Review: THE FOURTH DAUGHTER by Lyn Liao Butler

ABOUT THE BOOK

In Taiwan, the bond between grandmother and granddaughter opens up a healing world for them both in an inspiring family saga about the comfort of food, untold histories, and indomitable mother love.

Chef Liv Kuo’s star is on the rise…until a traumatic incident leaves her emotionally unable to venture outside her Manhattan apartment. But an unexpected reason to break free comes from Ah-Ma, Liv’s beloved grandmother in Taiwan. Ah-Ma needs Liv’s help in finding her fourth daughter, taken from her when the girl was an infant. After all these years, it seems impossible. It’s also a mystery: Ah-Ma’s fourth daughter is an aunt Liv never even knew existed.

After landing in Taiwan, Liv hears the heartbreaking story of her grandmother’s plight in a country once under martial law, of choices made for her, and of the hopeful search for a lost girl that has endured for more than sixty years. Like the enriching food and traditions that bind Liv and Ah-Ma, their journey for answers brings them together.

And it’s a quest that turns up both a precious old cookbook and a tale of fatal betrayal that shakes everything Liv believed about her family―revelations that could also give her the courage to face the trauma she left behind.

The Fourth Daughter: A Novel Paperback – August 1, 2025

REVIEW by Christina Boyd

Lyn Liao Butler’s The Fourth Daughter is a beautifully woven family saga that tenderly explores the unbreakable bond between grandmother and granddaughter, set against the rich cultural tapestry of Taiwan. From the very first page, I adored Liv, a rising chef in Manhattan whose life is suddenly upended by trauma, and her beloved Ah-Ma, whose past holds a heartbreaking mystery spanning decades.

The novel effortlessly shifts between present-day and vivid memories of Ah-Ma’s life from the 1950s through the 1970s, immersing readers in Taiwan’s history and traditions during a turbulent time under martial law. This dual narrative enriches the story, adding layers of emotional depth and historical resonance that make the search for Ah-Ma’s lost fourth daughter both poignant and compelling.

What stands out most is the exquisite character development. Liv’s journey from emotional confinement to courageous healing is so authentic and moving that I cheered her on every step of the way. The special bond between Liv and Ah-Ma is palpable, filled with warmth, comfort, and a shared love that is as nourishing as the traditional Taiwanese food that threads through their story.

The setting of Taiwan feels like a character itself—vibrant, comforting, and full of promise—and it provides the perfect backdrop for Liv’s healing and unexpected romance. The discovery of a precious old cookbook and the unraveling of a family secret deliver gripping twists that challenge everything Liv thought she knew about her family, while ultimately giving her the strength to confront her past.

The Fourth Daughter is a heartfelt and inspiring novel about love, loss, resilience, and the power of family. It’s a deeply satisfying read that stays with you long after the last page. Highly recommended.

Lyn Liao Butler, author. Photo credit Dave Cross Photography.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Lyn Liao Butler was born in Taiwan and moved to the States when she was seven. Before becoming an author, she was a professional ballet and modern dancer, and is still a personal trainer, fitness instructor, and yoga instructor. She is an avid animal lover and fosters dogs as well as volunteers with rescues.

When she is not torturing clients or talking to imaginary characters, Lyn enjoys spending time with her FDNY husband, their son (the happiest little boy in the world), their three stubborn dachshunds, sewing for her Etsy shop, and trying crazy yoga poses on a stand-up paddleboard. So far, she has not fallen into the water yet. Connect with Lyn via social media or her website.