The Secrets We Hide

by Patricia Sands

The deep traditions and values of Kaito Tanaka's Japanese heritage are severely tested when he returns home to Honolulu from duty in Vietnam to find his wife, Hana, in the grip of progressive mental health challenges. As Hana's condition worsens, Kaito's life becomes absorbed in protecting and caring for her and their daughter, Kiana. Hana becomes increasingly reclusive while their daughter Kiana grows troubled and rebellious. A friend's mysterious death followed by Kiana's sudden disappearance cut deeply into Kaito's soul. Meditation is Kaito's drug of choice. Secrecy hides the truth from others but Kaito's commitment to Hana is unwavering. As years go by, Kaito begins to make an annual pilgrimage to a Buddhist retreat in Koyasan that renews his spirit. In the end, a serendipitous coincidence there opens the door to happiness - if he can allow himself to accept it. "Set against lush backdrops in Hawaii, Japan, Corsica, and the south of France, this beautiful story of resilience perfectly balances the heartbreak and destruction of mental illness with the compassion and serenity of an unforgettable hero." Barbara Claypole White, bestselling author of The Perfect Son and The Promise Between Us

Genres: Fiction

400 pages, Paperback

Published August 1, 2024

About the author

Bestselling author Patricia Sands lives two hours north of Toronto, Canada, in The Blue Mountains, when she isn't somewhere else, and calls the south of France her second home. An admitted travel fanatic, she can pack a bag in a flash and be ready to go anywhere … particularly the south of France. With a focus on travel, women’s issues and aging, her stories celebrate the feminine spirit and the power of friendship.

Her award-winning 2010 debut novel, The Bridge Club, is a book-group favorite, and The Promise of Provence, which launched her three-part Love in Provence series (followed by Promises to Keep and I Promise You This), was a finalist for a 2013 USA Best Book Award and a 2014 National Indie Excellence Award, an Amazon Hot New Release in April 2013, and a 2015 nominee for a #RBRT Golden Rose award in the category of romance. Her fifth novel, Drawing Lessons, was released by Lake Union Publishing on October 1, 2017.
Lavender, Loss & Love, ~A Season of Surprises ~and The First Noel make up the the Villa de Violettes series, based on the Love in Provence characters.
The Bridge Club ~ Tenth Anniversary edition ~ was released in September 2021 and is now in Kindle Unlimited.

On August 25, 2022, her novel THE SECRETS WE HIDE will be released.

Sands also contributes to such Francophile websites as The Good Life France and Perfectly Provence and loves to visit Book Clubs either live or on ZOOM! Info on her website.

Find out more at Patricia’s Facebook Author Page, Amazon Author Page or her website. There are links to her books, social media, and a monthly newsletter that has special giveaways, photography from France, and sneak peeks at her next book. She loves hearing from readers.

Patricia has led six 10-day tours of the French Riviera and the countryside of Provence. She will be co-hosting another 'Sold Out' women's tour of Provence in September 2021 with her good friend Deborah Bine aka The Barefoot Blogger.

Find out more at Patricia’s Facebook Author Page, Amazon Author Page, Goodreads or her blog where you will find links to her books, social media, and monthly newsletter. She loves hearing from readers, so don’t hesitate to email her.

Follow her on Instagram @psands.stories

Reviews

[Literary Redhead · Rating 5 out of 5]

A poignant, gripping novel of mental illness, travel, faith, and second chance romance, THE SECRETS WE HIDE is a compelling departure from the author's usual women's fiction, as MC Kaito struggles to protect wife Hana, whose progressive mental illness ravages her and impacts their life with daughter Kiana. How Kaito ultimately finds peace is the crux of this unputdownable tale, told with Sands gorgeous prose and sensitive treatment. Recommended!

[Christine Nolfi · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Secrets We Hide carries the reader through evocative scenes in Japan, Hawaii, Corsica, and France as Kaito Tanaka proves a devoted husband, even in the worst of times. His journey is poignant, bittersweet, and ultimately inspiring as he finds strength in Buddhist theology while coming to terms with the secrets of the past. If you’re looking for an “all the feels” novel, this is it.

