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A Season of Secrets
Win a free print copy of this book!
2 days and 00:47:44
10 copies available
U.S. only
In search of long-lost family and a little holiday magic, a young woman and her adopted mother go on a once-in-a-lifetime trip to London for Christmas in this humorous, heartwarming standalone novel from #1 New York Times bestselling author Fern Michaels.
272 pages, Hardcover
Published September 29, 2026
About the author
Fern Michaels
349 books6,813 followersFern Michaels isn’t a person. I’m not sure she’s an entity either since an entity is something with separate existence. Fern Michaels® is what I DO. Me, Mary Ruth Kuczkir. Growing up in Hastings, Pennsylvania, I was called Ruth. I became Mary when I entered the business world where first names were the order of the day. To this day, family and friends call me Dink, a name my father gave me when I was born because according to him I was ‘a dinky little thing’ weighing in at four and a half pounds. However, I answer to Fern since people are more comfortable with a name they can pronounce.
As they say, the past is prologue. I grew up, got a job, got married, had five kids. When my youngest went off to Kindergarten, my husband told me to get off my ass and get a job. Those were his exact words. I didn’t know how to do anything except be a wife and mother. I was also a voracious reader having cut my teeth on The Bobbsey Twins, Nancy Drew, The Hardy Boys, Cherry Ames and the like. The library was a magical place for me. It still is to this day. Rather than face the outside world with no skills, I decided to write a book. For some reason that didn’t intimidate me. As my husband said at the time, stupid is as stupid does. Guess what, I don’t have that husband any more. Guess what else! I wrote 99 books, most of them New York Times Best Sellers.
Moving right along here . . . Several years ago I left Ballantine Books, parted company with my agent, sold my house in New Jersey that I had lived in all my married life and in 1993 moved to South Carolina. I figured if I was going to go through trauma let it be all at one time. It was a breeze. The kids were all on their own at that point. The dump was a 300 year old plantation house that is listed in the National Registry that I remodeled. Today it is beyond belief as are the gardens and the equally old Angel Oaks that drip Spanish moss. Unfortunately, I could not get my ghost to relocate. This ghost has been documented by previous owners. Mary Margaret as we call her, is “a friendly”. She is also mischievous. It took me two weeks to figure out that she didn’t like my coffee cups. They would slide off the table or counter or else they’d break in the dishwasher. I bought red checkered ones. All are intact as of this writing. She moves pillows from one room to the other and she stops all the clocks in the house at 9:10 in the a.m. at least once a week. When the Azaleas are in bloom, and only then, I find blooms on my night stand. I have this glorious front porch and during the warm months I see my swing moving early in the morning when the air is still and again late in the day. She doesn’t spook the dogs. I always know when she’s around because the five of them line up and look like they’re at a tennis match. As of this writing we’re co-habiting nicely.
Most writers love what they do and I’m no exception. I love it when I get a germ of an idea and get it down on paper. I love breathing life into my characters. I love writing about women who persevere and prevail because that’s what I had to do to get to this point in time. It’s another way of saying it doesn’t matter where you’ve been, what matters is where you’re going and how you get there. The day I finally prevailed was the day I was inducted into the New Jersey Literary Hall of Fame. For me it was an awesome day and there are no words to describe it.
I’ve been telling stories and scribbling for 37 years. I hope I can continue for another 37 years. It wasn’t easy during some of those years. As I said, I had to persevere. My old Polish grandmother said something to me when I was little that I never forgot. She said when God is good to you, you have to give back. For a while I didn’t know how to do that. When I finally figured it out I set up The Fern Michaels® Foundation.
READ FERN MICHAELS' FULL BIOGRAPHY HERE: http://www.fernmichaels.com/biography/
As they say, the past is prologue. I grew up, got a job, got married, had five kids. When my youngest went off to Kindergarten, my husband told me to get off my ass and get a job. Those were his exact words. I didn’t know how to do anything except be a wife and mother. I was also a voracious reader having cut my teeth on The Bobbsey Twins, Nancy Drew, The Hardy Boys, Cherry Ames and the like. The library was a magical place for me. It still is to this day. Rather than face the outside world with no skills, I decided to write a book. For some reason that didn’t intimidate me. As my husband said at the time, stupid is as stupid does. Guess what, I don’t have that husband any more. Guess what else! I wrote 99 books, most of them New York Times Best Sellers.
Moving right along here . . . Several years ago I left Ballantine Books, parted company with my agent, sold my house in New Jersey that I had lived in all my married life and in 1993 moved to South Carolina. I figured if I was going to go through trauma let it be all at one time. It was a breeze. The kids were all on their own at that point. The dump was a 300 year old plantation house that is listed in the National Registry that I remodeled. Today it is beyond belief as are the gardens and the equally old Angel Oaks that drip Spanish moss. Unfortunately, I could not get my ghost to relocate. This ghost has been documented by previous owners. Mary Margaret as we call her, is “a friendly”. She is also mischievous. It took me two weeks to figure out that she didn’t like my coffee cups. They would slide off the table or counter or else they’d break in the dishwasher. I bought red checkered ones. All are intact as of this writing. She moves pillows from one room to the other and she stops all the clocks in the house at 9:10 in the a.m. at least once a week. When the Azaleas are in bloom, and only then, I find blooms on my night stand. I have this glorious front porch and during the warm months I see my swing moving early in the morning when the air is still and again late in the day. She doesn’t spook the dogs. I always know when she’s around because the five of them line up and look like they’re at a tennis match. As of this writing we’re co-habiting nicely.
Most writers love what they do and I’m no exception. I love it when I get a germ of an idea and get it down on paper. I love breathing life into my characters. I love writing about women who persevere and prevail because that’s what I had to do to get to this point in time. It’s another way of saying it doesn’t matter where you’ve been, what matters is where you’re going and how you get there. The day I finally prevailed was the day I was inducted into the New Jersey Literary Hall of Fame. For me it was an awesome day and there are no words to describe it.
I’ve been telling stories and scribbling for 37 years. I hope I can continue for another 37 years. It wasn’t easy during some of those years. As I said, I had to persevere. My old Polish grandmother said something to me when I was little that I never forgot. She said when God is good to you, you have to give back. For a while I didn’t know how to do that. When I finally figured it out I set up The Fern Michaels® Foundation.
READ FERN MICHAELS' FULL BIOGRAPHY HERE: http://www.fernmichaels.com/biography/
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 104 reviews
October 14, 2026
Rating: 2.75 / 5
Based on the cover and title, I expected a cozy holiday read packed with intriguing secrets. I quite liked the beginning, but the story quickly became predictable. The dialogue didn't feel natural at all, and it all wrapped up a little too conveniently in the end.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Ashley took one ancestry test and accidentally detonated two families, uncovered a secret twin in England, and wandered straight into a Christmas reunion with a fugitive father subplot. These DNA companies need to start including helmets.
She thinks she is going to learn whether she has some distant cousin in Wales. Instead, she finds out the people she has always known as her parents are not biologically related to her, she was adopted, and her birth family is sitting across the Atlantic with decades of secrets shoved into boxes like nobody was ever going to open them. Ashley barely gets time to process any of this before everyone is basically packing for England. Nothing says Christmas like international travel fueled entirely by unresolved family history.
Meanwhile, Emily is minding her own business, sorting through old papers, when she finds a birth certificate proving she has a twin. A whole twin. Not a family rumor. Not an aunt nobody talks about. An actual sister. And her mother has apparently been carrying this information around for years like it was an expired coupon she forgot to mention. Ma’am. That is not a detail you save for later.
Then we have Henry, Emily’s father, who has spent years on the run after witnessing a murder and getting blamed for it. Because apparently one missing twin was not enough plot for this family. We also needed a fugitive dad communicating through a police officer like he is starring in the saddest possible version of “Where in the World Is Carmen Sandiego?” Every time the book cut back to Henry, I thought, sir, could you maybe come home before somebody finds another document?
What I liked most is that Ashley does not treat finding her birth family like replacing the family who raised her. She wants answers, but she is not rewriting her whole life in one dramatic airport montage. Her adoptive mother stays beside her, even while facing the terrifying possibility that Ashley might discover a new branch of herself she cannot share. That relationship gave the whole thing real warmth.
And yes, everybody involved is carrying guilt. The mothers have secrets. The daughters have questions. Henry has spent years sacrificing his life because he thinks distance is protection. Nobody here understands that silence is not a neutral choice. It grows roots. It moves furniture. Eventually it starts charging rent.
The England trip is cozy in that very specific way where old streets, Oxford, Christmas decorations, and long family searches convince you this entire emotional crisis would be easier to manage with tea. Ashley and her mother are sightseeing while also chasing the truth, which feels like an enormous amount to put on one itinerary. “Tower of London, lunch, locate biological family, maybe buy a scarf.”
I will say, this book occasionally asks you to accept coincidences with both hands and no follow-up questions. People connect at exactly the right moment. Information surfaces when needed. The family tree basically starts solving itself once everyone gets close enough to share a postcode. But I was not reading this for ruthless realism. I was reading it to watch people stop hiding long enough to find each other.
The emotional center is simple, and it worked for me. Knowing where you came from matters. So does knowing who stayed. Ashley does not have to choose between those truths, and the book never makes her.
This was 4 stars for me. It is heartfelt, dramatic, conveniently timed in several places, and full of people finally saying things they should have said years ago. I came for Christmas in England and got twin revelations, family guilt, a wrongful accusation, and enough secrets to make every old storage box feel threatening.
Merry Mayhem Prize: For Turning One Ancestry Kit Into an International Twin Search, a Fugitive Father Crisis, and the Most Emotionally Loaded Christmas Vacation in England
Thank you to Kensington Publishing and NetGalley for the ARC. You gave me Oxford at Christmas, a surprise twin, decades of family secrecy, and one father who desperately needed to stop living like the police had syndicated his personal drama.
She thinks she is going to learn whether she has some distant cousin in Wales. Instead, she finds out the people she has always known as her parents are not biologically related to her, she was adopted, and her birth family is sitting across the Atlantic with decades of secrets shoved into boxes like nobody was ever going to open them. Ashley barely gets time to process any of this before everyone is basically packing for England. Nothing says Christmas like international travel fueled entirely by unresolved family history.
Meanwhile, Emily is minding her own business, sorting through old papers, when she finds a birth certificate proving she has a twin. A whole twin. Not a family rumor. Not an aunt nobody talks about. An actual sister. And her mother has apparently been carrying this information around for years like it was an expired coupon she forgot to mention. Ma’am. That is not a detail you save for later.
Then we have Henry, Emily’s father, who has spent years on the run after witnessing a murder and getting blamed for it. Because apparently one missing twin was not enough plot for this family. We also needed a fugitive dad communicating through a police officer like he is starring in the saddest possible version of “Where in the World Is Carmen Sandiego?” Every time the book cut back to Henry, I thought, sir, could you maybe come home before somebody finds another document?
What I liked most is that Ashley does not treat finding her birth family like replacing the family who raised her. She wants answers, but she is not rewriting her whole life in one dramatic airport montage. Her adoptive mother stays beside her, even while facing the terrifying possibility that Ashley might discover a new branch of herself she cannot share. That relationship gave the whole thing real warmth.
And yes, everybody involved is carrying guilt. The mothers have secrets. The daughters have questions. Henry has spent years sacrificing his life because he thinks distance is protection. Nobody here understands that silence is not a neutral choice. It grows roots. It moves furniture. Eventually it starts charging rent.
The England trip is cozy in that very specific way where old streets, Oxford, Christmas decorations, and long family searches convince you this entire emotional crisis would be easier to manage with tea. Ashley and her mother are sightseeing while also chasing the truth, which feels like an enormous amount to put on one itinerary. “Tower of London, lunch, locate biological family, maybe buy a scarf.”
I will say, this book occasionally asks you to accept coincidences with both hands and no follow-up questions. People connect at exactly the right moment. Information surfaces when needed. The family tree basically starts solving itself once everyone gets close enough to share a postcode. But I was not reading this for ruthless realism. I was reading it to watch people stop hiding long enough to find each other.
The emotional center is simple, and it worked for me. Knowing where you came from matters. So does knowing who stayed. Ashley does not have to choose between those truths, and the book never makes her.
This was 4 stars for me. It is heartfelt, dramatic, conveniently timed in several places, and full of people finally saying things they should have said years ago. I came for Christmas in England and got twin revelations, family guilt, a wrongful accusation, and enough secrets to make every old storage box feel threatening.
Merry Mayhem Prize: For Turning One Ancestry Kit Into an International Twin Search, a Fugitive Father Crisis, and the Most Emotionally Loaded Christmas Vacation in England
Thank you to Kensington Publishing and NetGalley for the ARC. You gave me Oxford at Christmas, a surprise twin, decades of family secrecy, and one father who desperately needed to stop living like the police had syndicated his personal drama.
October 12, 2026
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This was just okay for me. The story took ages to get into, I didn’t find it particularly well written, and the dialogue was lame. It could have been a little more Christmassy, but there was nice description of London. Unfortunately, the narrator wasn’t good. Her accents were just bad, especially Blair’s Scottish accent, and she was inconsistent in keeping the accents straight throughout the book.
Thank you Netgalley and Kensington Publishing for the arc (audiobook) in exchange for an honest review.
This was just okay for me. The story took ages to get into, I didn’t find it particularly well written, and the dialogue was lame. It could have been a little more Christmassy, but there was nice description of London. Unfortunately, the narrator wasn’t good. Her accents were just bad, especially Blair’s Scottish accent, and she was inconsistent in keeping the accents straight throughout the book.
Thank you Netgalley and Kensington Publishing for the arc (audiobook) in exchange for an honest review.
September 29, 2026
Fern Michaels has been loved by millions of readers for decades, and A Season of Secrets, a triumphal story of wonderful endings resulting from good intentions by loving people, is her final gift to those world=wide readers. Ashley and Emily were separated at birth, and both remained oblivious, but only because their parents loved them so much and wanted to spare them discomfort. The girls grow up to be intelligent, kind, and capable young women, and magnetic circumstances bring them together just in time to prevent a judicial wrong from causing permanent damage. Not a Christmas story, per se, the book nevertheless concludes in that most special season, when love, more than secrets, triumphs. I was fortunate to listen to an audiobook version of A Season of Secrets (thanks to NetGalley and RB Media), and the narration, by Mia Barron, was lovely.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
What a beautiful, heart-warming, family-oriented, heart-breaking, sweet, emotional, feel-good book!!!!
How can it be all of these?? Please give it a shot and read it to find out!!
I have loved so many of Fern Michaels' books over the years, and somehow, she just keeps getting better!! This one brings us across the pond... eventually... in a wonderful twist of events that will keep your heart skipping a beat and fluttering throughout!!
Ashley and her Mom are the best of friends... and have so many similarities, it's amazing! Especially after Ashley discovers (through a random DNA test) that she has been adopted. Rather than present the info to her parents, she keeps it to herself for now. But, she DOES inform them that she's just been given the opportunity of a lifetime... in going to OXFORD for a job. One that she never in this lifetime expected to get... but here we are.
And once she shares this news with her parents, they come out and tell her that she has been adopted, and the couple was from the UK.
And that is all that I will give you here. It's amazing to me that Ms. Michaels can weave such a story with so many interlinking parts that overlap at points, and some are just there in the periphery... but they all seem to come together at the end... and, if you are like me, will bring a smile to your face, and more than likely a tear to your eye as well.
Stunning. Sweet. Heartfelt. Swoon-y at times. Breath-taking at times. And... Brilliant too!!
All the stars in the world for me with this one, as it brought out ALL the emotions in my heart... and then some!
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟💫💫💫💫💫⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨✨✨✨✨
#ASeasonOfSecrets by @FernMichaels and narrated wonderfully by @MiaBarron.
**** This one has not been released yet, but look for it TOMORROW, 9/29/26. ****
Thanks so much to #NetGalley, @RBMedia and @RecordedBooksAudio for an ALC of the audiobook in exchange for an honest review.
You can also find my reviews on: Goodreads,
Instagram: @BookReviews_with_emsr and/or
My Facebook Book Club: Book Reviews With Elaine
Thanks so much for reading! And if you ‘liked’ my review, please share with your friends, & click ‘LIKE’ below… And, let me know YOUR thoughts if you read it!!
And as always, thanks for reading along with me! 📚⭐️📖🩷
How can it be all of these?? Please give it a shot and read it to find out!!
I have loved so many of Fern Michaels' books over the years, and somehow, she just keeps getting better!! This one brings us across the pond... eventually... in a wonderful twist of events that will keep your heart skipping a beat and fluttering throughout!!
Ashley and her Mom are the best of friends... and have so many similarities, it's amazing! Especially after Ashley discovers (through a random DNA test) that she has been adopted. Rather than present the info to her parents, she keeps it to herself for now. But, she DOES inform them that she's just been given the opportunity of a lifetime... in going to OXFORD for a job. One that she never in this lifetime expected to get... but here we are.
And once she shares this news with her parents, they come out and tell her that she has been adopted, and the couple was from the UK.
And that is all that I will give you here. It's amazing to me that Ms. Michaels can weave such a story with so many interlinking parts that overlap at points, and some are just there in the periphery... but they all seem to come together at the end... and, if you are like me, will bring a smile to your face, and more than likely a tear to your eye as well.
Stunning. Sweet. Heartfelt. Swoon-y at times. Breath-taking at times. And... Brilliant too!!
All the stars in the world for me with this one, as it brought out ALL the emotions in my heart... and then some!
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟💫💫💫💫💫⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨✨✨✨✨
#ASeasonOfSecrets by @FernMichaels and narrated wonderfully by @MiaBarron.
**** This one has not been released yet, but look for it TOMORROW, 9/29/26. ****
Thanks so much to #NetGalley, @RBMedia and @RecordedBooksAudio for an ALC of the audiobook in exchange for an honest review.
You can also find my reviews on: Goodreads,
Instagram: @BookReviews_with_emsr and/or
My Facebook Book Club: Book Reviews With Elaine
Thanks so much for reading! And if you ‘liked’ my review, please share with your friends, & click ‘LIKE’ below… And, let me know YOUR thoughts if you read it!!
And as always, thanks for reading along with me! 📚⭐️📖🩷
October 29, 2026
You take a DNA test with friends as a fluke and Pandora box is opened. Your parents are not your birth parents and that is one secret. Ashley has been accepted to Oxford and that just happens to be where her birth parents are from. With her mother by her side the search will begin, with lots of Christmas markets and shopping.
Emily comes across a box of papers with a birth certificate, her unknown twin certificate. And she finds out that Ashley was privately adopted. More secrets and pure luck, one can easily guess where the story is going. Just a little bit unrealistic. The narrator was very good and kept me involved with the story. Thank you NetGalley and RB for this ALC. All opinions expressed are truly my own.
Emily comes across a box of papers with a birth certificate, her unknown twin certificate. And she finds out that Ashley was privately adopted. More secrets and pure luck, one can easily guess where the story is going. Just a little bit unrealistic. The narrator was very good and kept me involved with the story. Thank you NetGalley and RB for this ALC. All opinions expressed are truly my own.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
A Season of Secrets by Fern Michaels is a Christmas novel that allows the reader to celebrate family. The novel is going to be published this month from a backlog of her works. The plot line includes some surprising coincidences and celebrations.
Unknown to each other until about ⅓ of the way through the book, Ashley and Emma are twins. One raised in America and one raised in England. Both characters are interesting characters with their determination and drive to study. I found everyone likable and somewhat relatable. What I didn’t find was a well written story. The story seemed formulaic and lacked a clear voice. This is the second book I read from Fern Michael’s backlog that I felt was missing something. A Season of Secrets by Fern Michaels was an okay read.
This ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Unknown to each other until about ⅓ of the way through the book, Ashley and Emma are twins. One raised in America and one raised in England. Both characters are interesting characters with their determination and drive to study. I found everyone likable and somewhat relatable. What I didn’t find was a well written story. The story seemed formulaic and lacked a clear voice. This is the second book I read from Fern Michael’s backlog that I felt was missing something. A Season of Secrets by Fern Michaels was an okay read.
This ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
A Season of Secrets by Fern Michaels is an intriguing tale of family secrets being unraveled, with the discovery of new family members, and the reconnecting of separated loved ones, all set in the detailed setting of various locations in England during the holiday season.
The settings are so intricately described that they are almost characters in themselves. In face, in parts I found the book read like a more intricately described version of books like Fodor's England travel guide. The detailed descriptions of the locations didn't seem to do much for the story, and I ended up skipping most of them. I also found the characters difficult to relate to, in a book the premise of which had intrigued me. In the end, I found that this book, which I really wanted to like, was just not for me.
I do appreciate receiving the ARC of #ASeasonofSecrets through #NetGalley.
The settings are so intricately described that they are almost characters in themselves. In face, in parts I found the book read like a more intricately described version of books like Fodor's England travel guide. The detailed descriptions of the locations didn't seem to do much for the story, and I ended up skipping most of them. I also found the characters difficult to relate to, in a book the premise of which had intrigued me. In the end, I found that this book, which I really wanted to like, was just not for me.
I do appreciate receiving the ARC of #ASeasonofSecrets through #NetGalley.
October 12, 2026
Each year, I look forward to Fern Michaels’ holiday book, and A Season of Secrets might just be my favourite yet! This heartwarming story follows Ashley as she travels to England with her mother to uncover the truth about her birth family. Meanwhile, Emily discovers a shocking family secret of her own, and her father’s mysterious past adds an intriguing layer to the story. I loved following these two families as their lives intersect, bringing unexpected connections, emotional revelations, and second chances. The descriptions of London at Christmas made me wish I could experience the festive magic for myself!
I listened to the audiobook narrated by Mia Barron, who did a wonderful job bringing the characters to life with her use of different voices. Her excellent storytelling enhanced the listening experience and made this emotional, feel-good story even more enjoyable. If you’re looking for a holiday audiobook filled with family, mystery, humour, and Christmas magic, I highly recommend adding this one to your seasonal listening list!
I received an ARC of this audiobook from the publisher via Netgalley but the thoughts and opinions expressed here are my own.
Look for my full review on That Happy Reader on October 19/26.
I listened to the audiobook narrated by Mia Barron, who did a wonderful job bringing the characters to life with her use of different voices. Her excellent storytelling enhanced the listening experience and made this emotional, feel-good story even more enjoyable. If you’re looking for a holiday audiobook filled with family, mystery, humour, and Christmas magic, I highly recommend adding this one to your seasonal listening list!
I received an ARC of this audiobook from the publisher via Netgalley but the thoughts and opinions expressed here are my own.
Look for my full review on That Happy Reader on October 19/26.
October 5, 2026
This was an advanced copy from the publisher in exchange for my honest review.
I enjoyed this book. It is a story of a girl who takes a DNA test and finds out she is adopted. She gets accepted to Oxford university and her parents who are divorced tell her she is adopted. When in England she is reunited with her twin through a mutual friend. Emily, the twin, was raised by their birth parents, until she was 16, and her dad vanished. This story is sweet, emotional, and intriguing. It is a cozy holiday read with a little mystery. I really enjoyed it.
I enjoyed this book. It is a story of a girl who takes a DNA test and finds out she is adopted. She gets accepted to Oxford university and her parents who are divorced tell her she is adopted. When in England she is reunited with her twin through a mutual friend. Emily, the twin, was raised by their birth parents, until she was 16, and her dad vanished. This story is sweet, emotional, and intriguing. It is a cozy holiday read with a little mystery. I really enjoyed it.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This is a nice and cozy holiday read. Twins separated at birth enabling each to have what the two together would not be able to have due to the parents circumstances. Neither sister knew of the other while growing up. Ashley, raised in America, discovered she was adopted after sending in a kit for her DNA. When she takes an opportunity to study in Oxford, her parents come clean with the secret since she was born in England. Before her work begins, she and her mother embark on an adventure to find Ashley’s biological parents, both of them unaware she is a twin. Her twin sister, Emily, discovers Ashley’s birth certificate and begins to search for her sister. Another underlying story is Emily’s dad, Henry, who has been on the run from the authorities for a crime he didn’t commit. The book slowly unravels the premise and then there is a lot of progress on the storyline. I enjoyed the family in terms of that which is given, born into and what one makes. Nice story in terms of family is what we make it and the holidays being a time for giving and coming together. Thank you NetGalley, Fern Michaels, and Kensington Books for the opportunity.
October 8, 2026
An amazing story of finding yourself and accepting it. Two twins sisters begin to search for their birth mother and their twin. Divine intervention seems to keep guiding them. They have many obstacles and I couldn’t put the book down, as I journeyed through England with them. Book provided by NetGalley.
September 30, 2026
I’d like to thank NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to listen to this audiobook and share my honest review.
This was such a sweet story about a girl finally finding and meeting her long-lost twin sister. I really enjoyed watching their relationship unfold and seeing where the story took them.
I’m also super picky when it comes to audiobooks, but I really enjoyed the narration! It flowed really well and made the story easy and enjoyable to listen to.
Overall, this was a sweet and enjoyable listen, and I’m glad I got the chance to experience it.
3.5 ⭐️
This was such a sweet story about a girl finally finding and meeting her long-lost twin sister. I really enjoyed watching their relationship unfold and seeing where the story took them.
I’m also super picky when it comes to audiobooks, but I really enjoyed the narration! It flowed really well and made the story easy and enjoyable to listen to.
Overall, this was a sweet and enjoyable listen, and I’m glad I got the chance to experience it.
3.5 ⭐️
September 17, 2026
I won this advanced reader copy on GoodReads. Based on the description, I was really looking forward to reading the story of Emily and Ashley. However, I don’t feel like the description matched the actual story. It also doesn’t give any indication that religion and religious phrases will be part of the story. It also left out all of the feelings of Ashley’s mom, Jessica, and that was hard to put to the side. It also abruptly ended and had like a three-quarter page epilogue at the end. Not one of the best Fern Michael’s books I have read. In some places, there was also a mind-boggling amount of my new details given that just were not needed.
It was a nice story and a quick read about the two girls finding each other and reuniting and all of the things around that, but I don’t know that I could recommend this book.
It was a nice story and a quick read about the two girls finding each other and reuniting and all of the things around that, but I don’t know that I could recommend this book.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Title: A Season of Secrets
Author: Fern Michaels
Format: 🎧
Narrator: Mia Barron
Publisher: RB Media
Genre: Women’s Fiction with a bit of Suspense
Audiobook Pub Date: September 29, 2026
My Rating: 4.5 Stars
Pages: 288
Story starts at Swarthmore College, when friends decide to do a heritage search. They turned their DNA in and gathered in Ashley Chapman’s room for the results. Ashley is shocked as her DNA does NOT match her parents. So had another one done!
She loves her parents and decides not to say anything until they are ready to tell her. Ashley continues with her education and is in the final states of earning her PhD when she gets the opportunity to study in Oxford.
She tells her parents about the DNA results, and her parents admit that she was adopted at birth. They told her after five years of trying Ashley was perfect!
Ashley tells her parents she plans to search for her biological parents since she knows she was born in the UK. Her mother Jessica tells her she will help. They head off to England.
In the meantime, Emily Evans in England is helping her mother sort out some old storage boxes. In one labeled ‘Confidential’ she finds two birth certificates. Hers and another with the time ten minutes later for Ashley Evans. Along with adoption records from an Adoption Agency in the US.
