It was a good book, but slow at times. The narrator was cringe when she did her different voices. In the first chapter I turned it off as soon as I heard her doing the husband's voice. I listened to a few other books then finally came back to this one. If it wasn't for the fact that it was a NetGalley audio I wouldn't have gone back to the book. I always finish them because they do me the honor of allowing me to read/listen. Like I said, the narrator was horrible.

Chloe, Rachel's daughter, makes a shocking discovery - she's pregnant. Rather than confiding in her own mother, she turns to Monica, Rachel's closest friend, for support.

The book held my attention from the start with its smooth and effortless writing style. The first half focused on building the intricate relationships between the characters, leading me to anticipate a gripping plot.

However, as I delved further, it became clear that this was not a thriller - despite being categorized as such in NetGalley. Like many other readers, I found myself eagerly waiting for a murder, revenge, or some sort of crime. Alas, it never came. I would also have loved to have read this in first person POV, like in the synopsis. There’s just something about it that makes me enjoy books more.

Despite this disappointment, I thoroughly enjoyed the diverse range of personalities displayed by the characters and how they were all connected at their core.

Based on the cover you would think this was going to be a Thriller but it was not. It was an Drama with lots of emotions.
Best Friends who's families are very close. Then something happens because of Her Daughter and relationships are interrupted and we aren't sure if they will ever be repaired because of what happens. While there was a lot going on it was surprisingly slow and dragged in parts.
The narrator was very good but her male voices threw me for a loop each time because it made the men sound like they were a bunch of surfers, rather than high powered men in politics. It really took me out of the story.
All in all though it was a good book and an interesting story that I don't believe I've ever read about before.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

Her Daughter follows the life of two best friends, Monica and Rachel(yes it got on my nerves at first but it grew one me) and their families. When one of them is put in a tight spot holding a secret. When families fall apart but don’t come together.

Wow what an emotional roller coaster. Filled with love, family, heartache, lies and much more. What a great book. Looking at the cover it looks like you are about to read a psychological thriller but no this is more of an emotional drama with twist and turns.
Loved the Narrator! She made the story that much better.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy of this audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

The characters and their relationships in this book were amazing! I loved the characters and everything about this book. The concept of female friendship and relationship was so great. I loved Rachel and wanted her to reach for her dreams. I enjoyed this book so much and it was a great book.

This audiobook was made available to me by Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

This novel was simply a beautiful exploration of friend and family relationships. The main characters are Rachel, a married mother of 3, with her oldest a freshman at university, and her 2 youngest in grade school. Her best friend since her own college days, Monica, an IVF doctor, married to a mayoral candidate and the mother of 2 grade school aged sons. Rachel's oldest daughter, Chloe, is also a pov character.

This follows their families and friendships through an extremely complicated year. Between Chloe's news and Monica's husbands campaign, this is a year of changes and growth.

I found the story incredibly touching. I read this in one sitting, and while not surprised, I was fully engrossed.
I'd definitely read another novel by this author.

Thank you to Netgalley for the opportunity to read/listen to and review this novel.

This book started out a little slow for me. I didn’t feel like much was going on and the few things that happened were pretty obvious. However, that all changed with a few plot twists, and then hello family drama!! The book really started to heat up and get interesting. Testing families, friendships and loyalty.

Main characters are Monica and Rachel. I was kind of annoyed by them having these names right away. It was at least explained later, so I was okay with it after that. These two have been friends since college and their lives have been intertwined ever since. Rachel daughter gets pregnant and tells Monica first. Once this happens secrets start to stack up, only to all come crashing down.

ARC Review

This book was not what I had expected. That’s not a bad thing, it just wasn’t for me. Her Daughter is not a thriller and has a very slow pace. I think it was written well and tells a complete story. We do get a great picture of the relationship between the main characters and feel their pain as the story plays out.

***Thank you to NetGalley, Jen Craven, and Bookouture Audio for graciously sending me the audiobook to review. As always, all thoughts are my own.***

This book was not for me. The pace is very slow and way too much extra details not needed.

Also ending is not believable but I did really enjoyed the narrator she was very good.

This book was gripping from the very beginning. The plot twist gave me a “say what?” Moment!!
Being lifelong friends with someone and having a daughter near the same age as Chloe this had me going OMG!! Monica and Rachel being the main characters was fun since I am a huge friends fan. Only thing that could have made it better is if Chloe’s name would have been Emma “Rachel from friend’s daughter”. I absolutely enjoyed this book!!

Rachel and Monica have been friends since they 1st met in Freshman year at college. Despite their lives moving in different directions. Rachel, pregnant at 21 and Monica completing her courses and becoming a successful fertility doctor the remain the best of friends and their families are close.
Rachel, married to teenage sweetheart Chris and mum to 19 year old Chloe and her younger siblings (forgot their names). Monica, successful doctor, married to Roman, with 2nboys a similar age to Rachel’s younger 2.
Rachel spends her time running around after her family and helps out a lot with Monica’s family as Monica is busy working.
The 2 families spend a lot of time together despite the husbands not being as close as their wives. They’ve been key members at family occasions and spend annual holidays together.
That is until Rachel begins to feel things change between them.
These characters were relatable, the emotions they went through, their feelings, actions and reactions.
This was a new to me author, but I’m looking forward to finding more.
There were times when I found the accents of the narrator irritating and wished they hadn’t tried so hard to speak as that character as they seemed to struggle with this, and just let it flow better if they had not tried so hard.

