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The Secrets We Keep
‘Is her life as easy and effortless as it seems from the outside? Or is she feeling lonely, all by herself in that big house, an evening stretching out in front of her just as it is for me?�
When Tessa arrives at the little house by the lake with her two children Ben and Katherine, it is an escape. For all of them. Never mind that the rental house is a bit small � it’s theirs for the summer. A place to hide�
Their isolation is disrupted when they meet the family from the big house next door. Three children Charlotte, Zoe and Max and their glamorous mother Rebecca � who seems absolutely determined to invite Tessa in to their lives.
But Rebecca is harbouring a dark secret of her own. One that will put not only her family at risk, but Tessa’s too. And when she discovers she has no option but to leave her children for several weeks, Tessa feels like the only person she can trust.
Suddenly Tessa finds herself living a life she could only have dreamed of. Wealth, a large brood of children, and Rebecca’s handsome husband Josh visiting at weekends.
But even as powerful bonds are forming between them, secrets have a way of catching up with people. And as the summer comes to an end, who will learn to love again and who will risk losing everything?
When Tessa arrives at the little house by the lake with her two children Ben and Katherine, it is an escape. For all of them. Never mind that the rental house is a bit small � it’s theirs for the summer. A place to hide�
Their isolation is disrupted when they meet the family from the big house next door. Three children Charlotte, Zoe and Max and their glamorous mother Rebecca � who seems absolutely determined to invite Tessa in to their lives.
But Rebecca is harbouring a dark secret of her own. One that will put not only her family at risk, but Tessa’s too. And when she discovers she has no option but to leave her children for several weeks, Tessa feels like the only person she can trust.
Suddenly Tessa finds herself living a life she could only have dreamed of. Wealth, a large brood of children, and Rebecca’s handsome husband Josh visiting at weekends.
But even as powerful bonds are forming between them, secrets have a way of catching up with people. And as the summer comes to an end, who will learn to love again and who will risk losing everything?
374 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 4, 2018
11.6k people are currently reading
13.5k people want to read
About the author
Kate Hewitt
806books1,557followersKate is the USA Today-bsetselling author of many books of both historical and contemporary fiction. Under the name Katharine Swartz, she is the author of the Tales from Goswell books, a series of time-slip novels set in the village of Goswell.
She likes to read women's fiction, mystery and thrillers, as well as historical novels. She particularly enjoys reading about well-drawn characters and avoids high-concept plots.
Having lived in both New York City and a tiny village on the windswept northwest coast of England, she now resides in a market town in Wales with her husband, five children, and two Golden Retrievers.
She likes to read women's fiction, mystery and thrillers, as well as historical novels. She particularly enjoys reading about well-drawn characters and avoids high-concept plots.
Having lived in both New York City and a tiny village on the windswept northwest coast of England, she now resides in a market town in Wales with her husband, five children, and two Golden Retrievers.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,052 reviews
September 6, 2018
4 stars! This was a highly intriguing character-driven story about family, love, loss and the intensity of female friendship.
I was immediately drawn into this compelling tale. I loved the characters from page one and felt highly intrigued to find out where the novel would take me. We meet Tessa and Rebecca, two mothers from opposite ends of society who end up as summer neighbours in cottage country. They develop an instant friendship which grows into a deep dependency on each other. I truly enjoyed the journey of watching their friendship grow.
There is a lot that happens over the course of one summer. Some situations involving their children, husbands, parents and each other. I was fully invested in their lives and rooting for them to overcome their personal struggles and challenges. My one critique is that the story felt a bit too dramatic near the end. I still really enjoyed the novel and felt satisfied upon finishing, however, I would have preferred a little less happening at the end.
I thoroughly enjoyed this author’s writing. It flowed beautifully, was perfectly paced and the characters truly came to life for me. I look forward to reading more from Kate Hewitt!
A big thank you to NetGalley, Bookouture and Kate Hewitt for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review!
Expected Date of Publication: September 6, 2018.
I was immediately drawn into this compelling tale. I loved the characters from page one and felt highly intrigued to find out where the novel would take me. We meet Tessa and Rebecca, two mothers from opposite ends of society who end up as summer neighbours in cottage country. They develop an instant friendship which grows into a deep dependency on each other. I truly enjoyed the journey of watching their friendship grow.
There is a lot that happens over the course of one summer. Some situations involving their children, husbands, parents and each other. I was fully invested in their lives and rooting for them to overcome their personal struggles and challenges. My one critique is that the story felt a bit too dramatic near the end. I still really enjoyed the novel and felt satisfied upon finishing, however, I would have preferred a little less happening at the end.
I thoroughly enjoyed this author’s writing. It flowed beautifully, was perfectly paced and the characters truly came to life for me. I look forward to reading more from Kate Hewitt!
A big thank you to NetGalley, Bookouture and Kate Hewitt for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review!
Expected Date of Publication: September 6, 2018.
October 1, 2018
EXCERPT: It all happened so quickly - a blur, the blood, screams and shock. So much shock. My mind is still spinning with disbelief, that this happened to my child, but I know if it stops spinning the guilt will rush in, along with the terror. This is all my fault. I can't escape that awful reality, that I could have stopped all of this if I'd seen it coming. . . I could have kept you safe, and I didn't.
ABOUT THIS BOOK: ‘Is her life as easy and effortless as it seems from the outside? Or is she feeling lonely, all by herself in that big house, an evening stretching out in front of her just as it is for me?�
When Tessa arrives at the little house by the lake with her two children Ben and Katherine, it is an escape. For all of them. Never mind that the rental house is a bit small � it’s theirs for the summer. A place to hide�
Their isolation is disrupted when they meet the family from the big house next door. Three children Charlotte, Zoe and Max and their glamorous mother Rebecca � who seems absolutely determined to invite Tessa in to their lives.
But Rebecca is harbouring a dark secret of her own. One that will put not only her family at risk, but Tessa’s too. And when she discovers she has no option but to leave her children for several weeks, Tessa feels like the only person she can trust.
Suddenly Tessa finds herself living a life she could only have dreamed of. Wealth, a large brood of children, and Rebecca’s handsome husband Josh visiting at weekends.
But even as powerful bonds are forming between them, secrets have a way of catching up with people. And as the summer comes to an end, who will learn to love again and who will risk losing everything?
MY THOUGHTS: If you have ever felt envious of someone else's seemingly perfect life, then this is the read for you. It's quite odd, because just before I started reading The Secrets We Keep by Kate Hewitt, a friend and I had been discussing this very thing, how some people appear to just sail through life with everything falling into place while others struggle with various aspects of their lives. We came to two conclusions: either they led exemplary past lives and are being rewarded in this one, or they are masters at papering over the cracks and showing people only what they want them to see. We also decided that if the first theory is true, then neither of us have much hope for a great next life either! But, onto the book. . .
The Secrets We Keep provides a lot of food for thought. We are probably all guilty of envying someone else's life, of taking our partners and friends for granted, of wishing our children were smarter or better behaved or more socially adept. We love them, but all the same. . . there's always that 'if only' lurking in the backs of our minds. There are wonderful things about our partners and children that we don't see, because we are too busy wanting them to be what we want instead of letting them be themselves.
This book is a good reminder to see and appreciate what we have, to remember why we fell in love with our partners in the first place, to remember and honor the promises we made our children when we first held them in our arms. Although I thought it got a little 'preachy', at one point, it is a book that I enjoyed.
😍😍😍.5
THE AUTHOR: Kate is the USA Today-bsetselling author of many books of women's fiction and romance. Her latest releases are A Mother's Goodbye and A Vicarage Wedding. Under the name Katharine Swartz, she is the author of the Tales from Goswell books, a series of time-slip novels set in the village of Goswell.
She likes to read women's fiction, mystery and thrillers, and historical novels. She particularly enjoys reading about well-drawn characters and avoids high-concept plots.
Having lived in both New York City and a tiny village on the windswept northwest coast of England, she now resides in a market town in Wales with her husband, five children, and an overly affectionate Golden Retriever.
DISCLOSURE: Thank you to Bookouture via Netgalley for providing a digital ARC of The Secrets We Keep by Kate Hewitt for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.
Please refer to my ŷ.com profile page or the about page on sandysbookaday.wordpress.com for an explanation of my rating system. This review and others are also published on my blog sandysbookaday.wordpress.com
ABOUT THIS BOOK: ‘Is her life as easy and effortless as it seems from the outside? Or is she feeling lonely, all by herself in that big house, an evening stretching out in front of her just as it is for me?�
When Tessa arrives at the little house by the lake with her two children Ben and Katherine, it is an escape. For all of them. Never mind that the rental house is a bit small � it’s theirs for the summer. A place to hide�
Their isolation is disrupted when they meet the family from the big house next door. Three children Charlotte, Zoe and Max and their glamorous mother Rebecca � who seems absolutely determined to invite Tessa in to their lives.
But Rebecca is harbouring a dark secret of her own. One that will put not only her family at risk, but Tessa’s too. And when she discovers she has no option but to leave her children for several weeks, Tessa feels like the only person she can trust.
Suddenly Tessa finds herself living a life she could only have dreamed of. Wealth, a large brood of children, and Rebecca’s handsome husband Josh visiting at weekends.
But even as powerful bonds are forming between them, secrets have a way of catching up with people. And as the summer comes to an end, who will learn to love again and who will risk losing everything?
MY THOUGHTS: If you have ever felt envious of someone else's seemingly perfect life, then this is the read for you. It's quite odd, because just before I started reading The Secrets We Keep by Kate Hewitt, a friend and I had been discussing this very thing, how some people appear to just sail through life with everything falling into place while others struggle with various aspects of their lives. We came to two conclusions: either they led exemplary past lives and are being rewarded in this one, or they are masters at papering over the cracks and showing people only what they want them to see. We also decided that if the first theory is true, then neither of us have much hope for a great next life either! But, onto the book. . .
The Secrets We Keep provides a lot of food for thought. We are probably all guilty of envying someone else's life, of taking our partners and friends for granted, of wishing our children were smarter or better behaved or more socially adept. We love them, but all the same. . . there's always that 'if only' lurking in the backs of our minds. There are wonderful things about our partners and children that we don't see, because we are too busy wanting them to be what we want instead of letting them be themselves.
This book is a good reminder to see and appreciate what we have, to remember why we fell in love with our partners in the first place, to remember and honor the promises we made our children when we first held them in our arms. Although I thought it got a little 'preachy', at one point, it is a book that I enjoyed.
😍😍😍.5
THE AUTHOR: Kate is the USA Today-bsetselling author of many books of women's fiction and romance. Her latest releases are A Mother's Goodbye and A Vicarage Wedding. Under the name Katharine Swartz, she is the author of the Tales from Goswell books, a series of time-slip novels set in the village of Goswell.
She likes to read women's fiction, mystery and thrillers, and historical novels. She particularly enjoys reading about well-drawn characters and avoids high-concept plots.
Having lived in both New York City and a tiny village on the windswept northwest coast of England, she now resides in a market town in Wales with her husband, five children, and an overly affectionate Golden Retriever.
DISCLOSURE: Thank you to Bookouture via Netgalley for providing a digital ARC of The Secrets We Keep by Kate Hewitt for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.
Please refer to my ŷ.com profile page or the about page on sandysbookaday.wordpress.com for an explanation of my rating system. This review and others are also published on my blog sandysbookaday.wordpress.com
September 9, 2018
Having read several contemporary romance titles from Kate Hewitt my curiosity was definitely up seeing a more general fiction title in The Secrets We Keep. After reading I would even say this one has an edge of suspense to it too taking a reader through many twists to unravel the secrets of the characters.
The story begins with a vague glimpse into a mother sitting at her child’s bedside in the hospital before taking readers back to the beginning to find out that events that led to that scene. Told from the two main characters point of view, Rebecca and Tessa, the story was one to find myself engaged rather quickly.
Tessa seems to be a working class mother of two young children who has rented a small lakeside cottage for the summer with hints of some problems in her relationship. Immediately after arriving Tessa and her children meet the “neighbors�, Rebecca and her three children who come from a very different background being wealthy.
Rebecca and Tessa are two very different people who are brought together that summer and form a friendship that both come to rely upon. It’s a story that shows that not everything is always what it seems to be while diving into friendship, family, love and life and the fact that actions have consequences and how to deal with those. I can easily call this one a real page turner with some tough subject matter that might not be for every reader but definitely an emotional ride for those that tackle the heavy topics.
I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.
For more reviews please visit
The story begins with a vague glimpse into a mother sitting at her child’s bedside in the hospital before taking readers back to the beginning to find out that events that led to that scene. Told from the two main characters point of view, Rebecca and Tessa, the story was one to find myself engaged rather quickly.
Tessa seems to be a working class mother of two young children who has rented a small lakeside cottage for the summer with hints of some problems in her relationship. Immediately after arriving Tessa and her children meet the “neighbors�, Rebecca and her three children who come from a very different background being wealthy.
Rebecca and Tessa are two very different people who are brought together that summer and form a friendship that both come to rely upon. It’s a story that shows that not everything is always what it seems to be while diving into friendship, family, love and life and the fact that actions have consequences and how to deal with those. I can easily call this one a real page turner with some tough subject matter that might not be for every reader but definitely an emotional ride for those that tackle the heavy topics.
I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.
For more reviews please visit
August 16, 2018
The end of this book was a total gut punch, and while I am not one to judge how an author chooses to end their novel, it felt unnecessary and completely out of nowhere.
Lots of repetition throughout the book too, and a lot of characters I didn't care much about.
Free copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Lots of repetition throughout the book too, and a lot of characters I didn't care much about.
Free copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
May 6, 2020
Seems like everyone loves this but me. I don’t know why I kept reading it, now that I’ve finished it I regret that I didn’t stop earlier.
April 18, 2020
***1.5 stars because I did care enough to finish the story, but this book was not for me. I didn’t connect to either of the two main characters. I didn’t like either of their personalities and I certainly couldn’t understand any of the decisions they made. I just don’t find it plausible to become that close to someone you’ve only just met because they happened to rent the lake house next to yours for the summer. I didn’t buy the whole premise/plot line of the book and for me it just didn’t work. I made the comment to a friend that it felt like I was watching a train wreck and even though I knew I wasn’t enjoying it, I couldn’t look away.
This story didn’t work for me in so many levels. The sudden ‘friendship� and closeness of the two main characters, the lack of personalities shown in the children(except for Zoe, bless her heart), the zero explanations of the decisions being made by the adults in the story. And the husbands in this story!? They are absent for 80% of the storyline only being referred to in negative ways and then they come swooping in at the end and suddenly I’m supposed to believe that everything is fine. Nope, nope, nope.
This story didn’t work for me in so many levels. The sudden ‘friendship� and closeness of the two main characters, the lack of personalities shown in the children(except for Zoe, bless her heart), the zero explanations of the decisions being made by the adults in the story. And the husbands in this story!? They are absent for 80% of the storyline only being referred to in negative ways and then they come swooping in at the end and suddenly I’m supposed to believe that everything is fine. Nope, nope, nope.
October 7, 2020
This one is tricky because I was soooo engrossed in the first 2/3 of this book, but the characters and the plot in the final third made me SO MAD. Sometimes good books do that for you, but I just felt like it was too much. I really did not like the ending but, such is life. 3/5 stars because it was a page turner, but it disappointed me in the end.
September 10, 2018
I received a free e-copy of The Secrets We Keep by Kate Hewitt from Netgalley for my honest opinion.
This book is about two women, Rebecca and Tessa. Although these two women are very different from one another, they are also very much alike.
Rebecca, a very wealthy woman with two children, decides to leave her husband for the to go to the Lake with her kids to figure her life out.
Tessa and her kids are at the Lake for the exact same reason that Rebecca is. Tessa and her kids have a small cabin at the Lake and Rebecca and her kids a huge beach house. Rebecca becomes friends with Tessa in hopes that the kids will become friends so they are occupied and have things to do so she can just sit around drinks. Rebecca buys Tessa and the kids a membership to the country club so they can go there together everyday.
As the relationships grow between the mothers and children it become very clear that each are carrying their own secrets. Each of these women will have to face their own fears. How can these mothers care for their families/children if they can't care for themselves. This is a very raw, emotional read that at times are very difficult to read but so very worth reading. I highly recommend it.
This book is about two women, Rebecca and Tessa. Although these two women are very different from one another, they are also very much alike.
Rebecca, a very wealthy woman with two children, decides to leave her husband for the to go to the Lake with her kids to figure her life out.
Tessa and her kids are at the Lake for the exact same reason that Rebecca is. Tessa and her kids have a small cabin at the Lake and Rebecca and her kids a huge beach house. Rebecca becomes friends with Tessa in hopes that the kids will become friends so they are occupied and have things to do so she can just sit around drinks. Rebecca buys Tessa and the kids a membership to the country club so they can go there together everyday.
As the relationships grow between the mothers and children it become very clear that each are carrying their own secrets. Each of these women will have to face their own fears. How can these mothers care for their families/children if they can't care for themselves. This is a very raw, emotional read that at times are very difficult to read but so very worth reading. I highly recommend it.
September 12, 2018
Guest review for Harlequin Junkie.
June 24, 2022
What an odd book. I have read some of Hewitt's works before and I don't know what I was expecting, but not this. We start off with someone sitting by the bedside of someone who may die. And then we shift to a woman (Tessa) taking her two kids (Ben and Katherine) to the Finger Lakes for the summer. Staying in a woebegone place, they end up next to a dynamic house next to a woman (Rebecca) and her three children (Zoe, Max, and Charlotte). The whole book seesaws back and forth between Tessa and Rebecca's point of view. Both women have something to hide. Both of them at times seem oblivious to what their children are getting up to. I have to say that in the end I liked Rebecca more than Tessa. And I honestly thought that the ending was sad. I was glad to be done with this book.
August 27, 2018
Once I got past the first chapter I was absolutely hooked! This is family drama at its best. Tessa and Rebecca both have summer rental houses on a lake. Their lives could not be more different, Tessa is feeling dowdy and invisible while Rebecca is beautiful and the life of the party - but each is jealous of how the other's life appears to be.
As they become more acquainted it becomes clear that each has their baggage. Can they help each other? Is it possible that they could make things better through this summer friendship - or are things about to get a whole lot worse?
This book gave me as a parent so much food for thought. In trying to be what others expect of us are we selling ourselves short? Do our families really know who we are? How much of an emotional rollercoaster can we endure?
Thank you Netgalley and Bookouture for the opportunity to review this book
As they become more acquainted it becomes clear that each has their baggage. Can they help each other? Is it possible that they could make things better through this summer friendship - or are things about to get a whole lot worse?
This book gave me as a parent so much food for thought. In trying to be what others expect of us are we selling ourselves short? Do our families really know who we are? How much of an emotional rollercoaster can we endure?
Thank you Netgalley and Bookouture for the opportunity to review this book
September 27, 2018
Secrets, secrets, don't tell anyone
Live the life, pretend the fun
Keep them covered, keep them hidden
They can be one, they can be ten
Pretend they don't bother
They will come out, one way or the other
Secrets, secrets don't tell anyone
Live the life, pretend the fun...
And this was exactly what happened with Rebecca and Tessa. Summer vacation for three months, cottage rented by the lake, friendship blossomed, some true, some false, some as a crutch, some pretense.
This book by Kate Hewitt showed the human psyche where a movement could trigger memories and sometimes an event could erase memories. A beautiful heartwarming story where the secrets hidden led to drastic results.
I felt bad for both Rebecca who drank to forget and Tessa who wanted to make memories yet forgot important ones. Both the women had their own stories and both were linked as the summer progressed.
They were neighbors who had come to spend the summer by the lake, became friends, started over depending, soon leading to consequences. I liked how Kate showed me this by slowly developing the women's characters with their ever puzzled, enigmatic husbands.
The only thing that niggled me was that I wanted the women to be proactive, but that was just transference. (transferring my personality on to them)
The book worked well as it presented the emotional side of the secrets we hold so dear, it dealt with certain tough topics. And the story taught me to make as many memories as I can in the present time.
A quote from the book when secrets brought life threatening effects
"We are all going to move past this. By staring this on the face, by looking into our weaknesses and failures and finding the strength to admit when we were wrong, and then to change."
Live the life, pretend the fun
Keep them covered, keep them hidden
They can be one, they can be ten
Pretend they don't bother
They will come out, one way or the other
Secrets, secrets don't tell anyone
Live the life, pretend the fun...
And this was exactly what happened with Rebecca and Tessa. Summer vacation for three months, cottage rented by the lake, friendship blossomed, some true, some false, some as a crutch, some pretense.
This book by Kate Hewitt showed the human psyche where a movement could trigger memories and sometimes an event could erase memories. A beautiful heartwarming story where the secrets hidden led to drastic results.
I felt bad for both Rebecca who drank to forget and Tessa who wanted to make memories yet forgot important ones. Both the women had their own stories and both were linked as the summer progressed.
They were neighbors who had come to spend the summer by the lake, became friends, started over depending, soon leading to consequences. I liked how Kate showed me this by slowly developing the women's characters with their ever puzzled, enigmatic husbands.
The only thing that niggled me was that I wanted the women to be proactive, but that was just transference. (transferring my personality on to them)
The book worked well as it presented the emotional side of the secrets we hold so dear, it dealt with certain tough topics. And the story taught me to make as many memories as I can in the present time.
A quote from the book when secrets brought life threatening effects
"We are all going to move past this. By staring this on the face, by looking into our weaknesses and failures and finding the strength to admit when we were wrong, and then to change."
September 3, 2018
The story starts off with a mother whose daughter's life is hanging in the balance. We are then taken back to when Tessa arrives at a holiday home and becomes friends with Rebecca who is also renting a holiday home leading back to where the story starts off.
Tessa and Rebecca are very different women. I wasn't to sure about Rebecca to start with. She doesn't come across as a very nice person but as we get to know her she is battling with her own demons and my feelings soon started to thaw towards her. Tessa I found myself relating to more and was interested to see where this friendship was going to go.
The story deals with some harrowing subjects of which I think the author handled really well. They are certainly topics that readers will easily be able to empathise with.
This was such an intense and compelling read. There is an amazing build up throughout the story as you don't know quite what to expect or how things are going to end. I struggled to put the book down and picked it up at every opportunity. By the end I was an emotional wreck as I had been so wrapped up in these two women's lives.
The Secrets We Keep is a powerful and emotional read that had me totally transfixed. A moving and well written story that will pull on every readers heart strings. Loved it and will certainly be reading more by the author.
My thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for an advanced readers copy of this book. All opinions are my own and not biased in anyway.
Tessa and Rebecca are very different women. I wasn't to sure about Rebecca to start with. She doesn't come across as a very nice person but as we get to know her she is battling with her own demons and my feelings soon started to thaw towards her. Tessa I found myself relating to more and was interested to see where this friendship was going to go.
The story deals with some harrowing subjects of which I think the author handled really well. They are certainly topics that readers will easily be able to empathise with.
This was such an intense and compelling read. There is an amazing build up throughout the story as you don't know quite what to expect or how things are going to end. I struggled to put the book down and picked it up at every opportunity. By the end I was an emotional wreck as I had been so wrapped up in these two women's lives.
The Secrets We Keep is a powerful and emotional read that had me totally transfixed. A moving and well written story that will pull on every readers heart strings. Loved it and will certainly be reading more by the author.
My thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for an advanced readers copy of this book. All opinions are my own and not biased in anyway.
July 18, 2023
2 Stars! ⭐️⭐️
Meh.
This is the second book I’ve read by this author and I’m quickly realizing that it’ll probably be my last.
I like a good domestic drama, but I need action or at least more dialogue. The only reason I skimmed the last half was so I could participate in the discussion at book club.
Nothing happens in this story until the last few chapters - and the things that did happen couldn’t save it for me at that point - I was bored.
Meh.
This is the second book I’ve read by this author and I’m quickly realizing that it’ll probably be my last.
I like a good domestic drama, but I need action or at least more dialogue. The only reason I skimmed the last half was so I could participate in the discussion at book club.
Nothing happens in this story until the last few chapters - and the things that did happen couldn’t save it for me at that point - I was bored.
August 23, 2018
This book moved very S-L-O-W for a good part of the book but I stuck with it. I felt like I wasn’t connecting with either of the girls In this book which may be why it moved so slow? But then around 50% it picked up. 3 stars overall. Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me this free book. All opinions expressed are my own.
August 29, 2018
This amazing story about two women will pull you in, remind you of people you know or even yourselves and before you finish have you reaching for a box of tissues.
Tessa, an average house wife living in. Brooklyn takes her two kids and escapes to a rental home on a lake in Upstate New York, for the summer to take control of her life.
Rebecca, a wealthy housewife living on the upper east side of Manhattan has made some bad choices and instead of spending the summer in the Hamptons with her socialite friends, decides to rent a home on a Lake in Upstate New York,m.
These two women form an unlikely friendship, one last is doomed from the start due to the demons and secrets they keep hidden.
This is a brilliantly written story that gets your attention right from the beginning and does not let go u til you have read the last page. It will pull at your heart strings and break your heart at the same time and you learn that The Secrets We Keep really only hurt you and the ones you love.
Tessa, an average house wife living in. Brooklyn takes her two kids and escapes to a rental home on a lake in Upstate New York, for the summer to take control of her life.
Rebecca, a wealthy housewife living on the upper east side of Manhattan has made some bad choices and instead of spending the summer in the Hamptons with her socialite friends, decides to rent a home on a Lake in Upstate New York,m.
These two women form an unlikely friendship, one last is doomed from the start due to the demons and secrets they keep hidden.
This is a brilliantly written story that gets your attention right from the beginning and does not let go u til you have read the last page. It will pull at your heart strings and break your heart at the same time and you learn that The Secrets We Keep really only hurt you and the ones you love.
September 19, 2018
I was first put on Kate Hewitt’s radar when I read A Mother’s Goodbye which quickly became one of my top 2018 reads. Hewitt writes with such passion and a distinctive voice that pulls you right into the heart of a story. She breathes life into each of her characters making them seem honest, real and relatable. So, when I saw The Secrets We Keep, I just knew I had to read it. I will admit to being a little scared to start this story as I wasn’t sure if Hewitt could ever top A Mother’s Goodbye, but my fears were for nothing because The Secrets We Keep far surpassed anything I could ever have imagined.
We first meet Tessa and Rebecca at the lake. Both are getting away from their problems at home and from husbands that don’t understand them. While Tessa and her two children, Ben and Catherine are staying in a shabby cabin for the summer, Rebecca is living in a sprawling home next door with her three children, Charlotte, Max, and Zoe. While Tessa and Rebecca have nothing in common, they forge a friendship shrouded in secrecy and mistrust. Tessa is a homely wife and mother who is shy and unsure of herself, whereas Rebecca is rich, stylish, and seems to have the perfect life. When things come to a head and Rebecca needs to go away for awhile, she leaves Tessa in charge of her three children. Now faced with the life she has always wanted, Tessa seems to flourish. But, looks can be deceiving and the grass isn’t always greener on the other side. Secrets have a way of becoming exposed and some secrets have the potential to destroy lives. Will this be the summer that changes everything?
I found myself relating to Tessa as she was down to earth, kind, and loving. Yes, she has problems, but who doesn’t? Tessa is just so real and like many of us in the working world. I can see how much she loves her children and how she would do anything for their happiness. Tessa tries very hard to fix the problems in her marriage, even if it means getting away for the summer so she can reconnect with her children who have grown quite distant as of late. Maybe the time spent away will leave her husband missing her and the marriage they once had. Rebecca on the the other hand, is not always likable. She looks down on Tessa, but wants to become friends with her as a sort of distraction from her own problems at home. Rebecca can be nasty at times to Tessa, but deep down inside Rebecca really needs Tessa in a way to make herself feel better. But, when it comes to her children, Rebecca pours all of her love and support to her children. She is a good mom even though she does not always show it. She wants what is best for her children, even though Rebecca is going through her own tough time. Even though Tess and Rebecca’s friendship had its difficulties you can see how they both relied on one another sometimes even in a twisted way. Their friendship dynamic is complicated and not always healthy, but it works for them. In a way, they were so much alike and yet they were worlds apart.
The pacing is nice and slow which gave me the opportunity to really get to know each of the characters, to grow to love them and sympathize with what they were going through. While I may not have always liked both Tessa and Rebecca, they do have their redeeming moments in little glimpses throughout the story. The build up is very intense and much of the secrets are kept hidden for most of the first half of the book which I found really helped in keeping me engaged with the story. I will say though that The Secrets We Keep does deal with a few heartbreaking topics and triggers, but they are done with compassion and understanding. Hewitt really has a unique way of making us relate to her characters in a heart wrenching way.
The Secrets We Keep is an emotional rollercoaster with many ups and downs and twists along the way. I can in all honestly say that I never saw that ending coming. It is a poignant story that is both moving and touching. This is another book I am adding to my keeper shelf and another addition to my top reads for the year. If you have not read a book by Kate Hewitt, you are really doing yourself a disservice. Hewitt is a fantastic author who will draw you right in and never let you go.
We first meet Tessa and Rebecca at the lake. Both are getting away from their problems at home and from husbands that don’t understand them. While Tessa and her two children, Ben and Catherine are staying in a shabby cabin for the summer, Rebecca is living in a sprawling home next door with her three children, Charlotte, Max, and Zoe. While Tessa and Rebecca have nothing in common, they forge a friendship shrouded in secrecy and mistrust. Tessa is a homely wife and mother who is shy and unsure of herself, whereas Rebecca is rich, stylish, and seems to have the perfect life. When things come to a head and Rebecca needs to go away for awhile, she leaves Tessa in charge of her three children. Now faced with the life she has always wanted, Tessa seems to flourish. But, looks can be deceiving and the grass isn’t always greener on the other side. Secrets have a way of becoming exposed and some secrets have the potential to destroy lives. Will this be the summer that changes everything?
I found myself relating to Tessa as she was down to earth, kind, and loving. Yes, she has problems, but who doesn’t? Tessa is just so real and like many of us in the working world. I can see how much she loves her children and how she would do anything for their happiness. Tessa tries very hard to fix the problems in her marriage, even if it means getting away for the summer so she can reconnect with her children who have grown quite distant as of late. Maybe the time spent away will leave her husband missing her and the marriage they once had. Rebecca on the the other hand, is not always likable. She looks down on Tessa, but wants to become friends with her as a sort of distraction from her own problems at home. Rebecca can be nasty at times to Tessa, but deep down inside Rebecca really needs Tessa in a way to make herself feel better. But, when it comes to her children, Rebecca pours all of her love and support to her children. She is a good mom even though she does not always show it. She wants what is best for her children, even though Rebecca is going through her own tough time. Even though Tess and Rebecca’s friendship had its difficulties you can see how they both relied on one another sometimes even in a twisted way. Their friendship dynamic is complicated and not always healthy, but it works for them. In a way, they were so much alike and yet they were worlds apart.
The pacing is nice and slow which gave me the opportunity to really get to know each of the characters, to grow to love them and sympathize with what they were going through. While I may not have always liked both Tessa and Rebecca, they do have their redeeming moments in little glimpses throughout the story. The build up is very intense and much of the secrets are kept hidden for most of the first half of the book which I found really helped in keeping me engaged with the story. I will say though that The Secrets We Keep does deal with a few heartbreaking topics and triggers, but they are done with compassion and understanding. Hewitt really has a unique way of making us relate to her characters in a heart wrenching way.
The Secrets We Keep is an emotional rollercoaster with many ups and downs and twists along the way. I can in all honestly say that I never saw that ending coming. It is a poignant story that is both moving and touching. This is another book I am adding to my keeper shelf and another addition to my top reads for the year. If you have not read a book by Kate Hewitt, you are really doing yourself a disservice. Hewitt is a fantastic author who will draw you right in and never let you go.
May 1, 2020
This book was chosen for a virtual book club that I belong to and the entire conversation was about the things we did not like about the story, the relationships, and the characters. It lacked character development so much that by the end, we didn't really like any of them. There were some promising attempts at a plot but most of the book pokes at different storyline lines and then races to a finish. It's a page-turner, but we were really disappointed in the end. We probably wouldn't have kept reading it if it wasn't for a book club discussion.
October 28, 2021
4 stars for the audiobook.
The Secrets We Keep is the dramatic story of two women who befriend each other when they both try to escape struggles at home and take their kids for a quiet, cabin-on-the-lake summer getaway.
Tessa and Rebecca end up as neighbors for their summer vacation. While they have children roughly the same age, the similarities stop there. The two women differ greatly in attitude, personality, upbringing, perceived social status� and yet an interesting friendship forms between the two. But as summer continues on, dark secrets and difficult truths come to light leading both families down a tragic road.
I highly recommend the audio version of this novel. The narrator embraced each character and completely made the story. I don’t think I would have enjoyed this as much as a book-book. The audible version definitely worked for me with this one.
A melancholic read, that is most definitely not a pick-me-up. If you’re looking for sad, family drama here you go. If you’re looking for a family story with drama but still upbeat, this is probably not the best choice!
*Book Club pick for October*
The Secrets We Keep is the dramatic story of two women who befriend each other when they both try to escape struggles at home and take their kids for a quiet, cabin-on-the-lake summer getaway.
Tessa and Rebecca end up as neighbors for their summer vacation. While they have children roughly the same age, the similarities stop there. The two women differ greatly in attitude, personality, upbringing, perceived social status� and yet an interesting friendship forms between the two. But as summer continues on, dark secrets and difficult truths come to light leading both families down a tragic road.
I highly recommend the audio version of this novel. The narrator embraced each character and completely made the story. I don’t think I would have enjoyed this as much as a book-book. The audible version definitely worked for me with this one.
A melancholic read, that is most definitely not a pick-me-up. If you’re looking for sad, family drama here you go. If you’re looking for a family story with drama but still upbeat, this is probably not the best choice!
*Book Club pick for October*
September 24, 2018
Why do we keep secrets from others? Are we embarrassed by ourselves, our families, our lives? Secrets can be difficult to maintain and when you have a best friend, it's even more difficult. Even more difficult are the secrets that we keep from ourselves - those little truths that we don't think about or realize are really true. This is a novel about secrets - secrets from family, from friends but mostly from ourselves.
Tessa and her two children have rented a cabin for the summer to get away from NYC, to get away from the husband she is growing further apart from and the life that she doesn't seem to fit into. The cabin is a tiny dilapidated house in the midst of huge lake mansions. Next door is the very rich and beautiful Rebecca with her three children, also escaping from her life. Despite the huge difference in their lives, Tessa and Rebecca become friends as do their children - though the children become friends very reluctantly. As Rebecca starts to shower Tessa with things like make- overs and new clothes, it also becomes apparent to Tessa that Rebecca is harboring a deep secret about her life. As the secrets come to light who will be most hurt by the truth - friends, husbands or children or will the real harm be to Tessa and Rebecca?
This is a novel about friendship and secrets and family. It's a story of two woman, though leading very different lives,who are still very much the same because of the secrets in their lives. Both women are very well written - flaws and all - and I found myself rooting for both of them from page 1. This is a wonderful character driven book and I highly recommend it.
Thanks to netgalley for a copy of this book to read and review. All opinions are my own.
Tessa and her two children have rented a cabin for the summer to get away from NYC, to get away from the husband she is growing further apart from and the life that she doesn't seem to fit into. The cabin is a tiny dilapidated house in the midst of huge lake mansions. Next door is the very rich and beautiful Rebecca with her three children, also escaping from her life. Despite the huge difference in their lives, Tessa and Rebecca become friends as do their children - though the children become friends very reluctantly. As Rebecca starts to shower Tessa with things like make- overs and new clothes, it also becomes apparent to Tessa that Rebecca is harboring a deep secret about her life. As the secrets come to light who will be most hurt by the truth - friends, husbands or children or will the real harm be to Tessa and Rebecca?
This is a novel about friendship and secrets and family. It's a story of two woman, though leading very different lives,who are still very much the same because of the secrets in their lives. Both women are very well written - flaws and all - and I found myself rooting for both of them from page 1. This is a wonderful character driven book and I highly recommend it.
Thanks to netgalley for a copy of this book to read and review. All opinions are my own.
February 5, 2021
I rarely give a lower than three te for a book but there was just so much I didn’t like about this book. I would not pass it along, ever, for a friend to read (which is my litmus for “good� vs ”bad.�
Where to begin? Unlikeable, one dimensional characters that I just couldn’t care about, the dual narrators that sounded like exactly the same person (right down to repetitive vocabulary), absolutely ridiculous plot.. this could have been so much more, but it doesn’t even feel like a worthy beach read.
I did finish it, and everything just felt so forced. Like maybe the author wanted to write something relatable and au courant (I mean, we did have psychosis from buried childhood trauma, cutting, delusional behavior, alcoholism, and the oh so popular mommy issues)... but my reaction was simply... “Come on!�
I wanted this to be so much more and I just finished feeling like it was trite and disappointing.
Where to begin? Unlikeable, one dimensional characters that I just couldn’t care about, the dual narrators that sounded like exactly the same person (right down to repetitive vocabulary), absolutely ridiculous plot.. this could have been so much more, but it doesn’t even feel like a worthy beach read.
I did finish it, and everything just felt so forced. Like maybe the author wanted to write something relatable and au courant (I mean, we did have psychosis from buried childhood trauma, cutting, delusional behavior, alcoholism, and the oh so popular mommy issues)... but my reaction was simply... “Come on!�
I wanted this to be so much more and I just finished feeling like it was trite and disappointing.
September 5, 2018
This is a heart wrenching story of two women who meet one summer, and as the story progresses, more and more secrets are revealed.
Tessa goes to the lake for the summer with her two children, Katherine and Ben as life with her husband has reached a stalemate situation.
Rebecca goes to the lake for the summer with her three children, Zoe, Max and Charlotte as life with her husband seems to be crumbling around her.
The two women strike up an unusual friendship but slowly they become closer and the children learn to like each other too.
Tessa envies Rebecca in some ways but she knows she’s fighting something as at times she looks ill and she is worried about her drinking.
Things come to a head and then what follows is truly breathtaking.
This is a riveting read and I really enjoyed it.
Thanks to Bookouture and Netgalley for the opportunity to read this book.
Tessa goes to the lake for the summer with her two children, Katherine and Ben as life with her husband has reached a stalemate situation.
Rebecca goes to the lake for the summer with her three children, Zoe, Max and Charlotte as life with her husband seems to be crumbling around her.
The two women strike up an unusual friendship but slowly they become closer and the children learn to like each other too.
Tessa envies Rebecca in some ways but she knows she’s fighting something as at times she looks ill and she is worried about her drinking.
Things come to a head and then what follows is truly breathtaking.
This is a riveting read and I really enjoyed it.
Thanks to Bookouture and Netgalley for the opportunity to read this book.
August 28, 2018
No matter how hard it is, the past has to be dealt with ...
I had the feeling throughout the story that nobody could be trusted. Everybody seems to be hiding a secret and it was as if, any minute, a bomb could explode.
The book is divided in chapters alternating between Tessa and Rebecca telling their point of view. When you crave a friend, you sometimes end up with something you did not wish for and that's when hell breaks loose.
It's a very enthralling and gripping book. It pulls your heartstrings so hard, they are on the verge to break.
Thank you, Kate Hewitt, Bookouture and Netgalley
httsps://bforbookreview.wordpress.com
I had the feeling throughout the story that nobody could be trusted. Everybody seems to be hiding a secret and it was as if, any minute, a bomb could explode.
The book is divided in chapters alternating between Tessa and Rebecca telling their point of view. When you crave a friend, you sometimes end up with something you did not wish for and that's when hell breaks loose.
It's a very enthralling and gripping book. It pulls your heartstrings so hard, they are on the verge to break.
Thank you, Kate Hewitt, Bookouture and Netgalley
httsps://bforbookreview.wordpress.com
January 20, 2021
Ugh. The general idea was fine, but the author could not have made more two-dimensional and uninteresting characters if she'd tried. I spent the first half of the book considering not finishing it (which I have only done on a few occasions my entire life) because the main characters were so full of obnoxious cliches and unbelievable behaviors. If this is how she thinks women typically think and behave then it's no wonder we're having trouble convincing men otherwise too! My advice.... do NOT read this book.
October 24, 2018
3.5 stars
September 19, 2018
This was my first book by Kate Hewitt and I really did not know what to expect. I loved getting to know the two main characters, Tessa and Rebecca, with the alternating chapters. It was easy to follow but you were able to see things from two, often very different, perspectives.
The story engaged me from the start but I enjoyed the slow build up that really let you make your judgments about who you "thought" these two women were. Most of the rollercoaster ride doesn't start until you are midway through the book and I loved how it totally threw me for a loop. I enjoyed the idea that things are not always how they seem and you don't always know the issues someone is facing at first glance. There were definitely some heavy issues weaved into their storylines and this book kept me guessing until the very end. The title was perfect and truly captured what this book was all about. I definitely recommend this one and am excited to read more from Kate Hewitt.
The story engaged me from the start but I enjoyed the slow build up that really let you make your judgments about who you "thought" these two women were. Most of the rollercoaster ride doesn't start until you are midway through the book and I loved how it totally threw me for a loop. I enjoyed the idea that things are not always how they seem and you don't always know the issues someone is facing at first glance. There were definitely some heavy issues weaved into their storylines and this book kept me guessing until the very end. The title was perfect and truly captured what this book was all about. I definitely recommend this one and am excited to read more from Kate Hewitt.
