Secrets We Keep

by Faith Hogan

Two distant relatives, drawn together in companionship are forced to confront their pasts and learn that some people are good at keeping secrets and some secrets are never meant to be kept. A bittersweet story of love, loss and life. Perfect for the fans of Patricia Scanlon and Adele Parks. The beautiful old Bath House in Ballytokeep has lain empty and abandoned for decades. For devoted pensioners Archie and Iris, it holds too many conflicting memories of their adolescent dalliances and tragic consequences - sometimes it's better to leave the past where it belongs.For highflying, top London divorce lawyer Kate Hunt, it's a fresh start - maybe even her future. On a winter visit to see her estranged Aunt Iris she falls in love with the Bath House. Inspired, she moves to Ballytokeep leaving her past heartache 600 miles away - but can you ever escape your past or your destiny? Two distant relatives, drawn together in companionship are forced to confront their pasts and learn that some people are good at keeping secrets and some secrets are never meant to be kept.

Praise for Faith Hogan
'I absolute loved this perfect Autumn-y read - Faith Hogan really is a name to watch out for' Claudia Carroll.

'An intricately woven story of love, jealousy and misunderstanding' Diney Costeloe, author of The Throwaway Children.

Genres: Romance, Fiction, Chick Lit, Contemporary, Audiobook, Relationships

ebook

First published January 1, 2017

About the author

Faith Hogan is a bestselling author of twelve novels. She writes grown up women's fiction which is unashamedly uplifting, feel good and inspiring.

Her latest novel is The Sisters of Hope Square - set in the west of Ireland - it has been described as a book to fall in love with.

She also writes crime fiction as Geraldine Hogan. Her Corbally series is out now.

You can find out more about Faith on her website www.faithhogan.com
www.Facebook/FaithHogan.com
@gerhogan

Reviews

[Dale Harcombe · Rating 3 out of 5]

Three and a half stars.
The story starts in Dublin in 1988 when Kate’s father leaves her and her mother. Then it moves back to 1956 and the story of Iris. The reader knows when in the next chapter it moves to Kate’s story in the present that somehow the story of Iris and Kate with connect. And they do for Iris is Kate’s great aunt. When Kate decides she has had enough of their job as a high powered divorce lawyer she seeks refuge at Ballytokeep with Iris and her long time husband Archie. There Kate discovers the old Bath House which still belongs to Iris and Archie but has because of past memories and secrets has been neglected and allowed to fall into disrepair. Kate falls in love with the village and the old Bath House and makes some drastic changes in her life. But then just when Kate thought she had escaped her past comes back to find her. What will that mean for Kate and the life she had planned?
As well as Iris and Kate’s stories there are chapters about two others. One is Todd, an aging rock star and the other from 1957 is Robert, Archie’s brother. For a while I just wished the narrative would settle down instead of flipping from one time and person to the next but eventually it settled into a rhythm. And eventually secrets are revealed that have been kept for years.
The setting is beautiful and the characters are interesting. While I quite enjoyed it, and it did keep my interest, it never totally captivated me. I wasn’t keen on the ending at all. However I would be interested to read another of this author’s books.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

All of my reviews can be found on www.novelgossip.com


This was an utterly gorgeous story about two women that need to face their demons and move on from past mistakes. Speaking of gorgeous, that cover is stunning! Kate is a successful lawyer from London who decides to visit her aunt and uncle in the quaint and charming town of Ballytokeep. Iris is the aunt and she’s been married for over fifty years and runs a hotel with her husband. Both women had some painful moments in their past that they’re trying to recover from and both have been heartbroken in a tragic way. When Kate arrives in town she is immediately swept away by the vast beauty of the town, but mostly she’s enchanted by the old bathhouse and decides on a whim to renovate it and leave her old life behind. As these two estranged relatives begin to get to know each other, old secrets come to the surface and they discover that maybe secrets aren’t meant to be kept.

This is told primarily from Kate and Iris’ point of view, Kate in the present day and Iris in both the past and in the 1950’s. Two men also narrate a few important chapters; Todd an aging rockstar who is a typical bad boy in the present day and Robert a charming young man in the past. I loved the back and forth, the chapters from the past gave this a historical feel and as I kept reading I was eager to see how past and present would collide.

Both Kate and Iris were easy to like, you could easily imagine being friends with either of them. Iris is a loving wife to her husband Archie, she’s a natural caretaker and a has a doting personality. Kate is worn out from her high profile lifestyle and craves peace and her first chance at a real family connection. The setting was breathtaking, Hogan’s writing style conjured up rich and vivid images of a seemingly idyllic place. I know Ballytokeep is a fictional place, but that didn’t stop me from longing to visit the bathhouse!

Family secrets never fail to hook me and there were many unexpected moments as these mysteries were revealed. Reading this was like a breath of fresh air, I was captivated by the story, the writing and the lovely characters. Hogan infused so much warmth into this book even during dark moments and I was both satisfied and sad when I finished, but only because this beautiful book was over.

[Suze · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kate has distant relatives in Ballytokeep. She's tired of her prestigious job in London and needs a break. She stays with Iris and Archie. Iris is her grandmother's sister and Archie is her husband. They're the only family Kate has left. They make her feel welcome and being near the beach does Kate a world of good. She finally has the chance to think about her life. She'd like to start over, to finally heal after having a broken heart for ten years. However, can she really let go of the past or does it still influence her, even when she's in Ballytokeep?

Rockstar Todd is at a crossroads. He's getting a little too old for his lifestyle and his friends are all married. Is it time for him to settle down as well or can he still live the life he's given up everything for and party and drink as much as in the early days of his career? Ballytokeep keeps attracting him and he's thinking about staying there for a while. Would that be a wise choice?

Iris led a turbulent life. She's now the owner of a lovely hotel and she and Archie are happy together. Her past was difficult and filled with tragedy, but she also found love and companionship. Fortunately she has Archie, who is the kindest man she's ever met. Archie isn't as fit as he used to be anymore. How long can they still run their hotel together? Kate is a welcome surprise, maybe she can bring back some light into their lives again.

Secrets We Keep is a beautiful story set in both the past and the present. I equally enjoyed reading about Iris, Kate and Todd. Faith Hogan's characters are fascinating and she kept surprising me with unexpected twists and turns in their lives, which captivated me straight away. I read the book in one sitting and couldn't put it down. I was too engrossed in the secrets of the past and the tragedies and victories of the present, which are all very interesting.

Iris is an adventurous person. She's talented and smart and she follows her heart. Her impulsiveness leads to trouble, but it also helps her to find the most wonderful thing there is. Kate is a sweetheart. She works hard for others and doesn't have much of a life. It's time to change that and when she discovers Ballytokeep's old Bath House she falls in love immediately. I couldn't wait to find out where that would lead. Todd is a rock star in every possible way. He likes the parties, the drinks, the girls and being admired, but he isn't as vigorous as he used to be. Maybe it's time to reflect and to overthink the mistakes he's made in the past. I loved the growth in his personality and enjoyed the changes in the way he sees Kate. Kate finds more in Ballytokeep in a few months than she has found in years in London and that's mainly due to the people she meets. The main characters are terrific and together they make Secrets We Keep intriguing and complete.

Ballytokeep is a stunning setting. Faith Hogan describes it in a fabulously thorough and vivid way. I fell in love with the place straight away and could imagine why the main characters never wanted to leave again. BallytoKeep is a place with a personality and I found that absolutely fantastic. There are many secrets and Faith Hogan expertly creates tension, which she releases in small dosages. Her writing style is gripping and I like that even though her story does contain plenty of highs and lows her tone of voice remains relatively light, so that the story gets a good balance. I highly recommend this amazing book.

[Mairead Hearne (swirlandthread.com) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Secrets We Keep is a novel that completely surprised me.

Described as a ‘a bittersweet story of love, loss and life’, for me it was even more than that. Maybe it’s because I’m Irish. Maybe it’s the familiarity of many of the landmarks visited in the book. Maybe, just maybe, it brought back some hidden memories of my own. Whatever the reasons, Secrets We Keep is a book I got completely immersed in as I travelled between the 1950s and the present day.

Iris, a young lady with the world at her feet, makes a life changing decision back in a 1950’s Ireland. This decision takes her from the city of Dublin to the very chic streets of Paris where Iris learns to deal with the consequences of her actions and attempts to make peace with herself.

Meanwhile, Kate Hunt, a high-flying lawyer based in present-day London, has experienced a huge heartache that has left her reeling for years. Unable to withstand the constant pressure and loneliness that has become her norm, Kate decides to pay a visit to her gran-aunt who lives off the West Coast of Ireland in the small village of Ballytokeep.

Ballytokeep may appear rather unusual as a village name but considering there is a village in my home county called Ballydehob, not so strange to me!! Faith Hogan has based her idea on a lovely town in Co. Sligo, named Enniscrone. I recall visiting Enniscrone many years back and been blown away by the beauty of the beach, It’s not hard to imagine Kate coming here to clear out a few cobwebs.

Kate arrives at Ballytokeep and moves in with her relative Iris and Iris’ husband Archie. Now, quite elderly, Iris and Archie, immediately warm to Kate. She puts a little spark back in their lives but she also resurrects a few memories that have been kept hidden for years. Iris and Archie are the proprietors of a small, old local hotel and it’s not long before Kate is completely absorbed by the atmosphere of the hotel and that of the village.

I immediately warmed to Iris and Archie. Their affection for each other is palpable off each page and yet they have a past that they have kept buried for years.

Kate, Iris and Archie all have experienced tragedies in their lives and Faith Hogan expertly weaves these stories together with the most dramatic backdrop of the Wild Atlantic Way.

For reasons I can’t begin to explain, this book really struck a chord with me. The book is littered with historical references to a 1950’s Ireland, a time of post war change, where society was not altogether ready for the inevitable adjustments that were unfolding before them.

In contrast, we see Kate. a modern woman who has adapted to this very fast-paced society we live in, yet still it’s not enough. Something is missing….

With Kate’s story, Faith Hogan has picked up on our apparent need to want it all and yet our underlying need to just stop and literally smell the roses, or in this case the sea-air!!

Secrets We Keep is a heartwarming, poignant and inspiring read for all. There is peacefulness in Faith Hogan’s writing that I have really enjoyed and quite honestly I was disappointed when I turned the last page.

It’s a book I totally recommend that really will bring a little warmth into your life…sure we could all do with a little of that in this busy and frantic world we live in…

[Sue Wallace · Rating 5 out of 5]

Secrets We keep by faith Hogan is a women's fiction and general fiction (adult) read.
Two distant relatives, drawn together in companionship are forced to confront their pasts and learn that some people are good at keeping secrets and some secrets are never meant to be kept. A bittersweet story of love, loss and life. Perfect for the fans of Freya North and Amanda Prowse.
The beautiful old Bath House in Ballytokeep has lain empty and abandoned for decades. For devoted pensioners Archie and Iris, it holds too many conflicting memories of their adolescent dalliances and tragic consequences - sometimes it’s better to leave the past where it belongs.
For highflying, top London divorce lawyer Kate Hunt, it’s a fresh start – maybe even her future. On a winter visit to see her estranged Aunt Iris she falls in love with the Bath House. Inspired, she moves to Ballytokeep leaving her past heartache 600 miles away – but can you ever escape your past or your destiny?
An absolutely fantastic read with brilliant characters. Lovely feel good read. Highly recommended. 5*. I voluntarily reviewed an advanced copy of this book from netgalley.

