Our Little Secret: A mind-blowing, addictive psychological thriller packed with twists

by Samantha Hayes

He offers me his hand and a too-white smile. But my heart stops as I take in his familiar face. This man knows my deepest, darkest secret. And the last time I saw him, he was dead…

I adore every second of my life as a wife and mother. Once a week – laundry folded, dinner simmering, my kids upstairs tackling homework – I kiss my gorgeous husband’s cheek, grab my gym bag and head out the door, thanking my lucky stars for this happy life.

But every time I lie to my husband about where I’m really going every Thursday night, a little piece of me crumbles inside. Deceiving him is the last thing I want to do, but it’s the only way to keep him safe. I need this little slice of time to myself. It’s my sanctuary, trust me.

Except tonight. When the man I’ve been running from for the past twenty years crashes into my perfect world.

In an instant, I know everything I’ve built could be shattered by him and our little secret.

Because this man should be dead.

I should know… I thought I killed him.

An absolutely addictive psychological thriller that will have you gasping at the twists until the very last page. Perfect for anyone who devoured The Housemaid, The Wife Between Us and The Girl on the Train.

Everyone is talking about Our Little Secret:

‘Oh my God!...left me speechless… 100/10’ gonzalez.elizabeth98, ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

‘I binged this book, I seriously could not put it down, I just had to see what the secret was. And what a twist!!...made my jaw drop.’ Goodreads reviewer, ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

‘I could NOT stop reading… Each new twist was twistier than the last.’ Goodreads reviewer, ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

‘A rollercoaster of read that kept me reading late into the night. I could not put this book down. So many twists and turns that I did not see coming… superb’ NetGalley reviewer, ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

‘Absolutely binged this book. I genuinely couldn’t put it down and just needed to find out what the secret was. And wow, what a twist… I’d highly recommend.’ NetGalley reviewer, ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

‘Hooked me from the very first page and didn't let go… a crazy ride from beginning to end… I could not stop turning the pages.’ almost.there_lazy, ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

‘WOW… lots of delicious twists that could set the pages on fire… ticks all the boxes for me… twisty, thrilling and, best of all, satisfying… truly wonderful’

Genres: Thriller

324 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 5, 2026

About the author

Hello!

Thanks for stopping by my Goodreads page!

My latest psychological thriller THE ENGAGEMENT is out on 10th January 2023 from Amazon, available in ebook, paperback and audio formats. I do hope you love it!


If you love a good 'domestic noir' thriller that will mess with your mind and keep you turning the pages, then my books are for you! You can check out all my titles on my Amazon page here:

https://amzn.to/3jZ83zU

I do hope you'll love getting stuck into my books and enjoy reading them as much as I love writing them. And do let me know what you think - it's great to hear from readers! You can get in touch via my website where you'll find lots of info about me and my books - www.samanthahayes.co.uk or come and 'Like' my Facebook page at www.facebook.com/SamanthaHayesAuthor or follow me on Twitter too @samhayes or @samanthahayes.author on Instagram.

Happy reading!

Samantha xx

Reviews

[Christine M in Texas (stamperlady50) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hayes books always keep my interest. This one is non-stop until the last chapter. Gemma, her husband and kids are living life to the fullest, but she is hiding something in her past.

One day her past comes back to haunt her. She thought he was dead and he knew their secret. Aiden is now back in her life and the secret are they sharing could land them both in prison.

This one is suspenseful, dark, hinged and will have you wondering the secret that they share! A must read.

[Helen Leecy · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was really enjoying Our Little Secret by Samantha Hayes for most of the book, which is what made the ending so frustrating. It had pulled me in nicely, the writing flowed well, and I found myself wanting to keep picking it back up. It had that easy, readable quality that makes a thriller feel like you are moving through it quickly without having to force yourself, and for a good chunk of it, I was genuinely invested.
I also liked the main character. She had her demons, and there was obviously a lot she was carrying, but she didn’t feel weak or helpless. Even when she was struggling, she still seemed strong in her own way, like she was holding it together as best she could rather than just falling apart for the sake of the plot. I appreciated that, because it made me root for her and want to know what had really happened. There was enough going on to keep me interested, and I thought the story had a decent amount of tension without feeling too over the top at first.
But then the end happened.
I don’t want to give too much away, because this is the sort of book where the ending is obviously the whole point, but I honestly just sat there thinking, what on earth have I just read? It didn’t just feel far-fetched; it felt completely implausible. Things were set up in a way that made no sense when you actually thought about the practical side of it, especially forensically. There were things that simply would not have worked. For example, there would have been blood on the outside of the car, so the way everything was meant to have looked just didn’t add up at all. I can suspend disbelief to a point with thrillers, because obviously they do need twists and drama, but this went so far beyond that that it pulled me straight out of the story.
The reason behind everything didn’t work for me either. It felt like the book had been building towards something, but when the explanation finally came, it wasn’t satisfying. It didn’t feel clever or shocking in a good way; it just felt like the story had twisted itself into knots and then expected me not to notice. I had been so invested up until then, so to get to the reveal and feel like it made no sense was such a shame.
Then, the very end, with the three months later, three weeks later, and all the extra little bits after the main reveal, seemed unnecessary. Instead of tying things up neatly, it made the whole thing feel like it was spiralling completely out of control. It was as though the book didn’t know when to stop, and every added section made me feel more annoyed rather than more satisfied. By that point, I wasn’t shocked in the way I think I was meant to be; I was just frustrated at how badly it had come together.
It is a difficult one to rate, because for most of the book, I was enjoying it. It flowed, I liked the protagonist, and I did want to know what was going on. But an ending can really make or break a thriller, and unfortunately, this one broke it for me. I went from being invested and entertained to feeling like the whole thing had been undone by a conclusion that was too ridiculous to accept.
Such a shame, because there was a good book in here somewhere. The build-up had me, but the ending lost me completely.

[Lori L (She Treads Softly) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Our Little Secret by Samantha Hayes is a highly recommended psychological thriller that epitomizes everything a popcorn thriller should encompass.

Gemma and Doug have been happily married for twenty years and have two teenagers. She has a clothing store she loves and a new assistant who is wonderful help. Gemma also meets once a week with a support group for her previous drinking problem, a secret she keeps from her husband, claiming to go to the gym. This is the life she dreamed of after running away from a secret in her past and a man she knows was dead the last time she saw him. When Aiden Black, the man she once loved and left for dead, shows up at the support group one night, Gemma is shocked. Aiden is the one man who knows her deepest, darkest secret and now he begins to insert himself into her life again.

The action will grab your attention from the start, mostly because of the over abundance of lies, continuous bad choices, secrets, nonsensical actions, and highly unlikely coincidences, which all quickly multiply. Adding to the absurdity is how very annoying Gemma can be as a character. However, sit back, set a huge, gigantic dose of disbelief aside, tamp down any initial annoyance, keep reading, and let the ridiculousness play out. It will quickly reach popcorn thriller perfection, become wildly entertaining, and will hold your complete attention.

The narrative is through Gemma's voice and chapters alternate between present day action and events from over twenty years ago when Gemma and Aiden were dating. While we watch Gemma feel threatened in the present day, she is fawning over Aiden in the past. The pressing question is what did he do to change her mind about him? The next question is why is he back? The twists in the action from both timelines come quickly toward the end. Some you will have predicted, other's maybe not, but there is no question it ended up entertaining.

Our Little Secret is a great choice for those who love popcorn thrillers and can set any and all disbelief aside while reading. Thanks to Bookouture for providing me with an advance reader's copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary and expresses my honest opinion.

http://www.shetreadssoftly.com/2026/0...

[Gary · Rating 4 out of 5]

Our Little Secret, is a domestic thriller by Samantha Hayes that kept me entertained from start to finish. A novel that explores the terrifying reality of what happens when the past refuses to stay buried. It’s a high-stakes psychological thriller that asks how far one woman will go to protect the life she’s spent two decades building.

For twenty years, Gemma has played the role of the devoted wife and mother to perfection. Married to Doug, her life is the picture of domestic bliss, stable, happy, and remarkably normal. But for Gemma, this normalcy isn’t just a lifestyle, it’s a fortress she has built to hide a “dark past” that no one in her current circle suspects.

The foundation of that fortress begins to crumble when a face from her history reappears: Aiden.

The central hook of the novel is the sheer shock of Aiden’s return. For two decades, Gemma has lived under the absolute certainty that Aiden was dead. His sudden reappearance isn’t just a surprise; it is a “world-shattering turmoil” that threatens to expose a secret she has guarded since her youth.

As Aiden reintegrates himself into her world, the narrative tightens like a coiled spring. Gemma’s anxiety is sky high when she realises that her “little secret” is no longer hers alone to keep.

The strength of the novel lies in the contrast between Gemma’s sun-drenched, “perfect” present and the shadowy, unresolved trauma of her past. As the story unfolds, the facts of what happened twenty years ago are told. What did Gemma do, or witness, that was so significant she needed Aiden to be dead?

With Aiden back in the picture, Gemma’s secret is threatened, she is no longer the curator of her own life, she is a woman under threat. The constant threat of Gemma’s secret being exposed and a sense of “creeping dread,” make the story addictive.

I thoroughly enjoyed the novel but felt that some of the storylines were far too unlikely.

I would like to thank both Netgalley and Bookouture for supplying a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.

[Leanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Our Little Secret is the kind of psychological thriller that slips under your skin from the very first chapter. There’s something irresistibly unsettling about watching a seemingly perfect life tremble at the edges, and the author captures that fragility beautifully. The warm domestic glow — folded laundry, simmering dinners, the soft thrum of family routine — becomes the backdrop for a secret that’s been festering for twenty years.
The tension builds slowly, almost tenderly, as the narrator’s weekly lie becomes a ritual she hates but can’t give up. Those Thursday nights feel like a pressure valve, a space she clings to for reasons she can’t share, even with the man she adores. And then everything fractures in an instant when a familiar face steps out of the past — a man she knows should be dead, because she’s convinced she killed him.

The author handles that collision of past and present with a deft touch. The dread doesn’t come from jump scares or shock tactics, but from the quiet, creeping realisation that the life she’s built could collapse with a single whispered truth. The sense of being hunted — not just by a man, but by memory, guilt, and the version of herself she thought she’d buried — gives the story a taut, breathless quality.

What makes the book so addictive is how deeply personal it feels. The stakes aren’t abstract; they’re heartbreakingly human. A marriage she cherishes, children she would do anything to protect, and a secret that has shaped every choice she’s made. As the twists begin to unfurl, each one lands with the weight of inevitability, yet still manages to surprise.

Darkly compelling and emotionally charged, Our Little Secret is a gripping exploration of guilt, identity, and the lies we tell to survive. Perfect for readers who love their thrillers twisty, intimate, and impossible to put down.

With thanks to SAmantha Hayes, the publisher and netgalley for the ARC

[Cc Readsss · Rating 4 out of 5]

Release: May 5, 2026
Author: Samantha Hayes
Publisher: Bookoture

Rating: 3.75★ 

Thoughts:
Our little secret is a gripping psychological thriller that delves into the web of secrets, lies, and a past that refuses to stay buried. The story revolves around a woman who leads an ideal life—a loving husband, kids, and a comfortable routine. But every Thursday night, she sneaks away, keeping a secret from her family. A secret that, if uncovered, could destroy everything. The tension skyrockets when a man from her past, whom she believed was dead, suddenly reappears—threatening her carefully constructed life and forcing her to confront a terrifying truth: she once thought she killed him.
The narrative is filled with twists, and the suspense builds with every page. The central question of the woman’s secret—what exactly happened all those years ago—keeps the reader hooked, especially with the shocking revelation of who this man really is and why he’s back in her life. The author expertly plays with the idea of a perfect life built on a dangerous secret, and the stakes get higher as the woman’s past and present collide.

This book suits someone in the mood for: nystery, dark , tense
Pace: fast
Plot or Character Driven?: plot
Strong Character Development?: yes
Loveable Characters?: it's complicated
Diverse Cast?: no
Are Character Flaws a Main Focus?: yes
Main Themes / Tropes:
Secrets, deception, guilt, past mistakes, moral ambiguity, family, and the consequences of hidden truths.

Synopsis:
A woman with a perfect life is hiding a secret. Every week, she lies to her husband and sneaks out, thinking it’s her one escape. But when a man from her past, one she thought was dead, suddenly reappears, everything she’s worked so hard to keep in place is put at risk. The problem? She believes she killed him all those years ago.

Favorite Quote:
“Secrets don’t disappear. They wait for the worst moment to surface.”

[Charlie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Because this man should be dead. I should know… I thought I killed him.

This story follows Gemma, whose past comes back to haunt her two decades later when the boyfriend she believed was dead, Aiden, suddenly reappears out of the blue - alive. 😱

Gemma is happily married to her husband, Doug, and raising their twins, Chloe and Toby, until Aiden returns to her life. 🧑‍🧑‍🧒‍🧒 When they were younger, Aiden had a controlling and manipulative influence over her. Their relationship involved emotional abuse, intimidation, and secrets that Gemma has spent years trying to bury. 😩

The split POVs between the past and present gradually reveal what happened to Gemma twenty years earlier. The shifting perspectives kept the mystery engaging throughout and really showed how deeply Aiden affected Gemma’s life. 🫣

Aiden’s return forces Gemma to confront the trauma and guilt connected to their past. Part of the tension in the novel comes from not knowing exactly what happened between them and whether Gemma’s memories or actions can fully be trusted. 🤔

The characters were complex and unpredictable, making it difficult to know who could be trusted, which added even more tension to the story. 🤨

This book hooked me immediately, and the mystery kept me turning the pages. Some twists were predictable, but overall, it was an entertaining psychological thriller with strong pacing and plenty of drama. 📖👀

A gripping psychological thriller packed with secrets, lies, dark tension, and shocking twists. Perfect for fans of domestic suspense and fast-paced thrillers. 🤯

A massive thank you to Samantha and Bookouture for letting me participate in this Books on Tour and for providing a copy in exchange for my review. ♥️

[Britney Ireland · Rating 4 out of 5]

A huge thank you to #NetGalley for providing me with this Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) of the book. I am genuinely grateful for the opportunity to read and review it, and to submit my honest and unbiased feedback.

This novel unequivocally earns a strong 4-star rating from me. From the moment I turned the first page, I was completely captivated and pulled into the compelling storyline. The narrative maintained its intensity and intrigue throughout, and I was thoroughly satisfied with how the author brought the entire mystery to its conclusion.

What truly sets this book apart is its relentless, faced-paced nature. It’s a masterclass in tension, skillfully weaving together a mystery where the secrets and consequences of the past violently collide with the drama of the present day. The author's ability to maintain this breakneck speed without sacrificing depth is truly commendable.

The characters are exceptionally well-developed. Their individual storylines were crafted with remarkable precision, making them feel authentic and their motivations clear, even when their actions were shocking. I enjoyed every aspect of this read, from the opening scenes that set the stage to the final, heart-stopping revelation.

Speaking of the end the finish absolutely blew my mind! The plot twist was so expertly concealed and executed that I genuinely did not see it coming at all. It provided a shocking, satisfying, and memorable conclusion that will stay with me.

I highly, highly recommend this read to anyone looking for a gripping, fast-paced mystery with a fantastic cast of characters and a conclusion that will leave you breathless.

[T. Wynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Our Little Secret by Samantha Hayes was my first experience with this author, and it definitely won’t be my last. I flew through it in just two days, which says a lot about how engaging it was.

The writing felt smooth and easy to settle into, and I especially liked following Gemma. She’s a character you can understand, even when you’re questioning her choices. The story leans into a familiar idea, that secrets can quietly rot a marriage from the inside out, and Gemma’s situation proves exactly why. When the ex she believes she killed suddenly resurfaces and threatens to expose everything, the tension kicks in fast and doesn’t really let up.

Aiden, on the other hand, is the kind of character you love to hate. From the start, there’s just something off about him, and that feeling only gets worse as the story unfolds. He’s manipulative, controlling, and constantly twisting reality in a way that made my skin crawl. Credit to Hayes for writing a character that feels so convincingly awful.

What really worked for me was the pacing. The chapters move quickly, the stakes keep building, and the twists land at just the right moments to keep you hooked. It’s one of those thrillers that’s easy to binge, with enough tension and drama to carry you all the way through.

Overall, this was a gripping, fast-paced read with strong characters and plenty of suspense. I’m definitely interested in checking out more from Samantha Hayes after this one.

Thank you to Samantha Hayes, Bookouture, and NetGalley for this ARC.

[bookedupnurse · Rating 5 out of 5]

Aiden Black. The man who destroyed my life. And the last time I saw him, he was dead …

Well, chapter 1 had me hooked! 🤩

Gemma runs Open Door, an AA meeting group in her town. She has been sober for years and wants to help others who struggle with addiction to know they aren’t alone. It is successful and she is proud of what she has achieved. Until one night, a familiar face walks through the door of the group. A face that was covered in blood last time she saw him. A face that was dead …

That face belonged to former boyfriend Aiden - or as he now calls himself, Grant - who reinserts himself into Gemma’s life once again. Soon we discover that the pair committed a crime, one they thought was hidden forever and that Gemma hasn’t been honest with the ones she loves the most. As a body is found buried in the woods, Gemma realises her past has come back to haunt her. When threatening postcards begin to arrive and the bodies mount up, will Gemma survive Aiden being back in her life again?

