Okay the cold open in this book fully gripped me! I lived the story through Caitie, I fet like I was her. The other characters not believing her infuriated me, I felt the same fear she did whenever the masked man showed up.
This books makes you suspicious of pretty much everyone, so guessing was almost impossible. I even didn't trust Caitlyn in some parts, believing she might actually being things that aren't there. I felt kinda bad for thinking that way, cause she has been wronged in so many ways.

Till about half of the book I wasn't sure about the relevance of the second POV and then I started seeing the similarities and connections between both POV's.

This book is twisted, unexpected, a bit vile, emotional, exciting and infuriating all at the same time. I haven't felt this many emotions in the span of less than 400 pages in a while.

I want to thank NetGalley and the author for the opportunity to read this as an advanced readers copy.

𝗤𝗨𝗜𝗖𝗞 𝗣𝗟𝗢𝗧 𝗣𝗘𝗘𝗞
Sixteen years after Olivia is kidnapped, she suddenly returns - but her sister Caitlin harbors growing doubts about whether it’s really her. Meanwhile, in a parallel storyline, Elinor Ledbury shares a deeply unsettling relationship with her brother, Heath, under the oppressive control of their uncle.

𝗛𝗢𝗡𝗘𝗦𝗧 𝗢𝗣𝗜𝗡𝗜𝗢𝗡
This book blends two genres, so it’s bound to thrill some and throw others.

On one side, you’ve got Caitlin, dealing with the sudden reappearance of her sister Olivia - who vanished 16 years ago. On the other, there’s Elinor and her brother Heath - borderline incestuous Flowers in the Attic siblings - living under the thumb of their creepy, controlling uncle who oversees their estate.

The contrast between Caitlin’s grounded, “real” world and Elinor’s eerie, gothic one is wild. The writing is super smooth and genuinely gripping. But I kept asking what in the what is happening?

Eventually it all becomes clear and I’m not gonna lie, the reveal was a bit of a letdown - not quite as clever as I hoped. But the genre mash-up and easy, compelling writing definitely make this a stand out read.

𝗪𝗢𝗥𝗧𝗛 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗗?
If you’re in the mood for a wackadoo thriller/gothic mash-up - with a reappearing sister and some seriously weird sibling dynamics - this one’s got you covered.

Thanks to @Netgalley and
@kensingtonbooks for access to this advanced readers copy

I just finished The Wrong Daughter, and I needed some time to process my thoughts before writing this review. This book felt like nothing I’ve ever read before. It’s essentially two stories woven into one, and while they seem separate at first, they eventually collide in unexpected ways. The first story follows Catie and her sister Olivia, whom she witnessed being kidnapped as a child. The second centers around a wealthy brother and sister, on the brink of adulthood, who are under the care of their uncle after their parents' tragic deaths.

The connection between the two storylines isn’t obvious at first, which kept me hooked. I’d describe this as a slow burn, and for most of the book, I was on the edge of my seat. I do remember pausing about three-quarters of the way through, wondering if there was going to be some outlandish, over-the-top ending. While there was certainly more action and a suspension of disbelief toward the conclusion than I would’ve preferred, I still found the book engaging. The tension and suspense kept me so engrossed in the story that I just couldn’t put it down.

The author did a fantastic job creating angst and building a sense of unease. I’ll definitely be picking up another book by this author in the future. Rounded up to 5 stars from 4.5.

This was a miss for me. However, thankful for NetGalley and Embla Books for the ARC in exchange for my honest opinions!

The Wrong Daughter by Dandy Smith is a gripping psychological thriller that captivates with its dark, unsettling themes and unexpected twists. The narrative opens with a family shattered by the harrowing abduction of their 13-year-old daughter at knifepoint, witnessed by her younger sister, who is just 10 at the time. After being missing for sixteen years, Olivia reappears, leaving Caitlin, her sister, questioning the authenticity of the woman claiming to be her long-lost sibling. Additionally, the story features an alternate plotline exploring a peculiar relationship between another brother and sister, which adds to the overall darkness of the tale. This novel is an exceptional read for fans of suspenseful psychological thrillers.

I extend my gratitude to Net Galley and the publisher for providing the ARC. This review reflects my genuine impressions.

The Wrong Daughter by Dandy Smith is a gripping psychological suspense novel that masterfully weaves two seemingly disparate narratives into a chilling and twist-filled thriller. The story centres on Caitlin, whose life is irrevocably altered when her older sister Olivia is abducted from their home. Sixteen years later, Olivia mysteriously reappears, but Caitlin begins to question the woman’s true identity.

Smith’s ability to create unreliable narrators and morally ambiguous characters contributes to the book’s unsettling atmosphere. The author skillfully employs red herrings and unexpected plot twists, ensuring that the reader remains engaged and invested in the unfolding mystery. The emotional depth of the characters, particularly Caitlin’s desperation to uncover the truth, adds a layer of complexity to the narrative, elevating it beyond a simple thriller.

The unexpected revelations and the skilful weaving of the two narratives make this book standout in the genre. Readers who enjoy thrillers with complex characters and intricate plots will be captivated by this unsettling and thought-provoking novel.

Caitlin and her older sister Olivia’s lives are forever changed one faithful night while home alone when their parents left them to go to dinner. A masked man comes into their home and kidnaps Olivia. There was no trace of her for over 10 years until a phone call changes everything. Caitlin, now in her 20s, settle into her career as a schoolteacher and engaged, is informed by their mother that Olivia has returned. She is very closed off and secretive about her whereabouts all of these years. What unfolds after is a mysterious undoing of Caitlin’s quiet and peaceful life. Olivia is nothing like the big sister she adored, and a terrible chain of events begin. Is Caitlin sure this is her sister?
There’s also a dual story that adds to the mystery of the 2 sisters that eventually becomes intertwined and leads to an explosive conclusion.
This was a 4*read, thank you to Kensington for the E-Arc and the chance to review it!

The Wrong Daughter was such a captivating page turner! I didn’t want to take a break from reading this book. Definitely a twist that I never seen coming.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC! I loved that I was not able to predict the ending of the thriller--the author really kept me guessing which made for a very enjoyable read. I found some instances/events in the book to be unrealistic, and some of the pacing felt slow or rushed at different points, but overall this was a great read and definitely a book I'd recommend!

I had high hopes for this book, but unfortunately, it fell flat for me. The storyline felt erratic, making it difficult to stay engaged, and the dual narratives didn’t flow well together. Instead of complementing each other, they felt disjointed, almost like two separate books awkwardly stitched together.

The main character, Caitlin, started off promising, but as the story progressed, she became quite annoying. Her decisions often felt unrealistic, making it hard to connect with her.

Overall, this book didn’t quite deliver.

Review of The Wrong Daughter by Dandy Smith

⭐️⭐️⭐️✨ (3.5/5)

The Wrong Daughter has such a gripping premise—Caitlin’s sister Olivia was abducted 16 years ago, and now a woman claiming to be Olivia suddenly reappears. Right away, I was hooked. The mystery, the tension, the family drama—it all had the makings of a perfect psychological thriller.

I really enjoyed the dual perspectives, flipping between Caitlin in the present and Elinor Ledbury, whose connection to the story slowly unravels. The way the two timelines weave together kept me engaged, and I was eager to see how it all played out.

That said, the pacing felt a little uneven. Some parts dragged, while others rushed through key moments, making it hard to stay fully invested. I also found myself wanting more depth in certain characters—especially Olivia. Some of her actions felt off, and I kept waiting for more insight into her motivations.

Overall, The Wrong Daughter is an intriguing read with some solid twists and an eerie, unsettling vibe. If you love psychological thrillers with messy family secrets, it’s worth picking up, but it didn’t completely blow me away.

The Wrong Daughter by Dandy Smith
4/5 ⭐️

From the first page I was tuned into the life of Caitlin and how she misses her older sister Olivia who was abducted when they were younger. The story is kind of unsettling through the pages, never fully understanding it all.

When Caitlin gets the call her sister is back that's when all the questions start to arise. The psychological tension escalates as secrets emerge, making it difficult to tell who is can be trusted. Caitlin remembers her sister a certain way and the woman who she is seeing after all these just doesn't seem right. The author reveals how deep-rooted guilt and resentment have shaped Catties perception of herself and her sister.

At first I was utterly confused on the purpose of the other POV through the story and felt maybe I had the right answers but then BOOM nope that went away. I kinda didn't like the 2 places the story went wished the author would have stuck to one of the main twist behind Olivias disapperance.

Overall I really did enjoy this story and will be reading more from this author, thanks Netgalley for the arc :)

I am a thriller girlie and this book was no exception. I loved it. It hooked me right from the start. Dandy, you're work is amazing. Thank you for the ARC.

As a lover of Frieda McFadden, I LOVED The Wrong Daughter by Dandy Smith. This book was hard to put down and I never saw the ending coming! I can't wait to read more of Dandy's work!

Catie's sister, Olivia, was abducted from their home 16 years ago. The family has difficulty moving on and then as suddenly as she disappeared, Olivia returns home. This is where things get weird and I have to admit I was a bit frustrated with the plot. No one presses Olivia as to what happened and where she's been. The police aren't notified until Catie finally calls them after several days. Catie suspects that the woman claiming to be Olivia might be an imposter but everyone she shares her concerns with disregards them out of hand. As Catie becomes more isolated from her loved ones, the plot jumps the proverbial shark and becomes almost unbelievable.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to review.

I enjoyed this one. I was able to get to know the characters and the lot kept me turning the pages. I would recommend this book to other readers.

This book was fast-paced and INTENSE!
One sister kidnapped, the other, traumatized.
Ten years later, a woman shows up claiming to be the missing Olivia… but is she really? Something isn’t right, according to Caitlin.

Is it her, or isn’t it? You’ll change your mind over and over until the end.

Thanks to Kensington Publishing and a NetGalley for an early read!

Caitlin and Olivia are sisters. One night, as their parents are away, Olivia is abducted. Caitlin, the younger sister, is the only witness. But there is some doubt about her story of what happened. For years, the family wrestles with what happened to Olivia. Until she returns. Or does she?

At the same time, a parallel story is being told. How does this story interact with the sisters' story?

In a book filled with twists and turns, the reader is kept guessing. The characters are well-developed. The multiple plots are intriguing. I highly recommend this book

The deceit and betrayal within the pages of this book is thick! I spent the majority of the time I read this whispering to myself “no!”, “this can’t be happening”, or “what is going on?!?” As follow the story line of two separate ladies, it’s as if you are on two trains moving parallel to each other…you don’t know where you’re going, are they even parallel?

This is the first book I have read by this author but my goodness has she done it with this one! If you want to read a 5 star book about a dysfunctional family trying to recover from the trauma of a missing daughter, hold onto your seatbelts, the secrets within the characters of this book is so unexpected yet perfectly placed in the story, this one is a WILD ride!

A dark and thrilling suspense novel that deals with childhood trauma, full of twists and turns.
Caitlin’s perceived descent into madness is well written and frustrating at times but it all fell together well by the end.
Slow at times, I almost lost interest halfway through between the seemingly unconnected life story of the brother and sister but I needed to know what happened so continued.
A solid thriller, well written.