Not Our Daughter is a pulse-pounding thriller that keeps you on edge from start to finish. The story follows Cole and Lisa Shipley, a couple who, after a chilling tragedy, have been living under assumed identities for over a decade. But their carefully built life is shattered when they’re exposed, forcing them to flee once again—this time with the very child they once sought to protect, now a teenager grappling with shocking revelations.

The novel delivers a compelling mix of suspense, emotional depth, and relentless action. The chase across the western U.S. is intense, with danger lurking at every turn, and the FBI agent on their trail adds a strong cat-and-mouse element. The mystery surrounding that fateful night unravels at a gripping pace, keeping the reader invested in every twist and turn.

The only drawback is that some of the plot points feel slightly implausible, and a few characters could have been more fleshed out. However, the tension and emotional stakes make up for it, delivering a thrilling ride that fans of fast-paced suspense will love. If you enjoy high-stakes mysteries with family drama at their core, Not Our Daughter is well worth the read!

Not Our Daughter by Chad Zunker

What would you be willing to do to keep your child safe? And, if you had to go underground to do so, what do you think would be required? Intriguing premise for the book that had me thinking… “what if?”

What I liked:
* The prologue that set the stage
* Cole & Lisa Shipley: loving, protective, dedicated, bright, strong, resilient, willing to do anything for their daughter, plans made for contingencies, love Jade
* Jade: teenager, celebrating her fourteenth birthday, likes a boy, makes choices that put her and her family at risk, benefited from finally learning her backstory
* Special Agent Mark Burns: divorced, has a teenager, dedicated to work, wants to be closer to his daughter, originally on the Olsen case, comes through for the right side…eventually
* That I cared about the outcome and was hoping that the father, mother, and daughter would eventually find a safe place to land
* Wondering how Cole managed to make the decision he did that ultimately exposed them
* Being able to thoroughly dislike the bad guys and wish Karma to do its worst
* Thinking about the decision that Cole & Lisa made and wondering if I would have done the same
* That it was a fairly straightforward easy to read story that was perhaps predictable but a fun action-packed story that was easy to follow and get immersed in.
* The conclusion and wondering where Cole, Lisa & Jade will be located in the future and what their lives will be like

What I didn’t like:
* Who and what I was meant not to like
* Thinking about evil wealthy men willing to do anything to protect their own interests

Did I like this book Yes
Would I read more by this author? Yes

Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for the ARC – This is my honest review.

3-4 Stars

I received a complimentary copy from the publisher and all opinions expressed are mine.

Firstly I think I have been sleeping on Chad Zunker and so sorry good sir. I did not expect to stay up late with this one. Although the daughter almost drove me to insanity when she messaged her boyfriend because teenage love yes.

The book begins 13 years ago when a young couple whose fostering dream is shattered only to get an unexpected visit from the baby's birth mother . Nothing says you can foster than the child's mother bleeding to death on their front doorstep and uttering "He’s coming here…for her! Save her." So the young couple flees until 13 years later when they go on the run again because of an action of love they did. Truly magnificent ,fast paced and a wonderful read.

A family on the run. The FBI is looking for them. Then there's the danger lurking in the background.

This was really good! Fast paced and thrilling, kept me on the edge of my seat biting my nails. I liked the family dynamics, how they always looked out for each other.

This was a great, quick paced novel! I really loved the story line, the fast paced action, and ending. This was a ready set run style novel for sure and it kept me engrossed. I read this in two sittings and couldn’t stop reading once I got to the middle. Highly recommend this novel for anyone that loves a good FBI chase.

Thank you NetGalley and to the publisher for giving me an ARC to enjoy!

Not Our Daughter is a twisty and dramatic thriller, following a high stakes dash across the country by two parents desperate to keep their daughter safe.

Up front - the writing style wasn’t quite my cup of tea, and fell a bit flat at times. The character’s inner dialogues also felt a bit robotic and predictable at times. Overall though, the storyline was engaging and action packed, and moved at a rewarding pace. The various threads and clues came together for a credible and satisfying ending.

I’d recommend this for anyone looking for a quick and easy read with plenty of action and some satisfying reveals. 3.5⭐️

Thank you Thomas & Mercer for a complementary copy of this book. Opinions expressed are my own.

This quick and easy read can be done in one sitting. It has about a 3 1/2-hour reading time, and the story's momentum keeps you hooked from the first page. It would be the perfect read for a travel day or a day when you have nothing else to do but read an entire book. If you have a high book goal number for the year, add this one to the list because it is quick and easy.

I'm not entirely sure what to say about this book. It was a good read that kept my attention in the moment, but it was also forgettable enough that I have been struggling with what to write about it. Some things near the end became predictable, but that was ok. By that point, any new twist would have been out of place.

Although this sort of plot (parents on the run to protect adopted daughter) has been used by other authors, Not Our Daughter is an easy read, fast-paced, and well-written. Jade is the typical teenager, fulll of angst and defiance, little does she know why her life will be shattered as she knows it in a few minutes. Cole and Lisa are desperate to keep her safe and will do anything if it means she is safe. The FBI does not believe in the couple's story until they realize there was someone lurking in the shadows and willing to kill the family. Jade's birth mother concealed a big secret about who she is and someone is trying to avoid that it becomes public. Verry entertaining!
I thank the author, his publisher, and NetGalley for this ARC.

Cole and Lisa made an impulsive decision to pack up their new foster daughter Jade and run 13 years ago after her bio-mom died on their doorstep. Now, 13 years later, that has come back to haunt them. They don't know why but there are bad guys after them. And the FBI. The life they built is over and they're on the run again. This is implausible but so fast paced and entertaining that I found myself turning the pages.. Thanks to netgalley for the ARC. A good read.

On The Run With The FBI And A Killer Chasing Them

This novel starts 13 years in the past. Greg and Amy Olsen have been fostering an 11-month-old baby girl, Marcy, for the past eight months. They started the process of adopting her. The least of the many problems for Candice, the biological mother, was drug addiction. In the last months, she cleaned herself up and petitioned to regain custody. The judge approved that petition. The next morning, the Olsens will turn over Marcy. Around midnight, Candice was banging on the Olsen’s door. When Greg opens the door, Candice falls into his arms. He lowers her to the floor. He realizes that she is all bloody. She has been either shot or stabbed in the stomach. She tells him that he is coming for her. They need to leave immediately. He looks out but sees only her car. She begs again for them to go. He says that they no longer have custody of Mandy. She says you do now. After another plea for them to leave immediately, she dies. A rapid-paced novel starts from here.

In this novel, the Olsens use two aliases. For this review, I will use their real names so the aliases do not lead to confusion while reading this review.

This novel has three threads. The first thread is the Olsens on the run from where they have lived for the past 10 years. Their quiet life ends when Greg notices that the FBI is surveilling him. The second thread is the FBI investigation to find and arrest them. The lead is the same FBI Special Agent who initially investigated Candice’s murder 13 years ago. The last thread is the man hired to kill the Olsens and the persons directing and supporting his actions. Greg and Amy had developed a seemingly comfortable life until they made a mistake that brought them to the FBI's attention. Unfortunately, that let the person who wanted them dead before a second chance. The Olsens had planned for another escape, but in execution, the FBI and the killer force them to start improvising quickly without any real time to plan at all. An episode within minutes of leaving his home, Greg is almost killed by this killer. This persistent threat of death on their heels keeps the tension high to the novel’s end. The suspense is maintained by the Olsens trying to figure out who and why someone is trying to kill them and whether they are making the right decisions. The pace was rapid. The chapters are short and focused, and they shift between the three threads. I did not have any problem following this novel’s flow.

The background information in this novel is intertwined with Olsen’s thread. Greg and Amy's strongest trait is their steadfast determination to protect Marcy at all costs. Several times, Greg endangered himself with arrest and even death to ensure that Amy and Marcy could escape safely. The secondary source is provided by Greg and Amy’s analysis of the options for the following action. This novel’s aspect contributed to my reading enjoyment.

There is a C-storyline involving Mandy. She is fourteen and has her first real boyfriend. She only knew about her life in Colorado. She is told that she has five minutes to collect what she wants to take with her because they are leaving for good. While trusting her mother, she is stunned by the speed at which this event is occurring. As they leave their home, she hears sirens approaching. Soon, she starts to rebel. Through these events, the reader will observe her change and mature beyond her age.

Only the violence in the novel appears to be a possible cause for some readers to stop reading. It is described in a more edgy manner as it occurs, but to be truthful, the same level is typical on TV shows. There are not any intimate scenes. I did not find one vulgar word. The lesser offensive, rude language is even lower than I usually do in the other novels I read. Lastly, this is a standalone novel, so there is no worry about missing what has happened in a previous novel.

I have read four standalone novels by this author. This novel only reaffirmed him in my Must-Read category. I enjoyed reading this novel and the previous four, and I look forward to his next novel. If the description of this novel piques your interest, I recommend reading it. I rate this novel with four stars.

I received this novel's free prepublication e-book version through NetGalley from Thomas & Mercer. My review is based solely on my own reading experience. Thank you, Thomas & Mercer, for the opportunity to read and review this novel early.

OUT FEB. 11!

