Daddy’s Girls by Danielle Steel – a Review

Amazon / B&N /  Kobo / Google Play / Apple / BAM / Book Depository

Description:
Decades ago, after the death of his wife, Texas ranch hand JT Tucker took his three small daughters to California to start a new life. With almost no money, a will of iron, and hard work, he eventually built the biggest ranch in California. But when he dies suddenly at the age of sixty-four, the ranch is inherited by his three daughters—each of them finding it impossible to believe that this larger-than-life figure is gone from their lives.
 
JT’s relationship with each daughter was entirely different. Caroline, the youngest and most reserved, was overlooked by her father for her entire life and fled to become a wife, mother, and writer in Marin County. Gemma, his declared favorite, sought out Hollywood glamour and success and became a major television star. Kate, the eldest, stayed at home with her father to do his bidding as a ranch hand, without thanks or praise, forsaking marriage and a family of her own for the love of him.
 
Now, upon JT’s death, the paper trail he leaves behind begins to reveal much more than the three sisters ever guessed about who he really was. It will turn their world upside down, and each of them must grapple with a new reality, strengthening their relationships with one another, and discovering who they are now as grown women, in spite of him.
 
Set against the magnificent backdrop of the West and the drama of a family in turmoil, Daddy’s Girls is the story of three remarkable women and their unique bond to each other—the daughters of a complex, many-faceted, domineering father who left his mark on each of them.

Review:

Daddy’s Girls by Danielle Steel is another one of her wonderful standalone novels focusing on family. This story centers on three sisters, who though close, do not see each other much; but that changes when their father dies of a massive heart attack.   JT Tucker brought up his three young daughters after his wife died, and moved to California and years later owned one of the biggest ranches.   Only one daughter, Kate stayed on the ranch and helped her father run everything, but it was always his way or no way.

The other two sisters come home to help Kate pick up the pieces, plan the funeral, and learn that the three of them now share equally the ranch, but they each know that everything in their life will change.

Kate loved the ranch, and planned to continue to run it and also make improvements that she thought would make things easier and better.  The foreman, Thad, secretly has always had a crush on Kate.  He has told her if the other two sisters want to sell their share, he would love to buy one of them out and work with Kate.  Kate is the strong dedicated sister, who kept things organized and always took care of everyone.

Gemma, the middle sister, is a successful actress, who has a fun, bubbly personality, as she lives a lifestyle of a star.  Gemma was considered her father’s favorite daughter, mainly because he enjoyed her being famous.  When her television show is cancelled, Gemma is unable to keep up with her high living style, and has problems financially.   She talks to Kate about selling her share of the ranch, even if she has enjoyed staying there, but it will give her the money to pay off some debts.  She spends a lot of time at the ranch, planning to sell her mansion and hoping in time she will get another job offer. 

Carolyn, the younger sister, is happily married with two children, and is a successful writer. Caro left the ranch soon after graduation, and rarely came back.  She brings her two children to stay a bit at the ranch and they all enjoyed themselves.  When Carol returns home, she accidently discovers that her husband is having an affair; unable to cope with this, she kicks him out, and decides to take the children back to the ranch for the summer.

It was nice watch the three sisters spend more time together and their close bond brought them back to the days when they were children.  Now as adults, they planned to be there for each other.  The one major thing changed their opinion of their father was revealed pretty early on.  Kate found documents that their mother was not dead; their father divorced her.  This shocked all the sisters, and they set out to find out if she was still alive, and if so, why a divorce and why he did lie?  I loved how they find their mother all these years later, and she explains her mistake, and that over the years she tried to see them, but their father would not allow it.  But most of all I was crazy about how all three sisters came to terms, and opened their heart to their newly found mother.  Great addition to this story.  Very well done.

What follows is a wonderful story, as the three sisters become even closer, especially after finding the mother they never had.  I loved seeing each of them learning to lean on their sisters, as well as making decisions to better their lives.  It was a wonderful, emotional, heartwarming and satisfying story of a family and their journey to happiness, forgiveness and togetherness.  I really enjoyed Daddy’s Girls very much.  Danielle Steel once again gives us another winner that you need to read.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher