The Stolen Daughter

by ReShonda Tate Billingsley

Award-winning author ReShonda Tate Billingsley delivers a poignant, page-turning novel about the power—and fragility—of family, personal identity, and the choices we are called on to make . . .

Raised by a widowed mother, Jill Reed has come a long way from her difficult youth. But while she may not have had money, Jill never doubted she was rich in love. Her mother, Connie, made Jill the center of her world. Now, even though she has a young family of her own, it’s Jill’s turn to care for her ailing mother.

When early dementia begins to set in, Connie starts talking about Jill’s “other life.” Jill assumes it’s just rambling confusion. Still, Connie’s stories about Jill’s childhood, and her father’s early death, never quite added up. And when a strange man shows up to Jill’s job bearing news that turns Jill’s life upside down, there’s no denying Connie’s devastating secret.

As Jill sets out to learn more about her past, she’s stunned by what she learns and what it will mean for her future. Now, she must decide what price she’s willing to pay to claim the life that’s rightfully hers.

Genres: Fiction, Contemporary, African American, Family, Audiobook, Adult Fiction, Mystery

320 pages, Paperback

First published May 26, 2020

About the author

ReShonda Tate Billingsley is a general assignment reporter for KRIV-TV, the Fox affiliate in Houston, Texas. She is the author of the nonfiction book Help! I've Turned Into My Mother! and three previous adult novels: My Brother's Keeper, for which she received the prestigious Gold Pen Award for Best New Author from the Black Writer's Alliance and the Nova Lee Nation Award from the Greater Dallas Writing Association; the national bestseller Let the Church Say Amen, chosen for Library Journal's Best of 2004 list for Christian fiction; and I Know I've Been Changed, a Main Selection of the Black Expressions Book Club.
Her previous Christian teen novels are Nothing But Drama and Blessings in Disguise, both available from Pocket Books.
She is also a contributor to the story anthology Have a Little Faith.

Reviews

[Vivian Diaz · Rating 2 out of 5]

2/5 ⭐️ I really wanted to love this because the premise sounded so interesting but I didn’t really like any of the characters. I did feel for Jill and her mom’s dementia but I feel like everything that happened was just so convenient 🙄. And don’t even get me started on Malcom. He made me cringe.

Thankfully it was a very quick read.

[Michelle Lindo-Rice · Rating 5 out of 5]

First of all, I finished this book in a few hours. Second of all. where has this book been all my life? A bit dramatic, I know, but I really enjoyed this read by ReShonda Tate Billingsley. I have read so many of her books already and this up there with my faves. Jill Reed learns a truth about herself and her mother that she was not prepared to face. I loved how the author allowed us to see the "WHY" behind each character's actions. You will not be disappointed in this read.
Thank you, #Netgalley

[Kathie Crider · Rating 2 out of 5]

I have to just say that I did not care for these characters at all -- they continuously made me frustrated and angry! The husband was a money-grubbing horrible person and I kept getting so irritated that Jill would just be okay with that. Ugh. Did not like feeling irritated the whole time I was reading.

[Nursebookie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is amazingly written that had my attention from the very first page. This is a story that has deep themes about choices, consequences and forgiveness. I loved this story for its amazing characters, the story line about an abduction, the meaning of family – biological or otherwise, and of course family secrets and drama.
Jillian our protagonist is at a crossroads and going through a lot – from financial difficulties, caring for a young child, and an elderly mother with Alzheimer’s. When you are at a loss, all you can dream of is being saved financially. What if there is a solution? But the solution is about a difficult past that can affect what you think of the people you love and consider as family.
This book was such a great read that I thoroughly enjoyed. I recommend this book for an amazing story that will have you thinking about days after. This would be a great book club read and would make for amazing discussions.

I highly recommend.

[Mianarvelle · Rating 2 out of 5]

…. Basic read at its best. The summary write up gives away the story with very minimal jaw dropping climatic points. The novel is a quick car/travel book - enough to keep going but little depth to the actual read & characters itself.

[Tia · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is ReShonda’s 51st Book. Wow 😲!!

The Stolen Daughter was a page-turner. Once I picked it up I couldn’t put it down. I told myself I would only read for three hours, but the characters and plot wouldn’t let me go.

A grieving vengeful young woman does the unthinkable. She does it for a “somewhat” reasonable reason and never regrets it. Over the years she dedicated herself to her child. Being the best Mom she could be. Jillian is hers and that’s all that matters. Unfortunately, this devastating story involves others. Connie’s act ruined the lives of others and ReShonda explores vividly how it destroyed and how humans can destruct from grief.

