I truly enjoyed this book. I was completely ignorant about French history and this sad chapter of abuse by the Catholic Church. I also enjoyed the family story that was weaved into the larger story.

The first book in this series, the Home for Unwanted Girls, was above and beyond excellent, so I was thrilled to learn that there was a sequel. This was just as good as it’s predecessor. The story details some of Canada’s terrible and complicated history. The characters are well-rounded and captured my heart. Good man is excellent at describing her characters’ contrasting feelings and portraying them with heart and dignity. This was obviously well-researched and an absolute pleasure to read.

Read a while ago, so this will be brief. I learned a lot about a terrible time period in Canada. I enjoyed the back and forth and the fact that there are secrets you are learning the same time as the characters. I would recommend this book!

3.9 - would have been helpful if every chapter had a month/year, since there were vast leaps; interesting historical juxtaposition of both the referendums and the orphans' plight

I had a bit of trouble getting into this and almost stopped, but glad I didn't! It was very good. Loved the story & setting as well as the romance between Veronique and James. Very well written and easy to follow. I found myself not wanting to put it down because I had to know what was going to happen with the referendum and whether Veronique would be caught for her illegal activities. And I absolutely loved the ending!! Will definitely recommend for purchase!

I have tried multiple times to pick this book up in order to write a review. I wanted to enjoy this so much because I generally enjoy historical fiction. But after trying to read the print copy, and listen to the audio version, I realize this book just isn't for me. Not to say that this book isn't for someone else. I strongly believe that not every book is for every reader. The politics of Canada were just not something I could currently wrap my head around while there is currently so much drama happening in the US.

While reading this book, I kept thinking, 'this would be really good if it focused more on the orphanage and Elodie's childhood.' I really need to start reading all the information before I choose a book to read. I didn't know this was part II and I really should have read book I (which is on my TBR, so why didn't I know this?). Apparently, The Home for Unwanted Girls covers all of that. I'm giving 3 stars because it's my fault for reading out of order.

Also, if I knew more about Canadian history and felt more strongly about Quebec's independence, maybe I would have cared more about Veronique's story. Instead, it came across as fringe people wanting to point the finger at Anglo Canadians for all of the misfortune they have faced. Because, what with the Duplessis orphans, Quebec doesn't come out smelling like roses.

I think if I read the first book, maybe I would care more about this one. Maybe not. Many of the characters were either unlikeable, distant, or sickly sweet. And after seeing how politics can seriously divide people (hello, 2020 U.S. presidential race), I find it very difficult to believe that people who have strongly opposing beliefs could stay together, and this book seems to suggest that they can.

My thanks to HarperCollins and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I was a little disappointed in this book as I assumed it was about the Duplessis orphans. As it turns out, it was a sequel to the book about the Duplessis orphans. The Forgotten Daughter has many subplots but it mainly focuses on the story of Veronique and James and their relationship. Veronique is the daughter of a Quebec separatist terrorist who went to jail for killing someone when she was a child. This shapes her outlook on life and her relationships with others throughout her life. I found her to be very unlikable and I didn’t care for this part of the story.

James’ older sister, Elodie was a Duplessis orphan and her story was a side plot in this book. Joanna Goodman‘s earlier book, The Home for Unwanted Girls, told the story I was hoping to read during this novel.

I am going to make the assumption that if I had read her other book, this would be a nice wrap up of that story. For that reason I will give it three stars.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC in exchange for an unbiased review.

I have been to Quebec many times, so I tried very hard to like this book. The history of the separatist movement was well done, as was the the story of the Duplessis orphans. Unfortunately, the characters didn’t come to life for me at all. Veronique, the main character, was an enigma throughout. I don’t see much love in James and Veronique’s relationship; just lust, and ambition, and criticism. Most of the other characters also seemed one-dimensional. However, the descriptions of Montreal were great. I’m ready to go back.

I really enjoyed this book. While it was a little difficult to get into (could be because I didn't read the first book) it was a great historical fiction / love story.

There was alot of information about Canada and it's politics which was very interesting - I learned a lot about a country I knew nothing about. Now I even want to try poutine!!

This book was received as an ARC from HarperCollins Publishers - Harper Paperbacks in exchange for an honest review. Opinions and thoughts expressed in this review are completely my own.

My mind was blown after I finished this book and I had a hard time expressing what to say. The story from beginning to end was so compelling that I held the book so tight, sweat started dripping from my palms. The struggles Veronique and Elodie felt dealing with the political chaos of the French Canadian revolution. Veronique is part of a legacy of assassin's and Elodie is the sister of Veronique's love. The trouble they get into and the way they have bonded with one another was so jaw droppingly inspiring, complete total strangers now reliant on one another is unreal. This would be great as a future book club pick learning the French Canadian revolution and a lot of our community will relate well to the bond of Elodie and Veronique.

We will consider adding this title to our Fiction collection at our library. That is why we give this book 5 stars.

Two forgotten daughters’ stories, intermingle and parallel each other in “The Forgotten Daughter.” They seek redemption, understanding and truth for different reasons. One having been given up at birth and then subject to the Canadian government’s and Catholic Church’s abuses and falsely labeled as mentally ill and placed in an institution for twelve years. The other, trying to find herself and reconcile with her father’s violent criminal past trying to win Quebec’s liberation from Canada. Together they share in common a relationship with one man; to one a lover and the other a brother.

While I appreciate the writing and the context, it just fell flat for me. There just seemed to be a lot of violence and anger that took way too long to resolve for both characters.

I received an advanced copy of this title from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I received an ARC of this novel from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Elodie was placed in an orphanage by her grandfather. Due to corruption, the orphanage became an asylum, where she, and the others, were badly treated. As an adult, Elodie finds her birth parents, but she remains haunted by her childhood. Her story is written by her author brother, and her life stories parallel his and other family members.

The Forgotten Daughter by Joanna Goodman is a story of more than one forgotten daughter. Eloise, who was placed in a mental institution by the government and the Catholic Church, and Veronique, whose father chose to go to jail because of his principles are the forgotten daughters. They were not forgotten in the sense that no one remembered them. Eloise and Veronique have to find themselves within the tumult caused by the quest for sovereignty in Quebec and the Duplessis Orphans’s quest for reparations. The Forgotten Daughter was an eye-opening look at some of the history of our neighbors to the north.

It wasn’t until I read the acknowledgements that I realized this book was a sequel. The book easily stands on its own. This was the first time I’ve ever read a book so centered around Canadian politics, about which I knew nothing, so I appreciated learning more about the Duplessis orphans and the separatist movement.
I also enjoyed the fictional story built around these true events. At times, it was hard to like Veronique and the choices she made, but I still always rooting for her and was glad for the hopeful ending, as I am a sucker for a good love story. The central question posed by this book, about whether people with opposing values can have a lasting relationship and what they are willing to do in service to their beliefs, could not be more relevant than it is now.
This is a great book discussion pick, and I look forward to recommending it to patrons.

The Forgotten Daughter
by Joanna Goodman
HarperCollins Publishers
You Like Them You Are Auto-Approved
Harper Paperbacks
General Fiction (Adult) | Women's Fiction
Pub Date 27 Oct 2020 | Archive Date 22 Dec 2020

What a fantastic historical telling of Canadian History. I learned a lot in this book and enjoyed reading it. I will recommend it to our readers! This would make a great book club selection.

5 star

I did not know much about the movement in Canada (Quebec) to leave and form a separate French Speaking providence, Nor did I know anything about the Duplessis Orphans. What a fascination historical telling of Canadian History. A wonderful book, good choice for book clubs. Will definitely recommend,