The Adopted Daughter by JJ Burgess

Release: August 6, 2023
Format: Ebook
Publisher: ‎ Inkubator Books
Source: Zooloos Book Tours
Find it at: Goodreads, Amazon

She says she’s his daughter. But what does she really want?

Alice and Richard are happily married. They are about to achieve their lifelong dream – giving up their jobs to sail around the Mediterranean on their own boat.

But shortly before they are due to leave, a young woman, Sally, appears on their doorstep. And says she is Richard’s daughter, given up for adoption by his former lover.

After he gets over the shock, Richard is welcoming to Sally, but not Alice. Discovering that Richard is a father is a painful reminder of her own desire for a family and her inability to conceive.

But is this what makes her wary of Sally, or is her intuition trying to warn her that something much darker is happening here?

When one suspicious incident follows another, Alice starts to dig into who Sally really is and why she has suddenly come into their lives. What she finds is something she could never have imagined in her wildest nightmares…

About the Author:

JJ Burgess has a degree in Economics and lives in Bristol with his wife and two sons. By day he is the Director of a greetings card company, by night he writes psychological thrillers that ask questions about the world we live in. When he isn’t writing, he is usually running through the woods around Bristol, thinking of new characters and dark plots.

This is his second psychological thriller with Inkubator Books.

Twitter | Amazon | Goodreads

The Adopted Daughter Review:

Alice truly takes the lead here, and I couldn’t help but sympathize with her as she tries to be the perfect wife for everyone. Life takes her on an unexpected journey, forcing her into a role she never anticipated. Yet, the way she navigates through it all is truly commendable.

Then there’s Richard, the kind of character you love to despise. There are two types of villains – the ones who have a certain charm despite their evil deeds and those who are nasty. Well, Richard falls in the second category. He’s the cunning, devious type you can’t wait for their comeuppance. The author’s portrayal of him is so well-crafted that my intense dislike for him is a testament to their writing prowess. Sally plays her part as a supporting character, though there was untapped potential that could have added more depth to the story.

The author introduces unexpected twists and turns that caught me off guard, adding a layer of distinctiveness to the narrative. Moreover, there are thrilling sequences, like Alice’s heart-pounding chase and a gripping cat-and-mouse game toward the story’s climax. These moments truly make the book hard to put down.

However, a slight drawback in Part II is that the story sometimes felt repetitive. Without giving away any spoilers, readers who have experienced it will know what I mean. A more concise approach to details could have maintained a more engaging pace.

Nevertheless, the core concept of the book is captivating. The author skillfully builds the suspense to a thrilling climax, leaving readers on the edge of their seats, eager to discover Alice’s fate.

In summary, “The Adopted Daughter” offers an engaging reading experience, leaving me intrigued and eager to explore the author’s other works, including “The Donor.”