The Storyteller's Secret: The ultimate FEELGOOD novel with characters you'll want as your new best friends

by Lucy Diamond

'What a magical five-star read this is' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
'Full of warmth, emotion and female relationships, I thoroughly enjoyed this' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
'What a stonker of a family saga, told with care and wit as well' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Take a step back in time with bestselling author Lucy Diamond to enjoy this heartwarming and deliciously witty tale of sisterhood that spans a century . . .

'A book to lose yourself in' Katie Fforde
'Intricate plotting, sparkling prose and warm, nuanced characters' Karen Swan
'A glorious read - heartfelt, compelling and warmly witty' Rosie Walsh

Could you tell a story packed with heartbreak and happiness? Meet four women who can.

There's Nancy, kitchen maid at Westercombe Manor in 1929. She can't resist adding a sentence to Master Blackwood's novel while dusting his typewriter and soon finds herself drawn in as co-writer.

There's Maud, who's lived on the Westercombe estate since the 1940s. A proud grandmother to Pearl and Saffie, she loved telling them bedtime stories - but some tales she has vowed never to tell.

Pearl's now living on the other side of the world, reeling from divorce and bereavement, until a crisis means Saffie summons her home. Once close, the cousins have hardly spoken since the summer it all went so horribly wrong.

A battered trunk might hold the key to the secrets that bind them together across the decades, but are they willing to read between the lines to find the truth at last?

Lucy Diamond's glorious heroines burst from the page as they seek to make peace with one another - and the past.

Your favourite authors love Lucy!

'Tender, bittersweet and funny' Veronica Henry

Feel-good, uplifting' Sheila O'Flanagan

'No one creates funny, flawed and immediately relatable characters like Lucy' Cathy Bramley

Kindle Edition

Expected publication February 11, 2027

About the author

Librarian note:
There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name

First of all, a confession. My name isn’t really Lucy Diamond at all, it’s Sue Mongredien. I’ve used a pen name because ‘Diamond’ is a lot easier to spell and pronounce than ‘Mongredien’ and also because I’ve written lots of children’s books too and wanted to keep the genres separate. (There is actually another Lucy Diamond on Amazon who writes religious children’s books. That isn’t me, though.)

I was born in 1970 and grew up in Nottingham. I read English at Leeds University then moved to London and worked for various publishers before I packed it all in to go travelling around the world for a year and a half. When I came back to the UK, I worked in publishing again, then moved to the BBC. I now live in Bath with my husband and three young children and divide my time between writing and looking after them. You can have a look at my children’s books here.

Favourite things: beaches, holidays, chocolate, wine, reading, Green Wing, bubble baths, sunshine, hearing my children laugh, babysitters

Favourite books: The Magus (John Fowles), The Edible Woman (Margaret Atwood), The Secret History (Donna Tartt), The Colour of Memory (Geoff Dyer)

Reviews

[Liz · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have previously read most of the author’s books so I found this one a slightly different type of story to her usual ones because of the multiple timelines.
The first covers Nancy as a scullery maid and her involvement in her master’s son’s book. The second covers Maud, to a lesser degree than the other lines, as she tries to find out her own history. Finally, there’s Pearl’s and Saffie’s, which covers their closeness as young cousins, and the reasons they fell out.

I must admit I am in the minority as I found Nancy’s story less interesting than Pearl’s and Saffie’s, or even Maud’s, which I had worked out well before the denouement. In fact, I really enjoyed the cousins’ part the most and almost wish they had been a standalone book. The ending felt a bit rushed too, with the resolution of who owned what.
It’s still a reasonable read though.
Nancy was raped by her Master and died giving birth to Maud. Maud was given the cottage by the son, to stop her going to papers about the rape and the book involvement. Saffie and Pearl were sleeping with the same boy and fell out over this, then Pearl got paralytic at Saffie’s son’s christening and was sick in the fish pond.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC.

