A Fine Layer of Dust

by Barbara Conrey

Attorney Jake Trenton’s perfectly ordered life unravels when he loses a promotion and his wife announces she wants to become a surrogate. While he spends even more time at the office to prove his worth, he worries about the effects on their family if Sophia carries a baby for a stranger.

Once Sophia explains how important it is to her to bear a child for someone who can’t, Jake reluctantly agrees. However, when the embryo transfer is successful, Jake’s carefully constructed world crumbles beneath the memory of his brother’s death, which occurred years ago in the same month the baby is due.

With nightmares plaguing his sleep and rage consuming his days, Jake makes a devastating choice that will forever alter the lives of two families. Suddenly, he is the kind of man he never thought he would be. Jake must confront the darkest parts of himself and question everything he thought he knew about love, loss, and what it truly means to heal.

Genres: Womens Fiction

314 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 6, 2025

About the author

Barbara Conrey is the USA Today Bestselling author of Nowhere Near Goodbye and Award Winning My Secret to Keep. Barbara’s stories delve into the emotional drama of family dynamics and the choices made in the name of love.
Barbara is a long-standing Women’s Fiction Writers Association member and an administrator of the Facebook Group Bookish Road Trip, where she facilitates their monthly book club. Beagles are her passion. She proudly supports the Beagle Freedom Project, a volunteer organization that rescues Beagles and other animals from product testing facilities.
Barbara lives in Central Pennsylvania, close to family and friends, where she is impatiently awaiting the release of her third book, A Fine Layer of Dust, and scurrying to finish her fourth book.
You can find out more about Barbara and her books here: www.barbaraconreyauthor.com

Reviews

[Susan Peterson · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Fine Layer of Dust is a gripping and emotional book. Jake, Sophia, and Emily appear to be a pretty perfect family from the outside. Jake and Sophia have successful careers and a happy marriage, and their daughter Emily is a bright teenager with a big heart. But cracks appear in the foundation of this family as Jake grapples with his past at the same time his ambition overwhelms him, and Sophia decides she’d like to be a surrogate for a couple longing to have a child. Emotions are high, relationships are tested, and their once solid foundation as a family begins to crumble. What a whirlwind of feelings as their lives begin to spin out of control, with Jake’s myriad of problems at the center of it all. This family’s story is told with raw honesty and grit, as they confront each other, as secrets are revealed, as feelings spiral, as hard choices must be made. I read this story with my heart in my throat, feeling compassion, anger, and empathy for all three of them in this very complex book. I received an advance reader copy of this book.

[Donna Norman-Carbone · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Fine Layer of Dust, by USA TODAY Bestselling author Barbara Conrey, is a poignant reminder that old wounds that aren’t healed inevitably rise to the surface and wreak havoc. As Jake tries to advance his career to senior partner in a law firm, his wife Sophia decides to become a surrogate for a couple she doesn’t know. If that doesn’t complicate his life enough, his relationship with their teenage daughter Emily becomes strained. With twists I never saw coming, Jake makes a mess of his life because of a childhood experience he was made to keep secret. This novel will have you on a rollercoaster of lies and secrets and leave you wanting more when it comes to a close. This is an impressive third novel for Conrey that is told from the male perspective which she pulls off flawlessly. I highly recommend this novel with a 5 star rating.

[Linda Zagon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! I loved everything about “A Fine Layer of Dust” by Author Barbara Conrey. This is a heartfelt, emotional, thought-provoking, and captivating novel. I appreciate that Barbara Conrey mentions the Beagle Rescues. (Yes, I am a dog lover, I confess), and to advocate for adopting and rescuing dogs is just is so commendable. I also love that the Author discusses the subject of Surrogacy, from the Surrogate’s point of view, which is so unique and such a contemporary subject. This is a well written and well told story that revolves around the importance of family, friends, forgiveness, second chances, honesty, communication, love and hope. The author vividly describes her colorful and dramatic characters as complex, complicated and human.

Sophia Trenton is a compassionate, empathetic, wife and mother who decides that she will become a surrogate to help someone that can’t have a baby. There is a legal and educational process and Sophia and her husband are involved with. There are many physical challenges that Sophia will have to make. Their only daughter is older, and wants to document this adventure. Sophia chooses a couple that seems like a great fit for the baby. They love dogs, especially ones with needs and that are rescues.

Jake Trenton, the husband is an attorney who recently loses the chance of a promotion, and is very disappointed. Jake has hidden secrets, and wants his father’s approval. Jack is a workaholic and seems to be more worried about work than Sophia’s decision to be a surrogate. Jack makes some tragic choices that can break his marriage apart.

