This was a conflicting and heartbreaking book. This is alternating between the kidnapper (Sarah)and the mother (Amy)with before,during and after sections .

Sarah's childhood maternal abandonment,failed relationship, and want to help Emma is explored.I didn't want to root for her but I couldn't help but empathize with her. Her actions are understandable even if they are recommendable.

Amy is a frazzled wife and mother who is doubting her marriage and decision to have kids. She isn't the most likable of people . She does seem to have some sort of depression which I can empathize with. She is not a nice woman but she is realistic.

I enjoyed much more than I thought I would. These a women fighting their demons and it leads to an unfortunate situation.The ending was both surprising and not.I'm lukewarm on it overall but it does wrap up.

I'd recommend this for fan of women's fiction dealing with mother's and daughters and those who want a more nuanced kidnapping story.

I was sent an offer to read this on netgalley after requesting another book and I am so glad I decided to grab it and read it! This was a very good, but heart wretching read. To follow the journey of Sarah, Amy, and Grace, my heart broke several times. But I recommend everyone to read this book. It was amazing.

Stayed up way too late last night finishing this one but it was so worth it! HIGHLY recommend - once I started, I could not put it down. Preorder this one! The story covers the dynamic relationship between mothers and daughters, abuse, and the choices people make. A great book club book.

Thank you #NetGalley and #StMartinspress for the eARC. This is my honest review.

Amy has a life most would love to have, but she just can't find it in herself to embrace it, being a mother isn't what she thought it would be, and her relationship with her husband is on shaky ground most of the time, which leaves her feeling overwhelmed. Most days she can maneuver through her life, but there are days when she downright hates her life, and against her better judgement takes her frustrations out on her young daughter. And those are the days that she is certain motherhood and domesticated life just wasn't meant for her...

Sarah knows what it is like to come from a broken home, and what it feels like to be abandoned by the ones who are supposed to love you, and she wouldn't wish that on her worst enemy. Her mother never seemed to have the motherly touch, and her father tried, but his efforts were always lacking. Then she meets young Emma, and she instantly recognizes the hurt written on the young girls face, it closely resembles the look she has carried for years, and before she really comprehends what she is doing, she kidnaps the young girl with the promise of giving her a better life. The very one she always wished she would have had, she knows what she is doing wrong on some level, but the more time she spends with Emma the more ways she finds to justify her actions...

Not Her Daughter is a haunting tale that follows two women and young child on an unforgettable journey, one is her uncaring biological mother and the other a good intention-ed woman who kidnapped her with the hope of giving her the loving home she deserves. Between the pages of this exquisitely crafted tale you will find a story that pushes you to your breaking point, makes your heart ache, and gives you hope. This is by far one of the best first read my eyes have landed on this year, this powerful story hit me deep, and made me feel the intent behind every word... it was downright astounding! If there is one book you pick up this year, make it this one, you won't be disappointed with what you find!!

I requested an advanced copy of this title from NetGalley, and voluntarily read and reviewed it.

Sarah Walker was raised by a distant and uncaring mother. Her dad meant well but was completely oblivious of the deep voids in Sarah’s childhood. Sarah grew up harboring a fear of rejection and abandonment that was so painful; she ended up kidnapping a child who reminded her so much of her own childhood.
That makes it all okay, right? As the events unfold and you read about little Emma Townsend, you just may agree deep down inside even though it’s very immoral (and highly illegal) to act on impulse like Sarah did. So she realizes after an hour or so how serious her mistake is and she returns Emma safely? No. She goes on an across-country run, hiding, changing their appearance, lying and leaving small crumbs of a trail along the way. And Emma is having the time of her life; swimming, spending quality time with an adult who loves her, eating good food, reading, and learning.
Now how does a really talented writer end a book like this? I kept thinking that Rea Frey was writing herself into a corner. Wrong. She took an angle that I didn’t see coming. Read it. Just read it. You’ll think of kids you’ve seen out in public and wished you had done something. I’m neither condoning nor encouraging the fictitious situation, but I did thoroughly enjoy how the events unfolded.
(I received an advance copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an unbiased review. Thank you to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for making it available.)