Desi is the mastermind behind her dream getaway house. Nestled high into the mountains of North Carolina, it is a sleek place, a luxurious place, a dark place.
A place full of secrets.
Secrets about the man she longs for, a man who is not her husband. Secrets about the roots of her family that must never, ever, see the light of day. When Desi and her family arrive from Chicago to spend the summer in the mountains, the seeds for the tumultuous months to follow are planted--her marriage on the rocks, not knowing which way they'll go. Her seventeen year-old daughter Jules, falling in love for the first time with a local boy--and forging a new path that will take her to uncharted places. And Carter--a man Desi knew long ago, before she expunged him from her life for good.
All hurtling toward events none of them can undo.
Engaging, propulsive, and with a dramatic, heart-pounding final act, Secrets of Our House is a dazzling novel, richly-drawn, that shows no matter how hard outside forces may shake you, the bonds of family are stronger than the harshest winds.
Kindle Edition, 320 pages
Expected publication date: February 8, 2022
by St. Martin's Press
2.5/5 stars
This book is labelled as mystery/thriller and women's fiction however I would say it lacks the mystery thriller part and is more a family drama
Mom, Desi is a force to be reckoned with. I couldn’t connect or feel any empathy, she was selfish, overbearing and impulsive. Treads I found odd give her successful career.
It’s through her POV and that of her 17 year old daughter, Jules that this story is told.
As you can surmise from my rating I struggled with this story. The atmospheric feel was nice in terms of the outdoors, scenery and fresh air. However I found it repetitive as Desi pines for a lost love, at the same time trying to save her marriage.
Jules story had a bit more feeling, a conflicted teen but there were just to many inconsistencies that threw me off. Parts that didn’t make sense - you can hop over to Goodreads where more is hidden behind the spoiler button.
The ending didn’t satisfy me, it was long and drawn out plus I didn’t feel any real closure. Parts didn’t feel authentic and a little over the top. Suffice to say this book would make a great book club read just for the many topics to discuss.
Secrets of Our House is a slow burn family drama that I found predictable about secrets, each person has one. At times traumatic and contrived.
All this being said, there are a lot of 4/5 star ratings so it could just me a me thing. I have heard great things about the author's debut Not Her Daughter, which was one of the reasons I requested this one. I will read it in time (you should see my TBR pile, kinda scary).
All this being said, there are a lot of 4/5 star ratings so it could just me a me thing. I have heard great things about the author's debut Not Her Daughter, which was one of the reasons I requested this one. I will read it in time (you should see my TBR pile, kinda scary).
My thanks to at Martin's Press (via NetGalley) for a digital arc in exchange for a honest review.
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