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3.84 AVERAGE
3.84 AVERAGE
[I recieved a free copy from @harlequinpublicityteam and Sarah Morgan for an honest review]
I have never read a Sarah Morgan novel, so I didn't go into it expecting anything, and I was more than pleased with this from beginning to end. So much so that I started and finished it in one day, stealing pages every chance I could! I was hooked from the first chapter. There's something unbreakable about the bond between sisters that are close and Sarah Morgan captured that in the first few pages.
"If I could have chosen my sister. I would have chosen you."
Her characters were so well-rounded and thought out. Sarah Morgans decision to show the point of view of Nancy, Jenna, Lauren and Mack brought all the characters completely to life. All the women are going through life changing situations and secrets have kept them more apart from each other than they know. They face truths and the fact that some things are just out of one's control. I saw a lot of my own mother in Nancy, she was stronger than she realized. Jenna and Greg made my heart warm and happy. Lauren and Mack, over and over again, made me sad yet hopeful.
Many novels that deal with secrets, I find myself thinking 'well that was a stupid reason and this whole book could have been avoided' but not once in How To Keep A Secret did I think that. Every secret was made and kept for legitimate reasons that made sense and I probably would have done the same. If I were in any of the characters positions I could see myself making the same decisions and having the same reactions.
I think the reason why I loved this book so much was because the feelings were real and raw. When reading I just needed everything to turn out alright. The realistic alright where nothing is perfect, but we survive and do the best we can.
"And hope, Lauren thought, kept life moving. Hope that things would improve, that sadness would pass, that you'd live feeling you'd love and live."
I have never read a Sarah Morgan novel, so I didn't go into it expecting anything, and I was more than pleased with this from beginning to end. So much so that I started and finished it in one day, stealing pages every chance I could! I was hooked from the first chapter. There's something unbreakable about the bond between sisters that are close and Sarah Morgan captured that in the first few pages.
"If I could have chosen my sister. I would have chosen you."
Her characters were so well-rounded and thought out. Sarah Morgans decision to show the point of view of Nancy, Jenna, Lauren and Mack brought all the characters completely to life. All the women are going through life changing situations and secrets have kept them more apart from each other than they know. They face truths and the fact that some things are just out of one's control. I saw a lot of my own mother in Nancy, she was stronger than she realized. Jenna and Greg made my heart warm and happy. Lauren and Mack, over and over again, made me sad yet hopeful.
Many novels that deal with secrets, I find myself thinking 'well that was a stupid reason and this whole book could have been avoided' but not once in How To Keep A Secret did I think that. Every secret was made and kept for legitimate reasons that made sense and I probably would have done the same. If I were in any of the characters positions I could see myself making the same decisions and having the same reactions.
I think the reason why I loved this book so much was because the feelings were real and raw. When reading I just needed everything to turn out alright. The realistic alright where nothing is perfect, but we survive and do the best we can.
"And hope, Lauren thought, kept life moving. Hope that things would improve, that sadness would pass, that you'd live feeling you'd love and live."
This was good, but definitely a departure from Morgan's usual books. This one was more heavy than her other books, but still had all the things I love about her books: romance, banter, and real characters.
Sarah Morgan makes an incredible transition from my favourite delicious romance novels to a more serious women's fiction novel with How to Keep a Secret. I was hooked on this book from the moment I started reading. She crafted beautifully real characters within a heartfelt story about family, love, betrayal, forgiveness, and of course, secrets.
I highly recommend reading Sarah Morgan's How to Keep a Secret. It's the perfect summer read.
I highly recommend reading Sarah Morgan's How to Keep a Secret. It's the perfect summer read.
Sisters know how to keep a secret. Lauren and Jenna learned that when they were young. Even if htat secret still haunts them, they know not to let it out. It's 24 (ish) years later and they're now adults. Adults who are in the middle of crises. Jenna has the perfect husband, the perfect job but can't seem to get pregnant. Neither can turn to the mother, except when Lauren's husband dies and her whole world implodes. Lauren and her daughter, Mack, move back to the States to stay with her mother. But Nancy has problems, and secrets, of her own.
At the end of the book, Morgan mentions that this book is a departure for her. This is true and it is one I most heartily enjoyed. Her last two fast, fun, and fluffies were a little too shallow for me. This book was a welcome change. Did I love all the characters? No. And we didn't get to see enough of Lauren and Scott's new romance to feel like this was anew love not just echoes of their puppy love. But I really enjoyed this book.
At the end of the book, Morgan mentions that this book is a departure for her. This is true and it is one I most heartily enjoyed. Her last two fast, fun, and fluffies were a little too shallow for me. This book was a welcome change. Did I love all the characters? No. And we didn't get to see enough of Lauren and Scott's new romance to feel like this was anew love not just echoes of their puppy love. But I really enjoyed this book.
4.5 stars. Great summer read. I’m glad the author went more contemporary/woman’s fiction and less romance. Look forward to more of these types of books from her in the future.
Originally reviewed at Books Etc.
I've been reading Sarah Morgan's romances for a long time now and they're always so enjoyable. Like many romance authors in recent years, Morgan has just published a women's fiction novel, How to Keep a Secret. Personally, I think there's a lot of cross-over between the genres and the different marketing sometimes really frustrates me because they (publishers) really only do it because some people turn their noses up at romance novels. *breathes* But that's a rant for another day. Today I will gush about the loveliness that is Morgan's latest book!
I do have to talk about the difference between this book and Morgan's usual romances (not rant-y, I promise). How to Keep a Secret isn't so much about the love stories (there are three of them) but more about the four Stewart women and their relationships with each other. The familial relationships are way more complicated and problematic than the romantic ones and I appreciated the balance between the two. It was actually quite refreshing because I haven't read a book like this in a little while and it was so well done.
The only thing I didn't really like was, funnily enough, the secrets that were being kept. I had a feeling I knew what Lauren and Jenna were keeping from their mother, and vice versa, but the girls' reasoning just didn't sit well with me. It was a sound reason at 11 and 8 ish but once they grew older? Not so much. I guess I just didn't understand why they wouldn't try to work past it. Maybe they thought the relationships were too damaged to try and repair them. This secret also caused a blow-up between Jenna and her husband that didn't seem very realistic but I think it was more a "last straw" than the actual problem. (Yeah, that's vague but spoilers must be avoided!)
I was worried that the story might get a bit confusing with all the points of view but Morgan managed to keep everything together well. I do think I wanted more time with/background of/interactions between the characters but it's hard to do in a story like this sometimes. I liked all the different viewpoints and how you could see as the story went on how the women were starting to trust each other more and become closer.
Oh my gosh. And the setting? I could totally picture The Captain's House and the lovely scenery Morgan painted for the reader. Made me crave a beach vacation or perhaps a visit to my hometown on Georgian Bay.
Finally, I have to share how exciting it was to see a character with the same name as me! She was minor (so minor she's only mentioned in passing) but I've only encountered this in two other books and twice in real life (the actress doesn't count).
How to Keep a Secret may not be a traditional Sarah Morgan romance but it has all the things readers look for when picking up one of her books - and more. Someone looking for a really light-hearted story would be disappointed (my recommendation is change your viewpoint/expectation and read it anyway) but anyone who wants a great story about family and love will be so pleased with Morgan's latest book.
*A copy of this novel was provided by the publisher, Harlequin, in exchange for review consideration. All opinions are honest and my own.*
I've been reading Sarah Morgan's romances for a long time now and they're always so enjoyable. Like many romance authors in recent years, Morgan has just published a women's fiction novel, How to Keep a Secret. Personally, I think there's a lot of cross-over between the genres and the different marketing sometimes really frustrates me because they (publishers) really only do it because some people turn their noses up at romance novels. *breathes* But that's a rant for another day. Today I will gush about the loveliness that is Morgan's latest book!
I do have to talk about the difference between this book and Morgan's usual romances (not rant-y, I promise). How to Keep a Secret isn't so much about the love stories (there are three of them) but more about the four Stewart women and their relationships with each other. The familial relationships are way more complicated and problematic than the romantic ones and I appreciated the balance between the two. It was actually quite refreshing because I haven't read a book like this in a little while and it was so well done.
The only thing I didn't really like was, funnily enough, the secrets that were being kept. I had a feeling I knew what Lauren and Jenna were keeping from their mother, and vice versa, but the girls' reasoning just didn't sit well with me. It was a sound reason at 11 and 8 ish but once they grew older? Not so much. I guess I just didn't understand why they wouldn't try to work past it. Maybe they thought the relationships were too damaged to try and repair them. This secret also caused a blow-up between Jenna and her husband that didn't seem very realistic but I think it was more a "last straw" than the actual problem. (Yeah, that's vague but spoilers must be avoided!)
I was worried that the story might get a bit confusing with all the points of view but Morgan managed to keep everything together well. I do think I wanted more time with/background of/interactions between the characters but it's hard to do in a story like this sometimes. I liked all the different viewpoints and how you could see as the story went on how the women were starting to trust each other more and become closer.
Oh my gosh. And the setting? I could totally picture The Captain's House and the lovely scenery Morgan painted for the reader. Made me crave a beach vacation or perhaps a visit to my hometown on Georgian Bay.
Finally, I have to share how exciting it was to see a character with the same name as me! She was minor (so minor she's only mentioned in passing) but I've only encountered this in two other books and twice in real life (the actress doesn't count).
How to Keep a Secret may not be a traditional Sarah Morgan romance but it has all the things readers look for when picking up one of her books - and more. Someone looking for a really light-hearted story would be disappointed (my recommendation is change your viewpoint/expectation and read it anyway) but anyone who wants a great story about family and love will be so pleased with Morgan's latest book.
*A copy of this novel was provided by the publisher, Harlequin, in exchange for review consideration. All opinions are honest and my own.*
Three ladies living separate lives. Lauren along with her daughter Mack live overseas in Great Britian with her husband Ed seems to be living the perfect life. Her sister Jenna lives with her husband Greg in their hometown. She is a teacher and is trying to get pregnant. Their mother, Nancy still lives in their family home.
Lauren's life goes into a tailspin when her husband dies suddenly of a heart attack. It's bad enough to lose her husband, then during his funeral services her daughter, Mack, drops a bomb and then she discovers she is penniless. Her and Mack doesn't have a choice but to move back home into her family home and try to pick up the pieces. Jenna is struggling to get pregnant. Her desperation is heart wrenching. The two girls growing up were never close to their mother.
As we read along we discover how the family dynamics was built, how they struggle to overcome their past and how they work through their issues to come together as a family. Three strong women who each have struggles to work through to have brighter, happier futures.
This book was very well written that kept me intrigued from the first word to the very end. I was very disappointed when the book ended as I wanted more just because I felt very invested in each of the characters.
Lauren's life goes into a tailspin when her husband dies suddenly of a heart attack. It's bad enough to lose her husband, then during his funeral services her daughter, Mack, drops a bomb and then she discovers she is penniless. Her and Mack doesn't have a choice but to move back home into her family home and try to pick up the pieces. Jenna is struggling to get pregnant. Her desperation is heart wrenching. The two girls growing up were never close to their mother.
As we read along we discover how the family dynamics was built, how they struggle to overcome their past and how they work through their issues to come together as a family. Three strong women who each have struggles to work through to have brighter, happier futures.
This book was very well written that kept me intrigued from the first word to the very end. I was very disappointed when the book ended as I wanted more just because I felt very invested in each of the characters.
I loved this book. The characters were real. I loved that not everything was perfect for them which made the ways in which they came together so much more believable. I loved peeking into their relationships with one another. While a departure from Sarah Morgan’s normal contemporary romance genre there was a little bit of that in there and the other relationships between friends, sisters, mothers and daughters were just as enjoyable to read. I laughed out loud several times and her writing made me feel so many things right along with the characters. I feel like fans or Kristan Higgins would particularly love this book but would recommend it to absolutely everyone. Well done, Mrs Morgan! A definitive 5 Stars
I thought it was boring at first. I was forcing myself to read the first 150 pages. Then it got interesting. So many secrets between mother and daughters. It was emotional, realistic and captivating. It is a solid 4 stars read ❤️
I thought it was boring at first. I was forcing myself to read the first 150 pages. Then it got interesting. So many secrets between mother and daughters. It was emotional, realistic and captivating. It is a solid 4 stars read ❤️