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*spoiler alert*

What if your child belonged to someone else?

When Claiming Noah arrived in the mail, I felt a little obligated to read it. I looked at the cover, turned to read the back cover blurb and my first reaction was ‘Do I really want to read about a custody courtroom drama?’

The pages inside were not what I thought at all. The first quarter of the book was riveting, confronting and suspenseful and at one point I could barely read the next paragraph for fear of what would happen next. The topics of post-natal depression and embryo donation are openly discussed through the voices of the characters and I certainly found myself forming my own opinions. The plot developed quickly and grew with the help detailed supporting characters who added colour and suspicion to a strong, clever and well paced storyline.

Right up until the end, I was completely enthralled by the story of the two women who wanted to claim baby Noah and believed with all their hearts that he was theirs, but I felt the heartbeat of this book faded a little in the last few chapters. Catriona, who was complex, severely flawed but headstrong at the start seemed to weaken and Diana, her competitor and enemy was far too nice and forgiving (no-one is that perfect, are they?). For me it all wrapped up a little too neatly at the end and this gritty, insightful read would have left me with a lingering book hangover had it have stayed true to the characters. However, I am a bit of a Grinch when it comes to melodrama!

Amanda Ortlepp has chosen a polarising topic, dealt with in an interesting, insightful way and it will leave the reader with many moral and ethical questions surrounding fertility options.  I never thought I cared about embryo donation until I read Claiming Noah. The biblical story of King Solomon, brought bang up to date in Western Sydney.

If you love a bit of suspense, this should be on your TBR pile.

3.5 Stars from me
More About The Book

Catriona and James are desperate for children, and embark on an IVF program. After a gruelling round of treatments, Catriona finally falls pregnant, and they donate their remaining embryo anonymously.

Diana and Liam are on a waiting list to receive an embryo. Sooner than expected, they are thrilled to discover one is available.

After a difficult pregnancy, Catriona gives birth to Sebastian. But severe postnatal depression affects her badly, and quickly turns into deadly psychosis. For her protection and her baby’s, she’s admitted into psychiatric care. When she comes home, she again struggles to bond with her baby, but gradually life finds its own rhythm.

Meanwhile, Diana has given birth to a beautiful little boy, Noah.
But when he is two months old Noah is abducted … and Diana and Liam’s nightmare begins.

Where is Noah?

This gripping, emotional thriller binds together the stories of Catriona and Diana and will leave you on the edge of your seat.

What if your child belonged to someone else?

Buy Claiming Noah Here

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