The Daughter

by Alesha Dykema

I won’t let my four-year-old daughter Skylar go through what I had to. I won’t let my father do to her what he did to me and my sister.

I know how to play the good daughter. The perfect mother. The wife who smiles on cue.

But you don’t grow up in a house like mine without learning how to survive—how to keep secrets buried so deep they almost stop hurting.

Almost.

Last night I finally did something unforgivable. I tried to kill my father.

Only . . . my mom picked up the wrong glass.

Now she’s lying in a hospital bed, unconscious. And I’m the dutiful daughter by her side, pretending to be shocked . . .

AN EXHILARATING PSYCHOLOGICAL SUSPENSE WITH TWISTS THAT WILL MAKE YOU GASP.

This addictive thriller full of twists is perfect for fans of Freida McFadden, Jeneva Rose, A. R. Torres, Kiersten Modglin, Anya Mora and Sonya Bateman.

Genres: Suspense, Fiction, Psychological Thriller

230 pages, Paperback

Published January 27, 2026

About the author

Alesha Dykema is a thirty-something-year-old author of thriller novels. She lives in the dreadful Midwest with her strange husband, head-banging toddler son, a neurotic dog, and warden cat. Besides writing, Alesha loves to read (like every other author in the world). Alesha is also a health and fitness junkie and a dabbler in furniture refinishing. She is extremely anti-social and wishes she lived off-grid in the middle of the woods, but her husband hates good ideas and happiness and won’t allow this to happen. Even though she’s pretty anti-social, she still likes to make new friends and have casual chats about people’s childhood traumas.

Reviews

[Jackie · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐️

You know that prickly feeling when you just know something is off? This book rides that feeling from page one. The Daughter hooked me right away with its messy family dynamics and dark undercurrents. The premise alone—trying to protect your child from the trauma you survived—pulled me in, and the way everything spirals after that “wrong glass” moment kept me turning the pages.

This was my first book by Alesha Dykema, and I was pleasantly surprised by how easy her writing style is to follow. It’s entertaining, super readable, and keeps the tension simmering without ever feeling overcomplicated. I’m definitely intrigued after this one and would love to read more of her work.

I really enjoyed the emotional tension woven into the story—those complicated mother-daughter dynamics stand out. The pacing makes it a quick, bingeable read, and the twists hit at just the right moments.

There were a couple of spots where I wanted a little more depth, especially around certain character motivations. And a few elements followed the predictability of the typical domestic thriller, but I still enjoyed the storytelling and overall dramatic psychological experience.

All in all, it’s a twisty, addictive domestic thriller that delivers exactly what I was hoping for in this kind of story.

Thank you to NetGalley and Joffe Books for an ARC in exchange for my review.

[Nelli Lakatos · Rating 4 out of 5]

"𝚃𝚎𝚕𝚕 𝚖𝚎. 𝚆𝚑𝚊𝚝'𝚜 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚜𝚎𝚌𝚛𝚎𝚝 𝚝𝚘 𝚊 𝚕𝚘𝚗𝚐-𝚕𝚊𝚜𝚝𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚖𝚊𝚛𝚛𝚒𝚊𝚐𝚎?"

"𝙵𝚒𝚗𝚍 𝚜𝚘𝚖𝚎𝚘𝚗𝚎 𝚠𝚑𝚘 𝚔𝚗𝚘𝚠𝚜 𝚊𝚕𝚕 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚠𝚘𝚛𝚜𝚝 𝚙𝚊𝚛𝚝𝚜 𝚘𝚏 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝚕𝚘𝚟𝚎𝚜 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚊𝚗𝚢𝚠𝚊𝚢."

From the moment I've read the blurb of this thriller, it immediately sounded like something I would devour — gripping, dangerous and suspenseful. I was so right!

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐃𝐚𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐞𝐫 was such a unique and chilling read. The heavy theme of this novel was childhood trauma, suspicious characters and an older sister, a mother who's willing do risk everything to protect her family. To not let her daughter grow up the same way she and her younger sibling did.

This is the kind of thriller where you truly can't trust anyone, where everyone is hiding something and you just want to go in there and wake up the main character sometimes. To be honest I do prefer thrillers where I love the characters but other than that I had a wonderful time with this book.

I highly recommend checking out this story if you're looking for a quick and thrilling read with a spine-chilling twist that will make you gasp out loud!

[Krystal Ayers · Rating 4 out of 5]

The way this book was just published and ended on a slight cliffhanger!!!!!!! I have no words because we have no clue if we are getting another book. Even if we do, it probably won't be for a while. This book was a wild ride. The end got a little rushed, just a tiny bit, with the whole finding the lost son part, but I loved all the ideas - abusive parents and daughter tries to kill - messed up siblings - new friend that is hiding something... I liked the main character because you could tell her trauma messed her up- and she worked through a lot of it. She was naive to her friend because she didn't have any. It made sense. Her husband keeping such a big secret made sense as well. Hopefully we get to see the fallout of her own secrets.

[Stacey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Entertaining

3.5 stars
This book is very entertaining. The writing style makes it easy to keep going so that I ended up reading this all in one go.

The first chapter immediately pulled me in. I loved the premise. The FMC seemed to miss some blatantly obvious signs which seemed out of character for someone so anxious. I did guess some of the twists pretty early on though that didn’t impact my enjoyment of the book.

The first half of the book was better to me than the second half where I felt it lost a bit of the tension. However, the story tied up nicely.

Overall, this was a light but very binge worthy thriller that I enjoyed.

[Maddie Weeks · Rating 4 out of 5]

**Read for a book tour, below is my honest review**

I really enjoyed this book. It was a twisty, intense thriller with a jaw dropping twist!

The story follows Shayla who is surrounded by messy and dark family dynamics. The story starts with a bang and the intensity continues throughout.

The characters were all written very well and definitely evoked some feelings from me, I liked some and really hated others! And the chapters are short and snappy which we love to see!

I look forward to reading more from this author, I enjoy their writing style.

If you have any content triggers, I advise you to read any trigger warnings beforehand.

I recommend this to anyone who enjoys a dark, twisty thriller! !

I give this 4 stars!

[Sam “My Cosy Book Nook” · Rating 4 out of 5]

The perfect packaging contains very nearly the perfect package (4.5 stars)

Today's overcrowded consumer market, where shops fight with the internet for sales, and television and radio fight social media for news - or, more accurately, what they perceive to be news - isn't really a huge concern for me and my humble little book blog. Indeed, in some ways, it's a blessing. It means I can continue my hobby of writing pretty much whatever the hell I want, safe in the knowledge that even if some of what I say is wrong, nobody is really going to know or care.

It's rather more difficult, however, if you're a politician with a policy to promote. Or an author, with a book you want people to read. In such cases, your first battle is to have a headline. A soundbite. Something that will get into people's memories and stay there.

But how important is it to have the story behind the headline? Well, that rather depends. It doesn't seem to matter a jot if you're, say, an opposition Member of Parliament in the UK. Or, seemingly, the President of the United States. But for authors, their task is rather harder. Because, yes, the book does have to be good too. Actually, strike that. There are so many good books on sale now that a 'good' new book isn't really good enough any more. 'Superb' is the minimum needed to stand out and for ongoing success, it needs to be better still. It needs to be somehow memorable.

It's this point that brings me nicely to The Daughter by Alesha Dykema, which was the subject of one of many emails I receive from Zooloo's Book Tours almost every week. But I was drawn to it straight away because of THAT blurb. Go on, scroll down. Have a read. You're already sold, aren't you? I was, too.

The good news doesn't end there, though, because I adored the first half of the book. The pace is rapid, leaping into action as early as the first chapter, and yet the portrayal of Shayla, the young woman abused as a child, who now has a young daughter of her own to protect, is about as close to perfect as it's possible to be.

This meant that, despite the short build-up, I absolutely shared Shayla's horror as she accidentally - and this isn't a spoiler if you've read the blurb - poisons the wrong victim. But as we learn a little more about her childhood - where, crucially, details of the abuse she and her siblings suffered are left to the reader's imagination without being over-described - and as the initial shock and sorrow towards her mother turns into its own bitterness and hate, I still sympathised. I didn't just want Shayla to get away with that one murder. I wanted her to make another attempt on her intended victim's life, and to be successful this time.

With the notable exception of Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier, I can't think of another book where I've related to another character strongly enough to feel this way. The Daughter managed it, seemingly without effort.

I do have to say that the psychological portrayal of some of the other characters isn't quite as strong. In particular, Shayla's father, Arthur, seems to be quite simply the rich, powerful - and evil - patriarch, without a single redeeming feature. That's OK in the sense that it makes him very easy to loathe; a case, if you like, of absolute power being absolutely corrupt. But I think I'd have liked to have known what happened in his background, or his past, to help make him the way he was. There's also the point that the sudden appearance of new friend Demi felt a little bit predictable.

These, though, are nothing more than the tiniest of quibbles and ultimately, by the time I'd reached about half distance, it was a case of so far, so fabulous. The problem for me - and it's really the only problem I had - is that even though the second half of the book easily had me turning the pages into the small hours, I still didn't think it quite lived up to the first half.

The issue is that it seemed to leave the psychological element behind, and become drama. Which meant that, even though the action and entertainment is plentiful, I rather felt as though I was watching it from the sideline instead of through Shayla's eyes. I have to say too that the final chapter felt like something of an afterthought. The effect was to have me go from wholeheartedly loving the book to - and this is a sentence that makes little sense when written down - 'only' enjoying it.

The Daughter is still a book that I'm absolutely going to recommend. It's more than done enough to make me want to read more by the same author, in the way that I'd absolutely want to visit a restaurant again if the main course had left my mouth watering, but I'd 'only' enjoyed the coffee and dessert.

I think, though, that if she hasn't done so already, I'd like to see Alesha write an entire book that's a psychological portrayal. Perhaps an adult revisiting a childhood event. Because, on the evidence of this book - the first that I've read by this author - she can write action as well as anyone. But she can write a psychological character study better than almost everyone.

My thanks to Zooloo's Book Tours and Joffe Books for my inclusion on the blog tour for The Daughter, which was published in the UK on 29th January. My review is also available on my blog at www.mycosybooknook.wordpress.com and will be published on Amazon and shared on my social media pages.

[Tracy · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Daughter by Alesha Dykema is a psychological thriller exploring family, control, and murder—one that starts strong but struggles to sustain its momentum.
The story follows Shayla Hartmann, the eldest daughter of a powerful and wealthy man who controls not only the town where they live but every aspect of his family’s lives. Behind the family’s polished image is a long history of abuse, fear, and control. Shayla grew up under strict discipline, where even small mistakes led to harsh punishment. The strained relationships between Shayla and her siblings show just how deeply that damage runs. Although she is now an adult and a mother, Shayla’s life—including her marriage—remains under her father’s control, a man she both fears and despises.
Shayla is the daughter of the title, but it also subtly points to her own daughter, Skyler. Protecting Skyler becomes the reason Shayla finally tries to break free.
Thoughts
Dykema is at her best in the first half of the novel. The story moves quickly, drawing the reader into Shayla’s anxious, unsettled state of mind. The first-person narration, filled with doubt and fear, feels authentic. Tension builds steadily as Shayla grows increasingly desperate to protect her child and stay one step ahead of her father.
Demi, a single mother who befriends Shayla early on, is prominently featured as the story unfolds. Her search for her abducted son runs alongside Shayla’s narrative. While this secondary storyline carries its own tension, it ultimately becomes one of the more frustrating elements of the novel.
That tension falters in the final third of the book. Shayla’s choices grow confusing and illogical, and her behavior often comes across as naive. The sharp, determined protagonist established early on gives way to someone whose actions undercut the urgency of the story. Rather than raising the stakes, the final act becomes repetitive and relies too heavily on coincidence.
The novel also suffers from a lack of depth. Many characters are thinly developed and easy to forget. Large portions of the story feel more like outlines than fully realized scenes. Dykema hints at dark secrets involving Shayla’s father, the town, and a shadowy church or power structure, but these elements are never fully explained. The father is unquestionably abusive if Shayla’s account is accurate, but the novel also suggests he may be capable of far worse. Yet the source of his power and control over others remains unclear.