[Caroline · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was not for me, whilst I read it I had to push myself to do so. It’s well written and the characters are well rounded. I really struggle with unfairness and that was a significant part of this story. I struggle to read about sexual assault and sexual exploitation, which there is in the book. The assault is not explicitly described but the sexual exploitation of young women by a manipulative man is. I did not find sections of the book cozy, rather I found them unpleasant. I think this is not the typical response to this book. I wish books had trigger warnings because I would not have read it if I’d known. I read books about trauma for work so really do not want to read it in my escapism books. The way the rape is described, as happening because a “mistake” a character made, is something I found very annoying. The rape occurred because someone in power decided that is what they would do. It’s a small sentence and I would appreciate it if at least this could be changed. Placing responsibility on the woman, whilst I’m sure it’s not what the author meant to suggest is not helpful. The language used around rape it’s important. I managed to read the rest of the book and it is a good book, I just wish it had handled these issues differently. The writing is probably a 4 so I have deducted 1⭐️ for these issues.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing this book for my consideration, this is all my own rambling, slightly marked, honest and personal opinion.

[Chili87 · Rating 5 out of 5]

In August, one of my readings was The Storyteller's Secret by Lucy Diamond. The recommendation came in a NetGalley email and piqued my interest. It made me very curious, I just devoured the pages and often put the book down late at night!🔎👀

It was exciting to get to know our main characters from different eras of history, who were then connected to each other in some way. The story lasts from the 1930s to the present day. The difference between the eras was so palpable!

For me, Nancy was definitely my favorite, with her smart, resourceful, sometimes mischievous, and humorous character, who was treated harshly by life from a very young age. In 1929, at just 16 years old, she started working as a kitchen maid at Westercombe Manor. Yet she always tried to see the good in everything, a perpetual dreamer, buoyed by her love of books after hard days at work. Who wouldn't have wanted to hit that key on the young Blackwood's typewriter in Nancy's place when that certain moment came? 👀

The other very likeable character was Nancy's friend and colleague, Dolly, who literally did everything for her, stood up for her, and encouraged her not to give up on her dream of becoming an author. It was so touching at the end when she remembered her, among other things, as a writer. (I won't mention the rest, because you have to read the book to know these things.) ❤ My heart broke for her; it was very unfair what happened to her. 😭 But Dolly was a true FRIEND to Nancy, with all capital letters.

Then we got to know Maud's life, which was also not an easy one, but her circumstances are different. Also, jump in time; we are in the 1950s. Later, she had two sons and two granddaughters, Saffie and Pearl, who are more important to Maud than anything. She guards her private life with fear, she has never told anyone about her past. Over time, we find out why.

The girls' lives are turned upside down when unexpected things happen one summer in the 2000s, and the bond that seemed unbreakable between them is about to be broken.

However, an unexpected phone call and a trip allow Maud, Saffie, and Pearl to reunite again, and the girls may learn to forgive each other and themselves. And they learn to accept themselves as they are, and not to conform to others.

I gave ★★★★★. It is definitely worth reading for those who like:

- stories spanning decades,
- family secrets,
- lies,
- historical fiction,
- multiple POV

Thanks to Headline Books Review and NetGalley for the ARC copy!

BLOG: https://chili87sworld.blogspot.com/20...
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/p/DccJKk0l1Hm/

[Sharon Greenwood · Rating 4.5 out of 5]

“An easy, gripping read with family bonds so realistic you’ll feel like you’re part of the family history yourself”

Four women across a century are bound by the grand Westercombe Manor. When family secrets emerge from a hidden trunk, estranged cousins must piece together their grandmother's past, discovering how the power of storytelling can finally heal a fractured sisterhood.

The book delivers a realistic look at family connections. The focus on family bonds anchors the whole plot, making the characters feel like real people with genuine stakes.
The structure requires a little patience at first. The plot jumps between different eras, and it takes focus to get your bearings with the shifting timelines. Once the pieces click into place, the story grips you completely. It turns into an easy read that flows smoothly despite tackling a lot of different themes. The author balances these concepts well, keeping the big scale focused.

The plot relies on family history colliding with secrets that refuse to stay buried. A great mix of interesting characters keeps you invested through every development. The story introduces plenty of clever twists and turns to keep things unpredictable. There are some duplicates in narrative around core experiences, yet the author shifts perspective with each re-telling. Seeing the same event play out through a different lens ensures the narrative stays fresh, adding depth instead of feeling redundant.

Thanks NetGalley and Headline for the advanced reader copy.

5 Excellent read - Loved it.
4 Enjoyable read - Liked It.
3 Average read - Mediocre.
2 Below average read - Mundane.
1 Regrettable read - nearly a DNF

[Agi · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed reading The Storyteller's Secret by Lucy Diamond. She has a remarkable gift for weaving together emotionally resonant stories, and this book is no exception.The narrative is beautifully layered, blending mystery, family secrets, and deeply relatable characters who you can’t help but root for. The pacing is excellent, keeping me turning the pages late into the night to discover how all the intricate plot threads would connect. Diamond’s signature warmth shine through.

The book utilizes a multiple-timeline structure, shifting between different points of view across generations. While all of the perspectives are well-written, the sections set in the past completely stole the show. The historical characters feel more vivid, their stakes feel higher, and the events defining their era are deeply gripping. What truly makes the past timeline exceptional is the lovely, enduring friendship that anchors the characters. Witnessing the birth of this bond—and watching how it stood the test of time, continuing for so many decades—is the absolute heart of the novel. By comparison, the modern-day point of view and its corresponding plot resolutions feel slightly less compelling - for me, at least.

Overall, it is a heartwarming, engaging, and beautifully written novel. It is a wonderful, heartwarming read, but it is the unforgettable past characters and their lifelong friendship that truly elevate the book.

[Tina · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received a copy of this book via NetGalley

The story moves between the past and present. It begins in the present day when cousins Saffie and Pearl come together to look after their grandmother, Maud, who is in hospital. The cousins haven’t spoken for years following a falling out, and the reason behind this kept me intrigued throughout the book.

Whilst looking for some paperwork, Saffie comes across documents relating to her great-grandmother, Nancy, a woman she knows very little about.

Nancy was a maid in the big house and had ambitions of becoming an author. Her story gradually unfolds alongside the present-day storyline.

I enjoyed the way the book moved between the two timelines. However, it was Nancy’s story that I found myself most invested in. She was a very interesting character, and I was always eager to get back to her part of the story. Some of what happened to Nancy was infuriating, and I would give a trigger warning for sexual assault, although it isn’t described in detail.

My only real criticism is the ending, which I felt went on for far too long. Some of the things I would have liked to hear more about seemed to be rushed through, which was disappointing. I also guessed how things would turn out, so the ending wasn’t particularly surprising.

An enjoyable read, particularly Nancy’s story, but ultimately one that I felt could have been better.

[Leanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Storyteller’s Secret is a beautifully layered, time‑spanning tale that celebrates the power of stories and the women who carry them. From the first pages, the novel wraps you in a sense of nostalgia and quiet magic as it moves between decades, revealing how one family’s secrets and memories have shaped generations.

Nancy’s journey from kitchen maid to unexpected co‑writer in 1929 is charming and full of spark, and the way her voice echoes forward into Maud’s guarded past, Pearl’s heartbreak, and Saffie’s strained present gives the story a lovely sense of continuity. Each woman feels distinct yet connected, their lives threaded together by the stories they’ve told — and the ones they’ve kept hidden.

The emotional reveals unfold gently, with a pace that lets you savour each moment. The battered trunk at the centre of the mystery is a wonderful touch, holding the kind of truths families often tuck away until someone is brave enough to look.

Warm, witty, and full of heart, this is a story about sisterhood, resilience, and the healing that comes from finally facing the past. It left me feeling uplifted and deeply fond of these women and the lives they stitched together across a century.

With thanks to Lucy diamond, the publisher and netgalley for the ARC

[Jo Bardgett · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Storyteller’s Secret
By Lucy Diamond
Published by Headline Publishing Group

Lucy Diamond has created a beautiful tale of sisterhood. A story that will warm your heart and fill you with happiness as you connect with friends and family that spans a century . . .
Four women tell their story:
There's Nancy, a kitchen maid at Westercombe Manor in 1929 who can't resist adding her thoughts and words into Master Blackwood's novel while attending to her household duties.

There's Maud, grandmother to Pearl and Saffie, who's lived on the Westercombe estate since the 1940s. Famous for her bedtime stories, but will she ever tell her own?

There’s Pearl, living in Vancouver full of hurt and bereavement and Saffie her cousin - both regretting how they left each other when it all went wrong back in their teenage years!

But when a crisis in the family demands they come together, memories are rekindled.
Secrets are revealed and the truth must be told.

Lucy Diamond writes with wit and flair to bring her heroines alive.
You will laugh, cry and relate to these lovable characters and their stories as they burst from the page seeking to make peace with one another and the past.

Joanne Bardgett - teacher of littlies, lover of Children’s literature
#Netgallery

[Lucy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received a free advance review copy of this book by Lucy Diamond from NetGalley, and this is my honest review.

This book is told across three timelines and it and flowed naturally. The story centres on Saffie and Pearl, whose friendship fractured years earlier before Pearl moved to Canada and follows what happens when their paths cross again. While I was interested in both of their stories, I found myself most invested in Nancy's timeline and was always pleased when the narrative returned to her.

Lucy Diamond writes with warmth, and I found this to be an easy, comforting read. Although I guessed some of the plot developments quite early on and occasionally found myself skimming sections, there were still moments that surprised me. 

The book explores friendship, family, grief, long-buried secrets, and the stories we tell ourselves and each other. At its heart, it's an uplifting novel about connection, forgiveness, and the ties that bind us across generations. I think this book will appeal much more to readers who enjoy warm, character-led women's fiction, family dramas, and stories that leave you with a sense of comfort and hope.

[Julia · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really liked the premise of The Storyteller’s Secret and particularly enjoyed the way Lucy Diamond explores relationships between different generations. There is something very appealing about discovering how family stories, secrets and experiences can shape the lives of those who come after us, and the characters and relationships at the heart of the novel are warm and engaging.
For me, though, the frequent shifts between different periods of time made the story harder to settle into. While I could appreciate what the different timelines added to the unfolding story, I found that there were perhaps too many of them, and I sometimes felt that I was being taken away from a story just as I was becoming invested in it.
That is very much a personal preference, however, and I can see why readers who enjoy multi-generational stories and interconnected timelines will love this book. The idea behind it is lovely, and Lucy Diamond has created an engaging story about family, memory and the secrets that can connect generations.
A beautifully conceived story, although ultimately the time shifts made it less enjoyable for me than I had hoped.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

This took me quite some time to get into, but once I did, I felt it flow much better.
This is a heartfelt generational story set across different timelines.
We have Nancy, who works as a maid for the Blackwood family. She also co-writes a novel with their son Albert.
Maud, who has had an accident and is currently in hospital, resides at the cottage on the Blackwood's estate.
Maud's granddaughters Pearl and Saffie are reunited by her bedside after they had a falling out when they were teenagers.
The story is told from their point of view, and we go back and forth to discover the links from the past.
I loved how feisty Nancy was, a real character of her time.
My favourite characters were Pearl and Saffie. They had such history together, but let one thing destroy it.
I loved how all the threads came together at the end.
A very enjoyable read.
Thanks to Netgalley and Headline for the ARC in return for an honest review.

[Elizabeth]

I enjoyed this book. It had a really good feel good factor. A book I could lose myself in. The plot centered around four women and was beguiling.. It covers different themes, in particular female friendship between two cousins. The book is intergenerational and covers a century, All the characters are strong and have their own stories to tell. This book seemed different from the author's usual work. There is a sexual assault which happened early on in the story but it is not detailed. I wanted more about this but accept that in keeping with the times we don't always get to know.
This book has many family secrets that slowly unwind as the story is told. The best bit for me is the earlier story, the one that the two cousins try then to unravel. I was always going to finish this book and it was a joy to pick up after I had put it done. I have always liked books by this author and will wait eagerly for more.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story tellers secret is a beautiful story that spans decades between one family.
When Maud falls ill, after she receives a letter. her two granddaughters Pearl and Saffie come to her aid. The two girls fell out in their teenage years and one moved away to Canada.
The story starts with Nancy in 1931 a kitchen maid at Westercome Manor to present day where Maud lives in a house on the outskirts of the land that the manor resides. Whilst there one of the girls finds a trunk with the details about Nancy and a manuscript that she helped write with the son of the Blackwoods that lived in the manor.
This is different styles of writing from the author that I usually read. This story is about resilience, and trying to better yourself when others hold you down and family secrets. This is a very emotional and heartfelt read and I loved learning about the characters in this story especially Nancy and her love for writing. 4 stars from me

[Tina J · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a wonderful story about Nancy, Maud, Pearl, and Saffie, four women each striving in their own way to push the boundaries of what they can accomplish in their lifetimes. They dream of a richer, more fulfilling life.

The narrative shifts between the 1930s, early 2001, and the present day. At first, I found myself flipping back to make sure I had the right eras and characters straight, but once I did, it was easy to follow the highs and lows of these remarkable, courageous women.

Lucy Diamond’s latest novel feels a bit different from her usual style, with more depth woven into the story. Her characters leap off the page, taking me along on their emotional rollercoaster. I felt their tragedies, dark days, and heartbreak, but also laughed and celebrated every small victory with them.

Ultimately, it’s an inspiring tale of courage against all odds.

[Sara Oxton · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a magical five-star read this is. I don’t normally enjoy stories that travel across time and have so many characters, but this one warmed me up wholly. I loved getting to know all of the different characters, figuring out all of the complex connections and how they all fit. Nancy was a firm favourite of mine, and that surprised me as I am not normally a lover of that era and type of character, but she was so beautifully written that my heart broke for her. But then it also shone at the end, there are so many beautifully written moments in this story that you can’t help but love them all. Secrets and drama are a plenty in this story, and they will all keep you hooked, what a great story and some of the best writing I have come across.

[Jane · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was asked to review this book by NetGalley

I really enjoyed this storywhich is set across three timelines. There is Saffie and Pearl who were friends and this disintegrated before Pearl went to Canada to live. Then their paths cross again when Saffie's Grandmother is rushed into hospital.

Then there is Nancy who in 1929 is a kitchen maid, but other duties were cleaning and whilst cleaning Master Albert's room, she come upon a draft of a novel. Whilst reading this she adds to it and then she helps him wirite his novel.

It is about love, friendship, secrets, stories we tell to one and other with a sense of hope. A really uplifting story.

Readers will need to wait for this as will be published around February half Term and will be a cosy read.

[Karen Farrow · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a lovely generational family saga the narrative coming predominantly from Maud and her granddaughters Saffie and Pearl. The granddaughters had a falling out in their teens but both return to Maud’s home when she has a fall and is admitted to hospital.

We then have a dual timeline of Nancy’s story and that of Maud and the girls. Nancy was a maid for the Blackwoods who were a typical family of the early part of the 1930’s who believed they were better than anyone in service. Through this time line we learn all about Nancy and her friend Dolly and how they are linked to Maud, Saffie and Pearl.

This is a well thought out story which although it took me a while to read it, I thoroughly enjoyed.

A nice easy read

[Farah G · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mostly set in the 20th century, this book is about four women with stories to tell. But each has her own reasons for sharing the stories that she does, and leaving others untold...

From a kitchen maid in 1929 (who adds the occasional sentence to the novel being written by the master of the manor!) to a grandmother telling her granddaughters bedtime stories decades after, to two estranged cousins finding their way back to each other, the writer brings these characters vividly alive on the page.

This is an enjoyable read that gets 3.5 stars.

I received a free copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review

[Chrissie · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a lovely story ,it follows four women whose lives intersect around the historic Westercombe Manor .Nancy ,Maude, Saffie and Pearl. The story starts in 1929 with Nancy ,a kitchen maid at Westcombe Manor and goes through to the present day .Maude a long time resident on the estate and Grandmother to Pearl and Saffie who holds deep seated family secrets and Saffie and Pearl estranged Cousins separated by a rift from a past summer .I loved this book ,it was emotional and warm with great characters I think Nancy was my favourite as she has such spirit The ending was perfect .Thank you to NetGalley for my ARC.

[Louise · Rating 4 out of 5]

A beautifully layered read. Spanning decades, this novel weaves together Nancy in 1929, Maud in the mid‑century, and Pearl and Saffie in the present day, all connected by Westercombe Manor and the secrets tucked away in a battered trunk. The characters are vivid and engaging, and Lucy Diamond’s heroines burst from the page as they confront old wounds, long‑buried truths, and the stories they’ve never dared to tell. The blend of family drama, mystery, and emotional reconciliation works wonderfully. A strong 4/5 — heartfelt, absorbing, and very satisfying.

[Angela Owen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I didn’t know what to expect from this book but I absolutely loved it. It tells the tale of four women ranging from the 1920s to the present day.

