What do you think?
Rate this book
The Unexpected Mother: A Surrogate Mother Caught Between Science, the Law, and Humanity
A POWERFUL, CHILLING, TRUE STORY ~ Inside the life of a surrogate mother Susan Ring, a single mother of two who learns upon her second journey, with the same intended parents, she is pregnant with triplets. The parents demand a reduction to twins.
The surrogacy agency informs Susan of the unbelievable, the parents no longer want the twins she is pregnant with, and the intended father is suffering from mental illness. The parents breach the contract, divorce, and abandon Susan and the twins at the hospital, ultimately insisting their children go to social services. Susan refuses to comply and boldly prepares to fight for parentage in a California court with no biological ties.
It is a story of hope, love and letting go. This astonishingly honest memoir raises challenging ethical questions, redefines motherhood, and what it means to be a mother in today’s complex world of infertility. It recognizes how far advanced science has become, and how the law is lagging far behind. Above all, it is a story for our times.
The surrogacy agency informs Susan of the unbelievable, the parents no longer want the twins she is pregnant with, and the intended father is suffering from mental illness. The parents breach the contract, divorce, and abandon Susan and the twins at the hospital, ultimately insisting their children go to social services. Susan refuses to comply and boldly prepares to fight for parentage in a California court with no biological ties.
It is a story of hope, love and letting go. This astonishingly honest memoir raises challenging ethical questions, redefines motherhood, and what it means to be a mother in today’s complex world of infertility. It recognizes how far advanced science has become, and how the law is lagging far behind. Above all, it is a story for our times.
274 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 14, 2017
453 people are currently reading
2622 people want to read
About the author
Susan A. Ring
4 books55 followersSusan Ring is a multi-genre novelist, who writes extra feel-good, steamy romances in New Adult + Contemporary romance categories, along with Amazon #1 Bestseller with The Unexpected Mother, one of her three completed non-fiction memoirs.
She lives in sunny Southern California where she'd much rather spend more time outside than inside. She craves knowledge she doesn't know, enjoys nature and is perfectly happy with a laptop, and great cup of coffee w/vanilla creamer.
Susan has two grown sons off on their own and she's created her own happily ever after with her husband, daughter and very interactive kitty who bathes in the warmth of the sun rays through the windows while she writes. He also thinks he’s a human.
Come on over and visit Susan's website and receive exclusive material. Cut and paste URL: www.susan.a.ring.com
All Susan’s novels are complete standalones. The recommended reading order is as follows:
Full Circle Series NONFICTION MEMOIR
The Unexpected Mother
When Hope Becomes Life
Full Circle
Beach Books Café Series: NEW ADULT FICTION
Making Room for Love
Falling Out of Love (coming summer 2022)
She lives in sunny Southern California where she'd much rather spend more time outside than inside. She craves knowledge she doesn't know, enjoys nature and is perfectly happy with a laptop, and great cup of coffee w/vanilla creamer.
Susan has two grown sons off on their own and she's created her own happily ever after with her husband, daughter and very interactive kitty who bathes in the warmth of the sun rays through the windows while she writes. He also thinks he’s a human.
Come on over and visit Susan's website and receive exclusive material. Cut and paste URL: www.susan.a.ring.com
All Susan’s novels are complete standalones. The recommended reading order is as follows:
Full Circle Series NONFICTION MEMOIR
The Unexpected Mother
When Hope Becomes Life
Full Circle
Beach Books Café Series: NEW ADULT FICTION
Making Room for Love
Falling Out of Love (coming summer 2022)
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 62 reviews
December 30, 2019
This book is a trainwreck- the writing is messy, the narrative gory with too many bizarre details, and the story fascinating and horrifying. The gist of the story is that the author is a surrogate mother who wound up pregnant with twins that the intended family decided they didn't actually want. I... I don't actually know how to review a memoir that seems purposefully melodramatic when even a straightforward objective news article would make the story pretty riveting. I finished the book in a state of shock at learning that the author has a sequel and apparently went on to surrogate for more babies after this. And again, like a trainwreck, I can't look away and feel the need to read that now because this woman is clearly kind of crazy and I can't help but need to know the rest of this now. But would I recommend the book? Probably not. 3 stars because...what?!
August 27, 2019
Did you ever read a book, which was so full of drama, stupidity, poor grammar, selfishness, and irresponsibility on the part of the author, that while you actually intended just to stop reading this piece of trash, that you just had to finish it due to the nature of the book. This "author", who appears bent to get her 15 minutes of fame, decided that her role in life would be to be a surrogate mother to couples who cannot conceive. Obviously a good psychological profile was not performed, as she would appear to be one of the worst choices for surrogacy. After having 2 children with husband, who she then divorced and supported her self by after school daycare, Ring decides at the ripe age of 38 to become just that. Through an agency, which appears rather sketchy, she finds a couple and has their first child. Her account of being in the medical facility where the embryo is implanted is beyond believable, as she states the OB GYN and nurse were making sexual gestures at each other during the procedure, during which he apparently "missed" the implantation area, but magically she was pregnant and delivered a healthy child. Within months she is then implanted with 3 embryos for this same couple, one is "removed" due to high risk pregnancy with triplets. During this time her behaviour was totally out of control, crying and screaming and generally making a huge fuss. She even claims that she was basically in 4 point restraints at one point. The parents of these embryos decided that they did not want these children, and she goes on a tirade of her account with the pregnancy. Apparently she also was a surrogate to several other children which she recounts in another book, which I definitely will not read, even on Kindle Unlimited! The two women who run the agency for surrogates and parents also did not appear to be above reproach and everyone in this account is wrong except for Ring. How she is able to take two newborns home within 2 days of giving birth, then putting them in her car on the same day, and take them to Target to buy supplies is beyond the pale. On her very poor income as an after school day care provider, she appears to be able to afford lawyers to fight the parents and the courts, because she wanted to become the biological mother of these children, and later chooses her own family to "give" the children. In between she recounts a torrid affair that she had with a Baptist Pastor, who actually had intimate relations with her within days of the children being born.......even with her account of the profuse bleeding that resulted postpartum. (Not to mention that after she left first husband, she basically had sex and one night stands with nameless people....that is, she did not know their names!) I don't think going to Target or having sex within 4 days of your twins' birth is on a high priority list for most new mothers. She even states that she went to the school to pick up her sons, and her day care kids after coming home. Thank goodness by the time she has penned this book, she is beyond child bearing years and cannot inflict her melodrama on anyone else. How this selfish, melodramatic, hysterical woman was ever allowed to become a surrogate is beyond me. She also swore a lot, and I am sure she is a very good example to mothers everywhere. This book is not worth reading, and she probably wrote it thinking that people would be very sympathetic to her, not withstanding she probably wanted money and found a publisher to publish this piece of trash. She states in the epilogue, that she also was a surrogate for several more children, met a man who became her husband on line, and gave birth at age 52 to a daughter, plus appeared on several television shows. A disjointed, poorly written book by a woman with deep psychological problems.
June 20, 2017
The story reminds me so much of the landmark legal battle in the state of Michigan.
The story was turned into a lifetime movie, called a child to Minnie.
This surrogate mother in California, was found to be caring a healthy set of triplets.
At the request of her intended parents, she had a selective reduction. Later on, the intended parents pretty much abandoned the twins at the hospital. The story broke my heart.
The story was turned into a lifetime movie, called a child to Minnie.
This surrogate mother in California, was found to be caring a healthy set of triplets.
At the request of her intended parents, she had a selective reduction. Later on, the intended parents pretty much abandoned the twins at the hospital. The story broke my heart.
April 14, 2018
A POWERFUL, CHILLING, TRUE STORY as featured in People Magazine and The Dr. Oz show 2016 -O, The Oprah Magazine 2003, and Oprah's choice as one of the most talked about stories in O's Top 10 Anniversary Special in 2010. Inside the life of a surrogate mother Susan Ring, a single mother of two who learns upon her second journey, with the same intended parents, she is pregnant with triplets. The parents demand a reduction to twins. The surrogacy agency informs Susan of the unbelievable, the parents no longer want the twins she is pregnant with, and the intended father is suffering from mental illness. The parents breach the contract, divorce, and abandon Susan and the twins at the hospital, ultimately insisting their children go to social services. Susan refuses to comply and boldly prepares to fight for parentage in a California court with no biological ties. It is a story of hope, love and letting go. This astonishingly honest memoir raises challenging ethical questions, redefines motherhood, and what it means to be a mother in today’s complex world of infertility. It recognizes how far advanced science has become, and how the law is lagging far behind. Above all, it is a story for our times.
My Thoughts: The Unexpected Mother was a tantalizing tale of a surrogate mother’s journey; I could not stop turning the pages as the tale unfolded. It felt like a story out of a science fiction novel, and even though surrogacy is not that unusual any more, the situations in this story did take some unexpected twists along the way.
The author also led us through some of her childhood traumas, and I began to see why helping infertile couples meant so much to her. Plus, she really enjoyed pregnancy. She had already been a surrogate for the couple’s first child, so she felt safe to continue.
But everything would be different on this second journey for the same intended parents. Like a nightmare, her story took such a dramatic turn that I could not stop following along, breathless at every moment, wanting to know what would happen next.
The book could have used a stronger edit, as there were issues with the grammar and punctuation. Nevertheless, I felt an emotional impact from the author’s journey, and I had to keep reading. An incredible and unforgettable memoir that earned 3.5 stars.
My Thoughts: The Unexpected Mother was a tantalizing tale of a surrogate mother’s journey; I could not stop turning the pages as the tale unfolded. It felt like a story out of a science fiction novel, and even though surrogacy is not that unusual any more, the situations in this story did take some unexpected twists along the way.
The author also led us through some of her childhood traumas, and I began to see why helping infertile couples meant so much to her. Plus, she really enjoyed pregnancy. She had already been a surrogate for the couple’s first child, so she felt safe to continue.
But everything would be different on this second journey for the same intended parents. Like a nightmare, her story took such a dramatic turn that I could not stop following along, breathless at every moment, wanting to know what would happen next.
The book could have used a stronger edit, as there were issues with the grammar and punctuation. Nevertheless, I felt an emotional impact from the author’s journey, and I had to keep reading. An incredible and unforgettable memoir that earned 3.5 stars.
November 24, 2019
This book is like a train wreck. It was gruesome but I couldn’t look away. A lot of it seemed exaggerated or just plain wrong to me, such as her characterizations of the surrogacy agency owners, and of CPS (which has many preapproved adoptive homes waiting for infants). But I did read the whole thing in one sitting so I guess that says something. I do not recommend it though.
January 11, 2018
History of poor life choices
Badly written story,discombobulated trains of thought, at no time does this woman’s writing evoke empathy- reading this was like watching a train wreck in slow motion
Badly written story,discombobulated trains of thought, at no time does this woman’s writing evoke empathy- reading this was like watching a train wreck in slow motion
December 30, 2017
I received the Unexpected Mother as a Goodreads giveaway. It arrived promptly, along with a personal note from the author, Susan Ring.
I did not realize, at first, that this was the true story of Susan Ring's first experiences as a surrogate. The story reads with an authentic voice. Not always polished, sometimes it is a little rough around the edges, but everything rings true. It is at times gut-wrenching and ultimately heartwarming. The one thing you never feel is sorry for Susan. She won't allow it. She lays all her cards on the table in a straightforward, no nonsense manner. The reader is inside Susan's head, privy to all that she thinks and all the she sees, as couple she is acting as second time surrogate for begins to unravel and behave badly.
First, they demand, against medical advice, that the doctor insert three embryos, not the two originally agreed upon. When all three become viable pregnancies, they insist upon a selective reduction. Susan reluctantly agrees. She never agreed to carry triplets but was willing to do so since she is already pregnant with three. The doctor procedes with the procedure, but refuses the wife's request to base the selection on sex. Suddenly Susan is notified her health insurance has not been paid and finds out that the money to pay for her prenatal care has dried up. She can't get in touch with a couple. They don't show up for the delivery to sign the necessary legal paperwork, nor do they show up for the delivery itself. Turns out the husband has lost his money, has serious mental health issues, and the wife is leaving him to return to Boston with their son, the result of Susan's first surrogacy. She doesn't want the twins and wants Susan to give them to the state.
What follows is Susan's determined fight for the right of the babies to whom she gave birth to have a family of their own. She is not about to allow them to be put into the state's foster system but to find parents for them. She never views them as her children, but as a gift to someone unable to have children. This is the story of her success. She continued her life as a surrogate, giving a total of eight children to five families before retiring. She has since married and had a daughter, via surrogate, of her own.
I did not realize, at first, that this was the true story of Susan Ring's first experiences as a surrogate. The story reads with an authentic voice. Not always polished, sometimes it is a little rough around the edges, but everything rings true. It is at times gut-wrenching and ultimately heartwarming. The one thing you never feel is sorry for Susan. She won't allow it. She lays all her cards on the table in a straightforward, no nonsense manner. The reader is inside Susan's head, privy to all that she thinks and all the she sees, as couple she is acting as second time surrogate for begins to unravel and behave badly.
First, they demand, against medical advice, that the doctor insert three embryos, not the two originally agreed upon. When all three become viable pregnancies, they insist upon a selective reduction. Susan reluctantly agrees. She never agreed to carry triplets but was willing to do so since she is already pregnant with three. The doctor procedes with the procedure, but refuses the wife's request to base the selection on sex. Suddenly Susan is notified her health insurance has not been paid and finds out that the money to pay for her prenatal care has dried up. She can't get in touch with a couple. They don't show up for the delivery to sign the necessary legal paperwork, nor do they show up for the delivery itself. Turns out the husband has lost his money, has serious mental health issues, and the wife is leaving him to return to Boston with their son, the result of Susan's first surrogacy. She doesn't want the twins and wants Susan to give them to the state.
What follows is Susan's determined fight for the right of the babies to whom she gave birth to have a family of their own. She is not about to allow them to be put into the state's foster system but to find parents for them. She never views them as her children, but as a gift to someone unable to have children. This is the story of her success. She continued her life as a surrogate, giving a total of eight children to five families before retiring. She has since married and had a daughter, via surrogate, of her own.
August 25, 2017
As an experienced gestational surrogate, I know the in's and out's of the surrogacy world and was familiar with Susan's story-but reading her book was a huge eye-opener! Her story is complex, raw, genuine, amazing and at times even uncomfortable-and I couldn't put it down. While most surrogacy journeys go relatively smoothly, this is a testament that sometimes they don't, and Susan was put in an unimaginable situation. Her willingness to be so open and unfiltered about all aspects of her journey and personal life, and brave enough to take on the legal system to fight for what was right-is inspiring.
July 15, 2017
This was a hard story to read. I think being a surrogate mother is a very noble and caring thing to do and found the treatment Susan met with was horrible. I disliked so many of the people who were facilitating this process, from Lauren and Tracey, to the unprofessional Doctor Cohen, to the 2nd doctor who failed to check up with her after the birth, to the parents opting out of their contract. I found it frustrating how much Susan was allowing others to make decisions for her without questioning any of it. Or if having questions and misgivings did not act on them. Her gut kept telling her one thing and she would naively carryon and ignore her misgivings. Not once did she really ask for accountability from the agency, the doctors, or the parents. She was all too ready to believe what authority figures told her. I wanted to shake her numerous times throughout the book, and yet applaud her for her devotion to the twins and finding the best solution for them. I think laws need to be uniform across the United States spelling out all the legalities of surrogacy and those entering into it be aware of any problems that could occur.
I want to thank Susan Ring for the opportunity to read this book that I won through a Goodreads contest. It was a captivating story about her experience and a testament to her integrity.
I want to thank Susan Ring for the opportunity to read this book that I won through a Goodreads contest. It was a captivating story about her experience and a testament to her integrity.
August 30, 2017
A Fascinating Personal Journey into the World of Surrogacy
This is a fascinating account of what it's like to create life for others as a surrogate mother and the tough questions and conflicts such arrangements can present. I could easily relate to Susan's story having grown up in Southern California during the same time frame. Her choice to become a surrogate was something I had never considered but the more I read her memoir, the more I was drawn into the intensity of her experiences and I felt empathy for the agonizing decisions she was forced to make. I recommend this book for women as well as men who will enjoy taking this unique journey with Susan into the world of surrogacy.
This is a fascinating account of what it's like to create life for others as a surrogate mother and the tough questions and conflicts such arrangements can present. I could easily relate to Susan's story having grown up in Southern California during the same time frame. Her choice to become a surrogate was something I had never considered but the more I read her memoir, the more I was drawn into the intensity of her experiences and I felt empathy for the agonizing decisions she was forced to make. I recommend this book for women as well as men who will enjoy taking this unique journey with Susan into the world of surrogacy.
July 13, 2017
Won a copy of this and when I started on it late last night was hard to put down. Always have thought that surrogate moms were special. And after reading this book, even know how special they really are. Give up so much to help others to complete their dreams of family. Nobody should ever have to go thru your pain and suffering like this. So glad the babies found a wonderful home.
You mentioned another book coming up late this year and sure will look forward to reading it.
God bless you. Would highly recommend to others.
You mentioned another book coming up late this year and sure will look forward to reading it.
God bless you. Would highly recommend to others.
November 26, 2019
The Journey
This was beautiful written story of the. Journey of love of helping a couple have a child that they couldn't do on their own. The first journey was good. But the second one was a very different one then the first. Susan tell of this with all laid out and the heartache she went through.. But Susan did what she felt was best and right. It was a great book written with love.
This was beautiful written story of the. Journey of love of helping a couple have a child that they couldn't do on their own. The first journey was good. But the second one was a very different one then the first. Susan tell of this with all laid out and the heartache she went through.. But Susan did what she felt was best and right. It was a great book written with love.
June 27, 2017
This book was really interesting. I couldn't imagine being in the position that Susan was in, and I admire her courage through it all.
August 1, 2017
Wow, what a story!
I started this memoir and finished it in only a few days. Wow! What a story!
Susan Ring birthed a total of eight surrogate babies, for five different families. She had originally looked into egg donation but was too old-she was 38 and the cut-off point is 28. After having her own children and loving being pregnant, she had an urge to help other couples have a child. This book is about her first two surrogacies.
This is a multi-themed memoir: There are lots of issues in here-her mother started to drink heavily, she suffered child abuse too. It's not just about surrogacy; a coming of age memoir. It was so well done, powerful, honest, and revealing. Really very good and I just had to keep reading.
I've read another memoir about two gay guys wanting to be daddies, their journey down the surrogacy route and the difficulties along the way with the birth mother (‘Anything For Amelia: A true story of the challenges endured by two gay men who had the desire to adopt a child’ by Andrew C. Branham-also a very good memoir). This book is from the other side: A divorced woman who has had her own children and is wanting to help couples who haven't been able to have a child. This story is not straightforward either. An action packed memoir.
I started this memoir and finished it in only a few days. Wow! What a story!
Susan Ring birthed a total of eight surrogate babies, for five different families. She had originally looked into egg donation but was too old-she was 38 and the cut-off point is 28. After having her own children and loving being pregnant, she had an urge to help other couples have a child. This book is about her first two surrogacies.
This is a multi-themed memoir: There are lots of issues in here-her mother started to drink heavily, she suffered child abuse too. It's not just about surrogacy; a coming of age memoir. It was so well done, powerful, honest, and revealing. Really very good and I just had to keep reading.
I've read another memoir about two gay guys wanting to be daddies, their journey down the surrogacy route and the difficulties along the way with the birth mother (‘Anything For Amelia: A true story of the challenges endured by two gay men who had the desire to adopt a child’ by Andrew C. Branham-also a very good memoir). This book is from the other side: A divorced woman who has had her own children and is wanting to help couples who haven't been able to have a child. This story is not straightforward either. An action packed memoir.
June 25, 2020
Good story, and book
I, too, was put off by the typos, but also by the tone of the writing. I felt like I was reading a story out of a trashy magazine. I wanted to like the author and respect her as a surrogate, but reading the story in her words, I just couldnt.
I had to skim over a lot of the book up until when she finally writes about surrogacy. The boring and explicit details of her affair with a married pastor was tasteless. I'm not looking down on her being in such a relationship; she is human. I don't see why she needed to tell all in this book.It had nothing to do with the story, and it was gross.
There were many things she chose to reveal that mostly were irritating, then just became sad for the fact that She was telling them in a book. She came off as a lonely, lost child. She never spoke up for herself. Perhaps because of this she needed to complain about others in the book. It came off as self pity. She claims she felt something was off with the couple she was a surrogate for but she went ahead with the agreement. I wonder if that claim is in hindsight.
If only she had a professional editor! A good editor would have stricken the tacky stories about her love and sex life, fixed the typos, and stuck to the story of surrogacy. Discerning readers would probably see ways in which the woman was a wreck, but more focus would have been on the good she did.
I got to the point I couldn't read any more. I wanted to like her, and I believe surrogacy can be the answer to prayers. Also, I wanted to know how the story played out. I went online and watched a Dr Oz clip and read some articles. I got the story, and Ms. Ring didn't seem as pathetic in the clip I watched.
I'm glad she protected the twins as she did, and found them a great home. I read online that the couple she ultimately chose paid her well. I'm sure they were grateful.
I suppose there will.always be legal glitches where surrogacy is concerned. Hopefully it's getting better. It's now a much more common solution to infertility than it was when Susan Ring started her career as a surrogate.
I, too, was put off by the typos, but also by the tone of the writing. I felt like I was reading a story out of a trashy magazine. I wanted to like the author and respect her as a surrogate, but reading the story in her words, I just couldnt.
I had to skim over a lot of the book up until when she finally writes about surrogacy. The boring and explicit details of her affair with a married pastor was tasteless. I'm not looking down on her being in such a relationship; she is human. I don't see why she needed to tell all in this book.It had nothing to do with the story, and it was gross.
There were many things she chose to reveal that mostly were irritating, then just became sad for the fact that She was telling them in a book. She came off as a lonely, lost child. She never spoke up for herself. Perhaps because of this she needed to complain about others in the book. It came off as self pity. She claims she felt something was off with the couple she was a surrogate for but she went ahead with the agreement. I wonder if that claim is in hindsight.
If only she had a professional editor! A good editor would have stricken the tacky stories about her love and sex life, fixed the typos, and stuck to the story of surrogacy. Discerning readers would probably see ways in which the woman was a wreck, but more focus would have been on the good she did.
I got to the point I couldn't read any more. I wanted to like her, and I believe surrogacy can be the answer to prayers. Also, I wanted to know how the story played out. I went online and watched a Dr Oz clip and read some articles. I got the story, and Ms. Ring didn't seem as pathetic in the clip I watched.
I'm glad she protected the twins as she did, and found them a great home. I read online that the couple she ultimately chose paid her well. I'm sure they were grateful.
I suppose there will.always be legal glitches where surrogacy is concerned. Hopefully it's getting better. It's now a much more common solution to infertility than it was when Susan Ring started her career as a surrogate.
January 29, 2018
I won this book from the Goodreads free book giveaway contest. Words. No words. How can I accurately write about how phenomenal this book is? My eyes are welling up with tears, good tears, because this book is so raw. So compelling. It's an incredible, heartbreaking book. As a man who can't have children, maybe I felt more while reading this book, especially since my wife and I struggled for so long through infertility before we adopted 2 beautiful girls. We didn't use a surrogate but man I feel so strongly for and about women that give the gift of life to others so they may have a family. From the bottom of my heart, thank you so much.
Susan. I have been blessed to be around very strong women in my life but you, you are probably the strongest woman I have ever "known." I am in awe of your strength. I am saddened by the burden you carried. I am angered beyond words at Michael and Jackie. But I am also revitalized by your compassion and resilience. You are such an amazing woman, giving the gift of love. Of family. Just simply amazing.
Your book is extremely powerful. It is thought-provoking. It is empowering. You never gave up, not once. I kept saying to myself while reading how I wish I could just hug you and whoever that man was on the bicycle that did stop and hug you, what a great guy. Thank you so much for sharing your incredible story.
Susan. I have been blessed to be around very strong women in my life but you, you are probably the strongest woman I have ever "known." I am in awe of your strength. I am saddened by the burden you carried. I am angered beyond words at Michael and Jackie. But I am also revitalized by your compassion and resilience. You are such an amazing woman, giving the gift of love. Of family. Just simply amazing.
Your book is extremely powerful. It is thought-provoking. It is empowering. You never gave up, not once. I kept saying to myself while reading how I wish I could just hug you and whoever that man was on the bicycle that did stop and hug you, what a great guy. Thank you so much for sharing your incredible story.
December 8, 2019
I've always wondered about surrogacy and the women who choose to carry children for other couples. This book by Susan Ring gives us a glimpse into what it is like to be a surrogate in the most extreme of situation. Susan successfully carried a child for a couple, and while her intuition told her not to work with this couple again, she did. What ensues is true, shocking and almost unbelievable in its scope. Against her wishes the couple chooses to implant 3 fetuses, all of which survive. Ring then goes through a horrific reduction of one fetus, and while carrying the other two to term is then told that the couple no longer wants the twins. She sets of out get custody of the babies in order to find a good adoptive home. Interesting, and while likely other reviews here have spoilers, I'll leave the outcome to those wishing to read the book. What keeps the book from being a 4 star book (I debated) were a couple things. The story just felt too long and detailed at times. There was also some sexual content and numerous details about an affair Ring had with a pastor of all things, that I just didn't think added to (and for me detracted from) the story. Not sure I'll read the followup, but those wishing to learn more about this case and surrogacy in general may well be interested in reading this book.
December 11, 2019
It is hard to write a review of the book and not mention Susan. She did such a selfless thing by having these children but she drove me crazy. There were so many things wrong with the book. She said she wanted to be a writer and when a teacher gave her an F she was devastated. I'm kind of thinking the teacher was right. At one point she says that she had to take meds for a few weeks before the implantation procedure and then says she had to give herself a shot every day for 12 weeks. Um, that's three months, not a few weeks. Perhaps that was an editing issue because it seemed nonexistent. When the parents wanted her to have a reduction so she would only carry twins I understand that she was upset but it went on and on and on. I felt like her affair with Adam was cringe worthy and added nothing to the story. She might have been selfless but I didn't think she stood up for herself. Many times she was asked to do something that she knew wasn't good for her and she did it anyway, like driving home after eye surgery.
I wanted to give up a few times but it was like seeing a car wreck, you don't want to look but you do so I kept on reading. If you must then go ahead and read the book for the story and not for the writing.
I wanted to give up a few times but it was like seeing a car wreck, you don't want to look but you do so I kept on reading. If you must then go ahead and read the book for the story and not for the writing.
