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The truth will always rise to the surface…
When Reen left The Burrow eight years ago, she had no intention of returning to her idyllic seaside hometown. Withdrawn and isolated from her family after the tragic death of her father, there was no reason to stay.
But when her sister, Rose, reaches out with news about their mother she has no choice but to go back.
Forced to confront her demons she runs into her childhood sweetheart, Brody, who still sends her heart into a flutter. But can Reen finally learn let go of the past and find the happiness she truly deserves?
When Reen left The Burrow eight years ago, she had no intention of returning to her idyllic seaside hometown. Withdrawn and isolated from her family after the tragic death of her father, there was no reason to stay.
But when her sister, Rose, reaches out with news about their mother she has no choice but to go back.
Forced to confront her demons she runs into her childhood sweetheart, Brody, who still sends her heart into a flutter. But can Reen finally learn let go of the past and find the happiness she truly deserves?
- GenresMermaids
196 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 10, 2019
1 person is currently reading
43 people want to read
About the author
Katlyn Duncan
21 books336 followersKatlyn Duncan is a multi-published author of adult and young adult fiction, and has ghostwritten over 40 novels for children and adults.
When she’s not writing, she’s obsessing over many (many) television series’, and hanging out on YouTube where she shares her writing process and all the bookish things.
Keep up with Katlyn by subscribing to her newsletter: www.katlynduncan.com/newsletter.
When she’s not writing, she’s obsessing over many (many) television series’, and hanging out on YouTube where she shares her writing process and all the bookish things.
Keep up with Katlyn by subscribing to her newsletter: www.katlynduncan.com/newsletter.
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
January 13, 2019

The siren's song, a hidden, melody, the rushing waves, and the escaping memories - a strange lore of fantasy and family was this story of Reen. Book 2 by Katlyn Duncan told me the story of the sister Reen.
A family broken apart, hurt and abandonment and distance widening the chasm, the book started with a breech between the sisters so deep that it took my turning the pages fast to form a bridge.
I loved the way Katlyn described Reen in contrast to Rose in book1. Reen was like a rough abrasive starchy wash cloth. Her need to run grated on my nerves till the love soaking into her by Brody and being saved from drowning caused her to settle down and show her hidden vulnerability. Hurt given by the mother always makes a child prickly...
Reen was stubborn and elusive, she kept her distance till the very end, that niggled me too. She refused to be my friend. Her reasons for running away from love and family could have been better explained, it was difficult connecting to her.
This book too haunted me with its possibilities, brought out my imagination in full force, and kept me hooked till the end. Luckily, there is still the mother Pearl's story... And yes, the dreaded cliffhanger. To be continued when I get book 3
The siren's song, a hidden, melody, the rushing waves, and the escaping memories - a strange lore of fantasy and family was this story of Reen. Book 2 by Katlyn Duncan told me the story of the sister Reen.
A family broken apart, hurt and abandonment and distance widening the chasm, the book started with a breech between the sisters so deep that it took my turning the pages fast to form a bridge.
I loved the way Katlyn described Reen in contrast to Rose in book1. Reen was like a rough abrasive starchy wash cloth. Her need to run grated on my nerves till the love soaking into her by Brody and being saved from drowning caused her to settle down and show her hidden vulnerability. Hurt given by the mother always makes a child prickly...
Reen was stubborn and elusive, she kept her distance till the very end, that niggled me too. She refused to be my friend. Her reasons for running away from love and family could have been better explained, it was difficult connecting to her.
This book too haunted me with its possibilities, brought out my imagination in full force, and kept me hooked till the end. Luckily, there is still the mother Pearl's story... And yes, the dreaded cliffhanger. To be continued when I get book 3
August 13, 2019
The second in the, ‘Sisters’ Secrets’ series, this novel is told from Rose (from the first book) sister Reen’s point of view. The prologue tells enough of the background story for this to be read as a stand-alone book, but personally I think the story is better and makes more sense if you have read, ’Rose’, which sets the scene for this book first.
Reen Barro left her seaside hometown, The Burrow eight years ago and had no intention of ever returning. She left following the tragic death of her father and is estranged from her sister Rose and her mother. However Rose reaches out to Reen and informs her of her mother’s illness, she has dementia and Reen decides to face the demons of her past and return. She comes face to face with her childhood sweetheart, Brody who still makes her ”heart flutter”.
Reen is not as liable as Rose as a character, especially having read Rose’s story, from her point of view. However the more you read and get to know Reen, you begin to understand her better. The family’s secret which connects all three books, no spoilers, but it does involve the seaside towns historic link with ‘Mermaid Lore’, is explained more in this book as Rose has to tell Reen.
This is, “a heartfelt magical story”, which is a mix of romance and fantasy but also manages to deal with complex issues surrounding family relationships, bereavement, loss and first love.
I could not put this book down, and am looking forward to the final instalment of the, ‘Sisters’ Secrets’ series by Katlyn Duncan.
Reen Barro left her seaside hometown, The Burrow eight years ago and had no intention of ever returning. She left following the tragic death of her father and is estranged from her sister Rose and her mother. However Rose reaches out to Reen and informs her of her mother’s illness, she has dementia and Reen decides to face the demons of her past and return. She comes face to face with her childhood sweetheart, Brody who still makes her ”heart flutter”.
Reen is not as liable as Rose as a character, especially having read Rose’s story, from her point of view. However the more you read and get to know Reen, you begin to understand her better. The family’s secret which connects all three books, no spoilers, but it does involve the seaside towns historic link with ‘Mermaid Lore’, is explained more in this book as Rose has to tell Reen.
This is, “a heartfelt magical story”, which is a mix of romance and fantasy but also manages to deal with complex issues surrounding family relationships, bereavement, loss and first love.
I could not put this book down, and am looking forward to the final instalment of the, ‘Sisters’ Secrets’ series by Katlyn Duncan.
January 12, 2019
My thanks to HQ Digital for an eARC via NetGalley of the second in Katlyn Duncan’s ‘The Sisters’ Secrets’ trilogy. Given the cover art it should be no surprise that mermaids are involved.
I read and reviewed ‘Rose’ in early October and so was looking forward to finding out how the reunion between Rose and her estranged sister Reen would play out.
Eight years previously Reen had left The Burrow, the idyllic seaside town where they grew up, and had little contact with friends and family since. Reen only reluctantly returns because their mother is seriously ill.
Rose also has the unenviable task of telling her sister their family’s secret. Reen is very sceptical, which surprised me a bit gIven that The Burrow is historically seeped in mermaid lore and she has always felt a strong sense of connection to the water.
However, I put this down to Reen’s general defensiveness. I felt for Rose throughout as Reen was hard work. On the other hand it was quite refreshing to have characters in this kind of fantasy who don’t automatically accept the existence of such beings.
As I noted with the first book, while there is romance and light moments, this isn’t paranormal fluff. It is thought-provoking and examines issues linked to family, loss and bereavement.
It proved a short, very engaging read. There are more secrets to be revealed so certainly will be reading the final book, ‘The Sisters’ Secrets: Pearl’ due out in April 2019.
I read and reviewed ‘Rose’ in early October and so was looking forward to finding out how the reunion between Rose and her estranged sister Reen would play out.
Eight years previously Reen had left The Burrow, the idyllic seaside town where they grew up, and had little contact with friends and family since. Reen only reluctantly returns because their mother is seriously ill.
Rose also has the unenviable task of telling her sister their family’s secret. Reen is very sceptical, which surprised me a bit gIven that The Burrow is historically seeped in mermaid lore and she has always felt a strong sense of connection to the water.
However, I put this down to Reen’s general defensiveness. I felt for Rose throughout as Reen was hard work. On the other hand it was quite refreshing to have characters in this kind of fantasy who don’t automatically accept the existence of such beings.
As I noted with the first book, while there is romance and light moments, this isn’t paranormal fluff. It is thought-provoking and examines issues linked to family, loss and bereavement.
It proved a short, very engaging read. There are more secrets to be revealed so certainly will be reading the final book, ‘The Sisters’ Secrets: Pearl’ due out in April 2019.
January 22, 2019
A story of family - and two sisters who have now survived and one particularly reaching out to the other sister with a hope of drawing closer and being a family once more.
Reen left the Burrow under less than pleasant circumstances. On her father's sudden death, her mother withdrew from her and never attempted to bridge the divide. Now diagnosed with dementia and very ill, Reen has returned mainly out of a sense of duty to just pay her respects and leave the next day. She did not think that meeting her ex boyfriend and her sister and seeing her mother in her pitiful state would lengthen her stay.
Rose her sister has a fantastic tale to tell of her mother's past and one which is unimaginable and not very plausible. Rose is of the mind that her mother was a mermaid at some part of her life, and that accounts for Reen's brilliant swimming performances in the past.
