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The Summer of Keeping Secrets
For fans of Denise Hunter and Susan Mallery, a captivating story about a single summer that could completely break a family apart—or bring them back together. Recently widowed Marin Henderson considers time with her two adult children a gift. And she’s intent on not prying into their lives while they’re all together, cleaning out her late parents’ Colorado home. But from the start, nothing goes as planned. Her free-spirited daughter, Slade, and her strait-laced son, Reed, both arrive ahead of schedule, and no one is explaining why. Marin knows they’re hiding issues in their personal lives. But she can only push so far because she, too, is keeping secrets. Setting aside family tensions, the three of them get to work purging the house. But when Slade discovers a decades-old newspaper clipping about a body found on the rocks below the house, questions arise. Marin insists the death was ruled an accident, but Slade’s curiosity is piqued. And when a roof leak compels Marin to call on an old friend and flame for help, it’s the catalyst for a wave of revelations. Between a daughter bent on distracting herself from her own career turmoil, a son desperate to hold on to his marriage and a mother forced to confront her choices from that long-ago summer, pieces of the past and present begin to unravel. And before the summer is over, they each must decide what to hold on to and what to let go…
346 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 1, 2024
30 people are currently reading
7924 people want to read
About the author
Jill Lynn
32 books463 followersJill Lynn Buteyn is a co-author of Just Show Up with Kara Tippetts, and the author of inspirational romances (as Jill Lynn). A recipient of the ACFW Genesis award for her fiction work, she has a bachelor’s degree in communications from Bethel University. Jill lives near the beautiful Rocky Mountains with her husband and two children.
Connect with her on social media or at Jill-Lynn.com.
Connect with her on social media or at Jill-Lynn.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 95 reviews
June 12, 2024
Does telling the truth set you free?
Reed and Slade Henderson head to their grandparent’s cabin in Dillon, Colorado to help their mom clean up and put it up for sale.
All three of them have something going on in their lives that they aren’t ready to talk about, but spending time together gives them space to realize the value of family, reburying the past and moving forward. Achieving the delicate balance in veiling the truth or the past so that it doesn’t taint others’ views or opinions has kept them tethered to the past and unable to live freely. Will the experience this summer pull or push this family together?
Author Jill Lynn highlights a topic rarely focused on by authors: parenting adult children. She highlights the difficulty in knowing when to offer advice and when to keep quiet. She also points out how parents continually put their children’s needs first, even when they move out from home.
Lynn also focuses on grief. Each character has experienced a loss of some sort and Lynn examines how they navigate it in their own ways. This was especially welcome this week as our family is learning to accept the different ways we all cope with the death of our loved one.
I appreciated Lynn’s focus on choices and how every choice has complications. Her examination of wounds and scars reminded me that sometimes we can do our best to help a hurt heal, but it still results in a scar. Rather than see the scar as something negative, we can pivot and see it as a battle victory.
This new-to-me author has given me plenty to think about and I loved her journey to self-discovery and healing.
I was gifted this copy by Harlequin Love Inspired Trade and JustRead Tours and was under no obligation to provide a review.
Reed and Slade Henderson head to their grandparent’s cabin in Dillon, Colorado to help their mom clean up and put it up for sale.
All three of them have something going on in their lives that they aren’t ready to talk about, but spending time together gives them space to realize the value of family, reburying the past and moving forward. Achieving the delicate balance in veiling the truth or the past so that it doesn’t taint others’ views or opinions has kept them tethered to the past and unable to live freely. Will the experience this summer pull or push this family together?
Author Jill Lynn highlights a topic rarely focused on by authors: parenting adult children. She highlights the difficulty in knowing when to offer advice and when to keep quiet. She also points out how parents continually put their children’s needs first, even when they move out from home.
Lynn also focuses on grief. Each character has experienced a loss of some sort and Lynn examines how they navigate it in their own ways. This was especially welcome this week as our family is learning to accept the different ways we all cope with the death of our loved one.
I appreciated Lynn’s focus on choices and how every choice has complications. Her examination of wounds and scars reminded me that sometimes we can do our best to help a hurt heal, but it still results in a scar. Rather than see the scar as something negative, we can pivot and see it as a battle victory.
This new-to-me author has given me plenty to think about and I loved her journey to self-discovery and healing.
I was gifted this copy by Harlequin Love Inspired Trade and JustRead Tours and was under no obligation to provide a review.
July 1, 2024
THE SUMMER OF KEEPING SECRETS by Jill Lynn grabbed me right from page one and never let me go. Marin Henderson, who recently became a widow, is on her way to clean out her parent's home. It is the home where she grew up with her sister, and she is struggling. Luckily, her two adult children, Slade and Reed, are there to help her out. Marin has many deep secrets, but it seems her children do too. Marin is determined not to pry and waits for her kids to come clean to her.
While in Dillon, Colorado, Marin reconnects with her first love, Garrett, whom she dated in high school. THE SUMMER OF KEEPING SECRETS finds Garrett helping Marin prepare her family home for sale. While cleaning out one of her grandparents' drawers, Slade comes across an old newspaper clipping of a murder that happened below her grandparents' home. When Slade starts digging around to find out what happened thirty years ago, everyone's nerves are on edge! Hang on to your seat my reading friends. The secrets that come out will have you flipping the pages like crazy!
THE SUMMER OF KEEPING SECRETS is my first time reading Jill Lynn, but it won't be the last for sure. Ms. Lynn hooked me from the very beginning and never let me go until the very last page. When the secrets start coming out, the family starts to actually talk to each other, which is something that is lacking. Marin kept many things buried deep inside of her to protect her loved ones. While she is keeping things from her kids, she knows it's only a matter of time before everything comes spilling out and she is deathly afraid of what it will do to them.