This story asks the reader many questions. In the beginning my responses were quick of the choices and decisions I would’ve made once the truth of the events came apparent, but after learning about the perpetrator and the victims (direct and indirect) I had to reevaluate.

Writing 5.0
Plot 4.0
Characters 4.5
Pacing 5.0
Overall 4.5

I would highly recommend. I won’t forget the racist great grandmother or the complicit family members any time soon. I can’t believe, at books end, I feel any sort of compassion for Connie/Vivian. However, I’m so confused as to how their aunt Marilyn didn’t know more.

Quick Thoughts

[Dee Cherry · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought Jillian's ability to remain level-headed during the most challenging situations helped make this book an enjoyable read. Good storyline

[Tanya ~ Thrill Seeker · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 ⭐️⭐️✨✨
This book had a good message of love, hurt, healing but l did not like the narration and the storyline was a bit cheesy to me.

[Marsha Finesse · Rating 1 out of 5]

I really did not like this book.it started off so good, but the main characters decision from the moment she found out until the end frustrated me.

[lene Ade · Rating 2 out of 5]

The story had so much potential, however the writing and dialogue was veryyy childish, it was extremely repetitive and there were definitely some holes in the story that just didn’t make sense.

[BookmarkedByAlia · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75⭐️ I found this book on KU while I had some down time at work and thought it would be something I could just thumb through. I couldn’t put this down!!
This follows Jillian who was raised by single mother Connie that has always been her rock and her biggest supporter. Now it’s Jill’s turn to be that same rock and nurturer for her mother as Connie now has a progressive diagnosis of dementia. During Connies delusional episodes she makes comments that Jill brushes off as “just the dementia” but as we know dementia diminishes our short term memories first but the long term memories stay a bit longer. Is there truth to the things that she’s saying?
This story takes you on a ride of Jillian’s life and the life she could have had. Two families collide while trying to understand the reasoning as to what happened years ago.
This is definitely one that I would recommend to others.

Side note: this book was about 20 pages shorter than Goodreads says. Does anybody else notice that the length of books on here aren’t always accurate?

[Sonal · Rating 3 out of 5]

Jill's husband has lost his job and they are struggling to make ends meet. They have a young daughter to support as well at Jill's mom, Connie, who has recently moved in with them. Connie, sadly, is suffering from early signs of dementia. It is becoming more and more difficult to care for her and it is causing strain in their marriage as well as issues with Jill's job at Starbucks. One day, a recently regular customer approaches Jill and her life is thrown upside-down.

This book was a quick read and definitely kept my interest the whole time. The only character I felt badly for was Jill. I wasn't sure how I felt about Connie, but I didn't necessarily sympathize with her. I wish Malcolm's character had been a bit more likeable, I found myself annoyed with him often.
There were moments in the story that didn't make sense and/or left me confused. For example, it is mentioned that Connie and the baby are left with a sitter when Jill and Malcolm go out. However then they are called by the police because Connie had an episode. Where was the sitter? Why was this not mentioned??
Also, if Connie had changed her name, why did Aunt Marilyn know nothing about it? I mean, if she was named Virginia and then all of a sudden uses the name Connie, wouldn't that be something worth mentioning

Overall I enjoyed the book and would recommend it. Thank you to Netgalley and Kensington Books for the ARC of this book.

[Maya B · Rating 4 out of 5]

As always, Ms Billingsley delivers. Short fast paced story. Good character development.

[Florence Migga · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this one! Such an interesting exploration of character with all these people.

I’ll try to write a longer review later.

[Ranie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, what an emotional journey for Jill Reed. I literally read this book in less than 2 hours. I was capatived from the very 1st page to the last. My head was pounding with anticipation and excitement as my heart was nervous with joy and fear. If I was able to I definitely would give this book 50 stars...that's how powerful I thought it was...phenomenal....😮

This is my very first ReShonda Tate Billingsley's book, I read...and I must say, it was well written with true passion to entice the reader to the different levels of curiosity while struggling to get a better understanding of who is actually tell the precise truth, (as one page lead to another, you can help but leap into the air with frustration, triumph, love for our main character and her little family and 'WHY' this happened to her. The story plot excellently shown layers of creativity by our author.

Jill was portrayed, as a passionate, determined, strong, hard working, very poor, young Mom and wife. She struggled to take care of her sickly Mom, and her newborn daughter, Destiny, while maintaining a loving and honest relationship with her husband, Malcolm.

Her life was turned upside down when when she found out that she was stolen by the woman, she thought was her own Mom, (when she was only 2 weeks old)...and she then realized that her biological Mom and her family was extremely wealthy. Her new family relationships was strain and they were racist. I was extremely proud of her, although she was overwhelmed by the situation, she still had her dignity and was able to stand up to the racist great grandmother and the rest of the family.

Jill remains true to herself and her values. I highly recommend this book and I'm planning to read all other books by this author, in the very near future! 😊 🤐😦 👍

Thank you, once again, Ms. Billingsley, for your excellent skills in writing these quality novels. 😍

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed the book because it was a interesting concept however it had some parts that I wanted to smack Jill up beside her head. Even after the DNA result were in she still was denial. How much more proof or a clue did you need? I chalk up my frustrations with Jill’s sometimes airhead behavior to the author masterfully bringing those feelings out. Nice work

[Dionne · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was a very easy and quick read with an interesting story line. The Elaine character was incredibly annoying though, and her relatives were awful people.

[Pattywat · Rating 3 out of 5]

Love Reshonda's writing....good story line but didn't address the aunt's role in the deception to my satisfaction.

[January · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Stolen Daughter by ReShonda Tate Billingsley (2020)
248-page Kindle Ebook story pages 1-232

Genre: African-American Fiction

Featuring: Partial Bibliography for ReShonda Tate Billingsley, Dementia, Widow, Post Abduction Trope, Vicenarians, Young Parents, Houston, Texas; Caregiving, Money Troubles, Flashbacks, Family Dynamics, Marital Conflict, Self-Actualization, A Note from the Author, Excerpt from More to Life

Rating as a movie: PG-13 for adult content and medical violence

Songs for the soundtrack: "Dance With My Father" by Luther Vandross "Proud Mary" by Ike & Tina Turner, "Say My Name" by Destiny's Child, "Rocket 88" by Ike Turner

Books and Authors mentioned: More to Life by ReShonda Tate Billingsley, The Princess and the Frog by Ron Clements, John Musker,
and Rob Edwards [based on] The Princess and the Frog by Ron Clements, John Musker, Greg Erb, and, Jason Oremland [based on] The Frog Princess by E. D. Baker and The Frog Prince by the Brothers Grimm, An American Marriage by Tayari Jones

My rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🇨🇱🎭👩🏽‍🍼

My thoughts: This story was pretty good. Every time I thought I knew it all, it went deeper.

Recommend to others: Yes. This is a quick enjoyable read.

Memorable Quotes: Maybe they planned to kidnap Destiny and demand ransom. Whatever it was, I couldn’t shake the feeling that I was being followed. I’d first felt like someone was following me in the grocery store after I’d returned from lunch with my father yesterday. I’d blown it off as an overactive imagination. But when I’d spotted the woman with long burgundy-tinted hair, butterscotch-colored skin, and a body that screamed daily cardio workouts, my antenna went up. This was definitely the same woman from the grocery store. And now, looking at her trying to be inconspicuous as she followed me through the mall, I also remembered her coming into Starbucks recently. I’d been talking to Cynthia on my cell when I spotted her several feet behind me. “Okay. I know that I’m not crazy,” I whispered into my microphone. “That same woman I told you I thought was following me the other day in the grocery store is here at the mall. I thought I was being paranoid behind learning I’d been kidnapped. But this woman is for real following me. Do you think she’s trying to kidnap Destiny?” I asked in horror. “No, I do not,” Cynthia replied. “But I do know I’m the paranoid one. So if you think someone is following you, someone is following you. If I were you, I would go confront her and ask her what she wants.” “But what if she tells me I’m crazy and she doesn’t know what I’m talking about,” I whispered. Cynthia tsked. “What if she does? You don’t know that woman. You’ll never see her again so you have nothing to lose.” “And what if she says she is following me?” “Then you bust her in her eye.” From the tone of my best friend’s voice, I could tell she was serious.

[Sophie Sealy · Rating 5 out of 5]

OMG OMG OMG, This is THAT book

[Missy · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars

[Jeanetta Glass · Rating 5 out of 5]

Imagine after living for nearly 30 years, you suspect your life as you know it was a lie! Jillian Reed grew up in a very loving home with a mother who LOVED her dearly. What they didn't have monetarily, they had in love. Jill, along with her husband, her infant daughter, and her mother, who is suffering from early onset dimentia, are struggling financially. Her husband has dreamed of creating an app since she met him years ago. He recently lost his job. To help out Jillian works at the local Starbucks. One day at work, Jillian's approached by a strange man who has the potential to change her life. This story was gripping from the beginning. Billingsley finds a way to pull you in and make you think about things from all different sides, forcing you to make some hard decisions. This book will take you on an emotional rollercoaster, but in the end you will understand things from each of the characters' perspectives.

I received this ARC from Net Galley in exchange for an honest review.

[Staceywh_17 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just wow! This book was absolutely fantastic. I don't want to ruin it for anyone so all please rush out & buy a copy! First book I've ever read by this author & it certainly won't be my last. Thank you to Netgalley for allowing me an ARC in return for an honest review. A full review will be added when the book hits release.

[Jill · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars
The Stolen Daughter
by ReShonda Tate Billingsley
Holy buckets! Where has this author been hiding my whole life? I cannot believe this is her 51st book, yet the first one that I have read.
I was drawn in by the premise of the story, as an adoptee, you always kind of wonder if something like this would happen. Not many authors write about this type of situation well, yet Billingsley nailed it.
I love Jill’s spunk, sass and love for the woman who raised her. I was mesmerized by the story from the first page. I barely put it down. The author writes with such a phenomenal understanding of human emotions and how this type of situation would effect someone be it a child, parent, nephew or friend.
I so highly recommend this book. I must go find another book by her ASAP.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher and NetGalley. The views given are my own.

[Cherihy808 · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars. This book was a nice easy read that was filled with a lot of emotion. I enjoyed it but I wouldn’t say it was one of my favorite books. The storyline was interesting but a little far fetched at times. I did like most of the characters. I have to say that the story REALLY makes you wonder how you would feel/react to finding out your whole life was a lie and that your mother wasn’t actually your mother but the person who kidnapped you. How would you be expected to immediately love this “new” family and leave behind the only person who raised you? I think it was interesting to read how Jill’s new family lived a completely different lifestyle that Jill and her mother lived....but I wonder if maybe the book would have been slightly better if the new family was just an average family...not extremely wealthy. Would she have been willing to accept this new family if they weren’t able to give her everything she’s ever dreamed of? I would definitely recommend this one if you’re looking for a fast paced book. One that will get your mind wondering, how would you handle finding out that you are a “stolen daughter”? Did Jill fully accept her new found family? And did she forgive the only mother she ever knew for lying to her? You’ll have to read it to find out! :)

Thank you to Net Galley and Kensington Books for an advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.

[Shannan Harper · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jill Reed is struggling to make sure her family is taken care and able to stay afloat. from her husband losing his job, and taking care of her sick mother, who has Alzheimer's to taking care of a baby. Things start to take a turn for the worse, until a stranger comes to her job. This stranger tells her that he is her father and was taken away from them when she was a newborn baby. The next series of events will change her life as she knows it.

Although I've read books from this author before, the beginning was a little difficult to get through only because of the conversation Jill has with her mother, and the mother's medical condition, but once I got through that , I couldn't put it down. It was a fast paced, great read that will keep you on the edge of your seat. This was truly a phenomenal read. I was well written and the characters were life like. This book is going on my top reads of the year list.

I received a copy of this book via Netgalley and the publisher, Kensington and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.

[Di · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fast and easy read. Actual rating is 2 stars but I am increasing to 3. I realize this author has many books to her credit and has a huge following. This was my first book by her. But, this book was not my cup of tea.

It is about a child kidnapping that comes to light when the child is in her 20s. Much of it was just too unrealistic. I don't always need realism because I read to be entertained. But, part of the plot was beyond my belief.

The book is good if you need a quick read (plane trip, lying on the beach) without requiring a lot of concentration.
I wish I had been able to like it more.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for a review.

[Eboni · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was an ok book. It could have been better but there were just too many plotholes and things that didn't make sense. I would go into detail but don't want to give any spoilers. I also didn't like her husband as a character and saw that every character showed growth except him.

[Meshia83 · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a good read. If you are looking for something quick and interesting this is for you. It held attention and I would definitely recommend.

[Anna G · Rating 2 out of 5]

Nothing much to say. Just tried to get through it as soon as possible.