This book was ok. Not very thrilling, kinda predictable, not a clear ending exactly.
It ends the drama/thriller part but doesn’t honestly give a conclusion.
The characters are decent and good plot, just has been done a lot.
Seemed like a lot of other books I’ve read.

I would definitely recommend for a quick read or beach read.

Thank you NetGalley for the copy.

4.25 stars! 💫 Huge thanks to Thomas & Mercer and NetGalley for the ARC! 💙 I had such a blast reading Not Our Daughter, and wow—what a rollercoaster from start to finish!

Tropes:
✧ On the run 🏃‍♂️
✧ Family first 👨‍👩‍👧
✧ Fugitives with a twist! 🔄
✧ Heart-pounding chase scenes 💥
✧ Forced to flee 🛣️
✧A parent's fierce protection 💪
✧ Wrongly accused 💔
✧ Hiding in plain sight 👀
✧ Running from the past ⏳

So, Cole and Lisa Shipley are just your average parents trying to live a peaceful life... except their past is WAY more complicated. After an intense, bloody warning, they take their daughter and go into hiding in a small Colorado town for 13 years. But secrets never stay hidden, and now the past is coming back to haunt them! The suspense? It’s REAL, y’all!

The action? Non-stop! 💥 I was on the edge of my seat the whole time, cheering for this family to make it out alive! From heart-racing chases to nail-biting moments, this book had me hooked. That said, I was hoping for a few more jaw-dropping twists—but it was a bit more straightforward than I expected. No big plot shocks, just tons of tension and adrenaline! 😅

What I really loved, though, was the emotional depth Chad Zunker brought to the characters. The family dynamics and relationships felt super real, and I was totally invested in their journey. That emotional pull made the suspense even more gripping! ❤️ BUT—honestly, I kinda wanted more at the end. I was left wondering what happened with the villains after the dust settled. A little more closure would’ve been chef's kiss! 👏

Content Warnings (CW): Violence, Murder, Kidnapping, Death, FBI involvement

If you're in the mood for a quick, action-packed thriller that'll keep you turning pages late into the night, Not Our Daughter is the one! It’s solid, just don’t expect any major plot twists. But trust me, you'll be glued to those pages, so don’t miss it when it drops in February 2025! 📅

I really wanted this to be a five star review. And honestly, the potential was there, but sometimes the characters just did the stupidest things ever, and that pulled me right out of the story and instead of wanting them to succeed, I wanted them to fail. And this goes for all of the characters.

To begin with, we have Cole and Lisa who have been on the run for the past 13 years with Jade, the baby they had been fostering shortly before her mother was killed. Despite providing the police with video evidence showing that someone else was at their house that night, the police believe that Cole murdered Jade's mother after their foster-to-adopt plan fell through. At first glance, these two appear to have everything together. They have several backup plans should they be found, and the money in which to start over again. However, right off the bat they make two very stupid mistakes. One, Cole shaves his head and beard so to look dramatically different, but leaves the clippings behind so that they are quickly found by the FBI agent heading up the case and he can immediately put the word out.

The second mistake they make is that they don't bother to tell their "daughter" the truth. That she isn't really their daughter, or that she might be in grave danger. So understandably, when they are found and realize that they have to move, Jade doesn't understand the urgency. Or the need for secrecy, which of course as any fourteen year old girl would do, she calls her boyfriend and tells him where they are just as soon as they have finally escaped town after telling her mother she just needs to use the restroom.

The funny thing about that, is later on Jade tells her mother the same exact thing, and she once again lets her daughter go off alone (because apparently she learned nothing from the first time, nor did she stop and think about the manhunt that was underway to find them). So of course, Jade sees the police's version of events, believes them and takes off. I mean perhaps in the grand scheme of things, it was a good thing she did what with a bumbling so-called hitman on their trail (seriously he tried to shoot Cole several times and missed each time, only grazing him once or twice) as well as the FBI agent who has had years to figure out this case and didn't.

Their trip to Austin was even more confusing. How was it that Cole was able to unearth secrets from that time period about Jade's birth mother that the police were unable to find? I get that he and his wife were the prime suspects as they went on the run with the baby immediately after, but surely the police still should have talked to the sister? Especially once they were given the footage of another man being at the house that night. It just made them look incompetent, a look that was only amplified by Cole coming back years later and essentially solving the crime for them.

However, this was a quick and entertaining read if not a little bit too predictable in a lot of ways. And while I felt the characters often made a variety of stupid mistakes, the story itself was well put together. I would give this author another chance.

DISCLAIMER: I received a complimentary copy of this novel from the publisher. This has not affected my review in any way. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are 100% my own.

Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC of this book. I had never read anything by this author before and was looking forward to reading this book, especially with the overwhelmingly positive reviews.

