Many thanks to NetGalley, Random House and Joanne Ramos for the opportunity to read and review this thought-provoking debut novel - 4.5 stars!
Golden Oaks is a facility in beautiful Upstate New York, where wealthy clients who cannot become or don't want to be pregnant can outsource that to mostly immigrant women who are paid to put their lives on hold and become surrogates. The book mostly follows Jane, an immigrant from the Philippines, is separated from her husband and trying to take care of her baby, Amalia. When her elderly cousin suggests that she apply to Golden Oaks to become a Host and she will watch the baby, Jane feels it is the best option for her daughter. She will make a lot of money for their future and Amalia will be well taken care of.
Golden Oaks requires you to submit to being totally controlled - everything is secret, the Hosts' every move is scheduled and monitored, the Clients are mostly kept secret - but the monetary rewards can be great for those who follow the rules.
This is definitely a story of race, class and motherhood. Would be a great bookclub selection - highly recommended!
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