gun violence mentioned
Missing person
Rape
Domestic abuse mentioned
Anxiety
Infertility & pregnancy
Abortion mentioned
Knife violence
School shooting & gun violence mentioned
Missing person
July 15, 2025
Friendship, motherhood, secrets, and loss anchor this engrossing and affecting novel about a woman’s desperate yearning for a child and her pursuit of the truth about a past she thought she knew. Girard mines her characters’ emotions with precision and skill, demonstrating a keen instinct for introspection. This is high-stakes storytelling delivered with heart, and one of the most powerful books I’ve read in a long time.
September 5, 2025
Thanks to Net Galley and Atria Books for this ARC.
Friendship, trauma, and motherhood collide in this latest addition from a *master* of domestic suspense. From the first couple of chapters of Pinky Swear, I knew I was in the hands of a talented, capable, and enigmatic author, wondering what exactly she'd be serving up, curious and apprehensive at the same time as to what big feelings she'd pull out of me :). Premise: Lexi and Mara were best friends in high school, but tragedy pushed them apart. Sixteen years later, Mara reappears, fleeing an abusive husband—and agrees to be Lexi’s surrogate on the spot. Everything seems perfect until Mara disappears just days before her due date. Lexi embarks on a frantic cross-country hunt to find her & the baby.
So let me start by saying that I have a *very* high bar for emotional hooks in domestic suspense. It’s everything in this genre, at least to me. The emotional hooks in Pinky Swear were highly effective– childhood friendship, maternal desperation, past unresolved trauma. Wow. These were on point. As a result, I white-knuckled my iPad, hoping everyone would be ok especially the baby. Girard’s prose is really lovely and evocative and kept me interested. Overall, I’d highly recommend this to readers who love fast-paced domestic thrillers packed with secrets, drama, and plenty of surprises.
Friendship, trauma, and motherhood collide in this latest addition from a *master* of domestic suspense. From the first couple of chapters of Pinky Swear, I knew I was in the hands of a talented, capable, and enigmatic author, wondering what exactly she'd be serving up, curious and apprehensive at the same time as to what big feelings she'd pull out of me :). Premise: Lexi and Mara were best friends in high school, but tragedy pushed them apart. Sixteen years later, Mara reappears, fleeing an abusive husband—and agrees to be Lexi’s surrogate on the spot. Everything seems perfect until Mara disappears just days before her due date. Lexi embarks on a frantic cross-country hunt to find her & the baby.
So let me start by saying that I have a *very* high bar for emotional hooks in domestic suspense. It’s everything in this genre, at least to me. The emotional hooks in Pinky Swear were highly effective– childhood friendship, maternal desperation, past unresolved trauma. Wow. These were on point. As a result, I white-knuckled my iPad, hoping everyone would be ok especially the baby. Girard’s prose is really lovely and evocative and kept me interested. Overall, I’d highly recommend this to readers who love fast-paced domestic thrillers packed with secrets, drama, and plenty of surprises.
October 27, 2025
Pinky Swear is a very suspenseful thriller that takes us on a journey to find Mara our MC’s best friend who after 16 years of lost contact (after the tragic death of their other best friend Cate) shows up battered and seemingly broken in desperate need of help. This eventually leads to her becoming Lexi’s surrogate. They are very close friends so this is mostly a plausible leap but I feel a deeper more connected bind should have been conveyed in the book added conversations, concerns, all the things leading to such a serious commitment along with bit filling out legal paperwork even if Mara was a best friend in the past seemed unwise. In any case 4 days before birth Mara vanishes without a trace and Lexi with nothing more than a googled bus schedule and a few old receipts left behind throws herself into a cross country chase to find Mara at any cost. I loved the intuitive leaps and Lexi’s unwavering tenacity. Although I do find that there is much to the story that seems implausible especially at the end. But if you set that aside and look at it from an unwavering friend and desperate mother the story itself is riveting and at times quite touching. Despite its flaws I really enjoyed this book and I do recommend it as this is one of my favorite authors and it’s definitely still a solid story with great characters.
September 5, 2025
My review: As soon as I read it, I had so many questions. I couldn’t wait to find out why Mara would do this. Is she selling it on the black market for money? Is she hiding from Lexi because it’s not really her baby? Is she changing her mind and wanting to keep it for herself? Trust me, the questions are something you won't expect! In the middle of the chapter, it was a little slow burn, but wait until you read the end of the story. Oh my! 🤯 It got me emotional. This author got me really good!
Lexi and Mara had been best friends since middle school, but they drifted apart after senior year. Sixteen years later, Mara reappeared in Lexi's life. Fleeing her abusive husband, Mara was welcomed in by Lexi. Desperate to have a baby, Lexi was thrilled when Mara offered to become her surrogate. Their friendship became stronger than ever. However, four days before the due date, Mara vanished. Lexi was shocked, thinking Mara would never willingly leave her with their unborn child. Seeking the truth on her own, Lexi wondered: would Mara really do this to her? She thought she knew Mara very well.
Thank you, NetGalley and Atria publisher, for exchanging for an honest review. E-ARC.
Lexi and Mara had been best friends since middle school, but they drifted apart after senior year. Sixteen years later, Mara reappeared in Lexi's life. Fleeing her abusive husband, Mara was welcomed in by Lexi. Desperate to have a baby, Lexi was thrilled when Mara offered to become her surrogate. Their friendship became stronger than ever. However, four days before the due date, Mara vanished. Lexi was shocked, thinking Mara would never willingly leave her with their unborn child. Seeking the truth on her own, Lexi wondered: would Mara really do this to her? She thought she knew Mara very well.
Thank you, NetGalley and Atria publisher, for exchanging for an honest review. E-ARC.
January 16, 2026
Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book.
When Mara shows up at Lexi’s door after drifting apart for the last 16-years, Lexi a
welcomes her with open arms. They can easily patch the gap in their relationship, they were best friends in high school and know everything about each other after all, right? But Lexi soon learns that might not be the case after Mara, who agrees to be Lexi’s surrogate, disappears 4 days before her due date. Lexi embarks on a dangerous hunt for Mara to find her daughter and the truth. This journey reveals secrets of Mara & Lexi’s shared past and proves just how far a mother’s love can go.
Content warning: infertility, sexual assault, domestic violence.
I picked this book because the synopsis made the premise of book sound exciting and interesting. Based on the synopsis, I was also hoping for a psychological aspect to it (there was not). Unfortunately Pinky Swear fell flat of what I was expecting.
I did find the pacing to be relatively fast and I was able to read 75% of the book in one evening.
I had trouble getting going on this book. We are immediately trauma dumped on while the author is building Lexi’s character. Only 4 chapters in, we learn that Lexi has distant/unloving parents, a still born brother, experienced the teenage death of a friend, suffers from infertility, and is going through marital troubles. It was all a bit too much and only half of that background really added anything to the storyline. If I had picked up this book from the library I likely would added it to my “did not finish” pile and moved onto something else.
I found the writing to be a little juvenile. I don’t feel like Mara and Kate were really representative of women in their mid-30s. To me, most of the mystery was easy to guess and I found the ending plot twist to be so outlandish it that the thread that was tying any of this story to reality, was swiftly snipped.
This one just wasn’t for me, but would be good as a vacation read for thriller lovers looking for an entertaining easy read to pass the time on an airplane or at the beach.
When Mara shows up at Lexi’s door after drifting apart for the last 16-years, Lexi a
welcomes her with open arms. They can easily patch the gap in their relationship, they were best friends in high school and know everything about each other after all, right? But Lexi soon learns that might not be the case after Mara, who agrees to be Lexi’s surrogate, disappears 4 days before her due date. Lexi embarks on a dangerous hunt for Mara to find her daughter and the truth. This journey reveals secrets of Mara & Lexi’s shared past and proves just how far a mother’s love can go.
Content warning: infertility, sexual assault, domestic violence.
I picked this book because the synopsis made the premise of book sound exciting and interesting. Based on the synopsis, I was also hoping for a psychological aspect to it (there was not). Unfortunately Pinky Swear fell flat of what I was expecting.
I did find the pacing to be relatively fast and I was able to read 75% of the book in one evening.
I had trouble getting going on this book. We are immediately trauma dumped on while the author is building Lexi’s character. Only 4 chapters in, we learn that Lexi has distant/unloving parents, a still born brother, experienced the teenage death of a friend, suffers from infertility, and is going through marital troubles. It was all a bit too much and only half of that background really added anything to the storyline. If I had picked up this book from the library I likely would added it to my “did not finish” pile and moved onto something else.
I found the writing to be a little juvenile. I don’t feel like Mara and Kate were really representative of women in their mid-30s. To me, most of the mystery was easy to guess and I found the ending plot twist to be so outlandish it that the thread that was tying any of this story to reality, was swiftly snipped.
This one just wasn’t for me, but would be good as a vacation read for thriller lovers looking for an entertaining easy read to pass the time on an airplane or at the beach.
August 28, 2025
Pinky Swear by Danielle Girard. Thanks to @atria for the gifted Arc ⭐️⭐️⭐️
All Lexi wants is a child of her own. Her dreams come true when her childhood friend, Mara, comes back in her life and offers to act as surrogate. Then Mara disappears four days before the due date.
I love the plot and concept of this one but it was a much more slow burn than I was expecting. I stuck with it and the ending got super exciting and the pacing picked up drastically. I did love the end and how it turned out but prepare for a slow pace until then.”
“Motherhood is the trickiest of gifts. Whether we dream about it for a decade or it happens accidentally, it changed us. It’s irrevocable. And it is the very definition of joy and also the ultimate heartache - mother or child.”
