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The Favorite Daughter
Not yet published
Expected 19 Oct 27A riveting, twisting, mind-bending new thriller from Monica Arya, bestselling author of The Favorite Girl, perfect for fans of Jeneva Rose, Freida McFadden, and Sarah Pease.
No one checks into Gilded Hive Asylum by choice.
And once they pass through its rusted gates, intricately carved with bees, birds, and blooming peonies, they understand one no one leaves. The asylum has long been condemned, but one name still lingers in whispers—Magdalene Ivory, its most infamous patient.
When Demi is sent to visit her sister-in-law, the request seems help identify a mysterious child found at her husband’s secluded resort. But nothing inside Gilded Hive is simple. Demi is greeted not only by doctors, but by a priest. By patients dressed in identical white, their hollow stares following her every move. By a sticky sweetness in the air that feels less comforting…and more consuming.
Magdalene is not the woman Demi expects. She speaks in riddles, dreams woven into every word, hinting at something deeper beneath the asylum’s carefully curated decay.
As the walls seem to close in, Demi begins to question everything, who she can trust, what she’s really been brought here to do, and why everyone seems to be watching her like she already belongs to the hive.
Because Demi has always been the Favorite Girl.
But inside Gilded Hive, there is only one Favorite Daughter.
And saving Magdalene might mean becoming something far worse.
No one checks into Gilded Hive Asylum by choice.
And once they pass through its rusted gates, intricately carved with bees, birds, and blooming peonies, they understand one no one leaves. The asylum has long been condemned, but one name still lingers in whispers—Magdalene Ivory, its most infamous patient.
When Demi is sent to visit her sister-in-law, the request seems help identify a mysterious child found at her husband’s secluded resort. But nothing inside Gilded Hive is simple. Demi is greeted not only by doctors, but by a priest. By patients dressed in identical white, their hollow stares following her every move. By a sticky sweetness in the air that feels less comforting…and more consuming.
Magdalene is not the woman Demi expects. She speaks in riddles, dreams woven into every word, hinting at something deeper beneath the asylum’s carefully curated decay.
As the walls seem to close in, Demi begins to question everything, who she can trust, what she’s really been brought here to do, and why everyone seems to be watching her like she already belongs to the hive.
Because Demi has always been the Favorite Girl.
But inside Gilded Hive, there is only one Favorite Daughter.
And saving Magdalene might mean becoming something far worse.
Audible Audio
Expected publication October 19, 2027
About the author
Monica Arya
17 books2,073 followersMonica Arya is an Amazon Top 35 bestselling and award winning author. Her books have been #1 bestsellers. She is a multi-genre author, writing both thrillers and romance. Monica resides in the Carolinas with her husband and two children. She loves to connect with readers and you can find her on social media @monicaaryaauthor or www.monicaarya.com
IG : @monicaaryaauthor
https://www.instagram.com/monicaaryaa...
Website
www.monicaarya.com
TikTok : @monicaaryaauthor
Join her Facebook reader group :
Monica Arya's Misfits
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IG : @monicaaryaauthor
https://www.instagram.com/monicaaryaa...
Website
www.monicaarya.com
TikTok : @monicaaryaauthor
Join her Facebook reader group :
Monica Arya's Misfits
https://www.facebook.com/groups/monic...
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
September 26, 2026
Demi’s world is always a world I will gladly step right into! Ignore all the warnings and just take a deep dive. When I need an unhinged absolutely psychotic book to wind down, this series is it. Female rage that is absolutely warranted in a world filled with powerful disgusting men. What could possibly happen? 😈 Amazing book from the amazing Monica Arya and fabulous narration on the audio!
This audio ARC was received via Libro FM and all opinions are my own.
This audio ARC was received via Libro FM and all opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy
Okay… a lot to unpack here, I guess. I don’t really know how I feel about this one, honestly. I did enjoy it, I think? However, and this is completely my fault, I think I would have enjoyed it more had I not ignored the initial warning about it being part of a series. I do think this is one of those cases where, while it can definitely be a standalone, having more context would be really helpful.
Now, I also think it might have kept me from going into this one, in the first place. Because it truly is a lot, which it does warn you about from the beginning, so I am not complaining about that. I knew what I was going in for, and I went willingly. So I will say, do check the warnings at the beginning, and do with that what you will.
The audio gets a shoutout from me, for sure. Not only was it incredible, it also played a huge part in how much I enjoyed this at the end of the day. Even when it got too much, I simply couldn’t get away, and it was all because of the narration. It truly is great.
Biggest thanks to Libro.fm & Simon Maverick for the ALC; all opinions are my own.
Now, I also think it might have kept me from going into this one, in the first place. Because it truly is a lot, which it does warn you about from the beginning, so I am not complaining about that. I knew what I was going in for, and I went willingly. So I will say, do check the warnings at the beginning, and do with that what you will.
The audio gets a shoutout from me, for sure. Not only was it incredible, it also played a huge part in how much I enjoyed this at the end of the day. Even when it got too much, I simply couldn’t get away, and it was all because of the narration. It truly is great.
Biggest thanks to Libro.fm & Simon Maverick for the ALC; all opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
I’m not usually a series girly, but I will always go back to Demi’s world. This was another 5 star read from Monica Arya, and I’m not even surprised at this point.
I love how she continues to expand this world without anything ever feeling repetitive. Every book gives us something new while still having that same disturbing, twisted feeling I loved from the beginning. This one was just as messed up in the best way as the other two, and I could not have loved it more!
I was fortunate enough to get the audiobook through Libro.fm and Simon Maverick way ahead of publishing. The audio was so well done and brought the story to life perfectly. I’ll keep coming back to Demi’s world anytime Monica Arya writes it!
I love how she continues to expand this world without anything ever feeling repetitive. Every book gives us something new while still having that same disturbing, twisted feeling I loved from the beginning. This one was just as messed up in the best way as the other two, and I could not have loved it more!
I was fortunate enough to get the audiobook through Libro.fm and Simon Maverick way ahead of publishing. The audio was so well done and brought the story to life perfectly. I’ll keep coming back to Demi’s world anytime Monica Arya writes it!
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews