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The Secret He Keeps
Dr. Rachel Miller has no recollection of what happened that night she climbed in the car with her husband and he drove recklessly into a tree. She has no clue as to why she survived and he didn’t. Nor does she understand why strangers are coming up to her on the street and telling her things she can’t recall about a life that seems so long ago. But Dane Stone knows.
Dane Stone is Rachel’s business partner...and her deceased husband’s best friend. He knows about the notes, the hotel receipt, and the reason she got in the car that night. It’s for her protection that he keeps the secret, but inside he’s dying to tell her.
Dane Stone is Rachel’s business partner...and her deceased husband’s best friend. He knows about the notes, the hotel receipt, and the reason she got in the car that night. It’s for her protection that he keeps the secret, but inside he’s dying to tell her.
276 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 8, 2016
2 people are currently reading
418 people want to read
About the author
Julieann Dove
19 books855 followersJulieann lives in Virginia, yet longs to live everywhere else. It doesn’t come as a surprise that along with her gypsy soul, comes an active imagination. That’s why she loves to write and invent worlds and people, so that she can formulate their happily ever after. Hobbies include cooking new recipes, sewing, and spending time with her cute boyfriend/husband and eight fabulous children. Vacations happen in Nantucket or the Carolina beaches—anywhere there is inspiration for her next book. One day she hopes to travel to Italy, drive one of those little cars around the countryside, and speak the language fluently!
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November 21, 2016
April 24, 2017
struggled with this one...review soon!
***ARC provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review***
December 25, 2016
Secrets always have a way of coming out no matter how hard we try to hide them. “The Secrets He Keeps" by Juliann Dove accurately depicts this statement.
This is my first time reading anything written by the author, but as soon as I read the blurb I knew I had to get a copy of this book. I figured that this would have been an emotional read and I was not disappointed. I am not sure I would have classified this as a romance. The emphasis was more on learning to cope with a devastating loss rather than falling in love.What I liked about this story was the portrayal of the effects that the grieving process can have on an individual. We all grieve in our own way and sometimes it can take us down a path of destruction. This was the effect it had on Dr. Rachel Miller.
At the beginning of the story, we see Rachel grieving the loss of her husband for over a year. During this time, she had isolated herself from her friends, family, and co-workers. She was in a state of depression and was on the verge of becoming an alcoholic. Added to that she had no recollection of the events leading up to her husband’s death. All she knew was that she survived the very accident that took her husband’s life.
Rachel struggled to keep the best memories of her husband alive even when the ugly ones tried to raise their heads. She refused to accept any information, regardless of whom it came from, that would put her husband in a bad light, and she was not willing to move on as she felt it would be a betrayal to do so. The story was an accurate reflection of how at times the truth can be a painful pill to swallow. However, for one to move forward one has to be willing to accept the truth no matter how painful it can be. Rachel was not willing to accept the truth and so she repressed the bad memories. The further I got into the story, it became clear why she was not willing to and it was at this point that I began to understand her actions.
The story was told from three POVs, but the two that stood out was that of Rachel and Dane. Seeing the story through their eyes allowed me to relate to their pain, their struggles and them coming to terms with their feelings towards each other. I am still trying to figure out how John, whose POV was also provided fits into the story. When I was first introduced to him I thought he would have played a big part in the story. However, after some time his character fizzled out never to be heard from again.
The pacing was good, there was never a dull moment. I was curious to know the secrets that were being kept. I had my suspicions about the secrets, but there was one in particular that shocked me to the core. I honestly never saw that one coming.
Although I enjoyed the story, there were some issues I had that prevented me from giving it a higher rating.
1. What happened to John? It was evident that he and Rachel had a connection, but this was never explored fully. Did he go back to his fiancé? It would have been good to have the answer to these questions.
2. The story ended rather abruptly. It felt as if the author was in a rush to complete the story and in the process cheated her readers. In all honesty, I was expecting an ending that would have put a smile on my face and bring tears to my eyes.
Overall, this was an enjoyable read and one that I would recommend.
This is my first time reading anything written by the author, but as soon as I read the blurb I knew I had to get a copy of this book. I figured that this would have been an emotional read and I was not disappointed. I am not sure I would have classified this as a romance. The emphasis was more on learning to cope with a devastating loss rather than falling in love.What I liked about this story was the portrayal of the effects that the grieving process can have on an individual. We all grieve in our own way and sometimes it can take us down a path of destruction. This was the effect it had on Dr. Rachel Miller.
At the beginning of the story, we see Rachel grieving the loss of her husband for over a year. During this time, she had isolated herself from her friends, family, and co-workers. She was in a state of depression and was on the verge of becoming an alcoholic. Added to that she had no recollection of the events leading up to her husband’s death. All she knew was that she survived the very accident that took her husband’s life.
Rachel struggled to keep the best memories of her husband alive even when the ugly ones tried to raise their heads. She refused to accept any information, regardless of whom it came from, that would put her husband in a bad light, and she was not willing to move on as she felt it would be a betrayal to do so. The story was an accurate reflection of how at times the truth can be a painful pill to swallow. However, for one to move forward one has to be willing to accept the truth no matter how painful it can be. Rachel was not willing to accept the truth and so she repressed the bad memories. The further I got into the story, it became clear why she was not willing to and it was at this point that I began to understand her actions.
The story was told from three POVs, but the two that stood out was that of Rachel and Dane. Seeing the story through their eyes allowed me to relate to their pain, their struggles and them coming to terms with their feelings towards each other. I am still trying to figure out how John, whose POV was also provided fits into the story. When I was first introduced to him I thought he would have played a big part in the story. However, after some time his character fizzled out never to be heard from again.
The pacing was good, there was never a dull moment. I was curious to know the secrets that were being kept. I had my suspicions about the secrets, but there was one in particular that shocked me to the core. I honestly never saw that one coming.
Although I enjoyed the story, there were some issues I had that prevented me from giving it a higher rating.
1. What happened to John? It was evident that he and Rachel had a connection, but this was never explored fully. Did he go back to his fiancé? It would have been good to have the answer to these questions.
2. The story ended rather abruptly. It felt as if the author was in a rush to complete the story and in the process cheated her readers. In all honesty, I was expecting an ending that would have put a smile on my face and bring tears to my eyes.
Overall, this was an enjoyable read and one that I would recommend.
December 22, 2016
By the time I read a new book that I get, I forget what the synopsis was. So, I just start reading. This story is about a girl, Rachel, who has lost her memory of the last year of her married life with her now deceased husband, Scott. At the beginning of the book almost a year has passed since he died in a car accident with Rachel in the car as well.
During this time after wards, Rachel is a hermit. She is depressed and doesn’t really leave her home. When she crosses path with an electrician fixing the power to her home, she thinks maybe she is ready to move on. She does get out more but decides she isn’t ready to date yet.
That’s when Dane her partner at her medical practice steps in. As he tries to get her to come back to work, she becomes nervous. She feels safe with him but also feels guilty because of her feelings for Dane feel like betrayal yet also safe.
Rachel starts learning bits and pieces of her last year of marriage and of the man Scott was becoming. She was trying to figure out what happened to him and why he was changing.
The mystery of Scott wasn’t fully resolved until the very end. Rachel had a hard time coming to terms with it because all she could remember were the good times with him. I liked that it was a mystery and where you had clues you aren’t 100% sure because the author would tell you something else to try to get you to be unsure yourself.
The point of view changes between, the electrician, Rachel and Dane. The book goes back and forth in time to give you the full picture by the end of the book. Sometimes, I found it hard to know whose POV’s I was reading and whether it was present or past since it wasn’t really separated in the chapter for me. It could have been due to the fact it was an arc?
The thing that bothered me the most was that it ended very abruptly. Ok, I just learned what happened and I am okay with it all- the end!! Nope, I don’t like that type of ending.
Overall, the story was cute, my husband has loss of memory from an accident and I could relate to that aspect very well.
Dane is a good man, even though there were some things I didn’t like that he did. I love holidays with family and this was during thanksgiving and Christmas and New Years and I love all the family drama and still everyone loves everyone. It was a little sad the history that Rachel has lived with all her life. I felt for her.
During this time after wards, Rachel is a hermit. She is depressed and doesn’t really leave her home. When she crosses path with an electrician fixing the power to her home, she thinks maybe she is ready to move on. She does get out more but decides she isn’t ready to date yet.
That’s when Dane her partner at her medical practice steps in. As he tries to get her to come back to work, she becomes nervous. She feels safe with him but also feels guilty because of her feelings for Dane feel like betrayal yet also safe.
Rachel starts learning bits and pieces of her last year of marriage and of the man Scott was becoming. She was trying to figure out what happened to him and why he was changing.
The mystery of Scott wasn’t fully resolved until the very end. Rachel had a hard time coming to terms with it because all she could remember were the good times with him. I liked that it was a mystery and where you had clues you aren’t 100% sure because the author would tell you something else to try to get you to be unsure yourself.
The point of view changes between, the electrician, Rachel and Dane. The book goes back and forth in time to give you the full picture by the end of the book. Sometimes, I found it hard to know whose POV’s I was reading and whether it was present or past since it wasn’t really separated in the chapter for me. It could have been due to the fact it was an arc?
The thing that bothered me the most was that it ended very abruptly. Ok, I just learned what happened and I am okay with it all- the end!! Nope, I don’t like that type of ending.
Overall, the story was cute, my husband has loss of memory from an accident and I could relate to that aspect very well.
Dane is a good man, even though there were some things I didn’t like that he did. I love holidays with family and this was during thanksgiving and Christmas and New Years and I love all the family drama and still everyone loves everyone. It was a little sad the history that Rachel has lived with all her life. I felt for her.
October 25, 2016
Surprisingly sweet, a little dark and a whole lot interesting. I loved that this story was slightly different from other romance books in being that the main hero started off seemingly a secondary character. If I hadn't read the synopsis I might have been rooting for her and John. Very good story by an author new to me. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC in exchange for a honest review.
April 3, 2017
I could not get into this book at all! The majority of the first quarter of the book all takes place in the main character's head. There's very little interaction with another person (except for some random electrician who knocks on her door). The basis of the story sounded really good, but when you read page after page of someone's thoughts you tend to lose interest.
DNF
** ARC received from Netgalley **
DNF
** ARC received from Netgalley **
October 14, 2016
I read this in beta, and enjoyed it from the small town setting to the secrets.
February 6, 2017
Rachel’s living room smelled like stagnant smoke and dust. Rachel had given numbers to all the things that made her feel abandoned Rachel’s dog Gus was her only friend in the world and was the only one who was witness to the destruction Rachel’s life had become. Rachel had been married to Scott but Scott had died in a car accident he had been driving in drunk with Rachel in the car. Rachel blamed herself for not taking the keys or otherwise stopping Scott from driving in that condition and wished she had died instead of him. But Rachel has no memory of what really happened or of the last year of Scott’s and her marriage or life together. Scott has been dead 10 months and 2 days. The last time Rachel had a guest to her house was 4 months ago and it had been her mother. Yet it was 7 am and someone was knocking at her door. It was a man Rachel didn’t recognize and he was walking away. John Witzel had been the man at Rachel’s door, he was a utility worker after the bad storm that had just swept through. John thought Rachel was beautiful but left as he had a rule about women no dating outside of a bar. John could talk to women in a bar and they weren’t off limits to his rule. John had an ex fiance named Kelly thirteen months after they started together Kelly cheated with a coworker and it was six months before john’s and Kelly's wedding. Now John was finished with girls. Rachel tried to turn down the voices in her head that said she was a loser and she would never make it without her husband. Rachel was so lonely she couldn’t take it anymore. Rachel was a doctor and had a practice waiting for her. Scott’s best friend Dane was Rachel's partner in the practice. Rachel had a therapist who was trying to get Rachel to remember her lost memories of the year and the accident. Scott and Rachel had spent a lot of time with Dane and her therapist told her to ask Dane about that year but Rachel hadn’t talked to Dane recently. Now Rachel was drinking a lot herself to get through the day. Rachel had already attempted suicide but had been found before it was too late. Dane was already in love with Rachel and had stayed at her side as much as he could while she was at the hospital. Dane had been in love with Rachel since he had seen her at a bar, but Dane stepped back and let his best friend Scott go after and marry Rachel. But then Scott starting drinking a lot more until he fell into alcoholism. Rachel finds she has feelings for Dane but feels guilty about it. Rachel knows she must start living again and starts to find clues to what happened that night and the year before. She finds Scott was no saint as she goes on.
I liked this story and the plot . but at times this dragged for me. But my heart went out to Rachel as I am a young widow my husband's death was from a totally different reason but it takes a long time to get even halfway over it.. This story was very real to me in a big way just different circumstances but still the strong grief. It was sad that Scott became a different man as his alcoholism worsened. I loved how Dane was there for Rachel even when she didn’t want to live and was acting like Scott had been a great person and Dane knew that wasn't true. But this got a little confusing at times and also whatever happened to John? It was hard to tell what was in the past and what was in the present at times. This did keep your interest and turning the pages to see what would happen next. All and all a good read and I enjoyed how people who cared and loved Rachel didn’t give up on her . i loved the characters and the twists and turns of this story. However I thought the ending was a little rushed but I still recommend.
I liked this story and the plot . but at times this dragged for me. But my heart went out to Rachel as I am a young widow my husband's death was from a totally different reason but it takes a long time to get even halfway over it.. This story was very real to me in a big way just different circumstances but still the strong grief. It was sad that Scott became a different man as his alcoholism worsened. I loved how Dane was there for Rachel even when she didn’t want to live and was acting like Scott had been a great person and Dane knew that wasn't true. But this got a little confusing at times and also whatever happened to John? It was hard to tell what was in the past and what was in the present at times. This did keep your interest and turning the pages to see what would happen next. All and all a good read and I enjoyed how people who cared and loved Rachel didn’t give up on her . i loved the characters and the twists and turns of this story. However I thought the ending was a little rushed but I still recommend.
December 10, 2016
Rating: 4.78
Memory is a fickle thing. We can choose to remember what we want when we want. But it's somethig Rachel doesn't have after her deceased husband, Scott is killed in a drunken car accident. She doesn't understand why she can't remember anything on thte night or leading to the accident. But blaming herself on Scott'sdeath is something she's been dealing with the grief. Rachel doesn't understand why people in her townkeep telling her completly different memories from the man she married and fell in love with. She doesn't know why she's attracted to her partner and best friend of her decased husband, Dane. She's been in grief for a long time. It was a bit confusing, because sometimes I didn't know whether it was her past or her present. But other than that, Rachel was relatable, becuae it's hard losing the person you love. I loved how much her friends and family cared about her even though she wasn't up to it AT ALL. When the mystery of what was the 'memory' that she lost was revealed; I was a bit flabbergasted. I thought it was something different. I loved the writing style of this novel which wrote a story of grief, love and redemption.
Dane can't tell her. If he could tell her, he wouldn't have to see the girl he loves hurt. Yes, Dane is in love with his deceased best friend, Scott since he laid eyes on her in a bar. But he practically gave Rachel to Scott and he watched him turn into an acholic. Rachel little does she know that, she was in love with Dance so e wants to make her fall in love with him again. Maybe itt'll make her remember. I really wish he would've told her earlier so I could see their relationship flourished, but I only got a taste of it towards the end. I shipped them towards the beginning. I really loved the storytelling and the fow of Dane and Rachel's relationship.
Final Thoughts:I loved othe characters, the ease of Dane and Rachel's relationship. Love is clumsy, messy and complicated. but thar's life isn't it.
Memory is a fickle thing. We can choose to remember what we want when we want. But it's somethig Rachel doesn't have after her deceased husband, Scott is killed in a drunken car accident. She doesn't understand why she can't remember anything on thte night or leading to the accident. But blaming herself on Scott'sdeath is something she's been dealing with the grief. Rachel doesn't understand why people in her townkeep telling her completly different memories from the man she married and fell in love with. She doesn't know why she's attracted to her partner and best friend of her decased husband, Dane. She's been in grief for a long time. It was a bit confusing, because sometimes I didn't know whether it was her past or her present. But other than that, Rachel was relatable, becuae it's hard losing the person you love. I loved how much her friends and family cared about her even though she wasn't up to it AT ALL. When the mystery of what was the 'memory' that she lost was revealed; I was a bit flabbergasted. I thought it was something different. I loved the writing style of this novel which wrote a story of grief, love and redemption.
Dane can't tell her. If he could tell her, he wouldn't have to see the girl he loves hurt. Yes, Dane is in love with his deceased best friend, Scott since he laid eyes on her in a bar. But he practically gave Rachel to Scott and he watched him turn into an acholic. Rachel little does she know that, she was in love with Dance so e wants to make her fall in love with him again. Maybe itt'll make her remember. I really wish he would've told her earlier so I could see their relationship flourished, but I only got a taste of it towards the end. I shipped them towards the beginning. I really loved the storytelling and the fow of Dane and Rachel's relationship.
Final Thoughts:I loved othe characters, the ease of Dane and Rachel's relationship. Love is clumsy, messy and complicated. but thar's life isn't it.
December 10, 2016
This was a different read for me because this story was in the mystery genre as well. I went into this story brand new and not expecting the emotional roller coaster that I was taken on. The secrets he keep tells the story of Rachel. Rachel was in a terrible car accident along with her husband, but, unfortunately, her husband died in the accident. As a result of the accident, Rachel has lost her long term memory for the one year before the accident and leading up to the accident. Rachel is fighting to normalize her life and to move on from the death of her husband. What makes this story so interesting is the emotional journey that Rachel goes through and Rachel's desire to remember her husband as this saint, instead of the man that everyone is telling her about.
The book starts off with Rachel in her living room and from there the story takes me hostage and I am a willing participant. I was thrown a curveball when Rachel's love interest changed. I loved Dane and John as the heroes and the chemistry between Rachel and John was evident. The author wrote this book so well that I was put in Rachel's place trying to figure out what will happen next. The one thing that I loved about this story was the ending. Everything comes to play and the one thing that I thought I knew, turned out to be the complete opposite. This story was exciting, emotional, real, and mysterious. I did not put this book down and I was depressed when it ended. I really enjoyed this story and it is a must read.
The book starts off with Rachel in her living room and from there the story takes me hostage and I am a willing participant. I was thrown a curveball when Rachel's love interest changed. I loved Dane and John as the heroes and the chemistry between Rachel and John was evident. The author wrote this book so well that I was put in Rachel's place trying to figure out what will happen next. The one thing that I loved about this story was the ending. Everything comes to play and the one thing that I thought I knew, turned out to be the complete opposite. This story was exciting, emotional, real, and mysterious. I did not put this book down and I was depressed when it ended. I really enjoyed this story and it is a must read.
December 8, 2016
this is the second book that ive read by this author and they just keep getting better. you will definitely be hooked from the first page, this book will keep you hanging till the very end. This is a sweet but sometimes dark story. This book has fantastic characters and is a very good story. I cant wait to read by this author in the future.
Highly recommended
I voluntarily reviewed an advance reader copy of this book
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Highly recommended
I voluntarily reviewed an advance reader copy of this book
https://obsessedbookreviews.wordpress...
https://www.facebook.com/obsessedbook...
November 28, 2016
I got an ARC Copy of this book
I really loved this book so much
We first meet Rachel who is trying to find out what happen before the accident that killed her husband.
I loved reading this book because never have I read a book like this before .
This book also keeps you hanging till the end of its all ends
I really loved this book so much
We first meet Rachel who is trying to find out what happen before the accident that killed her husband.
I loved reading this book because never have I read a book like this before .
This book also keeps you hanging till the end of its all ends
November 6, 2016
This book was good, the kept you hanging till the very end on what happened that dreadful night her husband died. For a year she was depressed from loosing her husband and then she started finding clues but her mind wasn't wanting to remember her husband right before the accident.
December 4, 2016
The book was okay but it didn’t work for me because I had a hard time getting into it. I just didn’t connect with the main charters (the ones that were and dead). I found my mind wondering and I just didn’t care why Rachel forgot the year before her husband’s death or why she wanted to remember the night he died.
An ARC provided via NetGalley in exchange of an honest review
An ARC provided via NetGalley in exchange of an honest review
August 12, 2019
Dr. Rachel Miller was in a car accident and can not remember the year before the accident but one man Dane Stone knows but will not let her know he does. A well written story that keeps you guessing until the end. I received a copy of this book through Net Galley and I am voluntarily reviewing.
November 20, 2017
I liked it!
October 12, 2023
Read a few years ago
October 24, 2016
via netgalley
an ok read
an ok read
January 8, 2017
ARC kindly provided by Netgalley for an honest review.
Interesting read with lots of promise.
However, the story was quite slow, and the ending very abrupt. The different POVs were very enjoyable.
Interesting read with lots of promise.
However, the story was quite slow, and the ending very abrupt. The different POVs were very enjoyable.
February 6, 2017
This was a difficult book to read. I really struggled to get into it and found it very laborious. The premise was good but I don't think it was executed very well. I could see why John's character was in the book, however, I think his story was very much a loose end and it really needed to be tied up. I also didn't much care for Rachel, I found her to be morose, very selfish and self centred. The ending was very abrupt after so much build up to "the secret", which I'd guessed correctly anyway. I think it would've been good to have an epilogue too. The best thing about the book was Dane, his character alone kept me going when I was struggling to continue reading. Overall it was disappointing.
December 10, 2016
DNF.
Apparently, this author's writing style just isn't for me. Second book I've attempted; 2nd DNF.
Spending only a dozen pages inside the heroine's head is too much, and I don't understand why we're given a glimpse into a random guy's head on page 6 (there's only 111 pages total, we don't have time to delve into non-main characters' psyches!)
Only made it about 10% in. Life is too short, and my TBR pile is too long.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.
Apparently, this author's writing style just isn't for me. Second book I've attempted; 2nd DNF.
Spending only a dozen pages inside the heroine's head is too much, and I don't understand why we're given a glimpse into a random guy's head on page 6 (there's only 111 pages total, we don't have time to delve into non-main characters' psyches!)
Only made it about 10% in. Life is too short, and my TBR pile is too long.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.
August 11, 2017
This review is based on the ARC received from the author and or the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest opinion.
I enjoyed parts of this story quite a lot. Some were unnecessarily there and extremely offensive. When the author addresses the issue the critique I left in NetGalley, I will definitely adjust my rating accordingly.
I enjoyed parts of this story quite a lot. Some were unnecessarily there and extremely offensive. When the author addresses the issue the critique I left in NetGalley, I will definitely adjust my rating accordingly.
November 19, 2016
I wasn't very impressed to be honest. I have a pet hate and that is the characters talking inside their heads, it irritates me, i know it is difficult because Rachel is alone alot but she rambles in her head and talks to the dog. It just didn't work for me.
April 3, 2017
was kind of torn with this book. I enjoyed it, the writing and such. but it wasn't what I thought it was going to be. The authors way of writing was good, I can see myself reading more of her books, but in my opinion this book dragged on a bit too much. I was expecting a bit more "edge of your seat" suspense but the build up didn't start until towards the end of the book. I like the ending where the twist was finally revealed, that let me with a slack jaw. It was unexpected but could have been revealed earlier in the story so the characters could have more time to digest what happened. Overall, not a bad read.
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews