Author: Rea Frey
Series: Stand Alone
Genre: Women's Fiction
Published By: St. Martin's Griffin (August 21, 2018)
Source: ARC Provided by the Publisher (in exchange for an honest review)
My Rating: 4 Stars!
Book Description:
Emma Grace Townsend. Five years old. Gray eyes. Brown hair. Missing since June.
Emma Townsend is lonely. Living with her cruel mother and clueless father, Emma retreats into her own world of quiet and solitude.
Sarah Walker. Successful entrepreneur. Broken-hearted. Abandoned by her mother. Kidnapper.
Sarah has never seen a girl so precious as the gray-eyed child in a crowded airport terminal—and when a second-chance encounter with Emma presents itself, Sarah takes her, far away from home. But if it’s to rescue a little girl from her damaging mother, is kidnapping wrong?
Amy Townsend. Unhappy wife. Unfit mother. Unsure she wants her daughter back.
Amy’s life is a string of disappointments, but her biggest issue is her inability to connect with her daughter. And now she’s gone without a trace.
As Sarah and Emma avoid the nationwide hunt, they form an unshakeable bond. But her real mother is at home, waiting for her to return—and the longer the search for Emma continues, Amy is forced to question if she really wants her back.
Emotionally powerful and wire-taut, Not Her Daughter raises the question of what it means to be a mother—and how far someone will go to keep a child safe.
About the Author:
Rea Frey is the author of four nonfiction books. Her debut novel, NOT HER DAUGHTER, will be released by St. Martin’s Press August 21, 2018.
When she’s not exercising, mothering, adulting, wifing, eating, or writing about herself in the third person, you can find her hard at work on her next book and ghostwriting for other people.
Not Her Daughter is one of those stories that is both remarkable and unforgettable while at the same time being completely heartbreaking and questionable.
The events that transpire are both horrifying and yet weirdly understandable as we get to peek inside the head of one woman who does something truly horrific but for a good cause. Coming from a woman that has children of her own, it is so very hard to put into word how I feel about it all.
Was it kindness or selfishness?
Was it one woman's struggle with her past heartbreak and loneliness or was it one woman's need to help and rescue a little girl that needed it most?
Not Her Daughter is an emotionally charged story that will not only have you siding with Sarah and what she did but also, weirdly enough, have you feeling for Emma's mother Amy as well.
Told in dual POVs of both Sarah and Amy and both from the past and present, Not Her Daughter is one story you can't help but be captivated by as you journey through both their pasts, heartaches and disappointments, all while rooting for what is best for Emma along the way.
Truly a stunning novel that will take your breath away and take you by surprise.
*All thoughts and opinions are my own and were not influenced by the author or publisher. I was not compensated for this review.*
Wow, this sounds really thought-provoking. It sounds like the author does a good job at making you understand both sides. I might recommend this to my mom because she likes books like these.
ReplyDeleteIt really was Nick, definitely more than I thought it would.
DeleteI think this sounds really good and I wonder how I will feel about it and who I would side with. Great review!
ReplyDeleteIt does make you sway one way for sure, which was surprising. ;)
DeleteThere's this TV show I love and one of the characters had been kidnapped and raised by someone else, but the woman who did it was under the assumption that the real family were neglectful and abusive...so it was hard to fault her for wanting to "save" the girl. This sounds like an equally thought-provoking book!
ReplyDelete-Lauren
www.shootingstarsmag.net
Yes definitely! And now I need to watch that show. ;)
DeleteOh wow this would be tough and I have a feeling I'd want poor Emma to stay with Sarah, a woman who actually wants her! I'm a mom too and I can't imagine having my child kidnapped and wondering if I want her back! This would be a thought provoking read. Wonderful review! :)
ReplyDeleteI know! It really was conflicting.
DeleteHoly Cow this looks fab!
ReplyDeleteYou would love this Debbie!
DeleteThis sounds like a really good story. I haven't read this author but this sounds so good.
ReplyDeleteIt really was so intriguing!
Deleteit looks like an intriguing one
ReplyDeleteIt definitely was!
DeleteI read another review that didn't favor this, but you've got me completely rethinking it.
ReplyDeleteIt was different and does make you think but I can see why not everyone would love it.
DeleteThis sounds like a thought provoking novel indeed. I am curious how I would feel about it.
ReplyDeleteI actually thought of you for some reason while I was reading this Heidi! I think because this is normally more your type of read than it is mine so I was wondering what you would feel about it as well LOL!
DeleteI've heard mixed things about this one but I'm you have me wanting to read it!
ReplyDeleteSimply Angela
Glad you are interested in it. ;)
DeleteI came across another review of this title, which was not on the favorable side. However, I must admit I was intrigued by the concept.
ReplyDeleteYeah it definitely brings out mixed emotions I think.
DeleteWow that's a pretty compelling premise! I'm wondering now how I'd feel about that choice and all the consequences it would bring. Sounds like a gripping read. And intense!
ReplyDeleteIt was definitely both at times.
DeleteThat is quite the dilemma and sounds like it was an emotional one with no easy answer.
ReplyDeleteThat sums it up well actually LOL!
DeleteI just added this one to my TBR earlier today! As a parent, I think this is going to be hard book to read. On one hand, I can understand someone wanting to save a child, but she also needs to go about it in a way that doesn't involve kidnapping. What kind of life will Sarah have now? She also couldn't leave the child in an unsafe situation, but... ugh. I'm already conflicted and I haven't even read the book. I'm also curious what the mother's story will be. I'm sure she has her reasons, even if they don't excuse how she has treated her child.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing your thoughts!
https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/71661186-lindsi-do-you-dog-ear
It really was hard and I can't wait to see what you think about it!
DeleteOh, I bet this *is* good. I've thought about scenarios like this when I've seen real life situations where a kid gets older a finds out they were kidnapped but still loves that parent. Crazy.
ReplyDeleteThat would be so crazy, I couldn't even imagine.
DeleteThis is definitely a thought provoking story! Very emotional I bet. What does it really mean to be a mother and all the shades in between. Glad you enjoyed this Ali!
ReplyDeleteYes that is exactly what it was like Kim, way more emotional than I thought it would be on so many levels.
DeleteThis sounds really complex and an emotional story. Kidnapping stories do not interest me, but I will pass the recommendation along to others who might find this intriguing.
ReplyDeleteThey normally don't me either but it was nice reading something I don't normally.
DeleteSounds like she did a wonderful job with it. Ack that cover...it gives me the willies. lol
ReplyDeleteLOL!
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