Somebody’s Daughter by Rochelle Weinstein β 320 pages
ARC courtesy of the author
Book Blurb:
Emma and Bobby Ross enjoy a charmed life on the shores of Miami Beach. They are a model family with a successful business, an uncomplicated marriage, and two blessedly typical twin daughters, Zoe and Lily. They are established members of a tight-knit community.
Then, on the night of the girlsβ fifteenth birthday party, they learn of Zoeβs heartbreaking mistakeβa private and humiliating indiscretion that goes viral and thrusts her and her family into the center of a shocking public scandal.
As the familyβs core is shattered by disgrace, judgment, and retribution, the fallout takes its toll. But for Emma, the shame runs deeper. Her daughterβs reckless behavior has stirred memories of her own secrets that could break a marriage, a family, and friendships forever.
My Review: 4.5 stars
Somebodyβs Daughter tackles scary and relatable issues surrounding parenting and the power of social media. The honesty and emotion in this book were done with a solid mix of tension and tenderness. I enjoyed two previous titles from Weinstein; this one, however, shows palpable growth in her writing and pacing.
Parents, grandparents, teachers, aunts and uncles or anyone who loves a teenager will connect with this story. We learn through this book that a mishap, no matter how inconsequential or grossly significant, displayed on social media can deeply affect someoneβs life. And itβs not just one personβs life it will unhinge, but also siblings, parents and friends. Relationships are tested and friendships are shattered. As the title suggests, itβs always somebodyβs daughter.
I thought it was interesting and true to form how the author portrayed each parentβs handling of a problem so differently. The father seeks retribution while the mother finds understanding. The father ignores the issue while the mother ardently listens. It reminded me of the adage: Itβs not what happens to you, but how you react to it that matters.
This book encapsulates issues surrounding marriage, nature vs. nurture, consent, privacy, legalities, friendship, sexuality, vengeance, secrets, family, affluence, privilege, parenting and of course, social media. Book clubs will enjoy discussing and dissecting the many topics this book takes on.
Quotes I liked:
– Emma dear, a motherβs job is to teach her children not to need her anymore. The hardest part of that is accepting success.β
– βFaking happiness is grueling work.β
– βSelf-esteem tied up in likes and swipes is misleading.β
– βThis generation may never experience the thrill of a first date.β
– βDo you know how easy it is to get naked or undress for someone? But getting to know someone, really know someone, is being naked.β
– βTechnology is a predator with way too much power.β
-βYou donβt have to touch someone to feel close. The closeness comes from knowing each other and trusting each other. And thatβs when sex will surprise you in ways you never imagined.β
-βMemory was once personal, a fluid, perception-based luxury. We could pull back on it as much as we liked. Or we could add to it as we wished. Now it was permanently engraved into history. No editing. No filters. It was no wonder the girls always needed to look their best, show their βprettiest side, be skinny enough.β β