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The Secret Keeper
FROM THE SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLING AUTHOR OF HOME TRUTHS AND ONE MINUTE LATERYou never forget your first love.18 years ago, Olivia learned to live without Sean Kenyon.She moved on, building a life with her husband Richmond and their two children in the picturesque town Kesterley-on-Sea.But when Sean unexpectedly appears on Olivia’s doorstep, her world is turned upside down once more. As old feelings resurface, and new truths come to light, Olivia finds herself questioning everything.Is her husband really the person she thought he was?The past and present collide, and Olivia must uncover the truth before it’s too late. But if everyone is keeping secrets, how will she know who to trust?
270 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 9, 2018
321 people are currently reading
647 people want to read
About the author
Susan Lewis
67 books1,205 followersLibrarian Note:
There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
Susan Lewis is the bestselling author of over forty books across the genres of family drama, thriller, suspense and crime. She is also the author of Just One More Day and One Day at a Time, the moving memoirs of her childhood in Bristol during the 1960s. Following periods of living in Los Angeles and the South of France, she currently lives in Gloucestershire with her husband James, stepsons Michael and Luke, and mischievous dogs Coco and Lulu.
There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
Susan Lewis is the bestselling author of over forty books across the genres of family drama, thriller, suspense and crime. She is also the author of Just One More Day and One Day at a Time, the moving memoirs of her childhood in Bristol during the 1960s. Following periods of living in Los Angeles and the South of France, she currently lives in Gloucestershire with her husband James, stepsons Michael and Luke, and mischievous dogs Coco and Lulu.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 127 reviews
December 19, 2019
This was disappointing. I was waiting for a twist that didn’t come, instead all I got was predictable characters and a storyline I didn’t care for.
May 7, 2019
Disappointed
I've read all Susan Lewis books and enjoyed all of them. This didn't seem like it was the same author.
I've read all Susan Lewis books and enjoyed all of them. This didn't seem like it was the same author.
January 26, 2020
Boring, fragmented story. Just didn't come together and the description is not even really what the book was about.
August 15, 2021
A story of mystery, love and betrayal. Olivia is recovering from fighting cancer when her world takes another huge challenge when she finds out the marina development he is overseeing is not progressing as it should be together with the reappearance of his old girlfriend and her old boyfriend. Not quite as gripping as her usual books but still enjoyed it.
September 16, 2024
I really enjoyed this book , it was full of mystery and suspense. I love the way it all unfolded at the end revealing the lies and deceit .very well written.
March 13, 2020
2/5
Although its a good read, it was totally unexpected. Like not even a plot-twist unexpected but just like whaaaaaa?
I feel like the name of the book and the blurb really don't fit with the actual storyline. I would have given it a 3 but the end was so stretched out and long that I had to knock the 3rd star too.
I wouldn't say stay away from the book but if you do want to read it. Here are some important blurb points for you to be accustomed to what this book has in store for you.
Olivia Benting is a mother of two and the wife of Richmond Benting. She is facing a huge life-changing event which has left her weaker and meeker than she would have liked. Her husband has a business which he is getting increasingly consumed by and surprisinglybelusive, over-worked and always on the verge of a breakdown. He has undoubtedly wound up in a web of lies and secrets that all his family have been kept in the dark from. Even Olivia's father whose company it was to begin with.
To add to the lot, Livvie's old flame-Sean- is back in Kesterly where they first met a couple of decades ago. Of course her first boyfriend is basically a son her parents never had. This unexpected arrival of ex-flame has left Richmond in a mess or so he would like us to believe.
You'd think that the story has no more facets to it because this should be enough? Nah, Richmond's ex-girlfriend, a beautiful exotic Ana, has a deadly envy against Olivia. Who has been in the firing range just a few years before she returned to their lives but apparently Mummy Benting and Hubby Benting don't see how Ana could ever do any wrong.
Read the book to see how the story and web of lies unfold and how it affects the lives of all involved. Will anyone leave unscathed? What exactly is Richmond hiding? Read the book to find out!
