Somebody's Daughter by Rochelle Weinstein

Somebody’s Daughter by Rochelle Weinstein – 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 girls’ fifteenth birthday party, they learn of Zoe’s heartbreaking mistake—a private and humiliating indiscretion that goes viral and thrusts her and her family into the center of a shocking public scandal.
As the family’s core is shattered by disgrace, judgment, and retribution, the fallout takes its toll. But for Emma, the shame runs deeper. Her daughter’s reckless behavior has stirred memories of her own secrets that could break a marriage, a family, and friendships forever.

My Review: 4.5 stars

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Somebody’s 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 someone’s life. And it’s not just one person’s life it will unhinge, but also siblings, parents and friends. Relationships are tested and friendships are shattered. As the title suggests, it’s always somebody’s daughter.

I thought it was interesting and true to form how the author portrayed each parent’s 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: It’s 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 mother’s job is to teach her children not to need her anymore. The hardest part of that is accepting success.”

– “Faking happiness is grueling work.”

– “Self-esteem tied up in likes and swipes is misleading.”

– “This generation may never experience the thrill of a first date.”

– “Do you know how easy it is to get naked or undress for someone? But getting to know someone, really know someone, is being naked.”

– “Technology is a predator with way too much power.”

-“You don’t have to touch someone to feel close. The closeness comes from knowing each other and trusting each other. And that’s when sex will surprise you in ways you never imagined.”

-“Memory 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 ‘prettiest side, be skinny enough.’ ”