The Favorite Daughter by Kaira Rouda

☆☆☆☆☆
Kindle Edition, 368 pages
Expected publication: May 21st 2019 by HARLEQUIN - Graydon House
About the Book:
The perfect home. The perfect family. The perfect lie. Jane Harris lives in a sparkling home in an oceanfront gated community in Orange County. It’s a place that seems too beautiful to be touched by sadness. But exactly one year ago, Jane’s oldest daughter, Mary, died in a tragic accident and Jane has been grief-stricken ever since. Lost in a haze of anti-depressants, she’s barely even left the house. Now that’s all about to change. It’s time for Jane to reclaim her life and her family. Jane’s husband, David, has planned a memorial service for Mary and three days later, their youngest daughter, Betsy, graduates high school. Yet as Jane reemerges into the world, it’s clear her family has changed without her. Her husband has been working long days—and nights—at the office. Her daughter seems distant, even secretive. And her beloved Mary was always such a good girl—dutiful and loving. But does someone know more about Mary, and about her last day, than they’ve revealed? The bonds between mothers and daughters, and husbands and wives should never be broken. But you never know how far someone will go to keep a family together.

It’s so interesting how children can be so different. Same upbringing, same opportunity. Totally different manifestations.

I enjoyed my first book by this author, Best Day Ever. It seems to me Kaira Rouda is fast becoming the queen of the unreliable narrator. This book was so damn perfect it has everything, great writing, realistic characters, a non stop story line with plenty of twists and turns and a satisfying ending.

It's hard to write a review, sometimes, for something so mind-blowing and to keep the spoilers away because that my dear readers is what this book is all about. You have so many questions and when you go in not knowing, it keeps you going, riding on the edge of your seat just waiting, wondering and trying to figure it out. There are several characters whom all play a different role in the unraveling of this story.

It isn’t often that I find a book worthy of a five star review, but The Favorite Daughter was definitely one of them. The novel captivates from the first page to the last. The intense story made for a quick, enjoyable read. Yet, it was a well-developed, smart, suspenseful story.

Thank you NetGalley, HARLEQUIN - Graydon House and Kaira Rouda for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an impartial review; all opinions are my own.

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