Thanks to Netgalley for the opportunity to listen to this audiobook

Her Daughter by Jen Craven. I used the audiobook version published by Bookouture Audio and Narrated by Amelia Sciandra.

Honestly, I’m not sure how I feel about this book. I started this book thinking it was a thriller. It was not. However, it did have a good storyline. It’s about two best friends Phoebe and Monica and their families. Yes, it does reference the show Friends in the book. Rachel’s daughter, Chloe becomes pregnant and she doesn’t know what to do. She turns to Monica for advice. As the book develops we soon learn about secrets everyone has. Some you wouldn’t even imagine.

Finishing the book I thought it had a cute storyline. I didn’t expect the way the book ended and all the secrets that surfaced. I thought the book was well written but also found some parts to be rather boring and needed to just listen to move forward in the book. It could have been done without all the extra details.

Thank you, NetGalley and Bookouture Audio, for allowing me to listen to the audiobook and give my review. Thank you, Jen Craven, for spending the time to write this book. I look forward to reading other books by you.

⭐⭐⭐⭐
Her Daughter by Jen Craven, an audiobook narrated by Amelia Sciandra is an emotional family drama where boundaries and trust are tested. This book focuses on relationships in two families and a young adult girl.

Monica and Rachel have been best friends since college. They are like sisters and their children are like siblings. They will help out with everything and they will spend time together as much as possible.

Chloe, Rachel's daughter, finds out she's pregnant but she is not ready to talk to her parents. She opened up to Monica and expects this will be kept a secret. Chloe is confused and in front of the most important decision in her life...

It was interesting to follow both families and nice to follow Chloe's storyline. The last twist left me with an open mouth!

The narrator was great and it was easy to follow the story.

Thank you, NetGalley and Bookouture Audio for this copy!

This was my first Jen Craven book and I liked it a lot. It was well written with interesting characters and a few great plot twists. The story is told through various points of view, which makes it more engaging. Though categorized as women’s fiction, this book had the pace and energy of a thriller, which I really liked. The twists and turns kept me interested throughout. That said, it did drag on a little too long toward the end. I believe the finish was meant to be a happy ending but I found it a bit depressing, to be honest. All in all, a good read. I’d definitely recommend.

Thank you Netgalley and Bookouture Audio for the ARC.

3.7 rounded up to 4.

Very well written and keeps you hooked from the get go. Even though I called the twist, I was still shocked because there were constant things happening that you forget about that aspect. The characters were lovable and you really felt for them throughout.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book!
4**

I really enjoyed this book, with plenty of engaging characters and some great plot twists that kept me intrigued until the very end. I finished the book in two sittings and would recommend to anyone who enjoys a fast-paced domestic thriller.

I really enjoyed this one, I thought it was well written as well as entertaining. I loved getting to know all the characters and reading the different POVs. This book felt raw and real. I listened to the audiobook and the narrator was great. She has a nice, melodic voice that is easy to listen to. Highly recommend this one to other domestic fiction lovers.

ARC audiobook provided in exchange for an honest review.

The narration on this book for the story perfectly! Her character voices are spot on and really made me feel like part of the story! I really enjoyed all the family drama between the two best friends, Rachel and Monica, and their families. There were so many twists, most I didn’t see coming, and the writing kept me engaged and wanting more the whole book! I would definitely recommend if you like family drama and fiction stories!

This book focuses on two families and the secrets they keep. You’ll see things from three perspectives, Monica, Rachel and Chloe. Chloe is a heartbroken teenager w finds herself pregnant. Monica and Rachel are best friends but Monica knows Chloe’s secret and it’s destroying their friendship. Someone has a bigger secret and it’s wicked.

Her Daughter by Jen Craven
Narrated by Amelia Sciandra

I received an advance review copy for free thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture Audio and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Blurb

When my best friend’s teenage daughter comes to see me, I know something is wrong. With tear-filled eyes, she says she’s pregnant and begs me not to tell her mother. I know I’m betraying my best friend but as I look at Chloe’s terrified expression, I don’t know how I will find the strength to say no…

No matter what life throws at me, I have always been able to depend on my best friend Rachel. In nineteen years of friendship, we’ve never argued or fallen out. So, I’m wracked by guilt over my decision to keep her daughter Chloe’s pregnancy a secret. I don’t want to break Chloe’s trust but, if I don’t say anything, it could destroy my relationship with Rachel.

I hoped Chloe would find the confidence to tell her mom, but days have passed, and the guilt is eating me alive. As much as I want to support Chloe, I don’t know how much longer l can lie to my best friend. I spend every day completely gripped by a panic that sends my heart racing.

The pressure only worsens when I discover that Chloe has one more thing that she’s been hiding. Something that could destroy the perfect life I’ve worked so hard to build—the family I love so much and the career I’m so passionate about.

And then I realize that Chloe isn’t the only one with secrets. Rachel has been lying to us all…

The three of us are more entwined than ever but when the truth comes out, what will be left of our friendship and our families?

My Opinion

Rachel and Chloe have been best friends for 20 years so what could possibly come between them? This is the first book I have read by Jen Craven but it was definitely a great read, I was hooked quite early on and refused to do anything until I had finished. For me, this was a book that just kept on giving - there were always more secrets to be revealed.

Rating 4/5