The book was written in 3rd person with personal excerpts of the characters' whose insight was valuable to the plot. However, the style of writing was a little jarring with the phrasing a little off.
Happy Reading xx
Although its a good read, it was totally unexpected. Like not even a plot-twist unexpected but just like whaaaaaa?
I feel like the name of the book and the blurb really don't fit with the actual storyline. I would have given it a 3 but the end was so stretched out and long that I had to knock the 3rd star too.
I wouldn't say stay away from the book but if you do want to read it. Here are some important blurb points for you to be accustomed to what this book has in store for you.
Olivia Benting is a mother of two and the wife of Richmond Benting. She is facing a huge life-changing event which has left her weaker and meeker than she would have liked. Her husband has a business which he is getting increasingly consumed by and surprisinglybelusive, over-worked and always on the verge of a breakdown. He has undoubtedly wound up in a web of lies and secrets that all his family have been kept in the dark from. Even Olivia's father whose company it was to begin with.
To add to the lot, Livvie's old flame-Sean- is back in Kesterly where they first met a couple of decades ago. Of course her first boyfriend is basically a son her parents never had. This unexpected arrival of ex-flame has left Richmond in a mess or so he would like us to believe.
You'd think that the story has no more facets to it because this should be enough? Nah, Richmond's ex-girlfriend, a beautiful exotic Ana, has a deadly envy against Olivia. Who has been in the firing range just a few years before she returned to their lives but apparently Mummy Benting and Hubby Benting don't see how Ana could ever do any wrong.
Read the book to see how the story and web of lies unfold and how it affects the lives of all involved. Will anyone leave unscathed? What exactly is Richmond hiding? Read the book to find out!
The book was written in 3rd person with personal excerpts of the characters' whose insight was valuable to the plot. However, the style of writing was a little jarring with the phrasing a little off.
Happy Reading xx
September 6, 2018
Excellent book I was not too sure at the beginning but quickly fell into and not wanting to put it down, I like it how previous characters are drawn into newer books totally fell in love with both heroines. You feel you get to know the characters so well and really get into the minds of all, love the unexpected surprises at the end totally recommend.
June 30, 2020
First Susan Lewis book I have read - this was disappointing. The only thing which stopped the storyline from being predictable was that nothing really happened... the book didn't really make sense- I felt as though I was missing something!
August 14, 2018
Olivia and her husband, Richmond, seem on the surface to have the perfect marriage. With two teenage children, a lovely home and a successful business, their lives seem set on a perfect trajectory. But all is not as it seems in this paradise and when Olivia's first love, Sean Kenyon, unexpectedly appears back in her life, it unleashes all sorts of mayhem which threatens to change Olivia's life and that of her family forever.
The Secret Keeper is a beautifully written family drama which bears all the hallmarks of this talented author's ability to get right into the nitty gritty of family life. Olivia's story drew me in from the very beginning and I felt such huge sympathy for her as she battled her own demons alongside what was happening in her husband's complicated and messy life.
The tense atmosphere which starts to infiltrate the story adds a real sense of foreboding and as the story progressed I found that I was turning the pages faster and faster to try to discover just what was going on and so much wanted everything to work out well for Olivia and her family. The characters who dominate the story are an interesting bunch, some of them are not particularly likeable, but collectively they all add a lovely blend of light and some quite dark shade to the story.
The Secret Keeper is one of those intricate family mysteries which makes you thankful that your own family is really quite ordinary in comparison. It's definitely a perfect read for an afternoon in the garden.
The Secret Keeper is a beautifully written family drama which bears all the hallmarks of this talented author's ability to get right into the nitty gritty of family life. Olivia's story drew me in from the very beginning and I felt such huge sympathy for her as she battled her own demons alongside what was happening in her husband's complicated and messy life.
