I think that this story has a lot of promise, but I didn't enjoy the way that the story was told. With the way that we are seeing one perspective from 11 years in the past and then the other in present day it was easy to see what was going to happen. I know that there are plenty of people who will love this book and the representation that it bring, but I just didn't enjoy it

This is the second book I read from Friedland and it truly touched me. With themes of Judaism along with what truly makes a family, I found this book to be such a powerful read. I look forward to more from this talented voice in the future.

☆☆☆☆ /5
(english review below)

Une lecture touchante autour de la famille et de la parentalité.
¤
En tant que jeune mère avec un enfant en bas âge et un petit-ami, le travail de Maggie Fisher à une caisse du centre-ville de Phoenix ne lui offre pas beaucoup de flexibilité financière. Elle rêve d'aller à l'université et de devenir enseignante, des options qu'elle a gaspillées lorsqu'elle a fui la maison familiale à l'adolescence. Lorsque Maggie tombe sur une publicité offrant des milliers de dollars à des femmes prêtes à porter les bébés d'autres personnes, elle trouve d'abord le concept risible. Peu de temps après, cependant, elle a été séduite par toutes les façons dont l'argent supplémentaire pourrait améliorer sa vie. Une fois qu'elle a décidé d'y aller, quelques mois seulement plus tard, elle est choisie comme porteuse gestationnelle par Chip et Donovan Rigsdale, un couple marié de New York.
Après avoir accouché de jumeaux et les avoir fièrement remis aux Rigsdale, Maggie met enfin sa vie sur une trajectoire positive : elle obtient son diplôme, décroche un excellent travail et fonde sa propre famille. Elle ne comprend pas pourquoi, dix ans après les faits, la clinique de fertilité appelle pour demander un test ADN de suivi.
¤
C'est un roman qui m'a touchée mais qui m'a surtout faite réfléchir quant au sujet de la famille. À travers l'histoire de Maggie, Chip et Donovan, l'autrice questionne sur la légitimité de fonder une famille. Est-on une famille seulement lorsque nous avons le même sang ? Quelles différences entre les parents biologiques et adoptifs quand les enfants sont heureux ?
Dans ce roman, nous suivons deux points de vue : celui de Maggie, portrait de la jeune mère avec un faible revenu qui donnera de sa personne pour faire le bonheur d'autrui, et celui de Donovan, jeune homme qui souhaite fonder une famille avec son compagnon malgré les restrictions existantes concernant les couples homosexuels.
Et je dois dire que j'ai trouvé chaque personnage intéressant, notamment celui de Donovan qui m'a attendrie par l'amour qu'il porte à sa famille. Maggie est une jeune femme que j'ai apprécié connaître dans ce roman, bien que je ne me sois pas attachée à elle.
Ce roman s'est lu facilement et j'ai trouvé cela, en plus d'intéressant, instructif que l'autrice ait abordé le sujet de mère porteuse et de famille avec un couple homosexuel. Dans ce roman, nous touchons à l'inclusivité -même si je suis frileuse à l'idée que l'autrice soit une personne non-concernée.

----------
ENGLISH REVIEW

A touching reading about family and parenthood.
¤
It's a book that touched me but especially made me think about the subject of the family. Through the story of Maggie, Chip and Donovan, the author questions the legitimacy of starting a family. Are we a family only when we have the same blood? What are the differences between biological and adoptive parents when the children are happy?
In this story, we follow two points of view: that of Maggie, portrait of the young mother with a low income who will give of her person to make the happiness of others, and that of Donovan, a young man who wishes to start a family with his partner despite the existing restrictions concerning same-sex couples.
And I must say that I found each character interesting, especially that of Donovan who touched me by the love he has for his family. Maggie is a young woman whom I enjoyed getting to know in this book, although I did not become attached to her.
This book was easy to read and I found it, in addition to interesting, instructive that the author broached the subject of surrogacy and family with a homosexual couple. In this novel, we touch on inclusiveness - even if I am cautious about the idea that the author is a non-concerned person.

This is a book that’s hard to put down. Maggie and Nick have a strained relationship once Maggie decides to become a surrogate for a gay couple, Chip and Donovan. When results from a popular genetics test are surprising, opening a can of worms for both families, issues arise that will change their futures. At the heart of the story is what really constitutes a family. I highly recommend this book and thank NetGalley for the ARC.

While the blurb about the book made me want to read it instantly, I wasn't emotionally prepared for the roller coaster I found myself on as I turned the pages of this gorgeous novel. From surrogacy to queer families, from mental illness to custody battles, there's so much good in this book that tore my heart open time and again. I both hated and loved each of the parents in this novel, and only wish I'd heard more from the three boys whose lives were also dramatically affected by the decisions these adults made. A must-read!

I loved this one
It's a story about what it means to be a family. what exactly is a family, and how our biological family isn't always everything that we need. Sometimes we unknowingly make a choice that changes the way our life looks, but if we try to go back and undo that choice more than one life is changed yet again. The thought of 'what is parenthood' is age old, but we see ourselves asking it yet once again. This book takes you through the story of two dads and a surrogate, of birth, biology and what it really means to be a family.

He Gets That From Me by Jacqueline Friedland is a novel that explores what constitutes a family. I think fans of Jodi Picoult would enjoy it.

He Gets That From Me is a fast-paced and fascinating novel told from two perspectives. We meet Maggie in 2007, when she's a young mother with a toddler who works at a checkout counter in downtown Phoenix. When she stumbles upon an ad for surrogacy, she thinks it might be the answer to her money woes. It doesn't take long for her to match with Chip and Donovan Rigsdale, a married couple in NYC. In the future, we meet Donovan, who's shocked to discover his son's DNA doesn't match him or his husband's. And so the drama begins!

This book packs a lot into quite a short package. It's a fast-paced and moving character-driven story that will keep you interested from the first page. I really liked the different timelines, as well as the dual perspectives and hearing from both points of view. This helped me connect to the characters and root for them.

A story about family, sacrifice and unconditional love, this book truly makes you think about what really makes a family at the end of the day. If you're ready for a rollercoaster of emotions, I encourage you to check out He Gets That From Me.

Thank you to SparkPress and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for this review.

Wow wow wow. I haven’t read a book like this in a while. I stayed up and forgo-ed sleep to read it, so you know that’s saying a lot.

This one had everything: family drama, romantic relationships, science, sibling love, strained families—but it all comes together so well in this story, and is not a mishmash of “let’s throw this subject in there.” This is a favourite read of 2021 read for me.

I was afraid the dual POV with alternating timelines would confuse me but they truly enhanced the story. An intense story about love and what you’ll do for family, do yourself a favour and pick this one up.

…and that last chapter🥺

Contenting warnings: infertility, adoption, homophobia, strained mother-daughter relationships, cancer

This is a heartfelt novel, which discusses the issues of being a teenage mother in foster care. It does well at explaining the perspectives of all sides involved.

This was a powerful story about what it means to make and be a family. When a Maggie, a young mother decides, to serve as a gestational carrier to Donovan and Chip Rigsdale, it is both a chance to help them make a family and earn some money so she can return to college. After delivering twins for the Rigsdales, they all go their own ways and build largely happy lives. That is, until a DNA test ten years after the birth threatens to upend everything each family has built.

This book sensitively explores the nature of family. The characters are well crafted and the story is quite engaging and nuanced.

Highly recommended!

Maggie is a poor cashier from Phoenix who ends up being an egg donor for Chip and Donovan Rigsdale, a couple from NYC. She occasionally keeps in touch with them as they remained friends over the years. 10 years after the birth Maggie receives a call from the fertility clinic that there was a mix up and she is the bio mom of one of the children. This is a chance of a lifetime for Maggie who struggled with her own fertility after the birth of her first son.

Told in different POV's of Maggie and Donovan. This is a heartwarming book you won't want to miss.

This is a heartfelt novel that explores families and the myriad ways they look and what it means to be one. Loved these characters and the shocking premise (it will remind you of Jodi Picoult in the this is complex and there is no obvious right answer to solve it). I should say all of the characters but one---did not like the main characters husband. He does quasi redeem himself, but I was already over him so it didn't move me (lol!). A strong read that will make you wonder what you would do in the same situation. Thank you NetGalley and publishers for providing a digital ARC for review.

Maggie is a young mom who dreams of going to college. But her current life--toiling at a grocery store while her boyfriend works as a chef--can't support her dreams. When she sees an ad about becoming a surrogate, and sees how much it could pay, Maggie wonders if this could solve all her problems. Her boyfriend, Nick, is reluctant, but Maggie decides to go for it. She winds up being selected by a loving gay couple, Chip and Donovan, from New York. Maggie delivers their beautiful twin boys, and everyone is happy. But ten years later, she gets a call from the fertility clinic that will change her life.

This is a mesmerizing book that pulls you in from the beginning. It's extremely easy-to-read, and the story basically tells itself. I was immediately attached to Chip and Donovan and their family. The story is told from Donovan's POV and Maggie's. Through Donovan, we learn about their family, their pasts, and how much they love their boys. When they end up having DNA tests done on the twins, it upends things and forces Donovan, especially, to rethink so much of what he took for granted. I wanted to like Maggie more than I did; she didn't come across as a consistent character, which was frustrating for me.

DNA stories are certainly the fad the right now. My biggest issue with this book, was, paradoxically, the part I also liked the most, and that was the inclusion of Donovan and Chip's story. As best I can tell, Friedland is a straight woman, and, as a member of the LGBTQIA community, I'm not sure I felt fully comfortable with her including a gay couple in her story. We have enough problems with our families being accepted without them being told in such a "Lifetime movie" fashion--especially by someone who isn't part of our community. This story could have been told just as easily without including a gay couple. It's probably something that wouldn't occur to most readers, but it just rubbed me the wrong way.

Otherwise, this book does make you think and it makes some good points about the meaning of family. It's a fast read, but I just felt a little off overall when I finished it

We start the story with Maggie and her boyfriend and their baby boy. Maggie is working a low wage job and thinking of going back to college. Only problem is that they can not afford it. While reading a magazine Maggie reads a advertisement about surrogate mothers and how they are compensated for carrying a baby for a couple.
Maggie brings up the subject with her boyfriend and he is unsure how he feels about it but Maggie decides to go forward with the testing. Donovan is married to Chip and they have wanted children and are hoping they can find a surrogate. Maggie picks them as a couple to be a surrogate for. Imagine all of their surprise when she conceives twins. Fast forward 10 years and Donovan has the twins and Chip take a DNA test to see who is the father for each twin. In getting the answer from the DNA results all of their lives are thrown into a question as to who is your family, the one who raises you or the one who you share your DNA with. I think this story was well written and it has a surprise at the end. Give this story a chance and I think you will like it. Thank you Netgalley and Jacqueline Friedland for a advanced copy.

It was a very pleasant and easy read with a disappointing ending. The topic was interesting though unbelievable. The characters were likeable.

I knew I wanted to read this book ever since I heard about it. I like Jacqueline Friedland as a writer and the concept of this one sounded fascinating. I didn't know what to expect just from reading the synopsis, but I was blown away and had a very hard time putting it down!

The situation that is at the forefront of this story is tough and heart-wrenching, full of gray areas. I don't want to say what the actual issue is as to not spoil anything. It's just a big one that will stick with readers for a long time after they finish this novel. I can guarantee that much. The story definitely had a Jodi Picoult feel and is perfect for fans of her novels.

Maggie and Donovan were both compelling narrators and I worried for both of them every time I had to put the book down to attend to something else. (Trust me, if I had the time, I would have read it all in one sitting!) The story was full of emotional highs and lows and it kept me guessing as to what the outcome would be.

Parts of the story take place in New York and other parts take place in Arizona. I got more of a feel for the New York scenes, as Jacqueline really brought the vibe of the city to life. Since I haven't been to Arizona yet, I wasn't able to get a feel for the scenery and atmosphere there and I felt the descriptions were lacking. However, that didn't deter from my enjoyment of this novel since living in Arizona wasn't the main plot point. (If my friend who lives in Arizona reads it, perhaps she can tell me otherwise.) I did like the incorporation of Judaism, especially the part with the Shabbat dinner.

Funny side note: At one point, one of the characters describes their relationship as "fine." I couldn't help but think of Roy Kent from Ted Lasso saying "don't you dare settle for fine."

This novel is definitely one of my top picks for 2021 and I can't stop recommending it!

Movie casting suggestions:
Maggie: Ilana Glazer
Nick: Nick Gehlfuss
Donovan: Zachary Quinto
Chip: Randy Harrison
Tess: Sarah Wright
Gina: Jordana Brewster

This was a powerful and surprising story. Maggie, a young mother, working a retail job, is struggling financially and hoping to go back to school to get her teaching degree. She comes across an advertisement offering thousands of dollars for women willing to serve as a gestational carrier for others and, after much deliberation, decides to do it. She ends up agreeing to serve as a gestational carrier by Chip and Don Rigsdale, a married couple from New York. Everything goes smoothly, and Maggie uses the money to go back to school, get a new job as a teacher, and enjoys her life with her family,. Then, ten years later, she gets a call from the fertility clinic asking her to take a DNA test -- and raising questions about what happened 10 years ago and what that means for the future.

This was a great read. It is about the different ways that families are created. Highly recommended!

This book made me so angry... in the best way possible. I felt angry at everyone except the kids, really. I loved everything about this book. The dual POV and the dual timelines. I felt that the plot was a little predictable, but it was written so beautifully that I have no complaints.
I wanted to sympathise with Maggie, I really did, but I just couldn't help but be angry at her. Maybe someone who is a parent can empathize with her, but I just couldn't. And yet I couldn't hate her.
I just loved this book.

Publishing date: 9/14/2021
Rating: 4.5 stars

Donovan and Chip have been wanting to have kids of their own since they got married. Maggie has wanted to go back to college for a while now but has no money to do so until she finds an ad to be a surrogate. Maggie was the answer to the couple's prayers and becomes their surrogate, giving them two lovely boys. Ten years later, Donovan has the kids and both him and his husband to do an ancestry DNA test for school, and the results are not what was expected.

This book was a whirlwind of emotions and very captivating. It hooks you from the start with you wanting to understand the situation they are all in and then how it will get solved. The last chapter was my favorite part. The story develops through alternating perspectives from Donovan and Maggie, but the last chapter is of one of the twin boys, and that chapter made my heart full, because it really did summarize what it means to be a family, what is important in a family, and what really was in the best interests of everyone. Absolutely loved the end and how the story wrapped up.

Highly recommend this heartwarming book!

Thank you to the author, publishing company and NetGalley for this electronic review copy in exchange for my honest review!