Publisher: St. Martin’s Griffin / Macmillan Audio
Published: February 8, 2022
Source: Print – ARC Paperback via GetRedPR / Audio – ALC via Netgalley
Summary:
A thrilling domestic drama set against the power of the wilderness, Secrets of Our House is a deeply-felt novel of long-held secrets and the strength of family.
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.
My thoughts:
This is the second book I’ve read by Rea Frey and I can now say I am a fan! I just love her writing because it’s emotionally driven and addicting.
This domestic drama is so compelling. I loved how it was told from just two points of view – Desi and Jules. I found the mother-daughter relationship to be so fraught with tension that it kept the momentum of the story moving, especially in the beginning as the stage is being set for all that is to come. This book is based on a web of secrets and lies, and I loved how they were woven into the story and eventually revealed. While I did guess one or two, I was completely caught off guard with the final one.
This is definitely a slow-burn that picks up in pace and intensity in the last bit, leaving you on the very edge of your seat. The characters are so vividly drawn and it is quite easy to become attached to them and their stories. I might not have agreed with all their choices but I was all about the drama that ensued.
This author has proven she can write addictive, binge-worthy stories that you just don’t want to put down. I really enjoyed this one and am not going to be checking out her backlist while waiting to see what comes next from her. If you enjoy domestic dramas, I highly recommend picking this one up!
Audio thoughts:
I thought the narrator, Samantha Desz, did a fantastic job bringing this story to life. Her pacing and intonation were spot on and she gave each character their own unique voice. She really kept me engaged in the story and I will definitely be checking out what else she has narrated.