Pinky Swear comes out 2/24.
All Lexi wants is a child of her own. Her dreams come true when her childhood friend, Mara, comes back in her life and offers to act as surrogate. Then Mara disappears four days before the due date.
I love the plot and concept of this one but it was a much more slow burn than I was expecting. I stuck with it and the ending got super exciting and the pacing picked up drastically. I did love the end and how it turned out but prepare for a slow pace until then.”
“Motherhood is the trickiest of gifts. Whether we dream about it for a decade or it happens accidentally, it changed us. It’s irrevocable. And it is the very definition of joy and also the ultimate heartache - mother or child.”
Pinky Swear comes out 2/24.
February 1, 2026
⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
First, thank you to Goodreads and the author and publisher for the Goodreads giveaway that got me this book!
I’m so conflicted about this book. I read it all pretty quickly because I had to know how it all wrapped up. I felt the climax of the story was a bit unrealistic and rushed, but overall the story itself moved well. I do feel like I ended up with a lot of questions about what Mara was actually involved with, and who some of the people throughout the story actually were, and I would have liked a bit more backstory on all of that. I do like the integration of the dual timelines. I’m just genuinely not sure if I actually enjoyed it or just wanted to keep reading because I wanted to see how it wrapped up.
If you want a fast paced thriller that has interesting characters and a unique plot, give it a try!
First, thank you to Goodreads and the author and publisher for the Goodreads giveaway that got me this book!
I’m so conflicted about this book. I read it all pretty quickly because I had to know how it all wrapped up. I felt the climax of the story was a bit unrealistic and rushed, but overall the story itself moved well. I do feel like I ended up with a lot of questions about what Mara was actually involved with, and who some of the people throughout the story actually were, and I would have liked a bit more backstory on all of that. I do like the integration of the dual timelines. I’m just genuinely not sure if I actually enjoyed it or just wanted to keep reading because I wanted to see how it wrapped up.
If you want a fast paced thriller that has interesting characters and a unique plot, give it a try!
January 19, 2026
PINKY SWEAR by @daniellegirardbooks
📖 book review • pub date 02.24.26
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨ (4.5)
thanks so much to @atriabooks @atriathrillers for my #gifted copy #atriapartner
four days before Mara, Lexi’s childhood best friend & her surrogate, is due to give birth, she leaves without a trace.. causing Lexi to go on the hunt for her life… and her unborn child’s.
say NO MORE — I was immediately hooked on this story and it was an absolute page turner to the very end. Packed full of tension that had me grabbing this book every time I got the chance to read. My favorite kind of book! I loved it 💕also my first by this author and now I want to read more!
📖 book review • pub date 02.24.26
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨ (4.5)
thanks so much to @atriabooks @atriathrillers for my #gifted copy #atriapartner
four days before Mara, Lexi’s childhood best friend & her surrogate, is due to give birth, she leaves without a trace.. causing Lexi to go on the hunt for her life… and her unborn child’s.
say NO MORE — I was immediately hooked on this story and it was an absolute page turner to the very end. Packed full of tension that had me grabbing this book every time I got the chance to read. My favorite kind of book! I loved it 💕also my first by this author and now I want to read more!
August 25, 2025
When Lexi’s friend and surrogate disappears just days before her due date, Lexi is beside herself and goes on a mission to find Mara. Lexi knows something must be wrong because Mara would never leave willingly, would she?
The whole premise of this book grabbed me from the beginning. Teenage friendships, a missing surrogate and now an investigation to find the truth of Mara’s disappearance! This one definitely kept me turning the pages!
The whole premise of this book grabbed me from the beginning. Teenage friendships, a missing surrogate and now an investigation to find the truth of Mara’s disappearance! This one definitely kept me turning the pages!
November 24, 2025
Thank you to Atria books for an ARC of this book. It is told in dual timelines. The past takes place in 2008 dealing with three high school friends and s tragedy that happens to one of the girls. The present timeline involves Mara and Lexi, the high school friends who have not seen each other for quite a few years. Mara agrees to be a surrogate for Lexi but disappears four days before the due date. Lexi then goes on a quest to find out where Mara id and why she disappeared. It was a good story but I felt it dragged a little in the middle for me. I would certainly read other books by this author. I enjoyed her writing style.
January 9, 2026
Imagine your best friend agreeing to be your surrogate and suddenly she disappears with your baby within days of her due date ! This had me stressed out and turning the pages FAST ! If you want a suspenseful thriller that has you questioning a lot of things throughout the book pick this one up
August 27, 2025
I loved this one as it features high school friends, Lexi and Mara as Mara is carrying Lexi's baby for her. But the past mistakes will soon catch up to them as there are break-ins, stolen journals, secrets, and lies. It's both hopeful and tragic so get the tissues ready!
Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC!
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