A Sister for Lily: A Thriller

by Zoe Cross

Nine months. That's all they needed from her.

She didn't ask what came after.

Megan Cole took the surrogacy job because she was desperate. $150,000 to carry a baby for the Ashfords, a connected and wealthy political family. Live on their estate. Follow their rules. Deliver the child and then disappear.

But there are rooms that are off-limits. Questions no one will answer. And the Ashford's young daughter, Lily, mysteriously stopped appearing in photographs years ago.

By the time Megan understands what the Ashfords are really planning—and why they chose her—they won't let her leave. The windows have bars. The doors are locked. And the people smiling at her across the dinner table will do anything to get what they need.

She signed up to give them a baby. They're planning to take much more.

Genres: Thriller, Fiction

286 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 7, 2026

Reviews

[PinkAmy loves books, cats and naps · Rating 1 out of 5]

Did I read the same book as some of the other reviewers?

I listened to the audiobook version of A SISTER FOR LILY which was narrated by AI. I’ve listened to other AI narrated audiobooks which were decent. A SISTER FOR LILY was not. The AI had so many mispronunciations, often with the same word or name said differently in subsequent sentences. Another example was mispronouncing lives (the plural of life) and lives (the plural of live). Simple editing would have caught this.

AI should be able to use a deeper, male voice for men speaking than for a female narrator too.

The character development was nonexistent with one-dimensional characters. I wondered if A SISTER FOR LILY was actually written by AI and not a human.

I’m still open to trying AI narration, though at this stage of the game most humans are far superior. I don’t see AI narration as taking jobs away from voice actors as much as making additional books that would never be on audible available for readers. I’d like if my whole kindle library was available on audio, even out of print books.

[Siara · Rating 2 out of 5]

I don't really understand the hype for this one, it was a little boring for me and that ending was just not good.

[Caitlyn · Rating 1 out of 5]

this started off good but then became extremely predictable and stupid. there’s also a bunch of plots holes and i’m convinced AI wrote it

[xénia · Rating 1 out of 5]

does no one use editors anymore? predictability, suspension of disbelief and cartoonish villains aside, why were there so many repetitions with some phrases repeated verbatim just pages apart

[Ali O · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Sister For Lily by Zoe Cross
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
This is a fantastic and exciting thriller story! It’s original, intense, and very suspenseful! The twists and turns are excellent!!

Megan Cole has just become a nurse, and doesn’t have much money. Her mom is in a nursing home and that’s a major expense.
When Megan was approached about being a surrogate for a wealthy, and very private couple, she jumped at the opportunity. The money they were offering her was too good to pass up.
Megan is told that she must to live in the large house belonging to this couple, until she gives birth, and to keep everything very quiet about them. Things quickly take a turn for the worse when Megan begins to notice odd things happening at the house. Her phone stops working, she isn’t allowed to go out anywhere, and she was hearing noises from rooms in the house she was told not to go into. The drama just keeps getting worse for her. Once she begins to figure things out, Megan worries it might be too late.

This book is very exciting and I read it super fast because I couldn’t put it down. I needed answers!! This is my first read from this author, but I’m so excited to read more!

*A definite must read!! It’s out now!!*

[Stacy Legg · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book had a lot of potential. The story was decent, but the writing was horrid. The sentences were choppy and there were misspellings. I’m convinced this book was AI written.

[Mara! · Rating 2 out of 5]

I can see why people think this was written by AI 😭

A very interesting storyline concept but not a great execution of it imo.

[Joanna · Rating 1 out of 5]

Sometimes I like an unhinged Kindle Unlimited book. On the unhinged scale, this one gets a 5.

[Katrina · Rating 1 out of 5]

I suspect this was written by AI… there were a lot of weird errors, and it’s being mercilessly promoted on booktok and r/thriller books.

[Bibliophile · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't read a lot of thriller books, but something about this one called to me. I thoroughly enjoyed it and am pleasantly surprised by that. It's like watching a horror movie "don't answer that call, don't take that offer, don't go into that house". I think it's actually refreshing that Megan was vaguely aware of how sketchy the situation seemed, even if she excused everything. It proved how desperate she was to take care of her mother. While some bits and pieces were predictable, it was still a fun ride and an ending I didn't fully see coming. While the ending was very happy, I found myself more than willing to have accepted the ending Megan thought she was going to have - dying, along with her baby, in a fire that would expose the Ashfords and still possibly save Lily's life. Either way, I'm glad I picked this one up. I just have one question - did the Ashfords have anything to do with her losing her job? I'm assuming so, but would have loved that question to be completely answered.

[Debbie · Rating 2 out of 5]

I gave this book 2 stars and that was too generous. The whole premise was ridiculous. The writer couldn't just say a politician, she had to state multiple times that it was a Republican politician, I mean if you hate Republicans, just say that. Also throwing the little digs about Republicans being prolife and profamily but wanting to have a baby and then murder that baby. I mean come on! I wouldn't even buy that premise if the writer had said it was a democratic politician. The editing was horrible; things didn't line up. First Megan couldn't move off the floor but then when they came in the room to restrain her, she was on the bed. That wasn't the only inaccuracy either. I'll never read anything else from this writer.

[Kim Sloan · Rating 5 out of 5]

What would you do for your child?

This was really a great book. The character development was great and with a mansion full of secrets, the ending was satisfying. The parents made a decision about what they would do for their child and ultimately, Megan, the surrogate mother, made a decision for hers!

[Felicia Hilliard · Rating 4 out of 5]

Addicting.



SPOILER SPOILER SPOILER,



but I guessed the first “twist” pretty early - as soon as they mentioned the main characters previous egg donation and brought in the surrogacy proposal. This is like an even crazier and horrific version of “My Sister’s Keeper”.

Looking forward to reading more from the author!

[Liz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good read

This started out intriguing and the story unfolded well. I liked the main character who unknowingly got herself into a bad situation. Other characters are hard to like, but that's why they are there. Give this a try, its a quick and twisty story.

[Rachel Horn · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was really messed up. Idk if it’s because im home with an injury and feel trapped that it made me feel a bit like freaked out about being stuck in a room but…. The whole thing is just sick! Justice for Elena 😪

[Jess_feelzinsane · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book had me on the edge of my seat!!

I absolutely enjoyed reading this thriller!! The way my jaw dropped a few times and my heart pounded while hoping the ending ends just how I want it to! Love Love loved it!

[Joann Clifton-Manske · Rating 2 out of 5]

Flawed

Not a bad story but... plot holes, factual errors, names misspelled, etc. Could have been better without the mistakes. Hopefully this author will have better proofreaders next time.

[Bookworm · Rating 5 out of 5]

Heartbreakingly compelling and unimaginably unexpected story of an incredibly strong and smart woman who fights the odds in her life with unbelievable endurance!

[Filomena · Rating 5 out of 5]

unreal!

I forgot it was a thriller when I started and then couldn’t put it down. (Almost) read it in a day.

[Theresa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful book!

I Could not put it down...I loved it!!! I will definitely read all of your books. Well done Ms. Cross.

[Faith Bourne · Rating 3 out of 5]

3⭐️ Just meh for me. Diane made this book hard for me to enjoy.

[Christina · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was so fast paced and played like a movie in my head. Impressed!

[Laya · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was entertained, but this has the feel of AI writing and some of these situations were so insanely out of the realm of possibility

[Lauren Brown · Rating 2 out of 5]

Definitely too unbelievable to suspend my disbelief. Megan may have done her "research", but this author clearly did not. Way too many inaccuracies surrounding surrogacy and fertility to be any good.

[Wanda Murphy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read this!

You really need to read this book. To say it’s captivating is putting it mildly. Totally fascinating all the way to the end!

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mouth is dropped open

[Simone · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thrills all the way through! I have a slight feeling it was written by AI - I could be wrong though. Good read though

[millie facemyer · Rating 5 out of 5]

a mothers love

One of the best book that i have read all year. Keep them coming. Thanks so very much kept me on my toes

[Caroline Burress · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Thriller

This book is very good if you like a thriller. It has everything you are looking for in a book that keeps you reading.

[Katja · Rating 1 out of 5]

This absolutely has to have been written by AI.