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Every Single Secret

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“A true psychological thriller that will leave you breathless.” ―Wendy Walker, bestselling author of All Is Not Forgotten and Emma in the Night Emotionally guarded Daphne Amos always believed she’d found a kindred spirit in her fiancé, Heath. Both very private people, they’ve kept their pasts hidden from the world, and each other, until Heath’s escalating nightmares begin to put an undeniable strain on their relationship. Determined to give their impending marriage the best chance of succeeding, Heath insists that Daphne join him on a seven-day retreat with Dr. Matthew Cerny, a psychologist celebrated for getting to the root of repressed memories. Daphne reluctantly agrees―even though the past is the last place she wants to go. The retreat’s isolated and forbidding location increases her unease, as do the doctor’s they must relinquish their keys and phones, they’ll be monitored at all hours by hidden cameras, and they’re never to socialize with the other guests. One sleepless night, Daphne decides to leave her room―and only then does she realize that the institute is not at all what it seems―and that whatever’s crying out from Heath’s past isn’t meant to be heard. It’s meant to be silenced.

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First published May 1, 2018

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About the author

Emily Carpenter

15 books1,209 followers
EMILY CARPENTER BIO:

Emily Carpenter is the critically acclaimed, Amazon bestselling author of suspense novels, Burying the Honeysuckle Girls, The Weight of Lies (which received starred reviews by both Kirkus and Publishers Weekly), Every Single Secret, Until the Day I Die, all released by Lake Union. Her most recent release is REVIVING THE HAWTHORN SISTERS, which Publishers Weekly called a “refreshingly modern gothic tale” and Kirkus called “an exciting, gothic-tinged quest.” After graduating from Auburn with a Bachelor of Arts in Speech Communication, she moved to New York City. She’s worked as an actor, producer, screenwriter, and behind-the-scenes soap opera assistant for the CBS shows, As the World Turns and Guiding Light. She’s a member of Tall Poppy Writers, International Thriller Writers, Mystery Writers of America, and Sisters in Crime. Born and raised in Birmingham, Alabama, she now lives in Atlanta, Georgia with her family. You can visit Emily at emilycarpenterauthor.com and on Facebook and Twitter (@EmilyDCarpenter) and Instagram (@emily.d.c).





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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,083 reviews
Profile Image for Chelsea Humphrey.
1,487 reviews82.9k followers
September 23, 2022
Find the book trailer HERE!

There are monsters all around us-people who have to hide because the world can't bear to see them for who they truly are. They're good at keeping secrets, the monsters. Sometimes, too good. Which is why I've always suspected that I am one of them.

Hold the phone and stop the press folks. There's a new sheriff in town, and her name is Emily Carpenter. Ok, she is actually an author and not a sheriff, but minor details-amiright? She has officially passed the "Third Book Syndrome" test, which is a HUUUUUUUUGE accomplishment in my rating system. What is said "Third Book Syndrome" you ask? Let me break it down for you. It all begins with finding a brilliant debut author that you immediately connect with; one that writes about YOUR things and YOUR people and just really gets you. Then they publish their sophomore novel, and its really great too, so you fantasize about how you'll buy their books for the rest of your life and maybe you'll visit them on tour and then you'll become best friends who meet for wine whenever you're in town and so on. Then comes the dreaded THIRD BOOK. I say this because it's usually this book that disappoints me the most. So many times I have reached book three and a real life WHOMP WHOMP WHOMP occurs. It doesn't seem to discriminate between stand alone novels or installments of continuing series, but somehow this dreaded phenomenon seems to hit an author and drain the writing steam right out of them. I know that was a long way of just stating that this book passed the test and was awesome, but guys, it was such a relief to know I can keep Em on my auto-purchase list!

On to the actual book now. If you've read the author's previous novels then you know that they have widely different plots and characters, but they all have a comforting, familiar style of writing. If you're new to her books, fear not; you're in for a treat! I like to say they satiate even the pickiest reading palate; while they have a challenging and intellectual feel to them, they are wholly compulsive and appeal to those wanting a suspenseful mystery focused around domestic drama. Every Single Secret is vastly different in terms of thematic elements, but it still has a dark, emotional pull to it. And one of the main characters name is Heath, which is my maiden name, so obviously it was destined to be a winning read. 

At the beginning of the novel, we experience a brief "future" moment where a juicy secret is revealed, followed by being dropped into the present tense life of Daphne and Heath; they are practically perfect in every way, except for those pesky nightmares that Heath keeps having. They want to get those taken care of asap, but Daphne is hesitant when Heath proposes a retreat to the mountains with a counselor. Our cutesy couple consists of two people with dark, secret pasts, and this was never an issue because they agreed early on never to discuss them. New life, who dis? However, Heath decides he wants Daphne to know him fully, and when she doesn't want to reciprocate, this is where the tension truly begins. The rest of the book is a nail-biting experience of this retreat with a few informative flashbacks into Daphne's past. This made for a really exciting, fast-paced reading experience and I didn't want to put the book down!

Per usual Emily, there's no sacrificing meaty characters for exciting plot movement; you get it all in a one package deal. I find this is so rare in the books published today; whether it's the author's lack of ability to include both aspects in their title or simply a case of assuming most readers don't care to have both, I'm not sure. All I know is I can't slap 5 stars on any book that doesn't include the set. Every Single Secret was likely the easiest 5 stars I've given this year, and I think it's due to the author's writing mantra of quality over everything else. If the quality is poor, no amount of flashy twists and shiny action scenes will win over the picky readers. If you're a picky reader, listen up; I'm hollering at you. Read this book. Thank me later. You're welcome. <3

*Many thanks to the author for providing my copy via NetGalley.
Profile Image for Meredith (Trying to catch up!).
878 reviews14.2k followers
May 7, 2018
WTF did I just read?!

Every Single Secret is a tension-filled, dark, suspenseful psychological thriller about a newly engaged couple’s experience at a retreat in rural Georgia.

I found this to be a fast-paced, entertaining, twisted read that I could not put down! It kept me on my toes and I had no idea where things were headed. I am not going to say much more because I don’t want to give anything away!

If you plan on reading this, go in blind. Open your mind to the craziness and suspend your disbelief. Enjoy the thrill ride!
Profile Image for Kristin (KC).
270 reviews25.3k followers
June 1, 2018
*3(.25?) Stars*

Every Single Secret starts off solid: an energizing introduction drenched with intrigue; a ferocious build-up of mystery; a timeline that flips skillfully through past and present settings—elements in thrillers guaranteed to win me over every time.

After almost an entire novel’s-worth of establishing an eery foundation, I was ready for this plot to takeoff and drop me someplace I’d never before been in a mystery—it certainly felt as if that’s where I was heading. But the instant the twist revealed itself, it felt all too glaringly familiar.

**A possible spoiler-ish reference below**
I’ll skip the mentioning of details, but if you’ve watched Showtime’s Dexter, and have read this book, I’m certain you’ll catch the comparison to which I’m alluding. I’m not implying that this particular *concept* cannot be recycled or reformed within fiction—every original idea is inspired off another—but I found it difficult to appreciate this particular conclusion, and couldn't seem to draw any sense of shock from these “secrets”.

Bummer. But it happens.

There’s some good stuff, though!
The writing was silky-smooth with a straight-forward flare that delivered the story well. The parts set in the past held more intrigue for me than those of the present; so much intrigue, that I would have LOVED a complete story of “teenaged-Daphne” in the group home, without the extra layer of a present-time story.

The past is where this story came to life for me—each character flawed and unique, and I wanted to learn more about the lives of these teens and the cause of their “troubles”.

The present setting, rich with mystery, consisted of Daphne and her fiancé attending a “couple’s therapy retreat” where I just assumed sh*t would hit the fan considering the magnitude of secrets kept between these two.

Instead, this portion of the story felt more like a mashup of redundancy and vague silliness. Daphne was either busy climbing up a mountain or snooping around the retreat collecting breadcrumbs of information, while her fiancé remained mostly MIA with the occasional glimpse of him in his dumfounded state.

However--even with its highs and lows, this read held my interest with a pretty steady grip, and I do believe many psychological thriller fans will devour this whole. There is certainly a ton of mystery and I can see this becoming unputdownable for many!
Profile Image for Norma ~ The Sisters.
723 reviews14.3k followers
July 7, 2018
4.5 Stars! Well this book pretty much left me totally speechless upon finishing!

EVERY SINGLE SECRET by EMILY CARPENTER is an intense, dark, chilling, and suspenseful psychological thriller novel that immediately drew me in and held my interest right until that shocking and action-filled ending. This book was so entertaining and extremely hard for me to put down. I raced through this one!

EMILY CARPENTER delivers a well-written, unique and twisty read here that had me pretty much questioning everything that was happening within the pages of this book. The way that the details were revealed to us was extremely well-done and the setting was creepily atmospheric which I totally loved.

I always like to figure out why an author chooses a certain title or cover for their book and I’m not going to say too much about the title but I will mention something about that extremely clever cover though. Once you learn the significance of the birdhouses on that beautiful front cover you will be a little shocked and in awe of this author too!

To sum it all up it was an entertaining, enjoyable, fast-paced, and clever read with an ending that left me speechless! For a book to leave an impact on me like that means it was a great read! Would recommend!

Thank you so much to NetGalley, Lake Union Publishing and Emily Carpenter for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of this book in exchange for a review!

This was an awesome Traveling Sisters Read and I had so much fun reading and discussing this book with you all!

Review written and posted on our themed book blog Two Sisters Lost In A Coulee Reading.
https://twosisterslostinacoulee.com

Coulee: a term applied rather loosely to different landforms, all of which refer to a kind of valley.
Profile Image for Debra.
3,218 reviews36.4k followers
May 24, 2018
4.5 stars

I didn't see that coming! Seriously, did anyone see that coming???????

Daphne and Heath appear to be the perfect couple. But appearance can be deceiving. They have secrets - both of them. Daphne doesn't like to talk about her past neither does Heath. They have this in common. Both live in the present while making plans for their future together. However, Health is having nightmares - nightmares which are getting worse. One day Health suggests they go on a seven-day retreat with Dr. Matthew Cerny, a psychologist who Health feels can help him (and Daphne if she wishes to participate). Daphne is reluctant to attend the retreat but agrees to go to support Health. The retreat is in a remote location and they are asked to turn over their cell phones and not speak to the other couples at the retreat. They are instructed that the rules are in place to help retreat participants focus on the work they will be doing at the retreat with the psychologist, Dr. Cerny.

This is one of those books where I thought I had it figured out. I thought how clever am I? I know how this is going to play out! How wrong I was! BTW, I love when I am wrong about the plot or shall I say the BIG reveal. I love when an Author can weave a tale which surprises me. Emily Carpenter definitely surprised me with this book. It is safe to say that she is the clever one!

The setting of this book was perfect - remote location, no phones, isolation, etc. You just know that this book is going to have a creepy- something is not right- vibe from the setting alone. What secrets do these two people have? That is the question which keeps the pages turning. I love how the plot unfolded and secrets were revealed. This book has layers. I really appreciated how the reader is shown a scene early in the book, one which will come back and into play later in the book. Again, I thought "I did not see that coming!"

This was a dark and intriguing read. I would not call it scary as much as it is dark and has that creepy, something-is-not-right-vibe to it. Whether you like the characters or not, they are all interesting and deliver what they need to deliver to keep this book interesting. Emily Carpenter pulled off all the twists and turns in this book brilliantly.

Emily Carpenter stated that this book was her love letter to another Author. I won’t say who that other Author is, as I do not want to give away any spoilers, or have readers draw conclusions as to how this story will play out based upon the Author who inspired this book!

I received a copy of this book from Lake Union Publishing and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

See more of my reviews at www.openbookpost.com
Profile Image for Melisa.
330 reviews540 followers
May 18, 2018
Phew!

This one was a Traveling Sisters read and pretty much all of us had the same response of “I need a moment to process what I just read” whether we liked it or not. That was INTENSE to say the least!

This one read more like horror to me than a thriller - not an overly ton of gore, just enough to make me feel like this stepped a bit outside the thriller genre.

I absolutely loved that the twist was in the middle of the book (and it was one that I absolutely did NOT see coming) that left for a second half of wild and crazy suspense.

This is a tricky one for me to review because on one hand, I ate this one up in one day, on the other hand I’m not sure I enjoyed it - it was like a movie where you’re hiding behind the pillows because you don’t want to look but you keep peeking because you need to know what happens.

This was a GREAT discussion with my fellow Traveling Sisters who gave me so many different perspectives and theories that I never would have had on my own. So fortunate to be apart of this great group of readers!

Thank you to Lake Union for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

3.5 stars
Profile Image for Mackenzie - PhDiva Books.
771 reviews14.5k followers
May 23, 2018
4.5 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This is one twisty-WTF-suspense novel that is full of secrets and will have you questioning everything!!!

Emily Carpenter is a new-to-me author and I’m so glad I was given an opportunity to read and review this book! This was a Traveling Sisters read and though everyone had a slightly different take on it, we all felt the ending was a WOW moment! This book takes a few chapters to get into, because the character dynamics are untraditional. But once you’re in, prepare to be questioning everything and everyone in a slow-building suspense novel with a thrilling conclusion!

Daphne has finally found her own person to call her family…

Daphne was raised in foster homes and a girls’ ranch, and has had no family to speak of her whole life. But Daphne is a survivor—strong and intelligent, and scrappy as all-get-out. When she met Heath, she instantly knew she had found her partner. Heath and Daphne fell hard and fast, and are engaged to be married. Sounds perfect, right? There’s a catch: Daphne and Heath have an agreement to never discuss their pasts. But what happens if the past comes out?

Heath needs help processing his past demons…

Despite their agreement, Heath’s past can’t be ignored any longer. Wracked with horrible nightmares, Heath knows he needs to work through his issues to finally be free. When Heath asks Daphne to attend a week-long couple’s retreat with the esteemed Dr. Cerny to delve into his past, Daphne is understandably hesitant. The Retreat involves camera footage of the couple taken most of the day and evening, and intensive therapy sessions to work with Dr. Cerny. But Heath needs this, and Daphne reluctantly agrees, on the condition that she will not be doing the therapy, and will only be there to support Heath.

They arrive for the Retreat, only to find that all may not be as it seemed…

As they settle in, Daphne quickly becomes curious about Dr. Cerny and his methods. Stealing around the house and grounds, Daphne begins to question everything. Are the cameras really turned off at the designated times? And why isn’t she allowed to befriend the other couples on the Retreat? And most importantly—if Heath’s past comes out, will hers have to as well???

Reflection

Initially I found Daphne and Heath tough to connect with, because they are very nontraditional. They live in the present and future, and are both terrified of dark pasts. I enjoyed learning about each of their pasts as the book went on, through some clever plot mechanisms that allowed it to be revealed to the reader. I am a communicator, so their lack of communication drove me nuts! But that is the point of these two characters. They saw their counterpoint in the other, and it works for them.

The creepy house, and the premise of the retreat were so intriguing to me. I loved the descriptions of the grounds and the house itself, as well as of the characters. And what a cast of characters this book has!!! You may not like them all, but I dare readers to try to find a boring character among the lot! The theme of secrets and hidden pasts really carried this book. There was always the sense from every single character that you don’t have the full story, and it kept me reading to want to know more.

As for the ending—I found it so satisfying! A total "Wtf?!" ending! It certainly was a twist I didn’t expect, and there was enough plot remaining after the BIG TWIST to wrap the loose threads up in a way that I left the book feeling like I got closure and enough answers. I highly recommend this book to suspense-lovers! Particularly to those who like the psychological aspect to mysteries. This one is a doozy and has its own enigmatic psychologist to go along with it!

Thanks to Brenda and Norma for including me in their Traveling Sisters read! And thanks so much Nikki, Susanne, Kaceey, Diane, and Melisa for the awesome discussion!

Many thanks to Emily Carpenter, Lake Union Publishing, and NetGalley for an opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review. It was my pleasure to read this book!
Profile Image for Brenda ~The Sisters~Book Witch.
989 reviews1,027 followers
July 2, 2020
I read Every Single Secret with five members of the Traveling Sisters and we were split with how we felt about it. For some Sisters it didn’t work for them enough to suspend disbelief to enjoy this one.

Every Single Secret was such a stand out for some of us. It’s an exciting, fun and entertaining yet dark and disturbing read that left us thinking a horror movie was playing out in our head. It had that feeling of tension like you get when you are watching a horror movie.

Our main characters Daphne and Heath start off keeping every single one of their secrets a secret and that had us questioning them and a bit frustrated at times in the dynamics of their relationship. Allowing the suspense to increase and creating the right amount of tension that had us glued to the pages.

We loved the setting of the creepy house that was represented as a retreat. Well, the creepy retreat I won’t say anything more about that to you. The description of the retreat left us intrigued and with the feeling of creepiness all at the same time.

