The Secrets We Keep: An unputdownable emotional page-turner

· Bookouture
3.7
14 reviews
Ebook
350
Pages

About this ebook

My whole body aches. I trawl memories of her, now so precious... my darling child. I can’t lose her…


When Tessa arrives at the little house by the lake with her two children, it is an escape. The rental house may be a bit small—but it’s theirs for the summer. A place to hide…


However, their isolation is disrupted by the family from the big house next door. Three children and their glamorous mother Rebecca—who seems determined to invite Tessa into their lives.


Rebecca, however, is harbouring a dark secret. And when it becomes too much for her to bear, Tessa seems to be the only person she can turn to.


But as powerful bonds form between the two families, choices will be made that can never be undone. And as the summer comes to an end, nothing can keep everyone safe. And one family will pay the ultimate price…


A gripping, powerful emotional page turner with a heartbreaking twist, for fans of Jodi Picoult, Emily Bleeker and Diane Chamberlain.


Readers are loving The Secrets We Keep:

“Holy heck!!! Kate Hewitt brought her A-game with this must read... I was completely entranced… There were so many well-timed twists and turns and just when I thought I couldn’t be surprised anymore, there was another bomb waiting to drop!! … A complete 5 star novel that will most certainly “wow” you!” Steph and Chris’ Book Review, 5 stars

 

“A powerful, emotional and captivating book… very gripping… a fantastic story.” MoMo’s Book Diary, 5 stars

 

“Emotional, suspenseful, truthful...these all describe this gut wrenching story of two very different women and the summer they share… I couldn't put it down! The suspense built higher and higher feeling almost like a Hitchcock movie.” Goodreads reviewer


“It had me on the edge of my seat with tears in my eyes. It is a very heart wrenching book to read and incredibly moving.” Goodreads reviewer


“Captivating, suspenseful, entertaining novel! This beautiful thriller kept me on the edge of my seat while I was reading it!” Goodreads reviewer, 5 stars


“Oh my god!! What a heartbreaking twist...I absolutely loved this book sooooo much.” Goodreads reviewer, 5 stars


“An absolutely, heart wrenchingly, emotional book… Be warned, you will shed tears!” Goodreads reviewer, 5 stars


“A story about friendship, hope, and how we can help each other get through the tough times in our lives… captivated me from the start… I love, love, love this book.” Goodreads reviewer, 5 stars


“I could not put [it] down, I just had to find out what happens next… I enjoyed every minute.” Goodreads reviewer, 5 stars


“The ending… tore at my heartstrings.” Goodreads reviewer


“I was totally immersed in this beautifully told story and felt really sad by the time I reached the end. Uniquely wonderful… I loved every single page of it.” Goodreads reviewer, 5 stars


“I cried so much during this book. I couldn't put it down.” Goodreads reviewer, 5 stars


“I have just finished reading this book, and am blown away. I didn't want the book to end, but I couldn't put it down… Engrossing.” Goodreads reviewer, 5 stars

 

“Wow! This book really kept me on my toes. There are a lot of twists and turns that I was not expecting… I highly recommend this book, but prepare yourself for the emotional roller coaster!” Goodreads reviewer, 5 stars

 

“Does not let go until you have read the last page. It will pull at your heart strings and break your heart at the same time.” Goodreads reviewer, 5 stars


“A highly emotional and suspenseful book which left me in tears in some parts and biting my nails in others… One emotional rollercoaster of a story with twists and turns aplenty.” Stardust Book Reviews

Ratings and reviews

3.7
14 reviews
brf1948
December 19, 2020
I received a free electronic copy of this modern novel from BookSIRENS and Kate Hewitt. Thank you for sharing your hard work with me. I have read this novel of my own volition, and this review reflects my honest opinion of this work. The Secrets We Keep is a compelling tale that keeps you reading long past your bedtime. New York City mother's Tessa and Rebecca are both seeking tranquility from their life pressures, each renting a place on New York's Finger Lakes for the summer. Though the rentals are side by side, Rebecca's is a showplace with all the bells and whistles with lots of rooms and entertainment for her three children, and Tessa with her two is renting a tiny cabin, each room small and dark and careworn, but they have the beach and the water, though very cold, is always beckoning. Despite their varied background, the two women grow close, as do their five children all between the ages of 8 and 11. There are however pressures on both households that keep the women from settling down and using this time to work through their problems, though they do work into a routine that suits the children, including daily swim and tennis lessons courtesy of Rebecca at the local Country Club. Although Rebecca's husband Josh makes an occasional visit or two, Tessa's husband Kyle spends his weekends trying to establish an income with his friends and fellow musicians to supplement and hopefully, eventually replace, his income from a job he truly abhors. And then Rebecca mentally implodes. She no longer finds any relief from cutting, and her drinking is out of control. Josh comes up and enrolls her in a 28-day program at a health center in the area, but he must return to NYC for pressing happenings at his job. Tessa moves into the big house with her children and cares for Rebeccas three, maintaining the pattern of their summer lives before Rebecca's mental break. Josh makes the effort to come up every weekend, visits Rebecca, and eventually brings their children up to visit her, and life rolls along at a normal pace. And then Rebecca is released. Life goes back to what it was before. Or does it? Can it?
2 people found this review helpful
Alison Morgan
September 24, 2021
All of Ms. Hewitt's books that I have read involve the heartbreak of loss and dealing with grief and the pain is so real because she makes you love the person who will die before you lose them. Her characters don't feel like fiction; they feel like someone you really know and you grieve their loss. You feel you lost them too. After reading several of her books I told myself my heart couldn't take anymore grief. Then I borrowed 3 more from the library This particular book touched me more than previously read ones, perhaps because I have experienced sudden loss of someone I didn't feel I could live without. I can relate to each of the characters in some way. The ending surprised me and I didn't want to like it. Yet I felt satisfied. And sad or not I will continue to read her books
Sheila Easson
September 23, 2018
This is a powerful and insightful novel, written with great sensitivity, perception and covering a lot of modern issues. There is an excellent portrait of self-harm, which I found uncomfortable at times as I’m squeamish. With such a personal zero pain and blood tolerance, I struggle to understand it. Given that, I haven't suffered like them, so can't judge. I found the plot slow with emotional overkill, excessive introspection and repetition of facts and feelings. However, it makes the point well that as a mother you have to be strong and resilient for the sake of your children. The characterisation is excellent with well-executed family issues and concerns. There are a lot of wounded souls in this novel. Two women form an unlikely friendship during summer vacation because they are neighbours. It is an uneasy matching as the adults and children are strained with each other and from different social groups. Rebecca is full-on. She’s wealthy, smart, elegant, confident and everything Tess would like to be. But, is Rebecca quite what she seems or is that her protective veneer? Behind that façade of confidence lurk secrets and insecurities like gaping sinkholes. Nonetheless, Tess feels threatened by what she perceives as the woman-with-everything and ends up striving to emulate Rebecca. The dynamics shift, and it’s almost as though the women swap places. A sad, doomed ending. Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture.
6 people found this review helpful

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