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The Perfect Daughter
A perfect daughter. A perfect monster.When Anna and David adopt twelve-year-old Mia, it feels like their family is finally complete. She’s polite, intelligent, and eager to please—everything they’d hoped for. But when Mia’s behavior toward Anna turns cold and unsettling while remaining perfect for David, cracks begin to show.
Small accidents around the house, strange conversations, and moments that don’t add up leave Anna questioning her own sanity. As the tension builds, she realizes that bringing Mia into their home wasn’t just a mistake—it might destroy their family forever.
Small accidents around the house, strange conversations, and moments that don’t add up leave Anna questioning her own sanity. As the tension builds, she realizes that bringing Mia into their home wasn’t just a mistake—it might destroy their family forever.
- GenresThriller
342 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 16, 2025
174 people are currently reading
152 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
November 25, 2025
Sadly this was a very lackluster thriller that incidentally lacked the thrills. The daughter occasionally says bad things and it’s not entertaining at all. I’m sticking with better authors you’ll do well to avoid this book. Poor.
March 8, 2025
It was a good read & interesting story. But, I had read a comment saying the repetitive-ness of the same sentences over and over was annoying as all get out. And wasn’t that the dang truth. It was almost infuriating how much they were repeated, like often multiple times in a single chapter, and there were 80 chapters. It was a story like I’d never read before, but that aspect drove me mad.
February 16, 2025
A Darkly Gripping Psychological Thriller That Keeps You Guessing!
This book is a masterclass in tension, pulling you into a web of unease from the very first page. With an atmosphere thick with suspicion, the story revolves around a seemingly perfect family dynamic that begins to unravel as unsettling behaviors emerge. The author does an incredible job of making you question everything—who is really in control, what is manipulation, and how far can trust be stretched before it shatters?
The pacing is relentless, with each chapter tightening the psychological noose around the protagonist, leaving you desperate for answers yet dreading what they might be. The antagonist—an eerily intelligent 13-year-old—is written with chilling precision, their every action laced with an unsettling blend of innocence and menace. What makes the story truly compelling is the psychological depth of each character; their fears, their doubts, and their desperate attempts to make sense of the chaos feel achingly real.
With sharp writing, twists that genuinely surprise, and an ending that lingers long after the final page, this is a thriller that will haunt your thoughts. Perfect for fans of slow-burning psychological suspense with a deeply unsettling edge.
This book is a masterclass in tension, pulling you into a web of unease from the very first page. With an atmosphere thick with suspicion, the story revolves around a seemingly perfect family dynamic that begins to unravel as unsettling behaviors emerge. The author does an incredible job of making you question everything—who is really in control, what is manipulation, and how far can trust be stretched before it shatters?
The pacing is relentless, with each chapter tightening the psychological noose around the protagonist, leaving you desperate for answers yet dreading what they might be. The antagonist—an eerily intelligent 13-year-old—is written with chilling precision, their every action laced with an unsettling blend of innocence and menace. What makes the story truly compelling is the psychological depth of each character; their fears, their doubts, and their desperate attempts to make sense of the chaos feel achingly real.
With sharp writing, twists that genuinely surprise, and an ending that lingers long after the final page, this is a thriller that will haunt your thoughts. Perfect for fans of slow-burning psychological suspense with a deeply unsettling edge.
March 22, 2025
So much potential and it falls flat
The premise is clever and I wanted to see it through. However, there are so many glaring mistakes and impossibilities, it felt like a six grader wrote it. In one crucial part, the names of two of the main characters are wrong. (David and Anna HARPER? Uh… no, they don’t share a last name with the adoption agent…)
The legal issues were so far off base, and even the most basic common sense scenes were twisted. You do not leave a burning building as inhaling flames, gasoline, etc.) and not get taken to the ER. The first responders do not let you sit in the back of the ambulance and watch and nor do the police let you run off to check on another potential target.
Finally, one the most annoying things was the repetition of words, phrases and sentences. This isn’t Dr. Seuss reading material where you need to see the cat in the hat on every page.
It’s bad. The book is just bad. It’s a shame, because the plot was different from most thrillers. The author should’ve had Mia inheriting all the adoptive families property. Otherwise, it’s a terrible stretch to believe the motive.
Just go read Konrath, Joe Hill, Freida McFadden, Mark Edward’s, etc. You’re missing nothing by skipping this one.
The premise is clever and I wanted to see it through. However, there are so many glaring mistakes and impossibilities, it felt like a six grader wrote it. In one crucial part, the names of two of the main characters are wrong. (David and Anna HARPER? Uh… no, they don’t share a last name with the adoption agent…)
The legal issues were so far off base, and even the most basic common sense scenes were twisted. You do not leave a burning building as inhaling flames, gasoline, etc.) and not get taken to the ER. The first responders do not let you sit in the back of the ambulance and watch and nor do the police let you run off to check on another potential target.
Finally, one the most annoying things was the repetition of words, phrases and sentences. This isn’t Dr. Seuss reading material where you need to see the cat in the hat on every page.
It’s bad. The book is just bad. It’s a shame, because the plot was different from most thrillers. The author should’ve had Mia inheriting all the adoptive families property. Otherwise, it’s a terrible stretch to believe the motive.
Just go read Konrath, Joe Hill, Freida McFadden, Mark Edward’s, etc. You’re missing nothing by skipping this one.
November 30, 2025
3/5 ⭐️
I enjoyed the idea of this book and how it played out. I felt frustrated for the MC and the other characters played their parts perfectly to execute that feeling to the reader. I was waiting for justice and the ending gave me that. I like that the first and one of the last chapters had connection with signing papers at the kitchen table. The only thing that bothered me in this book was the repetition.
⚠️More than halfway through, there’s a chapter that is so repetitive (SPOILER WARNING)‼️ about Mia being turned into a “weapon” and Harper the “mastermind.” I counted and it was 5 times in just one chapter, countless times in the following chapters too. I had to skip those parts and some others, just because it was already said how many times. It might be minor to other readers though🤷🏼♀️
I enjoyed the idea of this book and how it played out. I felt frustrated for the MC and the other characters played their parts perfectly to execute that feeling to the reader. I was waiting for justice and the ending gave me that. I like that the first and one of the last chapters had connection with signing papers at the kitchen table. The only thing that bothered me in this book was the repetition.
⚠️More than halfway through, there’s a chapter that is so repetitive (SPOILER WARNING)‼️ about Mia being turned into a “weapon” and Harper the “mastermind.” I counted and it was 5 times in just one chapter, countless times in the following chapters too. I had to skip those parts and some others, just because it was already said how many times. It might be minor to other readers though🤷🏼♀️
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 7, 2025
I’m in two minds on whether I liked this book or hated it? 😂
I loved the plot, the short chapters and the pacing at the beginning. However I’m still a bit confused as to wtf was going on towards the end? The third act just makes 0 sense in my head, which is a total shame as I was thoroughly enjoying the book beforehand.
Some parts also seemed unnecessarily dark and for no reason?
I guess the premise was good, but the execution was too inconsistent for me
I loved the plot, the short chapters and the pacing at the beginning. However I’m still a bit confused as to wtf was going on towards the end? The third act just makes 0 sense in my head, which is a total shame as I was thoroughly enjoying the book beforehand.
Some parts also seemed unnecessarily dark and for no reason?
I guess the premise was good, but the execution was too inconsistent for me
April 12, 2025
Thrilling, yes
A child adopted to bring two parents together in love. Yet she favors one parent over the other and makes it obvious. It was a good story, although sometimes it seemed to be repetitive and predictable. Still it was a good story held me to the end, I will read more from this author.
A child adopted to bring two parents together in love. Yet she favors one parent over the other and makes it obvious. It was a good story, although sometimes it seemed to be repetitive and predictable. Still it was a good story held me to the end, I will read more from this author.
February 28, 2025
Good read
I really liked this book, however, there were times when I felt the author used the same phrases too many times. In my opinion, some of the placements of said phrases could have been replaced. Otherwise, this was a really good book and I'm glad I read it.
I really liked this book, however, there were times when I felt the author used the same phrases too many times. In my opinion, some of the placements of said phrases could have been replaced. Otherwise, this was a really good book and I'm glad I read it.
February 28, 2025
This book hit me like a slap! ;)
Seriously though the author is very talented, and the story is dark, captivating and immersive. The cast of characters is small and the novel places you in a mostly confined setting, but the suspense was constant and there wasn't a dull moment throughout.
Seriously though the author is very talented, and the story is dark, captivating and immersive. The cast of characters is small and the novel places you in a mostly confined setting, but the suspense was constant and there wasn't a dull moment throughout.
March 13, 2025
Wow!! Absolutely fantastic!
So much to take in. So much to think about. Sadness, distress, love, hate, horror, angst, manipulation and more. This is an absolute favorite book for me in a long time! Kudos Ms. Baxter!
So much to take in. So much to think about. Sadness, distress, love, hate, horror, angst, manipulation and more. This is an absolute favorite book for me in a long time! Kudos Ms. Baxter!
December 3, 2025
Daughter
Mia seems like the perfect daughter. The answer to a family's prayers. Things start happening. Is Mia at fault, or is something else happening? Psychological thriller full,of twists.
Mia seems like the perfect daughter. The answer to a family's prayers. Things start happening. Is Mia at fault, or is something else happening? Psychological thriller full,of twists.
March 2, 2025
This book took me on a wild ride....!!!
Coukd not turn pages fast enough!! Highly recommended!
Coukd not turn pages fast enough!! Highly recommended!
March 9, 2025
Utterly compelling
On boy what a rollacoster of a storey brilliant unfolds slowly keeping you guessing and turning the pages to the very end thoroughly enjoyed reading this book
On boy what a rollacoster of a storey brilliant unfolds slowly keeping you guessing and turning the pages to the very end thoroughly enjoyed reading this book
March 15, 2025
Highly recommend!
Really enjoyed this book, looking for a good read, try it, read it in couple of days, chilling characters, sorry it's finishec
Really enjoyed this book, looking for a good read, try it, read it in couple of days, chilling characters, sorry it's finishec
March 25, 2025
This book was hard to get through. The story in itself was okay but there was no need to say the same thing over and over again. It became monotonous. I actually cannot recommend this book.
March 25, 2025
Perfect thriller
This kept me on edge from the beginning. The only criticism is there were the same descriptions used several times. But, this was written so well.
This kept me on edge from the beginning. The only criticism is there were the same descriptions used several times. But, this was written so well.
March 31, 2025
I felt like this was written by a child. The author kept repeating themself every other sentence. Waste of a read
May 2, 2025
so repetitive main charactersays the same things over and over its super annoying, doesn't pick up until 50% into the book.
ending was satisfactory.
ending was satisfactory.
May 22, 2025
good
Pretty good story. But really, one match burned down the entire church, but no one smelled the gas? And everything was destroyed, but the sound recordings were still good?
Pretty good story. But really, one match burned down the entire church, but no one smelled the gas? And everything was destroyed, but the sound recordings were still good?
August 8, 2025
Loved this book!!!! The author really makes you hate this young girl and I also hated the husband and was rooting for the MC!!!
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews