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Secret Keeping for Beginners
Even the closest families have secrets...it’s when they are shared that things begin to change.
Recently divorced Rachel is juggling her new dream job in interior design PR with the demands of two young daughters. She’s full of creative ideas but—even with a colourful childminder or two—some days she can’t make it into the office in time and in matching shoes. Her life is balanced more precariously than she cares to admit.
Tessa, a talented muralist, is feeling flat. Her kids are growing up and she’s feeling upstaged by her husband’s new-found celebrity as the host of a reality TV fireplace restoration show. But everything turns on its head when she gets a surprise from her past.
Youngest sister Natasha leads a glamorous jet-setting life—she’s one of Vogue’s favourite make-up artists who regularly creates the looks for the biggest shows in Paris and Milan. Single and childless, she’s been focused on her career—but when the lie she’s concealed for years threatens to come to light, the truth will make her question everything.
Meanwhile their mother, Joy, a hippy vegetarian caterer, is carefully ignoring the letters that keep arriving at her door.
Into the mix comes Simon, Rachel’s urbane boss, hiding secrets of his own. And everything lurking beneath the surface of this seemingly happy family is about to come out....
Recently divorced Rachel is juggling her new dream job in interior design PR with the demands of two young daughters. She’s full of creative ideas but—even with a colourful childminder or two—some days she can’t make it into the office in time and in matching shoes. Her life is balanced more precariously than she cares to admit.
Tessa, a talented muralist, is feeling flat. Her kids are growing up and she’s feeling upstaged by her husband’s new-found celebrity as the host of a reality TV fireplace restoration show. But everything turns on its head when she gets a surprise from her past.
Youngest sister Natasha leads a glamorous jet-setting life—she’s one of Vogue’s favourite make-up artists who regularly creates the looks for the biggest shows in Paris and Milan. Single and childless, she’s been focused on her career—but when the lie she’s concealed for years threatens to come to light, the truth will make her question everything.
Meanwhile their mother, Joy, a hippy vegetarian caterer, is carefully ignoring the letters that keep arriving at her door.
Into the mix comes Simon, Rachel’s urbane boss, hiding secrets of his own. And everything lurking beneath the surface of this seemingly happy family is about to come out....
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First published January 1, 2015
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About the author
Maggie Alderson
35 books296 followersMaggie Alderson is a British-Australian author (that’s how I’m supposed to write it, but I’m not very good at talking about myself in the third person, so I’m going to can it).
I was born in London, brought up in rural Staffordshire, and educated at the University of St Andrews - and then at the University of Life, Sydney campus.
I spent many years covering the fashion shows in Paris, Milan, London etc which is the best people watching ever (I had to remind myself to look at the models…).
An obsessed bookworm since childhood, all I wanted to do from the age of six was write books. I also hoovered up every magazine and newspaper I could lay my hands on and by the time I was a teenager was determined to edit a magazine and be a newspaper columnist.
I have edited five magazines (including British ELLE) and my Style Notes column ran in the Good Weekend colour supplement for twelve years, as well as being syndicated to The Times.
My first novel Pants on Fire was published in 2000 and was a bestseller in the UK and Australia. I’ve written eight more novels since, which have been translated into many languages.
I’ve also published four collections of my columns and a children’s book called Evangeline, the Wish Keeper’s Helper, which was shortlisted for the Prime Minister’s Award in Australia.
My latest novel is called The Scent of You and is the story of perfume blogger Polly, facing up to a crisis in her marriage – and her sense of who she is - told through a filter of her obsession with perfumes (and also featuring very well dressed, seriously damaged, red-hot men, which are my speciality).
The book was inspired by attending perfume events in London and realising just how many fascinating people there are in that world (and a fair few brilliant nutters).
You can read my heroine's blog fragrantcloud.net
I was born in London, brought up in rural Staffordshire, and educated at the University of St Andrews - and then at the University of Life, Sydney campus.
I spent many years covering the fashion shows in Paris, Milan, London etc which is the best people watching ever (I had to remind myself to look at the models…).
An obsessed bookworm since childhood, all I wanted to do from the age of six was write books. I also hoovered up every magazine and newspaper I could lay my hands on and by the time I was a teenager was determined to edit a magazine and be a newspaper columnist.
I have edited five magazines (including British ELLE) and my Style Notes column ran in the Good Weekend colour supplement for twelve years, as well as being syndicated to The Times.
My first novel Pants on Fire was published in 2000 and was a bestseller in the UK and Australia. I’ve written eight more novels since, which have been translated into many languages.
I’ve also published four collections of my columns and a children’s book called Evangeline, the Wish Keeper’s Helper, which was shortlisted for the Prime Minister’s Award in Australia.
My latest novel is called The Scent of You and is the story of perfume blogger Polly, facing up to a crisis in her marriage – and her sense of who she is - told through a filter of her obsession with perfumes (and also featuring very well dressed, seriously damaged, red-hot men, which are my speciality).
The book was inspired by attending perfume events in London and realising just how many fascinating people there are in that world (and a fair few brilliant nutters).
You can read my heroine's blog fragrantcloud.net
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April 24, 2017Not going to rate this as I got to page 115 and still didn't care one bit about the characters or the story. So have given up. May not be the book so much as not the right book for me.
March 21, 2022
This book wasn’t great. It pains me to say but it wasn’t. There really wasn’t much plot at all and what plot was there was very boring and predictable. The majority of the characters were unlikeable. And I just didn’t care what happened to them.
Just because the old lady did yoga and has crystals doesn’t make her physic....
Glad I haven’t got to read this anymore.
I was gifted a copy for HaperCollins in return for a honest, unbiased review
Just because the old lady did yoga and has crystals doesn’t make her physic....
Glad I haven’t got to read this anymore.
I was gifted a copy for HaperCollins in return for a honest, unbiased review
May 18, 2015
https://setinmotion1.wordpress.com/
Putting it out there, I love Maggie Alderson and I was overjoyed when I found out that she was releasing a new book (her first in about three years – rejoice!). So if this review is a tad bit biased, at least you know now. And yes, that does mean you should still definitely go out and buy all of her books immediately.
Set between London and countryside England (we’re already off to a great start!) Secret Keeping for Beginners tells the intertwining stories of three adult sisters and their mother. While each on the surface appears to have a great life, on closer inspection the reality is far more, well, realistic. Rachel is a divorced mother of two, but she’s also got a great career in PR and frequently jets off to European countries every second country. Tessa’s a muralist who lives in the country with her husband and three kids, and thanks to her husband’s reality TV show, she doesn’t have to worry about money in the slightest. Natasha’s a beautiful and successful career woman and even their mum, Joy, doesn’t seem to have a worry in the world. Except of course, they all do. Money troubles, mysterious letters and relationship secrets are all a part of the plot of Secret Keeping for Beginners – plus a delicious, flirty romance, like all good Maggie Alderson books (i.e. all of them).
Reading a Maggie Alderson book, I swear, is like slipping into a bubble bath after a long day of bleurgh. Yes, her novels are light and fluffy and the epitome of chick lit, but they are also damn wonderful. Just because she is writing about romance and domestic issues doesn’t mean that her writing isn’t still witty, well-structured and, essentially, entertaining. Will she win any awards with Secret Keeping For Beginners? No. But you will still manage to polish it off in the space of a weekend.
The protagonists in Secret Keeping for Beginners are beautiful, successful and lead lives that are appear glamorous. In all of Alderson’s novels, her characters have jobs that just seem so much more FUN than everyday jobs – interior designer, fashion journalist, muralist, beauty editor etc. etc. etc. Jobs that are probably just as successful as a regular, boring job, but can be presented in a way that is enviable and fun. Her latest novel is no exception to this rule that she’s created. Plus, throw into the mix descriptions of lovely clothes, beautiful country houses (seriously, I’m pretty sure Maggie Alderson is the reason why I want to move to London and spend my weekends in an English cottage) and handsome men and you have the thinking crumpet’s equivalent of escapism.
Not that I’m saying Secret Keeping for Beginners is perfect. It isn’t. There are certain aspects of the novel that just wouldn’t work in real life, like the way that Simon confides in Joy, despite meeting her only two times. And the problems that each of the women face are inexplicably solved in the space of a page, and only reinforce that these characters are dealing with very middle class issues. Prime example? One protagonist’s solution to her money woes is to sell her London house and instead move into a large London apartment. I mean, guys, that’s a really hard decision that I’m sure all of us worry about having to make someday. Right?
