The Fourth Daughter

by Lyn Liao Butler

In Taiwan, the bond between grandmother and granddaughter opens up a healing world for them both in an inspiring family saga about the comfort of food, untold histories, and indomitable mother love.

Chef Liv Kuo’s star is on the rise…until a traumatic incident leaves her emotionally unable to venture outside her Manhattan apartment. But an unexpected reason to break free comes from Ah-Ma, Liv’s beloved grandmother in Taiwan. Ah-Ma needs Liv’s help in finding her fourth daughter, taken from her when the girl was an infant. After all these years, it seems impossible. It’s also a mystery: Ah-Ma’s fourth daughter is an aunt Liv never even knew existed.

After landing in Taiwan, Liv hears the heartbreaking story of her grandmother’s plight in a country once under martial law, of choices made for her, and of the hopeful search for a lost girl that has endured for more than sixty years. Like the enriching food and traditions that bind Liv and Ah-Ma, their journey for answers brings them together.

And it’s a quest that turns up both a precious old cookbook and a tale of fatal betrayal that shakes everything Liv believed about her family—revelations that could also give her the courage to face the trauma she left behind.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, Mystery, Historical, Asia, Family, Ebooks

299 pages, Paperback

First published August 1, 2025

About the author

Lyn Liao Butler was born in Taiwan and moved to the States when she was seven. Before becoming an author, she was a professional ballet and modern dancer, and is still a personal trainer, fitness instructor, and yoga instructor. She is an avid animal lover and fosters dogs as well as volunteers with rescues.

When she is not torturing clients or talking to imaginary characters, Lyn enjoys spending time with her FDNY husband, their son (the happiest little boy in the world), their three stubborn dachshunds, sewing for her Etsy shop, and trying crazy yoga poses on a stand-up paddleboard. So far, she has not fallen into the water yet.

Reviews

[Jacqueline Blaszczak · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is incredibly predictable and reads like young adult. I’m so surprised how high the ratings are. Expected much more. 3 stars bc it’s sweet but certainly not riveting.

[Tracy · Rating 3 out of 5]

An enjoyable book that gave me a bit of a history lesson of Taiwan. I thought there would be more of a mystery to unravel, but instead it all came too easy — the story, the history and the romance.

[theliterateleprechaun · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Life isn’t perfect either. But if we have a chance at happiness, I want to grab for it. Everything else is just logistics that we’ll figure out as we go along.”

This is a perfect read for National Friendship Day!

If it weren’t for her best friend, Ziyi, Yi-ping Wang would not have survived the loss of her fourth daughter, Yili. Yi-ping learned to live without her daughter because of her best friend’s love and encouragement, even though the hole in her heart continued to ache with every day that passed.

It made me thankful for the wonderful women, my sidekicks, who love, encourage and support me … daily. You know who you are. I appreciate our friendship.

I read about two families who lived through the martial-law era of Taiwan and about the hardships they endured during the reign of Kuomintang (KMT). I was completely ignorant about the KMT and the long arm of its reach, the fight for Taiwan’s independence, the White Terror, Buxibans, and the barbaric practice of shim-pua. My highlighter worked overtime in this 5-star binge-read.

Yi-ping had her fourth daughter, Yili, stolen from her by her husband for a shim-pua adoption. For 63 years, she mourned the loss of her daughter. This book opens with the 86-year-old pleading with her granddaughter to return to Taiwan and help her look for Yili.

The emotional story captivated me and the vivid descriptions of food had me Googling the closest Taiwanese restaurant so I could taste Rou Geng. I was in awe of the resilience of these people. I couldn’t imagine living in a time when a woman could do nothing about domestic abuse, knowing it was a common occurrence but that there was nothing she could do about it. I also couldn’t imagine living in a time when mental illness is seen as the ultimate form of shame, keeping individuals and families in torment without seeking help.

The granddaughter’s story gave good balance to an otherwise emotional narrative. Liv’s character explores what we do with our lives if the dream we always had is no longer something we want. Liv is supported by her boss and a man she meets during an anxiety attack at the airport. I wanted to give both men a big hug for understanding Liv.

“We were just two souls sharing a loss that reached across generations.”

I was gifted this copy and was under no obligation to provide a review.

[Wendy Hart · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this read. Set in Taiwan, it reveals much about the treatment of women in a troubled time in the history of Taiwan. The characters are relatable, and the dialogue is natural. The plot is full of emotion and there is an abundance of twists and turns. It is a very worthwhile read.

[Christine M in Texas (stamperlady50) · Rating 5 out of 5]

My 💭

A story filled with love, loss, trauma,discovery and healing. I enjoyed the unique bond of this granddaughter and grandmother. A journey which will heal them both in many ways.

I enjoyed hearing about a different country. The food and recipes noted in the book will make your mouth water.

Thank you Lyn for the advanced copy of your book. I can add it to the other books of yours I have. You have a remarkable way of immersing readers in your incredible novels.

[Irene C · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 🌟

This really struck a chord with me in a way I didn't think it would. It was a beautiful story 🥹

[Andrea · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5★

Set in Taiwan, this dual timeline story delivered big on the foodie novel I was hoping for, which allowed me to indulge a certain amount of predictability in the family drama and romance. I haven't read this author before but would certainly consider other titles she writes in future.

Taiwanese American chef, Liv Kuo, has been isolating herself from the world following a traumatic workplace incident. That is, until her grandmother surprises her one day with a revelation and a request. Ah Ma believes she has seen her stolen daughter on the streets of Taichung, and she wants Liv to travel from New York to help track her down for a longed-for reunion.

The earlier timeline details how the fourth daughter was stolen, while the present day timeline covers the search for the little girl who is now a woman in her 60s.

This was an easy, enjoyable read. The only thing I really didn't like about it was the rationale for the workplace incident that caused Liv's PTSD (but on the other hand, it's probably no less unfathomable than some of the real stories of violence that come out of the USA on a regular basis).

[CarolinaBookBliss · Rating 2 out of 5]

The Fourth Daughter by Lyn Liao Butler.
A powerful and emotional read that shines a light on the injustices faced by women and girls in Taiwan's past.
The story of family, love, and resilience is beautifully woven, with vivid descriptions of Taiwanese culture and history.
While I appreciated the novel's emotional depth, the writing style felt a bit straightforward at times. I felt it lacked prose and imagery.
Nonetheless, the characters are relatable, making this a compelling and thought provoking read.
Overall, it's a nice short book for fans of historical fiction and family dramas.
Thank you to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for the opportunity to read and review this Advanced Release Copy.

[Schy · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book would have made more sense if the main character was 20, not 35. Her maturity level is disappointing: thinking she's "broken" after a traumatic event without even considering therapy, not understanding why Simon had to cancel on her for work , her relationship with her best friend, etc. It's lovely and understandable but it's childish.
Aside from that, she's apparently maintained housing in manhattan while not working for 5 months, I don't know how much of a savings she had but that stuck out from the start.
In a journal entry from 1976, Ang-Li says he "wouldn't visit Taiwan again until 2017." I love the format of the book and the story-telling povs but how could he have written that back then. Small details like that really took me out of the wonderful story.

[The Bookish Elf · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lyn Liao Butler's The Fourth Daughter emerges as a powerful testament to the enduring bonds between generations, weaving together a contemporary tale of trauma recovery with a historical narrative of unimaginable sacrifice. This multi-layered novel demonstrates Butler's growing mastery as a storyteller, building upon the foundation established in her previous works The Tiger Mom's Tale, Red Thread of Fate, and Someone Else's Life.

The novel centers on Chef Liv Kuo, a talented but struggling culinary professional who has been unable to leave her Manhattan apartment for months following a traumatic shooting at her restaurant that claimed her colleague's life. When her beloved Taiwanese grandmother, Yi-ping, calls with an urgent request to help find her long-lost fourth daughter, Liv embarks on a journey that becomes as much about her own healing as it is about reuniting a fractured family.

The Weight of Historical Trauma

Butler excels in her portrayal of Taiwan during the martial law period, crafting a historical backdrop that feels both authentic and deeply personal. Yi-ping's story unfolds through alternating timelines, revealing how her infant daughter Yili was torn from her arms in 1961 by her own husband, who viewed the fourth daughter as a harbinger of bad luck. The superstition surrounding the number four in Taiwanese culture becomes a haunting metaphor for the ways in which arbitrary beliefs can destroy lives.

The historical elements of the novel are particularly compelling, drawing from Butler's own research into Taiwan's political upheaval during the KMT era. The author doesn't shy away from depicting the brutality of martial law, the arbitrary arrests, and the climate of fear that pervaded daily life. Through the character of Ang-Li, a journalist whose wife is arrested for alleged espionage, Butler illustrates how political persecution tore families apart and forced impossible choices upon ordinary citizens.