I highly recommend this powerful, memorable and thought-provoking story.

[C. D'Angelo · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story tugs at every possible heartstring and drives you to finish it in one sitting. Jaw dropping moments (I even said "Oh my God" out loud) keep coming and leave a lasting impression, one after the other. This author's books always feel like I've been left with food for thought, give me deep satisfaction from her realistic stories with immense depth, and leave me wanting more stories from her right now. Why do the novels have to end? See, this is a sign of a talented author, one who captures your mind from page one. Read this book if you love being the eyes and ears inside family and couple drama and love books you can’t put down.

[Linda Rosen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Once again Barbara Conrey does it. As in her previous two novels, she grabbed my heart and kept me glued to the page to where I forgot about everything else I was supposed to do. All I wanted was to find out what happened to Sophia, Jake and Emily, and just when I thought I knew what was going to happen, she threw a curve. Brava Barbara Conrey! Grab a copy of this wonderful novel – and a box of tissues. You’ll need them!

[Sarahlyn Bruck · Rating 5 out of 5]

In A Fine Layer of Dust, Barbara Conrey’s characters crackle with life. They’re layered and flawed and all-too-human, and they stay with you long after the last page. Highly recommend.

[Carol · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Fine Layer of Dust shimmers like a sprinkling of the finest gold. Barbara Conrey conjures her magical elixir of tenderness and pain to bring us into the world of Jake, Sophia, and Emily.

When we meet main protagonist Jake, he is a lawyer navigating his wife's surrogacy, an elusive promotion, and a sullen teenager (who adorably campaigns for a rescue beagle). Underneath it all, Jake has been hiding the trauma that has haunted him since childhood.

Conrey invites readers to sit in the gray spaces of marriage, morality, and forgiveness, and in doing so, reveals the fragile beauty of what it means to be a family. It's even more touching when you realize the very personal reason she has written this beautiful book.

[Connie Ziesemer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Barbara Conrey did it again with her recent novel, depicting a family’s unexpected journey with surrogacy. A Fine Layer of Dust was written from a male protagonist’s point of view. Conrey did an excellent job capturing the complexity of feelings of Jake, the husband, as he slogged through his ever-changing life dynamics. The real heroine of the story was Jake’s wife, Sophia. Feeling blessed with the life she had, Sophia passionately pursued becoming a surrogate mother to provide another family with the gift of a child. The strength Sophia demonstrated in the story came from her intelligence, compassion, rational thinking, and her abundance of love. These attributes carried Sophia through all the torment Jake brought to his family. Their teenage daughter, Emily, was also an impressive person. This straight-talking, big-hearted, bold young woman, who got to the point of an issue, had a role in moving the story along. Emily was also the one who introduced the rescue and adoption of Beagles after their release from experimental laboratories into the story. In her own right, Conrey is an educator and a fabulous storyteller. I would highly recommend this book.
~ Connie Morgan, author of More Than Luck Required

[Suanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Fine Layer of Dust deals with the stressors that rip a seemingly perfect family apart. Sophia has a great career at a museum while Jake is a lawyer chasing an elusive promotion to senior partner. To achieve that, he’s spending long days away from his wife and teenaged daughter. When his wife decides to become a surrogate and carry a pregnancy for a couple unable to have children, he’s not sure how that will affect their lives but gives his reluctant consent. Emily, their daughter, immediately becomes excited and begins a photographic documentation of the pregnancy. Things take a nosedive when they learn that the baby is due in mid June. June has always been a month in which nothing good happens, and the date alone sends Jake into an emotional tailspin due to a family secret he’s been forced to keep since childhood. Add to that bad decisions he makes along the way, and he soon finds himself telling more and more lies.

Told from the perspective of a flawed male, it’s full of gut-wrenching emotions and is beautifully written. That said, it seemed that the plot relies a bit heavily on coincidence and eavesdropping to achieve its goals.

[Lucille Guarino · Rating 5 out of 5]

Family unity depends on communication and support, but when Sophia expresses her wish to be a surrogate for a childless couple, her seemingly stable marriage undergoes its toughest test. In contrast with daughter Emily's excitement, husband Jake is indifferent. But seeing Sophia’s resolve, Jake agrees. Maybe it'll all be fine. If only that were all Jake had to contend with.

As the story unfolds, we are seeing things through Jake’s head. When the baby’s due date gloomily coincides with his brother’s death, a suppressed trauma resurfaces. Thus begins the unraveling of his carefully planned life. From this point forward, it is Jake’s story. Jake’s choices. Jake’s experiences. Jake’s past and present. The book's many layers and unexpected twists kept me hooked, and I found myself reading far into the night. A Fine Layer of Dust reminds us of how much one person can affect, and how much they can change.

[Mary Sheriff · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am a long-time fan of Conrey's work, having read and loved her other two books. When I learned she had a new one out, I couldn't wait to read it. I'm so glad I did. Typically, her books, and other books like this that center around emotional journeys, have female protagonists. I found it intriguing to go on an emotional journey with a male protagonist and reflect on ways the perspective was different through the lens of a man. My favorite character, though, is the main character's teenage daughter, who was saucy, stubborn, loving, and smart. Also, I found the family's surrogacy journey an interesting one, as I don't have any experience with this personally. Conrey is a fantastic storyteller and does an amazing job of characterization and family dynamics.

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

Barbara Conrey can take a storyline you've never thought of and turn it into a great psychological and emotional novel.

Sophia, at the age of 35, is wanting to be a surrogate for the most selfless reason--to help a childless couple have a child of their own. There are the usual relationship dynamics that play out when an act of such import and consequence begins to affect everyone involved--especially her husband, Jake. Ms. Conroy's ability to put richness and depth into her characters, making them all the more intriguing, is one of her gifts.

And, oh my, if you like twists, there are some humdingers in A Fine Layer of Dust! It has all the satisfying ingredients I look for in selecting a book.

[Renee Anderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Barbara Conrey brings us a husband's viewpoint of surrogacy in an emotional, thought-provoking, and captivating novel. Beautifully written from a viewpoint we don't often see.
Jake Trenton, an attorney who has lost the chance of a promotion, is very disappointed. His whole life sems to be falling apart when his wife Sophia announces that she wants to be a surrogate to help someone who can’t have a baby. Their teenage daughter thinks this is awesome. Jake not so much. Jake has hidden secrets. A well written and well told story that revolves around the importance of family, friends, forgiveness, second chances, honesty, communication, love and hope.

[Sandra Young · Rating 5 out of 5]

Surrogate pregnancy triggers a family’s meltdown in Barbara Conrey’s dramatic new novel, A Fine Layer of Dust. Though in truth, Jake Trenton’s dogged pursuit of a job promotion already has created tension between him and wife, Sophia, and their teen daughter, Emily.
The strain widens as Sophia’s determination to become a surrogate awakens Jake’s long-buried trauma, and he makes a serious mistake that threatens to upend their lives forever. Told from his point of view, the story rocks with the emotional, twisty punches that exemplify the best stories in heart-tugging women’s fiction.

[Lee Bukowski · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Fine Layer of Dust is a heart-wrenching reminder that one choice—one moment—can alter our lives forever. Conrey’s realistic characters captured my emotions from the beginning and didn’t let go, even after the last page. Masterfully woven from a wife’s dream and a husband’s secrets, this beautifully written complex family drama should be your next book club read.

[Alison · Rating 5 out of 5]

A tangled web of secrets resulting from one bad decision quickly sucks readers into Jake’s world. The fallout is beyond anything he could have imagined, and the consequences will stay with him and affect his family for the rest of his life. Barbara Conrey delivers a compelling story of ambition, forbidden love, betrayal, and forgiveness.

[Betty Koval · Rating 5 out of 5]

Barbara Conrey has done it again! This is one of the most realistic stories written! It has gut wrenching scenes and if you read this - I am sure you will find you know someone who has very similar traits as at least one of these characters!
Real life decisions made in these pages!
GET IT - READ IT - and REVIEW IT!

[Ginny · Rating 5 out of 5]

I lost sleep over this book. Literally, I stayed awake until 4am reading this page turner. Barbara Conrey delivers a powerful story of love, betrayal, and the lasting impacts, both good and bad, of family bonds.

[Michele Anne Waite · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Fine Layer of Dust by Barbara Conrey is another book of hers I am able to relate to in many ways. The book centers around surrogacy through IVF. Barbara did such a great job creating realistic issues presented during the IVF process that I was able to reminisce about my own IVF journey, (like the daily needle pokes). I also love reading books where the title is utilized within the story and Barbara does just that: "... words settle like a fine layer of dust...". A Fine Layer of Dust by Barbara Conrey is another emotional and well written book I feel confident in recommending.