What do you think?
Rate this book
Risking It All
In the tradition of Lisa Scottoline and Jodi Picoult comes a novel from critically-acclaimed author Nina Darnton about a woman who'll go to any lengths to become a mother.
When Marcia, a driven, successful editor in New York with a loving husband, finds she can't conceive a child, it rips the heart out of her seemingly-perfect life. Her desire to be a mother has become her obsession, and after trying and failing to become pregnant by every known method, she focuses all of her energy on her one remaining option: surrogacy. Her husband resists, and tries to convince her that they can be happy without a child; but faced with her unyielding determination, he relents, and reluctantly goes along with the idea. Everything looks good...until an unexpected tragedy occurs that changes their plans, their marriage, and their lives forever.
When Marcia, a driven, successful editor in New York with a loving husband, finds she can't conceive a child, it rips the heart out of her seemingly-perfect life. Her desire to be a mother has become her obsession, and after trying and failing to become pregnant by every known method, she focuses all of her energy on her one remaining option: surrogacy. Her husband resists, and tries to convince her that they can be happy without a child; but faced with her unyielding determination, he relents, and reluctantly goes along with the idea. Everything looks good...until an unexpected tragedy occurs that changes their plans, their marriage, and their lives forever.
392 pages, Paperback
First published September 19, 2017
13 people are currently reading
994 people want to read
About the author
Nina Darnton
7 books43 followersA journalist for thirty years, Nina Darnton wrote her first novel, An African Affair three years ago and never looked back. Her second novel, The Perfect Mother will be published by Plume on November 29th, 2014.
Nina is married to the journalist and novelist John Darnton. They have three children and four grandchildren and live in New York City and New Paltz, New York.
Nina is married to the journalist and novelist John Darnton. They have three children and four grandchildren and live in New York City and New Paltz, New York.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 81 reviews
August 24, 2017
First of all, I won this ARC copy of RISKING IT ALL from Good Reads.
This book hooked me from the beginning. A couple have been trying feverishly for a long time to have a baby without success. They have tried everything they could, but not luck. Now the wife wants to do a surrogate pregnancy. The husband not too thrilled about this. What if the woman who bears this child wants to keep it? Why do people do this for money? The husband has many qualms on the matter, but the wife badgers him enough and finally he gives in.
The wife searches for the right person to do this for them. She has found her, living in California with her 12 year old son. The couple goes and interviews this person and has found her acceptable to giving birth for them. It would be her egg and his semen that would be placed in the woman's womb. The wife keeps in contact throughout the pregnancy and both of them go to the hospital when it's time for delivery. There are twins. A little girl born first, but didn't make it. A little boy born next and did well. The woman who gave birth had some difficulties after birth, an aneurysm, and passed away. Now her son was motherless. The couple with the baby took him back to their home in New York to live.
So many problems. The husband not liking the boy staying with them and was afraid he would hurt the baby. Many quarrels between husband and wife. What's going to happen to them? How will they manage?
You will have to read this to find out the answers as I did. It's a wonderful story with a great ending.
This book hooked me from the beginning. A couple have been trying feverishly for a long time to have a baby without success. They have tried everything they could, but not luck. Now the wife wants to do a surrogate pregnancy. The husband not too thrilled about this. What if the woman who bears this child wants to keep it? Why do people do this for money? The husband has many qualms on the matter, but the wife badgers him enough and finally he gives in.
The wife searches for the right person to do this for them. She has found her, living in California with her 12 year old son. The couple goes and interviews this person and has found her acceptable to giving birth for them. It would be her egg and his semen that would be placed in the woman's womb. The wife keeps in contact throughout the pregnancy and both of them go to the hospital when it's time for delivery. There are twins. A little girl born first, but didn't make it. A little boy born next and did well. The woman who gave birth had some difficulties after birth, an aneurysm, and passed away. Now her son was motherless. The couple with the baby took him back to their home in New York to live.
So many problems. The husband not liking the boy staying with them and was afraid he would hurt the baby. Many quarrels between husband and wife. What's going to happen to them? How will they manage?
You will have to read this to find out the answers as I did. It's a wonderful story with a great ending.
October 1, 2017
Chic Lit with meat on its bones. A great read, never dull for a minute. Impossible to put down (I read it in two sittings). The characters are very real and the author does a great job of writing from the perspective of a woman, a man and a young child; each was very believable and that made their conflict so compelling. I found myself sympathizing with each character even though they were at odds with each other. This book unfolded a bit like t.v. show--I found myself yelling at the characters; 'do this, do that, don't do THAT!!!' But even though you may have predicted the next issue, being inside the characters heads is what made this a great read. Anyone who has struggled to have a family or has struggled with difficult family dynamics will be enrapt by this book. The back cover compares the author to Jodi Picoult and I think that is a great comparison. I received an ARC copy free and this is my honest review.
September 12, 2017
Risking it All
I got this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Marcia and Jeff have been unsuccessfully trying for years to have a baby and their options are running out. Marcia is trying for surrogacy, Jeff initially against it, eventually agrees. They find a surrogate, who is a single mother, raising a 10 year old boy, Danny and wants to use the money earned from the surrogacy to better Danny's life. Things go terribly wrong after the birth and Danny ends up living with Marcia and Jeff and their new baby boy.
The book is about how they cope with the instant family, raising not only a new baby but a very sad and angry preteen boy. The book is definitely a page turner, it's a good story, the character development is just so-so. I felt for Danny the most, appreciated Marcia's efforts to keep the family going and was annoyed at Jeff's poor decisions. The ending is abrupt, like the author just wants to tie up everything in a neat bow.
Overall 3 -3.5 stars.
Thanks NetGalley, the publisher and the author for the advanced copy.
I got this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Marcia and Jeff have been unsuccessfully trying for years to have a baby and their options are running out. Marcia is trying for surrogacy, Jeff initially against it, eventually agrees. They find a surrogate, who is a single mother, raising a 10 year old boy, Danny and wants to use the money earned from the surrogacy to better Danny's life. Things go terribly wrong after the birth and Danny ends up living with Marcia and Jeff and their new baby boy.
The book is about how they cope with the instant family, raising not only a new baby but a very sad and angry preteen boy. The book is definitely a page turner, it's a good story, the character development is just so-so. I felt for Danny the most, appreciated Marcia's efforts to keep the family going and was annoyed at Jeff's poor decisions. The ending is abrupt, like the author just wants to tie up everything in a neat bow.
Overall 3 -3.5 stars.
Thanks NetGalley, the publisher and the author for the advanced copy.
September 26, 2017
Risking It All kept me on the edge of my seat. The married couple who weren't able to have their own children learn a lot about themselves, their marriage and their identities in this book. The author wrote a well developed story of how a woman who wants to be a mother so badly will go through to have a family. The twists and turns shock you as surrogacy is decided upon and developed in the book. Relationships and how their pasts portend the future keep you riveted to the story. I couldn't put it down.
September 20, 2017
I received this book from Goodreads in exchange for a review.
Marcia is a woman who will go to great lengths to have a child. Jeff, her husband, reluctantly goes along, even though he is content as they are. But when their lives are suddenly turned into chaos how do they cope? Thrust into a situation they never imagined, when the surrogate they chose dies during delivery, they are left with not only their newborn baby, but a 10 year old as well. Barely able to cope with an infant, they find themselves floundering with the care of young Danny, who has his own basket load of problems, least of which is dealing with the loss of his Mother, changing schools, and living with a new family. Including a man who resents his being there. How can these four people pull together and become a family when resentment and distrust smolders beneath the surface for Jeff?
‘Risking It All’ is an emotional journey. This story is one of those that will stay with you long after you close the cover. It will live within you.
