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Secrets #2
Next Door Secrets
When Bethany meets the little girl who lives next door, it stirs up a longing she’s been trying to quell. At 35, Beth has a job she enjoys and a sweet boyfriend who cannot promise her tomorrow. She tells herself no one gets to “have it all,” but little Kaylee seems to need Beth just as much as Beth needs her.
Beth’s boyfriend, Parker, loves her so much he’s decided to leave her. Bit by bit, he pulls back, figuring it’s better to break her heart now rather than later. If he were gone, he’s sure Beth would see that the family next door has room for one more.
But Parker isn’t the only one acting strange these days. Beth starts to suspect that the reason Kaylee’s father keeps pushing her away is because he’s hiding something. A secret big enough to destroy a family
Beth’s boyfriend, Parker, loves her so much he’s decided to leave her. Bit by bit, he pulls back, figuring it’s better to break her heart now rather than later. If he were gone, he’s sure Beth would see that the family next door has room for one more.
But Parker isn’t the only one acting strange these days. Beth starts to suspect that the reason Kaylee’s father keeps pushing her away is because he’s hiding something. A secret big enough to destroy a family
233 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 27, 2014
283 people are currently reading
610 people want to read
About the author
Karen Lenfestey
17 books86 followersKaren Lenfestey, a Midwest Writer’s Fellowship winner, writes “happy endings with a twist.”
Karen has a bachelor's degree in advertising from Purdue University and a master's degree in counseling from its rival school, Indiana University. (Please don't ask her to choose favorites!) During the week, she advises students, on the weekends, she writes and on vacations, she loves to travel.
She is active on Goodreads and Facebook and she loves to hear from readers on her website, www.karensnovels.com.
Karen has a bachelor's degree in advertising from Purdue University and a master's degree in counseling from its rival school, Indiana University. (Please don't ask her to choose favorites!) During the week, she advises students, on the weekends, she writes and on vacations, she loves to travel.
She is active on Goodreads and Facebook and she loves to hear from readers on her website, www.karensnovels.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 61 reviews
June 2, 2016
The writing wasn't bad, but the perfection of the protagonist was irritating. The immediate access to information was as miserable as the ending.
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June 2, 2016There is little point in reading this without having read Book 1 first. Unfortunately, no one told me that!
I managed to get the gist of the characters, and they were believable and interesting, but the end of the story was very poor in my opinion. I suppose that is to ensure readers buy the third book? Sorry. Not gonna happen.
No rating at this moment.
I managed to get the gist of the characters, and they were believable and interesting, but the end of the story was very poor in my opinion. I suppose that is to ensure readers buy the third book? Sorry. Not gonna happen.
No rating at this moment.
September 10, 2014
Next Door Secrets picks up Bethany as she still struggles with her self image and her desire to be a mom. Having reconnected with her daughter that she had placed for adoption 16 years earlier, she wants desperately to have the chance to be a mom and be needed.
Things are not bad. She has a job that she loves and a boyfriend. But Parker has ALS and is pulling away. As his symptoms become more visible, he is searching for a way to pull away and spare her the burden of caring for him.
When she becomes involved in the lives of her neighbor and his little girl,she is first annoyed then puzzled as to the dad's attitude toward her. in wanting to help the little girl she uncovers a family secret.
I was afraid that this continuation of Bethany's search for fulfillment through motherhood would be a wallow in self pity. Bethany definitely came across a lot as poor pitiful me. I was glad to see the growth of the relationship with her Mom and her daughter Hannah. And the ending set the right tone for me.
Things are not bad. She has a job that she loves and a boyfriend. But Parker has ALS and is pulling away. As his symptoms become more visible, he is searching for a way to pull away and spare her the burden of caring for him.
When she becomes involved in the lives of her neighbor and his little girl,she is first annoyed then puzzled as to the dad's attitude toward her. in wanting to help the little girl she uncovers a family secret.
I was afraid that this continuation of Bethany's search for fulfillment through motherhood would be a wallow in self pity. Bethany definitely came across a lot as poor pitiful me. I was glad to see the growth of the relationship with her Mom and her daughter Hannah. And the ending set the right tone for me.
September 23, 2014
This was a good book about waiting too long to start a family.
The loved the characters. I hope there will be third book because
I want to know what happens to Willow & Beth and her next door neighbor.
The loved the characters. I hope there will be third book because
I want to know what happens to Willow & Beth and her next door neighbor.
April 5, 2016
This book just up and ended! The characters are likeable, the story line was interesting and held my interest and then it ended. None of the story lines were resolved, none of the characters were settled. Did the author suddenly have something better to do? A big disappointment!
October 30, 2014
I ENJOYED THIS BOOK VERY MUCH...I LOVED THE CHARACTERS...I COULDN'T PUT THE BOOK DOWN..I KNOW I'LL
READ MORE BOOKS BY KAREN LENFESTEY IN THE FUTURE
READ MORE BOOKS BY KAREN LENFESTEY IN THE FUTURE
April 18, 2018
This was a terribly written story. The narrative was dull and full of fillers.
I cannot believe this is a 3-book-series. What else can be filled in the pages of 3 books?!
The first book was super slow and I thought I could give this one a chance but the MC is boring and lacks depth.
The whole premise of the first book was that Beth gave out her daughter to adoption when she got pregnant at 17 with her former best friend's boyfriend. Then she got to meet her daughter when she turned 16 after finding out that the girl's father has Huntington Disease. It was a whole mess of Beth having a boyfriend that was a sucker for his sister and having to raise the BF's sister's kids because she sister was too irresponsible. So Beth was stuck with someone else's problems with no voice of her own.
Now on the 2nd book, Beth and the Parker (the girl's father and soon to be ex-husband of her former best friend) are dating. He, thinking his life will be over soon due to his disease, wants to join the Peace Corps and volunteer in a 3rd world country somewhere. He is rude and dismissing to Beth who clings to him like he is the last drop of water in a desert. Then there is the weird neighbor's daughter, Kaylee. Beth met the girl one day and now feels like she is responsible for the girl's destiny.
It is just a bunch of parallel boring stories with very little content deep down.
I cannot believe this is a 3-book-series. What else can be filled in the pages of 3 books?!
The first book was super slow and I thought I could give this one a chance but the MC is boring and lacks depth.
The whole premise of the first book was that Beth gave out her daughter to adoption when she got pregnant at 17 with her former best friend's boyfriend. Then she got to meet her daughter when she turned 16 after finding out that the girl's father has Huntington Disease. It was a whole mess of Beth having a boyfriend that was a sucker for his sister and having to raise the BF's sister's kids because she sister was too irresponsible. So Beth was stuck with someone else's problems with no voice of her own.
Now on the 2nd book, Beth and the Parker (the girl's father and soon to be ex-husband of her former best friend) are dating. He, thinking his life will be over soon due to his disease, wants to join the Peace Corps and volunteer in a 3rd world country somewhere. He is rude and dismissing to Beth who clings to him like he is the last drop of water in a desert. Then there is the weird neighbor's daughter, Kaylee. Beth met the girl one day and now feels like she is responsible for the girl's destiny.
It is just a bunch of parallel boring stories with very little content deep down.
September 5, 2017
It was an interesting story, and while I enjoyed it, I felt a bit let down by the ending.
There were a couple of typographical and editing errors that bothered me.
-- Missing quotation marks at the 82% mark.
-- Early on Bethany is offered "milk or water" because that's all available, but Jim drinks Coke. Later in the story, Jim comments that the previous occupants left all kinds of tea behind. Why then, wasn't Beth offered tea the first time?
-- The comment that "Jim had been an alcoholic..." Just because someone drinks too much doesn't mean he/she is an alcoholic, and since alcoholism is a disease, once an alcoholic, always an alcoholic, even if the person isn't drinking.
There were a couple of typographical and editing errors that bothered me.
-- Missing quotation marks at the 82% mark.
-- Early on Bethany is offered "milk or water" because that's all available, but Jim drinks Coke. Later in the story, Jim comments that the previous occupants left all kinds of tea behind. Why then, wasn't Beth offered tea the first time?
-- The comment that "Jim had been an alcoholic..." Just because someone drinks too much doesn't mean he/she is an alcoholic, and since alcoholism is a disease, once an alcoholic, always an alcoholic, even if the person isn't drinking.
