Not Our Daughter

by Chad Zunker

Propelled on a cross-country chase, devoted parents become desperate fugitives in a heart-racing novel of suspense by the author of Family Money and All He Has Left.

Thirteen years ago, Cole and Lisa Shipley were fostering an infant with hopes of adopting her. Overnight everything was turned upside down, when the child’s mother bled to death on their front doorstep. Her last He’s coming here…for her! Save her. Afraid, bewildered, and with a baby in their arms, they fled. The longer they hid, the guiltier they looked.

Now in a small Colorado town under assumed identities, they’ve been seemingly safe. But when a tip exposes them and Cole is framed for another murder, they take it on the run again, barreling across the western US—this time with a confused and resistant teenage girl awakening to a terrifying new reality. In the rearview is the relentless FBI agent who has never given up the hunt. And he’s not the only one.

Every frightening mile brings a family closer to the truth about that fateful night thirteen years ago. And to a killer who’s determined to finish what he started.

Genres: Thriller, Mystery, Audiobook, Mystery Thriller, Suspense, Fiction, Crime

236 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 11, 2025

About the author

CHAD ZUNKER is the author of the David Adams legal thriller, An Equal Justice, as well as The Tracker, Shadow Shepherd, and Hunt the Lion in his Sam Callahan series. Chad has worked for some of the country’s most powerful law firms and serves at Community First! Village, a 51-acre master planned community that provides affordable, permanent housing and a supportive community for men and women coming out of chronic homelessness. He lives in Austin with his wife, Katie, and their three daughters, and is hard at work on his next novel. For more information visit www.chadzunker.com.

Reviews

[Brady Lockerby · Rating 1 out of 5]

i’m sorry.. was this written by a 12 year old?? plssss this was horrible 😂

[Rain · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cole and Lisa Shipley are devoted foster parents turned fugitives. Thirteen years ago, a tragedy and desperate warning forced them to flee. Now they are on the run across the western US, being chased by multiple agencies (and bad guys).

What sets this novel apart from other thrillers is the heart behind the suspense. You can feel the author’s depth of love for his own family on every page, infusing the Shipleys struggle with authentic emotions.

You are in safe hands with Zunker, delivering a story that keeps you on the edge of your seat while also tugging at your heartstrings. Recommended for fans of domestic thrillers and those who enjoy a lighter mystery.

My thanks to the author and publishing company for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Kaceey · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5🌟
Ready…set….run!!
Cole and Lisa have experienced the unimaginable. Their baby’s birth mother just died on their doorstep. Her last words were to grab their daughter and run! But who are they running from? And why?

Now, thirteen years later the family is living in a small town in the Colorado Rockies. But the past has caught up to them and they once again find themselves running for their lives. This time it’s not only from the unknown, but the FBI as well.

If you like action, this book is chock-full of it! Start to finish!

But if clever twists are your thing you may be disappointed. It was rather straight forward. No surprises here.

There were a few plot holes and not everything added up as it should. But if you can suspend your believability you’ll be in for a fun ride!

Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer.

[Linzie (suspenseisthrillingme) · Rating 4 out of 5]

An explosive crime thriller that kept me on the edge of my seat, Not Our Daughter was everything I wanted and more. From the heartwarming family moments to the adrenaline-fueled chase scenes, I was easily pulled into the story as the world around me quickly disappeared. You see, there wasn’t a second of down time in this fast-paced novel of ratcheting suspense. And as the plot picked up speed, so too did the depth of the characters. Genuine and endearing, I found myself rooting for the wrongly accused all while despising the man chasing them down. Along with a compelling FBI agent also on their tail, this cast of characters felt complete despite its small size.

I did have a couple of unfortunate hangups, however. Number one was how I had to suspend all disbelief as I sped through the pages. Once I did that, I was more than happy to go along for the ride. I do have to mention, though, that this was shockingly based on a true story, so maybe it’s not so out of the realm of believability as I might’ve imagined. My second issue was slightly harder to ignore as the conclusion felt decidedly abrupt all things considered. Without any follow up to what was going to happen to all those involved, I felt rather shortchanged when I flipped the last page. That’s not to say that it made me dislike this book in the least, but an epilogue was needed in my humble opinion.