Culinary Connections and Cultural Identity

Food serves as both a bridge between cultures and a pathway to healing throughout the narrative. Butler's descriptions of Taiwanese cuisine are vivid and sensual, from the comforting congee that Yi-ping prepares for Liv's arrival to the elaborate braised pork belly that becomes a symbol of family tradition. The author demonstrates particular skill in showing how cooking can serve as a form of meditation and recovery, as Liv slowly rediscovers her passion for culinary creation through her grandmother's recipes.

Chef Wu's harsh but necessary criticism of Liv's cooking philosophy serves as a crucial turning point in her character development. His observation that she has been "imitating, replicating what you think Asian food should be" rather than cooking from her own cultural soul resonates beyond the kitchen, reflecting broader questions about identity and authenticity that many second and third-generation immigrants face.

Character Development and Emotional Depth

Liv's journey from trauma survivor to someone capable of helping others is portrayed with remarkable sensitivity. Butler avoids the trap of presenting a linear healing process, instead showing how recovery comes in waves, with setbacks and breakthroughs occurring in unpredictable patterns. The panic attacks are written with visceral authenticity, never feeling exploitative or overly dramatic.

Yi-ping emerges as perhaps the novel's most compelling character, a woman whose decades of searching for her lost daughter have shaped every aspect of her existence. Her relationship with food, her memories, and her unwavering hope create a portrait of maternal love that transcends time and geography. The revelation that she has been mentally including her missing daughter in daily activities for over sixty years provides one of the novel's most heartbreaking moments.

Structural Strengths and Minor Weaknesses

Butler's decision to alternate between Liv's present-day narrative and Yi-ping's historical storyline creates effective dramatic tension, though the pacing occasionally feels uneven. Some readers may find the romantic subplot between Liv and Simon somewhat underdeveloped compared to the richly detailed family relationships that form the novel's emotional core.

The supporting characters, particularly Clare and Sue, feel somewhat less fully realized than the protagonists, serving more as plot devices than as complete individuals. Additionally, while the resolution of the search for the fourth daughter is satisfying, it arrives through a series of coincidences that strain credibility, even within the novel's hopeful framework.

A Meditation on Family and Forgiveness

What elevates The Fourth Daughter beyond a simple family saga is its nuanced exploration of forgiveness and the weight of family secrets. The revelation about Liv's grandfather's role in the political persecution that destroyed other families adds moral complexity to the narrative, forcing characters to grapple with how to love family members while acknowledging their harmful actions.

The novel's treatment of trauma—both personal and historical—avoids easy answers while maintaining hope for healing. Butler suggests that recovery is not about forgetting or moving on, but about finding ways to carry pain without being consumed by it.

Literary Merit and Cultural Significance

Butler's prose style has matured considerably since her earlier works, demonstrating greater confidence in balancing intimate character moments with broader historical themes. Her ability to seamlessly integrate Taiwanese cultural elements without over-explaining for Western audiences shows sophisticated cultural storytelling.

The novel makes an important contribution to Asian American literature by centering Taiwanese experiences during a historically significant but often overlooked period. Butler's author's note reveals that the book was inspired by her work editing Li-pei Wu's memoir Two Countries, and this connection to real historical testimony lends additional weight to the fictional narrative.

Minor Criticisms and Considerations

While the novel generally succeeds in its ambitious scope, some elements feel slightly rushed. The romance between Liv and Simon, while sweet, lacks the emotional depth of the family relationships. Additionally, certain plot revelations, particularly surrounding the identity of Clare and Sue, rely heavily on coincidence in ways that may stretch reader acceptance.

The novel's length allows for extensive character development, but some scenes could benefit from tighter editing, particularly in the middle section where the dual timelines occasionally feel repetitive rather than complementary.

A Resonant Achievement

Despite minor structural issues, The Fourth Daughter stands as Butler's most accomplished work to date. It successfully balances historical significance with contemporary relevance, creating a narrative that honors both personal healing and collective memory. The novel's exploration of how family secrets ripple across generations feels particularly relevant in our current moment of cultural reckoning with historical trauma.

For readers who appreciate multigenerational family sagas with historical depth, this novel offers both emotional satisfaction and cultural education. Butler has created characters who feel real enough to worry about and a story that lingers long after the final page.

[Louie · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good story although not as well written as I would have liked...needed a more poetic writing style..this felt a little inexperienced.

Also hoped for more of a mystery, the answers all fell into place a little too easily...oh you've lost your daughter?..there she is. The end.

Decent enough though to warrant 3 stars
And it did make me cry

[Katerina · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book is about family drama, superstition, and the second rate treatment of women in Taiwan. A baby is born to a family where only a son will make the man of the house happy. Unfortunately, the baby is a girl, a fourth in the family of girls. The man decides to get rid of it, after all this is just a hungry girl.

Years later, a woman in Manhattan gets a phone call from her grandmother that she might have found her fourth daughter. The woman thinks the old lady has gone insane. But she doesn't know her family's story.

This is an interesting read, however, the writing style of the author is not my cup of tea. Straightforward, AI generated, YA, or somewhere in between?

Hope she has many readers who enjoy her books.

NetGalley, thank you for the digital review copy in exchange for my thoughts

[KellyK · Rating 5 out of 5]

The research for this book was undoubtedly a daunting task, but well done! This story was gut-wrenching. I couldn't even imagine the horrors that took place at that time. The resiliency of the main character and secondary characters was inspiring. Excellent book!

[Nancy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This started as a five star book for me. By the end, I was skimming. The back and forth point of view from different characters was nicely done. That sort of technique usually bothers me. There were way too many characters and relationships to keep track of. I enjoyed the discussion of foods and recipes but that grew tedious. The relationship of Liv and Simon was sweet but predictable.

[Ellen Shaffer · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked this book!

[Annie · Rating 5 out of 5]

sobbed like a baby. such a good book

[William de_Rham · Rating 4 out of 5]

Readers seeking a story filled with emotion and “happy endings” may well wish to consider Lyn Liao Butler’s newest novel, “The Fourth Daughter.” Set mostly in Taiwan, it is a family saga that explores Taiwan’s modern history and culture.

Livia is a talented sous chef living and working in Manhattan and well on her way to achieving her dream of becoming an executive chef. But then, a horrific incident at the restaurant leaves her so paralyzed by PTSD that she can barely leave her apartment.

Several months after the incident, Livia’s “Ah – Ma” (grandmother), Yi-Ping, calls from Taiwan and drops a bombshell. While at a crowded outdoor market, she glimpsed a woman in her sixties who, judging from the heart-shaped birthmark behind her ear, could very well be her fourth daughter, Yili, taken from her and given to another family so many years ago. Before Yi-Ping could approach the woman, she disappeared into the crowd.

Now, Yi-Ping wants Livia to come to Taiwan and use her tech/internet skills to help search for Yili, the aunt Livia never knew she had. Struggling to keep her PTSD at bay, Livia flies from New York to Taiwan to join her Ah - Ma and find Yili. The novel goes on to portray Livia’s time in Taiwan, her close relationship with her grandmother, the man she meets, the passion she rediscovers, and connections with family she never knew she had.

For the most part, the story is an interesting one, set in both the present and the past. We learn how Yi-Ping lost her daughter, which reveals much about how things were, and how women were treated, as recently as the 1960’s and 70’s. Author Lyn Liao Butler strives to infuse her story with Taiwanese modern history and various aspects of its culture, including, most notably, its food. Her descriptions of recipes, as well as the street foods available at the “night market” in Taichung (the island’s second largest city), had me wanting to visit.

However, I did have problems with some of the writing. The prose struck me as sometimes melodramatic and often, too reliant on descriptions of what characters were feeling, many of which were repetitive. Time and time again, thoughts and emotions “swirl;” lips are “pressed,” “parted,” “bitten,” and “chewed;” stomachs “roil,” “drop,” “flutter,” and fill with “dread;” characters are left “longing.”

Also, readers should be aware this is a story that relies a lot on coincidence. For me, that somewhat negatively affected the novel’s credibility. However, coincidence is a time-honored device which many readers enjoy. While I’m not crazy about the device, I thought the coincidences here, for the most part, were pretty well handled.

All in all, 3.5 stars rounded up to 4.

[Sabah (literallysabah) · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars 🌟

This is one of those books that remain with you forever, one of those books that not only make you experience a wave of emotions, but teach you things in a way no history book could capture.

How did I know so little about the history of Taiwan and China and everything that happened in the lead up? It’s fascinating and I applaud books like this (although fiction using fictional characters), for introducing ignorant people like me to the hardships the Taiwanese people faced.
I vaguely recall hearing about the KMT and more recently the Pan-Green coalition. I have so much to learn and fictional books that give me a slight insight, peak my interest to go and learn more.

Onto the actual story, it melted my heart. Spanning over a few generations and including everything from the passion for food, culture and exploring the depth of different relationships. This book is filled with love, loss, betrayal, drama, family feuds, politics and everything in between. Absolutely loved it!

Highly recommend!!!

[Elizabeth Bunston · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book had a lot of potential, but the writing really let it down for me. The beginning drew me in, but once the narrative shifted to Liv’s perspective, I lost interest. I did enjoy learning about Taiwanese culture and history, and I found Yi-Ping’s story absolutely heartbreaking. However, the dual timeline didn’t work for me, I think I would have enjoyed the book much more if it had focused on just one. My biggest disappointment was that the story tended to tell rather than show, which made it difficult to stay immersed.

[Book Night Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was a story that made me cry so much...

Liv who suffers from her own issues joins her grandmother in Taiwan to find her fourth daughter missing for sixty-three years. As the story progresses, we see Yi-Ping's narrative of how she lost her child and how her life was in Taiwan.

I was so touched by what Yi-Ping had to go through in her life. Add to that, the life led by her bestfriend, Ziyi is no different. I felt helpless at their circumstances and became a silent spectator, feeling their pain but unable to do anything.

The story was interesting and I was curious to know how Yi-Ping lost her child and where she was. I was so worried that they might not find her. I felt the anxiety felt by Liv related to this as well.

The story had romance, sisterhood, and motherhood interlaced and made it engaging for me. Other than a bit stretched out and repetitive middle part, the book was overall excellent.

I loved how the story made me feel and the crying session in the end made this a memorable experience!

[Kayli · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Fourth Daughter is a heartbreaking tale of a woman’s lifelong pursuit to find her youngest daughter, who was wrongfully rehoused by her politically corrupt husband.

After a tragedy at work, Liv becomes a recluse in the city that never sleeps. After a heart-to-heart video call with her Ah-ma (grandmother), Liv decides that she can’t live in fear forever, and her next destination is Taiwan. Together, they cook mouth watering-recipes, break down true family history & look for Yili — the once young daughter.

This book was so much more than I thought it was going to be. Within the first few chapters I knew it would break my heart in a deep way & then put it all back together again. The amount of research that went into this book is something I can hardly fathom. It was a pleasant surprise to learn about the Taiwanese culture, & I wasn’t kidding when I mentioned mouth-watering recipes. My only criticism is the conclusion of the book felt too coincidental as it pertains to the two families knowing one another, but I can get past that considering all that this book left me with.

May we all have a friend like Ziyi in every lifetime.

Thank you to Amazon First Reads, Lake Union Publishing & Lyn Liao Butler.

Expected Publication Date: August 1, 2025 (tomorrow!)

[Deborah Sherman · Rating 4 out of 5]

The love for a child never dies.

This was a great story. I had a hard time putting it down. A very sad story overall that ended with much deserved happiness. This is an emotional novel that bridges the past with the present. The historical elements of the novel showed Taiwan's political upheaval during the KMT era; depicting the brutality of martial law, the arbitrary arrests that were made, and the overall climate of fear that became the norm in the people's daily life. This is the story of families during that time who were forced into impossible choices to survive. I highly recommend.

[Karlie Nelson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m giving 4 stars because I like the idea of the storyline, I felt this was a really predictable read otherwise.

This is a a sweet story with nicely developed characters.

[Jumi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rated 3.5/5, rounded here to 4.

Overall, a good read. The story progresses through two timelines—as seen in many historical fiction—Yi-Ping's timeline that starts with 1959's Taichung (city in Taiwan) and Liv's—who's Yi-Ping's granddaughter, current day timeline in Manhattan. Liv decides to visit Taichung to help Yi-Ping in her search for a lost daughter.

The major point of dissatisfaction of the novel is that, it is highly predictable:

1. Liv's career trajectory is something seasoned readers would predict from the plot summary itself

2. The romance that comes with her meeting Simon is also predictable, I mostly skip read that part, reading only one sentence per paragraph. I liked how things pans out here for the two.

3. Even Yi-Ping's search for her daughter is also not something unheard of in historical dramas, and we had read a much better storyline for lost relatives in Dust Child by Nguyễn Phan Quế Mai.

So, why do I still call The Fourth Daughter a good read?

The hero of the story is the timeline that follows Yi-Ping's life in Taichung as a daughter-in-law in the powerful Wang household. The general atmosphere of political and female oppression comes through well, and here the stories feel real; I could see with my eyes the medicine store in the street, I could see Yi-Ping lost in her thoughts as she made dumplings, I could see Clare's fearful eyes and busy hands as she watched and helped her father prepare to flee the country. Yi-Ping's storyline in Taichung is the hero of the story, and not only it makes the book a good read but also helps to understand a bit of Taiwanese history.

