I started the book, was not drawn in, kept reading and skimming, read the end, skipped about and decided that this dysfunctional group of people were twisted, creepy and disappointing. There was nobody that ended up with a happily ever after and I could not really relate to any of the characters. As I do not like to write negative reviews and did not read every word I have opted to NOT write a review. Sorry ~ I really loved the first book I read by this author and hoped this one would be the same. Thank you for the ARC. (DNF enough of the book to write a comprehensive review)

Thanks to the publisher and netgalley for the ebook copy in exchange for my honest review

4/5 stars

This is my second book by Souza and it did not disappoint! Another binge-worthy read that you'll want to make sure you have plenty of time for when you start. Finished it in two sittings and I'll definitely be picking up more from this author in the future.

Joseph Souza's The Perfect Daughter was an interesting read. I am giving this story three and a half stars.

This is my first Joseph Souza book and I was excited to read it because I know he has a lot of fans! Quick paced, intriguing mystery, and some good twists—it definitely lived up to the author’s hype.

The setting in a coastal town in Maine had me transported right out of the Midwest. While I saw the town as an adorable get away, leading lady Isla sees Shepherd’s Bay as the town she always dreamed of escaping, but never did. Returning home without a college degree and with all of her dreams slipping away, Isla married high school basketball star Ray and lives a life she always thought she didn’t want.

Now, with a high school-aged daughter of their own, Isla helps support their family by offering pricey haircuts to the wealthy clients of the salon she owns. But when Katie fails to return home one night, Isla quickly forgets her other worries. Katie isn’t at her friends’ houses, and Katie’s friend Willow is missing as well.

But when Katie shows up a few days later with no memory of what happened, things get even stranger. Where is Willow? And what happened to Katie during those missing days?
I loved all of the gossip in this small town. Afterall, that is the thing small towns do best—gossip spreads like wild fire through the residents, and secrets don’t stay buried for long!

Meanwhile the local police officer is of course Isla’s ex-boyfriend from high school—another classic small town phenomena! In a town where no one moves on, those pesky old relationships always seem to resurface. And Isla needs Karl’s help, so I’m sure you can guess where this is going…

I loved the juxtaposition between the socioeconomic status of the townspeople. The wealthy clients at the salon were in such stark contrast to Isla and Ray (and other characters) financial struggles. The conflict between the privileged and less privileged was a fascinating element to this mystery. I also loved the feeling that a dark force was at work within the small town of Shepherd’s Bay.
Well-plotted and twisty, this was a great mystery to lose myself in!

Thank you to Kensington Books and TLC Book Tours for my copy. Opinions are my own.

So visiting Maine Is now on my bucket list despite all the nastiness in this book. Seriously, I could have gotten in the car today, despite the quarantine. Many other people were discovering this small idyllic beach town with understandable tension on between the locals and rich newcomers. Suddenly, teenagers go missing and a murder happens amid swirling rumors of drugs and shady undercurrents in Shepherds Bay. I enjoyed the multi POV’s, Really loved a couple of the townfolk but was amazed at all the unhealthy relationships during this wild ride of thriller and all the misdirections and solid, surprise ending. My first read from this prolific author and would read another in a heartbeat.

Wow, what a book! This is what I want to see in my mysteries; the writing providing suspense, chills, thrills, twists and turns, shocks, and tension, and Souza did this in THE PERFECT DAUGHTER. It’s one of those that will have you wondering what the heck is going on and why and who, and much more, and you WILL NOT find out until the author wants you to! Not many are able to provide this anymore, but Souza does! Unputdownable, intense, and perfect for those thrill lovers! Highly, highly recommend!

This one kept me guessing until the very end. I loved the character development and the way the chapters alternate characters. The twists and turns really kept me guessing. Was pretty surprised that it kept me that interested honestly because it’s a crazy time and this gave me a great escape.

I liked the premise of this book, but the ending was just so implausible and stupid. Mystery/thrillers are my favorite genres, but the twist at the end of this book made no sense.

Isla is a hairdresser in Shepherd's Bay. She has lived there her whole life. It's the small town, where everyone knows you. A place where you can raise good kids.
Lately the town has changed. Wealthy family's are moving in. They're buying up the land and making big mansions.
The town is now divided by the haves and the have nots.
Isla is not happy when her daughter takes up with Willow. Willow is from the rich side of town. She is wild and unruly. Her mother was once an actress, her father a film producer. Once her daughter joins that group of kids she starts to change. Even her little brother, Raisin can tell the difference. Isla works hard long hours everyday. Her husband should help with their child but he is seldom home. This causes things to start happening that Isla is not aware of.
When a boy goes missing from their town there is great concern. Even though investigations and searches
Have be done he has not been found.
Then Willow and Elsa's daughter disappear. Something evil is happening in Shepherd's Bay!
I was totally engrossed and engaged in this book from the beginning. Excellent read!

This book is a wild ride!  Missing kids, drugs, murder, and sex all tied into one twisted story.

Isla is basically a single mom trying to provide for her kids emotionally and financially.  While she is married to Ray, he's not worth much of anything!  Her youngest child, Raisin/Ray, is a diabetic and always has to have his service dog Scout with him.  Katie is a good student, good daughter, and never gets in trouble until she falls into step with newcomer Willow. I did not like Willow from the get go.  So when both girls disappear, you just have this feeling that it has something to do with Willow.

I loved the mystery aspect of this book and the different points of views from Isla to the local sheriff who is also Isla's high school boyfriend Karl.  I will tell you right now that Katie is found, but she can't remember anything.   However as we get further into the book bits and pieces start coming back about the details leading up to the night.

Is this one on your radar?  You won't believe the ending! I never saw it coming!

This one is available now!

The Perfect Daughter by Joseph Souza is a recommended mystery set in Shepherd’s Bay, Maine.

High school juniors Katie Eaves and her friend Willow Briggs fail to come home after a night out. When Katie still doesn't come home and Willow's parents haven't seen the girls, Katie's mother Isla is very worried, especially since another teen is still missing after several months. Isla contacts officer Karl Bjornson and search parties are organized. When Katie is found battered and with no memory of what happened. Isla is thankful her daughter is okay, but hopeful that she will remember something to help her friend Willow.

A huge division is already present in the town where long-time residents are resentful of the affluent newcomers who have bought up all the waterfront property, and, well, puttin' on airs because of their wealth. Katie is a townie, her mother is a hairdresser and her father is a loser/entrepreneur/mostly absent. Willow's family are wealthy transplants from L.A.. Rumors are swirling now about the wild parties held at the Briggs' house. Katie still doesn't remember anything and Isla already has her hands full with her son, husband, and father.

The story is told through multiple points-of-view, with each chapter narrated by Isla, Karl, or Katie. The characters are well developed, although not entirely believable as real people. Isla's plate is full with her family and job, but I was more than annoyed with her obsequious behavior toward the wealth newcomers because they brought her in some new business. I would think you could be polite and courteous to all of your clients rather than setting one group aside as more important based on their income. Additionally Katie didn't come across as a junior in high school in her inner dialogue. Included in the narrative is plenty of information about Isla's and Karl's past.

The novel does have plenty of secrets, but it moves along quickly. The question of who-dun-it is not a huge nail biter since they can likely be pointed out by many readers almost right away. This is a novel to sit down and read quickly in one sitting just to past the time. It's interesting enough to pass the time but ultimately will be forgettable to many readers. Those with a tie to Maine and the coastal areas being developed by wealthy outsiders might find more to relate to. Another 3.5 rounded down.

Disclosure: My review copy was courtesy of Kensington.
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After publication the review will be posted on Amazon and Barnes & Noble.

The Perfect Daughter by Joseph Souza takes place on the coast of Maine. It is a lobstering town that has struggled with the health of the town moving forward. It uses the issue of newcomers coming in and buying up all sorts of land and then locking it off to the town’s people as a backdrop in the town of Shepard’s Bay.

The story starts with a young man from town, one of the newcomers, Dakota is missing. Isla and her daughter, Katie are the two main characters. Everyone is concerned but it isn’t until Katie and her best friend Willow go missing for several days that the town’s fears grow. Luckily Katie is found, but with no memory of what happened. Isla is determined to discover what happened. Katie is struggling with the memories, but concerned with what she is remembering. Meanwhile, Isla’s husband has disappeared for days and is not at all helpful, her youngest son has diabetes that fluctuates rapidly and her own father with dementia.

Into this family maelstrom, are all the elements rolled into a confusing time and mystery of what is happening in town. The story slowly twists with revelations and people struggling to find the truth. The division in the town between “have a lot” and” struggling to get by” add to the drama. The story is better reading than the plot suggests and you can feel the struggles and strengths of the characters. The Perfect Daughter by Joseph Souza is a good read.

This was a face-paced read and my first from this author. I love books with this setting (just makes you feel so cozy) and this book was no exception. Looking forward to reading more books from this author.

Where's Willow? Where's Dakota? What happened to Katie? Isla is glad the her daughter is alive and present but there's something seriously wrong in in this small Maine beach town where tension is growing between the townies and the new rich who are buying up beachfront houses. Told alternately by Katie, Isla, and Karl, the law enforcement officer working on the case, this is a tale of unsavory activity by both teens and adults. Lots of secrets, lots of lies, lots of bad behavior. If you've been on Katie and Isla's side of the road in one of these towns, you'll recognize it. It's a fast paced thriller which would benefit from another edit (which it likely got before publication). Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC.

3 1/2 ⭐️‘s
A quick and twisty book that read more like a YA novel. A small town in Maine has many secrets, especially when the rich and elite start to settle in Harper’s Point. When a wealthy teen goes missing the town doesn’t quite know what to think. Did he run away or is there more to the story? Weeks later two girls (friends of the missing boy) also go missing. Two days later one of the girls (a townie) is found beaten and battered with a head injury and little memory of what happened. Are the incidents connected and where is Willow? Will Katie remember before it’s too late. While I enjoyed this book, it was definitely more of a teen drama tha

My first book from this author. This was a quick and heartpounding read. I was bingereading this nonstop during one day.

First, and definitely not last, book by this author! I usually love anything set in Maine and this was no different The story centers on 3 missing teens from a small town. Very quick, twisty and disturbing read. How well do we know our kids or neighbors? Definitely recommend!

Thank you to NetGalley, Joseph Souza and Kensington Books for this ARC!

The Perfect Daughter by Joseph Souza was an intriguing mystery. Set in Maine, it follows Isla, hairdresser and mother of teenage Katie and little boy Raisin. Isla is in a dead marriage. He husband was a former high school basketball star and is now a horrible husband. He’s mostly absent. She has to take care of her dad, who has Alzheimer’s and her little boy who has diabetes. She is overworked and over tired. One night after winning the state softball championship, her daughter Katie doesn’t come home. She has been with her best friend, Willow., who is also missing. Willow’s family is wealthy and from Hollywood. Where have the girls gone? Did they leave on their own or were they taken? When Katie is found, beaten and bruised, she can’t remember what happened or where Willow is. Each chapter is from Isla, Katie, or Karl’s (a town cop who is investigating and also happens to be Isla’s high school sweetheart) point of view. Little by little the mystery unfolds and it is very disturbing and shocking! This is a book that you won’t want to miss! Isla is a great character, tough and resilient. Thanks to Net Galley and the publisher for the advanced copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

4.5 stars! A local Maine teenager becomes enthralled with one of the wealthy imports that has started at her school. They quickly become friends and then they both vanish together.

The author brilliantly ties together everyone’s story and keeps you guessing what will happen to these teenage girls and the adults surrounding them.

Thank you to Netgalley for the ARC!

The Perfect Daughter was a quick read, a twisty thriller that keeps you reading. Usually I would really love this type of story, maybe it is just the wrong book for my frame of mind right now. I can see most people loved this alot more than I did.

Shepherds Bay in Maine is full of secrets, a wealthy boy went missing a week earlier and now 2 girls have disappeared. Katie and Willow are high school kids who didn't come home after a night out celebrating a win. 2 days later Katie is found, battered and sore but alive - and without any memory of what happened. She tries to put the pieces together with her mother.

Thanks to Kensington Books and Netgalley for my advanced copy of this book to read. All opinions are my own and are in no way biased.