The Daughter is compelling early on, though its reliance on coincidence, Demi’s melodramatic and wildly improbable secondary story, and lack of follow-through in the final act diminish its impact.

Special thanks to NetGalley and Joffe Books for providing this novel for an unbiased review.
#TheDaughter #NetGalley #joffebooks
Pub Date Jan. 27, 2026

[Paula Phillips · Rating 3 out of 5]

You know those moments when you're reading about wealthy families in thrillers and you find yourself grateful for your own upbringing? That's exactly where I found myself while turning the pages of The Daughter . Though I'll admit, some aspects hit a little close to home in ways I wasn't expecting.

Alesha Dykema weaves together two compelling storylines that kept me reading late into the night with my tea going cold beside me. At the heart of the story is Shayla Hartmann, the eldest daughter of a tyrannical father whose idea of discipline would make most of us shudder. The wealth and privilege of her childhood came with a terrible price, paid in fear and harsh punishments for the smallest missteps. Now as an adult and mother herself, Shayla is desperate to break the cycle before her father's cruelty touches her daughter Skyler and the next generation.

Her solution? Poison. But as often happens when we take matters into our own hands, things go horribly wrong when her mother drinks from the wrong cup. This twist had me gasping aloud, much to the confusion of my cat who was napping on the armchair beside me. Now Shayla must find another way to protect her family and honor the vow she made with her siblings that their children would never suffer as they did.

Running parallel to Shayla's story is Demi's heartbreaking search for her son James, who was abducted as a baby by his father. Demi is convinced she knows who's responsible, but she's looking in the wrong direction. The truth lies closer to Shayla's family than anyone realizes, and when these two storylines converge, the stakes become impossibly high.

Alesha Dykema doesn't shy away from the uncomfortable questions about family legacy, inherited trauma, and how far a parent will go to protect their children. The tension builds steadily as Shayla races against time to save her siblings, help Demi find her son, and stop her father before he can start this cycle of abuse all over again with a new generation.

The Daughter is a gripping domestic thriller that reminds us that sometimes the most dangerous monsters are the ones who sit at the head of the family table.

[A · Rating 5 out of 5]

From the minute you read the first chapter you are thrown into absolute family choas, i cannot lie this book filled me with page turning anxiety, literally was like what is going to happen next.

The main female character looks quiet, subdued and submissive but deep down there is a whole other level of this women, dont be fooled shes strong , resillient and doesnt allow anyone to put her through what she had too endure with her family. There is a deep rooted level of hatred and you can feel this in the writing. The father is extremly dominating, controlling and over powering with his family, he pulls all the strings and expects the family to be the puppets and dance around for him. He also loves his grandchildren , and see's a future for them in the business. Except our main character has other ideas and she really comes through when its time.

The twist i never saw coming, there are parts of the book that i couldnt piece together at all i just had to keep reading, i did enjoy the protectiveness of the character and how they strive to have a better life for their children and give them everything they never had. I feel the past really moulded the characters it affected the whole family and you can see why.

There are some key elements of the book that do hit hard, not pleasant, i think people need to be aware that at times its a hard read when you look at the family upbringing and the fact that it does have abusive elements that are dreadful. I am a new reader to this author and i would easily read more from this person. Thanks to netgalley for this advanced reader copy as always a great experience!

[MoMo Book Diary · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Daughter is a dark, emotionally charged psychological thriller that immediately draws you in and settles under your skin. From the outset, there’s a constant undercurrent of tension, driven not just by the events unfolding on the page, but by the heavy sense of history surrounding this fractured family.

The characters are richly drawn and deeply believable, each shaped by a past that feels oppressive and inescapable. What struck me most was the way the story invites you to think about what came before — the moments and experiences that are never fully spoken aloud, yet loom over every interaction. The novel hints at damage far more profound than simple control or dysfunction, suggesting something much darker beneath the surface. That silence, that refusal to fully name what has happened, creates a lingering unease that is incredibly effective.

The plot itself is expertly constructed and steadily paced, revealing layers at just the right moments while maintaining a strong emotional core. The tension builds not through shock alone, but through atmosphere, implication, and the weight of unspoken truths. It’s a story that keeps you engaged while quietly demanding your attention, encouraging you to read between the lines and sit with the discomfort it creates.

This is a powerful and absorbing psychological thriller, driven by complex characters and an unsettling family dynamic that stays with you long after the final page. I thoroughly enjoyed it and would wholeheartedly recommend The Daughterto readers who appreciate dark, emotionally intense stories that explore the lasting impact of trauma and the things families choose not to say.

[Leanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Alesha Dykema’s The Daughter is a dark, addictive psychological thriller that grips you from its opening confession and doesn’t let go. At its core is a chilling family drama: a woman determined to protect her little girl from the horrors she herself endured, only to find that the past refuses to stay buried.

The novel unfolds with elegant tension, weaving together themes of survival, betrayal, and the dangerous weight of secrets. The narrator’s voice is raw and compelling—she knows how to play the perfect daughter, the smiling wife, the devoted mother—but beneath the surface lies a storm of pain and rage. When her desperate act goes tragically wrong, the story spirals into a web of lies, guilt, and shocking revelations.

Dykema excels at layering suspense with emotional depth. Every twist feels both surprising and inevitable, pulling the reader deeper into the claustrophobic world of family ties poisoned by abuse and silence. The hospital scenes, the fractured relationships, and the constant threat of exposure create an atmosphere that is both unsettling and irresistible.

This is a thriller that thrives on its psychological edge, perfect for fans of Freida McFadden and Jeneva Rose. The Daughter is not just about uncovering secrets—it’s about the lengths we’ll go to protect the ones we love, and the devastating consequences when the past refuses to stay hidden.

With thanks to Alesha Dykema, the publisher and netgalley for the ARC

[Ney oh the thrill of it FN · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great read

This was my first read by Alesha Dykema and to be honest it was a bit of a wild ride. The start intrigued me as the action begins almost immediately and it is quickly evident that there are some messed up family dynamics at play.

I mean with a line like this from the blurb:
"Last night I finally did something unforgivable. I tried to kill my father. But my mom picked up the wrong glass..."
Of course I was in!

The main character is Shayla, a woman who by her own words is a people pleaser and peace keeper in her family. She is detetmined to sort her family out and the lengths she is willing go to to do so are extreme and have deadly intent and consequences.

It is clear she and her siblings suffered at the hands of her parents in particular her father, who is a very important and influential man. This means taking him down may not be as easy as she initally thought.

At times I was screaming at the stupid decisions she made and how easily trusting. If you can be so naive, maybe you deserve what is coming.

The ending was left a little open which I hate - I need to know what happened. Maybe there is room for a sequel or a little novella to tie up the loose ends?

All in all this was a fast-paced read and I will read more from Alesha in the future.

[Catherine Hirst · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first book by Alesha that I’ve read, but I love twisty psychological thrillers and this one definitely ticked all my boxes for an excellent read. The Daughter has a unique plot, following Shayla and her messy family set-up, who have all had a troubled past. The story starts with a regular family dinner, but Shayla has arrived ready to kill her father, who she holds responsible for her traumatic childhood. Unfortunately, the plan doesn’t go well and her mother ends up drinking the poison.

I loved following all the relationships that Shayla has in this book and how they are all affected by the impact that her father had on her growing up. From the strained relationship between her and her siblings, through to her marriage and even her relationship with her four year old daughter. Having no friends around her, she is quickly taken in by a new arrival in town, Demi, who comes with her own emotional baggage.

There are plenty of twists and turns along the way, none of which I saw coming, though I had fun trying to work out how it would end. This was a gripping thriller from start to end and shows that even if a family looks perfect on the outside, there can be hidden dangers lying just inside the home.

Thanks to Zooloos Book Tours and Joffe Books for the opportunity to read this ARC.

[Catharine · Rating 3 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️◻️◻️

The line in the NetGalley description — “I tried to kill my father. Only… my mom picked up the wrong glass.” — absolutely did its job. How could I not request a book with a hook like that?
It set me up for delicious chaos, family drama, and a gloriously dysfunctional family.