This was the basic story. I found the mermaid part a bit difficult to fathom or understand. I also found the writing rather stilted and this took away from the story.
The highlight of this story for me was that life is short, you never know which way life will turn out to be and it is better to forgive and forget and move on, rather than hang on to bitterness and history which can anyway not be erased.
Reen left the Burrow under less than pleasant circumstances. On her father's sudden death, her mother withdrew from her and never attempted to bridge the divide. Now diagnosed with dementia and very ill, Reen has returned mainly out of a sense of duty to just pay her respects and leave the next day. She did not think that meeting her ex boyfriend and her sister and seeing her mother in her pitiful state would lengthen her stay.
Rose her sister has a fantastic tale to tell of her mother's past and one which is unimaginable and not very plausible. Rose is of the mind that her mother was a mermaid at some part of her life, and that accounts for Reen's brilliant swimming performances in the past.
This was the basic story. I found the mermaid part a bit difficult to fathom or understand. I also found the writing rather stilted and this took away from the story.
The highlight of this story for me was that life is short, you never know which way life will turn out to be and it is better to forgive and forget and move on, rather than hang on to bitterness and history which can anyway not be erased.
February 10, 2019
Reen was a recommendation and is the second book in the The Sister's Secrets trilogy, I have read the instalment about Reen as a standalone book and thoroughly enjoyed it. I am now keen to go back and read the first book and get to know more about Rose's story.
Reen has returned to her childhood home after leaving abruptly eight years ago and during this story she is dealing with her conflicting emotions since returning to her childhood home and all of the feelings that she buried when she had left.
During this story she starts to build bridges with her sister and comes to understand more about an experience her sister had in the sea as a child which also leads to them asking more questions about their family beyond their parents.
I am now really excited to read the final instalment of the story which is due for release in April.
Reen has returned to her childhood home after leaving abruptly eight years ago and during this story she is dealing with her conflicting emotions since returning to her childhood home and all of the feelings that she buried when she had left.
During this story she starts to build bridges with her sister and comes to understand more about an experience her sister had in the sea as a child which also leads to them asking more questions about their family beyond their parents.
I am now really excited to read the final instalment of the story which is due for release in April.
February 24, 2019
This is book two in a trilogy and, as such, should be read in order.
Having enjoyed reading the first book in this series, I couldn’t wait to get stuck into this one. Reen is a different kettle of fish to her sister, Rose. As I started to read this story I realised that Reen has a lot in her past she is running away from. Her emotions are all over the place, and being back to her hometown brings her a lot of pain and anxiety.
The relationship between Rose, Reen and Pearl is a difficult one given their shared past experiences. Reen has a lot to take in now she is back, accepting it isn’t easy for her. Can she put aside her natural instincts and move forward?
I love this series and cannot wait to read Pearls story.
Having enjoyed reading the first book in this series, I couldn’t wait to get stuck into this one. Reen is a different kettle of fish to her sister, Rose. As I started to read this story I realised that Reen has a lot in her past she is running away from. Her emotions are all over the place, and being back to her hometown brings her a lot of pain and anxiety.
The relationship between Rose, Reen and Pearl is a difficult one given their shared past experiences. Reen has a lot to take in now she is back, accepting it isn’t easy for her. Can she put aside her natural instincts and move forward?
I love this series and cannot wait to read Pearls story.
February 23, 2019
I love Reen!
The girl who left and came back again under difficult circumstances really came to life in this, the second of the series. At the beginning of the book I found Reen a bit self-absorbed but within a chapter or two I found myself completely on her side, understanding her desire to run from small town life and her mixed feelings about her return. As she and her sister try to find out more about their mum and her side of hefamily their bond regrows, as does Reens bond with other old friends.
This book ends on something of a cliff hanger again and I eagerly await book 3- please let it appear soon!
The girl who left and came back again under difficult circumstances really came to life in this, the second of the series. At the beginning of the book I found Reen a bit self-absorbed but within a chapter or two I found myself completely on her side, understanding her desire to run from small town life and her mixed feelings about her return. As she and her sister try to find out more about their mum and her side of hefamily their bond regrows, as does Reens bond with other old friends.
This book ends on something of a cliff hanger again and I eagerly await book 3- please let it appear soon!
February 7, 2019
Recap: Reen Barros, sister to Rose, has returned to her childhood home, her memory-addled mother and her broken-hearted high school boyfriend. Will she stay?
Review: Well written from a different viewpoint this time, the more aggressive and feisty Reen. There was less mermaid mystery which was a shame, everyone smirked a lot and drank an awful lot of wine but the romance lovers will still get their kicks and we did get confirmation of our suspicions from book one. Cliff hanger ending of sorts so will definitely be reading book three. An easy, enjoyable read.
Review: Well written from a different viewpoint this time, the more aggressive and feisty Reen. There was less mermaid mystery which was a shame, everyone smirked a lot and drank an awful lot of wine but the romance lovers will still get their kicks and we did get confirmation of our suspicions from book one. Cliff hanger ending of sorts so will definitely be reading book three. An easy, enjoyable read.
May 1, 2019
I received a copy of this book from TBC REviewers Request- Thank you
So if you've read the first book in series you'll think you know whats happening right? Wrong!
This is a very different type of novel to the first book in The Sisters Secrets series. Reen's story is much more of a slow burn but equally enjoyable.
I'd (as always) definitely recommend making the time to read the first book in the series before starting with this one but it will work as stand alone
Thank you for the entertaining and thought provoking read
So if you've read the first book in series you'll think you know whats happening right? Wrong!
This is a very different type of novel to the first book in The Sisters Secrets series. Reen's story is much more of a slow burn but equally enjoyable.
I'd (as always) definitely recommend making the time to read the first book in the series before starting with this one but it will work as stand alone
Thank you for the entertaining and thought provoking read
February 23, 2019
When Reen left The Burrows eight years ago after the death of her father she never expected to go back there but when her sister tells her that her mother is really ill and has dementia she goes back not intending to stay, but her mother is worse than she thought, her sister Rose needs help........ and then there is the ex boyfriend!
A good follow on to the story of Rose, but we still need Pearl's, the mother's, story to get the full picture, a bit whimsical with the talk of mermaids but a good story
A good follow on to the story of Rose, but we still need Pearl's, the mother's, story to get the full picture, a bit whimsical with the talk of mermaids but a good story
March 17, 2019
I have previously read 'Rose' who is Reen's sister and I loved her story. But I got drawn into Reen's side of the story and the families secret even more. I again liked the characters and would, obviously next to Pearl's story love to read Brody's one too, if there will be one. Very well written with a few chapter cliffhangers. If you are looking for something light, lovely and nice to read, the Sisters secret 'Reen and Rose' is definately one for you.
April 25, 2019
This book continues the story of Rose and her family. It also works as a stand alone tale.
It was nice to learn more about the families story and was an easy read.
This said I did not warm to Reem as I did to Rose in the first book and found the book did not hold my imagination or interset as much
I did enjoy the writing style and find the author's descriptions engaging
Thank you to TBC Reviewer group for my copy of this novel
It was nice to learn more about the families story and was an easy read.
This said I did not warm to Reem as I did to Rose in the first book and found the book did not hold my imagination or interset as much
I did enjoy the writing style and find the author's descriptions engaging
Thank you to TBC Reviewer group for my copy of this novel
February 23, 2021
This one was harder for me to read because there were a lot of parallels to my own family. (No, we're not mermaids.) The family dynamic is really well written and the struggles that come from a family falling apart felt genuine. Seeing Reen come back to herself was rather satisfying and gave the story a hopeful feeling amidst the heartache going on with their mom. Can't wait to read Pearl's story.
March 26, 2022
I’m not sure if I liked this book or not to be honest. I definitely didn’t hate or love it, but somewhere in the middle.
The writing style was smooth and descriptive, but I found the story a bit too slow paced for me.
I found that I struggled to connect with Reen because I didn’t really liked her all that much. But I do wonder if in some way that the author intended to make her character come across that way?! But that just didn’t work for me.
Overall, an ok read that I’m sure some will love.
The writing style was smooth and descriptive, but I found the story a bit too slow paced for me.
I found that I struggled to connect with Reen because I didn’t really liked her all that much. But I do wonder if in some way that the author intended to make her character come across that way?! But that just didn’t work for me.
Overall, an ok read that I’m sure some will love.
February 7, 2019
The second in the 'Sister's Secrets' series delved a bit deeper into Rose and Reen's story, but this time focussed much more on Reen who was missing from the last installment. We found out a little more about their family, and a bit more about mermaids. This series is intriguing me and drawing me in. I'm looking forward to the next book in the series.
