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Dead Daddy Issues
Tarot reader Leia Sparks has always believed in fate, but as she stands over her father's coffin she knows he'd still be alive if she hadn't messed with his.
Haunted by a secret guilt, Leia confesses her story to a Catholic Priest, recalling her fateful move back to her conservative hometown to fix her relationship with the teenage kids she'd lost custody of. Propelled by an ominous psychic reading, Leia is determined to stay one step ahead of fate and break her family's generational cycles of dysfunction, but her return is full of a punishing ex-husband, judgmental locals, not to mention the haunting reminders of her parent's scandalous divorce 20 years before; thank goodness she has her wild best friend, Sadie, the one person who would never betray her.
When Leia’s charming, alcoholic, and estranged father, Leo, shows up on her doorstep looking to make amends, she believes it’s fate and lets him move in, turning her world upside down and forcing her to make unthinkable decisions for her family’s future.
Dead Daddy Issues is a raw and lyrical 'coming-of-middle-age' family drama about a woman’s struggle to fix her family and make peace with her father, while he challenges her ideas about forgiveness, fate, and sacrifice.
For fans of The Push by Ashley Audrain and The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath.
Haunted by a secret guilt, Leia confesses her story to a Catholic Priest, recalling her fateful move back to her conservative hometown to fix her relationship with the teenage kids she'd lost custody of. Propelled by an ominous psychic reading, Leia is determined to stay one step ahead of fate and break her family's generational cycles of dysfunction, but her return is full of a punishing ex-husband, judgmental locals, not to mention the haunting reminders of her parent's scandalous divorce 20 years before; thank goodness she has her wild best friend, Sadie, the one person who would never betray her.
When Leia’s charming, alcoholic, and estranged father, Leo, shows up on her doorstep looking to make amends, she believes it’s fate and lets him move in, turning her world upside down and forcing her to make unthinkable decisions for her family’s future.
Dead Daddy Issues is a raw and lyrical 'coming-of-middle-age' family drama about a woman’s struggle to fix her family and make peace with her father, while he challenges her ideas about forgiveness, fate, and sacrifice.
For fans of The Push by Ashley Audrain and The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath.
321 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 1, 2024
About the author
Corrin DaCosta
2 books2 followersCorrin DaCosta is a rising voice in contemporary fiction, known for her raw and tragic stories that mirror the emotional complexities of real life. Raised in the picturesque town of Chelan, Washington, DaCosta now calls Seattle home.
Her debut novel, "Dead Daddy Issues", released in July 2024, tells the story of Tarot reader Leia Sparks who, haunted by a secret guilt at her father’s funeral, confesses the truth about her father’s death to a Catholic priest. Exploring fate, forgiveness and the lingering impact of our relationship with our parents, “Dead Daddy issues” showcases DaCosta’s fresh storytelling voice and challenges the reader to contemplate the moral ambiguities of personal freedom.
This October, readers can expect her novelette, "One Week of Good Deeds," written in the style of Dirty Realism made famous by such authors as Carver & Bukowski, further cementing her reputation for crafting poignant, slice-of-life tales.
DaCosta's unique perspective is informed by her eclectic background, including years as a massage therapist and Tarot reader. These experiences infuse her writing with a deep understanding of human nature and the unseen forces that shape our lives.
Her debut novel, "Dead Daddy Issues", released in July 2024, tells the story of Tarot reader Leia Sparks who, haunted by a secret guilt at her father’s funeral, confesses the truth about her father’s death to a Catholic priest. Exploring fate, forgiveness and the lingering impact of our relationship with our parents, “Dead Daddy issues” showcases DaCosta’s fresh storytelling voice and challenges the reader to contemplate the moral ambiguities of personal freedom.
This October, readers can expect her novelette, "One Week of Good Deeds," written in the style of Dirty Realism made famous by such authors as Carver & Bukowski, further cementing her reputation for crafting poignant, slice-of-life tales.
DaCosta's unique perspective is informed by her eclectic background, including years as a massage therapist and Tarot reader. These experiences infuse her writing with a deep understanding of human nature and the unseen forces that shape our lives.
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
July 11, 2026
*Dead Daddy Issues* is a deeply emotional and beautifully layered family drama that explores forgiveness, generational trauma, and the complicated relationship between fate and personal choice. Corrin DaCosta crafts a story that is both intimate and psychologically rich, inviting readers into the life of a woman desperately trying to break cycles that have shaped her family for generations.
One of the novel's greatest strengths is Leia Sparks. As a tarot reader who believes in destiny yet struggles with overwhelming guilt over her father's death, she's a fascinating and emotionally complex protagonist. Her journey isn't about finding easy answers, it's about learning whether healing comes from changing fate or accepting the imperfections of the people we love, including ourselves.
What makes the novel especially compelling is the nuanced portrayal of family relationships. Leia's attempts to reconnect with her children, navigate a painful history with her ex-husband, and reconcile with her estranged father create an emotionally charged narrative that feels authentic at every turn. None of the characters are reduced to simple heroes or villains, making their conflicts feel remarkably human.
I also appreciated how seamlessly the novel blends spiritual elements with emotional realism. Tarot and the question of destiny add an intriguing dimension to the story without overshadowing its deeper exploration of forgiveness, sacrifice, addiction, and the lasting impact of childhood wounds. The result is a novel that is both introspective and emotionally gripping.
*Dead Daddy Issues* is ultimately a moving story about confronting the past, rebuilding fractured relationships, and discovering that true healing often begins with self-forgiveness. Readers who enjoy literary fiction, women's fiction, and emotionally resonant family dramas will find this to be a powerful and memorable read.
One of the novel's greatest strengths is Leia Sparks. As a tarot reader who believes in destiny yet struggles with overwhelming guilt over her father's death, she's a fascinating and emotionally complex protagonist. Her journey isn't about finding easy answers, it's about learning whether healing comes from changing fate or accepting the imperfections of the people we love, including ourselves.
What makes the novel especially compelling is the nuanced portrayal of family relationships. Leia's attempts to reconnect with her children, navigate a painful history with her ex-husband, and reconcile with her estranged father create an emotionally charged narrative that feels authentic at every turn. None of the characters are reduced to simple heroes or villains, making their conflicts feel remarkably human.
I also appreciated how seamlessly the novel blends spiritual elements with emotional realism. Tarot and the question of destiny add an intriguing dimension to the story without overshadowing its deeper exploration of forgiveness, sacrifice, addiction, and the lasting impact of childhood wounds. The result is a novel that is both introspective and emotionally gripping.
*Dead Daddy Issues* is ultimately a moving story about confronting the past, rebuilding fractured relationships, and discovering that true healing often begins with self-forgiveness. Readers who enjoy literary fiction, women's fiction, and emotionally resonant family dramas will find this to be a powerful and memorable read.
July 11, 2026
I heard about this book after listening to an interview with the author on the Plotcast. I was intrigued by the premise- a dysfunctional family, a tarot card reader, a return to a small town after time away, and daddy issues, which are all very relatable to me. Yes, even the tarot card reading part. I have multiple family members who read cards and it's been a part of many family functions, at least peripherally.
There is a lot I enjoyed about this book. The setting pulled me in- not just rural Washington, but the house and its importance to the family. Even the descriptions of the first house Leia stayed at on the lake upon arrival- I could imagine my own visit to the area as a result.
The book tackles some big issues- mental health, morally murky characters, addiction, and broken families. The author does a good job of not shying away from these things, even if I would have liked the material to go even deeper. These things are gritty, they're generational, and some of the plot was a bit too tidy for my taste, at least at some points.
Leo was an interesting character. I didn't love the dialogue- especially between Leo and Leia, but I appreciated his erratic nature. Writing characters that don't act in expected ways, especially with the complex layers of addiction, a history of running away, and mental and physical health problems is a challenge. I struggle with this in my own writing- because it's hard to believe their actions if you've never been around someone like this. I believed in Leo because he reminded me of real people I know.
Overall, I liked this, and will check out more from this author in the future.
There is a lot I enjoyed about this book. The setting pulled me in- not just rural Washington, but the house and its importance to the family. Even the descriptions of the first house Leia stayed at on the lake upon arrival- I could imagine my own visit to the area as a result.
The book tackles some big issues- mental health, morally murky characters, addiction, and broken families. The author does a good job of not shying away from these things, even if I would have liked the material to go even deeper. These things are gritty, they're generational, and some of the plot was a bit too tidy for my taste, at least at some points.
Leo was an interesting character. I didn't love the dialogue- especially between Leo and Leia, but I appreciated his erratic nature. Writing characters that don't act in expected ways, especially with the complex layers of addiction, a history of running away, and mental and physical health problems is a challenge. I struggle with this in my own writing- because it's hard to believe their actions if you've never been around someone like this. I believed in Leo because he reminded me of real people I know.
Overall, I liked this, and will check out more from this author in the future.
December 25, 2024
This book intrigued me in the beginning and then kept me wanting to continue to turn pages until the end! Excited to interview the author on the Book Barn Book Club Podcast after the first of the year. Give it a go!
January 16, 2025
A well written book with the perfect amount of suspense and mystery. Can’t wait to read more from Corrin!
January 3, 2025
A fun and wild ride! Relatable and realistic. I enjoyed every page of this read and all its plot twists!
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews