The Good Daughter by Jane Porter Book Review

I love a good read. Any time and place I can curl up and escape for a time is a great time for me! I was very excited to be asked to review the second book in a trilogy about the Brennan Sisters. Last year I reviewed the first book, The Good Woman, and you are refresh your memory by reading that review here . I was hoping that this book was going to be as good as the first one, and I was not wrong.

THE GOOD DAUGHTER
by Jane Porter
Berkley Trade Paperback Original
Publication Date: February 5, 2013
ISBN: 978-0-425-25342-7

Porter’s newest novel, THE GOOD DAUGHTER, is the second book in her Brennan Sisters Trilogy and it explores the life of school teacher Kit Brennan, the second oldest of the five Brennan kids. Each book in the trilogy focuses on a different sister and with each book, Porters deftly pulls back the layers of her flawed characters allowing the reader to fully understand their strengths, weaknesses, heartaches and hopes. Porter’s unerring ability to understand and portray the messy complexities of human relationships with grace and empathy makes her newest book in the trilogy another winner.

In THE GOOD DAUGHTER, Kit Brennan has played it safe her entire life, but as a single thirty-eight year old English teacher at a Catholic high school in Oakland, her life hasn’t turned out as she planned. Her ten-year relationship ended six months ago and Kit has now come to the realization that she may be better off pursuing her dreams without a man involved. But when the mysterious, dangerous Jude Knight enters the picture, Kit begins to question who she’s become and who she should be. Does she dare to follow her desires? With one of her teenage students in crisis and her family’s burdens weighing heavily on her mind and heart, is Kit ready to risk everything by taking a chance at the unknown?

My Thoughts:
This book is about the middle sister who happens to be a twin too. I am sure you might recognize her. She may be in your family or maybe it is you. She is the quiet one and the one that people count on. Kit is 40 and unmarried and a good Catholic girl and that makes for a whole lot of frustration. But Kit is kind and a good friend, but just doesn’t have the backbone some women do. Kit also has a huge desire for a child but adoption is frowned upon in their family and religion.

Kit has a lot of history and some frightening things from her past is creeping up on her slowly. She is overwhelmed with work, her aging parents, the fact her mother is dying, her home and trying to settle into a routine without her past boyfriend. I recognize many people in Kit and I so relate with her and her story. I was in her place too and many parts of this story really hit home for me. I love that Kit is a softy and I found myself rooting her on when she met a mysterious guy. She deserves a guy that is good and cares for her and yet this one seems so wrong, which is so right.

The author has spent time crafting a spellbinding story of a close knit family and their relationships. It reminds me of how much I miss my family and in several places I found myself in tears for my own past but loving the story that she wove about Kit and her siblings. The author tells her story so well, you really feel like you are a part of the family and that you know these sisters.

I Love this trilogy and the wonderful story that the author brings to us. This is a fabulous read and while you don’t have to start with book 1, you really should just because the series with the Brennan Sisters is so darn good! I cannot wait until book 3 comes out!

Disclaimer: Chris has personally reviewed the product listed above. She has not received any monetary compensation for her review but did receive a free product to try out so she could evaluate and use it for her review. Her thoughts & opinions in this review are unbiased & honest and your opinions may differ.