I was unsure where the storyline was going until about 60% of the way through and then the twists came, it all started to make sense and I was hooked to the end!

I loved this book. I couldn't put it down. It was thrilling to the end. I can't wait for more from this author. The characters were written well, and the plot line was so good... especially the twists. I highly recommend this to other for a thrilling read.

Thank you Net Galley ARC

The intensity of the suspense made this book unforgettable. Every twist heightened the tension, leading to a shocking ending.

The Perfect Baby by Sam Vickery is a compelling, twisty read that doesn't disappoint. This author keeps you on the edge of your seat. Psychological thriller lovers won't want to miss this one!

This was a solid sounding storyline. It was very unique. Two women (Mia & Elise) meet at a surrogate support group. Mia is acting as a surrogate while Elise is having her sister act as a surrogate for her & her husband. This story tugged at my heart strings, but also had me scratching my head. At times the lies were tough to keep up with. I typically enjoy multiple POV while I'm reading but being thrown in a 3rd person out of nowhere threw me for a loop.
The ending, I don't care who you are, you don't see it coming. Don't say you did, because you didn't. The ending along with the unique storyline saved this book.
Thank you Netgalley & Bookouture for the opportunity to read this.

This will be posted on Goodreads, my blog & Instagram this upcoming week.

The Perfect Baby was an exceptional read. With its numerous twists and turns, I found myself rapidly immersed in the narrative, culminating in a completely unpredictable and highly satisfying conclusion.

Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for my ARC.

The Perfect Baby opens with a cold start which to avoid spoilers I won't mention here. It's an intriguing book with its own twists and turns. The beginning is a little slow, as it focuses on developing the friendship between the two narrators featured, Elise and Maya, after they meet a support group. There's lots we don't know the specifics on these women, but we know they have some severe past trauma in their lives. Both are unreliable narrators which benefits the plot twist and suspense throughout. One wishes to be a mother while the other is in the process of surrogacy for another couple; each have their own struggles such has family issues and failed relationships.

Ultimately, I enjoyed the book, it's very good as is. The only negative to comment on is the setup is a little slow and takes up too much of the book in my opinion. When the twist comes, the story becomes incredibly thrilling and doesn't stop until the very end. This was my favorite section of the book and I wish it could've been explored more thoroughly. I'm interested to see more from this author, both past works and future!
Thanks Netgalley and Bookouture for the ARC, I give it 4.5 stars.

ARC Review of The Perfect Baby by Sam Vickery

Sam Vickery’s The Perfect Baby is a taut, emotionally charged thriller that grips you from its shocking first moments and doesn’t let go. With a central premise both intriguing and unsettling—a woman taking home a baby that isn’t hers—the story explores themes of obsession, motherhood, and morality in ways that will keep you questioning the protagonist’s motives until the final page.

The protagonist’s inner world is skillfully rendered, her longing for motherhood palpable and relatable, even as her actions cross boundaries into the unthinkable. Vickery’s ability to make us empathize with such a morally complex character is a testament to her narrative skill. The baby’s presence serves as a symbol of innocence amidst a maelstrom of secrets and lies, heightening the tension with every chapter.

The pacing is relentless, with twists that feel both surprising and earned. As layers of the protagonist’s past unravel, Vickery masterfully balances suspense with poignant emotional beats. Fans of psychological thrillers like those of Lisa Jewell and Freida McFadden will appreciate the unpredictable turns, while readers who love morally complex stories will savor the way this book grapples with difficult questions about identity and belonging.

While the central twist will leave readers breathless, it’s the emotional resonance of the story that lingers. The Perfect Baby is more than just a psychological thriller—it’s a deep dive into the fragile yet unbreakable bond between longing and love.

A perfect read for fans of dark, gripping tales that pack an emotional punch. Keep tissues handy—you’ll need them as much as your racing pulse demands turning the pages!

Rating: 4.5/5 stars

Brilliant read, fantastic style of writing switching between characters. Would never have guessed the ending. Highly recommend

I really enjoyed this read and honestly can’t wait to read more from the author. I am a huge psychological thriller fan and, without providing any spoilers, this book provides just that. An excellent read that keeps you on the edge of your seat for the entirety of the book. It is also a unique plot, one that I have not encountered in typical psychological thrillers, which was definitely refreshing because so many of them follow the same general theme. Overall, a great read that I’d recommend to anyone exploring psychological thrillers that keep you guessing and wanting more the entire time!

This book was brilliant. I love an unpredictable ending and this one had it. I actually cared about the characters and what was going to happen to them. It was realistic and a book that I highly recommend.

A fast paced read that is so hard to put down once you start. The story is told from 2 POV of the main female characters in the book. Elise and Maya, two women who met at a surrogacy support group. Maya is a surrogate for a very demanding and intrusive couple, while Elise is using her sister as her surrogate.

Book Review: The Perfect Baby by Sam Vickery

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (4/5 Stars)

I just finished The Perfect Baby by Sam Vickery, and it was a gripping psychological thriller! I really enjoyed the story, filled with twists and turns that kept me guessing right until the end. The tension was palpable, and I wasn’t expecting the ending—it left me stunned. If you’re looking for a book that keeps you on edge, this one is a must-read.

Elise and Maya meet at a surrogacy group. Elise wants to be a mother more than anything, Maya is a surrogate for a couple eager for a child. They easily form a friendship and understand each other's struggles. They are also both hiding secrets from their past.
I could not put this book down! The fast pace and secrets kept me intrigued and wanting to know more. I felt emotional for both Elise and Maya, yet wasn't sure who to trust. I was not at all expecting the twist! I was actually sad for everyone at the end. While I absolutely hate an ending without full closure, this was probably the first book where I was ok with it. I really look forward to reading more by this author!
Thank you to Netgalley and Bookouture for the ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

This wasn't super good, forst half at least was pretty boring and couldn't wait for it to be over. But it did get better as it went on.

Maya and Elise meet at a surrogacy support group and become friends. Maya is pregnant. She is acting as a surrogate for a couple called Will and Nina, whereas Elise’s baby is being carried by her sister Julia. The babies are due around the same time, but each woman has a troubled past and they are both hiding secrets.

I loved the unique concept of a surrogacy thriller. The prologue depicts a woman leaving the hospital with a baby that isn’t hers, which had me guessing straight away who would end up stealing a baby!

I struggled a bit in the beginning differentiating between the two main characters and the information we were given about each one. I also found it a bit frustrating the way that secrets were hinted at but the reveals were so slow and drawn out. This also made it hard to connect with the characters as I felt like I didn’t really know them.

The second part of the book picked up though. I liked the chapters that went back in time as these provided explanations. There were some great twists and I liked the unexpected ending.

Thank you to Bookouture and NetGalley for the advanced reading copy.

This psychological thriller is intense from the start and only gets twistier with every chapter. Sam Vickery gives us an emotional, heart-pounding story about motherhood, lies, and the limits of love.

Oh my goodness I absolutely LOVED this book!! It was such a quick read for me and I did NOT see the ending coming!! Very psych thriller and family drama!!

This book starts as a slow burner but gradually picks up, becoming more engaging as the story unfolds. The plot was well-crafted, and I found myself really sympathising with the main character, who felt genuine and relatable. The storyline was original and fresh, bringing a unique idea to life that I haven't seen before. Overall, it was an enjoyable read with depth and creativity, especially once the pacing picked up!

This novel starts slowly, but once the storyline picks up, it transforms into an engaging narrative that keeps the reader invested. The multitude of characters can be a double-edged sword; while it adds depth, it also makes it challenging to keep track of who’s who and which character is narrating at any given moment. The author skillfully builds intrigue around the two main characters, both of whom harbor secrets that unfold in unexpected ways, leading to surprising revelations. However, the ending left me wanting more closure. Despite this, the author’s compelling writing style and ability to weave a captivating tale have piqued my interest, and I would certainly read more from them in the future.