Elyse Gibbons is raised by a single mother and language professor in Pennsylvania who instills in her great values. As an undergrad at Columbia University, she makes friends with the two most popular students on Campus — Aubrey Adam-Drake born into a powerful political family with a grandfather who was the former president, and Marina Hunt, the daughter of a famous mob lawyer. Finneas Beck is another handsome yet enigmatic character from a rich family that catches Elyse’s heart. While Elyse is drawn into the glamorous world of these characters, she maintains the values of humanity she has learned growing up from her mother, nurturing her steadfast desire to make a difference in the lives of others. Follow her as she gets closer to the Drake family, gains insights into the complex political realities, and learns to make difficult choices. When the moment comes to make the most decisive choice in her life, will she act according to her loyalty to her friends or will she decide according to her strongly held beliefs?

Favorite Daughters by Laurel Osterkamp is a character-driven tale with an irresistible appeal to readers who enjoy fully-drawn female characters and deft plotting. Elyse Gibbons is an unforgettable character, one who sprang from humble origins and whose sense of honesty, hard work, and grit will undoubtedly rub off on readers. Osterkamp’s beguiling prose and ability to create scenes that are rich in imagery will arrest any reader’s attention. The writing brims with humanity and realism and the strong themes of family, loyalty, friendship, and politics are cleverly written. This novel presents a wonderful tapestry of intricate political relationships, an engaging tale that is spiced with romance. This author writes excellently about human connections, passion, and ambition, creating a protagonist that readers will love and a supporting cast that is intelligently drawn.  Favorite Daughters is a sure winner for fans of literary fiction with unforgettable characters and superior storytelling.