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Daughter of Mine
When your world falls apart the only person you can depend on is your sister.
The three Chirnwell sisters are descended from the privileged squattocracy in Victoria’s Western District — but could a long-held secret threaten their family?
Harriett Chirnwell has a perfect life — a husband who loves her, a successful career and a daughter who is destined to become a doctor just like her.
Xara has always lived in Harriet’s shadow; her chaotic life with her family on their sheep farm falls far short of her older sister’s standards of perfection and prestige.
Georgie, the youngest sister and a passionate teacher, is the only one of the three to have left Billawarre. But is her life in Melbourne happy?
Despite all three sisters having a different and sometimes strained bond with their mother, Edwina, they come together to organise a party for her milestone birthday — the first since their father’s death. But when Edwina arrives at her party on the arm of another man, the tumult is like a dam finally breaking. Suddenly the lives of the Chirnwell sisters are flooded by scandal. Criminal accusations, a daughter in crisis, and a secret over fifty years in the making start to crack the perfect façade of the prominent pastoral family.
A thought provoking novel about family expectations, secrets and lies.
The three Chirnwell sisters are descended from the privileged squattocracy in Victoria’s Western District — but could a long-held secret threaten their family?
Harriett Chirnwell has a perfect life — a husband who loves her, a successful career and a daughter who is destined to become a doctor just like her.
Xara has always lived in Harriet’s shadow; her chaotic life with her family on their sheep farm falls far short of her older sister’s standards of perfection and prestige.
Georgie, the youngest sister and a passionate teacher, is the only one of the three to have left Billawarre. But is her life in Melbourne happy?
Despite all three sisters having a different and sometimes strained bond with their mother, Edwina, they come together to organise a party for her milestone birthday — the first since their father’s death. But when Edwina arrives at her party on the arm of another man, the tumult is like a dam finally breaking. Suddenly the lives of the Chirnwell sisters are flooded by scandal. Criminal accusations, a daughter in crisis, and a secret over fifty years in the making start to crack the perfect façade of the prominent pastoral family.
A thought provoking novel about family expectations, secrets and lies.
435 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 20, 2017
212 people are currently reading
710 people want to read
About the author
Fiona Lowe
123 books649 followersMulti published, Fiona is very excited about her 2026 release, The Drowning a novel about a family, a holiday house and a dead body. Previously published with Berkley and currently with Harper Collins Australia, (HQ Fiction) Fiona's been the recipient of a RITA and two RuBY awards. Families and communities intrigue her and she loves creating characters you could meet on the street and enjoys putting them in unique situations where morals and values can blur and she begs the reader to ask themselves, 'What would you do?'
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 111 reviews
October 3, 2017
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Fiona Lowe is a well known and respected author in Australia. She has published over twenty contemporary romance books and has won some prestigious awards, such as the RUBY here in Australia and the RITA award in the US. For reasons unknown to me, her writing seems to have slipped under my radar but I am rectifying that through my reading of her latest novel, Daughter of Mine.
The Chirnwells are a wealthy clan and hail from Victoria’s Western district. They have lived and worked off the land for many years successfully. At the head of the Chirnwell family is Edwina, a widow of two years, after her husband and the father of her three daughters passed away. Her daughters are as different as chalk and cheese. There is the eldest Harriet, who has a successful career, a loving husband and a talented daughter. Middle daughter Xara juggles a disabled daughter with twins on her family’s sheep farm property. Youngest daughter Georgie has flown from her childhood home to forge a career as a teacher in the city. But is still clear that Georgie is trying to find her feet, as well as a place that makes her feel happy. Gathering for their first big family celebration since the passing of their father, the three Chirnwell sisters are putting their differences with one another aside, for the sake of their mother. The milestone birthday party for Edwina signals the start of a series of revelations that rock the Chirnwell family to their core. With deep seated secrets, a love scandal, criminal activities and an unexpected pregnancy to contend with, life for the Chirnwell clan is about to change.
If you are searching for a good quality family saga, complete with some juicy secrets, strained relations and a distinctly Australian setting, then Daughter of Mine may be just what you have been looking for. I really did enjoy my first turn with Fiona Lowe and I still quite fathom why I haven’t read any of her books until now! Never mind, I will be sure to make a conscious effort to seek out Lowe’s back list based on my appreciation for Daughter of Mine.
Sisterhood is a big theme of this novel. I tend to find the complex relationship that exists between sisters a little hard to understand, as I come from a family background of only one sibling, a younger brother. Thankfully, Lowe’s approach to the sisterly relationships in Daughter of Mine has an easy style to connect with. It isn’t essential to have your own sister relationship to understand the ups and downs the sisters go through in this novel. What I will say is each of these sisters is very different, very well drawn and contrasting. Each has their own traits, misgivings and aspirations that I am certain readers will some sense of common understanding. The situations Lowe puts these sisters and the other characters in the novel is realistic and relatable, it definitely added to the appeal of the novel as a whole.
Readers will be quick to notice that Daughter of Mine is hefty, it is on the 500 page mark. However, the almost conversational mode of storytelling that Lowe adopts to unravel her tale of the Chirnwells assists greatly in the enjoyment of the novel. The use of long buried secrets and a few lies, even an element of criminal fraud thrown in for good measure, contributes to your loyalty to stay with the book from the start to the end.
Lowe has chosen to base her latest novel in a beautiful part of Australia, most of the action in the novel is focussed around the same small country Victorian based town. I enjoyed being transported to the Victorian district of Billawarre. Lowe’s descriptions are a visual feast. Linking to these stunning depictions of the land is Lowe’s reference to squattocracy in Daughter of Mine. A term that is new to me, I appreciated learning about the legacy behind prominent pastoral families such as the Chirnwells.
I urge you not to feel overwhelmed by the size of this novel, it is a spiralling and relaxing novel kind of novel. It embraces you in its arms from the opening and doesn’t try to let go until you reach the end of this compelling saga. Daughter of Mine simultaneously explores motherhood, sisterhood and daughterhood, by taking you right into the heart of the Chirnwell family and their unfolding dramas. It is a story that all will find a commonality with and be reminded that no family is perfect but it is the strength that we gain from these familial bonds that are important. Thank you for a meaningful read Fiona Lowe.
Fiona Lowe is a well known and respected author in Australia. She has published over twenty contemporary romance books and has won some prestigious awards, such as the RUBY here in Australia and the RITA award in the US. For reasons unknown to me, her writing seems to have slipped under my radar but I am rectifying that through my reading of her latest novel, Daughter of Mine.
The Chirnwells are a wealthy clan and hail from Victoria’s Western district. They have lived and worked off the land for many years successfully. At the head of the Chirnwell family is Edwina, a widow of two years, after her husband and the father of her three daughters passed away. Her daughters are as different as chalk and cheese. There is the eldest Harriet, who has a successful career, a loving husband and a talented daughter. Middle daughter Xara juggles a disabled daughter with twins on her family’s sheep farm property. Youngest daughter Georgie has flown from her childhood home to forge a career as a teacher in the city. But is still clear that Georgie is trying to find her feet, as well as a place that makes her feel happy. Gathering for their first big family celebration since the passing of their father, the three Chirnwell sisters are putting their differences with one another aside, for the sake of their mother. The milestone birthday party for Edwina signals the start of a series of revelations that rock the Chirnwell family to their core. With deep seated secrets, a love scandal, criminal activities and an unexpected pregnancy to contend with, life for the Chirnwell clan is about to change.
If you are searching for a good quality family saga, complete with some juicy secrets, strained relations and a distinctly Australian setting, then Daughter of Mine may be just what you have been looking for. I really did enjoy my first turn with Fiona Lowe and I still quite fathom why I haven’t read any of her books until now! Never mind, I will be sure to make a conscious effort to seek out Lowe’s back list based on my appreciation for Daughter of Mine.
Sisterhood is a big theme of this novel. I tend to find the complex relationship that exists between sisters a little hard to understand, as I come from a family background of only one sibling, a younger brother. Thankfully, Lowe’s approach to the sisterly relationships in Daughter of Mine has an easy style to connect with. It isn’t essential to have your own sister relationship to understand the ups and downs the sisters go through in this novel. What I will say is each of these sisters is very different, very well drawn and contrasting. Each has their own traits, misgivings and aspirations that I am certain readers will some sense of common understanding. The situations Lowe puts these sisters and the other characters in the novel is realistic and relatable, it definitely added to the appeal of the novel as a whole.
Readers will be quick to notice that Daughter of Mine is hefty, it is on the 500 page mark. However, the almost conversational mode of storytelling that Lowe adopts to unravel her tale of the Chirnwells assists greatly in the enjoyment of the novel. The use of long buried secrets and a few lies, even an element of criminal fraud thrown in for good measure, contributes to your loyalty to stay with the book from the start to the end.
Lowe has chosen to base her latest novel in a beautiful part of Australia, most of the action in the novel is focussed around the same small country Victorian based town. I enjoyed being transported to the Victorian district of Billawarre. Lowe’s descriptions are a visual feast. Linking to these stunning depictions of the land is Lowe’s reference to squattocracy in Daughter of Mine. A term that is new to me, I appreciated learning about the legacy behind prominent pastoral families such as the Chirnwells.
I urge you not to feel overwhelmed by the size of this novel, it is a spiralling and relaxing novel kind of novel. It embraces you in its arms from the opening and doesn’t try to let go until you reach the end of this compelling saga. Daughter of Mine simultaneously explores motherhood, sisterhood and daughterhood, by taking you right into the heart of the Chirnwell family and their unfolding dramas. It is a story that all will find a commonality with and be reminded that no family is perfect but it is the strength that we gain from these familial bonds that are important. Thank you for a meaningful read Fiona Lowe.
February 15, 2021
I really enjoyed this family drama, set in rural Victoria. It tells of Edwina, her three adult daughters, Harriet, Xara and Georgina and her grand-daughter Charlotte. Edwina is widowed and lives on a large family property, being a descendent of the local gentry. Harriet, like her father is a surgeon and prides herself on a perfect home, a perfect husband who is also the Mayor and a daughter doing Year 12 who will follow in her footsteps to study medicine.
Near the beginning of the book some family secrets start to bubble to the surface and compounded they threaten to shatter the family. Some secrets are so big that they may never trust each other again.
The story unfolds over a 12 month period and I laughed and cried along with each of these characters. I really enjoyed the ups and downs that each of these women encountered and how it quickly became apparent that love and family were far more important than power and prestige.
Near the beginning of the book some family secrets start to bubble to the surface and compounded they threaten to shatter the family. Some secrets are so big that they may never trust each other again.
The story unfolds over a 12 month period and I laughed and cried along with each of these characters. I really enjoyed the ups and downs that each of these women encountered and how it quickly became apparent that love and family were far more important than power and prestige.
March 1, 2017
Where do I start? Can I say wow what a fabulous story? Yes I can, I loved this one beautifully written so many fabulous characters who come to life on the pages they became friends, and friends that I cried with laughed with and wanted to yell at throughout the story there is a lot going on secrets that have been kept for nearly fifty years and when they come out lives will change forever.
This is the story of a privileged family in Victoria’s Western district they come from squatters in the early 1800’s they have a rich and honoured history but do they? There are always secrets and black sheep of the family and now a secret is about to be discovered that will lead to the three Chirnwell sisters Harriet (Harry), Xara and Georgie’s lives as well as their Mother’s Edwina being up ended and that is not the only thing that is happening there is lovers reunited new love discovered and extra family members as well as families torn apart by criminal accusations and scandals that rock the town of Billawarre.
Harry, Xara and Georgie are all very different sisters Harry a successful Doctor with a loving husband and beautiful daughter, Xara a stay at home Mum who leads a very busy life with her loving husband children and the sheep farm to run and Georgie the teacher who has been through heartache but even though they have their differences in the end they are sisters who love and care for each other but their lives change and their journey is very rocky and the path a tough one to tread but tread it they do. The women in this story are strong and capable and mostly easy to love as you get to know them.
I don’t want to give any spoilers away but I do highly recommend this book it truly is a remarkable amazing story of families and the rules that they live by the loves, the loses, the highs and lows that come daily and sometimes with a big bang that rocks everyone. I smiled I cried and I found such joy in this story. Thank you MS Lowe for a wonderful story that kept me turning the pages this one is a keeper and will stay with me for a long time.
This is the story of a privileged family in Victoria’s Western district they come from squatters in the early 1800’s they have a rich and honoured history but do they? There are always secrets and black sheep of the family and now a secret is about to be discovered that will lead to the three Chirnwell sisters Harriet (Harry), Xara and Georgie’s lives as well as their Mother’s Edwina being up ended and that is not the only thing that is happening there is lovers reunited new love discovered and extra family members as well as families torn apart by criminal accusations and scandals that rock the town of Billawarre.
Harry, Xara and Georgie are all very different sisters Harry a successful Doctor with a loving husband and beautiful daughter, Xara a stay at home Mum who leads a very busy life with her loving husband children and the sheep farm to run and Georgie the teacher who has been through heartache but even though they have their differences in the end they are sisters who love and care for each other but their lives change and their journey is very rocky and the path a tough one to tread but tread it they do. The women in this story are strong and capable and mostly easy to love as you get to know them.
I don’t want to give any spoilers away but I do highly recommend this book it truly is a remarkable amazing story of families and the rules that they live by the loves, the loses, the highs and lows that come daily and sometimes with a big bang that rocks everyone. I smiled I cried and I found such joy in this story. Thank you MS Lowe for a wonderful story that kept me turning the pages this one is a keeper and will stay with me for a long time.
October 19, 2017
Three sisters, all with very different lives, come together to organise a significant birthday party, at elder sister Harriet’s insistence for their mother, Edwina. Harriet, who has a husband, a successful career and one daughter is the most annoying creature out. She is the type of person who usually manages to ride roughshod over the thoughts, opinions and feelings of others. Xara has always felt she can never live up to Harriet. Xara lives on a sheep family with a young and slightly chaotic family that never seems to match up to her older sister’s standards. Georgie, the youngest sister, lives in Melbourne and is a committed teacher. All three women have secrets and issues in their lives they are dealing with. They also relate very differently to their mother Edwina. Edwina has secrets of her own that eventually come to light.
I liked the setting of this book but I thought at times there was just too much happening and too many secrets rolling out. It struck me at times as a bit far-fetched. I never really engaged completely with any of the female characters, though Xara and Georgie are both more likeable than Harriet. A couple of the male characters I really liked. Overall I enjoyed the book. It just didn’t grab me as much as I expected it would. Others may well have a different view though.
I liked the setting of this book but I thought at times there was just too much happening and too many secrets rolling out. It struck me at times as a bit far-fetched. I never really engaged completely with any of the female characters, though Xara and Georgie are both more likeable than Harriet. A couple of the male characters I really liked. Overall I enjoyed the book. It just didn’t grab me as much as I expected it would. Others may well have a different view though.
July 26, 2021
Super predictable, every step of the way, but the characters are great. Not my favourite fiona Lowe, but a good easy read after a long day at work.
The character development is fantastic, beautifully flawed people come to life right off the page.
The character development is fantastic, beautifully flawed people come to life right off the page.
November 29, 2019
This was the first I'd read of Fiona Lowe's books, but it's convinced me to read a whole lot more.
I loved the quintessential Aussie feel of the story, the dynamics of the family and the drama that seems to go hand in hand with family life.
It was believable, and the characters had a real feel to them.
I'm looking forward to what comes next.
I loved the quintessential Aussie feel of the story, the dynamics of the family and the drama that seems to go hand in hand with family life.
It was believable, and the characters had a real feel to them.
I'm looking forward to what comes next.
October 29, 2024
3.5 ⭐️s
Listened to the audiobook via BorrowBox
Published by Bolinda/HarperCollins audio
Read by Rebecca Macauley
Duration: 16 hrs, 24 min. 1.50x Speed
Listened to the audiobook via BorrowBox
Published by Bolinda/HarperCollins audio
Read by Rebecca Macauley
Duration: 16 hrs, 24 min. 1.50x Speed
March 4, 2017
This is the first book of Fiona's that I have read, and I believe that she has quite an extensive backlist of books. I think this is her first commercial Women's Fiction book, and I feel so privileged to have read it. I love stories about families and this book is an absolute winner. The pressure to maintain an image on a well-respected and somewhat wealthy family in a smallish town is huge, but every family like this has a facade and Edwina who is the matriarch of the family has a secret that she has told no one. Newly widowed, she feels she must uphold this image to her three daughters - Harriet, who is following her late father's career and is a perfectionist with a prominent husband and perfect daughter, Xara who is busy juggling 3 children, one of which has a disability, and Georgie who lives away in Melbourne and followed her own dream of being a teacher rather than what her father wanted her to do, but has been unlucky in love.
The characters in this book were very relatable and the author went to great lengths to tell their individual stories beautifully. This kept me turning the pages constantly and even though I could have slapped one of the daughters many times throughout the book, I did enjoy how her story concluded. There are also many secondary characters in the book who have delightful backgrounds of their own and you can't help but empathize with their circumstances as well.
This is a must read book for anyone who enjoys life-lit or women's fiction and I hope will be the first of many books by Fiona written in this genre.
The characters in this book were very relatable and the author went to great lengths to tell their individual stories beautifully. This kept me turning the pages constantly and even though I could have slapped one of the daughters many times throughout the book, I did enjoy how her story concluded. There are also many secondary characters in the book who have delightful backgrounds of their own and you can't help but empathize with their circumstances as well.
This is a must read book for anyone who enjoys life-lit or women's fiction and I hope will be the first of many books by Fiona written in this genre.
May 16, 2017
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and was left wanting more. The characters, even with their flaws were easy to relate to, even if they were difficult to like at times. This story takes the reader on a real journey of family history, one which spoke much truth to anyone who has resided in rural Australia. I love the twists and turns through the family history and thought the depiction of the ins and outs of family added an authenticity to the story.
This is the first book of Fiona Lowes that I have read and I did find the writing style quite different to other authors in the same genre. Overall though it is a fabulous story which was very difficult to put down at times.
Thanks to Beauty and Lace and Harlequin for the opportunity to read this book. Another fab author to follow :)
This is the first book of Fiona Lowes that I have read and I did find the writing style quite different to other authors in the same genre. Overall though it is a fabulous story which was very difficult to put down at times.
Thanks to Beauty and Lace and Harlequin for the opportunity to read this book. Another fab author to follow :)
November 24, 2019
Really enjoyed this books, which was a bit of a change for me.
Nothing Australian has ever appealed to me since I read The Thorn Birds for the very first time (of very many times), because I never thought anything else could possibly match up to that.
But this almost made it :)
Nothing Australian has ever appealed to me since I read The Thorn Birds for the very first time (of very many times), because I never thought anything else could possibly match up to that.
But this almost made it :)
October 18, 2020
I have loved all of Fiona Lowe’s books, and this was no exception. Daughter of Mine centres around the women of the Chirnwell family, descendants of a wealth pastoralist family and influential in the small town of Billawarre. Each woman has their own story to tell, of heartache, loss and secrets. The characters are so real, they become like members of your own family. Sometimes you want to hug them, and sometimes you want to shake them! I loved how the story unfolded, and learning about each of these women. The worst part of the book was having to say goodbye to them all at the end.
February 21, 2017
Really enjoyed this novel by Fiona Lowe. A pleasant, engaging writing style that is easy to read, an enjoyable plot involving complicated family secrets, mental health issues, and lost love which moves at a good pace, and authentic dialogue between sisters, mothers and extended family who have, at times, a fractious relationship (coming from a hugely dysfunctional family of three sisters, I can relate!).
Genuinely recommend this novel as a great holiday or weekend read you can become engrossed in.
Review copy received from Harlequin.
Genuinely recommend this novel as a great holiday or weekend read you can become engrossed in.
Review copy received from Harlequin.
October 31, 2020
Loved this book! Thank you Fiona Lowe, it may be a long story but it is a very interesting one. The quote in the front of the book: Sisters may share the same mother and father but appear to come from different families...Anonymous. This would no doubt suggest that each of us is a very unique individual and that our life experience is never the same. Proven so by the lives of the sisters in this story and beyond them... I would recommend this book
January 18, 2020
I think I have a new favourite author . Second book by Fiona Lowe and what a terrific story! Filled with memorable , realistic characters . Just loved it and cannot wait to read my next book by yet another fantastic Australian author . 5 stars all the way !
January 10, 2026
Another great family drama from Australian author Fiona Lowe, featuring long-held family secrets, light romance element and exploring complexities of family relationships.
August 10, 2020
Can this family be saved?
Daughter of Mine by Fiona Lowe is an intense, fast paced story about a high-strung family of achievers. This Australian family is held captive by status and expectations and secrets left untold. Harriett, the oldest daughter, a rigid surgeon, and demanding mother of Charlotte, being the best and worst example. Her actions are unforgiveable toward Charlotte her daughter, and it wasn't until the end of the book that this reader made peace with her character. But bighearted Xara with her special daughter and rambunctious twins, not to mention her sexy, rock solid, husband, has managed to follow her heart and live a very different life. Tenderhearted Georgie, is struggling to get her life back on track after a major loss. Then she meets Ben. Each sister has their resilience tested by revelations that challenge their memories as a family and shake their current world. Their family tree spins out of control with the introduction of Doug and later, Michelle. Harriet’s husband and daughter Charlotte both in their own way send her well planned and controlled existence on its ear. So many family secrets were swept under the rug as the three sisters grew up, that when one major truth is revealed, it seems all will be lost. Edwina (the mother) and her mind-blowing secret, touched my heart. I found myself biting nails over what might happen next and holding my breath when I figured out what was going to happen before Georgie did. Did I mention Ben? 😉This family saga had me sitting on the edge of my seat waiting for the next shoe (or sibling) to drop, and let me tell you it (they) did. Fiona Lowe has long proven herself as a fine writer of short medical romance, then larger romantic dramas with Boomerang Bride, and now she steps into a new and hopefully long-lived role as a master author of family sagas. Well done.
Daughter of Mine by Fiona Lowe is an intense, fast paced story about a high-strung family of achievers. This Australian family is held captive by status and expectations and secrets left untold. Harriett, the oldest daughter, a rigid surgeon, and demanding mother of Charlotte, being the best and worst example. Her actions are unforgiveable toward Charlotte her daughter, and it wasn't until the end of the book that this reader made peace with her character. But bighearted Xara with her special daughter and rambunctious twins, not to mention her sexy, rock solid, husband, has managed to follow her heart and live a very different life. Tenderhearted Georgie, is struggling to get her life back on track after a major loss. Then she meets Ben. Each sister has their resilience tested by revelations that challenge their memories as a family and shake their current world. Their family tree spins out of control with the introduction of Doug and later, Michelle. Harriet’s husband and daughter Charlotte both in their own way send her well planned and controlled existence on its ear. So many family secrets were swept under the rug as the three sisters grew up, that when one major truth is revealed, it seems all will be lost. Edwina (the mother) and her mind-blowing secret, touched my heart. I found myself biting nails over what might happen next and holding my breath when I figured out what was going to happen before Georgie did. Did I mention Ben? 😉This family saga had me sitting on the edge of my seat waiting for the next shoe (or sibling) to drop, and let me tell you it (they) did. Fiona Lowe has long proven herself as a fine writer of short medical romance, then larger romantic dramas with Boomerang Bride, and now she steps into a new and hopefully long-lived role as a master author of family sagas. Well done.
May 2, 2017
This is so good, I devoured it in 2 days (and it's a big, thick paperback!)
A wonderfully heartwarming story of families, siblings and the secrets they keep.
Thoroughly enjoyed!
A wonderfully heartwarming story of families, siblings and the secrets they keep.
Thoroughly enjoyed!
April 24, 2025
Very slow read… not engaging enough I’m afraid. And with very predictable ending
March 18, 2017
‘I really don’t think anyone in my family is okay today .... I paid a high price for secrets and lies and I’m paying it still.’
With an easy going writing style and an engaging story, ‘Daughter of Mine’ proved to be a most enjoyable novel. Here you will find past and recent complicated family secrets and lies, loves come and go and a range of emotions from the young through to serious mental issues are covered. What I truly embraced with this book was the realistic and authentic dialogue, not only between family, but also those extending beyond that.
‘Ask me. I’m an open book. I’ve lived with the damaging effects of secrets all of my life. I don’t want any to exist between you and me or between me and your sisters.’
Here Lowe will provide you with an array of characters that face obstacles and heartache and there is sure to be at least one character that you unwittingly nod your head at, either in agreement or frustration. Still, it goes to demonstrate how well Lowe captures a range of relatable characteristics and how everybody can deal differently with a conflict or family problem. I appreciate the detail and time Lowe invested in each of the main characters so that you could try to appreciate how it looked coming from their side of things.
‘Confident he wasn’t going to ask, she’d let down her guard. Now, all snuggled up in her cocoon of bliss and totally unprepared, the question hit her like a sniper’s bullet. It tore through her, ripping, burning, brutal.’
Set in a small town it all comes across as very believable and you will find yourself cheering for some and hoping that fate delivers its blow to others. For a longer book, it moves at a good pace and I was readily engaged throughout, eagerly turning the pages. I can genuinely recommend this as a good family drama/saga.
‘Life isn’t perfect. God, I worked that out years ago. It’s messy and complicated and disorganised. People do things that hurt you. People disappoint you and let you down. Family lets you down and that one hurts the most.’
This review is based on a complimentary copy from the publisher and provided through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. The quoted material may have changed in the final release
With an easy going writing style and an engaging story, ‘Daughter of Mine’ proved to be a most enjoyable novel. Here you will find past and recent complicated family secrets and lies, loves come and go and a range of emotions from the young through to serious mental issues are covered. What I truly embraced with this book was the realistic and authentic dialogue, not only between family, but also those extending beyond that.
‘Ask me. I’m an open book. I’ve lived with the damaging effects of secrets all of my life. I don’t want any to exist between you and me or between me and your sisters.’
Here Lowe will provide you with an array of characters that face obstacles and heartache and there is sure to be at least one character that you unwittingly nod your head at, either in agreement or frustration. Still, it goes to demonstrate how well Lowe captures a range of relatable characteristics and how everybody can deal differently with a conflict or family problem. I appreciate the detail and time Lowe invested in each of the main characters so that you could try to appreciate how it looked coming from their side of things.
‘Confident he wasn’t going to ask, she’d let down her guard. Now, all snuggled up in her cocoon of bliss and totally unprepared, the question hit her like a sniper’s bullet. It tore through her, ripping, burning, brutal.’
Set in a small town it all comes across as very believable and you will find yourself cheering for some and hoping that fate delivers its blow to others. For a longer book, it moves at a good pace and I was readily engaged throughout, eagerly turning the pages. I can genuinely recommend this as a good family drama/saga.
‘Life isn’t perfect. God, I worked that out years ago. It’s messy and complicated and disorganised. People do things that hurt you. People disappoint you and let you down. Family lets you down and that one hurts the most.’
This review is based on a complimentary copy from the publisher and provided through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. The quoted material may have changed in the final release
July 19, 2020
Sisters...wouldn’t want to live without mine, but I haven’t got a Harriet!
Great story. 3 sisters, all very different and all trying to deal with a mother who is happy to get by without daughterly interference.
Harriet works hard, a country doctor with her own practice, lives a very indulgent and rigid lifestyle until it all comes crashing down like a house of cards.
Xara, the middle sister lives a shambolic lifestyle, but a loving and much loved husband whose total support and equal responsibilities, makes her days easier to get through with her twin son's, disabled daughter and the day to day battles involved with running a farm.
And the youngest, Georgie is on the outside, much more laid back than either of her sisters and is the only one who has left the area where Edwina's( the mother) family have lived for generations and have built a dynasty. She and Xara are quite close even as distance usually separates them, but Harriet is hard to get close to. And when her perfect life crumbles around her, she distances herself even more.
Harriet has her own issues with her only child, Charlotte, and when Charlotte goes against everything her mother demands of her, they become estranged.
Difficult times that would have been made easier if Harriet was less rigid!
Audible narration by the excellent Rebecca Macauley adds an extra dimension to this excellent work by the prolific Fiona Lowe.
5 stars 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
Great story. 3 sisters, all very different and all trying to deal with a mother who is happy to get by without daughterly interference.
Harriet works hard, a country doctor with her own practice, lives a very indulgent and rigid lifestyle until it all comes crashing down like a house of cards.
Xara, the middle sister lives a shambolic lifestyle, but a loving and much loved husband whose total support and equal responsibilities, makes her days easier to get through with her twin son's, disabled daughter and the day to day battles involved with running a farm.
And the youngest, Georgie is on the outside, much more laid back than either of her sisters and is the only one who has left the area where Edwina's( the mother) family have lived for generations and have built a dynasty. She and Xara are quite close even as distance usually separates them, but Harriet is hard to get close to. And when her perfect life crumbles around her, she distances herself even more.
Harriet has her own issues with her only child, Charlotte, and when Charlotte goes against everything her mother demands of her, they become estranged.
Difficult times that would have been made easier if Harriet was less rigid!
Audible narration by the excellent Rebecca Macauley adds an extra dimension to this excellent work by the prolific Fiona Lowe.
5 stars 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
February 7, 2017
Daughter Of Mine by Fiona Lowe was a tumultuous, 360 degree story, filled with so many obstacles and heartache and twists for the portrayed characters. Energetic, opinionated personas that were prickly at first, but nevertheless, they grew on you. Characters that had this readers opinions turning. Events and circumstances, secrets and lies. An exceptionally magnificent read. From the start I was gripped by the happenings within the events of the small town setting, and the vivacious starring characters portrayed. The obstacles and contentious issues were believably written and had me completely outraged on behalf of each of the characters. Loved this story and was so pleased with the finale and would not have complained if the story kept going :) A book that will be in my fave reads that I could go back to again.
