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The Wrong Daughter
In a shockingly twisty, addictively dark, engrossingly intense psychological suspense for readers of Freida McFadden, Adele Parks, and B.A. Paris, a woman’s world is shattered when her sister returns 16 years after she was abducted from their childhood bedroom.
“Do you have a sister, Ms. Fairview?” The little girl’s question, in all its buttery innocence, slices through me, and the answer catches in my throat. It isn’t as simple as yes or no. It hasn’t been, in nearly sixteen years.
The evening Caitlin and Olivia's parents leave them to go to a dinner party, both girls are bubbling with excitement. At ages 10 and 13, they are at last old enough to stay home alone. After all, in their idyllic town no one even bothers to lock their doors.
As the summer light fades, after TV and popcorn, the sisters finally put themselves to bed. They’re unaware of the figure watching them through an open window. Or of the back door opening once they’ve fallen asleep.
When their parents return, they will find Olivia's bed empty. Their golden-haired, long-limbed, eldest daughter gone. Never to return. Until now.
But is the woman who claims to be Olivia all she seems? Is everything Caitlin said she saw that night the whole truth? Their family have dreamed of this moment, but both sisters are keeping more than one secret. What price will they all pay if they end up believing the wrong daughter?
“Do you have a sister, Ms. Fairview?” The little girl’s question, in all its buttery innocence, slices through me, and the answer catches in my throat. It isn’t as simple as yes or no. It hasn’t been, in nearly sixteen years.
The evening Caitlin and Olivia's parents leave them to go to a dinner party, both girls are bubbling with excitement. At ages 10 and 13, they are at last old enough to stay home alone. After all, in their idyllic town no one even bothers to lock their doors.
As the summer light fades, after TV and popcorn, the sisters finally put themselves to bed. They’re unaware of the figure watching them through an open window. Or of the back door opening once they’ve fallen asleep.
When their parents return, they will find Olivia's bed empty. Their golden-haired, long-limbed, eldest daughter gone. Never to return. Until now.
But is the woman who claims to be Olivia all she seems? Is everything Caitlin said she saw that night the whole truth? Their family have dreamed of this moment, but both sisters are keeping more than one secret. What price will they all pay if they end up believing the wrong daughter?
368 pages, Paperback
First published February 8, 2024
17982 people are currently reading
67797 people want to read
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August 10, 2024I honestly can’t rate it, so I will write my thoughts. It was in parts so dark and disturbing that
It was hard to read more. At the same time I thought: well, the world is quite disturbing, no? It created such a chaos inside that I still struggle with how I feel.
The suspense was there without doubt; and it was memorable, but like I said; tethering on revolting.
It was hard to read more. At the same time I thought: well, the world is quite disturbing, no? It created such a chaos inside that I still struggle with how I feel.
The suspense was there without doubt; and it was memorable, but like I said; tethering on revolting.
April 1, 2024
Oh dear
So, this book started out well and I was invested in both main characters but gradually the plot became silly and the "twist" was as obvious as being struck between the eyes with a sledgehammer! One character frankly became increasingly unbelievable and the whole thing became sort of farcical in the end. Some hints of Flowers in the Attic but nowhere near Virginia Andrew's writing. Some of the later chapters did build tension well but I couldn't honestly recommend this book.
So, this book started out well and I was invested in both main characters but gradually the plot became silly and the "twist" was as obvious as being struck between the eyes with a sledgehammer! One character frankly became increasingly unbelievable and the whole thing became sort of farcical in the end. Some hints of Flowers in the Attic but nowhere near Virginia Andrew's writing. Some of the later chapters did build tension well but I couldn't honestly recommend this book.
February 17, 2024
You won't go wrong with "The Wrong Daughter".
ULTRA-COMPELLING PREMISE:
Two daughters are left alone when their parents go to a dinner party.
It's the first time the girls have been left alone and they are excited.
When both daughters are sleeping, the older 16-year-old daughter is abducted by a masked man.
For over ten years, the youngest daughter struggles with survival guilt until her sister miraculously returns.
But is this woman really her sister?
WHY NOT 5 STARS?
This book unfolds from two storylines.
Had the author stuck to the one storyline of the 16-year-old's abduction, the book would have easily been a 5-star read.
IMHO, adding that extra storyline was not necessary and added extra hours to this 13-hour audiobook.
Narrators Daphne Kouma and Heather Long did a superb job with the narration.
Even so, the book was well-plotted, suspenseful, twisty, and my favorite Dandy Smith book to date.
May 23, 2024
Someone reviewing this book wrote : 'oh dear.' I totally concur.
The writing struck me as being by someone who has been on a creative writing course and been told to use metaphors and similes to strengthen a description. So many of these abounded that they were jarring in the extreme as well as totally unnecessary.- They didn't add impact but were a distraction. With great writers, you never notice these, but here, there were far too many.
In one chapter alone, I lost focus completely on the story, transfixed by these sprouting on the page. Some examples: "Questions swam inside me like frenzied hornets, " like my name is a tough bit of steak he wants to spit back on his plate" , ,"I chew on my anger and frustration like lemon pips, like ants over a picnic" , "jealousy is a handful of hard green pebbles in Elinor's mouth that threaten to break her teeth, " "There are a thousand butterflies batting their wings in the pit of her stomach"... "her stomach churns like a washing machine full of bricks.".....and so on and so on.....
The plot was badly executed and highly unlikely. Not for me. I'm sorry to say. Neither plot nor writing very appealing. Sorry ...
The writing struck me as being by someone who has been on a creative writing course and been told to use metaphors and similes to strengthen a description. So many of these abounded that they were jarring in the extreme as well as totally unnecessary.- They didn't add impact but were a distraction. With great writers, you never notice these, but here, there were far too many.
In one chapter alone, I lost focus completely on the story, transfixed by these sprouting on the page. Some examples: "Questions swam inside me like frenzied hornets, " like my name is a tough bit of steak he wants to spit back on his plate" , ,"I chew on my anger and frustration like lemon pips, like ants over a picnic" , "jealousy is a handful of hard green pebbles in Elinor's mouth that threaten to break her teeth, " "There are a thousand butterflies batting their wings in the pit of her stomach"... "her stomach churns like a washing machine full of bricks.".....and so on and so on.....
The plot was badly executed and highly unlikely. Not for me. I'm sorry to say. Neither plot nor writing very appealing. Sorry ...
September 10, 2025
Immersive, twisted, and unbelievably dark, The Wrong Daughter wrapped me up in its dual timelines and dual POVs from the very beginning. You see, it was both a heartfelt tale of a sister’s love and a sinister story of eerie psychological suspense. Packed full of suspicious characters, a potentially unreliable narrator, and a claustrophobic vibe, I had a hard time putting it down. After all, my trust was stretched thin as I side-eyed everyone involved—up to and including both Olivia and Caitlin. With a relationship that played out with perfect precision, they were easily the best part of this novel.
Sadly, there were a few issues, however. Split into dual plot lines, I was somewhat dismayed by one of the two. Taking on a perverted fairy tale-like feel, even once the twist behind their connection was revealed, I wasn’t really all that impressed. Unpalatable and off-putting, it also felt way too unrealistic to fit in with the depth and rawness of the other on-point side of the story. Did it all make sense in the end? Absolutely. That didn’t, though, save it from dragging this five-star start down to a just barely four star rating. After all, I guessed the big, giant twist at the end thanks to the predictable plotting and not so subtle clues.
All said and done, despite its flaws, I ripped through this book in no time at all. With a fast-paced storyline and an epilogue that nearly brought me to tears, even the need to suspend all disbelief didn’t ruin the ride. A truly original premise that felt beyond creepy, the stage was set perfectly for the conclusion, even if it was one I didn’t love. A new take at a kidnapping story, I highly recommend grabbing a copy if you love dysfunctional family dynamics or the slow destruction of a main character. Dread-fueled and intense, it was one heck of an ugly—yet riveting—tale of love, loss, and family. Rating of 4 stars.
SYNOPSIS:
Two Sisters.
Caitlin and Olivia are excited to finally be old enough to stay home alone. But, when they fall asleep, someone turns the handle of the back door and nothing is ever the same again.
A Missing Daughter.
When their parents return, they find Olivia's bed empty. Their eldest daughter gone... until now.
One Terrible Lie.
Sixteen years later, Olivia is back, and everyone is desperate to believe the nightmare is over. But Caitlin doesn't trust the woman who claims to be her sister. Their memories of that night don't match, and they are both hiding secrets that could tear their family apart...
What if they trust the wrong daughter?
Thank you to Dandy Smith and Kensington Books for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
PUB DATE: August 26th, 2025
WARNING: Below is my potentially plot-spoiling trigger list. Skip if you deem necessary...
Content warning: abduction, incest, stalking, gaslighting, gun violence, violence, drowning, murder, forced captivity
Sadly, there were a few issues, however. Split into dual plot lines, I was somewhat dismayed by one of the two. Taking on a perverted fairy tale-like feel, even once the twist behind their connection was revealed, I wasn’t really all that impressed. Unpalatable and off-putting, it also felt way too unrealistic to fit in with the depth and rawness of the other on-point side of the story. Did it all make sense in the end? Absolutely. That didn’t, though, save it from dragging this five-star start down to a just barely four star rating. After all, I guessed the big, giant twist at the end thanks to the predictable plotting and not so subtle clues.
All said and done, despite its flaws, I ripped through this book in no time at all. With a fast-paced storyline and an epilogue that nearly brought me to tears, even the need to suspend all disbelief didn’t ruin the ride. A truly original premise that felt beyond creepy, the stage was set perfectly for the conclusion, even if it was one I didn’t love. A new take at a kidnapping story, I highly recommend grabbing a copy if you love dysfunctional family dynamics or the slow destruction of a main character. Dread-fueled and intense, it was one heck of an ugly—yet riveting—tale of love, loss, and family. Rating of 4 stars.
SYNOPSIS:
Two Sisters.
Caitlin and Olivia are excited to finally be old enough to stay home alone. But, when they fall asleep, someone turns the handle of the back door and nothing is ever the same again.
A Missing Daughter.
When their parents return, they find Olivia's bed empty. Their eldest daughter gone... until now.
One Terrible Lie.
Sixteen years later, Olivia is back, and everyone is desperate to believe the nightmare is over. But Caitlin doesn't trust the woman who claims to be her sister. Their memories of that night don't match, and they are both hiding secrets that could tear their family apart...
What if they trust the wrong daughter?
Thank you to Dandy Smith and Kensington Books for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
PUB DATE: August 26th, 2025
WARNING: Below is my potentially plot-spoiling trigger list. Skip if you deem necessary...
Content warning: abduction, incest, stalking, gaslighting, gun violence, violence, drowning, murder, forced captivity
April 22, 2024
An absolute pile of far-fetched tosh. Clumsily written, long winded and ridiculously unbelievable.
February 3, 2025
Okay; this was a page turner; but fell completely apart in the end. And I can’t recommend it to anyone because of incest 🤢
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 13, 2025
Sometimes Kindle Unlimited comes up with a cracker of a book. Wasn’t so keen on the end but other than that it was gripping.
July 31, 2025
This Story Involves 2 Sisters, 1 was missing and suddenly comes back as an adult. It does seem strange at times that certain questions aren’t asked or that it’s like nothing seriously tragic happened for the last decade. Then there is another section which have no idea what it means. That could turn out to be interesting or fall apart. Think this one some will rate really good or really bad. I am in the Camp that this was a winner. It was fast paced and many of the scenerios were farfetched. I found the sister’s relationship to be intense and did not ever know who was reliable or who could be trusted. A good thriller works that way for me. The last part of the book dragged on a little bit too much. I certainly got the point and it parts thought could have been a little shorter. Overall though, I liked this Book, as it came together and all the loose ends were wrapped up. So, Solid 4 Star Read for Me. Got into Reading It and did Not Want to Stop. The premise was a little different and appreciated that. Kept my attention and couldn’t stop until I got to the end. If that is what you look for in a Thriller, think you will like this one.
Thank you NetGalley and Kensington Publishing for a Copy of this book. I leave reviews of all books I read.
Thank you NetGalley and Kensington Publishing for a Copy of this book. I leave reviews of all books I read.
November 10, 2025
That was crazy
August 25, 2025
This author is one to watch out for! As she makes her way through the US, you guys should definitely give her a read!
One evening as two sisters, Caitlin and Olivia, are home alone, Caitlin witnesses someone in a mask snatch Olivia before her eyes. She’s gone and no clues have come about. What happened to Olivia that night?
Now, a woman returns to their home claiming that she is Olivia. As the family reunites, Caitin is suspicious. Is Olivia who she says she is? Or is she an imposter?
Let me tell you that Dandy Smith’s writing is stunning. Beautiful. She writes just like a seasoned author. Spellbinding prose. I was hooked from the beginning. Yes, you will need to suspend disbelief, just go with it. It’s fiction. This is a highly suspenseful story that is filled with twists and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
4 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
US Pub date - 8/26/25
One evening as two sisters, Caitlin and Olivia, are home alone, Caitlin witnesses someone in a mask snatch Olivia before her eyes. She’s gone and no clues have come about. What happened to Olivia that night?
Now, a woman returns to their home claiming that she is Olivia. As the family reunites, Caitin is suspicious. Is Olivia who she says she is? Or is she an imposter?
Let me tell you that Dandy Smith’s writing is stunning. Beautiful. She writes just like a seasoned author. Spellbinding prose. I was hooked from the beginning. Yes, you will need to suspend disbelief, just go with it. It’s fiction. This is a highly suspenseful story that is filled with twists and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
4 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
US Pub date - 8/26/25
September 7, 2024
I read someone else’s review for this that said that “this book owes me an apology for wasting my time” and I FEEL THAT.
It kept popping up as a popular book on Prime Reading and I have no idea how so many people could have rated this so highly. I kept reading because I thought that surely it would all tie together in the end, but it just got crazier and more unhinged. Like I was already over it at 30% in, but I felt that maybe I just needed to give it time because clearly so many people have loved it??
Without giving a whole synopsis of the book, essentially it revolved around incest, pedophelia, sociopaths, and Stockholm Syndrome— all things that are dark and twisted and just psychotic and very unrealistic.
Not only that, it felt like the author didn’t even know where she was going with her writing and was just making it up as she went without any direction. Nothing made sense and it’s like she never went back to read what she wrote. I am still shocked that this was not only published but also put on Prime Reading.
I am almost tempted to tell my friends to read this book just so that I have someone else to talk with about how bad it was, but I also do not want anybody else to have to suffer through it.
It kept popping up as a popular book on Prime Reading and I have no idea how so many people could have rated this so highly. I kept reading because I thought that surely it would all tie together in the end, but it just got crazier and more unhinged. Like I was already over it at 30% in, but I felt that maybe I just needed to give it time because clearly so many people have loved it??
Without giving a whole synopsis of the book, essentially it revolved around incest, pedophelia, sociopaths, and Stockholm Syndrome— all things that are dark and twisted and just psychotic and very unrealistic.
Not only that, it felt like the author didn’t even know where she was going with her writing and was just making it up as she went without any direction. Nothing made sense and it’s like she never went back to read what she wrote. I am still shocked that this was not only published but also put on Prime Reading.
I am almost tempted to tell my friends to read this book just so that I have someone else to talk with about how bad it was, but I also do not want anybody else to have to suffer through it.
January 15, 2024
One night a sister goes missing. The remaining sister lives a partial life, trying to move on and live a safe life her parents will approve of. All of a sudden, the missing sister returns. Or does she?
This was a really twisty story. The middle was a little slow but the main storyline was so good. I was so curious to see how everything would tie together. I was wrong on most of my guesses. The big twist was so shocking. I didn’t see it coming at all. This would have been a 5 star for me but the very end I felt was too cruel to poor Caitlin.
This was a really twisty story. The middle was a little slow but the main storyline was so good. I was so curious to see how everything would tie together. I was wrong on most of my guesses. The big twist was so shocking. I didn’t see it coming at all. This would have been a 5 star for me but the very end I felt was too cruel to poor Caitlin.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 23, 2024
Really didn’t gel with this book. I found it to be quite tedious to get through and felt it should have got to the final 50 pages much sooner, lengthening that section instead as that’s when it got juicy.
October 19, 2025
To jedna z tych książek, które strasznie trudno jest ocenić w gwiazdkach
Niesamowicie ciekawa psychologia bohaterów. Wciągająca historia (w każdym razie ta część o siostrach, ta druga mniej)
Aleeeee
To zakończenie xddd
Przeczytajcie tę książkę dla samego faktu śledzenia ciekawej historii, nie dla rozwiązania akcji, bo ono jest przekombinowane
Niesamowicie ciekawa psychologia bohaterów. Wciągająca historia (w każdym razie ta część o siostrach, ta druga mniej)
Aleeeee
To zakończenie xddd
Przeczytajcie tę książkę dla samego faktu śledzenia ciekawej historii, nie dla rozwiązania akcji, bo ono jest przekombinowane
February 9, 2024
It’s PUBLICATION DAY!! 2/8/24
Dandy Smith sure knows how to capture your attention! I went to church today, couldn’t stop thinking about this book and hurried home so I could get back to reading. I’m still trying to wrap my head around all of the reveals near the end. Smith does a masterful job of casting just a hint of suspicion on almost every character, so you’re not sure who to trust. You don’t even know if the main character is a reliable narrator!
There are two stories being told here, and I promise that you will not guess how they are connected. I was so confused at first, wondering why we were learning about the second point of view, but it all comes together beautifully eventually.
Enough talking about this—go read it as soon as it’s published on February 8th!
Thank you to NetGalley and Embla books for the complimentary advance copy for review purposes.
I also post on Instagram as books_the_magical_fruit.
#dandysmith #emblabooks #mystery #thriller #mustread #bookstagram #bookstagrammer #books #whodunit #gaslighting #kidnapping #sisters
Dandy Smith sure knows how to capture your attention! I went to church today, couldn’t stop thinking about this book and hurried home so I could get back to reading. I’m still trying to wrap my head around all of the reveals near the end. Smith does a masterful job of casting just a hint of suspicion on almost every character, so you’re not sure who to trust. You don’t even know if the main character is a reliable narrator!
There are two stories being told here, and I promise that you will not guess how they are connected. I was so confused at first, wondering why we were learning about the second point of view, but it all comes together beautifully eventually.
Enough talking about this—go read it as soon as it’s published on February 8th!
Thank you to NetGalley and Embla books for the complimentary advance copy for review purposes.
I also post on Instagram as books_the_magical_fruit.
#dandysmith #emblabooks #mystery #thriller #mustread #bookstagram #bookstagrammer #books #whodunit #gaslighting #kidnapping #sisters
November 13, 2025
Dwie pozornie niezwiązane historie — Caitlin Arden, której siostra Olivia zaginęła wiele lat wcześniej i Elinor Ledbury, która wraz z bratem mieszkała w ogromnej rezydencji. Dopóki te historie nie miały wspólnego mianownika, powieść czytało się świetnie. Nie było wiadomo, czy wydarzenia związane z Caitlin i jej podejrzenia były prawdziwe, czy wynikiem paranoi. Jej całe dziecięce i dorosłe życie orbitowało wokół zaginięcia Olivii. Elinor tkwiła w złotej klatce. Była bogata, zakochana (obiekt westchnień nie do zaakceptowania) i zdominowana przez wujka, który sprawował opiekę nad rodzeństwem.
W momencie, gdy w przewidywalny sposób historie się połączyły, powieść zrobiła się tak bardzo przewrotna, że aż absurdalna. W thrillerze psychologicznym najważniejsi są bohaterowie, a ci zachowywali się nielogicznie, byli wykreowani bez konsekwencji, kim każdy z nich powinien być. Książkę czyta się szybko, ale ciężko przyjąć co chwilę zmieniające się zachowania postaci.
W momencie, gdy w przewidywalny sposób historie się połączyły, powieść zrobiła się tak bardzo przewrotna, że aż absurdalna. W thrillerze psychologicznym najważniejsi są bohaterowie, a ci zachowywali się nielogicznie, byli wykreowani bez konsekwencji, kim każdy z nich powinien być. Książkę czyta się szybko, ale ciężko przyjąć co chwilę zmieniające się zachowania postaci.
April 17, 2024
wow! just wow!!
I’m mind blown by this book! Soooo good! The twists the turns! I love a good psychological thriller that keeps you guessing. I didn’t figure this one out immediately or even until the shocker hit! Very well written and I’m looking forward to reading Dandy’s other works!
I’m mind blown by this book! Soooo good! The twists the turns! I love a good psychological thriller that keeps you guessing. I didn’t figure this one out immediately or even until the shocker hit! Very well written and I’m looking forward to reading Dandy’s other works!
May 27, 2024
The beginning was too slow and the end was too quick.
January 31, 2024
13 year old Olivia gets snatched from her house, while her sister Caitie watches in terror as a masked man takes her away from her family. Years pass and Caitie believes she will never see her again. Out of the blue, Olivia reappears… but is it really her sister? Or is it a manipulative imposter?
I really enjoyed this book! Twisty, suspenseful and full of untrustworthy and unlikeable characters, it definitely kept me turning the pages. I was kept guessing at how Elinor tied in to Caitie and enjoyed the dual aspect of the two stories. I was 100% behind Caitie and it had my heart racing towards the final chapters.
This was my first read from Dandy Smith and I would certainly read another.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Embla Books for my advanced copy.
I really enjoyed this book! Twisty, suspenseful and full of untrustworthy and unlikeable characters, it definitely kept me turning the pages. I was kept guessing at how Elinor tied in to Caitie and enjoyed the dual aspect of the two stories. I was 100% behind Caitie and it had my heart racing towards the final chapters.
This was my first read from Dandy Smith and I would certainly read another.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Embla Books for my advanced copy.
February 27, 2024
This book WAS 5 stars for me until about 90% then it got a little weird, rushed, and I don't know, just far out there. I was then going to go to 3 stars, but I went with 4 stars because the first 90% of the story was SO good. 🙄🫤
August 10, 2025
3.5 Stars
A twisty suspense novel that could get over the top at times but was a fun ride to go on. Caitlin’s sister, Olivia, was kidnapped but then returns home 16 years later. Although Caitlin has questions and doubts about her sister, no one else seems to. It unravels from there.
The writing was compulsive and I was drawn in from the first chapter. I loved questioning everything with Caitlin and figuring out the truth.
I received an advanced copy through Netgalley in return for an honest review.
A twisty suspense novel that could get over the top at times but was a fun ride to go on. Caitlin’s sister, Olivia, was kidnapped but then returns home 16 years later. Although Caitlin has questions and doubts about her sister, no one else seems to. It unravels from there.
The writing was compulsive and I was drawn in from the first chapter. I loved questioning everything with Caitlin and figuring out the truth.
I received an advanced copy through Netgalley in return for an honest review.
April 25, 2024
After Olivia returns out of the blue one day, I thought the book would get really interesting. It didn’t. It got much more frustrating. It was bad enough that Caitlyn did everything her parents wanted and made sacrifices to not upset her mother and to please her father, and yet her father was literally cruel to her. Then, after Olivia returns, Olivia lets her take the fall for every plan and action that gets C in trouble with her parents. The parents can see no fault in Olivia, Olivia is cruel to Kaitlyn over and over in various ways, literally demanding that she move home and put up with their weird parents and leave her fiancé. The Oscar side-plot was unbelievable. Come on. Just NO.
I was curious how the two stories merge, the Caitlin-Olivia story, and the Eleanor-Heath story… but I wish I’d never found out because it was insanely . It was originally a great concept… but the fact that Olivia won’t tell her sister anything, yet she’s telling the police and her therapist everything is extremely frustrating…. Unfortunately, I found out what was going on with that too. It’s like chocolate syrup… A reasonable amount is good but too much, an excessive amount, is sickening and overwhelming. That is how I feel about the plot twists and turns in this book. Way too many and way too absurd! I understand, willing suspension of disbelief… I was an English teacher, for Pete’s sake. However, when parts of the book are too excessive and too unbelievable, and beyond logic of any kind, I simply cannot enjoy books like that. What started out as a very cool concept whirled and twirled away into bizarro world, the world, where multiple people lie and tell the truth, back-and-forth, until the reader’s head spins with confusion. I’m sorry. I really wanted to like this book.
I was curious how the two stories merge, the Caitlin-Olivia story, and the Eleanor-Heath story… but I wish I’d never found out because it was insanely . It was originally a great concept… but the fact that Olivia won’t tell her sister anything, yet she’s telling the police and her therapist everything is extremely frustrating…. Unfortunately, I found out what was going on with that too. It’s like chocolate syrup… A reasonable amount is good but too much, an excessive amount, is sickening and overwhelming. That is how I feel about the plot twists and turns in this book. Way too many and way too absurd! I understand, willing suspension of disbelief… I was an English teacher, for Pete’s sake. However, when parts of the book are too excessive and too unbelievable, and beyond logic of any kind, I simply cannot enjoy books like that. What started out as a very cool concept whirled and twirled away into bizarro world, the world, where multiple people lie and tell the truth, back-and-forth, until the reader’s head spins with confusion. I’m sorry. I really wanted to like this book.
August 26, 2024
Oh my goodness I love this book!! Everything about this book was great. Once I got a few chapters in I just couldn’t stop. I kept thinking I had it all figured out and then nope.
Okay so there’s two stories being told at one time. One is from the viewpoint of Catie, a girl that watched her sister get abducted from their house when Olivia was 13 and she was like 10. Now Catie is an adult, her sisters been gone for 16 years, she’s best friends with Olivia’s old best friend and she’s engaged. Then one day Olivia comes home with no mention of where’s she’s been or what happened to her.
The other story is from the viewpoint of Elinor, a young girl living alone with her older brother in the middle of nowhere having to deal with their horrible uncle.
You read them separately thinking they have no connection but knowing they must. That’s when I thought Elinor was pretending to be Olivia come back from the dead. This Olivia girl can’t remember everything about her childhood, doesn’t call Catie the right pet name, and has other inconsistencies that start to make Catie think she’s not actually her sister. Then Olivia blatantly tells her she’s not. That her sister is dead. Catie loses it and everyone thinks she’s psycho. Her parents, her friends, her finance, etc. the only one that believes her is her and Olivia’s therapist (which I thought was Flynn from Elinor’s story but I was wrong.)
Here’s what really mind fucked me. Olivia really was Olivia. It was part of her plan to make Catie look crazy to isolate her. Olivia had severe Stockholm syndrome. Heath (Elinor’s brother) killed Elinor when he let his anger get away from him. Then he kidnapped two girls that looked like Elinor - Bryony and Olivia. Olivia “fell in love” with him and asked to bring g her sister to their twisted cult. So he posed as her therapist, got close to Catie and then they abducted her as well. Catie ends up killing Heath and Olivia is so consumed with grief she goes after Catie. Then bryony sees Olivia on top of Catie and she hits her, Olivia falls off the roof and dies.
Side note. Oscar was caties fiancé and was a piece of shit. He was the boy on the bus that had a crush on Olivia and gave her the journal. Then he made it so Catie fell in love with him and he wrote a book about Olivia’s abduction. He used Catie the whole time.
Mind blown 🤯
Okay so there’s two stories being told at one time. One is from the viewpoint of Catie, a girl that watched her sister get abducted from their house when Olivia was 13 and she was like 10. Now Catie is an adult, her sisters been gone for 16 years, she’s best friends with Olivia’s old best friend and she’s engaged. Then one day Olivia comes home with no mention of where’s she’s been or what happened to her.
The other story is from the viewpoint of Elinor, a young girl living alone with her older brother in the middle of nowhere having to deal with their horrible uncle.
You read them separately thinking they have no connection but knowing they must. That’s when I thought Elinor was pretending to be Olivia come back from the dead. This Olivia girl can’t remember everything about her childhood, doesn’t call Catie the right pet name, and has other inconsistencies that start to make Catie think she’s not actually her sister. Then Olivia blatantly tells her she’s not. That her sister is dead. Catie loses it and everyone thinks she’s psycho. Her parents, her friends, her finance, etc. the only one that believes her is her and Olivia’s therapist (which I thought was Flynn from Elinor’s story but I was wrong.)
Here’s what really mind fucked me. Olivia really was Olivia. It was part of her plan to make Catie look crazy to isolate her. Olivia had severe Stockholm syndrome. Heath (Elinor’s brother) killed Elinor when he let his anger get away from him. Then he kidnapped two girls that looked like Elinor - Bryony and Olivia. Olivia “fell in love” with him and asked to bring g her sister to their twisted cult. So he posed as her therapist, got close to Catie and then they abducted her as well. Catie ends up killing Heath and Olivia is so consumed with grief she goes after Catie. Then bryony sees Olivia on top of Catie and she hits her, Olivia falls off the roof and dies.
Side note. Oscar was caties fiancé and was a piece of shit. He was the boy on the bus that had a crush on Olivia and gave her the journal. Then he made it so Catie fell in love with him and he wrote a book about Olivia’s abduction. He used Catie the whole time.
Mind blown 🤯
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 10, 2024
The first third of the book was mediocre but the remainder of the book was incredible! Didn’t expect the twist, loved the alternating views and thought the storyline came together so brilliantly at the end! Fully recommend
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 25, 2024
Too much imagination!?!
Every sentence is stretched out with images.
The story is overdone... The drama is a comedy..
More a farce than a thriller..
Every sentence is stretched out with images.
The story is overdone... The drama is a comedy..
More a farce than a thriller..
June 21, 2024
This boring tale of two sisters leaves a lot to be desired. Half of the book is wasted on the main character's experiences to surmise that her long lost (and returned) sister, is not who she says she is. Is it just me... or did anyone else figure as much by the book's title?
When things finally start moving, the story plays out like a bad episode of Murder She Wrote complete with a venetian mask donning villain and far-fetched twists.
Reading this book is the wrong decision.
When things finally start moving, the story plays out like a bad episode of Murder She Wrote complete with a venetian mask donning villain and far-fetched twists.
Reading this book is the wrong decision.
July 20, 2024
This book was interesting because there was so much I enjoyed but small things sadly ruined the ending for me. I seem to have a different option from a lot of people as I actually really really enjoyed the second POV, in fact I would have enjoyed an entire book dedicated to that storyline. Irregardless of the plot, it does show the author’s strength in emotive writing.
Throughout the book the double perspectives keep you guessing however once the twist is revealed it’s obvious a big reason the second POV was written was to throw you off to some extent, the problem is it makes the ending feel cheap and also kind of non-believable. The abducted sister is probably the least believable character, mostly because the author tries to throw you off from her legitimacy by making her actions erratic but it doesn’t seem believable at all. It’s hard to imagine someone who’s been abducted for 16 years and has been isolated from society can play such a great actress in order to manipulate her sister (who she supposedly loves deeply). It would make more sense if they hired an actor to be her sister and then introduce her actual sister later on.
I really wish the ending was different, it would have been interesting if they were able to delve into Olivia’s backstory and the Stockholm Syndrome she developed, it could have also made it easier to understand her character and the way she acted when undercover (per say). It just felt like a bit of a waste, also because of how beautiful and heartfelt the connection between the sisters are, all for that to not be further explored once the truth comes out.
I wish you could do half stars but I’d say 3.5 stars
Throughout the book the double perspectives keep you guessing however once the twist is revealed it’s obvious a big reason the second POV was written was to throw you off to some extent, the problem is it makes the ending feel cheap and also kind of non-believable. The abducted sister is probably the least believable character, mostly because the author tries to throw you off from her legitimacy by making her actions erratic but it doesn’t seem believable at all. It’s hard to imagine someone who’s been abducted for 16 years and has been isolated from society can play such a great actress in order to manipulate her sister (who she supposedly loves deeply). It would make more sense if they hired an actor to be her sister and then introduce her actual sister later on.
I really wish the ending was different, it would have been interesting if they were able to delve into Olivia’s backstory and the Stockholm Syndrome she developed, it could have also made it easier to understand her character and the way she acted when undercover (per say). It just felt like a bit of a waste, also because of how beautiful and heartfelt the connection between the sisters are, all for that to not be further explored once the truth comes out.
I wish you could do half stars but I’d say 3.5 stars
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 24, 2025
Dark, disturbing, and utterly addictive! I could not put this book down. From the very first page, The Wrong Daughter pulled me into its twisted, unsettling world and never let go. Just when I thought I had it all figured out—bam! Another twist I didn’t see coming. Dandy Smith masterfully keeps you guessing, and the psychological tension builds to a jaw-dropping finale. If you’re into thrillers that mess with your mind and keep you on edge, this is a must-read.
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