The story is about two parents who are in hiding with their daughter. They fostered her as an infant but were terrified when the baby's dying mother arrives on their doorstep and tells them they are in danger. The couples immediately leaves their privileged life and hides out, assuming false identities to protect their child.

They are eventually located and a chase ensues. The chase is a large portion of the book. It seemed like the author was telling the readers more about the characters than truly developing them throughout the story.

The book was interesting at times but did not hold my attention throughout. However, I did like the writing style of the author and look forward to reading his next book.

I really enjoyed this book! It’s my first book by Chad Zunker, and I loved his simple and gripping writing style. The story makes you think: how far would you go to protect your family?

Unlike many thrillers, I actually cared about the main characters. Cole and Lisa felt real—parents doing whatever it takes to keep their child safe. Their struggles and choices made sense, and I could see myself making the same decisions in their place.

Jade, their teenage daughter, was a pleasant surprise. In most stories, teenagers are rebellious and difficult. While Jade does question why her parents suddenly tell her to pack up and leave, she trusts them and goes along. Even when she breaks a rule, she feels bad about it right away, making her easy to root for.

What really stood out to me was the love between this family. Cole and Lisa aren’t Jade’s biological parents, but they stepped up, gave up everything, and protected her with their whole hearts.

EASYYYYYY 5 star read. One of the best thrillers I’ve read this year. I mean come on.. it’s like an entire action movie in a book. There’s no way the reader can’t root for the family!!! Cole is a gem. He’ll do anything to protect his family. I was literally on the edge of my seat the entire book, feeling ALL the feels. I’m actually getting ready to purchase his backlist because this is easily one of my favorite reads of the year..

Not Our Daughter is a roller coaster read with twists and turns and plenty of acion that will have you turning the pages as quckly as you can.

Thirteen years ago Cole and Lisa went on the run and managed to stay hidden in order to protect their infant daughter.

Not only has the FBI managed to track them down so has the person who is their greatest threat.

Both are determined to find the Shipley's and all resources are put into action.

The family manages to stay one step ahead for a bit but in this day and age of cameras and social media it is almost impossible.

The tension mounts with every chapter and I was holding my breath and cheering Cole , LIsa and Jade on all at the same time.

This was my first but by no means my last Chad Zunker book and I must say I am a fan !!

Thanks to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for the privilege to read and review Not Our Daughter and for introducing me to Chad Zunker's books.

Thanks to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for the ARC!!

I really enjoyed the majority of this book!! You follow the uncertain and wobbly journey of one family trying to stick together, no matter the cost.

After feeling as normal of a life as they could imagine for more than a decade, their lives unravel again in a matter of days. This multi-POV novel pieces together the different sides of their complex situation — which is even more complicated than they know about.

In "Not Our Daughter," devoted parents find themselves forced into a desperate cross-country chase as fugitives, fleeing to protect their daughter. Thirteen years earlier, Cole and Shipley fostered an infant with the hopes of adopting her. However, their hopes and dreams were shattered when the biological mother gained custody, leaving them devastated and trying to pick up the pieces. Everything changed when the mother returned, pleading for them to keep her daughter safe as she bled out in front of them. Shocked and with no time to waste, they packed up their lives and fled, vowing to protect her at all costs. They started over in a small Colorado town under new identities, living safely for many years. But when a tip exposes them, they find themselves on the run again, this time with a confused and frightened teenager With an FBI agent unwilling to give up the hunt and a murderer wanting to finish what he started, they are running for their lives. I love a great suspense/thriller, and Chad Zunker did not disappoint. This book will have you on the edge of your seat, biting your nails while rooting for the protagonists.
Thank you Netgalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Thank you Netgalley for the advanced readers copy of this title in exchange for my honest review.
This was one of those fast read books. It was interesting enough that I wanted to know what happened next. At the same time, it also felt like it could have added just a bit more and been extraordinary. Overall, interesting book that kept me entertained.

Chad Zunker is great for a popcorn suspense read. This story started off with a bang and moved quickly throughout. The suspense element was there, even though it felt slightly unrealistic.

I wasn't a fan of any of the characters. The dad was wild and not thinking correctly. The mom was a little better. The daughter was a brat that put them in dangerous situations multiple times.

Thus wasn't my favorite book by the author, but I'll give anything that he writes a chance. Thanks to NetGalley & the author for my gifted copy

another absolutely excellent book from Chad Zunker!!! i will read anything this man writes. all of his books are super fast paced and completely draw the reader in. the very first chapter of this book leaves the reader with a jaw dropping gasp!!! soooo good!

Not Our Daughter by Chad Zunker was a white-knuckler as the reader tries to figure out who exactly can be behind the death of the Shipley's foster daughter's mother. The foster daughter they thought they were adopting. The foster daughter they were to hand back to her mother. Why did the mother implore them to run and protect her daughter? Who is after the girl? How far will they go to protect her? How far would you go? There are so many unanswered questions to begin this story, and Zunker unravels the web bit by bit as he takes you through the Shipley's flight with the child, and their plans if or when their carefully laid new life unravels. If you've never read any of his books, this is the one! If you have, you will enjoy the journey!

#NetGalley #NotOurDaughter

For me, Chad Zunker is one of those reliable authors – in 2022, I read Family Money – four stars. In 2023, All He Has Left was another solid four star read. Then, last year? The Wife You Know – yep, once again, four stars. So this year, when I had the opportunity to read his latest, Not Our Daughter, in exchange for my honest review (thanks to Thomas & Mercer and NetGalley), I jumped at the chance. I love having one of those books that I Just KNOW is going to be well written, entertaining, something that will hold my interest and be a fun experience – not what some call “great literature” or even “literary fiction” – nope, I’m here for a good time. Some of the authors that fall into that category for me are Joseph Finder, Robert Crais, Michael Connelly, John Sandford (nearly all the time), and T. Jefferson Parker (most of the time). I’m probably forgetting someone important, but these come to mind – and I have to say Chad Zunker is now on the list (anyone see an unsurprising four star review coming?)

This exceptionally compelling mystery/thriller focuses on a couple, Lisa and Cole Shipley, and their early teenage daughter. Thirteen years ago, they were fostering an infant and had hoped to adp[t her and raise her as their own. Then, all three of their lives were suddenly and frighteningly changed forever when the baby’s birth mother showed up at their front door. After gasping out the words “He’s coming here…for her! Save her,” she bled to death. Terrified, they grabbed the baby and ran.

They landed in a small town in Colorado,now raising a teenager who is suddenly turning into a grownup – and asking questions. They are sure they are being tracked by AT LEAST a relentless FBI agent, but it turns out there is also another threat tracking them.

It’s fun! Scary at times. As a former foster parent, I can attest to the fact that it also captures some of the mixed feelings adults in a foster situation have…as well as the angst of the parents of an early teenage girl who is sure she knows everything and knows the best way to do EVERYTHING. It was so much fun, and while I was fairly certain things would turn out all right, I can’t say I saw the ending coming. Once again, four stars!

First, a huge thank you for allowing me to review this before it's released!

This whirlwind takes you across the country following fleeing fugitives in their quest for safety. The action is from beginning to end and the twist you'll never see coming is the perfect ending to this story. It's my first book by this author, and I'll be sure to read all of the others! I highly recommend this to anyone and everyone who enjoys a good thriller with an unseen twist.

I was issue this book by NetGalley for my unbiased review.

Very interesting book. How far, and what are you willing to do, to protect your family? And, what do you do when things start to fall apart.

This book kept your interest, and lots of twists and turns.

Well done by Chad Zunker.

Thirteen years ago, Cole and Lisa Shipley were fostering an infant with hopes of adopting her. Overnight everything was turned upside down, when the child’s mother bled to death on their front doorstep. Her last He’s coming here…for her! Save her. Afraid, bewildered, and with a baby in their arms, they fled. The longer they hid, the guiltier they looked.

Now in a small Colorado town under assumed identities, they’ve been seemingly safe. But when a tip exposes them and Cole is framed for another murder, they take it on the run again, barreling across the western US—this time with a confused and resistant teenage girl awakening to a terrifying new reality. In the rearview is the relentless FBI agent who has never given up the hunt. And he’s not the only one.

Every frightening mile brings a family closer to the truth about that fateful night thirteen years ago. And to a killer who’s determined to finish what he started.

Loved it. Will recommend to others

I believe the aim of thrillers is to thrill you. Give you an edge on the seat kind of feeling and this book does just that.

A simple decision to adopt a child changes the life of a couple. They become endangered and seek to escape. However, a simple decision also brings them back to the radar of the people they want to remain in their past.

The story is told in such a manner that gives you a present feeling as though you were present when the events unfold.

This was my first Chad Zunker novel and I'm officially a fan! Wow! The intensity of the multiple chase scenes in this book had my blood pressure spiking! Cole and Lisa Shipley are the ultimate definition of people that would do anything for their daughter. What a wild ride! Definitely would recommend this book full of twists, turns, ups and downs that leaves you feeling like you've gone on a rollercoaster! Amazing!

I finished this in four hours! Extremely easy but exciting and captivating read! Nonstop action had me hooked.

The lengths someone would go to to protect their child are stretched in this book. Though the end was slightly anticlimactic, it flowed well and I was overall happy with it.

Thank you to Chad Zunker, NetGalley, and Thomas & Mercer for this ARC!