Member Reviews
Really 3.5. First off - plenty of reviewers have warned that this is not a thriller, which is true. The cover, the style, the synopsis all made it sound like it would be one, but once I shifted my approach, this book read really differently.
To be honest, I went back and forth so much with this book. At first, I thought: hmm...why do I care about anything that happened to these people? Everything they were going through were very basic, mundane, suburban issues that even though one can relate...why do you want to since we read books to escape our everyday life? Then it became... this is all first world problems. And is anything truly going to muck the water and make this really interesting? Teenage pregnancy? Meh. Two best friends facing a conflict? Meh.
So why keep reading? In my case, listening? Because there is something that is done so well, which is the author's writing. She knows how to put a tone to where even though the story isn't quite catching much of my attention, her writing is done really well. Perhaps if there's more juice to a story, I mean, there's a definite twist, but you can see that from a mile away.
Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture Audio for a copy. All opinions are my own.
Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture Audio for an advanced copy for this audiobook.
How to not repeat generational cycles? This book was told from different characters points of view, which made it more personal and enjoyable.
Friendships are put to the test when Monica keeps a huge secret from her best friend, Rachel. This isn't just any secret. It is about Rachel's daughter. Her daughter confides in Monica. What Monica doesn't know, is that she hasn't reacived the entire truth.
I wasn't the biggest fan of the narration. I think the storyline was well developed but I am not sure I would classify this as a true thriller.
Deception, drama, and one big twist sums up this story pretty well.
This book wasn't quite what I expected it to be, I thought it was going to be a thriller. However, it was enjoyable, and the twist did throw me for a loop! An easy listen and a good story.
Rachel was a teenager at university when she fell pregnant with Chloe, and now, with Chloe a teenager going to university, her biggest which is for history not to repeat itself. So when Chloe falls pregnant, she turns to her mums best friend, Monica for guidance. Monica hates keeping secrets from her friend, but can’t break Chloe’s confidence.
When the baby arrives, it is clear there has been a number of secrets kept and deceit. Rachel and Monica’s friendship is put to the test along with their marital relationships.
An easy listening audio book that keeps you hooked, wanting to know more as the next layer is unraveled. The characters are well defined and you could feel their personal angst. A cleverly written book with plenty of twists and bombshells. Told from different points of view helped the narrative along.
Her Daughter by Jen Craven is my favorite genre - contemporary fiction focusing on the inner workings of relationships and secrets. Touting that it's for fans of Jodi Picoult (which I definitely am), I was happy to get approved to listen to this ALC.
It starts by slowly laying the groundwork for what one hopes will be an interesting story, but somewhere along the way I became bored with the mundanity of it all. The lack of substantial secrets or unexpected events made Her Daughter much too tame. Rachel being so upset about not knowing before her BFF (that is a fertility doctor!) that her ADULT daughter is pregnant doesn't pack as much of a punch as one would expect. The fact that Rachel only sees it from her perspective without recognizing that she hasn't been there for Chloe when she needed her, and that her daughter didn't feel comfortable in their relationship to tell her is on Rachel, no one else.
Rachel's sanctimonious attitude grated on me throughout the book. Her self-centeredness and constant complaints made it impossible to empathize with her. I felt like Roman would have made been better suited to be her husband as they were both insufferable from beginning to end.
Amelia Sciandra is a horrible narrator. I do not like how she voices any of the characters. It would have been nice to have a different narrator for each woman, as it's very confusing remembering who everyone was, given how similar they are, aside to being a teacher and doctor.
I am disappointed to rate it so low, but 1 star is the most I am comfortable with. It would have been nice for it to be more realistic and for the characters to have shown growth.
Thank you to Bookouture Audio for providing me with an ALC.
OMG I JUST KNEW THAT HUSBAND WAS GOING TO TURN OUT TO BE A BAG OF DICKS! This was a bit of a rollercoaster but I was here for it. It did have a semi-happy ending that always pleases me! This was my 1st book by Jen Craven but will not be my last! I am adding all of her books to my TBR!
#HerDaughter
#NetGalley
Thank you Jen Craven, Netgalley and Bookouture Audio for the eAudio of Her daughter.
I found. this more of a family drama rather than a thriller, which isn't something I normally pick up. None the less, I really enjoyed listening to this book. The dynamics and the character building is really good in which I got a good sense of who Racheal and Chloe and their surrounding family.
Narrated by Amelia Sciandra, who did an excellent job. I listened to the book on 1.25 speed which is a personal preference.
Monica & Rachel are best of friends since a long time. But when Rachel’s daughter Chloe chooses to confide a secret in her mom’s best friend it upsets the equilibrium of their relationship.
What is worse is Chloe has not shared the full truth with Monica! While Rachel is feeling jealous and hurt about her daughter’s behavior, Monica has her own issues that she is dealing with.
This was a good family drama, with a bit of mystery. Thanks to Netgalley, Bookouture Audio and the author Jen Craven for approving in exchange for an honest review.
"Her Daughter" by Jen Craven is a decent thriller novel. The plot twists were well-executed and the characters were intriguing. While it's not a standout in the genre, it's still worth a read for fans looking for a quick thriller fix.
Her Daughter by Jen Craven was a somewhat interesting read. I just don't know in what category to put it. It's not a thriller but it's not completely not enjoyable. There was a lot of family and friend drama in this one. I listened to the audiobook version and the narration by Amelia Sciandra was good. It just wasn't quite my cup of tea. Thank you Bookouture Audio and NetGalley for providing me with an early copy of this audiobook.
This book was definitely not a thriller, although it gives the impression it is one with the description given. The story looks at family’s and friendships although I found the story very predictable and didn’t really connect to the characters as they were not very relatable or likeable .
Great narration and gripping story that had me absolutely glued to my ear buds!! This book had it all—a friendship tested, betrayal, young love, tough choices, bad bad decisions, and a relationship that may not weather it all. Twists and turns galore!
I listened to the audio version of Her Daughter written by Jen Craven and narrated by Amelia Sciandra. Amelia Sciandra did a good job narrating the book. She has a nice voice.
Well, I thought I was reading a thriller, based on the book cover and the summary, and this was definitely not a thriller. I kept wondering when the suspenseful part would start. There was one turn that I sort of did not see coming (I went back and forth with it a few times while listening).
It was a decent story. One friend is a sought after doctor, the other basically a SAHM. One married to the suave, college-educated politician, the other more working-class. The friend with the job feels inadequate. The SAHM feels less then. You know the story.
Throw in that the daughter of the SAHM confides with her mom’s BFF and drama ensues.
It was a decent listen.
Thank you to NetGalley and Hatchette UK Bookouture for the advanced listen in exchange for my honest review. All thought and opinions are my own.
I listened to the audiobook for "Her Daughter" by Jen Craven, with narration by Amelia Sciandra, delivers a touching story of motherhood and enduring friendships. Despite a somewhat foreseeable plot, the story remained engaging. The story revolves around lifelong friends, Rachel and Monica, whose unshakable bond is tested when Rachel's daughter entrusts a significant secret to Monica instead. Sciandra's skillful narration adds depth to the characters, enriching the overall experience. The book adeptly unravels the repercussions of concealed truths and betrayals, underscoring their profound impact on relationships.
While not typically my genre of choice, "Her Daughter" pleasantly surprised me, earning a solid 4/5 stars.
Thank you Netgalley and Bookouture Audio for providing me with an ALC in exchange for my unbiased review.
I can’t say that I’ve ever read a book where I actually HATED all of the characters. But, now I can!
Not sure if this was the intention of the author, but if it was, she hit it perfectly.
Rachel and Monica have been friends forever. They roomed together in college, and are still fast friends now…with families of their own.
I figured with names like Monica and Rachel I’d have to love them…but no.
When Rachel’s daughter finds that she is pregnant she turns to Monica, not her Mom. This is problem #1 in Rachel’s eyes…
It only goes downhill from there.
And, sometimes, the narrator can save the book…at least IMO…
That did not happen here either. I did not like the narration AT ALL.
If this had not been a #NetGalley book…it would definitely have been a DNF for me. And that is something I never do…
The mothers were awful. The husbands were awful. The whole setup…just not my cup of tea.
Thanks to #NetGalley and #BookoutureAudio for an ARC of the audiobook which was released on 3/1/24.
Her Daughter by Jen Craven. Narrated by Amelia Sciandra.
2 ⭐️⭐️ for me.
I will not be posting to my FB or IG sites, as I feel badly that I really did not care for this one…so just Goodreads and NetGalley.
What an emotional roller coaster!
Two very close families are torn apart by a secret scandal but find it in themselves to somehow patch things up, forgive each other and move forward with life.
The author does an amazing job at dissecting the essence of long term friendship and family dynamics. I was engaged the entire time and felt like I was part of the family. Great read!
I found this to be one of those suspension of disbelief sort of thrillers - not to say it isn’t enjoyable but it is.
I went into "Her Daughter" thinking that it was a thriller. Let this be noted: IT IS NOT. This book has more of a family and friendship entanglement vibe that encounter some struggles along the way.
Rachel is Chloe's mom, and seems to be dealing with a lot of insecurity and jealousy of her good friend Monica. She seems so focused on herself and her younger children that Chloe (the oldest and off to college) gets pushed to the back burner a lot. At one point I really got mad at Rachel because I wanted her to pay attention to her daughter!
Now Chloe seems to be on the same path as her mother, and doesn't know who else to turn to than Monica, who has always been like a second mother/aunt to her. But ohhh what tangled webs they all weave....
I really wanted to enjoy this book, but felt it was a little underwhelming. The majority of it tended to drag on with a lot of monotonous internal dialogue of the characters. The ending did pick up, but I 100% saw that twist long before it was revealed.
The narrator didn't do it for me - there wasn't a lot of change in her inflection and I felt I just could not connect with the characters.
Overall, an interesting tale.
Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture Audio for this advanced copy in return for my honest review.
Pub Date: 1 March 2024
Thank you Netgalley for my copy.
An alright book. The story was fine, the writing style was okay. The twist was rather predictable, but I don't mind guessing correctly whilst reading. This book is good for filling a long boring weekend.
I'm happy to read more by Craven.
Her Daughter by Jen Craven
(Narrated by Amelia Sciandra)
Emotional thriller that full of dramas and secrets.
Two families entwined with one secret. Rachel and Monica were closest friends since colleg. When Monica’s daughter got pregnant, she didn’t go to her mother, instead went to her mother’s best friend. Now what should they do….?
A slow-burnt, yet enjoyable book if you’d love dramas and secrets. The ending was a bit of a surprise that I could see it came like this.
Many thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and author for my copy.
Pub date: March 1, 2024