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My Daughter's Secret
My baby girl, I’ll never forget you – your smile, your laugh, the way your hair sparkles in the sun. I cannot comprehend this pain. I cannot breathe through it.
In the middle of the night, Claire wakes up to discover that her beloved daughter, Julia, is dead – and life, as she knows it, is over.
Searching for answers, Claire stumbles upon a pile of letters, hidden under Julia’s bed in an old, battered shoebox, and feels closer to her daughter than ever before. They tell her that Julia was happy, that she was thriving at university, that she was in love.
But as the letters go on, Claire starts to feel uneasy at something hidden between the lines. Even as she grieves, she must prepare to face a shocking discovery. Because Julia was hiding a terrible secret – and when it’s uncovered, it will devastate a family already torn apart by tragedy.
An emotional, twisty and gripping page turner that will stay with you long after you finish the last page. Perfect for fans of Kerry Fisher, Lisa Wingate and Jodi Picoult
In the middle of the night, Claire wakes up to discover that her beloved daughter, Julia, is dead – and life, as she knows it, is over.
Searching for answers, Claire stumbles upon a pile of letters, hidden under Julia’s bed in an old, battered shoebox, and feels closer to her daughter than ever before. They tell her that Julia was happy, that she was thriving at university, that she was in love.
But as the letters go on, Claire starts to feel uneasy at something hidden between the lines. Even as she grieves, she must prepare to face a shocking discovery. Because Julia was hiding a terrible secret – and when it’s uncovered, it will devastate a family already torn apart by tragedy.
An emotional, twisty and gripping page turner that will stay with you long after you finish the last page. Perfect for fans of Kerry Fisher, Lisa Wingate and Jodi Picoult
282 pages, Paperback
First published March 15, 2019
2496 people are currently reading
7745 people want to read
About the author
Nicole Trope
44 books1,923 followersNicole Trope writes psychological thrillers about families in crisis and the secrets we keep from ourselves and others. She has always been fascinated by the stories behind the headlines and published her first novel in 2012. In 2026 she will publish her 20th novel with Bookouture. She is a USA Today and Amazon bestseller in the USA, UK, AUS, Canada and Germany. Her books have been translated into German, Italian, Polish, Hungarian and French and Japanese.
She lives in Sydney with her husband and three children
Current Publication: What Have You Done?-October 17th 2025
Next publication: A Perfectly Nice Family: March 6th 2026
She lives in Sydney with her husband and three children
Current Publication: What Have You Done?-October 17th 2025
Next publication: A Perfectly Nice Family: March 6th 2026
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 223 reviews
March 9, 2019
I guess you can say that the author has done her job when you come out at the other end of her book feeling emotionally abused yourself. In the course of less than 300 pages I have witnessed suicide, murder, domestic violence, one particularly unpleasant relationship and a complete set of adults seriously in need of psychoanalysis.
There is a good story in the middle of all that which kept me reading, despite the fact that all of the characters, except the two poor sons, were unpleasant. There is a mystery revolving around why the victim committed suicide or even whether it was suicide at all. And there is a shock answer and a dramatic conclusion. All good but I still closed the book feeling depressed.
My thanks to Netgalley for the opportunity to read and review this book.
There is a good story in the middle of all that which kept me reading, despite the fact that all of the characters, except the two poor sons, were unpleasant. There is a mystery revolving around why the victim committed suicide or even whether it was suicide at all. And there is a shock answer and a dramatic conclusion. All good but I still closed the book feeling depressed.
My thanks to Netgalley for the opportunity to read and review this book.
March 9, 2019
In my Daughter's Secret, Nicole Trope tackles a difficult subject in what appears to be the suicide of Claire's student daughter Julia. Claire and her husband Adrian (Julia's step father) are especially shocked when Julia is found dead outside their house, when they thought she was away from home in Melbourne studying journalism at University. She seemed to be happy and healthy so why had she suddenly decided to drive home to Sydney and hang herself on their front porch? Claire is certain there must have been something Julia wasn't telling them, so when she finds a box of letters from an older man in Julia's room, she tries to find out the identity of Julia's secret lover.
This was a heartbreaking story. Claire was in so much pain, blaming herself for Julia's unwillingness to confide in her and her whole family starts to fall apart as she becomes obsessed with finding Julia's lover. Julia's father was also devastated, regretting that he was never able to form a bond with Julia after his marriage to Claire ended. As we only see glimpses of Julia and her lover through his letters, we don't get to see how such an affair could have started and why Julia allowed it to then continue. The truth when it is revealed is unexpected and hard to understand without seeing more from Julia's perspective. However, it all made for a compelling, gripping story and a heartbreaking read as Claire slowly uncovers the truth. 3.5★
With thanks to Netgalley and Bookouture for a digital ARC to read
This was a heartbreaking story. Claire was in so much pain, blaming herself for Julia's unwillingness to confide in her and her whole family starts to fall apart as she becomes obsessed with finding Julia's lover. Julia's father was also devastated, regretting that he was never able to form a bond with Julia after his marriage to Claire ended. As we only see glimpses of Julia and her lover through his letters, we don't get to see how such an affair could have started and why Julia allowed it to then continue. The truth when it is revealed is unexpected and hard to understand without seeing more from Julia's perspective. However, it all made for a compelling, gripping story and a heartbreaking read as Claire slowly uncovers the truth. 3.5★
With thanks to Netgalley and Bookouture for a digital ARC to read
March 31, 2019
EXCERPT: In the light, the face is clear. The eyes bulge, the lips are blue and swollen.
There is a beat of silence, a moment in time when all sound is drowned out.
Callie makes a strange noise, an animal howl that pierces the night.
Mia screams. Her whole body trembling, she screams and screams and screams.
ABOUT THIS BOOK: My baby girl, I’ll never forget you – your smile, your laugh, the way your hair sparkles in the sun. I cannot comprehend this pain. I cannot breathe through it.
In the middle of the night, Claire wakes up to discover that her beloved daughter, Julia, is dead – and life, as she knows it, is over.
Searching for answers, Claire stumbles upon a pile of letters, hidden under Julia’s bed in an old, battered shoebox, and feels closer to her daughter than ever before. They tell her that Julia was happy, that she was thriving at university, that she was in love.
But as the letters go on, Claire starts to feel uneasy at something hidden between the lines. Even as she grieves, she must prepare to face a shocking discovery. Because Julia was hiding a terrible secret – and when it’s uncovered, it will devastate a family already torn apart by tragedy.
MY THOUGHTS: Right out, I have to say that this is probably my least favorite book by this author. After an explosive start, it merely whimpers along, losing impetus and my interest. I was not sidetracked by the red herrings Trope throws the readers way as Claire tries to discover who Julia's lover was. I knew from the outset. To me, it was blindingly obvious. But then, perhaps I read too many of these books.
The letters to Julia that intersect the chapters are repetitive and, until close to the end, add little of value to the storyline. A few less of them, with a little more variety, would have improved the read.
BUT. . . I kept reading. Trope makes pertinent and truthful observations on dealing with grief, particularly following a suicide: the disbelief at the unreality of the situation that rapidly crystallizes into anger, self-blame, and guilt. Why wasn't I a better mother/ father/ friend/ husband/ wife/ lover? Why didn't she talk to me? Why didn’t I notice that something was wrong? Why? Why? Why? As the author so rightly says 'Being human is such a messy business.'
I didn't find this a particularly emotional read, in fact, at times it felt like I was reading a manual on surviving suicide. At other times, I found the writing over-emotive, e.g. 'I'm her mother. I gave up the right to my own happiness when I had her.'
Just as in life, there are no clear answers in this book.
😕😕😕
THE AUTHOR: Nicole Trope went to university to study Law but realised the error of her ways when she did very badly on her first law essay because-as her professor pointed out- ‘It’s not meant to be a story.’ She studied teaching instead and used her holidays to work on her writing career and complete a Masters’ degree in Children’s Literature. After the birth of her first child she stayed home full time to write and raise children, renovate houses and build a business with her husband.
The idea for her first published novel, The Boy under the Table, was so scary that it took a year for her to find the courage to write the emotional story. Her second novel, Three Hours Late, was voted one of Fifty Books you can’t put down in 2013 and her third novel, The Secrets in Silence, was The Australian Woman’s Weekly Book of the month for June 2014.
She lives in Sydney with her husband and three children
DISCLOSURE: Thank you to Bookouture via Netgalley for providing a digital ARC of My Daughter's Secret by Nicole Trope. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.
Please refer to my Goodreads.com profile page or the about page on sandysbookaday.wordpress.com for an explanation of my rating system. This review and others are also published on my webpage https://sandysbookaday.wordpress.com/... For a preview of this book please visit
https://sandysbookaday.wordpress.com/...
There is a beat of silence, a moment in time when all sound is drowned out.
Callie makes a strange noise, an animal howl that pierces the night.
Mia screams. Her whole body trembling, she screams and screams and screams.
ABOUT THIS BOOK: My baby girl, I’ll never forget you – your smile, your laugh, the way your hair sparkles in the sun. I cannot comprehend this pain. I cannot breathe through it.
In the middle of the night, Claire wakes up to discover that her beloved daughter, Julia, is dead – and life, as she knows it, is over.
Searching for answers, Claire stumbles upon a pile of letters, hidden under Julia’s bed in an old, battered shoebox, and feels closer to her daughter than ever before. They tell her that Julia was happy, that she was thriving at university, that she was in love.
But as the letters go on, Claire starts to feel uneasy at something hidden between the lines. Even as she grieves, she must prepare to face a shocking discovery. Because Julia was hiding a terrible secret – and when it’s uncovered, it will devastate a family already torn apart by tragedy.
MY THOUGHTS: Right out, I have to say that this is probably my least favorite book by this author. After an explosive start, it merely whimpers along, losing impetus and my interest. I was not sidetracked by the red herrings Trope throws the readers way as Claire tries to discover who Julia's lover was. I knew from the outset. To me, it was blindingly obvious. But then, perhaps I read too many of these books.
The letters to Julia that intersect the chapters are repetitive and, until close to the end, add little of value to the storyline. A few less of them, with a little more variety, would have improved the read.
BUT. . . I kept reading. Trope makes pertinent and truthful observations on dealing with grief, particularly following a suicide: the disbelief at the unreality of the situation that rapidly crystallizes into anger, self-blame, and guilt. Why wasn't I a better mother/ father/ friend/ husband/ wife/ lover? Why didn't she talk to me? Why didn’t I notice that something was wrong? Why? Why? Why? As the author so rightly says 'Being human is such a messy business.'
I didn't find this a particularly emotional read, in fact, at times it felt like I was reading a manual on surviving suicide. At other times, I found the writing over-emotive, e.g. 'I'm her mother. I gave up the right to my own happiness when I had her.'
Just as in life, there are no clear answers in this book.
😕😕😕
THE AUTHOR: Nicole Trope went to university to study Law but realised the error of her ways when she did very badly on her first law essay because-as her professor pointed out- ‘It’s not meant to be a story.’ She studied teaching instead and used her holidays to work on her writing career and complete a Masters’ degree in Children’s Literature. After the birth of her first child she stayed home full time to write and raise children, renovate houses and build a business with her husband.
The idea for her first published novel, The Boy under the Table, was so scary that it took a year for her to find the courage to write the emotional story. Her second novel, Three Hours Late, was voted one of Fifty Books you can’t put down in 2013 and her third novel, The Secrets in Silence, was The Australian Woman’s Weekly Book of the month for June 2014.
She lives in Sydney with her husband and three children
DISCLOSURE: Thank you to Bookouture via Netgalley for providing a digital ARC of My Daughter's Secret by Nicole Trope. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.
Please refer to my Goodreads.com profile page or the about page on sandysbookaday.wordpress.com for an explanation of my rating system. This review and others are also published on my webpage https://sandysbookaday.wordpress.com/... For a preview of this book please visit
https://sandysbookaday.wordpress.com/...
March 16, 2019
The discovery that her twenty-year-old daughter Julia was dead shattered Claire, her husband Adrian and the two boys. But the knowledge that she had committed suicide when the girl they had known had seemingly been happy was bewildering. Claire, riven with grief, knew she needed to find out the answers as to why her beloved Julia had resorted to suicide.
This novel revolved around grief, heartache, secrets and lies. The characters were not likeable; it was hard to even get to know them. As the marriage fractured, still Claire continued to fight for answers, especially when she discovered the letters under Julia’s bed. I was looking forward to this author’s latest release but found myself disappointed. Hush, Little Bird has been my all time favourite and although I haven’t particularly enjoyed My Daughter’s Secret, I will read more by Aussie author Nicole Trope.
With thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my digital ARC to read in exchange for an honest review.
This novel revolved around grief, heartache, secrets and lies. The characters were not likeable; it was hard to even get to know them. As the marriage fractured, still Claire continued to fight for answers, especially when she discovered the letters under Julia’s bed. I was looking forward to this author’s latest release but found myself disappointed. Hush, Little Bird has been my all time favourite and although I haven’t particularly enjoyed My Daughter’s Secret, I will read more by Aussie author Nicole Trope.
With thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my digital ARC to read in exchange for an honest review.
July 18, 2025
I'm appalled that a female author could write such a sickening story.
I've given 5 stars to a couple of Trope's books, but she's wildly inconsistent, which fits considering she's publishing books at a compulsive rate.
The "twist" was a shining beacon of light, visible from miles away.
I hated all the main characters. Despised. LOATHED.
Claire was a terrible mother, overbearing, dismissive, self-centered. Her cray-cray goosechase of accusing every possible male in the vicinity except the very, VERY obvious one was as pathetic as it was repugnant.
(Hysteria 101: It was Eric, tha drama teacher! ~SCREAMING~ He ate my baby!!! Bitch, there have been no straight male drama teachers since the beginning of time. You're too stupid to exist.)
It goes without saying that the "X" character was a monster, but a monster hiding in plain sight.
Julia, the victim, was supposedly this innocent college student. The hell she was. She was vile in her own right. She wasn't a child and knew better. It wasn't a one-off. The "affair" went on for over a year. A YEAR! She had so many chances.
Claire's ex, Joel, who beat the shit out of her for a decade, was painted as a saint and avenging angel. Spare me the bullshit, please.
This story is practically an altar to "abusers can be enlightened and must be forgiven." In reality, abusers rarely change, and preaching otherwise is despicable.
Plus, that bizarre non-ending ... It's a miracle I didn't throw my Kindle across the room.
I've given 5 stars to a couple of Trope's books, but she's wildly inconsistent, which fits considering she's publishing books at a compulsive rate.
The "twist" was a shining beacon of light, visible from miles away.
I hated all the main characters. Despised. LOATHED.
Claire was a terrible mother, overbearing, dismissive, self-centered. Her cray-cray goosechase of accusing every possible male in the vicinity except the very, VERY obvious one was as pathetic as it was repugnant.
(Hysteria 101: It was Eric, tha drama teacher! ~SCREAMING~ He ate my baby!!! Bitch, there have been no straight male drama teachers since the beginning of time. You're too stupid to exist.)
It goes without saying that the "X" character was a monster, but a monster hiding in plain sight.
Julia, the victim, was supposedly this innocent college student. The hell she was. She was vile in her own right. She wasn't a child and knew better. It wasn't a one-off. The "affair" went on for over a year. A YEAR! She had so many chances.
Claire's ex, Joel, who beat the shit out of her for a decade, was painted as a saint and avenging angel. Spare me the bullshit, please.
This story is practically an altar to "abusers can be enlightened and must be forgiven." In reality, abusers rarely change, and preaching otherwise is despicable.
Plus, that bizarre non-ending ... It's a miracle I didn't throw my Kindle across the room.
July 26, 2019
4.5 Stars
When Claire's daughter, Julia, commits suicide, she is consumed with unimaginable grief. Searching for answers, she finds letters hidden under her daughter's bed in an old shoe box.
At first, Claire's heart is eased as she discovers that Julia was happy, she loved being a college student... and that she was in love.
But the tone of the letters slowly change and Claire feels something else was going on with her daughter .. something dark and secretive.
Claire questions everything she thought she knew about her daughter.
This is probably the most emotional book I've read in a really long time. I cried along with Claire as she grieved ... I laughed with Claire when she remembered fun times ... I felt her pain when a secret was revealed.
This was well written, gripping, emotional ... I highly recommend this one. Just remember to keep a box of tissues handy.
Many thanks to the author / Bookouture / Netgalley for this intensely reading. Read and reviewed voluntarily, opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.
When Claire's daughter, Julia, commits suicide, she is consumed with unimaginable grief. Searching for answers, she finds letters hidden under her daughter's bed in an old shoe box.
At first, Claire's heart is eased as she discovers that Julia was happy, she loved being a college student... and that she was in love.
