Daddy’s Girls by Danielle Steel
Release: June 9th 2020
Format: Ebook
Publisher: Delacorte Press
Source: Netgalley
Synopsis:
In Danielle Steel’s riveting novel, three women raised by their father on a sprawling California ranch now confront difficult truths about their past.
Decades ago, after the death of his wife, Texas ranch hand JT Tucker took his three small daughters to California to start a new life. With almost no money, a will of iron, and hard work, he eventually built the biggest ranch in California. But when he dies suddenly at the age of sixty-four, the ranch is inherited by his three daughters—each of them finding it impossible to believe that this larger-than-life figure is gone from their lives.
JT’s relationship with each daughter was entirely different. Caroline, the youngest and most reserved, was overlooked by her father for her entire life and fled to become a wife, mother, and writer in Marin County. Gemma, his declared favorite, sought out Hollywood glamour and success and became a major television star. Kate, the eldest, stayed at home with her father to do his bidding as a ranch hand, without thanks or praise, forsaking marriage and a family of her own for the love of him.
Now, upon JT’s death, the paper trail he leaves behind begins to reveal much more than the three sisters ever guessed about who he really was. It will turn their world upside down, and each of them must grapple with a new reality, strengthening their relationships with one another, and discovering who they are now as grown women, in spite of him.
Set against the magnificent backdrop of the West and the drama of a family in turmoil, Daddy’s Girls is the story of three remarkable women and their unique bond to each other—the daughters of a complex, many-faceted, domineering father who left his mark on each of them.
Daddy’s Girls Review:
A BIG Thank You to Netgalley and Delacorte Press for providing me with an advanced reader’s copy of “Daddy’s Girls” for my review.
I had high expectations for this book. Kaleidoscope is one of my favorite Danielle Steel novels from the past, and was similar to this plot. As much as I wanted to like this book, I thought it was average. It started off really well with a lot of potential, but towards the end I felt disappointment.
Let me start with what I liked about the story. I really liked the main characters. Kate, Caroline and Gemma are unique and likable in their own manner. Even though they have their faults, they are very entertaining and provide a good contrast to the story. I liked the scenes when they meet Scarlett, and thought the author wrote them well. Of course, I always love Danielle Steel’s writing style, and love the romance included with the characters.
However, I had a quite a lot of problems reading it too. Firstly, I really did not like how they decided to throw Jimmy’s character under the bridge. The man raised three girls and built an empire from scratch on his own. He had his reasons for not telling the girls about their mother. But halfway in, everyone bashes him for hiding the secret from them. Moreover, Scarlett was not a saint for Jimmy to trust her. Hence, I really did not like how they painted him in such a negative manner.
Secondly, I thought there was not enough drama in the story. The first half of the book is interesting with the introduction of Scarlett, and the drama between Caroline and Peter. But nothing interesting happens at all in the second half. Moreover, personally, I really did not like the solution that Caroline came up with on what to do with Peter. Finally, I felt some characters like Juliette and Tom were unnecessary and who did not add any value.
Overall, this book had a nice premise but the author could have executed it better!