I would like to compartmentalise my review into 4 parts when it comes to rating:

1. For Yi-Ping and Co.'s storyline in Taichung, I would rate 3.85/5. What more I wished here was some more definite political backdrop that could have given better structure to the historical part of the novel. Just a couple of lines here and there, stating a couple of major political events and their year of occurrence would have enhanced the novel a lot more.

2. For the storyline of Liv's journey as a chef, I would rate 3/5. This was so predictable. But still, done with honesty.. I loved the food she cooked with her grandmother, but this has been too done and dusted—especially with rising popularity of Japanese and Korean literature where food often holds a prime place. For this part to be enticing, something more has to be brought to the table. Am just happy that the author didn't complicate the plot too much with the production house angle.

3. This is miscellaneous, and here I rate 3.25/5. I would have hated it if the book takes us to Taiwan and doesn't walk us through a food Street. So points for that. But again, this has been too done and dusted, and in better ways by the first movers. Authors jumping into this bandwagon now will have to do more than describe how lively and bustling a food street is, or how delicious the food is. Certain coincidences like Liv meeting Simon was too convenient, but still done well. What I liked in Liv's storyline is her resistance to therapy and her gradual overcoming of it. One thing I didn't like is how one particular Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) practitioner was shown doling out poison in one instance; the situation could have been definitely handled better because the one who was killed with the poison was a threat to many. So a bit of light into the TCM man's reasoning could have been highlighted to justify his action, I worked out the justification in my mind, but overall TCM is an approach that already has its own share of prejudices to fight against, and then this kind of storyline doesn't help. Even in Jesse Q. Sutanto's aunty series, one of the aunts is seen to use psychoactive substance falsely in the name of TCM, and though hilarious, it doesn't help TCM. Overall authors have to be more refined in handling such subjects, otherwise this means digging a grave for a subject that comes with lots of traditional knowledge and wisdom.

4. This is for the overall reading experience, which was, despite all the cons I have pointed out, quite good, and here I rate 4/5. I enjoyed the characters of Liv, Yi-Ping, Zizi and Amy. Other characters are mostly functional in nature. I keep saying the storyline is predictable, and really it is, but the story seems to be written with a sincerity that comes across, and that makes it an engaged read. The writing is good and fast paced. Unnecessary dramas are avoided. I read some reviews where readers were disappointed because they expected a mystery. I don't know what's been the marketing pitch for this novel, but at no point I felt lured by any hint of mystery, and then left hanging.

All compartmentalised ratings taken together , the average rating of this book comes to 3.5/5

I usually don't go into such elaborate analysis of rating, but I wanted to explore the various ways the books impacted me and this rating analysis helped me achieve it, so here it is.

I would definitely check out more books by the author.

Thanks to NetGalley and publisher for a copy of this novel. The opinions expressed here are unbiased and a reflection of my reading experience.

Q. Do I recommend The Fourth Daughter to my fellow readers?
A. Yes. ❤️

[Cayla Gao · Rating 5 out of 5]

Words cannot describe how much this book has affected me. I've lost track of how many times I've cried, of sadness, empathy and happiness. So special to have been reading this during and after my own trip to Taiwan, where I went to some of the same places described in the book so had the pleasure of reliving it. Taiwan will always have a special place in my heart and that of my late mother's, who I thought of frequently while reading this. So thankful to learn more about the country's dark history and celebrate the resilience of its people. This story felt so lovingly crafted and I know it'll stick with me for a long time.

[XiXi · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book made me hungry — literally! I loved the storytelling and the different POVs capturing each character’s experience living in Taiwan. I also appreciated how the story touched on the importance of therapy and healing, especially since that can be a taboo topic in some families. I do wish we could’ve seen whether Ah-Ma would be open to therapy too, given her own traumatic past.

Genre-wise, this felt more like a Young Adult novel to me — some of the characters and events came across a bit childish or unrealistic at times. For most of the book, I honestly thought Livi was in her 20s, not her 30s! Still, I really enjoyed this read overall.

[Kelly Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

This just might be my favorite book of 2025 so far. Beautifully written. Kept me engaged from page 1. Highly recommend.

[Reisa Bolog · Rating 5 out of 5]

A multigenerational story of love and loss. I never thought I’d enjoy reading about Taiwanese history but here I am! This book was very well written and I lost myself in the story. Highly recommend!

[Elizabeth Moore · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very touching story about life, love & loss.

[Beth · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 I enjoyed the story, and the history, but everything just fell into place so easily and tied together with a shiny red bow.