The Leftover Woman

A Novel

By: Jean Kwok

Narrated by: Sura Siu, Caroline Hewitt

Length: 9 hrs and 57 mins

Publisher's summary

Recommended by The New York Times • Elle • Good Morning America • TIME • People • New York Post • Real Simple • Goodreads • LibraryReads • and many more!

An evocative family drama and a riveting mystery about the ferocious pull of motherhood for two very different women—from the New York Times bestselling author of Searching for Sylvie Lee and Girl in Translation.

"Intriguing. . . Kwok is a skilled writer of suspenseful family drama. . . . We root for Jasmine and Rebecca as they face impossible choices and emerge stronger for all the battles they’ve fought, always resisting becoming the ‘leftover’ women.”—Leigh Haber, New York Times Book Review

Jasmine Yang arrives in New York City from her rural Chinese village without money or family support, fleeing a controlling husband, on a desperate search for the daughter who was taken from her at birth—another female casualty of China’s controversial One Child Policy. But with her husband on her trail, the clock is ticking, and she’s forced to make increasingly risky decisions if she ever hopes to be reunited with her daughter.

Meanwhile, publishing executive Rebecca Whitney seems to have it all: a prestigious family name and the wealth that comes with it, a high-powered career, a beautiful home, a handsome husband, and an adopted Chinese daughter she adores. She’s even hired a nanny to help her balance the demands of being a working wife and mother. But when an industry scandal threatens to jeopardize not only Rebecca’s job but her marriage, this perfect world begins to crumble and her role in her own family is called into question.

The Leftover Woman finds these two unforgettable women on a shocking collision course. Twisting and suspenseful and surprisingly poignant, it's a profound exploration of identity and belonging, motherhood and family. It is a story of two women in a divided city—separated by severe economic and cultural differences yet bound by a deep emotional connection to a child.

“A magnetic meditation on secret histories, motherhood, love, and how we show up for each other in the most surprising of ways. A beautiful, propulsive story!”—Laura Dave, #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Last Thing He Told Me

"A heart-tugging exploration of love, belonging, and the meaning of family."—Ruth Ware, #1 New York Times bestselling author of The It Girl

©2023 Jean Kwok (P)2023 HarperCollins Publishers

Critic reviews

"Narrators Sura Siu and Caroline Hewitt deliver gripping performances of this suspenseful family drama.... As secrets mount in both families, the narrators dial up the pace and tension.... Listeners will find plenty to root for." (AudioFile)

A great read

Has historical references, suspense, passion. A great story recalling the immigrants from China and those who came illegally and why.

book review

Was somewhat intriguing but in some parts the dialog didn't seem believable or authentic. I listened till the end but was not in love with the characters or the plot.

Excellent book

The twists and turns. You grow from hating to loving characters. Some twists you can see some you can not. Great read.

This is a must read!

This is my absolute favorite book this year. The story and the audio was well done.

Just Ok

I enjoyed the story but found the interaction between Jasmine and Anthony especially aggravating. The ending had a satisfying element to it, but it all got wrapped up a little too neatly and unrealistically for me. After a shocking event at the end, things just got tidied up too quickly and neatly for such a complex situation.

I loved the entanglement that played out. Surprising twists and turns

I loved the whole story. I do wish things had turned out differently for jasmine and Fiona

Complicated relationships portrayed well

I fully enjoyed this story. The relationships are complicated, and that is present in a clear and simple way. The author has done a great job of weaving this story and bringing information at the right time. It comes together smoothly. The narrator seems to sometimes take a few words to transition to another character, so the tone is a bit off sometimes, but it is a good job overall.

Excellent!

Well-written saga about a young girl from China who discovers a devastating betrayal and sets about trying to make things right.

Compelling beautiful story

I really loved this book and wanted to know more about the main character and Anthony! Do they end up together. I would read an entire book on that. But I loved this entire story. Very compelling and sad.

Full of surprises

I loved this book, yet another written by my fellow high school alum. The relationships are well developed, the story engaging, and the narrators were a plus!