[Fictionophile · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kate Hunt, a successful London lawyer, takes a much needed break from the 'rat race'. She escapes in late December by visiting her great aunt Iris who owns a guest house in the charming village of Ballytokeep. Even the name is charming! The peace, the fresh air, and the delightful company of her Aunt Iris and Uncle Archie are just the tonic Kate needs.

On one of her winter beach rambles she comes across a beautiful old bath house, which she discovers is owned by her Aunt and Uncle. They abandoned it years ago, when the memories of the place, and its upkeep, became too much of a burden. On her second visit to the atmospheric old building, she meets a neighboring sheep farmer,

She fell in love with the old building. Since she feels 'burnt out' with her legal career in London, and since encountering her ex-fiance there is both humiliating and painful, Kate decides to take the drastic move of 'upping sticks' and moving to Ballytokeep.

With the help of her new friends, she brings the bathhouse into the present. Utilizing it as tearooms with a flat above. She loves that she is near to her great aunt Iris and Uncle Archie - for family is something she has always craved.

Running concurrently throughout the book are Kate's present day story and the story of Iris and her sister Pamela during the 1950s. Both timelines were engrossing and I enjoyed them equally.

We also have the story of Todd Riggs. An aging rock star who has for decades lived in hotels living the quintessential 'rock star life'. His excesses and self-abuse turn on him when he suffers a heart attack while on tour. It is a wake-up call for him. He begins to question his lifestyle and yearns for the place of his roots, Ireland. When his supermodel girlfriend does a photo-shoot near an old Norman castle ruin on the coast, he sees this as a unique opportunity and just perhaps the answers to questions he didn't realize he had. He purchases the old place and has it renovated. It is on the shore near Ballytokeep...

The setting of Ballytokeep was written with vivid description and the writing caused you to be transported there.

"Secrets we keep" is about all types of relationships. Of nurturing, loyal, and loving ones. Of destructive ones that, though exciting, end up draining the life and soul from a person. Parental relationships, illicit relationships, and relationships that can never be resurrected from the past.

It is also about an undelivered letter from Paris. The letter finally reaches its intended recipient sixty years after it was mailed.

An engaging novel of family secrets and finding love in unexpected places, "Secrets we keep" is an entrancing book which I very much enjoyed. It is much more than just a love story, as it delves deeply into the emotions and family secrets of the female characters.

[Clair · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kate is disillusioned by her life as a successful divorce lawyer in London so when she meets her Great Aunt, Iris for the first time at her Grandmother’s funeral she is quick to take her up on the offer of a visit to Ballytokeep in Ireland. Iris runs as hotel with her husband Archie and whilst Kate is staying with them she falls in love with the abandoned Bath House that Iris and Archie closed the doors on for the last time decades ago. Kate decides that it is time for a huge change as she’s lived in the past for far too long after being jilted at the altar 10 years previously so purchases the Bath House from Iris and Archie, leaves her job and relocates to Ireland where she integrates herself into the community and makes new friends. Sounds perfect….but things are never so easy, there are lots of secrets hidden which start to unravel.

I adored Hogan’s writing style, I was drawn in by the warmth of the characters from the outset. It was wonderful how Iris’ life story, and well-hidden secrets, unravelled through the use of narrative both in the present and the past. This transition between the two time frames is seamless and adds so much to the story. In addition to Iris, and of course Kate, there are a number of other voices that come through the narrative which provides a well-rounded view on what is happening.

I must also mention Ballytokeep itself, the location is just idyllic and the sort of place that you would want to lose yourself in. The Bath House sounds a fabulous place to relax!

I thoroughly enjoyed this story of love and loss, Hogan’s writing is real, warm and endearing, captivating her readers from the first pages.

[Joanne Robertson · Rating 4 out of 5]

As soon as I saw the beautiful cover of this book, I knew it was one I had to read and thank goodness I did as I have now discovered a fabulous new writer. And Faith Hogan is definitely a name for everyone to look out for in the future as I have a feeling she is just going to increase in popularity. Here she used historical flashbacks to a huge success as she tells the tale of Kate who, very bravely, returns to her family in Ireland and changes her lifestyle for a more peaceful existence. But the past had a way of catching up with you when you least expect it, even if it’s not your secret that’s about to be uncovered.

I absolutely adored this book. It came to me at a time when I needed a warm and cosy read and chose this due to its promise of a mystery and its stunning front cover. I wanted to be swept away in into another world and this worked perfectly for me. The village that Kate relocates to sounded idyllic, a slower and more relaxed way of life that I’m sure most of us dream of running away to on our most stressful days. And the idea of The Bathhouse and tearoom made me practically pack a bag and jump on a plane to search it out! It’s my favourite daydream being able to live the lifestyle that lands on Kate’s all here.

I have always been a fan of the historic flashback and here it is used to great effect, telling the story of Kate’s grandmother and great Aunt and twisting it around Kate and Iris in the present day. Iris was a girl ahead of her time and I found her story heart breaking in places as her future would have been very different if she had been born years later. There was a real sense of time and place in those chapters as they flowed beautifully while keeping the reader in suspense about what had happened at the bathhouse and more importantly, why. Faith Hogan has created some warmly written characters here and used beautiful and atmospheric settings to enhance the chain of events that unravel.

I think the only character I didn’t take to was Todd. The chapters leading up to his own epiphany didn’t really make me warm to him like I had expected and I usually quite like a bad boy! So by the time his story merged with everyone else’s I really wasn’t sure where it would take him or even where I hoped it would take him.

