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53 pages 1 hour read

The Spanish Daughter

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2021

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Book Brief

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Lorena Hughes

The Spanish Daughter

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2021
Book Details
Pages

352

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

Ecuador • 1920s

Publication Year

2021

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

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Super Short Summary

In The Spanish Daughter by Lorena Hughes, Maria Purificación (Puri) travels from Spain to Ecuador to claim her inheritance, only to be embroiled in a deadly struggle after her husband is murdered en route. Disguised as her deceased spouse, Puri navigates family rivalries, uncovers dark secrets, and faces multiple threats, all while trying to solve the mystery of her husband's death. This novel includes depictions of gender-based violence and discussions of miscarriage.

Mysterious

Suspenseful

Dark

Emotional

Romantic

Reviews & Readership

4.0

25,912 ratings

68%

Loved it

26%

Mixed feelings

6%

Not a fan

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Review Roundup

Lorena Hughes' The Spanish Daughter offers a vivid historical narrative rich in cultural detail, set in early 20th century Ecuador. Readers praise its intricate plotting and well-developed characters, particularly Isa. However, some critics find the pacing uneven and certain subplots underdeveloped. Overall, it’s a compelling read for historical fiction enthusiasts.

Who should read this

Who Should Read The Spanish Daughter?

A reader interested in The Spanish Daughter by Lorena Hughes likely enjoys historical fiction with rich cultural settings, complex family secrets, and strong female protagonists. Comparable to readers of Isabel Allende’s The House of the Spirits and Kate Morton’s The Forgotten Garden, they appreciate immersive storytelling and intricate plotlines.

4.0

25,912 ratings

68%

Loved it

26%

Mixed feelings

6%

Not a fan

Character List

Puri

The protagonist and main narrator, a Spanish woman living in Ecuador who turns a bookshop into a chocolate shop and navigates complex personal relationships.

A blonde woman frequently seen with a cockatoo named Ramona, she appears initially as an antagonist and shares a complex relationship with Puri.

Angélica’s younger sister, known for her kind and gentle nature, who becomes a close friend of Puri and later shares a home with her.

The manager of a plantation and a love interest of both Angélica and Puri, representing tensions between local Ecuadorians and European influences.

A Frenchman married to Angélica, whose European background complicates the social and racial hierarchies within the story.

Initially a servant known as Julia, she is revealed to have a more complex past and connections to the narrative’s tensions around identity and heritage.

Book Details
Pages

352

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

Ecuador • 1920s

Publication Year

2021

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

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