Somebody’s Daughter by Rochelle Weinstein โ 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 girlsโ fifteenth birthday party, they learn of Zoeโs heartbreaking mistakeโa private and humiliating indiscretion that goes viral and thrusts her and her family into the center of a shocking public scandal.
As the familyโs core is shattered by disgrace, judgment, and retribution, the fallout takes its toll. But for Emma, the shame runs deeper. Her daughterโs reckless behavior has stirred memories of her own secrets that could break a marriage, a family, and friendships forever.
My Review: 4.5 stars
Somebodyโs 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 someoneโs life. And itโs not just one personโs life it will unhinge, but also siblings, parents and friends. Relationships are tested and friendships are shattered. As the title suggests, itโs always somebodyโs daughter.
I thought it was interesting and true to form how the author portrayed each parentโs 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: Itโs 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 motherโs job is to teach her children not to need her anymore. The hardest part of that is accepting success.โ
– โFaking happiness is grueling work.โ
– โSelf-esteem tied up in likes and swipes is misleading.โ
– โThis generation may never experience the thrill of a first date.โ
– โDo you know how easy it is to get naked or undress for someone? But getting to know someone, really know someone, is being naked.โ
– โTechnology is a predator with way too much power.โ
-โYou donโt have to touch someone to feel close. The closeness comes from knowing each other and trusting each other. And thatโs when sex will surprise you in ways you never imagined.โ
-โMemory 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 โprettiest side, be skinny enough.โ โ