The tense atmosphere which starts to infiltrate the story adds a real sense of foreboding and as the story progressed I found that I was turning the pages faster and faster to try to discover just what was going on and so much wanted everything to work out well for Olivia and her family. The characters who dominate the story are an interesting bunch, some of them are not particularly likeable, but collectively they all add a lovely blend of light and some quite dark shade to the story.
The Secret Keeper is one of those intricate family mysteries which makes you thankful that your own family is really quite ordinary in comparison. It's definitely a perfect read for an afternoon in the garden.
October 7, 2018
Look, it's chick lit. I've read enough of Susan Lewis' books over the years to expect light, fluffy and easy-to-read stories that demand little engagement or concentration. But I noticed this book had an especially high rating so paid a "Top Titles" fee to rent it for a fortnight from my local library.
The heroine was such a door mat. The husband was predictably cheating on her. The spoilt kids became ever more spoilt. People whose finances had been wiped out seemed to have money trees from which to emigrate to a country where no such visa for such immigrants exists, plus bringing the whole family with them. Oh, and it's "IN" the Bay of Islands, not "ON".
I suppose the dark interest in this book was the presence of organised crime and actual murder.
While it's the latest in a series, I don't really think I'd have been more gripped if I'd read the first four books. Nor do I think I'll read them retrospectively.
Sorry, for those who like the genre I'm sure it's a winner. Just a bit Mills & Boon-ish for my taste with an extremely predictable happy ending. Perhaps in the next book the author will find a way for a double-mastectomy survivor to feed her miracle baby in her 40s with no breasts.
The heroine was such a door mat. The husband was predictably cheating on her. The spoilt kids became ever more spoilt. People whose finances had been wiped out seemed to have money trees from which to emigrate to a country where no such visa for such immigrants exists, plus bringing the whole family with them. Oh, and it's "IN" the Bay of Islands, not "ON".
I suppose the dark interest in this book was the presence of organised crime and actual murder.
While it's the latest in a series, I don't really think I'd have been more gripped if I'd read the first four books. Nor do I think I'll read them retrospectively.
Sorry, for those who like the genre I'm sure it's a winner. Just a bit Mills & Boon-ish for my taste with an extremely predictable happy ending. Perhaps in the next book the author will find a way for a double-mastectomy survivor to feed her miracle baby in her 40s with no breasts.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 27, 2018
This started off OK but then I totally lost it. Couldn't get to grips with some of the characters and especially their names. It did pick up a bit over halfway, but it wasn't my favourite of hers.
April 27, 2019
Climaxed way too early
June 28, 2019
2.5 stars. An ok read, pretty predictable from start to finish. Prob my least favourite Susan Lewis book.
May 25, 2020
Whilst the story is good this book doesn't flow. It's jumpy and really irritating.
June 26, 2019
You never forget your first love. 18 years ago, Olivia learned to live without Sean Kenyon.
She moved on, building a life with her husband Richmond and their two children in the picturesque town Kesterley-on-Sea.
But when Sean unexpectedly appears on Olivia's doorstep, her world is turned upside down once more.
As old feelings resurface, and new truths come to light, Olivia finds herself questioning everything.
Is her husband really the person she thought he was?
The past and present collide, and Olivia must uncover the truth before it's too late.
But if everyone is keeping secrets, how will she know who to trust?
You never forget your first love. 18 years ago, Olivia learned to live without
Sean Kenyon.
She moved on, building a life with her husband Richmond and their two children
in the picturesque town Kesterley-on-Sea.
But when Sean unexpectedly appears on Olivia’s doorstep, her world is turned
upside down once more.
As old feelings resurface, and new truths come to light, Olivia finds herself
questioning everything.
Is her husband really the person she thought he was?
The past and present collide, and Olivia must uncover the truth before it’s
too late.
But if everyone is keeping secrets, how will she know who to trust?
__
### About the Author
**Susan Lewis** is the bestselling author of thirty-eight novels. She is also
the author of _Just One More Day_ and **One Day at a Time,** the moving
memoirs of her childhood in Bristol. She lives in Gloucestershire.
To find out more about Susan Lewis, visit her website www.susanlewis.com, or
join in on www.facebook.com/SusanLewisBooks. _ _
**Susan is a supporter of the breast cancer charity Breast Cancer Care:
www.breastcancercare.org.uk and of the childhood bereavement charity Winston's
Wish: www.winstonswish.org.uk _ _
**
February 12, 2024
Really easy read and an engaging plot. Olivia and her two children, Luke (18) and Sasha (16) find themselves in financial trouble when Richmond gets involved with a money laundering scheme. He uses money from Penn Financial to fund the Marina Expansion. The town is understandably angry as they have lost a lot of money. Richmond does eventually admit to his crimes and is prepared to face the consequences of prison. However, his ex girlfriend and current mistress, Ana Petrov, is not happy when she finds out that Richmond will not be running away with her so brutally stabs him.
Sean (Olivia's first boyfriend) steps up to help save the Marina Expansion project and also helps Olivia's parents, who he has stayed in close contact with. There are a lot of interesting relationship dynamics in the book and the characterisation is great. I would have liked a final chapter about Imogen (Richmond's mother), how did she feel about Ana murdering her son?
The book is mostly third person but has extracts in first person from the majority if the characters. At the end of the book we find out that these are extracts from the book written about the scandal.
There is a happy but predictable ending when both kids go to Uni in Australia and Sean asks Olivia to marry her. The parents also sell their house and move to New Zealand, the idea being that they will all live together in a big estate (as Sean is super loaded).
Sean (Olivia's first boyfriend) steps up to help save the Marina Expansion project and also helps Olivia's parents, who he has stayed in close contact with. There are a lot of interesting relationship dynamics in the book and the characterisation is great. I would have liked a final chapter about Imogen (Richmond's mother), how did she feel about Ana murdering her son?
The book is mostly third person but has extracts in first person from the majority if the characters. At the end of the book we find out that these are extracts from the book written about the scandal.
There is a happy but predictable ending when both kids go to Uni in Australia and Sean asks Olivia to marry her. The parents also sell their house and move to New Zealand, the idea being that they will all live together in a big estate (as Sean is super loaded).
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 24, 2019
I found none of the characters sympathetic especially the main character Olivia and she wasnt always understandable either. It was not particularly well written. I found the name-dropping of names of kitchens, make-up, cars, bedrooms, etc, really irritating. The characters were one-dimensional with obvious goodies and baddies. There was no nuance whatsoever.
July 9, 2022
It was incredible, Susan Lewis is such an engaging author. I'm jealous of her writing style. I loved the developed relationships between the characters. Since I had read it quite a while ago, I can't provide the most detailed review. However, I was shocked to my core when at the end, it revealed that it was a true story. I couldn't believe that something like that could happen to a family; I couldn't believe that the pain, betrayal and anger I felt for the main character were emotions truly felt by someone. I wanted to just give her a hug, honestly. I found the 'happy ending' (not for everyone, obviously, but you'd have to read it to figure out why) so sweet after knowing that it was a true story, and the characters that I loved, I adored even more; the characters I hated, I detested.
If anyone had told me it was non-fiction from the start, I might have had second thoughts about reading it. Yet, it didn't feel like that. It truly felt like a story, but it also brought justice to this story and their interviews.
If anyone had told me it was non-fiction from the start, I might have had second thoughts about reading it. Yet, it didn't feel like that. It truly felt like a story, but it also brought justice to this story and their interviews.
October 8, 2018
Loved Loved it!!!! This is my first Susan Lewis book I have read and throughly thought that it was very good. It about Olivia Beniting a mother of two teenager chilren Sasha 16 years old and Luke 19 year old. She is married to Richmond who work at her father's company she is also recovering from Breast Cancer. He is doing a project down at the marina inwhich Oliva father thought it was not a viable idea. Rchmond is acting stressed all the time. Olivia first love turns up Sean Kenyon he runs his fathers company now he is close to her parents. ANA PETROV IS RICHMOND EX she threatened Oliva when and Richmond got together after dumping her, There are many secrets that begin to unfold as we read the story of a husband having a affair and coommiting fraud. Susan Lewis intrigued from the very beginning and it makes continue to read to the end. I highly recommend this boook for any one to read.
May 9, 2019
This is not the usual genre of book I read as but I decided to try this as it fitted a criteria for a group I am in on Facebook. I was pleasantly surprised and thoroughly enjoyed it.
This book has something to tempt readers who enjoy genres such as romance, mystery and murder. It held my attention throughout and I have to confess I was eager to get back to it each time I put it down because I wanted to know how Richmond got into the situation he did, how he could do the things he did and why and I also wanted to know whether Olivia had any inkling of what was going on and what became of her. Having a knight in shining armour come into the picture is always good.
I gave this book 4 stars out of 5 because, yes I did enjoy it but I actually prefer books with a little more meat to them. To me this was more of a feel good book than a good thriller, murder mystery which is what I prefer.
This book has something to tempt readers who enjoy genres such as romance, mystery and murder. It held my attention throughout and I have to confess I was eager to get back to it each time I put it down because I wanted to know how Richmond got into the situation he did, how he could do the things he did and why and I also wanted to know whether Olivia had any inkling of what was going on and what became of her. Having a knight in shining armour come into the picture is always good.
I gave this book 4 stars out of 5 because, yes I did enjoy it but I actually prefer books with a little more meat to them. To me this was more of a feel good book than a good thriller, murder mystery which is what I prefer.
March 31, 2019
I really enjoyed this book but did find the ending rather unrealistic. That a woman in her late 30s whose had cancer and a double mastectomy. Also was going through the early menopause and yet she manages to get pregnant. I thought it a bit unrealistic because as well as her having health problems they have lots of grown up children between them and lots going on in their lives(both having busy ones. Enjoying working) would they really want a baby if it was possible and start all over again after all these years. Apart from this ending I found the rest of the story enjoyable and quite gripping in parts.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 10, 2020
This was my 3rd Susan Lewis and although I still think that One Minute Later and Home Truths are still my favourite so far, I still did thoroughly enjoy this. She is absolutely masterful at writing family dramas, particularly where one of the characters actions can be particularly ugly. But her writing has a certain amount of compassion and understanding that you don’t quite hate them as much as you think you should. I’m also starting to understand that there are characters that are appearing who star in other books, so I’m feeling the need to go and track them down so that I can start putting the different puzzle pieces together.
December 26, 2022
Summary: You never forget your first love. 18 years ago, Olivia learned to live without Sean Kenyon.She moved on, building a life with her husband Richmond and their two children in the picturesque town Kesterley-on-Sea. But when Sean unexpectedly appears on Olivia's doorstep, her world is turned upside down once more. As old feelings resurface, and new truths come to light, Olivia finds herself questioning everything. Is her husband really the person she thought he was? The past and present collide, and Olivia must uncover the truth before it's too late. But if everyone is keeping secrets, how will she know who to trust?
May 11, 2025
i found the middle of this story quite engaging. Not really a fan of media based stories...which this is vaguely. Not even sure why they would want to be interviewed for a book!
Lewis just about makes the financial shinanigans understandable to the reader...but a few loss leaders tht didn't really develop...the evidence against Olivia...Sean telling her that he had dealt with Richmond.
Ana was very quickly apprehended and the end of the novel...almost the last quarter explores a reconcilliation that at times gets a little mushy and tedious.
I was waiting for a big...haha reader, you,ve been fooled at the end!!
An OK read ...but not that thrilling or exciting
Lewis just about makes the financial shinanigans understandable to the reader...but a few loss leaders tht didn't really develop...the evidence against Olivia...Sean telling her that he had dealt with Richmond.
Ana was very quickly apprehended and the end of the novel...almost the last quarter explores a reconcilliation that at times gets a little mushy and tedious.
I was waiting for a big...haha reader, you,ve been fooled at the end!!
