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Bad Daughter
Carly is many things. But when she’s alone with her thoughts, she can only think of herself as one - a bad daughter. When her father died after a lifetime of rampant alcoholism and a debilitating cancer journey, she was more than happy to bury him, and his memory, in the deepest pits of her soul - along with the secret that was threatening to eat her alive.
Much to her dismay, Carly finds herself at an Al-Anon meeting in an attempt to placate her mother. She hates every moment, but somehow, her life is fundamentally altered from the moment she steps out of that church basement. She has barely thought of her father for five years, and suddenly; she can’t seem to stop. His ghost, and some of her worst memories, are all around her.
Over the course of a year, Carly grapples with her grief, and with herself; all the while desperate to prevent everyone she loves from somehow discovering the truth.
Much to her dismay, Carly finds herself at an Al-Anon meeting in an attempt to placate her mother. She hates every moment, but somehow, her life is fundamentally altered from the moment she steps out of that church basement. She has barely thought of her father for five years, and suddenly; she can’t seem to stop. His ghost, and some of her worst memories, are all around her.
Over the course of a year, Carly grapples with her grief, and with herself; all the while desperate to prevent everyone she loves from somehow discovering the truth.
274 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 8, 2022
2 people are currently reading
128 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
February 17, 2023
I read this book weeks ago and still can't get it out of my head. This book hurt to read, like soul-crushingly painful to read, but also felt so healing in a way I didn't expect.
This book touches on some of the hardest parts of loss, and the worst parts of grieving. People don't like to read about other people's grief. Losing someone is still such a taboo subject once the days have past, but this story sheds light on even the darkest days that can hit you years later. Not every day will be horrible, but there is always days where the loss feels up front and center, and it's okay to let yourself feel anything and everything you need to feel in those moments. This story is a reminder of that and I absolutely loved that, even when it hurt.
I was able to relate so much to Carly during her story of coping with such a heavy loss, and reading through each year of her grief felt so honest and real, which I feel is something very hard to portray on paper. Haley Warren did such a wonderful job of weaving a story of a fictional character's loss, but still managing to make it feel so intimate and personal to me as the reader.
Thank you, Haley, for sharing such a beautiful and personal story with us.
This book touches on some of the hardest parts of loss, and the worst parts of grieving. People don't like to read about other people's grief. Losing someone is still such a taboo subject once the days have past, but this story sheds light on even the darkest days that can hit you years later. Not every day will be horrible, but there is always days where the loss feels up front and center, and it's okay to let yourself feel anything and everything you need to feel in those moments. This story is a reminder of that and I absolutely loved that, even when it hurt.
I was able to relate so much to Carly during her story of coping with such a heavy loss, and reading through each year of her grief felt so honest and real, which I feel is something very hard to portray on paper. Haley Warren did such a wonderful job of weaving a story of a fictional character's loss, but still managing to make it feel so intimate and personal to me as the reader.
Thank you, Haley, for sharing such a beautiful and personal story with us.
August 18, 2022
There are very few books that have caused me to sob in public, but I am happy to add Bad Daughter to that list.
In Bad Daughter, author Haley Warren allows the reader to join a journey of self-discovery and forgiveness while eloquently describing the monsters of grief and depression in a way that few authors are able to capture.
Many times in the book I found myself physically nodding in agreement, able to relate to the characters' experiences or thoughts in a way that seemed like the author was reading my mind. That ability to relate to the journey is so crucial when writing about grief, as grief can make us seem like we are completely alone.
Bad Daughter was an absolute joy to read, and a great introduction to a newly published author. I look forward to reading what other books Haley Warren writes, although I might read her next novels at home, where I can cry in private.
In Bad Daughter, author Haley Warren allows the reader to join a journey of self-discovery and forgiveness while eloquently describing the monsters of grief and depression in a way that few authors are able to capture.