May 13, 2019
A follow up to Rose(The sisters' secrets #1). Reen comes to town to visit her mother Pearl at her rest home after there was a worsening of her condition. Reen and Rose have a poor relationship with lots of miscommunication and resentment stretching back to childhood. Can this be repaired? Do they want it repaired? This book uncovers a little more of the family secret.
March 20, 2019
I enjoyed the earlier book in the series that told the story from the POV of Rose.
That ended on a very curious note!
This one from the POV of Reen was equally enjoyable and of course, the element of surprise that started with the previous books ending was continued here.
A nice read.
That ended on a very curious note!
This one from the POV of Reen was equally enjoyable and of course, the element of surprise that started with the previous books ending was continued here.
A nice read.
April 5, 2019
This is the second book in a series entitled ‘The Sisters’ Secrets.’ The first one is called ‘The Sisters’ Secrets: Rose’, which I haven’t read, though, whilst not ideal, I don’t think it matters that much if they are read out of sequence. It was still a great book for me and worked fine as a stand-alone read.
"The Sisters’ Secrets: Reen" has all the required ingredients that make a really fantastic story in its genre: from the mood and undercurrents to the good writing and the experience of love and friendship, not forgetting the feelings of hope and moving on from the past.
There is plenty of romance in this thought-provoking story and lots of lighter moments, but this is not lightweight paranormal dross. It examines issues around family and relationships as well as bereavement and loss.
I recommend this very engaging, if a little short, read to those with a fondness for the Romance and Women’s Fiction genres. There are more secrets to be revealed in the next book of the series ‘The Sisters’ Secrets: Pearl’ and I will be reading that book, too!
Thanks to NetGalley, HQ Digital and the author, Katlyn Duncan for my free ARC of The Sisters’ Secrets: Reen in exchange for an honest review.
#NetGalley #TheSistersSecretsReen
"The Sisters’ Secrets: Reen" has all the required ingredients that make a really fantastic story in its genre: from the mood and undercurrents to the good writing and the experience of love and friendship, not forgetting the feelings of hope and moving on from the past.
There is plenty of romance in this thought-provoking story and lots of lighter moments, but this is not lightweight paranormal dross. It examines issues around family and relationships as well as bereavement and loss.
I recommend this very engaging, if a little short, read to those with a fondness for the Romance and Women’s Fiction genres. There are more secrets to be revealed in the next book of the series ‘The Sisters’ Secrets: Pearl’ and I will be reading that book, too!
Thanks to NetGalley, HQ Digital and the author, Katlyn Duncan for my free ARC of The Sisters’ Secrets: Reen in exchange for an honest review.
#NetGalley #TheSistersSecretsReen
December 17, 2019
I started with the third one in this series, Pearl, which is about the mother of Rose and Reen and works very well as a stand alone.
Thus I already knew the family secret going into the first two, which might have changed the dynamic of the books slightly, but I actually thought this sequence of reading worked very well.
I am not usually a romance reader, and neither am I generally a great fan of fairy tale settings, but Pearl hooked me in and I now wanted to find out what happened to her little girls.
‘Rose’ and ‘Reen’ did not disappoint - it was lovely to read more about The Burrows, and it’s inhabitants and the mermaid lore, and about what happened to Pearl and her family after her ‘happily ever after’.
There were moments of sadness, and -let’s face it- Reen is a bit of a tricky one to like, but overall these are easy, entertaining, romantic, heart-warming books with just the right amount of magic and fantasy.
I also absolutely love the cover art, which made me pick them up in the first place.
Great series - highly recommended to anyone who wants a bit of light in all the darkness!
Thus I already knew the family secret going into the first two, which might have changed the dynamic of the books slightly, but I actually thought this sequence of reading worked very well.
I am not usually a romance reader, and neither am I generally a great fan of fairy tale settings, but Pearl hooked me in and I now wanted to find out what happened to her little girls.
‘Rose’ and ‘Reen’ did not disappoint - it was lovely to read more about The Burrows, and it’s inhabitants and the mermaid lore, and about what happened to Pearl and her family after her ‘happily ever after’.
There were moments of sadness, and -let’s face it- Reen is a bit of a tricky one to like, but overall these are easy, entertaining, romantic, heart-warming books with just the right amount of magic and fantasy.
I also absolutely love the cover art, which made me pick them up in the first place.
Great series - highly recommended to anyone who wants a bit of light in all the darkness!
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews