The Other Daughter Book Review

I saw a Pinterest pin featuring this book a while ago and I was intrigued, so I had to get my hands on a copy. Am I glad I did? I believe I have just found an author I will need to spend some more time reading. This gripping, twisting tale had me glued to my seat. I battled to drag myself away from this one.

It is one of those books that touch a mother’s heart, as the thought of losing your child and just easily it can happen is brought to the surface with every page you turn. This book left me wanting to hug my children.

This was my first encounter with Shalini Boland and I loved this dark twisty tale. Her characters are vivid and relatable, drawing you into a world that feels real. The emotions were strong and leaves you feeling moved. I cannot wait to get my hand on more books by this author.

When Rachel meets a new mom in the school pick up line, she thinks she has made a new friend. Until she sees Kate’s oldest daughter – Bella across the car park. Bella looks exactly like Holly. Nine years ago Holly was snatched from a restaurant play centre in London while Rachel was having a cup of coffee with a friend. The police could never find any clues.

Rachel left London after her husband left her and she moved to Dorset to start a new life. She never shares the story of Holly’s abduction with anyone. But looking at Bella she is convinced that she has found her missing daughter. That somehow Kate and her family are the people responsible for all her pain. Not wanting to scare the family into running away, Rachel sets out to prove that Bella is her daughter, even if no one she confides in will believe her, she is determined to prove that Bella belongs to her, no matter what she needs to do. She will have her daughter returned to her.

This book left my head spinning. I was heartbroken for Rachel and her emotions simply dripped off the page. Losing a child is every mother’s worst nightmare and reading this book highlighted how easily it can happen. I was drawn into Rachel’s tale and could not believe what the ending of this story had in store. I never suspected what was heading my way! A truly brilliant story.

The vivid characters in this book were so full of emotion. I found myself drawn to Rachel, my heart breaking for her as she tries to prove that Bella is her missing daughter. As the story unfolds, I disliked Kate – I could not understand how one mother can inflict so much pain on another.

The author did a remarkable job, leaving you rooting for Rachel feeling her anguish, only to have your head spinning when the story concludes. I do not want to give anything away, but this ending was utterly unexpected.

There is no doubt that this book has made it onto my loved list for 2021. (I know it was published in 2019, but I have only just had the chance to read it.) This book has left me eager to read more books by Shalini Boland and I cannot recommend this title highly enough to psychological thriller fans.