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The New Person
A sweet and hopeful novel about loss, connection, and the many ways to make a family from the bestselling author of The Other Family.
Single mother Roxy Novak works days at a dentist’s office and delivers food at night, making the best life she can for herself and her son, Aero. When her wealthy ex-husband decides to ask for full custody, telling her Aero will be better off living with him and his Instagram-famous new wife, Roxy is stunned and scared. How can she possibly get the money to fight back?
Meanwhile, Nora and Owen Finnegan have been trying to have a child for years without success. After their latest surrogate suffers a miscarriage, they start the search again—and find Roxy, who sees a chance to salvage her own dreams of family by fulfilling theirs.
But family is never simple, and neither are dreams. Nora, Owen, and Roxy hope that their surrogacy journey will lead them to what they want most in the world. All three will get more than they expected.
Single mother Roxy Novak works days at a dentist’s office and delivers food at night, making the best life she can for herself and her son, Aero. When her wealthy ex-husband decides to ask for full custody, telling her Aero will be better off living with him and his Instagram-famous new wife, Roxy is stunned and scared. How can she possibly get the money to fight back?
Meanwhile, Nora and Owen Finnegan have been trying to have a child for years without success. After their latest surrogate suffers a miscarriage, they start the search again—and find Roxy, who sees a chance to salvage her own dreams of family by fulfilling theirs.
But family is never simple, and neither are dreams. Nora, Owen, and Roxy hope that their surrogacy journey will lead them to what they want most in the world. All three will get more than they expected.
299 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 29, 2022
110 people are currently reading
3122 people want to read
About the author
Loretta Nyhan
14 books498 followersI was a reader before I was a writer, devouring everything I could get my hands on, including the backs of cereal boxes and the instructions booklet for building the Barbie dream house. Later, my obsession with reading evolved into an absolute need to write. After college, I wrote for national trade magazines, taught writing to college freshmen, and eventually found the guts to try fiction.
I'm the author of the upcoming All the Good Parts (Lake Union, 2016) and Digging In (Lake Union, 2017). Previous published novels include I’ll Be Seeing You and Empire Girls (MIRA Books).
When I'm not writing, I can be found knitting, baking, and doing all kinds of things my high school self would have found hilarious.
I live in the Chicago area with my two teenage boys.
I'm the author of the upcoming All the Good Parts (Lake Union, 2016) and Digging In (Lake Union, 2017). Previous published novels include I’ll Be Seeing You and Empire Girls (MIRA Books).
When I'm not writing, I can be found knitting, baking, and doing all kinds of things my high school self would have found hilarious.
I live in the Chicago area with my two teenage boys.
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September 30, 2022
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It’s nine months. A short time to give a pretty stressed-out couple a lifetime of happiness.
This book surprised me in the best way. It was a lovely story about making a family and finding some connections along the way. What constitutes a family? Mine is an immediate family of three, me and my two adult sons. But my extended family contains multitudes, including those not related by blood or marriage. Most of the characters in this book were of the kind variety but they were well-rounded and had some flaws and were selfish at times so they seemed true to life. Roxy was my favourite character as she was so strong and stood up for herself when she needed to. I saw a lot of myself in her, she being a single mother working two jobs and doing what she needed to for her son.
My favourite part of this book was the connection between Roxy and Nora and the fact that we got the point of view from the expecting father as well. That was a refreshing change of pace. The book doesn't focus on surrogacy too much, it is really about the feelings and relationships surrounding the procedure and how the people involved deal with hope, loss, and grief. This was such a hopeful story, without being saccharine, for the most part, and I so loved the ending, it was really unexpected.
(Thanks to the author I will never order a Frosty from DoorDash or SkipTheDishes, ever!) 😝
Many thanks to NetGalley, Loretta Nyhan, and Lake Union Publishing for the giving of the ARC.
#TheNewPerson #NetGalley
It’s nine months. A short time to give a pretty stressed-out couple a lifetime of happiness.
This book surprised me in the best way. It was a lovely story about making a family and finding some connections along the way. What constitutes a family? Mine is an immediate family of three, me and my two adult sons. But my extended family contains multitudes, including those not related by blood or marriage. Most of the characters in this book were of the kind variety but they were well-rounded and had some flaws and were selfish at times so they seemed true to life. Roxy was my favourite character as she was so strong and stood up for herself when she needed to. I saw a lot of myself in her, she being a single mother working two jobs and doing what she needed to for her son.
My favourite part of this book was the connection between Roxy and Nora and the fact that we got the point of view from the expecting father as well. That was a refreshing change of pace. The book doesn't focus on surrogacy too much, it is really about the feelings and relationships surrounding the procedure and how the people involved deal with hope, loss, and grief. This was such a hopeful story, without being saccharine, for the most part, and I so loved the ending, it was really unexpected.
(Thanks to the author I will never order a Frosty from DoorDash or SkipTheDishes, ever!) 😝
Many thanks to NetGalley, Loretta Nyhan, and Lake Union Publishing for the giving of the ARC.
#TheNewPerson #NetGalley
Read
August 27, 2022(I never review my own books--that feels kind of weird to me--but I would like to share a little bit about it.)
I’m going to start by talking about Covid-19.
I know, I know—can we just not mention it? But wait…don’t stop reading.
This is not a Covid book, but it was written In The Time of Covid, the age of quarantine and masks and fear and worry and exhaustion and uncertainty and overwhelming, unrelenting, multi-faceted stress. No matter where you placed yourself on the political spectrum or found yourself living on our vast planet, you were pummeled by this virus in some way. I’m no different.
I wrote this book, and then rewrote it, and then wrote it again. My brain was fuzzy, broken, my ideas mismatched puzzle pieces I couldn’t make fit. I talked to (whined to) my agent, my editor, my husband. It’s a very disconcerting feeling for a writer to feel unable to write, but, for me, it’s worse to be writing something that’s not working. What was wrong with me? Was I finished?
Then, following a night my friend Erica refers to as the “dark night of the soul,” I forced myself to answer the following question:
What have been some running themes through all of my books, and do those ideas still matter now that the world is so remarkably different?
I write stories about ordinary people figuring out how to deal with life’s inevitable speed bumps, even when they seem mountainous. I write about people who learn to take charge of circumstances that can feel so outside of their control. I write about resilience. About redefining success. About learning when to give up and when to press forward, even if that decision is painful. I write about recognizing the unique beauty in yourself and others, so that you can be reminded that an imperfect world can still be a magical place.
Were these things still worthy of exploration? Yep. At least I thought so.
I cracked open my beleaguered Word Doc and got back to it.
The book you just read is the result of one writer trying to work through a tough time, in the hopes that the resulting work would be a comfort to others. I hope you enjoy how Roxy and Owen and Nora discovered their best selves at a time when nothing is going well in any of their lives. We’ve all been weighed down by the wrongness of things lately, right? But we are also capable of figuring out where the sun is streaming through the clouds, so we can grow energized in its warmth.
And it's that warmth that keeps our internal flame blazing, fueling our journey onwards.
