“An exceptional psychological thriller.” — Publishers Weekly, STARRED reviewFans of B.A. Paris and Shari Lapena will love this gripping novel of psychological suspense set in an upscale Southern California community by USA Today bestselling author Kaira Rouda.The perfect home. The perfect family. The perfect lie.Jane Harris lives in a sparkling home in an oceanfront gated community in Orange … Harris lives in a sparkling home in an oceanfront gated community in Orange County. It’s a place that seems too beautiful to be touched by sadness. But exactly one year ago, Jane’s oldest daughter, Mary, died in a tragic accident and Jane has been grief-stricken ever since. Lost in a haze of anti-depressants, she’s barely even left the house. Now that’s all about to change.
It’s time for Jane to reclaim her life and her family. Jane’s husband, David, has planned a memorial service for Mary and three days later, their youngest daughter, Betsy, graduates high school. Yet as Jane reemerges into the world, it’s clear her family has changed without her. Her husband has been working long days—and nights—at the office. Her daughter seems distant, even secretive. And her beloved Mary was always such a good girl—dutiful and loving. But does someone know more about Mary, and about her last day, than they’ve revealed?
The bonds between mothers and daughters, and husbands and wives should never be broken. But you never know how far someone will go to keep a family together…
A PopSugar Best Book of Spring!
“Will hit you right in the heart” — Bustle
“Leaves you wanting more.” — Liv Constantine, author of the national bestseller The Last Mrs. Parrish
“A smart, wickedly plotted psychological thriller brimming with dark surprises” — Heather Gudenkauf, New York Times bestselling author
“Intense, creepy, and classic Rouda. A chilling story, told so well. Don’t miss it!” — J. T. Ellison, New York Times bestselling author
“B.A. Paris and Shari Lapena fans will fall head over heels for this suspenseful psychological thriller set in an upscale Southern California community.” — PopSugar
“The Gone Girl-style domestic suspense novel follows Jane, a narcissistic perfectionist dealing with the death of her daughter.” — Washington Post
“Rouda’s portrayal of Jane is fabulously compelling and darkly hilarious…The resolution is satisfying, but the ride is so diabolically twisted and entertaining that readers will be sorry when it come to a stop.” — Shelf Awareness
“No one creates a narcissist like Rouda…. A wow read that will have you floored.” — Bookstr
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My prediction is that this will be the book everyone is talking about in the spring. It’s one of the best psychological thrillers that I’ve ever read. I didn’t know who to believe until the shocking ending. It was absolutely fantastic.
The main character is Jane and the story begins one year after her oldest daughter died in an accident. Jane has spent the last year in grief and a drug induced haze. Now it’s time for her to take over her family again – her husband David is working long hours and isn’t paying attention to her and her daughter Betsy, getting ready to graduate from high school, doesn’t want to spend any time with her. The family has gone on without Jane and she’s ready to take control. The entire story is told from Jane’s perspective and your opinion of her changes over and over — is she a loving, caring mother and wife or a total psychopath? Finding out who the REAL Jane is makes this a book that will keep you turning pages as your perspective changes again and again.
A lot of reviews refer to this book as a roller coaster ride and that’s exactly what it is. Jane is an unreliable narrator who you aren’t sure if you should feel sorry for or hate. This is psychological fiction at its very best.
A chilling glimpse behind the façade of the perfect family that leaves you wanting more.
THE FAVORITE DAUGHTER is intense, creepy, and classic Rouda…A chilling story, told so well. Don’t miss it!
I knew after reading Best Day Ever that I would enjoy any book by Kaira Rouda. The Favorite Daughter is quite a page turner! The main character Jane will certainly get under your skin quickly. Jane decides to take back her life and her marriage after mourning the death of her oldest daughter Mary. Her family- husband and youngest daughter Betsy- are definitely not on the same page as Jane. And now someone is implying that Mary’s death was not an accident. A quick and thrilling read!
My favorite of Kaira Rouda’s books so far. I took it down in two afternoons. Compulsively readable and deeply satisfying psychological suspense.
As an adoptive mother, I tend to avoid books about adoptive families but I am SO glad I broke my rule in this case.
Jane is a living, breathing curse upon all who meet her and we get to witness the destruction she mercilessly metes out to absolutely everyone who orbits her.
Emerging from her drug haze one year after the death of her “perfect”, adopted daughter, Jane is anxious to get her family back on track and back under her thumb. We are privy to her inner thoughts and dialogue and it is like a gift from the Baby Jesus Himself.
One of the funniest and most awful narrators in a long time.
“The Favorite Daughter” by Kaira Rouda is the story of Jane Harris and the perfect home, the perfect family, and the perfect lie. It unfolds in Jane’s first person narrative. She talks to herself and she talks to readers. She admits being manipulative, “I should win a domestic Golden Globe.” She shares her feelings about others “Well, she was already on my list of course, but she’s bumped herself up in the ratings.” She explains her social philosophy “I’ve always enjoyed the company of men over women. I’m sorry to say. They’re just, well, easier.” In addition, she shares her research, “But honestly, I watch a lot of crime TV these days, do a lot of online research about death. If you are going to be murdered, you’re more likely to be killed by someone you know, and most likely, love. Almost half of all murdered women are killed by a romantic partner. Lovely, I know.” Readers can only wonder why she is sharing that!
Jane Harris lives picturesque Orange County. A beautiful place, but Jane’s beautiful life is drenched in sadness. One year ago, Jane’s oldest daughter, Mary, died in a terrible accident, but despite this gut-wrenching tragedy, Jane is someone that readers will just love to hate. In fact, everyone in the book is nasty, and that nastiness makes for fantastic reading. Of course, there are times when one cannot help but root for her, even just a little, but unfortunately, she is just disagreeable, narcissistic, and horrible.
Rouda’s plot proceeds at an appropriate pace with plenty of twists and turns, but it is not so complex that readers get lost in the complications since Jane feels compelled to share her secrets.
“The Favorite Daughter” is a fun, almost compulsive read. The storyline is interesting with some unexpected moments, and an extraordinary ending. I received a review copy of “The Favorite Daughter” from Kaira Rouda, and Graydon House Books. It is highly entertaining.
It’s not often that a psychological thriller makes you laugh out loud, but Kaira Rouda latest page-turner had me cackling until deep in the night. The Favorite Daughter stars Jane, a woman grieving the death of her oldest daughter, whose attempts to reclaim her place as perfect matriarch are as riveting as they are darkly hilarious. Fans of Rouda’s Best Day Ever will adore this one, and Jane’s whip-smart wit will win Rouda some new fans, as well. Smart, surprising, and 100% satisfying.
A smart, wickedly plotted psychological thriller brimming with dark surprises… At the top of her game, Rouda and The Favorite Daughter will have you flying through the pages deep into the night.
Right up my dark, twisty alley. A beguiling narrative and a deliciously creepy perspective.
/ 5
I have to say that I was a big fan of Best Day Ever by Kaira Rouda, so despite the mixed reviews for The Favorite Daughter, I was very excited to read it. And I am so glad I did!
What it’s about: Jane Harris has the perfect family, well, sort of. She lives in the exclusive gated community The Cove, on the oceanfront in Orange County. She has the perfect, handsome husband, a great body, and 2 beautiful daughters. But a year ago, she lost her oldest daughter Mary to a tragic accident and buried herself in her grief and pills. Now, 3 days before her youngest daughter’s high school graduation, she has decided it is time for her to reclaim her life. But things aren’t the same as before – her husband is rarely home claiming long hours at the office, and her daughter Betsy seems to be hiding things. Mary always was the perfect daughter, but does Betsy know more about Mary’s death than she is letting on? Some bonds should never be broken, and Jane is determined to keep her family together, no matter what . . .
The entirety of The Favorite Daughter is told from Jane’s viewpoint, and what a viewpoint it is. She is quite obnoxious, and has many ideas of how her family should live their lives. She’s obsessed with making everyone think their family is perfect, and a stickler about appearances. Some people will definitely have a hard time with her perspective, but I was rather fascinated with it. You can tell while reading that there are definite personality disorders going on, and although she did get on my nerves, I still managed to feel sorry for her because of how Betsy and her husband treat her. She felt like everyone was against her and all she was trying to do was have the perfect family.
This book was such a quick read and I think it will be a binge read for a lot of people. I was able to read it in about 4 hours and 19 minutes as a slower reader, so I could see people reading this in one sitting. As the mysteries unravel along with Jane’s life, you don’t find out anything super surprising, but I still had fun reading it. It was a bit of a slow burn as well, and I would describe Jane as positively devious!
Song/s the book brought to mind: A mix of Done and Chainsaw, both by The Band Perry.
Final Thought: Like I stated earlier in my review, not everyone is going to enjoy reading from Jane’s perspective, but if you are ok with an unlikable narrator then I definitely recommend checking out The Favorite Daughter. There isn’t anything too shocking that happens here, but I thoroughly enjoyed the ride this book took me on and I really do love the way Rouda writes. She can evoke so many emotions that it’s just bonkers, and she definitely knows how to create unreliable/unlikable characters. If you’re ready to have some strong emotions about Jane, check this one out!
I received an Advance Review Copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
Don’t miss this one!
The mother in this story is not what everyone believes she is. A good story about a family who is mentally tortured by the loving wife and mother.
I read it in one sitting, couldn’t put it down!
A devilishly dark delight that was equally riveting and hilarious. If you love yourself a crazy, unhinged protagonist, you need this book in your life. This chick (Jane) is seriously unhinged! My first book by Rouda, but it won’t be my last!
This was one heck of a book. From the beginning you will get into Jane’s head and won’t be able to escape. She’s one narcissistic woman who you don’t need to cross. I liked her very much but would certainly never want her as a neighbor.