When she asks if she has a twin sister, her mother tells her the truth. She and her husband Henry were very young when she found out they were going to have a baby. They knew it was going to be financially tough, so when they discover she was having twins they made a difficult decision to put one of the babies up for adoption.
Emily now wants to search for her sister, and her mother agrees to help.
We are introduced to other stories~ One is regarding Emily’s dad, Henry, who has been on the run from the authorities for a crime he didn’t commit. Henry keeps in touch with Emily and her mother, but they don’t know where he is but hope to clear this name. There is also more about the police detective Oliver who was supportive. Although I was interested in this – it went on a little longer than I felt necessary.
Some parts slowed down the story. I have a great TBR shelf and am always anxious to get to my next story, but this had me hooked and I know sometimes I need to slow down and just enjoy a story. Which was this case-I loved the characters and then narrator Mia Barron was terrific in performing the characters. The tour of England was fun as well as interesting (didn’t know that Ferris Wheels were so popular!).
The part of the twins getting together was well done!
Additionally, I enjoy stories about adoption as my husband, and I have two adopted daughters. We were very fortunate as the agency we worked with was super helpful. They organized a parent support group that was not only great for us but our daughters as well as it is important for them to know other adopted children.
They also encourage us to drive near the hospital where they were born as adopted children tend to think they were adopted and don’t register that they were born.
This definitely was an enjoyable ‘feel-good’ story.
Want to thank NetGalley and RB Media for granting me this audiobook.
Publishing Release Date scheduled for September 29, 2026.
Author: Fern Michaels
Format: 🎧
Narrator: Mia Barron
Publisher: RB Media
Genre: Women’s Fiction with a bit of Suspense
Audiobook Pub Date: September 29, 2026
My Rating: 4.5 Stars
Pages: 288
Story starts at Swarthmore College, when friends decide to do a heritage search. They turned their DNA in and gathered in Ashley Chapman’s room for the results. Ashley is shocked as her DNA does NOT match her parents. So had another one done!
She loves her parents and decides not to say anything until they are ready to tell her. Ashley continues with her education and is in the final states of earning her PhD when she gets the opportunity to study in Oxford.
She tells her parents about the DNA results, and her parents admit that she was adopted at birth. They told her after five years of trying Ashley was perfect!
Ashley tells her parents she plans to search for her biological parents since she knows she was born in the UK. Her mother Jessica tells her she will help. They head off to England.
In the meantime, Emily Evans in England is helping her mother sort out some old storage boxes. In one labeled ‘Confidential’ she finds two birth certificates. Hers and another with the time ten minutes later for Ashley Evans. Along with adoption records from an Adoption Agency in the US.
When she asks if she has a twin sister, her mother tells her the truth. She and her husband Henry were very young when she found out they were going to have a baby. They knew it was going to be financially tough, so when they discover she was having twins they made a difficult decision to put one of the babies up for adoption.
Emily now wants to search for her sister, and her mother agrees to help.
We are introduced to other stories~ One is regarding Emily’s dad, Henry, who has been on the run from the authorities for a crime he didn’t commit. Henry keeps in touch with Emily and her mother, but they don’t know where he is but hope to clear this name. There is also more about the police detective Oliver who was supportive. Although I was interested in this – it went on a little longer than I felt necessary.
Some parts slowed down the story. I have a great TBR shelf and am always anxious to get to my next story, but this had me hooked and I know sometimes I need to slow down and just enjoy a story. Which was this case-I loved the characters and then narrator Mia Barron was terrific in performing the characters. The tour of England was fun as well as interesting (didn’t know that Ferris Wheels were so popular!).
The part of the twins getting together was well done!
Additionally, I enjoy stories about adoption as my husband, and I have two adopted daughters. We were very fortunate as the agency we worked with was super helpful. They organized a parent support group that was not only great for us but our daughters as well as it is important for them to know other adopted children.
They also encourage us to drive near the hospital where they were born as adopted children tend to think they were adopted and don’t register that they were born.
This definitely was an enjoyable ‘feel-good’ story.
Want to thank NetGalley and RB Media for granting me this audiobook.
Publishing Release Date scheduled for September 29, 2026.
October 5, 2026
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
A Season of Secrets
✍️ Written by Fern Michaels
🎧 Narrated by Mia Barron
❄️ RBmedia / Recorded Books
A Season of Secrets by Fern Michaels was one that left me feeling genuinely happy once I’d finished it. The story begins with an ancestry test that reveals a life-changing secret: Ashley Chandler isn’t biologically related to the parents who raised her. From there, one revelation seems to lead to another and ultimately a mother-daughter journey to England that begins to bring together people who’d spent years entirely unaware even of the others existence.
But for me, what made this story so special was the undercurrent of genuine love that seemed to be woven within the story.
Fern Michaels has crafted such loving and beautiful relationships between parents and their children in this story, whether those relationships are biological, adoptive, or somewhere within the wonderful category of family we find and choose for ourselves, and I really appreciated that. Throughout the story, there is such a strong message that biology may explain where we came from, but it doesn’t get to define who our family is or how deeply we belong to one another.
At its heart this is an uplifting book about family, forgiveness, second chances, reconciliation, and love. As the different threads of the story gradually came together, I became more and more invested. I had to see these characters find the answers and the people they’d been seeking. There are romances, reunions, a little mystery, and some wonderfully serendipitous moments that give the whole story that truly magical holiday quality.
Mia Barron’s narration was lovely. She brought such warmth and sincerity to the characters and handled the more emotional moments beautifully.
A Season of Secrets ultimately reminded me that there are many different ways to make a family—and that sometimes the people who choose us, stand beside us, and love us are every bit our family as those with whom we simply share biology and DNA. This was exactly the kind of feel-good story I wanted heading into the holiday season. It’s a definite five star read/listen! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
My sincerest thanks to RBmedia/Recorded Books and NetGalley for the advance listening copy in exchange for my honest review. 🎧❤️
#ASeasonOfSecrets #FernMichaels #MiaBarron #RBmedia #NetGalley #AudiobookReview #HolidayReads #FoundFamily
A Season of Secrets
✍️ Written by Fern Michaels
🎧 Narrated by Mia Barron
❄️ RBmedia / Recorded Books
A Season of Secrets by Fern Michaels was one that left me feeling genuinely happy once I’d finished it. The story begins with an ancestry test that reveals a life-changing secret: Ashley Chandler isn’t biologically related to the parents who raised her. From there, one revelation seems to lead to another and ultimately a mother-daughter journey to England that begins to bring together people who’d spent years entirely unaware even of the others existence.
But for me, what made this story so special was the undercurrent of genuine love that seemed to be woven within the story.
Fern Michaels has crafted such loving and beautiful relationships between parents and their children in this story, whether those relationships are biological, adoptive, or somewhere within the wonderful category of family we find and choose for ourselves, and I really appreciated that. Throughout the story, there is such a strong message that biology may explain where we came from, but it doesn’t get to define who our family is or how deeply we belong to one another.
At its heart this is an uplifting book about family, forgiveness, second chances, reconciliation, and love. As the different threads of the story gradually came together, I became more and more invested. I had to see these characters find the answers and the people they’d been seeking. There are romances, reunions, a little mystery, and some wonderfully serendipitous moments that give the whole story that truly magical holiday quality.
Mia Barron’s narration was lovely. She brought such warmth and sincerity to the characters and handled the more emotional moments beautifully.
A Season of Secrets ultimately reminded me that there are many different ways to make a family—and that sometimes the people who choose us, stand beside us, and love us are every bit our family as those with whom we simply share biology and DNA. This was exactly the kind of feel-good story I wanted heading into the holiday season. It’s a definite five star read/listen! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
My sincerest thanks to RBmedia/Recorded Books and NetGalley for the advance listening copy in exchange for my honest review. 🎧❤️
#ASeasonOfSecrets #FernMichaels #MiaBarron #RBmedia #NetGalley #AudiobookReview #HolidayReads #FoundFamily
October 27, 2026
Having read every other Fern Michaels book, I was really looking forward to A Season of Secrets. While this one wasn't quite up to the caliber I've come to expect from her, it was still an enjoyable afternoon read, mostly because of the characters and Michaels' wonderful writing.
I enjoyed getting to know the characters, especially Ashley and her mother. I really liked their relationship and the bond they shared. However, I had a hard time swallowing some of the plot. Ashley takes a DNA test with a friend, discovers she may have been adopted, and rather than confronting her parents, she takes another test. Then she gets busy and basically forgets to check the results! Come on, what teenager wouldn't be dying to know the truth? Are we really supposed to believe those results would just sit on her computer, forgotten?
The story finally picked up when Ashley discovered the truth and found herself in London. This is where we meet Emily, her twin sister. Unfortunately, we were treated to another rather ridiculous stretch of the imagination as the two kept missing each other by mere moments. Once or twice, maybe, but after a while, it just became frustrating. I did enjoy the fact that Ashley's biological mother was thrilled to meet her, and there were some genuinely touching moments throughout the story. Still, so much of the plot felt far-fetched that I found myself rolling my eyes more than I would have liked. I was also disappointed by the lack of seasonal magic. With a title like A Season of Secrets, I expected a little more of that special holiday atmosphere, but it really wasn't there.
Despite my complaints, I did enjoy the book. Fern Michaels has a way of creating characters you care about, and that kept me reading. It certainly wasn't one of her best, but it was a pleasant way to spend an afternoon. Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Publishing for providing me with an advance review copy in exchange for my honest opinion.
I enjoyed getting to know the characters, especially Ashley and her mother. I really liked their relationship and the bond they shared. However, I had a hard time swallowing some of the plot. Ashley takes a DNA test with a friend, discovers she may have been adopted, and rather than confronting her parents, she takes another test. Then she gets busy and basically forgets to check the results! Come on, what teenager wouldn't be dying to know the truth? Are we really supposed to believe those results would just sit on her computer, forgotten?
The story finally picked up when Ashley discovered the truth and found herself in London. This is where we meet Emily, her twin sister. Unfortunately, we were treated to another rather ridiculous stretch of the imagination as the two kept missing each other by mere moments. Once or twice, maybe, but after a while, it just became frustrating. I did enjoy the fact that Ashley's biological mother was thrilled to meet her, and there were some genuinely touching moments throughout the story. Still, so much of the plot felt far-fetched that I found myself rolling my eyes more than I would have liked. I was also disappointed by the lack of seasonal magic. With a title like A Season of Secrets, I expected a little more of that special holiday atmosphere, but it really wasn't there.
Despite my complaints, I did enjoy the book. Fern Michaels has a way of creating characters you care about, and that kept me reading. It certainly wasn't one of her best, but it was a pleasant way to spend an afternoon. Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Publishing for providing me with an advance review copy in exchange for my honest opinion.
Review of advance copy received from Goodreads Giveaways
A Season of Secrets by Fern Michaels was such a sweet and heartwarming Christmas read. I really enjoyed the mix of family secrets, surprises, mystery, and holiday magic. Ashley takes a DNA test expecting to learn a little more about her family history, only to discover that she was adopted and has a whole family in England, including a twin sister she never knew existed. From there, she and her mother travel to England and begin searching for answers. Emily is also trying to piece together her own family history, while her father Henry has been living in hiding after being accused of a crime he says he did not commit. There is definitely a lot going on, but I enjoyed watching all of the different pieces slowly come together.
What I loved most was the family aspect and the Christmas setting. There is something so comforting about reading a story set in England during the holidays, especially when it involves old family secrets finally coming to light. Some parts were predictable and the story moved a little slowly for me at times, but I still found myself wanting to know how everything would turn out. Ashley's relationship with her adoptive mother was especially touching, and I liked that finding her biological family did not erase the love she already had for the family who raised her. Overall, this was a feel good Christmas book with plenty of family drama, secrets, and heart. It would be a great choice for anyone looking for a cozy holiday story with a little mystery mixed in.
What I loved most was the family aspect and the Christmas setting. There is something so comforting about reading a story set in England during the holidays, especially when it involves old family secrets finally coming to light. Some parts were predictable and the story moved a little slowly for me at times, but I still found myself wanting to know how everything would turn out. Ashley's relationship with her adoptive mother was especially touching, and I liked that finding her biological family did not erase the love she already had for the family who raised her. Overall, this was a feel good Christmas book with plenty of family drama, secrets, and heart. It would be a great choice for anyone looking for a cozy holiday story with a little mystery mixed in.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
The premise of this book sounded really neat so I was excited to receive an advanced audiobook copy. Ashley finds out she's adopted, and since she's already going to Oxford for a research project, her and her adoptive mother decide to travel together and hopefully get some answers. Across the ocean Emily finds out she has a twin that was put up for adoption, and after some tough conversations with her mother they realize there is no way to track the adoption. At the same time we find out Ashley and Emily's birth father has been on the run after being implicated in a murder. As their lives intersect there is a chance for reunion and reconciliation during the holiday season.
Overall it was an interesting story, I just don't feel like it was executed well. It felt very formulated and that the author made up for that by being overly descriptive. I lost interest about halfway through because it felt very predictable. There were too many people and places that were overly described and explained, sometimes more than once, and I found myself cringing every time they went somewhere. I did not like the narration, it didn't feel seamless throughout as the accents kept changing, and I didn't feel a connection with any of the characters. I did appreciate that while Ashley's parents didn't disclose they had adopted her, they were supportive of her finding her birth parents.
Thank you NetGalley and RBmedia for the advanced audiobook copy.
Overall it was an interesting story, I just don't feel like it was executed well. It felt very formulated and that the author made up for that by being overly descriptive. I lost interest about halfway through because it felt very predictable. There were too many people and places that were overly described and explained, sometimes more than once, and I found myself cringing every time they went somewhere. I did not like the narration, it didn't feel seamless throughout as the accents kept changing, and I didn't feel a connection with any of the characters. I did appreciate that while Ashley's parents didn't disclose they had adopted her, they were supportive of her finding her birth parents.
Thank you NetGalley and RBmedia for the advanced audiobook copy.
September 29, 2026
A Season of Secrets was my first Fern Michaels book, and it turned out to be a sweet, cozy holiday read centered on family, reunion, and second chances. The story has that warm Christmas feeling throughout, with holiday markets, hot chocolate, ornaments, gifts, and plenty of scenes set around London that made this feel like the perfect seasonal escape.
The story follows Ashley, who discovers through a DNA test that she was adopted and that her biological family is in England. At the same time, Emily discovers that she has a twin sister who was separated from her at birth. As their stories begin to connect, Ashley and Emily find themselves on the path toward an unexpected family reunion.
I enjoyed the feel-good nature of the story and the focus on two families coming together. It is simple and very optimistic, sometimes a little too optimistic for me, but that also makes it work as a comforting holiday story. If you're looking for something warm, sentimental, and easy to settle into this Christmas, this story delivers.
Thank you to Kensington Publishing and Netgalley for granting me an advance copy in exchange for my honest review.
The story follows Ashley, who discovers through a DNA test that she was adopted and that her biological family is in England. At the same time, Emily discovers that she has a twin sister who was separated from her at birth. As their stories begin to connect, Ashley and Emily find themselves on the path toward an unexpected family reunion.
I enjoyed the feel-good nature of the story and the focus on two families coming together. It is simple and very optimistic, sometimes a little too optimistic for me, but that also makes it work as a comforting holiday story. If you're looking for something warm, sentimental, and easy to settle into this Christmas, this story delivers.
Thank you to Kensington Publishing and Netgalley for granting me an advance copy in exchange for my honest review.
October 11, 2026
A Season of Secrets by Fern Michaels is a heartwarming story about family secrets, unexpected discoveries, and the amazing ways life can bring family together.
Ashley and her college friends decide on a whim to take a DNA test. What they don't realize is that the results will turn Ashley’s world upside down and set off a chain of events that will bring her together with a family she never knew existed. There are plenty of secrets to uncover, surprises along the way, and questions about family, forgiveness, love, and second chances. At times, it felt like being on a rollercoaster as I waited for all the pieces to come together and the different storylines to connect.
This is a feel-good story about discovering where you belong and how family can be about so much more than you ever imagined. With the holiday season and England as the backdrop, you can feel the holiday spirit throughout the story while learning about the characters and their journeys. It’s a story filled with hope, reconciliation, and new beginnings, with just the right mix of emotion and mystery! A great read for the holidays!
Ashley and her college friends decide on a whim to take a DNA test. What they don't realize is that the results will turn Ashley’s world upside down and set off a chain of events that will bring her together with a family she never knew existed. There are plenty of secrets to uncover, surprises along the way, and questions about family, forgiveness, love, and second chances. At times, it felt like being on a rollercoaster as I waited for all the pieces to come together and the different storylines to connect.
This is a feel-good story about discovering where you belong and how family can be about so much more than you ever imagined. With the holiday season and England as the backdrop, you can feel the holiday spirit throughout the story while learning about the characters and their journeys. It’s a story filled with hope, reconciliation, and new beginnings, with just the right mix of emotion and mystery! A great read for the holidays!
October 5, 2026
The magic of Christmas comes alive! Ashley is embarking on a new research role at Oxford. When her parents find out, they reveal to her that she was adopted and that her birth parents were from the UK. Ashley and her mom set out for a trip of a lifetime together- visiting Christmas markets and historical sights along the way. They also are on a quest to find out more about Ashley’s birth family, if possible.
Emily is about to start her own new position at Cambridge. While helping her mom organize their home, she discovers that she had a twin sister that had been given up for adoption as an infant. Emily wants to find her twin, but doesn’t know where to start.
Needless to say, many twists and turns follow to see if the sisters and birth parents can unite. There is also an element of trying to right injustice from a decade ago. Fern Michaels does a wonderful job bringing it all together. I really enjoyed this ride!
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read an advanced copy. All opinions expressed are my own.
Emily is about to start her own new position at Cambridge. While helping her mom organize their home, she discovers that she had a twin sister that had been given up for adoption as an infant. Emily wants to find her twin, but doesn’t know where to start.
Needless to say, many twists and turns follow to see if the sisters and birth parents can unite. There is also an element of trying to right injustice from a decade ago. Fern Michaels does a wonderful job bringing it all together. I really enjoyed this ride!
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read an advanced copy. All opinions expressed are my own.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
A Season of Secrets is a heartwarming story even though it is about twins separated at birth. Neither sister knew of the other while growing up. Ashley, raised in America, discovered she was adopted after sending in a kit for her DNA. When she takes an opportunity to study in Oxford, her parents come clean with the secret since she was born in England. Before her work begins, she and her mother embark on an adventure to find Ashley’s biological parents, both of them unaware she is a twin. Her twin sister, Emily, discovers Ashley’s birth certificate and begins to search for her sister. Another underlying story is Emily’s dad, Henry, who has been on the run from the authorities for a crime he didn’t commit. Fern Michaels gives us a lot of interesting British history as the women traverse the country looking for each other, sightseeing along the way. This is a delightful story with a lot of fun adventures. I highly recommend this feel-good book.
September 29, 2026
I just finished listening to A Season of Secrets by Fern Michaels, and this was a bit of a mixed read for me.
The narrator was definitely a highlight. She brought the characters to life and did an excellent job with the different accents, which made it much easier to follow everyone.
The story started slowly for me, and at times I felt there was too much dialogue and explanation that could have been condensed. I found myself wishing there had been more detail about the family history.
I did really enjoy the relationship between the two sisters. The ending was also a favorite of mine. It was fast-paced and a little cheesy, but I loved how everything came together and ended with a happily-ever-after. ❤️
I also enjoyed that much of the story takes place in Britain during the Christmas season. 🎄 It gave the book a cozy, festive feel and would make it a nice listen over the Christmas break.
This won't be one of my top favorites, but I still had a good time list
The narrator was definitely a highlight. She brought the characters to life and did an excellent job with the different accents, which made it much easier to follow everyone.
The story started slowly for me, and at times I felt there was too much dialogue and explanation that could have been condensed. I found myself wishing there had been more detail about the family history.
I did really enjoy the relationship between the two sisters. The ending was also a favorite of mine. It was fast-paced and a little cheesy, but I loved how everything came together and ended with a happily-ever-after. ❤️
I also enjoyed that much of the story takes place in Britain during the Christmas season. 🎄 It gave the book a cozy, festive feel and would make it a nice listen over the Christmas break.
This won't be one of my top favorites, but I still had a good time list
October 5, 2026
A quick listen telling a beautiful connection of lost-at-birth twins, new found family, and corrected justice.
Ashley and Emily did not know the other existed until one of them discovers the other's birth certificate in a box. Both have loving families that are a different dynamic but come together in the end perfectly. Their birth father has been on the run for 10yrs for a crime he did not commit. Justice is finally served to the true criminal and he is able to come out of hiding.
While it is good, I feel there could have been better scenes/scenarios to make this book great. This is my first Fern Michaels book. I would suggest this if a quick listen and a very feel-good, happy story is needed.
Mia Barron did a very nice job at narration. I normally listen to audiobooks at 1.5-1.75x speed. I was able to listen to this book at 1.75x speed with no issues.
Thank you to Netgalley and RB Media for the opportunity to listen to this audiobook.
Ashley and Emily did not know the other existed until one of them discovers the other's birth certificate in a box. Both have loving families that are a different dynamic but come together in the end perfectly. Their birth father has been on the run for 10yrs for a crime he did not commit. Justice is finally served to the true criminal and he is able to come out of hiding.
While it is good, I feel there could have been better scenes/scenarios to make this book great. This is my first Fern Michaels book. I would suggest this if a quick listen and a very feel-good, happy story is needed.
Mia Barron did a very nice job at narration. I normally listen to audiobooks at 1.5-1.75x speed. I was able to listen to this book at 1.75x speed with no issues.
Thank you to Netgalley and RB Media for the opportunity to listen to this audiobook.
October 9, 2026
A Season of Secrets, by Fern Michaels, is the story of PhD Ashley Chandler as she makes unexpected personal discoveries including learning that she had been adopted at birth. As Ashley is settling into her new life at Oxford, her adoptive mother, Jessica, accompanies Ashley to England to try to find her birth parents.
Meanwhile, Emily Evans, who studies at Cambridge, has discovered she has a twin sister who was adopted at birth. As a young, broke couple parents Henry and Kathleen tried to do the best for both girls. When they learned they were having twins and knew their limited finances couldn’t do justice for both, they made the hard decision to keep the first born and adopt out the second to a loving family. That family happened to be in the U.S.
As serendipitous occurrences bring Ashley and Emily together and as overlapping subplots add to the story’s depth, the reader is taken on a lovely literary journey. I very much enjoyed this book and I do recommend it!
Meanwhile, Emily Evans, who studies at Cambridge, has discovered she has a twin sister who was adopted at birth. As a young, broke couple parents Henry and Kathleen tried to do the best for both girls. When they learned they were having twins and knew their limited finances couldn’t do justice for both, they made the hard decision to keep the first born and adopt out the second to a loving family. That family happened to be in the U.S.
As serendipitous occurrences bring Ashley and Emily together and as overlapping subplots add to the story’s depth, the reader is taken on a lovely literary journey. I very much enjoyed this book and I do recommend it!
October 13, 2026
ALC- This was an epic story full of twists and turns, many POV's and storylines that all converge. I thought the story was 5/5, and usually I don't care if something is first-person or 3rd person narration. However, for this book and the amount of people in the story, 3rd person meant I was often very confused who everyone was. However, it was still a fantastic read/lsiten.
3rd Person/ Many POV
Family secrets
Found family
Chrismtas/Holidays
Transatlantic adventure
Murder mystery
Romance - some romance in the book, no spice
Audiobook notes:
Narration style: Single Narration
Narrator: Mia Barron
Comment: The narrator did a really good job; they struggled a bit with the accents, especially the male Scottish accent. However, that can't have been easy. Otherwise, it was a great audiobook with lots of twists and turns.
Thank you to NetGalley for the copy of this audiobook. All opinions are my own.
3rd Person/ Many POV
Family secrets
Found family
Chrismtas/Holidays
Transatlantic adventure
Murder mystery
Romance - some romance in the book, no spice
Audiobook notes:
Narration style: Single Narration
Narrator: Mia Barron
Comment: The narrator did a really good job; they struggled a bit with the accents, especially the male Scottish accent. However, that can't have been easy. Otherwise, it was a great audiobook with lots of twists and turns.
Thank you to NetGalley for the copy of this audiobook. All opinions are my own.
September 21, 2026
NetGalley review
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ — 4 Stars
A Season of Secrets by Fern Michaels was such a sweet and heartwarming holiday read! I loved the London setting and all of the cozy Christmas atmosphere throughout the story. It had the perfect mix of family secrets, mystery, romance, and unexpected discoveries, which kept me interested in seeing how everything would come together.
I especially enjoyed the family dynamics and watching the different storylines connect. There were a few moments that felt a little predictable and slower paced, but overall, I really enjoyed the story and its warm, hopeful feel.
If you’re looking for a cozy Christmas read with family drama, romance, and a touch of mystery, this is a great one to add to your holiday TBR! 🎄✨
⭐️ 4 stars
Thank you to NetGalley, Fern Michaels, and Kensington Books for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ — 4 Stars
A Season of Secrets by Fern Michaels was such a sweet and heartwarming holiday read! I loved the London setting and all of the cozy Christmas atmosphere throughout the story. It had the perfect mix of family secrets, mystery, romance, and unexpected discoveries, which kept me interested in seeing how everything would come together.
I especially enjoyed the family dynamics and watching the different storylines connect. There were a few moments that felt a little predictable and slower paced, but overall, I really enjoyed the story and its warm, hopeful feel.
If you’re looking for a cozy Christmas read with family drama, romance, and a touch of mystery, this is a great one to add to your holiday TBR! 🎄✨
⭐️ 4 stars
Thank you to NetGalley, Fern Michaels, and Kensington Books for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This is a feel good story with the major portion taking place during the Christmas holiday. The story starts in the US and follows Ashley Chandler as she progresses from college through getting her doctorate. Even though she found out she was adopted, she decided it wasn't important and didn't ask her parents about it. But when she had the opportunity to go to Oxford, they came clear with her.
Emily is Ashley's twin sister and she didn't know about her until she was helping clean out the attic. Once she learns about her twin, she wants to find her, but she doesn't know where to start.
The story really picked up when Ashley and her mom, Jessica, went to England to know to see the sights but also to look for Emily. There are many love stories that happen at the end, humor, and strong family connections.
Emily is Ashley's twin sister and she didn't know about her until she was helping clean out the attic. Once she learns about her twin, she wants to find her, but she doesn't know where to start.
The story really picked up when Ashley and her mom, Jessica, went to England to know to see the sights but also to look for Emily. There are many love stories that happen at the end, humor, and strong family connections.
October 7, 2026
I really liked the story, but the female narration was great, but when she was the male character, it was such a bad voice. Fern Michaels is an author that does not disappoint. I liked the twist at the beginning of the story and was hoping for a happy ending (which there was). I liked how there were twins in the story, it made things interesting how their lives were. I did forget that the title is "A Season of Secrets," so when they spoke at the end of the story how it was Christmas Eve--I had forgotten that point. I do remember the characters were at a Christmas market and they were shopping, but I guess it didn't occur to me that it was a holiday season.
I will recommend this book to others, I just don't think that my students would enjoy it. I am also hoping there is different narration for people who listen to the book.
I will recommend this book to others, I just don't think that my students would enjoy it. I am also hoping there is different narration for people who listen to the book.
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