XOXO,
Loretta
I’m going to start by talking about Covid-19.
I know, I know—can we just not mention it? But wait…don’t stop reading.
This is not a Covid book, but it was written In The Time of Covid, the age of quarantine and masks and fear and worry and exhaustion and uncertainty and overwhelming, unrelenting, multi-faceted stress. No matter where you placed yourself on the political spectrum or found yourself living on our vast planet, you were pummeled by this virus in some way. I’m no different.
I wrote this book, and then rewrote it, and then wrote it again. My brain was fuzzy, broken, my ideas mismatched puzzle pieces I couldn’t make fit. I talked to (whined to) my agent, my editor, my husband. It’s a very disconcerting feeling for a writer to feel unable to write, but, for me, it’s worse to be writing something that’s not working. What was wrong with me? Was I finished?
Then, following a night my friend Erica refers to as the “dark night of the soul,” I forced myself to answer the following question:
What have been some running themes through all of my books, and do those ideas still matter now that the world is so remarkably different?
I write stories about ordinary people figuring out how to deal with life’s inevitable speed bumps, even when they seem mountainous. I write about people who learn to take charge of circumstances that can feel so outside of their control. I write about resilience. About redefining success. About learning when to give up and when to press forward, even if that decision is painful. I write about recognizing the unique beauty in yourself and others, so that you can be reminded that an imperfect world can still be a magical place.
Were these things still worthy of exploration? Yep. At least I thought so.
I cracked open my beleaguered Word Doc and got back to it.
The book you just read is the result of one writer trying to work through a tough time, in the hopes that the resulting work would be a comfort to others. I hope you enjoy how Roxy and Owen and Nora discovered their best selves at a time when nothing is going well in any of their lives. We’ve all been weighed down by the wrongness of things lately, right? But we are also capable of figuring out where the sun is streaming through the clouds, so we can grow energized in its warmth.
And it's that warmth that keeps our internal flame blazing, fueling our journey onwards.
XOXO,
Loretta
October 26, 2022
Follow your Aero.
Roxy is about to turn 30 and feeling down in the dumps about where she is in life. She has a good job at a dental office but she knows she could be more. She had a child young and it’s delayed her career but she wouldn’t trade Aero(named after Aerosmith lol) for the world.
So speaking of trading Aero, his father Gabe wants him full time since he’s watching chemtrails over the country club(he is fancy). He’s married to an influencer from Instagram named Livvy aka Liv Raw! He has the money to make this legal battle difficult so she’s going to have to be creative to find the money.
We also have Nora and Owen, a couple trying to conceive. They just lost their surrogate and found Roxy. Their worlds collide with the possible surrogacy and Nora’s stanning of Livvy(hiss!). Things go beyond a normal situation. Maybe they can help each other in ways they’d never imagined.
This one really hit different. There was a lot going on here with virtual cuddlers, disabilities, and just surrogacy in general. I’m not against it at all but I do question the ethics of using a desperate and vulnerable woman’s uterus so she can pay bills.
I appreciated the attention to detail and the complexity of the characters. It was beautifully written and makes you want to laugh and scream on the same page. It’s a very interesting sign of the times!
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the chance to read and review!
Roxy is about to turn 30 and feeling down in the dumps about where she is in life. She has a good job at a dental office but she knows she could be more. She had a child young and it’s delayed her career but she wouldn’t trade Aero(named after Aerosmith lol) for the world.
So speaking of trading Aero, his father Gabe wants him full time since he’s watching chemtrails over the country club(he is fancy). He’s married to an influencer from Instagram named Livvy aka Liv Raw! He has the money to make this legal battle difficult so she’s going to have to be creative to find the money.
We also have Nora and Owen, a couple trying to conceive. They just lost their surrogate and found Roxy. Their worlds collide with the possible surrogacy and Nora’s stanning of Livvy(hiss!). Things go beyond a normal situation. Maybe they can help each other in ways they’d never imagined.
This one really hit different. There was a lot going on here with virtual cuddlers, disabilities, and just surrogacy in general. I’m not against it at all but I do question the ethics of using a desperate and vulnerable woman’s uterus so she can pay bills.
I appreciated the attention to detail and the complexity of the characters. It was beautifully written and makes you want to laugh and scream on the same page. It’s a very interesting sign of the times!
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the chance to read and review!
May 7, 2025
This was a great read, on many levels.
However, first a trigger warning: This book deals with a lot of miscarriages, and their aftermaths. I miscarried my first baby 27 years ago, and it still hurts, even with two sons, now grown to manhood.
On to the review!
This book had an unusual premise, which made it intriguing. A couple who have been longing for a baby for years have one more chance. They team up with a single mom, who’s fighting for custody of her son, to carry their last embryo in a surrogate pregnancy.
Now, if this were a Hallmark movie, everything would work out perfectly for these three people, just the way they want and expect. The author is writing about real life, though, so…
I’m a sucker for a happy, expected ending, but quite often, reading a more realistic, twisty one is even more satisfying…
One more plug for this novel:
It contained no curse words, and no sex scenes! This is almost un-heard of in modern adult novels. Thanks to the author for writing an adult book that didn’t make my eyeballs feel dirty after I read it!
However, first a trigger warning: This book deals with a lot of miscarriages, and their aftermaths. I miscarried my first baby 27 years ago, and it still hurts, even with two sons, now grown to manhood.
On to the review!
This book had an unusual premise, which made it intriguing. A couple who have been longing for a baby for years have one more chance. They team up with a single mom, who’s fighting for custody of her son, to carry their last embryo in a surrogate pregnancy.
Now, if this were a Hallmark movie, everything would work out perfectly for these three people, just the way they want and expect. The author is writing about real life, though, so…
I’m a sucker for a happy, expected ending, but quite often, reading a more realistic, twisty one is even more satisfying…
One more plug for this novel:
It contained no curse words, and no sex scenes! This is almost un-heard of in modern adult novels. Thanks to the author for writing an adult book that didn’t make my eyeballs feel dirty after I read it!
February 17, 2023
I have only read one other novel by Loretta Nyhan, prior to this one, and I remember enjoying it (see my review). So I was definitely interested in checking out her latest, The New Person. Right from the beginning, I was instantly drawn into the plights of Roxy, Nora, and Owen through their alternating narratives.
The main characters were so genuine and flawed, which made them relatable even though I never had the same experiences. I have a hard enough time thinking about my older son going to college in another year or so, which makes it easy to understand why Roxy doesn't want to spend a single day away from her son during the summer, let alone if her ex-husband gets full custody. And while I'm thankful to have never experienced infertility, I know how long the road has been for others I care about, and I can appreciate Nora and Owen's desire to start a family so much that they'll do whatever it takes. I really liked Vinnie and Marla as side characters. They were both quirky in different ways.
I also love that this story takes place in Chicago and the nearby suburbs. At one point, they visited The Enchanted Castle, which was a favorite place to go when I was in high school and a bit beyond. (Like a WAY better version of Chuck E. Cheese.)
The ending felt a bit anticlimactic to me after all that everyone went through, but it did allow for closure.
This was a thoughtful story that is perfect for fans of Camille Pagán. Loretta has a similarly engaging way of drawing readers into a story and I think it would be cool if she and Camille wrote a novel together. (I know Loretta has co-written novels in the past.)
Movie casting suggestions:
Roxy: Margaret Qualley
Nora: Tina Majorino
Owen: Andrew Santino
Gabe: Dacre Montgomery
Livvy: Charlotte McKinney
Vinnie: Jon-Michael Ecker
Nora: Tina Majorino
Owen: Andrew Santino
Gabe: Dacre Montgomery
Livvy: Charlotte McKinney
Vinnie: Jon-Michael Ecker
Aleeza: Sofia Pernas
September 9, 2022
Description: A sweet and hopeful novel about loss, connection, and the many ways to make a family from the bestselling author of The Other Family.
Single mother Roxy Novak works days at a dentist’s office and delivers food at night, making the best life she can for herself and her son, Aero. When her wealthy ex-husband decides to ask for full custody, telling her Aero will be better off living with him and his Instagram-famous new wife, Roxy is stunned and scared. How can she possibly get the money to fight back?
Meanwhile, Nora and Owen Finnegan have been trying to have a child for years without success. After their latest surrogate suffers a miscarriage, they start the search again—and find Roxy, who sees a chance to salvage her own dreams of family by fulfilling theirs.
But family is never simple, and neither are dreams. Nora, Owen, and Roxy hope that their surrogacy journey will lead them to what they want most in the world. All three will get more than they expected.
*******************
TW: pregnancy, miscarriage, divorce, seizures
I have a lot of feelings about this book and the characters. Mostly, it seemed REAL. All of the characters were flawed in some way, not enough for me to completely dislike any of them (except maybe Livvie at times), but enough for them to seem like regular people who sometimes make poor choices. It is hard to separate what we want as parents with what is best for our kids, and Roxy lives that. It is also hard to realize that dreams of the perfect family are not always fulfilled. All 3 main characters live that.
I appreciated the development of Roxy and Nora and the ownership Owen took of things. I would have liked a little more insight into Roxy's ending decisions regarding Vinnie and handling Gabe. But the ending was satisfying. Overall a very good picture of what family is, what it can mean, and how it can change over time.
Thank you to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for a review.
Single mother Roxy Novak works days at a dentist’s office and delivers food at night, making the best life she can for herself and her son, Aero. When her wealthy ex-husband decides to ask for full custody, telling her Aero will be better off living with him and his Instagram-famous new wife, Roxy is stunned and scared. How can she possibly get the money to fight back?
Meanwhile, Nora and Owen Finnegan have been trying to have a child for years without success. After their latest surrogate suffers a miscarriage, they start the search again—and find Roxy, who sees a chance to salvage her own dreams of family by fulfilling theirs.
But family is never simple, and neither are dreams. Nora, Owen, and Roxy hope that their surrogacy journey will lead them to what they want most in the world. All three will get more than they expected.
*******************
TW: pregnancy, miscarriage, divorce, seizures
I have a lot of feelings about this book and the characters. Mostly, it seemed REAL. All of the characters were flawed in some way, not enough for me to completely dislike any of them (except maybe Livvie at times), but enough for them to seem like regular people who sometimes make poor choices. It is hard to separate what we want as parents with what is best for our kids, and Roxy lives that. It is also hard to realize that dreams of the perfect family are not always fulfilled. All 3 main characters live that.
I appreciated the development of Roxy and Nora and the ownership Owen took of things. I would have liked a little more insight into Roxy's ending decisions regarding Vinnie and handling Gabe. But the ending was satisfying. Overall a very good picture of what family is, what it can mean, and how it can change over time.
Thank you to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for a review.
December 15, 2022
This is a really cute novel about fighting for (a) child in several ways. Between trying to conceive, custody battles, and three families, very different personalities/lifestyles, there is nigh a boring moment. I don’t want to spoil anything here, but I will say I found this to be a touching, interesting (and often times humorous) read that I finished within a day (almost always a sign of a great book!).
November 21, 2022
This book started out with Roxy bringing her son Aero to his fathers house for the summer. He was going to spend one month with his dad and then one month with her. As soon as Roxy got to Gabe’s house he told Roxy that he was taking her to court to change their custody agreement so aero would live with him all the time and Roxy get visitation.
Roxy was determined to fight Gabe in court and even got a lawyer for herself. Gabe then offered to pay for Roxy to go to college to give her the change to make a better life for herself and for aero. Roxy had also made the decision to become a surrogate for Nora and Owen, because they couldn’t have children of their own.
Gabe’s wife Livvy thought it was such a good thing for her to do because she was going to make a couples wish come true.
I really enjoyed this book. It was such a great story. I was hooked from the first page. I devoured this book in two days. I highly recommend everyone read this book.
Roxy was determined to fight Gabe in court and even got a lawyer for herself. Gabe then offered to pay for Roxy to go to college to give her the change to make a better life for herself and for aero. Roxy had also made the decision to become a surrogate for Nora and Owen, because they couldn’t have children of their own.
Gabe’s wife Livvy thought it was such a good thing for her to do because she was going to make a couples wish come true.
I really enjoyed this book. It was such a great story. I was hooked from the first page. I devoured this book in two days. I highly recommend everyone read this book.
September 8, 2022
The New Person, a deceptively simple story examining our choices and relationships, hooked me from page one. I found the characters to be perfectly imperfect and therefore so relatable. We have Roxy, a divorced mother scrambling to keep things together, who works for Door Dash and struggles to find balance. Then we have Nora, who longs to be a mother, and who is not always an easy or a likeable person. When surrogacy (and the payment involved) becomes a possibility, Roxy and Nora have to make some difficult decisions about how to move forward and how to relate to each other. I also enjoyed the ruthless, successful ex-husband and his new wife Livvy, the social media influencer.
Of all the books I have read that incorporate our newer realities (Tik Tok, delivery services, and other modern tech), this one felt the most authentic. Livvy's influencer persona and posts were well thought out and I could see people relating to them. We also see the other side: Livvy sharing things that were perhaps better kept private. Roxy's Door Dashing was stressful and exciting, and at times a little sketchy. Aero, her son, faces hyper-competitive sports and finding new friends in his dad's sparkling suburb.
This was a book that made me examine my own choices and how and why we do what we do. It made me feel the grief, joy, and connection that the characters were feeling deep in my soul. I think a lot of 30+ moms can relate to having a small social circle with only 1 or 2 genuine friends.
Lastly, I appreciated the ending. It wasn't a twist, but it also was as unexpected and as genuine as the rest of the plot.
I would give this 9 out of 10 stars and recommend it to anyone who liked to think deeply about life, choices, and consequences.
Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!
Of all the books I have read that incorporate our newer realities (Tik Tok, delivery services, and other modern tech), this one felt the most authentic. Livvy's influencer persona and posts were well thought out and I could see people relating to them. We also see the other side: Livvy sharing things that were perhaps better kept private. Roxy's Door Dashing was stressful and exciting, and at times a little sketchy. Aero, her son, faces hyper-competitive sports and finding new friends in his dad's sparkling suburb.
This was a book that made me examine my own choices and how and why we do what we do. It made me feel the grief, joy, and connection that the characters were feeling deep in my soul. I think a lot of 30+ moms can relate to having a small social circle with only 1 or 2 genuine friends.
Lastly, I appreciated the ending. It wasn't a twist, but it also was as unexpected and as genuine as the rest of the plot.
I would give this 9 out of 10 stars and recommend it to anyone who liked to think deeply about life, choices, and consequences.
Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!
March 3, 2024
A great story about what constitutes a family…..love, loss, heartbreak, infertility.
February 1, 2023
One of my favorite things about NetGalley is it has turned me on to books I would have never discovered on my own. The New Person by Loretta Nyhan is the perfect example of this!
Owen and Nora are a married couple who has struggled with infertility their entire marriage. With several failed pregnancies they discover that Nora is unable to carry a pregnancy to term. With news of this revelation, they began seeking alternative routes. Surrogacy becomes their last chance at having a biological child. Enter Roxy, a struggling single-mother going through a custody battle. In desperate need of quick cash to keep her family intact, Roxy becomes Owen and Nora’s surrogate. With their last viable embryo implanted in Roxy, will Nora and Owen finally become parents? Will the money Roxy earns carrying someone else’s child help her keep custody of her own?
The New Person is told from three different points of view: Roxy, Nora, and Owen’s. In formatting the book this way readers are able to see how the process is effecting each of them individually. I especially loved that Nayhan included Owen. Too often, the man’s experience is left out of the infertility journey.
As an unmarried, childless woman, I cannot pretend to understand the struggles found between the spine of this book. However, Loretta Nayhan does a phenomenal job shedding light on the following:
*The emotional impact pregnancy losses takes on a marriage.
*Mothers and father’s will do anything when it comes to having and keeping their children.
*The financial demands of having and raising children.
*The hope and heartache associated with infertility and surrogacy.
*Having to reimagine what a family and future looks like when plans don’t go your way.
This book was enlightening to say the least. I was captivated by how rooted in reality Nyhan’s writing is.
I highly recommend everyone picks up a copy.
Special thanks to Netgalley and Lake Union Publishing for allowing me to read this book in exchange for my honest review.
Owen and Nora are a married couple who has struggled with infertility their entire marriage. With several failed pregnancies they discover that Nora is unable to carry a pregnancy to term. With news of this revelation, they began seeking alternative routes. Surrogacy becomes their last chance at having a biological child. Enter Roxy, a struggling single-mother going through a custody battle. In desperate need of quick cash to keep her family intact, Roxy becomes Owen and Nora’s surrogate. With their last viable embryo implanted in Roxy, will Nora and Owen finally become parents? Will the money Roxy earns carrying someone else’s child help her keep custody of her own?
The New Person is told from three different points of view: Roxy, Nora, and Owen’s. In formatting the book this way readers are able to see how the process is effecting each of them individually. I especially loved that Nayhan included Owen. Too often, the man’s experience is left out of the infertility journey.
As an unmarried, childless woman, I cannot pretend to understand the struggles found between the spine of this book. However, Loretta Nayhan does a phenomenal job shedding light on the following:
*The emotional impact pregnancy losses takes on a marriage.
*Mothers and father’s will do anything when it comes to having and keeping their children.
*The financial demands of having and raising children.
*The hope and heartache associated with infertility and surrogacy.
*Having to reimagine what a family and future looks like when plans don’t go your way.
This book was enlightening to say the least. I was captivated by how rooted in reality Nyhan’s writing is.
I highly recommend everyone picks up a copy.
Special thanks to Netgalley and Lake Union Publishing for allowing me to read this book in exchange for my honest review.
September 5, 2022
This book was fantastic. One of my favorites this decade. It inadvertently touched on a few areas of my life in a way few books have. (I was divorced. Many family members went through divorce.) The author handled these topics with an all around POV that really shed light on the complexities of the aftermath of and what happens to the multiple parties.
The bigger focus of children in this book really made me think about other people in a way that I don't ordinarily. My heart goes out to those who can't "just get pregnant".
The character of Roxy Novak is endearing and she seems like someone I would like to know in real life. She always tries her hardest and loves truest in a way that would make her a solid person to have in your camp. Her evolution, self respect, and strength she earns as she perseveres through her journey, made this whole book very uplifting and not in a sappy way. I have read her previous books and love her writers voice. I always feel included and welcome "at the table" when I read her books. I have already set reminders for her next book.
The bigger focus of children in this book really made me think about other people in a way that I don't ordinarily. My heart goes out to those who can't "just get pregnant".
The character of Roxy Novak is endearing and she seems like someone I would like to know in real life. She always tries her hardest and loves truest in a way that would make her a solid person to have in your camp. Her evolution, self respect, and strength she earns as she perseveres through her journey, made this whole book very uplifting and not in a sappy way. I have read her previous books and love her writers voice. I always feel included and welcome "at the table" when I read her books. I have already set reminders for her next book.
December 10, 2022
Uggg stop what your doing and go listen to this book on KU right now!!
I’m not generally a plain fiction person, but the plot of this book seemed so different, and I just had to read it. And I was NOT disappointed. The characters were all so unique and beautiful in their own way. Roxy was an amazing mother who was determined; Nora would not give up on her dreams, Vinny was just a delightful soul, Aero was the curated kid and loved his mom so much, and Owen made my heart melt for how much he would sacrifice for his wife.
I can’t say much without spoiling the book, but the whole journey and connections between the people in this book felt so read, and tangible. It seemed as if I was transported to the streets of Chicago and lived with these people for a few months. I’m ready for another book by this author because this one was delightful.
I’m not generally a plain fiction person, but the plot of this book seemed so different, and I just had to read it. And I was NOT disappointed. The characters were all so unique and beautiful in their own way. Roxy was an amazing mother who was determined; Nora would not give up on her dreams, Vinny was just a delightful soul, Aero was the curated kid and loved his mom so much, and Owen made my heart melt for how much he would sacrifice for his wife.
I can’t say much without spoiling the book, but the whole journey and connections between the people in this book felt so read, and tangible. It seemed as if I was transported to the streets of Chicago and lived with these people for a few months. I’m ready for another book by this author because this one was delightful.
November 8, 2022
This is an interesting story about surrogacy. I like the way it is set up, alternating chapters with the surrogate, the hopeful mother-to-be and the hopeful father-to-be. This manner of presenting the story shows everyone's individual emotions, expectations and experience of the process.
But this story is about so much more than just the surrogacy. It is about relationships, character flaws, friendships and families. I liked that there was a lot of focus on the fact that the characters still had a lot going on besides the surrogacy. Life still happens. And not everything in life has a storybook ending. But conversely, if it is an ending to a book, it technically IS a storybook ending. It's the way life is.
I enjoyed the 3 main characters. Roxy is the surrogate, Owen and Nora are the hopeful parents-to-be. They are all good people, the kind we would meet in real life.
But this story is about so much more than just the surrogacy. It is about relationships, character flaws, families. I liked that there was a lot of focus on the fact that the characters still had a lot going on besides the surrogacy. Life still happens. And not everything in life has a storybook ending. But conversely, if it is an ending to a book, it technically IS a storybook ending. It's the way life is.
I'm not sure I liked the many Instagram references in the book. One of the characters is an Insta blogger with a huge following. That part was ok. But besides that, there were numerous references to Insta by other characters that weren't necessary because didn't add anything to the story. One of the reasons I love to read is that it gets me away from social media. But, once I’m away from it, I don't need to be reminded. This is not influencing my thoughts on the book.
I think I enjoyed this book because of the characters. I know I am repeating myself......it’s for emphasis. The storyline was good but the characters just seemed so real to me. Their emotions, their flaws, their successes, all resonated with me.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the Advance Readers Copy.
But this story is about so much more than just the surrogacy. It is about relationships, character flaws, friendships and families. I liked that there was a lot of focus on the fact that the characters still had a lot going on besides the surrogacy. Life still happens. And not everything in life has a storybook ending. But conversely, if it is an ending to a book, it technically IS a storybook ending. It's the way life is.
I enjoyed the 3 main characters. Roxy is the surrogate, Owen and Nora are the hopeful parents-to-be. They are all good people, the kind we would meet in real life.
But this story is about so much more than just the surrogacy. It is about relationships, character flaws, families. I liked that there was a lot of focus on the fact that the characters still had a lot going on besides the surrogacy. Life still happens. And not everything in life has a storybook ending. But conversely, if it is an ending to a book, it technically IS a storybook ending. It's the way life is.
I'm not sure I liked the many Instagram references in the book. One of the characters is an Insta blogger with a huge following. That part was ok. But besides that, there were numerous references to Insta by other characters that weren't necessary because didn't add anything to the story. One of the reasons I love to read is that it gets me away from social media. But, once I’m away from it, I don't need to be reminded. This is not influencing my thoughts on the book.
I think I enjoyed this book because of the characters. I know I am repeating myself......it’s for emphasis. The storyline was good but the characters just seemed so real to me. Their emotions, their flaws, their successes, all resonated with me.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the Advance Readers Copy.
May 13, 2024
I did enjoy this one, the plot was good, there were some great characters and a few love-to-hate ones as well. I could really appreciate what Nora and Owen were going through as I personally struggled with fertility for many years, so some of that plotline was a bit difficult to read but I thought it was done tastefully and with sensitivity. I was hoping for a different ending, but I can see that how it was written was unfortunately, likely more representative of many real life stories.
The custody issue had me fuming at times but I loved Roxy's responses and found her internal dialogue to be super funny at times.
Overall I really liked this one!
I received a digital copy of this book in a Goodreads giveaway.
The custody issue had me fuming at times but I loved Roxy's responses and found her internal dialogue to be super funny at times.
Overall I really liked this one!
I received a digital copy of this book in a Goodreads giveaway.
March 26, 2023
I’m not sure how I feel about this one. I appreciated the raw emotions this story elicited, but I didn’t really care for either of the main characters…and the overall feeling I was left with at the end was just…meh.
February 23, 2023
3.5 stars
September 5, 2022
I received an ARC from Netgalley - full unbiased review available below:
https://jeffersonbookshelf.co.uk/2022...
https://jeffersonbookshelf.co.uk/2022...
November 29, 2022
Thank you to #NetGalley for an ARC of #TheNewPerson
From the first pages, I was hooked. This book covers motherhood, loss, grief, hope, love, trust, and so much more. Miscarriage is a prevalent theme and topic and while it is sensitive (this is your trigger warning) - it’s so important that we have stories that are true to life’s real heartache. This story is emotional and impactful but so needed.
Roxy is a hard-working, single mother who is confronted with the potential of losing her child to her ex’s new “perfect” family. A couple, Owen and Nora, are overcome with loss but still holding out hope for a child of their own. Roxy thinks surrogacy is the answer to her problems - a way to give back and help a couple make their dreams come true while helping her in her custody battle. But things don’t always go quite as we plan, do they?
I didn’t expect to binge-read this book, given the emotional topics, but I finished in a day. Roxy, Owen and Nora are all so relatable and human - the author did a beautiful job with their character development and while switching POV can be frustrating, it was a seamless experience in this book and critical to showing all the different experiences of the three main characters (yes, I do think all three are critical).
This story made me laugh and tear up. It broke my heart, but also gave me hope. Absolutely recommend!
From the first pages, I was hooked. This book covers motherhood, loss, grief, hope, love, trust, and so much more. Miscarriage is a prevalent theme and topic and while it is sensitive (this is your trigger warning) - it’s so important that we have stories that are true to life’s real heartache. This story is emotional and impactful but so needed.
Roxy is a hard-working, single mother who is confronted with the potential of losing her child to her ex’s new “perfect” family. A couple, Owen and Nora, are overcome with loss but still holding out hope for a child of their own. Roxy thinks surrogacy is the answer to her problems - a way to give back and help a couple make their dreams come true while helping her in her custody battle. But things don’t always go quite as we plan, do they?
I didn’t expect to binge-read this book, given the emotional topics, but I finished in a day. Roxy, Owen and Nora are all so relatable and human - the author did a beautiful job with their character development and while switching POV can be frustrating, it was a seamless experience in this book and critical to showing all the different experiences of the three main characters (yes, I do think all three are critical).
This story made me laugh and tear up. It broke my heart, but also gave me hope. Absolutely recommend!
September 21, 2022
I honestly don’t know what to say about this book. My opinion is divided. In some ways I enjoyed the book, The authors writing flowed really well and the conversations between characters were believable. I enjoyed the way the book was written, each chapter was from a different characters point of view and kept the book runnning along smoothly. It wasn’t confusing in the slightest jumping from one character to another.
I loved the character of Roxy, she was beyond likeable but still had her flaws which made you feel like you wanted everything to go her way. The way motherhood was described in the book was so true to life, the ups and downs you go through with your child and the fears of most parents were all laid out bare on the pages, it was relatable and showed the struggles that parents have with there own issues.
Unfortunately, I just couldn’t like the character of Nora. I understand the struggles she was going through, however, the way she treated her husband and had no regard for anyone else or their feelings even when they were trying to help her made me really angry. She came across as a very selfish person and had very little loyalties.
In general, I was really enjoying the book, even though I couldn’t connect with some of the characters, I wasn’t put off reading it, however, I was extremely disappointed at how to book ended. Not because it didn’t end how I wanted or expected, that would have been fine, it was the abrupt ending of the book! It just felt like they had spent so much going into the characters and the background of them and then it was just rushed and ended with nothing really resolved. I could say more but wouldn’t like to spoil the book for other people.
Overall, I’m glad I read the book but wish it could have been just a couple of chapters longer with more things explained. I would read other titles from the same author as her way of writing was excellent although I would worry that ending wold be rushed again.
I loved the character of Roxy, she was beyond likeable but still had her flaws which made you feel like you wanted everything to go her way. The way motherhood was described in the book was so true to life, the ups and downs you go through with your child and the fears of most parents were all laid out bare on the pages, it was relatable and showed the struggles that parents have with there own issues.
Unfortunately, I just couldn’t like the character of Nora. I understand the struggles she was going through, however, the way she treated her husband and had no regard for anyone else or their feelings even when they were trying to help her made me really angry. She came across as a very selfish person and had very little loyalties.
In general, I was really enjoying the book, even though I couldn’t connect with some of the characters, I wasn’t put off reading it, however, I was extremely disappointed at how to book ended. Not because it didn’t end how I wanted or expected, that would have been fine, it was the abrupt ending of the book! It just felt like they had spent so much going into the characters and the background of them and then it was just rushed and ended with nothing really resolved. I could say more but wouldn’t like to spoil the book for other people.
Overall, I’m glad I read the book but wish it could have been just a couple of chapters longer with more things explained. I would read other titles from the same author as her way of writing was excellent although I would worry that ending wold be rushed again.
November 29, 2022
The New Person is a compelling and thought-provoking book about three people—Roxy, Nora, and Owen—who have been knocked down by life a few times and are trying to find a way to live their best lives. There are so many complicated emotions to unpack here; regret, grief, a bit of desperation and a lot of hope. Roxy, Nora, and Owen were true-to-life people who were flawed and imperfect, who made mistakes sometimes, but only with the best intentions. I was completely invested in their stories, in their hopes and dreams to save their families. My heart ached right along with theirs; I shared their sorrows and their joys, their fears and their doubts, their loneliness and the connections they yearned to make. Author Loretta Nyhan has written a complex and poignant story that will touch readers, as well as giving them a lot to think about.
September 10, 2023
I finished this book in two days! It was so good. Definitely would recommend this as this is the 2nd book I’ve read by this author that I’ve really enjoyed!
November 28, 2023
Title:
The New Person
Author: Loretta Nyhan
Genre: Contemporary Fiction
Rating: 2.75
Pub Date: November 29, 2022
I received a complimentary eARC from Lake Union Publishing via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. #Gifted #Ad
T H R E E • W O R D S
Refreshing • Hopeful • Quick
📖 S Y N O P S I S
Single mother Roxy Novak works days at a dentist’s office and delivers food at night, making the best life she can for herself and her son, Aero. When her wealthy ex-husband decides to ask for full custody, telling her Aero will be better off living with him and his Instagram-famous new wife, Roxy is stunned and scared. How can she possibly get the money to fight back?
Meanwhile, Nora and Owen Finnegan have been trying to have a child for years without success. After their latest surrogate suffers a miscarriage, they start the search again—and find Roxy, who sees a chance to salvage her own dreams of family by fulfilling theirs.
But family is never simple, and neither are dreams. Nora, Owen, and Roxy hope that their surrogacy journey will lead them to what they want most in the world. All three will get more than they expected.
💭 T H O U G H T S
I'd previously enjoyed and connected with Digging In by this author, so when I saw she had something new I added it to my to-read list without really knowing anything about it, besides what the cover tells me and that I would be getting a story with emotional depth. I'm not exactly sure what to say about this book. In some ways I enjoyed it, yet in other ways it just didn't work for me.
What I liked:
• the blended family trope. This book explores a variety of ways that make a family and I honestly think that is its strength. The family dynamics were interesting to read and gave a new light to how they can work.
• the multiple POVs. I both liked and disliked this aspect of the book. It enlightened me on how different people experience the pain of miscarriage and how they process it. However...
What I didn't like:
• the multiple POVs. I kept getting a bit confused when the perspective would change
• Nora. Her character was just really unlikeable. I didn't care for how she treated her husband or Roxy, and she came across as a bit of a 'poor me' mentality.
Although the story is quite short, it certainly isn't light and carries quite a bit of emotional depth, but in a lighter way, if that makes any sense. It's certainly not a story that will stick with me, and it's quite possible it tried to do too much in such a short amount of pages. With that said, I will still consider this author in the future because I like her writing style.
📚 R E C O M M E N D • T O
• fans of the blended family trope
⚠️ CW: divorce, infertility, pregnancy, miscarriage, medical content, grief, classism
Author: Loretta Nyhan
Genre: Contemporary Fiction
Rating: 2.75
Pub Date: November 29, 2022
I received a complimentary eARC from Lake Union Publishing via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. #Gifted #Ad
T H R E E • W O R D S
Refreshing • Hopeful • Quick
📖 S Y N O P S I S
Single mother Roxy Novak works days at a dentist’s office and delivers food at night, making the best life she can for herself and her son, Aero. When her wealthy ex-husband decides to ask for full custody, telling her Aero will be better off living with him and his Instagram-famous new wife, Roxy is stunned and scared. How can she possibly get the money to fight back?
Meanwhile, Nora and Owen Finnegan have been trying to have a child for years without success. After their latest surrogate suffers a miscarriage, they start the search again—and find Roxy, who sees a chance to salvage her own dreams of family by fulfilling theirs.
But family is never simple, and neither are dreams. Nora, Owen, and Roxy hope that their surrogacy journey will lead them to what they want most in the world. All three will get more than they expected.
💭 T H O U G H T S
I'd previously enjoyed and connected with Digging In by this author, so when I saw she had something new I added it to my to-read list without really knowing anything about it, besides what the cover tells me and that I would be getting a story with emotional depth. I'm not exactly sure what to say about this book. In some ways I enjoyed it, yet in other ways it just didn't work for me.
What I liked:
• the blended family trope. This book explores a variety of ways that make a family and I honestly think that is its strength. The family dynamics were interesting to read and gave a new light to how they can work.
• the multiple POVs. I both liked and disliked this aspect of the book. It enlightened me on how different people experience the pain of miscarriage and how they process it. However...
What I didn't like:
• the multiple POVs. I kept getting a bit confused when the perspective would change
• Nora. Her character was just really unlikeable. I didn't care for how she treated her husband or Roxy, and she came across as a bit of a 'poor me' mentality.
Although the story is quite short, it certainly isn't light and carries quite a bit of emotional depth, but in a lighter way, if that makes any sense. It's certainly not a story that will stick with me, and it's quite possible it tried to do too much in such a short amount of pages. With that said, I will still consider this author in the future because I like her writing style.
📚 R E C O M M E N D • T O
• fans of the blended family trope
⚠️ CW: divorce, infertility, pregnancy, miscarriage, medical content, grief, classism
October 18, 2023
Loretta Nyhan, has graced readers with a touching and hopeful novel that delves into the complexities of loss, connection, and the unconventional paths to creating a family. In a world where love takes many forms, Nyhan crafts a story that reminds us that family is not just about blood but also the bonds we create through empathy, resilience, and the willingness to support one another.
At the heart of the story is Roxy Novak, a determined single mother who works tirelessly to provide a good life for her beloved son, Aero. Her world is turned upside down when her wealthy ex-husband threatens to take Aero away, claiming it would be in the child's best interest. Roxy is thrust into an uphill battle for custody, one she fears she cannot afford to fight. This emotional journey taps into the deep fears and insecurities of many parents and touches the core of our protective instincts.
In parallel, we meet Nora and Owen Finnegan, a couple struggling to conceive a child of their own after years of heart-wrenching disappointments. When their latest surrogate experiences a devastating miscarriage, they embark on a fresh quest for a surrogate mother, which leads them to Roxy. What unfolds is a unique connection, a lifeline of hope for all three individuals, each carrying their own dreams of family.
Loretta Nyhan's storytelling is poignant and compassionate. As Roxy, Nora, and Owen navigate the surrogacy journey, the novel eloquently portrays the emotional weight of their experiences. Readers are drawn into the complexities of surrogacy and the unforeseen challenges that arise. Nyhan explores the transformative power of connection and how the desire to build a family can bring people from different walks of life together in the most unexpected and profound ways.
Nyhan's characters are brilliantly crafted, each carrying their own burdens and dreams. Readers can't help but root for these characters as they navigate the intricacies of love, loss, and the profound bond that forms when they come together.
At the heart of the story is Roxy Novak, a determined single mother who works tirelessly to provide a good life for her beloved son, Aero. Her world is turned upside down when her wealthy ex-husband threatens to take Aero away, claiming it would be in the child's best interest. Roxy is thrust into an uphill battle for custody, one she fears she cannot afford to fight. This emotional journey taps into the deep fears and insecurities of many parents and touches the core of our protective instincts.
In parallel, we meet Nora and Owen Finnegan, a couple struggling to conceive a child of their own after years of heart-wrenching disappointments. When their latest surrogate experiences a devastating miscarriage, they embark on a fresh quest for a surrogate mother, which leads them to Roxy. What unfolds is a unique connection, a lifeline of hope for all three individuals, each carrying their own dreams of family.
Loretta Nyhan's storytelling is poignant and compassionate. As Roxy, Nora, and Owen navigate the surrogacy journey, the novel eloquently portrays the emotional weight of their experiences. Readers are drawn into the complexities of surrogacy and the unforeseen challenges that arise. Nyhan explores the transformative power of connection and how the desire to build a family can bring people from different walks of life together in the most unexpected and profound ways.
Nyhan's characters are brilliantly crafted, each carrying their own burdens and dreams. Readers can't help but root for these characters as they navigate the intricacies of love, loss, and the profound bond that forms when they come together.
November 10, 2022
*ARC Review*
4.5 stars
Thank you Netgalley, the publisher and author for having this available as an ARC.
Really enjoyed this book as it presented characters with real life problems. I realise that some people like to read books where they can escape into a fictional world, but I thought that this book was very relatable when you are faced with a problem, what would you do to overcome it. Each character has real emotions and feelings that any of us would feel if facing the same situations. This book definitely got me in the feels.
When I was reading Roxy's chapters, I thought about my own mum and how she had to make some tough decisions as a single mum. How she may not have had enough money, but she always found a way to make it work. Roxy always wanted the best for her son and used whatever means possible to provide the best life she could for him.
With Owen and Nora, I could empathise that their situation would be very challenging. If all you've ever wanted was to be a mother/father and you have tried all available options, I can appreciate that it would be exhausting both mentally and emotionally when it doesn't work out for you. I felt like Owen's feelings were valid, though he really should have expressed himself to his wife. For him, he didn't really see an end in sight because it seemed like Nora wasn't going to be complete without a child. As for Nora, it was heartbreaking reading her multiple attempts, each ending in a miscarriage and seeking IVF as the answer.
I thought Roxy's lie about not having a miscarriage in the past would come back to bite her. The ending!! Wasn't expecting it to go the way that it did but it really showed the growth in each person. Not everything in life is happy with rainbows, sometimes we have to adapt when we're faced with adversity.
Content warnings - divorce, relationships after divorce and pregnancy loss/miscarriage
4.5 stars
Thank you Netgalley, the publisher and author for having this available as an ARC.
Really enjoyed this book as it presented characters with real life problems. I realise that some people like to read books where they can escape into a fictional world, but I thought that this book was very relatable when you are faced with a problem, what would you do to overcome it. Each character has real emotions and feelings that any of us would feel if facing the same situations. This book definitely got me in the feels.
When I was reading Roxy's chapters, I thought about my own mum and how she had to make some tough decisions as a single mum. How she may not have had enough money, but she always found a way to make it work. Roxy always wanted the best for her son and used whatever means possible to provide the best life she could for him.
With Owen and Nora, I could empathise that their situation would be very challenging. If all you've ever wanted was to be a mother/father and you have tried all available options, I can appreciate that it would be exhausting both mentally and emotionally when it doesn't work out for you. I felt like Owen's feelings were valid, though he really should have expressed himself to his wife. For him, he didn't really see an end in sight because it seemed like Nora wasn't going to be complete without a child. As for Nora, it was heartbreaking reading her multiple attempts, each ending in a miscarriage and seeking IVF as the answer.
I thought Roxy's lie about not having a miscarriage in the past would come back to bite her. The ending!! Wasn't expecting it to go the way that it did but it really showed the growth in each person. Not everything in life is happy with rainbows, sometimes we have to adapt when we're faced with adversity.
Content warnings - divorce, relationships after divorce and pregnancy loss/miscarriage
November 22, 2022
What a miracle it is for someone to help a family struggling to have a child on their own!
I have never gone through any of Nora or Roxy’s struggles. While I can empathize, I just couldn’t connect with these characters. I found it difficult to vibe with this book. I am a reader that needs all the extra descriptive words to feel like I am right there in the book- to visualize the characters. I feel like this book definitely needs more of that.
This book is told from three POV’s - Roxy, Nora & Owen.
Roxy is a single mother who is struggling to get by and has to work two jobs to make ends meet. Her ex has finally made it big- has this big, beautiful new life and now wants full custody of their son. Roxy needs a lot of money and fast!
Nora & Owen are a married couple who have struggled with infertility, miscarriages, surrogate miscarriages and a failed adoption. They have one chance left so they need to find a new surrogate…Roxy enters their world.
I have so much to say but since I haven’t been through this, I am not sure what the norm is in this situation. Nora is so mean and judgmental of Roxy - it is just wrong when this person is doing something so special for you. As much as Nora and Owen love each other, he keeps some big secrets from her! Roxy definitely has her own set of issues but I like her best. She is a fighter, she is feisty and she will do whatever she has to for her child!
Overall, this is a good read. There are a lot of emotions in this book...laugh out loud moments and some “what are you thinking?” moments. I did enjoy the ending but it seemed to be a little rushed.
Thank you to NetGalley, Lake Union Publishing and Loretta Nyhan for the advanced readers' copy of this book for my honest review.
I have never gone through any of Nora or Roxy’s struggles. While I can empathize, I just couldn’t connect with these characters. I found it difficult to vibe with this book. I am a reader that needs all the extra descriptive words to feel like I am right there in the book- to visualize the characters. I feel like this book definitely needs more of that.