Review copy received from Harlequin Australia via Netgalley
Review copy received from Harlequin Australia via Netgalley
February 9, 2018
Absolutely couldn't put this book down. Enjoyed it thoroughly and the way that the families and Western District were brought to life
October 14, 2019
Best reading
Wow, I haven't read such a great story for so long, thoroughly enjoyed it, sympathized with one, laughed with another and felt like slapping one! Great read
Wow, I haven't read such a great story for so long, thoroughly enjoyed it, sympathized with one, laughed with another and felt like slapping one! Great read
March 13, 2017
I’ve never read Fiona Lowe before but she is the winner of multiple awards (including a RITA) so I was pretty intrigued by this one. It’s quite a complex story line featuring several generations of the same family who hail from wealthy, privileged and respected landowners – the “squattocracy”.
Harriett, Xara and Georgie couldn’t really be more different. Harriett has always been the rigid one, very driven and dedicated. Not only does she push herself hard to always be successful and almost perfect in a way, but she also pushes her daughter hard as well. Xara has had to learn to be adaptable – as the mother of a child with a lifelong debilitating disability and also twin boys, her life is total chaos where they’re always just scraping buy compared to Harriett’s organised life and quiet wealth. Georgie is a primary school teacher (seemingly stuck with a “difficult” sort of class) and the only one to have made her home away from the local area where they all grew up and their names are an integral part of the history and make up of the town. Who they are and where they came from is of varying importance to them – unsurprisingly Harriet is the most attached the family name and reputation and it is her that reacts in the worst way when she is first betrayed and then confronted with some unexpected news.
In a way I felt for Harriett because the more rigid someone is, the harder it is for them when terrible things happen. And there’s no doubt that Harriett’s life implodes. Someone she loves, someone she respected, does something utterly horrible and she is blindsided by it and then the response to her hurt is perhaps even worse. She is also ostracised, shunned, labelled as a co-conspirator by the locals and her practice suffers greatly as a result. But it was hard to completely sympathise with Harriett because so much of what happens after that first betrayal is of her own making. She’s so rigid and so demanding on what must be done that she overlooks so many important things. She’s concerned with image and how things look and the fact that things like this just don’t happen in their family. Because they are better than that and that was an attitude that I couldn’t sympathise with at all. Despite people attempting to reason with her, she really did stay frustratingly stubborn and judgemental for the longest time. Harriett for me felt like a very interesting study for “nature vs nurture” – there’s no doubt her fractured relationship with Edwina was a product of the distance between them when Harriett was very young and also Edwina’s illnesses. However Harriett also aspired to be very much like her father, wanted to emulate him in every way. She adored him clearly and it’s very difficult for her when she’s forced to confront some of his faults, long after his death. It did make me wonder how much of her nature was because she wanted to be that way, that she thought being that way was more superior than being more like Edwina.
I don’t have a sister but everyone I know with one says that it’s a very complex relationship and these three definitely have that. Georgie and Xara are more mellow personalities, more alike probably and more able to sit and just chat. Harriett is always doing something or going somewhere and she doesn’t seem like she’s as close to the other two as they are to each other. They do rally around in times of crisis, but it’s a lot of things that pile on top of one another – Edwina’s new man friend, the betrayal Harriett experiences and resulting fall out (it also affects Xara and her husband Steve quite personally as well) as well as what happens after that and it isn’t long before fractures in the relationships Harriett has with everyone are showing.
I really loved Edwina’s story, which is told in bits and pieces throughout and I actually think that could’ve made a great book on it’s own – following her from a teenager up until the age she is at the beginning of this novel. She’s experienced a lot of heartache juxtaposed with a lot of privilege and the Edwina that is presented to the world is different from the Edwina that lies beneath the surface. Loved the character of Doug and I loved the fact that they were able to reconnect after so many years and still find something there. There were many surprises that came out of that which made for very interesting reading and added many layers to the complexity of the story.
For the most part, this is a really engaging multi-generational family story with plenty of drama, intricate relationships (some connections are very intricate!) and intriguing reveals. However there were times when for me, it felt a little bit long and Harriett’s hysteria and stubbornness over something was quite irritating. I don’t really know much about the whole squattocracy thing but sometimes the family reputation thing felt a little outdated, something that people would’ve focused on earlier but shouldn’t really seem as relevant now.
Those are little things though and this is still an excellent read.
Harriett, Xara and Georgie couldn’t really be more different. Harriett has always been the rigid one, very driven and dedicated. Not only does she push herself hard to always be successful and almost perfect in a way, but she also pushes her daughter hard as well. Xara has had to learn to be adaptable – as the mother of a child with a lifelong debilitating disability and also twin boys, her life is total chaos where they’re always just scraping buy compared to Harriett’s organised life and quiet wealth. Georgie is a primary school teacher (seemingly stuck with a “difficult” sort of class) and the only one to have made her home away from the local area where they all grew up and their names are an integral part of the history and make up of the town. Who they are and where they came from is of varying importance to them – unsurprisingly Harriet is the most attached the family name and reputation and it is her that reacts in the worst way when she is first betrayed and then confronted with some unexpected news.
In a way I felt for Harriett because the more rigid someone is, the harder it is for them when terrible things happen. And there’s no doubt that Harriett’s life implodes. Someone she loves, someone she respected, does something utterly horrible and she is blindsided by it and then the response to her hurt is perhaps even worse. She is also ostracised, shunned, labelled as a co-conspirator by the locals and her practice suffers greatly as a result. But it was hard to completely sympathise with Harriett because so much of what happens after that first betrayal is of her own making. She’s so rigid and so demanding on what must be done that she overlooks so many important things. She’s concerned with image and how things look and the fact that things like this just don’t happen in their family. Because they are better than that and that was an attitude that I couldn’t sympathise with at all. Despite people attempting to reason with her, she really did stay frustratingly stubborn and judgemental for the longest time. Harriett for me felt like a very interesting study for “nature vs nurture” – there’s no doubt her fractured relationship with Edwina was a product of the distance between them when Harriett was very young and also Edwina’s illnesses. However Harriett also aspired to be very much like her father, wanted to emulate him in every way. She adored him clearly and it’s very difficult for her when she’s forced to confront some of his faults, long after his death. It did make me wonder how much of her nature was because she wanted to be that way, that she thought being that way was more superior than being more like Edwina.
I don’t have a sister but everyone I know with one says that it’s a very complex relationship and these three definitely have that. Georgie and Xara are more mellow personalities, more alike probably and more able to sit and just chat. Harriett is always doing something or going somewhere and she doesn’t seem like she’s as close to the other two as they are to each other. They do rally around in times of crisis, but it’s a lot of things that pile on top of one another – Edwina’s new man friend, the betrayal Harriett experiences and resulting fall out (it also affects Xara and her husband Steve quite personally as well) as well as what happens after that and it isn’t long before fractures in the relationships Harriett has with everyone are showing.
I really loved Edwina’s story, which is told in bits and pieces throughout and I actually think that could’ve made a great book on it’s own – following her from a teenager up until the age she is at the beginning of this novel. She’s experienced a lot of heartache juxtaposed with a lot of privilege and the Edwina that is presented to the world is different from the Edwina that lies beneath the surface. Loved the character of Doug and I loved the fact that they were able to reconnect after so many years and still find something there. There were many surprises that came out of that which made for very interesting reading and added many layers to the complexity of the story.
For the most part, this is a really engaging multi-generational family story with plenty of drama, intricate relationships (some connections are very intricate!) and intriguing reveals. However there were times when for me, it felt a little bit long and Harriett’s hysteria and stubbornness over something was quite irritating. I don’t really know much about the whole squattocracy thing but sometimes the family reputation thing felt a little outdated, something that people would’ve focused on earlier but shouldn’t really seem as relevant now.
Those are little things though and this is still an excellent read.
March 16, 2024
3 1/2 stars.
I enjoyed this book but I the melodrama was a bit much sometimes.
I just don't get why you'd feel shame or humiliation for dating your mother's boyfriends son, who you've only just met? Not like you are in any way related.
And Harriet character was so incredibly annoying with no subtly or nuance at all. Her continual blaming everyone for everything and considering so superior because....she....has a convict husband?
I enjoyed this book but I the melodrama was a bit much sometimes.
I just don't get why you'd feel shame or humiliation for dating your mother's boyfriends son, who you've only just met? Not like you are in any way related.
And Harriet character was so incredibly annoying with no subtly or nuance at all. Her continual blaming everyone for everything and considering so superior because....she....has a convict husband?
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 9, 2017
I really enjoyed this book with lots of family secrets being unearthed. Great characters and well written with a lovely rural setting. Having 3 daughters I could relate to personalities and situations.
February 28, 2021
A very compelling story with characters who were well-developed. I thought Georgie over-reacted when she discovered Ben's parentage. Then it got smoothed over almost too easily. Harriet was not likeable at all in the beginning but began to redeem herself by the end of the book. I enjoyed seeing the love and partnership that Xara and her husband had despite their hardships, particularly with their daughter.
There were a multitude of little errors, either small words that were missing or sometimes repeated where they shouldn't have been. A more careful proofreading would have fixed this problem.
There were a multitude of little errors, either small words that were missing or sometimes repeated where they shouldn't have been. A more careful proofreading would have fixed this problem.
December 9, 2020
I get so engrossed in Fiona Lowe's books! I think this one is my favourite so far (though it's a close call). She has a wonderful way of making the characters come to life. And all the family drama makes me feel really good about my family and life!!! Looking forward to reading another one!
The narrator for the audiobook was wonderful too!
The narrator for the audiobook was wonderful too!
March 11, 2021
Another great read by Fiona Lowe !
September 28, 2025
Not a huge fan of reading about family relationships and drama entwined in those bonds. This was too cutesy and tied up too neatly in the end without any real climax throughout.
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