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Jos dukters motina
„Ji kaip viesulas įsiveržė į mano gyvenimą juokdamasi ir šokdama, kad ir mane įtrauktų į šį sūkurį, o po to lygiai taip pat netikėtai pradingtų.“
Aštuonerius metus su nevaisingumu kovojanti Lana pagaliau išvysta šviesą tunelio gale. Atsirado kiaušinėlių donorė iš Bulgarijos – kaip tik tokia, kokios ilgai ieškojo. JAV gyvenanti, bet bulgariškų šaknų turinti Lana visada norėjo, kad protėvių kraujo paveldėtų ir vaikas, todėl naujiena atrodo kaip neįtikėtina proga pagaliau susilaukti išsvajoto kūdikio. Vis dėlto po daugybės ankstesnių nesėkmingų bandymų jos partneris Taileris šįkart nuleidžia rankas – įsibėgėjus naujam kiaušinėlių perkėlimo ciklui palieka Laną vieną. Įskaudinta moteris įtaria neištikimybę ir turi apsispręsti, ar tęsti procedūrą be antrosios pusės. Kas, jeigu tai paskutinė galimybė tapti motina?
Tačiau likimas Lanai siunčia ženklus – netikėtai Niujorko metro ji sutinka Katią – kiaušinėlių donorę. Vedama smalsumo, moteris paslapčia ją paseka ir net susipažįsta, nors visada norėjo išlaikyti abipusį anonimiškumą. Lana susižavi gyvybinga jauna studente, bet užsimezgusi draugystė trunka neilgai – po vakarėlio naktiniame klube mergina dingsta. Gali būti, kad Lana paskutinė, kuri ją matė. Siekdama išsiaiškinti, kas iš tikrųjų nutiko, moteris kreipiasi į policiją, tačiau ji pati ir jos buvęs ilgametis partneris tampa pagrindiniais įtariamaisiais. Pasirodo, kad Taileris jau seniau pažinojo Katią, tačiau iš kur?
„Jos dukters motina“ – aktualias ir jautrias socialines temas paliečiantis psichologinis trileris, prisodrintas bulgariško atspalvio. Romano autorė Daniela Petrova gimė ir užaugo Sofijoje, Bulgarijoje, sulaukusi 22-ejų persikėlė į JAV, kur baigė bakalauro ir magistro studijas. „Jos dukters motina“, paremta asmenine patirtimi, vos pasirodžiusi išrinkta kaip geriausia knyga The Oprah Magazine, The New York Post, CrimeReads ir kt.
Aštuonerius metus su nevaisingumu kovojanti Lana pagaliau išvysta šviesą tunelio gale. Atsirado kiaušinėlių donorė iš Bulgarijos – kaip tik tokia, kokios ilgai ieškojo. JAV gyvenanti, bet bulgariškų šaknų turinti Lana visada norėjo, kad protėvių kraujo paveldėtų ir vaikas, todėl naujiena atrodo kaip neįtikėtina proga pagaliau susilaukti išsvajoto kūdikio. Vis dėlto po daugybės ankstesnių nesėkmingų bandymų jos partneris Taileris šįkart nuleidžia rankas – įsibėgėjus naujam kiaušinėlių perkėlimo ciklui palieka Laną vieną. Įskaudinta moteris įtaria neištikimybę ir turi apsispręsti, ar tęsti procedūrą be antrosios pusės. Kas, jeigu tai paskutinė galimybė tapti motina?
Tačiau likimas Lanai siunčia ženklus – netikėtai Niujorko metro ji sutinka Katią – kiaušinėlių donorę. Vedama smalsumo, moteris paslapčia ją paseka ir net susipažįsta, nors visada norėjo išlaikyti abipusį anonimiškumą. Lana susižavi gyvybinga jauna studente, bet užsimezgusi draugystė trunka neilgai – po vakarėlio naktiniame klube mergina dingsta. Gali būti, kad Lana paskutinė, kuri ją matė. Siekdama išsiaiškinti, kas iš tikrųjų nutiko, moteris kreipiasi į policiją, tačiau ji pati ir jos buvęs ilgametis partneris tampa pagrindiniais įtariamaisiais. Pasirodo, kad Taileris jau seniau pažinojo Katią, tačiau iš kur?
„Jos dukters motina“ – aktualias ir jautrias socialines temas paliečiantis psichologinis trileris, prisodrintas bulgariško atspalvio. Romano autorė Daniela Petrova gimė ir užaugo Sofijoje, Bulgarijoje, sulaukusi 22-ejų persikėlė į JAV, kur baigė bakalauro ir magistro studijas. „Jos dukters motina“, paremta asmenine patirtimi, vos pasirodžiusi išrinkta kaip geriausia knyga The Oprah Magazine, The New York Post, CrimeReads ir kt.
384 pages, Hardcover
First published June 18, 2019
319 people are currently reading
15651 people want to read
About the author
Daniela Petrova
8 books338 followersDaniela Petrova is the author of the novel HER DAUGHTER’S MOTHER (Putnam, June 2019) named one of five thrillers to read this summer by Time magazine and one of the best summer books by O Magazine, the New York Post, PopSugar and InStyle. She grew up behind the Iron Curtain in Sofia, Bulgaria. Soon after the fall of Communism, she moved to New York where she worked as a cleaning lady and a nanny while studying English at the YMCA. Her short stories, poems and essays have been published in The New York Times, The Washington Post, LA Review of Books, and Marie Claire among others. She is a recipient of an Artist Fellowship in Writing from the Massachusetts Cultural Council and holds a BA in Philosophy from Columbia University and an MA in Counseling for Mental Health and Wellness from New York University. Petrova currently lives in New York City with her husband.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 578 reviews
May 25, 2022
Four I raised my glass to salute this mysterious, WTH happened to Katya, whodunit, somebody take this book out of my hands I need my sleep, great combination of strong and also batsh*t crazy women characters stars!
Story is told by 3 POVs!
Longtime boyfriend , Tyler, cheater or not we’re not quite sure yet but we have all the rights to get furious about him because he left his wife (big boo from me! I read his justifications at the end but I still have doubts about his motivations. )
The very longtime girlfriend, Lana ( let’s get an applause for her because she’s my favorite on this book!) She was ball of fire, vivid, energetic. She has climbed to Mount Kilimanjaro, focused on many corporate social responsibility causes. Right now her only focus to have a baby so she killed her adventurous soul with her desperation to be a mother! I still empathize her and no matter what I support her decisions because her experiences not only physical also hormonal, emotional! She’s not only quite feminist! She’s also a tough woman who knows what she wants. With her-self -confidant nature I’m so sure she can raise her baby alone.
And Ivy league student, definitely smart, good looking egg-donor who is ( wait for it!!!) batshit crazy ( she’s obsessed, delusional, suffering from guilt feelings about little brother’s dead), here’s Katya! Unpredictable, having dreams about getting rid of the longtime boyfriend ( she pushes the boundaries by blaming him that he is harassing her sexually ( whaaattt?) She is stalker, liar, master of conspiracy theories but still you feel sorry for her. ( She mostly acts like a she-devil but still you can sense her struggling. Because something wrong with her genetic codes)
So Katya is missing! Nobody knows where she’s gone!
Facts: She emptied her accounts. She stopped attending her classes. She had no friends, no close relationship for any loved ones.
BUT… Somebody could hurt her!
Who? Tyler, always the longtime boyfriend, (he was the last one he’s seen her alive)hmmm he has motives!
Alpha boyfriend suffering from OCD resembles Tom Cruise ( iiyykkk sorry I didn’t do intentionally), he’s dangerous jealous type!
The shrink ( he knows every dirty little secrets of her! Guess what they had sex! She can use it against him!),
And her tattooed bartender future husband ( she uses her for the money and their Green card marriage)!
So who did hurt Katya! Oh no, you gotta turn the pages to find out! I did, well did I like the result, hmmm not so bad at least book captured my attention till the end.
Did I recommend it? Oh yes, this is well written, gripping page-turner and better than most of the recently released thriller books !
And of course I’m so happy this book helps to remember my years in NYC, my favorite, one and only Hungarian Pastry Shop close to Columbia University. ( If you stop by there, please make a breakfast, try their fresh baked croissant served with delicious marmalade and butter, cash only! Don’t forget to observe the students who buried their faces to their studies on their Macbooks and professors carrying huge books to show their biceps’ strength)
Story is told by 3 POVs!
Longtime boyfriend , Tyler, cheater or not we’re not quite sure yet but we have all the rights to get furious about him because he left his wife (big boo from me! I read his justifications at the end but I still have doubts about his motivations. )
The very longtime girlfriend, Lana ( let’s get an applause for her because she’s my favorite on this book!) She was ball of fire, vivid, energetic. She has climbed to Mount Kilimanjaro, focused on many corporate social responsibility causes. Right now her only focus to have a baby so she killed her adventurous soul with her desperation to be a mother! I still empathize her and no matter what I support her decisions because her experiences not only physical also hormonal, emotional! She’s not only quite feminist! She’s also a tough woman who knows what she wants. With her-self -confidant nature I’m so sure she can raise her baby alone.
And Ivy league student, definitely smart, good looking egg-donor who is ( wait for it!!!) batshit crazy ( she’s obsessed, delusional, suffering from guilt feelings about little brother’s dead), here’s Katya! Unpredictable, having dreams about getting rid of the longtime boyfriend ( she pushes the boundaries by blaming him that he is harassing her sexually ( whaaattt?) She is stalker, liar, master of conspiracy theories but still you feel sorry for her. ( She mostly acts like a she-devil but still you can sense her struggling. Because something wrong with her genetic codes)
So Katya is missing! Nobody knows where she’s gone!
Facts: She emptied her accounts. She stopped attending her classes. She had no friends, no close relationship for any loved ones.
BUT… Somebody could hurt her!
Who? Tyler, always the longtime boyfriend, (he was the last one he’s seen her alive)hmmm he has motives!
Alpha boyfriend suffering from OCD resembles Tom Cruise ( iiyykkk sorry I didn’t do intentionally), he’s dangerous jealous type!
The shrink ( he knows every dirty little secrets of her! Guess what they had sex! She can use it against him!),
And her tattooed bartender future husband ( she uses her for the money and their Green card marriage)!
So who did hurt Katya! Oh no, you gotta turn the pages to find out! I did, well did I like the result, hmmm not so bad at least book captured my attention till the end.
Did I recommend it? Oh yes, this is well written, gripping page-turner and better than most of the recently released thriller books !
And of course I’m so happy this book helps to remember my years in NYC, my favorite, one and only Hungarian Pastry Shop close to Columbia University. ( If you stop by there, please make a breakfast, try their fresh baked croissant served with delicious marmalade and butter, cash only! Don’t forget to observe the students who buried their faces to their studies on their Macbooks and professors carrying huge books to show their biceps’ strength)
March 17, 2019
My thoughts in a nutshell
Daniela Petrova debut novel has a gorgeous cover but it's not just the cover that's beautiful! The book hides an enjoyable, exciting story. Brilliant start!
The story is about...
Skip over this point if you don't like the sneak peek.
Lana and Tyler trying to have a baby but they've been failing at it before. Then they find an egg donor Katya who helps them. One day Lana met Katya and they became friends until Katya has disappeared. Who's the guilty? Everyone has a secret. :-)
What impressed me the most 😊
First of all, I really connected with the characters! I like all of them. They have such a real personality.
Lana has a friend Angie who is in the same boat as her. The two women have an amazing friendship.
I like how Tyler struggles too. He was always there for Lana. After a time he has no one to tell his problems and fears. It is so realistic!
The story unfolds pretty slow even though I was excited in the whole time. It takes time to figure out the relationships among the characters and their motives and feelings. I enjoy this part of the book.
When Katya has disappeared the pacing became more intriguing. I had no idea what would happen! Honestly, I have suspected every character to be guilty. I'm not very good at guessing. XD
I didn't expect the twist, but when I found out I wasn't shocked. I blinked a few times and I accepted it.
The last chapter made me smile, if you read it you will understand why. :-)
What I don't like ☹️
I don't have too much problem, but one thing really disturbed me. The police did nothing. Why? They interview some people and that's it. I don't like when the professional has done nothing and the protagonist have to figure out what's really going on. It doesn't make sense.
Make a conclusion
I gave it 3.5 stars because of the ending. The plot twist didn't surprise me. It was a great close down, but if I want to give a thriller 5 stars I expect a mind-blowing ending.
I recommend it to anyone who wants to read an easy/light thriller. It is a good choice for those people who are beginners in this genre. It's a solid read, it doesn't have gory or violent parts.
Atmosphere collage aka. how did I imagine the book vibes?
*ARC generously provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review*
July 5, 2019
I don’t know what’s worse, that book you’ve been looking forward to making it known early on that it’s anything other than what you’d pined for or hooking you with a strong opening, only to deflate with page progression. I have to go with the latter, considering that’s what Her Daughter's Mother pulled on me here. Unfortunately, potential does not correlate to enjoyment.
The suspense genre has been hit-or-miss for me lately. I find myself gravitating more towards suspense with notes of women’s fiction, which is where I would shelve Her Daughter's Mother in my library. The back cover praise from Aimee Molloy—author of The Perfect Mother, one of my more recent reading successes in the genre—combined with the intriguing synopsis found an eager reader. Will I ever learn that one author touting another author’s book means absolutely nothing in the grand scheme of things? It certainly doesn’t guarantee we’ll all be holding hands in the end, twirling around in a circle, intoxicatingly giddy with love for the same book. Well, not this one at least.
Daniela Petrova’s debut hits the ground running with the introduction of Lana and Tyler, a couple that’s been on what feels like an endless journey to conceive. After several rounds of IVF, their last hope for starting a family comes in the form of an egg donor. As men tend to be, fixers of sorts, Tyler makes one of his wife’s wishes a reality, tracking down an “anonymous” egg donor with Bulgarian descent.
With the breakup of Tyler and Lana (don’t scowl, this is not a spoiler), and the lifting of the so-called “anonymous” veil, the mother to be and her beautiful college-aged donor, Katya, find themselves in an interesting predicament. Happenstance brings them together, and a sort of friendship ensues, making single motherhood feel a touch less daunting for Lana. Until the worrisome disappearance of Katya that is. The handful of suspects and possible reasonings are aplenty.
Petrova chose to slice the story up into four parts, each of which I found to be less intriguing than its predecessor. I’m not exaggerating when I say Part One owned me. The bizarre situation at hand had those pages turning at a rapid-fire pace. It was the end of Part Two that instigated my descent into disappointed reader territory. With the absence of Katya, it felt as if the author had written herself and Lana into a corner. Making wishy-washy and nonsensical decision-making par for the course. Even worse was having to suffer through the author’s newfound appreciation for giving words to the character’s surroundings. Filler doesn't bode well with me and only serves to highlight the author's struggle with either the progression of the storyline or a sparse word count. In my opinion, the back half of this novel screams for more development and a keen eye.
For example, given there was no damning evidence waiting to be carted away to the landfill, what was it that warranted this fun fact?
While I wouldn’t say this was an entirely feckless journey—I did thoroughly enjoy Part One—it’s not a book I can throw a recommendation behind. Although, as I pointed out earlier, one author touting another’s books is no guarantee of enjoyment, the same, or reverse, can be said for a reviewer. My thoughts are in no way indicative of what your journey with Lana, Tyler, and Katya might be.
*Thanks to Putnam for the gorgeous review copy.
The suspense genre has been hit-or-miss for me lately. I find myself gravitating more towards suspense with notes of women’s fiction, which is where I would shelve Her Daughter's Mother in my library. The back cover praise from Aimee Molloy—author of The Perfect Mother, one of my more recent reading successes in the genre—combined with the intriguing synopsis found an eager reader. Will I ever learn that one author touting another author’s book means absolutely nothing in the grand scheme of things? It certainly doesn’t guarantee we’ll all be holding hands in the end, twirling around in a circle, intoxicatingly giddy with love for the same book. Well, not this one at least.
Daniela Petrova’s debut hits the ground running with the introduction of Lana and Tyler, a couple that’s been on what feels like an endless journey to conceive. After several rounds of IVF, their last hope for starting a family comes in the form of an egg donor. As men tend to be, fixers of sorts, Tyler makes one of his wife’s wishes a reality, tracking down an “anonymous” egg donor with Bulgarian descent.
With the breakup of Tyler and Lana (don’t scowl, this is not a spoiler), and the lifting of the so-called “anonymous” veil, the mother to be and her beautiful college-aged donor, Katya, find themselves in an interesting predicament. Happenstance brings them together, and a sort of friendship ensues, making single motherhood feel a touch less daunting for Lana. Until the worrisome disappearance of Katya that is. The handful of suspects and possible reasonings are aplenty.
Petrova chose to slice the story up into four parts, each of which I found to be less intriguing than its predecessor. I’m not exaggerating when I say Part One owned me. The bizarre situation at hand had those pages turning at a rapid-fire pace. It was the end of Part Two that instigated my descent into disappointed reader territory. With the absence of Katya, it felt as if the author had written herself and Lana into a corner. Making wishy-washy and nonsensical decision-making par for the course. Even worse was having to suffer through the author’s newfound appreciation for giving words to the character’s surroundings. Filler doesn't bode well with me and only serves to highlight the author's struggle with either the progression of the storyline or a sparse word count. In my opinion, the back half of this novel screams for more development and a keen eye.
For example, given there was no damning evidence waiting to be carted away to the landfill, what was it that warranted this fun fact?
Outside, a garbage truck screeched to a stop. The grinding, clanking sound of bottles crashing into the pit. The engine revving before moving on and the cycle of noises repeating farther down the street. People in the country wake to the songs of birds; in Manhattan, we wake to the sounds of garbage trucks.
While I wouldn’t say this was an entirely feckless journey—I did thoroughly enjoy Part One—it’s not a book I can throw a recommendation behind. Although, as I pointed out earlier, one author touting another’s books is no guarantee of enjoyment, the same, or reverse, can be said for a reviewer. My thoughts are in no way indicative of what your journey with Lana, Tyler, and Katya might be.
*Thanks to Putnam for the gorgeous review copy.
June 15, 2019
Thirty eight year old Lana and her partner, Tyler, have been through eight years of trying to conceive, and carry to term, a baby. Eight IVF sessions and three miscarriages have now led them to trying an anonymous egg donor, knowing this is their last chance since they are running out of time and money. Right after Lana becomes pregnant she chances on the anonymous egg donor and a stumble on the street leads to Lana and Katya, the egg donor, meeting and becoming friends.
The book has chapters from the point of view of Lana, Tyler, and Katya and it doesn't take long for us to see that all is not what it seems on the surface. There are secrets, lies, and misunderstandings that make everything worse and then Katya disappears and Lana becomes a suspect in Katya's disappearance. As Lana conducts her own investigation into what happened to Katya, her life is crumbling around her.
I won't say more because the less one knows as they read the book the better. There are so many surprises throughout the book, so much stress on Lana, as she tries to not lose the baby she is carrying, that it's a hard book to put down and I was glued to the page the entire story. Thank you to G.P. Putnam's Sons/Penguin Publishing Group and Edelweiss for this ARC.
The book has chapters from the point of view of Lana, Tyler, and Katya and it doesn't take long for us to see that all is not what it seems on the surface. There are secrets, lies, and misunderstandings that make everything worse and then Katya disappears and Lana becomes a suspect in Katya's disappearance. As Lana conducts her own investigation into what happened to Katya, her life is crumbling around her.
I won't say more because the less one knows as they read the book the better. There are so many surprises throughout the book, so much stress on Lana, as she tries to not lose the baby she is carrying, that it's a hard book to put down and I was glued to the page the entire story. Thank you to G.P. Putnam's Sons/Penguin Publishing Group and Edelweiss for this ARC.
July 30, 2019
4.5 stars
A gripping, compelling psychological thriller that explores interesting issues related to reproductive rights, motherhood, friendships and relationships in general.
Lana Stone and her partner Tyler Jones have been trying to start family for years and have even undergone several unsuccessful IVF cycles. Lana, who is determined to continue, decides to use an egg donor. She would like the donor to have Bulgarian genes, the genes of her people. Lana’s mother defected from Bulgaria during the Cold era. When a suitable donor is found, Lana is fascinated by the photo of this beautiful Ivy League graduate girl. Unfortunately, Lana and Tyler’s relationship has been under a lot of strain with the gruelling regime of infertility treatments and heart-breaking pain of miscarriages. Tyler tells her he needs a break, although Lana suspects there has to be another woman involved for him to walk out on her in the middle of a very expensive and time-sensitive procedure. Lana decides to go ahead and gets pregnant. When she sees the familiar face of her egg donor on a train, something compels her to follow the girl. The girl falls down, Lana helps her ..and here is her chance to learn about her future baby’s mother. Katya seems to be such a spontaneous, joyful person and Lana finds herself immediately drawn to her sparkling personality. They go dancing, which is, of course, a madness in Lana’s condition. While Lana is busy dealing with an unexpected complication, Katya goes missing. The police are not sure there was any foul play involved, but Lana won’t give up on her new friend and continues investigating.
I am going to stop here, as I don’t want to give away the story. The plot is compelling and the book is bound to keep you turning pages obsessively. Is it plausible? Well, the boundaries of what family and parenthood is are becoming blurred nowadays. More and more people become parents later in their lives and a lot of couples struggle with infertility, so the questions raised in this novel are pertinent. Who is Lana to her baby? Being pregnant, carrying a baby to term and giving birth does not make you a biological mother in the eyes of law, since the DNA is Tyler’s and Katya’s. Who is Katya to her baby? Does she have any right to know what happens to the child who is going to have her genes? Does she have any right to know if the child is happy and taken good care of? With the recent advances in fertility treatments, it is possible to remove faulty parts of DNA and replace them with a small portion of a donor’s mitochondrial genetic material, so a baby potentially can have three or even more genetic parents. These are ethical questions we will have to ponder and answer in the near future…
I really liked the characters in this book. Lana is such a positive and loyal person, who wants to know and understand the other person’s feelings and motivations. Tyler remained a bit of a mystery to me, since there were fewer chapters with his point of view. There are also some great secondary characters such as Angie, Lana’s friend from her infertility support group and Penka Dimitrova, Katya’s mother.
I also found the New York City setting fascinating. It isn’t just the subway which is the scene of Lana and Katya’s first meeting, but also The Met where Lana works, the park where Lana and Tyler go to have their talk, the club where Lana and Katya go dancing and so on. The city contributes to the overall atmosphere of this novel, focused on strong, independent women and their longing for a meaningful connection instead of safe anonymity and indifference.
If you like psychological thrillers, you should definitely read this emotional and thought-provoking debut novel of Daniela Petrova.
Thank you to Edelweiss and G.P.Putnam’s sons for the ARC provided in exchange for an honest opinion.
My reviews can also be found on:
https://readingtonic.home.blog/
A gripping, compelling psychological thriller that explores interesting issues related to reproductive rights, motherhood, friendships and relationships in general.
Lana Stone and her partner Tyler Jones have been trying to start family for years and have even undergone several unsuccessful IVF cycles. Lana, who is determined to continue, decides to use an egg donor. She would like the donor to have Bulgarian genes, the genes of her people. Lana’s mother defected from Bulgaria during the Cold era. When a suitable donor is found, Lana is fascinated by the photo of this beautiful Ivy League graduate girl. Unfortunately, Lana and Tyler’s relationship has been under a lot of strain with the gruelling regime of infertility treatments and heart-breaking pain of miscarriages. Tyler tells her he needs a break, although Lana suspects there has to be another woman involved for him to walk out on her in the middle of a very expensive and time-sensitive procedure. Lana decides to go ahead and gets pregnant. When she sees the familiar face of her egg donor on a train, something compels her to follow the girl. The girl falls down, Lana helps her ..and here is her chance to learn about her future baby’s mother. Katya seems to be such a spontaneous, joyful person and Lana finds herself immediately drawn to her sparkling personality. They go dancing, which is, of course, a madness in Lana’s condition. While Lana is busy dealing with an unexpected complication, Katya goes missing. The police are not sure there was any foul play involved, but Lana won’t give up on her new friend and continues investigating.
I am going to stop here, as I don’t want to give away the story. The plot is compelling and the book is bound to keep you turning pages obsessively. Is it plausible? Well, the boundaries of what family and parenthood is are becoming blurred nowadays. More and more people become parents later in their lives and a lot of couples struggle with infertility, so the questions raised in this novel are pertinent. Who is Lana to her baby? Being pregnant, carrying a baby to term and giving birth does not make you a biological mother in the eyes of law, since the DNA is Tyler’s and Katya’s. Who is Katya to her baby? Does she have any right to know what happens to the child who is going to have her genes? Does she have any right to know if the child is happy and taken good care of? With the recent advances in fertility treatments, it is possible to remove faulty parts of DNA and replace them with a small portion of a donor’s mitochondrial genetic material, so a baby potentially can have three or even more genetic parents. These are ethical questions we will have to ponder and answer in the near future…
I really liked the characters in this book. Lana is such a positive and loyal person, who wants to know and understand the other person’s feelings and motivations. Tyler remained a bit of a mystery to me, since there were fewer chapters with his point of view. There are also some great secondary characters such as Angie, Lana’s friend from her infertility support group and Penka Dimitrova, Katya’s mother.
I also found the New York City setting fascinating. It isn’t just the subway which is the scene of Lana and Katya’s first meeting, but also The Met where Lana works, the park where Lana and Tyler go to have their talk, the club where Lana and Katya go dancing and so on. The city contributes to the overall atmosphere of this novel, focused on strong, independent women and their longing for a meaningful connection instead of safe anonymity and indifference.
If you like psychological thrillers, you should definitely read this emotional and thought-provoking debut novel of Daniela Petrova.
Thank you to Edelweiss and G.P.Putnam’s sons for the ARC provided in exchange for an honest opinion.
My reviews can also be found on:
https://readingtonic.home.blog/
August 21, 2019
Lana Stone thought she was a normal person until she finds herself stalking Katya, a student at Columbia.
Lana is stalking Katya, the anonymous egg donor who helped Lana to become a mom. Lana is desperate to learn more about her, so she finds herself following her.
They end up face-to-face, and a friendship is formed.
Katya is an edgy, hippie type. Lana has recently broken up with the baby’s father, and Katya brings comfort. All is going well until Katya goes missing, and Lana is the last person to see her.
Lana is desperate again; this time to find out what has happened to Katya. As she digs, she finds secrets she never expected.
I loved the characters! Katya and Lana were truly brought to life. All the characters were. I liked how infertility was handled sensitively. This one is a slower burn, and it takes some patience, but I felt the tension throughout. After Katya goes missing, the pacing picked up.
Overall, Her Daughter’s Mother is a solid slow burning mystery-thriller, and I thoroughly enjoyed it!
I received a complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
Many of my reviews can also be found on my blog: www.jennifertarheelreader.com
Lana is stalking Katya, the anonymous egg donor who helped Lana to become a mom. Lana is desperate to learn more about her, so she finds herself following her.
They end up face-to-face, and a friendship is formed.
Katya is an edgy, hippie type. Lana has recently broken up with the baby’s father, and Katya brings comfort. All is going well until Katya goes missing, and Lana is the last person to see her.
Lana is desperate again; this time to find out what has happened to Katya. As she digs, she finds secrets she never expected.
I loved the characters! Katya and Lana were truly brought to life. All the characters were. I liked how infertility was handled sensitively. This one is a slower burn, and it takes some patience, but I felt the tension throughout. After Katya goes missing, the pacing picked up.
Overall, Her Daughter’s Mother is a solid slow burning mystery-thriller, and I thoroughly enjoyed it!
I received a complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
Many of my reviews can also be found on my blog: www.jennifertarheelreader.com
January 1, 2020
scratch that - they decided to go with an author interview instead, so i'm OUT! but they gave me two others to review, so all is not lost.
May 26, 2019
My thoughts:
I told myself I wouldn’t get caught up in this book just yet. We had a long weekend planned—out of town—and I hadn’t done any preparation or packing, because, well...I’ve spent too much time reading 🥺. But...I could not pry my nose out of this book and put it down!
A new voice in psychological thrillers, Daniela Petrova has written a tragic tale of obsession and deep, intense guilt.
The story is told in past and present, by several POV’s. Lana and her partner have been desperately trying for a baby, but Lana is getting older and her biological clock is ticking. They are searching for an egg donor as a last resort. Tyler is Lana’s partner of eight years and a professor at Columbia. Their fertility issues have taken center stage in their relationship for the past several years and caused a lot of stress. Katya is a college student from Bulgaria. She’s Lana and Tyler’s “anonymous” egg donor. Lana’s mother is Bulgarian, so Lana wants their baby to have Bulgarian genes.
Tyler makes one bad choice. One bad choice that changes the lives of numerous characters.
It’s Friday night before their final IVF transfer. Lana comes home after her “Barren Mother’s Club” meeting. Instead of Tyler preparing dinner as usual, he’s packed and ready to leave. He tells Lana they need a break.
After a rough weekend, Lana has made it to Monday morning and it’s time for her egg transfer appointment. They’ve already paid for everything, which emptied their savings account, and signed all the paperwork. This is her last chance, so she keeps the appointment without telling anyone and later finds out she’s pregnant. She tells her friend Angie, but keeps it from Tyler.
Due to unique circumstances, Lana and Katya have a chance meeting and the women become friendly...then Katya disappears.
I enjoyed everything about this book. It was well-written; the characters were well-developed and fascinating; it was fast-paced and captivating. Petrova is a must-read author!
My Rating: 4.5 ⭐️’s
Published: June 18th 2019 by G.P. Putnam's Sons
Pages: 320
Recommend: Yes!
Excerpts:
Thank you to Edelweiss and G.P. Putnam's Sons for this ARC, in exchange for my honest review!
I told myself I wouldn’t get caught up in this book just yet. We had a long weekend planned—out of town—and I hadn’t done any preparation or packing, because, well...I’ve spent too much time reading 🥺. But...I could not pry my nose out of this book and put it down!
A new voice in psychological thrillers, Daniela Petrova has written a tragic tale of obsession and deep, intense guilt.
The story is told in past and present, by several POV’s. Lana and her partner have been desperately trying for a baby, but Lana is getting older and her biological clock is ticking. They are searching for an egg donor as a last resort. Tyler is Lana’s partner of eight years and a professor at Columbia. Their fertility issues have taken center stage in their relationship for the past several years and caused a lot of stress. Katya is a college student from Bulgaria. She’s Lana and Tyler’s “anonymous” egg donor. Lana’s mother is Bulgarian, so Lana wants their baby to have Bulgarian genes.
Tyler makes one bad choice. One bad choice that changes the lives of numerous characters.
It’s Friday night before their final IVF transfer. Lana comes home after her “Barren Mother’s Club” meeting. Instead of Tyler preparing dinner as usual, he’s packed and ready to leave. He tells Lana they need a break.
After a rough weekend, Lana has made it to Monday morning and it’s time for her egg transfer appointment. They’ve already paid for everything, which emptied their savings account, and signed all the paperwork. This is her last chance, so she keeps the appointment without telling anyone and later finds out she’s pregnant. She tells her friend Angie, but keeps it from Tyler.
Due to unique circumstances, Lana and Katya have a chance meeting and the women become friendly...then Katya disappears.
I enjoyed everything about this book. It was well-written; the characters were well-developed and fascinating; it was fast-paced and captivating. Petrova is a must-read author!
My Rating: 4.5 ⭐️’s
Published: June 18th 2019 by G.P. Putnam's Sons
Pages: 320
Recommend: Yes!
Excerpts:
“My mother loved to quote an old Bulgarian proverb: I don’t care if I’m okay, as long as the neighbor isn’t.”
Thank you to Edelweiss and G.P. Putnam's Sons for this ARC, in exchange for my honest review!
September 14, 2019
Daniela Petrova has crafted a clever tale that had me riveted. The story was perfectly paced, taught and tense I was furiously turning the pages. Lana is an adventurous successful confident woman but she is struggling with her fertility. Her partner Tyler and she have tried everything and this is their last shot, a donor egg. But Tyler might no longer be on the same page as Lana, but Lana is determined. Katia is beautiful and young, but she struggles with personal connections. She is also Lana and Tyler’s “anonymous“ egg donor. After Lana and Katia have a chance encounter on the subway wanna is curious and cannot help but want to get to know Katia better. What follows is a friendship, a tragedy, and a whole lot of secrets.
The story bounces around between past and present and the perspectives of Lana, Katia, and Tyler. Loved Lana she was such a real and relatable character. I was right there with her wanting The best for her. I loved her friendship with Angela, we all need a friend like her in our lives. Katia was tragic and the mystery surrounding her was compelling. I was suspicious of everybody and I loved how it all unfolded. Well told suspense with a unique premise that kept me invested throughout.
This book in three emoji’s: 🏙 🤰🏻 🥚
The story bounces around between past and present and the perspectives of Lana, Katia, and Tyler. Loved Lana she was such a real and relatable character. I was right there with her wanting The best for her. I loved her friendship with Angela, we all need a friend like her in our lives. Katia was tragic and the mystery surrounding her was compelling. I was suspicious of everybody and I loved how it all unfolded. Well told suspense with a unique premise that kept me invested throughout.
This book in three emoji’s: 🏙 🤰🏻 🥚
July 4, 2019
2.5, maybe 3....
There was so much about this book that I wanted to like. The writing itself was interesting and had a nice rhythm and flow to it. Even the subject matter, IVF with a nefarious undertone, was something that peaked my interest. However, no matter how many times I picked up the book, I could not get into the actual characters. I certainly didn’t like Tyler, the absentee/misunderstood ex, or the egg donor/murder victim who was not at all what she seemed. Even the main character was too self-absorbed and scattered to hold my attention. She couldn’t even hold her own attention, so how could she keep mine? I know that others have seen strong women in this book. Sadly, that is not what I experienced.
There was so much about this book that I wanted to like. The writing itself was interesting and had a nice rhythm and flow to it. Even the subject matter, IVF with a nefarious undertone, was something that peaked my interest. However, no matter how many times I picked up the book, I could not get into the actual characters. I certainly didn’t like Tyler, the absentee/misunderstood ex, or the egg donor/murder victim who was not at all what she seemed. Even the main character was too self-absorbed and scattered to hold my attention. She couldn’t even hold her own attention, so how could she keep mine? I know that others have seen strong women in this book. Sadly, that is not what I experienced.
February 13, 2019
I'd recently read a really scary thriller and thought I needed a break from the genre, but boy was I wrong. Her Daughter's Mother has the perfect amount of suspense mixed with compelling storytelling. I cared about all of the main characters and enjoyed how they were portrayed as more gray rather than black and white. The way the author described Upper Manhattan was beautiful. This is Daniela Petrova's debut novel and I'm anxious to see what she writes next!
Thanks so much to Netgally for the advanced arc in exchange for an honest review.
Thanks so much to Netgally for the advanced arc in exchange for an honest review.
June 7, 2019
Her Daughter’s Mother is a compelling thriller that is only deepened by the real and intertwining emotions driving its main characters. A marriage is breaking on the pain of trying to conceive, in which the act of love is reduced to success or failure. Into this trauma is woven a fresh chance in the form of a young woman struggling with her own demons, who gives to the marriage a gift of her body in search of redemption. Beneath the twisting thrill ride is a story of the private obsessions and miscommunications and ethical minefields with which we all struggle in our own lives.
August 24, 2019
If this is Petrova's debut novel I can't wait to see what she writes next. Fantastic plot, great characters you will not soon forget. I loved how this book sucked me in from the very first chapter.
I am not going to give anything away but you will not see the end coming.
4 stars and I recommend this book.
The Mary Reader received this book from the publisher for review. A favorable review was not required and all views expressed are our own.
I am not going to give anything away but you will not see the end coming.
4 stars and I recommend this book.
The Mary Reader received this book from the publisher for review. A favorable review was not required and all views expressed are our own.
June 23, 2023
Jau seniai skaičiau knygą, kuri būtų tokia įtraukianti, negalėjau atsiplėšti.
Jauna žavi mergina, vaikystėje išgyvenusi sukrečiantį įvykį ir nuo tada gyvenanti ir kovojanti su savo vidiniais demonais.
Pora, ilgą laiką bandanti susilaukti vaikų, skaudūs išgyvenimai, nuolatinis nerimas dėl procedūrų, palengva prarastas gyvenimo džiaugsmas.
Patiko, kad pasakojama iš kiekvieno atskirai. Sprendimai ir poelgiai atvedantys prie tam tikrų žmonių. Visiškai nenuspėjami įvykiai. Tai knyga prikausčiusi visą mano dėmesį.
Rodos suplanavai, bet viskas apsisuka ir supranti, kad visai ne tu kontroliuoji situaciją, viskas daug painiau nei galėjai įsivaizduoti.
🖋 Nepalinkėjome viena kitai linksmų Velykų - šeimos šventės abejoms būdavo sunkios, ypač tos, kurių dėmesio centre vaikai.
🖋 Daugybę metų aistringai gyniau savo teisę turėti šeimą be jokio parašo ir be bažnyčios bei valstybės palaiminimo. <...> Kad žodis žmona reiškė tai, kad esu kažkieno nuosavybė, o partneris rodė lygybę. Tačiau apie vieną dalyką anksčiau nebuvau susimąsčiusi - kaip lengvai tokia partnerystė gali iširti.
🖋 Mes leidome nevaisingumui atimti iš mūsų gyvenimą. Keičiantis aplinkybėms, nė nestabtelėdavome pergalvoti savo prioritetų nuo vieno gydymo pereidami prie kito. Nebandėme iš naujo įvertinti galimos rizikos. Ir visame šiame procese praradome kai ką gyvybiškai svarbaus. Praradome mus.
🖋 Skausmas bet kokiame amžiuje yra gniuždanti ir izoliuojanti patirtis.
🖋 Tai vienas iš pranašumų, kai esi vyresnis, - pasikeičia požiūris. Viskas nebėra vien juoda arba balta. Gyvenimas vyksta pilkame, niekuo neypatingame viduryje. Tik knygose ir filmuose veiksmas vyksta kraštutinumų pasaulyje, kur karaliauja principas - viskas arba nieko..
🖋 Atmintis keistas dalykas. Jos neapgausi vien pakeitęs adresą.
🖋 Kažin, ar dauguma sulaukę 35-ių nebeišeina iš namų ir užsidaro mažame savo pačių pasaulėlyje..
🖋 ..nederėtų savo santykių aptarinėti su pašaliniu asmeniu, nes tuomet tavo partneris tampa lengvu kritikos objektu.
🖋 ..intymumas gimsta apnuoginant sielą. Leidžiant sau būti pažeidžiamam.
Jauna žavi mergina, vaikystėje išgyvenusi sukrečiantį įvykį ir nuo tada gyvenanti ir kovojanti su savo vidiniais demonais.
Pora, ilgą laiką bandanti susilaukti vaikų, skaudūs išgyvenimai, nuolatinis nerimas dėl procedūrų, palengva prarastas gyvenimo džiaugsmas.
Patiko, kad pasakojama iš kiekvieno atskirai. Sprendimai ir poelgiai atvedantys prie tam tikrų žmonių. Visiškai nenuspėjami įvykiai. Tai knyga prikausčiusi visą mano dėmesį.
Rodos suplanavai, bet viskas apsisuka ir supranti, kad visai ne tu kontroliuoji situaciją, viskas daug painiau nei galėjai įsivaizduoti.
🖋 Nepalinkėjome viena kitai linksmų Velykų - šeimos šventės abejoms būdavo sunkios, ypač tos, kurių dėmesio centre vaikai.
🖋 Daugybę metų aistringai gyniau savo teisę turėti šeimą be jokio parašo ir be bažnyčios bei valstybės palaiminimo. <...> Kad žodis žmona reiškė tai, kad esu kažkieno nuosavybė, o partneris rodė lygybę. Tačiau apie vieną dalyką anksčiau nebuvau susimąsčiusi - kaip lengvai tokia partnerystė gali iširti.
🖋 Mes leidome nevaisingumui atimti iš mūsų gyvenimą. Keičiantis aplinkybėms, nė nestabtelėdavome pergalvoti savo prioritetų nuo vieno gydymo pereidami prie kito. Nebandėme iš naujo įvertinti galimos rizikos. Ir visame šiame procese praradome kai ką gyvybiškai svarbaus. Praradome mus.
🖋 Skausmas bet kokiame amžiuje yra gniuždanti ir izoliuojanti patirtis.
🖋 Tai vienas iš pranašumų, kai esi vyresnis, - pasikeičia požiūris. Viskas nebėra vien juoda arba balta. Gyvenimas vyksta pilkame, niekuo neypatingame viduryje. Tik knygose ir filmuose veiksmas vyksta kraštutinumų pasaulyje, kur karaliauja principas - viskas arba nieko..
🖋 Atmintis keistas dalykas. Jos neapgausi vien pakeitęs adresą.
🖋 Kažin, ar dauguma sulaukę 35-ių nebeišeina iš namų ir užsidaro mažame savo pačių pasaulėlyje..
🖋 ..nederėtų savo santykių aptarinėti su pašaliniu asmeniu, nes tuomet tavo partneris tampa lengvu kritikos objektu.
🖋 ..intymumas gimsta apnuoginant sielą. Leidžiant sau būti pažeidžiamam.
June 16, 2019
Lana and Tyler want a baby, but they have been unable to conceive. Soon after making the decision to use an egg donor, their relationship hits a rough patch. After their break-up, Lana sees a familiar face... the egg donor, Katya. Wanting to know more about the donor, Lana follows Katya, and the two end up hitting it off. Soon after their friendship gets started, Katya disappears. Lana may have been the last person to see Katya, and she becomes a suspect in her disappearance. Wanting to find the truth about what happened to Katya, Lana delves deeper into Katya's life.
Told with alternating points of view - Lana and Katya. Both women are unreliable narrators. It's clear from the beginning that Lana is hiding something from Katya, but it's not clear what Katya is up to. Add in Tyler, and the story gets more complex.
This is a well done thriller. Lana and Katya both have stories to tell. Though I couldn't really relate to either character, I was invested in the story and curious how it would end. A compelling novel of mystery and suspense. Full of secrets and lies, Her Mother's Daughter kept me up late reading. Fantastic debut novel.
I received a free eARC from the publisher via Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review.
Told with alternating points of view - Lana and Katya. Both women are unreliable narrators. It's clear from the beginning that Lana is hiding something from Katya, but it's not clear what Katya is up to. Add in Tyler, and the story gets more complex.
This is a well done thriller. Lana and Katya both have stories to tell. Though I couldn't really relate to either character, I was invested in the story and curious how it would end. A compelling novel of mystery and suspense. Full of secrets and lies, Her Mother's Daughter kept me up late reading. Fantastic debut novel.
I received a free eARC from the publisher via Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review.
June 25, 2019
This book was supposed to be the thriller meant to divert my mind off realities of life and it did. But it left me with a lump in my throat, the size of a golf ball. Don't get me wrong, it was a great thriller, but the backstory had me wanting to sob.
The story started with a couple Lana and Tyler and their IVF cycles and its effect on their relationship. Entered an anonymous egg donor, Katya, from Bulgaria. Anonymity was subverted and Lana and Katya bonded without telling each other the truth. One night dancing and Katya disappeared till a dead body was found in the river.
Daniela Petrova's book was the perfect combination of thriller and mystery along with huge scoops of emotions. An incident of childhood can screw up the adult life causing ripples far extended. I loved the main character Lana who found herself alone and pregnant yet determined to get to the bottom of Katya's death, her daughter's mother. Her vulnerability and determination struck a chord in me. Katya on the other hand, was wild and unpredictable with terrible mood swings and reminded me of ME had I not found an emotional support at the right time. Both the women were diametrically opposite, yet connected by the umbilical cord.
The book was like a movie being unfolded, I found myself being a spectator in the women's lives. The story could have been tighter with more thrill, my only tiny niggle. But every scene was written with a thoughtful eye, enmeshing well with the plot of story. The emotions weaved were subtle yet caught me unawares. An unexpected, emotional thriller!
The story started with a couple Lana and Tyler and their IVF cycles and its effect on their relationship. Entered an anonymous egg donor, Katya, from Bulgaria. Anonymity was subverted and Lana and Katya bonded without telling each other the truth. One night dancing and Katya disappeared till a dead body was found in the river.
Daniela Petrova's book was the perfect combination of thriller and mystery along with huge scoops of emotions. An incident of childhood can screw up the adult life causing ripples far extended. I loved the main character Lana who found herself alone and pregnant yet determined to get to the bottom of Katya's death, her daughter's mother. Her vulnerability and determination struck a chord in me. Katya on the other hand, was wild and unpredictable with terrible mood swings and reminded me of ME had I not found an emotional support at the right time. Both the women were diametrically opposite, yet connected by the umbilical cord.
The book was like a movie being unfolded, I found myself being a spectator in the women's lives. The story could have been tighter with more thrill, my only tiny niggle. But every scene was written with a thoughtful eye, enmeshing well with the plot of story. The emotions weaved were subtle yet caught me unawares. An unexpected, emotional thriller!
July 17, 2019
A beautifully told, emotional domestic suspense novel, Her Daughter’s Mother was compelling, disturbing and thoroughly enjoyable. It explores themes of motherhood, obsession and the price of betrayal when a beautiful woman unexpectedly disappears after becoming an egg donor to an infertile couple.
The tension ramps up as Lana, our protagonist searches for Katya when Katya goes missing. I loved the movement between these two protagonists, as well as Tyler, Lana’s ex, who’s also the baby’s father. Each character was captivating and perfectly executed, the pacing consistent, the writing beautiful, and the themes poignant and real.
I thoroughly recommend this character-driven thriller.
I received a copy from the publisher in exchange for my honest opinion.
The tension ramps up as Lana, our protagonist searches for Katya when Katya goes missing. I loved the movement between these two protagonists, as well as Tyler, Lana’s ex, who’s also the baby’s father. Each character was captivating and perfectly executed, the pacing consistent, the writing beautiful, and the themes poignant and real.
I thoroughly recommend this character-driven thriller.
I received a copy from the publisher in exchange for my honest opinion.
March 2, 2019
The story of a woman who inadvertently befriends her egg donor, only to become a suspect once the donor turns up missing, this book had me gripped from the very beginning. There were so many secrets, so many layers, so many characters to enjoy being suspicious of! I loved trying to guess who was responsible for the donor’s disappearance, and I particularly enjoyed how the book’s many shocking secrets were revealed through multiple narrators, none of whom you were exactly sure you could trust. At the heart of this novel is two women’s journey toward finding family, connection, and redemption, and that made the story more tender and moving than your typical psychological suspense. The final word made me instantly tear up. (But don’t peek ahead to see it or you’ll ruin the beautiful experience for yourself!)
Read
November 4, 2024DNF @ 20%
Intriguing start but quickly turned highly implausible. Not for me…
Intriguing start but quickly turned highly implausible. Not for me…
February 21, 2021
Atsimenu, kodėl labai norėjau šios knygos. Aprašymas užkabino iškart - pora, ilgą laiką kovojanti su nevaisingumu, pagaliau randa tobulą kiaušinėlių donorę - mergina iš Bulgarijos, o būtent to norėjo Lana. Jos akimis, tai galimybė kūdikiui turėti jos tautos genus. Bėda tame, kad įpusėjus kiaušinėlių perkėlimo ciklui, Lanos partneris Taileris, neatlaikęs įtampos, ją palieka. Iki ilgametės svajonės išsipildymo lieka tik vienas žingsnis. Tik čia Lana susiduria su moraline dilema - viską nutraukti ar tęsti procedūrą vienai, Taileriui nežinant? ⠀
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Visada planavusi išlaikyti abipusį anonimiškumą Lana sulaukia likimo pokšto - metro sutinka Katią, bulgarę savo kiaušinėlių donorę. Staiga prasidėjusi moterų draugystė įsuka nesibaigiančią įvykių virtinę - Katia dingsta, o paskutinis ją matęs žmogus - Lana. Nieko keisto, kad ji papuola į jos dingimą tiriančių pareigūnų akiratį. Ji, kaip ir keletas kitų įtariamųjų, turėjo motyvą atsikratyti Katios..⠀
⠀
Knyga įtraukė nuo pat pradžių. Įvykis sekė įvykį, kiekvienas, pasitaikęs Katios kelyje, kėlė įtarimą. Atomazga neprivertė išsižioti iš nuostabos, bet vistiek buvo gana netikėta. Autorė palietė ir nevaisingumo temą. Tik šįkart ne iš "mes vargšai, negalim susilaukti kūdikio" pusės, o atskleidė tamsesnę šito skaudulio pusę - atsiribojimą nuo realaus gyvenimo, nesusikalbėjimą tarpusavyje ir tai kokius skirtingus jausmus jaučia abi poros pusės. ⠀
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Detektyvine prasme, knyga papuola į tų lengvasvorių kategoriją. Trilerius ir detektyvus, vieną po kito gliaudinantys skaitytojai gali likti kiek nusivylę. Nepasaisant to, man patiko - tikrai nenuobodžiavau skaitydama.⠀
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Visada planavusi išlaikyti abipusį anonimiškumą Lana sulaukia likimo pokšto - metro sutinka Katią, bulgarę savo kiaušinėlių donorę. Staiga prasidėjusi moterų draugystė įsuka nesibaigiančią įvykių virtinę - Katia dingsta, o paskutinis ją matęs žmogus - Lana. Nieko keisto, kad ji papuola į jos dingimą tiriančių pareigūnų akiratį. Ji, kaip ir keletas kitų įtariamųjų, turėjo motyvą atsikratyti Katios..⠀
⠀
Knyga įtraukė nuo pat pradžių. Įvykis sekė įvykį, kiekvienas, pasitaikęs Katios kelyje, kėlė įtarimą. Atomazga neprivertė išsižioti iš nuostabos, bet vistiek buvo gana netikėta. Autorė palietė ir nevaisingumo temą. Tik šįkart ne iš "mes vargšai, negalim susilaukti kūdikio" pusės, o atskleidė tamsesnę šito skaudulio pusę - atsiribojimą nuo realaus gyvenimo, nesusikalbėjimą tarpusavyje ir tai kokius skirtingus jausmus jaučia abi poros pusės. ⠀
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Detektyvine prasme, knyga papuola į tų lengvasvorių kategoriją. Trilerius ir detektyvus, vieną po kito gliaudinantys skaitytojai gali likti kiek nusivylę. Nepasaisant to, man patiko - tikrai nenuobodžiavau skaitydama.⠀
June 5, 2019
Strange as it may sounds, but sometimes I know from the very first paragraph whether I’m going to like a book or not. As soon as I met Lana I was immediately pulled into the story, and by the time I turned the last page I felt like she was a flesh and blood character I had known all my life! In short – I loved this book!
As the title suggests, this is not a straightforward mystery about mothers and daughters, or any “normal” family dynamics. Instead, the author has created an intriguing story full of emotional heartache and ethical issues surrounding infertility and IVF, packaged inside a suspenseful mystery. We meet Lana and Tyler as they are coming to the end of a heartbreaking battle with infertility and failed IVF cycles, which have not only depleted all their savings but also put strain n their marriage. Lana feels that she has turned from a fun-loving, adventurous woman into someone obsessed with her quest of becoming a mother, and is constantly undergoing some sort of treatment to improve her chances of becoming pregnant – which so far has only ended in tears. Her only hope now is to accept a donor egg, but she has one condition: she wants a baby with the same cultural heritage she has. Finally, the agency phones her with the good news. A Bulgarian egg donor has registered. Lana is ecstatic – this may finally bring them the baby they have wished for so long.
I think this really is all you need to know. Let the book take you on its journey and surprise you. Because in books, as in life, things often don’t go as smoothly as planned. This was one of those books where one decision leads to a Swiss cheese like reaction where all the holes align to let disaster strike (it’s a true term coined by the aviation industry and adopted by medicine to explain the chain of errors often leading to harm to patients). I pictured poor Lana, ensnared in a spider’s web of events, getting more and more entangled in its sticky ropes the more she tries to get out of it. At times, it was painful to witness! Of course we, as readers, know more than the hapless Lana does, and can see disaster looming before she has any idea what she is getting herself into.
What I really liked about this book was that there was no villain, no black or white, no battles between good or evil. These were all rounded, relatable, “human” characters who had believable flaws but were overall just ... likeable. It’s a story about real people in real life situations. No “crazy twist you will never see coming” (thankfully, I am a bit tired of those), though the ending may still surprise some readers.
I loved everything about this book and it was exactly what I was craving at the time. If you are looking for a fast-paced suspense thriller, then this one may be a bit slow for you. However, if you would like a compelling mystery wrapped in layers of real life drama that escalates out of control until you absolutely cannot put down the book until it is all resolved, then yes, you are in luck! For women who have undergone some trauma with infertility or miscarriages, the story may contain multiple triggers, or it may feel strangely cathartic, depending on your personality and your situation. I found that the author handled the topic with such insight and sensitivity that it soothed rather than opened old wounds, but just be forewarned.
All in all, HER DAUGHTER’S MOTHER was a wonderful, utterly captivating book by an author new to me and I am so very happy that I was invited to read this ARC. It is rare to find a novel that can be both suspenseful and touching, but it achieved this in equal measure, and more. Definitely one of my favourite reads so far this year. I cannot wait to read more from this author in future!
4.5 stars
Thank you to Edelweiss and G.P, Putnam's Sons for the free electronic copy of this novel and for giving me the opportunity to provide an honest review.
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As the title suggests, this is not a straightforward mystery about mothers and daughters, or any “normal” family dynamics. Instead, the author has created an intriguing story full of emotional heartache and ethical issues surrounding infertility and IVF, packaged inside a suspenseful mystery. We meet Lana and Tyler as they are coming to the end of a heartbreaking battle with infertility and failed IVF cycles, which have not only depleted all their savings but also put strain n their marriage. Lana feels that she has turned from a fun-loving, adventurous woman into someone obsessed with her quest of becoming a mother, and is constantly undergoing some sort of treatment to improve her chances of becoming pregnant – which so far has only ended in tears. Her only hope now is to accept a donor egg, but she has one condition: she wants a baby with the same cultural heritage she has. Finally, the agency phones her with the good news. A Bulgarian egg donor has registered. Lana is ecstatic – this may finally bring them the baby they have wished for so long.
I think this really is all you need to know. Let the book take you on its journey and surprise you. Because in books, as in life, things often don’t go as smoothly as planned. This was one of those books where one decision leads to a Swiss cheese like reaction where all the holes align to let disaster strike (it’s a true term coined by the aviation industry and adopted by medicine to explain the chain of errors often leading to harm to patients). I pictured poor Lana, ensnared in a spider’s web of events, getting more and more entangled in its sticky ropes the more she tries to get out of it. At times, it was painful to witness! Of course we, as readers, know more than the hapless Lana does, and can see disaster looming before she has any idea what she is getting herself into.
What I really liked about this book was that there was no villain, no black or white, no battles between good or evil. These were all rounded, relatable, “human” characters who had believable flaws but were overall just ... likeable. It’s a story about real people in real life situations. No “crazy twist you will never see coming” (thankfully, I am a bit tired of those), though the ending may still surprise some readers.
I loved everything about this book and it was exactly what I was craving at the time. If you are looking for a fast-paced suspense thriller, then this one may be a bit slow for you. However, if you would like a compelling mystery wrapped in layers of real life drama that escalates out of control until you absolutely cannot put down the book until it is all resolved, then yes, you are in luck! For women who have undergone some trauma with infertility or miscarriages, the story may contain multiple triggers, or it may feel strangely cathartic, depending on your personality and your situation. I found that the author handled the topic with such insight and sensitivity that it soothed rather than opened old wounds, but just be forewarned.
All in all, HER DAUGHTER’S MOTHER was a wonderful, utterly captivating book by an author new to me and I am so very happy that I was invited to read this ARC. It is rare to find a novel that can be both suspenseful and touching, but it achieved this in equal measure, and more. Definitely one of my favourite reads so far this year. I cannot wait to read more from this author in future!
4.5 stars
Thank you to Edelweiss and G.P, Putnam's Sons for the free electronic copy of this novel and for giving me the opportunity to provide an honest review.
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March 20, 2019
This was a quick and compelling read - on one level, it's a page-turning thriller about a woman who gets embroiled in the life of her egg donor with potentially criminal consequences and on another it's a brutally honest and emotional depiction of the impact of infertility, not just on a woman trying to conceive but also on her (male) partner and on their relationship. With great Manhattan locales, Her Daughter's Mother artfully combines the grittiness and drama of an urban thriller with the heart and realism of a more serious, emotionally resonant story.
March 11, 2019
A gripping, twisty psychological thriller that is rooted in the pain and longing of infertility. I adored this book's specificity, from its Bulgarian main characters to its setting around Columbia University's campuses. It all felt so vivid and real.
August 11, 2020
Daniela Petrova gimusi Bulgarijoje, tačiau šiuo metu gyvenanti su vyru Niujorke, neatsiejamai susijusi su literatūra: rašo esė, poemas, trumpas istorijas. O “Jos dukters motina”, tai pirmoji autorės knyga, kuri net labai neblogai įvertinta, tad manau galime tikėtis ir daugiau tokio žanro kūrinių. O apie ką ši istorija?
Prieš pradedant kalbėti apie knygą, norisi paminėti vieną faktą: knygos idėja autorei gimė iš asmeninės patirties. Ji su vyru ilgai bandė susilaukti kūdikio, išbandė daugelį gydymo formų ir tik tuomet jai gimė mintis, jog pasitelkus donorę išeitų puikus knygos scenarijus. Ir jis gavosi tikrai neblogas! Jau nuo pat pirmųjų dienų knyga įvertinta labai neblogai, tad nenustebčiau jei ne už ilgo sulauktume ir kitų panašaus žanro kūrinių.
Na gerai, o dabar prie istorijos. Jauna meno kuratorė Lana rodos susikūrė puikų gyvenimą JAV, bet deja su gyvenimo partneriu Taileriu net aštuoneris metus bando susilaukti vaiko ir viskas nesėkmingai. Porai lieka vienintelis šansas, tai donorės kiaušinėlių persodinimo operacija. Čia iškyla problema – Lanos šeimos šaknys glūdi Bulgarijoje, tad jos svajonė, kad jos vaikelis paveldėtų bent kažkokius bruožus būdingus jos gimtosios šalies gyventojams, o tam reikia donorės iš Bulgarijos, kurią pasirodo ne taip lengva rasti.
Vieną dieną, kaip stebuklas iš giedro dangaus, agentūra praneša, jog donorė yra! Rodos jau niekas netemdys jaunos poros laimės, bet dienai prieš operaciją Taileris palieka Laną. Moteris ne tik, kad nesupranta kas įvyko, bet neturi nei laiko tam apmąstyti, nei susivokti savyje. Be viso šito, ji netikėtai pamato Katią, savo donorę, ir nepaaiškinamo smalsumo vedama ją paseka. Kas iš viso to gaunasi sužinosite patys perskaitę knygą 😉
O istorija tikrai įtraukianti ir kuo toliau tuo labiau domina. Kas iš tiesų ta Katia? Kodėl Taileris išėjo? Ar pavyks susilaukti taip trokštamo kūdikio? Žodžiu, puikiai susuktas trileris.
Prie viso šito dar labai patiko puikiai atskleisti šeimos, kovojančios su vaisingumo problema, iššūkiai. Visą laiką skaitydama mintyse kaip užsuktą plokštelę kartojau padėka visatai, kad man neteko susidurti su tokiu gyvenimo iššūkiu.
Tiesa, pasitaikė ir keletas neįtikėtinų situacijų, gal ne tiek neįtikėtinų, kiek tiesiog manęs neįtikino. Tad šį kart už debiutą skirsiu knygai įvertinimą 3.5/5, nes tikiu, jog ši autorė pateiks dar ne vieną puikų kūrinį.
Prieš pradedant kalbėti apie knygą, norisi paminėti vieną faktą: knygos idėja autorei gimė iš asmeninės patirties. Ji su vyru ilgai bandė susilaukti kūdikio, išbandė daugelį gydymo formų ir tik tuomet jai gimė mintis, jog pasitelkus donorę išeitų puikus knygos scenarijus. Ir jis gavosi tikrai neblogas! Jau nuo pat pirmųjų dienų knyga įvertinta labai neblogai, tad nenustebčiau jei ne už ilgo sulauktume ir kitų panašaus žanro kūrinių.
Na gerai, o dabar prie istorijos. Jauna meno kuratorė Lana rodos susikūrė puikų gyvenimą JAV, bet deja su gyvenimo partneriu Taileriu net aštuoneris metus bando susilaukti vaiko ir viskas nesėkmingai. Porai lieka vienintelis šansas, tai donorės kiaušinėlių persodinimo operacija. Čia iškyla problema – Lanos šeimos šaknys glūdi Bulgarijoje, tad jos svajonė, kad jos vaikelis paveldėtų bent kažkokius bruožus būdingus jos gimtosios šalies gyventojams, o tam reikia donorės iš Bulgarijos, kurią pasirodo ne taip lengva rasti.
Vieną dieną, kaip stebuklas iš giedro dangaus, agentūra praneša, jog donorė yra! Rodos jau niekas netemdys jaunos poros laimės, bet dienai prieš operaciją Taileris palieka Laną. Moteris ne tik, kad nesupranta kas įvyko, bet neturi nei laiko tam apmąstyti, nei susivokti savyje. Be viso šito, ji netikėtai pamato Katią, savo donorę, ir nepaaiškinamo smalsumo vedama ją paseka. Kas iš viso to gaunasi sužinosite patys perskaitę knygą 😉
O istorija tikrai įtraukianti ir kuo toliau tuo labiau domina. Kas iš tiesų ta Katia? Kodėl Taileris išėjo? Ar pavyks susilaukti taip trokštamo kūdikio? Žodžiu, puikiai susuktas trileris.
Prie viso šito dar labai patiko puikiai atskleisti šeimos, kovojančios su vaisingumo problema, iššūkiai. Visą laiką skaitydama mintyse kaip užsuktą plokštelę kartojau padėka visatai, kad man neteko susidurti su tokiu gyvenimo iššūkiu.
Tiesa, pasitaikė ir keletas neįtikėtinų situacijų, gal ne tiek neįtikėtinų, kiek tiesiog manęs neįtikino. Tad šį kart už debiutą skirsiu knygai įvertinimą 3.5/5, nes tikiu, jog ši autorė pateiks dar ne vieną puikų kūrinį.
February 16, 2020
Поредният психо-трилър, който чета напоследък и който силно ме впечатли. Явно защото не е моят основен жанр и когато чета нещо такова, после доста го мисля. А тази книга определено буди дълбоки размисли. Темата, която е засегната е много сериозна и който е харесал Най-доброто в теб на Колийн Хувър със сигурност ще хареса и тази. Трудната борба на една двойка да има дете, но безуспешно в продължение на години. Борба, при която те губят пътя един към друг и се отчуждават, изморяват се това да е движещата сила в отношенията им и все да не се получава и да не се получава. Двойката в тази книга - Лана и Тайлър прибягва до донорска яйцеклетка след 8 години различни други опити, неуспешни опити ин витро и помятания. Докато четях постоянно мислех за въпроса, че използвайки донорска яйцеклетка жената един вид се превръща в сурогатна майка, защото детето де факто не носи нейните гени. Тя само го износва, но винаги има риск биологичната майка да почука на вратата и да си иска детето, да ги тормози, шантажира или изнудва. Въпреки, че първоначално се подписват куп документи и донорът се отказва от генетичния материал и прибира не малка сума, се оказва, че има случай, в които после си иска детето и нейните права може да се окажат много по-силни в съда. Ето защо Лана е категорична, че иска анонимен донор. Тайлър обаче е наясно коя е жената дала яйцеклетката и по-късно съдбата на тримата се преплита и ужасно обърква заради това, че в един или друг момент вече всеки знае кой кой е. А донорът Катя не е жената, за която първоначално Лана си представя, че е. Лана я мисли за широкоскроен, весел оптимистичен човек, радващ се на живота и студентството си, докато в един момент Катя изчезва безследно и тогава започват да излизат на повърхността тъмни тайни. Историята е разказана от трите гледни точки - на Лана, Катя и Тайлър, има сцени преди и сега и това само подклажда напрежението, което съпътства цялата книга, докато се разбере в крайна сметка ще има ли бебе и на кого ще бъде то. В същото време стилът на писане е лековат и много лесен за четене. Книгата върви невероятно бързо и няма време да се оставя за почивки. От мен 5* и препоръка към останалите да я прочетат.
April 1, 2019
Lana and her partner, Tyler, struggled with infertility for eight years when they decided to try getting pregnant using donor eggs—and it worked. Curious about the donor, Lana "accidentally" meets and befriends Katya. A week later, Katya is inexplicably missing. Lana is desperate to find her and reveal their connection, only to discover she wasn't the only one keeping secrets from her new friend.
Her Daughter's Mother proved to be absolutely unputdownable, and I read most of it in one sitting. The story is told from three perspectives: Lana, Katya, and Tyler (Lana's ex who is also the father of the baby). I loved the way things proved not to be as they seemed when the perspective switched between characters. Just when I thought I knew what was going on, the other side of the story would be revealed and leaving me guessing all over again! For various reasons, none of the characters were 100% trustworthy, and I found myself questioning their motives (not to mention, their veracity!) more than a few times as I read further in the book.
The pacing of the story was perfectly executed. Revelations were gradually doled out, but they always seemed to land exactly when I felt I just HAD to find out something more about this or that. I was never left hanging too long about the latest suspenseful thing, but was always kept on edge long enough to allow the latest reveal to really pack a punch.
Petrova's debut novel, with its ethically-flawed but nonetheless fascinating main characters, will captivate readers from start to finish. Add this one to your wishlist, folks!
As for me... I'm looking forward to Ms. Petrova's next novel. May it come soon, because I can't wait to read more from this talented author!
I received an advance reading copy of this book courtesy of G.P. Putnam's Sons via Edelweiss.
Her Daughter's Mother proved to be absolutely unputdownable, and I read most of it in one sitting. The story is told from three perspectives: Lana, Katya, and Tyler (Lana's ex who is also the father of the baby). I loved the way things proved not to be as they seemed when the perspective switched between characters. Just when I thought I knew what was going on, the other side of the story would be revealed and leaving me guessing all over again! For various reasons, none of the characters were 100% trustworthy, and I found myself questioning their motives (not to mention, their veracity!) more than a few times as I read further in the book.
The pacing of the story was perfectly executed. Revelations were gradually doled out, but they always seemed to land exactly when I felt I just HAD to find out something more about this or that. I was never left hanging too long about the latest suspenseful thing, but was always kept on edge long enough to allow the latest reveal to really pack a punch.
Petrova's debut novel, with its ethically-flawed but nonetheless fascinating main characters, will captivate readers from start to finish. Add this one to your wishlist, folks!
As for me... I'm looking forward to Ms. Petrova's next novel. May it come soon, because I can't wait to read more from this talented author!
I received an advance reading copy of this book courtesy of G.P. Putnam's Sons via Edelweiss.
March 11, 2019
Daniela Petrova has written a compelling, raw, and chilling tale of desperation and obsession. HER DAUGHTER'S MOTHER, vividly set in Manhattan, transported me to both the city and into the characters' struggles and traumas through a story so perfectly paced and well-written that I couldn't put it down. Fantastic twists and turns woven with emotional depth kept me hooked from the first page to the last. I loved it! I received an advance reader copy.
February 27, 2019
Captivating and powerful, HER DAUGHTER’S MOTHER is both a thought-provoking story about the ethical gray area one woman stumbles into on her quest for motherhood, and a twisty thriller about another woman’s abrupt disappearance. Secrets, obsession, lies, betrayals big and small—they’re all here in this expertly paced novel that will keep readers guessing right up until the very last page.
August 15, 2020
Įtraukianti, nenuspėjama knyga. Knygoje pasakojama apie nevaisingumo problemas, motinystę, persekiojantį kaltės jausmą ir gan tragiškas pasekmes bandant ištaisyti vaikystes klaidas.
June 29, 2019
My Rating: 4.5 Stars
Lana Stone has been trying everything possible to have a baby. Just as she is about to try her eighth and last chance at IVF, her relationship implodes. However, she goes ahead with the procedure. Lana and her partner Tyler were determined to give the child some Bulganian roots, due to her mother's heritage, so a donor was found. For reasons Lana cannot understand, she is determined to find out as much about her as possible. The egg donor, Katya, should have been anonymous, but Lana was able to discover her identity. She makes the decision to follow her, and, although Katya doesn't know the connection, the two form a brief friendship.
Katya is a Columbia student who has very good reason for donating her eggs. However, Katya disappears and this really upsets Lana. With the procedure being a success, albeit delicately tentative, Lana feels that it is her responsibility to discover what happened to Katya. She is relentless in her search for answers, much to the consternation of the police. The police actually become wary of Lana, especially as they discover what happened to Katya. What is more, secrets are exposed and this eventually makes Lana a likely suspect in what is going on.
Her Daughter's Mother is a crafty mystery that grew out of one woman's desire to be a mother. There were a lot of layers in this story, which was delivered in multiple points of view. With Lana, particularly, we learn a lot about her. She was really obsessed with her desire to be a mother, which is something that I am sure many women can relate to. What I liked about her in the story was her determination, and not just to have a child. It was her determination to protect her pregnancy, but even more, her drive to solve Katya's disappearance, all while dealing with a painful breakup.
Another interesting character is Katya, and this was played out from the past, and this part of the story led to a twist that changed everything in this story. While Lana was a strong woman, Katya was a loose cannon, to say the least. We also have the story from Tyler's perspective, and this was handled well, although with him leaving Lana in the beginning made it hard for me to like him.
These three characters, the scenarios, the shocking twist and the compelling conclusion all came together in a very well-written story that was near to impossible to put down. I found this to be an engaging read that blended both mystery and emotion. Daniela Petrova is a debut author who has done a fantastic job. I definitely look forward to reading much more by her.
Many thanks to G. P. Putnam's Sons and to Edelweiss for this ARC to review in exchange for my honest opinion.
Lana Stone has been trying everything possible to have a baby. Just as she is about to try her eighth and last chance at IVF, her relationship implodes. However, she goes ahead with the procedure. Lana and her partner Tyler were determined to give the child some Bulganian roots, due to her mother's heritage, so a donor was found. For reasons Lana cannot understand, she is determined to find out as much about her as possible. The egg donor, Katya, should have been anonymous, but Lana was able to discover her identity. She makes the decision to follow her, and, although Katya doesn't know the connection, the two form a brief friendship.
Katya is a Columbia student who has very good reason for donating her eggs. However, Katya disappears and this really upsets Lana. With the procedure being a success, albeit delicately tentative, Lana feels that it is her responsibility to discover what happened to Katya. She is relentless in her search for answers, much to the consternation of the police. The police actually become wary of Lana, especially as they discover what happened to Katya. What is more, secrets are exposed and this eventually makes Lana a likely suspect in what is going on.
Her Daughter's Mother is a crafty mystery that grew out of one woman's desire to be a mother. There were a lot of layers in this story, which was delivered in multiple points of view. With Lana, particularly, we learn a lot about her. She was really obsessed with her desire to be a mother, which is something that I am sure many women can relate to. What I liked about her in the story was her determination, and not just to have a child. It was her determination to protect her pregnancy, but even more, her drive to solve Katya's disappearance, all while dealing with a painful breakup.
Another interesting character is Katya, and this was played out from the past, and this part of the story led to a twist that changed everything in this story. While Lana was a strong woman, Katya was a loose cannon, to say the least. We also have the story from Tyler's perspective, and this was handled well, although with him leaving Lana in the beginning made it hard for me to like him.
These three characters, the scenarios, the shocking twist and the compelling conclusion all came together in a very well-written story that was near to impossible to put down. I found this to be an engaging read that blended both mystery and emotion. Daniela Petrova is a debut author who has done a fantastic job. I definitely look forward to reading much more by her.
Many thanks to G. P. Putnam's Sons and to Edelweiss for this ARC to review in exchange for my honest opinion.
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