October 23, 2017
The story was ok. Often jumpy and incomplete. I didn’t even realize there was a first book until I just looked this up on goodreads. The ending felt very rushed. Like the author just needed to finish it quickly. I was very surprised when I turned the page and saw “the end”. It didn’t feel like the story was wrapped up. I read the last chapter twice thinking I must have missed something.
December 10, 2017
A while ago I started reading book one in this series but I couldn’t connect with the story. Book 2 (this book) sounded interesting. I’m glad I read it. It kept my interest, and it didn’t end how I thought it would. I enjoyed the story a lot and I can’t wait to read book 3, to see how things turn out.
May 6, 2018
Next Door Secrets (Secrets Series Book 2)
Beth and Parker are now together but Parker is pushing her a wait. Ivy had a baby boy and name him Parker Jr. Beth met her new neighbors, Jon and Kaylee. Jon hold a big secret about they life. Hannah has come for a visit. Will Parker push Beth away or will he tell her he love het?
Beth and Parker are now together but Parker is pushing her a wait. Ivy had a baby boy and name him Parker Jr. Beth met her new neighbors, Jon and Kaylee. Jon hold a big secret about they life. Hannah has come for a visit. Will Parker push Beth away or will he tell her he love het?
September 5, 2018
Bethany finds her next door neighbor seven year old daughter crying on her front porch. Trying to get to know her neighbor she just keeps getting nowhere. Can Bethany find out what they are hiding.
This story started out great. I felt that the characters were shallow and the story drug along. The ending seemed way too rushed compared to the rest of the story
This story started out great. I felt that the characters were shallow and the story drug along. The ending seemed way too rushed compared to the rest of the story
January 25, 2024
I had the trilogy on my Kindle, and accidentally read this book first, thinking it was the first in the series - I blame the humidity we've been having! I thoroughly enjoyed it, but it did ruin book one for me as I knew what was going to happen. Book three is still going to be a surprise though. I found books one and two hard to put down and breezed through them both in a few days.
October 26, 2017
Good story line
Nice, easy read. It was a little too predictable, but well written. A little disappointed at the quick ending. I was hoping for more on what happened with Beth and Parker.
Nice, easy read. It was a little too predictable, but well written. A little disappointed at the quick ending. I was hoping for more on what happened with Beth and Parker.
May 6, 2017
Next Door Secrets
Next Door Secrets, tells of a little girl and a dad's love, of holding back love and commitment between Parker and Beth and Beth's desires to be a mother as well as dreams and failures.
Next Door Secrets, tells of a little girl and a dad's love, of holding back love and commitment between Parker and Beth and Beth's desires to be a mother as well as dreams and failures.
July 5, 2017
The book grabbed my attention at the start with an interesting story about a shy 30-something woman who helps her 8 year old neighbor but it soon degenerated into what felt like an ABC After School Special.
December 25, 2017
Great mystery
I really enjoyed this novel because of the mystery to it, and also because it had foster kids and foster parents in the story. Love stories with children at the center.
I really enjoyed this novel because of the mystery to it, and also because it had foster kids and foster parents in the story. Love stories with children at the center.
January 31, 2018
Loving this series!!
After getting sucked into Book 1, that I got for free, I couldn’t wait to read the rest of the series. Book 2 was even better than 1 and I’m anxious to start the next one! I can’t wait to find out what happens next...
After getting sucked into Book 1, that I got for free, I couldn’t wait to read the rest of the series. Book 2 was even better than 1 and I’m anxious to start the next one! I can’t wait to find out what happens next...
October 30, 2018
Great Read
I recommend this book to all who think they will never live their dream because of unplanned interruptions. Their is always hope. There are so many lessons in this delightful book and pleasant moments.
I recommend this book to all who think they will never live their dream because of unplanned interruptions. Their is always hope. There are so many lessons in this delightful book and pleasant moments.
January 30, 2024
Would have helped to have read book one first... didn't know that going in.
The availability of information was frustratingly easy. The ending very abrupt and rushed. Felt like a book that wasn't really sure what it was supposed to be.
The availability of information was frustratingly easy. The ending very abrupt and rushed. Felt like a book that wasn't really sure what it was supposed to be.
March 27, 2024
This follows on from A Weekend Getaway and you really do need to have read that one first in order to fully make sense of this one. I felt this one flowed more than the previous one and was written better. I enjoyed this and am excited to see what is in store in the final installment.
July 29, 2017
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Llbh bv m! Xcd gfy qplk km! Hgf uio bgh vcfd tyu xcz poi uyt the qwr rty uio Pye
September 4, 2017
Good summer read
A good moving story that captures your interest right away as secrets are investigated and revealed. Author also makes it easy to identify with the characters.
A good moving story that captures your interest right away as secrets are investigated and revealed. Author also makes it easy to identify with the characters.
February 4, 2018
Love it
Can't say enough about this author. Looking forward to reading book 3. Wish there were more. I will follow Karen Lenfestey.
Can't say enough about this author. Looking forward to reading book 3. Wish there were more. I will follow Karen Lenfestey.
April 8, 2022
Next Door Secrets
This is a good book, held my attention. I don' t know why Beth would even consider telling a 7 yr old about her mother and sister, then be surprised when dad ran.
This is a good book, held my attention. I don' t know why Beth would even consider telling a 7 yr old about her mother and sister, then be surprised when dad ran.
December 29, 2023
To someone who understands what it was like, this was a powerful story!
January 18, 2023
4.5 stars
May 31, 2016
I read this book as a stand alone because I did not know the series followed the main character. I don't think that I missed anything major by not reading the first book, (though I do plan to go back and read it). Knowing that the story continues in book three helps me with the ending of this book.
I liked the characters. I felt they were pretty realistic. There was a lot of drama going on. Everyone had issues and it seemed that Bethany was smack in the middle of each of them. A couple of the characters were pretty selfish. I thought they brought a lot of their problems on all by themselves. I would have liked to see Bethany say no and mean it with them. The ending killed me. I think that was because I had thought each book in the series was a stand alone. Thinking that way left me with burning questions. Now that I know I may get some answers in the next book, I can handle that ending.
I did enjoy the book. It held my attention. I cared about the characters. I would tell people that it is a book with loads of drama. It can be exhausting if you don't expect it. If you like drama, though, you will probably enjoy this series.
I liked the characters. I felt they were pretty realistic. There was a lot of drama going on. Everyone had issues and it seemed that Bethany was smack in the middle of each of them. A couple of the characters were pretty selfish. I thought they brought a lot of their problems on all by themselves. I would have liked to see Bethany say no and mean it with them. The ending killed me. I think that was because I had thought each book in the series was a stand alone. Thinking that way left me with burning questions. Now that I know I may get some answers in the next book, I can handle that ending.
I did enjoy the book. It held my attention. I cared about the characters. I would tell people that it is a book with loads of drama. It can be exhausting if you don't expect it. If you like drama, though, you will probably enjoy this series.
July 17, 2016
Bethany has a good life. A job she likes, a boyfriend she adores and a growing relationship with the daughter she gave up years ago. But something is missing. She knows that giving up her daughter was the right thing to do, but now worries that she will never be a mom or have the family she dreams of. Then she befriends her young neighbour. A young girl who seems so lonely and sad. Something isn't right there, with her father and the stories she tells. Bethany can't help but get involved, but how will it end for her?
While the author engages you it is not a story I "had" to keep reading. While I liked the characters, I didn't feel the need to know more about them. A fair read, enjoyable but not one that sends me looking for the rest of the series.
While the author engages you it is not a story I "had" to keep reading. While I liked the characters, I didn't feel the need to know more about them. A fair read, enjoyable but not one that sends me looking for the rest of the series.
May 30, 2016
Not what I expected
From the publisher's blurb, I expected a different kind of story. Most of the characters had serious life issues and the ending was fairly abrupt with nary a hea in sight. It was well written but seemed more like a non fiction story and I found it rather depressing. I just learned it is the intro to a series, and book #2 pick up where the first left off so maybe there will be some happier endings after all. I don't recommend reading the first unless you will be picking up the second right away.
From the publisher's blurb, I expected a different kind of story. Most of the characters had serious life issues and the ending was fairly abrupt with nary a hea in sight. It was well written but seemed more like a non fiction story and I found it rather depressing. I just learned it is the intro to a series, and book #2 pick up where the first left off so maybe there will be some happier endings after all. I don't recommend reading the first unless you will be picking up the second right away.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 61 reviews