Important and informational book about adoption. This topic is close to my heart. I read a lot of books about adoption so I knew I would have to get this one. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

This book was heartbreaking but so important. Too often, adoption is considered the best option for an unwanted pregnancy with no thought for the harm it can cause. And when the consequences and considered, it mostly focused around the adopted child. This book completely focused on the impact to the birth mothers and was told mainly in their own words from interviews. It was really interesting to see the variety of views they still have on adoption, from still encouraging others to consider adoption to wanting the entire industry ended. Now that abortion rights are threatened, this book is incredibly important and timely.

Thank you to NetGalley and St Martin’s Press for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

An in depth look at adoption in America. The author does a wonderful job of telling stories of people who have been through the adoption process. A good read.

an incredible read that adds a new voice and insight into the conversations about pregnancy, abortion, and adoption. I learned a great deal and greatly appreciated the interweaving of the author's voice with voices from people who have relinquished their children. I was especially interested in the stories told by women who spoke twice with a 10-year gap in between. Thank you for sharing this book with me!

Adoptions is pushed so heavily by those on the right who oppose abortion, and this is a needed look at the often fraught world of private adoption. Thank you to the publisher for early access to this book in exchange for a review.

“Relinquished” provides needed insight into the ethics of adoption and experience of birth mothers. I was engaged by the included interviews done by the author with birth mothers over the course of ten years. Their stories were often heartbreaking, and what I looked forward to in every chapter. I found the writing style less engaging because of its heavy focus on research. Between the interviews the book reads like a doctorate thesis, but I think the information is important enough to forgive this. “Relinquished” is an excellent resource for anyone considering adoption, and it will be out 02/27/24.

Relinquished is an interesting and at times heartbreaking look at the topic of adoption. In reading this work, I have recognized that there is a lot I did not know about private adoption and about the way options are presented to those who are pregnant. I will definitely be looking deeper into this topic and I’m thankful to the author for writing.