3.5 "What Would You Do?" Stars for Rea Frey's Not Her Daughter.

The beginning of the book pulled me in immediately. I devoured the first 60-70% of the story. Emma Townsend is a beautiful, precocious 5 year old girl with a cruel, unhappy and abusive mother and detached father. Sarah Walker is a successful, self-made business woman. On one of her business trips she comes across the Townsend family. It is apparent they are a dysfunctional, unhappy family and Sarah immediately feels strong emotions for Emma, who is unfortunately on the receiving end of all her mother, Amy's, unhappiness.

Had fate not intervened and brought Emma back into Sarah's life months later, she may have remained a sad memory, forgotten after awhile. When Sarah finds herself back in the presence of this little girl - she simply can't ignore it. It must be a sign! She is meant to rescue Emma!

Sarah makes a bold (& somewhat unbelievable choice) to kidnap Emma. Sarah's choice may have been extreme but it was definitely borne out of her own childhood. While, I had to certainly suspend believe here I was initially able to do so. The relationship between Emma and Susan was heartwarming. My momma heart was happy that this little girl was finally getting some positivity, love and nurturing. Even if it was in this outlandish, crazy way.

Unfortunately, there were a few things in the last 30% of the book that just didn't jive with me. Even in a work of fiction, I just can't suspend ALL belief. Things just kept getting more and more unplausible and I had a problem with it.

The following might be a bit spoilerish so please proceed with that knowledge:
The first thing that really bothered me (that was just beyond suspending my belief) was the entire section of the book with Ryan and his son Charlie. They meet at a park, he helps her find Emma, they have dinner together and he invites her to stay at his house & she accepts! What?! They end up staying with them for awhile and she even leaves Emma alone with him. That was bizarre, unsafe and I just didn't even see the point of having any of that in the book.

The second thing that I had a hard time accepting was the ending. I know many readers who loved it. While I found it to be a happy ending for Emma, it was just so unbelievable. Putting aside the fact that there had been a manhunt for Sarah & Emma, I couldn't believe that Amy who up till this point had been described as angry, resentful and honestly in mind jealous of her own daughter would simply allow for everything to end the way it did. She didn't strike me as the type who would sacrifice herself, as the prime suspect, for her daughter's happiness.

Overall, I did enjoyed a good bulk of the book. The part with Ryan was unnecessary and could have easily been cut out and it would not have affected the book at all. I honestly think it would have been better without it. The ending though - I would have liked to see it play out differently. I think Frey tried to tie things up, hastily, into a happy ending and the result fell a little flat for me.

Thank you to Rea Frey, St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for my honest review.