The Centre by Debbie Porteous blogtour

In a world where marriage and monogamy no longer exist, having a child requires a contract between both parents. But if men refuse to consent, women must raise their children in a centre. Considered the pride of Britain and the bedrock of the welfare state, they’re an essential lifeline to single mothers everywhere.
Or are they?
Lily was raised in a centre and there’s no way she’s going back. So when she falls unexpectedly pregnant and a contract is looking unlikely, she has to find a way to escape.
John, head of social services, the pregnancy units and RADAR police forces, is a powerful man to have working against you. And he’ll stop at nothing to ensure Lily is sent back to the very place she’ll do anything to avoid.

About the Author

Debbie Porteous Bio – Author of The Centre
I was born in Liverpool in 1963 but immigrated to South Africa as a toddler. I spent my
childhood enjoying the sunshine, the sandy beaches and the safari holidays but, as
everyone knows, it was a troubled nation and my mother brought us back to the UK when
I was in my teens. We settled on the Isle of Wight until I went to college to study English
and Media and, after graduation, I moved to London.
My career has meandered along many paths; organising exhibitions, advertising and
marketing, owning a couple of nursery schools, running a country pub, working in a
performing arts school and for the National Trust.
Along the way I got married, had two sons, got divorced, eventually met my current
partner, who is French, and moved to France with him. We built a house in the Tarn
region among the vineyards, where we thoroughly enjoy the Gaillac wine.
All the while however I have been writing. I started after my divorce and I became
addicted, immersing myself in it by joining writers groups, attending conferences and
doing everything I could, to try and learn. I began writing chick-lit, as they were the kind
of novels I enjoyed at the time. None were published but I persevered, slowly moving
more towards speculative and dystopian fiction. I love stories that show the world in a
different light, or play with the idea that everything we take for granted could have been
completely different if mankind, or society, had just taken a slightly different path.

My thoughts

Another debut novel which I am always excited about since it allows me to feel connected from the beginning. The premise of this story is interesting but also scary.

This is very much a dystopian outlook type book and it’s one of the genres I love but have difficulty finding one that brings something new and exciting to the table.


You have to feel and for the women with they way this society has become a haven for cheaters. I know that this isn’t exactly the truth as they have it set up that monogamy is a thing of an ancient past. You just feel bad for those women who don’t want to have multiple partners or to share their partners with other women. It feels like a society that is misogynistic at its very core.

The book is very good and the characters feel that they have been designed well. I like the female leads most as they are very personable just hate what they are going through.

While I think the premise of what they are doing to help people may have worked if this wasn’t done to the extreme. They have taken a helping approach and made it so that it was forced and that you weren’t capable of raising a child or making your own desicions without government aid.

I find the premise of this book shocking at times since it has a tinge of what could easily happen in some areas of the world. However the best thing is the story is very strong and you can’t help feel for those people involved.

Will definitely keep my eye out for more books from this author in the future.