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Secrets of the Midwife
422 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 18, 2026
About the author
Ann Ormsby
4 books15 followers Ann Ormsby is a freelance writer with a master’s degree in journalism from New York University and a bachelor’s degree in English and Writing from Drew University. Her articles on reproductive freedom and other public policy issues have appeared in The Newark Star-Ledger, The Huffington Post, njspotlight.com and The Alternative Press. Her short story “Wounded Enough” was published on hackwriters.com and her story “Opening Night” was shortlisted for the Able Muse Prize for Fiction. The Recovery Room is her first full-length novel.
Ormsby is also a public relations professional who served as the senior vice president for marketing communications at the United Way of New York City. But it was her work for the City of New York that fueled her convictions about reproductive freedom and education. While working at the New York City Council and the New York City Human Resources Administration, Ormsby visited almost every homeless shelter in the City and many so-called “welfare hotels” where families, mostly women and their children, were housed.
“Many times the women were not much more than children themselves. My most graphic memory is seeing a young woman in the infamous Martinique Hotel on Broadway standing in a hallway in a sheer white nightgown, her belly swollen with a late-term pregnancy, a one-year old perched on her hip, holding a toddler’s hand. A teenager herself, three children, no home, no hope. This image has stayed with me for more than 25 years. I believe that education and delayed child-bearing is one of the answers to ending the cycle of poverty,” said Ormsby.
Ormsby is particularly concerned about what is going on now with what she sees as an attack on women’s rights. In an article written for the 40th anniversary of Roe vs. Wade published in The Newark Star-Ledger, she stated that politicians “are nibbling at the edges of the life preserver that Roe created, and soon women will fall through the hole in the middle.” The article reported that in 2011 state legislatures enacted 92 provisions restricting access to services and that this trend continued throughout 2012 and 2013.
The Recovery Room raises the question of who should make a woman’s most private decision and then tells the stories of three very different women struggling with an unintended pregnancy. The book is a must-read for anyone pondering the question of reproductive rights.
Ormsby is also a public relations professional who served as the senior vice president for marketing communications at the United Way of New York City. But it was her work for the City of New York that fueled her convictions about reproductive freedom and education. While working at the New York City Council and the New York City Human Resources Administration, Ormsby visited almost every homeless shelter in the City and many so-called “welfare hotels” where families, mostly women and their children, were housed.
“Many times the women were not much more than children themselves. My most graphic memory is seeing a young woman in the infamous Martinique Hotel on Broadway standing in a hallway in a sheer white nightgown, her belly swollen with a late-term pregnancy, a one-year old perched on her hip, holding a toddler’s hand. A teenager herself, three children, no home, no hope. This image has stayed with me for more than 25 years. I believe that education and delayed child-bearing is one of the answers to ending the cycle of poverty,” said Ormsby.
Ormsby is particularly concerned about what is going on now with what she sees as an attack on women’s rights. In an article written for the 40th anniversary of Roe vs. Wade published in The Newark Star-Ledger, she stated that politicians “are nibbling at the edges of the life preserver that Roe created, and soon women will fall through the hole in the middle.” The article reported that in 2011 state legislatures enacted 92 provisions restricting access to services and that this trend continued throughout 2012 and 2013.
The Recovery Room raises the question of who should make a woman’s most private decision and then tells the stories of three very different women struggling with an unintended pregnancy. The book is a must-read for anyone pondering the question of reproductive rights.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
April 26, 2026
BOOK✶TOUR
#ad much love for my finished copy @KateRockLiteraryServices #partner
🆂🅴🅲🆁🅴🆃🆂 🅾🅵 🆃🅷🅴 🅼🅸🅳🆆🅸🅵🅴
< @AnnOrmsby >
First, I’m like a day or two late.. it’s been a month 😭🫠 but second, I just love these pens and highlighter so much 🫶🏻 so cute!
I loved this book! The way Ormsby writes and how she connects everything had me in awe. She has you interested and invested right from the start and keeps you entertained throughout. There’s so much in this story, and her writing, you just have to experience for yourself.
I liked how we got different perspectives in the book too. We really get insight into everything. There’s the secrets, the suspense, people just living life when out of nowhere everything changes. There’s a lot happening but it’s not a complicated mess - if that makes sense.
It was so intriguing to see these two women’s lives play out. One passing a baby off and the other having one placed in her arms. It’s definitely a character-driven read but the themes def hit here.
Trauma, motherhood, and secrets are all a central theme. I enjoyed the writing. I wouldn’t say this book is suspense-heavy but there is a bit of it. What I really loved was the media / investigation aspect of this book and Tom, who felt innocent but maybe not.
The mystery kept me hooked! Def recommend.
#ad much love for my finished copy @KateRockLiteraryServices #partner
🆂🅴🅲🆁🅴🆃🆂 🅾🅵 🆃🅷🅴 🅼🅸🅳🆆🅸🅵🅴
< @AnnOrmsby >
First, I’m like a day or two late.. it’s been a month 😭🫠 but second, I just love these pens and highlighter so much 🫶🏻 so cute!
I loved this book! The way Ormsby writes and how she connects everything had me in awe. She has you interested and invested right from the start and keeps you entertained throughout. There’s so much in this story, and her writing, you just have to experience for yourself.
I liked how we got different perspectives in the book too. We really get insight into everything. There’s the secrets, the suspense, people just living life when out of nowhere everything changes. There’s a lot happening but it’s not a complicated mess - if that makes sense.
It was so intriguing to see these two women’s lives play out. One passing a baby off and the other having one placed in her arms. It’s definitely a character-driven read but the themes def hit here.
Trauma, motherhood, and secrets are all a central theme. I enjoyed the writing. I wouldn’t say this book is suspense-heavy but there is a bit of it. What I really loved was the media / investigation aspect of this book and Tom, who felt innocent but maybe not.
The mystery kept me hooked! Def recommend.
April 25, 2026
Book Review: Secrets of the Midwife
Rating: ★★★☆☆ (3/5)
I went into Secrets of the Midwife with some mixed expectations regarding genre. Based on the title and cover, I initially anticipated a deep dive into historical fiction, then found myself leaning toward calling it a thriller as the plot thickened. Ultimately, I don't think it fits neatly into either category—it felt much more like a straightforward dramatic story.
What Worked
• Pacing: The chapters are quite short, which kept the momentum high.
• Engagement: Ann Orsby uses several well-placed cliffhangers that definitely kept me turning the pages late into the night.
• Prose: I really enjoyed the author's writing style. It is clear and engaging, and I would certainly be open to picking up more of her work in the future.
What Could Have Been Better
While the build-up was effective, the payoff felt a bit muted for me. After the suspenseful hooks throughout the book, the ending lacked a significant climax, which left the resolution feeling a little flat compared to the tension of the earlier chapters.
Final Thoughts: A solid choice if you enjoy character-driven drama with a fast-paced structure.
Thank you to the author and Kate Rock Literary Services for providing me with a copy of this book!
Rating: ★★★☆☆ (3/5)
I went into Secrets of the Midwife with some mixed expectations regarding genre. Based on the title and cover, I initially anticipated a deep dive into historical fiction, then found myself leaning toward calling it a thriller as the plot thickened. Ultimately, I don't think it fits neatly into either category—it felt much more like a straightforward dramatic story.
What Worked
• Pacing: The chapters are quite short, which kept the momentum high.
• Engagement: Ann Orsby uses several well-placed cliffhangers that definitely kept me turning the pages late into the night.
• Prose: I really enjoyed the author's writing style. It is clear and engaging, and I would certainly be open to picking up more of her work in the future.
What Could Have Been Better
While the build-up was effective, the payoff felt a bit muted for me. After the suspenseful hooks throughout the book, the ending lacked a significant climax, which left the resolution feeling a little flat compared to the tension of the earlier chapters.
Final Thoughts: A solid choice if you enjoy character-driven drama with a fast-paced structure.
Thank you to the author and Kate Rock Literary Services for providing me with a copy of this book!
May 10, 2026
I enjoyed Secrets of the Midwife! The multiple POV style of this novel really brought the characters to life- they sometimes struggled, triumphed, evolved or failed, propelling the story in different, often unexpected directions. Sometimes their choices seemed extreme, but were they? Or were they choices we might make if also in despair? This is what I love about Ormsby's style! She once again weaves an empathetic awareness of the complexity of the choices people make into the fabric of an intriguing and urgent story that both gives me perspective and entertains.
April 15, 2026
Thank you to a NetGalley and Xpresso Boom Tours for the gifted digital copy and to the author and Kate Rock Literary Services for Feb physical gifted copy!
Trying to put myself in the girl’s shoes - eating lunch, minding my business, about to go back to work and then wait “hold my baby.” 😳 What an opening scene!
Dennis and Anabel’s kiss, in the traumatic nursery of all place, was a little bit abrupt.
Plot twist: Savannah and Tom’s history and the secret her parents hid… And then Savannah ends up a midwife and Tom a fertility doctor. Crazy.
Chapter 21. Is Dennis a scam? Sol forcing him to get close to Anabel? (Chapter 47 update - they’re engaged now so I guess I was paranoid for nothing.)
