Emma has tried to be the perfect daughter, but her efforts to make her mother smile and win her approval never seem to succeed. Even her birthday celebrations fall short of those of her siblings, since her birthday happens to fall on the same date her mother’s beloved sister died. An English man is seen leaving trinkets on the sister’s grave every year on the day of her death, and Emma begins to collect and claim these things, and hides them from her family. When she turns 22, a locket with a picture unravels her past and changes her future. Searching for answers about her own life, Emma will have to decide if she really should be English, or if she should remain in the Amish community. This is an interesting story about life choices, about forgiveness, and about giving people the chance to explain their decisions and actions. It’s a well written story, and peopled with likable characters placed in an intriguing plot. ( )

A Daughter’s Truth is an intriguing new Amish novel by Laura Bradford. Emma Lapp feels that she is treated differently from her siblings and her birthday has always been one of sorrow. On her twenty-second birthday, she discovers a clue that sends her on a search for answers. I thought A Daughter’s Truth was well-written with realistic characters. Emma has always tried to be a people pleaser, but this discovery changes her. I liked how she sets out to find the truth. Emma has a good friend in Mary Fisher who provided a different perspective for Emma. Miss Lottie returns in this story and she provides Emma with a listening ear plus good advice. It is always important to remember that there are two sides to every story. Each individual sees things in a different way as we discover in A Daughter’s Truth. I do wish the book had a quicker pace because I found it a little slow for my tastes. Laura Bradford provides good descriptions to allow readers to visualize the scenes. It was apparent that the author did her research into Amish life, traditions and customs. I could feel the character’s emotions especially Emma’s. It was an emotional time for all involved (I am being vague on purpose. I do not want to spoil the story for you). My favorite phrase from the book is “you should always be you”. A Daughter’s Truth is about the search for the truth, familial relationships and being true to oneself. ( )

The author has given us a story about a young Amish woman whom has always felt out of place in her family. Just like in all families with more than one child, sometimes you feel that one is favored more than others, but is it real or imagined?
Then on top of everything we soon find out that there have been deep family secrets kept here.
I soon wondered if everything I was reading or feeling was what really happened? Yes, all answers are here, and some are a bit scary when you think of an Amish family ending up in jail, but you will need to read right to the end to find out all of the facts and what happens to these folks.

I received this book through Net Galley and the Publisher Kensington, and was not required to give a positive review ( )