I devoured this book in two sittings. Deborah’s unique writing style once again drew me in and I was enchanted with her descriptions of Morocco as I experienced Morocco through Bea’s senses. The story had lots of twists and suspense and just the right about of love interest to keep it interesting but not cliche. I adored it and can’t wait for the next one and wonder where Charlie and Bea will head to next.

I'm a little disappointed in myself a little because I had high hopes for this novel but I didn't enjoy it at all. Thank you, NetGalley for granting me the access to read this but damn. 

While I appreciated the free trip to Morroco, I felt like a tourist, and when I read books from places I've never been to, I like to feel like a local, a member of the community and I didn't feel that in here.

Thanks Netgalley and the Publisher.   I really enjoyed the characters in this book, the location and I learnt a lot.   Great read.,.

Another 5 star review for Deborah Rodriguez. 
I now have a thirst for knowledge about Morocca. 
I loved getting reacquainted with Bea and Charlie again and following their adventures and the way that they experienced things that a tourist wouldn’t normally experience. 
I feel that Charlie can be a bit boring, but grandmother Bea gets caught up in all the excitement, she drags Charlie along with her and they both enjoy a myriad of sights, sounds, smells and emotions. 
I was so looking forward to reading this book and it did not disappoint. I devoured it in almost one sitting.

Way back in 2007, Deborah Rodriguez wrote an excellent memoir about setting up a beauty school in Kabul, Afghanistan. At the time I was very impressed and found it to be an interesting approach to relating her experience in a very complex country. In the years that followed, Rodriguez has written about half a dozen fictional novels, a couple related to Kabul, others to other parts of the world. I keep reading them - and more often than not - being a bit disappointed. Most recently, I'd read and not been impressed by 'The Zanzibar Wife' but I was optimistic for the Moroccan Daughter.  

When we're not in the midst of a global pandemic, I go to Morocco 2 or 3 times a year. It's a country I love and a culture I find fascinating. Stuck in the UK at a time of year when I'd normally be trying to get to Morocco, this book was the closest I could get to a short trip to one of my favourite places. 

The book tells of three American women - Charlie and her grandmother Bea (who apparently appeared in another of DR's books that I haven't read) and their Moroccan-born friend Amina. Charlie has a secret, so does Amina, and Bea's a bit of a 'white witch'. Actually. everybody in this book has secrets.

It's set in Fes. The women have gone to attend Amina's sister's wedding. The setting is good, and the atmosphere 'feels' authentic to me, if a little laboured in places. After 20 years of going to Morocco, I didn't get the 'Here we go, she's writing about something she doesn't know' feeling that I've had with many other books of this kind.  That said, I felt a lot of the expected and predictable themes of 'honour' and family were not developed very far.

If I had to fault it, there's really not enough tension or suspense. Everything comes out way too easily.  A major plot twist about Amina's parentage slips out with little more than a slight 'oops' and a divorce is sorted out without slipping into the expected terrorist sub-plot. Much is hinted at but little actually happens. Various blind alleys - and any Moroccan town has lots of them - are approached but not resolved. There's a lot of 'woowoo' witchy stuff that's used to advance the plot in improbable ways which really wasn't the least believable. 

So for me, this is better than some of DR's books but treats serious subjects rather too lightly for my liking. 
Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for my ARC.

It was good reading about an author whose stories I always look forward to ever since The Coffee Shop in Kabul.

4.5 stars

Delightful. This book was simply delightful.

The Moroccan Daughter tells the interwoven tales of four women; Amina, Charlie, Bea and Samira, all with their own secrets. Amina, worried about disappointing a strict father; Charlie who has a secret she’d rather have left behind in Casablanca; Samira, who has a secret which could cost her a relationship with someone she loves and Bea who seemed happy to just be along for the ride.

I requested The Moroccan Daughter as I’d previously read The Little Coffee Shop of Kabul by the same author and really enjoyed it, and while I felt this book took a little while to pick up the pace, it did not disappoint. This was book was relatively short and easy read, but it definitely packed in a lot of drama in those pages.

This was very much a book about family and the complicated ties that bind people together. The dialogue flowed effortlessly, the pacing was perfect and the characters felt so real and relatable that I was genuinely invested in how their stories would end.

This was a perfect book to read on a cold winter’s day as through the beautifully written descriptions I felt transported to Morocco, I could almost feel the sun on my skin and smell the spices from the souks while reading.

If you like well-written books about gorgeous destinations, complicated families, romances, a touch of mystery and overall captivating atmosphere, then this could be a read for you.