My Daughter's Keeper: A BRAND NEW utterly heartbreaking family drama from Sheila Norton for 2026

by Sheila Norton

Discover a brand-new heart-wrenchingly emotional read for fans of Jodi Picoult, Jojo Moyes, and Kate Hewitt! 💔 You’d know if something was wrong… wouldn’t you? But danger doesn’t always wear a mask – it can hide in plain sight.

After a difficult break-up, my six-year-old Daisy is finally settling into life in two homes. She’s spending more time with her dad, his wealthy and glamorous partner Kirsty, and her new stepsisters, Amelia and Freya. She seems happier. More relaxed. Like she’s finally found her place.

It should be everything I ever wanted for her. So why does it feel like I’m losing her?

Then Daisy confesses something that stops me cold. Something I can’t ignore. That Amelia isn’t kind. Behind closed doors, she’s cruel. Violent even.

Everyone says it’s just normal sibling tension. A bit of jealousy. But the more I try to dismiss it, the harder it becomes to shake the feeling that something is deeply, dangerously wrong.

What would you do if your child told you they were being hurt by someone you trusted? Would you risk everything to protect them – even if no one believes you?

A powerful and emotional women’s fiction novel about motherhood and what we're willing to risk to protect the ones we love...

Praise for Sheila

'A well-crafted and brilliantly suspenseful novel that kept me guessing until the end.' Jo Bartlett

‘Loved this book!!!!!… Addictive. There was no way I was putting it down, I literally started reading the book around 10am and couldn't put it down until around 4am. Hahaha I'm so glad it was the weekend!!!!… I definitely recommend it!!!’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader review

‘A breathtaking novel about motherhood… I felt angst, tension, compassion, empathy, surprise and suspicion…. Do not miss this novel, especially if you enjoy reading about families and their realistic struggles and moments of joy…. Grabbed my heart… Phenomenally emotive.’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader review

‘A masterpiece story of a family finding their way… Hit all the feels for me and I was invested in the story from the beginning to the brilliant end. My emotions ran wild throughout this story and I would love to see this become a Netflix hit.’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader review

‘A remarkable tale depicting a family's journey through the complexities of emotional challenges. Norton's storytelling kept engrossed me from start to finish, leaving a lasting impact… Truly captivating.’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader review

Genres: Family Drama, Domestic Thriller

298 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 21, 2025

About the author

Winner of the RoNAs 'Christmas and Winter Seasonal Award' novel, 2022, with 'Winter at Cliff's End Cottage'.

I live in Chelmsford, UK, with my husband Alan. We have three married daughters and six grandchildren. I've been writing ever since I was a little girl, and finally achieved my lifelong ambition to have a novel published, with the acceptance in 2002 of 'The Trouble With Ally'. Prior to this, I'd been having short stories published in women's magazines for about ten years.

My most recent books are stories set in the English county of Devon, and most include pets in the story! They are feel-good contemporary fiction.

I worked for most of my life as a medical secretary. I now write full-time. I like to relax by reading, walking,swimming, and seeing my family and friends.

I am passionate about my writing and love to hear from my readers. I am also happy to give talks to writers' groups and others, and book signings, in my local area.

Reviews

[Sheila · Rating 2 out of 5]

I received a free copy of, My Daughter's Keeper, by Sheila Norton, from the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Tasha has divorced her cheating husband Craig. Their daughter Daisy shuffles between both houses, Craig's mistress also has children, but they take after there mother. When Daisy says she is being hurt , Tasha does not know what to do. All the adults in this book are horrible people, this was such a depressing read.

[Sherri Thacker · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another heartfelt psychological thriller by Sheila Norton. This is my 2nd book by this author and although a little slow at times, it picked up about midway through and there were a few twists at the end. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this advance copy in exchange for my honest review.

[Jasmine · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thanks to Netgalley and Boldwood Books for the digital arc!
3⭐️: This story follows Tasha after a breakup with her long term boyfriend and father of her child, Craig. Craig’s glamours new girlfriend Kirsty has daughters of her own—Amelia (12) and Freya (7). Their lavish lifestyle could not be more different than Tashas who struggles to make ends meet and resorts to online Bingo to find a solution, leading to a gambling addiction and severe debt. Tasha finds a solution to one problem and asks Kirsty to watch Daisy after school to avoid paying for childcare. After Daisy settles in to life between two homes, she begrudgingly confesses Amelia isn’t kind and can be violent at times. Tasha can’t shake the feeling her daughter is not safe around her new step sister, but she cannot afford to find childcare for Daisy. When secrets are revealed and lies are uncovered, Tasha begins to think things may be worse than she imagined.
If I had to describe this book in one word it would be MOTHERHOOD. The writing allowed me to feel the emotional hardships, compassion, and tension through the pages. Though the story felt slow at times, I still enjoyed uncovering the truth of what was happening at Whitegate House. A heartfelt psychological family drama that will grasp your attention from the beginning.
I would recommend to those who enjoy suspense, family drama, and Jojo Moyes.

[Booklover BEV · Rating 5 out of 5]

What would you do if your child told you they were been hurt by someone you trusted.
When Craig Tash's partner tells her he leaving her and their daughter Daisy for another woman the day after her birthday, she has no idea especially as it's his boss Kirsty.
His promise is to always be a part of his daughters life and wants to spend as much time with her as he can. He's got it all worked out.
With Tash having to move house to be near him and her job.
But trusting Kirstys family felt right till her daughter Daisy begs her not too.
This book is very emotional and upturning.
The blaim lies with so many characters playing the part that makes it such a harrowing read.
I enjoyed every chapter to the very end that was so good.

[Kerrie Kelly · Rating 3 out of 5]

While I really enjoyed this to start with, the end unfortunately felt very rushed

The story was flowing nicely until then

Tasha has just celebrated her 40th birthday when her “husband” announces he’s leaving her for his older, wealthier boss.

She is devastated but determined to keep it together for their 6 year old Daisy

When her ex moves in with his new partner, they offer to help look after Daisy so Tasha can work more hours. She’s desperate for the money as she’s now a single mum and has got herself into some difficulties

Daisy initially struggles to settle at the new house, but slowly starts to feel more and more comfortable despite Amelia, the eldest daughter making things difficult

Tasha ends up speaking to Kirsty and Kirsty agrees to protect Daisy by sending her own daughter away!! Is this what Tasha wanted?

Things suddenly escalated and the story reached a very quick conclusion and it all felt very rushed

[Hayley · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was the very first book that I have read by this author so I went into it completely blind. The only hints I had were from the description which is sometimes known to be deceiving so I couldn't wait to start this one and find out for myself.  The book is all about our main character Tasha. Everything in her life is going perfectly with her marriage her work and her child that is until the night of her birthday her husband, Craig, comes in and tells her he is leaving her for another woman, and not just any woman but his boss, Kristy. Tasha's who life now starts spiraling since in the blink of an eye she loses her family and even her home as she is now forced to move into a smaller residence, thankfully she still has her daughter and is determined, for Daisy's sake, to make things work and take care of her daughter first.  Tasha is trying her best to make everything special for her daughter when Daisy age six, comes to her one night and tells her that her new step sister, Amelia age twelve, isn't kind to her at all and is in fact hurting her. I found the beginning of this book to be super strong and I liked how quickly the author got to the plot.  I found this book to be very well written and the characters very three dimensional. I really felt for Tasha's character and I couldn't imaging being concerned for my daughter but unable to help in any way it would be absolutely heart breaking. I couldn't get enough of this plot and the more I read the more I was determined to find out exactly what was going on behind those closed doors. This was a family filled drama book but also full of tension and apprehension. I loved how there weren't to many characters but the ones that were there were very fascinating. While the plot seemed simple enough there was lots of tension the you knew there was a big bomb coming but you just didn't know what it was going to be or when. I couldn't get enough of this book and was desperate to get to the bottom of what was going on in this story. Fantastic job and as much as I loved the plot it really was the characters that made this book for me. The ending was completely shocking and left me almost stunned after I read it. A super twist ending wasn't what I expected but I loved every minute of it. I can't wait to hear everyone else's opinion on this book and I'm so glad I got the chance to check it out. And after a story like that I can't wait to read more by our author.

[M Soh · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for providing this book, with my honest review below.

My Daughter’s Keeper is a what I would call a domestic mystery, exploring children’s struggles and the roles their parents play as their protectors and as individuals. Daisy is a little kid processing her parent’s divorce as she spends time with her dad, Craig, at the home of his new partner Kristy and her daughters. Daisy makes fast friends with Freya, one of the daughters, but she reveals to her mother, Tasha, that older daughter Amelia is a bully who may be trying to hurt Daisy. Between Daisy adjusting to new environments and schedules with her step family and a new school, and reports that she’s not speaking, this little girl is going through a lot and by extension Tasha wants to try to help her as much as possible, especially with putting the kibosh on Amelia’s antics. Through this, Tasha has her own struggles both with money and her conflicting feelings about Kristy and realizations about Craig.

The majority of this book is really well done, teasing the mysteries of why Tasha is struggling so much with money and what Amelia is up to while also addressing the very real life emotions that come with family changes post divorce, new partners, and the heartbreak of watching your child struggle and not knowing what’s best to do (or being able to do it). The last part, however, introduced a jarring twist that wasn’t needed and felt rushed and not befitting the larger story. Besides that, the book has plenty of heart and the balance of drama and mystery that was well done.

[Nana · Rating 5 out of 5]

This one kept me reading, with its twist and turns, while two families are navigating, the way life is now. I am kind of speechless of what to write, because the story unfolded so well, but there was mystery and intrigue, and the ending that was nothing I ever expected. It was amazing with so many emotions felt, and never sure what was going to happen next.
I received an ARC from Boldwood Books through NetGalley.

[Annette Jordan · Rating 3 out of 5]

My Daughter's Keeper by Sheila Norton is a family drama that deals with the aftermath of the collapse of a marriage. Tasha had no idea that her partner and the father of her little daughter, Daisy, had been cheating on her with his boss until he literally walked out on them both. Blindsided she struggles to get to grips with her new life which involves moving to a smaller house and picking up more shifts at work, which in turn means that Daisy will be spending more time with her Dad and his "new" family, Kirsty and her two daughters, twelve year old Amelia and Freya who is closer to Daisy's age. There is a stark contrast in the lifestyle of this new family with their large house with a pool , private school for the girls etc and the more modest lifestyle Daisy experiences with Tasha, who is definitely struggling for money. As if all of this was not difficult enough, it soon emerges that Daisy is afraid of Amelia, and not without reason as she seems prone to unfortunate accidents when Amelia is around but when Tasha broaches the subject with her ex and even with Kirsty, they both brush it off. How far will Tash go as a mother desperate to protect her child?
I really think the idea behind this book had a lot of potential, the relationship dynamic between many blended families is fraught with tension and ripe for exploration, but unfortunately this book fell flat for me. I didn't find the character of Tasha to be believable and that meant that I struggled to engage in the story and it just did not hold my interest. I also thought the attempts to make the subplot involving Tasha's financial struggles seem mysterious were really overdone, it was obvious what the likely problem was and the repeated attempts to dance around the issue before the big "reveal" was frankly irritating. I also thought the ending was both rushed and more dramatic than the rest of the book warranted. One thing I think the author did really well though was the depiction of selective mutism, I thought she did an exceptional job of explaining it and it made a lot of sense in the context of the story. I think readers who enjoy family dramas will enjoy the book, it just wasn't quite the right fit for me.
I read and reviewed an ARC courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher, all opinions are my own.

[Els · Rating 5 out of 5]

When a couple, Tasha and Craig, break up — and it’s done in an especially crude way by the partner who is leaving — it’s only natural that the other partner feels the hurt even more intensely. It can break a person, and coping with it isn’t always easy. But what makes it all even sadder is when a child is involved — in this case, Daisy, a six-year-old daughter.

It’s never easy to no longer see one of your parents every day, but for such a young child, it must feel like the world has stopped turning.

Fortunately, a solution is found that supposedly works best for everyone — but is that really the case…?

My heart broke immediately for Daisy. She was the most innocent party in the entire story and also the one who took the hardest blows. On the other hand, I have to admire her for the way she handles certain things.

As for the parents who take center stage in this book, I found them to be incredibly selfish — with just one exception. But even he does things I find completely unacceptable. Their behavior would be entirely inappropriate in real life, but in a book, these characters are perfect for creating a compelling story.

It’s shocking to see how far some people are willing to go, who they’re willing to use to get what they want — and they show no shame about it either.

This is a story that held my attention 100% from start to finish. Even though I had some ideas about how things would unfold, that didn’t bother me in the slightest. I found it exceptionally well written, and I thoroughly enjoyed it.

This was my first time reading something by this author, and I regret not having done so sooner. I can assure you that’s going to change, because she’s gained a new fan. 5 stars.

Thank you

[Heidi Lynn’s BookReviews · Rating 3 out of 5]

First, I want to thank Sheila Norton, Boldwood Books, NetGalley, and Rachel’s Random Resources for providing me with this book so I can bring you this review.

Sheila Norton is back with another one of her heartfelt reads that had my emotions all over the place with some of these characters. Oh yes! In My Daughter’s Keeper Sheila once again reminded how it is better being single than in a relationship! Seriously, I was livid for Craig’s thoughtful Birthday gesture!! We the readers got to see early on his true colors! My heart went out to Tashe instantly.

Each book I read most likely has one character that I have a fondness for one reason or another. In this book it was the little girl Daisy. She pulled on my heartstrings hard. Because of a decision Daisy’s Dad decided to make, it now impacts Daisy too-and she is not at all happy with it. I can’t say that I blame her one bit.

The financial differences between the two families, how he traded up, and how they flaunted it kinda rubbed me the wrong way. I could understand why Daisy and Tashe would feel small next to this family at times.

The bond between Daisy and Freya was just so adorable and so sweet!! There were many scenes in the book where they both brought smiles to my face. Oh not to mention the ones with the cute doggie Max too!

Sheila discusses very important topics in this book such alcoholism, drunk drivers, selective mutism, gambling, etc.

Even though I enjoyed the book I felt the storyline dragged on and wasn’t as fast paced as I would have liked.

[Ashley Kanazawich · Rating 5 out of 5]

My Daughter’s Keeper is less about shocking twists and more about the quiet, unsettling tension of everyday life. At its heart, it’s a story about motherhood, blended families, and the messy reality of human struggles.

What struck me most was the focus on relationships. The main character found unexpected friendships where she least expected them — while at the same time facing suspicion, doubt, and even fear in places she thought were unlikely to bring danger. That duality made the story feel grounded and deeply human.

Every character was real and flawed. Their mistakes were sometimes ugly, but also vulnerable and honest. I loved that the author didn’t shy away from depicting raw emotions and complicated family dynamics. The struggles felt true-to-life, and that honesty kept me invested.

The pacing was steady and deliberate. It wasn’t a fast, twist-filled thriller, but it never felt dull. Each chapter carried its own weight, making it a subtle suspense that draws you in without rushing.

What I loved most was the way the book gave a voice to broken families, financial hardship, and personal struggles. It wasn’t just about danger lurking behind closed doors — it was also about the resilience it takes to show up for those you love, even when everything feels stacked against you.

If anything, I might have wished for just a touch more suspicion or tension to make it a true page-turner. But honestly, that’s not a criticism — the slower, thoughtful approach was part of what made it so compelling.

[Tiffany · Rating 4 out of 5]

My Daughter's Keeper was a quick read that gave you a sense of "something just isn't right" throughout the book.

You are essentially reading about a mother who is trying to keep her life together and do what's best for her daughter after her long term boyfriend leaves her. When she has to start working more, she has to rely on her ex and his new family for childcare and while it starts off fine, things start to take a turn after awhile. Daisy is experiencing bullying and "accidents" from the older child in the new home. Tasha has to decide whether to keep sending her daughter to the "big house" with her new family or keep her safe at home but not be able to work and take care of finances.

You get a glimpse into what it is like to be a parent. Having to weigh your options and accept the fact that sometimes, there just really isn't a good choice. You sometimes have to do what you have to do and just go with the lesser of two evils. That doesn't mean it's easy though and as a parent, that guilt can weigh heavily. There are some thriller-esque vibes throughout the book and there were some hints dropped early on that led me to figure things out fairly quickly but that didn't change my enjoyment of the book!

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.

[Ade · Rating 4 out of 5]

A plot that borders on family drama and domestic thriller. It examines the aftermath of a relationship breakdown, blended families and the ‘sacrifices’ and struggles of single mothers.

It is the story of Tasha, whose ‘husband’ Craig has left her for an older woman, Kirsty. Also in the mix are Tasha and Craig’s daughter, Daisy and Kirsty’s two, Amelia and Freya.

This was slow and took a while to build up momentum. Once it did, I was invested. Everything came to a head almost at the end and I think the slow pace was the best way to tell this story. There were some hints but I was not expecting the way the story turned out.

I enjoyed the author’s writing style. It was creative, immersive and emotional. All of the characters were relatable and delivered exactly what was expected of them.

The book explored hard topics, such as financial struggles, alcoholism, gambling, grief and abuse, with grace and compassion.

If you are looking for a compelling and engaging story about messy human relationships, I recommend this book.

I received an advanced copy and the review is mine and voluntary.

[Andrea · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review of ‘My Daughter’s Keeper’ by Sheila Norton, due to be published on 21 August 2025 by Boldwood Books.

Tasha’s world is rocked on her 40th birthday by the revelation by her partner Craig, that he is leaving her for his boss, Kirsty, and moving in with her and her children, 12 year old Ameila and 7 year old Freya.

With no choice but to accept their new blended family life, Tasha is forced to take on more work to pay the bills, and rely on Craig’s new partner Kirsty for free childcare.

When Tasha’s daughter Daisy starts having little ‘accidents’ when over at Kirsty’s house, Tasha is anxious to get to the root of the problem and protect her little girl.

The story leads you in a certain direction and you feel sure you know what the outcome will be, however there are many twists and turns along the way that raises more questions about what is happening behind closed doors.

A great family thriller, with good character development that leaves you invested in the outcomes for the family, and urging the truth to be discovered.

[Louise Wilson · Rating 3 out of 5]

After a difficult break-up, my six-year-old Daisy is finally settling into life in two homes. she's spending more time with her dad, his wealthy and glamorous partner Kirsty, and her new stepsisters, Amelia and Freya. She seems happier, more relaxed. Like she's finally found her place. It should be everything I ever wanted for her. So why does it feel like i'm losing her?

Tasha is separated from her cheating boyfriend Craig. Their daughter Daisy is being co-parented. Craig's new partner Kirsty has two daughters. Then Daisy tells her mother that she is being hurt.

The pace is on the slow side in the first half of the book. Craig and his partner share a lavish new lifestyle while Tasha is struggling to make ends meet. I did not like any of the characters. It's quite an emotional read. The ending felt a bit rushed.

Published 21st August 2025

I would like to thank #NetGalley #BoldwoodBooks and the author #SheilaNorton for my ARC of #MyDaughtersKeeper in exchange for an honest review.

[Stephanie Bull · Rating 3 out of 5]

In a bolt out of the blue, Craig tells longtime partner Tasha he is leaving her for another woman. This necessitates cash strapped Tasha and their six year old daughter Daisy having to move to the other side of town. Craig's new love Kirsty is the extremely wealthy widowed owner of the company he works for. She has two children of her own; one soon loves Daisy, the other appears to hate her and as Daisy begins to spend more and more time with Kirsty and her family, things go from bad to worse.

I raced through this book in a couple of days however found the storyline predictable and the characters incredibly frustrating. For me the plot was too obvious, I was ahead of the book on all but one of the reveals. A good family drama should have at least one main character that you root for, sadly for me this didn't have any.

Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for my advanced reader copy in return for my honest and unbiased review

[Carol Werner Harris · Rating 4 out of 5]

My Daughter's Keeper
by Sheila Norton
Pub Date: Aug 21 2025

My Daughter's Keeper is the first book I've read by author Sheila Norton. I went into this story blind, not knowing what to expect. The main character is Tasha's, her boyfriend, Craig told her after the night of her birthday celebration he was leaving her and moving in with his wealthy boss, Kirsty. The two never got married but had a lovely little girl, Daisy together. His boss Kirsty was a widow and had two children.

Some of the characters are well liked, especially the children who are the innocents in the adults drama. My heart went out to what the children went through in this family drama.

At times the story seemed to drag on but was worth it as the ending was nothing I had expected!

Many thanks to #MyDaughtersKeeper #NetGalley and #BoldWoodBooks for providing me an E-ARC of this suspenseful story.

[A Red Headed Reader · Rating 3 out of 5]

📖 Book Review 📖

⭐️⭐️⭐️

‘If I was going to have someone on my side, it might as well be a millionaire’

You’d know If something was wrong .. wouldn’t you ? But danger doesn’t always wear a mask- it can hide in plain site.

I honestly thought the whole time reading this book she was gonna wake up from this horrible dream, nightmare!
I was gobsmacked by what I was reading in most of it and found pretty much all the characters annoying.
I would hope to think if I was ever in this situation I wouldn’t do what Tasha did. So easily let these people dictate life to her and make her believe this was all ok.
I did have my suspicions with the new woman and her oldest which turned out to be true.
But what an evil person she is.
Contemporary/thriller-ish - a fast paced read from Tasha POV. Would love to have had Kirsty’s too, I think that would have made it abit more exciting.
But a good read anyway ✨

[Ruba Abu Ali · Rating 5 out of 5]

All the factors that make for a brilliant read are beautifully amalgamated in ‘My Daughter’s keeper’ by Sheila Norton.

To frame this novel into one genre doesn’t do it justice. It’s a family drama and a psychological thriller at its finest. On a related note, I was especially blown away by the twists that I never saw coming.

The realistic struggles, the intricate emotions, and the complexity of the family ties all added such depth and rawness to the storyline.

I, hereby, quote the author ,“Because a relationship between a man and a woman can be fraught with problems - it can be long term or it can be transient - but a relationship with a child is the greatest gift we can be given.”

Many thanks to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for the e-ARC of this captivating novel.

[Sheila's Bookshelf · Rating 3 out of 5]

A family drama about the breakdown and the aftermath of a relationship leaving Tasha a single mom, and financially struggling and how far a mother will go to protect her child.

Blended families can be difficult at the best of times for a child, but this story takes it a step further. I really enjoyed the story and found it had great potential - but it fell flat for me.

Tasha's character development didn't work for me. I found her difficult to connect with and she didn't come across as believable which ruined the story.
Now this could just be a 'me' problem, because the story is good and I think it will appeal to many moms out there raising a child on their own. it's a moving psychological family drama.

Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for my gifted copy.
My review was voluntary.

[Marie Yarwood · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story follows a lady called Tasha who suddenly finds herself separating from Craig who was her partner and father of their six year old daughter, Daisy.
Craig has fallen for his very wealthy and attractive boss Kirsty who also has a daughter Freya who is around Daisy’s age and an older daughter called Amelia.
At first, Daisy appears to adapt well to her new dual lifestyle - happy and more relaxed. But over time this changes and Amelia informs Tasha of a chilling confession which changes everything.
Kirsty insists that Amelia isn’t just unkind, but dangerous behind closed doors and Daisy is in danger but Tasha can’t shake the gnawing sense that something is deeply and possibly dangerously wrong.
Is Amelia truly the problem child that Kirsty makes her out to be or is there more to the family dynamics than meets the eye?
All I know is jealousy isn’t always a good thing.

[Laurie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I truly enjoyed this story!
It has suspense, sadness, and a lot of psychological turmoil!
Daisy's mom and dad split and her dad moves in with another family. This new family appears to have everything and Daisy would like to have it too!
How does six year old Daisy cope?
She is now splitting her time in a new, beautiful home with her newest family.
This is creating some anxiety, insecurities and fear.
Why?
There are many twists and turns within the pages of this wonderful book and I was absorbed, especially as we discover the reason for the fears of Daisy.

It is a good summer read and one that will surely have you turning the pages!
Thank you to @NetGalley and to @Boldwood Books for this ARC and allowing me to provide my own review.

[Lee-Ann27.reads · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to Netgalley and Boldwood Books for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest review. Six year old Daisy is finally getting used to her parents splitting up and having to live in two different homes. Her dad's new girlfriend has 2 daughters of her own and eventually Freya and Daisy become quite close. The same can not be said for Amelia and she does everything she can to make Daisy's life miserable. Her mom does not discipline her and just says Amelia is being difficult. As the story goes on, Daisy is more nervous about being around Amelia and ends up in the hospital with a broken arm. Did Ameilia really push her down the stairs? Once the twist is revealed, we see a whole new side of Amelia....was a good read....Enjoy!!!!

[Gaye Teather · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. It's my first time of reading this author's work but I will now check her earlier books. This was a good family drama about the aftermath of a couple's break up and how two families try to accommodate their children as well as dealing with their own issues. Mum, Tasha, is struggling with a big secret and finding it hard financially because of it. Her young child has selective mutism and her ex partner's new family all have issues. As the two families strive to co-parent the children, secrets are revealed and the tension mounts. The twist is very well done and the book concludes satisfactorily. I read this quickly as I found it a gripping storyline. My thanks to Netgalley and Boldwood Books for an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

[Trina Dixon · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this family drama, a story of wanting to protect your child against another older child, even if that child is now part of your daughters blended family. Tasha was trying the best she could after her lover left her, but welcomed the childcare from his new partner Kirsty, until her daughter Daisy announced that Kirsty's oldest daughter Amelia could be cruel in her actions.
I found Craig's character slightly annoying, his actions and weak behaviour left a lot to be desired, especially where the care of Daisy was involved.
This was a gripping read, fairly fast paced with a few shocking moments.

[Jen · Rating 5 out of 5]

"My Daughters Keeper" is a book about Tasha, her long term boyfriend Craig and their daughter Daisy. The morning after her 40th birthday Craig tells her that he's leaving her, not for a younger model but for his wealthy boss, Kirsty. Tasha navigates the whole process with dignity and does everything so that her daughter can have the best life. But what secret is Tasha hiding? And what is really going on in Kirstys big house? I can tell you one thing, you will not figure it out until the near end of the book. It's written with such suspense that it keeps you hanging on and it has me reading long into the night! Highly recommend!

[Barb Graham · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tasha's boyfriend and father of her daughter Craig told her a day after her birthday that he was leaving her for his boss Kirsty. Kirsty seems to have it all, but something seems off. Especially after Daisy, Tasha's daughter tells her that Kirsty's daughter Amelia was awful to her and tried to cause her harm. Tasha is in serious debt because of a gambling addiction but hasn't told anyone. She allows Kirsty to look after Daisy every day after school to save money. When things come to a head, you see that the shiny star isn't always what you think. I received an advanced reader copy of this book from NetGalley and this is my honest review.

[Diane Jewell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not My Daughter's Keeper by Sheila Norton ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Slow start but stick with it, it picks up towards the middle. It gives me Cinderella retelling vibes. Mother, Father, step mother and her children. Her children do not wrong, they get what they want while Amelia gets nothing and then some.

My heart hurts for Amelia, yes I know it's just a novel but I felt her pain. What would you do if Amelia was your child?

I hope you get this book when it releases on August 21st. Form your own thoughts. And not just reviews of others. The author did a good writing it.

Thank you Netgallery and Boldwood Books for the advanced copy for my honest review and these are my opinions only.

[Graham Seager · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was my first Sheila Norton novel, and it won't be my last.

Craig walks out on Tash on her 40th birthday, leaving her with six year old Daisy. He goes to live with his boss Kirsty, who has two children, six year old Freya and the surly 12 year old Amelia.

Eventually, the six year olds become close friends, and even Tash gets to like Kirsty.

However, there are big twists, where not is all as it seems. The characters are well rounded, with many secret problems. Seeing if they can handle them makes such a good read. Daisy has a hard time in particular.

Looking forward to the next Norton novel