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The Adopted Daughter
She says she’s his daughter. But what does she really want?
Alice and Richard are happily married and about to achieve their lifelong dream – giving up their jobs to sail around the Mediterranean on their own boat.
But shortly before they are due to leave, a young woman, Sally, appears on their doorstep and says she is Richard’s daughter, given up for adoption by his former lover.
After he gets over the shock, Richard is welcoming to Sally, but Alice is unsettled. Discovering that Richard is a father is a painful reminder of her own desire for a family and her inability to conceive.
But is this what makes her wary of Sally, or is her intuition trying to warn her that something much darker is happening here?
When one suspicious incident follows another, Alice starts to dig into who Sally really is and why she has suddenly come into their lives. What she finds is something she could never have imagined in her wildest nightmares…
Alice and Richard are happily married and about to achieve their lifelong dream – giving up their jobs to sail around the Mediterranean on their own boat.
But shortly before they are due to leave, a young woman, Sally, appears on their doorstep and says she is Richard’s daughter, given up for adoption by his former lover.
After he gets over the shock, Richard is welcoming to Sally, but Alice is unsettled. Discovering that Richard is a father is a painful reminder of her own desire for a family and her inability to conceive.
But is this what makes her wary of Sally, or is her intuition trying to warn her that something much darker is happening here?
When one suspicious incident follows another, Alice starts to dig into who Sally really is and why she has suddenly come into their lives. What she finds is something she could never have imagined in her wildest nightmares…
277 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 6, 2023
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 125 reviews
August 4, 2023
Alice and Richard are happily married and about to achieve their lifelong dream - giving up their jobs to sail around the Mediterranean on their own boat. But shortly before they are due to leave, a young woman, Sally, appeared on their doorstep and says she's Richard's daughter, given up for adoption by his former lover. After he gets over the shock, Richard is welcoming to Sally, but Alice is unsettled. Discovering that Richard is aa father is a painful reminder of her own desire for a family and her inability to conceive. But is this what makes her wary of Sally, or is her intuition trying to warn her that something much darker is happening here?
There are a few subplots, but they are all connected and tied up neatly by the end. There's plenty of twists and I was hooked in this gripping read. The pace is fast, and I couldn't put the book down, I needed to know if Sally was really Richard's daughter. I liked that the second half of the book was basically the same as the first half, except that it's told from a different perspective. This was my first read by the author, but it won't be my last.
I would like to thank #NetGalley #InkubatorBooks and the author #JJBurgess for my ARC of #TheAdoptedDaughter in exchange for an honest review.
There are a few subplots, but they are all connected and tied up neatly by the end. There's plenty of twists and I was hooked in this gripping read. The pace is fast, and I couldn't put the book down, I needed to know if Sally was really Richard's daughter. I liked that the second half of the book was basically the same as the first half, except that it's told from a different perspective. This was my first read by the author, but it won't be my last.
I would like to thank #NetGalley #InkubatorBooks and the author #JJBurgess for my ARC of #TheAdoptedDaughter in exchange for an honest review.
July 16, 2023
Alice and her partner Richard are planning to set sail for a few years after their retirement, but unbeknown to them a stranger will come knocking at their door which will turn their lives upside down.
The stranger is Sally who claims she is Richards daughter.
OMG this book had me gripped from the start it had more twists than a rollercoaster and had my pulse soaring as if I'd ridden the big dipper!!!
A must read book that I would definitely recommend.
Thank you to Netgalley for my honest review in exchange for a copy of this book.
The stranger is Sally who claims she is Richards daughter.
OMG this book had me gripped from the start it had more twists than a rollercoaster and had my pulse soaring as if I'd ridden the big dipper!!!
A must read book that I would definitely recommend.
Thank you to Netgalley for my honest review in exchange for a copy of this book.
September 3, 2023
I literally thought I had already read this book and am not sure if it’s because it was predictable or so much like another story. It centers on Alice and Richard, who are going to sail around the Mediterranean for a few years as a retirement gift to themselves, when lo and behold a young woman named Sally shows up and said she is Richard’s daughter. The book repeats events because it’s told from both Richard’s and Alice’s points of view.
This was a super fast read with lots of action but was definitely predictable and in some areas, not super realistic. I liked seeing how each character thought they knew something the other characters did not know, only to find out that there was more going on in the background.
Overall, quick and action packed read but still felt like something I had read before. Thanks to Netgalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
This was a super fast read with lots of action but was definitely predictable and in some areas, not super realistic. I liked seeing how each character thought they knew something the other characters did not know, only to find out that there was more going on in the background.
Overall, quick and action packed read but still felt like something I had read before. Thanks to Netgalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
August 17, 2023
Title: The Adopted Daughter
Author: JJ Burgess
Publisher: Inkubator Books
Pages: 285
Genre: Psychological Thriller
Rating: 5/5
Book Description:
Alice and Richard are happily married… or so it seems. As they are about to embark on a new journey together, leaving their jobs and old life behind to sail around the Mediterranean, a young women turns up on their doorstep and turns their plans upside down. Sally claims she is Richard’s daughter, given up for adoption by his former lover. It is a shock, but Richard is welcoming of Sally, but Alice remains wary. Her intuition screams that something isn’t right and something much darker is afoot. Soon, one suspicious incident follows another and Alice begins to dig for the truth. What she discovers, is far worse than what she possibly could have imagined…
Review:
Thank you to Zoe at Zooloos Book Tours for my spot on the tour!
It is safe to say this book had an explosive prologue that instantly pulled me in. The story really does kick off with a bang. The author’s descriptions too really helped to reel me in and created excitement for what was to come.
