Member Reviews
WOW!!! The author has an incredible gift of writing psychological thrillers…I was just blown away by everything in this book and need to read more by this author. Needless to say I am an instant huge fan!
The Foster Daughter
This psychological thriller is full of secrets & twist after shocking, heart- stopping twists!!
I could not put this book down! A must-read!! 5 stars
Holy moly! What an amazing read– tense and full of nail-biting suspense! The pacing is fabulous, the reveals coming in when necessary, and I absolutely adored our protagonist, Riley, ...and her back story.. The first twist did my head in...and the twists kept coming. The ending blew my mind....
Thank you to Netgalley, Wolfe, and Bookouture for the advanced copy. I can't wait to see what Wolfe plans next.
What a wild wife this one took me on. I thought many times I had it all figured out, but boy was I wrong! That ending leaves it open to interpretation. Overall, excellent book!
Whoa, Nelly. That was some crazy ride! Down is up, left is right, and nothing is as it seems. There are quite a few twists - some you see coming and many you don't - and those twists change the trajectory of the story back and forth. I was definitely caught up in how this all would play out. I suspected who the bad actor(s) were from the beginning, but I definitely questioned myself along the way. This was a fantastic way to spend a day or two, and I think thriller readers who especially like domestic thrillers will really enjoy this as well.
This was a fast-paced ride! I really enjoyed it- super quick read with engaging characters and twists around every corner.
There were a few things that I couldn't get past that didn't quite make sense (although I can't share without spoilers) and I felt like the characters reactions were a little bit unrealistic.
But overall a really solid read.
Holy moly, I opened this book and was hurled right slap bang into heart thumping territory, setting me up for what was to come and boy what a bumpy ride that was!
The blurb for this book was the hook I needed to dive right in, it posed so many suspenseful questions that just demanded to be answered. Right from the outset, my Spidey senses started tingling. It’s quite clear that there’s many layers of lies and deception going on amongst the characters including Riley, the protagonist. This meant I knew it was going to be a cracking read, I just love a cast of characters who I don’t fully trust!
The reader is fed hints of the past as tiny little crumbs, they tease and they tantalise and draw you right into the heart of the web. And damn, it is so hard to say a lot without giving away spoilers! But this is one of those reads that scream just one more chapter as the secrets Riley keeps threaten to be exposed so many times. And let’s just say when secrets are revealed your jaw will clatter off the floor more than once! Who to trust in this book, that is the question, every time you think you have sussed it out, the author throws another little curveball your way keeping the tension ramping up throughout.
Did I like any of the characters, I think I veered between, empathy, mistrust and dislike with each of them, from the overbearing Ekharts to Harper’s instability; did I trust the men in her life? I’m not sure I did and I’m not sure Riley should trust anyone but her son Noah, in this book.
Short pacy chapters keep you turning the pages, tantalising twists keep you on your toes and provide a few hold your breath moments and a great gutsy storyline hits all the right beats.
The Foster Daughter is a gripping psych thriller that will take you on a dark journey and keep you guessing until the end!
Name :- The Foster Daughter
Author :- Laura Wolfe
Genre :- Psychological Thriller
Laura Wolfe’s The Foster Daughter is a compelling and suspenseful thriller that delves into the complexities of trust, family, and the shadows of the past. With a plot that twists and turns, Wolfe masterfully keeps readers on edge, questioning every character’s motives until the very end. The story centers around Riley, a troubled foster daughter who vanished from the life of her foster mother fifteen years ago, only to return unexpectedly with a young son. Her sudden reappearance stirs a mix of emotions, particularly when mysterious events begin to unfold, including the death of an old school friend. The protagonist, who had cared deeply for Riley, finds herself pulled into a web of lies, half-truths, and secrets that threaten to destroy the fragile trust they are trying to rebuild. Wolfe's storytelling excels in creating a thick atmosphere of unease and tension. From the moment Riley re-enters her foster mother’s life, there is a sense that something is off, and this foreboding tone intensifies as Riley’s behavior becomes more erratic. Her reluctance to explain where she has been and her nervous reactions to seemingly innocent events lead the protagonist—and readers—to question her true intentions. The characters are deeply layered, especially the protagonist, who is both compassionate and torn by doubt as she navigates her relationship with Riley. This emotional complexity adds depth to the story, making it not just a thriller but also an exploration of the bonds that tie people together, even after years of separation.
Likes and Dislikes :-
Likes :-
1 Suspense and Mystery: The pacing is tight, with Wolfe expertly building suspense through small but significant details that keep the reader guessing. Each new revelation leads to more questions, creating a gripping narrative.
2 Emotional Core: The protagonist’s conflicting emotions about Riley’s return—her desire to help versus her growing suspicions—add depth to the story. This inner turmoil is something many readers can relate to, making the plot even more compelling.
3 Surprising Twists: Just when you think you have the mystery figured out, Wolfe introduces a new twist that keeps you on your toes, ensuring that the ending is as unexpected as it is satisfying.
Dislikes :-
None.
Overall Impression: The Foster Daughter is a tense and emotionally charged thriller that will keep readers on the edge of their seats. Laura Wolfe skillfully combines psychological suspense with a heartfelt story about family, trust, and the scars of the past. While there are moments where the pacing could have been tighter, the novel's twists and the emotional complexity of the characters make it a must-read for fans of domestic thrillers. Wolfe’s ability to keep readers guessing until the very end makes The Foster Daughter a satisfying and haunting mystery that lingers long after the final page.
My rating :- 5/5
The Foster Daughter immediately caught my attention with its intriguing title. As someone who works in foster care, I felt a strong connection to the book's description, which promised a compelling narrative. The story did not disappoint; it was well-written and filled with suspense, keeping me engaged from start to finish.
One of the standout features of the book was its detailed plot, which led me to consider various possibilities throughout the story. I loved Riley’s son Noah. The nosey neighbor also added significant depth and richness to the narrative. Their storylines were well-crafted and contributed meaningfully to the overall development of the story.
The ending of the book was particularly satisfying, though it left a slight cliffhanger that has me eagerly anticipating what might come next. Overall, The Foster Daughter is a compelling read that I highly recommend, especially for those interested in stories with intricate plots and well-developed characters.
Thank you to Bookouture and NetGalley for my ARC.
This was a quick, easy, edge of your seat read. Starting out you think it's going to be rather predictable and all the way through you keep thinking you have it all figured out but with the turn of every page you find out otherwise. I love a book that will keep me guessing and this one did just that.
Does Riley really want to be a good person and start a new life for her and her son or is she just born to be a bad person? Are all bad people bad and all good people good? Who really is the good guy and bad guy here? I really thought I had this one all figured out early on but when my jaw dropped the first time, I knew I was in for quite a read. As people from Riley's past are introduced you start to form your thoughts and opinions on each of them and whether or not they are good people or bad people. Wendy and George were the foster parents and Wendy is just so nice but George seems a little off. Then there's creepy Cody who actually turned out to be one of my favorite characters and what's the deal with Harper and her mom? There are a few other characters along the way and as soon as you think you know them, go ahead and turn the page and see if you're right.
This was my first by this author but I definitely am going to look for more because this one was great.
This book was a real page-turner! The suspense starts building right from the moment Riley reappears on the doorstep with her little boy, bringing with her a flood of past memories and unresolved fears. The tension between the protagonist’s past experience with Riley and the present danger makes for a gripping read.
The mystery surrounding Riley’s return and the shocking events that follow, including the death of an old friend, kept me on edge throughout. The twists were unexpected and kept me guessing about Riley’s true motives and the secrets she’s hiding. If you enjoy intense psychological thrillers with plenty of twists, this one is a must-read!
I'm a huge Laura Wolfe fan and this book did not disappoint! Although I didn't really like any of the characters, I was consumed by the mystery and doubted every single person! The plot twists were unexpected and the writing was just phenomenal as always. I read it in one day. 5 stars!
I couldn't put this book down. I HAD to know what happened next. The opening had me pulled in, and just when you think its going to come together but you have more then half way to go through the book it hits you with a twist you didn't see coming. The writing style is fast paced and and keeps you hooked. The character development has you questioning everyone and even when the book ends, I hope there is a book two!
At first I thought the book was going in a very predictable, almost cliché direction but then I got a bomb dropped on my lap in form of the first major twist around 1/3 of the way into the novel! I did NOT see that twist coming and had to pick my jaw up from the floor.
From that moment on the book gripped me completely and I was hooked!
It was so hard to really know who to believe and who the bad guy was. And you are constantly reminded that just because you are a bad person with a rotten personality, it does not make you a criminal. And you can look like an angel while having skeletons in your closet.
All in all a fun book that I enjoyed, and has made me want to look more into Laura Wolfe's other books as well!
Thank you so much to Bookouture for the ARC <3
Wow!! On the run from stabbing her boss and stealing his money, Riley takes her son back to her former foster parents house for help. As she settles into life with her past friends, little tidbits pop up that make you wonder who Riley really is and what she is after. This book is great! So much suspense. So many twists. I never saw it coming until the end. Highly recommended.
Well this book is just one of those reads where you end up suspecting everyone and constantly changing your mind about what has happened and what secrets everyone is keeping. It’s an edge of your seat read about a young woman and her son who have to flee from a dangerous situation and end up returning to her previous foster home. The only place she ever felt safe now comes a place to hide and rebuild her life but as the new of her return spreads and the police on her tail what secrets is she hiding and is anyone who they say they are. Great characters and a great story what more could you ask for.
This was my first book by this author, and I was hooked from the first chapter.
At times, the descriptions were repetitive, but that didn't take away from the storyline.
The main character, "Riley", has led a troubled life, and it seems like no matter what she does, trouble follows her. She definitely makes some questionable decisions, leading me to scratch my head and scream, "What are you thinking??"
As secrets from the past begin to unfold, Riley begins to question who is telling the truth and who she can really trust.
Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for my honest opinion/review.
WOW this was a fun one - I finished it in one sitting! This read a lot like Freida McFadden with quick pacing and writing flow - every time I thought I had a character figured out, some other lie or secret would be revealed, putting me back at square one. The ending felt a little flat, but I'll admit I didn't see it coming and still enjoyed the plenty of twists along the way. Thanks for the ARC!
What a great concept! You see 'foster children' being done a lot in thrillers, but I've not found one with this angle before. Really enjoyed the tension and mystery in this book, I had to keep reading and finished it in 48 hours!
A solid 4 star book. The book opens with Riley in trouble with the law and with her boss. She grabs her little boy and heads back to the foster home she stayed at for a year while growing up. Her mother was addicted to drugs and Riley grew up in group homes, foster homes, finally landing at a foster home in Michigan that she liked.
This is a difficult book to review because so many things will give away the entire plot. Riley's previous foster parents are thrilled to see her. They thought she had run away from their home years ago. The foster parents let Riley stay in the garage apartment with her son Noah, while she gets back on her feet. They throw a big party so Riley can remember her old friends that she left behind. Then trouble brews. What secret is Riley hiding. What secret are the foster parents hiding. Everyone has a secret. Who will come out alive.
Definitely a very good thriller and it kept me entertained and hooked throughout.
Thank you to Netgalley and Bookouture for the ARC. I greatly appreciate it. I do recommend this book.