The Wrong Daughter is a bewildering and disturbing thriller with a haunting Gothic feel. The blurb sounded like my wheelhouse. And in ways it was. But the shade of dark became too black for my liking.

Sisters Olivia and Caitlin were thirteen and ten when their parents left them alone at home while they enjoyed a date, believing Olivia was now mature and responsible enough to care for her sister. Caitlin adored her older sister and was content to live in her shadow. However, idyl became horror when Olivia was snatched from their house by a strange man. Sixteen years later, Caitlin reflects and ruminates as she aches for her sister who is still missing, changing her world forever. She is engaged to the man she loves but lives with general unease. Shockingly, a woman appears out of the blue claiming to be Olivia. But something isn't quite right. Their reunion wasn't anything like Caitlin dreamed of and the sisters' relationship is...different.

A second and even more sinister storyline revolves around an orphaned brother and sister duo living with their evil uncle, adding further dark and chilling layers. It smacks of obsession and pervasive fear. But the connection to the other storyline is fascinating and riveting.

I adored the gorgeous writing, premise and originality. Some darkness in thrillers is up my alley but this went too far and entered the incest zone. Such a shame as that unfortunately overshadowed everything else. I liked the anxiety-inducing suspense but just couldn't move past the creepy relationship. The writing, though.

The Wrong Daughter is a taut, emotionally charged psychological thriller that probes the fragile architecture of memory, identity, and familial loyalty. Dandy Smith crafts a dual narrative that is both haunting and deeply human, exploring how trauma reverberates across generations and distorts even the most intimate relationships. The novel opens with a chilling abduction: sisters Caitlin and Olivia Arden are left home alone when a masked intruder kidnaps Olivia, the elder. Caitlin, paralyzed by fear, becomes the sister who stayed and the one who must carry the weight of guilt and expectation. Sixteen years later, Olivia returns. Or does she? Smith’s decision to split the narrative between Caitlin and Elinor Ledbury a woman raised in isolation under the control of a cruel uncle—adds a gothic undertone. Elinor’s story, and her twisted bond with her brother Heath, gradually intersects with Caitlin’s, revealing a disturbing web of obsession, captivity, and psychological manipulation. Caitlin Arden is a masterclass in restrained emotion. Her internal conflict—between hope and suspicion, love and resentment is rendered with aching clarity. Olivia, whether real or impostor, is a cipher: charming, evasive, and increasingly sinister. Elinor and Heath Ledbury bring a gothic intensity to the novel, their relationship echoing themes of control, grief, and distorted love. Oscar, Caitlin’s fiancé, adds another layer of unease, his motives murky and his loyalty questionable. Each character is drawn with ambiguity, forcing readers to constantly reassess their allegiances.
The Wrong Daughter is not just a thriller—it’s a psychological excavation. It asks what happens when the person you’ve mourned returns as a stranger, and whether love can survive the corrosive effects of secrecy. For readers who appreciate emotional complexity and moral ambiguity, this novel delivers in spades.

This was a fun one with lots of twists and turns and trying to figure out who is good or bad or somewhere in between. The story is told in two timelines and you get the impression that the Elinor's timeline is a bit earlier than Caitie's timeline but not 100% sure. My mind switched so many times about who I wanted to like and who I really did not like at all. A lot of messed up characters in this story. There were several times I just wanted to say "run!" or "don't do it" but you know how that usually turns out. There were a few loose storylines but I think that is required for the twists and turns. Overall a fun read! Thank you NetGalley and Embla Books for an ARC copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Twists, twists and more twists! But I am not complaining. My mind was reeling with all the twists at the end. Really liked the story but certain topics (you know which) grossed me out but this was a well written thriller! Would definitely recommend

This was a good thriller, with such an interesting twist. We get dual storylines that you get to spend about 80% of the book trying to figure out how the puzzle pieces fit together. There's enough little clue drops to make you constantly rearrange the pieces until the big reveal. I felt like it started a little slow, but once I was invested I needed to find out all the answers. I found a couple of the storylines a little hard to believe, but felt that Dandy did a great job of creating an investing thriller that didn't give away the ending too soon. It was truly an engaging mystery that I felt gave me a believable shocking twist without jumping the shark.

Dark, disturbing, and utterly addictive! I could not put this book down. From the very first page, The Wrong Daughter pulled me into its twisted, unsettling world and never let go. Just when I thought I had it all figured out—bam! Another twist I didn’t see coming. Dandy Smith masterfully keeps you guessing, and the psychological tension builds to a jaw-dropping finale. If you’re into thrillers that mess with your mind and keep you on edge, this is a must-read.

Just finished The Wrong Daughter by Dandy Smith and I’d give it a solid 3.75 stars. This one hooked me right from the start with all the family drama and secrets—it definitely gave me some “Flowers in the Attic” vibes. The sibling tension and constant “who can you trust?” atmosphere made it such a fast, gripping read.

I also wasn’t expecting the twist, which made it even more fun. Overall, I really enjoyed this one and would definitely recommend it if you’re into psychological thrillers with a dark, twisty family edge.
Thank you Kensington Publishing for this ARC and hambright PR in exchange for an honest review.

I DNF this book. Incest is a part of this story, that's not a topic I'm interested in. There are two different stories being told at the same time. One between sisters and another between a brother and a sister.

* I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Such a wonderfully twisted story. Readers are going to want to know what happened all those years ago. The story is perfectly laid out. From Caitlin trying to come to terms with what really happened to her sister and taking what she knows happened and applying it to the woman who comes back stating that she is her sister. To the extremely surprising ending. This is just a roller coaster of a ride and not one that I have ever experienced in this type of book before. I think readers will quite enjoy this book.
Thank you to Kensington Publishing and Netgalley for allowing me to read an advanced copy of this title.

This book was so dark in parts that it was hard to read. Even though I know the world is twisted, it was hard to read at times. The premise sounded really interesting, but I wasn’t a big fan of the ending. It was definitely a page turner, but some of the twists felt kind of on the nose.

A girl disappears. Her sister watches it happen and carries the weight of it for sixteen years. Then, out of nowhere, the missing girl comes back. But something is off. Is she really who she says she is, or has time twisted everything beyond recognition?

This book grabs you early with that haunting question and keeps you guessing. The tension stays steady, and the dual perspectives add layers that slowly unravel. The relationship between the sisters is complicated and unsettling in all the right ways. Some moments feel a little far-fetched, and the second storyline might lose a few readers, but the mystery still holds strong.

It’s twisty, emotional, and packed with the kind of paranoia that makes you question everyone. If you’re in the mood for a suspenseful read that plays with memory, identity, and buried guilt, this one hits the mark.

Wow. Just wow. Caitlin’s life is a complete roller coaster. I had zero clue how her story was going to wrap up. Was anyone in her life what they seemed? I was second guessing every single interaction she had. This book had me hooked from the prologue. I can’t recommend this book enough!!

Received an ARC via NetGalley.

This one was pretty grim, subject wise. But trying to puzzle it out was really enjoyable. And also kind of frustrating, in a good way. I had so many theories as to what was going on but I kept discarding them and couldn’t figure it out bc there was so many different things to focus suspicion on. (Turns out all my guesses were right which I definitely did not see coming).

Really interesting untangling it all. I had hoped for some things to end up being different, and I felt the narrator a little frustrating at points. But it was really fun to get sucked into a mystery like this.

This book had plenty of suspense and I really enjoyed trying to piece together what was going on.

I felt bad for our main characters because they were so alone and isolated in different ways! Elinor was isolated in the house a majority of the time, and Caitlin was alone with her thoughts and feelings.

Most of the book I was angry with how they were treated and the other half I was hoping for a shocking twist. The twists that were in here felt pretty predictable to me though.

Overall, I think that this book had a great storyline and really had me on the edge of my seat. The last quarter of the book it went in an entirely different direction than I was expecting and maybe that is why I didn't really care for the ending as much as I had hoped!

Thank you to Netgalley, HambrightPR, and Keningston Publishing for my advanced copy!

3.5 stars ⭐️

The Wrong Daughter is an unputdownable, fast-paced thriller with some jaw-dropping twists that definitely kept me turning the pages. The premise hooked me right away- two sisters, one vanishes, one survives, and sixteen years later the missing sister suddenly returns. It’s eerie, unsettling, and full of questions you need the answers to.

The dual POV was one of my favorite parts, and I really liked how it gave depth to the story, showing us both sides as the tension unraveled. The pacing was strong, and the darker elements gave it a chilling edge that fits perfectly with psychological suspense. That said, it’s definitely on the heavy side at times, so I’d recommend checking trigger warnings before diving in.

My biggest struggle was with the characters- I didn’t really connect with or care for any of them. That may have been intentional, since most of them are unreliable, manipulative, or unlikable in some way, but it still made it harder to root for anyone.

Up until the last few chapters I was leaning toward a solid 4 stars, but the ending left me a little underwhelmed. It felt rushed compared to the careful buildup, and the actual conclusion was more frustrating than satisfying for me.

Still, this was a dark, twisty ride that kept me guessing, and I really enjoyed the overall premise and atmosphere. If you love thrillers with unreliable characters, family secrets, and shocking reveals, this one is worth picking up.

Thanks to NetGalley, Hambright PR, Kensington Publishing, and the author Dandy Smith for the eARC of this book (and
Hambright PR and Dandy Smith for the physical ARC) in exchange for my honest review.

The Wrong Daughter releases in the US on August 26!

Holy moly the twist that kept twisting
we get dual POVs here and I thought I knew what was gonna happen with the 2nd POV, but SIllIKE. that's not what happened. The shoe dropped. And then the shoe kept dropping. And I was like GIRL whattt. How did we get here?! This was so brilliantly twisted and woven my brain was like

If you love Lisa Jewell, The Silent Patient, AJ Finn, Ruth Ware, Alice Feeney... You must pick this one up. And then discuss with me !

I am always on the lookout for a fast-paced twisty thriller and this one definitely fits the bill! A wildly entertaining story with interesting, although sometimes infuriating, characters. My favorite part was the dual timeline. It follows two separate but equally gripping stories, leaving you turning pages eager to discover how they are connected. I won’t give any spoilers, but once the two timelines meet, Wow! This one takes a turn!

Wow the plot twists in this book had me on the edge of my seat and kept me guessing to the very end. This read like a Lifetime movie being played out in my head and I felt like I was experiencing every moment right alongside the characters. The dual pov was a welcome addition as it allowed me to delve into the villain’s motivation in a unique way as well as understand Caitlin’s inner turmoil. This is my first book from the author but it definitely won’t be my last. I was hooked from the very first page, invested in the story and trying my best to piece all the little clues together. If you like thrillers where the mystery isn’t that easily solved and there’s more to the story than meets the eye, then this is the perfect book for you. Highly recommended!

The Wrong Daughter by Dandy Smith had me glued to the pages! The premise is every family’s nightmare…two sisters left home alone, one vanishes, and years later she suddenly comes back. But is she really who she claims to be is the question that lingers over every chapter, and I couldn’t stop second guessing everyone! Caitlin’s voice is layered with guilt, fear, and suspicion, which makes her such a compelling narrator. You can feel the desperation and the unease bleeding through all of her interactions. What I loved most is how twisty it all felt, and just when I thought I had it figured out, another secret came to light. Creepy, twisty, and impossible to put down, this is the kind of psychological suspense that keeps you up way too late turning pages!

Thank you to Kensington Publishing and NetGalley for this advanced reader copy.

The Wrong Daughter follows Caitlin, a woman whose entire life was changed by one night. When Caitlin was just ten years old, her thirteen year old sister Olivia was kidnapped at knife point by a man in a black mask. In a panic, Caitlin ran back to her bedroom, hiding until her parent's return instead of calling the police. Despite extensive searches Olivia was never found. Sixteen years later, Caitlin has tried to be the perfect daughter, wracked with guilt about not helping her sister sooner. She never left her small town, never causes trouble for her parents, and she even became a teacher because Olivia had expressed interest in the career. Her quiet life is upheaved by the return of Olivia, or at least a woman claiming to be her. Caitlin grows more suspicious as Olivia can't seem to recall details about their life before her kidnapping, and when she starts seeing the man in the black mask again, she vows to find out what really happened to her sister.

Caitlin is a well done character. Her guilt about the night her sister was kidnapped is reasonable, but still it's obviously not her fault. It also makes sense that she doesn't just outright call Olivia a liar in front of everyone because sixteen years as a kidnapping victim would change anyone, and Caitlin doesn't want to seem insensitive. Additionally, the things Olivia forgets are small and mostly inconsequential, but it's enough to matter. The tension is great, and the manipulation Olivia does to those around her is both subtle and effective. My main complaint is mostly in regard to how the other characters treat Caitlin.

I know that for this kind of story to work the people around Caitlin have to not believe her about both Olivia and the man in the black mask, but it became extremely frustrating to see that literally everyone was against her. It became difficult to deal with at points because it seems like no one in her life understands what kind of person Caitlin is. Her parents keep believing that she's doing these things for attention, but from everything we know about Caitlin's history and personality that's completely out of character for her. She didn't have a rebellious phase when Olivia went missing, and she hadn't ever shown jealousy towards her sister before the disappearance. I get that her father resents her, but even then you'd think that the parents would be more concerned about Olivia being taken again.

Her fiancé was also not a great man, and it's pretty obvious from the beginning that Caitlin doesn't really have strong feelings about him. They're mostly together because it's comfortable, and not because they love each other. I think going with this route would be better than what the author actually revealed about him. It just ended up feeling a bit unrealistic that literally EVERYONE in Caitlin's life betrayed her at some point.

The story between Heath and Elinor Ledbury was almost more interesting to me than the main plot because there's no previous context for it. That provides a really strong base for a mystery because we know they have to be tied into the mystery in some way. Thankfully, the author doesn't go for the obvious twist, that "Olivia" is really Elinor, but it's a good enough red herring for some time. I had my theories about how these characters connected, but the author managed to surprise me on just about every turn. I do think the way the two stories connected was well done.

I enjoyed the writing style quite a lot! It was well-paced and kept me very interested in where the mystery was going. I also really like the atmosphere in the section with the Ledbury's with their snowy mansion. Elinor and Caitlin had distinct inner voices, and their sections were easy to differentiate from each other, despite them having similar anxious personality types.

I would recommend The Wrong Daughter if you're looking for a good thriller with a tense atmosphere, but I warn that if you're the black sheep of your family this might trigger you a bit! I'd also warn that there's a bit of implied incest and implied underage marriage, so if either of those is upsetting to you I might avoid this novel.

The Wrong Daughter by Dandy Smith is releasing on August 26th, 2025.