Make sure you have a copy of THE SUMMER OF KEEPING SECRETS in your beach bag or on the table next to your favorite chair! You are going to love this story filled with twists and turns, but also love and hope!
I received a complimentary copy of this book from JustRead. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
While in Dillon, Colorado, Marin reconnects with her first love, Garrett, whom she dated in high school. THE SUMMER OF KEEPING SECRETS finds Garrett helping Marin prepare her family home for sale. While cleaning out one of her grandparents' drawers, Slade comes across an old newspaper clipping of a murder that happened below her grandparents' home. When Slade starts digging around to find out what happened thirty years ago, everyone's nerves are on edge! Hang on to your seat my reading friends. The secrets that come out will have you flipping the pages like crazy!
THE SUMMER OF KEEPING SECRETS is my first time reading Jill Lynn, but it won't be the last for sure. Ms. Lynn hooked me from the very beginning and never let me go until the very last page. When the secrets start coming out, the family starts to actually talk to each other, which is something that is lacking. Marin kept many things buried deep inside of her to protect her loved ones. While she is keeping things from her kids, she knows it's only a matter of time before everything comes spilling out and she is deathly afraid of what it will do to them.
Make sure you have a copy of THE SUMMER OF KEEPING SECRETS in your beach bag or on the table next to your favorite chair! You are going to love this story filled with twists and turns, but also love and hope!
I received a complimentary copy of this book from JustRead. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
June 5, 2024
The Summer of Keeping Secrets by Jill Lynn - 4 Stars
This was my first book by Jill Lynn and I truly enjoyed my time with it. Releasing on June 25th, The Summer of Keeping Secrets is a clean, women's contemporary fiction story with little bits of romance included. In this story, we have family reconciliation, grief, healing and a great summer read. You will continue to turn the pages needing to know about the character's secrets and back stories.
Marin Henderson is recently widowed and goes home to her late parents' Colorado home. What she doesn't expect is secrets being kept among her daughter Slade and son Reed. She can tell immediately things are not going to plan with their early arrivals to help clean out their grandparents home with Marin. She tries to keep more to herself and not push her children, because she too, is keeping secrets.... The story begins with the 3 of them trying to work to clean out the house but Slade finds a newspaper article from 1990 about a death that occurred on her grandparent's property and questions arise....
We see Marin dealing with the grief of losing her parents and spouse over the last several years, trying to clean the home out and keep her secrets to herself. She runs into Garrett, her old friend and high-school flame, and he starts to help her clean the home out too. Her daughter Slade is having issues with her job as a sexual harassment case had led her to quit and arrive early. Her son Reed is having marital trouble with his wife. Both Slade and Reed keep these things to themselves but as the story progresses, it certainly goes from the summer of keeping secrets...to the summer of sharing secrets.
I loved the family element in this story. We see just how Marin deals with the grief she is going through and the worries she has for her adult children. As secrets unfold, I loved how the family came together to work through their issues and communicate so well about them. I really connected with each character and overall enjoyed the ride to uncovering the secrets each person had and their resolutions they planned to take on each one. It was nice to see Marin and Slade also having their own little romances throughout the story too, and seeing Reed and his wife working through their issues. The mystery of the death from 1990 was something unexpected and added to the story a great deal. Really enjoyed how that came full circle to their stories from the past too and seeing Marin open up with her children about the past.
I highly recommend to anyone who enjoys contemporary women's fiction and family stories. Thank you to NetGalley and the author for a complementary copy to honestly read and review.
Content: Clean romance, death of parents and spouse, grief, parental affair mentioned, sexual harassment in the workplace, marital troubles and a few mentions of yoga but this is not a Christian novel so it's appropriate for the story.
This was my first book by Jill Lynn and I truly enjoyed my time with it. Releasing on June 25th, The Summer of Keeping Secrets is a clean, women's contemporary fiction story with little bits of romance included. In this story, we have family reconciliation, grief, healing and a great summer read. You will continue to turn the pages needing to know about the character's secrets and back stories.
Marin Henderson is recently widowed and goes home to her late parents' Colorado home. What she doesn't expect is secrets being kept among her daughter Slade and son Reed. She can tell immediately things are not going to plan with their early arrivals to help clean out their grandparents home with Marin. She tries to keep more to herself and not push her children, because she too, is keeping secrets.... The story begins with the 3 of them trying to work to clean out the house but Slade finds a newspaper article from 1990 about a death that occurred on her grandparent's property and questions arise....
We see Marin dealing with the grief of losing her parents and spouse over the last several years, trying to clean the home out and keep her secrets to herself. She runs into Garrett, her old friend and high-school flame, and he starts to help her clean the home out too. Her daughter Slade is having issues with her job as a sexual harassment case had led her to quit and arrive early. Her son Reed is having marital trouble with his wife. Both Slade and Reed keep these things to themselves but as the story progresses, it certainly goes from the summer of keeping secrets...to the summer of sharing secrets.
I loved the family element in this story. We see just how Marin deals with the grief she is going through and the worries she has for her adult children. As secrets unfold, I loved how the family came together to work through their issues and communicate so well about them. I really connected with each character and overall enjoyed the ride to uncovering the secrets each person had and their resolutions they planned to take on each one. It was nice to see Marin and Slade also having their own little romances throughout the story too, and seeing Reed and his wife working through their issues. The mystery of the death from 1990 was something unexpected and added to the story a great deal. Really enjoyed how that came full circle to their stories from the past too and seeing Marin open up with her children about the past.