Wow! The flashback scenes are incredible at setting the scene of the toxic relationship that Gemma found herself in with Aiden and helps to create the fear of his return. Gemma felt like such a truthful narrator and the last 3rd of this book … woweee! Very unexpected shift!!

This was fast paced, layered and I HIGHLY recommend this book! Cannot wait to read more by SH! 🤩

Thank you to NetGallery, Bookouture and Samantha Hayes for the ARC copy of this book.

[Louise Wilson · Rating 4 out of 5]

He offers me his hand and a too-white smile. But my heart stops as I take in his familiar face. This man knows my deepest, darkest secret. And the last time I saw him, he was dead

I adore every second of my life as a wife and mother. Once a week - laundry folded, dinner simmering, my kids upstairs tackling homework - I kiss my gorgeous husband's cheek, grab my gym bag and head out the door, thanking my lucky stars for this happy life. But every time I lie to my husband about where I'm going every Thursday night, a little piece of me crumbles inside. Deceiving him is the last thing I want to do, but it's the only way to keep him safe. I need this little slice of time to myself. It's my sanctuary, trust me.

One day, Gemma's past comes back to haunt her when the man she thought was dead turns up. That's when everything falls apart. Gemma's been hiding a secret for twenty years.

This twisted read held my attention throughout. It's a fast-paced psychological thriller. The characters are well-developed. I could not read this book quickly enough, I was desperate to find out what the secret was, and hoped I wouldn't be disappointed by it when it was revealed. I was not disappointed.

Published 5th May 2026

I would like to thank #NetGalley #Bookouture and the author #SamanthaHayes for my ARC of #OurLittleSecret in exchange for an honest review.

[Lovetoread2023 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Our Little Secret is a gripping psychological thriller that moves seamlessly between the present day and events from twenty years earlier. Samantha Hayes once again delivers a fast paced, twist filled story that keeps the reader completely hooked from start to finish.
The story follows Gemma, who has spent two decades carefully burying a secret while building a loving life with her husband Doug and their children. However, when Aiden, someone from her past suddenly reappears, everything she has created is thrown into jeopardy. The tension quickly escalates, especially with the chilling question lingering throughout: Aiden is supposed to be dead… isn’t he?
As expected from Samantha , the story is packed with drama, suspense, and unexpected revelations. Just when you think you have everything figured out, another twist comes along to prove you wrong. Her ability to continually surprise the reader is what makes her writing so compelling.
While Gemma can come across as a little naive at times, it doesn’t take away from the overall enjoyment of the story. Instead, it adds to the frustration and tension that drives the narrative forward.
Another strong and addictive read from Samantha Hayes perfect for fans of psychological thrillers who love plenty of twists and late night page turning.

[DeeG Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

🌟🌟🌟🌟 1/2
I adore messy thrillers, and this one was messy in the best possible way. This is a fast-paced psychological thriller about a woman who seems to have the perfect life, loving husband, kids, a nice home, but every Thursday night she lies about where she’s going. She says it’s her little escape, her sanctuary. But the truth is, she’s been hiding a secret for twenty years. Then one night, the man she thought she killed shows up, and everything starts to fall apart.
Just when you think you know what’s going on, the author basically says, “Nope, you don’t,” and pulls the rug out from under you. There are multiple twists, and most of them I did not see coming at all. There was one twist I kept expecting that never actually happened, and honestly, I’m glad it didn’t.
Aiden is definitely a love to hate him type of character, which made the story even more entertaining. And the ending actually had me giggling because it was just so perfect for the kind of story this was.
This is a crazy, unhinged, couldn’t put it down thriller full of secrets, lies, and twists. If you like fast-paced psychological thrillers with lots of drama and shocking reveals, this is definitely one to pick up.
Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the book.

[Andria Lambert · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thoroughly enjoyed this story! Gemma has secrets from her past, then her past blows right back into the door. Secrets never stay buried. Gemma has kept secrets from her husband and her children and from everybody what her Aiden did 20 years ago. Now the past is back in the present and things are very chaotic and she's trying to juggle her secrets from everybody including the police. Gemma doesn't even know everything about what happened 20 years ago because she drank a lot of alcohol during that period in her life and some memories are foggy or nonexistent until later, and because she was so naive as to believe people with what they told her when they were liars. I don't want to say too much as to spoil the twists and turns, there were more of those than I expected and some things I absolutely didn't see coming. About the time I thought the twists had finished there would be another one. The story was very entertaining. I read this book in a matter of a few hours, it was very addicting and I needed to find out how it was going to end. Thank you Netgalley and Bookouture for the complimentary copy of the story.

[Nicole O · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

WOW. This was my first Samantha Hayes book and she absolutely delivered. The way she builds the story — starting slow, then picking up speed until it’s racing toward the finale — is so addictive. Once I started, I genuinely couldn’t put it down.

The story follows Gemma, a woman who has spent twenty years burying a terrible secret from her past. She’s happily married to Doug and raising their healthy twins… until the one person she thought was long dead — Aiden — suddenly walks back into her life. From that moment on, everything Gemma has built starts to crack. She’s terrified her husband will discover what really happened all those years ago.

The book shifts between present day and twenty years earlier, and the tension builds with every chapter. The twists hit harder and faster as the timelines close in on each other. When the secrets finally unravel, I was shocked. I truly didn’t see the final reveal coming — I kept guessing Aiden, but the truth blindsided me in the best way.

This is the kind of twisty, bingeable thriller that keeps you up way too late because you need answers.

🔥 Tropes & Vibes
-Unreliable narrator
-Dual timeline (past + present)
-Final twist you won’t predict
-Small‑town secrets
-Past coming back to haunt you
-Obsessive first love
-Everyone is hiding something
-Fast-paced domestic suspense

⭐ Final Thoughts
I loved this book and would highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys twisty psychological thrillers with messy secrets, addictive pacing, and a jaw‑dropping ending.

[Erika · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thanks to Netgalley and Bookouture for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Gemma is happily married with 17 year old twins when her husband Doug brings home a new "best" friend who is going to live in their annexe. Too bad Gemma knows him from the past and they didn't part on good terms to say the least after they were involved in the death of a woman over 20 years ago.

I like this author and I understand that usually her books go off the rails in order to create a lot of twists and turns. I found this one to be pretty repetitive for the most part until it totally went off the rails. First, Gemma is a gullible idiot, which maybe was ok when she was young, but now in her 40's, she has learned nothing and it bothers me when a book only works because the main character is a fool. Additionally, I thought some of the actions of others just didn't make sense and I couldn't move past these issues. Also, I didn't feel like there was sufficient explanation about one or two things that occurred. It wasn't her best, but I will surely read the next one.

[Sharon Valler: Live Love Read Review · Rating 5 out of 5]

So, so twisty! An absolute page-turner from start to finish!

Gemma's husband thinks she goes to the gym twice a week, when she actually goes to a support group that he knows nothing about. One evening, Gemma's ex boyfriend, Aiden walks in. She hasn't seen him for 20 years and the last time she did see him, he was dead and she had thought he'd taken her biggest secret with him.

As Aiden insert himself firmly into Gemma's life, she narrates the story in the present day as well as in the past, when she loved Aiden. As the layers of the past peel away, I was so invested in the story and couldn't put this brilliant book down. Twist after twist, even when I thought everything was neatly tied up, there was still more to come - fantastic!

On the one hand, I wanted to give Gemma a good shake and tell her to just tell the police everything, but then, if she had done that, we wouldn't have a blinder of a popcorn thriler to entertain us!

5 ⭐️ Thanks to Netgalley, Samantha Hayes and Bookouture, for an ARC of this book.

[Marie Yarwood · Rating 5 out of 5]

An absolutely phenomenal storyline, gripping, horrifying and heartbreaking all in one.

When you think a secret is ‘dead and buried’ it isn’t always the case.

Gemma is living the dream - perfect self built business, a loving husband and the cleverest of twins BUT she is hiding a deep dark secret and one that can ruin it all for her. Thankfully though, the one person who could unravel everything going good for her, is dead!

OR IS HE??

When Gemma is just opening her AA meeting one day and a newcomer walks in, her blood runs icy cold…. Standing before her is Aidan Black - ALIVE AND WELL😳. How can it be after 20years he has reappeared after she saw him lying dead on the floor in a pool of blood coming from his head??

Things go from uneasy and scary to overly friendly and frightening but Aiden Black has one agenda and one agenda only and that’s to make sure Gemma keeps her mouth shut and leaves the events of all those years ago DEAD AND BURIED.

The thing is, will their past come back to haunt them or will their secret remain exactly that, A Secret?

[Alicia · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐️ thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for a digital copy of this novel.

I loved the ending on this one! Similar to firework displays, the ‘grand finale’ just goes off like pop, pop, pop with lots of twists happening close together. It closed off a few open storylines and I was glad they were addressed.

The energy in this book was very suspicious. You won’t trust any of the characters that are introduced. Can you trust Eric from Open Arms? Can you trust Megan at the ‘Clover’ boutique? Are you dealing with an unreliable narrator? I felt on edge and felt the story building tension throughout.

What I really struggled with was the main Character, Gemma. For the first 3/4 of the book I found a lot of her storyline and decision making, irritating. Mostly, is she blind to the colour red? I think so. By the end, I liked her role in the book and had (a bit) of sympathy for her. I enjoyed the other characters. Especially Aiden, because at no point was I sure what direction his character would take.

For me this one was average but worth the read.

[Ney oh the thrill of it FN · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to Samantha Hayes, Bookouture and netgalley, for this complimentary advanced copy. This review is being left voluntarily and all opinions are my own. 

This was my second Samantha Hayes read, after really enjoying The Inheritance, so I was excited to get stuck into this book! 

We meet Gemma, recovering alcoholic. She is married with children but she also has a past. Her family don't know about her problems with alcohol or why she turned to the bottle in the first place. 

Life is good until one day a ghost from her past returns. Soon, her curated life begins to fall apart piece by piece. In that moment she is detemined to tell the truth and absolve herself of the past she has carried for a long time, but not everyone wants absolution. Gemma finds herself in a dangerous position and her world is turned upside down.

This was a great read. It had me furiously turning pages and trying to connect the dots. The ending was satisfying in parts but also a bit like wait, what? Overall, a great read that I would recommend. 

[Jackie · Rating 3 out of 5]

There’s something to be said about the way Samantha Hayes builds tension and plays with the uncertainty of her characters. She definitely knows how to pull you in at the start. But once everything was established, the story started to feel repetitive and a bit lackluster for me. I kept waiting for it to fully hook me, and it just never quite got there.

I did find that there were moments where things started to feel a little repetitive, especially in the middle. Some scenes seemed to circle back to the same thoughts and emotions, which slowed the momentum. Additionally, having read another of Hayes’s psychological thrillers, I was hoping this one would be more compelling.

Overall, this one didn’t keep me as engaged or invested as I’d hoped, but I’d still be open to trying more from her in the future.

A big thank you to Bookouture and NetGalley for the advance reader’s copy in exchange for my honest opinion.

[Sue · Rating 5 out of 5]

Have you ever really, really wanted to be able to reach into a book and shake the main character until they see sense?
I seriously wanted to do this to Gemma! She was not a worldly wise 22 year old, but surely she could see the signs of a relationship that never was? Aiden not arriving for dates, not returning calls... and then what he said to her in the scene where he was wearing slippers - (just so I don't give the plot away) - she STILL wanted him!

I binged this book, I seriously could not put it down, I just had to see what the secret was. And what a twist!! In fact there were several twists that made my jaw drop. However, I did suspect the one character of being involved, and I was right. Again - no spoiler given!

Do yourself a favour and read this book, it is suspenseful, intense, tense and dark.

Well worth a read.

5/5 stars from me.

[Morag Murray · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this book! Super twisty and utterly gripping.

This is the story of a woman with secrets! Gemma is the owner of a successful boutique. She is married to Doug but twice a week, when he thinks she is going to the gym, she is really sneaking off to an support group for alcohol addiction - safe to say this is far from the only secret she is keeping from him. One day a man walks into the group who Gemma associates with a HUGE secret from her past. The catalyst for this man (Aidan) appearing back in her life is his concern that their secret may be coming to light. So much happens in this story and it is deliciously unpredictable!

Its a solid work of psychological fiction that I wouldn't hesitate to recommend.


My thanks to NetGalley, author and publisher for the opportunity to review this book in exchange for an advance copy.

[Mark · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not so little though! ( the secret )

Gemma and Aiden were together many years ago when something terrible happened, and then later as far as Gemma knew Aiden was dead….imagine her surprise when he turns up at her support group, and with him he brings the news the secret has been unearthed, literally

Focusing on secrets ( no surprise there ) and manipulation with a background of alcohol dependency and the road to recovery this book charts what can happen when something you think is long buried resurfaces bringing many problems with it

Chocka with big unexpected left and right veers and violet herrings ( change from red ) the book was a quick few hours read for me, mainly because it was good and wanted to see just what Gemma would do to ‘sort’ this problem out and how the book would end

Didn’t disappoint

Always enjoy a Samantha Hayes book and this was once again a good read

[Angela Michaels · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun popcorn thriller. I'd do 3.5 stars.

One major twist I guessed almost immediately. But the way that twist came together and the other that came with it, I definitely did not guess.

The ending was good. When I feel like the ending is resolved well, it goes a long way for me with these quick read thrillers.

The 1.5 stars I removed is because I didn't love the main character. I know we don't always have to, but she really got on my nerves in various instances throughout the book.

There were also a few parts where I had to suspend disbelief further than I would care to or automatically do for these sorts of novels.

I'm glad I read this and I would overall recommend it. I will likely read more by this author.

Thank you to Samantha Hayes, Bookouture, and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

[A Lane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Our Little Secret is a fast paced domestic psychological thriller that keeps the reader guessing to the very end. Twist after twist, secret after secret, I could NOT stop reading.

Gemma is living her best life. Great husband, twins who are thriving in life, and a job she loves. But the weight of a dark secret comes crashing back when someone from her past that is connected to the secret makes a very unexpected appearance. How far will Gemma go to keep her family safe and herself out of prison.

I really enjoyed this book. Each new twist was twistier than the last. Samantha Hayes is masterful at ratcheting up the tensions and keeping the pages turning quickly. The ending was a shocking poetic justice that made me clap.

Thanks to Netgalley and Bookouture for the advanced copy

[Susan W · Rating 4 out of 5]

✨ 4 stars ✨

Thank you NetGalley, Bookouture, and Samantha Hayes for the ARC!

What would you do if your past—one you thought was buried for good—suddenly showed up… alive? Immediate chills.

You know a book is good when it’s 4am, your eyes are burning, and your husband is telling you to please go to bed… and you’re like, “Just one more chapter.” It’s never one more chapter.

This book is about a devoted wife and mother seems to have the perfect life—until a man from her past suddenly reappears… a man who shouldn’t be alive. As long-buried secrets begin to surface, she’s forced to confront a truth that could destroy everything she’s built.

Samantha Hayes is a new author to me and I’m already hooked—I couldn’t put it down. The tension builds perfectly, with a “this won’t end well” feeling that keeps you turning pages.

It’s twisty, fast-paced, and just the right amount of unsettling to keep you fully invested (and apparently awake all night).

Looking for a psychological thriller that mess with your head and keep you guessing? Definitely add this to your TBR list.

📅 Publishing May 5

[Tamara · Rating 4 out of 5]

He offers me his hand and a too-white smile. But my heart stops as I take in his familiar face. This man knows my deepest, darkest secret. And the last time I saw him, he was dead…I should know… I thought I killed him.

Our Little Secret is a gripping, cleverly plotted thriller that delivers both suspense and emotional depth. The characters are complex and believable, and I found myself constantly questioning their motives and loyalties. Just when I thought I had things figured out, the story took another twist that completely surprised me in the best way.

Thank you Netgalley and Bookouture for my ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Our Little Secret is a gripping, satisfying read that I’d highly recommend to anyone who enjoys psychological thrillers Expected release date May 05 2026

[ThrillersDoodles · Rating 3 out of 5]

Twisted little popcorn thriller that keeps on delivering.

I didn’t mind the characters although it was a tenuous relationship since I could have thrown any of them under the bus at any time, without thinking twice. I didn’t trust any of them.

I didn’t love the story. I didn’t hate it. Part of the plot was a little farfetched to buy it fully.

Twisted ending but idk, it was pretty out there.

What to expect:
- [x] Multi pov
- [x] Dual timeline
- [x] Twists
Topic(s): Family drama, redrvm mystery,

Flow and Pacing:
- [x] Engaging
- [x] Slow

Recommend:
Maybe for popcorn thriller fans. Fans of Barelli. People who like twists for the sake of a twist.

With thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for the advance reading copy.

[KKEC Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

Our Little Secret by Samantha Hayes
Oh, golly. This was a doozy! So many twists and turns. I was sucked into the story quickly, and things only escalated, holding me hostage.

Gemma is a business owner, happily married, with twins, and is getting ready to send them off to college. Her life is pretty sweet. Until a blast from the past shows up, and a devastating secret is unearthed- everything is about to get messy.

This was so well done. I enjoyed the use of flashbacks and the way the plot unraveled. The characters were well developed. There were so many unexpected twists.

I enjoyed this book. The writing, characters, and emotional elements were addictive. If you like fast-paced thrillers, definitely grab a copy and buckle up!

Publication date: May 5, 2026
Publisher: Bookouture