[Carla Suto · Rating 5 out of 5]

THE SECRETS WE HIDE by Patricia Sands is a mesmerizing and beautifully-told tale filled with heartbreak, love and hope. As always with this author’s books, the vivid descriptions of the lush settings made me feel I was right there in Hawaii, Japan and the South of France. The male protagonist, Kaito Tanaka, is a complex and memorable main character. The secondary characters are equally compelling, adding depth and meaning to the story. Kaito and his wife, Hana, have been together since they were children. But when Kaito returns from a tour of duty in Vietnam, he finds that Hana is in the grip of increasingly debilitating mental illness. The strong traditions of Kaito’s Japanese culture keep him committed to Hana, hiding her illness from everyone around them. The care of their young daughter, Kiana, also falls largely to Kaito. The only respite for Kaito is a yearly visit to a Buddhist retreat in Japan. His time there ultimately changes his life in unexpected and profound ways. I couldn’t this put this book down and I found myself thinking about it for a long time after I’d reached the last page. Highly recommended! I am grateful to the author for providing me with an early copy to read and review.

[diane wight · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great story. Doesn't start in France as Ms Sands'other stories but ends up there. Kaito's journey through life leads him to a long lost love that he never knew. Ms Sands knows how to interweave life challenges and how to overcome them, Really enjoyed this story.

[Linda Zagon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Patricia Sands, the author of “The Secrets We Hide” has beautifully written a poignant, memorable, and thought-provoking novel. The author has vividly captured the spirit and soul of the characters and has described the gorgeous aesthetics that make up the landscape and scenery for the story. The genres for this novel are Women’s Psychological Fiction, Family Life Fiction, and Women’s Domestic Life Fiction. The timeline for this story is written in the author’s present and goes back when it pertains to the characters or events. The author depicts her colorful and dramatic characters as complex and complicated.

I appreciate that Patricia Sands describes the importance of family, friendship, tradition, love, and hope. The author also discusses significant topics such as mental health, second chances, forgiveness, the traumas of war, and the effects on the people touched by the tragedy. Are secrets sometimes necessary?

The protagonist of the story, Kaito Tanaka, is of Japanese heritage but has been to Honolulu. Kaito marries his high school sweetheart Hana. After Kaito goes to fight in the Vietnam war, he is called home, when his wife Hana has difficulty coping with the birth of their daughter. Hana has major psychological problems and has been treated as best as doctors know. To keep balanced, Kaito practices Aikido and starts to meditate. Kaito also embraces the Buddha philosophy. Most of all, Kaito tries his best to take care of his daughter. Kaito endures heartache and tragedy. He goes on a yearly visit to a Buddhist retreat.

Through his coping strategies, Kaito is searching for peace and happiness. I highly recommend this memorable and thought-provoking story.

[Betty · Rating 5 out of 5]

Patricia Sands once again took me on an emotional journey. This is a story of family, love, honor, loyalty, sacrifice, forgiveness, and second chances.

The first part of the book was mostly narrative, and I became concerned that I was not connecting with the characters. But after the background of the characters was explained, it then went into more dialogue. That was when I was able to totally lose myself in this dramatic story.

Kaito Tanaka and Hana Suzuki grew up together in Japan and then Hawaii. Eventually they married and had a beautiful baby girl they named Kiana. But Hana had inner demons she struggled with throughout her life. Set in the 60s, treatments for mental health were not advanced as they are now. Both Kaito and Hana were fortunate to have native Hawaiian Lailani Mahelona as ohana (family). Hana would often respond only to gentle Lailani, leaving the care of Kiana solely to Kaito.

My heart broke for the losses and sacrifices Kaito bravely endured and how he steadfastly protected and cherished his wife. Ms. Sands took on the different topic of mental illness and presented it in a compassionate, realistic manner. It was an accurate depiction of how mental illness can destroy families. There is much I would like to say about Kaito’s life, but I do not want to give away too much of the story. I will tell you that a chance encounter presents Kaito with a gift he never saw coming.By the end of the book, tears were rolling down my face.

Patricia Sands’ words are a paintbrush that enables the reader to clearly visualize the gorgeous landscapes of Hawaii, Japan, and southern France. I appreciated how she meshed the Hawaiian and Japanese cultures into the story. She also intertwined Buddhist beliefs that helped Kaito maintain the serenity he needed to get through each day.

I highly recommend this book. I was given an advance copy, but the opinions expressed here are entirely my own.

[Susan Ballard (subakkabookstuff) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oh my goodness, this book put my heart through the wringer!

I was intrigued by Kaito and Hana’s story, their early life in Japan and the rich traditions, how their families came to Hawaii for a better life post-WWII, and, of course, how their childhood friendship bloomed into love.


I wasn’t entirely prepared for the sadness and grief that plagued their marriage. After Kaito returned from Vietnam and their close friend went missing, it became evident that Hana suffered from depression and dark moods.

Kaito, along with Hana’s loyal friend Lailani, cared for Hana and stood by her side. It was hard to watch Hana suffer and just as hard to see Kaito and their daughter miss so much of life.

I wondered about the title, but it became perfectly clear in the end. I was surprised and a little unsettled by certain choices people made, but I ultimately understood. The Secrets We Hide takes you to beautiful locations such as Japan, Hawaii, and France. It gracefully blends first love, heritage, mental illness, and finding peace in love again.

Thank you @suzyapprovedbooktours and @psands.stories for a spot on tour and a gifted copy.

[Susan Peterson · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Secrets We Hide takes readers on an emotional journey of heartache, love, suffering, loyalty, and hope. We are transported to Hawaii, Japan, and France; and the author’s beautiful descriptions make us feel as thought we are right there beside these memorable characters. Kaito is a compelling hero, devoted to his reclusive wife and troubled daughter, struggling to find peace amidst the chaos.

[Samantha Verant · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a beautiful book—heart-wrenching and heart-healing at the same time. Two of my favorite lines: 'What has connected us has always been based on love.' and 'The way is in the heart,' both sentiments stitched into the threads of this beautiful story dealing with love, loss, and, ultimately, healing. I rooted for Kaito, our hero, the whole time. Additionally, all of the characters and locations (Hawaii, Japan, France) become alive on the page, thanks to the author's wonderful descriptions that have you armchair traveling with every turn of the page and poignant prose that has you feeling what the characters are going through. Tender and meaningful, this book isn't to be missed.

[Karen Komarinski · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a beautiful story rich in love family traditions culture & spirituality. Beautiful story of four friends Kaito, Hanna, Lailani and Brett. Kaito is a friend & protector of all. How the four friends become couples not matter what life throws at them they are always connected. How Kaito honors, protects & love his wife friend Hanna; there are no words to describe it you just feel it in your heart. I am humbled & feel peace from Kaito practice of Buddhism & I love learning new practices of spirituality. I feel I’ve traveled around the world. At times I felt I was intruder as the characters experiencing heartbreaking moments, & wanted to hug them. I could relate to all the traditions & the celebration of honoring love ones we loose. I hope to find the great love between Kaito & Hanna & the second chance between Kaito & Céleste
This passage sums up the whole story
“The words of Buddha resonated. Each morning we are born again. What we do today is what matters most.”

[Jan Crossen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had the pleasure of reading an ARC of this book written by the multi-talented author and photographer, Patricia Sands. Her love of France and this rich culture is evident as Patricia treats the reader to a fabulous tour of the French Riveria where we experience the sights, food, wine, and amazing history of this area. Ms. Sands also immerses us in the customs and beauty of Japan and the Hawaiian Islands. This book has danger, romance, struggles and hardships. Patricia shares philosophy and wisdom while she tackles some difficult subjects and we witness the love, loyalty, and commitment of her strong, kind, and intelligent characters. This is a wonderful read, 5 STARS!

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Forgiveness is not an occasional act. It is a constant attitude.”

Patricia Sands will totally immerse you into the culture, customs and the absolute beauty of the Hawaiian Islands and Japan, as you read this compassionate story of struggle and heartbreak.
Kaito Tanaka’s life should be filled with joy. Instead it is filled with pain. The pain of watching his wife as she deals with mental illness. A look into the realities of mental illness as seen through Kaito, his wife Hana and their daughter Kiana.
Kaito’s strong Japanese culture and traditions keep him staying with Hana as she deteriorates, his sense of responsibility, a calmness I can’t even fathom as their world is turned upside down. Kaito takes a yearly trip to a Buddhist retreat to help find inner peace.
This was a story of love, survival, hope and how to find a way to heal.
A story that captured my emotions from the start, tears fell down my face as I felt as though I was there with them. I could not put this book down!
A story that will stay with me for a very long time.

I received an ARC from the author prior to publication and was excited to read, decided to voluntarily review it.

[Lainey Cameron · Rating 5 out of 5]

Patricia Sands is an expert in books that transport the reader to foreign locales and inspire the desire to travel. The Secrets We Hide achieves that and more!

Starting in Japan, then Hawaii, and full of Japanese and Hawaiian wedding traditions in the earlier scenes, The Secrets We Keep is an epic novel. The story of Kaito Tanaka as he weathers a lifetime of love and loss.

As Kaito says, in his point of view, he is bound by tradition. After his wife Hana struggles with severe mental illness, Kaito sticks by her, even if ends up in a multi-decade “prison of his own making”.

The novel has a thoughtful portrayal of the pain of mental illness, the role of promise and commitments, and the difficulty and sensation of powerlessness in seeing a loved one change.

In this difficult situation, Kaito finds solace and peace in an annual Buddhist retreat to Koyasan in Japan, which helps him weather the years and the sorrow until happier times can come to him.

Despite a life that has known much sadness and sorrow, this novel also contains hope and has a happier ending than you might expect.

The Secrets we Hide is a sweeping journey, which takes the reader to Japan, Hawaii and the south of France. Patricia Sands' signature all-the-senses descriptions of beautiful spots around the world will leave you feeling like you have traveled without leaving home.

A trip around the world, a deep saga, and a rollercoaster of emotions from the comfort of your armchair.

[Rebecca Rosenberg · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Secrets We Hide by Patricia Sands

A triumphant love story that dives to the darkest places of the soul and comes up glowing like a pearl.

“He wondered if he would have been happier in life if he had listened to his gut for everything.”

Is love a racing heart or unrequited desire? Or is it the sacrifice of a husband that cares for his wife no matter how difficult or unrewarding. What has Kaito given up to be a faithful husband?

Patricia Sands has penned a transformative novel quite unlike her former novels. Kaito marries his childhood sweetheart only to have her sink into the clutches of mental illness. Her illness wreaks havoc in his life and the lives of his daughter and best friend, Leilani. Dealing with the wreckage, Kaito turns to Buddhism and meditation, learning to do more than survive. He finds surprising redemption from his faith and practice, and the granddaughter he never knew. But will their love fill the vacuum left in his soul?
Rebecca Rosenberg, triple-gold award-winning novelist

[Denise Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

THE SECRETS WE HIDE
by author, Patricia Sands
(ARC)- August 25, 2022

Three lives become forever entwined...

With an eye for the imaginative, and her care and commitment to a story with the lushest of landscapes, meaningful characters, and heartbreaking situations, Ms. Sands has crafted a most mesmerizing, compassionate journey which captured my emotions from the very start.

THE SECRETS WE HIDE gives to the reader an honest look into the realities of the heart-twisting aspects of mental illness, and how those experiences, through the eyes of her characters, push their lives off balance and into an emotional spin of helplessness. But through the added elements of love, hope and survival, the fog lifts, the storm makes way for the sun, and the brokenhearted begin learning how to to heal.

With its vivid descriptions and captivating suspense, Ms. Sands has created a beautiful narrative that encompasses the delicate balance of life, loyalty, and the unexpected paths which can lead us in directions we never thought possible.

I thank the author for my copy of THE SECRETS WE HIDE which has allowed me the pleasure of reviewing this touching, atmospheric story. A true gem that I highly recommend.

5 Stars

#THESECRETSWEHIDE
#PatriciaSands

Wild Sage Book Blog

[David Morgan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Five outstanding stars for an incredibly insightful journey.
Kaito Tanaka's life of traditional heritage, love, loss, philosophy, rebirth and joy is a triumph to behold. Set in the beautifully described locations of Hawaii, Japan and France, he searches for and finds a deeper meaning to a life filled with challenges he never asked for but yet humbly accepts as his life unfolds. He marries his childhood sweetheart but is soon sent to Vietnam only to come home to a wife consumed by mental illness and an infant daughter he must raise on his own. He does have help along the way but even they present him with heartache and a profound sense of loss. These life experiences set him on a path of personal growth and enlightenment that are both heartwarming and a joy to read.

This story is so well written that you experience the emotional highs and lows right along with Kaito. When you read about the locations it's as if you are there experiencing the sights, sounds and smells right along with him as well. This story takes you on a journey that is as memorable as anything you've read before. I can't recommend this one highly enough, it is truly a remarkable book.

Thank you to the author and Suzy Approved Book Tours for the gifted copy and including me on this tour.

[Alison · Rating 5 out of 5]

A spellbinding tale of love, loss, and second chances, beautifully told, in true Patricia Sands style.
Kaito Tanaka will capture readers’ hearts with his bravery, compassion, and commitment to his ailing wife, Hana, and their young daughter, Kiana. From Japan to Hawaii, and the French Riviera, Kaito’s search for spiritual enlightenment and peace takes many an unexpected turn, but each challenge only serves to enrich this thoughtfully wrought and relatable character. Highly recommended. 

[Rikki Neukom · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Secrets we Hide was a wonderful book and I highly recommend this story to people who love to get lost in reading about travel. Patricia Sands takes us to Hawaii, Japan and France where she introduces us to the landscape and culture of these three different countries. Her descriptions and knowledge of these places are so detailed and you feel like you are there along with the main character, Kaito. I love Patricia Sands's books because they are truly an escape for me as she paints through words beautiful pictures in my mind of places I have yet to explore. I highly recommend this book as the story of Kaito is lovely and you can't help but feel for this character as he navigates through life of challenges, heartbreaks, loyalty, love and beauty.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the story of a lifetime. To be more specific, Kaito Tanaka's lifetime. A life filled with pain and challenges. But a life he's trying to learn to be proud of regardless of circumstances. Patricia Sands is a favorite author of mine. This is a bit of a departure from what she usually writes. She's best known for her series of books set in Provence, France which are quite popular with readers. We do visit the south of France for a while in this completely separate story as well, but Hawaii and Japan are also featured. The second half of this book soars as Kaito tries to learn to live life for himself and to find an inner peace that will allow him to do that. I loved the development of his character especially, his calmness, the sense of responsibility he always carries. And of course, the richness of his surroundings is fully drawn in "Patricia Sands" style so that you envision each setting as if you're there within the pages. I'm thrilled to have been able to read an early copy and hope you will preorder yours. It will be available on August 25, 2022.

[Phyllis Jones Pisanelli Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have several SECRETS to reveal to you. Well...a few anyway! Secret number one: The Secrets We Hide by Patricia Sands is the first ever book that I have read of hers. Secret number two: It is not however the only book of hers in my kindle library. There are a total of FIVE! It's not that I haven't wanted to read her books, it was finding the time. When you're a reviewer, you read by deadline and author request. My final secret I'm revealing today is that I am a sold, diehard fan of Patricia Sands. I absolutely and madly fell in love with The Secrets We Hide.

It took me a few short reading spells to get into the book. It was interesting from the get go but, I had a few things on my mind and a few projects taking up my time. Two days ago my husband announced he was going fishing. Yay! I'm spending the day reading. Well, I picked up my book and became spellbound with the story that Patricia wove for her readers. I couldn't put it down. I read every chance I got for the next two days and finished the last half hour this morning.

The characters were people that I could look up to and admire. The main character was Kaito. He is a fellow that was born in Japan and when he was in high school his parents moved the family to Honolulu, Hawaii. His best friend's family also moved there at the same time. Her name was Hana and after graduation they married. I don't want to tell you a lot about the story because I want you to discover it for yourself. This book is like a beautiful flower that opens one petal at a time and reveals something new and beautiful to the story.

I will tell you that Kaito turned to Buddhism to guide his life. I learned a lot about their beliefs in this book. The book does not bore you with drab descriptions of the religion. The author makes it interesting and brings it alive. She does the same thing with the settings in the book. There are several locations that we learn about during the story. The main ones are Hawaii, France and Tokyo.

This story is so complex with love, family, loyalty, forgiveness and humanity. The plot is complex like anybody's life. I didn't want it to end. The Secrets We Hide was not just a great read, it was an experience. Well done Patricia Sands! I'll be talking about this book for a long time.

[Susan (The Book Bag) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely love starting one of Patricia Sand's books. Getting lost in her words is like taking a wonderful vacation to another country. This time I got to travel to Japan, Hawaii, Corsica, and the south of France. Patricia spends a lot of time in France and her love affair with the area is very evident in her stories. Thanks to her beautiful descriptions, I get to travel there vicariously through her.

The Secrets We Hide is a beautiful love story of the devotion Kaito has to the love of his life, even in the worst of times. And things are hard, as his wife withdraws from him, their daughter, and the world. But his loyalty and devotion to her stays strong. It's heartbreaking to witness all that this man had to endure in his life.

Traveling to a Buddhist retreat starts his healing process and thanks to the author's words, the reader is privy to the wisdom and peace that comes from the Buddhist ideology. His journey to peace and happiness is a beautiful thing to witness and makes this such a delightful, amazing story.

I have read almost all of Patricia's books and have loved each and every one. The Secrets We Hide is definitely one of my favorites now. Such a heartwarming story! I highly recommend this one to all.

[Michelle Schriefer · Rating 4 out of 5]

The deep traditions and values of Kaito Tanaka’s Japanese heritage are severely tested when he returns home to Honolulu from duty in Vietnam to find his wife, Hana, in the grip of progressive mental health challenges.

As Hana’s condition worsens, Kaito’s life becomes absorbed in protecting and caring for her and their daughter, Kiana. Hana becomes increasingly reclusive while their daughter Kiana grows troubled and rebellious. A friend’s mysterious death followed by Kiana’s sudden disappearance cut deeply into Kaito’s soul. Meditation is Kaito’s drug of choice. Secrecy hides the truth from others but Kaito’s commitment to Hana is unwavering.

As years go by, Kaito begins to make an annual pilgrimage to a Buddhist retreat in Koyasan that renews his spirit. In the end, a serendipitous coincidence there opens the door to happiness – if he can allow himself to accept it.

What a beautiful story about love and family. I felt the characters were well thought out and developed as well as the topics of culture and mental illness. It was a great book about finding love, peace and healing.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a very deep and thought provoking book. A story that only Patricia Sands could write. I enjoyed it from start to finish. I cried many tears reading this one but that was to be expected. It's just so good. I loved how things wrapped up at the end too. Great ending and acknowledgements. And the Note from the Author was something you should read.

You meet Kaito and Hana when they are children living in Japan. Their families move to Hawaii and their friendship continues. It's a very deep friendship that grows stronger over the years. They start dating in high school and eventually get married. Kaito is called to serve in Vietnam and shortly after his deployment Hana finds out she is pregnant. Their best friends are Lailani and Brett. Brett had enlisted and ended up dying while serving. Hana and Lailani were practically inseparably and Lailani kept Kaito abreast of what all Hana was going through after the birth of their daughter Kiana.

Hana suffered from extreme mental illness. Back during this time I think it was a bit harder to find out exactly what was wrong or the best medications to take. I believe that to be true. Hana would only get worse as the years progressed and Kaito was the most patient and loving husband ever to her. Their daughter never felt the true love of her mother but she did with her dad. Kaito was so doting on her and tried with all his might to get her to understand what was going on with Hana. One day Kiana left to get married to someone that Kaito did not approve. So he lost his beautiful daughter.

This book is one that keeps you turning the pages. It keeps you wanting to know when Kiato will give up and make a life for himself. When will he decide it's enough already and move on. That he never does. He's the single most devoted husband ever. In my opinion. He really is. He vowed to love Hana throughout her life no matter what and he did. He did a lot of meditation and learned a lot of Buddhist ways that helped him.

I won't say that Kaito never finds love or has a life because that is just not what happens here. But in order to find out who and how you have to read this beautiful story. I've never loved a protagonist as much as I do Kaito. He's the sweetest most kind and gentle man. He deserved much happiness.

I learned a lot about the Buddhist while reading this book also. They have the absolute best teachings I have ever read about. For religion I would have to chose Buddhism if I was going to practice anything. They teach kindness and letting go. Lots of good things instead of fear. Lots of love instead of hate. I think the Buddhist are possibly the best at teaching people how to live and love. How to learn from each other and grow. How to live in peace and forgiveness instead of greed and uncaring.

This is a definite FIVE star book. I won't forget some of this story for a long time.

[Sylvia Jacobs · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Secrets We Hide
By Patricia Sands
A Novel
Fiction

Book Review by Sylvia Jacobs


Eight year old Kaito loves to play games of fantasy with his friends. He loves playing with his best friend Hana. Their families spend a lot of time together, helping each other make ends meet. The entire country was struggling to recover from WWII.
Kaito likes to think of himself as a protector for Hana. She was very shy and delicate.

Life was hard in postwar Japan. In Kaito’s village, every day was a struggle. The fisherman of the village went out to sea in the predawn hours, often for long stretches of days or weeks. The children would often hike up with their mothers to collect vegetables for pickling. Somehow, the children could always find moments for playtime.

Would Kaito’s family want to move to Hawaii?
Will Hana’s family move too?
Will living in Honolulu feel like a fantasy come true for 10-year-old Kaito after living in war-torn Japan?
Will Kaito and Hana become boyfriend and girlfriend, as they grow older? Will they marry each other?

A positive thing about this book was that Kaito’s parents taught him that we must always try our best in difficult circumstances, always have self control and discipline, and to do the right thing because it is our duty. Another positive thing about the book was that both Hana and Kaito were told by their parents that learning was the pathway to success.

A negative was reading that Hana would fall into periods of deep sadness from time to time. She would become withdrawn. Therefore, sometimes Kaito would leave her alone until she felt better.
Kaito worried about Hana getting help if her depression got worse. Would Hana have a child? Will the child be affected by Hana’s mood?

This book deserves a rating of five out of five stars for discussing the topic of depression/mental illness. This is a very important issue. This book involves a couple with one member, stated above, having mental illness. This book is quite interesting and you’ll really fall into the story. It is written very well. One will not want to put the book down. It is an amazing page turner. This author is gifted and one will want to read more of her work after reading this book.

This book is recommended to all that want to read a book that was written, and created very well in each and every way.. This book won the 2023 Book Excellence Award for Women's Fiction.

[Anna Cohen · Rating 4 out of 5]

The thoughtful way the book is written makes it very emotional. The back drops and sceneries and cuisines of Hawaii, Corsican and Nice introduce lush and delectable flavors. However the story is really a sad one. A young Japanese couple emigrate to Hawaii and early on Hana falls into the clutches of manic depressive and bipolar disorder. Her mood swings and behaviors are very destructive and her daughter Kiana has to leave at a young age to live under the care of a cousin, because she feels her mother hates her. Hana although incredibly talented can not control her moods and outbursts and retreats to her sewing studio where she finds some tranquility. Kaito her husband stays ever faithful and vigilant as he tries to take care of her. Having been brought up in Japan as a young child, he is bound by cultural and religious customs but he gets very lonely over the years. Luckily Kaito is able to balance his feelings and reactions to Hana's outbursts, by studying the ways of Buddhism. In this way he is able to reach a level of calm and understanding and self-guidance. It is on a yearly month- long retreat to a sanctuary in Japan, that he has a chance encounter with someone who was long-lost and he thought was dead. At this point his world suddenly begins to open up. At last he has hope for his future as he dares to sample the opportunities new surroundings offer him.

[Andrea Stoeckel · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Deep inside he believed that as long as he could sustain the balance, his family would be okay."