Parts were a bit repetitive… how the detective makes Anabel nervous. Anabel’s staple of pearl jewelry. The relationships/dynamic with Savannahs and everyone else in her life. The multi POVs in this book really enhanced the story!
Savannah became so selfish. When Kelly wanted to give it up - it was the perfect time to shut down operation! …I’m not even surprised that Tom has contacted authorities.
Chapter 50!! How did Jed have Kelly and holy moly how did Savannah pull that trigger so fast?!
I had a feeling Anabel wouldn’t get approved for Goldie but it still made me sad.
Chapter 61. More surprising than Vadoma leaving? Vadoma coming back. From Vegas. As a blonde.
Everyone getting a HEA was crazy!
Trying to put myself in the girl’s shoes - eating lunch, minding my business, about to go back to work and then wait “hold my baby.” 😳 What an opening scene!
Dennis and Anabel’s kiss, in the traumatic nursery of all place, was a little bit abrupt.
Plot twist: Savannah and Tom’s history and the secret her parents hid… And then Savannah ends up a midwife and Tom a fertility doctor. Crazy.
Chapter 21. Is Dennis a scam? Sol forcing him to get close to Anabel? (Chapter 47 update - they’re engaged now so I guess I was paranoid for nothing.)
Parts were a bit repetitive… how the detective makes Anabel nervous. Anabel’s staple of pearl jewelry. The relationships/dynamic with Savannahs and everyone else in her life. The multi POVs in this book really enhanced the story!
Savannah became so selfish. When Kelly wanted to give it up - it was the perfect time to shut down operation! …I’m not even surprised that Tom has contacted authorities.
Chapter 50!! How did Jed have Kelly and holy moly how did Savannah pull that trigger so fast?!
I had a feeling Anabel wouldn’t get approved for Goldie but it still made me sad.
Chapter 61. More surprising than Vadoma leaving? Vadoma coming back. From Vegas. As a blonde.
Everyone getting a HEA was crazy!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 6, 2026
I have to say I was quite moved by this story. Everyone wants the chance to be a mother but sometimes that "want" doesn't come easily. Then there are the people who so easily have children who don't exactly make those children a priority. I have to say I really admire the main character Anabel who so desperately wants to have a child but life doesn't seem to bless her in that direction.
However, instead of sitting around moping she decides to use her time to help those in need. Then one day someone just randomly hands off a child to her. It seems to be the answer to her dreams of becoming a mother. But the fight to keep that child becomes a struggle but not one where she will back down without a fight. If you are looking for a inspirational story be sure to check out this one.
However, instead of sitting around moping she decides to use her time to help those in need. Then one day someone just randomly hands off a child to her. It seems to be the answer to her dreams of becoming a mother. But the fight to keep that child becomes a struggle but not one where she will back down without a fight. If you are looking for a inspirational story be sure to check out this one.
May 3, 2026
Secrets of the Midwife by Ann Ormsby is a fiction about two different women who lives intersect. Anabel is one of the women who is handed a young girl in a park in NY, by a woman. Kelly is a woman in a small town who has a business selling babies that no one wants after they birth them. And each of these women have very different stories. The story was very engaging for the readers overall. This is a great read about motherhood and traumatic events surrounding that. There is an illegal baby operation happening in this book with Savannah, who is the head of the ring; Tom, a fertility doctor, and two other illegal baby ring helpers. The story being told in multiple POV's makes the story so interesting, as we get to hear all about the different places each character is in their lives. I highly enjoyed this one and that ending although sad makes perfect sense in the long run.
April 1, 2026
A riveting novel and a great read. I couldn’t put it down. Ms Ormsby has out done herself this time. Parts were suspenseful as we moved through the story line. An excellent read.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 25, 2026
I picked this book up without reading the cover copy. I expected a historical fiction book based on the title and the cover and I was in for a surprise! This is a fantastic thriller about an illegal baby adoption organization. It’s told in several POV so the reader can get a little deeper into the story.
The author hooked me with away with Anabel, a midwife helping a girl in need. Seems innocent enough and it was, at first. Once Anabel connected with an old friend Tom, who is a fertility doctor, and realized they could help connect babies and families it seemed like the honorable thing to do. Then money enters the picture and things go sideways.
The author hooked me with away with Anabel, a midwife helping a girl in need. Seems innocent enough and it was, at first. Once Anabel connected with an old friend Tom, who is a fertility doctor, and realized they could help connect babies and families it seemed like the honorable thing to do. Then money enters the picture and things go sideways.
April 6, 2026
If you love character-driven thrillers with emotional depth, Secrets of the Midwife by Ann Ormsby is a compelling, twist-filled read that’s hard to put down.
From the opening scene—when a stranger places a baby into Anabel Leigh’s arms and disappears—you’re immediately pulled into a story that feels both surreal and deeply human. What unfolds is part mystery, part emotional drama, as Anabel’s carefully controlled life begins to unravel under the weight of media attention, police scrutiny, and her own buried longing for motherhood.
The dual perspectives add a lot to the story. Savannah Maas’s storyline, set against the quiet backdrop of rural Georgia, provides a stark contrast to Anabel’s polished New York world. As her secrets slowly come to light, the tension builds in a way that keeps you turning pages. There are plenty of twists and turns, but they feel earned rather than forced, which makes the payoff especially satisfying.
What stood out most to me was how the book balances suspense with heart. Beneath the mystery is a story about loss, resilience, and the complicated choices people make when they’re pushed to their limits. Both women are flawed but sympathetic, and their journeys are equally gripping.
Overall, this is an engrossing read with strong emotional stakes and just the right amount of suspense. If you enjoy thrillers that blend mystery with meaningful character development, this one is definitely worth picking up.
From the opening scene—when a stranger places a baby into Anabel Leigh’s arms and disappears—you’re immediately pulled into a story that feels both surreal and deeply human. What unfolds is part mystery, part emotional drama, as Anabel’s carefully controlled life begins to unravel under the weight of media attention, police scrutiny, and her own buried longing for motherhood.
The dual perspectives add a lot to the story. Savannah Maas’s storyline, set against the quiet backdrop of rural Georgia, provides a stark contrast to Anabel’s polished New York world. As her secrets slowly come to light, the tension builds in a way that keeps you turning pages. There are plenty of twists and turns, but they feel earned rather than forced, which makes the payoff especially satisfying.
What stood out most to me was how the book balances suspense with heart. Beneath the mystery is a story about loss, resilience, and the complicated choices people make when they’re pushed to their limits. Both women are flawed but sympathetic, and their journeys are equally gripping.
Overall, this is an engrossing read with strong emotional stakes and just the right amount of suspense. If you enjoy thrillers that blend mystery with meaningful character development, this one is definitely worth picking up.
May 9, 2026
The beginning of this story had me intrigued into what a secret can lead to and what these secrets can cause to those it inflicts.
Savannah, a midwife helps a girl, who then feels indebted to her and begins to assist Savannah with girls like her. But Savannah is needing more help. So other woman come and live at the farm and help Savannah.
Tom, an ex of Savannah’s is also involved in helping her, but the guilt is starting to wear thin and plays on his mind. Especially when he sees the woman who was handed a child that made national news.
This book has feelings of guilt, misconception of good and bad, the need to realise a dream and to provide a happiness for themselves which not really being honest.
I am giving an honest review for this book.
Savannah, a midwife helps a girl, who then feels indebted to her and begins to assist Savannah with girls like her. But Savannah is needing more help. So other woman come and live at the farm and help Savannah.
Tom, an ex of Savannah’s is also involved in helping her, but the guilt is starting to wear thin and plays on his mind. Especially when he sees the woman who was handed a child that made national news.
This book has feelings of guilt, misconception of good and bad, the need to realise a dream and to provide a happiness for themselves which not really being honest.
I am giving an honest review for this book.
April 18, 2026
🌟THOUGHTS (without giving anything away): OMG…this multi-POV story is told about the act of birth and adoption in a very scandalous sort of way. And the way it’s all woven together is as thrilling as any murder mystery. The only difference is that this has a much happier ending. Truly, it had me staying up late, hanging from the edge of my seat, anxious to find out how it would end. SO good!
🏆PERFECT FOR: Thrill-seekers, people curious about adoption, mothers, and lawyers. Also anyone who enjoys a good, well-written story. I can’t think of any reasons not to love this one, honestly.
🏆PERFECT FOR: Thrill-seekers, people curious about adoption, mothers, and lawyers. Also anyone who enjoys a good, well-written story. I can’t think of any reasons not to love this one, honestly.
April 30, 2026
I highly recommend this novel by Ann Ormsby. The story is engaging and the characters reel you in.
When you understand the "villains" and even root for them, the author did an amazing job, right?
I always appreciate books with strong women, even if they don't always make the right choices.
Although a bit predictable here and there, it's a relaxing and interesting read. I enjoyed it.
When you understand the "villains" and even root for them, the author did an amazing job, right?
I always appreciate books with strong women, even if they don't always make the right choices.
Although a bit predictable here and there, it's a relaxing and interesting read. I enjoyed it.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This book didn't engage my emotions The writing was on the surface, not deep; nothing to sink my teeth into. Or, maybe the writing was too simplistic. It was shallow? Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the complementary ARC. This is my own opinion.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews