I received an ARC for free and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

The Wrong Daughter by Dandy Smith is a thriller with a touch of old-school V.C. Andrews.

From the very beginning, Smith grabs your attention with colorful descriptions that set the scene for what promises to be a suspense-filled ride. After Olivia goes missing, Caitlin has what seems to be the perfect life until something happens that starts as a small crack before spidering into something much bigger and malevolent.

By the time that Caitlin realizes what has happened, she must think hard and tread carefully because one wrong step could not only end her life, but the lives of others.

This story was filled with so many twists and turns; I kept second-guessing myself! I definitely can't wait to read more by this author.

Thank you Net Galley for the ARC!

“The Wrong Daughter” by Dandy Smith follows Caitlin, the younger sister of the missing Olivia - who was taken from her room at just 13 years old. Caitlin, a witness to this, is constantly overshadowed by the plaguing feeling she was somehow responsible for their inability to find Olivia since she was the only witness to her kidnapping. She lives her life in step with her parents wants and interests despite her own unhappiness to avoid further heartbreak and disappointment - that is until a woman claiming to be Olivia reappears into her life.

In The Wrong Daughter, we are also introduced to a plot line following a sibling pair, inappropriately close and isolated by an abusive uncle after their parents deaths. Inevitably these story lines intersect, twisting together in a way that can take you by surprise and leave you wondering to the end of the book.

Talking specifically in regard to the brother/sister plot line, I think adding it wasn’t unnecessary as many critical reviews state, but generally underdeveloped. As the siblings story broadened and their inappropriate behavior toward each other was introduced it was more of a “wait what?” Moment then something truly impactful. It’s weird to say about incest, but if it matters to the story a controversial motif should be “go big or go home”- if they’re inappropriate relationship actually matters I want to know where it started, why It continued and how it all ties into the overall story. Instead we are left to our own conclusions about it’s relevancy- leaving the author defenseless in this critique.

Overall, I think this novel is strong and strange, offering a new perspective on a fairly common concept. My only other nitpick is that I felt the ending may have been a little rushed, given the slower pace of the beginning of the book- but I was overall satisfied.

Readers of V.C. Andrews may appreciate this novel.

Enjoyable from beginning to the end. Kept me on the edge of my seat. Will definitely recommend this to my book club!

You can’t work out where this going. This is one story you won’t forget and yet could be believable. Sisters Caitlin and Olivia have a happy life but then one is taken. Many years later she returns. How, why, where has she been?

The Wrong Daughter
by: Dandy Smith
Pub Date: Aug. 26, 2025

I cannot get enough of dark, mind-bending psychological thrillers! I was instantly hooked after the first chapter of The Wrong Daughter by Dandy Smith. This novel kept me on the edge of my seat and left my head spinning.

Caitlin (age 10) and Olivia (age 13) are enjoying a fun night at home without their parents when a masked man enters their home and kidnaps Olivia. Sixteen years later, Caitlin is still struggling with guilt and sadness over Olivia’s abduction when she receives a frantic call from her father saying Olivia has returned. In the beginning, Caitlin is overjoyed but strange things begin to happen that makes her question whether Olivia is her sister or an imposter?

A separate storyline follows Elinor Ledbury and her brother Heath. The siblings seem to have an extremely complex and dark relationship. They lost their parents at a young age and are living at Ledbury Hall with their abusive Uncle who serves as their legal guardian.

The alternating storylines created suspense and kept me engaged until the final pages of this captivating thriller. I could not put this book down because I had to know how the storylines were connected and if Olivia was truly Caitlin’s sister. I did not come close to figuring out the connection and the all the jaw dropping twists left me speechless.

I’d like to give special thanks to Kensington Publishing, NetGalley, and the author, Dandy Smith for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I have to give this author credit for writing such an unusual and creative thriller. I actually enjoyed the double storylines because they really had me wondering how they could possibly be connected. I want to be careful in my comments so as not to give anything away but I think I can safely say that I found all the characters to be extremely unlikable. The storyline of Caitie and Olivia was action-packed and intriguing although frustrating as Caitie had no support and seemed to flounder in her doubts about Olivia but overall, I enjoyed this storyline. But her parents, fiancé, best friend and Olivia were unbelievably horrible to her and her therapist extremely inappropriate. Of course, almost no one was who they seemed to be and everyone had secrets. The storyline of Heath and his sister was creepy and probably unnecessarily long but definitely added that creativity factor. The plot got a little too crazy for me towards the end and this is why I can’t rate it 5 stars. But overall, the book was an enjoyable read.

The Wrong Daughter is a suspense story set in England casting Catie as the lead character as she struggles with the haunting memory of her sister's abduction and disappearance 16 years earlier. Catie is a 26 year old woman who is has held back a lot in her life: never travelled, did not explore her true passion of art in college and has settled into the profession of a school teacher, all to appease her parents and to soften to blow of her sister, Olivia, being taken from their home by a masked intruder when she was just 10 years old. Catie's unfulfilling and predictable world is rocked when Olivia returns to the family home out of the blue on the anniversary of her disappearance. Olivia's return is at first welcomed by Catie, but quickly turns to suspicion: Is this really her sister?

Running parallel to Caite and Olivia's story is also the story of Elinor and Heath, brother and sister involved in an incestious relationship in a seculeded manor. Heath and Elinor, orphans at a young age, are kept alone in a large manor while their money is being controlled by their cruel uncle. The siblings are counting down the days until they are able to collect their inheritance and leave their uncle for good. Their relationship becomes strained as Heath begins to leave the manor for long periods of time, resulting in him getting involved with another young woman in town. In retaliation, Elinor also becomes romantically involved with another, leading her to realize the control her brother has over her and dream of leaving the only home she knows behind in search of love and freedom.

The first half of this book was painfully slow as Catie and Olivia reunite. There was not a lot of action until about 50% of the book was complete, when Catie starts seeing signs that Olivia may not be her sister. Once the suspicion begins, the story begins to pick up with many twists and turns as the reader begins to question Catie's sanity and also who Olivia really is. There was also a struggle to see how to the two different sibling relationships would connect: why are we reading about Catie and Olivia and then about Elinor and Heath. That connection is finally revealed at about the 75% mark.Once the two story lines become interwoven, there is a fast and furious pace to which the drama unfolds and Catie finally finds the answer she is looking for: what has really happened to her sister?

This was about a missing girl, Olivia, who comes back after 10 years but her sister, Caitlin, feels something is not right when she returns. I feel this difficult to rate really as for the first part, I felt like I was reading two different stories alongside each other but then when the two stories came together, the whole book changed. It seemed slightly disjointed but although I fore-sore a few twists I didn’t see it being exactly the way it was. It was a bit of a reflect-after-reading type book but still I enjoyed it! Kept me guessing and then thinking I suppose!

I was so graciously given an ARC of this title.

This is my first book from Dandy Smith and OMGGGG IT WAS SO GOOD!! I devoured this book. It kept my attention the entire time and had GREAT twists and turns.

FIVE STARS ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

I really hate giving one star reviews, but The Wrong Daughter was complete agony to get through. It is only around 350 pages, yet it felt like 2,000 pages. The chapters are not very long. They were just very long winded. The plot itself did not make a lot of sense. There were chapters thrown in from the viewpoint of a different character that implied a heck of a lot of incest going on. Were we supposed to glance over that topic? Because, ew! Even the main character was annoying as heck. And the big twist was not a shock at all.

Thanks to NetGalley, Dandy Smith, and Kensington Publishing for allowing me to read an advanced reader copy of The Wrong Daughter in the return of an honest review.

Dandy Smith’s The Wrong Daughter is a gripping psychological thriller that explores memory, identity, and deception. The story revolves around Olivia and Caitlin who are thought to be old enough to stay home alone but when the parents return after a night out, their eldest daughter is gone. Ten years later Olivia returns but hers and Caitlin's stories of that fateful night do not match. Who are the parents to believe?
Smith’s writing is intuitive and immersive, building tension through shifting perspectives and carefully timed revelations. With sharp prose and chilling twists, The Wrong Daughter keeps readers questioning reality until the very last page. A must-read for fans of dark, psychological suspense.

What an interesting book. I had no clue how it would end. I was convinced Heath's sister was the girl who assumed Olivia's identity until I found out that was impossible. Then when the stories did collide, I had no idea how it would shake out. It kept me reading and engaged. Caitlin's downfall into perceived madness was incredibly written. I very much so enjoyed this book and will recommend

I enjoyed this book because i wasn’t sure where it was going. It kept me thinking as it back and forth between 2 families that seemed unrelated. Until they weren’t. When I hit the second half and realized what was going on, I had to retrace my thoughts backwards. It had a lot of points where I couldn’t wait to see what happened but there were some times where it dragged on and I found myself skimming the pages quickly. I would recommend this book but it wasn’t my favorite.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. I first read The Wrong Daughter last year on another platform, and I recently received a new copy from NetGalley.

This novel is a profoundly heartbreaking narrative that continues to resonate with me even on a second reading within 12 months. Dandy Smith has crafted a story that is as tragic as it is captivating, delving deep into the emotional terrain of family, loss, and the bonds that both connect and divide us. The tale of two sisters torn apart is rendered with such poignant realism that every page feels like an intimate exploration of grief and longing.

What particularly stands out is the seamless integration of the side mystery involving the Ledbury siblings. This subplot not only adds a compelling layer of intrigue but also enriches the overall narrative, providing a counterbalance to the pervasive sorrow. The mystery unfolds gradually, inviting the reader to piece together clues while simultaneously navigating the emotional complexities of the characters’ relationships.

Smith’s prose is both lyrical and accessible, making the story an easy yet immersive read despite its heavy subject matter. The emotional cadence of the writing pulls you into the narrative, ensuring that even the moments of subtle sadness are delivered with profound impact. In revisiting the book, I found new depths in the characters and themes that I hadn’t fully appreciated during my first encounter.

Overall, The Wrong Daughter is a testament to the power of storytelling—a beautifully tragic and thoughtfully constructed work that invites reflection on the fragility of life and the ties that define us.

In this thriller, Caitlin’s life is thrown for a loop when her sister who was abducted years ago suddenly returns, bringing relief but also new tensions. Something isn’t right.

I enjoy this author’s writing voice and she did a good job of making me suspicious of everyone. The characters felt real. It pulled me forward and made me want to figure it out. Toward the end though, things got a little over dramatic and I’m just not sold on the resolution. I couldn’t fully believe it. The conclusion also felt too short and quick.

An enjoyable read with lots of twists.
I had a hard time seeing how the two plots were intertwined until the very end and thought the ending was too rushed.

Thanks to Netgalley and Kensington Publishing for the advanced copy.

The premise of this book was very appealing to me but something about it just didn’t keep my attention. The twists were there and the plot was good, it just wasn’t my favorite.

The Wrong Daughter, by Dandy Smith is a gripping psychological thriller that keeps you on the edge of your seat from start to finish. The story revolves around sisters Caitlin and Olivia, who, when left alone one evening, experience a life-altering event: Olivia disappears without a trace. Years later, a woman claiming to be Olivia returns, but her reappearance raises unsettling questions about her true identity and the events of that fateful night.

This novel masterfully intertwines two compelling storylines, each filled with diabolical manipulation and suspense. The characters are well-developed, drawing readers into their complex world. The narrative’s twists and turns are reminiscent of classic thrillers like “Flowers in the Attic.” This story kept me guessing and eager to uncover the connections between the parallel plots.

As the story unfolds, you’ll find yourself constantly trying to piece together the puzzle, only to be blindsided by unexpected revelations. The themes explored can be unsettling, but they add depth to the narrative, making it all the more compelling. Overall, “The Wrong Daughter” exceeded expectations, delivering a suspenseful and engaging read. It’s a solid 3.75-star book, rounded up to 4 for its ability to keep readers hooked until the very end.

This way very different from my usual selection of books and the ending surprised me a lot. I guess this is what happens when you veer outside your comfort zone :)

The change in POVs between chapters was refreshing and I'm glad we had chapters with differing POVs.

This book had me hooked with the description and definitely has the vibes to hook a reader in from the very beginning, but the storyline could have unfolded a little bit differently in my opinion.

It was a decent read! I was glad to read it, but the ending was different from what I expected as the reader. It might not have worked for me, but it doesn't mean that it won't work for anyone else.

Thank you to Dandy Smith, Kensington Publishing and NetGalley for this arc! 💕

Manipulation and deception make you constantly wonder what is true and what is a lie. There are some unexpected surprises, but the characters are not as relatable as I'd like and overall the story seems a bit farfetched.