But somewhere between the premise and the actual characters, the spark fizzled. I kept waiting to bond with someone, but the emotional connection was about as present as my motivation for going to the gym — theoretically possible, but not happening.

Things do liven up toward the end when the scattered threads finally stop wandering off, and there’s a flicker of tension. However, I was eating dinner at the time, so it’s entirely possible the chilli flakes were doing more work than the plot.

All that said, this book is great if you like your reads light, quick, and easy to dip in and out of without losing your place.

My thanks to NetGalley and Joffe Books for the ARC of “The Daughter” by Alesha Dykema.

[Joanna · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars for me.

Shayla have enough,she need to protect her daughter,and the only way to do that is to kill her abusive father.Suffering with her sibling at the hands of her parents,Shayla won't let them do that to her child.Unfortunally the poisoning did not go to plan,and everything getting more complicated.The good thing is Shayla meet a new friend Gina,but is she really a friend as nothing seem to add up,and Shayla's husband is also not so happy with this new friendship.

Will Shayla finally be free and get rid of her tyrant father?
Who is Gina,and what she really wants?

This psychological thriller was tension filled read,I could not put it down.The abusive behavior was horrible,and Shayla and her siblings never really felt safe just to be themselselfs.A disturbing portrait of a family where parents are the worst monsters.I really enjoyed this gripping read,the tension was executed flawlessly,and the ending was so shocking that I really hope author will consider follow up book,because I can't stand that this will end for Shayla like that.Don't want to spoil it,grab your copy,you won't be dissapointed.
My first book by this author,and for sure I will read more.

Thank you Joffe Books publisher for arc,my review is honest and my own.

[Claire Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

🩷 A mother’s love, sharpened to a blade🩷

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

“I learned early that love could look a lot like obedience.”

The Daughter crawled under my skin and refused to leave, tracing its way up my spine as the dread mounted. Alesha Dykema writes motherhood not as a soft sanctuary, but as a feral, all-consuming force—protective, terrified, and capable of terrible things. This is a story about inheritance: of trauma, of silence, and of violence disguised as family loyalty.

The tension coils tight from the opening pages, every smile practiced, every choice weighed against the past. Dykema excels at slow, suffocating dread—the sense that something has already gone wrong, long before the glass is lifted. The twists don’t just shock; they reframe, forcing you to question who deserves saving, and what survival actually costs.

Verdict: Dark, razor-sharp, and emotionally brutal, The Daughter is a thriller that understands that true horror isn’t what we do in a moment of madness—but what we endure in the years before. A gripping, devastating five-star read.

[Alison Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Shayla has a plan. A plan to ensure her daughters safety. Her plan to get rid of her father so he will no longer be in control. Although the plan goes wrong. I don't want to give to much away but I must say this book is really an amazing read. This book looks at family and the dynamics within family. Although this is far from a typical family. Its a harrowing read when we learn why Shayla is going to extreme measures. The characters in this book are affected by abuse and trauma. Its shocking yet terribly sad. You cannot help but empathise with Shayla as the story unfolds. The author has done an amazing job of revealing the inner feelings of the characters. The author shows how a person can be affected by trauma and abuse. They also show the extreme lengths a person will go to in order to protect a loved one. This is a book that will stay with you long after reading it.

[Diane Elizabeth Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bound by blood, broken by secrets!From the very first page, Alesha Dykema grips you with a dark, claustrophobic narrative that refuses to let go.
Shayla’s desperate mission to shield her daughter, Skyler, from the trauma of her own upbringing is thwarted at every turn by a mounting web of secrets involving her domineering parents. ​
The story is expertly layered, rich in character depth, and packed with dizzying twists that kept me reading into the wee small hours.
Dykema perfectly captures the suffocating pressure of toxic family dynamics.
If you love emotional, high-stakes domestic thrillers, this complex and twisty novel is an absolute must-read.

My thanks to Joffe Books for the ARC. This is my own view.

[Barbara Deeprose · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Gripping Read Spoiled By The Ending

Shayla and her sister and brother had a terrible upbringing, and although they are all now married with families of their own, their father is still calling all the shots. Eventually Shayler decides the only way to escape is to kill him, but unfortunately the wrong person dies and life gets even worse. I was gripped by this book but have given it 4 stars as I was disappointed by the ending, it felt a bit rushed and I was left with a few unanswered questions. Perhaps there could be a follow up?

[Tiffany · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was easily a one sitting read for me. I couldn't put it down because I was dying to figure out what was ACTUALLY going on. This was one of those stories that had so much bubbling right below the surface but to a bystander, everything looks fine. I found Shayla to be an incredibly complex character. The dutiful daughter, the loving mother, the caring wife, etc...but below the surface, whoa! Very curious to see if we get any kind of follow up to this book!

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the advanced copy. All opinions expressed are my own.

[Ag · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book begins with an instant hook - a woman who is trying to protect her girl from the same man who hurt her. The book is dark, twisty, and disturbing - but that's what I love. Emotional, fast-paced, AND DID I SAY DISTURBING, AND EMOTIONAL, filled with suspense and anxiety on top of everything else?
It also made me think about families and family dynamics in general, and oh my, that's something I think a lot about, so every book that ever makes me think about it - usually gets love from me.

[Leanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book gave me the feeling that spiders were crawling all over me from page one. The dark and sinister family dynamics are prominent. The story has a edge that flows through and I was constantly surprised by the twists. I thought it was a simple case of domineering parents but it goes a lot deeper than that. I would have loved to get further into the relationships between the characters because I feel it would add depth.

[Maja · Rating 5 out of 5]

First, I want to thank Netgalley as well as Joffe Books for this ARC!

The blurb really made me curious about this one. All in all, was an easy, fast-paced read that did keep me entertained enough for one afternoon with it's twist and sometimes really emotional moments.. I am also giving it bonus points for creeping me out and while I usually prefer reading on my own, I was glad to be in some company while diving into this one. A solid 5 star rating from me for The Daughter by Alesha Dykema.

[Lisa reads alot Hamer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow this was an intense read as soon as the book started I got that uneasy feeling of waiting for something to happen.
A twisty tale we met Shayla who has a dark family dynamic going on, some parts are quite dark so if you are triggered by events then I would advise checking out the triggers for this book first, but if you do read it you are in for a thrilling jaw dropping read that you will find hard to put down.

[Jenny Kinsman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow . What a fantastic read from start to finish . This gripping thriller centres around Shayla and the lengths she will take to protect her daughter . A childhood traumatised by dominating and abusive parents , Shayla she sees the only way out is to get rid of the people still causes her pain. . This was a shocking yet compulsive read with a twist at the end .

[Ritta Kloss · Rating 5 out of 5]

wowza! what did I just read?

Well…I’ve got yet another favorite author! Incredible story! Truly I’m impressed with the flow and the depth of your story telling! You have a gift! Does this story have a sequel? If not…I hope it will!
And thank you for the warning of abuse etc…much appreciated!

[Staceywh_17 · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Daughter is the second book I've read from Dykema and the second worthy of five shiny stars.

Shayla has been destroyed by the abuse she received at the hands of her father and feels there's only one way out of it all...but as with all good thrillers nothing ever goes as planned...

It's a dark family drama stoked in emotional turmoil, control and familial chaos. The characters throughout are believable; dysfunctional, complex and have a disconcerting dynamic.

I thoroughly enjoyed it and had it read in one sitting.

[Booklover BEV · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow!! Hiding secrets domestic abuse and violent is strongly entailed in this book, turning it into one dynamic story.
Shayla and Nick happy with family life.
And shes late a family gathering her father's.
A dynamic unputdownable read.

[Nadia Jonesy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley and Joffe books for this read. This book was quite creepy. The kind of book that you feel you need to read with one eye closed and just peeking at it. Well written with good writing style. This s a book that could be read in one sitting.

[LizNReads · Rating 5 out of 5]

My. My. My!!
This book had me turning the pages like my life depended on it!
Alesha, what a gem this book is! I look forward to reading the rest of your books.
Thank you NetGalley, Joffe Books & Alesha Dykema for this ARC.