Marcia is a woman who will go to great lengths to have a child. Jeff, her husband, reluctantly goes along, even though he is content as they are. But when their lives are suddenly turned into chaos how do they cope? Thrust into a situation they never imagined, when the surrogate they chose dies during delivery, they are left with not only their newborn baby, but a 10 year old as well. Barely able to cope with an infant, they find themselves floundering with the care of young Danny, who has his own basket load of problems, least of which is dealing with the loss of his Mother, changing schools, and living with a new family. Including a man who resents his being there. How can these four people pull together and become a family when resentment and distrust smolders beneath the surface for Jeff?
‘Risking It All’ is an emotional journey. This story is one of those that will stay with you long after you close the cover. It will live within you.
September 20, 2017
Exceptional book! I absolutely loved the story from the first few pages on. I couldn't put it down! I fell in love with each character. Plenty of twists to keep it interesting but nothing too obvious for the plot. I highly recommend this book!
May 27, 2020
“Our job is to change our luck, to make our own luck, not to count on fate because fate has kind of messed things up right from the beginning...Sometimes the nice neat life you had planned and thought you were entitled to doesn’t pan out. So you do the right thing, the honorable thing, and try to move on. You have to change your dream...sometimes you get something else in return...I was motivated by guilt...Then I felt pity...But now I feel love.”
Betrayal, birth, loss and love: these are the themes interwoven throughout Nina Darnton’s thriller Risking It All. What starts as a quest for a surrogate ends in a litmus test of character. When surrogate Eve dies of an embolism on the delivery table, Marcia and Jeff are compelled to care for her only remaining descendant, an eleven year old boy named Danny, as well as their newborn son Griffin. Danny is a microcosm of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Out of his grief at losing his mother (motherland), rage swells and resentment festers. When tears fail to provide relief, Danny shatters pantry jars and spills open boxes of cereal, rice, flour and sugar onto the kitchen floor. He sprays whipped cream onto the cabinets, floor, and refrigerator. On his way to the park, he picks up stones and throws them, one after another, until his arm hurts. He breaks down in tears and cries, “I’m sorry, Ma (Motherland). I didn’t mean it. I love you.”
During my summer teaching English in Palestine, I had the opportunity to build relationships with my students and their families. During a home visit, one mother shared stories of the countless raids her family had experienced. She recounted times when the Israeli police had detonated doors and thrown bombs inside their home, when, as a newlywed, their new couch had been slit with a knife, the kitchen cupboards had been opened and the contents dumped out all over the floor. The oven was open and removed from the wall. The light sockets were broken. The wardrobe in their bedroom was overturned flat on its face. Dogs sniffed for weapons while the family--and all the children--were moved from room to room as the house was scavenged and the wife and mother were separated from father and sons to be patted down and strip searched--internally and externally.
Meanwhile, Palestinian children are arrested and imprisoned for their feeble attempts at retaliation--throwing stones. Like Danny’s internal conflict, the Palestinian and Israeli turmoil is rooted in rage, resentment, and grief over loss of their Motherland. As Marcia discovers and as the title implies, sometimes, the messiest--and best--next step is to risk it all and love. When considering names for their new baby, Marcia suggests, “Maybe we should call him Job.”
Her husband counters, “No...That would mean this tragedy is only his first.” Marcia responds, “Job was tested, but he was loved by God.” Tests that end in love are the best tests of character. The ultimate test comes at the end of the novel and result in an ending that is both surprising and endearing. When Danny transacts spinal meningitis, the hospital becomes the chrysalis in which Jeff experiences a character metamorphosis and their relationship is resurrected. These characters will challenge your thoughts and steal your heart through every page.
Betrayal, birth, loss and love: these are the themes interwoven throughout Nina Darnton’s thriller Risking It All. What starts as a quest for a surrogate ends in a litmus test of character. When surrogate Eve dies of an embolism on the delivery table, Marcia and Jeff are compelled to care for her only remaining descendant, an eleven year old boy named Danny, as well as their newborn son Griffin. Danny is a microcosm of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Out of his grief at losing his mother (motherland), rage swells and resentment festers. When tears fail to provide relief, Danny shatters pantry jars and spills open boxes of cereal, rice, flour and sugar onto the kitchen floor. He sprays whipped cream onto the cabinets, floor, and refrigerator. On his way to the park, he picks up stones and throws them, one after another, until his arm hurts. He breaks down in tears and cries, “I’m sorry, Ma (Motherland). I didn’t mean it. I love you.”
During my summer teaching English in Palestine, I had the opportunity to build relationships with my students and their families. During a home visit, one mother shared stories of the countless raids her family had experienced. She recounted times when the Israeli police had detonated doors and thrown bombs inside their home, when, as a newlywed, their new couch had been slit with a knife, the kitchen cupboards had been opened and the contents dumped out all over the floor. The oven was open and removed from the wall. The light sockets were broken. The wardrobe in their bedroom was overturned flat on its face. Dogs sniffed for weapons while the family--and all the children--were moved from room to room as the house was scavenged and the wife and mother were separated from father and sons to be patted down and strip searched--internally and externally.
Meanwhile, Palestinian children are arrested and imprisoned for their feeble attempts at retaliation--throwing stones. Like Danny’s internal conflict, the Palestinian and Israeli turmoil is rooted in rage, resentment, and grief over loss of their Motherland. As Marcia discovers and as the title implies, sometimes, the messiest--and best--next step is to risk it all and love. When considering names for their new baby, Marcia suggests, “Maybe we should call him Job.”
Her husband counters, “No...That would mean this tragedy is only his first.” Marcia responds, “Job was tested, but he was loved by God.” Tests that end in love are the best tests of character. The ultimate test comes at the end of the novel and result in an ending that is both surprising and endearing. When Danny transacts spinal meningitis, the hospital becomes the chrysalis in which Jeff experiences a character metamorphosis and their relationship is resurrected. These characters will challenge your thoughts and steal your heart through every page.
August 28, 2017
I received this book thru the Goodreads Giveaways, and am so glad I did. Marcia and Jeff are a busy professional couple, successful and happy, except for one thing - the one thing Marcia wants more than anything - to have a child. After many failed treatments, she finally convinces Jeff to try surrogacy, and they choose Eve, a single mother of a 10 yr old boy, Danny, to carry their child. Thru the IVF process, Eve becomes pregnant with twins, a boy and girl, but, the girl doesn't survive delivery, and, due to an embolism, neither does Eve. Marcia and Jeff take in Danny, who has no other family, back to New York with them. Danny struggles with his grief, his anger at his Mom and at Marcia and Jeff, and entering a new school with no friends, in the middle of the school year. Jeff doesn't like Danny, and doesn't trust him - because he never really was comfortable with being a parent to a baby, let alone a second, older child. Through a new friendship with another child at the school, Danny meets the boy's older brother, who turns out to be a criminal. He pressures Danny to hide something for him, and, after weeks of anxiety and outbursts, Marcia and Jeff find that Danny has hidden a gun...to prevent legal consequences, they send Danny to a theraputic community/boarding school, and, in the wake of the turmoil, their marriage collapses. When Danny becomes gravely ill, while Marcia is out of the country, Jeff steps up to the plate and becomes the father he should have been, all along. This book had me turning pages until late in the night, because I didn't want to put it down - I loved the characters, and wanted to badly to shake Jeff and make him see how Danny needed him. I found myself rooting for their marriage to survive, and for Danny to get the love and care he needed to recover from his painful loss of his Mom...I have not read either of Ms. Darnton's prior books, but, I will make it a point to find and read them, now. I loved this book, and I encourage anyone who adores a good love story to put it on your TBR list - I think you will be glad you did.
September 13, 2017
The main characters in this novel deal with infertility and the many options available to them. The reader learns of the dilemmas facing both husband and wife and the difficult choices that must be made. Many people don't realize the strain, but also the joy, that children bring to a marriage. The circumstances involving this family are unique, but their love and faith in each other is tested in many ways. Without giving the story away, let me just say that I couldn't put the book down and was cheering for each of them throughout their journey. Great book that I won in a giveaway!
August 2, 2017
I received this ARC free through a Goodreads giveaway. A very thought provoking book about one woman's obsession to have a baby and everything she tries with her husbands support until they are left with just one option. After badgering her husband he agrees to a surrogate with stipulations. Although he really didn't want to do this he wanted her to be happy. When tragedy strikes neither of them are prepared for what comes next.
October 10, 2017
I received an advance uncorrected proof of this book.
I debated between 3 and 4 stars, but ultimately decided on 3. The story was good, but it isn't anything really special.
The characters reactions to life events often annoyed me, especially Jeff. The book ended too abruptly. Some other parts could have easily been removed in order to have a better resolution.
I debated between 3 and 4 stars, but ultimately decided on 3. The story was good, but it isn't anything really special.
The characters reactions to life events often annoyed me, especially Jeff. The book ended too abruptly. Some other parts could have easily been removed in order to have a better resolution.
October 3, 2017
Marcia and her husband Jeff have tried unsuccessfully to conceive a child. Her next course of action is to convince Jeff to agree to surrogacy. They discuss the emotional aspect, is it exploitation of another person? What if the surrogate wants to keep the baby? Eventually Marcia and Jeff decide to go ahead with surrogacy and find a woman named Eve. Eve is a minimum wage earner with a pre-teen son named Danny. After Marcia and Jeff meet her and Danny they have no doubt that she is the one to carry their baby. The money will help Eve build a nest egg for Danny's college. Eve then becomes pregnant with twins. The story now takes a turn for the worst. Compilations, love, and responsibility come into play. Households are turned upside down and Marcia's marriage is threatened. Many levels of surrogacy issues are addressed including exploitation, emotions, payments, responsibilities etc. A well written and thought provoking book about a sensitive topic. A definite winner!
October 5, 2017
In this book Marcia wants a baby so badly and eventually finds a surrogate to make that dream come true. She had a picture in her mind of how wonderful everything would be when her and her husband Jeff had children of their own. However a horrible tragedy occurs and they end up with a child of their own as well as an additional person to care for. Jeff and Marcia struggle through this time as they each have a different opinion on how everything should be handled.
I really loved how this book dove into the “darker” parts of marriage, when everything isn’t perfect and so many bumps in the road have caused such a gap between husband and wife. The characters were relatable and imperfect. You could get into feeling what the characters felt and I really enjoyed it.
I really loved how this book dove into the “darker” parts of marriage, when everything isn’t perfect and so many bumps in the road have caused such a gap between husband and wife. The characters were relatable and imperfect. You could get into feeling what the characters felt and I really enjoyed it.
September 10, 2017
"Risking It All" was a gripping fiction about Marcia, her husband Jeff, and their difficult quest to have a child. When we enter their lives, they have already exhausted every other infertility treatment aside from surrogacy, and Marcia is willing to do whatever it takes to have a baby. Even though Jeff would be content without a child, he is willing to follow Marcia's lead and enter the realm of surrogacy. Marcia has carefully weighed her options and selected a surrogate in California for several reasons. When Jeff meets her, they give the go ahead and embark on a new journey.
Of course, things are never as simple as they seem, and all the characters' lives are forever altered. This book gripped me from the get-go. Although it's not a thriller, you quickly become engaged in Marcia and Jeff's lives and genuinely want to know what will happen with them. I found myself caught up in the story. Although it's not a novel or crazy storyline, it easily pulls the reader in and begs to be followed. Marcia felt very three-dimensional and tangible. Jeff was less so, but he grew over time. It's an intriguing and emotional read but ends well. I highly recommend to people who like in-depth character studies and fiction.
Please note that I received an ARC from the publisher. All opinions are my own.
Of course, things are never as simple as they seem, and all the characters' lives are forever altered. This book gripped me from the get-go. Although it's not a thriller, you quickly become engaged in Marcia and Jeff's lives and genuinely want to know what will happen with them. I found myself caught up in the story. Although it's not a novel or crazy storyline, it easily pulls the reader in and begs to be followed. Marcia felt very three-dimensional and tangible. Jeff was less so, but he grew over time. It's an intriguing and emotional read but ends well. I highly recommend to people who like in-depth character studies and fiction.
Please note that I received an ARC from the publisher. All opinions are my own.
September 19, 2017
A heart tugging novel about a highly successful couple who seem to have it all.Everything is perfect till Marcia can not conceive her heartbreak the desperate steps she takes &Jeff her husband who is not the supportive spouse .So many difficulties so much sadnes&shocking occurences.Thanks to Net Galley &St. Martins for advance reading copy,
September 12, 2017
What do you do when everything that should be joyous goes terribly terribly wrong? Marcia wanted a child, her husband Jeff was conflicted. Danny isn't the son either of them expected or even wanted but they are able to take him in when his mom, their surrogate, dies in childbirth. His anger is what fuels most of the emotion in this book. He didn't want them either and he acts out, creating an untenable situation. When the chips are on the table however and when Danny really needs them, Jeff comes through. This is a good old fashioned emotional novel that really is in the tradition of Jodi Picoult and other "domestic fiction" writers, The characters might feel a bit stock at first (especially, I have to admit, Marcia) but the twists in the story made them come to life for me. Darnton has written a lovely book that takes a standard story and turns it on its head. Thanks to net galley for the ARC. This is a very rewarding read.
April 17, 2017
A young couple are unable to conceive and the wife begs her husband to consider surrogacy. He begrudgingly relents and they find the surrogate for them and everything is going right until things go terribly wrong. Then the husband resents his wife. I really wanted to like this book. Who wouldn't? But the writing felt forced and emotionally removed.
I read an advance copy and was not compensated.
I read an advance copy and was not compensated.
September 13, 2017
This is a book that will make you see that life is precious and you never know where you will end up.As you read you will see both sides and really think about what she is asking of him.He does not react well but you can see the whole Danny situation will make you think .I received this book free as part of goodreads giveaways.
September 28, 2017
I would have to say that overall, this was a good book despite the way that Jeff treated their “adopted son”. It seemed like he had no respect for him and as a result Danny just acted out and left school whenever he felt like it and hung out with the wrong crowd. Later on in the story, Danny was asked to take and hide a box for his only friend from school so he did, then a police officer showed up at his house and said that his friend was in a lot of trouble and that he needed to know what was in the box, they opened up the box and found a gun.
September 22, 2017
This is a very good novel. Is about family and disfunction. Talk about disfunctional folks, they are here. Got cauht up in this book and couldn't put it down until finished. Luckily, no school today. This writer knows the human and depicts them in reality in this book of fiction. Shows the strength and weaknesses of us frail folks. You will love this book as it brings tears with sadness and anger. The ending did this old heart good. Thanks to Nina Darnton and Goodreads.
September 23, 2017
This book was an amazing read. I truly could not put this down. What I loved most in this book was how honest and realistic it was. I felt I could connect in so many ways as a mother myself.
My heart went out to Danny so much it hurt and felt so real.
Although it was so emotional I found I really enjoyed it. The book was well written and very much was a captivating story.
My heart went out to Danny so much it hurt and felt so real.
Although it was so emotional I found I really enjoyed it. The book was well written and very much was a captivating story.
August 19, 2017
I couldn't put this book down. The whole book I had a love hate relationship with Jeff. This book ended exactly the way I wanted it to end. It had me crying.
October 12, 2017
Marcia and Jeff are youngish successful career people, living the good life in NYC. The only thing missing from their marriage is children. Marcia feels the loss more than Jeff. She wants to adopt. No. She wants to try fertility treatments. Didn't work. And expensive. She wants to try surrogacy, using her own egg and Jeff's sperm. He was opposed to this but finally gave in.
The surrogate lived in LA so Marcia made monthly treks to CA for the dr. visits, getting to know Eve, the surrogate, more each time.
I want to avoid spoilers so I'll just say that things get incredibly complicated, and Marcia discovers that Jeff is not who she thought he was.
The plot was intriguing and gave me lots to think about, but the writing was disappointing. Both characters seemed rather shallow--two dimensional--in the telling of the story, despite the intimate look we get into their thoughts and actions. Somehow, I liked Danny better than anyone else.
The novel made me question how well we ever know someone else and how much of what we think another person is actually reflects what we project on him/her.
I appreciate the advance copy of the book, but I was not impressed with the writing. There was way too much TELLING and not enough SHOWING. I would begin to get engaged in several sections, and then the author would launch into pages of telling readers what was going on instead of letting me see for myself. Nonetheless, I finished the book because I did want to find out what happened with this family.
The surrogate lived in LA so Marcia made monthly treks to CA for the dr. visits, getting to know Eve, the surrogate, more each time.
I want to avoid spoilers so I'll just say that things get incredibly complicated, and Marcia discovers that Jeff is not who she thought he was.
The plot was intriguing and gave me lots to think about, but the writing was disappointing. Both characters seemed rather shallow--two dimensional--in the telling of the story, despite the intimate look we get into their thoughts and actions. Somehow, I liked Danny better than anyone else.
The novel made me question how well we ever know someone else and how much of what we think another person is actually reflects what we project on him/her.
I appreciate the advance copy of the book, but I was not impressed with the writing. There was way too much TELLING and not enough SHOWING. I would begin to get engaged in several sections, and then the author would launch into pages of telling readers what was going on instead of letting me see for myself. Nonetheless, I finished the book because I did want to find out what happened with this family.
August 10, 2017
this book was something I won from a giveaway. This novel tore at my Momma heart strings and I cant wait to gather all the info I can on this author. This book is something I will be highly recommending.
Thank you Goodreads
Thank you Goodreads
August 7, 2017
I won!
I can't wait to receive and I will update my review when I finish reading!
Thanks!
I can't wait to receive and I will update my review when I finish reading!
Thanks!
July 23, 2017
I won this book on Goodreads Giveaways. I could not stop reading it, it grabbed me from the beginning and kept me reading as fast as I could. The writing just flows and the story is fantastic. Marcia and Jeff's marital problems stem from her wanting to have a surrogate carry her baby. Jeff is convinced by Marcia, but doesn't really want to do it. The story grows from there with very unexpected developments. I wish I could rate it ten stars! I hope that Nina Darnton continues to write more novels, she is a wonderful author.
August 1, 2017
I won my Advanced uncorrected proof from Goodreads Giveaways. Thank you it was a great read. I didn't want to stop reading. A lovely but sad and emotional story of a couple trying to conceive, and trying surrogacy. I really enjoyed the positive nature of Marcia and how much she wanted a baby. Jeff not so much. Great story I was glued to it.
February 7, 2018
This book was painful to read. It was like finding a bad journal someone wrote. Plot was boring, and no climax to the book at all. She tried to throw some hooks or dramatic effects but sadly they fell flat. I kept reading hoping to find WHY I was still reading it but no such luck. So disappointing.
September 26, 2017
Marcia and Jeff truly want a baby. They have tried so many things, even IVF, all of which have failed. Now, Marcia wants to try surrogacy and hopes Jeff will agree. However, Jeff is not for it for many reason. He feels it exploits poor women and the expense is horrendous. But Marcia continues her in-depth research.
Soon, Marcia finds the perfect surrogate. Eve is a widow with a young son, named Danny. She needs the money to help provide for him. Quickly, the process is done and the surrogate is pregnant with twins. Marcia and Eve become close friends. The birth is not easy and one baby is stillborn. The other baby, a little boy they name Griffin, is tiny and in an incubator. Add to that, Eve dies from an embolism.
Marcia insists that they take Danny home with them as he has no other family. Suffering from grief at the loss of his mother, Danny has a hard time settling in and Jeff’s disinterest in the boy makes matters worse. All the problems with Danny and his adjustments to school lead to problems with their marriage.
Marcia is a senior editor with a publisher and Jeff is an attorney. Marcia has been lucky to take an extended maternity leave as little Griffin has had problems with colic. It also gives her time to bond with Danny. If only Jeff would warm to the boy and give him the attention he needs instead of always trying to discipline him or ignore him.
The plot of this story is a good one and in many ways, the author did a good job in writing it. I did not like Jeff because I truly felt he did not want a child. So now that they have baby Griffin plus Danny to raise, Jeff becomes somewhat belligerent. Jeff is a jerk. Period. I didn’t really care for Marcia’s character either. Her insistence on surrogacy in the face of her husband’s disapproval needed more discussion between them before going forward with the plan. Another thing Marcia does that grated with me was her rude treatment of her editorial assistant, Julie. It reminded me of “The Devil Wears Prada.” I hope editors don’t treat their assistants like this.
Copy provided by NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.
Soon, Marcia finds the perfect surrogate. Eve is a widow with a young son, named Danny. She needs the money to help provide for him. Quickly, the process is done and the surrogate is pregnant with twins. Marcia and Eve become close friends. The birth is not easy and one baby is stillborn. The other baby, a little boy they name Griffin, is tiny and in an incubator. Add to that, Eve dies from an embolism.
Marcia insists that they take Danny home with them as he has no other family. Suffering from grief at the loss of his mother, Danny has a hard time settling in and Jeff’s disinterest in the boy makes matters worse. All the problems with Danny and his adjustments to school lead to problems with their marriage.
Marcia is a senior editor with a publisher and Jeff is an attorney. Marcia has been lucky to take an extended maternity leave as little Griffin has had problems with colic. It also gives her time to bond with Danny. If only Jeff would warm to the boy and give him the attention he needs instead of always trying to discipline him or ignore him.
The plot of this story is a good one and in many ways, the author did a good job in writing it. I did not like Jeff because I truly felt he did not want a child. So now that they have baby Griffin plus Danny to raise, Jeff becomes somewhat belligerent. Jeff is a jerk. Period. I didn’t really care for Marcia’s character either. Her insistence on surrogacy in the face of her husband’s disapproval needed more discussion between them before going forward with the plan. Another thing Marcia does that grated with me was her rude treatment of her editorial assistant, Julie. It reminded me of “The Devil Wears Prada.” I hope editors don’t treat their assistants like this.
Copy provided by NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.
September 18, 2017
Marsha and Jeff have struggled with infertility and as a last resort they make an arrangement with a surrogate to carry their baby. Things go terribly wrong, although not in the way that you expect. The rest of the novel is taken up with this couple's efforts to cope with the stress of being new parents as well as with a difficult situation that relates to their surrogate.
The topic is interesting, the book covers a lot of ground and you keep turning those pages to find out what's going to happen next. I definitely enjoyed it. I might have enjoyed it more if I didn't keep having the feeling that the author was rushing through things. Situations aren't always fully explored, and events unfold in unrealistic ways. There is a lot of action and the character growth is secondary to the plot twists and turns.
I think one issue that needed to be more fully explored is that of race, and the unacknowledged racism of one of the characters. I felt that it was this racial discomfort caused the character to be cruel to a child. The author didn't explore this at all, she explained his behavior in a different way which was less convincing to me.
So, I may have been looking for something deeper, but this book is a good book taken on its own terms and definitely something that will keep you turning those pages. 3.5 stars. Thanks to Goodreads for a review copy.
,
The topic is interesting, the book covers a lot of ground and you keep turning those pages to find out what's going to happen next. I definitely enjoyed it. I might have enjoyed it more if I didn't keep having the feeling that the author was rushing through things. Situations aren't always fully explored, and events unfold in unrealistic ways. There is a lot of action and the character growth is secondary to the plot twists and turns.
I think one issue that needed to be more fully explored is that of race, and the unacknowledged racism of one of the characters. I felt that it was this racial discomfort caused the character to be cruel to a child. The author didn't explore this at all, she explained his behavior in a different way which was less convincing to me.
So, I may have been looking for something deeper, but this book is a good book taken on its own terms and definitely something that will keep you turning those pages. 3.5 stars. Thanks to Goodreads for a review copy.
,
Displaying 1 - 30 of 81 reviews