Book Review & Giveaway: The Good Daughter

**Giveaway is now closed**

Kit Brennan is known as the good daughter (and sister); the one who doesn't make any waves and always gives her family her time and energy, not expecting anything in return. With her 40th birthday approaching and no signs of a relationship on the horizon, Kit decides that her desire to be a mother should be fulfilled without a man in her life. Then, on a girl's weekend away, she meets a man who challenges the role she plays in her family. As much as she wants him, she knows her parents and siblings would never approve of his motorcycle and "bad boy" image. Meanwhile, a difficult situation for one of her students and her mom's declining health make her wonder if this is really the time to pursue her desires for this new guy or even to become a single mother.

Amy Bromberg:
As always Jane Porter’s books suck me in. And she has done it again with The Good Daughter. Just like before I started The Good Woman (book one of the Brennan Sisters trilogy) I knew I was going to love this book because I loved Flirting with Forty and her previous series, which includes Odd Mom Out, Mrs. Perfect, She's Gone Country, and Easy on the Eyes. It can be read alone, but because there are references of characters and events from The Good Woman, I recommend reading it first. For more information, check out the synopsis at Goodreads.

Kit Brennan is the main character in this story. As the title says, she’s the “good” one, always putting others' needs before her own. (She’s also the middle sister, who has a twin sister, Brianna). But maybe it’s time she starts seeking out some pleasure for herself. This is where the ultra sexy Jude comes in. Jude is the epitome of a sexy biker dude, whom Kit happens to be extremely attracted to. But she fights this attraction because he’s a “bad boy,” which is the exact opposite of the type of man she tends go for. From Jane’s vivid writing it was almost like I was able to see him and touch him…and let me tell you something, any woman would want to. *Swoon.* The way I see it, Jude is to Kit what Michael Carrington is to Stephanie Zinone in Grease 2. Kit ends up re-thinking about what she wants for her life, and if what goes into being the “good” one can go hand-in-hand with what she desires.

There are a few ways that I can relate to Kit, but the big one is that she’s a bookworm. Since she’s been a little girl she has loved to read. No surprise that she is an English teacher, right?!? Since I was a little girl, more or less, I always had my nose in a book. Can’t even tell you how many times I frequented the library during my youth.

I can’t tell you enough how much I recommend this book. It’s a great choice for a sister, best friend, mother, and definitely a book club pick.

The Good Daughter book tour starts today. If you live in or anywhere near these cities I definitely recommend you go. I’m over the moon excited to be meeting Jane TONIGHT!


Melissa Amster:
Jane Porter has hit another one out of the park with her trademark high quality writing. While I liked The Good Woman a lot (see my review), The Good Daughter took the saga of the Brennan sisters to another level! Kit was a terrific literary heroine. She had so many layers and I admired how she stood up for herself and her beliefs. She also made selfless sacrifices. Her inner monologue is interesting throughout the story and never becomes stale.

Right from the beginning, The Good Daughter was engaging. Jane caught us up with the Brennan family and where they were at this point in time. I don't want to spoil anything from the first book, so I'd suggest reading that before moving on. I think the amount of catch-up was good enough to make it a stand-alone piece, but the family dynamic is built up from The Good Woman. Kit has a lot of back story in that novel too.

The dialogue is genuine throughout the story, as to be expected from a Jane Porter novel. And once again, she has great use of description. It's very easy to visualize people and places. This time around, Jane created a fabulous romantic lead. There's an element of her Harlequin romance side in Jude, but he also reminds me of Dane from She's Gone Country and Luke from Odd Mom Out. He's ruggedly sexy and his kindness beneath his tough exterior just adds to that even more. I only wish the romantic scenes were more detailed. I know Jane has the ability to make me blush, as she has done so in previous novels. This time, the steamy scenes were open for interpretation, but I prefer to have the information spoon-fed to me....every last spine-tingling detail. I also like that there was a cameo appearance from a character in her past series. We even get a glimpse into where she is now!

There are some darker themes and some parts that might be hard for sensitive readers to handle. I am hesitant to recommend this book to a friend who recently went through a similar situation to what Kit was going through with her mother. The name similarities are a bit too uncanny for her, as well. However, Jane handles everything maturely, taking sensitive readers into account, and tries to make everyone as comfortable as possible, even when faced with these difficult situations that they will come across.

The only concern I had was that a lot was left open-ended at the conclusion of the story. As to not spoil anything, I won't say what it was, but I closed the book with a lot of questions on my mind. I'm hoping the answers will come in her future novels. From the preview I read for The Good Wife, I know that Sarah's story isn't the only focal point. If Meg's voice is going to take over half the first chapter, I can imagine we'll be visiting with Kit more, come September. Overall, it was a page turner from beginning to end and I can't wait to catch up with the Brennan sisters (and brother) again this autumn!

Thanks to BookSparks PR for the book in exchange for an honest review. We have an extra copy to share with one lucky reader anywhere in the world!

How to win The Good Daughter: Please tell us one good thing you did (either for yourself or someone else) in the past week. Make sure to include your e-mail address or another way to reach you if you win. Entries without contact info will NOT be counted. Thanks!

Giveaway ends February 10th at midnight EST.

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