Deliciously chaotic and diabolically brilliant, FAVOURITE DAUGHTER is the story of two women on the brink who find themselves connected by one thing: their father. The problem is, neither of them actually know it. Dick writes with humour, skill and authenticity on many serious topics (death, grief, addiction) and so, manages to deliver a truly page-turning read. An extraordinary debut that everyone should be reading in 2025.

Mickey and Arlo have one thing in common: their dad, but they never met until their dad died and brings them together through his will.
He abandoned Michelle (Mickey) and her mom when Mickey was just a kid, and left them with his debts. Mickey is now a primary teacher, she loves her job, but also pushes people away and is an alcoholic.
Arlo is a therapist and Mickey is her currently client, however they do not know they are related.

A fantastic book, the characters have depth and the story is narrated from the daughters' point of view. It is funny despite talking about grief, and redemption. I did cry reading the end. Love!

Favourite Daughter follows sisters Mickey and Arlo, brought together after their father’s death. He leaves his fortune to Mickey, but only if she attends therapy—with Arlo as her therapist.

The book explores addiction, grief, and family struggles. it’s a heartfelt look at forgiveness and healing and is perfect for those of us who enjoy emotional family drama reads.

This book was fascinating- the dad definitely had some issues, to be manipulating his estranged daughter to spend time with his disinherited daughter from beyond the grave was quite something but I disliked him from the beginning after disinheriting his doting daughter without warning- so sad for her to question everything she had done for him while grieving. I thought this book wrote beautifully about addiction, depression and the complicated relationships that come with these issues. I was utterly absorbed and really liked the sisters, would definitely recommend.

A mag mixed up book that covers such hard topics as families breaking down alcoholism and life just being really really tough. Two sisters that don’t know each other are united when their dad dies and yet only one knows about their relationship.. the author and picks the wounds bruises and damage that alcoholism does to relationships especially family ones in a sensitive way. The book also focuses on the little things in life that are just so hard to do when alcohol is a crutch or when money is tight or when life is just a huge huge struggle.. the issues of mental well-being are dealt with delicately and ultimately the message here is Hope despite things being so hard.

I will always be seated for a book featuring a despondant protagonist (or protagonists, in this case!) coming to terms with their father's death in their own unhealthy manner. 🙏

I had so much fun describing the plot to my boyfriend when he asked what I was reading. A lot of moral/ethical quandaries lie in these pages, almost all of the characters should be deeply unlikable but their complexities make it impossible not to root for or feel some sort of affection for them (yes, even Tom, who I basically just pictured the bank manager from Fleabag for)

The only element I didn't love was the blackmail attempt, I just thought it was unnecessary to the overall story and Mickey was honestly going through enough 💀 Evelyn's disappearance and reappearance is also just sort of glossed over and I thought Mickey would have more feelings about that what with her own experience of parental abandonment.

A really good start to my 2025 reads though! Super compelling debut from Morgan and I'll definitely be keeping my eye out for more of her work.

I adored this book. Arlo and Mickey are beautifully drawn characters- so complex and real. I particularly enjoyed Mickey’s perspective and was greatly moved by her slow realisation that she was dependent upon alcohol and how this was affecting her life.

Oh, my days. This is such a good book - it had me hooked, mouth dry and heart pounding from the get-go.

Not gonna lie, I've had a bit of a dry patch with books lately, all a bit meh and samey but this is so the opposite of that and I just loved it.

It's difficult to say more without spoiling it for others but it's a stonking great start to my 2025 reads.

Highly recommend.

I really don’t like the cover; the colours, graphics and whole appearance I find offputting. Which, of course, confirms the ‘don’t judge a book’ adage. The rather infantile and YA look of the cover belies the content of this original and unusual story. Morgan Dick’s debut is a masterpiece of observation and comment about so much. It’s not packed with action, but there’s plenty of emotional drama as themes of depression, alcoholism and familial dysfunction are explored. A nasty father dies and leaves unexpected wealth to one of his daughters. It’s life changing. The other, doting caring daughter is left out. From these pieces of lives destroyed and reconstructed comes a tale of unexpected depth and warmth. Very refreshing, totally engaging and a surprise. I really enjoyed it.

I was asked to review this by NetGalley and was glad I did.

Well written and although the characters were not to my taste. This was powerful with protraying grief.
Micky is living her solitary life and happy in this life. Then she is notified that her estranged and absent father has died and left her a large inheritance. To claim it she needs to attend seven therapy sessions that he had already paid for in advance!!! She would like not to attend and really say no but it came down to the fact she needed the inheritance.

Arlo has been left out of the will even although she cared for him up till his dying day!

I too would be reeeling at this - families !!!

I found some of this a bit heavy to read through and uncomfortable too.

A good read and recommended.