A family matter ★★☆☆☆

When Susie’s daughter Anna comes back into her life after being given up for adoption fifteen years ago, Susie and husband Gabe will do anything to support her.

Anna has some disturbing stories about her adopted parents and needs their help. However, Anna’s parents insist that she’s lying. How traumatised is Anna? Can she be trusted? And are Susie and Gabe who they say they are?

I’m a big fan of JP Delaney’s first two novels The Girl Before (2017) and The Perfect Wife (2019).

However, I struggled with this novel, partly due to the web of lies and secrets surrounding the characters which also made them all hard to like. I also found Anna lacking depth at times. The subject matter is important but made for a tough read on several levels.

A disturbing tale of adoption, consent and trauma.

I was super lucky to get an advanced copy of the latest book from JP Delaney – one of my favourite authors. And this book did not disappoint - it’s a page turner!

Here’s what it’s about (don’t worry – no spoilers)

A couple who are trying to have baby after several miscarriages suddenly receive a message out of the blue from the daughter that they gave up for adoption many moons ago, saying she is desperately unhappy.

They arrange to meet and the daughter, Sky, tells her biological mother, Susie, about how her adoptive parents have been treating her. And it’s shocking. Susie wants nothing more than to come to her aid and be the mother she wants to be.

But when Sky later comes to Susie’s home her adoptive parents aren’t the least bit pleased and send the police to the door with an official order stating there’s to be no contact between Sky and Susie and Susie’s partner Gabe.

The order soon gets violated and things really start to escalate. And boy do they continue to escalate! (That’s an understatement by the way!)

Police involvement continues. There are all kinds of accusations made, there are multiple accounts of blackmail, there’s some downright Machiavellian plotting, and it’s hard to read the characters and understand the daughter’s nature and motives.

But what I really love about this book, as with all JP Delaney books, is the novelty value and the unique nature of the plot.

In this book I learned about a number of interesting things I’d never even heard of before: “reactive attachment disorder”, “coercive restraint therapy”, “ghost kingdoms”, and “mummy shopping”.

And it turns out these are real things, which makes the story all the more believable.

This is a great book that will really draw you in. And even though the story is told through multiple POVs, you have to get quite far into the book before you start to see the whole picture.

The twists and the turns just keep coming, and it’s hard to see where the story is going to go, until the story reaches quite the conclusion at the end.

5 stars out of 5!

Suzie and Gabe are both successful people in the music industry living a comfortable life in the country.
They have everything except a child.After suffering numerous miscarriages Suzy thinks its her punishment for giving her baby up for adoption years ago,she was in a very bad place and had limited options.
Out of the blue she gets a message on social media its the daughter she gave away.
Anna coming into their lives turns everything upside down everyone has their secrets and when they come out no-one is safe.
This was an absolute brilliant read in my opinion the authors best so far.
Highly recommended.
Thanks to Netgalley and Quercus Books for the ARC.

I have read other books by this author and found them to be utterly compelling and this didn't disappoint. I couldn't put it down.

To say I was excited when I discovered JP Delaney had written another psychological thriller is rather an understatement, then to be approved by the publisher to read and review it so far ahead of publication is on another level. I have loved every one of his previous titles and couldn't wait to dive in.
Susie Jukes and her husband Gabe are famous in the music world. That comes with all the usual trappings of fame: the lovely home, the extremely comfortable income and perhaps an occasional skeleton in the closet that is probably best left in the safety of the past. In Susie's case, this comes in the form of the daughter she gave up for adoption 15 years ago: Anna. Susie is ecstatic when she is contacted by the adoption agency saying that Anna wants contact with her. Gabe however is less enthusiastic and warns Susie to proceed with caution, especially when it becomes clear that everything in Anna's adoptive world isn't as clear cut as it could be.
There are lots of issues addressed in this novel: adoption and the knock-on effects this can have on both the adopted child and the birth mother; the less than attractive side of the world of fame and the music industry can lead to; attachment and abandonment issues experienced by adopted children. All of these and more come into play but I don't want to give too much away and spoil the book for readers. Suffice to say there's a lot going on in Anna's world.
From a writer's point of view this must have been a challenging book to write, however from a reader's point of view I'm not sure I enjoyed it quite as much as the author's previous books. There has clearly been a lot of research into the subject of adoption and the processes and emotions associated with it but personally I felt there's something missing but quite what that is I can't put my finger on.
An exciting read but just missed the spot for me personally (sorry!)

This book is soooo good!!!! At first I was like oh this is a nice story of an adopted daughter finding her birth mother and it was all light and fluffy and then bam the crazy hits you.

Another really well written book by JP Delaney. I don't want to ruin it. So all I'm going to say is if you love a good physiological thriller. Do not miss this book.

One day, completely out of the blue, Susie is contacted on social media, by the daughter she gave up for adoption 15 years ago. Anna's adoptive parents sound quite strict but Susie and her husband Gabe don't want to overstep. As the story goes on, we see that each of them have other secrets hidden and the twists gradually unfold. 
This was a fast paced read with some good twists. There were some legal points included and I found some parts repetitive. That said, I enjoyed it being written in different perspectives and that kept me turning the pages. Delaney is a master at portraying dysfunctional relationships and this will keep you guessing. Another engaging read by the author.

My Darling Daughter felt more like a family drama than the psychological thriller it's billed as, but is none the worse for that - it's a compelling read about adoption and the psychological damage which can, in certain cases, be wrought. (Obviously the situation here is extreme and not typical of most adoptions.)

Susie's baby daughter was adopted fifteen years earlier; Susie's life then was chaotic, but now she's settled and married and more than delighted when her daughter Sky - now called Anna - gets in touch. Of course, what seems like a dream come true turns out to be nothing of the sort, and this adoption reunion is fraught with difficulty and danger.

We hear from all three main characters - Susie, her husband Gabe and fifteen year old Sky/Anna - and all three have interesting voices. Susie and Gabe's background in the music industry - Susie a former backing singer now fronting a folk-rock band, Gabe a former boy band member who now writes songs for other artists - adds an interesting dimension.

Susie doesn't always deal with things well - at all - but is coming from a good place. The contrast between Susie and Gabe's more alternative (though well-to-do) laissez-faire lifestyle with the strictness of Sky's adoptive parents obviously makes the former a more appealing prospect for the teenager. Both Susie and Gabe, though, will have to deal with issues they thought they had left well in the past.

An enjoyable and satisfying read.

It has been a while since I actually read an ARC from Netgalley but when this popped up on my email I couldn't resist as I thoroughly enjoyed reading the authors other works, notably The Girl Before. This was a read that didn't disappoint and gets stuck right in from the beginning.

Susie Jukes is a singer in a famous band and unexpectedly she is contacted by a girl named Anna who fifteen years ago was given up for adoption by Susie. Susie is married to Gabe a now music writer and former band member himself. They live in an idyllic home, are doing well in their careers but when Anna comes into their lives everything is turned upside down.

Susie is convinced that Anna's life with her adoptive parents is strange and their behavior towards Anna is 'not right', so when Susie tries to convince Gabe that Anna needs them both things start to unravel quickly. What secrets is Susie hiding? What secrets is Gabe hiding? As Anna gets embroiled into the life of Susie and Gabe she becomes destructive and manipulative to the point that you wonder how far the secrets and lies go. But she is recovering from a traumatic childhood right? As the lives of Susie and Gabe come hurtling down we roll fast into an avalanche of an ending.

This novel could quite easily be a slow burner, especially as we deal with a plethora of emotions from all our characters as we read from their perspectives. This story picks a fast pace and we move through events quickly, but it is not rushed. Its pace provides the right atmosphere to connect with the characters and the subject matter. The story explores some interesting themes regarding childhood behaviour which adds to the suspense and leaves you wondering just how far Anna will go to get what she wants.

After reading this I am left feeling it could have ended differently but I'm in two minds how and if id have been satisfied with the alternative. Which I suppose makes a great writer if you are leaving readers like myself pondering. If you already love JP Delaney then this will be your next read, if you've never read anything by the author before but like something with suspense and 'family drama' then this is for you.

My darling daughter by JP Delaney.
The child you never knew
knows all your secrets . . .
Out of the blue, Susie Jukes is contacted on social media by Anna, the girl she gave up for adoption fifteen years ago.
But when they meet, Anna's home life sounds distinctly strange to Susie and her husband Gabe. And when Anna's adoptive parents seem to overreact to the fact she contacted them at all, Susie becomes convinced that Anna needs her help.
But is Anna's own behaviour simply what you'd expect from someone recovering from a traumatic childhood? Or are there other secrets at play here - secrets Susie has also been hiding for the last fifteen years?
Wow. A brilliant read. Couldn't put it down. Dark and twisty. Read in one sitting. 5*.

This was an okay read, but it had nothing to make it stand out. It was a quick and easy read, with three alternating POV’s.

It did tackle several serious issues, from abuse of power, toxic masculinity, fertile issues and mental illness. I am pleased to say each issue was handled sensitively.

Overall there were a lot of information dumps that weren’t necessary, parts of the book seemed quite slow and I didn’t enjoy how the book would jump between different scenarios very quickly - for example, chapter 40 speaks about a fire, abruptly ends, and then chapter 41 speaks about the daughters best friends? 🧐. Some of the twists were good, some of them seemed too far fetched. Sadly this isn’t my favourite JPD book and although it isn’t a bad book, I wouldn’t rush to recommend it to anyone.

Thank you so much to Netgalley, JPD and Quercus for a copy of this book in return for my review.

A psychological delight!
Having a degree in Psychology myself, this book was right up my alley. This is a book that centres itself around deception, leaving the reader struggling to know who to trust. The quick, short chapters alternate between multiple characters' perspectives which really enhanced the book, and personally I found myself reading on for another chapter from Anna's perspective. It was hard for me not to feel empathetic towards Anna. The complex characters meant I found myself 'flip-flopping' my opinions, especially on Gabe and the Mulcahys. The story is both gripping and devastating, I think from 1/3 of the way in the book really hit its stride.
It deals with many triggering issues as well as mental health, so I would definitely recommend reading reviews and trigger warnings before picking this book up. I have previously read Playing Nice by Delaney and I'm really enjoying his work and writing style.
Personally I feel like the ending of the book didn't tie up all the loose ends and with the story development Delaney has created surrounding parenting styles, there is definitely potential for a second book following on Susie and Gabe's journey.
4/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Posted review to Goodreads.

I have read every single book by JP Delaney so I was really excited to be able to read this advance copy.
The storyline follows Susie, who gave her daughter up for adoption fifteen years ago. She is currently married to Gabe, and the two of them have a lovely home and she has a flourishing career. Gabe and Susie have been unsuccessful in having further children, when, out of the blue, Susie receives a call from her now troubled, teenage daughter, Anna.
This cleverly written and absolutely outstanding page turner is definitely worth a read!
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this rollercoaster of an ARC

Thank you NetGalley and Penguin for an early e-copy of My Darling Daughter by JP Delaney in exchange of my honest opinion.

I have read every single book by JP Delaney and I am not sure which one I would say it is my favourite because I have loved them all, but it would definitely be between Playing Nice and My Darling Daughter.

In My Darling Daughter, we follow Susie and Gabe, a couple that have had problems conceiving but whose lives will son change when Anna, Susie's daughter who was adopted when she was a baby, comes back to their lives fifteen years later.

The book sounded like the situation could get a bit messy, with past traumas and secrets coming back to their lived, but I was not prepared at all for all the twists, the turns, the lies, the action and the ways this story went to.

It is my favourite book of 2022 so far and I won't stop recommending it to everyone, but especially to fans of psychological thrillers.

My Darling Daughter blew my mind in the best sense possible. It made me remember why I love reading and why thriller is my fav genre.

If you are looking for a new book to be excited about, check this one out!!

Definitely a 5/5⭐ book!

I have enjoyed reading JP Delaney’s other books so was excited to be sent an advance copy of the latest novel which is out in September 2022.

Thanks to Quercus Books and NetGalley for the advance copy.

Susie and Gabe are a successful couple, both in the music industry.
Susie gave up her daughter for adoption fifteen years earlier and has never had any contact from her, until a message on social media.

Anna, or Sky, is a very troubled teen and what begins as a seemingly nice reunion takes a dark turn.

I didn’t like Sky’s character at all, she was such a piece of work. Yes, she had a difficult start in life but seems to shun all support and thinks she’s above everyone.
I liked Susie and Gabe but did find Susie really naive, to the point it was a bit annoying.

The story is easy enough to read with short chapters. Each chapter is from the point of view of one of the main characters, so you see their perspective on what’s happening.

I didn’t think there was much suspense or tension in the story and it was missing something for me. Nothing made it stand out from the crowd which was disappointing.

Nonetheless, I would still read more by this author as I’ve enjoyed his other books.

2.5 stars rounded to 3.

I enjoyed this book. Susie Jukes is contacted out of the blue by the daughter she gave up for adoption 15 years ago. When she and her husband Gabe meet up with Anna they become very concerned that bad things could be happening to her at the home of her adoptive parents. As the story progresses it seems that Anna has her own agenda and some massive issues of her own. Susie is desperate to help her, but as things rapidly become out of control she wonders if she has done the right thing getting involved. This is a real page turner which I thoroughly recommend. Thanks to NetGalley for a preview copy.
Copied to Goodreads.

Wow! Absolutely outstanding! Cuckoo in the nest comes to mind. Its cleverly done with "cuckoo" being a daughter who was given up for adoption. Its so believable. It pulled me in straightaway and got me pondering on who to believe and who is lying. There are underlying tones of something sinister going on in the background and the reader has no idea of what is going to happen. This makes for riveting reading and is also very interesting.
I was completely astounded at the outcome. I just love DP Delaney books. Highly recommended.

I always look forward to reading the latest J. P. Delaney book so was delighted to be given the chance of reading an ARC of My Darling Daughter. Fifteen years earlier Susie Jukes gave her baby daughter up for adoption. She is now married to Gabe, they have a beautiful home and a successful singing career. Unfortunately she has not been able to have another child though she hasn't given up hope. Then her daughter Skye, now called Anna, contacts her out of the blue and naturally Susie is delighted. However Anna says she's unhappy with her adoptive parents and intimates that they are very controlling.and in no time at all Anna is living with Susie and Gabe. I can't say that I cared very much for Anna, who was very manipulative and her behaviour left a lot to be desired. Susie was too willing to believe anything Anna told her which put her at odds with the adoptive family and Gabe.

I wouldn't really describe this as a thriller but more family drama. It was an easy read but not the best I've read by this author.

I really enjoyed this. Having read books by this author before, I knew it was going to be very well written and structured, and it was. I loved the feeling of unease that permeated the early chapters - I knew what was going to happen, broadly, but that didn't matter. I was definitely along for the ride!

I found the main characters very engaging and interesting. The way the system swung into motion against them was so well done and had me turning the pages furiously in more ways than one!

I felt the resolution was maybe something of a cop-out, which ironically reinforced the attitudes of the social workers etc., but maybe this was deliberate.

All in all, a great read. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance copy of the book.

This is the second novel I've read by the author and I found it to be an absolutely gripping read !
Musician Susie Jukes gave up her baby for adoption, 15 years later Sky (now Anna) contacts her and My Darling Daughter looks at the impact the adoption had on the child, the adoptive family and the birth mother.
As someone with personal experience of adoption, I have found that many thrillers with a similar theme use adoption as a heavy handed plot device with no real understanding of the issues involved. However I feel that here, the author has researched the subject and their awareness comes across in the portrayal of how adoption impacts on all parties concerned and on the lack of ongoing support for many adopters.
The author has also written a gripping and page turning thriller that I would highly recommend.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this digital ARC.