The characters in this book are so well developed. So hard to truly get to know. You only get to know them via Jane Harris and Jane has lots of opinions about each person in this book. It’s told completely from Jane. This book will keep you turning pages until the very end. You will want to know honestly who did what to whom and will certain people get caught in their deceitful, conniving, two timing lies. Or will Jane get what she wants. The truth about what happened to her first daughter, Mary.
Did Mary have an accident or did someone push her? If someone pushed her, was it a loved one or a mortal enemy? Or could it truly have been just an accident and Jane can’t accept it as such.
I enjoyed every page of this book. There were some characters I didn’t like but they were still important. Just don’t cross Jane. Jane is a force to be reckoned with if you bother someone she loves.
Thank you to #NetGalley and Harlequin-Grayden House Books for the copy in exchange of my complete and honest review.
I loved it. It’s a big 5 stars.
Jane has the perfect life. Well, except for the fact that her oldest daughter died in a tragic accident last year. And the fact that her youngest daughter had completely turned against her. Oh, and the fact that she suspects her husband is having an affair. Other than that, everything is perfect and she is in control—she has the perfect plan to make them all pay.
“None of it will matter in a couple of days, anyway, not if everything goes as it should.”
The Favorite Daughter is a riveting, on the edge of your seat, story that knock your socks off. Jane is such an evil, conniving woman and everything she does fulfills a part of her master plan. A plan that she lets the reader in on to some degree. It was interesting to know her thought process throughout the book and to get a glimpse of her anger and sense of revenge.
This was definitely a unique story-line, where the reader is so much in the head of the main character. It was an amazing read that I couldn’t put down! You definitely need to add it to your TBR list for this summer.
Jane the wife, Jane the grieving mother, Jane the planner – Jane, Jane, Jane.
It’s all about her.
After her adopted daughter, Mary, died, Jane was unable to cope with life, and life went on without her, but Jane is back now and needs to be in control again.
Jane thinks she controls her therapist, and she thinks she controls everyone else especially her husband, her daughters, and Mary’s biological mother. Jane’s biological daughter, Betsy, is difficult to control and is a challenge for Jane.
Jane likes challenges, though, but only if she is the one who comes out on top.
She did find out some interesting information about Mary’s biological mother that adds to her determination to get her plan into action.
Jane finds out about more and more betrayal from family members and friends as time goes on and more people to add to her list of getting even. Her husband is the one with the most offenses.
Jane also finds out some startling information about her daughter’s death at the memorial service. Someone knows something and isn’t telling – could that help with her plan or hinder it?
This book was difficult to put down because I wanted to see what other information would pop up about Mary, Betsy, the husband, the accident, and what Jane’s plans would be after that.
THE FAVORITE DAUGHTER will keep you guessing if Mary’s death was really an accident and who was responsible if it wasn’t.
THE FAVORITE DAUGHTER will also have you guessing who is really telling the truth and who is doing the lying.
Fans of domestic turmoil, secrets, mystery, unsavory characters, cheating spouses, lies, narcissistic characters, and psychological suspense will enjoy THE FAVORITE DAUGHTER.
This book will be a summer MUST read.
It is a page-turning thriller/mystery/domestic gem. 5/5
This book was given to me as an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
In The Favorite Daughter, by Kaira Rouda, the narrator, Jane Harris is unreliable, this is clear from page one. As a reader I definitely didn’t like her, however, I was fascinated by her story and wanted to keep reading just to see how far her narcissism would go. Kind of like a train wreck you can’t help but watch. Rouda wraps you into the story and keeps you reading even as you recognize that you don’t actually like any of these characters. That is a rare talent. Rouda earned her place on my auto-buy list with Best Day Ever. The Favorite Daughter just cemented her into place. I look forward to seeing where we go next.
I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this novel.
WOW!! Kaira Rouda, Author of “The Favorite Daughter” has written an intense, captivating, enthralling, riveting, edgy, suspenseful novel. The Genres for this novel are Fiction, Psychological Thriller, Mystery and Suspense. The timeline for this story is in the present, within the last year, and goes to the past when it pertains to the characters or events in the story. The author describes her characters as quirky, dysfunctional, complex and complicated.
Jane and David Harris and their daughter Betsy are reaching the year anniversary of the tragedy that killed their daughter Mary. During the last year, Jane has been seeing a therapist and had been taking medication to deal with life. Now Jane is determined to get it all together.
The Harris family may seem like the perfect family, even with the tragedy. The problem is that every member of this family has a dark secret, and it makes it very difficult to tell when the truth is being told. Jane keeps track and is determined to know what is going on.
Some notes arrive letting Jane know that someone thinks that Mary’s accidental death was not an accident. Immediately, I ask who, what, why, how and when? Everyone does seem to be a suspect. I highly recommend this highly intense and suspenseful novel.