But, so what? I loved this book because it was exactly what I wanted it to be: classy, entertaining, smart chick lit. Maggie Alderson is a internationally best-selling author who has also been the editor of four magazines, amongst a whole lot more, and it shows. You don’t have to lose any brain cells in the process of reading Secret Keeping for Beginners but you’re also not going to be straining too many either. So seriously, buy this book, pour yourself a bath and crack open the chocolate. Your Friday night is now sorted. You’re welcome.
Putting it out there, I love Maggie Alderson and I was overjoyed when I found out that she was releasing a new book (her first in about three years – rejoice!). So if this review is a tad bit biased, at least you know now. And yes, that does mean you should still definitely go out and buy all of her books immediately.
Set between London and countryside England (we’re already off to a great start!) Secret Keeping for Beginners tells the intertwining stories of three adult sisters and their mother. While each on the surface appears to have a great life, on closer inspection the reality is far more, well, realistic. Rachel is a divorced mother of two, but she’s also got a great career in PR and frequently jets off to European countries every second country. Tessa’s a muralist who lives in the country with her husband and three kids, and thanks to her husband’s reality TV show, she doesn’t have to worry about money in the slightest. Natasha’s a beautiful and successful career woman and even their mum, Joy, doesn’t seem to have a worry in the world. Except of course, they all do. Money troubles, mysterious letters and relationship secrets are all a part of the plot of Secret Keeping for Beginners – plus a delicious, flirty romance, like all good Maggie Alderson books (i.e. all of them).
Reading a Maggie Alderson book, I swear, is like slipping into a bubble bath after a long day of bleurgh. Yes, her novels are light and fluffy and the epitome of chick lit, but they are also damn wonderful. Just because she is writing about romance and domestic issues doesn’t mean that her writing isn’t still witty, well-structured and, essentially, entertaining. Will she win any awards with Secret Keeping For Beginners? No. But you will still manage to polish it off in the space of a weekend.
The protagonists in Secret Keeping for Beginners are beautiful, successful and lead lives that are appear glamorous. In all of Alderson’s novels, her characters have jobs that just seem so much more FUN than everyday jobs – interior designer, fashion journalist, muralist, beauty editor etc. etc. etc. Jobs that are probably just as successful as a regular, boring job, but can be presented in a way that is enviable and fun. Her latest novel is no exception to this rule that she’s created. Plus, throw into the mix descriptions of lovely clothes, beautiful country houses (seriously, I’m pretty sure Maggie Alderson is the reason why I want to move to London and spend my weekends in an English cottage) and handsome men and you have the thinking crumpet’s equivalent of escapism.
Not that I’m saying Secret Keeping for Beginners is perfect. It isn’t. There are certain aspects of the novel that just wouldn’t work in real life, like the way that Simon confides in Joy, despite meeting her only two times. And the problems that each of the women face are inexplicably solved in the space of a page, and only reinforce that these characters are dealing with very middle class issues. Prime example? One protagonist’s solution to her money woes is to sell her London house and instead move into a large London apartment. I mean, guys, that’s a really hard decision that I’m sure all of us worry about having to make someday. Right?
But, so what? I loved this book because it was exactly what I wanted it to be: classy, entertaining, smart chick lit. Maggie Alderson is a internationally best-selling author who has also been the editor of four magazines, amongst a whole lot more, and it shows. You don’t have to lose any brain cells in the process of reading Secret Keeping for Beginners but you’re also not going to be straining too many either. So seriously, buy this book, pour yourself a bath and crack open the chocolate. Your Friday night is now sorted. You’re welcome.
November 14, 2025
I would describe Ms Alderson's earlier works as "chick lit for the intelligent woman". In an earlier review, I said of her books, "there's always a feel-good romance in them somewhere, but they're not predictable, formulaic romance where you know on page 2 who the heroine will end up with."
In Secret Keeping, all that goes out the window. The main romance is obvious on page one -- although for a few pages, when , I thought the story would take a courageous change of direction, because .
Sadly no, but perhaps I could've got over that, if I'd liked Rachel more. However she was a pain in the neck. We're supposed to sympathise with her because she's a single mother with two kids -- however she was the one who dumped her husband; not because he was unfaithful or cruel or controlling, but because he was boring. Then, having spent silly amounts of money buying designer furnishings for her new house, she acts surprised when she finds herself in enormous debt. She exploits a male immigrant to work as her nanny,
The male 'lead', Simon, is endlessly sex-obsessed. I'd say it's an accurate portrayal of the male perspective, but I don't think it served the story to spend so much time in his head, or should that be in his trousers. A lot of the time, it didn't move the story forward.
In other books, I've enjoyed how the author used her knowledge of fashion and marketing to create an authentic backdrop, but this time, it didn't blend as naturally into the story.
And finally the ending. The author obviously wondered whether it was wise to tie up all the ends so neatly at the last minute - she even makes one of the characters refer to a Poirot ending. I think she was right to be concerned. A whole lot of action happens that we don't even see, it all gets reported in a page or two and it feels rushed.
In Secret Keeping, all that goes out the window. The main romance is obvious on page one -- although for a few pages, when , I thought the story would take a courageous change of direction, because .
Sadly no, but perhaps I could've got over that, if I'd liked Rachel more. However she was a pain in the neck. We're supposed to sympathise with her because she's a single mother with two kids -- however she was the one who dumped her husband; not because he was unfaithful or cruel or controlling, but because he was boring. Then, having spent silly amounts of money buying designer furnishings for her new house, she acts surprised when she finds herself in enormous debt. She exploits a male immigrant to work as her nanny,
The male 'lead', Simon, is endlessly sex-obsessed. I'd say it's an accurate portrayal of the male perspective, but I don't think it served the story to spend so much time in his head, or should that be in his trousers. A lot of the time, it didn't move the story forward.
In other books, I've enjoyed how the author used her knowledge of fashion and marketing to create an authentic backdrop, but this time, it didn't blend as naturally into the story.
And finally the ending. The author obviously wondered whether it was wise to tie up all the ends so neatly at the last minute - she even makes one of the characters refer to a Poirot ending. I think she was right to be concerned. A whole lot of action happens that we don't even see, it all gets reported in a page or two and it feels rushed.
September 11, 2015
Having read a lot of Maggie Alderson's books, this was not one of her greats. The story, based all around family secrets, was extremely predictable. It also used the same structure her previous books have - very cookie cutter - making it a bit of a boring read. I absolutely hated the Rachel character, constantly whining about money and how nothing goes her way. I'm not sure if you were meant to feel bad for her but I despised her immaturity and lack of common sense. The rest of the characters were generally well written. I started to enjoy the book about half way through but the final chapter was so horribly cheesey!! I know authors like to wrap up each major character but the way it was done here was so cliché, it did not work with the rest of the book. Overall, an ok read but if you've read Alderson's other books, you will be disappointed with this one.
September 23, 2019
I like a good Maggie Alderson. This one was perfectly page-turnable, but pretty hum-drum for her. I have enjoyed other titles of hers much more (and I have to say, I was a little disappointed this one was not at all funny). Putting the predictability and the fluffiness of the all-round happy ending aside, I still enjoyed it and will certainly read more of her work.
January 13, 2018
Easy light read. You kinda know from first couple of chapters which direction it all is heading and possible ending. It wasnt surprise for me anyway.
May 6, 2022
I like the author’s style and the book held my attention. I recommend her other books. This one was far too predictable and has too much focus on romance with little other substance. Simon was creepy, particularly given that his type is sisters. Too many mentions of his fascination with the proper ratio between Rachel’s waist and her hips, which he also liked in her sister. Even though it was obvious from the very beginning that the two of them would get together, I wasn’t sure I wanted them to. Joy’s ability to read and solve everyone’s problems, in a patronising and controlling way, was pushed too far. Similar critiques could be made about the other characters.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 31, 2025
I’m a Maggie Alderson fan. While I liked this book, I didn’t love it as I have her others. It was still a welcome gift though.
Set in London and the English countryside, Secret Keeping for Beginners tells the story of three sisters Rachel, Natasha, and Tessa, and their mother, Joy (who used to be called Elsie).. I’d change my name too if I’d been named Elsie! Rachel is a divorced mother in her early forties and has two little girls. She has a career in PR and heads off to European countries frequently. Money is tight though. Tessa is a muralist who lives in the country with her husband Tim Chimeney (he has his own tv show and his real name is Tom). They’re quite well off and have three boys. Natasha is a successful career woman in the make up industry who lives in New York. Joy, their mum is an excellent vegetarian cook. Joy, who is 74, starts getting odd letters in her old name, Elsie. She destroys them without reading them, as they spook her out. Simon, Rachel’s boss, has a crush on her. She is having a fling with a younger man, Link.
Natasha, Rachel, and Tessa all have secrets, as does their mum. It’s a 465 page read. It’s on the light side though and I read it over a day. I enjoyed this entertaining and often funny story. It has its serious parts as well. Rachel doesn’t eat properly because she wants to save what money she has after paying the mortgage, etc for feeding her little girls. The ex husband is on the stingy side.
The three sisters are beautiful as well as being talented in their career roles. They seem to live glamorous lives. Natasha is only a half sister as she has a different dad, Joy’s second (Aussie) husband who she divorced. Her first husband, an MP, died. Simon, who fancies Rachel, is handsome. He too has his secrets though. Ultimately he confides in Joy, who’s a bit of a Seer. She has the second sight as the elderly in Ireland would say when I was growing up!
The description of Tessa’s beautiful country home sounds fabulous and salubrious. She’s not that happy though as she doesn’t work as a muralist, apart from at home, anymore and a business she’d started with Tom before he became a tv star is being neglected. She also thinks Tom has become vain from doing his tv show. Lots of women fancy him and she wonders what’s going to happen to them as a couple.
I don’t want to spoil the plot, so I’ll leave it at that, other than to say this is a well written and engaging read that I would recommend to others.
Set in London and the English countryside, Secret Keeping for Beginners tells the story of three sisters Rachel, Natasha, and Tessa, and their mother, Joy (who used to be called Elsie).. I’d change my name too if I’d been named Elsie! Rachel is a divorced mother in her early forties and has two little girls. She has a career in PR and heads off to European countries frequently. Money is tight though. Tessa is a muralist who lives in the country with her husband Tim Chimeney (he has his own tv show and his real name is Tom). They’re quite well off and have three boys. Natasha is a successful career woman in the make up industry who lives in New York. Joy, their mum is an excellent vegetarian cook. Joy, who is 74, starts getting odd letters in her old name, Elsie. She destroys them without reading them, as they spook her out. Simon, Rachel’s boss, has a crush on her. She is having a fling with a younger man, Link.
Natasha, Rachel, and Tessa all have secrets, as does their mum. It’s a 465 page read. It’s on the light side though and I read it over a day. I enjoyed this entertaining and often funny story. It has its serious parts as well. Rachel doesn’t eat properly because she wants to save what money she has after paying the mortgage, etc for feeding her little girls. The ex husband is on the stingy side.
The three sisters are beautiful as well as being talented in their career roles. They seem to live glamorous lives. Natasha is only a half sister as she has a different dad, Joy’s second (Aussie) husband who she divorced. Her first husband, an MP, died. Simon, who fancies Rachel, is handsome. He too has his secrets though. Ultimately he confides in Joy, who’s a bit of a Seer. She has the second sight as the elderly in Ireland would say when I was growing up!
The description of Tessa’s beautiful country home sounds fabulous and salubrious. She’s not that happy though as she doesn’t work as a muralist, apart from at home, anymore and a business she’d started with Tom before he became a tv star is being neglected. She also thinks Tom has become vain from doing his tv show. Lots of women fancy him and she wonders what’s going to happen to them as a couple.
I don’t want to spoil the plot, so I’ll leave it at that, other than to say this is a well written and engaging read that I would recommend to others.
August 29, 2022
Listened on borrowbox
Joy's 3 children are her world but all worlds apart. Rachel is recently divorced because he was too boring and has two delightful children. Whilst Tess is married to the famous Tim Chimoney and they own a salvage yard together. However she has become slightly agoraphobic and spends her time painting flowers on the skirting boards. Whilst her high flying single sister travels the globe as a make up artist. Until Joy falls and breaks her hip and she starts to realise her family's lives are all changing. Can she help them make sure they get their happy ever after?
