I personally found this book a little bit difficult to get into at the beginning. However things started to pick up and was an enjoyable read.

Another great book and another great storyline, loved how it all ended as well, very good ideas and story writing, looking forward to the next one

I want to give my sincere thanks to Netgalley, the publisher, and the author for allowing me the chance to read this book.
It was the first book that i read from this author but im not dissapointed...the plot was engaging and dark, my fave things in thrillers.
My big problem is the unlikeable characters. They are all selfish. Didn't conect with any of them ....sorry

This book's pace was great, with just the right amount of twists to keep me engaged. I thoroughly enjoyed this story and this was my first read from this author, but I am very interested in more of their work.

I loved this book. Great writing from the start but I did think it got a bit far fetched but that didnt stop my enjoyment. The ending was quite abrupt......................a sequel maybe ?????

This was a really good book! I don’t want to reveal too much but the middle part was what I expected from the whole plot. It was great to see the aftermath of the first event, and how it led further and further into a descent of strife for the main characters. This was excellently written and the plot/characters were very easy to follow. This was a wonderful read and exactly my cup of tea!

I was hooked from the beginning!!
It was amazing, addictive, and engaging.
I was instantly sucked in by the atmosphere and writing style.
The characters were all very well developed .
The writing is exceptional and I was hooked after the first sentence.

Matt and Sophie, our main characters, have been together for 10 years. They really have everything they want in life, and are content with their lives except for one little problem, they can't have kids. They've tried everything, exhausted their money supply in IVF treatments, and have really given up on that front. That is, until Sophie's childhood friend moves back to town, and offers to carry their baby for them.

Lucy, Sophie's childhood bestie, was run out off town after they learned that her father was sexually abusing teen boys in their area, including Sophie's brother. And Sophie is the one who brought the abuse to the public eye. But Lucy, seemingly forgives all that, and wants to start again. She's lost all she has in life, and just wants a new outlook. But things aren't exactly as they seem with her.

Reluctantly, Sophie agrees to their arrangement, but the big problem is that they have no money to pay her for her time, and growing their baby. They can't pay to get her pregnant by the doctor, so they must do it the old fashion way, her husband Matt hooking up with Lucy and getting her pregnant. The worst part? They dated in high school. So they have a history. And after that one night, everything changes, and none of it good. Lucy has some secrets of her own, and Sophie starts to change inside and out from the jealousy.

A very solid but quick read, this book took turns I never expected. You really feel anxious along with the characters, and see how one little slip up can really change your life forever. I definitely recommend checking it out if you get the chance, I think it's a great adult fiction thriller with very little sex scenes, despite the topic.

Iain Maitland’s The Surrogate is a dark and unsettling psychological thriller that delves into the fragile complexities of friendship, obsession, and the desperate lengths people will go to in pursuit of happiness. With a chilling premise and a sinister undercurrent, this novel grips the reader from the very first page and doesn’t let go.

Sophie seemingly has it all—a loving husband, a stable career, and a comfortable life. But the one thing she truly desires, a child, remains out of reach. Her longing for motherhood becomes an all-consuming obsession, threatening to unravel her sanity. When her childhood best friend, Lucy, unexpectedly reappears and offers to be her surrogate, it seems like the perfect solution. But Sophie is blind to the darkness lurking beneath Lucy’s generous gesture.

Maitland masterfully builds suspense as the story unfolds, revealing Lucy’s true motives and leading the reader down an increasingly disturbing path. With an expert balance of psychological tension and shocking twists, the novel explores themes of manipulation, trust, and the blurred lines between love and control. The slow-burning dread intensifies with each chapter, culminating in a chilling and unpredictable climax.

For fans of psychological thrillers that explore the darker side of human nature, The Surrogate is an engrossing, nerve-wracking read. Maitland’s sharp storytelling and eerie atmosphere make this book a compelling page-turner—one that will leave readers questioning just how well they really know the people closest to them.

This book was brilliantly written for the first 50% but then it actually became rather silly! My opinion, I finished the book but felt there was something lacking? As for Sophie, I wouldn't like to be friends with her and her moods and thought processes! Not how I expected it to end and can't say I look forward to the next book , if there are plans to do a carry on.
Sorry, can only award 3 stars. Many thanx to NetGalley, the author and the publishers for allowing me to read and review this book

The Surrogate
Wow!! Such an unforeseeable gasp-out-loud thriller with murder, intrigue and suspense.
How far would you go to have a baby? Unforgettable characters & many twists and turns. I did not expect that ending!!

I want to extend my sincere thanks to Netgalley, the publisher, and the author for allowing me the chance to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

As I dive into this review, I must admit that this was my first experience with this author, which left me both excited and a bit anxious. However, I was genuinely delighted by the unfolding narrative. To kick things off, I have to commend the stunning cover and captivating synopsis that instantly draw readers in and ignite a desire to explore the pages. Moving on, I’m pleased to report that the plot was just as engaging, though there were a few minor elements that slightly detracted from the overall experience. At times, I felt the characters' actions and descriptions lacked depth, but this is a small concern, as the author still managed to craft a fast-paced, twisty thriller that I believe will resonate with many readers. Another point of contention for me was the ending—will there be a sequel, or is this a standalone? The unexpected cliffhanger left me pondering, as it could serve as a fantastic launchpad for further adventures, but if it’s meant to be a standalone, the conclusion feels rather unsatisfactory. In summary, this was an enjoyable and twisty read, and I would recommend it to anyone who loves thrillers.

Wow a seriously gripping book full of twists and turns. Whe Lucy and Sophie are reunited it should be the best thing in the world.
However things are not always as they seem.

Thanks to net galley and the publishers for this arc

4 stars

This book was GREAT!!! I would recommend it to ANYONE who loves a good psychological thriller!

The Surrogate is a gripping psychological thriller that delves into the complexities of human relationships, morality, and the lengths one might go to in the pursuit of love and family. The story revolves around a couple struggling with infertility who decide to hire a surrogate. This decision sets off a chain of events that unravels secrets, desires, and the darker sides of human nature.

The narrative is well-paced, balancing moments of tension with introspection, allowing readers to connect with the characters' motivations and dilemmas. The author skillfully explores themes of desperation, betrayal, and the ethical implications surrounding surrogacy, making it not just a thriller but also a thought-provoking read. The characters are well-developed, each with their own flaws and complexities, which adds depth to the story.

This book was so good! I read it in one day. The only thing was the ending. I was left with my jaw on the floor and wanting to know what happened from there. Would love a part two to pick up where this one left off.

Started off pretty high 5* for me, then the story started to deteriorate because I was so invested in a character who was inevitably killed off lol. Then the story starts bringing in more side characters who I could care less about it, but it got messy!! Ooooh soooo messy. 🫠 but the story wrapped up neatly with a bow. 😂 I will give it 3.5 *

I really enjoyed this book and it kept me on the edge of my seat for most of it. I was kept guessing all the way through too

"The Surrogate" is about a couple, Sophie and Matt, with Sophie having problems conceiving. Sophie's childhood friend, Lucy, comes back to town and instantly offers to be their surrogate.. Things take a turn when they all decide that Matt and Lucy should sleep together as it's the cheaper option, and Lucy has an ulterior motive....
This book is a gripping page turner that I couldn't put down. It has twists and dark sides that made me hold my breath. When I wasn't reading it I was thinking about it and that's how you know it's a great book!

I am a sucker for quick draw in's and this book definitely did just that with a couple that's desperate for a child and seek a surrogate to fulfill that want... You could never predict the twists and turns that come. The build up was great, unfortunately the ending came as anticlimactic and had hoped for more. Overall, it was an absolutely great book that I would read again.

The Surrogate by Iain Maitland is a dark, twisty, unpredictable and disturbing psychological thriller that will leave you with your jaw on the floor! Oh my, Oh my, Oh my! This was something else!

It started so nicely and innocently and technically based on the name of the book we are expecting things to go wrong but the turn it took was unbelievable! And everything from there was going down like a spiral! This is a complete madhouse!

Sophie and Matt are happily married. They have all they wish minus the baby. They tried everything and nothing worked this is why when Lucy, her childhood best friend, returned to town and offered to be a surrogate, Sophie grabbed this chance with both hands. But things went terribly wrong from the beginning and Sophie soon realised she made the biggest mistake in her life.


The end clearly signals that there is a high possibility that a sequel is coming otherwise I don't see the reason to end the book with this kind of cliffhanger.

Thank you, NetGalley for this copy.