Claiming Noah

By Amanda Ortlepp

Book Overview

This riveting debut novel of psychological suspense explores the dilemmas that arise when motherhood and science collide. Catriona Sinclair has always had a well-developed sense of independence--in fact the one sore point in her otherwise happy marriage is her husband James's desire to take care of her. As she's often tried to explain to him, she took care of herself before she met him, and did a good job of it. But James has been especially attentive lately as they struggle to have a baby. They succeed at last through in vitro fertilization, but unwilling to risk the heartbreak of another miscarriage, they decide to make their "spare" frozen embryo available to another family. Diana and Liam Simmons are desperate for a child. Unable to conceive, they are overjoyed to learn that as the closest genetic match to the Sinclairs they are the recipients of the embryo donation. Diana's only concern is her mother's disapproval of IVF, but any doubts raised are quickly eclipsed by Diana's joy of being pregnant. As Diana is finding delight in every aspect of motherhood, Catriona keeps waiting for the rush of adoration she knows she is supposed to feel, but instead slips into a deep depression. Just as Catriona begins to find her way back to normalcy, one of the babies is kidnapped. Suddenly, all of their lives begin to unravel and intertwine, and none of them will ever be the same.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1455565989
• ISBN13: 9781455565986
• Release Date: July 2016
• Publisher: Center Street
• Length: 384 Pages
• Weight: 1.40 lbs.
• Dimensions: 9.4" x 1.3" x 6.5"

Customer Reviews

Emotionally charged story about infertility, IVF, donor embryos, and postpartum depression.

Claiming Noah 4 ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Claiming Noah is an Emotionally charged story about infertility, IVF, donor embryos, and postpartum depression. There are high points and some very low points (makes you cry). The story is told from the viewpoint of the two women: Catriona and Diana. We get to see how each person reacts to pregnancy and raising children (and how it affects their husbands and marriage). The story has good writing (for the most part), but it could use a little editing (and reworking). This author’s writing is very descriptive. She likes to describe the trees, furnishing, clothes in great detail. It was interesting to find out about embryo donation and how it is handled. Amanda Ortlepp shows what happens when an embryo donation goes wrong. It is an emotionally charged issue that presents legal and emotional complications. We get to see how it affects the two families. I did find that some of the novel was predictable, but I did enjoy the overall story. I give Claiming Noah 4 out of 5 stars (I liked it).This is a complex story of heartbreak, tragedy and love between two couples and their children. Catriona has decided that she and her husband James should have the child that James has desperately wanted. She becomes pregnant after IVF , using the embryo they have saved. Having one more embryo stored, , they agree to give it up to be adopted by another couple who wants a family. Catriona has agreed to have one child only. Diana and Liam gratefully after trying to have a baby, begin IVF and this embryo is implanted with a positive result. The couples deliver one month apart. Diana and Liam are thrilled to have a son. They have waited a long time. Catriona cannot bond with her little boy and begins to have delusions, paranoia and thoughts that almost result in a terrible tragedy. She is hospitalized in a psychiatric facility for 3 weeks and undergoes electric shock, intense psychiatric therapy and medication to help her to overcome this debilitating illness. While in the hospital, her husband James is caring for his son and truly loving this baby and praying that his wife can come to be a mother for her son and they can be a happy family once more. James will do anything to have a family. As the characters progress on, the shock and sadness that takes place, and the newborns is devastating. This is Amanda Ortlepp’s debut novel, and I look forward to reading her next book.