Publisher: Harper 360
Published: August 25, 2016
Source: Netgalley via Book Club Girl Free Friday Program
Summary:
A Russian grand duchess and an English journalist. Linked by one of the world’s greatest mysteries…
Love. Guilt. Heartbreak.
1914: Russia is on the brink of collapse, and the Romanov family faces a terrifyingly uncertain future. Grand Duchess Tatiana has fallen in love with cavalry officer Dmitri, but events take a catastrophic turn, placing their romance—and their lives—in danger…
2016: Kitty Fisher escapes to her great-grandfather’s remote cabin in America, after a devastating revelation makes her flee London. There, on the shores of Lake Akanabee, she discovers the spectacular jewelled pendant that will lead her to a long-buried family secret…
Haunting, moving and beautifully written, The Secret Wife effortlessly crosses centuries, as past merges with present in an unforgettable story of love, loss and resilience.
Perfect for fans of Kate Morton and Dinah Jefferies.
My thoughts:
This is the first book I’ve read by Gill Paul but it will certainly not be the last. I was excited to see it as a Friday freebie selection on the Book Club Girl Facebook page last week, especially since I have been devouring historical fiction lately and Russian history is definitely not an area I typically gravitate towards.
I love the dual narrative time line and this one really kept me engaged throughout. I haven’t read too many books that center around the Romanov family, so right away I was intrigued by this story. I loved how it involved a writer in both timelines – there’s just something so appealing about reading about writers or books in a story.
Not knowing too much about the Romanov family, I was intrigued by that part of the story. I know the barest facts of what happened, but I really appreciated that this one focused on Tatiana and not on Anastasia or Nicholas, who I am more familiar with from the little I do know of. While I did enjoy both time lines, I do have to say because I don’t know the historical part, I was definitely drawn a bit more to that story line.
After reading this book, which I completely devoured once I started, I realized two things – I need to find more books on the Romanovs and I need to read more books by this author! Luckily I already have one of her books on my shelf, so that is getting bumped up on my to-read list and I’ll have to do some research into the other soon!
The Romonov family leave so much unanswered. There was so much secrecy and isolation of the family that so much is just hearsay . However it is fascinating though sad reading especially the girls who tried to make their lives normal as possible.
I like stories told in two different time frames. The contrasts between the two both people and lifestyles and eras adds so much interest to a story.
Author
I agree! So much mystery surrounding this family!