Member Reviews

"She Says She's My Daughter" by Lauren North is a riveting psychological thriller that will keep readers on the edge of their seats from start to finish. With its gripping plot and well-drawn characters, this novel is a must-read for fans of the genre.

The story begins with a gut-wrenching premise: a family holiday that ended in tragedy when their young daughter, Abigail, was abducted from a beach. The pain and grief experienced by the family are palpable, and it's clear that the incident has left lasting scars on their lives. When a seventeen-year-old girl claiming to be Abigail reappears, the family is thrust into a whirlwind of emotions, hope, and uncertainty.

Lauren North masterfully builds the tension and suspense, making it difficult for readers to put the book down. The doubt and unease surrounding the identity of the girl claiming to be Abigail create an atmosphere of constant suspicion and intrigue. As the story unfolds, the holes in the girl's story become apparent, adding layers of complexity to the narrative.

The characters in the novel are well-developed and relatable, especially the mother, whose guilt and longing are palpable. The author delves into the intricacies of family dynamics and the impact of trauma, making the story emotionally resonant.

One of the standout aspects of this book is the unexpected twists and turns. Just when readers think they have the answers, the narrative takes a sharp turn, keeping them guessing until the very end. The final revelations are shocking and skillfully executed, providing a satisfying payoff for those who love a good psychological thriller.

The pacing is excellent, with short, punchy chapters that drive the story forward at a brisk pace. Lauren North's writing style is engaging, and her ability to maintain suspense throughout the novel is commendable.

In conclusion, "She Says She's My Daughter" is a gripping psychological thriller that will captivate fans of the genre. With its intriguing premise, well-crafted characters, and unexpected twists, it's a page-turner that will have readers eagerly recommending it to others. Lauren North's storytelling prowess shines in this suspenseful and emotionally charged novel.

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I love Lauren North's writing so was keen to get to this one and I'm happy to say I enjoyed it! In this novel a mother is grieving her child who went missing on a family holiday fourteen years ago but now a teenager has walked into a police station claiming to be the child. She does look like the missing Abigail but the mother is certain she is not her. The rest of the family immediately accept this girl into the home and are seemingly convinced that she is theirs. Initially I was suspicious of the mother but she explains that she has had to believe her daughter is dead because it's the only way she could cope. Eventually things settle down but there are things that aren't quite right. I was so suspicious of everyone in this book and kept changing my mind about what might have happened. There is more than one reveal in this novel and I was on board with all of it until the very end. I felt like there was a step too far and it lost me a little but one the whole I was gripped by this novel and I would still recommend it.

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Another excellent book by one of my favourite writers. She is so versatile and there is always a killer twist. This is another one I didn’t see coming. If you’re going to buy a book soon by anything by this talent.

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Wow, twists until the very last page. The plot was well-paced, the characters believable, and the tension unbelievable. Loved it!

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***** I have received and read an e - ARC from NetGalley in exchange for giving my honest feedback. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own.*****

I love the premise, so I was really looking forward to this book.

Unfortunately it just doesn’t work for me.

It feels as if the author wrote the story then tried to write extra twists into the book to throw off the audience. It feels disconnected and jumbled, and it doesn’t make me believe the story.

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An intense domestic thriller with an intriguing mystery.

'She Says She's My Daughter' dissects celebrity and tabloid culture while unravelling a mystery alongside a mother's guilt and fears. It's unpredictable and gripping.

Lauren North brilliantly misdirects the reader expertly. I thought I knew where the plot was going but I was totally wrong.

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it started out painfully slow but at the same time it keeps u on the edge so that worked out alright. however the story was nothing new or creative. books like these are a one time thing, u read em and u forget about em. there's nothing memorable or significant about it. i saw that plot twist from miles away. the only reason i went till the end was to check whether i was right or not and honestly i wanted to be wrong but nevermind. however the endong was promising enough so a 3 star.

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

This was such a good book with a great twist. It keeps you guessing the entire time and such a page turner. I can’t wait to read other books by Lauren North!

Thank you netgalley for allowing me to read this ARC.

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This was intense and gripping and made me feel all sort of emotions. While this was my first by this author it certainly won't be the last. I round it easy to read, a great flow and enticing all the way through. An ending that left me needing more and a twist I never saw coming

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This book could have been a 4 or even a 5-star if the part at the end of the epilogue hadn't been there. It really didn't need that "twist".

I really do not like the "born evil" trope. Not only is it way overdone but it's actively harmful and stigmatizing. Without that ending, this would have been a great story about how an awful accident can be turned into a huge tragedy if it's just swept under the rug. Instead the story remained very surface level and breaks down to villain=crazy and crazy=evil.

As written, I unfortunately cannot recommend this book. However, I may give this author another chance in the future.

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Sarah’s daughter went missing during a family holiday. For years she has wondered where she is all leads have gone cold and hope has diminished. Then fourteen years later a teenage girl claiming the be the missing Abigail shows up. This should be the happiest moment of Sarah's life but something just isn't right.

This is a gripping psychological thriller that will captivate you from start to finish. Sarah's POV will have you shocked, paranoid and excited all in one. Abigail’s must be Sarah’s daughter right? It's so obvious. But then why are there so many holes in her story?. This novel is unpredictable from start to finish, and what a finish it is!.

Lauren North is a genius! If you want a book that will keep you hooked and wanting to read just one more page then this is it. One of the best books of 2023. A 5 star read from start to finish. I will be spending the year recommending this book to everyone.

Thanks you to Netgalley and the publisher for this advance readers copy in exchange for an honest review.

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This may have been one of the best domestic suspense books I have read in quite some time. This story kept moving, didn't seem to drag out, pieces fit together, and the twist caught me off guard. None of the characters were particularly loveable but nor were they unlovable. Each made sense within their place in the family and the story. The author did a fabulous job of dropping potential "breadcrumbs" that seemed fit unlike other books where authors seem to throw in hints and twists that make no sense just to throw you off. The ending was a twist but not in the completely makes-no-sense way I have often seen. Definitely looking forward to more from this author!

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This was a very intriguing read. Overall, I enjoyed it. I've not read anything by North before, but I definitely will check out her other works.

This book started off a bit slow as a family is turned on its head with the revelation that a girl has come forward claiming to be their long, lost daughter. But about midway through, North throws something at you that completely changes the trajectory of the book. She had hinted at it, but she left you questioning what was going on. And honestly, even after the twist, she continues to string you along with hints that something is going on. After a few more twists and turns, you're left with a stunning reveal. Even if you saw the end coming, the ride is wild enough that you don't even care. Seriously, this was an enjoyable book.

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I am a sucker for the lost child and returns home eventually but is it really the child? With that combo of Lauren and this sub genre I was not disappointed. She swears this isn’t her daughter but if it isn’t, who is it and why is she pretending she is!

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Absolutely loved this book from start to finish.. couldn't put it down and I really didn't see the end coming! What a story!

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She Says She's My Daughter is a complete page turner that kept me gripped from start to finish. It has plenty of twists and turns throughout and a highly satisfying ending that I did not see coming.

Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for my ARC.

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The back and forth had me hooked! I kept thinking I knew what was going on and boy was I wrong. I flew through this book so fast as I couldn't put it down. I wanted to know more. I wanted answers as if I was going through this in my life. In the end who I thought was behind everything was not who I assumed it was. This was a great book and I look forward to more from this author!

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In She Says She's My Daughter, Sarah is haunted by a tragic incident from her past, and confronts a stranger claiming to be her long-lost daughter. Fourteen years ago, her family vacation ended in sorrow when her beloved four-year-old girl was snatched from a beach. Now, a seventeen-year-old girl walks into a police station, asserting that she is Abigail, the missing daughter. Sarah is torn between hope and scepticism, as she desperately wants to believe that her family is finally complete again.

However, doubts start to creep in as the Abigail (or whoever she is)'s story begins to unravel. Sarah's instincts tell her that something is not right. She can't shake the feeling that this girl is an imposter. Holes emerge in the girl's narrative, and inconsistencies make the protagonist question her authenticity. The more she observes, the more certain she becomes that this girl is not her long-lost daughter. The stranger's actions, like faking tears for the press, only deepen the protagonist's suspicions.

The story delves into Sarah's internal struggle as she grapples with conflicting emotions of hope, fear, and uncertainty. She desperately wants to protect her family from potential harm, but she also yearns for the possibility that her real daughter may have returned to her. The mystery unfolds as the protagonist seeks to uncover the truth behind the stranger's identity and her true intentions.

As the tension escalates, readers are taken on a gripping journey, filled with twists and revelations. The novel keeps readers engaged with its suspenseful narrative, as the protagonist races against time to uncover the stranger's true identity and unravel the secrets that lie beneath the surface. It is an intense and thrilling psychological thriller, exploring themes of family, loss, and deception.

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Once again Lauren North delivers a fantastic story that leaves you guessing until the end. The plot twists and turns so you suspect everyone, almost as if you are paranoid. A truly great story that I managed to devour in one sitting!

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A brilliant and twisty read that just flows effortlessly. Short chapters make the book very easy to read and also draw you in to read 'just one more chapter'! Told from multiple perspectives, the layers are slowly peeled away and secrets are revealed. Excellent story.

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