I haven’t disliked a main character like Emily for a long time.
Emily has a savior complex and that’s just one of her flaws. She also needs serious help!
I knew what she was going to do long before she did it.
It was very unethical to treat her ex’s wife but that’s just the beginning.
The ending left me hanging because I wanted to know what harkened with Ally and Ben!!!

Emily works as an embryologist working in a fertility clinic. Emily herself has suffered cancer in the past, and at that time had had her eggs frozen. She is single, but had hoped one day in the future to use her eggs, and have a child.
She is at work the day that her ex boyfriend, Ben, comes in with his wife, Ally, to discuss IVF treatment for them. The thought that Ben and Ally may have a child before Emily herself does, causes her biological clock to speed up, and she decides she wants to start treatment herself.
I found the story to be a little far fetched in places, but as a psychological thriller, it did bring out the desires and emotions of Emily, Ben, and Ally, and I thought it was an enjoyable read. I haven't read any other books by this author before, but will look for them in the future.

What a twisted plot! This was a quick read, and hard to put down. I was thoroughly engaged waiting to see what would happen next, was the truth going to come out? Emily’s choices sometimes frustrated me, I wasn’t sure where the story was going to end up, and I have to say I was surprised by the ending! Really well written, I look forward to reading more from this author.

The Clinic by Cara Reinard is another fast-paced, and well plotted story with some shocking twists. It was hard to put down and easy to devour.
The characters are well drawn, and the story is well structured.
The author has done a good job in creating the mystery and thrilling aspects of the story.

Interesting twist on a story with a fascinating thread. Emily is an embryologist who cannot have children and her ex-husband and his new wife show up to her clinic for services. What could go wrong? As it turns out, plenty!

Many thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for this ARC!

Emily works at a fertility clinic and it is there that her ex and his new wife turn up, as they want to go through IVF. The only problem is Emily wants her own baby, so will she be able to go through with helping them?

I won’t say too much about this one so that it doesn’t spoil the story. I was really drawn into the premise of this and thought it sounded like it would be a compelling read. While the story started as a generic thriller, it went in some dark and crazy directions and there were some serious topics explored.

The characters were written well, however I didn’t feel an immediate connection with them. I also found the ending to be very sudden. Although I felt there was something missing, this was an entertaining story overall. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this copy in return for an honest review.

3.5/5 stars

This was definitely a quick read and was hard to put down. I was thoroughly engaged waiting to see what would happen next in this psychological thriller. Emily was definitely aggravating with some of her choices and I have to say I was surprised by the ending. I should have guessed but somehow I didn't.

Thank you to Netgalley and publisher Bookouture for this advance copy!

In this compelling novel, Emily, a skilled yet emotionally conflicted embryologist, is unexpectedly forced to confront her own lingering feelings when her former lover, Ben, walks into her clinic with his wife, Allyson, to start IVF. Emily’s complex feelings blur the line between her professional obligations and personal desires, leading her to take steps that challenge both her ethical boundaries and her own understanding of motherhood. But what begins as an emotionally tense reunion quickly spirals as the fragile dynamics within Ben and Allyson’s marriage come to light, revealing secrets, insecurities, and unexpected betrayals.

What makes this story so absorbing is the author’s choice to alternate between Emily and Allyson’s perspectives, highlighting the stark contrast between the lives they project to the world and the internal battles they wage in private. Both characters are deeply flawed, each wrestling with personal insecurities and misconceptions about motherhood, family, and fulfillment. This layered narrative adds an intriguing depth, drawing readers into a rare exploration of ambition, desire, and the often-unseen emotional complexities of fertility treatments.

A refreshingly unique topic for this genre, this novel will leave readers questioning their own notions of love, loyalty, and the lengths people go to fulfill their dreams.

Emily has been told she can't have children after undergoing treatment for breast cancer. The irony of the matter is that she is a leading embryologist where her job day in day out is helping other families conceive.

Emily is kicking herself for not having children with her ex Ben over a decade previously before she got sick. Ben then got married and dropped off the radar. Emily is out for dinner with her best friend when she drops a bomb by confirming that Ben has returned to town with his wife and taken up a new job.

We also follows Ally's story. Ally is Ben's wife and they've moved across the country at Ben's request and started IVF even though Ally has strong opinions against using IVF due to her religious beliefs. Their relationship appears quite fractured and I couldn't help but wonder that perhaps this couple weren't in the best place to be starting a family.