September 6, 2018
I absolutely LOVED this amazing, poignant and heart-rending book. This author writes beautiful and from the heart. This is a story I could not put down and one that will stay with me for a very long time. A wonderful, through provoking take from an author to watch. Very highly recommended.
August 16, 2018
The Secrets We Keep is a highly recommended read I could not put my kindle down, I just had to find out what happens next, straight away I was drawn in by the characters Tessa and Rebecca who are joined together during a summer holiday each with hidden problems of their own, I enjoyed every minute of this book.
October 2, 2019
Ho iniziato a leggere questo libro dopo un romanzo e ero un po'preoccupata perché convinta che sarebbe stato un romanzo leggero e un po' sdolcinato, probabilmente a causa della copertina.
E invece no, perché questo tutto è tranne un romanzo rosa.
Tessa arriva al lago con i figli Ben e Katherine, felice di poter finalmente godersi la tanto desiderata vacanza, in un villino da sogno. Grande è la scoperta che la casa non sia esattamente come nelle foto, e ancora di più che, nella stessa proprietà, si trovi anche una grande villa con una mamma meravigliosa e i suoi tre figli, che diventano tanto fastidiosi per quanto sono perfetti. Ma non tutto è sempre come sembra, e infatti verranno alla luce numerosi segreti nascosti di entrambe le donne e le rispettive famiglie. Gli eventi precipiteranno fino a un finale decisamente inatteso.
Queste due famiglie sono l'esempio di come la realtà sia spesso diversa da ciò che appare e che quindi sia spesso un errore fidarsi delle apparenze. Dietro ogni donna dall'immagine forte e invidiabile, esiste sempre una forte fragilità, forse più marcata ancora rispetto alle altre, perché deve rispondere a esigenze sempre maggiori e soddisfare le aspettative di tanti.
La vicenda di Rebecca insegna che è sempre possibile imparare, vincendo il timore del giudizio altrui, e questo può aiutare a migliorare e superare quelle che da sole sembrano difficoltà insormontabili.
La storia di Tessa è invece una storia di rinascita superficialmente, ma inizialmente solo prendendo in prestito le vite degli altri che sono più desiderabili da diversi punti di vista, soprattutto scontrandosi contro detrattori e chi mostra chiaramente di credere poco nelle sue capacità.
Ma gli eventi porteranno al capovolgimento dei rispettivi ruoli, mostrando che, quando non si assume una posizione attiva nella propria esistenza ma si vive di riflesso, la Vita non sarà mai magnanima nei nostri confronti e non esistono possibilità di redimersi.
E questo è ciò che succede a questa donna, che la vita costringe a vivere senza una parte di ricordi, e che riesce a tornare alle proprie origini e a non dover raccogliere i pezzi, ripartendo però con un'angoscia tangibile, che porta ad una grande perdita, che per molti sarebbe intollerabile, mentre lei, una volta rimessi insieme i cocci, a parte gli errori commessi.
Tutto sommato questo è un libro di fede in se stessi e nelle proprie capacità, di speranza estrema, di cui può essere capace solo chi ha attraversato e superato i momenti più bui che questa vita ci possa destinare.
Graffiante ma dolce, mi ha piacevolmente sorpresa.
E invece no, perché questo tutto è tranne un romanzo rosa.
Tessa arriva al lago con i figli Ben e Katherine, felice di poter finalmente godersi la tanto desiderata vacanza, in un villino da sogno. Grande è la scoperta che la casa non sia esattamente come nelle foto, e ancora di più che, nella stessa proprietà, si trovi anche una grande villa con una mamma meravigliosa e i suoi tre figli, che diventano tanto fastidiosi per quanto sono perfetti. Ma non tutto è sempre come sembra, e infatti verranno alla luce numerosi segreti nascosti di entrambe le donne e le rispettive famiglie. Gli eventi precipiteranno fino a un finale decisamente inatteso.
Queste due famiglie sono l'esempio di come la realtà sia spesso diversa da ciò che appare e che quindi sia spesso un errore fidarsi delle apparenze. Dietro ogni donna dall'immagine forte e invidiabile, esiste sempre una forte fragilità, forse più marcata ancora rispetto alle altre, perché deve rispondere a esigenze sempre maggiori e soddisfare le aspettative di tanti.
La vicenda di Rebecca insegna che è sempre possibile imparare, vincendo il timore del giudizio altrui, e questo può aiutare a migliorare e superare quelle che da sole sembrano difficoltà insormontabili.
La storia di Tessa è invece una storia di rinascita superficialmente, ma inizialmente solo prendendo in prestito le vite degli altri che sono più desiderabili da diversi punti di vista, soprattutto scontrandosi contro detrattori e chi mostra chiaramente di credere poco nelle sue capacità.
Ma gli eventi porteranno al capovolgimento dei rispettivi ruoli, mostrando che, quando non si assume una posizione attiva nella propria esistenza ma si vive di riflesso, la Vita non sarà mai magnanima nei nostri confronti e non esistono possibilità di redimersi.
E questo è ciò che succede a questa donna, che la vita costringe a vivere senza una parte di ricordi, e che riesce a tornare alle proprie origini e a non dover raccogliere i pezzi, ripartendo però con un'angoscia tangibile, che porta ad una grande perdita, che per molti sarebbe intollerabile, mentre lei, una volta rimessi insieme i cocci, a parte gli errori commessi.
Tutto sommato questo è un libro di fede in se stessi e nelle proprie capacità, di speranza estrema, di cui può essere capace solo chi ha attraversato e superato i momenti più bui che questa vita ci possa destinare.
Graffiante ma dolce, mi ha piacevolmente sorpresa.
January 28, 2022
I had a difficult time getting into this but something had me keep reading. I did get intrigued by the characters and liked that it shows how people of all economical classes all have their emotional issues that endure in their lives and it is the human condition that connects us.
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