All in all, though, I had a blast flying through this propulsive game of cat-and-mouse in just a matter of hours. From the gripping multiple POVs to the short, cliffhanger chapters, Zunker knew just how to keep my attention from wavering in the slightest. And while there might not have been any major shocking twists or an unpredictable subplot, the spine-chilling fear and palpable tension left me without a care in the world. After all, with a family on the run and a past filled with dark secrets, there’s no question that there’s plenty in this short, easy read to keep you transfixed. Oh. Didn’t I say? This book comes in at just under 250 pages. So slot it into your schedule and grab a copy today. Rating of 4.5 stars.

SYNOPSIS:

Thirteen years ago, Cole and Lisa Shipley were fostering an infant with hopes of adopting her. Overnight everything was turned upside down, when the child’s mother bled to death on their front doorstep. Her last words: He’s coming here…for her! Save her. Afraid, bewildered, and with a baby in their arms, they fled. The longer they hid, the guiltier they looked.

Now in a small Colorado town under assumed identities, they’ve been seemingly safe. But when a tip exposes them and Cole is framed for another murder, they take it on the run again, barreling across the western US—this time with a confused and resistant teenage girl awakening to a terrifying new reality. In the rearview is the relentless FBI agent who has never given up the hunt. And he’s not the only one.

Every frightening mile brings a family closer to the truth about that fateful night thirteen years ago. And to a killer who’s determined to finish what he started.

Thank you to Chad Zunker and Thomas & Mercer for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.

PUB DATE: February 11, 2025

Content warning: gun violence, murder, law enforcement involvement, mention of: kidnapping

[Casey Reads 🌸 · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this one! 13 years ago they took their foster daughter and ran. Changed their names to avoid both danger and the police. This story picks up when that all starts to fall apart.

This story was action packed from start to finish. There was never a dull moment. I loved how much the family worked together to try to save themselves from danger coming from all angles.

And then the ending when we figure everything out was perfect. I don’t feel any parts of this book were super surprising or crazy twists, but it was so action packed it didn’t matter. They were basically on the run the entire story and all sorts of crazy stuff was happening.

I would read this author again.

Thank you to netgalley for this free advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Fairuz ᥫ᭡. · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25 stars! 💫 Huge thanks to Thomas & Mercer and NetGalley for the ARC! 💙 I had such a blast reading Not Our Daughter, and wow—what a rollercoaster from start to finish!

Tropes:
✧ On the run 🏃‍♂️
✧ Family first 👨‍👩‍👧
✧ Fugitives with a twist! 🔄
✧ Heart-pounding chase scenes 💥
✧ Forced to flee 🛣️
✧A parent's fierce protection 💪
✧ Wrongly accused 💔
✧ Hiding in plain sight 👀
✧ Running from the past ⏳

So, Cole and Lisa Shipley are just your average parents trying to live a peaceful life... except their past is WAY more complicated. After an intense, bloody warning, they take their daughter and go into hiding in a small Colorado town for 13 years. But secrets never stay hidden, and now the past is coming back to haunt them! The suspense? It’s REAL, y’all!

The action? Non-stop! 💥 I was on the edge of my seat the whole time, cheering for this family to make it out alive! From heart-racing chases to nail-biting moments, this book had me hooked. That said, I was hoping for a few more jaw-dropping twists—but it was a bit more straightforward than I expected. No big plot shocks, just tons of tension and adrenaline! 😅

What I really loved, though, was the emotional depth Chad Zunker brought to the characters. The family dynamics and relationships felt super real, and I was totally invested in their journey. That emotional pull made the suspense even more gripping! ❤️ BUT—honestly, I kinda wanted more at the end. I was left wondering what happened with the villains after the dust settled. A little more closure would’ve been chef's kiss! 👏

Content Warnings (CW): Violence, Murder, Kidnapping, Death & FBI involvement

If you're in the mood for a quick, action-packed thriller that'll keep you turning pages late into the night, Not Our Daughter is the one! It’s solid, just don’t expect any major plot twists. But trust me, you'll be glued to those pages, so don’t miss it when it drops in February 2025! 📅

[Jonetta · Rating 4 out of 5]

the setup…
Greg and Amy Olsen were anticipating the adoption of the infant they were fostering when a judge turned their lives upside down, giving the baby back to the biological mother who had completed her rehab. As they tearfully waited for Candace to come and take the child, Greg and Amy were dumbfounded when she showed up mortally wounded, her last words warning them to take the baby and run. And that’s what they did. But, law enforcement believes that they killed Candace so they adopted new identities (Cole and Lisa Shipley), leaving their lives in Austin behind. It’s now been thirteen years and their new lives in Colorado are compromised. Cole takes his family on the run, not only from law enforcement but a killer who wants to finish the job that started with Candace.

the heart of the story…
There’s nothing twisty here, just plain and simple excitement as Cole, Lisa and daughter Jade are on the run. Cole uses his wits (and he’s got serious brain matter) to elude everyone and think fast on his feet. He’s clever with a burning drive to protect his family, despite his teenage daughter making it even harder with her naivety.

the narration…
James Anderson Foster soon became Cole in my mind. He sounded like a father and that made a big difference. What great storytelling!

the bottom line…
I felt like I was holding my breath the entire time, often yelling at Jade and Lisa when they blundered. But Cole was my hero along with his nemesis, FBI Special Agent Mark Burns who investigated them when Candace died and begins to smell a rat. Every time I tried to relax a new threat arose. This was a classic cat and mouse chase that brought the tension and thrills. Gotta check out Zunker’s backlist now.

Posted on Blue Mood Café

(Thanks to Brilliance Audio and NetGalley for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.)

[Amina · Rating 3 out of 5]

✰ 2.75 stars ✰

“If I’ve broken any laws, it’s only to protect my family.”

‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ One of my favorite movies ever - The Fugitive. You just can't go wrong with that film - stellar acting, stellar action, stellar plot, stellar everything that I've memorized all the great scenes. ✨

‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Nothing like a good chase to get the blood pumping and the adrenaline going. 😀 Even with its predictable hints and twists, there was something very chill about the writing that made it easy to have fun with it. Had my popcorn on the go. 🍿 Immersed myself in a quick hour and a half of dodging bullets, outsmarting the FBI, hurtling into danger, reigning in some choice words with a thirteen-year-old who may be Not Our Daughter, but with every heart & soul, Jade was the very reason Cole and Lisa sacrificed their lives, lived their life forever looking over their shoulder, and ultimately finding themselves in a position where their identities were made - simply for the sake of their daughter. ❤️‍🩹❤️‍🩹

“He cursed. He’d rolled the dice and lost. And it might cost them everything.”

‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ It had heart. And humor. Not deliberately so, but it was in the way FBI Mark Burns, still hot on their trails after all these years, was having his own teenage daughter troubles and found that it was something he could relate to with the very man he was determined not to let outsmart him this time. 😥 It was also almost laughable in the way the word choice was selective if not conveniently done to mislead audiences, but a seasoned eye ie moi was able to catch the glaring obvious way it's written. I do wish it had not been laid on so thick; the obviousness of each twist could have held some element of surprise.

‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ But, I still had fun with it. Shocker, I know! 😌 It was an entertaining thriller and I wanted to see how long Cole and Lisa would be able to outsmart and outrun those hot on their trail. It helped that it was a quick read and also did not drag in the danger and thrills. Time was literally of the essence and everyone wanted their hands on them and would stop at nothing to prevent the inevitable truth from coming out - a truth that had remained buried for more than thirteen years. Even their guilt and fear of being discovered was palpable, ripe with tension and concern over keeping Jade safe and proving their innocence. The author drew on their trust and love for each other that made it easy to root for them and hope that they would survive and succeed. 🙏🏻🙏🏻

“Eventually, we must stop living in fear—and just live.”

‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ It was also easy to read - flowed well, captured the action and thoughts of numerous perspectives in an agreeable manner that I was not cringing at any dialogue or even groaning at certain ill-advised decisions. They were believable characters and it offered enough insight into their personalities and backgrounds. 👍🏻👍🏻 I liked the parents' relationship with Jade; it was heartfelt and sincere and you could believe that they were a family. 'No one is to blame,” Lisa clarified. “We’re all in this together.' Although, as much as my heart felt for Cole, I did feel that he did make a few hasty and rash judgments that often led to more trouble that could have easily been avoided if he had just explained to Jade certain rules - stay put, don't talk to anyone - rather than waiting to simply tell the truth about her past, but immediately convey the do's and don'ts. 🤨 Yes, I can be forgiving that he did not really have any chance to explain anything or even think beforehand - where every second wasted is another minute their lives are in danger - but, if he and his wife have prepared for a plan all this time, it would not have hurt to include how to handle Jade's temper tantrums of incredulity should the need arise.

Just saying. 😊

‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ And you can't tell me that Mark Burns was not Tommy Lee Jones; his candid candor had me chuckling at times. 😅 It was also nice to see how he slowly started to doubt his own intentions for tracking them, sensing that there was something he was not seeing - a missing clue that maybe the ones he was chasing may be more innocent than he initially thought. That one moment where he and Cole crossed airs - definitely a highlight for The Fugitive lover in me.

‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ So, definitely nothing ground-breaking, but still never quite a dull moment that made it a fun and fast-paced read. After a tiring day at work, it was easy to get swept into the action to see the lengths people would go through to protect the ones they love. ✨

*Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Janalyn, the blind reviewer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not Our Daughter by Chad Zunker, FBI agent Mark Burns has been on the lookout for Cole and Lisa since they took an 18 month old from its dying mother. Cole Shipley knows the only way to avoid going to jail for a murder he didn’t do is to find the real culprit so when their location is blown that’s exactly what he does with Lisa and his teenage daughter in tow. this is a fast paced game of cat and mouse between the FBI, desperate parents and a cowboy outlaw and only the cowboy knows why. I love this author’s books it is always written from the father‘s point of view into there’s nothing better than a man who will give everything including his life to save the ones he loves. In this book that’s not just Cole, but agent burns as well this was a great book and one I highly recommend.#NetGalley, #TheBlindReviewer, #MyHonestReview, #ChadZunker, #NotOurDaughter,

[Coffee&Cliffhangers · Rating 4 out of 5]

In "Not Our Daughter," devoted parents find themselves forced into a desperate cross-country chase as fugitives, fleeing to protect their daughter. Thirteen years earlier, Cole and Shipley fostered an infant with the hopes of adopting her. However, their hopes and dreams were shattered when the biological mother gained custody, leaving them devastated and trying to pick up the pieces. Everything changed when the mother returned, pleading for them to keep her daughter safe as she bled out in front of them. Shocked and with no time to waste, they packed up their lives and fled, vowing to protect her at all costs. They started over in a small Colorado town under new identities, living safely for many years. But when a tip exposes them, they find themselves on the run again, this time with a confused and frightened teenager With an FBI agent unwilling to give up the hunt and a murderer wanting to finish what he started, they are running for their lives. I love a great suspense/thriller, and Chad Zunker did not disappoint. This book will have you on the edge of your seat, biting your nails while rooting for the protagonists.
Thank you Netgalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

[Lori Martin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not Our Daughter by Chad Zunker is one of the most thrilling books I've read in a long time. I finished the book in one day and could not put it down! It is that good! Cole and Lisa Shipley were fostering a nine month old baby and wanted to adopt her. Her mother had problems with drugs and alcohol so the baby had been placed in foster care. One night they were all in bed when there was frantic knocking at their door. Cole pulled on some pants and went downstairs to see who it was. When he looked out the peephole he was shocked to see the baby's mother. Cole opened the door and the woman rushed in. She was in a panicked state and when Cole looked at her she had blood all over the front of her shirt. She then collapsed to the floor. She told Cole that he had to leave now and protect the baby. He's coming for her. Cole didn't know who he was, but knew she was serious.

Cole, Lisa, and the baby were out of the house and gone in 5 minutes or less. When they were driving, Cole filled Lisa in on what had happened. They were going to have to leave the life they knew behind and start a new one somewhere else to keep their daughter safe. Cole and Lisa wanted to adopt the baby, but that wouldn't be necessary now. They simply had to vanish and keep her safe. They end up in a small Colorado town under the alias' of Cole and Lisa Shipley. They have been safe here for 13 years even though they are on the FBI's most wanted list. That all changes when Cole does something to alert the FBI to his whereabouts. After being so happy and safe in Colorado, they have to quickly leave and relocate again. Luckily, they have a plan and have prepared in case this ever happened. The only problem now is their daughter is 14 and doesn't understand what's going on. They've never told her about how they came to be her parents.

Will Cole, Lisa, and their daughter get away from the FBI? Will the person pursuing them who really killed the mother find them before the FBI? It seems like every police officer has their pictures and are looking for them. How will they be able to get away this time? Their car is on everyone's radar. If they dump it, how will they get away? They left their phones behind and destroyed them, but will a teenager follow her parents rules about no calls or social media? This book will have you reading at such a frantic pace that you'll finish it quickly. and your heart will be racing! Finish everything you need to get done before you start Not Our Daughter because you'll be reading a long time. I rate Not Our Daughter 5 stars with my highest recommendation. I'd like to thank NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for an advanced copy of Not Our Daughter in exchange for a fair review.
#NotOurDaughter

[April · Rating 5 out of 5]

Action Packed, Tension filled read

This one made me feel like I was watching/ reading an action movie. I was very invested in seeing this story through to the end and how it will all play out. Then tension was thick & the story built anticipation as the chapters continued. I absolutely loved Cole’s character, and the narration in this audiobook made it an enjoyable listen!

Cole and Lisa are placed in an impossible situation & forced to make the difficult decision to flee from a murder scene and change their identities. Years later in another impossible situation, the people that forced them to leave 13 years ago are back with a vengeance. Would definitely recommend

[nika.ex.libris · Rating 3 out of 5]

First off, thanks NetGalley for the ARC!

So picture this: a woman shows up at your door, injured, and before she dies, she says, "Take her, he’s coming." After that, you take the woman’s daughter (who you lost custody of), grab the most important stuff, and run far away while the FBI thinks you killed the kid's mom.

Now, the couple in the book "Not Our Daughter" doesn’t need an introduction—they’ve been living in fear for 13 years, and then they’re on the run again.

This is my first time reading this author, and it’s probably not the best introduction since I love intense plots, and there's definitely tension here with the police chase and a hitman after them.

But I also want that shock factor in a story—that’s important to me—and honestly, nothing really shocked me here. It felt a bit predictable and easy.

The plot moves fast, which is a plus, but it also felt a bit naive for my taste.

Another good thing is that the chapters are from different characters' perspectives. I love seeing different viewpoints, even if they come to decisions pretty quickly.

If I’m remembering right, this is the second book I’ve read with the theme of living a secret life, and maybe that’s just not for me, though I would check out a movie adaptation.

The author's style is light and, if I can put it this way, kind of tasty, haha.

If you like thriller vibes, chases, family secrets, and want something quick to read in the evening, this is perfect!

I’ll give this book a 3.5 for the vibe

[Raven (_birdiesbookclub_) · Rating 4 out of 5]

HAPPY PUB DAY!!!!

As always, big thank you to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for the ARC copy of this impulsive thriller!

I've read a few Chad Zunker books now and he really knows how to pack the adrenaline punches throughout his books! I love the descriptive scenes he gives us and how his stories just flow so well.
This was another great read from him & I loved how this wrapped up.

Be sure to pick this one up for your TBR!

[kayleigh · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars ↠ this is probably one of my favorite books of 2025. i definitely had to suspend belief a bit and there were some plot holes, but i ate this up. the plot was fast paced from the start, i enjoyed the characters, i liked the different POVs, and i liked guessing and seeing where cole, lisa, and jade’s story was going to go. i was never bored and i enjoyed the ending, too. this was a great read and i’m glad i randomly found it on kindle unlimited!

[Jennifer *Nottoomanybooks* · Rating 4 out of 5]

OUT FEB. 11!

🔸on the run
🔸family secrets
🔸fugitives
🔸stolen child
🔸action packed start to finish
🔸edge of your seat
🔸cat and mouse
🔸short, coming in at 229 pages

I will definitely read this author again! I didn’t want to stop reading this, it was so crazy!

[Kate Cedras · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love love loved this! Twists and turns and things I didn’t anticipate or expect.. it had me thinking I knew when i truly had no clue!

4 solid stars and worth the recommendation to all thriller lovers!

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this arc in exchange for my honest review!

[PinkAmy loves books, cats and naps · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 STARS

Not quite the book I was expecting from the blurb, I still enjoyed NOT OUR DAUGHTER. Chad Zunker’s latest mystery kept me interested, though I had hoped for a less procedural, more emotional read.

NOT OUR DAUGHTER could have been 100 pages shorter if not for characters’ musings. Who could it be? Will I be shot? What will happen if I die? Seriously, the first one or two times, ok, but not every chapter.

[Victoria · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a solid thriller! I was engrossed from the first page and had a hard time putting this down! The pacing is good and the suspense is enticing. I would recommend this! Special Thank You to Chad Zunker, Thomas & Mercer and NetGalley for allowing me to read a complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Melissa Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Every time I start a Chad Zunker book, I know it will be an action packed wild ride from beginning to end! I absolutely loved this book and was on the edge of my seat the whole time. He does an amazing job of setting up an intriguing story that will make you not able to put the book down!

[Celeste Velocci (bookrecs_by_celeste) · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a very fast paced thriller that I listened to in less than a day. It was fine! I feel like the entire time i was reading I just kept telling myself “this whole thing could’ve been avoided if you just called the police from the start” that being said…I don’t want to say that it was far fetched because I understand why the characters did what they did but it just seemed kind of meh to me with how believable the plot was and how the case was solved in the book.

Thirteen years ago a couple was in the middle of adopting a daughter. They had had the daughter with them as a foster child and felt as if she was already theirs. The daughter’s birth mother decides she wants to keep the baby. Being obviously devastated the couple is tries to deal with the loss of what they thought was to be the beginning of parenthood. A sudden knock on the door one evening starts a domino effect of diabolical chaos. The birth mother appears on the couple’s doorstep recently attacked and dying. She tells the couple that they need to protect her daughter at all costs and that she’s in danger. They tried to save the mother but her attack was too far gone. Fleeing from their home the couple takes their daughter on the run and quickly puts themselves in a new life. Because of the devastation of the adoption falling through the FBI and all others believe this couple is responsible for the birth mother’s murder and for the fact that she is now dead on their property.

You can only run so far before you get caught up to. Now present day the past is quickly sneaking up on them and the law will stop at nothing to bring justice to the mother who was killed and her daughter who was taken all those years ago.

[Rachelle Banuelos · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun and action packed. I had really good time with this one. Yes I had to suspend reality in a lot of it. But if you love over the top thriller movies where people are running for their lives and ordinary people become masterminds aggravating the police then this perfect. No it’s not groundbreaking or the best thriller I ever read but it was a good time. And sometimes you’re just looking for a good time!

[LORI CASWELL · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dollycas’s Thoughts

He’s coming here…for her! Save her.

That’s what the mother of the baby Cole and Lisa Shipley have been fostering says as she was bleeding to death on their doorstep. Unsure of what to do and no time to think Cole and Lisa take the baby and disappear. They are immediately accused of the woman’s death because their efforts to adopt the child didn’t go as they had planned. In an effort to prove their innocence, they send a video to an attorney to give to police but it changes nothing.

Thirteen years later they are living in a small town in Colorado. Using aliases they have become part of the community and actually feel safe. Then Cole makes a mistake that makes their whereabouts known. It is time to run again. Before they can get out of town there is another murder and Cole is wrongly blamed for the death. Moving quickly they start a journey to find another safe place but unlike the last time, they have a confused teenager with a lot of questions.

It is not just the FBI agent who has been on this case since it started trying to close his case. There is someone else after them with orders to kill.

Can this family reach safety? Will the truth finally be revealed? Or will Cole, Lisa, and their “daughter” become the killer’s next victims?

I found Chad Zunker a couple of years ago when I was looking for a “Z” author for a reading challenge and now I anxiously await each new book he writes.

In Not Our Daughter we meet Cole and Lisa Shipley. They are good people doing a good thing in fostering a baby, Jade, with hopes of adopting her. We also meet FBI Agent Mark Burns who has been trying to bring the Shipleys in from the start. He is also dealing with a moody teenage daughter after divorcing her mother. The author has created characters with so much depth that you can root for them immediately. I enjoy the way they evolved through the story with Agent Burns questioning himself about his theory. Cole and Lisa realizing they should have told Jade more or as much as her age could handle. Her willingness to be involved in the quest to save them shows she was brought up right and mature for her age after she finally knew the truth. The family’s love was palpable and Cole and Lisa would go above and beyond to keep Jade safe.

This story is full of action that unfolds at breakneck speed. Cole and Lisa had a plan but the FBI was close and fast so adjustments had to be made. Before they could even get out of town bullets were flying and roads were being blocked. The chase was on and some heartwarming family moments were interweaved with the edge-of-your-seat suspense. Again plans needed to change and soon they were changing on the fly as the danger increased. The short cliffhanging chapters make the book extremely hard to put down. With the author’s detailed descriptions, I could easily envision every scene. This book would make a great movie.