Many times in the book I found myself physically nodding in agreement, able to relate to the characters' experiences or thoughts in a way that seemed like the author was reading my mind. That ability to relate to the journey is so crucial when writing about grief, as grief can make us seem like we are completely alone.
Bad Daughter was an absolute joy to read, and a great introduction to a newly published author. I look forward to reading what other books Haley Warren writes, although I might read her next novels at home, where I can cry in private.
March 14, 2023
This is the kind story that stays with you. It’s not a light read by any stretch of the imagination. It’s packed full of hard truths and heartbreak, and surprisingly healing and growth. Maybe not so surprising, of course. If you’ve ever experienced loss and grieving, than you know the healing does eventually come. As this story so beautifully illustrates, it’s an uphill battle, full of trips and stumbles along the way. But with sadness comes hope. With hurt there is healing. If you remain open to it. That’s what this story is ultimately about.
Since losing my mom, I find I can appreciate stories like this one even more. It’s the type of story I welcome to remind me what it feels like to long for what I’ll never have again. Grief is like that a lot of the time. Seeking out the pain just to remember that person. To fill their void with something…anything.
It’s not an easy topic to write about or to do justice, but the intimate and deeply personal way in which Warren told this story was so beautiful and spot on. She honored the process of grieving so artfully it touched all those threads in my own heart like a gut punch, but in the best possible way.
Since losing my mom, I find I can appreciate stories like this one even more. It’s the type of story I welcome to remind me what it feels like to long for what I’ll never have again. Grief is like that a lot of the time. Seeking out the pain just to remember that person. To fill their void with something…anything.
It’s not an easy topic to write about or to do justice, but the intimate and deeply personal way in which Warren told this story was so beautiful and spot on. She honored the process of grieving so artfully it touched all those threads in my own heart like a gut punch, but in the best possible way.
July 29, 2022
Big thanks to Haley Warren for providing me with an ARC and letting me read Bad Daughter before it’s released to the world.
“He lives behind doors in my mind I do not like to open. In fact I think I have lost the key.”
I related so much more than I thought I would to Carly. As someone with her own once complicated and toxic, now non existent, relationship with her father, I knew this book was going to dig up feelings I tend to bury. Although my father is not dead, I know I went through my own grieving and acceptance process of that relationship ending. I saw so much of myself in the avoidance and self destruction Carly went through.
Bad Daughter explores the never ending cycles of grief. The guilt and anger we feel when it comes to those big losses. It navigates how easy it is for grief to come barreling at us at any moment.
Simply put Bad Daughter was everything I’d never be able to put into words myself.
Thank you for sharing Carly with us.
Pre-order Bad Daughter! Out 8/8 🤍
“He lives behind doors in my mind I do not like to open. In fact I think I have lost the key.”
I related so much more than I thought I would to Carly. As someone with her own once complicated and toxic, now non existent, relationship with her father, I knew this book was going to dig up feelings I tend to bury. Although my father is not dead, I know I went through my own grieving and acceptance process of that relationship ending. I saw so much of myself in the avoidance and self destruction Carly went through.
Bad Daughter explores the never ending cycles of grief. The guilt and anger we feel when it comes to those big losses. It navigates how easy it is for grief to come barreling at us at any moment.
Simply put Bad Daughter was everything I’d never be able to put into words myself.
Thank you for sharing Carly with us.
Pre-order Bad Daughter! Out 8/8 🤍
August 10, 2022
A MUST READ!
Bad Daughter is a deep and heartfelt story of love, pain and grief. The main character Carly takes you through her journey of self exploration as she battles through her grief and guilt five years after the loss of her father who struggled with alcohol her whole life.
Anyone who has lost someone will resonate with this story as it puts a spotlight on how impactful grief can be on all aspects on your life if not dealt with head on.
I could not put this book down!
Bad Daughter is a deep and heartfelt story of love, pain and grief. The main character Carly takes you through her journey of self exploration as she battles through her grief and guilt five years after the loss of her father who struggled with alcohol her whole life.
Anyone who has lost someone will resonate with this story as it puts a spotlight on how impactful grief can be on all aspects on your life if not dealt with head on.
I could not put this book down!
Read
October 2, 2022(Not rated) Evidently an incredibly personal and carefully crafted story, well-structured and meditative in its approach. It moves deliberately through a grieving process, allowing us to observe growth from each character and gradually offering enough introspection for us to grieve alongside protagonist Carly. Would’ve loved to see it polished ever so slightly more, but quite glad I persisted through this bittersweet and promising debut.
October 23, 2023
This book is deep. It wasn’t at all what I was expecting and I’m not mad about it. It was hard to relate to personally so as much as I thought the story was beautifully tragic and good, I had a tough time getting “into” it. The way it’s written gives serious documentary/biography/journal vibes which isn’t my normal cup of tea but it was cool to read something with that setup. The story was beautiful. Carly had a lot going on and seeing her prevail and find some semblance of peace was lovely.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 10, 2022
A beautiful novel about the painful and utterly human experience of grieving an imperfect person. While those who have experienced loss or have ever loved an addict will see themselves in Carly, everyone will find comfort in Carly’s story.
October 6, 2022
This is an excellent, beautiful raw story of a girl dealing with the grief of her father, even years later. The characters are relatable, since I also grew up in a household with an alcoholic parent, I know all too well what Carly was feeling through the power of Haley’s words. Great read!
August 23, 2022
As someone who also lost their father to cancer, I almost couldn't read this book. I am so glad I did.
Read it for the hurt, the love and the hope.
Read it for the hurt, the love and the hope.
December 2, 2023
I absolutely love Bad Daughter and Haley's writing style! She keeps you completely sucked in to the very last moment!
September 15, 2022
This book. What can I say? It’ll stick with me forever. Haley’s writing is raw and beautifully describes the complexities this story represents for so many people. It tugs at your heart and you don’t want it to end. I can’t recommend this book enough.
Thank you for writing it.
Thank you for writing it.
December 31, 2022
In this debut novel, we follow Carly on her treacherous path to finding wholeness after her alcoholic father passes.
This journey through grief is anything but easy at times, and near impossible at others. The guilt Carly holds over the secret she’s kept is destroying her and she has to let it out.
The Al-Anon meeting she committed to attend was more of a nuisance than anything. Something to appease her mother and give appearances that she was fine. But when she walked out, a cascade of events ultimately leads her to face the one person she’s struggled to accept: herself.
I love the personal element behind this beautifully told story. If you’ve ever experienced loss, navigated the grief of a loved one’s death or their addiction, you’ll love this book. It is so fascinating to catch a glimpse of someone else’s process of handling all that life throws at them and that’s exactly what we get in this story. A peek behind the walls that are erected to protect. We see the vulnerable pieces and it’s messy, relatable, and inspiring.
This journey through grief is anything but easy at times, and near impossible at others. The guilt Carly holds over the secret she’s kept is destroying her and she has to let it out.
The Al-Anon meeting she committed to attend was more of a nuisance than anything. Something to appease her mother and give appearances that she was fine. But when she walked out, a cascade of events ultimately leads her to face the one person she’s struggled to accept: herself.
I love the personal element behind this beautifully told story. If you’ve ever experienced loss, navigated the grief of a loved one’s death or their addiction, you’ll love this book. It is so fascinating to catch a glimpse of someone else’s process of handling all that life throws at them and that’s exactly what we get in this story. A peek behind the walls that are erected to protect. We see the vulnerable pieces and it’s messy, relatable, and inspiring.
October 21, 2022
Written by a talented and wonderful human, Bad Daughter is an emotional and beautiful story about loss, grief, healing and how it changes you. Haley flawlessly puts into words the thoughts and feelings most people would find difficult to express, around a subject many want to ignore. This story is honest, vulnerable, intense and very relatable. I loved reading it, and you will too.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews