This book stirred many emotions! A very thought-provoking look at adoption, ethics, and how people can react in a variety of ways.

Amanda Ortlepp brought up some very difficult issues surrounding IVF pregnancies.

As a woman that struggles with infertility myself and then had to get a hysterectomy in my early 30s due to cancer, this book was sensitive for me to read.

I enjoyed the writing style and thought the idea was a really great one. My own personal biases made it difficult for me to push through and finish but I am glad that I did.

This book raises lots of questions about what makes a parent. Is it love and care? Your DNA makeup? The law?

I really enjoyed how she handled the tough topic with grace and compassion. The dual points of view really allowed you to feel sympathy for both characters.

Thank you, NetGalley for the privilege of receiving an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Thanks so much to the publisher and to NetGalley for giving me access to this book. This novel of psychological suspense looks at the bold new world of childbearing with IVF and adopting embryos. I found this book slow to start and even after it got rolling I felt it was not my cup of tea. Not a strong recommend for me.

This is an interesting book dealing with IVF embryo adoption, kidnapping, custody battles gone crazy. This story was filled with emotion and turmoil. I still don't know what to think it was just alot of emotions all at once. I couldnt stand it if I had to go theough something like this.


My thanks to NetGalley, the author and publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.


Sorry for this very late review

What makes a parent? Is it blood? Or something else? Can an adopted parent be as much a parent as a blood parent?
This book touches on so many issues; betrayal, crime, adoption, custody, forgiveness and the terrible effects of postpartum depression.
James and Catriona are desperate to have children as are Diana and Liam. And finally, through modern science, it happens for both couples. But then tragedy strikes one of the couples and what follows is devastating. An impossible situation. Two couples. One little boy.
How far would you go to get what you want? How far would you go to protect the ones you love? How much should you be expected to forgive?
I could not stop reading. It was so heart wrenching but so engrossing. While my normal favourite genre to read in the last while has been psychological thrillers, I forgot how much I love to read dramatic fiction like this. It kept me spellbound until the very end. It is gut wrenching but such a fantastic read. While I didn’t agree with everything the characters did and a few characters I disliked intently, it didn’t take anything away from the enjoyment of the story.
This was the author’s debut from several years ago, I will be hunting down other works by her.
Thank you to net galley and the publisher for allowing me the privilege of reading and reviewing this book by sending me a free copy in exchange for an honest review.

Claiming Noah is a unique tale examining family bonds and true love between a parent and child. Catriona is a bit self centered which puts her off from readers, as opposed to Diana whose selflessness readers love. The choices poor choices Catriona makes is frustrating and readers have a hard time siding with her in the best interest of the child. However; her maternal love for the boy is evident, making the moral dilemma a hard one. This is an intriguing tale, sure to stretch readers opinions and ideas about what is means to be family.

This riveting debut novel of psychological suspense explores the dilemmas that arise when motherhood and science collide.

Catriona and James are excited to be pregnant with a child, and Catriona knows this will be their one and only bundle of joy, so the couple decides to donate their last existing embryo to a couple trying to conceive. Adoptive parents Diana and Liam can never imagine the turmoil that is about to hit their family.

I loved the ethical dilemma and conversations that could take place from the events from the book. How does one define "parents"? Though the ending was a bit predictable, I was entertained throughout the story and torn as to how I wanted it to end up.

I'm no longer interested in reading this at the moment, but I hope to get a chance to read it sometime in the future. I'm afraid I clicked too many 'request' buttons. Thank you for the opportunity!

A riveting read that is unlike any I have read before. Well written, utterly engaging and thought provoking this book was a great read!

I really enjoyed this book and the message I got out of it. I'd definitely read this again.

I wanted to love this book on so many levels. I enjoy a great controversial story, but I had a really difficult time getting into the characters of this story. I felt like I couldn't connect with them. Maybe it was because they were unrealistic? I'm not sure. I just had the most difficult time muddling through this one.

Infertility, IVF, the struggle to conceive should be a more open topic. This book deals with the dilemmas of the process and the moralits of it. Suspenseful and heartbreaking at the same time.