Coming in at just under 250 pages I thought the ending was a little rushed but I was very happy that the reason this case popped up on everyone’s radar was addressed. It is left to our imagination whether there was follow-through and how the “long legal battle” played out.

Not Our Daughter was a terrific game of cat and mouse that I escaped right into. With genuine true-to-life characters, readers are taken on an intense and terrifying journey. Chad Zunker doesn’t disappoint.

I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review. Thank you to Thomas & Mercer and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC.

[Sharon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review to follow.

[Kristin (Readwithdubs) · Rating 5 out of 5]

WOW! This was a super fast-paced, action packed story that had me on the edge of my seat and flying through the pages. The author did a fantastic job of really grabbing the reader’s attention from the first chapter. Trust me when I say you’ll want to read this in one sitting because once you start you won’t be able to stop.

Not Our Daughter comes out on Feb 11th! Thank you so much to the author for my gifted ARC copy in exchange for my honest review!

[Lisa Aiello · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars that I'm rounding up to 5 because this was such a great edge of your seat, heart in your throat thriller. It was a tense, pulse pounding read as our main characters are on the run, trying to stay alive and protect their daughter while evading the FBI and an unknown person who wants nothing more than to eliminate them for reasons they don't understand. Cole and Lisa Shipley and their daughter are clever and manage to stay one slippery step ahead as they work to stay safe, remain a family, and try to gain back their lives.

[Mady Cox · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars… wasn’t life changing or anything amazing but it wasn’t terrible, it just felt really long for only being 230 pages

[Jackie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not Our Daughter was a propelling thriller, full of action that unfolded at a breakneck speed. Despite having read and loved numerous novels by Chad Zunker, I wasn’t prepared for such a propulsive cross country chase. Zunker produced an intensely riveting story. Not Our Daughter followed devoted parents, Cole and Lisa Shipley, turned desperate fugitives on a disturbing chase to bring their family closer to the truth they fled from so many years ago. From the prologue to the culmination, I was engrossed in the mad chase Cole and Lisa were on and the heartwarming family moments that were merged with this edge-of-your-seat excitement. I typically do not favor books with FBI investigations and fugitives on the loose, however, as a true Zunker follower and having had loved his previous work, I knew I couldn’t pass his newest release up. I am so glad that I didn’t and so pleased that I dove into this dynamic thriller with no expectations other than knowing it would be an entertaining ride.

Zucker established compelling protagonists, multiple cliff hangers, high stake situations, and a great deal of tension. And have I mentioned, suspense?! All these rousing elements made for a fascinatingly solid thriller with a cleverly crafted ending. Some may not find the culmination satisfying because it left much to be desired, therefore leaving the protagonists circumstances to your imagination on whether there was follow-through and how the “long legal battle” played out is the question. Although this was not an anticipated ending, I found it appropriate based on the context of this story; and perhaps there will be a sequel to this book one day.

Overall, I was completely invested in the Shipley family’s horrific plight and I was entertained throughout. If you’re going to divulge in Chad Zunker’s newest suspenseful thriller, be prepared to clear your day. You will not want to put this one down.

[Stacy40pages · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not Our Daughter by Chad Zunker. Thanks to @amazonpublishing for the gifted Arc ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thirteen years ago Cole and Lisa Shipley fled with their foster daughter after her mother came to them bleeding, dying, and begging them to hide her. The longer they ran, the guiltier they looked.

This one is a wild ride from start to finish. If you’re in the mood for action packed thriller with a well bonded family, this is it. The aren’t really any twists and the mystery is pretty straight forward, but that’s okay because there’s so much intense action.

“Life was basically normal here. Well, as normal as it could get when they were still on the FBI’s most wanted list.”

Not Our Daughter comes out 2/11.

[Katie Varek · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars. It did keep my attention and it had potential but then it fell short some where. It's about a couple who have been fostering a child in hopes to adopt, but so much drama occurs that makes the couple ditch their lives and start new ones. The world thinks they abducted their foster daughter but secrets are let out and all they were doing was trying to protect her. It was filled with drama, maybe a little bit too much drama that almost made it hard to follow in ways. Over all the concept was good but some plot points left me confused and filled with questions. Also wasn't a fan of the ending.