An OK read ...but not that thrilling or exciting
July 23, 2019
The Secret Keeper by Susan Lewis is an escapist family drama with secrets, mystery and a dash of romance. When Olivia’s childhood sweetheart, Sean Kenyon returns to town, Olivia is determined to resist his charms. However her husband, Richmond is harbouring secrets that sink all she thought secure. I found this an easy read, possibly a little unbelievable at times, but also one that felt comforting to return to at the end of a busy day – Relaxing with a Susan Lewis novel is like spending time with a good friend.
November 15, 2019
Thin stuff. Saintly put-upon woman betrayed in entirely predictable way by sleazoid husband, bullied by ma-in-law, cue psychopath, Russian ex-girlfriend (referred to every time by her full name, so we never forget the Russian mafia connection, dahlink), rescued by The Saint She Should Have Stayed With In The First Place.
More than that, though, it's the writing style that offends most. Plodding, without conviction, and the "device" of giving Luke's narrative sweary and hip yoof phraseology was just one more annoyance.
More than that, though, it's the writing style that offends most. Plodding, without conviction, and the "device" of giving Luke's narrative sweary and hip yoof phraseology was just one more annoyance.
January 24, 2020
Excellent book
Every time I start a Susan Lewis book I am transported away . She manages to create an alternative universe for me until I have finished the book . I have never felt so close to any writer before and am so lost until I start another of her books . ! Of course it creates havoc with every day life as things just get left or forgotten about until the book is finished but there ! It's not often you can be taken out of the mundane into the magical !!! thank you xxx. Keep writing please !!!
Every time I start a Susan Lewis book I am transported away . She manages to create an alternative universe for me until I have finished the book . I have never felt so close to any writer before and am so lost until I start another of her books . ! Of course it creates havoc with every day life as things just get left or forgotten about until the book is finished but there ! It's not often you can be taken out of the mundane into the magical !!! thank you xxx. Keep writing please !!!
November 12, 2020
Not the best book I've ever read. I live in the USA and this book is based in the UK so there was a lot of lingo and locations that were hard for me to keep straight. I love a good mystery/thriller but this one was very predictable. There wasn't much character development either so I felt as if I was reading the spark notes version of these strangers' lives without having a deep understanding of who they are. I also felt like events leading up to the climax were rushed and the climax didn't even last that long so it was very anticlimactic overall.
March 13, 2025
This story has a little bit of everything: love, hate, family, marriage, regret, jealousy, desperation, fate.
Maybe it has a little too much of everything though, because I felt like some aspects of the story could have been elaborated on a bit more. I really enjoyed the book, but something was lacking. However, this book is perfect for a garden read, in the sunshine, with big wooly socks on and a huge mug of coffee on hand. Also, be prepared to absolutely hate one of the characters. Like blood-boiling hate (that's why I suggest the coziness, you're going to need some comfort 🤣)
Maybe it has a little too much of everything though, because I felt like some aspects of the story could have been elaborated on a bit more. I really enjoyed the book, but something was lacking. However, this book is perfect for a garden read, in the sunshine, with big wooly socks on and a huge mug of coffee on hand. Also, be prepared to absolutely hate one of the characters. Like blood-boiling hate (that's why I suggest the coziness, you're going to need some comfort 🤣)
May 11, 2019
This was my first Susan Lewis book I have ever read, and its not a genre I tend to read much.
I found this book OK, but seriously lacking any real depth. Olivia is most definitely a doormat, which is incredibly off-putting; Sasha is a spoilt brat, and Imogen is a b****h. The storyline is fine, if a little predictable. I just wish the writing was a little more polished. It felt rushed, especially for a mainstream author.
I found this book OK, but seriously lacking any real depth. Olivia is most definitely a doormat, which is incredibly off-putting; Sasha is a spoilt brat, and Imogen is a b****h. The storyline is fine, if a little predictable. I just wish the writing was a little more polished. It felt rushed, especially for a mainstream author.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 127 reviews