This was one of McCreight's better books, in my opinion. I absolutely loved the way the author presented mother-daughter relationships, fraught as they so often are with hurt and love. That being said, I'll admit to finding Cleo's character absolutely insufferable. Kat, the mother, was often presented as having been in the wrong in many instances (dealing with a drug-dealer boyfriend, for example), when I thought she was entirely justified, and may have even been going a little too soft on her daughter. There are many instances like that in this book. Thank God, Cleo warms up to Kat more as the book goes along, but by then she had already firmly established herself as a privileged, entitled kid who wanted no consequences for anything she ever did. As for Kat, I loved her. What a badass of a woman. Can I be like her when I grow up?

As a thriller, the story is solid. There are enough twists and turns to keep you guessing, lots of fun subplots to theorize about, and suspects aplenty. At times, I do wish some parts of the corporate world had been explained just a bit better, but I still thoroughly enjoyed the book. I really liked the background readers were given on Kat; it made me like her even more. All in all, a solid new offering from McCreight.

Cleo and her mom, Kat, haven't been getting along well for years. When Cleo agrees to have dinner with her mom, only a bloody shoe is found. McCreight does a fantastic job demonstrating this fraught mother-daughter relationship told from both perspectives as Cleo tries to figure out what happened to her mom and the reader gets a glimpse into Kat's secretive past. This book will keep your attention from beginning to end!

Like Mother, Like Daughter had me entertained from the start. So much so that I finished it in just two days. Why didn’t I give it a higher star rating? See below.

Told from multiple perspectives and time frames, with other items thrown in (text strings, transcripts from counseling sessions, legal documents, etc.) there is plenty for the reader to uncover.

Katrina (Kat) and Cleo have a difficult and strained mother/daughter relationship. With Kat’s complicated past, she is constantly doubting herself a good mother. Instead, she feels as though she’s a failure. And, her daughter Cleo, agrees. In fact, the two have not spoken for months.

However, Kat’s repeated pleas for an in-person talk finally wear Cleo down and she acquiesces to come home for dinner the following Sunday. Upon entering her childhood home, Cleo finds something is not right and quickly discovers her mother is missing and it appears she may have been taken. Or worse.

What follows is Kat’s POV for the days leading up to her disappearance and Cleo’s POV for the hours after finding her mother gone.

There’s so much to unpack and McCreight does a great job of keeping the reader guessing while making things entertaining and fairly easy to follow.

What I liked:

1) There are several stories within the story. It’s not just about what has potentially “happened” to Kat but about her powerful and unique job, issues within her marriage, her troubled and complicated past, and blackmail. Not to mention a high-profile lawsuit and the issues Cleo has experienced and is experiencing. There’s a figurative cornucopia of plausible reasons Cleo has found her mother “missing”.
2) While difficult to get through at times, I enjoyed the ups and downs of the mother/daughter dynamic. Initially, it feels as though Cleo practically hates her mother but as she digs into things, she discovers her mom is someone whom she completely misunderstood and ultimately respects?

What made me sad (as in, I REALLY wanted to give this book 4 or even 5 stars but couldn’t).

1) The payoff. Just, no. Without getting too far into it, I don’t think the “who” of the thing made sense. I get and appreciate an attempt of a big shock but the way this one was done didn’t ring true. It was too far-fetched. Like, not even an “oh, I guess that’s understandable” kind of thing. It was more of an “oh brother, why did you do that” ending for me.
2) This stems from above but after all of the very well-constructed story lines and ways the climax could have played out… well, I was left wanting.
3) When I read books (or watch tv for that matter), I tend not to be too critical because I understand the reader/spectator should have a “willing suspension of disbelief”. Otherwise, what fun is losing yourself in a story that is not your own? However, there is a circumstance between two characters in this book that is left completely unresolved. And, another one between the same that I feel would have been different if this story was a real-life situation. So much so, that I can’t just go with the flow and accept what I’m reading.

Conclusion:

Man, I wanted to give this book a higher rating! As previously stated, it was very entertaining and definitely a page turner. There was so much “good stuff” happening throughout that I couldn’t wait to see how it culminated but, what a let-down. That said, the epilogue was satisfying. Based on the positives alone, I definitely recommend this book with the request: let me know what you think once you finish! Am I completely wrong with my disappointment?

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for giving me a free copy for an honest review.

This was my first Kimberly McCreight book and I really enjoyed it! We get dual POVs from mom and daughter in this book. Kat tells her story before she goes missing and Cleo is trying to figure out what happened after her mom disappears. This book was fast-paced and I really enjoyed the flipping of the timeline and the perspectives of both mom and daughter. There were a lot of side characters which got confusing at some points but also made the plot twists harder to see coming. Overall, this was an enjoyable, fast-paced thriller that I would recommend to others!

This story kept me on the edge of my seat the entire time. I kept waiting for the other shoe to drop and when it did… WOW! I was not expecting the turn it took. Thoroughly enjoyed this read, especially the dual perspective of the mother and daughter. Having a very similar relationship with my mother as the characters in this story shared, I was able to relate so well and it added an intense level of emotion for me. There were aspects of the story that I wouldn’t have minded being more developed, and I could easily see this turning into a TV series because there are quite a few interesting story lines that could be further explored. Highly recommend if you like fast-paced thrillers. The suspense did not disappoint.

The latest offering from my favorite author proved to be a captivating thriller, characterized by a masterful blend of suspense and intricate storytelling. The narrative unfolds with a cast of well-developed characters, each contributing to the depth and richness of the plot. Their complexities and nuances add layers to the overall reading experience, making it more than just a typical page-turner.

One notable strength of the novel lies in its skillful manipulation of timelines. The author seamlessly weaves between past and present, creating a tapestry of events that keeps the reader on the edge of their seat. This chronological play enhances the suspense, allowing for revelations at precisely the right moments and contributing to the overall enjoyment of the narrative.

What sets this thriller apart is its ability to provoke thought and evoke strong emotions. It goes beyond the conventional boundaries of the genre, prompting readers to reflect on the intricacies of human nature and the consequences of choices made in the face of adversity. The storyline is not merely a sequence of events; it serves as a catalyst for contemplation, making it a rewarding read for those who seek intellectual engagement in addition to the adrenaline rush of a gripping tale.

This novel is not just a solitary pursuit but an ideal candidate for a buddy read. The secrets woven into the narrative and the intricate relationships between characters provide fertile ground for discussions. The shared experience of unraveling the plot's mysteries and dissecting character motivations adds an extra layer of enjoyment for those who relish book club conversations.

In conclusion, this thriller stands out as a well-crafted work of fiction that excels in its character development, timeline manipulation, and thought-provoking narrative. A perfect choice for readers seeking a combination of suspense, intellectual stimulation, and the opportunity to engage in lively discussions with fellow book enthusiasts.

**Thank you to Knopf, Pantheon, Vintage, and Anchor and NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.**

This review was posted to Goodreads on December 14, 2023.

LIKE MOTHER, LIKE DAUGHTER comes out on July 9, 2024.

Like Mother, Like Daughter captured my interest from the start and kept me flipping pages. I would have likely finished it in one day if not for having to work! I really enjoyed the different POVs of the before and present. The author was brilliantly spot on in describing the ups and downs of a mother-daughter relationship that can go from hatred to loving within seconds. Gripping “who done it” which throws you for a twist in nearly every chapter!

I have read several of this author's books and have enjoyed all of them. This one I read this in one sitting. The unfolding of the mother-daughter relationship was perfectly paced and I did not see the twists coming (yes, there were several). I particularly liked Kat's character as details about her history, relationships, and job were revealed and Chloe's search for her mother and the realization that Kat was not necessarily what she thought.

Many thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC of this book.

I really enjoyed the tension in this book between mother and daughter, mother and father, mother and law firm, mother and....
When Cleo's mother turns up missing she takes on the missing person case. Add to this a bad divorce. Bad boyfriends on the daughters part. All in all this was a solid 4.5 for me.

I really enjoyed this book. It was a complicated mother/daughter relationship, some twists and turns and some other good moments. This book will release July 2024!

Another winner from the one and only Kim McCreight - I devoured this book in under a day and could not stop flipping the pages. This will sure be a buzz book of July 2024!

Kimberly McCreight writes lottery thrillers with incredible depth of characters who stay with you long after the book is finished. Excited to read the latest I abandoned several other books to concentrate on this one and it is great, for sure. Billed as a love story between mother and daughter it’s surprisingly moving and a great thriller. Typical teen angst and a controlling mother trope is rewritten by an author who has given us exceptional novels in the past and her storytelling makes this one so fresh and appealing. Masterpiece
and a five star read.

My rating: ⅘ → It feels like an escape room or like a murder mystery puzzle because the book has both traditional narrative and bits of evidence/clues such as transcripts, text messages, etc

Intention/obstacle: A mother goes missing, and her daughter is trying to figure out where she goes, but as she does, she learns a lot of secrets about her family and her mother (and eventually, she learns more about herself)

When did I get hooked? The prologue is universal for anyone with a child or relationship with their mother. It’s vague but relatable, and there is intrigue to how it connects to the broader story, but what hooks me is the relatability of Chloe and the end of chapter 1 when she finds her mother’s bloody shoe.

What I liked:
The family secrets and the timing in which they are unraveled are perfect.
The extreme measures the mother takes to protect her daughter will make you feel less crazy as a parent.
I love the dialogue for Vivienne! It makes her a robust and unique character even though she is not one of the main characters.

What I didn’t like:
The epilogue feels like an afterthought to sum up the remaining loose ends of the mystery. It didn’t add to the story so readers could just skip it. It makes the whole think a little too much of a forced "happy ending"
It seems one storyline exists just to throw readers off the scent of the actual suspect, but I don’t think it added to the general character arcs, so I left the story wondering, “Wait, why was I reading all about that plot line?” But it still worked while I was reading because it did add more mystery as I was reading.

Fav lines:
“Because you can outsource caregiving, but you could never outsource being a mother.” → I think a lot of parents can resonate with this

First of all, thank you to NetGalley and Knopf Publications for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I was hooked on this book during the first chapter. It was a fast paced read and I loved how well the multiple perspectives were written. It was easy to keep track of the different characters and the timelines, which isn't something that I've found well executed in a lot of books that I've read lately.

I couldn’t put this book down! Told from the mothers and daughters point of view, which I enjoyed. So fast paced and so many twists and turns, a great read!

Thank you to NetGalley and Knopf, Pantheon, Vintage, and Anchor for the ARC of Like Mother, Like Daughter.

Like Mother, Like Daughter tells the story of a mother, Kat, and daughter, Cleo and their complex relationship once Kat goes missing. Cleo unravels the truth about Kat’s life and her career as she tries to figure out what happened to her mother.

While I enjoyed this book, I found it difficult to keep track of all of the characters and their specific roles in the book. The ending was a twist, but seemed to be somewhat far- fetched.

Like Mother, Like Daughter is available for purchase on July 9, 2024.

Like Mother, Like Daughter by Kimberly McCreight did not disappoint! I enjoyed the story and the characters and had a hard time putting the book down! Thank you to Net Galley, Kimberly McCreight and the publisher for the opportunity to read the ARC of this novel!

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC of Kimberly McCreight's Like Mother, Like Daughter.

Having read several of McCreight's previous works, I was so excited to receive an ARC. It did not disappoint! McCreight is the master at writing tumultuous mother/daughter relationships. The characters were well fleshed out, the story line engaging and the mystery kept me guessing until the end.I highly recommend this one!

Kimberly McCreight will stay a must read for me!

I've been anxiously awaiting the next book from Kimberly McCreight and this one did not disappoint. I am greatly appreciative of Netgalley and Knopf, Pantheon, Vintage, and Anchor for giving me the opportunity to read Like Mother, Like Daughter in exchange for an honest review. I could not put McCreight's most recent work down. I simply had to know which of the smartly written story lines was responsible for Kat's disappearance. As her daughter Cleo decides to investigate after NYPD seems to mess up at multiple turns, I needed to know if it was Kat's past or present that led to her going missing from her Park Slope home. Cleo's digging into her Kat's life leads to her finally understanding the mothershe hasn't gotten along with for years. McCreight kept me guessing until the end.

Where They Found Her is one of my favorite books of years past, so I'm constantly comparing each of Kimberly McCreight's new books to the way I felt when reading that one and so far... they don't match up. Like Mother, Like Daughter was very good, with lots of twists, and things I definitely didn't see coming, but it just didn't knock me out of the park. Maybe I've read one too many wild BookTok recommendations at this point. 3.5 to 4 stars