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The Good Daughter

(Brennan Sisters #2)

Jane Porter (Goodreads Author)

3.98 · Rating details · 1,140 ratings · 166 reviews

Love was given to all, except herself . . . Kit Brennan has always been the most grounded of her sisters. A Catholic school English teacher for seventeen years and a constant giver, her decisions have been sound—just not very satisfying. Her fortieth birthday is right around the corner, causing Kit to consider some wilder notions, like skipping right past the love and marr ...more

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Paperback, 372 pages

Published February 5th 2013 by Berkley Books

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Aug 11, 2013 Desere rated it it was amazing

Always doing the right thing is tough. Sometimes it is a situation of being cruel to be kind and other times it is more about just doing the right thing simply because you feel you have no other choice.

But we all know there is always a choice, it might not be the right one or the best one, but in the end there is still a choice, making it is hard but learning to live with it is even harder and not always something everyone can handle. Therefore it is always wise to look deep into your soul befo
Always doing the right thing is tough. Sometimes it is a situation of being cruel to be kind and other times it is more about just doing the right thing simply because you feel you have no other choice.

But we all know there is always a choice, it might not be the right one or the best one, but in the end there is still a choice, making it is hard but learning to live with it is even harder and not always something everyone can handle. Therefore it is always wise to look deep into your soul before taking the leap of faith, but if you are so blinded by helping others that you cannot find your soul the only leap you will be taking is into a deep dark place of loneliness.

In this read from Jane Porter she tells the story of Kit, a soon to be forty year old teacher that has always been there for everyone. Sorting out issues making life as easy as possible and along the way she becomes tired of it in the sense that she feels so overwhelmed she is ready to walk away from the normal protocol of life and go straight for the end goal, she wants to be a mother and a mother she shall be, but with every single guy she dates being a loser she reckons adoption is her option and right here is where her mind starts spinning into all kinds of directions and there is no way she will find her way out of the maze she has entered.

But before she can focus on any of the whirlwind directions a student in her class needs help and it seems she is the only one that cares enough to want to help, that is until she comes face to face with take-me-am-your's -Jude.

A bad boy with a good heart, yes ladies the perfect kind of hero ! He is also trying to help the poor student but he is also not the average kind of bad boy. Nope ladies this one is the kind that challenges and pushes any woman to reveal her true self to let go and push for the happiness she wants. He sees in her eyes the kind and nurturing person she is but knows that there is more and he forces her to release it.

The characters of Jude and Kit were both amazingly written. Always wanting to help others is a brilliant part of anyone's personality but knowing when to stop is sometimes the advise such a person cannot take and the advise of someone else is the only thing that will indeed open the path to happiness and understanding. The author brought this element to life through Kit and Jude so perfectly I found myself wanting to crawl into the minds of the characters and simply soak up the wisdom.

The author did a brilliant job at letting the psychical differences between Kit and Jude take a back seat and rather let their connection of both wanting to help others, come to life with such vivid descriptions and intensity it left me breathless and wanting the story to go on and on. In some reads I have found the authors focus more on the he is this and she is then the real emotional connection shining through, often leaving me with a case of " Okay so they are different but what about the ..... ". This author really pulled it all together very nicely.

This is a very emotional read, I cried, I laughed and I could not stop thinking how amazing it is that this author writes her characters with such realism that it is as if I am watching the entire read unfold in front of my eyes, the characters were so much more than just names,emotions and words on a page.

I highly recommend this read for anyone looking for a romance with a powerful message of life, trust, guidance and self discovery. Jane Porter delivers on every page and simply does not disappoint.

5/5 star review
" He will love and protect her, all she needs to do is let him into her heart"
...more

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Jul 12, 2013 Pamela rated it it was ok

Shelves: reviewed

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. I don’t even know where to begin with this one. I had a lot of issues with this book. Yes, religion does have a huge presence here, but not only am I not bothered by this, it has nothing to do with my opinion on the novel except for the fact that it’s tediously annoying as it’s mentioned time and time again.

At the heart of this story is Kit, a 40 year-old high school teacher, single, comes from a well-to-do Catholic family, and believes in her faith whole-heartedly. Based on this, everything sh I don’t even know where to begin with this one. I had a lot of issues with this book. Yes, religion does have a huge presence here, but not only am I not bothered by this, it has nothing to do with my opinion on the novel except for the fact that it’s tediously annoying as it’s mentioned time and time again.

At the heart of this story is Kit, a 40 year-old high school teacher, single, comes from a well-to-do Catholic family, and believes in her faith whole-heartedly. Based on this, everything she does or has done just doesn’t make any sense to me.

- She won’t date a married man, who’s separated, and who’s only two weeks away from his divorce being final. Yet she lived with a man for ten years and they weren’t married. WTF? She doesn’t believe in divorce but is okay with living in sin? I guess her faith only makes an appearance when it justifies HER means. Good grief.

- How can she be a high school teacher and be unbiased about her students when she keeps telling herself that her family will not approve of Jude based on what he wears, his tattoos, the motorcycle he rides, etc.?

- The book goes on and on about her family members, their careers as firefighters, how well loved they all are, and how everyone knows them.

- Even when she’s filling out the adoption application, the questions that pertain to her family are once again talked about at great length. Felt like fillers just to make the book longer.

- If the family is so devout, then how is it that her brother Tommy and his wife Cass went thru IVF? I mean, the Church is opposed to this as they believe “it’s unethical because it undermines the dignity of the sexual act designed by God”. Am I wrong?

- Felt that Kit was trying to be a martyr. Thinks she’s too selfish for wanting something that means a lot to her. Give me a break!

- She thinks that every couple can work thru their problems. Is this why she stayed with her ex-boyfriend for ten boring and wasted years?

- The title of the book is “The Good Daughter.” She’s one of five girls and she’s the only one who’s good? Arrogance.

- I had a serious issue with Kit’s best friend, Polly, when she tells Kit that single people should not adopt children. Sure, her own father up and left her and her mother. I get where she’s coming from but to not support her best friend who really wants to adopt? Talk about selfish.

I’m still surprised I finished reading this novel. There was a second mini-plot going on that I thought was very good. I also wish a little more was written pertaining to Kit and Jude’s story. In the end, I don’t think I’ll be reading any other novel written by this author.
...more

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Jan 18, 2013 Nancy rated it really liked it

Jane Porter is one of my favorite Chick Lit authors. Chick lit is not romance, by the way. A good book of this genre delves into relationships. This is what Porter has proved to be wise beyond her years.

This is the second book of a series starring a family of four daughters and one son. All grown and and all dealing with the throes of middle age growing pains. The first book was mostly about Meg, the oldest sister. I absolutely loved The Good Woman. Porter pulled no punches when writing about in Jane Porter is one of my favorite Chick Lit authors. Chick lit is not romance, by the way. A good book of this genre delves into relationships. This is what Porter has proved to be wise beyond her years.

This is the second book of a series starring a family of four daughters and one son. All grown and and all dealing with the throes of middle age growing pains. The first book was mostly about Meg, the oldest sister. I absolutely loved The Good Woman. Porter pulled no punches when writing about infidelity. She doesn't skip over the hard parts like when the spouse confesses and the fallout that follows. You can read my review of that book so I'll stop ranting and raving about it, but the character and story development was thorough and ended at a good spot in time. Not completely resolved but well enough to end the book.

We also met the rest of the clan. Tommy and Cass were struggling with Cass's infertility. Kit and her fraternal twin, Brianna were introduced. Both single and pushing forty. Rounding out the children was Sarah, 32, mother of 2 and married to Boone, pro baseball player. They'd survived Boone's infidelity. The parents were middle class, retired from working, Catholic Irish folks. The mother, Lynn, had terminal cancer.

Finally, I am ready to start The Good Daughter. This one is mostly about Kit, although a fraternal twin, she is the middle child. She is the peace maker and the rock of the generation. She teaches middle school and has finally ended a ten year relationship with a man that was solid but non-committal. And that's where we begin.

Kit is not necessarily ready to enter the single fray. Regardless, she finds herself dipping a toe in the waters and joins an online dating service which proves to be disappointing. She inadvertently meets some guy at a bar who introduces himself then tracks her number down. He is aggressive in his approach and she wants nothing more to do with him. But he is creepy and oddly persistent.

For a semi-triangle (although Kit has no interest in Man #1), we meet a tattooed, long haired, and somewhat PWT-ish Jude. He rides an orange motorcycle and is incredibly appealing to Kit. Strange because he is everything Kit has never wanted. Of course, both men have their secret lives and it becomes apparent they will both be forced upon her in one way or another. So Kit grapples with what she wants and the expectations of being the "good" daughter. She grapples with her Catholic faith and right and wrong. Lastly, Kit is the mainstay for her mother who is at the end stages of her cancer.

The book can stand on its own. It doesn't need to be read with the first book of the series. On the other hand, it felt more like a bridge to me than a complete story. It doesn't show so much growth in Kit as it continues the story of the family and, I would guess, sets the stage for the next book. Although not central to the story, there were still some hanging threads that need to be addressed. The man Kit chose was still mysterious. Brianna is hiding a secret regarding her health. Some childhood memories arise for both twins that explain why each chose their paths.

I loved the writing and the way Porter delves into the realness of relationships, both good and bad. I didn't love it as much as The Good Woman. It started feeling like a soap opera at one point but that is not to say it isn't a good, even great book. It's a nice diversion and probably contains a good starting point for the next one. It could be that I feel slightly disappointed because I can't empathize as much with Kit as I did with Meg due to marital status and parental obligations. I still highly recommend. ...more

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Jun 20, 2020 Lu Bielefeld rated it liked it

Shelves: biker, jerk, heroine-is-annoying, betraying-body-syndrome, doormat-loser-pathetic-alert, heroine-shit-for-brains, lack-of-self-respect, fucked-up-shit

3 ⭐⭐⭐ - OK decent reads.
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Mar 26, 2013 Romancing the Book rated it it was amazing

Reviewed by:Crystal B
Book provided by: BookSpark PR
Review originally posted at Romancing the Book

I really wanted to read this book partly because of the title The Good Daughter, I consider myself a good daughter so it caught my eye. However I wanted to read Jane Porter’s latest work even more after I read a little bit about.

I was so into this book that I kept losing track of time. I get involved in a lot of books, but this one kept me hooked all the way through. I hated to put it down when I ha Reviewed by:Crystal B
Book provided by: BookSpark PR
Review originally posted at Romancing the Book

I really wanted to read this book partly because of the title The Good Daughter, I consider myself a good daughter so it caught my eye. However I wanted to read Jane Porter’s latest work even more after I read a little bit about.

I was so into this book that I kept losing track of time. I get involved in a lot of books, but this one kept me hooked all the way through. I hated to put it down when I had to do something else.

Kit is a loving, caring, nurturing, busy teacher turning 40. I felt a connection to Kit right away and what all she is going through. She’s dealing with her mother’s illness that isn’t going to get any better, she has a child in her class that is in a bad situation that she’s trying to help, and she’s tired of dating losers. She also wants to be a mother and she’s ready to become a mother even if she has to adopt and be a single mother. You can tell Kit has what it takes to be a good Mom.

Watching Kit interact with her family shows us a great view of a loving family that is always there for one and another. Kit takes care of her Mom for a week while the family has another commitment. This part has some emotional moments. Keep the Kleenex handy.

When Kit is trying to save Delilah the girl that she knows has family problems she meets Jude. Jude isn’t Kit’s idea of the perfect man for her at all but she can’t control her feelings. She finds herself falling for Jude.

Jude is a good guy with a Bad Boy imagine. How can you not like a Hot Bad Boy with a good heart? He too is also trying to help Delilah, he’s the next door neighbor to her family.

Jane Porter has wrote a fabulous story. This book is part of a series but I didn’t have any trouble following along with out reading the book before this one. After reading this book I will certainly be looking for the first book in this series and anxiously awaiting the next book.

This book has a lot of emotion in it, wow I just really enjoyed this book and would recommend it. I think you’ll enjoy it. ...more

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Mar 31, 2013 K rated it it was amazing

As an English teacher from a close Catholic family, I expected to enjoy reading Jane Porter's The Good Daughter, but I didn't expect it to resonate with me in such a powerful way. I loved reading this book which perfectly blends the reality of being a high school English teacher with the challenges of being part of a big family.

Kit Brennan is an English teacher at a Catholic high school and is nearing 40. She has resigned herself to the fact that she will not meet a man, yet wants to pursue adop ...more

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Mar 02, 2013 Chelsey Wolford rated it really liked it

Kit Brennan has three sisters, well four, counting her sister-in-law, Cass. As a family they have always been relatively close and Kit still remains the most reliable of them. Kit is about to turn forty and is facing quite a few trials in life: her mother has cancer that is slowly killing her, her sister-in-law and brother cannot conceive a child, and Kit has so far in life been unlucky in love and is starting to reconsider this entire area of her life. Kit’s story, and the second in this series Kit Brennan has three sisters, well four, counting her sister-in-law, Cass. As a family they have always been relatively close and Kit still remains the most reliable of them. Kit is about to turn forty and is facing quite a few trials in life: her mother has cancer that is slowly killing her, her sister-in-law and brother cannot conceive a child, and Kit has so far in life been unlucky in love and is starting to reconsider this entire area of her life. Kit’s story, and the second in this series, takes readers on the journey that Kit out of her element and causes her to realize what is really important in life. Does she want the happily ever after? Does she want to be the loyal wife and companion to some deserving man? Or does she just want to be a mother and be devoted to only a child?

Being a high school English teacher, I was able to connect with Kit on so many levels. Her passion and desire to bury herself in books is something I think we can all connect to, but then there was her spirit. She was so passionate about many aspects of her life, like her family, her friends, and let’s not forget her students too of course. Kit was so supportive of her family and their problems and happiness were part of her everyday life. She is always there for her sisters and the bond between them was completely beautiful. Being an only child, I never experienced the bond between siblings, and better yet sisters, so I have to rely on books to provide that for me. I think this whole series does a pretty good job of this. All my avid readers know that I love books about sisters and this series is at the top of my list as far as that sisterly love goes!

I loved the fact that Kit was almost forty years old and just then starting to reevaluate her life. Some would say that this sends a disturbing message, but the reality is that not everyone figures in out in their twenties or thirties. Kit was by no means a weak character and I respected her for the moves she made this much later in her life. This book takes us on an incredible journey and I wished it would have lasted longer. Kit discovers a new meaning in life and for once in her life, she starts to put herself and her own desires first. This book was so sad and emotional at times and I wish that I would have felt happier rather than sad so much, but I understand that it is necessary to the plot of the story. I am anxiously awaiting the next book in this series which I believe is due to release this coming fall!

***A BIG thank you to the publishers at Berkley Trade for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review***
...more

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Dec 31, 2012 Laura Kay Bolin rated it it was amazing

Shelves: reviews

http://anovelreview.blogspot.com/2013...

The second book in the Brennan Sisters trilogy, focuses on Kit Brennan. Kit is about to turn forty and she is still single and without kids. She loves her job as a teacher at Memorial Catholic High School, but she is ready for a family. With her days filled with teaching, but at night and her weekends are filled with helping take care of her mother. Her mother, the woman she looks up to is dying of terminal cancer. Between her mother's illness and having g http://anovelreview.blogspot.com/2013...

The second book in the Brennan Sisters trilogy, focuses on Kit Brennan. Kit is about to turn forty and she is still single and without kids. She loves her job as a teacher at Memorial Catholic High School, but she is ready for a family. With her days filled with teaching, but at night and her weekends are filled with helping take care of her mother. Her mother, the woman she looks up to is dying of terminal cancer. Between her mother's illness and having gone on a number of bad dates Kit realizes maybe a husband isn't in her immediate future, but maybe a baby could be. Kit is considering adoption.

After telling her girlfriends her plans to adopt, they push her to keep dating instead. Well to date everyone except that scary biker guy, Jude Knight. So instead she goes out with Michael. Michael, good looking, smart, appears to be perfect. The right kind of guy. Kit is the good daughter, maybe she should keep dating Michael even though she really wants bad boy Jude. Battling her own inner voice Kit unravels a childhood secret, one that may just finally free herself to trust her instincts.