I felt like I was leaving behind old friends when I finished this homey tale. This is a life affirming, relaxed and engrossing read from start to finish and I loved it. I can’t wait to see where Faith Hogan takes us from here and I will definitely be waiting patiently to find out.

Thank you to the author and Aria for my netgalley copy of Secrets We Keep.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story begins with the prologue set in Dublin in 1988. Kate, as a young child, is listening to her parents arguing. This sets the scene for Kate’s future family life.

We then go back to 1950’s Ireland and meet Iris. Iris and older sister Pamela live with their mother, helping to run the family guesthouse. Iris and Pamela may be sisters, but they are very both very different people and compared to Pamela, Iris has a more impulsive and reckless nature – this certainly ensures that her life is eventful, to say the least, although I did sometimes feel that in her younger years she didn’t learn anything from her past mistakes; there were times when I wanted to shake her and tell her to ‘appreciate what you have’. The older Iris was vastly different to her impetuous younger self – she was caring and wise and I loved the bond that formed between her and Kate.
The story goes back and forth from present time with Kate and Iris and then back to the 1950’s where we learn more of Iris’ backstory and how she came to be in Ballytokeep.

The older Kate was an excellent character and one I found very engaging. Despite being a very successful divorce lawyer in London, following previous heartbreak, she feels there is something missing in her life and decides to swap the law courts for a simpler life in Ballytokeep, on the Irish coast and in the process learns so much – not just about herself but also her family.

As the story moves along, the ‘Secrets’ of the title are slowly revealed and the threads to the story come together. Some had been held private for decades and could have been devastating if they had been known at the time.

In a story that encompasses both historical and contemporary storylines, Faith Hogan has a created some wonderful characters, most of which I had great affection for. Even those that I didn’t particularly like all made an impression and add to the richness of the story. In addition, there is a tremendous sense of place in this novel. The setting of Ballytokeep and in particular, the Bathhouse – set on the cliffs sounded idyllic and so evocative.

I read this on a Kindle and at the very beginning is a family tree which I did find useful. There are many characters introduced early on and although it is easy to follow once you have remembered how they are related, I did find it slightly confusing to start with.

This warm and engaging story will pull you in from the beginning. With richly drawn characters and a perfect setting, I very much enjoyed this and would certainly look forward to more.

[Lyndall · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this story. Made me want to buy a bath house or move to Ireland.

[Shirley Revill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really enjoyed reading this book. Very hard to put down. Recommended.

[Elite Group · Rating 4 out of 5]

Delightful romance novel to while away a winter’s day

Although I am usually not a fan of romance novels I really enjoyed this one and it kept me entertained whilst recovering from a nasty bout of flu. The storyline is fairly simple, following the lives of two Irish sisters growing up in the 50’s and the present-day life of the granddaughter of one of the sisters.

I loved the uncomplicated story and the beautiful descriptions of life in Ireland and Paris in the 50’s with all the glamour and excitement of a post war era. The present-day story also resonated with me. Kate is a highly successful divorce lawyer in London on the verge of a breakdown due to stress when she decides to visit her aunt and uncle in Bally to recharge her batteries. Needless to say, the village captures her heart and she turns her back on her hectic London life and opens up the old bathhouse as a tourist destination. She is also running away from an old heartache after being jilted at the altar and of course, as fate would have it, her old love ends up buying the castle overlooking the bathhouse in the very same village.

The tale is far from humdrum with a good dose of family secrets thrown in to keep up a nice tension and add a couple of twists and turns, but on the whole the book is so easy to read and well written that I was swept along and kept reading until I suddenly realised I had read the whole thing in a day. That is always the sign of a good read. I venture to say that I may be a closet romance fan…

And who doesn’t enjoy a good old fashioned happy ending? I certainly do in a world full of doom and gloom. I look forward to reading more of Faith Hogan’s novels in the future.

Gillian

Breakaway Reviewers received a copy of the book to review

[Gina · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not a bad story, but I don't agree with the ending.......

[Emma Crowley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Secrets We Keep is the second novel from Faith Hogan and although I hadn't read her first I know now I will have to rectify that. This book was wonderfully written evoking such a feeling of time and place that you couldn't but fail to be caught up in the lives of Kate and Iris as they battle with a myriad of emotions and situations placed upon them for various reasons.

The brief prologue shows us Kate as a young girl in Dublin. It is 1988 and her parents are at a crossroads in their marriage. Both her mum and her dad wrestle with their own demons as Kate becomes like an observer in the family rather than a child. She is almost forgotten about. We then move forward to the present day and Kate has become a high flying divorce lawyer. She is very successful in her job and has built up quite a reputation for celebrity divorces and what she can achieve for people. But Kate is restless, there is forever something lingering at the back of her mind and this weight is present for the majority of the book.

As is typical in many women's fiction books Kate needs a change and she needs it now otherwise she may continue to remain the way she feels stuck in this moment forever. A visit at the end of the year to Ballytokeep on the west coast of Ireland helps her firm up her decision as she falls in love with an abandoned bath house owned by her relatives Iris and Archie. This sets in motion a chain of events for all concerned which could be for the good in the long term but at the same time distress may ensue in the present.

The author mentions Ballytokeep as a place to lose yourself in and I would say that is how I felt about this book the more I read. The words just had such a lovely flow to it and seemed to wash over me as I became absorbed in the story. Faith Hogan writes so well of the setting of Ballytokeep nestled on the Irish coastline exposed to all the elements the Atlantic Ocean throws at it yet at the same time small though it may be it is a warm and inviting place. People can be nurtured and protected and cocooned in the special atmosphere that pervaded throughout the story. But it is also a place where things kept hidden and buried for many years must now come into the open now Kate has arrived. With Kate re-opening the bath house after it being under lock and key for sixty years it's not only Kate that will have to confront things she really wants buried away at the back of her mind.

Running concurrently throughout the book are two stories told in the present and in the past and only as we venture towards the end of the book do they begin to link and threads the reader had been grasping at slowly begin to weave themselves together. In the past we learn of Iris's story and I will admit there was a tentative connection I could see merging the past with the present and I was delighted to be proven correct yet in no way did it detract from the overall storyline instead when it was revealed it brought a satisfactory smile to my face. I love books where the past and present collide and alternative chapters are told from two characters viewpoints. In this case it was that of Kate and Iris. Sometimes I find I would be reading along enjoying the more modern aspect of the story and then suddenly we are abruptly jolted back to the past and it leaves me confused and unsettled. Not so in this case I felt everything mixed together seamlessly and both aspects of the storyline were as intriguing and enjoyable as each other.

Iris grew up in a guest house with her sister Pamela and mother Maureen. She is now at the age where she feels will this be all her life has to offer especially as Pamela is about to marry her fiancée Sir Clive. She has her head turned by a William Keynes and irrevocably her life is changed forever. Iris both in the past, and the present where she runs a hotel in BallytoKeep with husband Archie, was just such a wonderful character. I felt she was so wise, loving, caring and astute. She picked up on things others didn't yet never forced her opinions on other people. We do discover quite early on one of the things that is playing on her mind and has been for some time but there were still a few curve balls to be thrown in. I felt so sorry for her with the situation she found herself in but this almost took a back seat as the story of how she and Archie met and came to run the hotel with the mention of another character became so fascinating.

I found myself racing through the modern day sections to uncover the mystery of the past and the rising sense of tension was crafted to perfection as it felt things were building to a dramatic conclusion when revelations would come to the fore. I only wished Iris and I suppose Kate but maybe less so for me would find the peace they were clearly struggling to locate. I say less so Kate because I preferred Iris as a character not that Kate wasn't well written I just identified with Iris more. The relationship between Iris and Archie in the present was loving yet in equal measure heartbreaking to observe at what was sneaking it's way in. It really touched a cord with me and brought a tear to my eye. It was sensitively handled and deftly slipped in at just the right moments with no major issue made of it yet at the same time you knew it was present and making it's slow destructive mark felt.

Normally in a story with a dual timeline I would prefer the past over the present or vice versa but in Secrets We Keep both were as strong as each other even if there were a few characters in the modern day who didn't do much for me at all. I enjoyed reading of how Kate bit by bit slowly began to emerge just that little bit stronger as she brings the bath house back to life with the reopening of the tea rooms. Her new found friend and side kick Rita Delaney was an excellent addition to the story. She provided humour with her sharp witty, dialogue and take on things and I was glad to see her get her own storyline where revenge is a dish best served cold. Kate begins to feel a natural affinity with her new home but her own past does begin to make itself present. I didn't like the character connected to this aspect of her life. I understood the problems said character had but really I found them to be selfish and self absorbed and propped up by too many other people. This person had been causing damage for far too long and really did need a kick to come out from under the dark cloud they enforced around themselves. I can't say I was overly happy with the outcome regarding this situation as I had been hoping for the alternative resolution but that's just my own personal opinion and many other people's views will vary.

Ballytokeep is a place to heal, to forgive and forget, to find resolution and acceptance. None of these things are easy for anyone in any aspect of their lives but within this story Faith Hogan has achieved this through beautiful writing with characters the reader feels a close affinity to which is difficult to achieve the entire way through a novel. Again as with a couple of recent books I have read I was surprised by how much I enjoyed this novel. Behind the beautiful,light,summery cover is story that is much deeper than one would expect. There is much for every reader to take from this story and it demonstrated to me that Faith Hogan is a gifted writer with huge potential I just hope her writing reaches the wide audience it deserves. I look forward to reading more of her work in the future and would highly recommend Secrets We Keep. In the mean time to keep me going I will certainly be searching out her debut My Husband's Wives.

[Margaret Madden · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kate has escaped to Ireland, tired of living the busy life of a London lawyer, and unsure what her future holds. Her great-aunts small hotel, in a sleepy coastal village, is the complete opposite of her city life and she can finally breathe. She finds friends and opportunity in the unlikely location and tries to ignore the newspaper headlines, which bring back unwanted memories. Meanwhile, great-aunt Iris has her own reasons for trying to forget the past. Family connections link the stories of the past and present and the two women find themselves surrounded by the shadows of untold secrets.


This is Faith Hogans second novel and she blends historical fiction with a contemporary twist. The two main characters are very different. Iris is decades ahead of her fellow Irish women. Falling hook, line and sinker for the proverbial bad-boy, she is whisked away from her problems and deposited in Paris for a year, returning to Ireland with a lighter load and a ready-made job. It doesn't take long for her to make more bad decisions and her only saving grace is a wonderful man called Archie. In the present day, Kate is also helped by a host of kind souls, although this is a little frustrating as she should be a strong, independent woman and yet seems to completely rely on the help of her new neighbours. I would have liked to see more strength and less dependency. However, this is a read-in-one-sitting book. Light, warm and entertaining, it is like a brochure for the beautiful area of Co. Mayo but with family secrets thrown in. The waves on the coast are as high as the drama and the ancient buildings are privy to centuries of stories. Faith Hogan is an author to watch out for. She can certainly spin a yarn and reel you in. Her gentle writing style is ideal for fans of Cathy Kelly and Roisin Meaney.

[Simona · Rating 3 out of 5]

*Book provided by the publisher on NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*

This story follows Kate, a lawyer living in London. Life takes her to Ballytokeep, to her great aunt Iris and her husband Archie. It it’s the start of something new, Kate finally hast he chance to change her life.

She finds new frieds, gets to know part of her family and the new surroundings finally let her breath. Both Iris and Kate are confronted by their past, by secrets and family memories. The story is set in the past and present, which gives the book a new dimension and we can discover the liks between the different times.

Ballytokeep is the perfect setting, Faith Hogan describes it vividly and I could imagine the characters there, it was like being in a movie. Fath Jogan managed to create an atmosphere of tenion and mystery in this story, which I really enjoyed. I found myself struggling with the past/present thing and there were a few characters, who just didn’t do it for me.

It’s definitely not what I expected, but I mean that in a good way. There were ceratin elements in this book, which made it hard to let the spark fly for me. However, I became a great fan of Faith Hogan’s writing and I can’t wait to read more of her stories.

Rating: 3.5/5

[Michelle Ryles · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you haven't come across Faith Hogan yet then boy, are you missing a treat. I read her debut, My Husband's Wives, and was completely blown away by the effortless warmth of her writing that I knew from just one book that I had become a Faith Hogan fan! Faith is definitely an author to get excited about so I was eager to read her second book, Secrets We Keep.

Kate has a heart-breaking story in her past which has seen her throw herself into her work and become one of the top divorce lawyers in London. Her last relationship saw her very publicly being left at the altar and she has found it difficult to trust men again - so you can see why she has become a ruthless and much sought-after divorce lawyer! On a visit to her roots in Ireland, she finds an abandoned bath house and decides to renovate and reopen it, with a little help from her family and new friends.

When the rumour mill starts churning about a buyer for the old ruined castle in Ballytokeep, Kate could never have imagined that her past would come back to haunt her. Or is it fate? As Kate begins to unearth some well buried family secrets, she realises that her roots go a little deeper in Ballytokeep than she originally thought. Home is indeed where the heart is.

I have to say that the setting is simply amazing - the quiet (fictional) coastal town of Ballytokeep in Ireland. Now being a coastal girl myself, I found it easy to visualise the location and could almost taste the salt on my lips and feel the wind in my hair. I loved the thought of a ruined castle on the cliffs and an abandoned bath house by the shore. I was reminded of my love for fairytales and how it's possibly every little girl's dream to live in a castle. Faith Hogan has successfully captured this magical essence and moulded it into a modern day fairytale with real-life heartbreak, secrets and the inevitable (and much sought after) happy ending.

I chose to read an ARC and this is my honest and unbiased opinion.

[Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

In Faith Hogan’s poignant novel The Secrets We Keep, two distant relatives are drawn together by circumstance and are forced to face their pasts and the secrets they have kept.
Kate Hart is a very successful, although dissatisfied, London divorce lawyer. Following the funeral of her Grandmother, she meets her Great Aunt Iris. Iris extends an invitation for Kate to visit the family home in Ballytokeep, Ireland. Immediately Kate is drawn to Ballytokeep feeling that this is where she belongs and decides to put her career and London behind her. She has fallen in love with her Great Aunt Iris, and her husband Archie, the beaches and the old Bath House along the beach. But slowly, the secrets kept by Kate, Iris, Archie, Robert, Rock-star Todd Riggs and all the cast of characters unfold into a bittersweet romance filled with loss and enduring love.

Ballytokeep is an idyllic location with picturesque descriptions that bring it alive in the readers mind. The characters are well thought out, multilayered with a past and present that adds to the story as it unfolds. I like the strong character of Kate who knew what she wanted and was not afraid to go after it and also the characters Iris and Archie and their love for each other as they age. The story lines are complex, switching seamlessly from the 1950’s to the present day, drawing the reader to a different time and place and a different way of life. With writing that builds tension in the story to the gradual unfolding of the secrets kept, I thoroughly enjoyed reading The Secrets We Keep and would recommend joining Kate in her journey towards happiness.

I was given an ARC of this book by NetGalley and Aria Publishing with no obligation to review it. This is my honest review after reading.

[Tracey · Rating 5 out of 5]

The cover caught my eye straight away, I adored the freshness of it.The story had me hooked from the very beginning, it had likeable characters and was such an easy read full of secrets and intrigue.”Secrets We Keep” is really well written and I really love the way Faith is such an accurate writer, with a keen eye for detail. This is a great book to curl up by the fireside with.
Thank you to the publisher and netgalley for the arc xx

[J.B (Debbie) · Rating 5 out of 5]

review to follow

[Karen Dunmore · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was the first book out of my second box from A box of Stories. Really enjoyed it, the way that past and present intertwined in the lives of the characters. Excellent read.

[Mystica · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sometimes it is better to keep the past in the past. The old adage of digging up history and not finding it palatable is somewhat true. For Iris and Archie resurrecting the past, now that they are quite old is difficult and not easy, for their grand niece Kate it is a revelation of her own family history of which she has scant knowledge. Her return to Bath is a pilgrimage of sorts. She wants to lay to rest her own turbulent life - being a top class divorce lawyer has its minus points - and she wants to finally seek some peace from having had her heart broken.

Moving six hundred miles away to start a new life, Kate does not realise that on the other side is Todd her heart breaker who having suffered a heart attack is also seeking an alternative lifestyle. Coincidences are strange but having him turn up in Ballytokeep is one for the books. It disrupts Kate's peace of mind as well as the village who now have a celebrity in their midst in the form of a rock star albeit a bit aged in Todd.

The pitfalls of having secrets, the ties of family bonds are the basis of this story. Set in the past and present in two timelines which is always interesting, the story is also descriptive of this part of the English county.

