The Favorite Daughter Kaira Rouda | Expected publication: May 21st 2019 by Graydon House | 368 Pages | Goodreads
✅ PUBLISHER’S DESCRIPTION
“The perfect home. The perfect family. The perfect lie.
Jane Harris lives in a sparkling home in an oceanfront gated community in Orange County. It’s a place that seems too beautiful to be touched by sadness. But exactly one year ago, Jane’s oldest daughter, Mary, died in a tragic accident and Jane has been grief-stricken ever since. Lost in a haze of anti-depressants, she’s barely even left the house. Now that’s all about to change.
It’s time for Jane to reclaim her life and her family. Jane’s husband, David, has planned a memorial service for Mary and three days later, their youngest daughter, Betsy, graduates high school. Yet as Jane reemerges into the world, it’s clear her family has changed without her. Her husband has been working long days—and nights—at the office. Her daughter seems distant, even secretive. And her beloved Mary was always such a good girl—dutiful and loving. But does someone know more about Mary, and about her last day, than they’ve revealed?
The bonds between mothers and daughters, and husbands and wives should never be broken. But you never know how far someone will go to keep a family together…”
✅ REVIEW
What a character! This story was entertaining and twisted from beginning to end.
Meet Jane Harris, devoted wife and mother who about a year ago lost his older daughter to a tragic accident. For the past months, Jane has been grief-stricken and spending her days at home, leaving the house only to visit her therapists or to run essential errands.
The one-year memorial is almost here, and Jane is waking up to a new reality, she wants to reclaim her place in the family but it won’t be easy as it sounds, things have changed.
The story is character driven and narrated by Jane. I found her thoughts captivating, she was a truly interesting character, sometimes making me laugh and other times cringing at her actions.
Overall, I enjoyed it and recommend it to readers of mysteries/suspense and contemporary fiction.
Received ARC from the publisher via Netgalley
✅ BOOK SOURCE AND FORMAT
ARC, ebook