The Favorite Daughter by Kaira Rouda isn’t out until May 2019 but I got a sneak peek and want to tell you to put this on your radar for next spring. I loved the author’s book Best Day Ever and had high hopes for this new one which did not disappoint!

I will post about it when it officially is out, but I want to share what it’s about- warning, this is a twisty, addictive read that you might consume in one sitting!

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…



I’m keeping my lips zipped regarding more info but if you love a psychological thriller, you will want to read this!

For those of you who are regular followers of my reviews, you know that although I don't judge a book by its cover, I definitely judge a book by its ending. There's something about investing time into reading a book only for the book to fall short at the end. This is one of those books that is the exception. The ending was not a big twist of anything but the journey to get to the end...WOW. Kaida Rouda does a fantastic job of building a completely unlikeable protagonist that can be compared to a trainwreck in this book. I just couldn't stop reading even though this woman was completely delusional and horrible! Jane Harris has two daughters and is married. Thing is, they all hate her. One day, Jane's oldest daughter, Mary, jumps off a cliff and dies. It is ruled a suicide but Jane thinks otherwise. She is given notes that tell her that her other daughter, Betsy, knows something about the death. Jane decides to investigate by asking her daughter and giving the notes to the police. Nothing comes of it and Jane becomes even more delusional. Jane goes through life thinking she is the cat's meow which we know because the book is written from her point-of-view. She thinks young guys are flirting with her all the time and that she has the one up over everyone around her. The joke's on her though. This crazy lady doesn't realize that her reality doesn't match up with anyone else's reality. A really fun read with a protagonist you can laugh at and feel sorry for at the same time.

Thank you to Netgalley, Kaida Rouda, and Harlequin for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Best Day Ever was one of my favorite mystery/thriller’s of 2017 and since then I’ve been eagerly anticipating more from Kaira Rouda!!! The wait is officially over and I don’t know how, but Ms. Rouda has topped herself with The Favorite Daughter— so stinking good!

I LOVE Kaira Rouda’s writing style! She is a master a writing twisted, narcissistic characters that completely captivate you from page one! I encourage everyone to go into The Favorite Daughter completely blind because the storyline is so well thought-out—you won’t want any spoilers! What I can tell you is that this book is chock-full of unexpected twists and turns! I recommend everyone read this 5 star novel! A 2019 favorite for sure!

Jane is an exceedingly needy, selfish, conniving 40-something brat. Her husband, David, is carrying on an affair with Kylie - from his workplace. Their daughter, Betsy, is a brat in her own right, as is their deceased daughter, Mary. (All in my opinion). I indeed loved the book but felt disdain for all of the characters - except maybe Josh (Betsy's ex-boyfriend).

No one likes Jane, including her own family. She is a pathetic, self-absorbed Hollywood wannabe. She also KNOWS that she is God's gift to mankind!!!

Early on, the reader finds out that the adopted Daughter - Mary - is (was) David's biological daughter with Elizabeth, a doctor in LA.

We see how Jane and David's life together begins and deteriorates. Also, the relationship of Jane and her daughters - very sad. Mary (the adopted daughter) died in an accident after her first year of college. Throughout the story we keep noting that Jane is trying to pin the "accident" on someone. She most likely would be happy to find out that Mary was murdered. Jane, a spiteful person, places homing devices on her husbands and Betsy's cars. She is more than overprotective, sly and so self-important that she believes it herself.

The climax is Betsy's graduation day from high school. This you absolutely do not want to miss!
What a read!!! We find out what has happened to David and his mistress, what REALLY happened to Mary and what is in store for Betsy. And of course... what becomes of Jane...

Well worth reading - HIGHLY recommend !!! Many thanks to both the Publisher and NetGalley for a smashing success!

Amazing! Now I know why Rouda had so many fans after her first book, her writing is superb and you really don't know whose telling the truth until she wants you to. Characters are amazingly developed, as well as a tense and chilling writing style. I thought it had some very good turns and is definitely one that will keep my brain spinning for a bit.
Will be using in daily challenges, highly recommending and reviewing, as well as just chatting about it in Chapter Chatter Pub!

I truly enjoy Kaira Rouda’s storytelling ability. I pushed through this book so quickly, and want more.

Mary tragically died a year ago, and her mother, Jane, hasn’t been able to move on - until now. She is ready to push past her grief and reclaim her life, her husband, and her other daughter, Betsy. Maybe not everyone is quite as ready to embrace Jane’s new look on life. Have things changed, or has Jane?

Just as twisty as Beat Day Ever, and with the same brand of intense crescendo, this book is absolutely worth picking up.

Thank you to the publisher, the author, and Netgalley for a chance to read this as an ARC!

It’s been a year since Jane’s daughter Mary died and it’s only now that she’s able to face the world, just in time for a memorial service for Mary and her younger daughter’s high school graduation. While Jane has been in virtual hibernation, life, and the rest of her family have carried on without her. They seem distant and secretive, even worse is the dawning knowledge that Jane didn’t know her daughter the way she thought she did. This is a mystery, but I most enjoyed the dynamics that take place in families with teens