I love the idea of flipping the missing person script and I’m so pleased to say it was a great read. Instead of the usual is the missing person alive or dead in this case we are following the kidnapper and she is doing her best to convince us that she did the right thing. This book is a compelling read and if you have children will make you want to hold on to them tighter. This book could have gone in so many directions that it was impossible to put down. We have all either seen or been the parent at their breaking point in public with their children. The author could have made the choice here an easier one but she doesn’t and makes it very clear what is going on. We know it’s the wrong choice but the writing will suck you in. I have some minor quibbles about the c

'Don’t stop moving.'

Sarah Walker isn’t the usual kidnapper, a very successful business woman, though healing from the end of her stagnant relationship with Ethan, she puts all her energy into her job, traveling to other continents. She certainly isn’t the wild-eyed, terrifying stranger all children are warned about. To five-year old Emma Grace Townsend, a precious darling girl, Sarah is more concerned about her well-being than her own mother Amy. Their first encounter happens at the airport while Sarah is in the security line before her flight to Ethiopia for work. “Something inside me wrenched.” When she spots the beautifully dressed little girl and feels instant familiarity, thinking “she could have been my very own”, her foolish delight at the doll of a child dies when she witnesses the ugliness of her mother, Amy. Pushing and shoving the child, the father completely engrossed by his phone and oblivious of his wife’s cruelties Sarah witnesses coldness remembering her own selfish, detached mother. It’s the incident in the bathroom, though, that really tugs at her heart. Is it in that moment, even after they go their separate ways, that fate ties the two?

This isn’t the life Amy wanted, caring for two children, the demands, the tedium and her daughter Emma somehow always trying her last nerve, pushing things too far. A stubborn willful child, or is she? Why does she tolerate her young son Robert better, and turn into a raving madwoman with Emma? No one knows how hard it is for her, this motherhood thing that she longs to quit! One day will change their lives forever, one explosion of fury that confirms what Sarah knows she must do. ” I ask if I can hold her hand. She lets me, and then we are walking toward the big, bold lights of the store. Our first public appearance as Sarah Walker and the Missing Girl.”

What does it mean if a mother doesn’t much miss her child? That all the rotten things she has done could lead to exposure of her own true nature when her child vanishes? What if the authorities turn their suspicions on her? Who took her child?

Sarah can’t do what so many others seem so eager to, turn their back on a child in desperate need. She knows all too well what life is like for a child in the storms of a cold mother. The reader reaches into the past as witness to she and her father living as if waiting forever for her own mother to return. Abandoned in youth, a unwannted, discarded thing Sarah and Emma may as well be the same person. There are no options beyond committing a crime, the system is broken and the only way out is through rescue. Can a kidnapping be a rescue? Is it a crime if your offer is salvation? Is Amy really the monster Sarah has painted her?

This is a love story, but not about Sarah and Ethan’s broken love. It is about the love between a woman and a child of the heart, if not womb. It is an interesting provocative tale, but my issue was with the ending. It’s easy to say this could never happen, eyes are everywhere today, she’d be caught, but we know all to well from stories of abductions that it is plausible to take a child that isn’t yours, there have been plenty of tales of adult children finding out they are a missing child. Obviously Sarah’s logic is skewed from her own broken childhood and mommy issues, she is adamant that what she is doing is necessary. Though, why not worry about the baby, I mean really if Amy is this monster of a mother it would only be a matter of time before her rage turns on him too? No? I guess a baby is harder to abduct. Okay her money makes it much easier to up and go, to set up a new life, to hide. A child will change as it grows up, be less recognizable, if you settle into surroundings you would be nothing more than a single mom and her daughter, move along nothing to see here, but still this easy?

It does seem fate works more often in Sarah’s favor than not when on the run. Does everyone get what they want in the end? I am still reeling and arguing with myself about it, forget the whole right and wrong aspect, the law doesn’t work that way. I still think about her baby brother, why is that not even an issue much. Oh he’ll just forget her, because a child won’t be tortured for life about the ‘not knowing’ as they grow up. I know, he won’t remember her sure they’ll keep her abduction a secret, because secrets never get out. Amy, I just don’t see Amy chosing as she did in the end if for no other reason than to come out looking like a better human being than she is, exonerating herself. I can’t say more.

I think it’s an interesting story, that begs the question, how culpable are we all in what we witness? We all know how turning people in turns out, kids can end up in even more dangerous abusive situations or worse, parents wiggle out of accusations and the children are back with the abuser. What a tangled tale.

Publication Date: August 21, 2018

St. Martin’s Press

Thanks to Netgalley and St. Martin for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I was offered this ARC based on some other book that I read and enjoyed. My biggest issue is that I like Mystery/thrillers and this is really more like women's fiction in my opinion. I found it to be comparable to a Jodi Piccoult with some off the wall behavior, minimal suspense and a lot of emotion.

I thought this book was well written and I felt that the Sarah and Amy characters were well developed and I knew where they both were coming from. But, I felt like a lot of the things that happened in this book were pretty far fetched especially the ending. How did that exactly work out? I needed more closure and more understanding how such an agreement would work.

When I read the description, I knew I just had to read this book. The striking cover didn’t hurt, either.

This story is told from two points of view, that of Sarah--the kidnapper, and Amy--Emma's mother. It also alternates between before, during, and after the kidnapping. If this sounds complicated, don't worry. The voices of the two characters are distinct enough to avoid confusion, and it becomes very easy to sort out the time jumps.

There is a lot to like about this book.

The characters are well fleshed out and are complex enough to be empathized with, for better or for worse, but I do have a few complaints. 

Much of Sarah's before is dominated by her obsession with her ex, but while we are given a token resolution/explanation, it's rather thin and doesn't really make sense. The obsession itself also seems to be out of step with the strong, independent woman Sarah is throughout. 

Another small quibble is that Amy has a very small voice in comparison to Amy's. I get that there are plenty of books that are heavily told from the parents' side, but I still wanted a little more. 

The plot is well done. It's fast moving and keeps you interested from the start. I read this book in one day, and stayed up until 2 a.m. to do so.  I just had to know how it ended!

In the end, I decided to give the book 4 stars instead of 5, because of the ending. I don't want to give anything away, but I just wasn't sure about how it all resolved.

A big thank you to St. Martin's Press for providing me with an ARC. The opinions above are solely my own. 

Not Her Daughter hits the shelves on August 21, 2018.

This story stirs a lot of emotion. On the one hand you have Amy the biological mother who is jealous of her own daughter and is abusive. She’s mean and it treats her daughter. Emma is a great child and is very lovable. On the other hand you have Sarah, she wants Emma to have a better life, wants to save her from abuse and give her the love she deserves. So Sarah kidnaps Emma and they form a deep bond. Amy herself reassess her life when her daughter is gone and makes changes hoping to rebuild her bonds with her daughter. While I can sympathize with Sarah wanting to give Emma more I could not accept that kidnapping her was right. To me, as a mother, no matter what the reasons, what Sarah did is wrong. And as much as I feel that she is a wonderful person that I would root for normally, the course of action taken by her is not something I can support. That part seems a little far fetched to me
It’s a well written book and an enjoyable ready overall.

**Thank you to Net Galley and St. Martin’s press for the Advanced Reader Copy in exchange for an unbiased review.**

Not Her Daughter
Rea Fray
I received this copy from NetGalley for an honest Review:
Motherhood...do any of us think we're doing it right? What about a woman who really doesn't 'like' her 5 year old daughter? Who has a hard time keeping her temper, who really is unsatisfied with her life?
I really wanted to relate to Amy, the 'real' mom, but I have to tell you, I just didn't like her...she was selfish, mean, short-tempered, and whiny...everything a Mom can't afford to be (that being said, I did find myself feeling for her, she honestly knew her short-comings). When her daughter goes missing, actually kidnapped by a woman who has seen how she is treated and just wants her to have a better life, well you start to root for the kidnapper; it's a weird feeling to be rooting for the 'bad' guy for all intents and purposes, but you do!
I found this story to be a bit far-fetched yet it kept me glued to the pages to see how it all worked out.
Very readable story.
#NetGalley #Not Her Daughter

I absolutely loved this book! I definitely plan on ordering a copy for my library when it comes out. I can't wait to recommend it to people!

Read all my reviews at: https://brainfartsandbooks.wordpress.com

I really liked this story for the most part. It was the ending (of course), that had me wanting for more. Not because it didn't have an ending, but because the ending was just so unsatisfying that I wanted a do over. Sarah Walker is a successful businesswoman whose job entails creating age appropriate toy kits for children. After having her heart broken by her boyfriend, Ethan, Sarah becomes entranced by a little girl who she sees at the airport. A little girl (Emma) who is physically and emotionally abused by an unhappy mother. Sarah decides to rescue Emma from her family and goes on a nationwide road trip staying a Airbnbs to cover their tracks. I really enjoyed the relationship between Sarah and Emma and although it was wrong of Sarah to kidnap Emma, she really did give Emma a better life. Amy, Emma's mother, on the other hand, was an awful woman full of scorn and hatred for her own daughter. The thing was, Emma was a really good little girl. She listened and was good-natured despite her mother's abusive behavior. It made me think...how many other kids are there out there who are in this situation in real life? It was a really sad reality to think about. The book was written extremely well and had great descriptions of the characters, the investigation into Emma's disappearance, and the places Sarah and Emma visited.

Thank you to Netgalley, Rea Frey, and St. Martin's Press for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I could not get into this one at all. The main character was not compelling. Disappointing because the plot was interesting.

Could you ever side with a kidnapper? What if the kidnapper was simply rescuing a child from harm or neglect? And what if the kidnapper's own past somehow contributed to deep feelings of abandonment? These are just a few of the questions that come to light in this lovely and insightful novel.
When Sarah first sees Emma and her parents at the airport and watches Amy slapping her for not keeping up, she is horrified at the potential abuse. Later, coincidentally, she sees Emma again and is galvanized by the idea she must help this little girl who is clearly in need of mothering. And so she does.
But what about the consequences? Sarah has her own demons; her mother ran out on her family, her recent relationship ended badly, and she is now drawn to five-year-old Emma. How far can she run and keep secrets hidden?
Poignant and compelling, this novel will draw you in and keep you in its grips until the very end--perhaps a one-sitting read!

Not Her Daughter presents us with two different women- Amy, the biological mother, and Sarah, the kidnapper. As readers, we get the before, during, and after of the abduction of 5 year old Emma from the perspectives of both women. At times, I empathised with one or the other. Other times, I was so disgusted at both women(or the men that surrounded them). Hey, it's normal and it's human. I just know that I want to talk about it.

A good book for me always does 2 things; firstly, I am unable to put it down, snatching reading time at every opportunity throughout the day. Secondly, I can’t get the characters out of my thoughts, whilst reading the book, and for a while after I’ve finished. This book ticked both those boxes. Big time.
We follow the story of Sarah, a successful businesswoman who has recently gone through a painful split from her long term boyfriend and love of her life. I liked Sarah, she is strong, independent and personable. She had a pretty difficult childhood with a neglectful mother, practically brought up as a gypsy by her father. Loved, but harbouring feelings of abandonment. Does that give her reason to do what she done? She is of stable mind, so why when she sees an adorable little girl by chance being treated badly by her mother, does she feel the way she does? Drawn to the girl, unable to get her out of her thoughts, she relates to her instantly, and starts to think irrational thoughts about the girls life. Is this because she sees herself in the girl?
Fate brings them together again at a later date, and this time Sarah cannot leave things alone.
I particularly liked the way the story was also told through the eyes of Amy, Emma’s mother, making us understand her reasons for her behaviour, although shocking, she’s her mother - and even she struggles to understand why she feels the way she does toward her daughter. She seeks therapy in an unusual way, does it give her the answers? It certainly helps her understand her actions .... not that I could relate to her, as a Mother, it was almost as if relief flooded her when the unthinkable happens. She’s desperately unhappy, her family life is dismal and Emma is suffering - but surely she cannot be happier to be without her child.
The story was told so well, it was first and foremost gripping, pulling at the heart strings and left me knowing that the most difficult decisions needed to be made but where would this take Emma? I so desperately wanted her to be happy, with Sarah, however it goes against everything you feel as a mother, to have someone else take your child and raise them as their own. This book draws you in; is in your thoughts all day long; and for a long time after.
I would highly recommend this book. I was shocked that it’s a debut novel and will definitely be looking out for more by this author in future. My only criticism is that I felt the ending was slightly rushed, I would have liked to have known more about their life now, but that’s probably because I didn’t want it to end ....
thank you to netgalley for the arc and the chance to enjoy this novel.

Emotionally charged!!!! Never would have guessed the ending and will not forget this book. To have child suck in a life that would not get better and then a stranger to save her. You don't know if you should mad at the mother or the kidnapper. You must read this book!!!

I'm SO GLAD I didn't give up on this one! I honestly struggled with it at first, just couldn't get into it - but something about it told me to give it a little time and come back to it and after I did I found myself immersed...

How many times have any of us witnessed cruelty to a child and wished we could do something about it? Well, Sarah did - and the tale that follows that decision is moving and unbelievable and touching and really a remarkable read. I did find it, at times, unbelievable - the suspension of disbelief is more than occasionally required here - but it was never any less enjoyable a read for that. Emma is heart-breakingly believable in and of herself - that may be why the book didn't always have to be, if that makes any sense. I have a five year old daughter who is, like Emma, lovely and audacious and smart as a whip; there were definitely times when this book hurt my heart because I can't even imagine a child like mine going through what Emma did. Sarah's impetuosity - and her continued decision to act when most would have walked away - will garner criticism and complain. I get that, I really do - we can't all decide we are The Law or things would go to hell in a handbasket even faster than they are. But I also found it lovely to see someone in this increasingly isolated, me-myself-and-I-focused world care enough about a stranger to actually take action - even if that action was somewhat insane.

I thoroughly enjoyed this one. The characters were gut-wrenchingly genuine and the tale was well paced and articulated. I will definitely look for more from Rea Frey.

First I would like to give a note of thanks to St. Martin's Press and Netgalley for an ARC of the book in exchange for an honest review.

In the first few chapters we are introduced to Sarah. An independent, successful, single business woman in her mid 30's. She owns her own super successful business. She Initially seems grounded and responsible with a great career and life ahead.

On a business trip while in an airport she encounters Emma who is being mistreated by her parents. She later encounters Emma again on another business trip and becomes obsessed with the maltreatment of the child by her parents. She suffers some abandonment and abusive issues of her own from early childhood.

The story from here takes us through Sarah kidnapping the child and taking her on the run. This is where the story plummets. It was just so far fetched. Much too out of character for someone we were just introduced to as a model responsible character. For her to think that she could or should snatch a child from their abusive family and be justified. That she would never go to jail for this crime. That there were no other avenues to follow.

How convenient that she receives an offer to sell her business for ten million dollars while she's on he run. How convenient she can just disappear for months and her family and friends aren't crazy looking for her. How is it the child never asks for her own family? Evan abusers are loved by their children and the abused kids miss their families when away. How convenient that her business can just carry on without her when in the beginning we learn that the success of the business is all because of her.

Then her long lost mother shows back up in the picture. Although upset with her mom, she resigns to the fact that she wants a relationship with her mom after all. Does she really think Emma wouldn't want the same thing?

The story was technically well written, although it took me along time to get through it. Every time I put down the book about these two dysfunctional women, Sarah and Amy, Emma's biological mother, I didn't want to go back to the story. It was so unfathomable especially the ending.

Many people loved the story and seemed to get much more out of it than I did. Get your copy, I'll be curious to see what you think.

Unfortunately I was not a fan of this novel. It was so incredibly far fetched and unbelievable. Not a realistic plot, I mean really. Who would just kidnap a kid like that?

Sarah Walker is a successful business woman, philanthropist, and world traveler, but when she sees a little girl being badly mistreated in the airport it weighs on her. The event calls back memories of her own mother and her own painful childhood. So, when fate brings Sarah and five-year-old Emma together again, Sarah does the unthinkable. Avoiding the system and any legal means of saving Emma, and disregarding potential consequences of her actions, Sarah gives in to her compulsion to save the girl and simply takes her away.
Told from the dual perspectives of five-year-old Emma’s biological mother and her abductor, Not Her Daughter is the thinking reader’s thriller, placing new questions of ethics and the law before them at every twist and turn of the plot.
Frey has done a masterful job with the plot of Not Her Daughter. It kept me up reading past my bedtime on multiple nights. During the days, my mind dwelled on the ethical dilemmas Sarah faced—altogether an engaging and satisfying read.

--I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts are purely my own and not influenced in any way.--

Well, this book was interesting! We got to follow the perspectives of both the kidnapper and the abusive mother and painting both in a humanistic way. There was a lot going on here: a missing mom, a damaged marriage, several relationship issues, and yet it all gets balanced out in a roofing and fast paced story.

My only issue was the ending: it made sense given the characters but didn't seem realistic in the slightest (even though I saw it coming). Still fun, but kinda feel flat.

Emotionally stirring story of motherhood & childhood.
Spotting a child in an airport triggers childhood abuse memories in Sarah Walker, along with a longing to rescue this little girl named Emma. When a chance meeting reconnects Sarah with Emma, Sarah begins a series of decisions that change both of their lives. The moral dilemma with Sarah's actions provides an underlying tension.
Includes book club discussion questions at the end.

This was an interesting novel that tests your belief that motherhood is an instinct and parents love their children unconditionally, Well written however it was a bit dark for me