EASYYYYYY 5 star read. One of the best thrillers I’ve read this year. I mean come on.. it’s like an entire action movie in a book. There’s no way the reader can’t root for the family!!! Cole is a gem. He’ll do anything to protect his family. I was literally on the edge of my seat the entire book, feeling ALL the feels. I’m actually getting ready to purchase his backlist because this is easily one of my favorite reads of the year..

Not Our Daughter is a roller coaster read with twists and turns and plenty of acion that will have you turning the pages as quckly as you can.

Thirteen years ago Cole and Lisa went on the run and managed to stay hidden in order to protect their infant daughter.

Not only has the FBI managed to track them down so has the person who is their greatest threat.

Both are determined to find the Shipley's and all resources are put into action.

The family manages to stay one step ahead for a bit but in this day and age of cameras and social media it is almost impossible.

The tension mounts with every chapter and I was holding my breath and cheering Cole , LIsa and Jade on all at the same time.

This was my first but by no means my last Chad Zunker book and I must say I am a fan !!

Thanks to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for the privilege to read and review Not Our Daughter and for introducing me to Chad Zunker's books.

Thanks to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for the ARC!!

I really enjoyed the majority of this book!! You follow the uncertain and wobbly journey of one family trying to stick together, no matter the cost.

After feeling as normal of a life as they could imagine for more than a decade, their lives unravel again in a matter of days. This multi-POV novel pieces together the different sides of their complex situation — which is even more complicated than they know about.

In "Not Our Daughter," devoted parents find themselves forced into a desperate cross-country chase as fugitives, fleeing to protect their daughter. Thirteen years earlier, Cole and Shipley fostered an infant with the hopes of adopting her. However, their hopes and dreams were shattered when the biological mother gained custody, leaving them devastated and trying to pick up the pieces. Everything changed when the mother returned, pleading for them to keep her daughter safe as she bled out in front of them. Shocked and with no time to waste, they packed up their lives and fled, vowing to protect her at all costs. They started over in a small Colorado town under new identities, living safely for many years. But when a tip exposes them, they find themselves on the run again, this time with a confused and frightened teenager With an FBI agent unwilling to give up the hunt and a murderer wanting to finish what he started, they are running for their lives. I love a great suspense/thriller, and Chad Zunker did not disappoint. This book will have you on the edge of your seat, biting your nails while rooting for the protagonists.
Thank you Netgalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Thank you Netgalley for the advanced readers copy of this title in exchange for my honest review.
This was one of those fast read books. It was interesting enough that I wanted to know what happened next. At the same time, it also felt like it could have added just a bit more and been extraordinary. Overall, interesting book that kept me entertained.

Chad Zunker is great for a popcorn suspense read. This story started off with a bang and moved quickly throughout. The suspense element was there, even though it felt slightly unrealistic.

I wasn't a fan of any of the characters. The dad was wild and not thinking correctly. The mom was a little better. The daughter was a brat that put them in dangerous situations multiple times.

Thus wasn't my favorite book by the author, but I'll give anything that he writes a chance. Thanks to NetGalley & the author for my gifted copy

another absolutely excellent book from Chad Zunker!!! i will read anything this man writes. all of his books are super fast paced and completely draw the reader in. the very first chapter of this book leaves the reader with a jaw dropping gasp!!! soooo good!

Not Our Daughter by Chad Zunker was a white-knuckler as the reader tries to figure out who exactly can be behind the death of the Shipley's foster daughter's mother. The foster daughter they thought they were adopting. The foster daughter they were to hand back to her mother. Why did the mother implore them to run and protect her daughter? Who is after the girl? How far will they go to protect her? How far would you go? There are so many unanswered questions to begin this story, and Zunker unravels the web bit by bit as he takes you through the Shipley's flight with the child, and their plans if or when their carefully laid new life unravels. If you've never read any of his books, this is the one! If you have, you will enjoy the journey!

#NetGalley #NotOurDaughter

For me, Chad Zunker is one of those reliable authors – in 2022, I read Family Money – four stars. In 2023, All He Has Left was another solid four star read. Then, last year? The Wife You Know – yep, once again, four stars. So this year, when I had the opportunity to read his latest, Not Our Daughter, in exchange for my honest review (thanks to Thomas & Mercer and NetGalley), I jumped at the chance. I love having one of those books that I Just KNOW is going to be well written, entertaining, something that will hold my interest and be a fun experience – not what some call “great literature” or even “literary fiction” – nope, I’m here for a good time. Some of the authors that fall into that category for me are Joseph Finder, Robert Crais, Michael Connelly, John Sandford (nearly all the time), and T. Jefferson Parker (most of the time). I’m probably forgetting someone important, but these come to mind – and I have to say Chad Zunker is now on the list (anyone see an unsurprising four star review coming?)

This exceptionally compelling mystery/thriller focuses on a couple, Lisa and Cole Shipley, and their early teenage daughter. Thirteen years ago, they were fostering an infant and had hoped to adp[t her and raise her as their own. Then, all three of their lives were suddenly and frighteningly changed forever when the baby’s birth mother showed up at their front door. After gasping out the words “He’s coming here…for her! Save her,” she bled to death. Terrified, they grabbed the baby and ran.

They landed in a small town in Colorado,now raising a teenager who is suddenly turning into a grownup – and asking questions. They are sure they are being tracked by AT LEAST a relentless FBI agent, but it turns out there is also another threat tracking them.

It’s fun! Scary at times. As a former foster parent, I can attest to the fact that it also captures some of the mixed feelings adults in a foster situation have…as well as the angst of the parents of an early teenage girl who is sure she knows everything and knows the best way to do EVERYTHING. It was so much fun, and while I was fairly certain things would turn out all right, I can’t say I saw the ending coming. Once again, four stars!

First, a huge thank you for allowing me to review this before it's released!

This whirlwind takes you across the country following fleeing fugitives in their quest for safety. The action is from beginning to end and the twist you'll never see coming is the perfect ending to this story. It's my first book by this author, and I'll be sure to read all of the others! I highly recommend this to anyone and everyone who enjoys a good thriller with an unseen twist.

I was issue this book by NetGalley for my unbiased review.

Very interesting book. How far, and what are you willing to do, to protect your family? And, what do you do when things start to fall apart.

This book kept your interest, and lots of twists and turns.

Well done by Chad Zunker.

Thirteen years ago, Cole and Lisa Shipley were fostering an infant with hopes of adopting her. Overnight everything was turned upside down, when the child’s mother bled to death on their front doorstep. Her last He’s coming here…for her! Save her. Afraid, bewildered, and with a baby in their arms, they fled. The longer they hid, the guiltier they looked.

Now in a small Colorado town under assumed identities, they’ve been seemingly safe. But when a tip exposes them and Cole is framed for another murder, they take it on the run again, barreling across the western US—this time with a confused and resistant teenage girl awakening to a terrifying new reality. In the rearview is the relentless FBI agent who has never given up the hunt. And he’s not the only one.

Every frightening mile brings a family closer to the truth about that fateful night thirteen years ago. And to a killer who’s determined to finish what he started.

Loved it. Will recommend to others

I believe the aim of thrillers is to thrill you. Give you an edge on the seat kind of feeling and this book does just that.

A simple decision to adopt a child changes the life of a couple. They become endangered and seek to escape. However, a simple decision also brings them back to the radar of the people they want to remain in their past.

The story is told in such a manner that gives you a present feeling as though you were present when the events unfold.

This was my first Chad Zunker novel and I'm officially a fan! Wow! The intensity of the multiple chase scenes in this book had my blood pressure spiking! Cole and Lisa Shipley are the ultimate definition of people that would do anything for their daughter. What a wild ride! Definitely would recommend this book full of twists, turns, ups and downs that leaves you feeling like you've gone on a rollercoaster! Amazing!

I finished this in four hours! Extremely easy but exciting and captivating read! Nonstop action had me hooked.

The lengths someone would go to to protect their child are stretched in this book. Though the end was slightly anticlimactic, it flowed well and I was overall happy with it.

Thank you to Chad Zunker, NetGalley, and Thomas & Mercer for this ARC!

If you are looking for a mystery or psychological thriller, <i>Not Our Daughter</i> is not going to scratch that itch for you. However, if you are looking for an action thriller - especially one with good-hearted main characters - then this book may be what you are seeking. While I tend to be more inclined to those mysteries or psychological thrillers, I still appreciated this quick read which served as reading material on a recent road trip.

The book opens on the night after Greg and Amy Olsen already had the worst day of their lives. Now, a bit after midnight, Greg opens the door after incessant pounding and doorbell ringing to find the bloodied mother of their foster daughter at the doorstep. She gives the stark warning, "He's coming!" not long before succumbing to her wounds. Thus begins over a decade of living as fugitives for Greg, Amy, and their daughter. Unfortunately, a risk taken to improve the life of their daughter leads to both the FBI and the main "bad guy" being notified of the possible location on the family, and a manhunt begins with the FBI and the villain both racing to be the first to reach them.

The characters - both fugitive and FBI agents - are generally easy to like and are guided by their desire to do the right thing. The foster daughter, now a teenager, definitely acts like a teenager. This makes her a bit less easy to enjoy, but it is a realistic depiction of how a teen in this predicament might react. While the book is an action-based thriller, there is not a lot of overt violence which might be of value to readers who mind graphic or constant violence. There weren't a lot of reveals or surprises, but the good pacing with compelling protagonists who generally rely on their wits to get through their challenges made the book enjoyable.

As a Texas resident who frequently spends time in Austin, I appreciated the Austin references and locales but was also pleased by the descriptions of other locales. The author relied heavily on "stocky" as a description for one of the characters, and I would have preferred a bit of variety of language in that regard.

I look forward to reading other books by the author. Thank you to the publisher and to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Whew!!! What a wild roller coaster ride! This is my first book by Zunker, and I am wowed!! This book is going to be so amazing on Audible, and I have pre-ordered it along with a couple of his other books! I highly recommend this book. It's very fast paced and makes you want to read in one sitting!!!

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC of this book.

📚 Book Review 📚
Not Our Daughter by Chad Zunker
Release Date 2/11/2025

Thank you to Chad Zunker and Amazon Publishing for my gifted copy and NetGalley for the arc!

This was a powerful cat and mouse game! Whew!

Cole and Lisa Shipley flee for their safety when they realize they and their foster baby’s lives are in danger. Someone killed the baby’s birth mother and they could be next.

Thirteen years later, they have been traced once again. Not only from the police but from the very man who is hunting them down!

I really enjoyed this one, racing to get to the finish line. A heart pumping and non-stop action thriller that promises to entertain!

4 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Cole and Lisa’s life is turned upside down when their adopted daughter’s birth mother dies on their doorstep, leaving a cryptic warning. Thirteen years later, they’re forced to run again, this time from both dangerous pursuers and the FBI.

The book delivers non-stop action and suspense, but the plot is straightforward with few surprises. It’s a fast-paced, engaging read, though it lacks depth and has some inconsistencies. Ideal for fans of action thrillers, but not for those looking for complex twists.

The premise was so intriguing, I had to request this one. It was a good story dont get me wrong on that. It was so suspenseful and intriguing. It kept me hooked and engaged but it was mostly action throughout which is not typically my go to, I tend to get a little tired of it after a while. But don't miss out it's a really intriguing story and it's a lot of fun!