I particularly enjoyed Nancys chapters and I was totally engrossed in her story. Each characters chapter flowed perfectly and there was no confusion which sometimes happened with multiple POVs.

A fantastic heartwarming read with an excellent ending,

Thanks to NetGalley, Lucy Diamond and the publisher for an advance copy in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.

[Meraki Komorebi · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
I want to thank NetGalley and Headline | Headline Review for providing me with an ARC.
I am not usually fond of constant time jumping in a story but the Diamond has done a pretty good job of it.
The characters are also quite good and mesh with each orher very well.
And of course the anticipation of how an action of a person can influence their future generation is always intriguing to read and in this the novel has succeeded.

[Linda Wilson]

I really enjoyed this book. Set in different time frames throughout the last century it tells the story of Nancy, Maud, Saffie and Pearl, all members of the same family. Nancy was a kitchen maid at the big house who ends up co writing a novel with Albert, the son of the house. Of course she gets no recognition for her efforts. The current timeline involves Saffie and Pearl who are Maud's grandchildren. When they discover a trunk in Maud's attic they begin a quest to piece together her back story. This is a lovely story of friendship and family ties.
Thanks to NetGalley for a preview copy.

[Helen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Saffie and pearl are cousins who share the same birthday. Meeting up at family occasions and the summer at Maud's, their grandma. They are so close until the summer of their 18th birthday.
Living very different lives on different continents they are reunited when Maud is admitted to hospital.
The family history of their great grandma is uncovered as the potential for Maud to lose her home.
Misunderstandings, Hurt feelings, life choices and healing take place as Maud recovers in hospital.
A heart warming story that will make you smile

[Jo · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lovely story, with mystery, love, friendship, family all featuring strongly. Great characters that you would like to be friends with.
For me personally it lacked a depth of feeling - you had some major trauma's which whilst being mentioned you didn't get a feeling of the depth of despair, more a side note that someone was 'very upset', however the book was more about telling the story than analysing the impact; and sometimes that is just what you want for a summer read.

[Angela · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful story about four female characters over multiple timelines. I loved the characters and the story. They’re the kind of characters you want to keep in touch with. It’s a book of friendship, family, loss, love, happiness and sadness. I laughed at times and cried. It has everything I’d expect from a Lucy Diamond book.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for the ARC in return for my honest and unbiased opinion.

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

This enjoyable story crossed 4 generations of the same family across different timelines and I really enjoyed discovering the past secrets of these characters. Cousins Pearl and Saffie come together, after previously having been estranged, when their grandmother ends up in hospital. They uncover some mysteries and realise they both know very little about their grandmother’s past. Great characters and a well-written story about family, friendship and secrets.

[Alison · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story of four women, each of whom in their own way is a storyteller.

Nancy in 1929 is a kitchen maid int he big house. One day she is cleaning the young master's bedroom and sees the draft of a novel he is writing, totally engrossed she accidentally adds a few words, which leads to her helping Master Albert write his novel.

In 2001 cousins Pearl and Saffie were best of friends, united by sharing the same birthday, until a shocking betrayal separates them.

Present day, Maud, Pearl and Saffie's grandmother is rushed to hospital - an event which brings Pearl back from Canada - can her accident bring back the friendship between the two cousins? Who is the mysterious man who called the ambulance? What secret is her friend Ruby trying to hide?

In her own inimitable way Lucy Diamond draws the stories of these four women together as Pearl and Saffie uncover family secrets.

I really enjoyed this, I could see where things were going but the journey was fun to read as the strands started to knit together.

I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

(4.5/5 stars) - Ad/pr - I really enjoyed this latest novel by Lucy Diamond. It features strong female characters, a historical setting, and multiple points of view. The themes centre around family, resilience, and female empowerment. The characters are written so well and are very relatable. This novel really gripped me throughout. Thank you Headline Books and Lucy Diamond for providing this book for review via NetGalley. All opinions are my own. Publication date 11/02/27.

[Les · Rating 4 out of 5]

No spoilers here, suffice to say that this book did take me a while into, due to the moving timelines and keeping up with characters. Having said that, once I was able to get into the book, I was engrossed and couldn’t wait to see what happened next. A good plot lines, twisting and turning.

Thanks to NetGalley for an ARC.