January 26, 2021
Disappointing
Halfway through this book I realized that this is a story about a dysfunctional human who consistently makes poor choices...from the book content which held too much information, if it is even true, to the narcissistic tendencies of a woman who only feels worthy and powerful when she is pregnant! Really? ...and she was supposedly deemed mentally fit to be a surrogate? I believe she was in it for the money...I like stories outside the expected, unpredictable, but if it is even true, you knew what stupid thing was going to happen next. Would have preferred a more professional rendition of surrogacy without the padding, which just rendered the entire story unbelievable.
I have read many true stories of women who make poor choices, are consistently misinterpreting the world around them, but this is just a bad read. Could not finish it.
Halfway through this book I realized that this is a story about a dysfunctional human who consistently makes poor choices...from the book content which held too much information, if it is even true, to the narcissistic tendencies of a woman who only feels worthy and powerful when she is pregnant! Really? ...and she was supposedly deemed mentally fit to be a surrogate? I believe she was in it for the money...I like stories outside the expected, unpredictable, but if it is even true, you knew what stupid thing was going to happen next. Would have preferred a more professional rendition of surrogacy without the padding, which just rendered the entire story unbelievable.
I have read many true stories of women who make poor choices, are consistently misinterpreting the world around them, but this is just a bad read. Could not finish it.
March 25, 2021
Kindle Unlimited.
Quick read. Surrogacy in its initial stages including lawsuits about what happened when the parents of the children decide they no longer want the IVF children; surrogate has no legal rights except for breach of contract with the genetic parents (although they used a donor egg, so only genetic father in this case). Book needs to be edited again - several mistakes throughout, grammatical and typos. The surrogate/author seems a bit naive and I would like to hear first hand the parents’ side of the story - the bits from their conversations made sense as to why they decided not to keep the twins, and opted for a reduction of the third triplet. Author called it cold and heartless; scientifically speaking, they appeared to be the right decisions for the couple. Sad yes, emotional sure, but cold not exactly.
Quick read. Surrogacy in its initial stages including lawsuits about what happened when the parents of the children decide they no longer want the IVF children; surrogate has no legal rights except for breach of contract with the genetic parents (although they used a donor egg, so only genetic father in this case). Book needs to be edited again - several mistakes throughout, grammatical and typos. The surrogate/author seems a bit naive and I would like to hear first hand the parents’ side of the story - the bits from their conversations made sense as to why they decided not to keep the twins, and opted for a reduction of the third triplet. Author called it cold and heartless; scientifically speaking, they appeared to be the right decisions for the couple. Sad yes, emotional sure, but cold not exactly.
December 12, 2019
Bittersweet Memoir
This was a very intense captivating story of someone who tried to do the right thing and life kept hitting her back harder each time! This woman may have been a little over obsessed with being pregnant which she does later state was an addiction of sorts. Still hearing how she and the two twins before they were born were treated and tossed into a whirlpool of confusion, grief, love (no matter how strenuous), and family especially when her mentality from the start was “they’re not mine, and I am not theirs.” The kids had a fighter from beginning to end and even she wasn’t a rock in the end like she believed she’d be. Still she persevered and was a good “mama”.
This was a very intense captivating story of someone who tried to do the right thing and life kept hitting her back harder each time! This woman may have been a little over obsessed with being pregnant which she does later state was an addiction of sorts. Still hearing how she and the two twins before they were born were treated and tossed into a whirlpool of confusion, grief, love (no matter how strenuous), and family especially when her mentality from the start was “they’re not mine, and I am not theirs.” The kids had a fighter from beginning to end and even she wasn’t a rock in the end like she believed she’d be. Still she persevered and was a good “mama”.
October 24, 2020
This is one of those books you finish and then say “wtf did I just read”. If you’re looking for a memoir on surrogacy, keep looking. This was filled with errors and repetitive. The author includes intimate details of her affair with a married pastor that had no tie-in to the rest of the book. The author says that she’s most scared of “crazy people”....meaning people with mental disorders. There’s so much wrong with that. That said, even though it was an absolute train wreck, I still want to read the other books. I don’t understand how she could continue to be a surrogate after the disaster that was the twin pregnancy.
February 18, 2021
Impossible, really, to rate this book as the author's years-long, real-life drama is gripping and deserves a 4 or 5, but do not expect professional-quality writing. The reason I finally went with 2-stars is because of the personal sex and sexual scenes and crudness included. So unnecessary and so unappreciated by me. I felt as though book one and book two (When Hope Becomes Life) should have been combined with the relationship "fluff" and sex stuff removed so that this book revealed the emotional, physical, medical, and legal drama in a much more hard-hitting way.
The story itself is incredible!
The story itself is incredible!
January 10, 2020
Incredible read
What an awesome lady you are, Susan. I wish I could say that this surprises me what happened to you, but sadly, it doesn't. Lauren and Tracey need their Barbee doll a$$es tarred and feathered and sued till the cows come home. They are vile people. I wouldn't have been nearly as nice as you were all along the way, but I understand why you did it. One thing is you forgot to thank Richard, the attorney who took you on pro bono. More attorneys need to be like him. I look forward to your last book. Could Care less about anything Oprah does. God bless, Susan.
What an awesome lady you are, Susan. I wish I could say that this surprises me what happened to you, but sadly, it doesn't. Lauren and Tracey need their Barbee doll a$$es tarred and feathered and sued till the cows come home. They are vile people. I wouldn't have been nearly as nice as you were all along the way, but I understand why you did it. One thing is you forgot to thank Richard, the attorney who took you on pro bono. More attorneys need to be like him. I look forward to your last book. Could Care less about anything Oprah does. God bless, Susan.
October 23, 2017
Susan's book is a breath of fresh air because her story is real. Oftentimes surrogacy journeys are portrayed as all good or all bad. There is no such thing. Just as people are both good and bad, so are their lives. If you look beyond everything that went wrong for Susan, you will see what went right--a woman who did everything possible to provide care and safety for the babies she carried, delivered, parented, and loved. Thank you, Susan, for mustering the courage to tell your story.
August 18, 2019
Page turner
I loved this book from start to finish what a selfless thing surrogacy is and the author did an amazing job at conveying this. More importantly, when you read this you'll be touched by her experience as a surrogate and all that could wrong with it. You'll cry when she cries, you'll laugh, you'll be frustrated and go a little crazy all while cheering her on through her wonderful journey!
I loved this book from start to finish what a selfless thing surrogacy is and the author did an amazing job at conveying this. More importantly, when you read this you'll be touched by her experience as a surrogate and all that could wrong with it. You'll cry when she cries, you'll laugh, you'll be frustrated and go a little crazy all while cheering her on through her wonderful journey!
November 27, 2019
A heartfelt journey
Dear Readers,
Whether you are a mother or not, most of you will appreciate this one. The courage it took to write, to put all of the emotion out for everyone to feel is astounding. What a strong woman you are Susan! I can relate to your feelings as a mom and I believe that you have done a great service to anyone who has thought of surrogacy. I'm looking forward to reading your next book. And I'm so happy for you!
Dear Readers,
Whether you are a mother or not, most of you will appreciate this one. The courage it took to write, to put all of the emotion out for everyone to feel is astounding. What a strong woman you are Susan! I can relate to your feelings as a mom and I believe that you have done a great service to anyone who has thought of surrogacy. I'm looking forward to reading your next book. And I'm so happy for you!
December 2, 2019
Hard to believe at times
How did this woman survive watching a few kids after school in one of the most expensive areas of the country? She wouldn't relinquish the twins to social services, but adopted them out? Why? There were a lot of critical details missing from this story? Complete naivete with regard to Lauren & Tracy, but you keep going back to them no matter how much they keep acting like what they are. The affair with the pastor? The "embryo"? Stop. Ridiculous.
How did this woman survive watching a few kids after school in one of the most expensive areas of the country? She wouldn't relinquish the twins to social services, but adopted them out? Why? There were a lot of critical details missing from this story? Complete naivete with regard to Lauren & Tracy, but you keep going back to them no matter how much they keep acting like what they are. The affair with the pastor? The "embryo"? Stop. Ridiculous.
August 25, 2020
A very easy read
I didn't put it down until I couldn't keep my eyes open every night. Good story and very well written. I can't for the life of me understand what those people were thinking but it just goes to show that love and compassion can't be bought. Just because someone has the money to create a baby doesn't mean they will be good parents. You did the right thing by those babies and gave them as much as you possibly could.
I didn't put it down until I couldn't keep my eyes open every night. Good story and very well written. I can't for the life of me understand what those people were thinking but it just goes to show that love and compassion can't be bought. Just because someone has the money to create a baby doesn't mean they will be good parents. You did the right thing by those babies and gave them as much as you possibly could.
October 21, 2020
Wow. So I was really interested in the idea of this book but the finished product felt lacking. The author could have used an editor to cut down on some very weird superfluous details that were added for unknown reasons. It is definitely not well written but the subject matter is interesting so I toughed it out.
I wouldn't really recommend this particular book even though I find the subject matter particularly interesting.
I wouldn't really recommend this particular book even though I find the subject matter particularly interesting.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 62 reviews