First, I want to thank Caroline Finnerty, Boldwood Books and Rachel's Random Resources for providing me with this book so I can bring you this review.

OMG!! I LOVED My Daughter’s Silence by Caroline Finnerty!! She is an incredible writer who writes stories that pull on your heart strings. But WOWZERS with this one went above and beyond what she has ever written before! This book deserves way more than 5 stars as it is my favorite that she has ever written. I will go one step further and say out of 37 books I have read this year this was my favorite!

Caroline Finnerty’s book that would be perfect for a book club where parents of teens are members of. I say this because this book addresses some very important issues that students today face. There could be a lot of great discussions about those issues. However, these issues may be triggering to some.

Charlotte’s mother made me very upset when she applied for her to get a scholarship at a big wig school so she would have a better education. However, Charlotte liked the school she was at and didn’t want to leave her mom. The more the story went on the madder I got at the situation at hand.

My heart totally was breaking for everything that Charlotte was put through in this book. So many times I wanted to jump in and comfort her and tell her everything was going to be ok even if I didn’t know the outcome. On the other hand I was fuming that this could have all been avoided if her Mom didn’t make that decision.

My Daughter’s Silence really reads like a movie on Netflix that you would totally binge watch.

This beautifully written novel tugged at my heartstrings from start to finish. Ali Daly is a deeply moving story about the unbreakable bond between a mother and her daughter, even when life tries to pull them apart. Ali’s love, strength, and unwavering hope shine through every page, and I couldn’t help but root for her and Charlotte as they navigated the emotional turbulence of their strained relationship. Caroline Finnerty paints a raw and honest picture of motherhood, teenage rebellion, and the fear and love that come with both. With layered characters and poignant themes, this is a story that stays with you long after you turn the last page. I can’t wait to read more from this author.

I’ve not read of Caroline Finnertys books before but I will definitely be looking for more.
What a fantastic page turner, from page one I was hooked. Ali is a single parent to her daughter Charlotte struggling to make ends meet, When Charlotte get the opportunity to accept a scholarship to a prestigious Dublin School Ali pushes her to accept.
When Charlotte goes to a party against her wishes at Ali’s bosses son’s house her life and Ali’s is put to a test like no other.
Thank you NetGalley and Boldwood Booksfor an ARCof this book.

Ali Daly works as a restaurant manager at Riordan’s Grill in Dublin and is a single mum to Charlotte, who is 16. Charlotte is studious, academic, busy preparing for her exams, and doesn’t go out much. They live in a two-bedroom rented terraced house.
Following a suggestion from Ali’s boss Lisa, Ali applies for Charlotte to get a scholarship to the private St Thomas’s school, one of the best schools in the country. She gets one, but right from the start, Charlotte is taunted and bullied for being ‘the scholarship kid’.
Reluctantly, Charlotte agrees to go to Lisa’s son Ollie’s 16th birthday party at the huge house they live in. But a boy gets seriously injured and suddenly, fingers are pointing at Charlotte…
The book is written from Ali’s point of view but we also have chapters of Charlotte’s journal, which is good, because it means we can see both sides of the characters and how they are feeling.
It’s certainly a difficult time for both of them and the bad stuff just keeps coming in their direction. You really feel for them, as they endure more and more, with both Ali and Charlotte struggling to cope with everything.
While it was easy to get into the story, it did seem a bit slow paced at times, but it’s worth keeping reading as I did enjoy the novel. The characters of Ali and Charlotte are very realistic and it’s easy to empathise with both of them. I liked Ali’s parents too, who were a nice contrast to some of the horrible parents in the story!

My Daughter’s Silence is another unforgettable read by one of my favourite Irish authors Caroline Finnerty. Like all her previous books I was completely gripped by is story from start to finish. This book brought out so many emotions as I was reading it. The relationship between mother and daughter was described so well and my heart went out to both of them. I really don’t want to say too much in case of spoilers but I promise once you start this book you will be completely invested in this emotional and at times heartbreaking read.

Ali Daly, a hardworking single mother of sixteen-year-old Charlotte, pours her heart into their family. The two have always been closed, but their relationship has been strained as of late. Nonetheless, Ali remains steadfast in her love for her daughter, giving her grace, convinced that it’s merely teenage angst.

When a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity arises for Charlotte, Ali seizes it to secure her future. However, this decision further widens the gap between them. Ali remains optimistic, confident that Charlotte will eventually come around. But when a tragic event involving another teen occurs, Ali’s worries for Charlotte intensify.

While the narrative primarily focuses on Ali’s perspective, readers gain a glimpse into Charlotte’s constant turmoil. As the story progresses, some deeper subjects emerge, evoking a profound sense of compassion for both Ali and Charlotte. This compelling story is my first read by Caroline Finnerty, and it certainly won’t be my last.

Many thanks to Boldwood Books, Rachel’s Random Resources and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.

Thanks to the Publisher and Netgalley for an early review copy.

This book is about a single mother and daughter. All Ali wants her daughter Charlotte to have the best she can give her, and when she gets a chance to send Charlotte to a well known school, she urges her daughter to accept it. What will happen when she does?

The story had me hooked from the beginning. It’s very well written and there’s some emotional scenes which means you’ll need tissues handy.

I highly recommend this book.

My Daughter's Silence is the latest masterpiece by the super talented Caroline Finnerty.

In this story, we meet Ali Daly, a devoted single mother to 16-year-old Charlotte, who has tirelessly worked to keep their family afloat. Charlotte means everything to Ali, and she is determined to provide her daughter with opportunities she never had, including securing a scholarship to the prestigious St Thomas’s school for her final years. Unfortunately, once the other students learn about her scholarship, Charlotte becomes a target for bullying. In an effort to help Charlotte make friends, Ali encourages her to attend a party hosted by one of the students. However, when Charlotte calls for a ride home, Ali senses that something is wrong, yet Charlotte is unwilling to share the details. Will Ali uncover the truth and convince her daughter to continue her education at St Thomas's?

Oh my! I've spent every free moment engrossed in this captivating and heartfelt novel, even during the ad breaks of Celebrity Big Brother (in the UK)! The characters felt incredibly authentic, and I found myself resonating with both Ali and Charlotte for various reasons due to our shared experiences! I was completely captivated, and I'm sure you will be too.

Don't miss out on getting your copy soon.

My thanks to Boldwood Books and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read ‘My Daughter’s Silence’ written by Caroline Finnerty in exchange for my honest and unbiased review.

Single mum Ali Daly only wants what’s best for her sixteen-year-old daughter Charlotte so when she’s offered a scholarship at the prestigious St Thomas’s School Ali insists Charlotte accept it as she believes it’ll give her opportunities she herself couldn’t have. But Charlotte is being bullied by the other pupils as they’re from wealthy families and know she’s on a scholarship. When Charlotte is invited to a 16th birthday party Ali insists she go but one of the boys is pushed into the pool and taken to hospital unconscious and the others at the party tell the gardai that Charlotte pushed him in. Only Charlotte knows what happened and she’s not saying.

‘My Daughter’s Silence’ is a thought-provoking novel of Ali and her daughter Charlotte, a shy sixteen-year-old whose life is being made a misery by rich teenagers who think they’re better than her. I liked Ali and Charlotte whose characters were given depth and understanding, and felt so sorry for them as not only was Charlotte experiencing bullying from the pupils but also the parents were deliberately subjecting them to attacks of vitriol, lies and untruths. I became so involved in the story that I sat reading throughout the day until I’d reached the final page and was sad that Charlotte should have to suffer but also happy that there was a lovely heart-warming conclusion. Thank you, Caroline, for giving us yet another wonderfully emotional story to read that made me want to laugh and cry. I loved it!

My Daughter's Silence is another heartfelt and realistic read by one of my favourite authors Caroline Finnerty. When I was offered the opportunity to read and review this book I instantly jumped at it without reading the blurb because I know that I am never disappointed with the author. This book is about a single mother and her daughter who is offered a place at a prestigious school and she sadly feels like she doesn't fit in because of the bullies. After a incident at a party things take a turn for the worst. What really resonated with me about the story is not the teenage bullies but the parents. How can you ever expect your children to take responsibility for their actions when the adults can't take responsibility for theirs? I also truly admired one character and that is Josh because I know how much courage it takes to go against your friends and stick up for what is right! The book is thought provoking on a few subjects and I am appreciative of the tough subjects that needed to be brought up. Well done Caroline on bringing them to the light to be discussed.

This book was really good, it took a while to get into it, as it was a very slow book to get into.
Its fab once you have got into the book.

The story follows Ali, a devoted single mother who has worked hard to provide for her daughter, Charlotte. When Charlotte earns a scholarship to the prestigious St Thomas’s school—a place filled with wealthy and privileged students—Ali is proud, hopeful, but also wary. She wants Charlotte to have every opportunity in life, but she’s keenly aware of the social divide and the pressures her daughter may face in this new environment.

Tensions rise when Charlotte attends a party with her new classmates, and shortly afterward, a teenage boy is found seriously injured. As the police begin to investigate, Charlotte becomes entangled in the incident, but she remains silent about what happened that night. Her silence is agonizing for Ali, who is desperate to know the truth but torn between pushing her daughter to speak and respecting her emotional boundaries.

What follows is a deeply affecting story that dives into questions of trust, loyalty, and how far a parent is willing to go to shield their child. Ali finds herself confronting not only the frightening possibility that her daughter may be hiding something serious but also the intimidating power wielded by the families of Charlotte’s wealthy peers—people who are willing to do whatever it takes to protect their own. The novel touches on class divisions, the influence of privilege, and the challenges of single motherhood. It’s as much a character-driven family drama as it is a tense, morally complex psychological suspense. This is a compelling, emotionally charged novel that explores the fierce love of a mother and the moral complexities that arise when protecting a child comes at a high cost.

With heartfelt prose, realistic dialogue, and a plot that keeps you turning the pages, this is perfect for readers who enjoy emotionally layered stories with high stakes, moral dilemmas, and powerful themes of love, protection, and truth.

I'm happy that Caroline Finnerty has another book. I thought Ali and Charlotte's relationship was realistic. I was shocked by what happened.

Carline Finnerty has created another heartfelt and gripping story. My Daughter's Silence is the sixth book by Caroline Finnerty that I've reviewed. She has a great talent for creating memorable characters and stories.

5 stars

Thanks to Caroline Finnerty and Boldwood Books for my eARC in exchange for an honest and voluntary review.

Charlotte wins a scholarship to the prestigious St Thomas’s school, her mother Ali just wants the best for her and thinks this is it. When she starts at the school she is bullied by the other pupils. When Charlotte is invited to Ollies birthday party Ali believes this will help her mix with the wealthy children. But when Ali receives a panic phone call to pick her up something is up. Something happened at the party but will Charlotte tell Ali.
A brilliant read, a page turner that I read in one sitting.

When Charlotte Daley wins a scholarship to a prestige college her mother called Ali is so proud of her
When Charlotte has an invite to go with Ollie
Then the morning that when it’s all over the police have been informed that there was a single boy had been injured
I had an ARC

Another great book from this author. Characters are well described and developed. A thought provoking story that makes you think - "What would you do " This is a book I would have no problem recommending
Thanks to Netgalley for the chance to read this ARC in return for an honest review

Disclaimer: This review is not meant to put down the author. Every book resonates differently with readers, and this one just wasn't for me.

Every once in a while, I come across a book that leaves me wondering why I just put myself through that. Unfortunately, My Daughter’s Silence is one of them. What promised to be a gripping mother-daughter thriller set against the backdrop of an elite school mystery turned out to be one of the most tedious reading experiences I’ve had in a while.

Let’s start with the pacing. It was painfully slow. The book drags through endless descriptions of poverty and internal monologues, with barely any real action. The mother and daughter barely communicate, and instead of tension building through dialogue or meaningful moments, we get page after page of repetitive thoughts. By the halfway mark, I found myself skimming, just trying to get to something that would justify the 60 chapters of nothingness. Spoiler: Nothing did.

The plot itself was all over the place with no clear direction. Instead of a carefully woven mystery, it felt like the story was meandering with no real sense of urgency. And the ending was disappointing. It lacked impact, leaving me wondering why I had invested all that time in the first place.

But the biggest missed opportunity was the daughter’s mental state. This should have been the emotional core of the book, the thing that gave it depth. Instead, it was rushed through, never fully explored, and we’re left without truly understanding or caring about her struggles.

At its core, My Daughter’s Silence had potential. There was something there that could have worked. But between the slow pacing, lack of emotion, repetitive storytelling, and an underwhelming conclusion, it felt unfinished and, frankly, frustrating. If you’re looking for a thriller that keeps you on edge, this isn’t it. However, if you go in expecting a slow-burn mother-daughter story rather than a thriller, it might be worth a read. Just don’t expect high stakes or heart-racing moments.

A common storyline ,well written. The relationships between the characters were well developed and ineresting.

DO NOT START THIS UNTIL YOU CLEAR YOUR SCHEDULES AS YOU WILL NOT BE ABLE TO PUT IT DOWN!!!!… I absolutely LOVED… Perfect read to lift your spirits and keep you hooked… Will keep you up late at night

Another brilliant book from this author who always writes such good books.

The storyline was well written with interesting characters, sad in parts but it held my interest from the beginning until the end.

Thank you to Netgalley and Boldwood Books for this great ARC which I can thoroughly recommend.