Thank you Macmillan Audio for the ALC and Farrar, Straus & Giroux, #partner for the advanced e-copy of Fallow in exchange for my honest review.
Publisher: Farrar, Straus & Giroux / Macmillan Audio
Published: September 15, 2026
Summary:
Slyly funny and disarmingly tender, Fallow is the story of a young woman who signs up to be the world’s first in-house corporate surrogate, then finds herself caught up in a social experiment of another kind.
Natalie knows one truth: There is no such thing as a good job.
As the clock ticks away at the workplace harassment call center, she tries to ignore the increasing pain in her jaw. She has no dental insurance. She has no skills or ambitions. She has student loans. And, minute by minute, she hears the many ways workers are not just not getting by, but actually getting hustled.
Then, at the blood bank where she sells her plasma, a mysterious flyer leads her to The Company. Natalie turns out to be the perfect candidate for their pilot in-house surrogate. The Company pitches it as an opportunity to help women access greater gender equity, motherhood without maternity leave. Finally, she will be adequately—generously—compensated.
For years, her every need is stacks of healthy meals in the refrigerator of a luxury condo, fitness coaches and nutritionists, around-the-clock healthcare. Between deliveries, she takes time off—no obligations or expectations. For the first time in her life, she is good at her job; for the first time, she feels free.
But just as she’s about to fulfill the terms of her contract, a staffing decision upends everything and drags her deep into another social experiment. There she meets new questions about her future, her freedom, her purpose, and what she can expect from the world.
My thoughts:
This was such a wild ride…definitely some weird girl lit here and I loved it!! This was definitely the case where the cover grabbed my attention, but the synopsis sealed the deal. I couldn’t resist reading this and the fact that it’s a debut is unreal…as I’ve said many times this year, the debut game is strong!!
I love a book that makes me think and this one definitely does that. And while it wasn’t always in a positive light — the ideas presented here are at times a bit scary, it still gives so much food for thought. And then there’s Natalie. She is such a great protagonist. Her naivety is real and her longing to be more financially secure is so relatable.
I read this back in September–yes, I’m just a bit behind on reviews–and I’m still thinking about this. It’s one of those books that just stays with you and I love it. It definitely would make a great book club pick as there is so much to unpack and discuss!
Audio thoughts:
Natalie Naudus nails the narration with this book. She effortlessly gives each character their own voice, changing tone, inflection and infusing just the right emotion when needed. It was a great listen!!
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