What was difficult for me with this book is that the two main protagonists, Emily and Ally, are both not particularly likeable. They are not characters I felt I could relate to in any way and they are very flawed. I did feel for their desperation though and found myself rooting for them to try and get some kind of a happy resolution towards the end.

The story seems quite far fetched, but it is very entertaining. It is definitely a bit of a twisted story, and I found myself multiple times saying to myself 'no surely not, that surely can't happen'. I didn't really know where the story was heading and it ended a bit abruptly. I feel like there are quite a few unanswered questions so perhaps a sequel is on the cards? Overall though an entertaining read with an interesting plot and some characters to dislike along the way!

This was an intense and compelling story full of twists and turns. My only complaint was I really didn’t like the main protagonist, Emily, but the author did do a good job at portraying her desperation. Not my favourite, but still a decent enough read.

3.75 rounded up. This book enticed me as I have read a few thrillers in the past that revolve around IVF. This book hooked me from the beginning and I found it very hard to put down. Overall this book was very fast paced for me, and I would recommended this if you want a fun fast read. I also enjoyed trying to figure out all the different twists.

Thank you NetGalley, Cara Reinard, and Bookoture for this ARC.

As a career-driven embryologist in one of the country's most successful IVF clinics, Emily has always seen a family in her distant future, but when her ex-boyfriend comes back to town with his wife and the two of them show up at Emily's clinic, she feels some pressure to move her timeline up a bit and make her dreams a reality a lot sooner.

This book was interesting for me because there were absolutely zero likable characters. Everyone in this book is extremely self-centered or just morally bankrupt and it made for kind of a weird story because you can't root for anyone- or at least I couldn't. That being said, I think the story had an interesting concept as far as a scientist fighting her conscious concerning an issue as serious as infertility. I definitely thought this book was going a certain way but it ended up being completely different. The middle dragged a bit for me but the end was full of twists and turns and wrapped it up nicely, definitely set itself for a sequel. I would probably read a sequel to this book but would really want a likable character or at least to be given some reason to root for someone.

Overall, not my favorite book from this author, but a fun quick read for sure. I think this one would hit well with people who enjoys the big twists of Freida McFadden books.

This was my first book by Cara Reinard and I shall definitely be looking out for more books by her, what a crazy, unpredictable ride this was, so enjoyable!

Emily is extremely good at her job as an Embryologist, so much so that she is employed at one of the most successful fertility clinics in the country. However, she has sacrificed a lot to get where she is in her career, one huge sacrifice was breaking up with her college boyfriend, Ben, so she could move countries to be a graduate intern for Sir Robert Edward, a world renown embryo fertility specialist. She now feels this was a huge mistake as she is still alone, and she is very aware of her own biological clock ticking. She has also battled breast cancer in her late twenties and, as a result, had to freeze her eggs to preserve her dream of someday becoming a mother herself. Without warning Ben shows up at her clinic with his wife, Ally, after moving into the area. Ally and Ben have been trying to start a family without success after Ally has suffered 4 miscarriages and they both are just desperate for a healthy pregnancy to make them a little family, and so decide to begin IVF. This suddenly makes Emily want to start her own IVF treatment as quickly as possible as, as petty as it sounds, she wants to be pregnant before Ally is. Thus, the two women both begin IVF treatment to become mothers, Ally with Ben and Emily going through it alone albeit with a sperm donor. Will both Ally and Ben and Emily manage to achieve their dreams of starting a family or will one or both be left with negative pregnancy test results and their dreams in shatters?! Or will the conflict of interest cause problems for both patients?!

Well, this was a fun, albeit pretty messed up, story that definitely kept me intrigued! I was hooked very early on in the story and actually found the story very informative considering that my husband and I are due to start on a fertility journey of our own soon. I will just add that I am fully aware that this was fiction and not necessarily 100% clinically correct (as per the authors note at the end) but I still found it interesting and helpful for what we shall be shortly going through especially the embryology side of things. I didn’t really warm to any of the main characters, but this didn’t detract from my enjoyment of the story at all. There were secrets and lies everywhere and I had no idea how the story would end however I did like the ending, even though it was a little chilling.

Ultimately a good read from Cara Reinard and I shall be looking out for her books in the future, I already have another one of her books on my TBR list. I would definitely recommend this for any fans of psychological thrillers. A well deserved 4 star rating.

Thank you to NetGalley, Cara Reinard and Bookouture for my advanced reading copy. Out 8th November 2024.

3.5 stars

Thank you so much to NetGalley, Cara Reinard, and the publishers at Bookouture for this ARC 💖

This story was chaotic, but in a good way. It was easy to read, but a lot of the background story seemed far fetched. Still, it was entertaining.

I liked Emily’s background in genetics and her being an embryologist was pretty interesting. Her past relationship with Ben and her intrusive thoughts about him were a little annoying. I did like the introduction of Jasper, but wanted more in terms of his relationship with Emily.

Then there’s Ally and her getting caught up in her fantasies of Sebastian. I get things were difficult with Ben, and she hated living in Pittsburgh, but was that really enough reason? I feel like I was missing the resolution between her and Ben when she returned back home. But we pretty much know that she made a pact with Emily that Ben would never find out about Sebastian, and that no one would know about Emily’s affair with a married man.

The story didn’t pick up until about 70ish percent in. That’s when most of the action started happening. I was invested when Ally went missing. Was in a constant state of, “was it Ben and foul play?” or “did she finally make it to Sebastian and live happily ever after?”

The story resolved pretty quickly, but only left me with more questions once we got to the ending with Emily and her mom. Almost made me think that she had done something like this in the past. But what??

Overall, I would say that if you like psychological thrillers similar to Frieda McFadden, definitely give this one a shot. It didn’t have as many plot twists as I was expecting, and it felt like there were some gaps here and there, but otherwise still an entertaining read!

This read was such an adrenaline rush all the way through, I read it very quickly as it had me completely hooked!

This book has so many twists and turns and moments where I caught myself saying “What is she thinking.?” “Why would someone do that?” The book goes back and forth between 2 POV eternally Ally and Emily and I have to say calling the book the clinic is fitting g for a couple reasons s with the fertility clinic aspect but also the amount of mental health issues between characters and the what I feel was a psychotic break down that happens. The ending was abrupt and to me could have been done differently unless the author is planning on continuing the story with these characters. Still a great page turner and would recommend it to my thriller reader friends. #NetGalley #TheClinic #CaraReinard

The clinic by Cara Reinhard

Emily is an embryologist who has been career driven and not thought about children becoming a part of her busy life until her ex Ben steps into her office for IVF treatment with his new wife Ally. As the ticking biological clock starts to bug Emily her plans excellerate as well. With no potential spouse in her view she rushes to process treatment on herself as well.

As a shocking turn of events weighs in on Emily to make a choice with her frozen eggs and Allys desperate situation. This story takes a shocking toll and thrills from the first page. I enjoyed this book and couldn’t stop reading till the very end! What a crazy ride!

Thank you NetGalley and Bookoture for this great ARC!

My thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read ‘The Clinic’ written by Cara Reinard in exchange for my honest and unbiased review.

Emily is an embryologist working in the laboratory of a renowned fertility clinic caring for the embryos before implantation. After experiencing four miscarriages Ally and her husband Ben come into the clinic for treatment and Emily recognises him as her ex-boyfriend who she abandoned ten years ago. It’s now the responsibility of Emily to help them achieve the baby Ben has always wanted.

Although ‘The Clinic’ started off slowly I had a feeling that it could build up to be an exciting psychological thriller and I was right. I liked the characters and the way they were described, especially Emily who rightly or wrongly made some crazy decisions but stood by them. I guessed early on there were going to be some gripping twists and turns but it wasn’t until towards the latter part of the book that they materialised and the conclusion had me open-mouthed in surprise. This has been an excellent thriller that I’ve enjoyed reading, but I’d love there to be a sequel so I can find out what happened next.

Gripping, I couldn't put it down. The twists made me dizzy!
One doctor. One patient. One terrible lie.
I used to have it all. My ex-boyfriend and I were madly in love and dreamed of starting a family. When I found out I couldn’t have children, it broke me. Now, at my job at the fertility clinic, I give other couples what I could never have.
The day my ex and his new wife walk into my clinic, my heart shatters all over again. He’s back. Now, I stand here with a syringe trembling in my hand and an impossible decision to make:
Do I help them conceive a child—even though I know he’s keeping a dangerous secret?
Or do I protect his wife—my patient, now—and take what’s rightfully mine?
Motherhood is a gift. I want a baby so bad it hurts. My ex knows the dark secrets that haunt my own past too… but has he underestimated how far I’ll go to get the child I’ve always dreamed of?
Only one thing is for certain. If anyone discovers what I’m about to do, it will tear us all apart…
Thanks for NetGalley for the ARC.

This story was filled with surprises. I really enjoyed the premise of the story, I felt the author did a great job keeping me engaged and on the edge of my seat. I'd recommend this to all thriller fans who like a good ending.