Let Her Go by Dawn Barker

Reviewed by Jody Allen

This book hit me quite hard. It’s about a woman, Zoe, who has lupus and, despite trying, has found herself infertile due to early menopause. Her step-sister Nadia, mother of three, decides to become a surrogate using her own eggs and Zoe’s husband’s sperm. They sort out the legalities and after three years, Nadia becomes pregnant. But after giving birth to baby Louise, Nadia experiences the natural maternal instincts towards the child and doesn’t want to let her go.

Let Her Go is the battle between sisters and families and the tremendous bond between parents and their children, regardless of biology.

Being someone that has had lupus and went through infertility treatment myself, I really felt for Zoe, the woman that wanted children so badly. But what really opened my eyes, and surprised me, was what the surrogate mother, Nadia felt. She bore the child, her biological child, and experienced the never ending pull towards Louise, the little girl both families loved and wanted.

Would I Recommend It?

It is a sad book, because there can never really be a happy ending to a story where the characters are struggling to find a solution when there really isn’t one. I think it is the perfect book for women with infertility or those interested in surrogacy. It also made me appreciate all the work we as parents do to bring our children into the world. It was a gripping read, and although it left me with my ovaries hurting, I highly recommend it.

Jody’s Rating

3.5/5

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