This book is so astounding I had to read it twice. Kaito loves Hana and it was dated that they marry, which they did. Hana unfortunately is dealing with depression that went into overdrive after their daughter was born while Kaito was stationed in Vietnam. He then tries to keep Hana calm for the sake and safety of their daughter Kiana.

However, when a friend's death and Kiana's disappearence follow each other Kaito feels helpless as Hana's illness grows worse. He turns to his mediation as a source of strength and begins a yearly Buddhist retreat to sustain him. With that comes a reunion that will change his life forever.

Patricia Sands expertly weaves, Shinto, Buddhism, Hawaiian culture together in a meaningful way that helps make sense of how one can keep moving forward in the face of loss, grief, responsibility and love. Each book is different and I am in awe of her skills. I have read every book she has written and, at present, this is my favorite.... until the next. Highly Recommended 5/5

[ Disclaimer: I received this book from the author but in no way did it affect my review which is entirely my own]

[Serena Soape · Rating 5 out of 5]

Patricia Sands does not disappoint with this touching novel that has is not what I have read before by her with her other books.
The journey that Kaito has travelled has many steps along the way and many of them are truly emotional and my heart broke for Kaito and other characters throughout the poignant novel.
Some of the situations are truly heart-wrenching and you just want to hug them and give them a big hug and tell them that everything will be alright. And then there are other times that I was smiling because I know that things would be OK.
So you definitely want to have a tissue or two handy as you may shed a few tears throughout but you will be left with a thought-provoking sense of wondering at the end.... Would you have chosen the same path that Kaito did ?
As is typical, Patricia made me feel like I was travelling right alongside Kaito in all of the travels. I went to a few different countries this time.

I received a copy of this from the author in exchange for fair and honest review.

[Lesley · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this a very interesting read , as the author takes the reader on travels from Japan , Hawaii, and France following the life of Kaito who carries the horrors of the Vietnam War with him throughout his life. Kaito's wife Hana shows signs of post natal depression follow the birth of their daughter which escalates into more troublesome mental illness which Patricia Sands sympathetically weaves into the storyline . To help him cope Kaito turns to Buddhism , returning to Japan annually for retreats to restore his soul .
The descriptive writing took me on an interesting travel journey as the author portrays vividly the Japanese landscape and culture around Buddhism , as well as life in Hawaii , but when Kaito begins travelling to France following the chance meeting of a former acquaintance the book changes tone and I felt a lightening of Kaito's burdens as he shares his struggles .
So a great read, about grief and loss with strong characters living with mental illness and learning positive ways to support friends and family with hope in their hearts .

[Debbie Rozier · Rating 5 out of 5]

Patricia knows how to weave a story the wraps you in from the beginning and THE SECRETS WE HIDE did just that.

This is the story of Kaito, a man born in Japan, but who moves to Hawaii when he is 9. He marries his childhood best friend, Hana, whose family also leaves Japan due to terrible post WWII conditions.

I don’t want to say too much about the plot itself because it’s just too beautiful to spoil. Mental illness is respectfully and honestly portrayed and plays a huge part in Kaito’s story. Kaito faces love and loss and deals with life in such a calming manner.

There are also wonderful descriptions of Hawaii, Japan, and France so I was able to feel like I was traveling the world during the read while learning of places and cultures.

Buddhism is weaved throughout the book and that aspect was fascinating as well.

Patricia has created a character in Kaito that can teach us all a lesson of having inner peace even during chaos.

[Sherry · Rating 5 out of 5]

So the self proclaimed thriller junkie stuck in a romance rut, stumbled into this one.  There is a Japanese man living in Hawaii after returning from Vietnam.  I love when a book gives me a glimpse into another world and this one did.  I am so intrigued by Eastern religion and the zen of it and the descriptions of how Kaito used it to quite his chaos.

Showing the strength of family, love, friendship and culture through Kaito.  Not only dealing with mental illness, but the toll it takes on those around them.  I can’t even imagine the pain and struggle.  This one is beautifully written and kept me wanting more.  It was like I was living with Kaito and his family’s experiences right along with them.

At moments heartbreaking and yes I did cry, there was also hope.  This is why I do book tours.  I would never have chosen this book and while it is still early, it is my favorite September read so far.