A Legacy of Secrets: The gripping new novel full of mystery and family secrets from the Sunday Times bestseller

by Lulu Taylor

‘Absorbing, compelling and completely unputdownable, every Lulu Taylor novel grips you to the very end’ – Lisa Jewell

Is the truth a legacy worth inheriting?

Flick Templeton seems to have it money, a renowned family name, brains and talent. But her wealth and status seem an obstacle to the real love she longs for. Guided by passion, she seeks her soulmate while finding her own path – but will the legendary family curse of tragedy and loss always thwart her?

Etta, Flick’s daughter, inherits her own share of the family blessings along with its darkness. Growing up, she is pulled between caring for her mother and finding her own identity. As Etta unravels the threads of Flick’s secrets, she starts to learn the truth about who she really is . . .

But can Flick and Etta ever break truly free from the shadows of a painful past, and the curse that seems to hang over every generation of their family?

Full of glamour, drama and the peaks and troughs of fortune, A Legacy of Secrets is the unmissable new novel from Lulu Taylor.

'A book to lose yourself in as nights draw in' – Gill Paul

'Lulu Taylor is the Queen of winter fiction' – Veronica Henry

'Beautifully written, emotionally compelling' – Daily Mail

'Fantastic, all-consuming' – Heat

'An engrossing read' – Sunday Mirror

445 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 4, 2025

About the author

Lulu was brought up in the Oxfordshire countryside, attended a girls’ school and then went to Oxford University, where she read English Literature. After university, she worked in publishing for several years, before becoming a novelist.

Lulu says of her books: ‘I’ve always adored stories of the rich and reckless at play, everything from The Great Gatsby to the brilliant blockbuster novels of the 80s. It’s fantastic escapism, and I’ve always loved creating my own stories of adventure, romance and luxury. My heroines are often very privileged and blessed with great looks and good health – but that doesn’t mean their lives are simple – far from it. They go through plenty of drama and suffering before everything is finally resolved.

‘Sex, love, beauty and money have always entranced us, and one way or another are the basis for just about every story ever written. There’s plenty of all of that in my novels, along with high fashion, which I love. What’s more, writing about fashion means I can go virtual shopping, dressing my heroines in all the wonderful clothes I adore – the racks of Marchesa ball gowns, the shelves of Louboutins, mountains of Chanel bags and acres of Dior dresses... it’s lots of fun. The stories can also get quite racy at times. It’s all about entertaining and amusing the reader, and enjoying being inside my characters’ glamorous, rarefied existence. ‘I’m always thrilled when someone enjoys reading my book as much I enjoyed writing it.’

Lulu now lives in West Dorset near the Somerset border, with her husband and two children.

Reviews

[Pauline · Rating 4 out of 5]

Flick is part of a wealthy family in the 1950’s, she wants to break free from the constraints of her family and status.
Etta is trying to find her own way in the 1970’s and wants to unravel a family secret.
A family saga told in two different timelines where a daughter is on a quest to learn who her father is.
Thanks you yo NetGalley, and Pan Macmillan for my e-copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Val Robson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a good story with a plot of family secrets and plenty of twists and turn to keep the reader guessing. I struggled a little with the timeline as it was mainly in the 1950s and 1990s and occasionally the 1970s. The first two sections were in 1952 and 1091 but then later g sections were 1951 and 1990. Both times i only registered the decade of the timeline and not that the story had gone backwards in each so I was not following it well. I'm starting to think I will not be reading books with multiple timelines as this going backwards with in timelines is simply too confusing.

The story revolves around Flick and starts with her joint 18th birthday party in 1952 with her twin brother Brindle. It's called a coming-of-age party as Brindle is inheriting the family estate, Caundle Court. This in itself was confusing as, in the UK, the age of majority was only reduced to 18 from 21 in 1969. Flick's mother, Gloria, is quite a tyrant who favours her son very much and is constantly critical of Flick. Flick rebels and once at a finishing school in Oxford meets lots of men and makes some unwise choices of boyfriends and husband from there on.

In the 1970s and 1990s timelines we meet Etta who is struggling with life and trying to learn more about her family history. It takes a while into the book before the connection between the timelines is apparent.

The ending wraps things up well but I was wondering what happened to the characters Gloria and Caius.

3.5 stars upgraded to 4. With thanks to NetGalley and Pan Macmillan for a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Stacey · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a puzzling read and a genuine slow burn. It took me a long time to get into, but once it finally clicked, I finished it quickly.

The novel feels like more than one book. The opening section is fairly superficial and didn’t land for me — the focus on upper-class life felt remote and left me struggling to find an emotional way in. The middle is much stronger, and the ending is genuinely effective, if a little cliched. I went from feeling largely indifferent to the characters to unexpectedly wiping away a tear — which took me by surprise.

Marketed as a saga, it didn’t quite deliver the depth or richness I usually look for in the genre. That said, the twists do have a clear central purpose, driving the story’s exploration of Etta’s identity, even if some felt slightly rushed or underdeveloped when they could have carried more emotional weight.

Where the book really succeeds is in its exploration of mother–daughter relationships. The ending is bittersweet and satisfying, and the character work improves steadily as the story unfolds. I liked Etta and Rob, and I grew to like Flick over time, which speaks to thoughtful character development.

Overall, I enjoyed where this book ended up and was glad I stuck with it, even if I still wanted a little more substance — and perhaps a reckoning for a couple of characters. A flawed but ultimately rewarding read.

Thanks to NetGalley, Lulu Taylor and Pan Macmillan for the ARC.

[Jaimie Anderson · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 rounded up ⭐

The story follows two women connected by the same grand estate and the family tied to it.

In the past timeline, Flick enters a privileged, aristocratic world where appearance and wealth matter far more than happiness. Swept up in making her own path, she finds herself entangled in a relationship that quickly turns darker than she expected. Love becoming a trap a trap and the consequences ripple through generations.

In the present day, Etta, Flicks Daughter, begins to uncover long-buried secrets about the estate and the family that once lived there. As she pieces together the truth, she must confront the ways history repeats itself and whether she will continue the cycle or break free from it.

Dual timelines / Past & Present

Family secrets

Class divide / high society pressure

Bad romance / toxic relationships

Mother-daughter wounds

Inherited trauma

Lulu Taylor captures the difficult reality for women in past decades: a future could hinge on making a “good” marriage. For many, marrying into wealth wasn’t romance. Careers weren’t guaranteed, independence wasn’t respected, and security could cost personal freedom.

Really enjoyed the two perspectives and how it all comes to the end convergence of their stories!

Thank you to Bookbreak and PanMacmillan for allowing me to read this ARC copy, and be a part of the book tour!

[Leanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lulu Taylor delivers another captivating winter read with A Legacy of Secrets, a novel that wraps mystery, glamour, and generational drama into one irresistible package. Flick Templeton, the story’s magnetic matriarch, is as complex as she is privileged—her search for love and meaning unfolds against the backdrop of a family legacy steeped in tragedy. Her daughter Etta, caught between devotion and self-discovery, adds emotional depth as she untangles the secrets that shaped her life.

Taylor’s prose is lush and evocative, perfect for curling up with on a chilly evening. The narrative glides between past and present, weaving a tapestry of heartbreak, resilience, and the haunting pull of inherited fate. It’s not just a story—it’s an experience, rich with atmosphere and emotional nuance.

If you love stories that explore the bonds between mothers and daughters, the weight of legacy, and the shimmer of romance tinged with melancholy, this one’s for you. A perfect fireside companion.

With thanks to Lulu Taylor, the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC.

[Thebooktrail · Rating 4 out of 5]

Discover the locations in the novel here



I always look forward to a Lulu Taylor book. They are the kind of books you save for when you have a moment where you can sit down and really fall into a book. This was a complex web of secrets and lies across time and it was delicious. 

The writing is always gripping, the characters unique and with lots of secrets to share (and hide) and the world she builds are just some of the most captivating I have been inside.

I really wish the castle in the book was real. It looked lovely in my imagination!

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars
This was an emotional read at times, particularly towards the end of the story. This was set in the 1950s, the 1970s and the 1990s. I did feel for Flick, in particular, having a mother like Gloria. Little wonder she jumped at the first chance to escape her. Etta is one of the main characters in the latter years. There are a number of secrets that need to be told and eventually they are all revealed. There are some very self centred people and some caring people and true friends. It does have a very satisfying ending. I received a copy and have voluntarily reviewed it. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Patricia Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful book from Lulu Taylor. A Legacy of Secrets has everything you could wish for in a family saga. Secrets, romance, fallings out amongst family members. You name it it's in there. The characters just jump off the page. I especially enjoyed the hilariously, horrible and self centered matriarch Gloria! What a joy! I absolutely loved reading every word of this book and am very sad I've finished it. Definitely a 5* read.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read an advance copy. All opinions are my own.

[Margaret · Rating 3 out of 5]

This explores the variety of relationships between the mothers and daughters across 3 generations. The lives can be chaotic with characters that like to kick over the traces . Told in two time and storylines . Diana, the original matriarch setting Flick the daughter on her roller coaster unconventional life and Alex the daughter of Flick in search of who her father is . She has to untangle the web of Flicks life to reach the truth .

[Emily · Rating 3 out of 5]

✨2.5? - 3 stars✨

I was sent this ARC from the publishers via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!

There was nothing glaringly bad about this book. However I just didn’t gel with the writing or the structure of the story which meant I didn’t connect with the characters in either timeline.

If you usually enjoy this author’s work then you would probably still enjoy this book but for me it was just okay.

[Susanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

An intriguing family saga. From the eccentric Gloria, to her daughter Flick, the 'poor little rich girl', who wants freedom, to Etta, Flick's daughter, who's not sure if she should look after her mother and sister, or go her own way. Plenty of interesting characters come and go, shaping the course of their lives. Very enjoyable.
Thanks to Netgalley, Pan Macmillan, and Lulu Taylor for the free ARC. All opinions are my own

[Toni · Rating 4 out of 5]

'A Legacy Of Secrets' is the wonderful new novel by Lulu Taylor. We follow Flick Templeton through her life from breaking free of her family and the following ups and downs and her daughter Etta's journey to discover the family secrets.
This is an engrossing family saga, the perfect book to curl up with a hot drink during long winter nights!
Many thanks to NetGalley and Pan Macmillan for the opportunity to read an advance copy.

[Rona · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks to Netgalley and the Publisher for the ARC.
This is a dual timeline story.
Flik is in the 1950's and she freedom to explore the world.
Etta is in the present and is trying to solve a family mystery.
Etta is Flik's daughter and she is trying to delve into long hidden secrets .
The story addresses classes, secrets and social divides.
Lulu always hits the right note another enjoyable story.

[julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley, the author and the publisher for sending me this review copy. I always enjoy these well written, engrossing family sagas from this author. I really enjoyed how this one goes from past to present, unraveling family secrets, intrigue, glamour and relationships. A perfect winter read.

[Becci Hudson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to Pan macmillan and the author for sending me this book as an arc.
For me this was a 3.5 star read which doesn’t mean that it was bad at all in fact the opposite.
This book follows two women along different timelines one being the mother and the other the daughter.
This is a beautifully written story about family secrets, women’s struggles, bad relationships and trauma.

[Fiona Pullen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another engrossing book by Lulu, her books always draw you right in.

I found several of the characters unlikeable including two of the main characters (Flick and Gloria) and the undertone quite sad, but I still couldn't stop reading! I shed a tear at the end.