Dear Thing

Claire and Ben want a baby but have been unable to conceive despite years of fertility treatments. Ben's best friend Romily, a single mother to a young daughter, offers to be their surrogate. The arrangement brings complex emotions and shifting dynamics between the three adults. Claire struggles with the reality of another woman carrying her husband's child, while Romily grapples with unexpected feelings that surface during the pregnancy. Through alternating perspectives, the novel explores themes of motherhood, friendship, and the different ways people create families. The story examines how past experiences and buried secrets can impact present relationships and choices. The narrative raises questions about what makes someone a mother and how people navigate the blurred lines between friendship, love, and obligation. It considers the emotional costs of pursuing parenthood and the ways both biological and chosen connections shape our lives.

Readers praise the emotional depth and realistic portrayal of infertility struggles in Dear Thing. Many reviewers connect personally with the characters' experiences of IVF, surrogacy, and relationship challenges. Readers highlight: - Complex, flawed characters who feel authentic - Balanced handling of sensitive topics - Exploration of both sides of surrogacy - Strong writing that avoids melodrama Common criticisms: - Some find Claire's character unlikeable - Romance elements feel predictable to some readers - Pacing drags in middle sections - A few readers wanted more resolution at the ending Ratings across platforms: Goodreads: 3.9/5 (6,800+ ratings) Amazon UK: 4.4/5 (1,200+ ratings) Amazon US: 4.3/5 (300+ ratings) "Handles the emotional complexities of infertility with care and nuance," notes one Goodreads reviewer. Another writes, "The alternating perspectives helped me understand each character's struggles, even when I disagreed with their choices."

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📖 Author Julie Cohen worked as a secondary school English teacher before becoming a full-time writer. 🎓 The book delves into the complex medical and emotional aspects of surrogacy in the UK, where commercial surrogacy arrangements are illegal. 💕 "Dear Thing" was selected for the Richard and Judy Book Club in 2014, significantly boosting its visibility and sales. ✍️ The author wrote several drafts of the novel from different character perspectives before settling on the final three-person narrative structure. 🌍 The story takes place in Oxford, England, where Julie Cohen herself lived while completing her graduate studies at the University of Reading.