[Jennifer Kirkwood (Levac) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an easy read, a beach read, women's lit with some romance. At first I wasn't sure if I was going to like this book as I wasn't a fan of Kate's ex, Todd. I didn't want to see Kate bother with him after the hurt he caused her. The story did grow on me as I continued to read on. I did love the backdrop in the little tourist village and the story with Kate's relatives gave it a different feel. Jumping into the past and back to the present to learn about Kate's family - Iris, Archie and Robert. Learning all the secrets people have kept for years. This story was very well written and I look forward to reading more from Faith Hogan in the future.

I give this book a 3.5 out of 5 stars.

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

[Joanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved Secrets We Keep and found myself very emotionally involved with the characters. Secrets We Keep tells the stories of Iris and Kate and the secrets Iris has long held within her heart. Kate is Iris's great niece although they did not meet until Kate's grandmother's funeral, Iris's sister. The two sides of the family had had little to do with each other over the years in order to protect this secret. Kate is a high-flying divorce lawyer in London but, increasingly dissatisfied with her life, she visits her great aunt and uncle in the small seaside town of Ballytokeep on the west coast of Ireland and falls in love with the place. She decides to start a new life in the town bringing the old bath-house back to life. As well as a chance to heal her broken heart after being jilted ten years ago, she finds new friendship and possible new love too.

What Faith Hogan has done so brilliantly in this book is to show all the different relationships in the book from Iris's passionate first loves to the tenderness of the love between the elderly Iris and her husband Archie. Iris's hopes and dreams and disappointments were clear to see and the heavy burden of her secret was sad to read about. Later in the book we discover she was not the only one with knowledge of that secret which was even more heartbreaking. The close bond between Archie and Iris was beautifully drawn and all the more poignant as Archie begins to slip into dementia and Iris fears losing him.

I particularly enjoyed the way Iris's story unfolded, moving effortlessly between the past and the present, revealing just a little at a time and often leaving each time period with a mini cliffhanger.

Kate was a character I really warmed to. I couldn't help but feel for her as she felt unable to put her past behind her. You might think that ten years is long enough for anyone to get over a broken relationship but as you will read, there were reasons which made it very difficult for Kate. What I loved about her was that she was actually such a strong character. She really took a risk leaving her law career behind her and taking on what seemed like a thankless restoring the old bath-house to its former glory. She is a loyal friend to Rita who is in a loveless marriage and really helps her to stand up for herself. She is so loving to the family she had never known and so supportive. As she works away renovating the bath-house she too comes across things which might just unlock more secrets from the past.

I must mention the idyllic sounding setting of Ballytokeep, by the wild sea. Although Ballytokeep and its bathhouse is a fictional place, the author says a similar bathhouse still operates at Enniscrone in County Sligo. I looked it up after I had read the book and have to say it is exactly as I pictured it when reading. Faith Hogan has painted a wonderful picture of the rugged cliffs, the wild Atlantic sea, the houses nestled round the coast, the beautiful windswept beach and showed the strong sense of community. I could completely understand why Kate felt welcomed and at home there, even though it was so different from her old life in London. As Kate says: [i]"She only had to walk out her front door and she was on permanent summer holidays."[/i] There is definitely a nurturing and healing feel to the town which made it sound such a wonderful place to live.

This is a beautifully told story, compelling and full of emotion. It is a hopeful look at love, loss and second chances and I really recommend it.

[Grace J · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was attracted to this one by the name of the author, and wasn't disappointed! Another well written, absorbing and highly enjoyable book.
At the beginning, there are several different threads which appear entirely random but by the end of this novel all the connections have been made and there are no questions left unanswered. The characterisation is excellent, lots of good points, quirks, foibles and a bit of humour tucked in there too.
A really satisfying read and one which I have no hesitation in recommending to all those who enjoy a really fine book.

I received an arc via Net Galley in exchange for my honest and unbiased review.

[Kaisha (The Writing Garnet) · Rating 4 out of 5]

All reviews can be found on my blog at https://thewritinggarnet.wordpress.com

At first I did wonder whether the novel was going to go down the old life = new start route, with the character rejigging their life and having a happy ending. Predictable, so I am sure you can sense my relief when it became clear that the main characters life wasn't that straight forward...in the slightest. Kate Hunt had done a bit of to-ing and fro-ing over the years, but little did she know that she was going to clock up even more miles on her return to Ireland. Heartbroken and emotional, Kate has multiple decisions ahead of her, none of which can be solved over a cup of tea and a jammy dodger.

I couldn't get enough of this storyline! Yes, I was a bit concerned that it was going to end up predictable, however, 'Secrets We Keep' is a storyline with incredible depth. The highlight for me was the historical influence. Not only did we delve into the characters past, we were also made aware of the history behind certain points in Ireland. Being part Irish myself and having never been, the insight to the history of certain buildings and areas was mind-blowing.

Everything flowed really well overall, although I did find myself becoming a bit impatient when males came on the scene as I wanted to get back to Kate's family history! I sound a geek now eh!
I really do think that 'Secrets We Keep' is Faith's best novel so far as its shown a different side to her writing  without having to add a severely drastic situation to the overall storyline. It kept me on my toes, had me wondering 'what ifs?' and even had me sitting there with my mouth open trying to catch fish (that's shocked to you and me by the way). There is something incredibly special about 'Secrets We Keep' and I really believe that that special something is the fact it was written from the authors heart.

Gripping, heart warming and positively eye-opening; 'Secrets We Keep' goes above and beyond with such an enchanting and emotional storyline. It is pretty clear that a lot of research went into the novel as well as a lot of effort. Faith Hogan, you've done yourself proud; a truly wonderful read.

Thank you Aria!

[Neats · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kate is a very successful divorce lawyer living in London who has become disenchanted with her life for various reasons. Meeting her Great Aunt Iris at a family funeral gives Kate the perfect opportunity to get away from her lonely life in London and take stock in the quiet village of Ballytokeep in Ireland.

Staying with Iris and Archie in their guest house Kate falls in love with the nearby abandoned Bath House and decides that Ballytokeep is somewhere she could relocate to and start a new more relaxed life and put her past well and truly behind her.

But Kate isn't the only one who is trying to forget the past, Iris also has skeletons in her cupboard but are they as hidden as she thinks they are?

I'm a huge fan of dual time-frame novels and Secrets We Keep is no exception. I loved the way that the story hopped from Kate's to Iris' stories seamlessly, without detracting from the story and keeping my interest right from the very start. I usually find that when I read this type of book I find myself leaning towards one time frame over the other, but it's a testament to Faith Hogan's writing that I was completely engaged by both in this book.

Iris and Archie's story was so beautifully told, from when they first met back in the 1950's, their highs and lows but it was the present day that brought a tear to my eye as we realise that Archie is suffering from memory loss and Iris is reluctant to face the truth.


Kate was a delightful change to the usually downtrodden heroines of this type of novel. She's such a strong character who knows her own mind and what I wouldn't have given to have sat with her as she watched the sun go down outside the Bath House.

The other thing that I enjoyed about this book was the descriptions of Ballytokeep itself. Right by the sea with rugged cliffs, quaint tea shops and friendly locals I was disappointed to find out that it was a fictional place but I've heard that there are real places just like this in Ireland so I think one of them could be a future holiday destination for me.

Secrets We Keep is a wonderful tale of family, friendship,hope, love and second chances and one that will warm your heart.

[Anne Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m always a pushover for stories with a dual time frame, but this one was something really different. We meet Iris as a young girl, caught up in the excitement of first love and youthful mistakes – then get to know her further as the devoted wife of a partner slowly succumbing to memory issues, with a depth of care and love enveloping the whole story that makes you ache for them both. And the story slowly unfolds about what came to pass in the time between – and its really quite a story of passion, intrigue, wrong decisions with a touch of villainy and mystery thrown in.

Then we have the present day story of Kate – a character I immediately took to my heart too – as she changes her life and tries to escape the heartbreak that has blighted everything prior to her arrival at Ballytokeep. Just sometimes, in stories with a split timeframe like this, one story can be less engaging – a wrench moving from one to the other – but there’s none of that here. I loved the way the links were maintained, the interactions with Iris and Archie and the complications of family history, the past touching the present with the reopening of the bath house with its reminders of its previous owner.

I think it’s that strongly drawn setting that really pulls the whole book together – I really enjoyed sitting with Kate for a coffee at the table outside the bath house, amid the colourful planters and with the sound of the sea, listening to the echoes of the past and looking forward to the promise of a brighter future. The modern story and its context – the very different world it deals with – is maybe a surprise, but it really works. And the subplots and lesser characters – all the fabric of life in Ballytokeep, past and present – work really well too, bringing in layers of friendship, support and a gentle humour.

There’s a quietness and lightness of touch about the story telling, but also moments of intense passion, edge of the seat excitement and a real tension – perfectly paced and balanced, and beautifully written. I really enjoyed this one – very different, a book to escape into, and an author I’m growing to love more with every book.

[Sophie (Blogger) · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I was asked to be part of the blog tour for Faith's new book, I was so excited having loved her first book with Aria Fiction, this book is just as brilliant as the first one I read. Before I get into my review, I just want to draw attention to the front cover of the book, it is so beautifully done. With the colours and design it is one of the most stunning covers I have even seen.
Ok, so now on to my review! From the start of the book, I felt for Kate her life seems to be falling apart so when she has the chance to leave that life behind she jumps at the first opportunity. Meeting her Aunt Iris, she doesn't know what to make of the situation especially as they have never met and now at a funeral, it give Kate a different outlook on life and makes her think long and hard about the future. Living in a new place gives Kate the space and freedom she needs but there is always that small part of her that will always be back in her old life.
Taking on the project that is Bath-House, Kate tries to bring new life into the old features, her life hasn't been the best lately so having something to focus on shows her what life has to show. Making new friends makes Kate feel that this was the right choice, if only she can find a way to forget her past relationship and finally fall in love again knowing that this time it will work.
I loved the small town setting, it makes it more close-knit and being in such a lovely destination in Ireland the story thrives. I loved how the story shows the different love stories, not everyone has the same and reading about each and everyone makes you realise how hard being in love and falling in love with someone is, either because of the timing or because something is standing in their way.
Secrets We Keep is a beautifully written story about the secrets we keep and the people who keep them from us. It is truly heartwarming to read and I can't wait to read what Faith comes up with next!
Three Words
Heartwarming, Hopeful and Amazing.

[Joy Lenton · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you're looking for a heart-warming, evocative, uplifting read, then look no further. This charmingly told story captivated me from its opening pages. I was rooting for Kate (the main character) to be able to finally find herself, rediscover trust, open herself to love and see that a bright new future was waiting for her. And this book delivered all those things, and more, in spades.

Set in an idyllic coastal location, we encounter Kate's endearing distant relatives, Iris and Archie, and the dark secrets they keep. As we delve deeper into their personal history we see how events have shaped and still impact their present day life. All the characters are multi-faceted and totally believable people, full of interest, complexity and intrigue, as they reveal their potential to lose, love and begin again, and their fidelity and strength during conflicting circumstances with hard choices to make.

This story reminds us of the skeletons in our own closet and the power of an unresolved past to come back and haunt us. It also reveals that transparency and truth are preferable, hope grows out of honesty and a fresh start is always possible when life looks bleak. I really enjoyed this novel and can highly recommend it. If you love Patricia Scanlon's books then you will love this too.