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crhbrault's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
I thoroughly enjoyed this novel, about three estranged sisters, each with issues and family secrets that affect them both over individually and as a family unit. It was well written with strong female characters and a solid plot. Highly recommend and will look for other work from this author as a result of reading this book.
kaitlinlaughlin's review against another edition
3.0
This isn’t a thriller and as long as you go into it expecting a general women’s fiction story about love, grief, and following these sisters story after their mother passes away, you’ll like this book. I went into this book expecting a thriller and thinking there was going to have twists and turns. I was disappointed at first because it wasn’t what I was expecting but it’s a good general fiction story.
Thank you to NetGalley, Bookouture Audio, and Anna E. Collins for the audio arc!
Thank you to NetGalley, Bookouture Audio, and Anna E. Collins for the audio arc!
kristinreadsall's review against another edition
5.0
Usually, I have to sit on such a good book for a couple of days before delving into my thoughts on it, but I was writing the review in my head throughout this book, for the best reasons possible. After a mystery/thriller spree, this book was a breath of refreshing PNW air.
Sisters Alison, Leah, and Jillian live all across the country from each other. Each with their own lives and careers and not thinking twice about the others. But when Leah goes home and discovers that their mother is dead, it's up to her to rally the troops back to their childhood traumas and different lives lived under the same roof. Will Alison, Leah, and Jillian be able to heal not only themselves but their connection to their mother? Or would this be the real end?
This book by Anna E. Collins deserves every single one of the five stars I'm giving it. The Multiple POVs, scenes, and life experiences make this book as wonderful as it is.
Thank you to NetGalley and Bookoutoure for the E-ARC version of this book. All opinions and reviews are my own and are not influenced by any outside party.
Sisters Alison, Leah, and Jillian live all across the country from each other. Each with their own lives and careers and not thinking twice about the others. But when Leah goes home and discovers that their mother is dead, it's up to her to rally the troops back to their childhood traumas and different lives lived under the same roof. Will Alison, Leah, and Jillian be able to heal not only themselves but their connection to their mother? Or would this be the real end?
This book by Anna E. Collins deserves every single one of the five stars I'm giving it. The Multiple POVs, scenes, and life experiences make this book as wonderful as it is.
Thank you to NetGalley and Bookoutoure for the E-ARC version of this book. All opinions and reviews are my own and are not influenced by any outside party.
heidirgorecki's review
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
It was interesting and the story in and of itself was good. The life lessons of being honest and open and giving grace were conveyed well also.
However, two of the sisters were just so mean to each other and often dysfunctional it wasn’t always enjoyable. And the ending seemed to switch over and wrap up rather quickly.
It seemed to be marketed as a mystery genre though where it was more like a women’s fiction with a tiny bit of mystery. It was more about the relationship of the sisters and mother than anything. But the ending was good once the sisters got over their issues and was well written.
Thanks to Netgalley for the advanced copy of this audiobook. All opinions are mine.
However, two of the sisters were just so mean to each other and often dysfunctional it wasn’t always enjoyable. And the ending seemed to switch over and wrap up rather quickly.
It seemed to be marketed as a mystery genre though where it was more like a women’s fiction with a tiny bit of mystery. It was more about the relationship of the sisters and mother than anything. But the ending was good once the sisters got over their issues and was well written.
Thanks to Netgalley for the advanced copy of this audiobook. All opinions are mine.
lagadema's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
4.25
This is a nice story where three sisters are connected after their mother passes. I had a chance to get to know each of them and to see what their fear, and secrets...how their sister's bond was getting stronger, and a lot to catch up.
Since I had a chance to listen to the audiobook, I have to say that Laurel Lefkow did a great job of narrating.
Since I had a chance to listen to the audiobook, I have to say that Laurel Lefkow did a great job of narrating.
bookedwithmel's review
4.25
I am so glad that I chose to read this book. The 3 generation of women in this book hold so many secrets. Allison, Leah and Jillian, 3 more or less estranged sisters are forced to reunite when their mother Mariam is found dead. They found out a lot about each other that they didn’t know and a lot about their mother also. Leah’s daughter Hannah also has her own suffering to contend with during this story. I don’t know if I would be able to keep the kind of secrets that they kept from each other. It seems to me that they all led very lonely lives. I found myself in tears by the end.
Laura Lefkow’s narration was fantastic. I listened to the majority of this one because the narration was so good.
Thank you NetGalley and Bookouture for my ARC & ALCs of this book.
Thank you NetGalley and Bookouture for my ARC & ALCs of this book.
nrskelley's review against another edition
4.0
A captivating story of dysfunctional family relationships, and how one loss can bring everyone together.
Based on the cover I was expecting a mystery/thriller but had I paid attention to the category I would have known it was women’s fiction. Once I adjusted that in my mind I was quickly drawn in.
Told from the viewpoints of the 3 sisters after their mom passed away, it offers a unique viewpoint into each woman’s personal life and their relationships with their mom.
TW of note:suicide, abuse (mental and physical). Even with these dark issues, a very good read.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Based on the cover I was expecting a mystery/thriller but had I paid attention to the category I would have known it was women’s fiction. Once I adjusted that in my mind I was quickly drawn in.
Told from the viewpoints of the 3 sisters after their mom passed away, it offers a unique viewpoint into each woman’s personal life and their relationships with their mom.
TW of note:suicide, abuse (mental and physical). Even with these dark issues, a very good read.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
marcirenee1974's review
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This was a great read and kept me interested the whole way through. I really expected foul play for their mother's death so was surprised when that wasn't the case. I love that Leah is getting her life back on track and healing after the death of her abusive husband. Here's to hoping she's going to live her best life now! This was my 1st book by Anna E. Collins but will not be my last!
#HerSecretLife
#NetGalley
#HerSecretLife
#NetGalley
tillyjournals's review
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Many thanks to Netgally and Bookouture for an arc of this audiobook in return for an honest review.
Leah, Alison and Jillian are three sisters who have fallen out of touch over the years. A year following the death of Leah's husband, she heads back to her hometown to start to make amends with her mother. Unfortunately her mother has been found dead and the result of this is the three sisters being thrown back together and trying to reform a relationship. It's told in three POV - each of the three sisters and alternates between them.
I found this really compelling and real - it highlighted how everyone has their own stressors and drama going on and that you often don't know what is going on with them, even if you are very close. It's very much contemporary fiction not a thriller and I think perhaps the marketing is slightly wrong as from first glance it looks like it'll be a thriller, so I don't think you'd enjoy this going in thinking it's a thriller - The twists aren't shocking, or even that twisty!
I do think this is an excellent book about love, loss, and family dynamics, and I would highly recommend it. I also loved that the ending felt resolved but it didn't try and tie things in a perfect bow, there were still questions and loose ends that weren't tied up by the end.
There is a lot of character growth throughout and I enjoyed how the sisters started leaning on one another by the end.
The audiobook narrator was fine, but it would have been better and easier to follow had there been distinct voice differences between the three POV or even different readers. If you had to pause and restart during a chapter it could take a few minutes to work out who was the narrator.
Leah, Alison and Jillian are three sisters who have fallen out of touch over the years. A year following the death of Leah's husband, she heads back to her hometown to start to make amends with her mother. Unfortunately her mother has been found dead and the result of this is the three sisters being thrown back together and trying to reform a relationship. It's told in three POV - each of the three sisters and alternates between them.
I found this really compelling and real - it highlighted how everyone has their own stressors and drama going on and that you often don't know what is going on with them, even if you are very close. It's very much contemporary fiction not a thriller and I think perhaps the marketing is slightly wrong as from first glance it looks like it'll be a thriller, so I don't think you'd enjoy this going in thinking it's a thriller - The twists aren't shocking, or even that twisty!
I do think this is an excellent book about love, loss, and family dynamics, and I would highly recommend it. I also loved that the ending felt resolved but it didn't try and tie things in a perfect bow, there were still questions and loose ends that weren't tied up by the end.
There is a lot of character growth throughout and I enjoyed how the sisters started leaning on one another by the end.
The audiobook narrator was fine, but it would have been better and easier to follow had there been distinct voice differences between the three POV or even different readers. If you had to pause and restart during a chapter it could take a few minutes to work out who was the narrator.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent and Suicide
Moderate: Domestic abuse
sarahinreaderland's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Well this book turned out to be so much more than I thought it was going to be. I became so invested in these characters, I felt like I was one of the sisters going through heartache, turmoil and uncovering secrets about each other. This was a story about how family can grow apart and as a consequence, secrets form and grow until they're so big, you can't share them with anyone.
The story certainly started with a bang with the 3 sisters find out that their mother has died. None of them were particularly close to her, but naturally, they all go back to their family home and start realising that they didn't truly know who their mother was. Not only that, they didn't know each other either.
Each sister had their own chapters and I really loved hearing each of their perspectives. They were 3 very different people and their personalities would never have given them away as sisters. But watching them rekindle their relationship and get to know each other was beautiful Leah was probably my favourite character. After all of her own heartache and troubled adulthood, she still put everyone else first and I admired her a lot.
I got through this book in two days. It was super easy to read due to its short and snappy chapters, but it packed a punch on the emotional side. If you're feeling particularly fragile, probably not the book for you right now. Otherwise get some tissues and enjoy.
The story certainly started with a bang with the 3 sisters find out that their mother has died. None of them were particularly close to her, but naturally, they all go back to their family home and start realising that they didn't truly know who their mother was. Not only that, they didn't know each other either.
Each sister had their own chapters and I really loved hearing each of their perspectives. They were 3 very different people and their personalities would never have given them away as sisters. But watching them rekindle their relationship and get to know each other was beautiful Leah was probably my favourite character. After all of her own heartache and troubled adulthood, she still put everyone else first and I admired her a lot.
I got through this book in two days. It was super easy to read due to its short and snappy chapters, but it packed a punch on the emotional side. If you're feeling particularly fragile, probably not the book for you right now. Otherwise get some tissues and enjoy.