I really loved how the author took time/dripped information on characters, this kept me in suspense and had me constantly changing my mind with how I felt towards them. At times, I also did want to reach into the book and punch Richard, I began to question his motives and what his capabilities would be.
I enjoyed how the story flashed back in time, this was easy to follow and definitely helped to build a bigger picture. I also really enjoyed how the story is told in two parts, through the perspective of Alice and Richard, the author left no stone unturned and this was extremely satisfying.
This story had so much going on! And the best thing is, I didn’t predict any of it! I was kept on my toes and I really did escape with this book. In fact, I wasn’t quite ready for it to end, I still have questions I want answering! I raced through the pages of this read and devoured it in two sittings.
Everything was very well plotted, it all tied up and came together, it is evident the author is a very talented writer. This thriller really doesn’t disappoint, I would love to read more from JJ Burgess!
July 24, 2023
Mystery/thriller that was not really about an adopted daughter at all, but about a violent and evil man and his clueless partner. Alice and Richard have been partners for 20 years, he is a college professor in botany and she was his assistant. Now 56, Richard has decided to retire and bought a boat that he and Alice will sail around Europe. Only as the couple are packing, a young woman named Sally shows up insisting she is the daughter of Richard and he never knew about her because he thought his old girlfriend had an abortion. I thought the book would be about this young woman and her connection to the family but this was a very, small portion of this book.Instead of being happy about retirement, Richard seems distracted and frequency drinks a lot and begins appearing with lots of bruising and injuries.
Richard is hiding a lot of secrets from Alice and we find out pretty quickly that he is an awful person. He doesn't care about Alice at all and is very interested in an inheritance she is about to receive. The novel takes place in the week or so before the couple is about to depart on their trip and it repeats all the events with Alice not knowing and then knowing more information. I grew tired of reading the same things over again and Richard never seems like a real person to me. There are twists to the story but we find out most of them at the beginning of the book so there aren't any real surprises except on how this would end. This just wasn't very exciting to me and I would have liked a more nuanced story. I would have also have liked more background on both of characters rather than just repeating the same scenes. Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for a copy of this ARC in exchange for a review.
Richard is hiding a lot of secrets from Alice and we find out pretty quickly that he is an awful person. He doesn't care about Alice at all and is very interested in an inheritance she is about to receive. The novel takes place in the week or so before the couple is about to depart on their trip and it repeats all the events with Alice not knowing and then knowing more information. I grew tired of reading the same things over again and Richard never seems like a real person to me. There are twists to the story but we find out most of them at the beginning of the book so there aren't any real surprises except on how this would end. This just wasn't very exciting to me and I would have liked a more nuanced story. I would have also have liked more background on both of characters rather than just repeating the same scenes. Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for a copy of this ARC in exchange for a review.
August 3, 2023
Alice and Richard have been married for 20 years she met him when she became his assistant in the biology department at Bristol University. He’s now retiring and they’re getting ready to settle off on a yacht trip around southern Europe she’s been taking sailing lessons and really likes her teacher Roger it is his star pupil. One day right after waking up when she’s making breakfast for her and Richard there’s a knock at the door and there is a young woman claiming to be Richard‘s daughter who was put up for adoption 24 years before. Richard is shocked he thought his ex had an abortion and so insist on taking a DNA test ask for Alice she instantly dislikes Sally. The next day when Allison returns home she is about to tell Richard about how she almost drowned at her sailing lesson but is amazed when he turns around and she sees his battered beat up face. He claims he fell down the stairs but is he telling the truth when Alice learns from her old coworker at the college that maybe Richard wasn’t retiring by choice Alice’s curious and goes digging and what she finds changes everything. This book was so so good and had so many great twist and I love a good twist I just thought the book went on for too long but can definitely see why the last chapter was needed I do love a great tragedy that ends well but OMG the ending of this book is phenomenal and I don’t say that lightly I only give it four stars however because I do think it was a tad bit too long but a great book nonetheless. Please forgive any mistakes as I am blind and dictate my review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
August 11, 2023
THE ADOPTED DAUGHTER by JJ BURGESS was a slow build with totally smooth sailing as an ending.
When fifty-six year old Bristol University Biology Professor, Richard Barnes is forced into retirement, he and his wife Alice plan to sail off into the sunset together while bouncing from port to port in the Med in their sailboat, Seas the Day. They’ve set a date of departure and are just waiting for Alice’s inheritance to leave. Eight days before, a young woman shows up claiming to be Richard’s (unknown) daughter. Richard demands a DNA test and it apparently backs up the story. As Richard and Alice struggle to come to terms with this new development, all three of them have secrets to hide. Oh, and did I mention the guy from the Russian mob who is threatening Richard for unpaid loans? As departure day draws near everyone is trying to keep their balance on the slippery surface.
I really enjoyed this one. It was actually quite believable and since I love the sea, I could just feel the breeze and smell the vastness of the sea. The author has a smooth, descriptive writing style which made this an enjoyable read. I will be watching for more from JJ Burgess, indeed. Well done!.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
When fifty-six year old Bristol University Biology Professor, Richard Barnes is forced into retirement, he and his wife Alice plan to sail off into the sunset together while bouncing from port to port in the Med in their sailboat, Seas the Day. They’ve set a date of departure and are just waiting for Alice’s inheritance to leave. Eight days before, a young woman shows up claiming to be Richard’s (unknown) daughter. Richard demands a DNA test and it apparently backs up the story. As Richard and Alice struggle to come to terms with this new development, all three of them have secrets to hide. Oh, and did I mention the guy from the Russian mob who is threatening Richard for unpaid loans? As departure day draws near everyone is trying to keep their balance on the slippery surface.
I really enjoyed this one. It was actually quite believable and since I love the sea, I could just feel the breeze and smell the vastness of the sea. The author has a smooth, descriptive writing style which made this an enjoyable read. I will be watching for more from JJ Burgess, indeed. Well done!.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
August 23, 2023
I read this in two days, would’ve been one but ‘adulting’ got in the way. A well written, fast paced thriller that you won’t want to put down. The characters were great and well developed. The plot was phenomenal and I enjoyed seeing both sides of what was happening.
Alice & Richard are about to set sail on their boat after his retirement. However, a young lady shows up just days before they leave and claims to be his daughter. Who is she truly? What does she want? How will this affect the couple’s relationship and what they have planned for their future? Dive into this awesome book to see it all play out. It was like watching a movie with all the details thrown about.
Alice & Richard are about to set sail on their boat after his retirement. However, a young lady shows up just days before they leave and claims to be his daughter. Who is she truly? What does she want? How will this affect the couple’s relationship and what they have planned for their future? Dive into this awesome book to see it all play out. It was like watching a movie with all the details thrown about.
July 31, 2023
Wow! This book started off with a bang and had me gripped. It's plot was fast paced and very engaging.
Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read the ARC (Advance Reader Copy) in exchange for an honest review.
As I stated, the book had me engaged at the start. However, Part II was difficulty since it was so redundant. I understand what the author was trying to do but it was difficult to read again with minor differences.
All in all I did enjoy the book and I would recommend it to others. I gave it a 4 star rating.
Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read the ARC (Advance Reader Copy) in exchange for an honest review.
As I stated, the book had me engaged at the start. However, Part II was difficulty since it was so redundant. I understand what the author was trying to do but it was difficult to read again with minor differences.
All in all I did enjoy the book and I would recommend it to others. I gave it a 4 star rating.
August 13, 2023
4.5 stars rounded up
One of the twists I figured out right away, but I still plowed through the book and enjoyed it thoroughly. Will definately be readind THE DONOR which was recommended at the end of this book (also by this author). Enjoyable read!
One of the twists I figured out right away, but I still plowed through the book and enjoyed it thoroughly. Will definately be readind THE DONOR which was recommended at the end of this book (also by this author). Enjoyable read!
August 8, 2023
She says she’s his daughter. But what does she really want?
Wellll...this is NOT the Bristol Lizzie Lane writes about...lol But boy, is it ever entertaining?!
Alice and Richard have been happily together for the past twenty years and are about to embark on their dream to sail around the Mediterranean for the next few years. They both took early retirement from their jobs at Bristol University and have just celebrated Richard's leaving do. With just over a week before they are due to leave, the couple are counting down until their new lives begin.
The following morning, as the couple are packing the doorbell rings, presenting a young woman named Sally who purports to be Richard's daughter from a fling he had with a previous lab assistant. Alice is immediately suspicious particularly when Richard uncovers some disturbing information about Sally. And the more she digs, the more unsettled she becomes. Because what she uncovers she would never have imagined happening in her wildest dreams. Who is Sally and what does she really want with them?
I really can't say much more without revealing spoilers but one thing is for certain - Richard is hiding a lot of secrets but Alice is not to be outdone either. It soon becomes clear about halfway through the direction the story is taking and where each person's loyalties lay. Part two is a little repetitive in its retelling of the same scenarios but through slightly different eyes...and it is very revealing.
It's hard to review this book...seriously. Let's just say it's a little less to do about an adopted daughter than we all first thought, and more about...well, I'll leave you to discover what. But you will totally love to hate Richard. The guy is a snake. And Alice? Well, she was a surprise and she will have you cheering her on as she learns to sail and uncovers the truth about Sally and thensome. I was totally invested in where this tale was going. I wanted to see Alice sail into the sunset and reach the Mediterranean. And I couldn't wait to see how it all unfolded.
But...and it is a big but. The ending. It just sort of petered out. The last two chapters (when I look back on it) just felt like fillers, fluffed out to make the word count. I felt a little deflated by the ending and it's for that reason I've totally dropped a star from my rating because aside from that, up until the end, it was totally going to be a 5 star read. But I was disappointed by the ending. Still, it was a good solid and entertaining ride that was fast paced throughout.
I would like to thank #JJBurgess, #Netgalley, #InkubatorBooks and #ZoolooTours for an ARC of #TheAdoptedDaughter in exchange for an honest review.
This review appears on my blog at https://stinathebookaholic.blogspot.com/.
Wellll...this is NOT the Bristol Lizzie Lane writes about...lol But boy, is it ever entertaining?!
Alice and Richard have been happily together for the past twenty years and are about to embark on their dream to sail around the Mediterranean for the next few years. They both took early retirement from their jobs at Bristol University and have just celebrated Richard's leaving do. With just over a week before they are due to leave, the couple are counting down until their new lives begin.
The following morning, as the couple are packing the doorbell rings, presenting a young woman named Sally who purports to be Richard's daughter from a fling he had with a previous lab assistant. Alice is immediately suspicious particularly when Richard uncovers some disturbing information about Sally. And the more she digs, the more unsettled she becomes. Because what she uncovers she would never have imagined happening in her wildest dreams. Who is Sally and what does she really want with them?
I really can't say much more without revealing spoilers but one thing is for certain - Richard is hiding a lot of secrets but Alice is not to be outdone either. It soon becomes clear about halfway through the direction the story is taking and where each person's loyalties lay. Part two is a little repetitive in its retelling of the same scenarios but through slightly different eyes...and it is very revealing.
It's hard to review this book...seriously. Let's just say it's a little less to do about an adopted daughter than we all first thought, and more about...well, I'll leave you to discover what. But you will totally love to hate Richard. The guy is a snake. And Alice? Well, she was a surprise and she will have you cheering her on as she learns to sail and uncovers the truth about Sally and thensome. I was totally invested in where this tale was going. I wanted to see Alice sail into the sunset and reach the Mediterranean. And I couldn't wait to see how it all unfolded.
But...and it is a big but. The ending. It just sort of petered out. The last two chapters (when I look back on it) just felt like fillers, fluffed out to make the word count. I felt a little deflated by the ending and it's for that reason I've totally dropped a star from my rating because aside from that, up until the end, it was totally going to be a 5 star read. But I was disappointed by the ending. Still, it was a good solid and entertaining ride that was fast paced throughout.
I would like to thank #JJBurgess, #Netgalley, #InkubatorBooks and #ZoolooTours for an ARC of #TheAdoptedDaughter in exchange for an honest review.
This review appears on my blog at https://stinathebookaholic.blogspot.com/.
July 21, 2023
Well, this archived the day I requested it ... a good thing it still let me review it as I am all about the 100% reading and reviewing date. And I am glad I got to read it before it disappeared into the "buy me" zone. (I have spent ... $450+ on books this month!)
Synopsis (from Netgalley, the provider of the book for me to review.)
*********************************************************
She says she’s his daughter. But what does she really want?
Alice and Richard are happily married and about to achieve their lifelong dream – giving up their jobs to sail around the Mediterranean on their own boat.
But shortly before they are due to leave, a young woman, Sally, appears on their doorstep and says she is Richard’s daughter, given up for adoption by his former lover.
After he gets over the shock, Richard is welcoming to Sally, but Alice is unsettled. Discovering that Richard is a father is a painful reminder of her own desire for a family and her inability to conceive.
But is this what makes her wary of Sally, or is her intuition trying to warn her that something much darker is happening here?
When one suspicious incident follows another, Alice starts to dig into who Sally really is and why she has suddenly come into their lives. What she finds is something she could never have imagined in her wildest nightmares…
I was adopted so my views on the definition of parent and child are skewed and skewered by beliefs for I have a brother, but my parents have another daughter (vs me having a sister) …. She’s a sociopath so there is no love lost there and my poor dad, who has Alzheimer’s, thinks that his other daughter is a man because she dresses as a failed 1970’s orange-haired rock star. WHAT? YOU THINK THAT YOUR FAMILY IS WEIRD??
Intuition is something we should always trust – it can cut down on those nightmares that Sally and Richard find themselves ending up in. This book is a rocket ride of a thriller, and I could not put it down … I read it in one fell swoop. Decidedly a fabulous book that I will recommend far and wide – it is a perfect beach read but be sure to take a gallon of SPF 1000 as you will fry when you lose track of time in this wonderful read. (P.S. Literature snobs? This is not the book for you ... lolololol!)
Synopsis (from Netgalley, the provider of the book for me to review.)
*********************************************************
She says she’s his daughter. But what does she really want?
Alice and Richard are happily married and about to achieve their lifelong dream – giving up their jobs to sail around the Mediterranean on their own boat.
But shortly before they are due to leave, a young woman, Sally, appears on their doorstep and says she is Richard’s daughter, given up for adoption by his former lover.
After he gets over the shock, Richard is welcoming to Sally, but Alice is unsettled. Discovering that Richard is a father is a painful reminder of her own desire for a family and her inability to conceive.
But is this what makes her wary of Sally, or is her intuition trying to warn her that something much darker is happening here?
When one suspicious incident follows another, Alice starts to dig into who Sally really is and why she has suddenly come into their lives. What she finds is something she could never have imagined in her wildest nightmares…
I was adopted so my views on the definition of parent and child are skewed and skewered by beliefs for I have a brother, but my parents have another daughter (vs me having a sister) …. She’s a sociopath so there is no love lost there and my poor dad, who has Alzheimer’s, thinks that his other daughter is a man because she dresses as a failed 1970’s orange-haired rock star. WHAT? YOU THINK THAT YOUR FAMILY IS WEIRD??
Intuition is something we should always trust – it can cut down on those nightmares that Sally and Richard find themselves ending up in. This book is a rocket ride of a thriller, and I could not put it down … I read it in one fell swoop. Decidedly a fabulous book that I will recommend far and wide – it is a perfect beach read but be sure to take a gallon of SPF 1000 as you will fry when you lose track of time in this wonderful read. (P.S. Literature snobs? This is not the book for you ... lolololol!)
November 11, 2023
My Thoughts: now we all know I am a huge fan of a psychological thriller and I didn’t think it was possible for me to discover new authors within the genre, then enters JJ Burgess with what turned out to be a read that I devoured, this wasn’t quite a one sitting read as life and work for in the way but believe me if I’d started this on a day where I didn’t have to work I wouldn’t have moved until it was finished!
The story starts off slowly, introducing us to the characters, we have Richard and Alice, who on the surface seem like a happily married couple who are just preparing for early retirement and going cruising around the Mediterranean, sounds perfect right?
We soon discover that things aren’t quite as they seem, Richard is keeping secrets, but how bad are they? how deep do they go?
Then Sally appears, a lady claiming that Richard is her dad.. but yet again it all just seems too perfect.
Once you get deeper into the story the pace picks up massively, the chapters are relatively short which helps & the story goes back on itself so you see the same scenes from both sides of the story which helped to fill in some of the blanks!
Normally when this happens it takes away from the story for me because you know what the big reveal is, but this time it made me root for a certain character more, no spoilers here but I just wanted it all to go in their favour & believe me when I tell you at certain points this had me on the edge of my seat and unable to sit still 🤣
Will definitely be looking out for more by JJ Burgess in the future!
The story starts off slowly, introducing us to the characters, we have Richard and Alice, who on the surface seem like a happily married couple who are just preparing for early retirement and going cruising around the Mediterranean, sounds perfect right?
We soon discover that things aren’t quite as they seem, Richard is keeping secrets, but how bad are they? how deep do they go?
Then Sally appears, a lady claiming that Richard is her dad.. but yet again it all just seems too perfect.
Once you get deeper into the story the pace picks up massively, the chapters are relatively short which helps & the story goes back on itself so you see the same scenes from both sides of the story which helped to fill in some of the blanks!
Normally when this happens it takes away from the story for me because you know what the big reveal is, but this time it made me root for a certain character more, no spoilers here but I just wanted it all to go in their favour & believe me when I tell you at certain points this had me on the edge of my seat and unable to sit still 🤣
Will definitely be looking out for more by JJ Burgess in the future!
August 23, 2023
Another brilliant twisty thriller for me to whizz through in a couple of sittings!
I always get drawn into these by the covers which are beautifully dark and full of the promise of mystery and intrigue and I was again not disappointed by this one.
Alice and Richard are finally planning their dream of retiring and sailing round the Mediterranean on their own boat.
But just before they set off, Sally arrives claiming to be Richard's daughter from a previous relationship.
After the initial shock, Richard is interested to get to know her, but Alice has reservations.
Is Sally really his daughter and what does she really want from them?
I think this is the first book I've read by this author and I was instantly hooked by the writing style.
The characters seemed very relatable and down to earth. I mean this sort of thing could happen to anyone really and I really felt for Alice who, unable to have children herself, already felt the pressure of the uninvited guest.
This is written in the main from the pov of Alice as she digs around to investigate Sally's claim. But there are the odd chapters that come from Richard's pov which I liked as this gave us a little insight into his mind and what he was actually feeling about the situation.
This one kept me gripped throughout and was a super quick read as I raced to find out the truth. I loved all the twists and turns that kept me guessing right to the end and even then I was shocked.
A really great read and one I'd recommend.
I always get drawn into these by the covers which are beautifully dark and full of the promise of mystery and intrigue and I was again not disappointed by this one.
Alice and Richard are finally planning their dream of retiring and sailing round the Mediterranean on their own boat.
But just before they set off, Sally arrives claiming to be Richard's daughter from a previous relationship.
After the initial shock, Richard is interested to get to know her, but Alice has reservations.
Is Sally really his daughter and what does she really want from them?
I think this is the first book I've read by this author and I was instantly hooked by the writing style.
The characters seemed very relatable and down to earth. I mean this sort of thing could happen to anyone really and I really felt for Alice who, unable to have children herself, already felt the pressure of the uninvited guest.
This is written in the main from the pov of Alice as she digs around to investigate Sally's claim. But there are the odd chapters that come from Richard's pov which I liked as this gave us a little insight into his mind and what he was actually feeling about the situation.
This one kept me gripped throughout and was a super quick read as I raced to find out the truth. I loved all the twists and turns that kept me guessing right to the end and even then I was shocked.
A really great read and one I'd recommend.
August 8, 2023
First, I want to thank JJ Burgess, Inkubator Books, NetGalley and Zooloo Book Tours for providing me with this book so I can bring you this review.
DANG!!! If you are looking for a twisted book that will catch you off guard you must read JJ Burgess’s latest psychological thriller The Adopted Daughter! OMG the secrets, the betrayal, and dam the explosive revelations! This is one book that will keep you on your toes from start to finish! It was just WOW!
I have to give props to JJ Burgess who was incredibly detailed with her writing style. It was quite refreshing.
The Adopted Daughter will take you down one path then with a blink of an eye flip the switch! Oh there were a few flip the switch moments that totally shocked me leaving me speechless!
My heart just broke in a million pieces for Alice! Here some girl shows up out of the blue stating she is Richard’s daughter! However, for years Alice has tried to conceive and couldn’t. I can’t imagine the pain she must have been going through during this one particular sceene.
There is always that one character in the book that you either really love or really hate! The deeper the story became the more I despised Richard for so many different reasons! All I can say is take a chance on this book and see for yourself why I didn’t care for this character.
JJ Burgess touches on some very important topics such as abortion, miscarriages, gambling addiction, etc.
DANG!!! If you are looking for a twisted book that will catch you off guard you must read JJ Burgess’s latest psychological thriller The Adopted Daughter! OMG the secrets, the betrayal, and dam the explosive revelations! This is one book that will keep you on your toes from start to finish! It was just WOW!
I have to give props to JJ Burgess who was incredibly detailed with her writing style. It was quite refreshing.
The Adopted Daughter will take you down one path then with a blink of an eye flip the switch! Oh there were a few flip the switch moments that totally shocked me leaving me speechless!
My heart just broke in a million pieces for Alice! Here some girl shows up out of the blue stating she is Richard’s daughter! However, for years Alice has tried to conceive and couldn’t. I can’t imagine the pain she must have been going through during this one particular sceene.
There is always that one character in the book that you either really love or really hate! The deeper the story became the more I despised Richard for so many different reasons! All I can say is take a chance on this book and see for yourself why I didn’t care for this character.
JJ Burgess touches on some very important topics such as abortion, miscarriages, gambling addiction, etc.
August 5, 2023
Alice and Richard have been together for 25 years and out of the blue, a woman named Sally shows up at their doorstep claiming to be Richard’s daughter from a relationship he had before Alice. The couple is about to leave their loved ones and their town to sail in their new boat for months to celebrate Richard retiring and Alice already being retired. You may think you know how this book will end… but the twists and turns will surprise you!
The Adopted Daughter was told in two point of views by the main characters Richard (first half) and Alice (second half). The book begins with a very fast-paced prologue that hooked my interest from page one. I appreciated J.J. Burgess’ writing each chapter with a bit of a cliff hanger as it kept me very engaged in the book. Alice’s character development was refreshing to read as she gained so much confidence throughout the book. Part of the second half of the book was redundant, but the information was needed for J.J. Burgess to share Alice’s point of view. Overall, I was invested in the plot and the characters and recommend anyone who likes books with lots of twists and turns to read The Adopted Daughter. Thank you NetGalley and Inkubator for the opportunity to read an advanced reader copy of The Adopted Daughter in exchange for my honest review!
The Adopted Daughter was told in two point of views by the main characters Richard (first half) and Alice (second half). The book begins with a very fast-paced prologue that hooked my interest from page one. I appreciated J.J. Burgess’ writing each chapter with a bit of a cliff hanger as it kept me very engaged in the book. Alice’s character development was refreshing to read as she gained so much confidence throughout the book. Part of the second half of the book was redundant, but the information was needed for J.J. Burgess to share Alice’s point of view. Overall, I was invested in the plot and the characters and recommend anyone who likes books with lots of twists and turns to read The Adopted Daughter. Thank you NetGalley and Inkubator for the opportunity to read an advanced reader copy of The Adopted Daughter in exchange for my honest review!
December 26, 2024
Alice and Richard have been happily partnered for 20 years and are about to achieve their lifelong dream of giving up their jobs at the local university to sail around the Mediterranean on their own boat.
Shortly before they are set to leave, a young woman shows up at their door, claiming to be Richard's daughter from a relationship a quarter of a century ago. Alice is suspicious, especially when Richard uncovers some alarming information about Sally. The deeper she digs, the more she finds, and Alice is left to wonder why exactly this young woman showed up on their doorstep when she did.
There was A LOT going on in this book, and a less skilled author would have fumbled the many plot points and dual timelines, but this author nailed it. This is one I can't say too much about for fear of spoilers, but I was hooked right away and was invested throughout. It was eerily similar to a true crime documentary I started watching at the same time, so I guess truth really is stranger than fiction!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review. This book will release August 8, 2023.
Shortly before they are set to leave, a young woman shows up at their door, claiming to be Richard's daughter from a relationship a quarter of a century ago. Alice is suspicious, especially when Richard uncovers some alarming information about Sally. The deeper she digs, the more she finds, and Alice is left to wonder why exactly this young woman showed up on their doorstep when she did.
There was A LOT going on in this book, and a less skilled author would have fumbled the many plot points and dual timelines, but this author nailed it. This is one I can't say too much about for fear of spoilers, but I was hooked right away and was invested throughout. It was eerily similar to a true crime documentary I started watching at the same time, so I guess truth really is stranger than fiction!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review. This book will release August 8, 2023.
May 14, 2024
***2.5 ⭐️ ***
This is very much NOT a mystery, thriller, or a suspense novel!! Someone in the marketing department got this one extremely wrong 😒
Richard and Alice, a common-law couple (and explicitly stated NOT married) newly retired from their positions at a prestigious university, are soon to leave on a sailing expedition from England down the coast to France and Spain. Little by little, nuggets of information come to the surface that make one or both characters highly unlikeable.
It must be said that reading this book was a little like watching the Blair Witch Project, in that it jumped timelines, was all over the place in explanation, and generally painful to read. The ending didn’t conclude anything either, except for a wish and a prayer that the trip would still occur, based on the nuggets mentioned earlier. The title of this book was also misleading. There is an adopted daughter; however, the whole point of the story is something completely different and more in the realm of general fiction.
This ARC was provided by the publisher, via NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review.
This is very much NOT a mystery, thriller, or a suspense novel!! Someone in the marketing department got this one extremely wrong 😒
Richard and Alice, a common-law couple (and explicitly stated NOT married) newly retired from their positions at a prestigious university, are soon to leave on a sailing expedition from England down the coast to France and Spain. Little by little, nuggets of information come to the surface that make one or both characters highly unlikeable.
It must be said that reading this book was a little like watching the Blair Witch Project, in that it jumped timelines, was all over the place in explanation, and generally painful to read. The ending didn’t conclude anything either, except for a wish and a prayer that the trip would still occur, based on the nuggets mentioned earlier. The title of this book was also misleading. There is an adopted daughter; however, the whole point of the story is something completely different and more in the realm of general fiction.
This ARC was provided by the publisher, via NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review.
August 11, 2023
She says she's his daughter, but what does she really want?
Not what you'd expect from the beginning chapters of this book. Throughout this saga with Richard, Alice and Sally, you'll come to love some and hate others. Richard will remind you of a common garden slithering snake. Alice, though sweet, is not to be undone. And Sally? Let's just say, you'll form your own opinion. Correct or incorrect? Interesting to find out where your gut feeling takes you with this one. Strong storyline with intriguing twists until you get to the end and feel a tad let down after all that anticipation that's built up! I cast really say much more without revealing spoilers but a solid 4 out of 5 star read and another great book from JJ Burgess! There were definitely nights I read until I fell asleep, book in hand and I promise you will too! Thank you to Netgalley for the chance to read and review this ARC!
Not what you'd expect from the beginning chapters of this book. Throughout this saga with Richard, Alice and Sally, you'll come to love some and hate others. Richard will remind you of a common garden slithering snake. Alice, though sweet, is not to be undone. And Sally? Let's just say, you'll form your own opinion. Correct or incorrect? Interesting to find out where your gut feeling takes you with this one. Strong storyline with intriguing twists until you get to the end and feel a tad let down after all that anticipation that's built up! I cast really say much more without revealing spoilers but a solid 4 out of 5 star read and another great book from JJ Burgess! There were definitely nights I read until I fell asleep, book in hand and I promise you will too! Thank you to Netgalley for the chance to read and review this ARC!
July 14, 2023
Thank you NetGalley and Inkubator books for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for my honest review.
I devoured this book in a day and really enjoyed it. It was full of twists that I did not see coming. The only thing I disliked was that part 2 was repetitive of part one, adding in a few extra details.
Alice and her partner, Richard, had planned to set sail for the next several years, after retiring. A few days before they were due to set sail, Sally appeared at their doorstep claiming to be a long lost daughter of Richard’s daughter. Alice gets a very uneasy feeling about Sally and digs around. What she discovers is very unsettling.
I devoured this book in a day and really enjoyed it. It was full of twists that I did not see coming. The only thing I disliked was that part 2 was repetitive of part one, adding in a few extra details.
Alice and her partner, Richard, had planned to set sail for the next several years, after retiring. A few days before they were due to set sail, Sally appeared at their doorstep claiming to be a long lost daughter of Richard’s daughter. Alice gets a very uneasy feeling about Sally and digs around. What she discovers is very unsettling.
August 4, 2023
Reading this book was like riding the tilt-a-whirl at the county fair! I never knew what direction I was going to turn next. The description of the plot is very deceptive as it turned into so much more.
I knew Richard was a major scumbag after a few pages. I called him every name in the book and a few new names.
Alice isn’t as gullible and dense as Richard thinks she is.
And there’s one very pissed off Russian named Igor.
I cussed. I laughed and sucked my breath in a few times. I would have changed what Happens to Richard at the end, however.
A know what not to expect sort of read.
Thanks to NetGalley and Inkubator Books for the early read.
I knew Richard was a major scumbag after a few pages. I called him every name in the book and a few new names.
Alice isn’t as gullible and dense as Richard thinks she is.
And there’s one very pissed off Russian named Igor.
I cussed. I laughed and sucked my breath in a few times. I would have changed what Happens to Richard at the end, however.
A know what not to expect sort of read.
Thanks to NetGalley and Inkubator Books for the early read.
July 28, 2023
The Adopted Daughter
Oh my god, this is the best book I've read in a long time. I read the entire thing in under two hours because I couldn't put it down!
Richard & Alice have been together for twenty years. Sally shows up and claims to be Richards 25 year old daughter from a woman he thought had an abortion. Sally says that her mother didn't have an abortion but instead had the baby and adopted it out. Richard owes a lot of people money and is a gambling addict. Richard & Sally and set to go sailing around the Med in only a few weeks. The drama unfolds.
FIVE STARS
Oh my god, this is the best book I've read in a long time. I read the entire thing in under two hours because I couldn't put it down!
Richard & Alice have been together for twenty years. Sally shows up and claims to be Richards 25 year old daughter from a woman he thought had an abortion. Sally says that her mother didn't have an abortion but instead had the baby and adopted it out. Richard owes a lot of people money and is a gambling addict. Richard & Sally and set to go sailing around the Med in only a few weeks. The drama unfolds.
FIVE STARS
July 23, 2023
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC of The Adopted Daughter.
3.5 ⭐️ Whew what a rollercoaster!! This book was full of twists and turns. I felt at times that I was reading a movie script, the story was very detailed and thorough— almost too thorough at times! I loved the character development of Alice! The reason for 3.5 stars is because I felt as though parts of the story were redundant but other parts were in need of more development. It was a great beach read!
3.5 ⭐️ Whew what a rollercoaster!! This book was full of twists and turns. I felt at times that I was reading a movie script, the story was very detailed and thorough— almost too thorough at times! I loved the character development of Alice! The reason for 3.5 stars is because I felt as though parts of the story were redundant but other parts were in need of more development. It was a great beach read!
August 15, 2023
This is a fantastic read, the authors writing automatically lures you in. It is gripping, it also questions can you believe a stranger? I like Alice a lot, but I definitely got the ick when it came to Richard.
Alice is unbelievably mentally strong, she also has a lot of patience. Once again the author tricked me, this has a few twists in it that shocked me. Fantastic story plot with strong characters, if you like a thriller, then this is for you.
Alice is unbelievably mentally strong, she also has a lot of patience. Once again the author tricked me, this has a few twists in it that shocked me. Fantastic story plot with strong characters, if you like a thriller, then this is for you.
August 20, 2023
I enjoyed this book, it is well written with a compelling storyline and well developed characters that hooked me from the start.
It is a gripping read that is film of twists, some of which I guessed but some that I didn't and this didn't take away from the enjoyment of the read.
A quick and easy read that had me I its clutches right from the start, I couldn't put it down and read it in one sitting. It is a real page turner.
It is a gripping read that is film of twists, some of which I guessed but some that I didn't and this didn't take away from the enjoyment of the read.
A quick and easy read that had me I its clutches right from the start, I couldn't put it down and read it in one sitting. It is a real page turner.
September 25, 2023
Talk about throwing me a twist I didn’t expect! Of course I was skeptical of the daughter from the beginning, but gosh the betrayal was something else (no spoilers though). I like that this book had a revelation in the middle because it totally worked! And then the ending was great in my opinion! Totally recommend!
August 29, 2023
Alice and Richard have been together for 20 years both working for the university in Bristol but now they have decided to give up their jobs to achieve their lifelong dreams of travelling around the Mediterranean on their own boat, called Seas The Day.
With approx a week to go, a young woman, called Sally, arrives at the house asking to speak to Richard and then telling the couple, she believes she is Richard’s daughter, given up for adoption by a previous lover as he is named on the birth certificate. Richard is quite chatty to Sally but something is upsetting Alice, although she can’t put her finger on it. Also, it brings back painful memories of the times she miscarried and couldn’t have children.
Richard and Alice arrange to meet Sally in Cardiff for a coffee and a chat where Richard requests Sally to do a DNA test and she readily agrees to. After this, Alice has to stretch her legs, she just can’t take any more of being in Sally’s company, the other two are getting on so well. A few days later, the results arrive declaring that Sally is Richard’s daughter. Alice has been digging into Sally and how she has suddenly come into their lives. What she finds is shocking and she would never have thought of it being done to her.
Do Richard and Alice get to go on their Mediterranean tour?
This was a fantastic read and really hooked me on the first couple of pages. I just couldn’t put the book down until I got to the end and it’s a fast read. It’s a terrific plot which is intricately woven into a brilliant storyline that will just keep your attention to the end. The book is split into parts and this helps you understand the story much better. There is some delving into the past but it tells you in the chapter, how far back you have gone. Definitely worth a read.
With approx a week to go, a young woman, called Sally, arrives at the house asking to speak to Richard and then telling the couple, she believes she is Richard’s daughter, given up for adoption by a previous lover as he is named on the birth certificate. Richard is quite chatty to Sally but something is upsetting Alice, although she can’t put her finger on it. Also, it brings back painful memories of the times she miscarried and couldn’t have children.
Richard and Alice arrange to meet Sally in Cardiff for a coffee and a chat where Richard requests Sally to do a DNA test and she readily agrees to. After this, Alice has to stretch her legs, she just can’t take any more of being in Sally’s company, the other two are getting on so well. A few days later, the results arrive declaring that Sally is Richard’s daughter. Alice has been digging into Sally and how she has suddenly come into their lives. What she finds is shocking and she would never have thought of it being done to her.
Do Richard and Alice get to go on their Mediterranean tour?
This was a fantastic read and really hooked me on the first couple of pages. I just couldn’t put the book down until I got to the end and it’s a fast read. It’s a terrific plot which is intricately woven into a brilliant storyline that will just keep your attention to the end. The book is split into parts and this helps you understand the story much better. There is some delving into the past but it tells you in the chapter, how far back you have gone. Definitely worth a read.
August 28, 2023
Thank you to Netgalley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest review. Richard is taking early retirement and he and Alice are about to go on an adventure of a lifetime in more ways than one. They purchased a boat and will be travelling through the Mediterranean and living at sea. One morning while they are finishing packing up their belongings their doorbell rings and a young lady named Sally tells them that she is Richard's daughter who was previously given up for adoption. This was a very intriguing story at this point and I looked forward to see how it would all come about. There was one part of this story that I felt did not need to be in the book at all, yes it helped at the end but really it just kind of seemed misplaced for me. Overall, I did like the majority of the story but was not a great one for me. The twist was great but it was just that one part that didn't belong that kind of had me lowering my rating. Enjoy!!!
September 1, 2023
Wanting a family can be one of the strongest desires in life and this is made so unbelievably difficult when you find you can’t conceive. When their lives get upturned by the arrival of a seemingly long lost daughter, I can see why there is a reason to be wary. There is so much that happens and so much time has gone by that the author has plenty of reason to show why the situation could be more than it seems.
I loved the flow of the story and the way the author represented the situation and the incidents. It made for a very interesting and often tricky read. I found myself wary and wondering what else was going on. The twist we were given was so much more than you would think and it really shocks you. I loved the book and enjoyed it!
I loved the flow of the story and the way the author represented the situation and the incidents. It made for a very interesting and often tricky read. I found myself wary and wondering what else was going on. The twist we were given was so much more than you would think and it really shocks you. I loved the book and enjoyed it!
February 9, 2025
Could have been so much better!
Kinda slow and in the beginning I was very put off by the MC, whose thoughts seemed to come out of nowhere. It took quite a while to make sense of her feelings. The worst part was the repetition. Not a word here and there, but whole pages of scenes being retold from another viewpoint and using the exact same words. Like rereading the scene over again. The author should have made an effort to change the wording so the reader doesn’t just skim the text, like I did. There were no twists I didn’t see coming. It’s a quick read, but if you have other novels to read, I’d give this one a pass.
Kinda slow and in the beginning I was very put off by the MC, whose thoughts seemed to come out of nowhere. It took quite a while to make sense of her feelings. The worst part was the repetition. Not a word here and there, but whole pages of scenes being retold from another viewpoint and using the exact same words. Like rereading the scene over again. The author should have made an effort to change the wording so the reader doesn’t just skim the text, like I did. There were no twists I didn’t see coming. It’s a quick read, but if you have other novels to read, I’d give this one a pass.
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