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Daughters of Fortune

Review

Daughters of Fortune

With her mother on the verge of death, 15-year-old Caitlin O'Dwyer believes she is alone in the world. But a startling deathbed confession reveals that the father Caitlin thought was dead is really alive and well, and living in England. Caitlin, the product of her mother's affair with a married man, is now going to meet her father for the very first time.

William Melville is just as surprised to learn of Caitlin's existence as she is of his. Little did he know that the love of his life, Katie O'Dwyer, gave birth to their child all those years ago. While he may have failed Katie in life, he'll be darned if he is going to leave their daughter wanting in any way. He brings the dark, voluptuous beauty who is the image of her mother home from her native Ireland to live with his wife and two legitimate daughters, Elizabeth and Amber, at the sprawling family home Aldringham in Somerset, England.

The welcome Caitlin receives at Aldringham is anything but warm. While she finds her father's wife to be an understanding woman, her half-sisters are more foes than friends, and her father is away more than he is home running the family fashion empire, Melville's. Sensitive and artistic Caitlin is left to find her own way in the world, albeit with more money than before but with much less love and guidance. She doesn't fit into this world of wealth and privilege, yet is expected to make her place as best she can.

Elizabeth --- the eldest sister, a cool, blonde beauty --- is an overachiever who lives only to garner her father's attention and finds Caitlin to be a definite rival for his affection. Amber --- the youngest sister, a blonde, wide-eyed angel, to all appearances --- follows the lead of her sister, and neither becomes close to the lonely and grieving Caitlin.

Over the years, the girls each go their own ways, and differing careers lead them to such varied locales as London, Paris, Tokyo, Los Angeles, and New York City. While they may have dreams and goals to pursue, Melville's and their relationship with their father are always there beckoning them back home if only they will heed the call.

DAUGHTERS OF FORTUNE is an amazing tale of three rich and privileged girls born into a world of fame and fortune most of us will never know. This is a story that will keep readers riveted throughout and touch their hearts as Elizabeth, Caitlin, and Amber struggle to find their true identity and their place in the family and the family business. In spite of their attempts to separate from the family, they find out in the long run that the bonds of blood run deep, and it is not as easy to turn their backs on each other as they may have hoped. This is a story of one scandal after another, and juicy, salacious storylines abound. I defy you to take more than a couple of days to read this one because it simply isn't possible.

Reviewed by Amie Taylor on December 29, 2010

Daughters of Fortune
by Tara Hyland

  • Publication Date: May 11, 2010
  • Genres: Fiction
  • Paperback: 480 pages
  • Publisher: Atria
  • ISBN-10: 1439165068
  • ISBN-13: 9781439165065