Emily Carpenter caught our attention right away, had us questioning many things, with some of us figuring out some things along the way, then took a twist that had us reading as fast as we could till we got to the end. We were speechless and wondering did we really like this one.

Emily Carpenter threw some of us Traveling Sisters in this group off our game. She stunned us, left us speechless, wondering what we just read and asking ourselves did we like this story. That isn’t something that has happened to most of us before, making this a exciting group read for us.

We highly recommend giving this one a go and see if Emily Carpenter can leave you feeling like most of us did.

Published May 1, 2018

Thank you so much to NetGalley, Lake Union Publishing and Emily Carpenter for the opportunity to read and review this title.

Profile Image for Elyse Walters.
4,010 reviews11.9k followers
May 18, 2018
NO SPOILERS.....
.....teaser tidbits instead...

I was totally in the mood for a suspenseful-twisty-creepy-psychological thriller.
Some of these type books are duds - but not this one - it’s a thrill-ride-buzz!

Repeating what was said to me....[thank you Meredith]...
“If you plan on reading this, go in blind”.

I’ll share a few things ...but most of it won’t make any sense without reading the entire book.

Here’s an excerpt from character Daphne Amos:
“ I needed to fill my lungs with sharp, cold air. Shock my fuzzy brain into clarity. A hike up the mountain would be the perfect thing”.
Would it????
Would a hike up the mountain be the perfect thing? Hmmmmm :)

There are many characters- they kept me interested -‘trying’ to guess who were the villains - and who weren’t.
Some of the people you’ll meet....
Daphne Amos, Heath Beck, Dr. Cerny, Dr. Reggie Teague, Lenny, Mr. Al, Luca, Mrs. Bobbie, Jerry & Donna Adams, Glenys & Randall Sieffert, Annalise Beard,
The Super Tramps: Chantel, Tre, Shellie, and Omega
Jessica Kyung...
etc. etc....
NOT TO WORRY.... it’s ‘very’ clear and easy keeping track of who’s who....
....cerebral- fun trying to figure things out. I didn’t at all!

Enter a very unconventional therapy retreat program that specializes in repressed memories...no cell phones allowed!
The rules alone could make a person quiver. There are more!

Wondrously creepy!!!!!

Thank you *Meredith*!!!


Profile Image for Michelle .
1,064 reviews1,850 followers
May 4, 2018
Daphne and Heath are engaged to be married. Both of them have dark histories that they prefer not to talk about. For Daphne this makes it a perfect relationship. No questions asked means not having to lie but how long can you keep your secrets buried?

Heath begins having terrible night terrors where he has broken things and has even harmed Daphne. He decides that in an effort to heal himself he has signed them up for a week long couples retreat held by Dr. Cerny. Daphne reluctantly agrees to attend against her better judgement. She loves this man and wants to help him anyway she can.

When they arrive at the crumbling mansion Daphne begins to get the feeling that not everything is as it seems. Not only are they high in the mountains and far from any civilization but Dr. Cerny has also confiscated their keys, phones, and monitors their every move by camera's placed through out their private quarters.

This book went in a direction I did not see coming. So chilling.

I enjoyed Every Single Secret from first page until last. Emily Carpenter is a new author to me but you better believe I'll be reading her other books after this one. This had just enough tension and suspense that keeps you completely engaged. 4.5 Stars!

I've mentioned to a few friends about how beautiful this cover is and once you read the book you'll see just how perfect it really is.

Thank you to NetGalley, Lake Union Publishing, and Emily Carpenter for providing me with a digital ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Profile Image for Jennifer ~ TarHeelReader.
2,724 reviews31.8k followers
May 8, 2018
4 Shhh, it’s a secret, stars to Every Single Secret! ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️

Daphne has always been hard to get to know, but she let her guard down when she fell in love with the also guarded Heath. When Heath begins to have terrible nightmares, their relationship is put to the test.

They attend a retreat together where a psychologist claims to help people uncover repressed memories from their past, which is not something Daphne wants to confront.

There are too many rules at the retreat, and Daphne is instantly uncomfortable. What ensues is Daphne’s discovery of what the institute is really all about, and it’s not healing!

Overall, I found Every Single Secret to be an original, dark, twisty delight!

Thank you to Emily Carpenter, Lake Union, and Netgalley for the ARC. Every Single Secret is available now!
Profile Image for Kaceey.
1,481 reviews4,475 followers
August 11, 2023
Daphne and Heath are a perfect match. “Always Us.” That’s the mantra for expressing their love. But the happy couple have some dark secrets they’ve been keeping from one another. Naughty, naughty.😜

Maybe a secluded couples retreat with an (in)famous psychologist is just what they need.

But the good doctor provides no contract guaranteeing results. Truth is, just making it out of therapy alive might be the best you can hope for.

This was certainly an unexpected, wild ride. Who knew that a couples retreat could be so hazardous to your mind, body and soul?

This book was on my shelf for years. Shame on me🙈…I’m so glad I finally had the chance to pick it up. Was definitely worth the wait.

Profile Image for Diane S ☔.
4,901 reviews14.6k followers
May 19, 2018
Two people meet, fall in love, soul mates, one sees something in the other that makes sense, similar thought. So it is with Daphne and Heath, they get engaged, look forward to the future, believe their pasts don't matter, doesn't need to be talked about, put it behind them. Which is a good thing in the beginning as they both have some disquieting pasts. This works until Heath starts having nightmares, screaming dreams. Now he wants Daphne to spend a week with a noted psychiatrist who specializes in the task of aligning past with present.

A puzzle mystery, one has no idea what is going on in this old weather worn Victorian where they now find themselves. Parts creepy, parts unbelievable, but entertaining as well. Some secrets are much worse than others, easy to find oneselves in over their heads. Will be an unforgettable week, one hard to forget.

Love the cover, I harbor a passion for colorful birdhouses, though the reason behind the cover is not a happy one, to say the least. This was a sisters read, we all agreed on the entertaining factor, but a few of us, including myself, found it less than credible. Still, an original storyline, and as I said entertaining, quick paced and a fast read, so worth reading. I do believe most will get hooked on the story, trying to figure out where it is going. Which I didn't, and I enjoyed the twistiness of the plot, just not the credibility factor.

ARC from Netgalley.
Profile Image for Holly  B ( working on slowly catching up!) .
943 reviews2,841 followers
May 25, 2018
A complex psychological thriller with a gothic flavor! 

I was intrigued from the start and had a hard time putting this one down. The way the characters were being "watched" gave me a very eerie and unsettling feeling. I think it was the atmospheric setting and the creepy house.

The story revolves around a couple who are engaged, Daphne and Heath.  I liked the chemistry between them and was pulling for them to get past the skeletons that were dancing around in both their closets.  I was absolutely fascinated by the couple's retreat house they checked into for some "therapy".  Hmm....I couldn't help but wonder if they would be checking out (singing Hotel California now...)

Throw in some twists and gasps with secrets spilling out and you have a page turning conclusion. Though the end did feel a bit rushed and somewhat muddled because of so many revelations and quite a bit of action (hope I didn't miss anything).  Overall, I enjoyed this creepy thriller (even if I was hoping for a different end)!

If you enjoy flawed characters and lots of skeletons in closets (dark secrets), this one is sure to entertain you!

Thanks to Netgalley for my ARC.  Review will also post on my blog ...https://dressedtoread.com/
Profile Image for Carrie.
3,547 reviews1,682 followers
May 7, 2018
Every Single Secret by Emily Carpenter is a thriller that poses the questions of just how far one would go for love and should some secrets just stay buried. Daphne Amos has thought she’d found the love of her life in her fiance Heath but when Heath begins to have violent nightmares Daphne knows something is wrong.

Daphne and Heath were very alike in the fact they didn’t like to talk about their past and were very private people which was some of what brought them together. After Heath begins to have more and more episodes he approaches Daphne with the idea of joining him at a retreat run by Dr. Matthew Cerny.

Dr. Cerny is psychologist specializing in treating repressed memories which is just what Heath seems to need but the methods of treatment are what gives Daphne pause. The retreat is not only in a very remote location but they must turn over all electronics and will have cameras on them at all times. It isn’t long that Daphne realizes that things are not what they seem on the outside of the retreat.

Every Single Secret is one of those books that I feel if I try to explain the format in this one I will probably make it more complicated than it reads. There are time changes in the story that are clearly marked and not really hard to follow though starting on one day then jumping back a week with memories bringing up things further in the past and a back and forth between the present/past…. see, I’m confusing myself but it really wasn’t while reading.

Anyway…. this one wasn’t a bad read really but I found for me that starting off I didn’t quite connect with Daphne to really draw me into her story to really love this book as much as some seem to. The story isn’t a bad one but it wasn’t one that overly shocked me either along the way but it is one of those situations that you want to know the outcome making this one an alright read for me in the end.

I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.

For more reviews please visit https://carriesbookreviews.com/
Profile Image for Susanne.
1,201 reviews39.1k followers
May 19, 2018
3 Stars.

When Daphne and Heath meet, its instantaneous. Their connection. After a few months, they just know: soul-mates. And yet, both have secrets. Secrets, they have never shared with each other - and I’m not talking about the small stuff. As it turns out, their pasts - well, they are anything but ordinary. And they’ve kept every last detail from the other.

Though Daphne would like to keep it that way, Heath has something else in mind. He would like to bear all to his beloved and he has found the perfect place to do so: a therapy based retreat center for couples. Once there, Heath seems right at home with the Dr., and the other guests. Daphne, however is immediately suspicious: of everything, including being filmed for twenty-two hours a day, and, of the Dr.

Moving at breakneck speed, it is hard to keep up the pace. It is only when multiple storylines are told, that a few of the chapters become somewhat frantic. And then.. you’re reading and all of a sudden - you’re like What?! As if! For me, it stretched the confines of believability as I couldn’t quite wrap my head around what in heck was going on. Yet, from a pure entertainment standpoint, well, it got me.

I read this with several of my Traveling Sisters and all of them loved this entertaining read. For Full Traveling Sister Group Reviews, please see, Brenda and Norma’s Blog: https://twosisterslostinacoulee.com

Thank you to NetGalley, Lake Union Publishing and Emily Carpenter for a complimentary copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.

Published on NetGalley and Goodreads on 5.18.18.
Profile Image for Marialyce .
2,221 reviews679 followers
May 20, 2018
You can find my reviews here https://yayareadslotsofbooks.wordpres...

Daphne Amos has been searching for someone, a someone who understands her, a someone who cares about her, a someone who loves her and she thinks that she has found that very someone in Heath. They both have secrets, things that do not reveal to one another, things that might just keep them apart. But then there is a week away at a retreat working with a famous doctor, Dr Cerney, who just might help Health for poor Heath has terrible nightmares, ones that seem to shatter him and take their toll on Daphne as well. What is it about breaking a mirror that seems to be such a part of these nightmares?

The retreat is isolated and the rules are strange, no interaction with the other couples , meals served in one's rooms and cameras watching one's every move. Cell phones are taken and there is no internet so that guests are cut off from the outside world. Daphne is unsettled, unsure, and perhaps a bit frightened of this but she loves Heath and will do what is necessary to help him. Daphne has to "remind herself to breathe-almost having to remind my heart to beat" (Wuthering Heights). She is caught in something she does not understand, traveling a pathway that seems quite off kilter, and wondering if she will ever find out about the past and in that find out about her Heath.

This was a wonderful psychological thriller with allusions to Emily Bronte's Wuthering Heights, which is my favorite Victorian novel. For to Daphne, “He's more myself than I am. Whatever our souls are made of, his and mine are the same.” ...or are they?

Will their love survive the secrets that each holds within? Will their revelations be the end of their love or will they be forever together come what may? Will they like Cathy and Heathcliff find the path to love fraught with many thorns perhaps even death?

Thank you to Emily Carpenter, Lake Union Publishing, and NetGalley for a copy of this book. It kept me up late reading and not wanting to put it down. Just one more chapter....

Profile Image for Theresa Alan.
Author 10 books1,166 followers
June 2, 2018
4.5 stars rounded up.

This is a suspenseful, original thriller/mystery. Daphne is engaged to Heath. She knows he’s troubled, but neither of them talks much about their pasts, and Daphne likes it that way. She’s been holding on to a terrible secret for years. If he doesn’t tell her about his childhood, she doesn’t have to tell him about hers.

His nightmares have become troublesome, however. So, when out of nowhere he says he’s been able to schedule a secluded retreat in the mountains for the two of them, she agrees to go with as long as she doesn’t have to any therapy herself (she’s suspicious of therapists and doesn’t want to talk about her past with anyone). She knows there will be a camera in their room, but other than that, she doesn’t have to participate.

There are several concurrent mysteries. What is the secret Daphne is hiding? What is Heath hiding? What is Dr. Cerny, the psychologist who runs the retreat hiding? What is the woman, Glenys, that Daphne befriends hiding? Why are there so many dead birds in the yard?

When Daphne sneaks out of the room one night, she discovers things that don’t add up. Something strange is happening, but they had to give up their cell phones when they entered the old home that serves as a retreat, and she doesn’t have any other access to devices with Wifi.

There is some jumping around time-wise. Portions of it are told on the final night when we know Daphne has escaped without a phone or money, but we don’t know what she is escaping from. There are also flashbacks to her childhood where she was put into a group home and one of the girls bullies her.

Daphne’s sneaking around was tension-inducing lest she get caught, but if you’re in the mood for a taut suspense novel, you’ll enjoy this. Recommend.

Thanks so much to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for the opportunity to review this novel.

For more reviews, please visit://www.theresaalan.net/blog
Profile Image for Diana.
911 reviews718 followers
June 19, 2018
"Always us." Daphne and Heath are an engaged couple, seemingly perfect for each other. Both have a dark, troubled past, and both are fine with keeping the secrets of their childhoods hidden from each other.

Their system works until Heath starts having terrible nightmares in which he becomes downright violent. Daphne begrudgingly agrees to go with Heath on a week-long retreat with an unorthodox psychologist. What could possibly go wrong in this remote mountain manor house cut off from the rest of the world? Daphne will soon find out...

EVERY SINGLE SECRET was a wonderfully creepy book that kept me on edge. The author did a great job creating suspense by gradually revealing these unsettling little tidbits, both in present day and also Daphne's past. The ending was a whirlwind that I did not see coming!

I've read one other book by Emily Carpenter - Burying the Honeysuckle Girls - which I also enjoyed very much. She knows how to write compelling Southern Gothic Fiction.
Profile Image for Lindsay L.
854 reviews1,643 followers
Read
May 14, 2018
DNF @ 38%. This story isn’t working for me.
Profile Image for Pauline.
986 reviews
May 6, 2018
Every Single Secret by Emily Carpenter is about Daphne and her fiancé Heath who go on a weeks retreat for couples. Both of them have had troubled childhoods and are keeping secrets from each other about their past. The house where the retreat is being held is old and creepy and the psychologist giving the therapy is not what he seems. There are a few twists and turns in the book and I read it in one day because I did not want to put it down. This is the first book I have read by this author and I will be looking out for more.
I would like to thank NetGalley and the publisher for my e-copy in exchange for an honest review.
Profile Image for Ann Marie (Lit·Wit·Wine·Dine).
200 reviews264 followers
July 4, 2018
You can read this and all of my review at Lit·Wit·Wine·Dine.

Straight out of the shoot, I knew I was going to like this one. I immediately questioned the reliability of the narrator and I was intrigued by the secrets Daphne and Heath were keeping from one another. What engaged couple agrees to never bring up their past? Not just their relationship past, but ever-y-thing. Living for the present is one thing, but if your finance is telling you they don’t want to talk about anything in their past, you might want to consider that a red flag.

I loved Emily Carpenter’s writing. Alternating chapters in such a condensed timeline can be tricky but she did it in a way that really made the book unputdownable. The first person voice of Daphne was both easy to read and sophisticated.

Every Single Secret is everything a great psychological thriller should be. It’s an atmospheric, page-turning, dark, and twisty tale. The characters were perfectly drawn. Every one was just as seemingly likable and obviously suspect as the next. And that plot! Just when I thought things couldn’t get any worse, they did. Again and again and again.

I really wish I could say more but this book is best read knowing nothing beyond the synopsis. After reading it, I’m motivated to read Carpenter’s The Weight of Lies. I would certainly read any of her forthcoming work.

4.75/5 stars

Many thanks to Lake Union for providing me with a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Profile Image for Amy.
2,575 reviews2,013 followers
April 30, 2018
There is something compulsively readable about Emily Carpenter’s books, once I start them I have a difficult time putting them down. She creates the creepiest, most eerily atmospheric settings and she writes so well you find yourself completely immersed in the story, it’s as if you’re actually inside it yourself and experiencing it with the characters. It’s an unsettling experience to say the least, but one I wholeheartedly enjoy.

The whole idea of a couples retreat that focuses on therapy is unappealing to me and then when you throw in a weird atmosphere with uneasiness oozing from the pages? That’s a hard no from me, and Daphne had similar feelings but she went despite her reservations. You see, no one has ever understood her quite like Heath does, they have a hard and fast rule where they don’t discuss their pasts, ever, and this works for both of them. Until now. Until Daphne decides maybe it’s time to share her secrets with Heath and in turn he may share his as well. I loved knowing that they both had skeletons in their closets but not knowing what they were, it kept me extremely engaged and doubtful of the pair of them. I never could decide if I actually liked either of them, but they were both interesting, mysterious and highly complex.

Another thing that Carpenter excels at is the way the structures her books. The Weight of Lies had a book within a book, SO cool, and this time around she worked with flashbacks. You know how oftentimes flashbacks read as disjointed or confusing? Not the case here, it starts with a prologue that immediately reels you in and then skips back to a week earlier. It flips back and forth until the days catch up to each other and everything culminates in a shocking ending. Interspersed between these time jumps you slowly find out about Daphne’s past, Carpenter gives you a little tasty morsel to whet your appetite and then she cuts you off again, WHY does that work so well for me?! It just does, it has me hanging onto over single word, dying to know what will be revealed next.

I said Carpenter was the queen of southern gothic fiction in my review of her last book and that still stands here, she is immensely talented and she has a firm fan in me. I haven’t read any recent others that write quite like and I mean that as a huge compliment, she stands out from the crowd.

Every Single Secret in three words: Unsettling, Surprising and Absorbing.

Profile Image for DJ Sakata.
3,280 reviews1,780 followers
May 12, 2018
Favorite Quotes:

I am what people call guarded. I don’t blog. I don’t post. I don’t share. I don’t love people in that beaming, open-armed way you’re supposed to, but there is a good reason for it. Dark things vein through me, the way precious metal shoots through the heart of a mountain. Dark things that should stay hidden, embedded deep within the rock. It is for the greater good that I stand guard over my mountain, over my past.

He’s a locked door, Daphne. And he doesn’t like it if you knock too hard.

I can’t afford to be driving you gals into town for this, that, and the other. Around here, if you get a fever, we call the preacher ’cause he lays on hands for free.

It hadn’t taken me but a week at the ranch to figure out that Mrs. Bobbie was the ringmaster and Mr. Al was the clown that cleaned up the elephant poop.

My Review:

I quickly fell into this tautly written, captivating, and intriguing tale that essentially held me hostage and on edge from the first sentence to the last few pages. The storyline was unpredictable, fascinating, horrifying, cringe-worthy, and brilliantly crafted. I didn’t want to put my Kindle down and essentially abandoned all plans for the day and left my phone unanswered. Ms. Carpenter must have completed a massive amount of research, as she was spot on with her peculiar and warped characters’ particular oddities, quirks, and disorders, and better yet, still allowed them to be endearing and alluring despite their diabolical tendencies. I was so absorbed by her flawlessly transportive writing I felt myself holding my breath and even bracing for impact more than once. This clever author has cunning and guile and deftly put me right beside her characters in every scene with lush and evocative details. I think she may be onto something with this writing hobby.
Profile Image for Chandra Claypool (WhereTheReaderGrows).
1,777 reviews369 followers
May 2, 2018
Ok, so I realize I'm a bit late to the Emily Carpenter train, but my pass is still good.... right?! I waited WAY too long to read Weight of Lies when I received it last year and I'll forever kick myself for that. I learned my lesson and dove right into this one as soon as I could. Carpenter appears to be the queen of that Southern Gothic atmospheric, big ass Victorian mansion isolated in the middle of nowhere kind of reads! And that's where the similarities end between both books.

This one starts off interestingly enough with Daphne and her fiance Heath and their understanding of each other's wish to leave the past in the past and just concentrate on their present and future. Then he asks the unexpected and takes her to a week long couples counseling retreat where, astonishingly enough, she doesn't even have to participate. Wait, WHAT? Thus begins the weird rules and mysterious atmosphere.

I'll be honest, this read ran a bit slow for me in certain areas and I thought for sure this was going to be all about Daphne, Daphne, Daphne! Then Carpenter brings in a head slapper and rocked my world. I certainly was NOT expecting that AT ALL. This book runs from past to present and there were a couple of times I had to flip back to make sure I knew exactly where in the story I was because I was beginning to think Daphne was just plain off her rocker. Once we dig into her past and then into Heath's... well, that's what gets my full attention. I'm also a HUGE fan of the subject matter that you find out about towards the end of the book - I don't want to say too much as I hate spoilers about as much as I do mushrooms so....

Don't let what may seem like a slow read deter you. The ending is where this book shines and where you get glued to the pages. GLUED.

I mean, who are we without out secrets... right? 😉

Thanks so much to Lake Union Publishing and Amazon Publishing for this copy!
Profile Image for Holly in Bookland.
1,338 reviews621 followers
May 23, 2018
If your looking for an intense story full of twists, I highly recommend this one.

It seems that after I requested this from Netgalley, I completely forgot what it was about. Which ended up being a good thing. I started it late last night and stayed up till I finished. I actually had read half even before I knew I was that far ahead. The pages just turning....that's the mark of a good book.

Daphne's fiancé suggests they go to a couple's retreat with counseling for a week. Mostly to help with his nightmares that are/can be frightening. Daphne doesn't believe in therapy, even though she has a secret of her own, but she goes to support Heath. After they arrive, strange things begin to happen in this isolated area. Only Daphne seems to see all of this while Heath is busy with therapy. I won't go into details because that would spoil the whole fun. It will keep you engaged the whole time. I do wish that there had been just a little something extra at the end--a WTF moment. However, I did really enjoy this book.

*Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Profile Image for Mary.
2,228 reviews611 followers
May 1, 2018
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ / 5

Every Single Secret is another wonderfully atmospheric and gothic novel from the great Emily Carpenter! I thoroughly enjoyed The Weight of Lies and while I didn't like this one {quite} as much, I still really liked it.

Every Single Secret is about a young woman named Daphne and her fiance Heath. Heath ends up talking Daphne into a couple's retreat in the mountains of Georgia when he starts having terrible nightmares. Neither of them have been honest with each other about their backgrounds and all will be revealed in this secluded home in the mountains. The creep factor is very high, and the home is exceptionally gothic.

I did find the blurb to be a bit misleading so I recommend going into this book blind like I did. Most of it is accurate, but not all in my opinion. Maybe it's just me, but I still recommend going into this one blind. If you like this author's other books I think you will like this one.

Final Thought: I read this book in a little over a night so it was definitely an addictive read for me. I know this book won't be for everyone, and some people may find it a little slow. However, for me the pace was on point and I loved that the book jumps around between past and present so we got to know Daphne's story that way. I would definitely recommend this to anyone that likes atmospheric, gothic novels with twists! And as always, I can't wait to read the next book by Carpenter.

Every Single Secret in 3-ish words: Creepy, Atmospheric, & Suspenseful
Profile Image for Dennis.
1,054 reviews2,037 followers
March 25, 2018
I'm somewhere between 3 and 4 stars, so I will just split it down the middle and give it 3.5!

Every Single Secret is my first read by Emily Carpenter and I must say, it is so refreshing to pick up an original story by an author I haven't read anything from yet. Sometimes I'm apprehensive to pick up a story by an established author because I set the bar so high, but I am happy I did pick this one up because it really sold me into picking up future works by Emily Carpenter. Every Single Secret is a story about deception, about love, and about secrets and the lengths people will go to guard them. Daphne Amos has found her soulmate in Heath—attractive, successful, romantic, and crazy in love with her. The duo has a relationship that works for them; they don't really discuss their troubled past, and try to work towards future together. Heath and Daphne have a whirlwind romance, with Heath proposing less than a year after meeting. The two are destined to be together. The couple does experience hardships that begin to worry Daphne. Heath begins having nightmares and is reacting violently to these nightly conflicts. Heath wants to fix whatever is bothering him and finds a couples therapy retreat. Daphne is not one for therapy and believes this to be a waste of time, but decides to go with her beloved for the promise of a happy life together. When they arrive at the couple's retreat, Daphne and Heath got more than they bargained for. Cellphones and car keys are to be handed over to management, while the place is isolated and just totally creepy! After the first night, Daphne begins to snoop around the premises and begins to uncover secrets about the institution that aren't meant to be found. What have Daphne and Heath signed up for? Will it bring them together or drive them apart?

I'm not going to lie, I immediately wanted to read Every Single Secret because of the cover. #guilty Emily Carpenter's original story really intrigued me and I was immediately hooked from the first page. The story was crafted in such an interestingly clever way, because I really didn't know how the plot was developing until the very end. While the story here has many little puzzle pieces to figure out, you won't be able to solve it until the end when it all is pieced together for you. I was seriously shocked at how the ending was wrapped up and I feel like this will be a major discussion point from the story. While at times, I was frustrated with how the story was progressing, the ending is what totally sold me. I did not see that coming!

Thank you Amazon Publishing/Lake Union Publishing for my advanced copy in exchange for an honest review. Every Single Secret is out on May 1st!
Profile Image for Jennifer.
315 reviews42 followers
June 5, 2018
4 stars

It’s official; I will read anything that Emily Carpenter writes. She is 3 for 3 and I just can’t get enough of her books. Check out my reviews for Burying the Honeysuckle Girls & The Weight of Lies. https://www.goodreads.com/review/show... and https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...


Every Single Secret kicks off with a bang, set 6 days into the future. You are then brought to the present where things start to get dark and creepy and then it never stops. Carpenter is the queen of Southern Goth and I am #fangirl. Not only does she set an incredibly dramatic stage, she digs DEEP into her characters and when it all combined, well, there just isn’t anything else like it.

There is no need for me to go into any kind of synopsis for you. Everything you need to know is in the book blurb and then you need to buckle up and get ready for one dark, twisted, disturbing read. This book kept me up way past my bedtime because I just knew that I wasn’t going to stop until I got to the end.

I highly recommend this book to lovers of domestic drama, dark gothic and psychological thrillers. You won’t be disappointed.

Thank you to Lake Union Publishing for my copy of this book via NetGalley
Profile Image for Bam cooks the books.
2,276 reviews318 followers
May 29, 2018
Heath Beck and Daphne Amos are like the doomed lovers in the Bronte classic Wuthering Heights, Heathcliff and Catherine. "It was true--similar souls sought each other out. Damaged gravitated to damaged, the same way Heath and I had recognized ourselves in each other." Heath and Daphne think of themselves as soulmates but they've agreed to not reveal their past history to each other...until Heath starts having disturbing nightmares.

He decides he needs to go to a week-long intensive psychotherapy retreat at Baskens in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Georgia to see if he can unlock the secrets behind his nightmares. The retreat is for couples and Daphne agrees to go along but refuses to participate; she's just not ready to share her own secrets with anyone.

There are two other couples at the retreat but the house rules expressly forbid socializing. Daphne however seems determined to break all the rules and makes a point of following Glenys, an older woman, up a mountain trail to speak with her. The woman has a warm 'motherly' personality and Daphne remarkably finds herself sharing her past history with this virtual stranger. Will she be able now to share this with Heath? And he share his with her? And will their love survive the horrible truth? And what is really going on at the Baskens?

The atmosphere of the story is gothic and dark, with many twists and turns to the plot and interesting, yet disturbing characters. I enjoyed the story immensely and highly recommend.

Many thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and author for providing me with an arc for an honest review.
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