Secret Lives

by Diane Chamberlain

From the author of Lovers and Strangers, a powerful, compelling Southern novel about family secrets. An Oscar-winning actress returns to her native Virginia to script the story of the famous mother she barely knew, but she gets more than she bargained for when her uncle presents her with her mother's private journals.

Genres: Fiction, Chick Lit, Contemporary, Womens Fiction, Romance, Audiobook, Mystery

486 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1991

About the author

Diane Chamberlain is the New York Times, USA Today and (London) Sunday Times best-selling author of 28 novels. The daughter of a school principal who supplied her with a new book almost daily, Diane quickly learned the emotional power of story. Although she wrote many small “books” as a child, she didn’t seriously turn to writing fiction until her early thirties when she was waiting for a delayed doctor’s appointment with nothing more than a pad, a pen, and an idea. She was instantly hooked.

Diane was born and raised in Plainfield, New Jersey and lived for many years in both San Diego and northern Virginia. She received her master’s degree in clinical social work from San Diego State University. Prior to her writing career, she was a hospital social worker in both San Diego and Washington, D.C, and a psychotherapist in private practice in Alexandria, Virginia, working primarily with adolescents.

More than two decades ago, Diane was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis and lupus, which changed the way she works: She wrote two novels using voice recognition software before new medication allowed her to get back to typing. She feels fortunate that her arthritis is not more severe and that she’s able to enjoy everyday activities as well as keep up with a busy travel schedule.

Diane lives in North Carolina with her significant other, photographer John Pagliuca, and their odd but lovable Shetland Sheepdog, Cole

Reviews

[Michelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

You can definitely tell that this is one of Diane Chamberlain first books, that’s not to say it’s not good because it is but it’s not as polished as her more recent stories. I enjoyed the story line, the way all the individual plot lines are woven together, it’s almost seamless. And while this book felt a bit raw, I felt I could see just how far the author has come in her writing and I loved that insight.

[Chris · Rating 3 out of 5]

Written in 1991, this was Chamberlain's 3rd novel, and it definitely had some pluses but also a few in the minus column. I categorized it as women's fiction, but it could easily fall into dual timeline (1941-59 & the contemporary period), coming of age in the past timeline, family drama and a romance. I could have done without the latter and all the sex & angst involved.

In the opening chapters, I worried that I wasn't going to like the contemporary female MC, Eden Riley. It was hard for me to imagine being invested in a major Hollywood star and I really didn't warm up to her a lot throughout the story. I was much more interested in Kate's (Eden's mother) story which was revealed through her journals which we get to the first one in chap 3. After that I was hooked. I loved the characters of Kyle & Lou, Eden's Uncle and his partner. I was on the fence about Ben and his story and Eden's love interest. I'm not sure why the author added a storyline that involved child molestation when there was so much to explore in the family dynamics of the Swifts (Kate, Kyle & their parents) as well as the dynamics between Eden, Kyle & Lou, especially as Eden comes to terms with what she is learning about her mother whom she tragically lost at an early age.
I wondered why the author had one of the major characters develop agoraphobia, & then I read somewhere that Chamberlain has dealt with the disorder herself.

All and all an interesting read despite some flaws in my opinion. It fit the bill for me to pass the time over the holiday weekend and quiet end of the month.

[Donna · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was just okay for me. The narrator did a really great job, especially with all the southern accents, but that alone wasn't enough to save this from a 2 star rating.

The story was about some tough subjects involving a very young girl, and about an adult woman finding out her mother's secrets. This story has been done before and I'm not sure this one stands out in any special way. It was just "Meh."

I had quite a few problems with this. The biggest one was with the characters. The author told the reader so much about them, but it didn't ring true because I couldn't see it or feel it from their actions, thoughts, dialogue, or emotion. They also came across as unsympathetic and distant. Another problem with the characters was all the whining about sex, the talking about sex, the pining for sex, the lying about sex, etc. It was a little too much. It felt like it was being forced in because it wasn't crucial to the story building. Some of it .... sure, but the story wouldn't have suffered without most of it.