🔸on the run
🔸family secrets
🔸fugitives
🔸stolen child
🔸action packed start to finish
🔸edge of your seat
🔸cat and mouse
🔸short, coming in at 229 pages

I will definitely read this author again! I didn’t want to stop reading this, it was so crazy!

All the stars for this cat-and-mouse family thriller. What's even more fun is when the cat doesn't know there is another cat on the chase and/or the cat becomes the mouse. This one is nonstop action and a fabulous pick for a dreary winter day.

Cole and Lisa Shipley hit the road with daughter Jade when the FBI finds them in Winter Park, CO. What makes it more compliated is the fact that these are not their real names. And this isn't the first time they have assumed new identities. Are they bad actors who belong at the top of the FBI Most Wanted List? Or has their case been misunderstood for thirteen years? And what about the cowboy who seems to be on their trail with a "shoot first and ask questions never kind of attitude?"

Chad Zunker's writing and pacing kept those pages turning. It isn't often I find that my sympathies lie equally with both the hunted and the huntee (I'm not talking about you, evil Cowboy!). I am definitely a fan! Will have to see if his other titles are as engaging as this one.

Thank you to Thomas & Mercer and NetGalley for a DRC in exchange for an honest review.

🤍Book review 🤍

Not Our Daughter
A Thriller
by Chad Zunker


Not Our Daughter by Chad Zunker is a fast-paced thriller that keeps you hooked from start to finish. Thirteen years ago, Cole and Lisa Shipley fled with their foster daughter after her birth mother died on their doorstep, warning them to run. Now, living under new identities, they are discovered, forcing them to go on the run again—this time with their teenage daughter, Jade.
The story is filled with non-stop action, suspense, and unexpected twists. The tension builds with every chapter as the FBI and a dangerous killer close in. The short chapters and quick pacing make it an addictive read. While some parts feel predictable, the gripping chase and emotional stakes keep things exciting. If you love high-stakes thrillers with heart-pounding moments, this book is for you. It's a thrilling, action-packed ride that’s impossible to put down!
Read now title

Some books grab you from the first page and refuse to let go. Chad Zunker’s Not Our Daughter is one of those thrillers—fast-paced, gripping, and packed with enough twists to keep your heart pounding until the final page. It’s a story of sacrifice, secrets, and survival, where every decision comes with life-or-death stakes.

Thirteen years ago, Cole and Lisa Shipley were ready to adopt an infant girl, only to have their dreams shattered in a single terrifying night. When the child’s biological mother bled out on their doorstep, her chilling last words—He’s coming here…for her! Save her.—sent them running. The threat was immediate, the danger too great. So they disappeared, creating new identities and carving out a quiet life in a small Colorado town.

A single tip exposes them, and just like that, their fragile existence is shattered. Cole is framed for murder, and they have no choice but to run—again. Only this time, they aren’t fleeing with a helpless infant. They’re on the move with a teenage daughter who has no idea her entire life has been a lie. The truth is unraveling, and with the FBI hot on their heels, they must outrun not just the law, but a far more insidious threat lurking in the shadows.

Meanwhile, the FBI agent pursuing them is relentless, driven not just by duty but by a personal vendetta. The chase sequences are heart-stopping, the stakes escalating with every turn. And just when you think you’ve figured out where the story is headed, Zunker pulls the rug out from under you.

If you love edge-of-your-seat suspense, Not Our Daughter is a must-read. Zunker’s writing is razor-sharp, his pacing impeccable, and his ability to weave together action, mystery, and family drama makes this book impossible to put down.

Thank you to Thomas and Mercer for providing this advance copy for my honest and voluntary review.

#NotOurDaughter #NetGalley #ThomasandMercer

"𝑳𝒊𝒇𝒆 𝒘𝒂𝒔 𝒃𝒂𝒔𝒊𝒄𝒂𝒍𝒍𝒚 𝒏𝒐𝒓𝒎𝒂𝒍 𝒉𝒆𝒓𝒆. 𝑾𝒆𝒍𝒍, 𝒂𝒔 𝒏𝒐𝒓𝒎𝒂𝒍 𝒂𝒔 𝒊𝒕 𝒄𝒐𝒖𝒍𝒅 𝒈𝒆𝒕 𝒘𝒉𝒆𝒏 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒚 𝒘𝒆𝒓𝒆 𝒔𝒕𝒊𝒍𝒍 𝒐𝒏 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝑭𝑩𝑰'𝒔 𝒎𝒐𝒔𝒕 𝒘𝒂𝒏𝒕𝒆𝒅 𝒍𝒊𝒔𝒕."

Special thanks to @chadzunker @netgalley @amazonpublishing for the #gifted eARC.

➡️ swipe for synopsis 👉🏼

𝙈𝙔 𝙍𝙀𝙑𝙄𝙀𝙒:
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This one takes place mostly "on the run", which makes for the fast pace. This one also has multiple POVs, lots of tension and suspense, AND it's under 300 pages!

If you want a book that grabs you from page 1 and doesn't let go til you're out of breath by the end. This one is for you. Amazing. Easy 5 stars, BUT puh-lease tell me there's a sequel coming? I want to know what happens next for the family and the bad guy.
Im also looking into Zunker's back log and seeing what I can squeeze in next!

𝙋𝙐𝘽 𝘿𝘼𝙔:
Feb 11, 2025

ℚ𝕆𝕋𝔻❓️⁉️❓️ What is a book you'll always recommend, that's 300 pages or less?

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#mysteryandthrills #thrillersandsuspense #thrillerfriendsunite #thrillerlover #thrilleraddict #thrillerjunkie #thrillergirlie #bookbuzz #upcomingthriller #notourdaughter #chadzunker
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Thirteen years ago Cole and Lisa Shipley fled with their foster daughter after her mother came to them bleeding, dying, and begging them to hide her. The longer they ran, the guiltier they looked.

This one is a wild ride from start to finish. If you’re in the mood for action packed thriller with a well bonded family, this is it. The aren’t really any twists and the mystery is pretty straight forward, but that’s okay because there’s so much intense action.

“Life was basically normal here. Well, as normal as it could get when they were still on the FBI’s most wanted list.”

Not Our Daughter comes out 2/11.

Publishing Feb 11

Cole and Lisa had been fostering an infant with hopes of adopting her. That morning, however, a judge ruled that her bio mother be given custody. Then, that evening, bio mom showed up having been stabbed, telling them they aren't safe. So, Cole and Lisa dropped everything in their comfortable life, and ran.

This story meets up with a just turned 14 Jade, after a financial transaction pings the FBI's radar and the family is on the run once again. It's not just wall to wall action, there's a lot of heart in this one. And Jade is an authentically written teenager ;)

Thank you to Thomas & Mercer and NetGalley for an ARC of this novel in exchange for my honest review.

I have been reading Chad Zunker books for several years now and I have become a fan of his writing. Not Our Daughter is another one of his novels that does not disappoint. Like many of his books, this one is a fast-paced and leaves the reader on the edge of their seat with some mystery sprinkled in to keep you guessing.

At the center of this story are Cole and Lisa Shipley, who have a secret past that not even their teenage daughter, Maddie, knows about. After thirteen years of leading a normal life, the family must go on the run because their past is catching up with them. To further complicate the situation is that Maddie doesn’t understand why they are running and soon begins to question her parents’ motives especially when the FBI and more dangerous characters are involved in the pursuit of her family. Despite everything, Lisa and Cole Shipley will do anything to protect their daughter, but will they be able to convince her that they have her best interests at heart? You must read Not Our Daughter to find out what happens.

I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.

#NotOurDaughter, #ChadZunker, #Netgalley

I am a sucker for a quick paced thriller! I was rooting for the main characters to have their happy ending. The only thing that lacked was the ending of this story. The twist unraveled too quickly to the characters. The FBI agent just said 'oh my bad, you guys are good now' and accepted the killer was the killer all these years later when he was insistent that MMC and FMC were the killers all that time. This book could of been a few extra pages longer to help round out the ending and not make it feel so hard stopped.
I did like it though and that is why it received 4 stars from me.

Thank you to NetGalley for allowing me to read this ARC.

I received an ARC through "NetGalley" and I am voluntarily leaving an honest review.

The story begins 13 tears earlier where Greg and Amy Olsen have just learned that Marcy, the baby they were taking care of as foster parents, had just learned in court that the natural mother was to be given custody. That night Greg gets up because someone has been banging on the door. When he opens the door Candace, Marcy's mother, tell Greg to take Marcy and get away because they are in danger. Marcy has been stabbed and is dying. Greg gets Amy and the baby and the disappear.

Mark Burns, the FBI agent on the murder of Candace, discovers that one of the items they flagged and which had been idle for 13 years just was active. Mark immediately contacts the FBI in Colo. to get someone to get pictures of the individual that the flagged item identified. The agent sent pictures of Cole, Lisa and Jade Shipley to Mark. After examining the pictures, he realized that this people were the ones that disappeared on the case he was working. Mark immediately got a team to go to Colorado to arrest them. It seems that there was another party interested and had other plans than Mark.

Read along as the Shipley's try to avoid Mark as well as Brock, the other person on the hunt. Learn what steps Cole took as he tried to protect his family and how Mark was able to eventually catch up with them. Discover who the other party was that Cole tried to evade and what the basis as to why it was so important.

The ending is great. Don't miss this book. You will be sorry.