Not Her Daughter
- Judith D Collins
- Nov 17
- 4 min read
By: Robin Mahle
Secrets and Suspense
He's Lying About Everything #2
ISBN: 9781805732624
Publisher: Joffe Books
Publication Date: 11/18/2025
Format: Paperback
My Rating: 5 Stars (ARC)
My husband was cheating on me with another woman. I killed her in self-defence – and I was left with her baby.
Everyone thinks I’m just a single mom, trying to rebuild her life. They don’t know the truth I buried, along with my past.
My name is Evelyn Moore. I used to be a respected lawyer, a devoted wife, mother-of-one. Then came the affair. The scandal. The panic.
Now I’m a mother of two. At least that’s what I tell everyone.
We’ve come to the small Pennsylvania town of Asheboro for a fresh start. Five-year-old Ben, baby Nicky, and me.
Then I come home to find a folded piece of paper on the kitchen table. Did you really think you could keep her?
AN EXHILARATING BLEND OF BREATHTAKING SUSPENSE AND NAIL-BITING TENSION WITH A SHOCKING FINAL TWIST.
Perfect for fans of Freida McFadden, Jeneva Rose, Alice Feeney, Shari Lapena, Sonya Bateman, K.L. Slater, and T.M. Logan.
Please note this book is a sequel to He’s Lying About Everything, but can also be read as a standalone.
My Review
Bestselling author Robin Mahle, a favorite, returns with her highly anticipated sequel, NOT HER DAUGHTER, the second installment in the captivating Secrets and Suspense series.
Following the gripping narrative of He's Lying About Everything #1, this enthralling psychological thriller draws readers back into a tumultuous journey where a woman's harrowing past collides with her present in a whirlwind of suspense and murder.
In this twisty and intense tale, we rejoin Evelyn as she grapples with the fallout from her desperate choices. The story unfolds with riveting suspense, taking readers on an action-packed ride through the complexities of domestic life, where secrets lurk behind every corner and the stakes have never been higher.
Prepare for an unpredictable cat-and-mouse game that will keep you on edge until the very last page.
About...
Evelyn Moore, a former respected lawyer, wife, and mother, whose life fell apart after her husband's affair led to scandal and her husband's death. To escape her past, Evelyn flees with her young son, Ben (age five), and a baby, Nicky, from her husband (Derek) and mistress (Riley) after she murdered her in self-defense. She assumes a new identity as a single mom and settles in the small Pennsylvania town of Asheboro at a new small law firm. No one knows about their horrific past. (or so she thinks).
POV: The narrative unfolds through the eyes of Evelyn, Marissa, a woman intricately linked to the baby’s family, and Chelsea, a babysitter who works at the daycare.
From past to present, as the story unfolds, readers are drawn into the harrowing events leading up to Riley's death and the subsequent aftermath.
Evelyn’s quest for a fresh start soon spirals into chaos when she discovers a chilling note on her kitchen table: “Did you really think you could keep her?” This unsettling revelation shatters her fragile new existence, compelling her to confront the buried secrets of her past. How can she safeguard her children while grappling with her past and the forces against her?
As the tension escalates, Evie is ensnared in a psychological cat-and-mouse game, where paranoia and anxiety grip her every thought. Her work life and professional world are being destroyed by someone out for revenge. Someone is intent on unraveling her life, and the threat looms large, often hidden in plain sight. The narrative artfully explores her growing fear and suspicion, leaving readers questioning the intentions of those around her.
There are other supporting characters we meet: Chelsea, Tyler, Marissa, Colleen, and Chuck (the hero), whose roles are intertwined.
Evie's primary motivation becomes protecting Ben and Nicky, leading her to consider drastic measures to evade the threats and ensure their survival.
My thoughts..
“Harrowing & heartfelt, a compelling mix of high wire tension, intense twists, and superb writing. At its heart, a remarkable portrayal of motherhood, in all its beautiful glory, despair, and fearless love. An enthralling follow-up sequel to He’s Lying About Everything.”
Mahle astutely examines the lengths a mother will go to protect her children, illuminating the moral complexities that accompany such decisions.
The narrative artfully portrays Evelyn’s struggle to outrun her past, only to confront it with staggering consequences. True to Mahle's signature style, this book is a suspenseful page-turner filled with twists that will keep you enthralled until dawn.
For those seeking a richer experience, I wholeheartedly recommend reading He's Lying About Everything before diving into Not Her Daughter.
This engrossing, multi-layered psychological thriller promises to keep you on the edge of your seat right up to the epilogue, with jaw-dropping twists that will leave you guessing until the very end.
The author brilliantly navigates themes of motherhood, moral dilemmas, and the lengths one will go to safeguard their family. I highly recommend the author and her backlist.
Recs...
Readers who enjoy Not Her Daughter like other psychological and domestic thrillers that feature family secrets, betrayal, and unexpected twists, such as Silent Echo by Liv Constainte, Not Her Daughter by Rea Frey, The Doctor's Mistress (series by Daniel Hurst), and fans of authors, Mary Kubica, B.A. Paris, K. L. Slater (Finding Grace), Miranda Rijks, Nicole Ihli, Caleb Stephens, and Freida McFadden.
Many thanks to Joffe Books and Netgalley for providing a gifted advanced reading copy in exchange for an honest review.
@JudithDCollins | #JDCMustReadBooks
My Rating: 5 Stars
Pub Date: Nov 18, 2025
About the Author
Robin Mahle has published over 40 mystery/thriller novels, many having topped the Amazon charts in the US, Canada, and the UK. She also writes historical fiction under the pen name Christine Chase.
Most recently, Robin has delved into the world of psychological thrillers with Joffe Books, some of which have been translated for the European market.
Also a screenwriter, she has adapted three of her novels into teleplays, and two have gone on to place in film festivals nationwide.
From detectives to federal agents and from killers to corruption, Robin's page-turning tales grab hold and refuse to let go. Throw in some tense action and thrilling twists, and it becomes clear why her readers come back for more.
Robin lives in Coastal Virginia with her husband and two children. WEBSITE