[Lina Roce · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5☆

[Jurga Šernienė · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5*
Paslaptys, paslaptys ir dar kartą paslaptys. Kiekvienas šios knygos herojus turi po kažkokį "skeletą savo spintoj". Slepia giliai, bet atėjo ta diena, kai visus po vieną tenka ištraukti ir paviešinti. Tiesa retai čia kada maloni, bet jos tikrai reikia, norint sustyguoti tolimesnį gyvenimą.
Gera knyga, įtraukianti.

[Corey · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is one of the few books that I can say was nearly impossible to put down. Almost from the beginning, I was transfixed by the world of Eden and then of Kate. Both of these female characters were written wonderfully and believably - so much so that even being able to guess most of what transpires in the novel prior to it happening doesn't diminish the quality of the book at all. I really loved how Diane grafted Kate's story along with Eden's - so much more original than the typical flashback or swap between point of views. Definitely one of my favorite novels by this author! So glad she made it available as an e-book!

[Pauline Tilbe · Rating 5 out of 5]

I didn't realize when I bought this discounted book for my Kindle that it was originally published in the early 90's. But it explains the lack of cellphones and I was suspicious of the "word processor" mentioned throughout the book. Small detail in a big story.
The secrets in this book are haunting and yet beautiful too. Eden returns to her childhood home to create a screenplay about her mother. She knows her mother was troubled, she knew her for such a short time that research is required...and Edens discovers more than she could have ever imagined. She drops all the Hollywood pretense and finds that reality makes her very vulnerable.
I've read some of Diane Chamberlain's books in the past and have to say, they are never a quick easy read. I did read this book quickly (for me) because it captured me to a degree that I couldn't put it down. Not an easy read but well worth your time and effort.

[Denise · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.0 out of 5 stars -- I have read and enjoyed a couple of Diane Chamberlain's more recent novels: THE LIES WE TOLD and THE SECRET LIFE OF CEECEE WILKES. Today I made the mistake of going to a title on this author's backlist -- and was very disappointed in this book. NO NO NO, I said to myself, I am not reading a Jodi Picoult book so why is this author channeling her, manipulating me and giving me what I feared most -- the most obvious, ridiculous and unoriginal solution to a problem. I saw it coming, I dreaded it, I hoped it would not be -- but there you go. Yes, the author did it. And I hated it. I would not recommend this book to anyone except a reader who likes to be able to guess everything that is going to happen in the entire narrative by chapter 2. I'm not a fan of those kinds of novels. Stick to the two recent titles by this author that are better. I know better now.

[Paula · Rating 1 out of 5]

I usually love Diane Chamberlain's books but this one was just plain terrible. Syrupy desperate love, predictable & just went on & on. I usually like the past vs. present tales & if it weren't for the past narrative I wouldn't have finished it. Eden Riley's character is just plain ridiculous. The whole child molestation part was disgusting & the fact that they keep some of these secrets is just implausible. This book was too damsel in distress whiny.

[Carole · Rating 4 out of 5]

Diane Chamberlain sent me this signed copy of her book that has just been published in paperback in the UK. It was originally published in 1991. I thought I may not enjoy this as much as her newer novels, but I loved it just as much. It is the story of Eden Riley, a famous actress, who goes to visit her Uncle & Aunt at the childhood home of her mother. Eden's mother, Kate, was a children's author who suffered from agoraphobia, and died when Eden was very young. Eden intends to write a screenplay based on her mothers journals. She meets a handsome man named Ben, who has a secret that threatens their relationship. There are many twists as there usually are in a Chamberlain novel. It was hard to put down. I liked the way Kate's story was told in journal form. I highly recommend this wonderful book. I was so happy to win this on Diane's blog! She is an author that truly connects with her fans, and takes time to make us feel valued through her blog, Goodreads, and on Facebook.

[Annie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read an interview of Diane not that long ago. She said that one of her favorite novels that she wrote was this one (her third novel) because she felt as if she found her voice with starting with this one. She also said it had personal meaning for her because one of the characters has agoraphobia, which she has also struggled with. This was a page turner for me. I was really drawn into the story, but some of the sexual stuff was too much for me. I also guessed two of the surprises long before they were revealed, but that didn't take away from the story for me.

[Chloe (Always Booked) · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think it's official- I don't love Diane's super early works. This one was such a slog at times and only somewhat interesting at other times. This is about a woman who is wanting to find out more about her now deceased, infamously eccentric mother. The girl was raised by her uncle and he has a bunch of journals from her mom that he's just now letting her read (per request of the mother). We find out the uncle as actually the mom's cousin and our main character is actually the product of a love affair between the uncle and her mom (cousins). By the grace of God she is genetically normal, but it as still a strange "twist". She has a romance with a guy who was convicted of molesting his daughter, but he didn't actually do it, his brother did. Her mom lived in a cave and was very emotionally traumatized and it was never really dealt with and the trauma seems to just have webbed out. This book had almost zero emotional impact on me and the characters were all so flat I'm very unlikely to remember it much beyond this review.

[Trish at Between My Lines · Rating 4 out of 5]

Emotional, riveting and romantic. Diane Chamberlain knows how to catch your attention with intriguing characters and unique situations. Love it!

[TamW · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, what a story ! Diane Chamberlain, in my opinion is a master of character development. She’s also one of a very few authors I’ve found who can weave a story and a backstory and have one be just as exciting and engaging as the other and I think of all of her books, this is the best example of that. The backstory is told through a journal, showing the characters development from young teen to a new mom...the journal itself even progresses from hillbilly young grammar to flowing intelligent storytelling.

It is hard to pick a favourite Diane-Chamberlain-book...and I don’t think I can. After reading Secret Lives, though, however, I can tell you this one affected me deeply – I see a piece of Kate’s character in my oldest daughter and Kate’s journaling felt a little enlightening for me. Having read so many of Diane’s books and loving them, I was hesitant to spoil my love of her writing and storytelling my reading some of her earlier work – that wasn’t the case at all. This one ranks right up there with the others and in fact surpasses some, if not all – clearly I couldn’t pick a favourite, but this one would be in the running if I had to.

Two quotes I highlighted from the book:

“Finally I reached the end. Instead of finding myself in the grand shrine of my story, I was in a huge cave with a low ceiling that had long stalactites dropping from it like spikes and long thin stalagmites growing from the ground to meet them. They met at the level of my waist, forming stone columns, so that to walk through this room I had to twist and turn and I felt like I was in the middle of a giant taffy pull.”

Kate’s Love for Sara Jane’s baby who had been born without arms, but instead had two hands dangling from her shoulders was such a small part of the book and yet felt so significant to me that I had to highlight this:

“But she can still imagine,” I said to Sara Jane. “What does that mean?” Sara Jane all but barked at me. She still doesn’t care much for me. I tried to explain how being able to dream things up is the most important thing in the world, more important than having arms or being able to add two plus two. I thought I was sounding poetic, but Sara Jane looked at me like she used to in grammar school – like I was too weird to be believed....”

[Tatiana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Диана Чемберлен «Тайная жизнь, или Дневник моей матери».

Знаменитая актриса Иден, переживая тяжелый развод, переезжает в родительский дом, чтобы разобраться в себе и заодно побольше узнать о своей матери - известной детской писательницы, которая погибла, когда Идем была еще совсем ребенком, и осталась загадкой как для дочери, так и для общественности. Мать была очень эксцентричной особой, затворницей, ее считали практически ненормальной. Иден лелеет мечту написать сценарий и снять фильм, чтобы показать свою мать в другом свете – как интересную и любящую женщину, которая может и жила очень уединенной жизнью, но не как не была сумасшедшей.

Там же Иден знакомиться с археологом - Беном, который работает на ее дядю, и проводит раскопки недалеко от пещеры, где ее погибшая мать часто писала. Между молодыми людьми сразу возникает взаимное притяжение, которое, казалось бы, могло перерасти во что-то большее, но героев разделяет слишком много тайн. Бен не просто ведет раскопки в богом забытом месте, он в буквальном смысле прячется от всего мира, и его тайны - последнее, что нужно Иден.

И на фоне всех переживаний в настоящем, Иден читает дневники своей матери, и заново раскрывается для себя женщину, которой была ее мать. Понимает, почему та жила такой уединенной жизнью и откроет для себя тайны, которые вместе с собой в могилу унесла ее мать.


Третья прочитанная мною книга Дианы Чемберлен и, на мой взгляд, самая ИДЕАЛЬНАЯ. Всего по чуть-чуть: драмы, интриги, тайн, любви, семейных отношений. Потрясающие герои, что главные – Бен и Иден, что второстепенные, такие как Кайл или Лу. В восторге больше всего от Кайла, такой терпеливый, добрый, мудрый и открытый персонаж. Отношения Бена и Иден очень понравились, очень переживала за них, автор не пожалеет этих двоих и на их долу выпадет немало испытании. Конечно, уровень драмы зашкаливает, но и простота и обычность подкупает. Нет не нужных сопель и пошлости.
Диана Чемберлен очень интересно переплетает настоящее с прошлым, по средствам дневников, придает «чертовщинки» каждому герою. Мать Иден – Кэтрин, по средствам дневников, как будто оживает на страницах романа, за ее линией я следила с невероятным интересном, что не запись – невероятный поворот сюжета. Так, что вердикт – восторг-восторг. Оценка +5 из 5.

[Ayda Razak · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF at page 162. This book is about an actress who wanted to make a film about her mother who was a famous writer. As she was digging into her mother's past, she got to know more about her mother especially through her mother's journal.

I found the story is a bit weird but mostly because too many xxx scene in it. I've tried to finish this, I really do but is a NO.

[Kerryrosalia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wasn’t expecting this book to be so heavy and gripping! So many issues tackled and so many secrets revealed. Really enjoyed it!

[JudiAnne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Eden Riley, a famous actress decides to write a screenplay for a movie about her eccentric mother, a famous children’s author. Eden’s mother, Katherine mysteriously died when Eden was 11. This journey takes her to the hills of Virginia where she is looking forward to leaving the glitz and glamour of Hollywood behind. Within days she starts to think that she might have gotten more than she bargained for. Through her mother’s journals she discovers Katherine was an agoraphobic who loved to spend most of her time in a cave. Her brother, Kyle, provides her with the journals Katherine wrote and hid in the cave. She comes to a new understanding of the circumstances that forced her mother into a life as a recluse. Along the way she meets Ben, an archaeologist who might be the love of her life but he has dark secrets that severely threaten their relationship. As their lives spiral out of control and Eden finds out through the journals the sordid truth about her family she is on the brink of decision whether or not to pursue her screenplay. There are a large cast of characters surrounding Eden, Katherine, Kyle, and Ben. Lou, Kyle’s crippled wife, Ben’s ex and their daughter, Edens’ ex and their daughter, and many more are very important characters that make the story come to life.

This is one novel that I could actually get into the characters lives, feel what they were feeling, and when my eyes left the pages I had to blink at least twice to make myself realize that I had not been transformed into a character in the family dynamics of Eden, Katherine and Kyle. As I read I actually could feel the coolness of the cave and could experience comfort that the walls provided for Katherine from the outside world. As sad as the agoraphobia is I came to understand the intense need for only familiar surroundings.

I have read several of Diane Chamberlain’s novels and liked most of them but this one, I consider her best.

[Rachael · Rating 4 out of 5]

**4 stars**
A great read that brought a tear to my eye!

Time taken to read novel: 3 days

Ahh I am so glad that my faith in Diane Chamberlain has been restored. My last Diane Chamberlain novel was Reflections which was quite a disappointment so I am truely glad that I enjoyed this novel.

Eden Riley, an unhappy Hollywood actress, makes the decision to return to her small hometown in Virginia to try and understand her mother, who passed away when Eden was only four years old. While on her quest to understand her mother, Eden meets Ben Alexander, who is running away from his own troubled past...

Essentially this is a contemporary love story with a bunch of family secrets and drama. There are some twists and turns that are revealed along the way which may not surprise you, but are still enjoyable.

What I liked about this novel:
=>The characterisation of all of the secondary characters, particularly Lou, Kyle and Kate
=>Slowly getting to understand the complex character of Kate and her relationships
=>The way that the cave was not only a setting but essentially took on characteristics of a major character

What I didn't like about this novel:
=> Eden's naivety especially regarding Ben
=> Ben's self pity

Overall, I really enjoyed this novel =]

[Kathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

A huge fan of Diane Chamberlain, I have been trying to track down some of her older books for quite some time. I was rapt to see Secret Lives being published as a re-release from 1991. Hoping that this older book was going to be as good as her newer books, I am glad to say I enjoyed it just as much. I highly recommend any of Diane Chamberlain’s books – she is a gifted writer who is able to connect to the reader within a few pages…….In Secret Lives we follow famous actress Eden Riley. Eden’s mother Kate suffered from agoraphobia and died when Eden was young and Eden is there to research her mother’s life (she was a famous children’s author) and intends to produce a movie about her mother. On the other side of the story we have Ben, hiding away in the small town after serving time for an unspeakable crime. When Eden arrives at her Aunt and Uncle’s childhood home, she is given a journal of her Mother’s from her Uncle, so then we have Kate’s own story in her own words as well. As only Diane Chamberlain can do, a heartfelt pageturner for my keeper shelf!!!

[Gayle · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was looking for something easy to read and that I could pick up and down at a moment's notice - this book hit the spot and more. It is essentially 3 stories woven into the one novel and that gives it the edge: you just don't want to put it down. By the end I was truly hooked and wanted to find out what happened in each of the stories. The subject matter was not trivial either - agoraphobia, deception and child abuse.

I am certainly going to pick up other books by this author, whom I didn't know beforehand, although I think by the author's own admission, this is her favourite and certainly an early novel.

[Liveta · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kokia puiki knyga! Pirma pažintis su šia autore, nenuvylė, noriu skaityti dar daugiau jos kūrybos, nes ši autorė tikrai turi ką pasakyti.

[❤Marie Gentilcore · Rating 4 out of 5]

Diane Chamberlain is one of my favorite authors because she creates characters that feel so real to me and I enjoyed this book very much. This story is about Eden Riley, a movie star, who has come back to her childhood home to write a screenplay about her deceased mother, Kate, who was an author of children’s books and was famous for spending most of her time in a cave. Eden’s Uncle Kyle saved Kate’s journals and gives these to Eden one at a time so we get to experience the present with Eden and the past with Kate. It was an interesting and sometimes sad story and lots of secrets were revealed.

[Nessa · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a huge fan of Diane books, I thought I’d read all of her very earlier books, those written and published up to 1999, so imagine my surprise when I discovered that I’d not read this little gem, so glad it got republished/re-issued, otherwise I might never of had a chance to read it.

Anyway this has been an absolute joy to read, it was emotional, intense reading at times as it does deal with some very sensitive/distressing issues that some readers may find difficult to read. It was amazingly well written and thought out. I was literally gripped throughout.

I love how this story was told, part in the present and then part in the past but through the eyes of entries in a diary. It was a definite 5 stars for me.

[Noah Tasker · Rating 3 out of 5]

Maybe 3.5, maybe. It was a decent read but often I found myself wanting it to be done and the plot wrapped up rather quickly. Definitely some points in the story line I did not see coming and were shocking but over all it was an average read.

[Kate · Rating 1 out of 5]

The best word to describe this is: Contrived.

Holy fuck it was bad. The ‘twist’ was obvious, Eden seems to be under the impression she gets to cast this movie, Eden bizarrely had a non reaction about her mom being in love with her uncle (ID HAVE QUESTIONS), the relationship between Kate and Kyle was grossly sexual, the idea that edens ex husband would get full custody/ charity would drop her as an ambassador if the tabloids ever found out she dated was stupid beyond belief (didn’t he cheat on her?) , why was everyone freaking out from the photo in New York. She was literally pictured next to a man. That’s it. No one could prove more. everyone skulking around the fact a love interest served time for molesting his daughter (accused, or real) was just plain gross and then she didn’t bother falling up when he confessed his secret- what? The idea that Ben pled guilty so his daughter wouldn’t testify is ludicrous. Why the fuck did his ex wife have sex with him right after accusing him of sexually assaulting their daughter? Why does his sister in law say if he’s guilty they’ll get him help, and stay on his side? Bliss’s mom never thought to consider her boyfriend may be the one assaulting her kid?! She calls him Daddy! Why is Edens agent calling her about her pretend boyfriend moping around and then bringing him to visit? A movie star creepily insisting on reading s book to a very specific class raises no eyebrows among staff? And the teacher just blabs that a student was assaulted? His ex best friend says don’t worry I won’t press charges but hey did you ever molest MY kid? Sharon and Jeff decide to use her CHILD as molester bait when they finally figure out its Sam? Ben is do selfish insisting on seeing Bliss when she’s so confused about who actually get her. What a jerk. And if Sam pled guilty to the crime why is he able to post bail for such a crime?

What is wrong with *every character* in this book???

[Judy Collins · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved this republished Nook e-book, and as usual Diane Chamberlain never disappoints! I was delighted to read Diane’s comments at the end of the book as to the creation of the story. (Even though I have an imagination; this book goes beyond expectations. I enjoy learning how an author uncovers an idea and brings it to fruition with their insights-- will not spoil this for potential readers. )

Secret Lives was most definitely a work of exceptional structure, pacing, and revelations (author’s goal), which was elegantly achieved through Diane’s writing style, usage of characters, different generations, controversial issues-- molestation, sex, agoraphobia, conceiving within families/cousins, love, romance, archaeology, generations, and particularly liked the first person writing with the journal entries, which makes it so realistic and personal. In addition the author’s past social work really shines with her detail, insight, knowledge, and research within all her books.

Even though Kate may have been strange and loved her solitude in the caves; however, can relate as creative (writers, artists, etc.) people tend to like solitude as they need this alone time, as I treasure alone time. This is what made her a talented writer. Lou was a very supportive character and you really sympathize with Ben and Kyle throughout the book. Eden grows on you as the book moves on and especially loved the ending to a very poignant and beautifully written book. I look forward to reading Chamberlain’s older books as they are published via e-book and retaining the original writing adds character.

[Becky · Rating 4 out of 5]

Despite grasping early on the big "secret reveal" of Eden Riley's mother, Katherine, whom Eden has decided to make a movie out of, I very much enjoyed the book. Eden is a film actress, who has made quite a name for herself. After her 15 year marriage dissolves, she decides to write a screenplay based on her mother's life. Her mother was decidedly introverted, strange, and talented, being a prolific children's book writer. She died when Eden was four years old. Eden returns to her family home in Virginia to live with her aunt and uncle while she researches her mother's life, helped along by hand-written journals her uncle gives her.

There are a lot of plot twists in this book, and as said earlier, although I knew what the big reveal was going to be, there were a few others that were quite shocking. Eden takes up with an archaeologist on her uncle's site who is a convicted child molester - who claims to be innocent. Some of the descriptions surrounding his story are a little disturbing, but everything is revealed in the end. I had a hard time putting the book down and enjoyed it more than I thought I would.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

As with other Chamberlain books, I loved it! She does an amazing job of really pulling you in with the characters. I read this one almost in one full day.
The story follows Eden, a Hollywood star, who came to her family home to research a screenplay based on her author mother and in the meantime gets much more than she bargained for, including a growing relationship with her aunt and uncle and a man who is working for them, with secrets of his own.
The story is well written and rather sad in parts, especially towards the end. Its obvious reading the parts of her mother’s journal she was agoraphobic but back in the 40s and 50s there wasn’t help for it unless you wanted to be sent away to an asylum. So she retreated to her cave where she wrote and lived her life quietly. Still she lived a great short life inspiring children all over the world with her books. And I found it to be ultimately a very uplifting tale

[Kristi, A Book Fanatic · Rating 5 out of 5]

Before I start with my review, I want to say once more how much I enjoy Diane Chamberlain's writing. However, the last book I read by her I just wasn't very impressed so I began this book with trepidation. Once I started reading though I was totally sucked into this story. I could NOT put it down!!

This book had lots of elements - a mystery, a love story, a family tragedy, mental illness ... This book packed lots of issues into its pages.

Eden, the main character, is a Hollywood actress that has had a hard year. Her husband left her, and she decides to return to her childhood home to unearth the truth about her long deceased mother. As she researches her famous Mother's past, she finds a mysterious man named Ben with a secret. This book had me hanging on to the very end -- and I wish there were another book about these characters for me to immediately jump into.