What do you think?
Rate this book
The Last Surrogate: A Gripping Psychological Thriller
232 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 21, 2026
3 people are currently reading
29 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
April 12, 2026
The Last Surrogate is fast-paced, suspenseful, and captivating. Once I started reading it, I couldn't stop. This book can easily be devoured in a single sitting. I enjoyed the gradual rise of tension as the plot unfolded. The clever chapter titles perfectly foreshadowed the upcoming events, hinting at mystery. This is the first book I have read by this author, but it definitely will not be the last. I highly recommend this to anyone who enjoys a thriller that will keep you on the edge of your seat. Thank you BookSirens for my copy.
May 12, 2026
I’m quite sure this is not what Cara anticipated when she agreed to be a surrogate for Julian & Vivian Ashford to assist with her money problems. I mean yes the red flags were there, but in typical thriller fashion Cara completely ignored them. In this case, the FMC was a very smart young lady, but desperation caused her to ignore her best judgment. This ultimately lead her into some very compromising and life-threatening situations. Overall an enjoyable domestic thriller that drew me in from the start & had many twists & turns that I simply did not see coming. My 4th read by this author and I’ll certainly continue his catalog. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
March 31, 2026
Cara is a nurse desperate to save her home from foreclosure . She needs money, fast. She sees an ad to be a surrogate, and it seems to be a perfect way to wipe away her debt. Is the whole set up just a stroke of luck, or is it too perfect- or too dangerous.
Such a great thriller . You can feel Cara’s desperation and anxiety set in from the first page. A must read. Can she find out the truth before everything is taken from her? A fast paced story. You will probably read it in one sitting.
I received an advance copy for free, and am leaving this review voluntarily.
Such a great thriller . You can feel Cara’s desperation and anxiety set in from the first page. A must read. Can she find out the truth before everything is taken from her? A fast paced story. You will probably read it in one sitting.
I received an advance copy for free, and am leaving this review voluntarily.
March 23, 2026
Cara is a nurse who is desperately drowning in debt. She sees a add for a surrogate and it earns more than enough for what she needs. But very quickly she realises that there is more to it than meets the eye. Cara winds up in a tale of obsession. I was constantly challenged by the twists and the secrets and obsession became hauntingly gruesome.I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
April 6, 2026
This book had me interested from the beginning. When things started to unravel, I couldn’t put the book down! I enjoyed the speed of this book, and would recommend to others. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
April 5, 2026
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Cara is drowning in debt, with foreclosure on her home looming. One night while searching the internet, she comes across information about becoming a surrogate and being paid a very generous amount. With few other options to help her situation, she sends off an application, not really expecting anything to come from it. Some of the questions make her uneasy, and she worries about how to answer them, but she also knows leaving anything blank won’t help her chances if she is chosen.
Cara also has a sister, Jenna, who she has always tried to protect and help through her mental and emotional struggles after both of their parents died. Thankfully, Jenna eventually meets David and begins building a stable, happy life with him. Because of that, Cara doesn’t want to burden her sister with the stress of her own financial troubles, which makes her feel even more isolated in the choices she is making.
After many weeks, she finally gets a reply asking her to set up an appointment to meet the couple she has been matched with. From the start, Cara gets a strange feeling about the Ashfords—especially Vivian. Still, the money could solve all of her financial problems, so she pushes aside her doubts.
Once Cara moves into the Ashfords’ guesthouse, things really start to change. She is put under the care of Dr. Hartley, who places her on a strict regimen of supplements, with one in particular immediately raising concern for Cara.
We also get to meet Elena, the Ashfords’ housekeeper, who very much keeps to herself at first but eventually opens up a little to Cara.
I liked Cara, but honestly I don’t feel like we really got to know much about her beyond her financial troubles and desperation. The same goes for Jenna and their relationship. Other than knowing Cara kept most things from her—including the surrogacy—I felt that part could have been developed more.
I also didn’t find this to be much of a psychological thriller in the way I was expecting. There weren’t as many twisty turns or mind-bending moments as I usually look for in this genre.
Overall, it was a quick and easy read that kept my interest enough to keep turning the pages, even if it didn’t fully deliver the thriller elements I had hoped for.
3⭐️
Cara is drowning in debt, with foreclosure on her home looming. One night while searching the internet, she comes across information about becoming a surrogate and being paid a very generous amount. With few other options to help her situation, she sends off an application, not really expecting anything to come from it. Some of the questions make her uneasy, and she worries about how to answer them, but she also knows leaving anything blank won’t help her chances if she is chosen.
Cara also has a sister, Jenna, who she has always tried to protect and help through her mental and emotional struggles after both of their parents died. Thankfully, Jenna eventually meets David and begins building a stable, happy life with him. Because of that, Cara doesn’t want to burden her sister with the stress of her own financial troubles, which makes her feel even more isolated in the choices she is making.
After many weeks, she finally gets a reply asking her to set up an appointment to meet the couple she has been matched with. From the start, Cara gets a strange feeling about the Ashfords—especially Vivian. Still, the money could solve all of her financial problems, so she pushes aside her doubts.
Once Cara moves into the Ashfords’ guesthouse, things really start to change. She is put under the care of Dr. Hartley, who places her on a strict regimen of supplements, with one in particular immediately raising concern for Cara.
We also get to meet Elena, the Ashfords’ housekeeper, who very much keeps to herself at first but eventually opens up a little to Cara.
I liked Cara, but honestly I don’t feel like we really got to know much about her beyond her financial troubles and desperation. The same goes for Jenna and their relationship. Other than knowing Cara kept most things from her—including the surrogacy—I felt that part could have been developed more.
I also didn’t find this to be much of a psychological thriller in the way I was expecting. There weren’t as many twisty turns or mind-bending moments as I usually look for in this genre.
Overall, it was a quick and easy read that kept my interest enough to keep turning the pages, even if it didn’t fully deliver the thriller elements I had hoped for.
3⭐️
April 16, 2026
The Last Surrogate is one of those thrillers that creeps up on you, soft-footed and patient, until you realise you’ve been holding your breath for pages at a time. It begins simply enough — a woman in debt, a wealthy couple with an offer that feels like salvation — but there’s a chill threaded through the opening chapters, the kind that tells you this house, this arrangement, this couple, are not what they seem.
Cara is an easy character to root for: practical, exhausted, trying to make the best of a bad situation. But the moment she steps into the Ashfords’ immaculate estate, the air shifts. The too-deep sleep. The housekeeper who seems to fold in on herself. The name carved into the back of a closet like a warning left behind. The author lets these details accumulate slowly, like dust on a windowsill, until you can’t ignore them anymore.
What I loved most is how the story balances its tension — not loud or frantic, but unsettling in that domestic, intimate way where every room feels like it’s keeping a secret. The mystery of Sophie, the previous surrogate who vanished, coils through the narrative, and when the truth finally breaks the surface, it’s both wild and strangely inevitable. The twist isn’t just a shock; it reframes everything Cara thought she understood about her own body, her own autonomy, her own future.
By the final chapters, the book becomes a story about reclamation — a woman refusing to be erased, even when the people around her have built an entire world on the assumption that she will be. It’s compulsive, twisty, and deeply human in its fear and its fury.
Fans of Freida McFadden will devour this in a single sitting, but it also has its own quiet flavour — a creeping dread wrapped in polished prose, a thriller that knows the scariest monsters are the ones who smile warmly and offer you tea.
If you want a domestic suspense that leaves you glancing over your shoulder and thinking about bodily autonomy long after the last page, this one delivers.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Cara is an easy character to root for: practical, exhausted, trying to make the best of a bad situation. But the moment she steps into the Ashfords’ immaculate estate, the air shifts. The too-deep sleep. The housekeeper who seems to fold in on herself. The name carved into the back of a closet like a warning left behind. The author lets these details accumulate slowly, like dust on a windowsill, until you can’t ignore them anymore.
What I loved most is how the story balances its tension — not loud or frantic, but unsettling in that domestic, intimate way where every room feels like it’s keeping a secret. The mystery of Sophie, the previous surrogate who vanished, coils through the narrative, and when the truth finally breaks the surface, it’s both wild and strangely inevitable. The twist isn’t just a shock; it reframes everything Cara thought she understood about her own body, her own autonomy, her own future.
By the final chapters, the book becomes a story about reclamation — a woman refusing to be erased, even when the people around her have built an entire world on the assumption that she will be. It’s compulsive, twisty, and deeply human in its fear and its fury.
Fans of Freida McFadden will devour this in a single sitting, but it also has its own quiet flavour — a creeping dread wrapped in polished prose, a thriller that knows the scariest monsters are the ones who smile warmly and offer you tea.
If you want a domestic suspense that leaves you glancing over your shoulder and thinking about bodily autonomy long after the last page, this one delivers.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
April 5, 2026
Rating: 4/5 Stars
If you're into psychological thrillers that make you feel slightly claustrophobic, this one hits the mark. It takes the "hired help in a creepy mansion" trope and gives it a much darker, more medical twist.
The Good
The pacing is what kept me turning pages. As soon as Cara gets into the Ashford estate, the vibe shifts from "luxury retreat" to "golden cage." Erikson does a great job with the subtle red flags—the housekeeper’s weird silence and those sleeping pills that feel a little too heavy-duty.
The best part, though, was the "intimate theft" reveal. I’ve read a lot of domestic suspense, and usually, you can see the twist coming from a mile away. While I had my suspicions, the actual "why" behind this pregnancy was way more twisted than I anticipated. It moved the book from a standard mystery into something that felt genuinely high-stakes.
The Gripes
My main issue was Cara’s decision-making in the first half. I get that she’s desperate and in debt, but there were at least three moments where any sane person—especially a nurse—would have jumped out a window to get away from that couple. She stayed a little too long for the sake of the plot moving forward. Also, the ending wrapped up a bit fast; after such a slow, tense build-up, I wanted a slightly longer confrontation.
Final Verdict
It’s a fast, tense read that actually delivers on the "big secret." If you liked The Silent Patient or The Guest List, you’ll probably fly through this in a weekend. It’s creepy, it’s invasive, and it’ll make you second-guess ever signing a contract with a billionaire.
If you're into psychological thrillers that make you feel slightly claustrophobic, this one hits the mark. It takes the "hired help in a creepy mansion" trope and gives it a much darker, more medical twist.
The Good
The pacing is what kept me turning pages. As soon as Cara gets into the Ashford estate, the vibe shifts from "luxury retreat" to "golden cage." Erikson does a great job with the subtle red flags—the housekeeper’s weird silence and those sleeping pills that feel a little too heavy-duty.
The best part, though, was the "intimate theft" reveal. I’ve read a lot of domestic suspense, and usually, you can see the twist coming from a mile away. While I had my suspicions, the actual "why" behind this pregnancy was way more twisted than I anticipated. It moved the book from a standard mystery into something that felt genuinely high-stakes.
The Gripes
My main issue was Cara’s decision-making in the first half. I get that she’s desperate and in debt, but there were at least three moments where any sane person—especially a nurse—would have jumped out a window to get away from that couple. She stayed a little too long for the sake of the plot moving forward. Also, the ending wrapped up a bit fast; after such a slow, tense build-up, I wanted a slightly longer confrontation.
Final Verdict
It’s a fast, tense read that actually delivers on the "big secret." If you liked The Silent Patient or The Guest List, you’ll probably fly through this in a weekend. It’s creepy, it’s invasive, and it’ll make you second-guess ever signing a contract with a billionaire.
April 17, 2026
This is my second time reading this author and this book had a better plot than the last. The book gripped me from the first few pages and I loved being in the character's head; her voice really carried the story.
The story follows a nurse who is broke and needs money, so she decides to be a surrogate to make the cash. A bit extreme but I’m not judging sis lol. The red flags were waving like a carnival from the jump, and I liked how the author stacked that creeping dread. It’s hard to put down because the stakes are high and you need to know what happens next.
4 stars because it was enjoyable and the story carried itself. Lost one star for the same issue as last time: the villain motivations felt a bit weak. It felt like the story was building toward something much darker, and if that had been pushed further where the author decided to be really nasty about the twist, this could’ve easily been a 4.5 or 5 star read for me.
This author has a lot of potential and I’ll be reading more of his books. I wish he would go the extra mile, get out of his comfort zone and make the books as dark haunting and unforgettable they could really be. Or maybe I'm just a psychopath. Received a free ARC and voluntarily leaving this review.
The story follows a nurse who is broke and needs money, so she decides to be a surrogate to make the cash. A bit extreme but I’m not judging sis lol. The red flags were waving like a carnival from the jump, and I liked how the author stacked that creeping dread. It’s hard to put down because the stakes are high and you need to know what happens next.
4 stars because it was enjoyable and the story carried itself. Lost one star for the same issue as last time: the villain motivations felt a bit weak. It felt like the story was building toward something much darker, and if that had been pushed further where the author decided to be really nasty about the twist, this could’ve easily been a 4.5 or 5 star read for me.
This author has a lot of potential and I’ll be reading more of his books. I wish he would go the extra mile, get out of his comfort zone and make the books as dark haunting and unforgettable they could really be. Or maybe I'm just a psychopath. Received a free ARC and voluntarily leaving this review.
April 13, 2026
The Last Surrogate by Ian Erikson is a solid, fast-paced thriller that tackles a sensitive topic with a refreshing level of tactical intelligence. The story flows smoothly and captures your interest immediately, trading "shock-value" twists for a steady, atmospheric buildup that provides satisfying answers step by step.
What truly sets this book apart is the fantastic lead, Cara; she is a strong, logical, and smart protagonist whose sensible decision-making is a breath of fresh air in the genre. There is nothing that ruins a thriller faster than a protagonist who makes nonsensical choices just to move the plot forward. Having a logical, tactical lead like Cara makes the "creep factor" feel much more grounded and intense because you’re actually rooting for her brain as much as you are for her safety!
While some of the antagonists' motives feel a bit questionable in their extremity (and let's be honest, most thrillers would be five pages long if people acted "nicely"), the tight cast of characters and the constant suspense make this a captivating 4-star read that keeps you on the edge of your seat until the very last page.
What truly sets this book apart is the fantastic lead, Cara; she is a strong, logical, and smart protagonist whose sensible decision-making is a breath of fresh air in the genre. There is nothing that ruins a thriller faster than a protagonist who makes nonsensical choices just to move the plot forward. Having a logical, tactical lead like Cara makes the "creep factor" feel much more grounded and intense because you’re actually rooting for her brain as much as you are for her safety!
While some of the antagonists' motives feel a bit questionable in their extremity (and let's be honest, most thrillers would be five pages long if people acted "nicely"), the tight cast of characters and the constant suspense make this a captivating 4-star read that keeps you on the edge of your seat until the very last page.
March 26, 2026
The Last Surrogate
Author: Ian Erikson
Published: March 21, 2026
Genre: Psychological Thriller
Tropes: Isolation, Gaslighting, Ticking Clock
This is my 3rd read by Ian Erickson and it did not disappoint. The characters were written very well, the FMC is put in a desperate situation and makes the dramatic decision to become a surrogate…what could go wrong? The ‘mother to be’ is unsettling from the get go, intense and quiet. The writing is atmospheric and gives just the right amount of creep factor. The number of support characters is just right. After reading other books by IE – I trust no one and that made for a great read. If you want a strong and determined FMC with a final girl aura this one is for you. We are presented with the ‘haves’ and the ‘have nots’ and you will question when it comes to money how far will you go? Go with your gut or ignore the potential red flags?
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Author: Ian Erikson
Published: March 21, 2026
Genre: Psychological Thriller
Tropes: Isolation, Gaslighting, Ticking Clock
This is my 3rd read by Ian Erickson and it did not disappoint. The characters were written very well, the FMC is put in a desperate situation and makes the dramatic decision to become a surrogate…what could go wrong? The ‘mother to be’ is unsettling from the get go, intense and quiet. The writing is atmospheric and gives just the right amount of creep factor. The number of support characters is just right. After reading other books by IE – I trust no one and that made for a great read. If you want a strong and determined FMC with a final girl aura this one is for you. We are presented with the ‘haves’ and the ‘have nots’ and you will question when it comes to money how far will you go? Go with your gut or ignore the potential red flags?
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
April 8, 2026
Cara is in debt. About to lose her house when she sees an advertisement seeking surrogate mothers. After filing out the application she is placed with a couple that will pay so much that she will be debt free with money left over. In the 3rd trimester she moves into the couple's guest house and finds an eerie warning written on the wall. Now she investigates on her own, with no mode of transportation to get out of the property, she has to come up with some stories, that are believable yet keep her safe.
This book had me thinking scared for Cara (like an old suspense movie in which you yell at the character not to go up the stairs!) I could see some events taking place but didn't guess how they would end or how Cara would get out of them.
I really enjoyed this story.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
This book had me thinking scared for Cara (like an old suspense movie in which you yell at the character not to go up the stairs!) I could see some events taking place but didn't guess how they would end or how Cara would get out of them.
I really enjoyed this story.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
April 22, 2026
I absolutely loved this thriller. It is fast-paced and the suspense never stops. I struggled to put it down.
From the moment Cara walked into Diane's office, you could tell something is off. The meeting with Julian and Vivian confirmed that something was very wrong.
Cara's determination to protect the baby and help to get Sophie out of Maplewood and Emma out of the Ashford house, is truly admirable. Elena is an angel disguised as a housekeeper - she plays a pivotal role in Cara's life when she moves to the Ashford's house.
The descriptions and repetitions were used brilliantly - like the smell of vanilla in Diane's office to create a feeling of comfort and the dripping faucet in Cara's home to emphasize her desperation.
I can't wait to read the next thriller by Ian Erikson!
From the moment Cara walked into Diane's office, you could tell something is off. The meeting with Julian and Vivian confirmed that something was very wrong.
Cara's determination to protect the baby and help to get Sophie out of Maplewood and Emma out of the Ashford house, is truly admirable. Elena is an angel disguised as a housekeeper - she plays a pivotal role in Cara's life when she moves to the Ashford's house.
The descriptions and repetitions were used brilliantly - like the smell of vanilla in Diane's office to create a feeling of comfort and the dripping faucet in Cara's home to emphasize her desperation.
I can't wait to read the next thriller by Ian Erikson!
April 12, 2026
ARC Review—From BookSirens
The Last Surrogate by Ian Erikson
Star Rating:4.5⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨
Pub Date: March 21, 2026
Genre: Psychological Thriller/Suspense
Format: Digital
I really enjoyed this from start to finish. This is about a struggling in debt nurse who is in a need for financial stability. She sees an ad for surrogacy with the price starting at 150k. She feels so desperate that she goes for it and all seems great but once the couple meets Cara she can tell that something seems off about Vivian in particular. This was a good fast paced thriller and this definitely got me out of my slump. This wasn’t the most bang I’ve read but it was juicy if you really like that
The Last Surrogate by Ian Erikson
Star Rating:4.5⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨
Pub Date: March 21, 2026
Genre: Psychological Thriller/Suspense
Format: Digital
I really enjoyed this from start to finish. This is about a struggling in debt nurse who is in a need for financial stability. She sees an ad for surrogacy with the price starting at 150k. She feels so desperate that she goes for it and all seems great but once the couple meets Cara she can tell that something seems off about Vivian in particular. This was a good fast paced thriller and this definitely got me out of my slump. This wasn’t the most bang I’ve read but it was juicy if you really like that
April 18, 2026
I literally read this cover to cover in one afternoon. The foreshadowing keeps you hooked and sucked into the story. There were some minor mistakes that did not take away from the story. At the end I am still not sure why the things that happened, happened, but I guess that is true to life. I appreciate that the author really made clear how dangerous psychiatric holds can be. In a way this story reads like Ten days in a mad house. I do understand the reference to the Housemaid; also a worthy comparison.
I’ve read this book for free via Booksirens.
I’ve read this book for free via Booksirens.
April 27, 2026
This is a really interesting story about a desperate nurse called Cara who decided to carry a baby for money. I could relate to the desperation that she felt. I think that the author told the tale very well. Nothing seemed over the top. I could see something like this happening in reality because the rich are sometimes extremely cruel.
I received a complimentary copy and I freely left this review.
I received a complimentary copy and I freely left this review.
April 4, 2026
I received an advance copy of this book and am leaving this review voluntarily. A page-turner, this is the story of a financially desperate nurse, Cara, who, in an effort to alleviate her debt, responds to an advert for a surrogate. It soon becomes obvious that things aren't what they seem, nor what she expected. Has she bitten off more than she can chew?
4 and a half stars
4 and a half stars
April 13, 2026
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Loved this book! It being around surrogacy is an interesting topic to me. I felt like this were detailed enough to really get me into the story. Brought out feelings of frustration and anger at what the main character was going through. Great book!
Loved this book! It being around surrogacy is an interesting topic to me. I felt like this were detailed enough to really get me into the story. Brought out feelings of frustration and anger at what the main character was going through. Great book!
April 24, 2026
This was a fast paced thriller that was told very well. It was descriptive enough that I could visualize what I was reading. It did keep me interested until the very last sentence. I didnt think it was full of shocking twists or super shocking or suspenseful. It was still a very good read that I would definitely recommend to others.
April 24, 2026
I found this thriller exciting with good flow. I was a little confused at a point. Being a surrogate means the baby is not yours. I don't understand fully why the couple was trying to - basically - steal the baby when they were paying for it. But the story was pretty creepy and a great thriller!
April 2, 2026
If you want to read a book you immediately get hooked in this is it. A psychological thriller with a strong female character and big twists. I read it in a day, I could not put it down.
Thanks to Book Sirens for this ARC book, and I am leaving this honest review voluntarily.
Thanks to Book Sirens for this ARC book, and I am leaving this honest review voluntarily.
May 5, 2026
Another impressive ARC from Ian Erikson. The story pulled me in instantly, and before I knew it, I had finished the entire book in one sitting. It’s rare to find a read this engaging—he’s officially on my favorites list. Absolutely worth picking up.
March 24, 2026
Susan
If you are looking for a great book that grabs you from the start this is one to get as soon as possible. I started this and could not put it down until the end.
If you are looking for a great book that grabs you from the start this is one to get as soon as possible. I started this and could not put it down until the end.
April 5, 2026
I was caught up in this book from the first page. The characters felt so real. I didn't want to stop reading. I loved the ending. Great book!
April 9, 2026
The first 2 sentences had me pulled in! The suspense was there the whole time I didn’t want to put the book down! It was a very good read!
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews