It was enjoyable with a twist that I wasn't necessarily expecting, but I also wasn't surprised. This book was filled with a bunch of shady characters that I couldn't really root for, and I wasn't really a fan of them, but they all had a bunch of secrets that were exposed as the book went on, adding another layer of excitement to the story.

Cody was an interesting choice for an assisting character. It was good that he was always there to help when he was needed, and I felt bad for him at the end. Harper was a whole different story. I don't think she was meant to be likeable at all, which is good because I was seriously not a fan of her. She had her moments, but most of the time, she was unbearable.

The whole thing with the ex-boss was ended a lot easier than I thought it would. I was expecting that to be a little more difficult, since it was built up to be one of the main characters major problems that she was trying to run away from. However, this was still an interesting problem to throw into the book to show a little bit of backstory for our main character.

The ending was also a little disappointing in the sense that there was so much build up throughout the book, but the ending was very short and only lasted a few pages, at most and then we get an epilogue. I feel like this would have been better if it was expanded on, and more information was given to give more background of the villains in this story and what happened to Riley and Pete. The ending also appears to elude to the possibility of a sequel with the introduction of another character that may bring our main character some trouble in the future. If this is the case, I may check out any follow ups.

Berkley MI (Detroit)

This book was so suspenseful, and I can’t even tell you all about it! All you get is what we know from the synopsis: Wendy and George Eckhart fostered Riley for about a year when she was a teenager, along with many other troubled teens. Riley was able to leave the awful group home she was in and live in a real home environment - but something happened. She ran away, and was never seen again. The Eckharts, who had done so much for the community, lost their permission to foster children after that, and everyone always wondered what happened to Riley.

Fifteen years later, Riley shows up at the Eckharts’ door with her four-year-old son Noah. She apologizes profusely for scaring everyone and running away, but she had gotten caught up with an older man. He took to her Los Angeles, and turned her into a sex worker/drug addict. When she became pregnant with Noah, she got clean, and has tried to put the bad decisions she made behind her. She refuses to mess up and let her son become a member of the foster system, just like his mother.

Wendy welcomes her back with open arms, and she and George let Riley rent the apartment above their garage, which isn’t much, but is fine for now. Riley just needs to stay hidden; some of the things she got herself involved in may have put her in danger. The plan is going well until at a barbecue, a local news station shows up to do a story on the foster child lost for fifteen years coming back home. Now Riley is really scared about her past catching up with her…

This is all really a small part of the book; early on there is a huge twist that changes EVERYTHING for the reader. That twist is followed by many others, until the jaw-dropping ending and epilogue. Every time I thought I knew what was happening, everything would change again. If you love twisty (and twisted) psychological thrillers, this one is for you! 4.5 stars, rounded up.

(Thank you to Bookouture, Laura Wolfe and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my review. This book is alters to be released on October 11, 2024.)

Thank you Netgalley for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book. These opinions are completely my own.

I love a good suspenseful novel and The Foster Daughter kept me guessing until the very end. Every time I thought I knew what was going to happen there was a swerve that kept me glued to the book.

This is my first Laura Wolfe novel, but if they are all as great as this one, it will be far from my last

Wolfe does it again! I’m a big fan of this author. Her books no matter what always keeps me so entertained and eager to flip the pages.
The Foster Daughter by Laura Wolfe is a psychological thriller that will keep you guessing until the very end. With complex characters and a gripping plot, this book will leave you on the edge of your seat.
This book is one that most mystery books fans will really enjoy.
I just absolutely adore this author and every one of her books is a four/five star read.

Thank You NetGalley and Bookouture for your generosity and gifting me a copy of this amazing eARC!

Big thanks to Bookouture for a copy on Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
I’m an avid reader of Laura Wolfe’s entertaining psychological thriller.
Her latest intriguing read is The Foster Daughter.
A praiseworthy and jaw dropping tale.
After an incident, Riley and her four year old son Noah arrive back to a town from her past.
Needing a place to stay she calls on her foster parents Wendy and George.
Fleeing fifteen years prior, Riley has some explaining to do.
Her arrival creates tension, suspense, secrets and mystery.
And that’s all I’m going to say…… except read this book.
A great plot with numerous twists and a cast of sly characters that leads to a clever ending and a smart epilogue.
I had an inkling about something and I was correct but there was so much more to the reveal than I expected.
Another clever book from a talented writer.

Riley my foster daughter left with no word and now out of the blue she has shown up on my doorstep but she is not alone. I can't turn them away! Well shut the front door! This book came speeding down on me like a jet ski and it is soooo good! There is so much suspense... I couldn't get it in fast enough. Wowsers!

Another solid psychological thriller from Laura Wolfe! Well-developed characters who you cannot really figure out until the moment the author clues you in.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for this ARC!

Quite enjoyable but didn’t get quite interested in the characters as they weren’t very relatable. Quite enjoyable but didn’t get quite interested in the characters as they weren’t very relatable.

Definitely an emotion driving read.
What do you do when your foster daughter vanishes?not only does you lose your daughter but then the fallout, and no longer being able to foster ever again.
Then one day over a decade later this lookalike knocks on your door asking for help...

More twists and turns to come. Not all unpredictable but not annoyingly so.
Great read.

Thanks to #NetGalley and #Bookouture for the book #TheFosterDaughter by #LauraWolfe. I loved this roller coaster ride of emotions and deception. Riley has returned to her foster home 15 years after she ran away. She now has a son and they have no place to go. When her foster parents take her and her son in again, some things just don’t add up? What’s Riley hiding?

The Foster Daughter is a gripping, suspense-filled psychological thriller. Fifteen years ago, Riley Wakefield disappeared from her small hometown, leaving her foster family, friends, and boyfriend worried. No one has heard from Riley since. Now, a woman closely resembling Riley has returned to town with a four-year-old child; she claims to be Riley. Is this stranger truly Riley? If not, what does she want? As friends and family reunite to celebrate Riley's return, a few individuals remain suspicious. Then, someone who was once close to Riley turns up dead.

The Foster Daughter is well-paced with plenty of surprises. While some of the twists were quite predictable, others were unexpected. I did find that there were a few storylines that were left unresolved. First, Harper's story arc was never really concluded. Her storming out because of a 15-year-old prank-gone-wrong being discussed wasn't really a resolution. Second, the vengeful brother storyline was never developed or really concluded. I do not count the ending "twist," which was completely unnecessary and took away from the epilogue. With that said, I did find the book to be gripping, and I was surprised by some of the reveals. While not my favorite thriller, I'll still be recommending it.

This was a very suspensful read overall, it had me hooked straight away. The twists and turns definitely kept me reading!

Complex and well written thriller which has lots of twists and turns and so many characters who could be either bad or good, until the last page you as a reader are left to guess.

Great writing and I really enjoyed the pace of the book and the writing style. I liked Riley as the main character and her interactions with the other characters.

Would definitely recommend reading.

The Foster Daughter
by Laura Wolfe
Pub Date: Oct 11 2024

The Foster Daughter by author Laura Wolfe is a twisty mystery thriller filled with unexpected turns and richly developed characters. A very suspenseful story until the jaw-dropping ending and epilogue. This was a fast paced thriller that had me hooked from the beginning.

Synopsis: A woman with dark circles under her eyes stands on your doorstep, clutching a little boy’s hand. Your heart stops. You let her into your home once before, and it nearly cost you everything.

Many thanks to #TheFosterDaughter #NetGalley and #Bookouture for providing me with an E-ARC of this absolutely gripping and unputdownable psychological thriller.

This book is a masterful web of tantalizing twists and turns that will keep you on the edge of your seat. From the outset, the author skillfully subverts expectations, drawing readers into a conspiracy of past secrets as we accompany Riley on her quest for the truth.

Set against a backdrop of richly detailed settings, the story immerses you in a world where every character harbors hidden motives and secrets waiting to be uncovered. Riley, the determined and relatable protagonist, navigates a labyrinth of deceit and half-truths, making her journey both emotional and thrilling. As she unravels the mystery, we become deeply invested in her discoveries and setbacks.

The plot is cleverly structured, weaving together multiple timelines and perspectives that gradually reveal the depth of the deception. The author’s knack for planting subtle clues ensures that each twist feels both surprising and earned. The challenge of figuring out who is deceitful adds to the excitement, with several surprising twists along the way—though I did manage to catch onto one.

The secondary characters are equally compelling, each adding their own layer of intrigue and complexity to the story. From the enigmatic neighbor with a shady past to the charming friend who might not be as trustworthy as they seem, each character is meticulously crafted with hidden secrets that slowly come to light. The dialogue is sharp, and the interactions between characters are loaded with tension and subtext, making every conversation a potential clue to the larger mystery.

The epilogue was satisfying but introduced a crafty twist that left me uncertain. If it was intended to set up a sequel, then I think it’s a smart move. However, if it’s meant to be the final resolution, I’m not as keen on it.

Overall, it’s a highly enjoyable and captivating story, perfect for those who love a good mystery filled with unexpected turns and richly developed characters. The clever interplay of hidden secrets and the gradual unveiling of each character’s true nature make this book an unputdownable read. A solid four stars! ✨

Thank you to the author and Bookouture for providing me with this ARC.

The publication date is Oct 11, 2024. If you enjoy twisty thrillers, add this one to your TBR.

If you like a twisty and well written thriller, this book certainly won’t disappoint. The story had me gripped from the start and kept me guessing throughout. This is a great book and one that I’d definitely recommend.

What a great twisty read. I couldn't put it down. Totally hooked from the beginning to the end thanks for the opportunity to review

When Riley Wakefield, who went missing as a teenager, returns to her foster mother's house with her young son, she is welcomed and celebrated despite the years of addiction and crime she has experienced. This is her chance for a fresh start. Except the past is still very much entwined with her new life, and as she reacquaints herself with her old friends and foster family, questions begin to form about what happened all those years ago before she ran away. She has certainly changed since then. But can the same be said for them? Can you ever truly hide from the past?

This book really is a tangle of teasing twists and turns that will truly surprise. Even in the early stages of the book, the author cleverly flips the narrative unexpectedly and as a reader, we become conspirators in the secrets of the past while we join Riley in her quest to discover the truth. Highly engaging and a great read.

This was an enjoyable read and above average psychological thriller. The author definitely knows what she’s doing with all those possible suspects that kept you guessing. I honestly couldn’t figure out what was going on, and was very surprised from the first twist that came on about halfway through. It made you see everything in a new light, and added to the mystery of it all. And then there was the different relationships where you couldn’t figure out who to trust. Everyone had their agenda, and it was not obvious what it could be.

If you love twisty thrillers with unexpected events, this is for you.

I didn’t love the ending unfortunately, it was a bit.. won’t say more to not spoil anything!


Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the arc in exchange for my opinion

Riley is back- after 15 years- and once again she turns Wendy's life inside out. Wendy was her foster mom until she disappeared. Now, secret of what happened is finally going to come out. This has short chapters and lots of twists, which combine to make it a page turner. You might start out a bit judgey but hang on. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. No spoilers from me!