But the tone of the letters slowly change and Claire feels something else was going on with her daughter .. something dark and secretive.
Claire questions everything she thought she knew about her daughter.
This is probably the most emotional book I've read in a really long time. I cried along with Claire as she grieved ... I laughed with Claire when she remembered fun times ... I felt her pain when a secret was revealed.
This was well written, gripping, emotional ... I highly recommend this one. Just remember to keep a box of tissues handy.
Many thanks to the author / Bookouture / Netgalley for this intensely reading. Read and reviewed voluntarily, opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.
February 18, 2019
I loved the blurb, I loved the beginning of the story. The book started with a shocker – a suicide. Julia was found hanging from the porch, and her mother Claire was devastated. What caused a happy 20 year old, studying journalism, to take such a drastic step?
The author Nicole Trope started the story with a bang which went on to describe a mother’s pain. There can really be no words on this earth to describe that grief. The story continued with Claire’s investigation into her daughter’s life where she made startling discovery of Julia being in a secret relationship.
The whole premise of the story was thrilling, but there were so many facts that niggled me.
Claire was unlikable. I could understand her pain but not her attitude. Her reactions felt odd at some moments.
The flashback showed scenes but didn’t show love between mother and daughter.
I could guess the reason of Julia’s death from the very beginning, it was obvious and icky. But I could let go of it for the story
The ex-husband was an abuser one who physically hit Claire throughout her marriage but was shown as a reformed man. It all felt a little unbelievable.
The new husband was a bit whiny at times
I liked that the book read fast, the ending was left for us to assume. The letters written to Julia brought out each layer of her relationship and the way it progressed. Claire’s grief and helplessness and glimpses of her determination was well written. The plotline had a kick, and I read the book to see if I was right in my guess.
I was!!
The author Nicole Trope started the story with a bang which went on to describe a mother’s pain. There can really be no words on this earth to describe that grief. The story continued with Claire’s investigation into her daughter’s life where she made startling discovery of Julia being in a secret relationship.
The whole premise of the story was thrilling, but there were so many facts that niggled me.
Claire was unlikable. I could understand her pain but not her attitude. Her reactions felt odd at some moments.
The flashback showed scenes but didn’t show love between mother and daughter.
I could guess the reason of Julia’s death from the very beginning, it was obvious and icky. But I could let go of it for the story
The ex-husband was an abuser one who physically hit Claire throughout her marriage but was shown as a reformed man. It all felt a little unbelievable.
The new husband was a bit whiny at times
I liked that the book read fast, the ending was left for us to assume. The letters written to Julia brought out each layer of her relationship and the way it progressed. Claire’s grief and helplessness and glimpses of her determination was well written. The plotline had a kick, and I read the book to see if I was right in my guess.
I was!!
January 24, 2022
Triggers - suicide, physical abuse. A parent’s worse nightmare! This was a tough book to read and felt she did a great job with a shocking ending. Wow! I’m speechless!
March 20, 2019
Nicole Trope brings suicide to the forefront of this emotional heartbreaking story. Julia is only twenty years old when she commits suicide. Found hanging from a chain around her neck on the front porch of her family home has left her mother Claire completely devastated. Why would her daughter take her own life? Claire has no closure as Julia didn't even leave a note. This sets Claire off to find out why her beautiful and popular daughter would take her own life. There are secrets Julia kept hidden including a bunch of secret letters from an older man. Will Claire ever find out why her daughter killed herself?
I found myself really engrossed in My Daughter’s Secret. Suicide is really a tough and sensitive subject in any book and I feel that Nicole Trope really portrayed it with such compassion and understanding. We start to get to know Julia from her mother’s eyes and we see how well loved Julia has always been amongst her family and her peers. So, it is sad to see that she would have taken her own life. Trope really has created an immersive story centered on the “why.” It did take me sometime to figure out who who was behind it all and it is very shocking and not a scenario I often find portrayed in books. This really is a well done story that I could not put down.
Claire is completely shattered by her daughter’s suicide and I found her scenes to be so real and so emotional. Claire hasn’t always had an easy life. She is divorced from her first husband and is married to Adrian, Julia’s stepfather. Claire is determined to find out what happened to her daughter, like I would assume any mother would do. Claire constantly beats herself up over the fact that her daughter could not come talk to her especially since they had a close relationship. Claire will not stop until she gets answers, though. I loved Claire’s determination to get to the truth and it was done so realistically and honestly.
My Daughter’s Secret is a gripping page turner that will keep you up late into the night. The story centers around a difficult subject matter, but it is definitely well worth the read. A definite 5 star read and one I highly recommend.
I found myself really engrossed in My Daughter’s Secret. Suicide is really a tough and sensitive subject in any book and I feel that Nicole Trope really portrayed it with such compassion and understanding. We start to get to know Julia from her mother’s eyes and we see how well loved Julia has always been amongst her family and her peers. So, it is sad to see that she would have taken her own life. Trope really has created an immersive story centered on the “why.” It did take me sometime to figure out who who was behind it all and it is very shocking and not a scenario I often find portrayed in books. This really is a well done story that I could not put down.
Claire is completely shattered by her daughter’s suicide and I found her scenes to be so real and so emotional. Claire hasn’t always had an easy life. She is divorced from her first husband and is married to Adrian, Julia’s stepfather. Claire is determined to find out what happened to her daughter, like I would assume any mother would do. Claire constantly beats herself up over the fact that her daughter could not come talk to her especially since they had a close relationship. Claire will not stop until she gets answers, though. I loved Claire’s determination to get to the truth and it was done so realistically and honestly.
My Daughter’s Secret is a gripping page turner that will keep you up late into the night. The story centers around a difficult subject matter, but it is definitely well worth the read. A definite 5 star read and one I highly recommend.
February 15, 2019
--I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts are purely my own and not influenced in any way.--
Let me start by saying I understand that grief is an extremely difficult emotion: you get angry much quicker, it's all consuming, and no one reacts the same way. I also realize that suicide is a difficult topic and very REAL topic and afterwards you want answers and sometimes don't get them. I say all of that, because even knowing that, I hated pretty much everyone in this book.
The mother, Claire, is in the throes of grief after her daughter's suicide and after a bad relationship (but her abuser turned good, y'all! She won't stop making that point). Her grief takes on the form of anger and being a sanctimonious "but I am her MOTHER" type of character. Even in flashbacks she was intolerable and I kind of understood why her daughter might not have wanted to go to her, which is kind of the opposite of what we were supposed to believe. Her new husband was barely a character beyond the everyman and the reformed abuser had no real emotion beyond also anger, but more controlled anger. I have no real thoughts on Julia, the daughter, beyond wondering how complicit she really was and if so, why?
I saw the twist coming. Maybe just read these kinds before, but it didn't really shock me. All of the swerves I guessed before they happened and I only stuck with it to see if I was right. The story was compelling enough, but damn, I hated everyone in this book and was glad to end it.
If you or someone you know is suicidal or has suicidal thoughts, please call the suicide hotline at 1-800-273-8255. It's available 24 hours everyday and has a texting option as well.
Let me start by saying I understand that grief is an extremely difficult emotion: you get angry much quicker, it's all consuming, and no one reacts the same way. I also realize that suicide is a difficult topic and very REAL topic and afterwards you want answers and sometimes don't get them. I say all of that, because even knowing that, I hated pretty much everyone in this book.
The mother, Claire, is in the throes of grief after her daughter's suicide and after a bad relationship (but her abuser turned good, y'all! She won't stop making that point). Her grief takes on the form of anger and being a sanctimonious "but I am her MOTHER" type of character. Even in flashbacks she was intolerable and I kind of understood why her daughter might not have wanted to go to her, which is kind of the opposite of what we were supposed to believe. Her new husband was barely a character beyond the everyman and the reformed abuser had no real emotion beyond also anger, but more controlled anger. I have no real thoughts on Julia, the daughter, beyond wondering how complicit she really was and if so, why?
I saw the twist coming. Maybe just read these kinds before, but it didn't really shock me. All of the swerves I guessed before they happened and I only stuck with it to see if I was right. The story was compelling enough, but damn, I hated everyone in this book and was glad to end it.
If you or someone you know is suicidal or has suicidal thoughts, please call the suicide hotline at 1-800-273-8255. It's available 24 hours everyday and has a texting option as well.
February 20, 2019
If you need to put that much information into a simple title (telling not showing) then I don't think that this is going to be a book worth reading.
Too bad because the synopsis sounds fairly decent.
It seems that there are several people who had been unhappy with my rating because I may not have read the book -I'm not saying either way- I feel that there are so many "squee girls/boys" that give an author 5 stars well before a book is even ready for ARC distribution that why not give an author a bad rating for what I think is a HUGE mistake? I'm not changing my rating for something I feel so strongly about. Goodreads allows this rating before reading -amen.
Too bad because the synopsis sounds fairly decent.
It seems that there are several people who had been unhappy with my rating because I may not have read the book -I'm not saying either way- I feel that there are so many "squee girls/boys" that give an author 5 stars well before a book is even ready for ARC distribution that why not give an author a bad rating for what I think is a HUGE mistake? I'm not changing my rating for something I feel so strongly about. Goodreads allows this rating before reading -amen.
March 17, 2019
What an opening to a story! Definitely one I won’t forget in a hurry that’s for sure.
The loss of a child is devastating enough but to lose one the way that Claire does, gosh my heart went out to her. In fact I did get quite emotional in places as just the thought of it really hit me hard. The only thing keeping Claire going is her search for answers.
Her search leads Claire on a roller coaster of a journey. I loved how the author takes the reader in one direction to totally do a U turn and send them hurtling towards a different one. I was so sure at times that I knew where it was heading only to be totally wrong.
My Daughter’s Secret was an engrossing, page turner of a read. The author grabbed my attention from the first page and kept me there all the way through. There was certainly a couple of jaw dropping moments that I hadn’t expected, which excited and thrilled me at the same time. Great read and look forward to more from the author.
My thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley for an advanced readers copy of this book. All opinions are my own and not biased in anyway.
The loss of a child is devastating enough but to lose one the way that Claire does, gosh my heart went out to her. In fact I did get quite emotional in places as just the thought of it really hit me hard. The only thing keeping Claire going is her search for answers.
Her search leads Claire on a roller coaster of a journey. I loved how the author takes the reader in one direction to totally do a U turn and send them hurtling towards a different one. I was so sure at times that I knew where it was heading only to be totally wrong.
My Daughter’s Secret was an engrossing, page turner of a read. The author grabbed my attention from the first page and kept me there all the way through. There was certainly a couple of jaw dropping moments that I hadn’t expected, which excited and thrilled me at the same time. Great read and look forward to more from the author.
My thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley for an advanced readers copy of this book. All opinions are my own and not biased in anyway.
February 9, 2019
You can find this review and others on my blog SleepySamReads!
Special thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review
I strongly disliked this book. It left me feeling all disgusted and dirty, which is not something I want from a book.
It started out okay. I didn't love the characters, but they were okay.
About 30% of the way into the book I had figured out what happened the night that Julia died. I figured out who 'x' was and couldn't bear reading Claire suspecting the wrong person(s), so I skipped to 70% and read through the end.
I absolutely hate who 'x' turned out to be. I really just feel like Julia wouldn't have done that. From everything else we learned about her throughout the story she seemed like a very nice young woman. I just can't imagine what she did. That makes me feel like maybe there was some conditioning or something going on.
I have more thoughts about the ending, but I can't go into any detail because of spoilers.
Special thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review
I strongly disliked this book. It left me feeling all disgusted and dirty, which is not something I want from a book.
It started out okay. I didn't love the characters, but they were okay.
About 30% of the way into the book I had figured out what happened the night that Julia died. I figured out who 'x' was and couldn't bear reading Claire suspecting the wrong person(s), so I skipped to 70% and read through the end.
I absolutely hate who 'x' turned out to be. I really just feel like Julia wouldn't have done that. From everything else we learned about her throughout the story she seemed like a very nice young woman. I just can't imagine what she did. That makes me feel like maybe there was some conditioning or something going on.
I have more thoughts about the ending, but I can't go into any detail because of spoilers.
March 10, 2019
On Halloween night Claire finds her 20-year-old daughter, Julia hanging from the front porch. While she is trying to come to terms with her daughter’s suicide she makes some discoveries. Julia was in a secret relationship. Claire digs further into truth to find out who the person was and if he was responsible for Julia’s death.
The novel opened up with Julia’s friends discovering Julia’s body on Halloween night. That opening chapter was the best one in the book. After that, I was greatly disappointed. I could guess who the secret lover X was when I was 30% into the book. It was that obvious. I can’t say any more without spoilers. Claire was also unlikable which made it even worse for me. If she were a likable character it would have made reading the book more tolerable. The ending made me pretty upset as well. I kept shaking my head bewildered and frustrated at this mom’s choices.
Thank you to Bookouture and Netgalley for providing me with an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
The novel opened up with Julia’s friends discovering Julia’s body on Halloween night. That opening chapter was the best one in the book. After that, I was greatly disappointed. I could guess who the secret lover X was when I was 30% into the book. It was that obvious. I can’t say any more without spoilers. Claire was also unlikable which made it even worse for me. If she were a likable character it would have made reading the book more tolerable. The ending made me pretty upset as well. I kept shaking my head bewildered and frustrated at this mom’s choices.
Thank you to Bookouture and Netgalley for providing me with an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
March 19, 2019
This is such a beautiful, heart-wrenching book. A wonderful, unforgettable story. I really loved this amazing book. One of my top reads of the year! Very highly recommended!
February 14, 2019
If you enjoy very emotional dramas with a twist, then this is the book for you, for me, it was all just a bit too bleak. It's easy to feel sympathy with heartbroken Claire, as she tries to comes to terms with her daughter's death. Her subsequent investigations into why her daughter died are the main part of the plot and this just didn't keep my attention, mainly because there was no reprieve from the sadness. Right from the start when Claire's daughter is found, to the end when the villain is confronted, it was just a very sad tale and I had to put the book down a fair few times to give myself a break. I did appreciate the author's writing, but the story was a bit too melancholy for my personal taste.
*I received a copy of the book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
*I received a copy of the book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
March 19, 2019
The author really knows how to catch your attention with the first chapter. It left me with goosebumps all over.
A lot of people do not believe in (female) intuition. I wonder why because it has already saved a lot of lives and maybe animals are more clever than humans. They do trust it for 100%. But there is something that is even stronger than that : a mother’s intuition. Why is it that everybody finds it hard to believe when she is convinced that there is more to it than the eye can see?
It should be clear by now that mum’s don’t give up so easily and they will move heaven and earth to make sure justice conquers all.
I guessed rather early on who played the main part in the letters, but that did disturb me at all. The story was too good to let that spoil the pleasure. I wanted to know how the author would reveal everything and what would come to the surface.
The book is a bucket filled to the brim with emotions.
And then there is the last chapter where … No, no no, I am not going to say more. That’s for me to know and for you to find out. 4,5 stars.
Thank you, Nicole Trope, Bookouture and Netgalley
https://bforbookreview.wordpress.com
A lot of people do not believe in (female) intuition. I wonder why because it has already saved a lot of lives and maybe animals are more clever than humans. They do trust it for 100%. But there is something that is even stronger than that : a mother’s intuition. Why is it that everybody finds it hard to believe when she is convinced that there is more to it than the eye can see?
It should be clear by now that mum’s don’t give up so easily and they will move heaven and earth to make sure justice conquers all.
I guessed rather early on who played the main part in the letters, but that did disturb me at all. The story was too good to let that spoil the pleasure. I wanted to know how the author would reveal everything and what would come to the surface.
The book is a bucket filled to the brim with emotions.
And then there is the last chapter where … No, no no, I am not going to say more. That’s for me to know and for you to find out. 4,5 stars.
Thank you, Nicole Trope, Bookouture and Netgalley
https://bforbookreview.wordpress.com
April 1, 2019
On Halloween Claire & Adrian are awoken by a girls screaming. When they open the door they discover that Claire's daughter has committed suicide. Julia was supposed to be enjoying her life at college- why on earth has she seen this as the only way out? hen clearing out Julia's room in college, Claire discovers a box of letters. Julia was involved in a torrid love affair with an older man.
I can understand that Claire was eaten up with grief; to lose a child & in that way must be the worst nightmare. However, she seemed to totally neglect her poor sons & made the family's loss totally about her. I began to dislike her more with each page. When it came to the final denouncement it came as no surprise- I'd guessed it a long time ago.
All in all a distasteful read. I gave it two stars because I was involved enough to see it to the bitter end. Thanks to Netgalley & publisher for letting me read & review this book- they can't all be brilliant!!
I can understand that Claire was eaten up with grief; to lose a child & in that way must be the worst nightmare. However, she seemed to totally neglect her poor sons & made the family's loss totally about her. I began to dislike her more with each page. When it came to the final denouncement it came as no surprise- I'd guessed it a long time ago.
All in all a distasteful read. I gave it two stars because I was involved enough to see it to the bitter end. Thanks to Netgalley & publisher for letting me read & review this book- they can't all be brilliant!!
March 10, 2019
This is the story of the mother of a young girl who is found hanging on her front porch on Halloween. In her grief, she goes looking for a reason behind why her daughter could possibly want to do such a tragic thing when she seemingly had it all.
While visiting her daughters dorm room, she located a box of letters that brings the reader into guessing what the secret was who might have been behind it.
The story was well thought out, though I did guess all of the surprises before I read about them. This can be a difficult read for some people, if you’ve dealt with losing a child or loved one. An enjoyable read, 3.5⭐️ from me.
Thanks the Netgalley and Bookouture for the opportunity to read and review this book.
While visiting her daughters dorm room, she located a box of letters that brings the reader into guessing what the secret was who might have been behind it.
The story was well thought out, though I did guess all of the surprises before I read about them. This can be a difficult read for some people, if you’ve dealt with losing a child or loved one. An enjoyable read, 3.5⭐️ from me.
Thanks the Netgalley and Bookouture for the opportunity to read and review this book.
August 21, 2022
My Daughter's Secret is another amazing mystery thriller by Nicole Trope.
It follows the journey of a mother coming to terms with her daughter's suicide and trying to uncover the reason for the same.
It gripped me completely from the start and I too, just like Claire, was questioning Julia's decision with every turn of the page. My mind went to wherever the author had wanted us to cast our suspiscions and although I did doubt for a second, it felt too absurd to me to turn out to be the truth.
I was mindblown and also a bit disgusted by the character as a whole. I didn't understand how the relationship could have even started or got to this point and ngl I don't believe Julia to be innocent in all of this.
She was 19 when it started so the burden of responsibility falls on her as well in which she failed spectacularly.
Plus, also didn't like Joel and Claire reconnecting, it seemed like the author put too much focus on him being healed now so suddenly all his past crimes do not matter, i can't condone anyone getting back with an abuser because apparently they've changed.
It follows the journey of a mother coming to terms with her daughter's suicide and trying to uncover the reason for the same.
It gripped me completely from the start and I too, just like Claire, was questioning Julia's decision with every turn of the page. My mind went to wherever the author had wanted us to cast our suspiscions and although I did doubt for a second, it felt too absurd to me to turn out to be the truth.
I was mindblown and also a bit disgusted by the character as a whole. I didn't understand how the relationship could have even started or got to this point and ngl I don't believe Julia to be innocent in all of this.
She was 19 when it started so the burden of responsibility falls on her as well in which she failed spectacularly.
Plus, also didn't like Joel and Claire reconnecting, it seemed like the author put too much focus on him being healed now so suddenly all his past crimes do not matter, i can't condone anyone getting back with an abuser because apparently they've changed.
March 18, 2022
Nice work.. I did suspected something fishy and I was right all along. 😣
January 2, 2026
although i guessed the ending early on, i could not stop reading it to see if i was correct. a solid read for those who like thrillers/mysteries.
February 22, 2019
3 stars. I’ve been looking forward to a new release by the talented Nicole Trope for quite a while so was so excited to receive this ARC. After reading a few of her books, readers soon learn this author does not produce fluffy, chicklit, but rather very intense, emotionally charged stories. I love the way she is able to write about situations that no one would ever want to experience and the insight she has into experiences (I assume she hasn’t been through) is quite remarkable.
Having said that, I was slightly disappointed with this book. The gut wrenching emotion was certainly there, I just found that it wasn’t particularly beefy in regards to storyline. I was expecting a more complex and twisty story but it was fairly straightforward. I also guessed who the secret man (x) was within the first couple of chapters. Not a terrible read, but I would recommend her previous books over this one, in particular Blame which I thought was excellent.
Thanks kindly to Netgalley, Nicole Trope and Bookouture for the opportunity to read and review this book.
Having said that, I was slightly disappointed with this book. The gut wrenching emotion was certainly there, I just found that it wasn’t particularly beefy in regards to storyline. I was expecting a more complex and twisty story but it was fairly straightforward. I also guessed who the secret man (x) was within the first couple of chapters. Not a terrible read, but I would recommend her previous books over this one, in particular Blame which I thought was excellent.
Thanks kindly to Netgalley, Nicole Trope and Bookouture for the opportunity to read and review this book.
June 13, 2019
My first read from this author and I was pleased overall. It's a story that tackles two of the biggest stigmas to date, domestic violence and suicide. Although I couldn't entirely jel with all the characters, I could definitely understand Claire's incredible grief when it came to her daughter's suicide. It's a tremendously shocking and sudden lose that many find it hard to comprehend. I felt that. Is it depressing, yes. But it's also very real, and definitely strikes a chord among readers. It certainly makes you think especially when it's so prevalent in society today. And then there's the domestic violence. Shocking, infuriating, emotion provoking, and senseless. Again, it's a topic that is current and needs to be talked about in order to spread awareness. I felt the author did justice to both topics and thank her for making it a highlighted topic in her story. The more it's talked about, the more we're looking for it.
It was well written, overall, I did come across a few slowish moment and no real twists although I was left emotionally touched and happy that I crochet my blankets and donate them to a domestic violence safe house program!
Thank you Netgalley and Bookouture for my ebook copy for review.
It was well written, overall, I did come across a few slowish moment and no real twists although I was left emotionally touched and happy that I crochet my blankets and donate them to a domestic violence safe house program!
Thank you Netgalley and Bookouture for my ebook copy for review.
March 3, 2019
Wow! Wow! Wow! My sweet darling Nicole, you have outdone yourself! This book is ahhmazing! From the first chapter, I was swept up by the sadness of the story. You sucked me in with grief so profound I could feel it as I turned the pages. You have portrayed the horrific nature of suicide in a way that feels so real and painful. And the beauty of a budding love relationship through the found letters! How beautiful and romantic it started and how horrific it all ended. About 70% in, I figured out whodunit but geesh I never expected it and it sucker punched me in the gut. I felt the anger of the mother as I too started to hate this disgusting abusive man. The last fourth of the book was totally unexpected and so well developed! This book had me reeling in every direction and I literally couldn’t put it down! I can’t remember when a book last shook my every emotion but you did it! I mean, seriously, how did you come up with this story- it was SO damn good! Thank you for writing, for bringing emotion into the life of your reader and for tackling a very sensitive subject in the most graceful of ways! WOW! I highly recommend!
December 1, 2019
Ewww! What a particularly horrid storyline. I twigged who the villain had to be from pretty much the outset. I am not sure why I persevered reading through the tacky details to the end. Possibly because I am feeling poorly and wanted something to divert me. Asking for plausibility is a bit much in the scenario presented. One of the things that distracted me was whether a habitual wife-beater can actually reform. I’d like to think so. I am afraid Claire had the most woeful taste in men. All in all, I kept reading out of curiosity as to how the plot would be manipulated.
did-not-finish
January 16, 2025The letters!! OMG!! Letter after letter after letter. After about a hundred pages, I flipped to the end and found the "twist" was what I suspected almost from the beginning. I regret the time I spent reading those pages. I regret even more paying $2.99 for this. Even if it had been Kindle Unlimited, it wouldn't have been worth it.
October 4, 2024
This is the worst book I’ve ever read. It was the first time I knew what the book was about/how it would turn out by just reading the description and the first time I skimmed through the last 30%. Not to mention how abruptly it ended.
February 14, 2019
An amazingly heartbreaking story that could not be more timely. Written exceptionally well and with heart.
March 18, 2019
Thank you to Bookouture for an eARC via NetGalley of ‘Our Daughter’s Secret’ in exchange for an honest review.
It’s never easy to give a low rating to a novel. I expect that I am likely to be in the minority but for me this novel had some major issues.
Claire wakes one night to find that her daughter, Julia is dead. She is naturally deeply bereaved struggling to understand why her beautiful and seemingly happy daughter took her own life. After finding a cache of letters hidden under Julia’s bed at university, Claire discovers that, as the title indicates, Julia was harbouring a secret. The letters from ‘x’ became increasingly alarming to Claire.
While I found the opening chapter powerful, my relationship with this novel faltered soon after. I found that I just didn’t connect with the characters, which in a domestic drama like this is vital. This was especially true of Claire but I struggled with pretty much everyone.
I also found it strange that people in Claire’s life were not more supportive of her grieving. It’s a process that takes time especially so with a death by suicide of a son or daughter. Here the idea of ‘moving on’ from Julia’s death might have been plausible if a few years had passed but weeks just felt unlikely.
Claire being an apologist for her former husband’s domestic abuse and claiming over and over that Joel had changed just totally wound me up. The narrative was already dealing with quite important and potentially triggering issues and this felt like an extra layer of drama.
I was very much aware of ‘X’s identity early on and Claire’s anger towards her various suspects was disturbing. The ending just underlined my prior feelings leaving me frustrated.
So really not my cup of tea. Interesting that Nicole Trope was compared to Jodi Picoult. On a couple of occasions I was frustrated enough with Jodi’s various mothers, plot lines and endings to metaphorically want to throw the books against the wall.
I am glad that the author/publishers placed a notice about the difficulty of the subjects covered in the novel and included the numbers of suicide helplines. For the U.K. the organisation Survivors of Suicide, might also have been useful to mention. Their mission is to assist with the special bereavement needs of those who have lost loved ones to suicide.
It’s never easy to give a low rating to a novel. I expect that I am likely to be in the minority but for me this novel had some major issues.
Claire wakes one night to find that her daughter, Julia is dead. She is naturally deeply bereaved struggling to understand why her beautiful and seemingly happy daughter took her own life. After finding a cache of letters hidden under Julia’s bed at university, Claire discovers that, as the title indicates, Julia was harbouring a secret. The letters from ‘x’ became increasingly alarming to Claire.
While I found the opening chapter powerful, my relationship with this novel faltered soon after. I found that I just didn’t connect with the characters, which in a domestic drama like this is vital. This was especially true of Claire but I struggled with pretty much everyone.
I also found it strange that people in Claire’s life were not more supportive of her grieving. It’s a process that takes time especially so with a death by suicide of a son or daughter. Here the idea of ‘moving on’ from Julia’s death might have been plausible if a few years had passed but weeks just felt unlikely.
Claire being an apologist for her former husband’s domestic abuse and claiming over and over that Joel had changed just totally wound me up. The narrative was already dealing with quite important and potentially triggering issues and this felt like an extra layer of drama.
I was very much aware of ‘X’s identity early on and Claire’s anger towards her various suspects was disturbing. The ending just underlined my prior feelings leaving me frustrated.
So really not my cup of tea. Interesting that Nicole Trope was compared to Jodi Picoult. On a couple of occasions I was frustrated enough with Jodi’s various mothers, plot lines and endings to metaphorically want to throw the books against the wall.
I am glad that the author/publishers placed a notice about the difficulty of the subjects covered in the novel and included the numbers of suicide helplines. For the U.K. the organisation Survivors of Suicide, might also have been useful to mention. Their mission is to assist with the special bereavement needs of those who have lost loved ones to suicide.
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