Just before her wedding Rose not only finds out that her future husband cannot be trusted but that her whole life is built on a lie. The ending wasn’t a surprise, but the journey towards the truth had me gripped. A well written story that kept me interested until the end.

The book synopsis was so promising, especially stating it was perfect for fans of Jodi Picoult. Unfortunately, I didn’t find that to feel true for me. The book started slowly and I didn’t feel like it was catching as much traction as I had hoped so I didn’t finish it. I’m certain this one will be a favorite for some but it just wasn’t for me.

Read this and I promise you won’t be disappointed. I couldn’t put it down, who needs sleep when you have a book like this to read!
Mt first time with this author and it won’t be the last, loved it.
I especially liked the way the truth unravelled, gentle, loving and honest. Also it told you how Rose progressed with life after the life changing truth.

Family secrets and lies come out just as Rose is getting ready to marry. She was raised by her father Dave after the death of her mother; they've been each others rocks. She meets Cassie, an older woman with a vivid history, at the spa where she's got to prep for the wedding. The novel is split in two- Rose's story and Cassie. You, like me,. might guess what's happened but it's still a good read. Thanks to netgalley for the ARC.

S.D. Robertson is a male author who really knows how to write women's fiction and about the human condition. I enjoyed his previous novel How to Save a Life so I was pleased when I got the exciting approval from NetGalley.

This book has a mere 3.3 rating, on GR, at the time of posting this review. I don't understand why. I see many reviewers have said that the big reveal wasn't a big surprise but I think they got it wrong. I don't think it was meant to be a surprise, Robertson knows readers are smart enough to figure this out and think it was written so that we are taken on the journey to the truth.

I enjoyed the format of the book, in part one Rose tells her life story and then in part two Cassie shares hers. As they say there are two sides to every story and then there is the truth, well part three was called The Truth and I just loved that so much. This is the perfect book if you're looking for a contemporary novel that is women's fiction and has a twist of mystery.

This books synopsis excited me and because it said fans of Jodi picoult would love it I thought I would enjoy it. I was disappointed, it’s a very slow book, I couldn’t get to grips with Rosie the main character and sadly I couldn’t finish the book.

I felt the story started out slowly and I just couldn’t connect with the main character. The synopsis sounded like something I would have really enjoyed, but it just kind of fell short for me. I couldn’t get into and didn’t end up finishing it.

Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for the advanced copy of this book.

Books are art and therefore they are subjective. Keeping this in mind, I awarded this read three stars and appreciated this book for what it is and for what it isn’t. I tend to read historical fiction and psychological thrillers, so I knew going into this book that my appetite for knowledge wouldn’t be whetted. I also knew that it wouldn’t be as fast paced as the thrillers I normally read. However, the premise intrigued me and I was willing to take a chance.

I quickly lost my interest due to the two reasons I mentioned above. I know writing a book is a labour of love for an author, so it would be disrespectful of me to complain without explaining.

At the core of this book is an emotional family drama about the secrets we keep from those closest to us. Rose, a bride-to-be, meets Cassie in a chance encounter at the spa. Although a stranger, Cassie is manipulative enough to earn Rose’s trust to exchange life stories. I presume the intention is for readers to be intrigued with Cassie and her purpose in getting so close to a stranger.

Unfortunately, within a few paragraphs of meeting Cassie, I predicted her purpose and connection to Rose. That, in conjunction with the give away in the title, it meant that the climax didn’t possess enough surprise for me. I believe Robertson’s original working title of My Father’s Daughter better represented the novel without giving too much away. I had difficulty seeing the connection to the story – did Rose really have a choice?

Used to reading historical fiction, I look for facts when I read. Things tend to be black and white for me and I find it difficult to suspend my belief once, let alone several times during a story. Again, I don’t read fantasy or science fiction, so I’m used to believable plot lines. I struggled with what I considered unbelievable and unrealistic interactions and plot.

Because I enjoy a taut thriller, I appreciate an author who can show, not tell me information as much as I appreciate action which progresses the plot. With an overabundance of superfluous facts, a plot becomes breezy and slow. If authors tell too much, readers find themselves skimming for relative information. I struggled looking for relevance in the narrative.

Despite wonderful characterization and an intriguing premise, I could not get engaged in this story. For those who love women’s fiction that focuses on the why rather than the who, this would be a perfect read. S. D. Robertson capably writes a well-fleshed out story.

Publishes September 30, 2021.
I was gifted this advance copy by S.D. Robertson, Avon Books UK, and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.

A fantastic read by JD Robertson. I became so engrossed in Rose' life I had to keep stopping and remember I was actually reading a book. At first I became quite frustrated with her dad but once everything slotted into place that frustration went away. A wonderful story of 2 different lives that became 1.

The synopsis of this book sounded good, with an intriguing story. However it sadly did not live up to its hype for me. It is a all a bit superficial and unbelievable and failed to keep me interested. I did not really care about any of the characters or what happened to them. Not for me.
My thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for my advance copy of this book.

The book description sounded very good but sadly it didnt live up to it. It was an OK read but I did feel disappointed that it wasnt as I had expected

It’s a week until Rose’s wedding and her father has arranged a spa weekend for her and her maid of honour but when her maid of honour is called away to a family emergency, Rose is left alone in the luxury hotel. Deciding to continue with her plans anyway, Rose bumps into a woman in the steam room and they get chatting. It’s clear that the older woman, Cassie, has planned this meeting and suggests that they both share their life stories.

The book is easy to read with a fairly straightforward plot. However the way it is told is pretty unbelievable. Cassie insists that Rose tells her everything before she shares a single detail of her own life, promising it will come later. This is necessary for the purposes of the story but I think it’s unlikely that anyone would tell a complete stranger their entire life story in this way. I would have chatted to the woman in the spa but I doubt I would have agreed to join her for dinner later. Also, some of the character’s backstories are unbelievable. A novelist who has his first best seller published at the age of 19 and makes enough money to buy a house and never need to work again? Family friends who have a daughter the same age, when the author points out how unusual it is for someone that age to be settling down and bringing up a baby?

It becomes obvious quite early on in the story who Cassie is so there’s no real surprise to be revealed. And as for the title, the daughter’s choice? I’m not really sure what choice Rose was required to make.

I read this fairly quickly because it was a straightforward, easy read but it wasn’t the gripping, plot twister I was expecting. I received a free copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Rose never knew her mother because she had died soon after she was born. She was brought up by her doting father Dave, with the occasional help from her paternal grandmother. Rose idolised her father and they were a good team. They had fun times together and Rose knew she was well loved. Although she was sad that she had no mother, she had a happy childhood.
A week before her wedding day Dave tells Rose that he has paid for a Spa break for her and Cara, her Matron of Honour and long-time best friend. They are both delighted to be relaxing together with no hassles and just quality time together until a phone call spoilt their plans. Cara was called back home because something was wrong.
Rose is sad to see her friend leave, but she decides to stay at the Spa alone, hoping Cara will be back later on. A stranger called Cassie, also alone at the Spa, joins her and they get on really well. Cassie suggests that they go to the Spa rooms together. To pass the time Cassie asks Rose to tell her all about herself and later on Cassie reciprocates, telling Rose all about her travels all over the world when she was a young adult.
By the end of their time together they both feel as though they know each other well. They relax in the lounge. Cassie is a lot older than Rose, but her story was vibrant and exciting. Cassie is married and has settled down in Ireland with her husband and his family of two sets of twins. Cassie wishes Rose the very best of luck for her wedding day. Then Dave arrives at the Spa, and straight away Rose knows something is wrong and dreads hearing about it.
This is the story of two strangers making a friendship and swapping stories for a matter of just hours, whiling their day away together. It is an emotional story but sadly with a few unpleasant revelations for Rose. The story is well written and the characters are eclectic and true to life. My favourite character was Dave. He was a really nice man in every way. He took on single parenthood and was an excellent role model. I did not identify with either Rose or Cassie at all. I thought their stories were interesting but I knew exactly what the ending would be from early on. I thought the story was unevenly paced and a bit flat at times. I did enjoy the ending though and that gave me great satisfaction.
I received a complimentary copy of this novel from publisher Avon through my membership of NetGalley. I was really looking forward to starting to read the story. I loved his last novel and was expecting a really good read. These are my own honest opinions without any outside influences. It’s an all-round 3* review from me for the reasons I have stated.

Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for the opportunity to read and give an honest review of this book.

The premise started out interesting. A young woman is gifted a spa retreat from her father, a week before her wedding. Her maid of honor gets called away and Rose, the young bride-to- be strikes up a friendship with a stranger at the spa. This stranger encourages Rose to trade ‘life stories’ and the young woman tells the stranger about her whole life with little to no filters. Gradually, you come to realize the stranger knows more about Rose than she lets on.

Things get complicated when Rose discovers who the stranger actually is. Also, the week before her wedding, Rose discovers some disturbing news about her fiancé, Ryan. This is all a lot to take in. However, an epilogue brings us up to date on what is currently going on in Rose’s life.

Some may like the twists of this book. It just wasn’t the story for me.

Every once in a while I will read a book synopsis and think yes, I want to read it. If approved for it, I download it and then read it. I followed all those steps with The Daughter’s Choice, but after the first chapter, the story failed to entice me. I continued to read but chapter after chapter, the plot did not grab me. This book isn’t for me, but I’m sure other readers might like it.

Tess thought that her relationship with her father was solid, the secrets are not what she expected! Cassie was a interesting character that made this book readable.
I found that the story dragged along, perhaps unnecessarily at times, Tess became boring for me. I connected more with Cassie as her dialogue kept my interest.
The characters, storyline and theme were all there and could have been a good flow along read, condensing some of the areas would have made the book heaps easier to experience.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Thank you to Avon Books, NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book.

Daughters Choice by S.D. Robertson. This was a NetGalley read and I chose this one as I had read one of his books before and loved it. The main character is Rose and she has been brought up with her father, who she had an incredible relationship with. However Rose’s life is turned upside down when secrets are revealed.First impressions were a little confusing as to what was happening and where it was going however it he same sense it had a sense of predictability about it. A lot of the book felt unnecessary, especially the first half and the appearance of Cassie felt rushed. Do we need all of this, Rose talking about her past in so much detail, for me it didn’t make the book any better and a lot of it didn’t add anything to the story and its come. In fact in places it was boring and I wanted it to move on. It’s obvious from the beginning when Rose and Cassie met, who Cassie is, it’s very predictable but the way this is being revealed at times feels weird and very awkward. Cassie’s side of the story is more I interesting and in parts I couldn’t put the book down, after all she’s the one holding all the cards, she’s the one revealing why she has kept this secret. Roses part of the story felt almost pointless /unnecessary to the whole story. Like I’ve already said it’s predictable story from the start and a book of two half’s, as the second half was at points hard to put down even amongst it predictably. For me the first half was kind of pointless and not needed. The second half is full of emotion, making you the reader feel the emotion it evokes for the charters and you the reader. At points you don’t understand as a mother why and how Cassie could possibly do what she did but then you question why she did it looking at the bigger picture and Her past, a great example of why the second half is so much more readable than the first because it adds something to the book, it explains stuff to the reader. I ran very hot and cold with this book, the ending where more secrets were revealed didn’t help this and in some respects confused me more and made me question why either secret was revealed and why it all happened when it did. Finding out Cassie’s secret was enough, it was all that was needed and both these secrets were revealed in such a short space of time, in fact for me the last secret felt unnecessary and over dramatic. This is not as great as the authors first book, I won’t be recommending it and I sit in the fences as to my opinion of it because it has potential but gives so much and perhaps a little to much if this makes sense.

Thanks Netgalley for allowing me to read this book. Its been Rose and her father since she was a baby. She learned learned that her father had a secret which ge never told her about and was told information about her fiance Ryan which made her reconsider the idea of getting married. I enjoyed reading this book.

Rose is about to be married to the love of her life. As a pre-wedding gift, her father arranges for Rose and her best friend, Cara, to enjoy a relaxing spa day at a beautiful hotel. Unfortunately, Cara is called away for a family emergency but insists that Rose enjoy the day without her. Rose reluctantly agrees and prepares for a solo experience. While at the spa, she meets Cassie, an older woman, who is also solo. The two decide to spend the day together and share their life stories. Rose goes first and recounts her life being raised by a single father and how she met her fiance. She is eager to finally hear Cassie's story, but she is not prepared for what she learns, suddenly her whole life is turned upside down.

This book was so slow paced. Cassie's story was definitely more interesting than Rose's. As a reader, it's not hard to figure out what's going to happen, although the second bombshell was a bit unexpected. All of the characters are pretty likeable, especially Dave. I thought the book ended well, it just took a lot longer than necessary to get there. You do feel like you really got to know the characters by the end of the book.

Thank you to Avon Books UK and Netgalley for the ARC of this book.

This book was flat and didn’t bring any emotion to me. From the first couple of chapters I had figured out what was going on and then spent the rest of the book wondering when the truth would come out. The characters didn’t appeal to me, I couldn’t find a reason to like them or care for them. If the author had told the story in a different manner with the stories intertwining it might have added more to it but it was just flat. I do thank Avon Books UK for the chance to read this ARC.