Thank you to NetGalley, Graydon House and Kara Rouda for an ARC ebook copy to review. As always, an honest review from me.

Like:
- Slow build up of suspense and people becoming more and more unhinged
- The author had me tricked (but also somewhat confused) about the real killer

Love: —

Dislike:
- the unreliable narrator - some people love it, but not me
- lots of talk about the dead daughter … obviously that’s what the book is about, but it was a bit much for me
- All the family drama - there didn’t seem to be a point to it.

Wish that:
- We saw more of the other people’s POV, not just the wife, because it would have made the story more well rounded and intriguing
- Even after reading, I still didn’t really see what the point of the story was.

Overall, another mediocre domestic thriller/suspense/family drama novel. Lately I’ve read so many of this genre that have disappointed me, so it makes me wonder is it the quality of the books or is it me not enjoying the genre anymore?

The Favorite Daughter


An unreliable narrator tells us quite the story of the perfect daughter she lost, and the daughter that could never measure up.

⭐️⭐️⭐️

SUMMARY
Jane Harris lives in a beautiful home in an oceanfront gated community in Orange County. It’s a place that seems unlikely to ever be touched by sadness. 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 left the house. Now that’s all about to change.

Jane is reclaiming 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 re-enters the world, it’s clear her family has moved on 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
Kaira Rouda loves writing with unreliable narrators, and Jane Harris is just about the worst. As a narcissist, she is obsessed with the perception of how things looks and she has grandiose opinions of her self-worth, her looks and her abilities. I definitely didn’t like her character, and literally felt sick reading about the chaos she was creating. I despised the familiar way Jane narrated the story, occasionally using the “you” pronoun when addressing the reader. I felt icky being drawn into Jane’s story, as if she was physically here bragging about what a great mother she was.

That being said, I stayed with the book and found it a quick and easy. My favorite part was how Betsy persevered despite losing her sister and her mother’s continual criticism, manipulation and deceit.

Author Kaira Rouda is a best selling author of contemporary fiction novels exploring what goes on behind closed doors of seemingly perfect lives. She lives in Southern California with her family. Thanks to Netgalley, Graydon House and Kaira Rouda for an advance reading copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.


Publisher Graydon House
Published May 21, 2019
Review www.bluestockingreviews.com

Jane, Jane, Jane. What a fabulous character you are! And what a fabulous book you belong to.

I don’t know how this author writes such absolutely detestable characters that reel me in and keep me glued to the page, but she is a master at it. I gathered from the first pages that Jane was not going to be a lovely person, but I couldn’t walk away from this book. I just needed to know what happened to her and everyone involved in her life and I was not disappointed. What a page turning, messed up, absolutely riveting read. I loved to hate every page and I’m going to highly recommend you do the same.

I highly recommend this book to lovers of amazingly written domestic train wrecks with the most evil, brilliant characters ever written. This was one brilliantly fabulous book.

I received an advanced copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

Oh jeez! This book is crazy. Jane is insane. You will laugh, you will cringe and you will not be able to believe her audacity. This is disturbing, suspenseful, & hilarious. I enjoy Rouda’s writing style. I have to say, I did enjoy Best Day Ever more than this one though. Definitely recommend.

I like to thank NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for giving me the opportunity to read this book in exchange for my honest review.

3.5 Stars-- The Favorite Daughter by Kaira Rouda-- Out May 21, 2019
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Thank you to Netgalley and Graydon Books for a free digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
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What I loved: Rouda is one of the best I have seen write from the point of view of a narcissist. There truly are no surprises here. Our first person narrator is clearly delusional-- no secrets here. What gives this book 3.5 stars is Rouda's ability to take a family where you have reasons to dislike everyone, but really hate one character. And I hated Jane to the point where I even felt bad for the husband, who is not the best person. But that truly is the purpose. Usually, I need a good person to cheer for, but I will accept Betsy as the one I needed to cheer for here and she truly earned that because Jane is just awful.
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What I did not love: The plot was a tad to stagnant. You knew what was going to happen, which is fine, but there was no real rising action or climax. It all just happened. I would be confused as to what to call this book. It is not a psychological thriller-- all psychological but no thriller. Suspense not so much because it was clear where it was going. For me to give this four or even five stars, I needed more action.
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Don't let the 3.5Stars full you. I feel many will enjoy this book, and I honestly did. I just needed something to really happen. I look forward to any future books from Rouda seeing as I enjoyed The Best Day Ever as well!

This tells the story of a grieving mother named Jane. Tragically losing her oldest daughter Mary in a freak accident. She’s super overprotective of her last remaining daughter. Great character development, you change your mind so many times throughout the story whether you like her or hate her, as more details are given.

This book is a fantastic, exceptionally fun thriller in a world filled with the same old plots and storylines. It'll make you question everything, every step of the way - starting from the very first paragraphs. This book centers around our quirky and creepy narrator Jane after the death of her daughter. We look at how and why her life is imploding and only she holds the answers.

Definitely read this if you're looking for a great way to spend a day and one that you'll probably mention to friends in the future! The writing style takes a bit of getting used to because you feel like you're reading Jane's thoughts and she knows you're doing it. Other than that, buckle up and have fun!

Oh my, Jane. What can you say about Jane? She's pretty over the top and dare I say, insane. She wants what's best....for her.

This is a psychological thriller with an unreliable narrator - guess who? It sucks you in, spins you around and leaves you wanting more at the end.

And Jane? She's that person you love to hate until you don't.

Read this book, but be prepared because you won't want to put it down. So maybe start it right after you clean you house! Not before.

Thank you so very much to the author, publisher and Netgalley for allowing me an ARC at my request. My thoughts of on this novel are my own.

Kaira Rouda has perfected the art of the narcissistic narrator. Jane is a narcissist, extremely egotistical, and a control freak: All qualities mothers should lack. As Jane narrates her story, the atmosphere of the story gets creepier and creepier. Her observations and delusions made me squirm. The other characters are trapped in her manipulative world. As the story unfolds, she reveals more and more of her madness. How did Mary, her oldest daughter, die? Was it an accident, or did someone push her off that cliff? I wholeheartedly recommend this book to people who love thrillers and/or who enjoyed one of my favorite books of 2017, Best Day Ever.
I received an Advance Review Copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

The Favorite Daughter # NetGalley
Kaira Rouda
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This is my second novel to read by this author and I enjoyed it very much. It will keep you on the edge of your seat trying to figure the main character, Jane, motivation for her bizarre, chilling behavior. If you like a good psychological thriller, then you will enjoy this book. Jane is the mother of two daughters but one of them has died from an “accident “. But, was it really an accident or murder? That is the question that is presented throughout the book keeping the reader guessing. It’s not possible for a family member to be responsible, right??? There is a lot going on in this book and you will have a hard time determining what is fact and what is fiction. You hope all will be revealed by the last page. You will want to read this book in one sitting, as I did, to solve all of the suspense. Read this book as you won’t regret it. I recommend this book and rate it ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.

Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for a copy of this ARC book in exchange for an honest review.

An unreliable narrator, teetering on the edge. A family she’s unable to keep under control.

Kaira Rouda introduces a character you’re going to love to hate! So many times I found myself shocked, confounded, or laughing at Jane’s over-the-top audacity.

It’s the one year anniversary of her daughter Marys’ death. The pain hasn’t diminished, but it’s time for Jane to look to the future and begin reclaiming her life.
Starting with her husband David and younger daughter Betsy. Only both have apparently moved on...seemingly without Jane. Well, that just won’t do! Jane is going to do whatever it takes to keep her family with her....no matter the consequences.

Kaira Roudas’ addition of the bizarre, tragic ways someone can die in America left me in stitches! Everything from bee stings to falling on upright knives in the dishwasher, to chickens seeking revenge through food poisoning!😂

Without question, this has climbed to the top of my favorite reads so far of 2019! I loved xxxxxxx previous novel Best Day Ever. This book takes that narcissistic behavior one huge step further! You’ll be shocked by horrendous behavior, you’ll laugh, then be horrified once again! What fun! An absolute roller-coaster must read!

A fantastic and fun buddy read with Susanne!🌸

Thank you to NetGalley, Edelweiss, Harlequin Graydon House Books and Kaira Rouda for an ARC to read and review.

I love love love books with sympathetic yet unreliable narrators. It makes the read so much more fun and intense, not knowing what is actually the truth.

Rouda did a fantastic job with this book, and the writing is so natural and gripping.

Thanks to Net Galley for a chance to read and review this book!

This is the second book I have read by Rouda. Thanks to NetGalley I received this ARC for an honest review. It started off a bit slow but when I got into it - well, Jane is one crazy a$$ b..tch!! I felt like I was the psychologist and she was talking directly to me. I also felt like slapping her a few times.

Jane is living the life; rich, beautiful house, good husband and two lovely daughters (Mary & Betsy) And she is ruining it all. Possessive and controlling, she stalks her own daughters. When her eldest dies in a tragic accident she goes into depression, lives on pills and stays in the house. But when her husband plans a memorial for Mary and her youngest, Betsy is about to graduate high school, Jane decides to reclaim her life and family.

While reading this book sometimes I felt sorry for Jane and other times I wanted to shake her and make her see what she was doing to her family. Loved every minute of reading this book and looking forward to more books from Kaira Rouda. Put this one on your TBR list!

I had a lot of fun reading this one! I'm a sucker for unreliable narrators\narcissistic characters like this one. The story was fun and twisty, and kept me turning the page. The only thing keeping me from giving this all the stars, is that It did feel a bit longer than it needed to be. A little trimming would have !are this pitch perfect. But still, I can't recommend this one enough!

I can see many people loving this book with Jane, our unreliable narrator, weaving tales and creating stories. But I had a hard time with her. She seemed unhinged from the beginning, wild and crazy. I like a more slow build when it comes to unreliable narrators. I don’t like knowing from the get go that I shouldn’t trust them. I also didn’t like how Jane talked directly to the reader. It seemed unnecessary.

The plot was interesting and kept you turning pages. There was the main story of her daughter who tragically died the year before and the current story of her family moving in and coping with that loss. Jane obsessed about controlling all of her family and them not involving her in the present or their plans for their future caused her crazy to escalate. At the end it all unravels, predictably so.

I received an advanced copy through Netgalley in return for an honest review.

2.5 stars

This was a case of it's not you, it's me scenario.

I loved how this was told in first person, with Jane as the narrator. In fact, Jane is telling the story by speaking directly to the reader, which is a first in my reading experience. Very well done..however, I found it hard to be in Jane's head. Yes, she's a narcissist and is grief-stricken, but I found it to be a bit of a tiresome read and repetitive.

I love this author’s writing style! She writes with precision and makes you love/hate Jane. Is Jane psycho or not? This story is told in first person from Jane and there are many twists and turns. It was very addictive. Thanks to Grayson House and to NetGalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

I liked it though the book is at least a 100 pages too long.

Thanks to the publisher for the ARC.

My prediction is that this will be the book everyone is talking about in the spring. It's one of the best psychological thrillers that I've ever read. I didn't know who to believe until the shocking ending. It was absolutely fantastic.

The main character is Jane and the story begins one year after her oldest daughter died in an accident. Jane has spent the last year in grief and a drug induced haze. Now it's time for her to take over her family again - her husband David is working long hours and isn't paying attention to her and her daughter Betsy, getting ready to graduate from high school, doesn't want to spend any time with her. The family has gone on without Jane and she's ready to take control. The entire story is told from Jane's perspective and your opinion of her changes over and over -- is she a loving, caring mother and wife or a total psychopath? Finding out who the REAL Jane is makes this a book that will keep you turning pages as your perspective changes again and again.

A lot of reviews refer to this book as a roller coaster ride and that's exactly what it is. Jane is an unreliable narrator who you aren't sure if you should feel sorry for or hate. This is psychological fiction at its very best.

Thanks to the publisher for a copy of this book to read and review. All opinions are my own.

*Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.*

This story follows a mother who has recently lost her favorite daughter. Our narrator is done grieving; we meet her as she plots where her life should go now. Too bad for her that nothing will go according to plan...

Part mystery, part character study, get ready to enter a warped perspective! I loved the experience and the doubts I found myself having about our characters; particularly our narrator. Kaira Rouda is officially one of my favorite authors of unreliable narrators.