Review of The Pretend Daughters

[Nati Jiniya]

[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "The Pretend Daughters" by Mary Clancy.]

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4 out of 5 stars

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The Pretend Daughters by Mary Clancy is a suspicious story of mixed daughters. The book begins with a strange call to Eunice and an unknown voice telling her that the girl she brought from the hospital, Ramona, isn't hers. Eunice, already having had suspicions, is devastated by the call but can't tell anyone. As the story progresses, we read about Fran, a girl being bullied by Ramona, Fran's friend Delia, and Sadie Pratt. As the readers reach the middle, the story becomes more and more confusing, making them wonder what importance the given facts have. In the end, the knot is finally opened, and the truth reveals itself beautifully. The struggles mothers and daughters go through, their life drama, and frustration come together to create fruitful, kind relationships.

The story portrays friendship, romance, trust, pain, confusion, and bravery. The relationships were beautiful and meaningful, which made me more conscious of my exchanges. I appreciated this aspect of the book; it was one of its main upsides. Additionally, the characters were exceptionally well-developed. The author did a great job at vividly expressing their feelings and personalities. It counted towards a smooth, sentimental, and enjoyable read. The story deeply touched my heart. Mary also incorporated suspense, stirring up confusion and intrigue, letting the truth out towards the end of the book. On that note, people with less patience might get irritated with the wait, but otherwise, Mary does a great job at surrounding the readers' minds from the beginning. She also highlighted the confusing and heartbreaking aspects of life, making the story more realistic. Additionally, it seemed as if each daughter had her own story, regardless of whether she was a main or a secondary character. It added some depth and more interest to the book.

On the other hand, there's one topic worth mentioning. The story takes place mainly in Ireland, so the book is written in a suitable dialect, but I think it might've been slightly overdone. It was difficult to understand the text at times, and overall it was irritating throughout the book. I'd advise the author to simplify the text a little.

Overall, I loved the book. It's a nice, intriguing novel with touches of reality and relatable topics. I think suspense lovers will find it nice. I rate the book 4 out of 5 stars. I deducted one star for the abovementioned text difficulty and several errors I came across combined.

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The Pretend Daughters
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[Kelvin Omollo]

Sounds like a gripping read with strong character development! I like how you highlighted the emotional depth and suspense while noting the dialect challenge. Your balanced review gives a clear picture of what to expect!

[Louis Donald]

The mix of family secrets, suspense, and deep emotions sounds compelling. The way each daughter has her own story adds a nice layer of depth, even if the dialect makes it a bit tricky to follow at times.

[Pearl Flourish]

A suspenseful and emotional read with deep character development and a tangled mystery that keeps you guessing. The heavy dialect might be a hurdle, but the payoff sounds worth it.

[George Bastem]

A gripping and emotional story that blends mystery, family drama, and deep relationships beautifully. The suspense keeps you hooked, though the dialect might be a challenge for some readers.