After reading Ellen’s debut novel, I knew I have to read ALL the books she publishes. This, THE SOMEDAY DAUGHTER did not dissapoint either.

I really loved how raw and beautifully, yet realistically the daughter-mother relationship was explored. It was really pulling on my heartstring, meant a lot to see myself in Audrey’s character, me who has a troubled relationship with her own mother as well and while growing up had all the expectations set out for me,

This novel really moves your emotions and pulls on your heartstrings, giving a satisfacory ending, and also presenting a golden friendship and a sweet romance subplot.

Highly highly recommended!

Thank you so much for the publisher, EpicReads and Netgalley for the earc!

I'm confident in saying Ellen's an autobuy author for me, her books always feel so real and organic, so rich with emotions and relatable characters. Someday Daughter was such a compelling story, I loved reading about the complex relationship between mother and daughter, the fun friendships and very sweet romance!
It ticks all the boxes for me.

Special shoutout to Puddles!

This was a bit of a tearjerker and really pulled at the heartstrings. It's a nod to the blogging families that use their children for a media presence and its side effects, highlighting the fragility of their relationships. It's a sad truth!

A thought-provoking story that I'll definitely be recommending :) thank you for letting me read it!

I loved this.

I'm not gonna lie, Ellen had me in the first lil bit when introducing a boy LI wearing hiking sandals LOL

But alas, said LI is redeemed and this book proves itself to be a truly heart-rending and beautiful story. (Also, the cover slaps.)

It had real "The Truth About Forever" by Sarah Dessen energy (bf going to brain camp, etc) and obviously that sold me. Ellen is a skillful writer and a brilliant creator of character. THE SOMEDAY DAUGHTER had such an intriguing (and unique) premise and captivated me through developed romance, emotional heft, genuine growth arcs, and page-turning twists.

It dealt with a lot of heavy conversations -- family relationships, anxiety, the dissolution of our future plans, honesty, identities -- with care and meaningful relevance. There were so many beautiful, insightful themes throughout this book, crafted along with swoonworthy romance and genuinely funny dialogue. It captured adolescent feelings so well and built an important story honoring and exploring them.

Read for:

- RO DEVERAUX easter eggs 👀
- honky tonk
- a pug named Puddles
- road trips
- romantically-fraught arguments during a hurricane
- new plans
- (emotional) hurt/comfort
- "You don't need to earn it."
- captain underpants name drop
- "Can we try something?"
- "I've fallen in love with you five times just since I walked into this room." !!!!!
- the navigation of (really) complicated family relationships
- bare feet
- resting mathematician face
- capital 'm' Moments

A truly great read.

Thank you to HarperTeen and Netgalley for the e-ARC in exchange for my honest, unbiased review. THE SOMEDAY DAUGHTER it out 2/20/24.

Rating: 3.5 stars

I read this author’s debut last year and definitely wanted to read another by her since I thoroughly enjoyed the first.

The book is told from one point-of-view and it comes from Audrey St. Vrain. She is the daughter of high profile quick to fame author who goes around teaching the importance of self-love and developing a relationship with daughters. The only problem with this is that her mother doesn’t realize the issues within her own relationship with her daughter and everything that her mother says about her to the public makes her question who she really is.

A lot of what happens to Audrey reminds me of blog families. The kids end up suffering and everything isn’t as happy as it seems on the outside looking in. I really felt bad for her. She wanted a relationship with her mom, but it didn’t feel like her mom actually wanted one because it felt like she was pushing her away instead. Communication was definitely a big part of it, but even when Audrey communicated about what she wanted it was pushed to the side.

Through the book Audrey learns about herself and what she wants out of life. This can be seen through her family relationships and romantic ones. She finds herself through this tour she didn’t want to be on and makes friends along the way as well.

One thing that made not love the book was the romance. It was just okay. There is a love triangle, but also not really. The relationship she is first in seems more like a friendship and I totally thought that’s what it is. I didn’t even realize the guy was her boyfriend. She finds someone else while on tour and even though they don’t do anything that would be considered cheating I just didn’t see the chemistry.

Overall, this was a good book! It has a great message and I think a lot of teens will be able to relate to Audrey.

THE SOMEDAY DAUGHTER is filled with so much hurt, love and hope, which touched me in ways I can’t even begin to describe. One thing, however; is for sure: Ellen O’Clover is an author to watch!

What sold me? The dog and a book on the cover. What can I say? I'm a simple (wo)man. What kept me hooked? The way I felt connected to the characters. I think this is something everyone needs to read simply for just the characters alone. I think this was a great book. Could it have been better? Sure. But all things can in my opinion. I think this was fantastic and my teenager self would have adored this as much - if not more - than my adult self now.

I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I haven't been enjoyed YA novels as much lately, but this one sucked me back into the genre. I enjoyed it a lot!

I loved Ellen's first book for the cute romance, and the Someday Daughter brought back all those feelings! That being said, it also hit a lot harder emotionally for me, due to the mother-daughter relationship taking place. I had my own personal things going on with my mum while reading this, and oof, it made it more of a tearjerker than I was expecting. This will be another fantastic book for the people trying to figure out who they are, what they want, and what they are willing to risk to get it.

Actual rating: 4.5 stars (rounded up)

Thank you to Netgalley and Ellen O’Clover for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

When I say I devoured this, it’s an understatement.

I’m going to be honest, YA contemporary is not usually my genre. I picked this book up because as a Hopkins student myself, I got the chance to meet Ellen O’Clover when she spoke to my Hopkins writing club via zoom, and she was genuinely one of the nicest most helpful people ever. That said, I loved this book.

It goes without saying that as a girl with anxious, perfectionist tendencies, and as a pre-med Hopkins student to boot, I saw myself in Audrey. I am her, she is me. From the jump, Audrey as a character was so crisp in my mind. The words on the page felt like reading her diary, so raw and real and with such a clear voice. The book was engaging, the subject matter nuanced and thoughtful, and the characters were so endearing. The romance was loving and adorable, and I genuinely appreciate authors modeling relationships with healthy dynamics and communication for younger readers—communication between Audrey and Silas that is.

Any criticisms I have lie in very minor things. I found the “twist” to be a bit predictable and the relationship to feel slightly rushed at the end, but it is a YA novel, and I’m willing to forgive it these things.

Overall, I can vouch not only for this book as a tender story, a love letter to all of us type A, anxious perfectionists, but I can also vouch for how genuine and kind the author is. I look forward to reading more of her work.

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

4.5 rounded up to 5/5.

"The Someday Daughter" by Ellen O'Clover takes readers on a journey through the complex terrain of familial relationships and self-discovery.

Audrey St. Vrain grapples with the weight of her mother Camilla's fame and the expectations that come with being the daughter of a self-help guru. O'Clover weaves a narrative brimming with emotion, exploring Audrey's intricate connections with both her mother and her own struggles with anxiety.

The novel kicks off with a slow start, introducing readers to Audrey's world and the shadow of her mother's success. However, as the plot unfolds, the pace picks up, and the story blooms into a heartwarming exploration of identity. Audrey's determination to forge her own path, distinct from the role of the "someday daughter," is a relatable journey for many readers navigating the complexities of familial expectations.

One of the book's strengths lies in its portrayal of anxiety, providing readers with a window into Audrey's internal struggles. O'Clover skillfully captures the challenges of living with anxiety, offering a narrative that resonates with those who may share similar experiences.

The inclusion of the found family trope adds depth to the story, creating a sense of warmth and camaraderie among the characters.
The secondary characters are well-developed and contribute to the richness of the story. The disarmingly honest video intern, Silas, adds a layer of intrigue to the narrative, as Audrey navigates unexpected connections and reevaluates her carefully planned life. Puddles the dog emerges as a delightful and scene-stealing character, contributing to the novel's charm.

The author introduces a captivating plot twist towards the end, catching readers off guard and injecting an additional layer of excitement into the story. However, some loose ends between Camilla and Audrey may leave readers craving more of a resolution to their relationship.

While the beginning may be a tad slow, the overall narrative gains momentum, ultimately capturing reader's heart. A minor drawback is the limited presence of Camilla throughout the book, with a desire for more interaction between mother and daughter throughout the storyline rather than concentrated at the end.

In conclusion, "The Someday Daughter" is a novel full of heart, emotion, and unexpected twists. O'Clover masterfully explores the intricate dynamics of family, identity, and the pursuit of one's own path. With relatable themes, engaging characters, and a charming canine companion, this book is sure to leave readers with a newfound appreciation for the author's storytelling prowess.

I'll start with what I loved about The Someday Daughter: Audrey is an incredibly complex and well-written character. The details about her anxiety and perfectionism were spot-on. I thought the book tour was a great set-up for the plot; lots of great traveling bits and opportunities to put the characters in unique situations. I adored each of the interns and Puddles the pug was a great addition to the story. All in all, The Someday Daughter is a fantastic book that YA readers will love!

I'll be honest, I had hoped that the story was going to go in a different direction with the mother-daughter relationship and the timely storyline of a self-help guru who overshares about her kid(s). There are so many "momfluencers" who are putting their children all over the internet -- making money off their cute/embarrassing stories and sharing personal details without their consent. The tidy ending was frustrating as I wanted more for Audrey, real closure from her years of parental neglect and virtual abandonment, instead of being pushed toward forgiveness so quickly (especially with the twist in the third act).

Readers with childhood trauma might want to take care with this one. <3 I wasn't expecting so many deep-rooted struggles to come to the surface while reading.

This book was so good! I loved seeing how the main character and her mother slowly began to grow closer, and I also really enjoyed seeing how the main character and Silas grew together. The plot twist at the end was crazy, I really enjoyed it!

This was a moving and powerful book. At first I didn't really care for Audrey's mother, but I liked how the bond between the two characters was explored. It was a very complicated and interesting mother daughter relationship in it. I almost wish it had been explored a bit more even. There was also a character who turned out to be more than she seemed.

Overall I would give this book four stars.

I got this for free from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

I have complicated feelings about this book, so I’ve been putting off writing this review.

I think that O’Clover is so clever in writing complex mother-daughter relationships and I think, for the most part, that is the highlight of this book. There is romance and it is really sweet and I love our love interest, but the real story here is between these women and the bonds that Audrey makes over the course of this summer.

I will say that the twist really got me, I was not expecting it and maybe just as heartbroken as Audrey when it happened. I also didn’t quite love the initial pacing of the first couple chapters and it could be an infentional style thing, but they felt very choppy to me.

Thank you to HarperTeen and NetGalley for an arc in exchange for an honest review.

This book gives a very interesting perspective on children placed in the spotlight by a parent. It also focuses on the public image compared to private self that these children and their families put forth. I really enjoyed this book, and the development of Audrey as a character and how she relates to her mom. I highly recommend this one!

I absolutely adored this book! No one writes emotional romcoms and captivating character studies quite like Ellen O'Clover. She is a must-buy author for me!!

Many thanks to Netgalley and Ellen O'Clover for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Audrey is an 18-year-old girl who lives under the shadow of her mother's most famous book: "Letters to my Daughter of Tomorrow", written when the girl was not yet born and which established Camilla as a great public figure.

Now, with the 25th anniversary of the book's release, Audrey finds herself forced to accompany Camilla on a literary tour around the United States for 2 months. As the relationship between the two has never been the best, it is to be expected that Audrey has other things in mind, such as spending the summer interning with her then boyfriend Ethan.

I'll start by saying that, in general, I liked the story. I recently finished a book that also addresses the troubled relationship between mother and daughter, so I bet that this reading would also be enjoyable.

The beginning is a little slow, as Audrey seemed like a somewhat apathetic and emotionless girl, it was difficult to like her right out the gate. Her image improves when we have the perspective of other characters who love her, but very little.

I hoped we could see more glimpses of Camilla throughout the narrative and understand Audrey's reluctance, but unfortunately that didn't happen, at least not until the end of the book, which only contributed to maintaining my dislike towards Audrey.

The story gradually improves with the presence of some secondary characters, including Silas, an intern on Camilla's tour and Audrey's potential love interest. Despite this, the plot is really slow, and perhaps that is what causes some positive surprise with that plot twist in the final chapters.

I was shocked and angered by Audrey, but given the low expectations I placed on the book, the resolution of the conflict was actually well done. The ending was cute, although there were some loose ends about the relationship between her and her mother.

In the end, it's not the best book about maternal issues, I believe the characters lacked depth at various times and issues such as abortion and motherhood were not well addressed. But is it fun, is it cute? Yes, but not that much. What really did it for me was the romance.

Thank you Ellen O'Clover and NetGalley for this ARC.

The Someday Daughter is an emotional, beautiful story about a young girl whose life has been planned out since before she was born, or so she thought. It is a sweet coming of age YA covering life lesson like themes, such as self-discovery, relationships with family and friends, healing and growing.

The FMC Audrey is really relatable and realistic. She's headstrong, and at some moments I thought that she was quite close-minded, but that made her even more realistic. And reading how Audrey's trying to grow made me love her. This book features some surprises and an incredible world-tour with the most lovable cast of characters (plus a very adorable doggie).

this is ellen o’clover’s sophomore novel and it was amazing!! she knows how to write the perfect YA as well as incorporate real characters and in a way that isn’t boring. this book had such a cool premise and it was so interesting and i also obviously loved the romance! the romance is a bit of a side plot at the beginning before it comes full force towards the end and i think it was perfect and literally i will not stop thinking about it for days to come! highly highly recommend this book it comes out feb 20 and i can’t believe i got an early copy i am screaming crying right now!!!!

I didn't know anything about this book or the author before going into it. I was very into it in the beginning, lost a bit of traction in the middle, and by the end decided I really liked it! It was much more character-driven than I was expecting. I thought the description and representation of anxiety were excellent and I think a lot of young adults will feel seen by this book.