I enjoyed reading "The scent of you." So naturally moved along to another Maggie Alderson book. This is my third one qnd I cannot get enough.
This book is a great romance read. Although their are some deep and emotional subjects included in this book such as sexuality, single parenthood, divorce, mental health and debt amongst other things. I do not feel this takes away from the romantic feel of the book but enhances the twists and turns this book throws your way. Whilst really throwing itself into 21st century living where family each have their own troubles and often, however close, battle these alone. This is all particularly prevelant with the increasing bills where you may have a high flyer in the family and another struggling to keep food on the table. This book is a marvel. It brings multiple threads and themes together in a very special way and ties them together to show a problem shared is a problem halved!
Joy's 3 children are her world but all worlds apart. Rachel is recently divorced because he was too boring and has two delightful children. Whilst Tess is married to the famous Tim Chimoney and they own a salvage yard together. However she has become slightly agoraphobic and spends her time painting flowers on the skirting boards. Whilst her high flying single sister travels the globe as a make up artist. Until Joy falls and breaks her hip and she starts to realise her family's lives are all changing. Can she help them make sure they get their happy ever after?
I enjoyed reading "The scent of you." So naturally moved along to another Maggie Alderson book. This is my third one qnd I cannot get enough.
This book is a great romance read. Although their are some deep and emotional subjects included in this book such as sexuality, single parenthood, divorce, mental health and debt amongst other things. I do not feel this takes away from the romantic feel of the book but enhances the twists and turns this book throws your way. Whilst really throwing itself into 21st century living where family each have their own troubles and often, however close, battle these alone. This is all particularly prevelant with the increasing bills where you may have a high flyer in the family and another struggling to keep food on the table. This book is a marvel. It brings multiple threads and themes together in a very special way and ties them together to show a problem shared is a problem halved!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 28, 2022
I had a love hate with the characters. Tessa annoyed me. She had everything and couldn’t be happy for her husband and as soon as she sees an old fling she’s acting stupid. You may not like the choices someone makes for their career but he’s still a faithful loving husband. Her secret was mediocre and given more time then it needed.
Rachel was a roller coaster and I really enjoyed her development in the story. She was feisty and new what she want and owned up to her mistakes
Natasha was a middle ground. Her worries were a great topic and her development was great. I just didn’t connect enough. I didn’t see enough of her and Mattie’s relationship to fully immerse. One second they meet the next she’s flying to see her all the time.
Simons big reveal felt last minute and not given enough depth. I did like him as a character he had great morales and while at the start I logged him and tessa he became my favourite.
Joy was a great mum. Her also massive secret wasn’t given enough time to fully inspect and learn about which was disappointing.
Rachel was a roller coaster and I really enjoyed her development in the story. She was feisty and new what she want and owned up to her mistakes
Natasha was a middle ground. Her worries were a great topic and her development was great. I just didn’t connect enough. I didn’t see enough of her and Mattie’s relationship to fully immerse. One second they meet the next she’s flying to see her all the time.
Simons big reveal felt last minute and not given enough depth. I did like him as a character he had great morales and while at the start I logged him and tessa he became my favourite.
Joy was a great mum. Her also massive secret wasn’t given enough time to fully inspect and learn about which was disappointing.
February 19, 2019
Never read Maggie Alderson before but will definitely be reading more now I have! The way she blended the different perspectives was a bit jarring at first but as I got to know each of the characters the changes became seamless. I don't think there was a character I didn't like! - and not because they were flawless (they weren't!) but because they were so well developed. The only thing that let me down (bar the slight difficulty with the initial headhopping) was Joy's secret pertaining to the son she put up for adoption. It literally added nothing to the story and seemed to be thrown in at the end for shock value. Also, I enjoy a happy ending, but c'mon...
P.S. Also I'm still a bit grossed out about the Rachel, Tessa, Simon scenario... 25 years is a long time, but still! Ick!
I read this via audiobook :)
P.S. Also I'm still a bit grossed out about the Rachel, Tessa, Simon scenario... 25 years is a long time, but still! Ick!
I read this via audiobook :)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 7, 2025
It seems that I picked the wrong Maggie Anderson book to start with as so many reviewers suggest.
It was fine, just very beige. Predictable in plot and the glimmer of excitement with Tess was dashed quickly and I would suggest highly unrealistically. They are all rather co-dependant and useless which wasn’t very inspiring. I also couldn’t stand all the baby talk “Tashie” / “Rachie” nonsense! And does anyone avoid opening mail like all of these characters seem to?!
However, if you want a fairly mindless read for a weekend, it was mainly inoffensive.
It was fine, just very beige. Predictable in plot and the glimmer of excitement with Tess was dashed quickly and I would suggest highly unrealistically. They are all rather co-dependant and useless which wasn’t very inspiring. I also couldn’t stand all the baby talk “Tashie” / “Rachie” nonsense! And does anyone avoid opening mail like all of these characters seem to?!
However, if you want a fairly mindless read for a weekend, it was mainly inoffensive.
October 31, 2019
This was such a feel-good read! Three sisters and their new age mum all have secrets they are keeping from each other. Each character is beautifully drawn and I loved spending time with them all. Alderson has a wonderful way making you care about her characters as well as keeping you interested all the way through her stories. The mother acted as a deus ex machina, able to read people, provide sage advice, and resolve problems - it was unusual in a contemporary romance novel.
May 9, 2020
OMG this book was just awful! I’ve not read a book by this author and certainly won’t be again. I’ve read far more than my share of ‘Chic Lit’ but this is just boring and talk about happy endings and tying things up neatly at the end this is just unbelievable. I will say this it is an easy read and if that’s your thing there will undoubtedly be people out there that love it and are happy to know that fairytales do still exist!
January 31, 2023
Not great. The resolutions to all the issues are far too easy and unrealistic. Nothing to get your teeth into and nowhere exciting or interesting to escape to, just a very odd family drama with a sugary Hollywood ending you can see coming a mile off. Likely you’ll imagine a better ending than the one you get.
August 28, 2017
What a charming, heart-warming story! Lovable characters, interesting problems, humour and sadness. It's got it all. So well-written. Maggie Alderson has become a firm favourite of mine now after reading three of her books now.
May 11, 2019
Very good
This is my second Maggie Alderson book and I thoroughly enjoyed this one too. Yes, they are light and entertaining but so well done and somewhat unusual. I couldn't put this down.
This is my second Maggie Alderson book and I thoroughly enjoyed this one too. Yes, they are light and entertaining but so well done and somewhat unusual. I couldn't put this down.
January 24, 2024
A lovely summer read, exploring the lives of Rachel, her sisters, her mum and the whole family.
Set in England, with nods to Australia and New York, a snuggly read and enjoyable company on a quiet day off.
Set in England, with nods to Australia and New York, a snuggly read and enjoyable company on a quiet day off.
December 12, 2017
All very domestic fiction-y. Sometimes that’s nice.
January 31, 2018
Too much like chic lit for my taste.
March 16, 2018
No way near as good as the other books, its too contrived, the world does not end so perfectly wrapped in a bow
March 29, 2018
An entertaining light read. If you like happy endings and twisty personal lives with neat and tidy resolutions, you'll like this.
September 29, 2018
Too cliche, predictable, happy endings... readable but I feel cheap when its done ! Not my sort of book.
October 16, 2018
An easy read, fun and cheerful, perfect to escape into (maybe a beach read or curl up with, in a wet day), but just not my cup of tea.
August 5, 2019
Enjoyed this. It is a fun and light read. As others have said it all wrapped up sort of suddenly and predictably but I think that’s what you expect in a book like this!
April 23, 2020
At first I was thinking not sure if I will like this book but it got better and better .worth a read
April 27, 2020
Great read
Great read on a lazy Sunday afternoon - all those family secrets revealed so that there is a happy ending
Great read on a lazy Sunday afternoon - all those family secrets revealed so that there is a happy ending
June 26, 2020
Fabulous book. Kept the pages turning all day!
February 27, 2021
Typical romantic novel, different stories blend together well.
Some other live stories are not the standard type so that give the book a point of difference.
Some other live stories are not the standard type so that give the book a point of difference.
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