I highly recommend to anyone who enjoys contemporary women's fiction and family stories. Thank you to NetGalley and the author for a complementary copy to honestly read and review.
Content: Clean romance, death of parents and spouse, grief, parental affair mentioned, sexual harassment in the workplace, marital troubles and a few mentions of yoga but this is not a Christian novel so it's appropriate for the story.
May 5, 2025
What a great introduction to a new to me author!
In this General Fiction novel, we have a grieving family coming together to clean out a home to prepare for sale. Marin and her two adult children, Reed and Slade, join together in Dillon, Colorado to not only help each other clean out their parents/grandparents' home, but also to work through their own individual difficulties.
Love the focus on parenting adult children and healthy dose of humor in the pages.
Look forward to reading other novels by the author.
In this General Fiction novel, we have a grieving family coming together to clean out a home to prepare for sale. Marin and her two adult children, Reed and Slade, join together in Dillon, Colorado to not only help each other clean out their parents/grandparents' home, but also to work through their own individual difficulties.
Love the focus on parenting adult children and healthy dose of humor in the pages.
Look forward to reading other novels by the author.
May 23, 2024
Just like summer, I did not want this beautiful, flawless book to end. Jill Lynn pens a smart and delightful story of second chances, family relationships that aren’t easy but hopeful, and complete with Jill Lynn’s blend of humor and witty banter. Set in a gorgeous Colorado setting and surrounded by a decades old mystery, this one is a page turner perfect for book clubs, beach reads, or simply cozy on the couch with your favorite beverage. Don’t miss this one!
July 9, 2024
Marin Henderson is returning to her childhood home over the summer to clean out her recently passed away parent’s belongings. It will be an emotional trip due to the fact Marin is also a recent widow. Thankfully, her two young adult children will be by her side to make sure things go smoothly. However, as they get underway sorting through junk and treasure, secrets begin to be unearthed and tensions begin to rise between the family. Marin is unwilling to discuss the past— but she isn’t the only one harboring buried secrets. Will the secrets they each carry draw them closer or rip their family apart?
This story sheds light on adults and their grown children… and the delicate nature of parenting without smothering or judgement. With somewhat complicated family dynamics, at the core we have a family that love each other deeply but aren’t sure how to navigate the rocky situations their family has been recently placed in.
I loved this one! As the title suggests, this is a perfect summer read. The cleaning out of a loved one’s home brings about reminiscing of the past and memories that are bittersweet and emotional. The present and past colliding and unfolding of multiple stories at the same time made this book hard to put down. I loved how the characters evolved over the story and how the plot came full circle with themes not only of family and relationships but forgiveness, healing, reconciliation, and second chances at love.
Read if you enjoy books with:
Mysteries from the past
Multiple POV
Family drama
Flawed but relatable characters
Poignant storytelling
Exploring grief and moving on
Brother/sister relationship
Scenic Colorado setting
Challenges with raising adult children
Layered plot
Second chance at love and life
Literary Fiction
Content: closed door, no language. Sexual harassment in the workplace, marital affair discussed. Loss of a spouse and grief.
Thank you to @jilllynnauthor @tlcbooktours @harlequinbooks for a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review!
This story sheds light on adults and their grown children… and the delicate nature of parenting without smothering or judgement. With somewhat complicated family dynamics, at the core we have a family that love each other deeply but aren’t sure how to navigate the rocky situations their family has been recently placed in.
I loved this one! As the title suggests, this is a perfect summer read. The cleaning out of a loved one’s home brings about reminiscing of the past and memories that are bittersweet and emotional. The present and past colliding and unfolding of multiple stories at the same time made this book hard to put down. I loved how the characters evolved over the story and how the plot came full circle with themes not only of family and relationships but forgiveness, healing, reconciliation, and second chances at love.
Read if you enjoy books with:
Mysteries from the past
Multiple POV
Family drama
Flawed but relatable characters
Poignant storytelling
Exploring grief and moving on
Brother/sister relationship
Scenic Colorado setting
Challenges with raising adult children
Layered plot
Second chance at love and life
Literary Fiction
Content: closed door, no language. Sexual harassment in the workplace, marital affair discussed. Loss of a spouse and grief.
Thank you to @jilllynnauthor @tlcbooktours @harlequinbooks for a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review!
July 28, 2024
I think there were too many secrets being kept for my liking. I did not get into the characters and felt disappointed. There is somewhat of a mystery element in this story but that did not really keep my interest until the very end. Each of the three main characters had their own backstory. I'm not a fan of keeping secrets from loved ones so that probably made a difference in my rating.
July 4, 2024
The Summer of Keeping Secrets is a different type of story for Jill Lynn. I appreciate how well she transitioned into adding a mystery element to her story.
A family ensconced in grief comes together to clear out the parent's/grandparent's home to sell it. All three have hard things going on in their lives and have been keeping secrets from each other. As is always the case, secrets have a way of coming out.
Slade is looking for a distraction when she comes to help her mother clean out her grandparent's house. She finds it in the form of a man dying on their property years ago with no clear answers. As she works to solve the mystery, she uncovers more than anticipated, without realizing how deeply it will affect those around her.
While the story should have been heavy with everyone dealing with grief, it wasn't. It is very hopeful, with working through their issues, and their grief. The story moved at a nice pace, and the mystery made the story hard to put down.
Thank you to JustReads Publicity and the author for the opportunity to read this book. I was not required to provide a positive review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
A family ensconced in grief comes together to clear out the parent's/grandparent's home to sell it. All three have hard things going on in their lives and have been keeping secrets from each other. As is always the case, secrets have a way of coming out.
Slade is looking for a distraction when she comes to help her mother clean out her grandparent's house. She finds it in the form of a man dying on their property years ago with no clear answers. As she works to solve the mystery, she uncovers more than anticipated, without realizing how deeply it will affect those around her.
While the story should have been heavy with everyone dealing with grief, it wasn't. It is very hopeful, with working through their issues, and their grief. The story moved at a nice pace, and the mystery made the story hard to put down.
Thank you to JustReads Publicity and the author for the opportunity to read this book. I was not required to provide a positive review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
April 23, 2025
Not bad. Easy read and has a cute story line with some mystery. Good filler book to pass time
June 2, 2024
The Summer of Keeping Secrets is a sweet and riveting story that deals with several hard topics in a considerate way. I love this author’s voice as she wove several threads together seamlessly. You won't want to miss this captivating page turner that sinks in and stays with you long after you’ve closed the book.
April 5, 2024
The Summer of Keeping Secrets is aptly titled as secrecy abounds in Jill Lynn's first venture into women's fiction. The story centers around widowed mother Marin returning to her childhood home to clean it out and prepare it for sale after the death of her parents. Along with the help of her free-spirited daughter Slade and highly exacting son Reed the arduous task begins.
All three are holding secrets to protect themselves and others but as the house itself reveals its own secrets all the others come crashing down. What a journey this story holds into the past, the present and future too.
I love the addition of grandma's journals and all their revelations bringing the story to a satisfying conclusion. Slade was my favorite character and I'd love to read a future story about her and Cyrus. I appreciate Love Inspired Trade making a copy of The Summer of Keeping Secrets available for review. All thoughts and opinions are my very own.
All three are holding secrets to protect themselves and others but as the house itself reveals its own secrets all the others come crashing down. What a journey this story holds into the past, the present and future too.
I love the addition of grandma's journals and all their revelations bringing the story to a satisfying conclusion. Slade was my favorite character and I'd love to read a future story about her and Cyrus. I appreciate Love Inspired Trade making a copy of The Summer of Keeping Secrets available for review. All thoughts and opinions are my very own.
June 26, 2024
The Summer of Keeping Secrets, by Jill Lynn, will keep you riveted. This story captured me from the opening page to the very last. When recently widowed Marin Henderson returns to her small Colorado town to clean out her deceased parents’ home, her secrets from thirty-four years ago arrive with her.
Her adult children join her in the large task of clearing the home of memories, sentimental items, and papers. Each of them also brings secrets with them. Marin can tell they’re each not talking about things, but she doesn’t dare pry, lest they pry into what she’s hiding. They create a plan for dealing with the stuff and get to work.
But when Marin’s daughter, Slade, discovers a decades-old newspaper clipping about a body found on the rocks below the house, she has to keep digging to discover the full story. She asks her mom, but Marin only offers vague answers. Slade is bugged that her parents never told her and her brother about this mystery. But she finds it easier to research this than to deal with her own career turmoil.
The more Slade digs, the more Marin wonders if her daughter will uncover the truth behind the newspaper clipping. Things happen with the house that challenge Marin and her children's ability to prepare it for the market.
The house is almost a symbol of how when we hold onto secrets, they become harder to work through. As Slade gets closer to the story behind the newspaper story, all three of their secrets begin to unravel.
I loved that this story takes place in a town I love: Dillon, Colorado. This setting is almost its own character. Each of the characters was likable and engaging. I loved the plot and how Marin and her children each had to come to the place where they might, maybe, be willing to be honest about what was going on in each of their lives. There was good tension between the characters and some unexpected twists and turns that made me keep turning pages.
The themes of second chances, of secrets and of the necessity of honest communication in relationships are beautifully woven throughout the story.
If you enjoy clean women’s fiction/family drama and healing stories with some romantic threads, you will love this book.
***I received a complimentary copy of this book through Netgalley and the publisher. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.***
Her adult children join her in the large task of clearing the home of memories, sentimental items, and papers. Each of them also brings secrets with them. Marin can tell they’re each not talking about things, but she doesn’t dare pry, lest they pry into what she’s hiding. They create a plan for dealing with the stuff and get to work.
But when Marin’s daughter, Slade, discovers a decades-old newspaper clipping about a body found on the rocks below the house, she has to keep digging to discover the full story. She asks her mom, but Marin only offers vague answers. Slade is bugged that her parents never told her and her brother about this mystery. But she finds it easier to research this than to deal with her own career turmoil.
The more Slade digs, the more Marin wonders if her daughter will uncover the truth behind the newspaper clipping. Things happen with the house that challenge Marin and her children's ability to prepare it for the market.
The house is almost a symbol of how when we hold onto secrets, they become harder to work through. As Slade gets closer to the story behind the newspaper story, all three of their secrets begin to unravel.
I loved that this story takes place in a town I love: Dillon, Colorado. This setting is almost its own character. Each of the characters was likable and engaging. I loved the plot and how Marin and her children each had to come to the place where they might, maybe, be willing to be honest about what was going on in each of their lives. There was good tension between the characters and some unexpected twists and turns that made me keep turning pages.
The themes of second chances, of secrets and of the necessity of honest communication in relationships are beautifully woven throughout the story.
If you enjoy clean women’s fiction/family drama and healing stories with some romantic threads, you will love this book.
***I received a complimentary copy of this book through Netgalley and the publisher. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.***
June 24, 2024
“The Summer of Keeping Secrets” is a fun, intriguing, and delightful book to read. This is a story with complicated family relationships, romance, secrets, and even a little mystery! I enjoyed getting lost in the story of Marin, a widow, and her two adult children, Slade and Reed, as they spent a few weeks in Colorado cleaning out Marin’s parent’s home. They each showed up for the task trying to hide their own pain and secrets. Over the weeks of working together, they learned to trust one another and let their family into the hard parts of their lives. This isn’t the story of a perfect family, but it is the story of a loving family and their time working and growing together one summer.
One small detail that I especially loved about this book is the fact that two of the characters had chronic illnesses. It wasn’t a major part of their stories; it was just a little fact about them. I don’t believe I have ever read a novel that included a main character with a chronic illness. If I was not chronically ill myself, I probably would have glossed right over that particular fact while reading. But as someone for whom chronic illness affects every aspect of my life, it made me so happy to see a character like myself in a book.
If you are looking for your next contemporary fiction read, Jill Lynn’s new book is a good one. This is the perfect book to take along to the beach or to curl up with at home.
One small detail that I especially loved about this book is the fact that two of the characters had chronic illnesses. It wasn’t a major part of their stories; it was just a little fact about them. I don’t believe I have ever read a novel that included a main character with a chronic illness. If I was not chronically ill myself, I probably would have glossed right over that particular fact while reading. But as someone for whom chronic illness affects every aspect of my life, it made me so happy to see a character like myself in a book.
If you are looking for your next contemporary fiction read, Jill Lynn’s new book is a good one. This is the perfect book to take along to the beach or to curl up with at home.
July 11, 2024
“The Summer of Keeping Secrets” is a unique second chance story that focuses on Marin Henderson and her two adult children—daughter Slade, and son Reed. With alternating POVs the three expose their innermost thoughts as they navigate new beginnings, challenging times, and secrets of the past.
I love how this imperfect family loves and communicates the best way they know how. Their flaws are believable, their struggles feel authentic, and they’re so easy to connect with and relate to. It’s easy to root for them as they work their way through loss, attempt to bury the past, struggle to find purpose, and try to heal relationships. As I neared the end of the book, I found myself slowing my pace because I knew once I read the last page, I’d be leaving them behind.
It's difficult to categorize this story because it skillfully blends elements of mystery, romance, friendship, family, grief, healing, communication, and second chances. I love the tender moments in this story (I was so moved by secondary characters, Mr. and Mrs. Swink!) as well as those that are fun and witty. The storytelling is spot-on, making me eager to seek out more by this new-to-me author!
First Line: Marin Henderson looked forward to her upcoming extended stay in Dillon, Colorado, as much as she would an IRS audit, her annual pap, or consuming those disgusting chocolate-covered cherries with the sugary, syrupy liquid inside.
Genre: Women’s fiction, Contemporary Romance
Author: Jill Lynn
Page Count: 346
#CoverLoverBookReview received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions are 100% mine.
I love how this imperfect family loves and communicates the best way they know how. Their flaws are believable, their struggles feel authentic, and they’re so easy to connect with and relate to. It’s easy to root for them as they work their way through loss, attempt to bury the past, struggle to find purpose, and try to heal relationships. As I neared the end of the book, I found myself slowing my pace because I knew once I read the last page, I’d be leaving them behind.
It's difficult to categorize this story because it skillfully blends elements of mystery, romance, friendship, family, grief, healing, communication, and second chances. I love the tender moments in this story (I was so moved by secondary characters, Mr. and Mrs. Swink!) as well as those that are fun and witty. The storytelling is spot-on, making me eager to seek out more by this new-to-me author!
First Line: Marin Henderson looked forward to her upcoming extended stay in Dillon, Colorado, as much as she would an IRS audit, her annual pap, or consuming those disgusting chocolate-covered cherries with the sugary, syrupy liquid inside.
Genre: Women’s fiction, Contemporary Romance
Author: Jill Lynn
Page Count: 346
#CoverLoverBookReview received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions are 100% mine.
July 23, 2024
4.5⭐️ The title promises it all!!! A great story with all the loose ends tied up nice and neat at the end!!
July 9, 2024
First, let me say that I am so, so happy that Love Inspired has continued with their Love Inspired Trade books. The shorter fiction is nice for quick reads, but the expanded length of the trade books allows us (readers) to dig even deeper into the characters.
The Summer of Keeping Secrets by Jill Lynn is an excellent example of this. This book features a family of three—mom (Marin) and siblings (Slade and Reed) as they clean out Marin’s parents’ Colorado home. Each member of this family brings struggles with them. And none of them wants to open up about those struggles for different reasons.
Add in a past flame for Marin, a potential new flame for Slade, and a fizzling one for Reed plus the mystery Slade is determined to get to the bottom of, and there is no shortage of elements to keep you engaged throughout this book—because of curiosity as well as the emotional connection you will make with these characters as they try to figure out what comes next for them.
If you haven’t yet read anything by Jill Lynn, The Summer of Keeping Secrets is an excellent place to start. And if you have read some of her books, you will love getting to spend even more time in the world she built with characters you can’t help but root for.
Disclosure statement: I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book and was not required to write a positive or negative review. All opinions are my own.
The Summer of Keeping Secrets by Jill Lynn is an excellent example of this. This book features a family of three—mom (Marin) and siblings (Slade and Reed) as they clean out Marin’s parents’ Colorado home. Each member of this family brings struggles with them. And none of them wants to open up about those struggles for different reasons.
Add in a past flame for Marin, a potential new flame for Slade, and a fizzling one for Reed plus the mystery Slade is determined to get to the bottom of, and there is no shortage of elements to keep you engaged throughout this book—because of curiosity as well as the emotional connection you will make with these characters as they try to figure out what comes next for them.
If you haven’t yet read anything by Jill Lynn, The Summer of Keeping Secrets is an excellent place to start. And if you have read some of her books, you will love getting to spend even more time in the world she built with characters you can’t help but root for.
Disclosure statement: I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book and was not required to write a positive or negative review. All opinions are my own.
July 10, 2024
The Summer of Keeping Secrets is a quick read, I would classify as women's fiction, clean with strong family values. As the title implies, this story is full of family secrets, both old and new, which creates questions and keeps the pages turning.
When Marin returns to her parents house to clean it out and sell it, there are some parts of her past that she wants to keep in the past. Her plan runs into immediate snags when her kids return early to help and find hints of things she had kept locked away. She runs into an old boyfriend/friend who also threatens to unlock hidden events and hidden emotions. And both of her kids have secrets of their own. The family must work together to clean the house and to face the past and present secrets.
I enjoyed this book and really liked the different characters, as well as the little mystery of what happened in the past. This past mystery intertwined with the present struggles propelling each forward to wrap up nicely. I loved the way the current struggles each ended with hope, not necessarily everything perfect and wrapped in a bow, but in a way that points forward. Another great option for summer reads!!
When Marin returns to her parents house to clean it out and sell it, there are some parts of her past that she wants to keep in the past. Her plan runs into immediate snags when her kids return early to help and find hints of things she had kept locked away. She runs into an old boyfriend/friend who also threatens to unlock hidden events and hidden emotions. And both of her kids have secrets of their own. The family must work together to clean the house and to face the past and present secrets.
I enjoyed this book and really liked the different characters, as well as the little mystery of what happened in the past. This past mystery intertwined with the present struggles propelling each forward to wrap up nicely. I loved the way the current struggles each ended with hope, not necessarily everything perfect and wrapped in a bow, but in a way that points forward. Another great option for summer reads!!
July 31, 2024
I won a copy of this book in a Goodreads Giveaway, and I wasn’t sure what to expect but was really pleasantly surprised. It’s a very easy read but has some great discussions about decisions and how they can alter your life. And the bit of mystery really drew me in.
July 5, 2024
I was completely captivated by The Summer of Keeping Secrets by Jill Lynn! I felt so connected to Marin during much of the story that I hurt to the core for her (and, at times, for me). I’m definitely an overly emotional person, so I cried a lot during this book! And, I’m sure it’s because of how much I related to Marin.
I thank the Lord that I still have my parents whereas Marin is going through the grief of recently losing hers. However, like Marin, I’m a widow. At times, the pain can still be very raw no matter how many years pass, and the author did a great job depicting those feelings. Lynn also totally captured what it’s like parenting adult children. It’s hard! You look at them and wonder how the years passed so quickly. You hurt for them when they hurt. You miss them! You want to solve all of their problems, and it’s a struggle knowing when to stay quiet and when to give advice. I was amazed by how well the author depicted Marin’s feelings when dealing with her “kids.”
I loved the somewhat mysterious aspect of the book too. When Marin’s daughter, Slade, finds an old newspaper clipping about an unsolved death that occurred on her grandparents' land, Marin brushes it off as insignificant. This is only one of the secrets in The Summer of Keeping Secrets, and the others are ones you’ll have to discover yourself! Trust me. You won’t see some of them coming.
There is just so much to love about The Summer of Keeping Secrets! I highly recommend it for its characters, setting, friendships, sweet and clean romance(s), and for the way the author deals with the hard topics. I laughed and I cried and I never wanted it to end! If you love women’s fiction, you’re going to love The Summer of Keeping Secrets.
I thank the Lord that I still have my parents whereas Marin is going through the grief of recently losing hers. However, like Marin, I’m a widow. At times, the pain can still be very raw no matter how many years pass, and the author did a great job depicting those feelings. Lynn also totally captured what it’s like parenting adult children. It’s hard! You look at them and wonder how the years passed so quickly. You hurt for them when they hurt. You miss them! You want to solve all of their problems, and it’s a struggle knowing when to stay quiet and when to give advice. I was amazed by how well the author depicted Marin’s feelings when dealing with her “kids.”
I loved the somewhat mysterious aspect of the book too. When Marin’s daughter, Slade, finds an old newspaper clipping about an unsolved death that occurred on her grandparents' land, Marin brushes it off as insignificant. This is only one of the secrets in The Summer of Keeping Secrets, and the others are ones you’ll have to discover yourself! Trust me. You won’t see some of them coming.
There is just so much to love about The Summer of Keeping Secrets! I highly recommend it for its characters, setting, friendships, sweet and clean romance(s), and for the way the author deals with the hard topics. I laughed and I cried and I never wanted it to end! If you love women’s fiction, you’re going to love The Summer of Keeping Secrets.
July 1, 2024
Talk about an appropriately titled book... there were a whole lot of secrets going on in this book! When Marin and her adult children head to her parents' home to clear it out, it seems everyone in the family is keeping some kind of secret from each other... and when her daughter Slade comes across an old mystery, it seems like some long-buried secrets are wanting to find their way to the surface. I don't want to give too much away, but this was a truly beautiful story. Each character had their own share of issues they were facing and secrets they are keeping, and I found myself drawn into each and every one of their lives. The family dynamics kept things really interesting, and I found myself wanting to see how everything was going to play out. While I felt like the family dramas and mystery took the center stage, there are a couple of romantic threads mixed in there as well, and I absolutely loved that.
The Summer of Keeping Secrets is a clean read, with no overt mentions of faith but does take on several sensitive topics within the story to include brief mentions of abuse, attempted assault and marital affair.
**I received a complimentary copy for consideration. All opinions are my own.
The Summer of Keeping Secrets is a clean read, with no overt mentions of faith but does take on several sensitive topics within the story to include brief mentions of abuse, attempted assault and marital affair.
**I received a complimentary copy for consideration. All opinions are my own.
July 9, 2024
The Summer of Keeping Secrets was a good read for me. Its premise had really great potential, as it is focused heavily around family - dysfunctional family and family issues - and secrets.
The pacing of the book was my least favorite part, but I did enjoy it overall! It was not what I expected, but I admired our main character, Marin, a lot. I admired the storyline’s settings and the topics that were reflected upon within it.
If you’re looking for a women’s fiction read that explores a strong female character, grief, and family elements with a splash of romance - this one is for you!
The pacing of the book was my least favorite part, but I did enjoy it overall! It was not what I expected, but I admired our main character, Marin, a lot. I admired the storyline’s settings and the topics that were reflected upon within it.
If you’re looking for a women’s fiction read that explores a strong female character, grief, and family elements with a splash of romance - this one is for you!
July 1, 2024
The Henderson family have headed to Colorado's to clean out Marin's late parents home. This home holds memory memories for both Marin growing up and her kids spending summers here. So when they all come together outside of the original plans, each knows something is going on with the other but is not sure what. Marin is struggling with grief, lots of it and now someone from her past seems to always appear when she needs a helping hand. Slade is struggling with yet again the loss of another job, but this was not exactly her fault and she is struggling with how things ended there and why. Reed and his wife have been having trouble and he can't seem to figure out the right answer. One day his wife seems to want to make changes and the next she is talking about seeing a divorce attorney. When a newspaper clipping about a death that happened on the property peeks Slade's interest it seems this is what it will take to uncover the truth of why everyone has come early, why they are delaying leaving and just what happened that night long ago. This was a clean, fun, light hearted mystery read. I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the author. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.
July 13, 2024
As the title implies, everyone in the family is keeping secrets from each other. But will those secrets tear them apart or bring them closer together? Only time will tell. Set against the backdrop of the Colorado Rockies with a house full of memories to clean out, Marin, Slade, and Reed must decide if they can trust each other with their internal struggles.
I really enjoyed this book! I loved that the characters felt very real and were not a perfect happy family with just a couple hidden secrets. They had complicated relationships with each other and with other characters to begin with, but they were all willing to work on their issues in authentic ways.
Rating:
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
Read if you like:
Family stories
Light romance
Colorado settings
Thank you @jillynnauthor @harlequinbooks and @tlcbooktours for the gifted copy.
I really enjoyed this book! I loved that the characters felt very real and were not a perfect happy family with just a couple hidden secrets. They had complicated relationships with each other and with other characters to begin with, but they were all willing to work on their issues in authentic ways.
Rating:
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
Read if you like:
Family stories
Light romance
Colorado settings
Thank you @jillynnauthor @harlequinbooks and @tlcbooktours for the gifted copy.
July 1, 2024
I enjoyed this story and the three different viewpoints it had. Marin, Slade, and Reed have all come to Marin's parents house to clean it out before placing it on the market. All three of them have secrets that are about to come to the surface. I liked the generational gap. Reid is logical and serious, while Slade is a bit flighty and looking for a place to land. Marin is forced to look at some of the events of the past, in order to move forward. I don't want to give anything away with the story. This is an enjoyable one to pick up!
I received this book from Just Read.
I received this book from Just Read.
June 25, 2024
The Summer of Keeping Secrets, by Jill Lynne, is a nicely written books that covers different topics Marin and her family are dealing with as they go through her parents home to ready it for sale. This is an enjoyable story to read with wonderful characters. The story caught my attention at the very beginning and held it to the very end. I found the family relationship to be very caring and loving, even as they all kept secrets. As Marin is getting getting the house ready she is forced to turn to her high school boyfriend for help. I enjoyed reading of their past and how they are both ready to move forward. I found it inspirational how her son was struggling with his own marriage, yet he was still there to help Marin. I found the mystery behind the newspaper article Slade found to be very interesting.
I voluntarily received a complimentary copy of this book, this is my honest review.
I voluntarily received a complimentary copy of this book, this is my honest review.
May 2, 2024
3.5 ⭐️
Thank you NetGalley and Harlequin for the ARC.
A mother (recently widowed) returns to her hometown to clean out her parents’ home after her father’s passing with her 2 adult children. Each of them keeping a secret and afraid to tell the family about something in their life. One secret having been kept for decades that involves a mysterious death. Secrets unravel. Relationships are broken and repaired.
I loved the characters and the overall storyline of the book. I loved seeing a family with dysfunctional communication heal/repair their relationships. The book was slow moving at times. Overall an easy and enjoyable read.
Thank you NetGalley and Harlequin for the ARC.
A mother (recently widowed) returns to her hometown to clean out her parents’ home after her father’s passing with her 2 adult children. Each of them keeping a secret and afraid to tell the family about something in their life. One secret having been kept for decades that involves a mysterious death. Secrets unravel. Relationships are broken and repaired.
I loved the characters and the overall storyline of the book. I loved seeing a family with dysfunctional communication heal/repair their relationships. The book was slow moving at times. Overall an easy and enjoyable read.
January 5, 2025
The Summer of Keeping Secrets by Jill Lynn is, in my opinion, a must read! I seriously loved this entire story! It contains everything I want in a book - romance, great characters, a mystery, and great writing that pulled me into the story and made the characters feel like old friends.
