2.5 stars

Ward doesn't go the expected route of a story featuring a surrogate, and that is refreshing and interesting. However, this novel is quite disjointed. Large, important portions of the main narrative are left out, and other chapters spend a lengthy amount of time on inconsequential characters with no significant contribution. The core story is intriguing, but the overall execution of the story is lacking cohesiveness.
Suzette and Hyland Kendall agreed to avoid having children because of a history of mental illness in her family. Fifteen years into their marriage, Hyland proposes that they conceive a child via surrogate. After much contemplation, Suzette agrees and they go about trying to find a willing candidate. The woman they hire is Dorothy "Dorrie" Muscarello, a young woman who just wants to earn money to attend college. But the decisions Dorrie makes cause consequences that will affect her life and those around her for many years to come.

The Nearness of You, by Amanda Eyre Ward
Suzette Kendall, a brilliant heart surgeon, has never wanted children; fearful of the mental illness that runs in her family. However, after 15 years of marriage, her husband, Hyland has decided he really wants a baby. They search and find Dorrie, a young and willing surrogate, who has been accepted to Rice University, but can’t attend without funds. The money from the surrogacy will allow her to attend college, but Dorrie decides she can’t give up the baby. This is a story of family, a mother’s love and sacrifice, and the lengths we will go to for our children. The Nearness of You is told from the varying perspectives of the two mothers and of the child, Eloise. Ward’s novel deals with tough, contemporary social issues: child neglect, drug use, prostitution, PTSD, suicide, and surrogacy, all the while carefully presenting both sides of the issue in measured and precise writing. Absolutely unputdownable. If you haven’t read Ward before you are missing out. I was a little surprised at the ending, but only because I wanted the story to continue. Highly recommended for fans of Jodi Picoult

This is a novel about what it means to be a mother and a daughter. After a difficult childhood with a mentally ill mother, Suzette swore she would never have children, but when after many years of marriage her husband reveals he desperately wants to have a child, they decide to use a surrogate mother, and settle on a young woman named Dorrie who has issues of her own. Then, after a big time jump, we also get the perspective of the daughter who is born as a result. I thought this book started out strong, but then became rather unbelievable and then ended abruptly. It was a sad book and well written, though I felt like it could have emotionally engaged me a bit more. 3.5 stars.

Ballantine Books and NetGalley provided me with an electronic copy of The Nearness of You. I was under no obligation to review this book and my opinion is freely given.

Suzette Kendall never wanted to have biological children, due to genetic risk of her child having the same mental illness of Suzette's mother. Her husband Hyland had agreed, but years later he asked if she would be willing to consider a surrogate. Reluctantly, Suzette agreed and the couple embarked on a journey to match with potential surrogates. When Suzette and Hyland chose Dorrie, a single woman who dreams of a different life, will both parties have their dreams come true? After making the decision with her head, will the tugging of Dorrie's heart change her life?

The biggest problem that I had with The Nearness of You are the sheer number of perspectives, which fractures the story and draws the plot in too many directions. There are characters, such as Jayne, that are not strictly necessary for the plot to move forward. The author gives tiny snippets of the characters lives, giving readers a small glimpse into the situation and the aftermath. Although there is some background information given regarding Suzette and Hyland, it does not really help tie the story together. In her effort to try and explain the reasons how Suzette and Hyland's childhoods shaped their future and their reactions to certain situations, the author loses the thread of the story. The plot line regarding Eloise goes so far off the rails that it fractures the story further. Simply put, the author tried to do too much in this book and this takes away from the compelling nature of the story. For these reasons, I would be hesitant to recommend The Nearness of You to other readers.

A complex, thought-provoking tale of surrogacy and what it takes to be a real mother. Overall, I found The Nearness of You to be a quick, enjoyable read and I look forward to reading more from this author.

A good read on the subject matter. Engaging and can be read quickly

Suzette and Hyland have been married fifteen years and and had decided against children, when her husband changes his mind and suggests a surrogate life changes for all three of them.

I really enjoy the work of Amanda Eyre Ward.  This book was much deeper than I expected, unsure of where a book about surrogacy would lead. Motherhood is of course a complicated journey, and of course Suzette's mother had tainted her images for all her life. Everything we experience becomes part of how we grow and become adults and spouses and perhaps parents. Full review to come, but I enjoyed this book very much.

The blurb entrigued me - the story kept me glued to the pages and Amanda Eyre Ward found herself a new reader!

This is a story about a couple, Hyland and Suzette who have been married for fifteen great, but childless years. Suzette, wary of passing on a mental illness to a child borne from her, decides against having children. Hyland, longing for a child suggested an alternative way for him and Suzette to have a child. The best chance for conception, Hyland thought, was traditional surrogacy. Enter Dorrie, the surrogate. She agreed to do it for money, which meant a bigger & better life.

Overall, this was a good read. The topic of surrogacy can be tough, yet delicate. Amanda Wyre Ward balances these two intricately.

Thank you NetGalley for this advanced copy in exchange for my honest opinion.

Loved this book
Didn't want it to end
Highly recommended

A beautiful story revolving around the difficult choices in motherhood, told in a wonderfully paced, honest way. Such a charming novel that peaked my interest and kept it within its' grasp during the story. I loved the surprises and perfectly written characters!

I loved everything about this book! It was hard to put down and I read it in one sitting.

I enjoyed this book - it's quite different from my usual reading material and i really got into the story and empathised with all the characters.

This was a great book! It tells the story of Suzette and Hyland, a couple who agreed not to have children, but then reverse that decision. When they decide to use a surrogate, events spiral out of their control.

I thought this book had great characters and an engrossing storyline. Loved it!

I was hooked from the first page of "The Nearness of You" and thought I was going to love this book. However, the ending was a little disappointing. I felt the book ended too quickly and really wanted to know what happened at the end. I would still highly recommend the book because it was well written and did keep my interest until the end.

An emotional read...thanks for sharing w/ me...have shared it w/ my reading circle and library.

A quick read that had my emotions in overdrive! Loved the plot twist ...The characters were well developed for a shorter length novel. Loved it

An interesting read, though slightly predictable. Not the best book I've read recently.

It was just OK! I will not remember it. Not alot of body in the book. Will not leave an impression of any kind. Unfortunatly I have read a few of her other books and felt the same way.