A House for Happy Mothers

A House for Happy Mothers: a novel by Amulya Malladi. Lake Union Publishing, 2016. 391 pages. ***
Priya has everything going for her...a stable marriage, fulfilling career, a family who loves her, everything but what she really wants ---a baby. She becomes consumed by the thought of motherhood and convinces her husband to consider a surrogate. In an Indian village, Asha and her husband are struggling to provide for their two children, especially their gifted son. With money in short supply, there is no chance of him getting the education he deserves.  Asha reluctantly agrees to be a surrogate to earn extra money for her family and moves into the Happy Mothers House to finish out her pregnancy. Priya tries too hard and doesn't understand what Asha is feeling and experiencing as a pregnant woman who has to distance herself from the child growing inside her.

I am conflicted about this book, I enjoyed reading it, but it seemed somewhat disjointed. It will make an interesting companion read to Most Wanted by Lisa Scottoline. Both of the main characters are likable and their situations and station in life are vastly different, joined by the desire to make a better life for their families. The premise of the story is a good one and different from other plots, but I felt it lacked an emotional connection for me.

I received a copy for a review.

Amulya Malladi is the author of six novels, including The Mango Season and The Sound of Language. Her books have been translated into several languages. She has a bachelor's degree in engineering and a master's degree in journalism and works as a marketing executive for a global medtech company. She lives in Copenhagen with her husband and two children. She loves to connect with her readers on her Facebook page at www.facebook.com/amulyamalladi and on her website at www.amulyamalladi.com.

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