The Wrong Daughter by Dandy Smith is a gripping and emotional read! This book is a perfect blend of suspense and heartfelt family drama. Dandy Smith delivers a story that is both captivating and poignant, with characters you'll become deeply invested in and a plot that will keep you guessing until the very end. It's a compelling exploration of secrets, lies, and the enduring power of a mother's love.

The Wrong Daughter
@dandysmithauthor
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This book is unlike anything I've read before.

The story: Unique
The plot: Twisty 😂
The characters: Equal parts lovable and hate-able

They were all embedded in my head, whether good or bad.

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I rarely read stories about family. Maybe because they hit too close to home. I can't read without reflecting on how my family is. But this one is captivating throughout.

Caitie lost her sister years ago, and she has been living in the shadow of her missing sister ever since. So when she came back, Caitie should be happy, right? But things are not what she expected them to be.

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The only thing I dislike about the story is the slow transition in Caitie's story because of doubt. If it were up to me, I'd fight so hard to be heard. I understand it gets tiring, though. I know I did 😂

What I love most about the book is that it always proved me wrong. When I thought I had the story right, the next chapter would say, "NOPE!" The twist at the end was crazy worth it.

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I definitely recommend this book for those looking for psychological thrillers. Fair warning: a huge amount of second-guessing and a bit of gaslighting here and there.

US release is in August! Add to wishlist now ✨️

This book had a good plot but something fell short in the execution. It was a fun and fast read with an interesting mix of characters.

I loved the idea of this book and the paranoid feeling the MC battles with as she alone questions the validity of her sister’s return- years after her abduction. Unfortunately, the author failed to truly capture me, the reader. I tried multiple times to return to this book- and even the audiobook, however after the first chapter, the writing failed to pull me in and keep me going. I completed 8 chapters and decided I wouldn’t be able to finish the book.

I really loved this book. I enjoyed reading it very much
Thank you so much NetGalley for letting me read it

Loved this book! I definitely did not see the end coming and it kept me guessing along the way. A very clever, dark, and entertaining novel. Incredibly written!

An enjoyable, easy read, but pretty unremarkable. The characters were a little 2 dimensional and the twists were relatively easy to predict.

Twisty and shocking at times, there are two stories with one fact: a missing sister.
Losing a sister whom you are close to is hard and it changes your whole life. The unanswered questions about what happened, the guilt, the wondering where she is, they all color your real adult life. But then the unthinkable happens: after 16 years, someone claiming to be your sister returns, but she isn't answering questions and she is turning your life upside down.
Intrigue, suspense, and unreliable narrators keep you turning the pages as fast as you can to find out the identify of the returned sister. Some unexpected events will keep you hooked until the very end.
Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC of this book.
5/5 stars

The Wrong Daughter is a twisty story about two sisters that will leave the reader guessing. Caitlin is left with a lot of guilt as she was home the night her sister, Olivia, was taken from the family home. While the story was predictable in spots, I was continually wondering who was lying and why. The story made me think about the unique relationship siblings share.

Omg!! This was so good!!! For most of the book you feel like you’re reading 2 stories but they definitely come together!! Twists were so good! I went in fairly blind and that’s definitely the best way to read a thriller. Gripping!

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for sending me an ARC in exchange for my honest review

Chilling, twisty, and emotionally charged — this gripping thriller asks: what if the girl who came back isn’t the one who left? Told with a haunting sense of nostalgia and dread, it peels back the layers of memory, trauma, and sisterhood to reveal a truth you won’t see coming. Perfect for fans of The Push and Then She Was Gone.
4.5/5 — unputdownable and deeply unsettling.

3 stars--I liked the book.

This book is completely bonkers, in the best way. Plot? Bananas. Characters? Wild. I love this in a suspense novel--nothing keeps me reading more than wondering what surreal plot twist is coming up next.

I definitely stayed up too late to finish, because I had to know how it ended. (I wasn't disappointed.)

I received this review copy from the publisher on NetGalley. Thanks for the opportunity to read and review; I appreciate it!

I loved this book!! This book hooked me from the first chapter and just continued to get better. The twists were surprising and kept me wanting to read more. This is definitely one of my favorite books. I loved the two perspectives and was shocked when the truth came out!

Dandy Smith knows how to pull you in—The Wrong Daughter kicks off with tension, atmosphere, and a mystery that keeps you guessing. The unreliable narrator vibe is strong (which I love), and right when you think you’ve got a handle on things—boom. The twists come fast, some totally wild, some a little “wait… what?” but definitely entertaining.

The dual POV adds to the intrigue, though I found myself way more invested in Caitlin’s chapters. Elinor’s were slower for me, but they serve a purpose once it all clicks into place.

The writing is heavy on metaphors—some I really liked, some had me side-eyeing a bit—but overall, it kept the mood dark and off-kilter. And fair warning: the themes here get dark. Uncomfortable, disturbing, not for everyone.

If you’re into thrillers that go off the rails in bold and bizarre ways, this one’s a ride. It’s messy, twisty, and definitely memorable.

Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington for the ARC of this book!

If you're looking for a quick, fast-paced thriller, this one delivers. For readers who are seasoned thriller fans, some parts might feel a bit predictable, and the additional storyline alongside the main plot may not have been entirely necessary. That said, I’d still recommend this book if you're in the mood for a gripping, quick read!

The pacing is well-balanced, drawing readers in with just enough clues to keep them intrigued, while holding back enough to maintain the suspense. The characters are complex and believable, with motivations that add depth to the narrative. Whether it’s the determined protagonist, the shady side characters, or the unseen antagonist, each figure plays a vital role in the story’s unfolding drama

This book is intense, beautifully written and filled with suspense. Dandy Smith does an amazing job of pulling you into a twisted, emotional world. I felt for Caitlin while she went through her ordeal—losing her friends, family and fiancé who by the way, is a selfish, cold hearted duche who only cares about money. If he were real, I might’ve wished Olivia’s nightmares on him too.

I recommend this book to everyone. Doesn’t matter your favorite genre. A perfect 10 out of 10.

Read the full review on my blog: https://obasinaomi.wordpress.com/2025/04/17/book-review-the-wrong-daughter-by-dandy-smith/

This book was a little “slow” for me, it took it a bit until it was a “thriller”. At first I felt like I was reading an awkward romance book , but about 3/4 in is when the book took the turn. I definitely wasn’t predicting the ending or how the story took a turn.

I didn’t realize this book was already published as I found an audiobook in my library that I had forgotten about. So I started out listening to it, but it was going at such a fast pace that I switched to reading the book because I can read faster than listen. I felt so bad for Caitlin the whole book, she was a good character and easy to root for. No one was listening to her and it was infuriating. Olivia was infuriating as well. I knew she was not the girl who went missing 16 years ago.
The storyline for Elinor was giving gothic, creepy vibes. Especially with the siblings in love, all alone in their big manor lol it did get a little tiresome halfway through the book, like we get it. You’re in love with your brother! Who is scary so like I’m not sure why you are.
Caitlin and Olivia’s parents were soo frustrating, I kind of feel like they got what they deserved in the end.
The major twist was absolutely heartbreaking. I didn’t. See it coming, it was so good.
I’m not sure I can say more without spoilers lol

Quite an interesting premise for a novel. I like the style of writing and the characters. I was really quite enjoying the first couple of chapters and the authentic way that the characters interact with each other.

I didn't enjoy the main twist. I didn't enjoy the messed up family dynamics and I didn't enjoy how much of a doormat each main character is.

I spent the whole time being annoyed at both of the main characters in each storyline. Grow a backbone. Stand up for yourself. Be honest.

It was well written, but I don't like the plot.

Thank you to Netgalley for the E ARC