The Lost Daughter
Graceful, poised Brooke loves her small family, but she’s afraid of making it bigger, not for any medical reason but because of a heartbreaking secret from her past. When her husband pushes for more children, an old boyfriend comes back into the picture—almost too conveniently—and spurs Brooke to revisit that painful moment 15 years ago. What follows is an emotionally riveting story of reliving mistakes, seeking redemption, and finally facing the consequences of a difficult decision (with a few more handy appearances of the old boyfriend along the way). Ferriss moves the plot along at a fast clip, deftly weaving together recollections of the past and, as the disturbing truth of Brooke’s secret slowly emerges, the present. All the while, Ferriss infuses the story with a heady dose of realism. Financial crisis looms as businesses close, workers get laid off, and consultants are brought in to “streamline.” Lost Daughter manages to be a romantic family novel with a palpable atmosphere of impending calamity. Sure, there’s a happy ending, but that doesn’t mean everything’s right in the world. --Sarah Hunter