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Her Daughter
Win a free print copy of this book!
5 days and 18:55:04
10 copies available
U.S. only
"A deep dive into the pain of separation and hope for reconciliation conveyed with grace, realism, and empathy." –Kirkus Reviews
"About parenthood, love, the mystery of estrangement and hope of reconciliation, this novel is a stunner." -Caroline Leavitt, New York Times best-selling author of Pictures of You and Days of Wonder
"I'm only telling you in case the police contact you. Esme was arrested, but I'm handling everything, and she doesn't want to hear from you."
That email from her ex-husband is almost the only information Alice Wilson has had about her twenty-three-year-old daughter, Esme, in the six years since Esme abruptly ended all communication.
As Alice, an environmental activist, scrambles to learn why Esme was arrested and what might happen next, she inevitably also rethinks the past. Her obsessive search up and down the California coast antagonizes her friends and jeopardizes her job. But none of that matters to Alice as she uncovers hints of a daughter she'd never known-and of her then-husband's role in their estrangement, even while they were married.
Who is the Robert Corning who was arrested with Esme, and why did she pay his bail? Why did Esme become bulimic in college? Why is she continuing to push Alice away while still being chummy with her father? Most importantly, will Esme agree to meet with Alice? And if she does, will Alice say the wrong thing-whatever that wrong thing is?
"About parenthood, love, the mystery of estrangement and hope of reconciliation, this novel is a stunner." -Caroline Leavitt, New York Times best-selling author of Pictures of You and Days of Wonder
"I'm only telling you in case the police contact you. Esme was arrested, but I'm handling everything, and she doesn't want to hear from you."
That email from her ex-husband is almost the only information Alice Wilson has had about her twenty-three-year-old daughter, Esme, in the six years since Esme abruptly ended all communication.
As Alice, an environmental activist, scrambles to learn why Esme was arrested and what might happen next, she inevitably also rethinks the past. Her obsessive search up and down the California coast antagonizes her friends and jeopardizes her job. But none of that matters to Alice as she uncovers hints of a daughter she'd never known-and of her then-husband's role in their estrangement, even while they were married.
Who is the Robert Corning who was arrested with Esme, and why did she pay his bail? Why did Esme become bulimic in college? Why is she continuing to push Alice away while still being chummy with her father? Most importantly, will Esme agree to meet with Alice? And if she does, will Alice say the wrong thing-whatever that wrong thing is?
335 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 22, 2026
19 people are currently reading
2244 people want to read
About the author
Fran Hawthorne
19 books291 followersFran Hawthorne got sidetracked for three decades writing award-winning nonfiction, including eight books, mainly about consumer activism and business social responsibility. But she's been actually been writing novels since she was in elementary school.
Her newest--HER DAUGHTER--has just been published by Black Rose Writing. Kirkus Review said of it: "A deep dive into the pain of separation and hope for reconciliation conveyed with grace, realism, and empathy."
Fran has also published two other novels, including I MEANT TO TELL YOU (Stephen F. Austin State University Press, November 2022), a finalist for the SARTON AWARD, the ERIC HOFFER BOOK AWARD, the NATIONAL INDIE EXCELLENCE AWARDS (in both contemporary novel and women's fiction), and other honors.
Her newest--HER DAUGHTER--has just been published by Black Rose Writing. Kirkus Review said of it: "A deep dive into the pain of separation and hope for reconciliation conveyed with grace, realism, and empathy."
Fran has also published two other novels, including I MEANT TO TELL YOU (Stephen F. Austin State University Press, November 2022), a finalist for the SARTON AWARD, the ERIC HOFFER BOOK AWARD, the NATIONAL INDIE EXCELLENCE AWARDS (in both contemporary novel and women's fiction), and other honors.
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November 11, 2025Fran Hawthorne's Her Daughter follows the disturbing story of Alice, a woman who over the course of the novel finds herself estranged from both ex-husband and daughter and seeks desperately to regain contact with the adult daughter Esme. Readers may initially sympathize with Dan, but will soon question his response to Alice's early misstep and wonder just how far he will take things. Many will then turn to rooting for Alice, as her pain and distress are clearly highlighted in chapters that cover more than twenty years of motherhood. Yet why does Esme break so decisively with her mother? This is a story that verges on becoming a psychological thriller--there are hints of real evil--but it remains in the women's fiction lane with its relentless focus on Alice's maternal instinct and her attempts to understand where--or if--she went wrong as a young mother.
Readers who have experienced estrangement from a beloved child will likely find this a novel to contemplate.
Readers who have experienced estrangement from a beloved child will likely find this a novel to contemplate.
December 11, 2025
This family drama focuses on a flawed woman, an imperfect mother, as all women and mothers are flawed and imperfect, but who truly loves her child. But the child she wanted, against her husband’s wishes, becomes a tool which he uses to torment her. The result is a page-turner of a story, as Alice fights to stay in her daughter’s life while her vengeful ex subtly manipulates the daughter into hating her mother.
After years without hearing from Esme, Alice gets a message from her ex: Esme has been arrested. Alice sets off to find her daughter, tracking down leads, desperate to know what is happening. Piece by piece, she learns about her daughter’s past and present, bringing up more questions.
Her friendships fraying, her work suffering, Alice can only think of finding Esme. But If Esme can be found, will Alice say and do the right things to get her daughter back into her life?
Heartbreaking, domestic noir with a glimmer of hope at the end.
Thanks to the publisher and Caitlin Summie Hamilton Marketing for a free book.
After years without hearing from Esme, Alice gets a message from her ex: Esme has been arrested. Alice sets off to find her daughter, tracking down leads, desperate to know what is happening. Piece by piece, she learns about her daughter’s past and present, bringing up more questions.
Her friendships fraying, her work suffering, Alice can only think of finding Esme. But If Esme can be found, will Alice say and do the right things to get her daughter back into her life?
Heartbreaking, domestic noir with a glimmer of hope at the end.
Thanks to the publisher and Caitlin Summie Hamilton Marketing for a free book.
January 28, 2026
📚Her Daughter
✍🏻Fran Hawthorne
Blurb:
"A deep dive into the pain of separation and hope for reconciliation conveyed with grace, realism, and empathy." –Kirkus Reviews
"About parenthood, love, the mystery of estrangement and hope of reconciliation, this novel is a stunner." -Caroline Leavitt, New York Times best-selling author of Pictures of You and Days of Wonder
"I'm only telling you in case the police contact you. Esme was arrested, but I'm handling everything, and she doesn't want to hear from you."
That email from her ex-husband is almost the only information Alice Wilson has had about her twenty-three-year-old daughter, Esme, in the six years since Esme abruptly ended all communication.
As Alice, an environmental activist, scrambles to learn why Esme was arrested and what might happen next, she inevitably also rethinks the past. Her obsessive search up and down the California coast antagonizes her friends and jeopardizes her job. But none of that matters to Alice as she uncovers hints of a daughter she'd never known-and of her then-husband's role in their estrangement, even while they were married.
Who is the Robert Corning who was arrested with Esme, and why did she pay his bail? Why did Esme become bulimic in college? Why is she continuing to push Alice away while still being chummy with her father? Most importantly, will Esme agree to meet with Alice? And if she does, will Alice say the wrong thing-whatever that wrong thing is?
My Thoughts:
Fran Hawthorne's Her Daughter follows the disturbing story of Alice, a woman who over the course of the novel finds herself estranged from both ex-husband and daughter and seeks desperately to regain contact with the adult daughter Esme. As a parent, it's difficult to imagine being totally estranged from your child and even more difficult to realize that the husband that you once loved, is the person who has engineered the estrangement. Alice loved being a mother to her daughter Esme and was hurt and confused when her daughter decided to live with her dad and his new wife when she was 15. Time passes and now Esme is 23yo and hasn’t spoken to Alice for 6 years.This is a story that verges on becoming a psychological thriller--there are hints of real evil
Thanks NetGalley, Black Rose Writing and Author Fran Hawthorne;for the complimentary copy of "Her Daughter" I am leaving my voluntary review in appreciation.
#NetGalley
#BlackRoseWriting
#FranHowthorne
#HerDaughter
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
✍🏻Fran Hawthorne
Blurb:
"A deep dive into the pain of separation and hope for reconciliation conveyed with grace, realism, and empathy." –Kirkus Reviews
"About parenthood, love, the mystery of estrangement and hope of reconciliation, this novel is a stunner." -Caroline Leavitt, New York Times best-selling author of Pictures of You and Days of Wonder
"I'm only telling you in case the police contact you. Esme was arrested, but I'm handling everything, and she doesn't want to hear from you."
That email from her ex-husband is almost the only information Alice Wilson has had about her twenty-three-year-old daughter, Esme, in the six years since Esme abruptly ended all communication.
As Alice, an environmental activist, scrambles to learn why Esme was arrested and what might happen next, she inevitably also rethinks the past. Her obsessive search up and down the California coast antagonizes her friends and jeopardizes her job. But none of that matters to Alice as she uncovers hints of a daughter she'd never known-and of her then-husband's role in their estrangement, even while they were married.
Who is the Robert Corning who was arrested with Esme, and why did she pay his bail? Why did Esme become bulimic in college? Why is she continuing to push Alice away while still being chummy with her father? Most importantly, will Esme agree to meet with Alice? And if she does, will Alice say the wrong thing-whatever that wrong thing is?
My Thoughts:
Fran Hawthorne's Her Daughter follows the disturbing story of Alice, a woman who over the course of the novel finds herself estranged from both ex-husband and daughter and seeks desperately to regain contact with the adult daughter Esme. As a parent, it's difficult to imagine being totally estranged from your child and even more difficult to realize that the husband that you once loved, is the person who has engineered the estrangement. Alice loved being a mother to her daughter Esme and was hurt and confused when her daughter decided to live with her dad and his new wife when she was 15. Time passes and now Esme is 23yo and hasn’t spoken to Alice for 6 years.This is a story that verges on becoming a psychological thriller--there are hints of real evil
Thanks NetGalley, Black Rose Writing and Author Fran Hawthorne;for the complimentary copy of "Her Daughter" I am leaving my voluntary review in appreciation.
#NetGalley
#BlackRoseWriting
#FranHowthorne
#HerDaughter
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
January 24, 2026
As a parent, it's difficult to imagine being totally estranged from your child and even more difficult to realize that the husband that you once loved, is the person who has engineered the estrangement. That's exactly what happens in this new book by Fran Hawthorne. Alice loved being a mother to her daughter Esme and was hurt and confused when her daughter decided to live with her dad and his new wife when she was 15. Now Esme is 23 and Alice hasn't talked to her at all in over 6 years. She really doesn't know what is going on in Esme's life until she gets a text from her ex husband that Esme has been arrested.
As Alice works to find out why her daughter has been arrested and what if there is anything she can do to help, she remembers back on her happier years with her daughter. She searches obsessively up and down the California coast to try to get information and her quest causes estrangement from the friends who have been there for her for years. Her search even jeopardizes her job as an environmental activist but she only cares about finding her daughter. As she uncovers hints, she realizes that she didn't really know her daughter at all. All she wants is to find her daughter and talk to her and maybe start to heal the estrangement. She's also very worried that if/when she finds her daughter, she may say the wrong thing to her that will increase the bad feelings her daughter has for her. No matter what else is going on, she wants to find her daughter.
I really liked the way the book is written. As Alice is searching for Esme, there are small nuggets of the past thrown in. Is Alice to blame for prioritizing her job? Is her ex to blame for creating the estrangement by constantly talking about Alice to his daughter in a negative way? Or is there blame for all three of them.
There were times in the book that I didn't like Alice at all but other times I identified with her feelings. No matter how I felt about her and her obsessions, I was still hoping for her to reconcile with her daughter. But as with life, there are no black and white endings and despite the emotions, the ending is perfect given the conflict within the family.
This is an emotional must read book about a mother/daughter conflict that has split into pieces and a mother who is trying to understand why as she hopes for reconciliation.
As Alice works to find out why her daughter has been arrested and what if there is anything she can do to help, she remembers back on her happier years with her daughter. She searches obsessively up and down the California coast to try to get information and her quest causes estrangement from the friends who have been there for her for years. Her search even jeopardizes her job as an environmental activist but she only cares about finding her daughter. As she uncovers hints, she realizes that she didn't really know her daughter at all. All she wants is to find her daughter and talk to her and maybe start to heal the estrangement. She's also very worried that if/when she finds her daughter, she may say the wrong thing to her that will increase the bad feelings her daughter has for her. No matter what else is going on, she wants to find her daughter.
I really liked the way the book is written. As Alice is searching for Esme, there are small nuggets of the past thrown in. Is Alice to blame for prioritizing her job? Is her ex to blame for creating the estrangement by constantly talking about Alice to his daughter in a negative way? Or is there blame for all three of them.
There were times in the book that I didn't like Alice at all but other times I identified with her feelings. No matter how I felt about her and her obsessions, I was still hoping for her to reconcile with her daughter. But as with life, there are no black and white endings and despite the emotions, the ending is perfect given the conflict within the family.
This is an emotional must read book about a mother/daughter conflict that has split into pieces and a mother who is trying to understand why as she hopes for reconciliation.
January 29, 2026
Wow! Fran Hawthorne, the Author of “Her Daughter” has written an extraordinary, emotional and intriguing novel about family relations and estrangement. The Genres of this well-written and intense novel are :Women’s Psychological Fiction, Women’s Divorce Fiction, Mothers and Daughters, Family Fiction, Suspense, Mystery and Fiction. Can you imagine the anxiety, stress, and tension of not being able to see or hear from your daughter, after a divorce situation? When Alice Wilson, an environmental activist, and her husband Dan first got married, they agreed on not having children. A few years later, Alice changes her mind and wants a baby, but Dan still is firm that he does not. When Alice did get pregnant, and has a little girl, Esme, Dan would constantly criticize and try to gas-light Alice's role as a mother. Alice and Dan divorce, and have a custody agreement. As time goes on, Dan gets more time with Esme, until he has her most of the time. Dan remarries and has two more children. He appears to be manipulative and controls the timing of contact and Esme’s activities. In what appears to be a toxic situation, Dan has been also controlling the information to Esme about her mother.
After several years of estrangement between Alice and Esme, Alice gets an email from her ex-husband, Dan, that Esme had been arrested. During the separation, Alice did hire a detective to find out how Esme was doing. Alice starts to investigate with the help her friends, what is actually going on with her daughter. When an opportunity is created for Alice to see Esme for one hour, Alice is anxious and conflicted what she should say or do. I appreciate how the author discusses the importance of communication, mental health, family, friends, love and hope. I highly recommend this thought-provoking and captivating novel.
After several years of estrangement between Alice and Esme, Alice gets an email from her ex-husband, Dan, that Esme had been arrested. During the separation, Alice did hire a detective to find out how Esme was doing. Alice starts to investigate with the help her friends, what is actually going on with her daughter. When an opportunity is created for Alice to see Esme for one hour, Alice is anxious and conflicted what she should say or do. I appreciate how the author discusses the importance of communication, mental health, family, friends, love and hope. I highly recommend this thought-provoking and captivating novel.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Six Stars for HER DAUGHTER
You’re in for a real treat with this beautifully told tragic tale of a modern-day American family gone astray. (Don’t be misled by the pedestrian title and prosaic cover.) Fran Hawthorne deftly weaves the story of a dysfunctional Southern California family awash in lies and self-deceit and drowning in an endless cycle of intra-family miscalculation and concomitant revenge with seemingly no end in sight until the very end. And what a heck of an end! If you like fast-paced psychological action coupled with emotionally enticing character descriptions, you’re sure to enjoy this well-crafted story. There’s never a jaded moment; it’s a real page-turner. Apropos of “emotionally enticing character descriptions” are nuggets like “Stop. Take a breath… She couldn’t. Her breath couldn’t find its way out of her lungs” or “His pat on Alice’s shoulder was as weak as the plop of a leaf.” Simple yet striking and memorable. Miscellaneous word constructions like that peppered on almost every page with never-know-what-next-to-expect action will pull readers onto the next page to the last. HER DAUGHTER is a winner from start to finish.
---Ron Roman, Author of the apocalyptic doomsday thriller “Of Ashes and Dust” (Histria Books), Finalist for the 2023 Chanticleer International Book Award (CIBA) for Global Thrillers
You’re in for a real treat with this beautifully told tragic tale of a modern-day American family gone astray. (Don’t be misled by the pedestrian title and prosaic cover.) Fran Hawthorne deftly weaves the story of a dysfunctional Southern California family awash in lies and self-deceit and drowning in an endless cycle of intra-family miscalculation and concomitant revenge with seemingly no end in sight until the very end. And what a heck of an end! If you like fast-paced psychological action coupled with emotionally enticing character descriptions, you’re sure to enjoy this well-crafted story. There’s never a jaded moment; it’s a real page-turner. Apropos of “emotionally enticing character descriptions” are nuggets like “Stop. Take a breath… She couldn’t. Her breath couldn’t find its way out of her lungs” or “His pat on Alice’s shoulder was as weak as the plop of a leaf.” Simple yet striking and memorable. Miscellaneous word constructions like that peppered on almost every page with never-know-what-next-to-expect action will pull readers onto the next page to the last. HER DAUGHTER is a winner from start to finish.
---Ron Roman, Author of the apocalyptic doomsday thriller “Of Ashes and Dust” (Histria Books), Finalist for the 2023 Chanticleer International Book Award (CIBA) for Global Thrillers
January 23, 2026
How did Alice get here? The only way she knew about her 24-year-old daughter's (Esme) arrest was an email from her estranged ex, Dan.
Fran Hawthorne's new release begins with this shocking reveal, then takes us back to the beginning of Alice and Dan. Along the way we also get a glimpse of the many avenues Alice is pursuing to find Esme and offer help. To reconnect.
Here are some things I really liked about this new title:
👩The book is from Alice's perspective. While she and I are quite different, we both dearly love our children. I can imagine how painful it would be to have a child cut you out of their life without warning. Fran Hawthorne gives us a window into that place and we must not look away.
👭Alice has a friend named Roz who has known her since childhood. What a valuable sounding board and support a friend like that can be.
😎The sunny California setting. Alice loves living near the beach and I would too. With a storm and arctic air on the way, a day at the beach sounds like heaven.
🤩While there are many difficult days chronicled in the book, the ending is quite hopeful. Alice has a new outlook on her close relationships and confidence for the next chapter.
Thank you to the author, Black Rose Writing, and NetGalley for a DRC in exchange for an honest review. Happy Publication Day -- January 22, 2026.
Fran Hawthorne's new release begins with this shocking reveal, then takes us back to the beginning of Alice and Dan. Along the way we also get a glimpse of the many avenues Alice is pursuing to find Esme and offer help. To reconnect.
Here are some things I really liked about this new title:
👩The book is from Alice's perspective. While she and I are quite different, we both dearly love our children. I can imagine how painful it would be to have a child cut you out of their life without warning. Fran Hawthorne gives us a window into that place and we must not look away.
👭Alice has a friend named Roz who has known her since childhood. What a valuable sounding board and support a friend like that can be.
😎The sunny California setting. Alice loves living near the beach and I would too. With a storm and arctic air on the way, a day at the beach sounds like heaven.
🤩While there are many difficult days chronicled in the book, the ending is quite hopeful. Alice has a new outlook on her close relationships and confidence for the next chapter.
Thank you to the author, Black Rose Writing, and NetGalley for a DRC in exchange for an honest review. Happy Publication Day -- January 22, 2026.
January 19, 2026
5.0
* Thanks to chsummie of Caitlin Hamilton Marketing for including me on this tour!
Torment, yearning, desperate…
When Esme turns 15yo, she announces to her mother Alice that she is choosing to live with her father Dan and his new wife Penelope. Time passes and now Esme is 23yo and hasn’t spoken to Alice for 6 years.
Alice of course wants to reconcile. But where to find Esme and how to approach her? What to say (and not to say)? Alice just wants to know WHY. .. No matter how bad things get, Alice still hopes for a reconnection.
AVAILABLE Jan 22, 2026.
THOUGHTS:
* A+ for originality! I have not read anything similar to this!
*Beautifully written tragic story. Emotional tale - nothing is easy.
*”A veneer of normalcy” - it’s about the appearance “of normality, not the reality.”
*Painful history of a fractured relationship. Alice doesn’t know the cause of this estrangement. Is it her fault?
*Family drama, estrangement, bullying, revenge, & guilt themes. Domestic noir story - psychological tension, control, and betrayal.
*Bittersweet ending.
*Dan was one of the most obnoxious characters I’ve ever read about. What a bully.
*This book sure made me feel thankful for what I have!
* Thanks to chsummie of Caitlin Hamilton Marketing for including me on this tour!
Torment, yearning, desperate…
When Esme turns 15yo, she announces to her mother Alice that she is choosing to live with her father Dan and his new wife Penelope. Time passes and now Esme is 23yo and hasn’t spoken to Alice for 6 years.
Alice of course wants to reconcile. But where to find Esme and how to approach her? What to say (and not to say)? Alice just wants to know WHY. .. No matter how bad things get, Alice still hopes for a reconnection.
AVAILABLE Jan 22, 2026.
THOUGHTS:
* A+ for originality! I have not read anything similar to this!
*Beautifully written tragic story. Emotional tale - nothing is easy.
*”A veneer of normalcy” - it’s about the appearance “of normality, not the reality.”
*Painful history of a fractured relationship. Alice doesn’t know the cause of this estrangement. Is it her fault?
*Family drama, estrangement, bullying, revenge, & guilt themes. Domestic noir story - psychological tension, control, and betrayal.
*Bittersweet ending.
*Dan was one of the most obnoxious characters I’ve ever read about. What a bully.
*This book sure made me feel thankful for what I have!
November 2, 2025
Nobody gets off the hook in Fran Hawthorne’s beautifully written tale of parental estrangement. Alice admits to being obsessive, and is all too truthful about what it costs her in her work and her life; Dan is cruel and untrustworthy; and Esme slips from here to there like a will o’ the wisp, clearly in pain, searching for answers. Ironically, she finds a safe harbor in the arms of a young man who is also struggling to find his way in the world. This is a painfully honest book driven by Alice’s yearning. One aches for her to find the magic key to break through, but nothing is easy in this twisting, turning emotional journey. Hawthorne gives us a bittersweet ending that is just right. HER DAUGHTER is a cautionary tale, wrapped in love and aching loss.
February 12, 2026
There is so much drama in this novel and it's all pointed at one character. This book will make you sad about and even more mad about estrangement.
Alice hasn't spoken to her daughter for 6 years (the daddy cut off all communication) and then she gets word that Esme had been arrested. As Alice tries her hardest to connect with people who knew (and might still know) Esme she teeters on the cusp of losing a lot more.
There is a psychological cruelty in Dan, the ex of Alice. It got to the point where if I knew this guy for real, I would want to punch him. Every new lie coming out of his mouth made me scream out loud (once in school carpool line waiting 😬 )...I did NOT like when Dan was on page. But this was a page turner!
Alice hasn't spoken to her daughter for 6 years (the daddy cut off all communication) and then she gets word that Esme had been arrested. As Alice tries her hardest to connect with people who knew (and might still know) Esme she teeters on the cusp of losing a lot more.
There is a psychological cruelty in Dan, the ex of Alice. It got to the point where if I knew this guy for real, I would want to punch him. Every new lie coming out of his mouth made me scream out loud (once in school carpool line waiting 😬 )...I did NOT like when Dan was on page. But this was a page turner!
November 21, 2025
Manipulating others to get what we want is something even toddlers know how to do. In adults, when the manipulation is subtle and gentle, it’s usually benign. But when it becomes a power struggle, it can be nasty and tear relationships apart. Hawthorne masterfully explores the devastation such behavior can have on the guilty and the innocent alike in this tale of a doting mother, her ex-husband, and the daughter at the center of their conflict. Her well-developed characters reveal both the motivations of and the emotional impact on everyone caught in this web. But is anyone truly innocent in this case? And will reconciliation ever be possible?
October 7, 2025
This is a this beautifully crafted and emotionally gripping family drama, in which a mother’s long estrangement from her daughter will tug at readers’ heartstrings. Using parallel timelines, Hawthorne drops historical clues as to what might have caused the separation, and then plants us in the middle of Alice’s anguish as she strives for answers, questions herself, and aches for even a crumb of communication with Esme. Your compassion for both women will soar as you read this very relatable and realistic story.
November 3, 2025
Her Daughter by Fran Hawthorne is a wonderful, complex novel I really enjoyed.
This is an incredibly well created family drama.
The estrangement of mother (Alice) and daughter (Esme) was heart wrenching, leaving me tearful.
The story is told in parallel timelines, and I enjoy the pieces of information that are dropped by the author that indicate what might have led to the estrangement.
The characters are well written, complex, flawed, and fleshed out.
I really enjoyed the way that the family dynamics were written.
Highly recommend!
This is an incredibly well created family drama.
The estrangement of mother (Alice) and daughter (Esme) was heart wrenching, leaving me tearful.
The story is told in parallel timelines, and I enjoy the pieces of information that are dropped by the author that indicate what might have led to the estrangement.
The characters are well written, complex, flawed, and fleshed out.
I really enjoyed the way that the family dynamics were written.
Highly recommend!
February 12, 2026
This one broke my heart. 💔
Her Daughter is an emotional family drama about a mother and daughter separated by years of silence, unanswered questions, and complicated relationships. When Alice learns her estranged daughter has been arrested, she’s forced to revisit the moments that led them here.
With dual timelines and deeply flawed characters, this story explores blame, regret, and the hope for reconciliation in a way that felt painfully real. Highly recommend.
Her Daughter is an emotional family drama about a mother and daughter separated by years of silence, unanswered questions, and complicated relationships. When Alice learns her estranged daughter has been arrested, she’s forced to revisit the moments that led them here.
With dual timelines and deeply flawed characters, this story explores blame, regret, and the hope for reconciliation in a way that felt painfully real. Highly recommend.
February 12, 2026
𝗖𝗮𝗻 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗶𝗺𝗮𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗯𝗲𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲𝗱 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗼𝘄𝗻 𝗰𝗵𝗶𝗹𝗱?
Honestly… I can’t. And that alone made this book hit hard for me. I didn’t even know how to feel most of the time because it was such an emotional rollercoaster.
I had a bit of a conflict with the characters. I didn’t like them most of the time, but with this kind of story, it felt expected.
This is a story about family conflict, reconciliation, love, and hope. A thought-provoking read.
Honestly… I can’t. And that alone made this book hit hard for me. I didn’t even know how to feel most of the time because it was such an emotional rollercoaster.
I had a bit of a conflict with the characters. I didn’t like them most of the time, but with this kind of story, it felt expected.
This is a story about family conflict, reconciliation, love, and hope. A thought-provoking read.
December 7, 2025
Her Daughter by Fran Hawthorne – All kinds of emotions erupted from me while reading this stunning novel. I wanted to jump into the pages and throttle the father! Part mystery, part family drama, it’s a winner.
January 26, 2026
A gripping story of a relationship torn apart. The plot itself is realistic and probably more common than people realize. But the way plot points are revealed is constantly surprising and the writing is raw and emotional. It hits a chord
February 13, 2026
This complicated family drama was a page turner for me. I felt a ton of compassion for Alice while she was separated from her daughter. I also experienced a lot of frustration with Dan, Alice, and Esme, and I’m still thinking about them. This complex story would be a great pick for a book club!
January 30, 2026
Impossible Father
If I were in her situation, I would have worried about being accused of manslaughter. I don't know how she resisted violence while dealing with this man.
If I were in her situation, I would have worried about being accused of manslaughter. I don't know how she resisted violence while dealing with this man.
November 19, 2025
Great book about toxic relationships and how to deal with them.
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