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The Secret Of Us: An absolutely gripping and emotional read, perfect for fans of Barbara O’Neal!
When your other half leaves you…
After her fiancé breaks up with her in ‘their restaurant’, leaving her with no explanation other than an apology scrawled on a napkin, Eira no longer feels at home in North Carolina. So she leaves for the Florida coast, hoping that rebuilding her life will be easier somewhere new. But while her new home may hold no trace of the past, life doesn’t always turn out the way you planned…and suddenly, a chance meeting turns Eira’s life upside down.
…how do you know who you are?
Finally faced with the opportunity to ask her questions about love, lies, and the life she thought was hers, Eira realises that hearing the answers is going to hurt. Yet if she is brave enough to listen, finding the missing piece of the past might lead her to a brighter future than she ever thought possible…
The Secret of Us is the bittersweet new novel from Liesel Schmidt, perfect for fans of Cecilia Ahern, Lucy Dillon and Jojo Moyes.
After her fiancé breaks up with her in ‘their restaurant’, leaving her with no explanation other than an apology scrawled on a napkin, Eira no longer feels at home in North Carolina. So she leaves for the Florida coast, hoping that rebuilding her life will be easier somewhere new. But while her new home may hold no trace of the past, life doesn’t always turn out the way you planned…and suddenly, a chance meeting turns Eira’s life upside down.
…how do you know who you are?
Finally faced with the opportunity to ask her questions about love, lies, and the life she thought was hers, Eira realises that hearing the answers is going to hurt. Yet if she is brave enough to listen, finding the missing piece of the past might lead her to a brighter future than she ever thought possible…
The Secret of Us is the bittersweet new novel from Liesel Schmidt, perfect for fans of Cecilia Ahern, Lucy Dillon and Jojo Moyes.
292 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 13, 2015
34 people are currently reading
39 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
June 19, 2015
This is not just any run of the romance. This has depth and body and substance. I loved it.
This author Liesel Schmidt has a really good talent for writing emotions, the emotions in the book that play out on you, yes you, the reader in real life, now that is talent.
Eira Larson is planning her coming wedding with the man of her heart, Matt. They are sat in their favourite Italian restaurant when Matt abandons her and on the napkin she finds on the table is "I'm sorry". Can you imagine it? Can you imagine this happening to you?
What on earth........
He has vanished, no texts, no messages no contact.
Just what in the name of god has just happened? Was it her? Was it him? Was it something she did? Something she didn't do? Did he have someone else?
Or was it a case of simply "cold feet"?
I wanted to take this journey with Eira.
She tried to move on, make a new life for herself, but then someone's face in the crowd familiar appeared just who was this, I thought? Was it Matt?
Reading on I was wondering where on earth the author was leading with this, its a humongous journey I have been on with Eira, enlightening, frightening, worrying and darn right puzzling.
It held my attention from beginning to end today.
I was happy to receive this book from Carina UK Via Net Galley in exchange for my honest thoughts.
May 19, 2015
When Liesel Schmidt sent me a message asking if I would like to review her new book The Secret of Us, I was thrilled to accept. It sounded like such an interesting read, as Eira tries to rebuild her life after her fiance leaves her for no real reason whatsoever, after a date night at their favourite restaurant. Eira makes her way to Florida (good choice, GIRL!) and gets the surprise of her life when none other than Matt himself ends up sitting at one of the tables, at the restaurant where she’s a waitress. But Matt actually has no idea who Eira is..
At first, I thought this was going to be a typical novel where the heroine never got over her ex, despite the fact three years had past (I mean, COME ON – it was three years ago) but actually the book takes an entirely different, and unexpected turn, and goes off in an entirely new direction, which surprised me, but was also a really, really good turn of events because it took it away from the cliched plot line I feared.
This was actually one of the most emotional books I’ve ever read. There is so much that happens in the book, so much I’m not willing to divulge because if I mention even one more word about the plot, it will likely ruin the entire book, and most of the enjoyment I got from this novel was the shock factor of new things being told to Eira. Suffice to say, there is a lot of emotions in the book, the plot goes off in a completely different, unexpected direction that only serves to make the book more gripping. I could barely put it down, because I was just so desperate to know more about Eira, and more about what Matt had done, and the entire thing with Oliver and Charles. Charles, who I fear was a tad bit Jekyll and Hyde, the way he tended to go off the deep end about most things; but then was Mr Charming days later (it was so bizarre, but so enjoyable). It’s amazing what anger can do to a person.
I really enjoyed The Secret of Us, there were so many layers to the novel, so much more than girl can’t get over her ex, which I was so, so happy about. I look forward to reading more from Liesel Schmidt in the future. She certainly knows how to put you through the wringer, and I loved getting to know her characters and I absolutely adored the Florida setting; I dream of living in Florida…
At first, I thought this was going to be a typical novel where the heroine never got over her ex, despite the fact three years had past (I mean, COME ON – it was three years ago) but actually the book takes an entirely different, and unexpected turn, and goes off in an entirely new direction, which surprised me, but was also a really, really good turn of events because it took it away from the cliched plot line I feared.
This was actually one of the most emotional books I’ve ever read. There is so much that happens in the book, so much I’m not willing to divulge because if I mention even one more word about the plot, it will likely ruin the entire book, and most of the enjoyment I got from this novel was the shock factor of new things being told to Eira. Suffice to say, there is a lot of emotions in the book, the plot goes off in a completely different, unexpected direction that only serves to make the book more gripping. I could barely put it down, because I was just so desperate to know more about Eira, and more about what Matt had done, and the entire thing with Oliver and Charles. Charles, who I fear was a tad bit Jekyll and Hyde, the way he tended to go off the deep end about most things; but then was Mr Charming days later (it was so bizarre, but so enjoyable). It’s amazing what anger can do to a person.
I really enjoyed The Secret of Us, there were so many layers to the novel, so much more than girl can’t get over her ex, which I was so, so happy about. I look forward to reading more from Liesel Schmidt in the future. She certainly knows how to put you through the wringer, and I loved getting to know her characters and I absolutely adored the Florida setting; I dream of living in Florida…
May 7, 2015
OMG - amazing! This is so much more than just a romance . . . Eira was devastated and heartbroken when her fiancé, Matt, takes her out for a meal then tells her he’s breaking up with her. Whilst she goes to the toilet to calm down he disappears from her life, leaving a napkin with his final message, “I’m sorry”. With no explanation and not understanding. Eira eventually makes a new life for herself in a new area hoping to rebuild her life. She’s working as a waitress in a restaurant when she’s amazed to see - and have to serve - Matt at one of her tables. He reacts as if he’s never seen her before, not acknowledging her in any way other than the waitress serving her. . . . Sorry, I daren’t say more here or it would be giving spoilers away - you really need to read it to appreciate the events which follow!
This is a truly bitter sweet novel, one that I’d only intended to glimpse at, not read just yet but, from the very first I was hooked and didn’t want to put it down. This story explores the emotional turmoil of Eira as she finally uncovers and understands Matt’s motivations whilst moving on with her own life. The author takes the reader along this bumpy roller coaster ride, making it easy to empathise with the various characters involved along the way.. A superb ending, poised to be so unhappy, that is rescued and left me, the reader, emotionally refreshed and keen to read more by this author in future.I really enjoyed this novel and cannot recommend it too highly for anyone who is interested in exploring life’s twists and turns rather than straight forward romance. It is a really moving and complex story brilliantly told keeping the reader enthralled from start to finish.
Thanks to the author, publishers and NetGalley, too, for letting me read an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This is a truly bitter sweet novel, one that I’d only intended to glimpse at, not read just yet but, from the very first I was hooked and didn’t want to put it down. This story explores the emotional turmoil of Eira as she finally uncovers and understands Matt’s motivations whilst moving on with her own life. The author takes the reader along this bumpy roller coaster ride, making it easy to empathise with the various characters involved along the way.. A superb ending, poised to be so unhappy, that is rescued and left me, the reader, emotionally refreshed and keen to read more by this author in future.I really enjoyed this novel and cannot recommend it too highly for anyone who is interested in exploring life’s twists and turns rather than straight forward romance. It is a really moving and complex story brilliantly told keeping the reader enthralled from start to finish.
Thanks to the author, publishers and NetGalley, too, for letting me read an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
May 19, 2015
Originally posted on http://beccasbooooks.blogspot.co.uk/
First of all, I'd like to thank Liesel Schmidt and her publishers Carina for providing me with a copy of The Secret of Us via NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review. I absolutely fell head over heels in love with Liesel's cover when Carina revealed it over on Twitter, and it didn't take long for the need to know the story behind it to settle down and niggle at me from the back of my mind.
This is the second novel that I have had the pleasure of reading by Liesel Schmidt, the first being her debut Coming Home to You which was emotionally overwhelming from the get-go. I realised when I began reading The Secret of Us that Liesel is incredibly talented when it comes to writing emotion. It's powerful, it's heart-breaking and just so painfully raw, and just like her debut, that same talent was evidently at play in her latest release.
In The Secret of Us, Liesel focuses on the life of Eira Larson who, during the planning of her wedding to fiancé Matt and dinner at their favourite Italian restaurant, is abandoned with nothing more than a napkin, the words 'I'm sorry' scrawled on it, left behind on the table. With no explanation, no follow-up calls or texts, not even an apology, Eira is left in the dark as to what happened that night and where in the world her fiancé Matt disappeared to. As the novel progresses, Eira moves and starts life afresh, with new friends and new plans, until a strangely familiar face appears and knocks her for six. Suddenly, all of the questions that she'd so desperately wanted answers for begin to resurface and, even stranger, she might just have found the person who can provide those answers.
Of course, things are never as simple as they first appear to be, and Liesel demonstrates that perfectly within The Secret of Us.
As soon as I was aware of Eira's situation, I couldn't quite believe it, almost as much as Eira herself. I felt confused, a little bewildered, and quite frankly, even I had questions that I wanted answers to! How was Matt able to just get up and leave Eira like that? To leave nothing but a napkin behind and not look back? This was a fantastically explosive way to begin Eira's journey and I couldn't wait to find out more, and this need to find out more propelled me surging onwards through the plot to finally have my answers, and I'm almost certain that Eira felt the exact same way. There was such a delicious concoction of mystery, betrayal and hope within The Secret of Us, as the title suggests, and all sorts of scenarios were popping up in my mind as to where Matt had disappeared to. Had he been leading a double life with a second family somewhere else? Had he just gotten bored? Had he acquired cold feet in regards to the wedding? I didn't have a bloody clue, but I can tell you one thing... I was just dying to find out. The possibilities for this novel were endless.
Accompanying Eira on her journey to discovery held some surprising moments for me as a reader, especially when unexpected turns began to change the things that I thought I knew, and I had no choice but to shift direction and go with them. There was so much depth to this novel, with all sorts of aspects which were approached tenderly by the author. From the military to intricate relationships, it could have been seen as perhaps a bit too much to take in, but I believe Liesel Schmidt handled it beautifully. With serious undertones running throughout the length of The Secret of Us, it made for a truly all-consuming read, it's tone and style completely enveloping in the best way.
Eira, to me, was a character who I warmed to immediately. I'm not sure whether it was because I felt like she deserved my sympathy or whether I respected her for picking up the pieces of her life and attempting to begin again, somewhere new. Either way, I became a firm supporter of Eira's decisions and only wished the best for her. I felt like I was right beside Eira whenever something new was revealed in the mystery of Matt's disappearance, watching her expressions flash across her features, so vivid were Liesel's descriptions. I really cared about Eira, about where she'd end up by the time The Secret of Us came to an end. I knew that what Eira had always wanted were the answers to her questions and it became incredibly important to me than she found them, so that she could put the past to rest.
As mentioned above, Liesel deals with emotions when writing in the most clear, real and raw way. She doesn't rinse her words or try to soften the blows. It is what it is, and that's how real life is. I was able to feel each of Eira's emotions as if they belonged to me, which is such a one-off thing to experience. Liesel's descriptions are stunning, so much more than words on a page, each one placed perfectly beside the next to create a sentence that knocks you off your feet. So powerful, so emotive and so damn hard to ignore.
There was so much more to this novel than I thought there would be. So much more than surprised me as my reading of it progressed. Surprises hidden around every corner, harsh truths and shocking realities, but still, at the end of it all, hope, love and the future overriding all else.
Becca's Books is awarding The Secret of Us by Liesel Schmidt with FIVE GORGEOUS CUPCAKES! I was so pleased to find that Liesel hadn't lost that special touch of hers that I was first introduced to in Coming Home to You. In fact, if anything, Liesel has only honed that skill and hit me full force with it this time round. A beautiful, timeless, poignant novel that touched my heart completely.
First of all, I'd like to thank Liesel Schmidt and her publishers Carina for providing me with a copy of The Secret of Us via NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review. I absolutely fell head over heels in love with Liesel's cover when Carina revealed it over on Twitter, and it didn't take long for the need to know the story behind it to settle down and niggle at me from the back of my mind.
This is the second novel that I have had the pleasure of reading by Liesel Schmidt, the first being her debut Coming Home to You which was emotionally overwhelming from the get-go. I realised when I began reading The Secret of Us that Liesel is incredibly talented when it comes to writing emotion. It's powerful, it's heart-breaking and just so painfully raw, and just like her debut, that same talent was evidently at play in her latest release.
In The Secret of Us, Liesel focuses on the life of Eira Larson who, during the planning of her wedding to fiancé Matt and dinner at their favourite Italian restaurant, is abandoned with nothing more than a napkin, the words 'I'm sorry' scrawled on it, left behind on the table. With no explanation, no follow-up calls or texts, not even an apology, Eira is left in the dark as to what happened that night and where in the world her fiancé Matt disappeared to. As the novel progresses, Eira moves and starts life afresh, with new friends and new plans, until a strangely familiar face appears and knocks her for six. Suddenly, all of the questions that she'd so desperately wanted answers for begin to resurface and, even stranger, she might just have found the person who can provide those answers.
Of course, things are never as simple as they first appear to be, and Liesel demonstrates that perfectly within The Secret of Us.
As soon as I was aware of Eira's situation, I couldn't quite believe it, almost as much as Eira herself. I felt confused, a little bewildered, and quite frankly, even I had questions that I wanted answers to! How was Matt able to just get up and leave Eira like that? To leave nothing but a napkin behind and not look back? This was a fantastically explosive way to begin Eira's journey and I couldn't wait to find out more, and this need to find out more propelled me surging onwards through the plot to finally have my answers, and I'm almost certain that Eira felt the exact same way. There was such a delicious concoction of mystery, betrayal and hope within The Secret of Us, as the title suggests, and all sorts of scenarios were popping up in my mind as to where Matt had disappeared to. Had he been leading a double life with a second family somewhere else? Had he just gotten bored? Had he acquired cold feet in regards to the wedding? I didn't have a bloody clue, but I can tell you one thing... I was just dying to find out. The possibilities for this novel were endless.
Accompanying Eira on her journey to discovery held some surprising moments for me as a reader, especially when unexpected turns began to change the things that I thought I knew, and I had no choice but to shift direction and go with them. There was so much depth to this novel, with all sorts of aspects which were approached tenderly by the author. From the military to intricate relationships, it could have been seen as perhaps a bit too much to take in, but I believe Liesel Schmidt handled it beautifully. With serious undertones running throughout the length of The Secret of Us, it made for a truly all-consuming read, it's tone and style completely enveloping in the best way.
Eira, to me, was a character who I warmed to immediately. I'm not sure whether it was because I felt like she deserved my sympathy or whether I respected her for picking up the pieces of her life and attempting to begin again, somewhere new. Either way, I became a firm supporter of Eira's decisions and only wished the best for her. I felt like I was right beside Eira whenever something new was revealed in the mystery of Matt's disappearance, watching her expressions flash across her features, so vivid were Liesel's descriptions. I really cared about Eira, about where she'd end up by the time The Secret of Us came to an end. I knew that what Eira had always wanted were the answers to her questions and it became incredibly important to me than she found them, so that she could put the past to rest.
As mentioned above, Liesel deals with emotions when writing in the most clear, real and raw way. She doesn't rinse her words or try to soften the blows. It is what it is, and that's how real life is. I was able to feel each of Eira's emotions as if they belonged to me, which is such a one-off thing to experience. Liesel's descriptions are stunning, so much more than words on a page, each one placed perfectly beside the next to create a sentence that knocks you off your feet. So powerful, so emotive and so damn hard to ignore.
There was so much more to this novel than I thought there would be. So much more than surprised me as my reading of it progressed. Surprises hidden around every corner, harsh truths and shocking realities, but still, at the end of it all, hope, love and the future overriding all else.
Becca's Books is awarding The Secret of Us by Liesel Schmidt with FIVE GORGEOUS CUPCAKES! I was so pleased to find that Liesel hadn't lost that special touch of hers that I was first introduced to in Coming Home to You. In fact, if anything, Liesel has only honed that skill and hit me full force with it this time round. A beautiful, timeless, poignant novel that touched my heart completely.
May 15, 2015
I haven't read Liesel Schmidt's book before, even though it is already on my kindle, waiting patiently, so when she approached me and asked if I'd like to review "The Secret of Us" and I agreed, I've made it my priority to read it pronto. And boy, how happy I am to have read this story! It was very emotional and very beautiful.
"The Secret of Us" follows Eira, who's just been dumped by the love of her life, her fiancé Matt, without any explanation, and the only thing he left in the restaurant when he did the act of dumping, was a napkin with his final message "I'm sorry". It takes Eira long to get her life in grip and when she thinks that everything is behind her, that she's safe after moving from North Carolina to Florida and working in a restaurant, waitressing tables, she finds... Matt, sitting at one of her tables! Moreover, her behaves as if he had no idea who she is! What's the problem? Why is he like this? Is he going to break Eira's heart again? Or is there something more to him that meet the eye?
I must be honest, when I started reading the book I wasn't sure if it is a read for me at all, I just couldn't get hold of the rhythm and it took me some time to get into the heart of the story. Maybe because I was a little confused at the beginning with the switches between the times, something happened in the past, three years ago, five, something now and I really didn't know where I am right now. But soon, very soon, I got the rhythm of the novel and then it was only going with the flow.
I've already started to panic because the explanation about Matt and Oliver didn't come for a long time and I was really afraid that either I've missed something or there wouldn't be any explanation! And this would kill me because I really wanted to know what happened in the past and why those two brothers were apart. I'm not so sure if closing this sub - plot in this way was the most original, surprising thing, and if it worked so much for me, because to be honest it is not a book set in the medieval times and there were probably other options. But OK, the author's chosen it in this way and I really liked how she then let the events to continue - even though the two young men didn't meet in person.
Eira is a very likeable character, although at the beginning she was a little too whingey for my liking. On the other hand, OK, her fiancé has just dumped her, without a reason, even though everything looked so rosy - he even wanted to be included in the wedding planning! So yes, Eira could have been a little whingey, I think. And later she proved that there is everything to her: she's strong but she can also be weak, and she's not afraid of being weak. She has a wonderful relationship with her family - I absolutely adored this feeling of unconditional love between Eira and her mother and sister, especially sister - their conversations were so genuine and honest, light and easy, there was no awkwardness between them, as it often is between sisters, and they could always count on each other. Eira is authentic with her emotions and reactions to everything that happens, and to all the news, and I really admired her.
I also liked the fact that the author didn't choose the obvious way, because I'm sure that I'm not alone in thinking (at first at least!) with whom should Eira stay together. I mean, it would be a little too easy, right? And so, with this relationship - non - relationship it was absolutely gripping till the end. It was also great because Eira, well, I'm not sure, but I think she was not looking for a boyfriend so desperately, nevertheless she's deserved a boyfriend, a boyfriend that was going to cherish and love her.
This book describes the emotional journey of Eira, as she discovers what really happened, and it finally, eventually sets her free. She learnt to understand Matt and his decisions through this journey, but what's more important, she really found peace - with Matt and with herself. I think she only thought she's free, that she forgot, that she's living her life now, but in fact she was strongly rooted in the past and she was so easy to be hurt, and there were just too many questions unanswered for her. Thanks to this coincidence and Oliver and Charles coming to her restaurant, her life has finally circled back and she can now enjoy it whole - heartedly. And she's this kind of person that really, truly deserves it.
The ending may seem a little too rush, a little too abrupt for my liking, but nevertheless, it was a great end, a very surprising end, and it wonderfully wrapped up the whole story.
So yes, I really truly enjoyed this book and will be looking for more from Liesel Schmidt. I absolutely adore her writing style, it's easy to follow and very gentle, and yet she always knows when is the right moment to add a great, light one - liner or a scene that makes you laugh and feel relaxed. I wouldn't say it is a strict romance, as our character isn't looking for it, it's more an emotional journey through a piece of her life, and it's a moving story. It is not a book that you can be sure anything. Not that you get all the answers to your questions, not that there will be for sure a happy end, but perhaps this is what makes you keep reading, and makes the book unputdownable. It is really full of twists and turns and many secrets, and the plot is very clever. Highly recommended!
Copy received from the author in exchange for a review.
"The Secret of Us" follows Eira, who's just been dumped by the love of her life, her fiancé Matt, without any explanation, and the only thing he left in the restaurant when he did the act of dumping, was a napkin with his final message "I'm sorry". It takes Eira long to get her life in grip and when she thinks that everything is behind her, that she's safe after moving from North Carolina to Florida and working in a restaurant, waitressing tables, she finds... Matt, sitting at one of her tables! Moreover, her behaves as if he had no idea who she is! What's the problem? Why is he like this? Is he going to break Eira's heart again? Or is there something more to him that meet the eye?
I must be honest, when I started reading the book I wasn't sure if it is a read for me at all, I just couldn't get hold of the rhythm and it took me some time to get into the heart of the story. Maybe because I was a little confused at the beginning with the switches between the times, something happened in the past, three years ago, five, something now and I really didn't know where I am right now. But soon, very soon, I got the rhythm of the novel and then it was only going with the flow.
I've already started to panic because the explanation about Matt and Oliver didn't come for a long time and I was really afraid that either I've missed something or there wouldn't be any explanation! And this would kill me because I really wanted to know what happened in the past and why those two brothers were apart. I'm not so sure if closing this sub - plot in this way was the most original, surprising thing, and if it worked so much for me, because to be honest it is not a book set in the medieval times and there were probably other options. But OK, the author's chosen it in this way and I really liked how she then let the events to continue - even though the two young men didn't meet in person.
Eira is a very likeable character, although at the beginning she was a little too whingey for my liking. On the other hand, OK, her fiancé has just dumped her, without a reason, even though everything looked so rosy - he even wanted to be included in the wedding planning! So yes, Eira could have been a little whingey, I think. And later she proved that there is everything to her: she's strong but she can also be weak, and she's not afraid of being weak. She has a wonderful relationship with her family - I absolutely adored this feeling of unconditional love between Eira and her mother and sister, especially sister - their conversations were so genuine and honest, light and easy, there was no awkwardness between them, as it often is between sisters, and they could always count on each other. Eira is authentic with her emotions and reactions to everything that happens, and to all the news, and I really admired her.
I also liked the fact that the author didn't choose the obvious way, because I'm sure that I'm not alone in thinking (at first at least!) with whom should Eira stay together. I mean, it would be a little too easy, right? And so, with this relationship - non - relationship it was absolutely gripping till the end. It was also great because Eira, well, I'm not sure, but I think she was not looking for a boyfriend so desperately, nevertheless she's deserved a boyfriend, a boyfriend that was going to cherish and love her.
This book describes the emotional journey of Eira, as she discovers what really happened, and it finally, eventually sets her free. She learnt to understand Matt and his decisions through this journey, but what's more important, she really found peace - with Matt and with herself. I think she only thought she's free, that she forgot, that she's living her life now, but in fact she was strongly rooted in the past and she was so easy to be hurt, and there were just too many questions unanswered for her. Thanks to this coincidence and Oliver and Charles coming to her restaurant, her life has finally circled back and she can now enjoy it whole - heartedly. And she's this kind of person that really, truly deserves it.
The ending may seem a little too rush, a little too abrupt for my liking, but nevertheless, it was a great end, a very surprising end, and it wonderfully wrapped up the whole story.
So yes, I really truly enjoyed this book and will be looking for more from Liesel Schmidt. I absolutely adore her writing style, it's easy to follow and very gentle, and yet she always knows when is the right moment to add a great, light one - liner or a scene that makes you laugh and feel relaxed. I wouldn't say it is a strict romance, as our character isn't looking for it, it's more an emotional journey through a piece of her life, and it's a moving story. It is not a book that you can be sure anything. Not that you get all the answers to your questions, not that there will be for sure a happy end, but perhaps this is what makes you keep reading, and makes the book unputdownable. It is really full of twists and turns and many secrets, and the plot is very clever. Highly recommended!
Copy received from the author in exchange for a review.
July 27, 2018
After the opening relationship break-up, the story dragged on a bit too much with her rehashing the ordeal. It got interesting once, the other two characters came into it.
May 17, 2015
This book was an easy read but one with real depth of feeling. It was packed with emotion throughout. Eira’s devastation at the end of her relationship with Matt is clearly related by Liesel Schmidt, as is her shock when she later unexpectedly meets someone who can explain what has happened. I felt that the author wrote movingly and convincingly about Eira’s feelings and emotional turmoil as gradually she begins to understand what happened and why Matt left her. The relationships between Eira and her family and friend Maggie are also well described. However, the relationships with and revelations that come from Oliver and Charles are the real essence of this book. Although they both help Eira to understand what has happened to Matt, she too helps them to come to terms with the effects on their lives. In a way, they all need each other to come to a full understanding and acceptance of events – to be able to move on with their own lives. I did feel that it took a little too long for Eira to finally be told about Matt and would have liked this to be revealed earlier in the book. The ending is not perhaps what you might expect earlier in the book but it is a very pleasing one. As Eira can see “all around …. possibilities and new life beginnings”.
May 25, 2015
Firstly I would like to thank the lovely Liesel for asking me if I would like to review her new novella. I had read her first novella Coming Home To You, which was a really enjoyable and emotional read. So I was very excited to read The Secret Of Us. I would also like to thank Netgally for providing me a copy and to Carina UK for publishing another wonderful reading experience from Liesel Schmidt.
The Secret Of Us is a very compelling and emotional read. Liesel has written the story from the main character Eira's point of view; which gives you the reader a real connection with her and the turmoil of the emotion she goes through, through out this story. Liesel you had me hooked from the very start and I would highly recommend this novella. I really enjoyed the writing stile and can't wait for more from this lovely author.
The Secret Of Us is a very compelling and emotional read. Liesel has written the story from the main character Eira's point of view; which gives you the reader a real connection with her and the turmoil of the emotion she goes through, through out this story. Liesel you had me hooked from the very start and I would highly recommend this novella. I really enjoyed the writing stile and can't wait for more from this lovely author.
May 20, 2015
Eira is devastated when her fiance Matt takes her to "their restaurant" and dumps her - to add insult to injury she goes to the toilet and comes back to find a napkin with "I'm sorry" written on it and Matt gone. She moves away from North Carolina and decides to start afresh and gets a new job waitressing in a restaurant - imagine her surprise when at one of the tables she finds Matt, acting as though he has never met her before.
Through various people she begins to understand what happened and it is a great book about relationships and the way that people deal with them and one that you definitely do no want to put down
Through various people she begins to understand what happened and it is a great book about relationships and the way that people deal with them and one that you definitely do no want to put down
May 24, 2015
Good book a bit discombobulated with all the different characters that were intruduced when they did and how they were intruduced, I found it a bit to tame and the protagonist was portrayed as a real pushover when she was rejected by her fiancée repeatedly.
May 11, 2015
No spoilers review here: https://lindasbookbag.wordpress.com/2...
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