The Fourth Daughter by Lyn Liao Butler.
A powerful and emotional read that shines a light on the injustices faced by women and girls in Taiwan's past.
The story of family, love, and resilience is beautifully woven, with vivid descriptions of Taiwanese culture and history.
While I appreciated the novel's emotional depth, the writing style felt a bit straightforward at times. I felt it lacked prose and imagery.
Nonetheless, the characters are relatable, making this a compelling and thought provoking read.
Overall, it's a nice short book for fans of historical fiction and family dramas.
Thank you to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for the opportunity to read and review this Advanced Release Copy

a book full of heart and emotional moments that have you truly feeling for the characters within. and also has you feeling for so many that outside of this fictional book has face similar in real life. i felt taken in and invested fully in to these woman and their stories and was needing to know where this one would take me. the bond and telling of this book through grandmother and grand daughter was also really special and added an honesty,depth and impact that wouldn't have been there without it being told via these two.
the culture and telling of somewhere i dont know anything about was also fascinating and mouth watering to say the least.
i cant imagine what this one woman had to go through. although sadly because of the brilliant writing here i can imagine some of it. it broke my heart to read it. so unfair, so unjust.
this book bring us to our grand daughter who is on the road to success. everything is falling into place until one day a incident at her the restaurant where she is chef leaves her broken, damaged and spiralling to the point she can no longer leave her apartment. so she doesn't.
then she gets a call from her grandmother. she has news, a secret to share. she thinks she saw her daughter. BUT what daughter as there isn't one that Livia knows about, whats her grandmother talking about? well, this daughter was taken to her all those years ago, and given to another family.
and so its up to Livia to leave her apartment and go to her grandmothers aid. shes on the search with her and for her. its her own aunt too after all.
and this may be the start of something far more than she thought it ever could and not just for her grandmother.
it was heartbreaking to hear of how woman were treated. sadly it rings so true not just for recent history but some of the undercurrents still in our world today and not just across oceans.
the addition of food obviously was a winner and it does after all bring us all in, connects us all. we all want more food, lol.
i really enjoyed this book. and was so relieved the ending wasn't going to devastate me.

I loved this book and thought the author smashed it.
The setting of Taiwan feels like a character itself, vibrant and full of heart, providing the perfect backdrop for Liv to get her groove back! I loved the relationships in this story and wish I could spend more time with the characters. Thank you so much for the ARC!

Lyn Liao Butler’s “The Fourth Daughter” is a beautifully woven family saga that tenderly explores the unbreakable bond between grandmother and granddaughter, set against the rich cultural tapestry of Taiwan. From the very first page, I adored Liv, a rising chef in Manhattan whose life is suddenly upended by trauma, and her beloved Ah-Ma, whose past holds a heartbreaking mystery spanning decades.

The novel effortlessly shifts between present-day and vivid memories of Ah-Ma’s life from the 1950s through the 1970s, immersing readers in Taiwan’s history and traditions during a turbulent time under martial law. This dual narrative enriches the story, adding layers of emotional depth and historical resonance that make the search for Ah-Ma’s lost fourth daughter both poignant and compelling.

What stands out most is the exquisite character development. Liv’s journey from emotional confinement to courageous healing is so authentic and moving that I cheered her on every step of the way. The special bond between Liv and Ah-Ma is palpable, filled with warmth, comfort, and a shared love that is as nourishing as the traditional Taiwanese food that threads through their story.

The setting of Taiwan feels like a character itself—vibrant, comforting, and full of promise—and it provides the perfect backdrop for Liv’s healing and unexpected romance. The discovery of a precious old cookbook and the unraveling of a family secret deliver gripping twists that challenge everything Liv thought she knew about her family, while ultimately giving her the strength to confront her past.

“The Fourth Daughter” is a heartfelt and inspiring novel about love, loss, resilience, and the power of family. It’s a deeply satisfying read that stays with you long after the last page. Highly recommended.