In Another Life

by Imogen Clark

How big a lie would you tell to protect the ones you love?

From the million copy bestselling author of In a Single Moment comes a heart-twisting story of family, identity and the cost of truth.

Bronte Ashton thought she knew everything about her mother Loretta — until a stranger appears at her funeral claiming to be Loretta's long-lost sister. But Loretta was an only child.

Grief turns to confusion, then a desire to find out the truth. Because while her siblings dismiss the woman as an impostor, Bronte can't ignore the nagging feeling that maybe they didn't know their mother at all.

As Bronte journeys from Loretta's beloved home in Yorkshire to the heat-soaked hillsides of Sicily, she uncovers more questions than answers. Why did Loretta leave her old life behind? And what secret was worth erasing her entire past to protect? But as Bronte edges closer to the truth, she realizes that some family secrets, once revealed, have the power to shatter not just the past, but everything she holds dear in the present.

Genres: Fiction, Audiobook, Contemporary, Chick Lit, Drama, Family

375 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 26, 2025

About the author

Internationally bestselling author Imogen Clark has sold over one million books. She writes contemporary fiction about families and secrets. Her books have topped Amazon storewide charts eight times and her third book, Where the Story Starts, was shortlisted in the UK for Contemporary Romantic Novel of the year 2020.

Imogen initially qualified as a lawyer but after leaving her legal career behind to care for her four children, she returned to her first love - books. She went back to University, studying English Literature part-time whilst the children were at school. It was a short step from there to writing novels.

Imogen's great love is travel and she is always planning her next adventure. She lives in Yorkshire with her husband and children.

If you'd like to connect then please visit her website at www.imogenclark.com where you can sign up to her monthly newsletter. Imogen can also be found on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram as Imogen Clark Author.

Reviews

[Natalie all_books_great_and_small · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a gifted copy of this book to read in exchange for an honest review as part of the readalong hosted by Tandem Collective UK.

In Another Life is my first Imogen Clark book, and I can't wait to pick up my next by her.
We follow three POV in this story: Bronte (the middle child of Loretta), Loretta, and her sister Natalie back in the 80s.
Bronte is preparing to bury her mother Loretta after a bee sting caused her to die too young. At the funeral, a stranger comes and sits in the row set aside for family only and claims to be Lorettas sister. But Loretta was an only child, so who is this woman?
The story then flicks back and forth between Loretta and Natalie and tells the lead up to their estrangement as well as flicking back to the present and Brontes search to find the mysterious woman and the truth.
This is so beautifully written and travels from London to Sicily in Italy and to the North of England weaving a tale of love, family, friendship, hope, naivety and how one decision can take everything away from you with a ripple effect that can span a lifetime.
My heart broke for both Natalie and Loretta and the lives they could have had if tragedy hadn't sent cracks within their lives. I especially felt for Natalie and her story.
The ending was beautiful and couldn't have been written more beautifully.

[Christine Rennie · Rating 5 out of 5]

In Another Life by Imogen Clark is a masterclass in storytelling, it was a fascinating read.
It was the story of two young sisters, whose parents die in France where they went to celebrate their 21st Wedding Anniversary from carbon monoxide poisoning.
Loretta was the eldest and was working as a journalist in London, her younger sister Natalie struggled after their parents deaths and then was recommended for a job as a nanny in Scicily. It was the first time she had ever left England and it would be many years before she returned.
Natalie saw the children’s father gunned down in his own home and Natalie then spent years running from place to place in fear of her life, apart from everyone she knew in case, the Mafia hurt them.
Her sister Loretta also had to move from London and build a new life for herself.
It was only after Loretta’s death that her daughter Brontë manages to find Natalie and learn of their story.
Highly recommended

[Sherri Thacker · Rating 5 out of 5]

In Another Life by Imogen Clark is a captivating read! The dual timelines are seamlessly woven, and the vivid Italian settings made me feel like I was strolling through Italy myself. I couldn’t put it down, staying up late to devour every page. Absolutely loved it—one of my top 3 books of 2025 so far!

[Janie · Rating 2 out of 5]

First half of this book was intriguing and smart - second part was dumb - and very anti climatic. Like two different people wrote it - disappointing. Did not purchase.

[Steffanie Thompson · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.75. Started off pretty strong. And then seemed to kind of linger and was a little drawn out for the lackluster ending.

[JLR · Rating 2 out of 5]

Honestly, this book was pretty well written and I would have given it 3 stars or maybe 3.5 if the reason Etta and Natalie stopped seeing each other wasn’t so utterly ridiculous and irritating.

Natalie’s situation - I get it - grief, depression and a highly traumatic event. But Etta just agreeing to take on a new identity, lie to her spouse/kids for 30+ years, abandon her career, and never see her sister again for literally zero reason makes no sense. It was such a letdown - even if Etta went along in the beginning to help Natalie’s mental health situation, she stuck it out for three decades for what? UGH. Such a stupid inciting event. Infuriating.

[Helena Halme · Rating 5 out of 5]

Intriguing and heartwarming story of loyalty and family

I’m a huge fan of Imogen Clark’s stories and In Another Life certainly doesn’t disappoint! A story of two very different sisters who are torn apart because of loyalty to each other and their loved ones. The story is set in the 1980s and today and has a wonderful sense of time and place. There’s a section set in Sicily where the heat and the blue skies seep out of the page and you can almost hear the cicadas and taste the ravioli. Highly recommended!

[Henriette · Rating 4 out of 5]

In Another Life really took me by surprise. It’s one of those quietly emotional, thought-provoking reads that feels very real — heartbreaking at times — and stayed with me long after I finished it.

It explores choices, chance, and all the “what ifs” that shape our lives, without ever feeling too heavy. The characters feel genuinely human: flawed, well-meaning, and easy to connect with. While some parts were a little predictable, others completely caught me off guard and weren’t what I expected at all.

A gentle, reflective story and solid 4 stars from me

[Cassie Steward · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was so hooked on this book! It was so beautifully written and the story was so unexpected. I couldn’t put it down!

[Claire · Rating 5 out of 5]

My first Imogen Clark read and I loved it! A story about family secrets with the Sicilian mafia thrown in for good measure! Engaging throughout.

[Tracey Dovey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great Read

I really enjoyed this book although I did find it to drag in places I will let that slip as it does have a unique storyline. Overall I will give it a very solid 4 ⭐️

[Sharon · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fabulous read!

Very well written and very well sequenced. You never know for sure what’s coming around the corner, but it will always be an exciting surprise.

[Amy Stoyles · Rating 2 out of 5]

2⭐️

I was interested at first but quickly became bored.
Also, the mafia plot twist was not it for me.

[Casi Willis · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 a very good start but disappointed in the empty time gaps and lack of details at the ending.

[Karlie Nelson · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

I felt like this should’ve had more, content, depth and development. I understood what the premise of the book was but was expecting more from it.

[Lisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this style of writing and felt torn between the sisters - who did the right thing? Or who sacrificed too much for family? Especially loved the intrigue in Sicily, it was definitely a great summer read, exciting bit of drama thrown in. I liked the ending but not as impactful as the mid point, I felt it tailed off a bit, hence not giving a full five 🌟

[Maggie McCallie · Rating 2 out of 5]

A lot of missed opportunities. Pacing was slow and then would zoom through parts that needed more detail. There was a thread in Bronte’s storyline about a failed relationship that was just dropped and not explored. So the addition of it felt unnecessary. And the whole mafia hit and subsequent fleeing was just silly and not very well written.

[Nicole_reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was the first book club pick for Gaia's Library, and honestly, I don't think I ever would've chosen it for myself but WOW this was a wild ride. From the very beginning I was hooked, the story pulls you straight into the heart of a mystery and I found myself racing through the pages desperate to uncover the truth.

I loved how the story moved between present day and the 1980s so we got a nostalgic edge throughout. It also gave an added depth to the mystery element which certainly kept me flipping the pages to see how the past and present would inevitably collide and unveil the big mystery.

The bond between sisters Ettie and Natalie was also a major highlight for me, their relationship was both complex and raw and I found I really rooted for them as they navigated grief and the tangled secrets of the past.

Overall this was a thoroughly enjoyable read that really kept me guessing until the very end. To say I was invested is an understatement! Definitely glad my book club pushed me out of my comfort zone for this one

[cheryl slaton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review

A very intriguing story. Two sisters who lost their parents at 21 and 18. The older one the doer a mover and a shaker. She had finished university and had her dream job at a newspaper. The younger one had a very hard time and grieved f o r her parents and fell into a dark depression. The older sister found her a job in Sicily as an au pair and she loved it. She also had a crush on a young man who worked for the father. The mother was English and the father was Sicilian and rather scary. The mom was basically an air head and seemed to float along. One night the father had a meeting at the palace and no one was home but her, she heard loud voices and heavy footsteps of people running and she came downstairs to see a man walk up to the father put a gun to his head and pull the trigger. The gunman looked up and spotted her on the stairs and began to raise his gun to her but someone shouted his name and he was gone. She called her sister and told her what happened.
Enjoy

[Charlyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Living a lie.

Loretta’s unexpected death from a bee sting devastates her husband and her three children. Her daughter Bronte still lives close to the family home, running her small shop, and she seems to be the most shaken among the children. Loretta was so loved that a crowd was at her funeral, including a stranger sitting in the family pew and claiming to be Loretta’s sister, Natalie. But none of the family knew who she was because Loretta had always claimed to be an only child.

Natalie’s quick disappearance after the funeral troubles only Bronte, who continues to ponder the mystery of having an aunt. The author reveals the backstory of Natalie and Loretta before re-introducing Natalie into the present when she visits Bronte in her little shop. This is a story of decisions we make because of those we love, of secrets kept. Once the reader senses the mystery the book becomes compelling. #GoodreadsGiveaway

[Niamh ✨ · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this book as part of a readalong from Tandem Collective, thank you for the opportunity to them, Imogen Clark and Amazon Publishing to read this incredible book!

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
FIVE STARS!

Like I knew that I was going to love this book, because two sisters?? Hellooooo?? My favourite thing in the whole world is my sisters.

However, I did not expect any of what happened in this book to happen. I had an inkling of part of it but I really cant go into any detail without ruining anything 🤭

The way this book swept flawlessly between the 80s and post-Covid era was just amazing. However I would also happily just have an entire book surrounding any of the points of Nat & Etta's lives in the 80s. Even the mundane parts of the story were interesting to me.

One of my favourite books of the year ❤️‍🔥✨

[Elena Zinonos · Rating 4 out of 5]

In Another Life is a tender, slow-burning story about grief, sisterhood and the quiet ways we find ourselves again. The Sicilian setting is gorgeously atmospheric, adding a rich sense of place to a narrative that’s both introspective and emotionally layered. The bond between the sisters felt authentic and raw and I appreciated how the story expanded healing without rushing it.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

While the pacing dipped in places, the emotional payoff made it worth the journey. It’s a character driven read that rewards patience with moments that linger long after the final page. A heartfelt and evocative novel perfect for fans of:

⏳slow-burn drama
🥺 emotional depth
🦋 and stories that sit gently with you.

[Megan Elliott]

This is such a lovely story and the first time I've read a book like this in ages. The book is predominantly about Family, and it has multiple POVs and switches between the main characters' childhood and later life. It starts with a stranger turning up at a funeral claiming to be a relative of the deceased, and from there we learn their stories and how it led them to where they are.
I loved that part of the book was set in North Yorkshire, it's a City I know very well! This made it even more heartwarming to me! This is a really well written book which is easy to follow despite us jumping around in the timeline and points of view.
It has a lovely ending and gives a real sense of the importance of family and connection 😊

[Mark · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am a fan of Imogen Clark’s character driven domestic suspense novels and was fully engaged when an unknown woman appeared at Loretta’s funeral and claimed to be her sister. The action switches effortlessly between the present day and the 1980s as daughter Brontë delves into the mystery. So far so good, but my appreciation of the novel was marred by its climax when the reason for the sisters’ estrangement was revealed. I just wasn’t convinced that the incident warranted such radical action on the part of Loretta in particular and my disbelief definitely detracted from my enjoyment of ‘In Another Life’.

[Donna McCaul Thibodeau · Rating 3 out of 5]

Bronte Ashton had just arrived at her mother's funeral, to find a woman seated in the front row, which is reserved for family. When her brother Marc told her that she needed to find a seat elsewhere, she replied that she was family, that Etta was her sister. Was it possible that their mother had a sister she had never mentioned?
The first part of this book was great. But then we come to the climax of the plot, and it was, quite frankly, ridiculous. It made no sense that these sisters would go three decades apart, because of an imaginary danger. It was a very unsatisfying ending. Because of this, I subtracted one star.

[cj · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book!!

I like everything about this book. It is well-written and so interesting. The characters came alive in my mind as did the scenes described along the way. I have now read all of Imogen's books and highly recommend them all. With each new book, I find myself thinking, "This is her best book yet." I hope Imogen gifts us with many more!

[Karen Forbes · Rating 5 out of 5]

well written

I really enjoyed this. The story of a family who find out their deceased mother had a completely unknown history, and at the same time a second story telling that history. It makes you keep reading to find out what happened. Nothing complicated, just unexpected which is the charm

[Jennifer Wills · Rating 2 out of 5]

Promising start if a little slow but then easy to work out where it was going. Plodded along nicely but then just ended…. Why dies this happen? It takes 100 pages fur anything to happen but then they wrap it up in 5 pages…. Could have been better but found the ending to abrupt and left me feeling disappointed

[Jane Lump · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m really leaning to 3.5 on this one, but it does have an unusual plot to untangle, several devastating, even violent and tragic deaths, and some eccentric characters. Still, it manages to reveal true flashes of people we know., from the know-it-all brother to the sassy little girl who pulls it all together in the end.

[Tabby Krone · Rating 4 out of 5]

Was not expecting the shooting. Honestly so angry that her sister was paranoid from the start and told her to run. Then made it seem like it was her fault for the paranoia and the running all those years. But maybe that’s why she kept her secret?? Guilt? IT SHOULD BE GUILT. Sorry, told you I was angry. 🙃