I just finished reading 'He Gets That From Me' a little while ago, and it left such a strong impression on me. The story revolves around a blended family formed through surrogacy, focusing on the emotional and legal complexities that arise when the biological father, Donovan, seeks custody of the child he fathered for a same-sex couple, Chip and Zac. The novel does a fantastic job of exploring themes of parenthood, identity, and what truly makes a family. It’s one of those books that makes you think long after you’ve turned the last page.
What really struck me was how the author, Jacqueline Friedland, handled the moral gray areas. Donovan initially agreed to be a sperm donor but later changes his mind, leading to a custody battle that forces everyone to question their definitions of love and responsibility. The emotional tension is palpable, especially through the perspectives of the surrogate mother, Maggie, and the couple who raised the child. The way Friedland weaves their voices together creates this raw, layered narrative that feels incredibly real. I found myself torn between sympathizing with Donovan’s sudden paternal instincts and rooting for Chip and Zac, who’ve been the child’s loving parents all along. It’s messy, heartbreaking, and so damn human—definitely a book that lingers.
2025-11-13 23:34:02
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It all started when my fiancée's adoptive brother, Afton Jackson, claimed I had used a dirty scalpel in his private parts enlargement surgery, and that had given him Syphilis.
My fiancée, Mia Jackson, flew into a rage. She stomped on the hand I had used to perform surgery. Then, she stripped me naked, forced me into humiliating poses, and put me up for auction on the black market for free.
[Second-hand. Free.]
Her best friend tried to talk her out of it. "You and Ryan Hathaway are about to get married. Are you really going to destroy him like this?"
Mia's voice was calm. "He operated on Afton so recklessly and made Afton break down after catching that disease. Afton almost jumped off a building, yet he still refuses to admit what he did. He doesn't deserve to be a doctor. I'm only trying to scare him. It's not like I'm really going to give him away and let him catch some filthy disease too."
I stood in the doorway, my face pale. When our eyes met, she spoke as if every word were justified. "You made a mistake, so you deserve to suffer for just a little while. As long as you cure Afton and then apologize to him, you'll still be the fiancé I love most."
I silently held back my tears and reposted the auction link to my feed.
It was claimed in seconds with a single comment.
[I'll take him.]
But Mia's face darkened as she threw the wine glass to the floor.
Myra Darius has spent her whole life being the girl who almost belonged.
Growing up on the Blancham estate as the daughter of the household staff, she knew exactly how close she could get to their world without ever really being part of it. She learned early which doors to avoid, which secrets to keep, and who she was never supposed to fall for.
She broke that last rule, and so did Danny Blancham.
What they had was real, quiet, and deep, and completely forbidden, the kind of love that doesn't care about class lines or family names. Then someone split them apart, not by accident or some big fight, but by careful, quiet manipulation that neither of them understood until it was already done.
Now Danny's home, and within a day, every wall Myra spent eleven months building starts to crack the moment he walks back through the gate.
This is a second-chance romance, but it doesn't stay simple for long. Because what Myra and Danny are fighting to get back to each other turns out to be only half the story. The Blancham family has been hiding something for twenty years, something that goes all the way back to before Danny knew what questions to ask and before Myra knew she should be looking.
Her father wasn’t just absent; someone erased him. And the person both of them trusted most, the warm, steady presence who seemed to be on their side the entire time, is the one who buried him.
Everything He Owed Her is a steamy, fast-paced forbidden romance with a hidden heiress and a villain twist that reframes everything. Myra isn't just fighting for Danny. She's fighting for her own name, and what she finds out she's owed is bigger than either of them expected.
On the same day I was admitted into the hospital for my pregnancy, my husband, Charles Page, received 108 missed calls on his phone. It was from Sue, his mentee, a girl who had cancer.
I asked if he was going to pick up, and he replied impatiently, "All she does is call me all day! Doesn't she have any other family? She's so annoying."
Later, that very girl posted a photo of herself on the hospital rooftop, wearing a white dress.
The caption said: [If I jump down from here, will I become a butterfly in my next life? Maybe then, everyone won't hate me.]
Charles only glanced at the post before chuckling mockingly. "What does she mean, turn into a butterfly? Is she delusional?"
But after that, he grew visibly restless, before rushing out and not returning all night.
That night, I hemorrhaged and was taken into emergency care.
When the nurse asked if I wanted to keep the baby, I looked at the empty space beside me and answered calmly.
"No, I don't."
In the third year of my marriage, I endure a full day of painful labor to give birth to my first child. However, my husband steals the baby to give to his true love.
I try my damnedest to stop him, but all I get is a barrage of insults. "It's just a baby! I'm the one who planted the seed, so I get to decide who gets the fruit!"
I'm overwhelmed by grief as I watch my husband leave. However, he shares a happy post on his social media. "Mother and daughter are safe."
His true love comments, "Thank you for giving me a child, Jaspie. I'll be the happiest woman in the world with you two by my side."
Clueless friends bless them and wish them well. I silently comment, "Give me back my child."
All I get is another round of insults. Then, I'm blocked.
I don't want to endure this anymore. I hire a lawyer to draft divorce papers before making a police report. "Officer, I want to report my husband for child trafficking."
In a world of limited luxury, Olivia's life is forever changed when she is forced into a contract marriage with Alexander, a Mafia boss with a dark past.
But Olivia is already in love with Ryan, her medical doctor boyfriend, and she is determined to get out of the arranged marriage.
As she tries to navigate her way out of being Alexander's wife, she finds herself drawn to his commanding presence and intense passion, even as she struggles to remain faithful to Ryan.
But as the love triangle ignites, Olivia learns about dirty and dark secrets which changes her love life forever.
On the week before Valentine's Day, I want to buy my husband, Grayson Strickland, who works as a university professor, an electronic toothbrush as a gift. That's when I see a review with over ten thousand likes on a particular online store.
"I recommend buying from this store! This store's electronic toothbrush is super durable! I've never had to charge this toothbrush for half a year!"
Three days later, an additional response is made to that comment.
"I'm sorry for misleading everyone. It turns out that my husband has been charging this toothbrush this whole time. It's my fault for being such a doofus! I even pestered him for a long time before I finally found out that he has done a lot for me!
"I never have to add toilet rolls to the bathroom. All I thought is that the same toilet roll is extremely thick. The membership that I have on the TV app is often paid for and extended, and yet I thought there was a bug in the app software somehow. Some time ago, the peeling dry skin on my lips miraculously healed. It turns out he was the one who kept applying lip balm onto my lip at night.
"He's a university professor, you see. In the past, I often blamed him for not knowing what being romantic was like. But now, I finally realize that those who love you will have a way of showing you how it's done."
The rest of the comment section is filled with wailing complaints. They all complain that Valentine's Day isn't even here, and yet they are already sick of the lovey-dovey atmosphere.
Amid the Internet users' constant requests, the poster finally uploads the handsome side profile of her husband.
Feeling rather envious, I tap on the photo, only for my smile to freeze on my face. That photo actually features Grayson!
As I stare at my mother-in-law, who has been paralyzed in bed for the past six years, I recall the fact that Grayson lives on the university campus all around the year. That's when uneasiness begins plaguing me.
As expected, when I bring my marriage certificate to the County Clerk’s office and ask about it, the clerk points at the stamp and says, "Your marriage certificate is fake. Mr. Grayson Strickland's spouse is another woman named Callista Whitman."
My fingers go slack subconsciously, causing the fake marriage certificate to fall to the floor.
A chuckle of despair escapes my lips. Everyone knows that Callista is Grayson's student. She's his most prized student as well as the person who knows him the best.
As for me… I'm just a free caretaker whom he has "hired".
The ending of 'He Gets That From Me' is one of those bittersweet moments that lingers in your mind long after you close the book. Without giving too much away, the story wraps up with a heartfelt confrontation between the main characters, where years of unspoken emotions finally come to the surface. The protagonist, who’s spent the entire novel grappling with identity and family ties, makes a decision that feels both surprising and inevitable. It’s not a neatly tied bow—more like a messy, real-life resolution where some wounds heal while others are just beginning to scab over. The author leaves just enough ambiguity to make you wonder about the characters’ futures, which I love because it feels true to life.
What really struck me was how the ending mirrors the book’s central theme: the idea that family isn’t always about blood. There’s a quiet scene near the end where two characters share a moment of understanding, and it’s so understated yet powerful. The writing style shifts to something almost lyrical in those final pages, like the author wanted to slow down time. I found myself rereading that section twice, just to soak in the atmosphere. It’s not a 'happily ever after,' but it’s hopeful in a way that feels earned after everything the characters endure.
The novel 'He Gets That From Me' revolves around a deeply emotional and modern family dynamic, with three central characters who each bring something unique to the story. First, there's Donovan, a single father who's devoted to his son but struggles with the complexities of co-parenting after his partner leaves. His journey is raw and relatable—fighting to balance love, responsibility, and his own insecurities. Then there's Chip, the biological father who reenters their lives unexpectedly, stirring up old tensions and new questions about what family really means. His charm and flaws make him a fascinating counterpoint to Donovan. Lastly, Donovan's son, Fisher, is the heart of the story—a bright, observant kid caught between these two father figures, trying to make sense of where he belongs.
What really struck me about this book is how it doesn’t paint anyone as purely good or bad. Donovan’s protectiveness clashes with Chip’s free-spirited approach, but both clearly love Fisher in their own ways. The author does a fantastic job of showing how messy and beautiful blended families can be, especially through Fisher’s innocent yet perceptive voice. It’s one of those stories that lingers because it feels so real—no easy answers, just people trying their best. I finished it with this warm, bittersweet ache, like I’d lived alongside them for a while.