There are three stories within this one wonderful storyline. I loved each one! I really connected with Marin and Garrett and was pulling for them from the start. Garrett is such a great character- kind, patient, always there to help, and just an all around great guy! Marin can be summed up in one word-loyal. She was so loyal to her family and her friends. We all need someone like her! Slade’s storyline was probably my favorite. Cyrus and Slade are awesome together! I loved their chemistry. I knew I would love Cyrus the second he hit the page with all his charisma! I also really liked Reed and his logical, calm demeanor. I really felt for him and what he was going through. The mystery was intriguing and the pops of humor were perfect!
I have loved each and every one of Jill Lynn’s Love Inspired romances so I was kind of nervous that she was branching out with Love Inspired trade, but I should have never worried because this story is exceptional! I can’t wait for her next one!- please write faster, Jill!
I received a complimentary copy of this book. I also purchased a copy. All opinions are my own. 5 stars!
There are three stories within this one wonderful storyline. I loved each one! I really connected with Marin and Garrett and was pulling for them from the start. Garrett is such a great character- kind, patient, always there to help, and just an all around great guy! Marin can be summed up in one word-loyal. She was so loyal to her family and her friends. We all need someone like her! Slade’s storyline was probably my favorite. Cyrus and Slade are awesome together! I loved their chemistry. I knew I would love Cyrus the second he hit the page with all his charisma! I also really liked Reed and his logical, calm demeanor. I really felt for him and what he was going through. The mystery was intriguing and the pops of humor were perfect!
I have loved each and every one of Jill Lynn’s Love Inspired romances so I was kind of nervous that she was branching out with Love Inspired trade, but I should have never worried because this story is exceptional! I can’t wait for her next one!- please write faster, Jill!
I received a complimentary copy of this book. I also purchased a copy. All opinions are my own. 5 stars!
July 22, 2024
The Summer of Keeping Secrets was a page-turner! I loved seeing the family dynamics shift as Marin's kids pushed back against her superficial answers. Seeing the long-kept secrets and lies unravel unpredictably made the ending very satisfying. The touches of romance were just enough to provide that feel-good vibe.
April 2, 2025
Unfortunately I did not like this book. Everyone’s secrets were overly dramatic& the whole question was how did Vince die& unfortunately, I didn’t care how he did because I had no connections to him as he was just a random man found dead on the property years ago.
July 11, 2024
Wow! This is my first book by Jill Lynn & I look forward to reading more. The Summer of Keeping Secrets was a surprising family drama with mystery, secrets, & a touch of romance that completely captured my attention. It’s the story of reconciling the past, unearthing truths that needed to be exposed, and second chance love. Told from three different points of view, I enjoyed spending time with the Henderson family as they find healing, hope, & second chances.
Marin Henderson has lost so much in the last few years including her mother, husband and now her father. Returning to Colorado to prepare her childhood home for sale, she accepts her grown children’s help to go through her parents’ belongings. It’s a bitter sweet reunion as a long held secret from her past threatens to be unearthed. Marin’s not the only one keeping secrets though. Slade, her free-spirited daughter & Reed her perfectionist son have their own troubles they’re holding close.
As the three work together, the underlying tension is palpable as each person tries to hold on to their secrets. Marin struggles to find her role as the parent of adult children all while navigating a relationship with her old childhood sweetheart. When Slade finds an old article about a man who died on the property 34 years ago, she decides to go digging & won’t let things lie. Suddenly, Marin’s secrets from the past threaten to be exposed.
This book completely grabbed hold and didn’t let go. The slow burn mystery had so many twists and turns with lots of character development along the way. I loved peeling back all the layers & discovering the secrets. I was completely taken by surprise at some of the turn of events. Loved the romance between Marin & Garrett. Garrett’s such a patient, sweet guy who’s always willing to help. I thoroughly enjoyed his kind, caring personality. The ending was so hopeful & healing. I appreciated the closeness they rediscovered when all was said and done.
Definitely recommend to women’s fiction, mystery, and family drama fans. I received an advanced complimentary copy from the author & publisher. All opinions are my own and voluntarily provided. 4-4.5 stars!
Marin Henderson has lost so much in the last few years including her mother, husband and now her father. Returning to Colorado to prepare her childhood home for sale, she accepts her grown children’s help to go through her parents’ belongings. It’s a bitter sweet reunion as a long held secret from her past threatens to be unearthed. Marin’s not the only one keeping secrets though. Slade, her free-spirited daughter & Reed her perfectionist son have their own troubles they’re holding close.
As the three work together, the underlying tension is palpable as each person tries to hold on to their secrets. Marin struggles to find her role as the parent of adult children all while navigating a relationship with her old childhood sweetheart. When Slade finds an old article about a man who died on the property 34 years ago, she decides to go digging & won’t let things lie. Suddenly, Marin’s secrets from the past threaten to be exposed.
This book completely grabbed hold and didn’t let go. The slow burn mystery had so many twists and turns with lots of character development along the way. I loved peeling back all the layers & discovering the secrets. I was completely taken by surprise at some of the turn of events. Loved the romance between Marin & Garrett. Garrett’s such a patient, sweet guy who’s always willing to help. I thoroughly enjoyed his kind, caring personality. The ending was so hopeful & healing. I appreciated the closeness they rediscovered when all was said and done.
Definitely recommend to women’s fiction, mystery, and family drama fans. I received an advanced complimentary copy from the author & publisher. All opinions are my own and voluntarily provided. 4-4.5 stars!
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