This book is told from three POV’s - Roxy, Nora & Owen.
Roxy is a single mother who is struggling to get by and has to work two jobs to make ends meet. Her ex has finally made it big- has this big, beautiful new life and now wants full custody of their son. Roxy needs a lot of money and fast!
Nora & Owen are a married couple who have struggled with infertility, miscarriages, surrogate miscarriages and a failed adoption. They have one chance left so they need to find a new surrogate…Roxy enters their world.
I have so much to say but since I haven’t been through this, I am not sure what the norm is in this situation. Nora is so mean and judgmental of Roxy - it is just wrong when this person is doing something so special for you. As much as Nora and Owen love each other, he keeps some big secrets from her! Roxy definitely has her own set of issues but I like her best. She is a fighter, she is feisty and she will do whatever she has to for her child!
Overall, this is a good read. There are a lot of emotions in this book...laugh out loud moments and some “what are you thinking?” moments. I did enjoy the ending but it seemed to be a little rushed.
Thank you to NetGalley, Lake Union Publishing and Loretta Nyhan for the advanced readers' copy of this book for my honest review.
September 8, 2022
In The New Person by Loretta Nyhan, two women’s lives intersect in their quest for motherhood, specifically when one becomes a potential surrogate for the other. This was a powerful read and a very difficult one. It reminded me of a similarly heartbreaking article I had read in (I believe) the Guardian many years ago when women in the UK were donating eggs to afford IVF treatment for themselves, treatment that sometimes worked for the families who received a donated egg but not for the women who had donated. Overall, we have characters in this story that have led incredibly difficult lives. They are portrayed with beautiful nuance, and none of them are perfect.
There wasn’t much to dislike about the story or its structure. The narrative may have been a bit cleaner if we didn’t have the chapters with Owen’s POV, which were few in number anyway. Rather than dislike, I can speak to what it would have been nice as a reader to see more of towards the end. The epilogue was abrupt. When we left each character, they were at their lowest points in the narrative (which is saying something for Roxy, one of the main characters, who goes through a lot of shit throughout the story). Yet the final chapter leaves each of them close to a happily ever after. Notably, for me, there was not a clear or adequate resolution between Roxy and her ex-husband’s family, the latter for whom I did not care for. These thoughts serve to just highlight that I did have strong emotions and opinions while reading this book, which in itself is a testament to how engrossing it is.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC!
There wasn’t much to dislike about the story or its structure. The narrative may have been a bit cleaner if we didn’t have the chapters with Owen’s POV, which were few in number anyway. Rather than dislike, I can speak to what it would have been nice as a reader to see more of towards the end. The epilogue was abrupt. When we left each character, they were at their lowest points in the narrative (which is saying something for Roxy, one of the main characters, who goes through a lot of shit throughout the story). Yet the final chapter leaves each of them close to a happily ever after. Notably, for me, there was not a clear or adequate resolution between Roxy and her ex-husband’s family, the latter for whom I did not care for. These thoughts serve to just highlight that I did have strong emotions and opinions while reading this book, which in itself is a testament to how engrossing it is.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC!
September 7, 2022
I expected a light hearted, simple read. Instead, it made me think about how we live so many different lives, even when we all live on this planet. In this book, Nora and Owen are married, but she's suffered several miscarriages. They have one embryo remaining, and they want to choose wisely.
Roxy is a single mother, raising her son, Aero, the best she can. She is loving, she loves him, and she works two jobs to get by.
Her ex-husband, however, seems to have hit the jackpot. He has remarried, and his wife, Livvy, is an influencer. They have a magnificent house, Livvy is pregnant, and they can (and do) give Aero all the advantages in life.
When Roxy's ex decides he and his new wife can provide more than Roxy is able, he decided to push for full custody. The only way she can get the money she'd need to fight this would be...you guessed it...to be a surrogate.
What was difficult for me was how Gabe gets Roxy pregnant, and he then sails off into the sunset. He's there, but just because you have money are you the better parent?
The author did a good job with character development. I saw the good and bad in all the characters.
If you're looking for a book that's a good read, not super heavy, and the author has done a great job, this is a great choice.
Thank you to Lake Union Publishing (you've done it again!) and NetGalley for an e-ARC of this title in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.
Roxy is a single mother, raising her son, Aero, the best she can. She is loving, she loves him, and she works two jobs to get by.
Her ex-husband, however, seems to have hit the jackpot. He has remarried, and his wife, Livvy, is an influencer. They have a magnificent house, Livvy is pregnant, and they can (and do) give Aero all the advantages in life.
When Roxy's ex decides he and his new wife can provide more than Roxy is able, he decided to push for full custody. The only way she can get the money she'd need to fight this would be...you guessed it...to be a surrogate.
What was difficult for me was how Gabe gets Roxy pregnant, and he then sails off into the sunset. He's there, but just because you have money are you the better parent?
The author did a good job with character development. I saw the good and bad in all the characters.
If you're looking for a book that's a good read, not super heavy, and the author has done a great job, this is a great choice.
Thank you to Lake Union Publishing (you've done it again!) and NetGalley for an e-ARC of this title in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.
December 25, 2022
I came across this novel as a random recommendation at the top of goodreads and I went in basically blind to it. What I encountered was such a raw and authentic look into imperfect people experiencing all sorts of pain.
There were points where I both loved and loathed nearly every character and the author really showcases how even the heroes/villains in books have strengths and weaknesses.
One of the things that really stood out to me was how mean and cruel one of the heroes was to another character, and kind of understandably so, but then realized she was taking her pain and grief out on people that didn't deserve it and was able to stop herself.
I also love the idea that your family is the one you make and not necessarily the one you're born into.
The entire storyline featuring Gabe/Liv and Roxy and custody was also well done and showcases that while Gabe and Roxy both had very different ideas of what was best for Aero, their son, it showed how they both loved him and wanted him to succeed. It was nice to see the conclusion of that storyline and is also realistic, because I have seen this exact storyline play out in custody cases before.
And I love that this story has romance in it, it's also not the forefront of the storyline and only served to bolster the storyline instead of becoming a distraction.
I highly recommend this book.
There were points where I both loved and loathed nearly every character and the author really showcases how even the heroes/villains in books have strengths and weaknesses.
One of the things that really stood out to me was how mean and cruel one of the heroes was to another character, and kind of understandably so, but then realized she was taking her pain and grief out on people that didn't deserve it and was able to stop herself.
I also love the idea that your family is the one you make and not necessarily the one you're born into.
The entire storyline featuring Gabe/Liv and Roxy and custody was also well done and showcases that while Gabe and Roxy both had very different ideas of what was best for Aero, their son, it showed how they both loved him and wanted him to succeed. It was nice to see the conclusion of that storyline and is also realistic, because I have seen this exact storyline play out in custody cases before.
And I love that this story has romance in it, it's also not the forefront of the storyline and only served to bolster the storyline instead of becoming a distraction.
I highly recommend this book.
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