Jane Porter is one of my favorite authors. I've always enjoyed reading her books, but THE GOOD DAUGHTER is by far my favorite novel by her. Maybe it's because I connected to Kit so much. I was privileged enough to take care of my mother was dying of terminal breast cancer. The scenes with Kit and her mother were so well written, so truthful...I was laughing while still wiping away my tears.

This is a very different book, than THE GOOD WOMAN (the first book in the series). This for me was a page turner. I wanted to know if Kit would give in and go for Jude, how Kit would deal with her relationship with Michael. There is an issue with one of Kit's students and you want to see how that whole story unfolds. I didn't want to say good bye to the end of this book and I don't get that a whole lot, but I am very happy to know THE GOOD WIFE will be out this fall and I get to catch up with the sisters again. I HIGHLY recommend! ...more

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Jan 01, 2013 Marlene rated it it was amazing

Kit Brennan has always been known as the good daughter by her other sisters. She's a school teacher, loves to read and is always there for her family. While in Capitola, where her family has a beach house, Kit meets Jude. He’s everything she’s not and not someone that her family would approve of. He’s a bad boy that wears a leather jacket, rides a motorcycle and has tattoos. They couldn’t be more different, but there’s just something about him that draws Kit in. Can opposites really attract? O ...more

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Feb 06, 2013 Monica Tillery rated it it was amazing

Perfection!
I loved The Good Woman, so I was eager to read The Good Daughter, but I didn't think there was any way I could enjoy it as much as the first. Little did I know that this book would exceed all my expectations. We meet Kit in the first Brennan Sisters book, and she's sweet. Nice enough, very helpful, supportive, and the kind of woman you'd want to be friends with. In The Good Daughter, we find that Kit has an extraordinarily complex story and a rich inner life that I just didn't expect. ...more

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Feb 23, 2013 Renae rated it really liked it

Jane Porter in the Good Daughter addresses the misconceptions of first impressions. Once the stage is set and all the characters connect, it is hard to put down and leaves you hanging for the release of The Good Wife.

Jane is able to include in her books, everyday situation’s that you are able to easily picture having to deal with on a daily bases. Kit’s has to deal with family expectations, sister rivalry, the dating scene, hard decisions and Catholic upbringing of worrying what everyone else th ...more

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Mar 07, 2013 Leslie Lehr rated it it was amazing

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Feb 06, 2013 Debbie rated it it was amazing

Shelves: 2013-books-read

Loved, loved, loved it! I don't live in a world like the Brennans, never have....but what a beautiful picture of family this book painted, their commitment to each other, flaws that are overcome and forgiven because above all else they love each other, the way they respect each other and stick together and share each others triumphs and heartbreaks. And this story about Kit.....strong, yet vunerable with an attraction to the stereo typed bad boy and trying to do the right thing...to be the Good ...more

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Feb 25, 2013 Cindy Huljack rated it it was amazing

Shelves: jane-porter

Oh My Goodness!! This book will make you want the story to never end!! Kit Brennan is awesome! She is so fiery yet sheltered. She doesn't realize the bad in the world when it's right in front of her. Maybe it's because of her loyal Irish Catholic family who would never treat their family members the way Kit witnesses for her student. Every story needs a bad boy!! Jude is hot, dedicated, and maybe just maybe not as bad as you think he is...

Can't wait for the 3rd book to come out!! The Good Wife i ...more

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Dec 17, 2017 Katie rated it liked it

Shelves: borrowed-from-the-library

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

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Feb 06, 2013 Jean rated it it was amazing

Shelves: favorites-5-stars, z-read-in-2013, zz-owned-print-book

The second book in the Brennan trilogy follows a different sister than the first book, but picks up about where the first book left off. Again, Jane Porter did a wonderful job of catching my interest and getting me, once again, emotionally attached to Kit in the same way she got me attached to Meg in the first book. This book was a real page turner - I just couldn't put it down. I found myself itching to have time to read so I could try to get to the end of the book to see how it all turned out. ...more

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Feb 07, 2013 Jb62 rated it it was ok

I have read all of Jane Porter's novels and enjoyed them, but not this one. The story lines were interesting but I found the main character, Kit, hard to like. She had had bad things happen to her yet a few of them were due to her own poor judgement and she didn't do anything to change herself. She just beat herself up about e decisions she'd made. I also thought her treatment of her young student, Delilah, was not good. She cared about her, yet she did things that jeopardized Delilah with no fo ...more

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Feb 25, 2013 Karen rated it it was amazing

I seriously didn't want this book to end. It's about a Catholic school teacher who has never had the joy of falling head over heels in love. She also hates that she has never married or had children, which she assumed would have happened by now. When she falls for clearly the wrong man, a typical "bad boy," she tells herself to move on. But he keeps popping up in her life when she least expects it. Then she realizes that he isn't quite what he seems. . . . ...more

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Aug 10, 2013 Lisa rated it liked it

Decent book, but I found the "Catholic" ideology of the main characters frustrating and hard to believe. Do people really stick to antiquated ideas like these gals who are in their 40s? Not believable for me, especially considering the sisters have had premarital sex, extramarital affairs and an abortion. Holier than thou people rather than holy! I don't understand why the author wasted space going on and on about the family's religion. ...more

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Nov 02, 2016 Sheryl Martin rated it liked it

I won this through Goodreads first reads and as for the basic story I enjoyed it. But I just really couldn't get into the main character. She was so unlikeable for me and it seemed like everything that happened was her own fault. I realize that is often the case but still it just kind of turned me off. The actual story itself was good though. I have not read the first book so that may change my opinion as well but I thought it was pretty good. ...more

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Feb 25, 2013 Melinda Garza rated it it was amazing

OMG! The Good Daughter was very difficult to put down. Its a fab story about Kit (one of four sisters) who is a teacher and loves to read. She is the good daughter but meets Jude, the typical bad boy that all women love. Are they perfect for each or just too different? This Jane Porter story also brings into light the dynamics of family. Another must read by JP!

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Jan 20, 2013 Melissa rated it it was amazing

http://www.chicklitcentral.com/2013/0... ...more

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May 18, 2016 Sheila Shaw rated it liked it

I enjoyed this book a lot, but it could have benefited from having an epilogue to give us a better perspective of what came next.

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Dec 02, 2012 Christine Bode rated it it was amazing

Shelves: favourites

Stars: 5.0

The Good Daughter is the second book in the Brennan Sisters series by award-winning, national bestselling author Jane Porter. I was very fortunate to receive an Advanced Reader’s Copy (ARC) from Jane but the public won’t get to read it until its release date: February 5, 2013. My review contains spoilers, so read it at your own discretion.

This is the story of Catholic school English teacher, people pleaser, and all around grounded good girl, Katherine Elizabeth “Kit” Brennan whom we fi ...more

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May 10, 2017 Maryann Sulic rated it really liked it

I loved Jude! I did think it was wrapped up too quickly and wish the "bad guy" had gotten his due. I'll most likely read the next "Sister" installment in #3, and in general, I've enjoyed Jane Porter's novels. ...more

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Feb 11, 2019 Amy rated it it was ok

The biggest problem here was the characters. I was frustrated when they did stupid things, and they were so one dimensional. The book was easy to read and kept me interested, but upon finishing I just felt unsatisfied.

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Nov 11, 2017 Eileen133 rated it liked it

Well, I did check this out by mistake. I wanted the Karen Slaughter book with the same title. It was really a romance book which is not my genre of choice.

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Oct 06, 2018 Michal Scott rated it really liked it

A realistic depiction of what happens when neighbors really get involved in a domestic abuse situation. The ending was happy but soberingly realistic at the same time.

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May 23, 2020 Naomi rated it did not like it

Boring. Too self-righteous and contradictory. Took too long to get started.

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Mar 25, 2013 Kathy Altman rated it it was amazing

You really should read The Good Daughter, because you'll be missing out on an extraordinary story if you don't. This second Brennan Sisters novel is intense and sensitive, a poignant portrayal of two daughters who bear the role of family peacekeeper — a role that threatens the happiness of one, and the life of the other.

Each daughter is desperate for a new life — Kit at 40, and Delilah at 15. Our heroine Kit has a good and giving spirit, but she's a tad too trusting. Ironically, the one person You really should read The Good Daughter, because you'll be missing out on an extraordinary story if you don't. This second Brennan Sisters novel is intense and sensitive, a poignant portrayal of two daughters who bear the role of family peacekeeper — a role that threatens the happiness of one, and the life of the other.

Each daughter is desperate for a new life — Kit at 40, and Delilah at 15. Our heroine Kit has a good and giving spirit, but she's a tad too trusting. Ironically, the one person she should trust — our hero Jude — is the one person she does her best to shut out. Even worse, she fails to have faith in her own instincts, and her determination to see the good in everyone (everyone other than herself, anyway) lands her in some uncomfortable — and potentially dangerous — situations. Meanwhile Kit's student Delilah does trust Jude — Jude, and no one else — because her tough, tattooed, bad-boy biker neighbor is the only person who knows the miserable truth about Delilah's home life — and understands there's little he can do to change it.

Which doesn't sit well with Jude. He's angry and frustrated that his job ties his hands — interfering with Delilah's situation would mean risking years of hard and hazardous work. Neither should he be "interfering" with Kit Brennan — a family is the last thing he wants, which is just as well because he and Kit both know her conservative Catholic family certainly won't want him. Still, her beauty and compassion draw Jude, even as his quiet strength and dry humor captivate Kit.

Twenty minutes later...a motorcycle with a deep, distinctive roar approached the house. She looked up from the computer and stared out the living room window to watch the big burnt-orange bike slowly cruise past.

He's come back.

Kit felt a quivery spike of fear followed by a rush of adrenaline as the bike turned around at San Jose Avenue and slowly cruised back to their house, a corner house hugging Lawn Way and Esplande.

With the beach deserted, he had no problem finding a spot in front of the house and nosed into the curb. He turned off the engine and the morning grew still.

He took off his helmet, swung his leg over the seat, wiped his hands on the back of his jeans, and headed up the lawn toward the front porch.

Polly gave a shout from upstairs. "Looks like your Hell's Angel is back."

Kit's stomach leaped and fell. "I know." She wasn't sure if she should lock the door and hide, or open it and stand on the porch like a brave frontier woman facing an Indian war party.

Tragic circumstances coax Kit deeper into her role as caregiver, but with her gradual realization that she's made some hideously inaccurate assumptions about Jude, she makes time for herself as well. Time to get to know Jude, and to explore the disturbing childhood memories she can't bring herself to believe are memories at all. Until she shares a startling conversation with her twin sister.

Long after finishing the book, characters' details continue to demand my attention. Kit's relevant regrets and insecurities, and hard-won courage; Jude's dark, sexy determination, and his reverence for Kit's pure heart; Delilah's creativity and curiosity, stifled by her feral love for her mother. And with these realistic, riveting characters; the insightful handling of issues like cancer, infertility and abuse; family dynamics edged with humor and drama; and narrative that's vibrant, raw, poetic and passionate, author Jane Porter relays a love story that's equal parts charming, touching and disturbing.

Jude had been sitting on his porch, using a rag to wipe the grease from his motorcycle off his hands, when he noticed the sunset. The sky was no longer blue but colored like one of those Jell-O parfaits his mom used to make him when he was a kid — layers of blush, peach, and red.

Those colors made him think of Kit and he sent her a text. He didn't expect her to take up his offer, but he wanted her to know he was thinking of her. And he was.

He liked thinking about Kit. She made him strangely happy, and happy wasn't something he normally felt.

Every encounter between Jude and Kit kept me rapt. An abundance of emotion conveyed in a minimum of well-chosen, potent words — the love scenes especially are masterful examples of how less can be so much more. If you haven't yet met the Brennans, I urge you to arrange a visit. You'll revel in the time you spend with The Good Daughter.

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About Jane Porter

Jane Porter

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Born in Visalia, California, I'm a small town girl at heart. I love central California's golden foothills, oak trees, and the miles of farmland. In my mind, there's nothing sweeter in the world than the heady fragrance of orange blossoms on a sultry summer night.

As a little girl I spent hours on my bed, staring out the window, dreaming of far off places, fearless knights, and happy-ever-after endi ...more